The National Jewish Post &Opinion Volume 77, Number 4 • January 12, 2011 • 7 Shevat 5771 Three Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com

Cover art by Bruce David (see p. NAT 2). NAT 2 January 12, 2011 Editorial About the Cover Shabbat Shalom Mi Reflections of the Soul Our local Jewish community is Shebeirach By Bruce David BY RABBI JON ADLAND coping with big losses that took place Jan. 7, 2011, Bo last month. Among others, Dr. Mark LYRICS BY Designed to illuminate (Exodus 10:1–13:16) 2 Shevat 5771 Pescovitz, who was a pioneer in kidney the essence of many DEBBIE FRIEDMAN AND DRORAH SETEL transplants, and two promising Jewish of Judaism’s foremost With this week’s Parashat Bo in the young men whose families immigrated qualities, this composition Exodus, the intensity of the plagues to the United States from Persia/Iran, Mi shebeirach avoteinu touches on the stirrings Bruce David increases as we read about the final Jamshid “Jimmy” J. Rastegar and Daniel M’kor habracha l’imoteinu and innermost longings of souls seeking three: locusts, darkness, and the death of Farahan, all died in December. On page spiritual enlightenment. The hope of the firstborn. We all know the plagues NAT 3 are obituaries for three people May the source of strength someday knowing true peace is probably even if we can’t recite them exactly or in who contributed much to this newspaper. among one of the greatest desires of order. They are terrible and frightening. I Also Jim Shipley writes about the loss of who blessed the ones individuals who have connected with can’t tell you if they actually happened. a close friend on page NAT 7. I had before us, their inner selves. This aspiration to live There are those who go to great lengths planned in this, our 13th healing/wellness Help us find the courage in a state of calm, surrounded by true to prove their validity and accuracy. issue, to write about the gifts of death. peace, stems from perhaps the greatest Without any corroborating evidence or However, as I am writing this, I to make our lives a blessing of the Torah’s blessings, the “Priestly secondary sources they are just part of hear about the loss of a beloved and And let us say: Amen. Blessing,” as it was given by God to the an amazing story about God, Moses, prominent Jewish woman, Debbie Jewish people in the wilderness, Pharaoh, and the eventual freeing of our Friedman, on Sun., Jan. 9, and another Mi shebeirach imoteinu (Numbers 6:24–26). ancestors from slavery. Jewish woman who is in critical M’kor habracha l’avoteinu In the picture, overlaid on the Torah, Some people would like to equate the condition, Congresswoman Gabrielle the hands of the Cohen (priest) are plagues of Exodus to modern plagues. If Giffords of Arizona. Friedman died from shown positioned for the recitation of God brought such terrible things down pneumonia, but she also had multiple Bless those in need of this blessing. Here, the first line of the on the heads of the Egyptians because of sclerosis (MS) for many years. healing with refuah sh’leimah priestly blessing may be found inscribed Pharaoh’s defiant determination not to Instead of my writing on the subject, The renewal of body, in Hebrew calligraphy: May the Lord let the Israelites go free, then why not I found eloquent words by Debbie bless you, and keep you… believe that there are incidents in Friedman from her website (www. the renewal of spirit Additionally, the final part of this modernity that can be attributed to God debbiefriedman.com) that are very And let us say: Amen. blessing may be found in the lower part as well. People equate the plagues of old appropriate for these circumstances. of the design, also in Hebrew: …And to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, They are included in page 1 of the Focus give you peace. tornados, or erupting volcanoes that are on Healing section in this issue. Manhattan – where Friedman taught Many believe that achieving this obviously, at least to certain people, acts Hopefully you will be comforted by from 2007 until last spring – called desired time of peace is based on the of God on the sinners of today. them. Even though she is no longer with Debbie Friedman a pioneer who has had just actions, love and respect shown by Personally, this is just ridiculous to us, it is ironic that this world famous a “tremendous impact”on contemporary individuals in their interactions with believe that God acts in such a manner, singer/songwriter of Jewish music is the Jewish practice by bringing a folk life in the world. Indicative of this life but many people would disagree person who is consoling me – the one approach to liturgical music. understanding are the doves in the with me. who is deeply saddened by her death. I feel very fortunate to have attended design seen carrying olive branches in At the same time, I do believe that Jewish congresswoman Gabrielle three concerts by her, years after I had their mouths. Similar to angels, who there are things which do plague our Giffords from Tucson is in critical already fallen in love with her music.The take upon themselves the yoke of the society that cause pain, hardship, and condition after being shot, on Sat., Jan. 8, first was at Conference on Alternatives Kingdom of Heaven, these doves are suffering to others. Greed, sexual slavery, in a rampage by a mentally unstable in Jewish Education (CAJE) when it was depicted as bringing peace on their wings. domestic abuse, hunger, homelessness, terrorist. I speak for everyone involved held in Bloomington, Ind., in August 1994. The search for truth, knowledge and despoliation of the earth, drug abuse, with the newspaper when I say we pray The second was at Four Courts, a Senior the wisdom necessary for proper religious wars, and war in general are for a speedy recovery for her. One good Center in Louisville, Ky., in March 1997, decision-making fuels the desires of just some of the issues that plague our way to do that would be with Debbie and the third was at Congregation Beth- those seeking to grasp a better world and our society today. At the same Friedman’s beloved Mi Shebeirach, prayer El Zedeck in Indianapolis in about 2000. (see Cover, page NAT 14) (see Adland, page NAT 6) for healing. (see sidebar above right) She was a sterling example of one who The following is part of a statement practices what she preaches because The National Jewish issued on Jan. 8, 2011 by Rabbi David even though she had ongoing health Saperstein, director of the Religious challenges, she always got up and sang Action Center of Reform Judaism: “Our with all her heart. Her concerts were thoughts and prayers go out to the lively and fun. In between her songs – Post &Opinion family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a where she would get everyone singing remarkable public servant shot while along – she told hilarious jokes. Even at www.jewishpostopinion.com meeting with constituents today. Rep. the nursing home in Louisville, she Giffords is a member of Reform got the very old residents up to the Editorial and sales offices located at The Jewish Post & Opinion 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220 Published monthly by Congregation Chaverim in Tucson, and microphone singing Yiddish songs while The Spokesman Co., Inc. office: (317) 972-7800 • fax: (317) 972-7807 our entire community shares her family’s she accompanied them on her guitar. (USPS 275-580) (ISSN 0888-0379) [email protected] concern and pain. We send condolences One could not come away from her Periodicals postage paid at Address correspondence to: Indianapolis, IN to the families of those killed in the concerts without being uplifted. 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220 All circulation correspondence horrible act of violence, including U.S. After the concert at Four Courts, I should be addressed to District Judge John Roll, and pray for complimented her with high praise, Publishers Advertising Director Accounting The National Jewish Post & Opinion, those who were wounded…we pray something to the effect of what a great Gabriel Cohen, z”l Barbara LeMaster Vivian Chan Subscription Department, Jennie Cohen 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220. that Rep. Giffords’ husband, Mark, and talent she is and a healing presence. Postmaster send address changes to: her entire family find support, comfort Her response was so humble. She said Graphic Design Editors The National Jewish Post & Opinion, and strength among their friends and something like we all have that ability, it Advertising Sales Charlie Bunes Jennie Cohen Subscription Department, Mary Herring Crystal Kurz Grechen Throop 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119 family, as we join them in praying for her is within you also. I say very few have Indianapolis, IN 46220 full recovery.” honed it like she has or touched as many Subscriptions $36.00 per year, back issues $2.25, single copies $2.00. Cantor Bruce Ruben, director of the lives with her skill as she did. May her All advertisements designed and prepared by The Jewish Post & Opinion are the sole property of the newspaper and School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union memory be for a blessing. may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2005 Spokesman Co. Inc. All rights reserved. College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jennie Cohen, January 12, 2011. January 12, 2011 NAT 3 Don’t eat meat or fish, because you have United States. To know Jack was to to kill the animal. I started doing yoga, know reverence, enthusiasm, creativity, Chassidic Rabbi and soon found myself much happier. Obituaries dedication and innovation. Jack will always One who lives a selfish life will never be known as one of the greatest Jewish BY RABBI BENZION COHEN be happy. Real happiness comes from Jack Botwin, 90 Scientists in our history and admired for helping others and other mitzvahs. his single-handed accomplishments. At this time of the year, 42 years ago, One part of the yoga I was doing was Jack Botwin died on Aug. 17, 2010 in I reached an important turning point in meditation. I would sit absolutely still, Sylmar, Calif., where he had been living my life. I dropped out of Hebrew relax completely, and focus on my soul. since the 1980’s. He had grown up in an Velma Cohen, 81 University and went to learn in yeshiva. Doing yoga opened me to religion, apartment over his family’s grocery store Here is a story from that period. including my own. A year later I found in New Jersey. He served in the Navy in Velma Cohen died on Jan. 5, 2011. This story takes place January 1970. I myself learning in yeshiva in Kfar the Pacific during World War II and upon Born in Chicago in 1929,Velma has been was 19 years old and learning in the Habad. One day I noticed several of the returning in 1945 came to live in New a member of the Louisville Community yeshiva in Kfar Habad, Israel. My Mom students sitting very still with their eyes York City. It was there, in the window of since 1960. She was a long standing came all the way over from Indianapolis closed before the morning prayers. I a neighborhood tailor that he saw a member of Hadassah, Women of Temple to see how I was doing and make sure I thought, hey, that looks like meditation. placard about Jewish Science Services in Shalom, Senior Adults of the Jewish was all right. Mom was very generous, I asked one of them what they were the True Sisters Building on West 86th Community Center and China, Burma, and often asked if I needed anything. doing and sure enough, it was Hassidic Street. When he went there, he was India Veterans of World War II Association. Whatever, she gave me a check. It was meditation, which they did to prepare surprised to see a woman leading the For over 30 years, Velma worked for The one of her paychecks for substitute themselves for the morning prayers. I service for the congregation; but what Kentucky Jewish Post & Opinion. teaching, for about $30. asked,“How do you do it?”They pointed kept him, and had him return every Velma was a wonderful wife, mother, A few days later one of my teachers, to an old man with a white beard and Sunday morning after that, was the grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin Reb Shlomo Haim Kesselman, flew to long black coat sitting in the front. message Mrs. Tehilla Lichtenstein and friend. She was preceded in death America to visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “That is Reb Shlomo Haim. He will be delivered about his personal life and the by her mother, Rose, father, Norman and Reb Shlomo Haim was a very special happy to teach you Hassidic meditation.” guidance it gave him in living it. Jack sister, Roberta. teacher and advisor who had taught Reb Shlomo Haim instructed me to became a member of the Board of Velma is survived by her husband, Les; generations of Habad rabbis in under- learn by heart the beginning of chapter Directors and a Life Member of Jewish daughter, Cindy Phelps (Mike); son: ground yeshivas in communist Russia 41 of a book called, “Tanya.” There the Science, his passion and enthusiasm and Larry Cohen (Barbara); grandchildren: and later in Israel. He was a man of great Rebbe says that before one does one love for Jewish Science was always there Joshua Phelps (Trine); Jessica Phelps; self sacrifice. The communists in Russia of G-d’s commandments, one should at each meeting and service. Jennifer Cohen; and Alexandra Cohen. were determined to prove that religion contemplate the greatness of G-d. Jack took a job working as a driver for Velma is also survived by two great- was dead, even if it meant they had to How does one contemplate the the City and for over 20 years, this grandchildren: Sebastian and Jakob kill all people who stubbornly held onto greatness of G-d? By contemplating the enabled him to provide a ride to services Phelps; as well as many, many family religious beliefs. He was eventually arrested greatness of His creation and how G-d for Mrs. Lichtenstein on Sunday morning. members and friends. and put into jail for teaching Torah. is constantly giving life and existence to The story is told about Jack when he Her funeral was held on Fri., Jan. 7, I went to the airport with a group of all the worlds and everything in them. met his love Trudy. He was in love with 2011 at the Herman Meyer & Son students to see Reb Shlomo Haim off. The more we realize the greatness of her, but his family was against the two of funeral home in Louisville. Burial When someone goes on a long trip, it is G-d, the more effort we will put into them getting married as Trudy was blind. followed in Keneseth Israel Cemetery. a custom to give them money to give to His mitzvahs. He was very disheartened and sought the Expressions of sympathy may be charity when they reach their destina- Now back to our story. Reb Shlomo opinion of Mrs. Lichtenstein. She asked if made to Temple Shalom, Hosparus of tion. That way their trip is connected Haim told the Rebbe that I was learning Jack loved her and he gave an enthusiastic Louisville or the J. Graham Brown with a mitzvah, and G-d will protect Torah well, careful in fulfilling the “yes,”and “yes”when asked if she loved Cancer Research Center. them. I gave Reb Shlomo Haim Mom’s mitzvahs, and doing Hassidic meditation him. She asked if he would devote himself check to give to charity in America. ten minutes every day before my to her and help her with her handicap Professor Robert A few days later Reb Shlomo Haim had morning prayers. The Rebbe was very when needed...again Jack responded “yes.” a private audience with the Lubavitcher happy to hear this. He stood up and said, “Then there is no reason in the world Sandler, 87 Rebbe, and gave him Mom’s check to “Ben Zion does Hassidic meditation? you and Trudy should not be married,” use for charity, saying it was from me. That would be good for all of the she said. After hearing these words from Bob Sandler died peacefully on The Rebbe asked him how I was doing. students in the Yeshiva!” his mentor, Jack and Trudy were married Dec. 18, 2010 after a very short illness – At this point I need to fill in some Afterwards Reb Shlomo Haim repeated and lived a wonderful life together. surrounded by his family & friends. background. I was born and raised in this story many times, to encourage his Shortly after Jack and Trudy decided to Bob was a native of Boston, veteran of Indianapolis. On one hand, we were students to meditate before praying. move to California, she passed away WWII from 1943-1945 serving in Europe rather liberal, and tended to look down Many of those who heard the story are leaving a second void, the first being no during the Normandy Invasion. He was on religion. On the other hand, we went now themselves teachers and rabbis, Jewish Science there. This led him to also a very active member of the Jewish to services every Shabbos, something and they tell the story to their students begin his own Jewish Science worship War Veterans for many years. which I sometimes resented as a and congregants, in many continents and study group. He got free community From 1953 to 1956, Professor Sandler teenager. So how did I become a and countries. And it all started with one room space to hold services, began to taught English Literature at Northeastern Lubavitcher? I did what many people act of loving kindness. advertise, distributed thousands of University in Boston. He and his family do. I took an indirect route. P.S. Since the time when this story Jewish Science books to people all over moved to Miami in 1956 after receiving When I was 17, I started college at happened, many major and miraculous California who saw his ads, and an offer for a position as Professor of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. One changes in the world have taken place. groomed others to start their own English at the University of Miami (UM). day I went to a bookstore to find some Today the government of Russia does groups in other parts of Los Angeles as He remained at UM until he retired as science fiction. I picked up a book on not oppose religion. Today Russia and well. Jack also took Mrs. Lichtenstein’s Professor of English Emeritus in 1990. yoga. It looked interesting and I bought many other countries in the world advice,“to have a temple in every home.” During his 34 years at UM he introduced it. I started reading it and thought, Wow! support belief in Hashem. According to Here he had all his Jewish Science many Jewish content courses into the This is amazing! the Rambam, the first stage of the final books, the service pamphlet and curriculum of the English Department, In America, I knew only one philosophy: redemption is that we will be free to Interpreter, and each day would find him such as Jewish Literature, Biblical Literature Look out for yourself, and only for practice our religion, to come to know reading a chapter, or portion thereof, and Literature of the Holocaust. yourself. Learn a good profession so Hashem. We are grateful, and looking reciting the affirmations and meditations He played a prominent role in the you can make a lot of money and buy forward to the next stages. It is up to us, from his living room chair. development of the Judaic Studies whatever you want and have a good to know Hashem and do more mitzvahs By his presence, his actions and his Program at the University of Miami and time. On the way, if someone else gets to bring Moshiach now! passion Jack led others to the Jewish served as the Acting Coordinator until hurt, so what? That’s not your problem. Rabbi Cohen lives in K’far Chabad, Science way of life, bringing Jewish Science the program was officially promulgated Yoga said something very different: Be Israel. He can be reached by email at inspiration, healing and guidance to untold by the University. He taught Adult careful not to hurt anyone or anything. [email protected]. numbers of people throughout the (see Obituaries, page NAT 15) NAT 4 January 12, 2011 How has this happened? And what known as the counter-culture, which human soul needs nourishment, just as can we do to remedy it? To fully answer also embraced such unconventional does the body.” Jewish the first question would consume more values as anti-consumerism, communal In other words, a vacuum existed space than available within the confines living, ecology, and organic farming. for authentic spirituality, and quite Psychology of this article, for it would take us far into Initially, such longstanding traditions understandably, the Kabbalah became the ups-and-downs of Jewish history as yoga, Zen Buddhism, and Taoism available to fill it. Not surprisingly, BY EDWARD HOFFMAN,PH.D. during the past 500 years. Also, the attracted the greatest attention, and its dazzling poetic vistas and inspiring answer would also bring us to complex then Sufism and Native American picture of human existence quickly The commercialization dimensions involving the sociology of (indigenous) forms of spirituality. proved captivating. As committed Jews, Western religion in general. Though During the 1970s, a host of popular our challenge is not to try to make the of Kabbalah: What’s undoubtedly more urgent, the second books by psychologists and philosophers Kabbalah disappear once again from question is easier to address. Let’s helped spur interest in the Eastern modern civilization – a goal which I the remedy? examine each in turn. path. They argued that ancient spiritual would certainly oppose – but to minimize Why has the Kabbalah suddenly traditions contained tremendous the commercialism and distortion that Until recently in the modern world, gained tremendous allure in our high- knowledge about human personality, surrounds it. Is this possible? Absolutely. the Kabbalah was an obscure, forgotten technology era? Three main reasons inner growth, and well-being, and How can we accomplish this? Here are element of Judaism, known mainly to seem clear. First, I believe, the horrors of therefore deserved serious study. For several specific recommendations: erudite scholars and isolated Hasidic World War II including the Nazi death instance, the American bestseller The 1) We must teach the Kabbalah as groups. To most European, North camps and the use of the atomic bomb Relaxation Response, written by a integral to Jewish history and theology. American, and South American Jews, the convinced many intelligent people that respected Harvard psychiatrist, insisted Because of the harmful influence of the Kabbalah was scarcely acknowledged as science could not be trusted to guide that meditation had powerful health German-Jewish historian Heinrich an authentic part of Jewish tradition, and humanity morally and ethically. For benefits for everyone. His book strongly Graetz in the 19th century, most Reform certainly nothing to be honored or example, the fact that German medical increased attention in the medical and Conservative rabbis and scholars admired. Nearly everywhere on the doctors and scientists eagerly joined the and psychological communities to Far came to believe that the Kabbalah was globe since the 1870s, cosmopolitan Jews Nazi effort to annihilate Jews and other Eastern disciplines. In a similar way, the not authentic to Judaism. However, as the associated the Kabbalah with outmoded “enemy” groups clearly demonstrated enticing American bestseller The Tao of scholarship of Gershom Scholem and speculation or even nonsensical beliefs. that a university education was no Physics contended that Taoism and other his students later demonstrated in our Such was the dominant view for guarantee of morality or humanitarianism. classic Far Eastern systems of thought time, that earlier view was completely 120 years. More broadly, the philosophical position offered great insights into the nature of wrong. It is now unmistakably clear But all this has changed rapidly. known as scientism (that is, making the cosmos – and in some ways, even that many of the greatest rabbinic Amazingly, in the space of a single science into a quasi-religion) was clearly predicted the newest discoveries of thinkers of Judaism wrote extensively generation, the Kabbalah has become a rendered untenable after World War II. quantum physics. about such esoteric works as the 13th- familiar word within the United States, After Auschwitz, only a fool could still Such books accelerated mass interest in century Sefer HaZohar. Nevertheless, Western Europe, and South America, argue that medical doctors and scientists mysticism from a respectable scientific many non-Orthodox rabbis and Jewish and even Southeast Asia including Japan. possessed superior morality or wisdom viewpoint, and must be seen as the educators still remain wary of studying Today, almost all educated non-Jews as because of their university education. As backdrop for the subsequent rise of and teaching Kabbalah, because of the well as Jews know that the Kabbalah is a result, age-old spiritual systems such as worldwide interest in the Kabbalah. residue of Graetz’s influence. Their Judaism’s longstanding mystical tradition Judaism no longer seemed so irrelevant Certainly, such intriguing works helped spur counterparts today in the Orthodox and that it has flourished on every to modern concerns. Indeed, such brilliant my intent to explicate the psychological community also avoid promulgating the inhabited continent. As never before in humanistic-existential thinkers in the insights of Kabbalah – a goal which Kabbalah, but for different reasons. the Industrial Age, millions of people post-World War II era as Martin Buber, resulted in my influential book, The Way This situation must change. We need to are now aware of Judaism’s cherished Erich Fromm, Abraham Maslow, Rollo of Splendor: Jewish Mysticism and produce more books and articles that esoteric system. May, and Viktor Frankl insisted that Modern Psychology, published in 1981. show how mystical concepts and practices Should committed Jews be celebrating for millennia, religion had raised vital To my knowledge, this volume was the have always flourished in Judaism, even this development? As a psychologist and questions that could be legitimately first by a professional psychologist to in such seemingly non-mystical works academician who, for nearly 30 years, recast in contemporary form, such as: present the basic teachings of the as the Talmud and the writings of has written books about Kabbalah and “What is the essence of human nature?” Kabbalah in the context of modern Maimonides.The more we can do so, the Jewish spirituality, my answer is: not “How can human beings realize their full writings about human personality and its less possible will it be for money-oriented yet. For as the old age says, “A little potential?”“What is the best society?” potential, such as advanced by Sigmund individuals and groups to market the knowledge can be a dangerous thing.” and “What is the meaning of human life?” Freud, William James, Carl Jung, Kabbalah as their own, unique “product.” That is, the vast majority of these millions Drawing upon early Hasidism for Abraham Maslow, and others. The Way 2) In teaching the Kabbalah, we must know almost nothing true about Jewish insights, the German-Jewish philosopher of Splendor immediately gained wide emphasize its ethical dimension. It is mysticism. Many have an over-simplified Martin Buber particularly helped to international appeal, and brought the ironic that today, this ethical component or even misleading perspective, and for spark widespread interest in Hasidic Kabbalah to the attention of psychologists, is so largely ignored, for historically it example, associate the Kabbalah almost thought. His poetic renditions of classic psychiatrists, and therapists. Many of has been vital to the energy and appeal entirely with magic spells and numerology; Hasidic stories (Tales of the Hasidim; The these persons had no particular religious of mystical Judaism. For example, such its powerful spiritual and ethical wisdom Tales of Rabbi Nachman) and inspiring identity, but saw its exciting capability revered Kabbalistic works as The Palm remains largely unknown. interpretations of Hasidic philosophy for therapeutic work. Tree of Deborah by Rabbi Moses Cordovero In several ways, this situation is due to (Hasidism and Modern Man; I and Thou) Finally, I believe that the Kabbalah re- in the 16th century and The Way of God what I call the global commercialization motivated many educated persons emerged significantly precisely because by Rabbi Moses Chaim Luzzatto in the of Kabbalah in recent years. That is, in a including non-Jews to explore Kabbalah, of the spiritual emptiness that many 18th century drew heavily from manner completely inconsistent with which was the theological foundation of Jews and non-Jews felt within their Kabbalah to stress how our individual Torah teaching and study, individuals early Hasidism. For Buber, men and synagogues and churches. In wealthy acts, speech, and thoughts impact the and organizations in many countries women in the modern Western world countries like the United States, these spiritual world around us. In order to have been attempting to “market” the had much to gain from the Hasidic institutions had outwardly erected large, help show that Kabbalah and ethical Kabbalah as an attractive consumer emphasis on joy and deep interpersonal impressive buildings, but had become guidance have for centuries been closely product – replete with such contemporary encounter as the essence of human life. inwardly boring and lifeless. They intertwined in Judaism, I recently forms of marketing as Hollywood Second, the late 1960s and 1970s offered little involving true religious produced a new anthology, The Kabbalah celebrity endorsements, fancy packaging witnessed a tremendous growth of experience or sacred study, but instead, Reader. Jewish ethics is among the most of common items like red strings, and interest in Eastern forms of religion and dull sermons and group prayers lacking profound and beautiful aspects of our multi-layered sources of financial gain. spirituality, particularly in experiential passion and intensity. It is no coincidence tradition, and its linkage to Kabbalah The goal of this marketing? To get rich. aspects like meditation and higher states that millions of persons began seeking needs to be emphasized today. And, to the dismay of many committed of consciousness. Within the United inspiration elsewhere, for as the Sefer 3) Finally, we must show how the Jews, this business-driven strategy has States and Western Europe, such interest HaZohar (Book of Splendor) astutely Kabbalah truly provides a time-honored proven quite successful. was broadly linked to what became declared more than 700 years ago, “the (see Hoffman, page NAT 5) January 12, 2011 NAT 5 very significant Jewish opportunity as Kabbalah Jewish well – that of being grateful for the Meditation for the blessing of having new things in our life. The Jewish tradition has a wonderful of the Month month of Shevat Educator way of honoring firsts with a blessing called the Shehecheyanu which means Do this meditation as often as BY MELINDA RIBNER BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN “who has kept us in life”in Hebrew. The you can during this month of Shehecheyanu gives thanks to God “Who Shevat began Shevat. Making 2011 has kept us alive, preserved us and Prepare yourself for meditation brought us to this special time.” On its on January 6 with slow deep breathing. Then, a year of firsts face, it gives us a way to thank God for imagine yourself as a tree. Your new and unusual experiences – such as It may still be the heart of the winter branches are now barren, but I am a closet card-aholic. Its true. watching a baby take her first steps, in many places, but the month of Shevat your roots are hidden, strong and Some people eat when they get stressed. beginning a new job, moving into a marks a hidden and mystical time of deep. Go deep inside, open to the Others shop. Me? I head straight to new house or tasting the first vegetables new beginnings. Shevat is a time of new creative energy stirring the card aisle at Walgreens or CVS. If from a garden. On a deeper level, it rebirth, new inspiration and creativity. within you now. Breathe deeply I’m really lucky and Hallmark has directs our attention and awareness to The first part of the month may still feel and open and attune yourself declared a holiday, like National Take our surroundings, so that we develop an dark and harsh, but that all changes after to this new flow. Open to a Your Pet to Work Day, I can get lost for ability to “see” and “feel” the spiritual the 15th of the month, the full moon, new beginning. Keep breathing hours wondering if there is anyone I significance of events in our life. and the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. deeply as you do this simple know, should know, or might know in The Shehecheyanu is also recited at the Be patient. Spring is coming. opening to the new. Let go of the future for whom this type of card start of Jewish holidays, like the first Something new is going to come forth the past limiting beliefs of who would be perfect. night of Chanukah and Passover, and from within you. Prepare yourself for the you thought you are, or what is And then, of course, there are the to celebrate any long-awaited special new revelation of light and blessing that possible in your life, and open to regulars, the ones I stockpile knowing occasion, such as the birth of a child or is available during this month of Shevat. simply being present. that they will be used in the coming the retirement from a career. In this last month of Tevet, we purified Open your heart, open your months: birthdays, anniversaries, Making 2011 a year of firsts is a win-win ourselves of anger, and learned new mind. Say “yes,” over and over graduations, bar and bat mitzvahs, deal. It gives us a chance to grow and ways to respond to challenges in our lives. again. Say it silently to yourself, Get Well, and my all-time favorite – fun learn by expanding our horizons while Through these efforts, the seeds of our say it out loud, sing it, shout it, and friendship cards. I buy them and encouraging us to be grateful for having vision for expressing our potential have whisper it. Breathe deeply. Yes, stash them in secret places – in the kitchen lived to see the moment. We can bless been planted deeper within us. In the Yes,Yes.Yes!! You will bring forth behind the bills, in my nightstand under God and our lives in many ways, and the month of Shevat, the seed is sprouting. beautiful flowers and new fruit the list of movies I intend to rent, next Shehecheyanu helps remind us of who During the month of Shevat, do this year.Yes, I can! Amen. Amen, to my computer in a file marked “Dates we are, from where we have come and not waste time focusing on what you Amen. Remember to say Amen to Remember.” The problem is I often how wonderful it is to be a witness to the physically see before you, what you have to conclude all prayer and forget where I put “that special card for people and events around us. and what you do not have. Much of what blessings. Amen seals the prayer my brother”until about two weeks after Lederman is an award winning author, we currently experience, we have already and blessing. Say it slowly from his birthday so that many of it ends up Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney birthed previously in our consciousness. a deep place in your belly. with the word “belated” scratched into who lives in Tucson. Visit her website at The outer world is a reflection of the inner the greeting. amyhirshberglederman.com. world. Everything has its roots in the It should come as no surprise then, spiritual and invisible realms of Being. represented by the holiday of Tu that I got the inspiration for writing this j i Let’s empty our minds of the past and B’Shevat. It is kabbalistically one of the piece while card-surfing at Trader Joes. HOFFMAN call out in the month of Shevat for new highest and most joyous days of the The card was enough – a picture of the (continued from page NAT 4) inspiration. Say “yes”to the newness of life year. It is called the New Year for the horizon with a man in a boat sailing on once again. Invite the awesome potential Trees. Though the trees may still be the water. And in finely scripted letters system for inner growth, rather than within you to come forth. Believe that barren at this time, we are told that the under the picture was this question: magical tools for amassing wealth, you will bear new fruit and you will. new sap begins to flow on Tu B’Shevat. “When was the last time you did social status, or material possessions. The energy of the month is best We once again trust in the cycle of something for the first time?” The more clearly we can present the life that will produce new leaves, fruits Wow.That really hit me. When was the Kabbalah’s lucid ideals and practices for and flowers. last time I did something for the very self-development – such as in improving The Torah tells us that the human first time? I couldn’t remember, although emotional discipline, enhancing being is likened to a tree. Like the sap I did make a new sweet potato recipe for willpower and intentionality (kavana), of the trees, our creative juices begin Thanksgiving, which I remember clearly and living each day with greater joy and flowing on Tu B’Shevat, so we too will because I had to go to the store three sense of purpose (tikkun), the more crass bear new fruit and flowers in the spring. times for ingredients I forgot. and vulgar to the general public will the How do we bear new fruit in our lives? I have kept the card on my desk for the “Kabbalah marketers”appear. How do we open to newness? We know past few weeks; its message like a banner As committed Jews, we cannot be passive that a tree needs firm roots to grow and before me. And as we begin a new year, amidst the global commercialization of it needs water. In the month of Shevat, I have decided to answer the question by this grand feature of our religion. But we refine and strengthen our roots. If we making 2011 a year of “firsts.” fortunately, passivity has never been a want to change what is happening in our I don’t necessarily mean firsts that characteristic Jewish personality trait. By lives, if we want to birth new possibilities would make my mother dial 911, like forcefully taking the initiative, and for ourselves, we have to change our bungee jumping or sky diving. Nor am stressing what is profound, inspiring, consciousness, our thoughts, our feelings I referring to things that cost a fortune and enduring about the Kabbalah, we and our connection to our bodies. Our or would require me to update my can best triumph over those who distort consciousness holds the roots of what passport. What I’m talking about is this: its true essence. we create in our life. Prayer, meditation, Making 2011 the year where each month Dr. Edward Hoffman is an adjunct asso- learning Torah and therapy are powerful I try something I’ve never tried before – ciate psychology professor at Yeshiva tools to change our consciousness. for the very first time. Like eating a new University in New York. He has written Interestingly enough, the area of food, wearing a new color or style, or many books on psychology and Judaism, healing this month is eating. Eating is reading a book I would never normally including most recently The Wisdom of also a mysterious inner process of choose to read. Maimonides and The Kabbalah Reader, renewal. We do not just eat physical Not only is this an exciting way to both by Trumpeter/Random House. Email: (see Ribner, page NAT 14) embrace the new year, but it affords a [email protected]. NAT 6 January 12, 2011 The circumstances of Chanukah are In the United States today, with the ADLAND not lost on them. We have a history catastrophe of urban education, his voice (continued from page NAT 2) Jewish when one nation or another has tried to calls out for all of us to reassess how we America take over our bodies and souls. History has have raised our children and how we time, the world is blessed with demonstrated that most of those nations have taught our children. His voice calls many Moses’ who work to lead those have disappeared and we are still here, out to reassess how to reach out to all for shackled in the chains of these plagues BY HOWARD W. KARSH but, at the same time, they are always whom any kind of education is rejected to a better land and a better place. Many replaced by other nations, not impressed out-of-hand, and to all Jews who have of those people are you, who volunteer Chanukah with historical lessons. We are here found their Judaism irrelevant. to feed, clothe, shelter, protect, or make celebrating freedom in the real, and it is In 1970 Charles E. Silberman others aware. Unlike the plagues in in Israel a gift of the Almighty open to all of us. published his landmark study,“Crisis in Exodus, the modern plagues in our the Classroom, the Remaking of American society can be defeated. Here we are in Israel as we begin a The issue of Jewish relevancy Education.” Although he received high In many ways I have to ask myself, family visit with children, grandchildren There is a long standing issue of compliments for his work, and it what was the ultimate goal of my and great-grandchildren. Our last visit Jewish relevance-irrelevance in our long was widely disseminated and discussed, people’s liberation from bondage? Was it was over a year and a half ago, and history. Even with all the catastrophic it did not stop the “rush to public just for me to eventually arrive at a that is too long to be away from a attacks on Jews and Jewish life, it seems education ruin.” Subsequently, he mountain seven weeks later and accept growing family. We are busy now that assimilation has always taken the published a small book on the “Crisis the Torah and mitzvot as the central holding great-grandchildren for the first highest toll. In every age, the issues that in Jewish Education,” in which he part of my life? Or was this liberation for time, watching others walking, talking spurred the associated losses were posited that too often Sunday School me, for all Jews, to be an or l’goyim, “a and busy with life. Chanukah is a different; the loss was continual and education gave its graduates a false light to the nations?” While the former beautiful time to be in Israel. This year devastating. For many, being Jewish sense of knowledge and an immature gives me strength, community, faith, the weather feels much like summer, all proved to be too great a burden and understanding of Jewish history and and commitment, it is the latter that the flowers are in full bloom, and came at too high a price. At other times, tradition, and it ill equipped them drives my journey. I celebrate Shabbat everywhere we go, the streets and the it was simply a matter of wanting a to make positive Jewish life decisions as part of my heritage and through this shops are busy. broader palate of life, and the desire to in the future. Silberman suggested that celebration I appreciate what I have and Your eyes tell you that the tourist be free of any restrictions. the graduates would be better off with the journey of my people, but even on business is thriving again. Our plane was When the subject of relevance is talked no formal Jewish education and no Shabbat, when we recite the Kiddush, filled with large groups of non-Jewish about in the Orthodox communities of sense of false understanding that they we remember our exodus from Egypt. tourists. The street sounds are quieter. the world today, it often centers on the were competent Jewish decision makers. We recall this to remind ourselves of the There are fewer construction sites and pain of families whose child is “off Rabbi Shapira’s important work laid responsibilities that come with freedom noise, and at the same time, the real the derech-off the path.” This is a buried in Warsaw until well after the and those responsibilities include the estate market is booming. This is a widespread issue today in the whole war. And while the miraculous discovery modern plagues that shackle too many dramatic difference from what we are Orthodox world, and there are a myriad and publishing constituted a miracle, today. Rest on Shabbat, but work for a experiencing in Wisconsin, in our region of professionals and organizations trying his work, up to now, has not been better world each and every other day and the whole United States. Israel to find solutions to the crisis a religious widely distributed. Silberman’s book, (and sometimes on Shabbat too.) escaped the housing disaster because of family faces when a child “defects.” It is though widely distributed, never The world is far from perfect and stricter mortgage requirements. There an issue within a broader series of issues. found an audience to put its suggestions though Shabbat gives us a foretaste of a were no subprime loans in Israeli Speaking to the whole issue of into practice. better world and a better day, it is just a housing. For many years the population irrelevancy is the voice of Rabbi All of us understand that there is a glimpse.To get to this better day, to cross here advocated for lower down Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira, the Rebbe crisis in Jewish life. All of us should the sea and climb the mountain to be at payments, but with the exception of of Plascecna, known as the Aish understand that the demographic count one with God in a more “perfect”world, some discounted prices where new Kodesh. Rabbi Shapira perished in the of Jews in the United States and the we must take on the challenges around housing is opening, there was none.That Holocaust, having elected to stay with world are, in the main, hollow, because us and fight against the plagues of today. tight policy paid dividends. his congregation through a time in the they do not reference anything other We must do this and none of us can turn The pace of life, in contrast, seems Warsaw Ghetto and finally dying in a than the incidence of the birth. All of us away from the responsibility of tikkun almost chaotic. Big families, constantly concentration camp. His only work, understand that the efforts that we are olam, making the world of tomorrow a coming and going; we call it organized Chovas HaTalmidim was discovered making to adequately educate Jewish better, safer, kinder, gentler place for all. chaos. It starts earlier in the morning where he had buried it in the Warsaw children fall short. We are, in fact, in the When you light your Shabbat candles and lasts later into the night. Like Ghetto, and a new translation has just middle of a Jewish tsunami and find this evening, light one to remind us of most grandparents coming to visit, we been published by Feldheim Books. ourselves paralyzed by the enormity of our obligation to others. Light the other maintain our own schedules, marveling Among the revelations is the fact the problem. candle to help lead us to the top of the at their energy. that relevancy and irrelevancy were There is a false sense of security in the mountain so that we, too, can stand in The most important constant that we significant issues in pre-World War II religious neighborhoods of Israel, I the place that Moses stood. notice is the seeming disinterest in the Poland and Europe, and the rabbi believe. My grandchildren are in classes Rabbi Adland has been leading Reform rest of the world. There is a general thoughtfully and scholarly lays out the of 35 to 40 children, young children congregations for more than 25 years in malaise that you feel here with reference causes and effects. with more differences than similarities, Lexington, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind. to anything changing for the better. He suggests that our lives and the who come home to families that are Mishnah Avot 2:19. Rabbi Elazar used to For most Israelis, their country has growth of science have given our chil- struggling with size and the enormous say: “It is not incumbent upon you to always been at war or war ready, and life dren a premature sense of their own energy that it takes to live and thrive in finish the task. Yet, you are not free to simply had to move on. Our children are experience and maturity, and often then, Israel. But they, at least, understand the desist from it.” not oblivious to what is happening contempt for the history and tradition of cost of losing their children. in the world, they simply came to the their families and their families’faith. He In the United States, too often, parents j i conclusion, both religious and secular, suggests that this leads to an emotional do not have the experience, knowledge to the self-education you need to be a that they were not at the world table, and intellectual arrogance, in which or will to win over their children from an resource to your family and make time and that they would be better off simply individuals reject the education and environment full of opportunities “of and priority for being involved in things living their lives. traditions of their families, and often, freedom from”rather than “freedom to.” Jewish. The examples of failure are all It is one of the ironies that American their families as well. They refuse to be The widespread reach of the Internet, around us. We need to elect to transfer a parents of Israelis live with. We are more bound by anything that is not the product the distractions of texting, the dangers tradition full and intact to our children, attentive to the daily interplay of Israel of their own experience and knowledge. of sexting, the easy access to drugs, the by living it with them, learning along with the world than they are, that is, as In this spellbinding book, he goes on lack of any peer support seem beyond side of them, and as a family, navigating long as the rockets are not being fired or to talk about the responsibilities of fam- their reach. the challenging American scene. landing. It is not complacency, just the ilies and educators to individualize their If you intend to raise your children in Howard W. Karsh lives and writes in realization that it just didn’t work with approach to every child, destroying the an enriched Jewish environment, you Milwaukee, Wisc., and can be reached at their lives. concept of “one size fits all.” must accept the challenge, and respond [email protected]. January 12, 2011 NAT 7 were not even allowed. For two newer gives them three wishes. They dance generations (and half of a third) that with glee. “We want a palace – we Shipley might be hard to believe. But it is true. Spoonful want roast goose every night, we want You could look it up – excuse me – servants and coaches and many rubles Speaks Google it. of Humor in the bank.” Look, there are many, many worthy The prophet notices with keen BY JIM SHIPLEY Jews on the front lines of today’s battles. BY TED ROBERTS disappointment that they ignore love. It’s just that the history and the struggles But that’s not his problem. All is granted On the passing of that particular generation are so Elijah’s gift to them. But what good is roast goose, amazing and should be so unforgettable even in garlic sauce, if your helpmate of giants but still, I worry that they will be. Have you heard the tale of the 36 glares at you across the supper table? I remember a meeting attended by the tzadiks – a rare midrash known only in And how much fun is it to ride in a Some of them leave us every day. then executive director of the Jewish the state of Alabama by me and my gilded coach while your partner is trying They were called many things: The Federation of Orlando, Hy Lake and rabbi? These tzadiks, humbly appearing to push you out of the door? Three Greatest Generation. The children of the myself. We met with the editorial board emissaries from heaven – ragged and wishes – all for trinkets of this world, Depression. Parents of the Baby Boom. of the local daily newspaper, the Orlando unshaven, hobo-like – are known only but not one for the only thing of value – And they were and are many things. Sentinel. The Sentinel, then as now, to the Boss (like undercover CIA agents) love, goodness. Without them this country could never was owned by the Tribune Corporation with the mission of reporting to him the I think you can guess the fate of the be really called “great.” of Chicago. Based on the philosophy moral conditions of his universe. He ex-welfare recipients. Without love, their As Jews, we have and had our own. of their founder, Colonel McCormack, doesn’t worry about the mountains, the palace and servants and bank balance They were the ones who fought so they were conservative politically and oceans, the deserts, the meadows – none faded into nothingness. that the Jews could have their own usually anti-Israel. of which misbehave. His real concern is Their neighbors and townspeople homeland. Some went to the nascent They had an opinion columnist on his latest creation, man. watched with curious eyes. And state of Israel and actually fought to staff who wrote some scathing stories So, his 36 “spies”– an ugly word, but remember, Chelm was a town full of make sure it happened. Some stayed about Israel. Most of the facts he quoted close to the truth – circulate on Earth schmiels – they misspelled the road sign, here and fought just as hard politically were not facts at all – kind of like today. and report back to the celestial CEO. even. When the town was transferred and financially to see that the birth of But instead of holding meetings among But our Creator, as most physiologists from Russian to Polish jurisdiction the Third Jewish Commonwealth would ourselves or writing letters, Hy arranged know, believes in back-up, in they rejoiced: “Great, no more of those take place and that no one would stop it. a meeting at the Sentinel with the duplication. Did he not bless us with bone-chilling, Russian winters!” They grew up at a time when racism editorial board and the columnist. The two kidneys, two lungs, even two Soon everybody heard the story of the was as natural to this nation as apple pie meeting followed the usual pattern of adenoids? (So why didn’t he think of ragged traveler who turned wooden and baseball, where no black man could us quoting facts and showing where two hearts? Ask your doctor, not sheds into palaces if you offered to share play in the major leagues, when anti- they were amiss in their judgments, your rabbi.) your chicken leg with him. “He turns Semitism kept Jews from elite colleges and they saying that they covered both But concerned with redundancy,he your shacky house into a palace, loads and out of board rooms. But, they did sides equally. backs up his tzadik reconnaissance force. up your bank account, and then destroys not quit. They became educated; they But then, as the meeting drew to The back up? The hardworking Prophet your family,” the Chelmites whispered. took their place in law offices and a close, I watched Hy approach the Elijah. Elijah, the faithful servant – Disintegration – husband and wife at hospitals and in business and publishing columnist and begin to chat. I overheard always ready for a second job. He already each other’s throat – kids running wild. houses and arts organizations. These him ask the columnist where he was has the Passover gig, and unknown to “Don’t let him in,”they shouted. were Jews who would not be denied. from and about his background and Hy most of us, attends every bris; so says Door to door trudged poor Elijah Not in their lives, not in the lives of their telling him of his own background in the midrash. His spare time is limited, making the same old pitch and meeting fellow Jews. Chicago and how he came to Florida. to say the least. But now a new job of the same old refusals. One lady dumped I am of an age where I was honored to Within a few minutes they left the room evaluating the human condition. a bowl of porridge on his poor, old, gray know many of them. Some of those still to have lunch together. The columns As usual, his earthly form disguised head. “Break up my family will ya!” around, I treasure as friends. And, they suddenly became pro-Israel and made a his rank. He wore rags and had the dull The Chelmites just couldn’t integrate leave us. Here in our town, Orlando, Fla., logical case for the actions of the Jewish look of hunger in his eyes. He moved the concepts of material prosperity we recently lost a giant. His name was state. At that meeting and obviously at among the people – observed them – and domestic compatibility. Soon, the Hyman Lake and I was pleased and that luncheon, Hy did not yell and and usually tested the warmth of their prophet gave up and moved on to the honored to call him friend. pound the table as he did so often when heart. Then he reported back to the next village where the peasants reveled I guess you could say that Hy Lake’s raising funds amongst his own folks. Hy Creator of their world. in their new-found prosperity. life was “typical”of that generation. But made a friend, and it paid off. There’s a strange story wherein the Who knows? Maybe those Chelmites nothing about these giants was typical. So, they are leaving us. These masquerading prophet stops in the weren’t as dumb as tradition relates. Hy was a street vendor in Chicago as a righteous men and women. Steeped in village of Chelm – a town noted for its Ted Roberts, a Rockower Award winner, youth just to put bread on the Lake their own history and that of the State of stupidity. And on what door does he is a syndicated Jewish columnist who looks Table. He worked his way through law Israel, they knew. They knew of the knock? At the crummiest hovel in town at Jewish life with rare wit and insight. school. As a lawyer he took on the bigots blood of 1948 and 1967 and 1973. There he knocks and asks for hospitality. Sure, When he’s not writing, Ted worships at and the stuffed shirts and established is no way the present attitude on most come in, says the householder.“And stay Etz Chayim Synagogue in Huntsville, himself as a righteous Jew. college campuses would be allowed to for supper. What little we have we’ll Ala., where for 25 years he has served as I met Hy and found that he believed in stand in their day. The Zionist cause share with you.”A little? The wife brings bar mitzvah teacher. His inspiration is his most of the things I did. Neither of us has become one of derision. The lies out a chipped platter containing a single patient wife, Shirley. Check out his was particularly “observant,”but both of about the State of Israel are becoming chicken leg. (Wonderful, thinks the Web site: www.wonderwordworks.com or us loved the Jewish people and loved endemic in much of the youth on prophet – one chicken leg and they blogsite: www.scribblerontheroof.typepad being Jewish. I made fundraising calls campus. Yes, there are our Hillels and share it.) Though beyond his authority, .com. His collected works The Scribbler on with Hy for Israel. His presentation was our Birthrights, and such. But we he can’t resist the impulse to reward The Roof can be bought at Amazon.com or always reasonable until he met an need the passion. We even need the these warm-hearted people. In short, he lulu.com/content/127641. unreasonable person. Then the street fear. Yes, the fear that is and was in the fighter came out – in spades! mind of all those giants that Israel and On this date in He was of that generation. They had the Jews would once again be the j i to fight for what they thought was “Other.”“Never again!” said Hy Lake. Jim Shipley has had careers in broadcasting, Jewish history reasonably theirs. They had to defy We should honor his memory by distribution, advertising, and telecommu- On January 12, 1493 the odds that said unless you were fighting as hard as he did for the nications. He began his working life in white, protestant and privileged, there rights of our people, the Jewish radio in Philadelphia. He has written his Jews expelled from Sicily. were places in this free country where homeland and for that matter, as he did JPO column for 20 years and is director of ~ From The Jewish Book of Days published by you were just not welcome. And, if you for the rights of all peoples. I miss you Trading Wise, an international trade and Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., New York. were a Jew, there were places you old friend. marketing company in Orlando, Fla. NAT 8 January 12, 2011 visited the center several times because my nostrils, the black embers were on the they have done a lot of work on under my tennis shoes, and the puffs Seen Tibetan plants. of smoke were still smoldering in a “We have an interest in the highest few places by a house in Kibbutz Israel Scene place [Tibet] and the lowest place [the Bet Oren and in the Carmel Forest, Dead Sea],” Dr. Sallon said. “We grow four days after the Carmel fire was BY SYBIL KAPLAN plants at Kibbutz Ketura and test them declared suppressed. at Hadassah School of Medicine, using Standing first at an observation Methuselah, ancient and historical sources like point below Haifa University, where Maimonides and Ibn Sana.” the main command post had been the oldest seed They translate ancient manuscripts established, Israel Tauber, director of on medicinal plants from Latin, Greek, forest management for the KKL-JNF, ever grown and Aramaic, Arabic, Hebrew and the told us this was the worst wild fire Romance languages. ever experienced in Israel in terms of Tu B’Shevat “We use the information to pinpoint “intensity, size and casualties.” what we want to test. Some have never When I started to think of what been translated before. We call it theme would best represent Tu B’Shevat ‘data mining.’” for my article this year, an idea popped Currently researchers at the center are into my head that soon led me to Dr. screening for tumors, otherwise known Sarah Sallon, director of the Louis Borick as cancers, for Parkinson’s (which is Natural Medicine Research Center at the “Methuselah” date plant. Photo provided not named in the ancient writings but Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. by Dr. Sarah Sallon. whose symptoms are described) and for What best symbolizes the holiday Alzheimer’s (described as memory loss). known in the Talmud as Rosh Hashanah Three date palm seeds were found, The loss of memory was a sign of aging l’ilanot, the New Year of the Trees, more along with other discoveries, and were in in the ancient writings, thus the center is than dates? Why New Year? Because the custodianship of Professor E. Netzer looking at plants traditionally used to Burned landscape. Photo by Barry A. Jewish literature of the 6th to 11th in charge of Yigal Yadin’s collection. improve people’s memory. Melancholy Kaplan/Israel. centuries identifies Tu B’Shevat as one These were stored at Bar Ilan University is today’s depression; coughing up blood Michael Weinberger, director of the on which the fate of the trees and fruit in Tel Aviv with Professor Mordechai is today’s tuberculosis. supervisor’s office of forests in the is decided. The Mishnah, that part of Kislev who identified them. Recently the center tested in its early Western Galilee, told us how he saw the the Talmud which explains, interprets Dr. Sallon’s colleague, Dr. Elaine stages and isolated an interesting plant for mushroom over the Druze village of and analyzes the laws of the Torah, Solowey, botanist of the Arava Institute Parkinson’s.“It shows an interesting affect Isafiya, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on indicates the holiday’s significance as a for Environmental Studies at Kibbutz in the laboratory,”Dr. Sallon remarked. Thurs., Dec. 2, and decided to bring on day meant to link the Jew to the land of Ketura, actually took the three 2,000- “We use the ancient language of the northern region fire crews and the Eretz Yisrael. year-old seeds and planted them. After the healers and apply them to modern duster airplane, feeling “this would be a According to Dr. Sallon, “in 2005 we eight weeks, one seed successfully conditions,” says Dr. Sallon.“Looking at huge fire,”since it seemed to be running were interested in rejuvenating lost flora germinated and was named Methuselah. the date (Methuselah) and other ancient a mile per hour. One hundred twenty of Eretz Yisrael. One of the lost flora is Initially, the first leaves had white medicines is part of searching for men and 12 fire engines, 70 percent of the Judaean date. I was discussing with spots because of a lack of chlorophyll, [sources]. It’s so precious to us.” the country’s forces, were called up to some scientists about their work, trying however, after 26 months the plant Dr. Sallon was born in London and assist what seemed to be man made, to extract DNA from ancient seeds. I showed normal development. holds a Bachelor of Science degree, probably due to neglect, which had said, “If we had ancient seeds, why Although I was only permitted to see a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of started at Isafiya. couldn’t we grow them?” still photograph and others on the computer, Surgery degrees, member of the Royal Kalil Adar, director of the forest Masada came up in the conversation. the exact location of the now, two-meter- College of Surgeons, diploma of the department for the northern region of Masada is the palace built by King high (6.5 foot) tree is a secret. Dr. Sallon Royal College of Obstetricians and JNF, showed us maps, as we stood 1,700 Herod overlooking the Dead Sea 2,046 said it is in a “protected, quarantined Gynecologists, member of the Royal feet above sea level, pointing out how years ago, inhabited by 1,000 Jews who site,” and she visits Methuselah “quite College of Physicians in Pediatrics. She the fire appeared on the peaks of the took up refuge and then committed frequently,”every few months. has held positions with Hadassah ridge then to the west and northwest. suicide to avoid capture by the Romans “It looks like a regular date palm,”said University Hospital since 1983 and has The strong, dry eastern winds, low in 70 C.E. The site was excavated in Dr. Sallon, in her office at Hadassah been director of the Natural Medicine humidity and lack of rain for the past the 1960s by archaeologist, Yigal Yadin. Hospital, Ein Karem, “but we have Research Center since 1994. She has eight months contributed to the intensity. to look more at its DNA. When we worked at hospitals in Hong Kong; “I’ve never seen such a situation regarding compared it to the DNA of a regular Bombay, Hyderabad and Calcutta, India; intensity and crazy behavior,”said Adar. cultivated species of dates, it closely Wollo Province, Ethiopia; and Nepal Seeing the black hills made the fire even resembled the Egyptian type.” and has done research into traditional more real to us. Right now Methudselah is simply medicine in India,Victoria, B.C., and Israel. Our next stop was Kibbutz Bet Oren. growing and not showing its sexual In 1934 the kibbutz was settled as part of characteristics. Its sex will not be known Seeing the aftermath of the fire a watch tower and stockade camp then for a few years. through our own eyes after an Arab attack two years later, it “If it’s female, we’ll call it Mrs. All week we had been watching was abandoned, only to be refounded in Methuselah,”says Dr. Sallon. Potentially, with horror the scenes on television and 1939. In 1999, members petitioned the it could be fertilized by pollen of a male reading about the Carmel fire in the High Court of Justice to classify it as a date and possibly produce dates. newspapers, the 10,465 acres destroyed cooperative society, and today it has This project is part of Dr. Sallon’s and 43 victims. been privatized and is a community works, looking at medicinal plants of When the Jewish National Fund village. It operates a hotel and spa, Israel. The Louis Borick Natural (Keren Kayemet l’Yisael – see sidebar) horse riding center, lead factory, glass Medicine Research Center, which is invited foreign correspondents to tour work shop, membership-based funded entirely by donations, researches Carmel with the professional foresters swimming pool, pub with live bands natural medicines and, according to of KKL-JNF to learn about the fire and mountain-bike store offering bikes, Dr. Sallon, “one of the most important damages and rehabilitation plans, we repairs and guided trips. natural medicines comes from plants.” were eager to go. We climb a hill and meet Yohay Cohen, The center staff of 20–30 people collect In a few short hours, we were born on the kibbutz and now co-owner Dr. Sarah Sallon. Photo by Barry A. seeds, grow plants and harvest them following the giant leaps the fire had of the spa attached to the hotel. Yohay Kaplan/Israel. and then test them. The Dali Lama has taken a few days before.The smell was in explained that although the village had January 12, 2011 NAT 9 created an emergency team several dream and save the country from months ago, they had no special uniform Keren Kayemet l’Yisrael Jewish starvation. “Any Dream Will Do,” the or identification to show to those who (Jewish National Fund) was show’s opening song, sets the tone for were part of the official fire fighting founded in 1901 and until the Theater this adventure tale, with its hills and crews, so when they received a call at State was created, its role was valleys, its bright and darker moments. 11:30 a.m. calling for evacuation, buses buying land. Since the creation In this production, director Scott came first to remove the children and of Israel, its role as a quasi- REVIEWED BY IRENE BACKALENICK Thompson emphasizes the Broadway the elderly. The rest of the people governmental, nonprofit agency show-biz side of the musical. The story, were also evacuated, leaving only the is caretaker of the land of Israel The bible dances unfortunately, gets short shrift, given the emergency team. The Haifa Police Chief on behalf of Jewish people every- relentless non-stop parade of song-and- Deputy Commander, Ahuva Tomer, then where. It became the agency for its way across the dance numbers. An occasional quieter came and told them to evacuate. improving the land in the areas of interlude might have brought the story She continued to the road, across the forestry, reservoirs and dams, Connecticut stage itself to center stage, acknowledging valley, where the bus of prison service agriculture and soil conservation. moments of poignancy. And it might cadets was traveling. It was consumed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor have made more of the musical fire and she too was fatally burned in her Dreamcoat now dances its way across the message, suggesting the birth of the car, while following the bus. Michael Weinberger, director of the Connecticut stage. That endearing tale modern-day Israel. Yohay relates how he stood on the supervisor’s office of forests in the from the Old Testament (or, rather, the But Thompson and company make the road of the kibbutz, looking across the Western Galilee, says that since those Torah), depicting the early days of the most of the delightful tunes, and the wadi (the channel of a watercourse that fires, 20 fire trucks were purchased but Jewish people, serves as a basis for this irreverent lyrics which turn the Bible into is dry except during periods of rainfall) without the planes sent in to help this popular musical. And now a cabaret modern jargon. It’s all tongue-in-check, 600–700 meters in the distance. He time, the damage would have doubled theater in Bridgeport, Conn. offers up a as the eleven brothers honor Joseph’s could see the bus coming on the road as from this fire. razzle-dazzle show for the holiday downfall with the delicious “One More it hit the fire.“I asked myself, who would We boarded the van, drove down the season. Productions numbers in this Angel in Heaven” or Potiphar’s Wife send a bus of people into the fire?” hill and out of the kibbutz and then sung-through musical follow hard on attempts Joseph’s seduction in “Potiphar.” On the kibbutz, Yohay explained how across the wadi to the road to drive past each other, always with bounce and verve. The music is confined to no one genre, “the fire came down the mountain, its the site of the bus burning. There was Downtown Cabaret has fortunately but ranges from rock and roll to calypso fumes were very strong, it went past the bumper-to-bumper traffic with people opted for the best of the Andrew Lloyd to pure Lloyd Webber. They have even road and burned the [kibbutz] night stopping to gaze at or add to a memorial Webber/Tim Rice efforts – a show which turned the Pharaoh into an Elvis Presley club.” It continued on, consuming 15 by laying flowers and candles at this marked the beginnings of the famed look-alike. buildings containing 40 apartments. location. It was so unreal to be where collaboration. (Originally it was a short Thompson’s well-designed, well- this happened. piece written for a school concert, to be choreograph musical is also blessed From here, we drove up to the Carmel later expanded into a full-length musical.) with a fine cast. And the show exudes forest across the road from the luxury Though the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim a feeling of good will which spills over Carmel Spa resort. The smell was strong Rice team would go from strength to into the audience. as we stood among the burned embers. strength (with Evita and others in the If the show’s stronger messages are lost We hear how the area was engulfed in future), this early effort reflected the along the way, so be it. It nonetheless smoke last Friday night and how they brashness and optimism of youth. How offers good holiday entertainment, and saw the fire coming toward the hotel. appropriate that they had chosen the there are other ways one can connect to This is one of the only spots where you upbeat Joseph story! the Torah, such as a return to the Book could get to the fire from fire engines. It is an irreverent spoof, but the story is itself for a direct reading. In this mixed forest with pine and oak, laid out all the same. Jacob, the patriarch Irene Backalenick critiques theater for Burned apartment building in Kibbutz we learn how rehabilitation of the favors his son Joseph over his eleven national and regional publications. She has Bet Oren. Photo by Barry A. Kaplan/Israel. forests will take place. They hope the brothers, giving him a coat of many colors. a Ph.D. in theater criticism from City He walked us down the road, past the area will have pine seedlings in three to The brothers deeply resent Joseph, and University Graduate Center. Her book East yellow ribbons, further into the kibbutz. four months and the natural oaks will the coat is the final straw. Hence they sell Side Story – Ten Years with the Jewish We were shocked to see the burned-out grow on their own. Every section will be Joseph into slavery, handing him over to Repertory Theatre won a first-place national apartment buildings where smoke is still planned because the area is sensitive the traveling Ishmaelites. But Joseph will book award in history. She welcomes smoldering. Right off the path was a pile and the issue is sensitive, but it may be triumph with his secret weapon, the comments at [email protected] and of burned objects taken from the 30–40 years before there is a forest. In ability to interpret dreams. Ultimately, in invites you to visit her website: nytheater destroyed apartments. I was so touched the meantime, people will not be Egypt, he will interpret the Pharaoh’s scene.com or at: jewish-theatre.com. by toys, a doll, a bath tub. Further on allowed to walk in the area while the were two burned-out skeletons of cars. young seedlings take root. The kibbutz was unable to get water to Dr. Omri Boneh, director of the KKL the burning areas because the water Northern Region and with KKL for 28 pumps were electrically controlled and years, spoke to us while we stopped for the electricity had been interrupted, he lunch in a picnic area. Trails, picnic areas told us. and sites located in the burned areas will Adding a little humor to the tragedy, need to be rehabilitated. On a happier in one burned-out building they found a note, all of the animals in the nearby Hai room, unknown to the kibbutz, where Bar wildlife refuge were saved. the Haganah had stored weapons, prior Israel Tauber, director of forest to 1948. management for the KKL-JNF, told us Kalil Adar, director of the forest “there were no forests or vegetation department for the Northern Region of before the State was established. KKL-JNF, explained how the falling Bringing back the forests was a kind of missiles in the 2006 Second Lebanon national goal.” War created fires,“but we confronted the Kalil Adar, director of the forest fires. You didn’t see the enemy; you department for the Northern Region of didn’t know when the next missile KKL-JNF, adds that,“to the KKL crews, would fall, and for the first time, we had the forest is our day-to-day life. A few the feeling we might die because of the battles were won but not the whole war.” missiles falling. As commander of the Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, book crews, I can tell you, the people were reviewer, food columnist, and feature L-R: Jodie Langel, as the Narrator, and Kristofer Stock, as Joseph, in Joseph and the very brave and very strong.” writer who lives in Jerusalem. Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Downtown Cabaret in Bridgeport, Conn. NAT 10 January 12, 2011 The Orthodox Union will pay tribute non-Jewish students alike. The Touro Also featured was world-famous to the remarkable legacy of Dr. Bernard educational universe includes the highly Cantor Moshe Schulhof, who conducted Jews’ News Lander, z”l, and honor Vivian and competitive Lander Colleges for Men Shabbat services with great emotion and Dr. David Luchins of New York and and Women in New York. Along with beauty. He is an icon of the cantorial Rivkah and Rabbi Zev Leff of Moshav his Touro involvement, Dr. Lander world and superstar of the concert stage. URJ launches Mattityahu in Israel (formerly of served for decades in a leadership Chairman of this event was General two special needs North Miami Beach) for 50 years of capacity at the Orthodox Union and Eugene Lebovitz (retired) who has involvement with NCSY, the OU’s played an historic role in creating and remained active in quality-of-life summer programs international youth program. The nurturing NCSY. projects for Israeli service members, with presentations will take place at the Ben “Dr. Bernard Lander’s historic role the group Agudat L’ma’an HaChayal. January 6, 2011 – The Union for Zakkai Honor Society (BZHS) Annual in helping to create and nurture This organization is analogous to the Reform Judaism (URJ) is committed to Scholarship Reception, Sun., Jan. 30 at NCSY ensured him a special place in American USO. In addition to building providing a Reform Jewish camping 5:00 p.m. at Bohemian National Hall, contemporary American history even sports and recreational centers, it also experience to all children, including 321 East 73rd Street in New York. before he set out to revolutionize higher is focused on matters of the spirit, those with special needs. In addition to In addition, the Society will salute education by founding Touro College,” donating synagogues, Torah scrolls, and the highly successful special needs Brenda and Dr. Howard Rosenthal of declared Dr. Luchins. “Vivian and I are other elements of a religious nature. programs at Reform Jewish Camps Kutz Kansas City, Kan., with the Enid and Harold honored to receive an award that bears He dedicated a new Torah, ark and and Newman, URJ has launched two Boxer Memorial Award; and honor its his and his extraordinary wife’s names.” reading table to the hotel so that in the additional special needs programs, Israel newest inductees, Aaron Horn of East David serves as chair of the Political future Jews would have a place to pray in a Special Way and Camp Chazak. Windsor, NJ; Jessica Hoffman of Seattle; Science Department of Touro College with a Torah. The kosher food for The Mitzvah Corps program at Camp Noach Klein of Southfield, Mich.; and and was founding dean of Touro’s Shabbat was magnificent and abundant. Kutz in Warwick, NY, and the Camp Rabbi Michael Rovinsky of St. Louis. Lander College for Women, the Anna Co-chairman was Fred Taucher. Born Nefesh program at Camp Newman in Vivian and David Luchins will receive Ruth and Mark Hasten School. 1933 in Berlin, Germany, Taucher Santa Rosa, Calif., were both created for the Sarah Rivkah and Dr. Bernard Lander Brenda Fogelson Rosenthal and survived one of the most horrifying autistic teens. The two new programs Memorial Award. Rivkah and Rabbi Zev Howard Rosenthal didn’t bother to wait periods in human history largely though pick up where these existing programs Leff will be the recipients of the Ezra until they joined NCSY to make each the protection of Gertrude Nölting, a leave off and reach special needs children Ben-Zion Lightman Memorial Award. other’s acquaintance – they met in the family friend and high-ranking member both on and off the autism spectrum. Interestingly enough, Vivian and David 6th grade, in Phoenix. Then came NCSY. of the Nazi Party and a personal friend Israel in a Special Way, URJ’s first Israel and Rivkah and Zev were among 400 After completing their medical training of Hitler. experience special needs program, is teenagers who attended NCSY in New York, the couple moved to Taucher and his brother were the only offered to teens between the ages of 16 Founding Events in the Catskills and Kansas City, Kan., where they have both members of his family to survive the and 19 with ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s Miami in May 1965. Four of those served as presidents of their synagogue, Holocaust. His father was arrested and sent syndrome, learning disabilities and/or teenagers have stayed involved for 50 Beth Israel, Abraham & Voliner, and to Auschwitz, where he died a few days mild social or emotional difficulties. years – Vivian, David, Rivkah and Zev. participate in and host NCSY events later. Shortly before the Soviets liberated This unique Israel travel program One reason, perhaps, is that they met throughout the year. Berlin in May 1945, Taucher’s mother integrates spiritual, adventure and their respective spouses in NCSY. The The four new inductees – Aaron, disappeared and was never heard from. learning experiences. This program is Luchins’ are the only married couple Jessica, Noach and Rabbi Michael – He discussed his new book, Saved by the made possible with the cooperation of who both serve on the Orthodox Union bring the living membership in BZHS to Enemy. Michael Levin, of blessed memory, Summit Camp and Travel. Board of Directors. Both the Luchins’ 935. Rabbi Steven Burg, international was also honored and a moving Camp Chazak, located at Eisner and and the Leffs’ are regulars at NCSY director of NCSY summed up the documentary, A Hero in Heaven, was Crane Lake Camps in Massachusetts, events including national conventions as honorees as follows: “The warmth, shown about his life. He grew up in was developed for kids from 5th through well as other Orthodox Union gatherings. commitment and passion for Judaism of Holland, Bucks County, Pa. Michael was 8th grades with communication and social BZHS is an alumni “Hall of Fame” our inductees has resonated with so raised in a Jewish home, attending Camp delays. Functioning as a therapeutic and whose new members are nominated by, many Jewish teens over the years, and I Ramah, Gratz College, USY High, and recreational camp, Chazak is equipped and voted on, by its current members based feel very fortunate to have them as part NATIV. Since he was a child he had a with a clinically trained staff and utilizes on the nominees’service to NCSY and the of the NCSY family.” very strong love for his homeland, Israel. a research-based program. Campers Jewish community. The Society’s main For information on attending the BZHS After Michael made aliyah (moved to receive all the recreational benefits of a function is to raise funds for scholarships Annual Scholarship Reception or to Israel) three years ago, he was able to mainstream camp but are given additional for high school NCSYers for summer contribute to its Souvenir Journal, contact achieve his lifelong dream of joining the resources to help them improve their programs in North America and Israel www.ou.org/bzdinner or Elaine Grossman Israeli Defense Forces. He served in an skills and grow their confidence. and for teens to continue their Jewish at 212-613-8350 or [email protected]. elite paratrooper unit, #890, and made the “These new programs offer invaluable education after high school.The Society has ultimate sacrifice defending Israel during experiences for Jewish youth who helped pay tribute for more than 40 years combat. He fell in battle in Lebanon on may have been otherwise excluded to esteemed NCSY alumni and community Holocaust survivors Aug. 1, 2006. He was 22 years old. from Israel and camp programs,” said leaders who have demonstrated their Josh Flaster spoke at the gathering. He Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, president of the dedication to Torah and their service to gather in Las Vegas graduated from Yale University in 2006 Union for Reform Judaism. “We hope the Jewish people. The Jan. 30 event and made aliyah to Israel after graduation. to offer similar programs in the future will be the 15th Annual Scholarship A recent weekend gathering of He was accepted into the Sayeret so that every Jewish child and teen has Reception. Isabelle Novak of Los Holocaust survivors and their families (Special Forces) of Nahal Infantry as a the opportunity to attend a Jewish Angeles serves as chair of Ben Zakkai. took place Dec. 17–19 at The Venetian lone soldier. Josh served with his unit in summer program.” Rabbi Dr. Bernard Lander was Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas. Rabbi Dr. Nablus, Hebron, Lebanon, and the For more information, please visit the the founder of Touro College and served Bernard Rosenberg was the keynote Golan Heights and was recognized for URJ’s camp and Israel special needs as its president for almost 40 years, until speaker. He is spiritual leader of his leadership and skill in navigation. website or Contact: Annette Powers at his death on Feb. 8, 2010 at the age of 94. Congregation Beth El in Edison, N.J., Commander Lebovitz was presented [email protected] or 212-650-4154. He built the school from a fledgling and teaches at Rutgers University in with a special plaque for his dedication institution with only 35 students in 1971 New Jersey and Yeshiva University in and service to the lone soldiers of Israel. NCSY to honor to an educational powerhouse with New York. He serves as Holocaust chair- Following his experiences as a lone some 20,000 undergraduate and man of the New York Board of Rabbis soldier and eager to alleviate many of Lander’s legacy graduate students across the United and was associate editor of the New the hardships lone soldiers face, Josh, States and in Israel, Germany, France, Jersey State Holocaust education together with a group of former lone The NCSY Reception will honor Russia and elsewhere, making Touro curriculum. Dr. Rosenberg frequently soldiers, founded the Lone Soldier the legacy of Dr. Lander of Touro College the largest Jewish-operated educational appears on national T.V. and is the Center in memory of Michael Levin. by inducting four member into the institution in the world. author of numerous books. Stephen “Pista”Nasser also spoke. He honor society and presenting three Touro offers yeshiva, secular and His topic was “How to preserve recovered from the ashes of the memorial awards. professional studies to Jewish and Holocaust memory before it is too late.” (see News, page NAT 15) January 12, 2011 NAT 11 compelling anti-war narrative. Translated was all about. I maintain that she would into English as To This Day, this story have lots of company among our people, Travel appears in a volume, by the same name, As I especially our youth. published by Toby Press in 2008. Heard It Having stated these things, the Shoah Jerusalem’s Agnon’s classic novel, Only Yesterday, is now 50 years old and has little relevance with its memorable hero, Yitzchak or meaning to many of us. Mr. Daniel Beit Agnon Kumer, follows the wanderings of a stray BY MORTON GOLD Barenboim, the eminent conductor, dog through the streets of Jerusalem’s believes that Wagner’s music should be (Agnon House): Mea Shearim neighborhood. The book Too soon to performed in Israel. His feeling is that it deals with issues that are as central to is great music, beautiful and powerful. A major landmark that city’s life today, as they were perform Wagner’s As a musician (though hardly eminent), decades ago. The power of Agnon’s I would surely agree with him. However BY DR.SUSAN SMALL prose is such that 40 years after his music in Israel as a Jew, there are other factors that are death, there are regular walking tours in worthy of consideration. The year 2010 marked the 40th Jerusalem that follow in the footsteps of There has been and still is a controversy While I cannot get emotional about anniversary of the death of one of the that stray dog, with his novel, Only in Israel about the appropriateness of the various wars prior to World War II or greatest Hebrew writers of all time, Yesterday, as their guide. performing the orchestral music of various other conflicts in recorded history, Shmuel Yoseph Agnon, the only Nobel Among Agnon’s most unforgettable Richard Wagner. We have a long memory I can and do get emotional about the Prize winner for Hebrew Literature. heroes is the figure of Tehila, the as a people, however, I would observe various calamities suffered by my people Some of Israel’s most celebrated remarkable kind-hearted, elderly Jewish that the less religiously oriented folk through the ages. The important factor contemporary writers, such A.B. mother, and beloved Jerusalem resident, among us have a shorter memory than here is that I can and do identify myself Yehoshua, Aharon Appelfeld and Amos whose dignified, pious bearing the more observant. as being part of the Jewish People. Thus Oz, have paid tribute to Agnon and have commands the respect of even the Many Jews still fast on Tisha B’Av what has happened to the Jewish People spoken of the profound influence that British soldiers, under whose mandate recalling the destruction of both Temples is something that I identify with. While his writings had on their own work. the country is run. Other magnificent 2,000 years ago. We also observe the we may have forgiven the perpetrators In his numerous stories, and novels, works by Agnon include his martyrology readings on Yom Kippur, of these crimes (the Crusaders, the Agnon explores Jewish tradition, Jewish masterpiece, The Bridal Canopy, A which recall various massacres during Spanish, the Catholic Church, the thought, and the Jewish experience Simple Story, A Guest for the Night,and the Crusades, pogroms, as well as the Germans and others who were willing through the prism of the modern world. various novels, novellas and short stories. horrors of the Shoah. The opening accomplishers, or the Arabs), we can and He presents the reader with many prayers of Yom Kippur eve (“Our vows should never forget what they did to us. layered, and richly woven, narratives. shall not be vows, our oaths shall not be Just as one can understand the The narratives appear to be very simple, oaths”) are based on the persecutions significance of the Civil War to and accessible, on the surface. But a brought on by the Spanish Inquisition, Southerners in the United States, one careful reading of these texts leads the which occurred more than 400 years ago. can sympathize and empathize with the reader into a myriad of chambers, and However, one does not have to be super few survivors of the Shoah living in treasures, of Jewish civilization. observant to notice that the beginning of Israel and elsewhere. For better or ill A most erudite Torah scholar himself, the Civil War in this country was a Hitler and the Nazis idealized and Agnon was probably as learned as any of non-event except in the Dixiecrat states, identified themselves with the music of the great rabbis of his day. Yet he especially South Carolina. The Spanish- Wagner who was an acknowledged was equally well read in the modern American War and World War I (the hater of Jews. To make this a win/win literatures of his time. Agnon’s home in Jerusalem’s Talpiot Great War or the War to End Wars) are situation for most everyone (one can S.Y. Agnon (whose name was Shmuel section, built in the Bauhaus style, has all noted mostly in the history books never hope to please everyone) I would Yoseph Tchatchkes) was born in 1888, been open to the public since the as well as the occasion in the latter case suggest that Wagner’s music not be in the town of Buczacz, eastern writer’s death, in 1970. Recently it was for various sales. performed in Israel for 200 years. At the Galicia, which was at that time part of completely and beautifully renovated, Even World War II is something of a end of that time the survivors of the Shoah, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is except for the large study, which has non-event, as veterans of that war are in their children and grandchildren would presently part of the Ukraine. The town been preserved exactly as he had left it. increasingly short supply. The Korean be dead. Except for the uber observant, was at one time regarded as the Beit Agnon has become a cultural Conflict and the Vienam War are noted the Shoah would have as much meaning “Jerusalem of Galicia.” center in Jerusalem, where lectures and as something belonging to the past, as then as the Inquisition has for us today. At the age of 20, Agnon left his family workshops are regularly given on aspects meaningful especially to our teenagers Then, the time would be right for and made his way to Palestine, as an of Agnon’s writings, and on other topics. as the study of the wars between ancient the resumption as well as rehabilitation idealistic Zionist. He lived in Jaffa, part There are all sorts of programs and Greece and Sparta. of Wagner’s music. Why? One has to of the new Jewish city of Tel Aviv. readings of his works, and even Just this past Yom Kippur, when a male separate the music from the politics of Ultimately he settled in Jerusalem, programs for children focusing on his soloist was singing Kol Nidre, I noticed a the person who created it. We observe where he spent the rest of his life. In writings for children. There are also girl of about five years of age who was Pearl Harbor Day, but there is now no 1912, at the suggestion of the Zionist videos about his life, and dramatizations dancing and trying everything she could shortage of products made in Japan in leader, Dr. Arthur Ruppin, he traveled to of some of his writings. to call attention to herself. It is likely that this country.That war happened 50 years Germany to broaden his education. He Tours of the House and tours of she had never heard a trained male ago and we need to get on with our lives. stayed there until 1924, living in many Jerusalem related to his works are also voice, had never attended a religious This is also true with music. It may be places, and building ties with scholars available. In addition Beit Agnon offers service or had any idea what Yom Kippur a long time, but the sensibilities of the and writers. tours to different parts of Israel, weekend victims and their families and descendants It was in Germany that Agnon met retreats, and trips to Eastern Europe in j i need to be respected. Even for a great Salman Schocken, the prosperous owner the footsteps of Agnon’s writings, and the (Only Yesterday). The restaurant has composer who was an anti-Semite! of major department stores, who became writings of other authors from that region. bookshelves with Agnon’s and other Dr. Gold is a composer, conductor and his patron throughout his life. In his In Israel there are many streets named literary works, and it schedules evenings music critic for the Post & Opinion. He is works Agnon subtly captures the spirit after this great writer. Outside of Israel when there are literary readings from the 2010 recipient of the Kavod Award of the times in Germany proper and there is an Agnon Hebrew School in writings by different authors. Even the given to him by the Cantors Assembly of among its Jewish population. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio. A street in his home- plates in that restaurant come with North America at their recent convention. Berlin until the outbreak of World War I, town, Buczacz, now in the Ukraine, has inscriptions of literary passages. He can be reached at: drmortongold@ then in Leipzig, and after the war,in been named after him.That town’s museum Beit Agnon now also has, periodically, yahoo.com. Munich and Bad Homburg. has an exhibit about Agnon as well. English programs for adults and even In his story, To This Day (Ad Hena,in In Jerusalem, in the heart of the city, at for children, along with guided tours Hebrew), he gives a powerful portrait of 5 Solomon St., there now is a fine café/ for groups and individuals. The house is the atmosphere of that wartime period restaurant, cum bookstore, named after located at 16 Klausner St., in Talpiot, the in Germany. In its own way it is a most his masterpiece novel, T’mol Shilshom southern part of Jerusalem. NAT 12 January 12, 2011 If Shirley is a “Pharisee,” then she is to teach from books (a salvation for and pushed him when he did not like a a Pharisee who has no patience for higher education?) and Abed and “holiday display with no holiday.” Media comments about Jesus from Jews, let Shirley have their O. Henry moment Despite the obvious ethical problems alone from film-makers playing Jesus in during which they tell one another,“You with stealing, for whatever reason, Alena Watch the name of art. In Jesus-like fashion, humble me.” is affecting and beautiful and comes Abed predicts that Shirley will shut I suppose that the message here is that to represent the spirit of Christmas. BY RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL down his film and become a Pharisee. relationships between people of different Grossman, the guy with the Jewish Truth be told, Shirley does show signs of backgrounds and religions should result name, comes across as evil personified Holidays 2010 behaving toward Abed the way that the in a certain humility which is always good with a nebishy twist. There was a time in Pharisees, the angry and confrontational for ensuring religious tolerance. (Indeed, TV drama when Jews were the generous Community chorus in Christian scriptures, are in a subsequent, animated Christmas ones. For whatever reason, writers Tray NBC’s Community, though often off- depicted as behaving toward Jesus. fantasy episode, Shirley describes herself Callaway and Aaron Rahsaam Thomas beat and jolly, is at times downright In several New Testament passages, as having become a “moderate Christian.” have chosen to end that tradition. provocative, and not in a thoughtless “the Pharisees” are called “hypocrites Yet the implication here is that would-be way. The 2010 episode that served as and liars.” Though Shirley is making a Jesus figures bring about either blind Brothers and Sisters harbinger of the “holiday season”reveals religious movie herself and though she adoration or understandable resentment, If there were a hall of shame for the strengths and weaknesses of this was the first to enlist classmates to make and that those who would destroy their the worst holiday-themed TV episodes better-than-average ensemble comedy a religious film to counteract the vulgar work are not entirely wrong-headed. however, we would have to nominate series about a study group for older-than- viral video, she makes an official Another implication, new in the annals the last hour in 2010 of Brothers and average students at a community college. complaint about a “religious film” being of treatment of Jews in popular media, is Sisters, the continuing saga of a not The episode is a spoof on film-making made on “state [or city?] property.” that Jews are too busy being either old very likeable and not very admirable classes and also of those who would exploit Is Shirley being depicted as a souls or joy-riding old fogies to play the family who can be counted upon to religious themes for unabashed titillation. “hypocrite” and “Pharisee” as a spoof “Pharisee” to anyone, so Christians make tasteless and vulgar choices. It begins with the class looking at a on the nasty handling of the Pharisees might as well do it. Such a scenario fore- In this episode, written by Stephen religion-bashing viral video and then (the Hebrew Sages in the New stalls any effort to point out the unfair Tolkin and Geoffrey Nauffts, the grown being told by their indifferent instructor Testament), or is the point being made use of the term,“Pharisee,” in Christian (but consistently immature) siblings that 17 million people sought out the that anyone who opposes an offbeat scriptures and in Western society. But disagree so sharply on Christmas video that class evangelist Shirley (Yvette guru-type will elicit the same human doesn’t that just bolster intolerance and décor that they engage in competing Nicole Brown) found “blasphemous.”Yet traits of any opposition, for any reason? misunderstanding, at the expense of Jews? Christmas preparations. Their mother she admits that by contrast there “were Annie’s “Jesus was Jewish” remark is Nora (Sally Field) had chosen Christmas nine people at my church last night.” the only “Jewish” feature while these CSI: New York as a time to escape family squabbles and Fellow student Abed (Danny Puti), rather heady questions are being raised. CSI: New York offered strange holiday holiday stresses, and to seek a peaceful who is Muslim, testifies that he has been Yet there is a subplot playing itself out fare. It seems that on “Black Friday,” respite in a warm climate with her reading the New Testament and finds where Jews are more prominently, albeit the post-Thanksgiving shopping day, boyfriend. But a “Christmas Carol” type Jesus cooler than just walking on water unflatteringly, depicted. It seems that Mac (Gary Sinese) and Jo (Sela Ward) dream (how original) prods her to act or telling people not to make abortions.” the senior most member of the group, apprehend a pick pocket on time to on her guilt feelings and to return home This encourages Shirley to seek some funds Pierce, a relatively young retiree, is witness the grand unveiling of the on time to save the holiday. from her church and to engage Abed to hanging out with some mischievous Manhattan store’s window display. But Somehow, the holiday turns out to be make a “cool and addictive” Jesus old retirees in the community who mock something goes terribly wrong and a beautiful even though the behavior of YouTube. Abed pledges to make “a Jesus his association with younger people.Two corpse is loaded up into the window. all the children before the holiday, movie for the post, post modern world.” nasty senior delinquents are Jews, and use The body turns out to belong to the independent of their mother’s presence or Abed decides to make his Jesus film vulgar Yiddish terms. The seniors bully store manager, one Richard Grossman. absence, has not been impressive. Even from the perspective of a film-maker one of the school deans and take his car Right away we learn that Mr. Grossman, the revered Uncle Saul (Ron Rifkin), exploring the life of Jesus – art imitating for a joy ride, coercing Pierce to follow who “liked to crack a whip,” was not feels foolish for his sexual indiscretions life so that life imitates art, or something along. Here is another of TV’s ugly very well-liked and was behind a “lot of which have resulted in AIDs. along those lines, so that the film-maker depictions of Jewish seniors as part of an belt-tightening”at the store. I watched the episode because in the “realizes that he is actually Jesus and older generation who“don’ t give a damn.” Gradually, we learn that Grossman show’s first season, the holiday episode being filmed by God’s camera, forever As for the message of the episode witnessed a female employee, Alena, a was devoted to the search for Jewish and ever, like a mirror in a mirror.” itself, this interesting and even historic single mother of two, stealing from the roots by a grandchild. It seems that The interesting premise here is that TV foray into Christian-Muslim relations store. She had been diagnosed with a Grandma Nora, like her brother, Saul, is through his souped up, amateurish and (with Jews depicted as senile trouble- terminal illness and had decided to take Jewish, and therefore the four children are crass project, Abed becomes a Jesus makers or purveyors of “Jesus was tiny bits of money from the cash register, Jewish and some of the grandchildren. figure, both adored and vilified. He is a Jewish” slogans), the Muslim student, which she knew the store would write Just when I was feeling relieved that the hero to most of his classmates, and a Abed, realizing that he is not the Jesus of off, in order to provide “bonuses”for those “Jewish” aspect had been forgotten, the heretic to Shirley. She bails from his film, film-making, offers a prayer: “Dear God, whom the store was planning to fire. (It last few minutes turned to “Jewish blood.” determined to produce her own. In my movie is the worst piece of crap I’ve seems that she was not even stealing for At the most inopportune moment for response to her withdrawal,Abed declares ever seen in my entire life. How could I her own children.) She had decided to one daughter and her boyfriend, Uncle rather self-righteously, “You’re reacting have been so blind? It’s a self-indulgent stay on the job, despite her declining Saul decides to pipe up: “Amidst all the [to me] the way the world did to Jesus.” adolescent mess. I can barely sit through health, to help people in this way. abundance of holly and ivy I just wanted The writer of the episode, Andrew it. And after all this hype…the critics are We learn, as well, that Grossman to remind my beloved family of our Guest, makes it clear that Shirley is now going to crucify me. My career will be blackmailed her by demanding sex from Jewish blood that flows through all our regarded as the Pharisee or the opponent over before it begins. God, if you’re out her. She yielded to him, ostensibly in veins. I know that Chanukah is past and to Abed. She is told,“Why don’t you go there, I know I don’t deserve it, but I order to keep helping others, but we’ve lit all our candles. I just wanted to back to your Temple.” Quoting First need your help. Please take this project thought that he was making a one-time share a little blessing that is offered in Corinthians, Abed sanctimoniously away from me. Make it rain, send a demand. But he kept coming after her. celebration of new beginnings.” replies,“It’s not blasphemous to say we meteor, anything, please, now.” When he attacked her physically right Uncle Saul then proceeds to recite the are God, Shirley.” Shirley feels that she Shirley overhears the prayer and before the window was unveiled, she Shehechiyanu prayer in thanks to God for must guard the integrity of the Bible smashes the camera with a bat. A grateful killed him in self-defense. We learn that enabling us to live and to reach a special against those who would glibly Abed tells Shirley that many people there were many sexual harassment occasion. That chanting serves as a “Scripture” her, including Abed (“Did think that she is a villain, destined to suits pending against Grossman. mantra to affirm whatever choices the you just Scripture me, Muslim?”) When destroy the genius. But Abed has saved Apparently, Grossman was not only characters have made and to confirm the Jewish study group member, Annie and edited Shirley’s hokey but heartfelt violent to women but to men, as well. their Christmas spirit. (Alison Brie), chimes in that “Jesus was video. As a result of the unavailability of Alena’s former fiancé, a window designer, This vulgarity has taught me to Jewish,” Shirley chides, “Are you ever the “artistic”video and the blandness of reports that Grossman was a “little appreciate traditional concern that the gonna let that go?” the available one, the instructor is forced jackass”who had a “Napoleon complex” (see Gertel, page NAT 15) January 12, 2011 NAT 13 then moved briefly to St. Louis to join an When his job ended, he moved the family Wolfe as Youngblood Hawke, were among improvisational group; went back to New to Milwaukee and then to New York, the works that came next. Leading Book Reviews York where his wife had their second unable to find another position. candidates for being considered Wouk’s child and then left him because of his Responsibility for supporting the family best known books are his two extensively REVIEWED BY MORTON I. TEICHER uncertain career. He finally achieved fell to Ehrich and his siblings. He became researched accounts of World War II, success in Second City, “a hole-in-the an entertainer, changed his name to The Winds of War (1971) and War and Importance of wall theater” in Chicago that attained Houdini, and became enormously Remembrance (1978), which were made spontaneity and national attention. After a year, Second successful with his dazzling magic acts into a popular City established a company in New York and his breathtaking escapes. His TV miniseries. ability to improvise where Arkin performed before becoming celebrity and fame were sources of Wouk adopted the lead actor in Enter Laughing. At last, inspiration to many American Jews, a traditional An Improvised Life. By Alan Arkin. he realized his dream of becoming an actor. although Houdini married a Catholic Jewish way of life Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2011. He began to make movies and worked woman and celebrated Christmas with her. in his mid-20s 224 Pages. $16.95. as a director, always trying to improve In 1920, Houdini began a campaign and remains an Actor, director, author, musician, and his performance and to understand what against Spiritualism, the false belief that observant Jew. workshop director, Alan Arkin has made for achievement as an actor. spirits of dead individuals could be His first account appeared in more than 80 films. He Now married for the third time and contacted through mediums. He of this decision received several living in New Mexico, Arkin shares exposed the tricks used by mediums and and his beliefs Academy Award with his readers the conviction he had a well-known run-in with Arthur are set forth in nominations has acquired about the importance of Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock his 1959 book, This Is My God. His new before winning spontaneity and the ability to improvise. Holmes and believer in Spiritualism. book, The Language God Talks, which the Oscar in 2007 Since his talent has been so richly Houdini unmasked as fake the supposed is largely autobiographical, continues as Best Actor in a demonstrated through the years, who spirit message from Houdini’s mother to discuss Wouk’s piety, focusing on Supporting Role can argue with his formulation of the that was produced by Doyle’s wife. the relationship between science and for his portrayal key to success? Houdini had literary interests that led religion. He develops this theme by of Grandfather him to become a noted book collector. describing his talks with scientists, Edwin in Little He amassed two impressive collections, including Nobel Laureate Richard Miss Sunshine. Handcuffs, chains, one dealing with magic and the other Feynman, an American theoretical Arkin made an shackles, and a with theater. He accumulated so much physicist who worked on the atom bomb outstanding material that he employed a full-time at Los Alamos. Others included Murray screen debut in 1966 as a Russian naval strait-jacket librarian to organize the books, programs, Gell-Man and Steven Weinberg who, lieutenant in The Russians Are Coming, and other items that he had acquired. along with Feynman, were non- the Russians Are Coming. He acted on Houdini. By Brooke Kamin Rapaport. Perhaps best known for his hair-raising observant Jews. Wouk sought these and off-Broadway, earning the Tony New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010. escapes, Houdini used handcuffs, people out as part of his preparation Award for his role in Enter Laughing. 262 Pages. $39.95. New York: Jewish chains, shackles, and a strait-jacket, for writing his World War II novels. Now 76 years old, Arkin has written Museum. breaking free even though he was Wouk discusses his interactions with this insightful autobiography that From Oct. 29, placed in a trunk, a crate in the water, each of the scientists but concentrates recounts some elements of his career 2010 to March and a milk can. These objects are all on Feynman with whom he had three while emphasizing the lessons he has 27, 2011, the included in the exhibition, along with sets of discussions as well as an imaginary learned about living a full life. Born in Jewish Museum posters, photos, diaries, prints, cartoons, one. The first time they met, Feynman Brooklyn in 1934 to Jewish parents who is displaying an drawings, newspaper clippings, and told Wouk that full understanding de-emphasized any religious identification, exhibition on the paintings. The guide also has a useful necessitated his learning calculus which Arkin fails to mention anything about art and magic of chronology and interviews with such he described as The Language God Talks. being a Jew in his book. Early in his Harry Houdini. It people as E.L. Doctorow, whose novel, Wouk’s persistence in exploring the career, when he realized that he “had no is scheduled to Ragtime, features sections portraying relationship between science and life outside the theater,” he turned for move to the Houdini. Other interviews are with religion led, among other things to help to psychoanalysis rather than to Skirball Cultural contemporary artists who were his being present at the launch of Apollo religion. After five years, he felt that he Center in Los Angeles on April 28, 2011; influenced by Houdini. It should be 11 in 1969 when it lifted off for the had achieved no inner peace and so he then to the Contemporary Jewish noted that despite all this material in the moon. He later tried unsuccessfully to started reading Eastern philosophy and Museum in San Francisco and finally,to exhibition and the guide, nowhere is to urge Neil Armstrong to write about this began to meditate. A small reflection of the Madison, Wisc., Museum of be found any explanation as to how exploit. Wouk describes additional space Arkin’s lack of Jewish identification is his Contemporary Art. This outstanding Houdini performed his tricks. travel experiences and the work on statement that “For me, going to Carnegie book, published jointly by the Yale Whether or not you are able to see the ever larger telescopes to improve our Hall had always been going to church.” University Press and the Jewish exhibition, this well-illustrated book understanding of astronomy. When he was five years old, Arkin Museum, is the guide to the exhibition. stands on its own as a full introduction The book meanders on to mention announced to his father that he was Beyond serving as a handbook that to the life of Houdini. It celebrates his Tevya the Dairyman and The Analects going to be an actor. When he was reproduces many of the items on display, life which continues to hold a respected of Confucius which were both important eleven, his family moved to California the book includes essays by the show’s place among Jewish celebrities. to him. He explores several scientific where he took acting classes in high curator, Brooke Kamin Rapaport, Alan discoveries, leaping to comments on school and was cast in all the school Brinkley, history professor at Columbia Huckleberry Finn, his trips to China, plays. He also studied guitar and had University, Hasia R. Diner, professor of Argument between Israel, and Germany. Sometimes, acting lessons with a private instructor. American Jewish history at New York science and religion his rambling wanderings are difficult In 1954, Arkin enrolled in Bennington University, and Kenneth Silverman, to follow. College which was then an all-female professor emeritus of English at New York The Language God Talks. By Herman Finally, Wouk examines his imaginary school but which kept four men on the University.These essays examine Houdini’s Wouk. New York: Little, Brown, 2010. fourth conversation with Richard Feynman campus to act in plays. After two years, his life as an immigrant to the United States; 183. Pages. $23.99. which takes place in Georgetown. They poor academic record and his marriage his Jewish identity; and the role of his Herman Wouk, a prolific novelist and debate science and religion, citing various to a music and dance student led him to wife as his assistant and, after his death, playwright, is 95 years old and is said authorities but failing to persuade leave Bennington and to move from as “the custodian of his memory.” to be writing another book! His first each other. The closest they come to Vermont to New York. He joined a group Houdini, magician and death-defying book, Aurora Dawn, appeared in 1947, agreement is when Wouk quotes Steven of folk singers and supported his escape artist, was born in Budapest in followed by The Caine Mutiny in 1951 Weinberg, one of the scientists he pregnant wife and himself by touring 1874 as Ehrich Weiss. His father moved to which won the Pulitzer Prize and interviewed, also a Nobel Laureate, who through the United States, Canada, and Appleton, Wisc., in 1876 where he became became a successful play and movie. wrote, “It’s not that science makes it Europe. He returned to New York where the rabbi of a small congregation and Marjorie Morningstar in 1955 and impossible for intelligent people to be he had a role in an off-Broadway play; where his family joined him in 1878. Wouk’s fictional biography of Thomas (see Teicher, page NAT 15) NAT 14 January 12, 2011 ahead to get to the daycare center.This is COVER a little out of the ordinary, I know, and I (continued from page NAT 2) My Kosher Focus II couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched. But happen it did. But it seems to me understanding of God’s will. The Kitchen that while technology is being used to Etz Chaim quote (Proverbs 3:18, 17), keep us “all connected,”it is also driving in the upper part of the design, refers BY SYBIL KAPLAN BY RABBI SHEA HECHT us further apart. to the Torah as being the “Tree of Life.” Parents and kids spend more time on By following its instructions, the Torah Dates for Busy parents, computers and phones, and watching will provide the guidance necessary movies and television, than they spend for a person to find their place as a Tu B’Shevat busy kids on direct interaction with each other. worthwhile part of society. Cell phones are especially convenient In the lower part of the picture, the Dora’s Sugar Free Date Nut Cookies Parents nowadays are very busy people and even essential as a safety measure in menorah tree represents the essence of – and so are their children, even the babies. a world where one must be able to reach life spirits that have joined with other Dora was a good friend from Most are working, some even have two a parent in an emergency. But there is parts of nature to find their place as Greater Kansas City, a member of my jobs, and everyone has a cell phone. I still the issue of when it makes sense to part of the family tree of all creation. synagogue, and active in Hadassah. can’t think of anyone who doesn’t know answer the call, and when it makes There they are seen to be clear shining Some health problems motivated her how to text a message to a friend, either. sense to hold the conversation for later. reflections of the light of God’s love. to create these cookies. It seems the only thing left is to try and Another “modern improvement” that Since the Torah is known to have give birth by fax – or through Skype. has led to the disconnect is the forward- many levels and hidden meanings, it 3 eggs Hi-tech telephony is such a part of facing design of baby strollers, intended may be viewed from many perspectives. 8 ounces chopped dates everyday life that the government to give the child a real-time, entertaining As such, this is how it is represented, 8 ounces chopped nuts passed laws to stop multi-tasking drivers view of the world around him. It does with a second hidden Torah woven into from talking and texting while driving. indeed keep Junior busy and happy, but the drawing. While each corner of the Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a No one has thought of applying the same disrupts the crucial bonding process that design contains one the Torah’s handles, cookie sheet. Beat eggs in a bowl. Add legislation to baby carriages yet – but should be taking place between parent in the bottom two corners, the “leaf dates and nuts. Drop by spoon onto a maybe we should take a second look. and child – one that was a “given”just a hands,” seen upholding the Torah greased cookie sheet. Bake in oven Have you ever walked in a busy generation ago. scrolls, truly depict it as Etz Chaim, 10–12 minutes. Variation: Add 1/4 to 1/2 downtown area about 25 minutes before What I’m saying is this: Cell phones a “Tree of Life.” cup coconut the start of standard office time? Try it. and baby carriages, like anything else, One of the true cravings of the soul Last week I saw the most amazing are tools intended to improve our daily is for an understanding of life beyond Date Bars sight: two mothers in business suits quality of life, helping us connect with each our current existence. The idea of an pushing three-wheeled baby carriages, other. But when used improperly, those endless soul, with a destiny determined 1 cup butter or margarine both on cell phones and neither one same items can drive families apart. by how we choose to live our lives in this 1 cup brown sugar looking at either child. One of the babies Beware the day when the disconnect world, has become an accepted part of 2 eggs was sleeping, but the other was a toddler goes two ways, and you some day find our Jewish heritage. In Proverbs we are 1/2 tsp. vanilla who was trying to catch his mother’s yourself saying to your kid, “Hey, how told that “the spirit of man [and woman] 2 cups flour attention. She was too busy, however, so come you never talk to me anymore?” is the lamp of the Lord.” The essence of 1 cup diced dates he decided to take matters into his own Rabbi Hecht serves as chairman of the these same qualities is portrayed hands, and simply climbed out of the board at the National Committee for the symbolically, just above the Torah scroll, Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter stroller as she reached the corner. Furtherance of Jewish Education, where by the depiction of the “eternal flame.” or margarine and sugar. Add eggs When the walk light changed, Mom he has continued the tradition of social According to the Talmud, the world and vanilla. Add flour and blend into a kept going, and Junior stayed behind – services management and outreach that exists on three things, Emet (truth), Din sticky dough. Add dates and mix. Spread headed back, in fact, to see a toy in a began with his father, the late Rabbi Jacob (justice) and Shalom (peace). The word in cookie sheet. Bake in oven 20–25 display window that had caught his eye J. Hecht. He is dean of Hadar Hatorah emet is made up of the first letter of minutes. Cool. a few stores back. A passerby grabbed School for College Youth and a lecturer at the Hebrew alphabet, aleph, the middle him, calling to his mother. the Ivy League Torah Study Program. He letter, mem, and the last letter, tav, Optional icing Needless to say, she was red-faced is a cofounder of the Ari Program, an indicating that all parts are needed for 1/2 cup chocolate with embarrassment and not a little innovative school for at-risk kids. He the whole, for completion. In the 1/2 cup chocolate chops shocked. Her friend, meanwhile, hurried can be reached at 718-735-0200 or at picture, each of these qualities are 1/2 cup chopped nuts [email protected]. depicted both through the large j i Hebrew worlds in the lower part of Melt chocolate and chocolate chips. j i the composition and through symbolic Spread over baked date mixture. Date Pudding RIBNER representations. Together they are Sprinkle on nuts. Cut into bars. (4–6 servings) (continued from page NAT 5) shown to represent these same ideals of truth, justice and peace. Date Nut Bread 2 eggs food, but we ingest all kinds of food. With this knowledge, one can advance (2 loaves) 1/2 cup sugar What we do for recreation, the movies, the next level and develop a greater 2 Tbsp. flour the television, the books, the music, the appreciation for life and a better 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. baking powder friends, the work we do, everything we understanding of the source of true 1 cup brown sugar or 1 1/4 cups chopped dates take into ourselves is food and has the peace. For Emet is also an acrostic of 2/3 cup white sugar 1/3 cup chopped nuts ability to strengthen or weaken us. This Elokim, Melek, Talmid,“God is the eternal 2 eggs whipped cream month asks us to become conscious of ruler (king).”God was, God is, and God 4 cups flour what we take within us and seek to will always be. 4 tsp. baking powder Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a nurture ourselves on all levels. May God’s face turn to you, Vayasame 1 tsp. baking soda square baking dish. Beat eggs until fluffy. Melinda Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual Lachol Shalom, and give you peace. 1 cup chopped dates Add sugar and beat until thick. Add flour psychotherapist and healer in private 1/2 cup chopped nuts and baking powder. Stir in dates and practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). Special note: This picture is based on nuts. Pour into a greased baking dish. She is a teacher of Jewish meditation and a stained glass window designed by the Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two loaf Bake in oven 30 minutes. Serve with Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of artist, Bruce David. The stained glass pans. Cream butter or margarine and whipped cream. Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age window is 8 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide, sugar. Add eggs. Add flour, baking Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, book Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is also and resides in Louisville, Ky., at the powder, baking soda, dates and nuts reviewer, food columnist and feature writer the founder and director of Beit Miriam Keneseth Israel Synagogue. It was made and blend. Spread into greased loaf who moved from Overland Park, Kan., to (www.Beitmiriam.org). She can be reached using 100% full antique hand blown pans. Bake in oven 40–45 minutes. Jerusalem in September 2008. at [email protected]. glass from Europe. January 12, 2011 NAT 15 OBITUARIES Yeshiva University and Dean Emeritus, women is pervasive; reproductive rights (continued from page NAT 3) School of Social Work, UNC at Chapel Hill. Four Firsts – are being threatened. The United States has one of the world’s worst parental Jewish Education courses in Jewish j i Women Rabbis leave policies and over 90% of the CEOs history, literature and philosophy, as well NEWS BY SANDY EISENBERG SASSO and top wage earners are male. These as courses in the Tanach and Talmud at (continued from page NAT 10) are not only women’s issues but issues of various synagogues in the Dade County Trailblazers recall universal human concern. area. His writings have been published Holocaust, at age 13, the only survivor challenges, look forward with hope. To young women today who are just in well known newspapers and from a family of 21. He is an example of (see photo on p. NAT 16) beginning to decide on their careers, magazines including The National Jewish confidence, determination and the whatever they might be, I say: Post & Opinion. He has given lectures on power of positive thinking. Stephen A few weeks ago I had the honor of Don’t let anyone tell you what you a wide variety of Jewish topics all over wrote a diary in the Auschwitz and participating in a celebration of the first can’t do or what you must do because South Florida. Muhldorf concentration camps right women ordained as rabbis in the United you are a woman. Find your passion and He is survived by his wife of 24 years, under the noses of the Nazis. The diary States by each of the four denominations follow it.You can help change the world. Bernice, children Jeffrey (Debbie) became the book, My Brother’s Voice. of Judaism. In 1972, Sally Preisand Don’t let your career keep you from Sandler, daughter Ellen (Robert) Slane Also speaking was Stephen Schwartz, became the first woman rabbi in Reform making loving commitments, from family of Hollywood, Florida, grandchildren international director of resource Judaism. In 1974, I was ordained by the and friendships, or from cultivating Julian (Maren) Slane, Amber (Chuck) development at the Herzog Hospital. Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. interests outside your chosen field. Don’t Wadey and Eric Slane, 4 great grand- Attending were Holocaust survivors and Ten years later, the Conservative let criticism paralyze you or praise children, Preston Slane, Hansen Slane, their families from throughout the world. movement ordained Amy Eilberg. Just seduce you. There are those who will Lillian Slane, and Aurora Wadey. He is The Shoah will be forgotten as an this past year, Sarah Hurwitz was given criticize you without reason and praise also survived by step children Janet event in which six million Jews were the title, rabba, in a private ordination you without merit. Listen to others, Bearden, Barbara LaVoy, Ed Anapol and murdered unless we develop methods to within open Orthodoxy. but you will know in your heart when Howard Anapol, and grandchildren Erin keep Holocaust memory alive. Rabbi With some 500 people in attendance, you have fallen short and when you Anapol, Jeremy Anapol, and Jocelyn and Rosenberg does not mean only more we told our stories about the challenges have succeeded. Gabe Ramos. films, interviews, or museums. These and experiences we encountered along You are embarking on an incredible are significant in the teaching of the way. Each of us faced opposition. We journey. Remember those who made the j i the Holocaust, however Jews need remembered those who were certain we road a bit easier to travel and be among GERTEL to give passion to the third and fourth would change our minds and those who those who help others to forge new paths. (continued from page NAT 12) generation through the development hoped that we would fail.That evening it There is still much work to be done. of prayers, an expanded Holocaust was evident that the naysayers were wrong. Go forth and be a blessing. Shehechiyanu prayer be limited to very Hagaddah, a Holocaust prayer book, Within four decades women rabbis Rabbi Sasso and her husband Rabbi specific occasions. Also, it is sobering the insertion of prayers from the have changed the Jewish landscape even Dennis C. Sasso are the first rabbinic to consider how racist or at least Rabbinical Assembly Holocaust as women in other religious communities couple and have been senior rabbis hematological references to “blood…in Megillah, and so forth. Rabbi Rosenberg have influenced their own traditions. of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in our veins” sound when torn out of has developed a Holocaust Hagaddah Women’s voices and insights have Indianapolis for more than 30 years. authentic moral and spiritual traditions website which soon will be announced. transformed liturgical and theological (This article is reprinted from The and contexts. The Jewish people need to consider language, life cycle ceremonies, holy day Indianapolis Star, Jan. 4, 2011.) Rabbi Gertel has been spiritual leader expanding Tisha B’Av prayers to include celebrations, leadership styles and ways of Congregation Rodfei Zedek since 1988. major emphases on the Holocaust. of understanding sacred text. Women’s j i A native of Springfield, Mass., he The same holds true for the Machzor names, voices and stories are now part MEDAD attended Columbia University and Jewish on Yom Kippur. Holocaust memory of our sacred narratives. (continued from page NAT 16) Theological Seminary. He is the author of is fading and the revisionists wait at When I started rabbinical seminary in two books, What Jews Know About the door. 1969, there were no other women rabbis. his students insisted on volunteering, Salvation and Over the Top Judaism: Seeking written contributions for a There are now 815! Classes in the too. The nurses were amazed when this Precedents and Trends in the Depiction Holocaust siddur Reform, Conservative Reconstructionist young man with a pony tail showed up of Jewish Beliefs and Observances in Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg is and non-denominational seminaries are and then admitted that he had never ever Film and Television. He has written for creating a Holocaust siddur. In addition now 50% female. held a baby before and really hadn’t the The National Jewish Post & Opinion to the Mincha/Maariv prayers, When I began my studies I considered vaguest idea what to do.They taught him. since 1979. programming materials, essays from writing a dissertation on women and Why am I suddenly writing this? teenagers, and his personal essays on Judaism. I was discouraged from doing That’s because when I was waiting for j i the Holocaust, he is seeking essays so and told “to write about something tonight’s bus, I saw someone whose TEICHER that might be appropriate. The theme important.” Now there are hundreds of baby has very recently been hospitalized (continued from page NAT 13) is “Remembering the Holocaust: Why scholarly articles and more books than in serious condition. I went over to speak this is important to me.”What must we can fit in my library on the subject. to her, and all the old memories came religious – science makes it possible for do to preserve Holocaust memory? Any On that evening of celebration we all flooding out as if it had just happened them not to be religious.” original poems, essays, art work, and felt that something extraordinary had last week, or even yesterday. I was The imaginary conversation comes to such, which might be used for prayer occurred. People of different ages, from shaking and close to tears even worse a conclusion when Wouk tells Feynman will be considered. Materials from different perspectives, theologies and than all those years ago. Yes, that, too is that a Talmudic debate may end when Holocaust survivors and the second, ideologies, male and female, had come what a mother does... both sides agree to disagree by using the third, and fourth generation, and rabbis together, not to debate one another, but Batya Medad is a veteran American aramaic word, “TEIKU,” which means and Jewish educators and Holocaust to find strength in what we could olah, immigrant in Israel. She and her “The question stands! Draw, tie, no scholars are especially sought. All accomplish together. Each of the four of husband made aliyah in 1970 and have decision.”As they part, they say to each material will be considered as he is us on the panel knew what it was like to been in Shiloh since 1981. She’s a wife, other, “TEIKU.” Thus, although Wouk editing and compiling the siddur be a lone voice. We did not have to agree mother, grandmother, EFL Teacher, writer remains a devout Jew, studying Talmud himself. There will be no monetary with one another in order to be there for and photographer. Besides her articles and each morning, he acknowledges that the compensation for material submitted, each other. photographs we’ve been featuring in this argument between science and religion and it is understood that you give But even as we rejoiced over the publication for a number of years, Batya is may well be a stand-off. him permission to use the material. strides that had been made, we looked very involved in the international cyber Using his superb literary skills, gathered Simply email [email protected]. to the challenges still ahead. We have community as a Jewish blogger. She has through a long life of auspicious writing, Time is running out and we must create just entered a new year – 2011. A decade two active blogs, http://shilohmusings.blog Herman Wouk has made a significant vehicles to keep the memory of the into the 21st century, women still earn spot.com and http://me-ander.blogspot contribution with his newest book. Holocaust alive. 73 cents on a man’s dollar; 70% of the .com, besides having established the Kosher Dr. Morton I. Teicher is the Founding Submitted by Rabbi Dr. Bernhard world’s impoverished population are Cooking Carnival; details on me-ander. You Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Rosenberg. women and children; violence against can contact her at [email protected]. NAT 16 January 12, 2011 Fun gift from the museum enough Hebrew to attend Hebrew- thousands of people and still have room There’s nothing more fun than doing – language shiurim, so he simplistically and not feel crowded. The holiness is all Musings like in doing arts & crafts. took for granted that we in the audience around, not concentrated on a stone were “all the same.” “coffin” and dead body. So there’s no from Shiloh I didn’t feel right getting up and pushing and fighting.This is very Chana, walking out, nor did I think it good form not Rachel. The Biblical Rachel is BY BATYA MEDAD to interrupt him and tell him how he described as physically beautiful, as are had insulted me. About a year or so after her descendants, Joseph and King Saul. Yes, thanking G-d for Mud! that experience, one of my neighbors gave There is no physical description of We’ve been so desperate for rain a class to us and used the expression. Chana. She is just a woman who knows that when I spied the shimmering Knowing that he would never intentionally how to communicate with G-d. mud on Monday, I had to shoot it and or unintentionally hurt me, I politely show you! interrupted him and told him how I felt. That’s what a mother does I also mentioned that I wasn’t the only I’ve been working hard to get a good one in the group who hadn’t gone to “working relationship”trust between me When my kids were little, they didn’t gan. Some of the women were from and the kid I tutor. Today during the have tons of toys, but there were always even less Jewish backgrounds and even “small talk”part of the lesson, I told him simple crafts supplies, like paper, converted to Judaism. You can’t tell by how I go to watch my son play tackle crayons, paste, scissors and such. Over a looking at us. Since then, he is much football, even though I don’t enjoy the year ago, when I was in New York, I more sensitive to the issue. game and feel sick everytime I see him in found modern (plastic rather than Should I have spoken to that guest- one of those pile-ups or whatever metal) pot-holder weaving kits so rabbi? I’ll always wonder. they’re called. similar to the ones I had as a kid and my “That’s what a mother does.” I told kids received as gifts. So, of course I B”H, A muddy Rosh Chodesh Tevet, him.“Would your mother go to see you bought them for my granddaughters. G-d willing a green and muddy-wet play a sport she didn’t like, just because Diamonds, gold, silver...? There’s The big girls really enjoy doing them, Rosh Chodesh Shevat you’re playing?” nothing more precious and valuable designing patterns and then weaving. There were more women praying “Yes,”he replied. than rain, because rain brings water and Here they’re busy doing mosaics, yesterday morning at Tel Shiloh than you Being a mother sometimes is a lot there’s no life, not people, plants, or pasting little squares onto small jugs. can see in the pictures. Tel Shiloh is tougher than watching your baby play animals without water. You can’t live on No computer game gives the same enormous; it’s not claustrophobic like tackle football. When that same football gold and diamonds, but even drinking total brain, body workout as these arts & Kever Rachel. You can have hundreds, player was two weeks old he had a very water only will keep you alive for a long crafts projects. serious infection, osteomeilitis. To be time. Without water we won’t have food. cured, he had to get IV antibiotics for six And without rain, it’s much too easy Some thoughts... weeks, so we (my baby and I) “moved for fires to burn out of control, like Israel I’ve been in Israel 40 years, almost into” Shaare Tzedek Hospital for that just experienced in the north, the Carmel exactly (if you count the months) two- time. All sorts of people helped out, fires. So, we must pray for rain and we thirds of my life, but I haven’t been able taking care of my other kids and also must do what G-d tells us, because He to totally delete my earliest years. watching him so I could get home daily controls the rain. Because of this my perspective isn’t what for a few hours. I don’t even know most you’d generally expect from the way I of them, since a neighbor did all the Just a drop in the bucket dress. We’re judged by our “uniforms.” organizing and I had made one According to the predictions, this rain Yes, we’re all in uniforms, because condition: “Nobody from Shiloh should is not to last very long. We need 20 hours clothing is like publicizing a membership go to the hospital to be with him.There’s of rain each day for the next few months. card. Of course, we can change our enough to do at home. It’s bad enough There should be four hours of sunshine clothes and change our image, impression that I have to be away.” so the water will have a chance to seep on others. A good friend, from Jerusalem, took a where it’s supposed to seep: deep, deep Chazal, our Sages, say that in Biblical double shift every week. A neighbor, who down in the ground. This drought is far times, when the single girls danced in then taught in Pardes, told them the story from over. the Valley of Shiloh, they exchanged of the great chessed happening. One of Keep praying. Pray for rain and for clothes, so that they didn’t wear their (see Medad, page NAT 15) wisdom for us and our politicians in own white dresses. A rich girl could be in government. We’re all in this together. a simple, inexpensive dress while the poverty-stricken girl could be in the All it took was a drop of rain for... dress of a wealthy girl. Our clothing is ... the electricity to poof disappear. external, superficial. Because of this, we all must be so careful how we speak to others, because we may accidently say something offensive. One of my pet peeves is when someone giving a shiur Torah Class prefaces something by saying: “Kimo shekulanu lamadnu b’gan...”“Just like we all learned in nursery school...” Well, I didn’t go to gan, nursery school, and if I had I wouldn’t have learned any Torah stories there. Though born Jewish and raised in Jewish neighborhoods, Yes, we’re being blessed by rain, and Torah wasn’t on the menu, not in the after less than an hour, by my reckoning, curriculum. electricity was returned. And I’m not The first time I heard that expression, complaining, just thanking G-d for His it was from a distinguished guest rabbi. I Four Firsts – Women Rabbis: Left to right: Reform Rabbi Sally Priesand, mercy.This is what winter is supposed to sat fuming, because I felt totally left-out, Synagogue Council of Massachusetts (SCM) President Richard Shulman, look like. G-d willing, in a week or so, rejected. By his saying those words he Reconstructionisht Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Director of Women’s Learning there will be lots of green and more rain excluded me from the group. I was dressed Institute Rabbi Marilin Lipman, SCM Executive Director Alan Teperow, Open Orthodox and mud. like the other women and understand Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Conservative Rabbi Amy Eilberg. (See story on page NAT 15.)