The National Jewish Post&Opinion Volume 76, Number 3 • October 21, 2009 • 3 Heshvan 5770 Two Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com

NAT 2 October 21, 2009 Jewish values, this fit right in with his life- long service to the Jewish community. About the Cover Editorial As I looked through the bound Shabbat Shalom volumes of this newspaper, I found Photographs by Steve Schuster In honor of this seventh annual that Maurer has served on the board of BY RABBI JON ADLAND Appreciation Day editorial, I will give a different local Jewish organizations (as Clockwise from top October 16, 2009, Bereisheet brief explanation of what that means and well as organizations such as United Way) left corner: (1) Megillat (Genesis 1:1–6:8), 28 Tishri 5770 then show my appreciation for a local and has served as president of the Jewish Ha’esh monument, businessman who has given so much of Community Relations Council. In 2005, the “Scroll of Fire” by The first 5 1/2 chapters of the book of his time, energy and financial support to he was named president of the Indiana Natan Rapoport near Genesis, Bereisheet, make up the first por- the city of Indianapolis, the state of Economic Development Corporation and Jerusalem. The two tion in the Torah. Most of this portion Indiana and beyond. in 2006 was named Indiana’s secretary of columns bear bas-relief consists of stories with which we are all Also without my asking him, one our commerce by Governor Mitch Daniels. images that depict familiar. Have you ever stopped to really writers has written a column of appreciation Now his children are following in his Jewish history from take a look at these first chapters? They Steve Schuster to me. See below starting with“Dear Jennie.” footsteps. Lately his outreach has biblical times through move from a precise order of creation to I am humbled by praise in this letter expanded to include much more. exile, shtetls, death camps, resistance in the first murder in just a few verses. almost to embarrassment, but he worked For example in the Sept. 23, 2009 issue the Warsaw ghetto, and finally the Genesis, chapter 1 gives us an orderly hard on it and wants to see it printed. of The Indiana Jewish Post & Opinion, we creation of modern-day Zion in the 1948 seven-day unfolding of creation. Whether For the past seven years, I have written published a news story about the Arthur war. (2) The first rays of the morning sun it is precise, accurate, or problematic, the about setting aside a day once a year to M. Glick JCC’s live talk show where light the ruins at Belmont Castle built by writers of this chapter had a vision of thank those who have done something to Maurer interviews notable Hoosiers. For Crusaders around 1160 at Tel Tzuba just order at the beginning of time. Not so in help us at a time when we were too busy, too the Nov. 5, 2008 episode of Mickey’s West of Jerusalem. (3) Grapes in the Genesis, chapter 2 which is a second young, or too preoccupied to thank them. Corner featuring Sylvia McNair, famed Tzuba vineyard near Jerusalem. (4) A creation story. There is a more frenetic I called it Appreciation Day and suggested soprano, the show received an Emmy panel on Megillat Ha’esh. (5) Close-up of and chaotic sense to this creation story. it be Nov. 2, because that is during the Award. This story can be viewed on our a panel on Megillat Ha’esh. (6) Entrance It is much more focused on Adam, the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, which has website at the following address: to Ein Sataf (Sataf Spring) – a natural animals, and the eventual creation of no holidays and it is in between the www.jewishpostopinion.com/9_23IN.pdf spring cave near the ancient agricultural Eve from Adam’s rib, than it is on the Canadian and American Thanksgiving and the show may be viewed at settlement of Sataf, first settled around seven-day orderly creation story. Days. This year they fall on Oct. 12 and www.JCCindy.org. 6,000 years ago, on the Eastern slope of Chapter 3 focuses on the story of Adam Nov. 26 respectively. Also it turns out that All this is only the tip of the iceberg; it’s Mt. Eitan near Jerusalem. (7) Sunrise view and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the the very middle of Cheshvan – the 15th hard to believe one man has been able to through the ruins at the Belmont deception by the serpent to get Eve, then day of that month – is Nov. 2. accomplish so much. I don’t think all of Crusader castle (circa 1160) just west of Adam, to eat of the forbidden fruit of the The example I gave was meeting my this would have been possible without Jerusalem at Tel Tzuba. Tree of Knowledge in the center of the father’s cousin Milton Rosenbaum, z”l, and the loving support of his beautiful wife, Steve Schuster is a past-president of Garden. By disobeying God, Adam and his wife, Jean, z”l, at the King David Hotel Janie Maurer, who also has served on the Temple Sinai in Worcester, Mass. He and Eve are banished from the Garden. Adam in Jerusalem on my first trip to Israel when board and as president of some local his wife, Julie, have four children and six and Eve had no rules to follow except not I was 18. As I was introduced to them in Jewish organizations. She is a kind and pets who were rescued from the streets in eating that fruit and they break that the lobby of the hotel, we shook hands. generous woman in her own right, but Israel. A writer and engineer, Steve is CEO command. As a result, they face the Jean took me aside and whispered to together they truly make up one unit. I and founder of Rainier, a leading PR agency consequences of their actions. Finally, in me that my extended hand was like a can’t imagine what this world would be for technology companies, including more than Genesis chapter 4, the first crime occurs, limp fish, and she showed me how to give like without them. 20 Israeli firms. Steve travels to Israel every which is the murder of Abel by Cain. In a firm, confident handshake. I thought it three months on business and is deeply four chapters we move from a perfect was rude of her to tell me this, until I Dear Jennie, committed to providing a voice in North world to the first recorded murder. started having job interviews. Then I The true meaning of your name is America for Israel’s innovation economy. Our lives can feel this swing as well. became grateful that she had taken the graciousness.Your spirit and involvement Steve has BSEE and MBA degrees from There are days when we feel the calm of a time to share that information with me. in Jewish causes have certainly in Northeastern University and is an avid “perfect life” with work, family, friends, By the time I was mature enough to gratiated you to many. After reading your musician, hiker, photographer, gardener, and extracurricular activities all going acknowledge her guidance, she had editorial of July 29, 2009 (a reprint and fitness enthusiast. Steve’s wrote and well. We feel at one and at peace with the passed away. originally published July 3, 2003), I am published The Liberation Haggadah for world around us. The plan we have laid convinced that you personify the values Passover in 2009. out for our lives seems to be moving Since last December and for more than and teachings of your late father, Gabriel a year before that, I have been meaning to Cohen, of blessed memory. The National Jewish write or call and say thank you to Michael The Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 30b (Mickey) S. Maurer of Indianapolis. For relates that there are three partners in man starters, he owns and publishes the (woman), God, father, and mother. When Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ), and he a man (woman) honors his (her) father Post &Opinion founded and is chairman of the board of and mother, God says, “I regard it as The National Bank of Indianapolis, which though I had dwelt among them and they www.jewishpostopinion.com now has eleven branches. honored Me.”The manner in which you He also runs a nice big advertisement succeeded your father not only glorifies Editorial and sales offices located at The Jewish Post & Opinion in our local edition, The Indiana Jewish his memory but ensures that his legacy 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 Published biweekly by office: (317) 972-7800 • fax: (317) 972-7807 The Spokesman Co., Inc. Post & Opinion, for all of our holiday of involvement in the cause of Jewish (USPS 275-580) (ISSN 0888-0379) issues. Ads like this are what pay for the survival will be perpetuated for all time. [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at National edition. Without them there I am impressed with your desire to bring Address correspondence to: Indianapolis, IN 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 would be no newspaper. healing and encouragement to our people. All circulation correspondence should be addressed to The reason I mention last December is You have been true to this conviction and Publishers Advertising Director Accounting The National Jewish Post & Opinion, because that is when his $35 million this dedication reminds me of the quote Gabriel Cohen, z”l Barbara LeMaster Vivian Chan Subscription Department, donation to the Indiana University from Pirke Avot, 2:16, “You are not Jennie Cohen 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225. Advertising Sales Editors Postmaster send address changes to: School of Law was announced. This came required to finish the task, but neither are The National Jewish Post & Opinion, Graphic Design Mary Herring Jennie Cohen at a time when the recession first hit, and you allowed to desist from it completely.” Subscription Department, Charlie Bunes Grechen Throop 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, everyone was feeling economically pinched. Each issue of The Jewish Post & Opinion Indianapolis, IN 46225. This news left me with a wonderful feeling is filled with timely comments from Subscriptions $36.00 per year, back issues $2.25, single copies $2.00. and reminder that we live in an abundant thoughtful individuals who complement All advertisements designed and prepared by The Jewish Post & Opinion are the sole property of the newspaper and may not be universe filled with plenty. Also with your efforts and fulfill your aspirations. reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2005 Spokesman Co. Inc. All rights reserved. education being at the top of the list for (see Editorial, page NAT 11) October 21, 2009 NAT 3 in the right direction and we can’t but is asking them to be his messenger to hope that our dreams will be realized. give this money to some worthy cause. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to Chassidic Rabbi However, the young man advised me to News swing to the other extreme. The death of hold on to the dollars from the Rebbe, Israeli woman a loved one, the sudden loss of a job, or BY RABBI BENZION COHEN and give charity with other dollars in unforeseen complications in our personal Baruch Hashem, we had a beautiful their place. Just as the Rebbe is a holy awarded Nobel Prize life spring up and grab hold of our Eden Succos and Simchas Torah. We sang and man, the dollars that he is giving are forcing us to confront the world around danced for many hours, and now I’m holy and work miracles. Biochemist Prof. Ada Yonath, born in us unprepared for the new realities. taking it easy and recuperating, but I have “Our trip ended and we returned to Jerusalem in 1939 and member of the What can we use to steady our shaken a beautiful story to tell. Israel. My brother met us in the airport, Weizmann Institute of Science, was rock? What can we do to maintain that The Torah teaches that Hashem pays us but instead of taking us home, he drove awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for feeling of Eden? For most of my life, for all of our actions in kind. For example, us to the hospital to see our father. I was chemistry jointly with Venkatraman certainly since my teenage years, I have the Egyptians threw our baby boys into shocked. Our father was lying unconscious, Ramakrishnan, MRC Laboratory of found that centering to come from living my the Nile River. Hashem paid them by hooked up to a respirator and many Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, Jewish life. We’ve just finished the Holy drowning them in the Red Sea. others tubes and infusions. The doctors and Thomas A. Steitz of Yale University Days, that cornerstone of our Jewish year I see this all the time in my work. When said that nothing could be done, and we “for studies of the structure of the when we gather and form community, I visit the sick, I try to cheer them up. I try should prepare ourselves for the worst. ribosome, which translates the DNA praise God for the year to come and offer to greet everyone with a smile and I asked my brother why he hadn’t told code into life.” prayers of forgiveness for our actions over a blessing for a complete and speedy me what was happening. He answered The award announced Wed., Oct. 7, the past year. Sukkot, which ended last recovery. Many times they smile back that he didn’t want to spoil our vacation. includes a $1.4 million purse. week, gives me an opportunity to say and thank me. This cheers me up, giving “I put the three dollars from the Rebbe “As ribosomes are thank you for the food we eat and all of me a double dose of happiness. Anyone under my father’s pillow and sat and crucial to life, they the other things we get from this earth who smiles at me makes me happy. prayed for his health till late at night. We are also a major target that sustain our lives. The ethics, morals, And I’m also happy that I’ve just done were exhausted, and went home to sleep for new antibiotics,” teachings, holidays, and social justice the wonderful Mitzvah of visiting and for a few hours. said the Swedish opportunities help me realize my fullest cheering up the sick. I try to inspire “Early the next morning, we returned award statement. Prof. potential as a Jew and a human being. people to do Mitzvahs. Many times I to the hospital, and again I was shocked. Yonath’s pioneering Without question though, the most come away inspired myself. I walked into my father’s room. He was work has contributed important rock in my life is Shabbat. Such was the case with Nissim. I met sitting on a chair and eating breakfast! I to the understanding Prof. Ada Yonath. Beginning Shabbat with my Indianapolis him in the internal medicine ward of our stood there thunderstruck and astonished. of how cells build proteins. Hebrew Congregation community lifts up local hospital. He was happy to see me I couldn’t believe that this was the same All three laureates have generated my spirit. Having a Shabbat dinner with the holding a pair of tefillin. He had been person who only a few hours ago was models showing how different antibiotics blessings of candles, wine, and challah hospitalized in the middle of the night unconscious, hooked up to tubes all over bind to ribosomes. They are now used to offer me the peace of this day that has and had forgotten to bring his tefillin. I his body. Even the doctors agreed that develop new antibiotics. sustained generations of Jews. Touching helped him put on tefillin, and he was this was a real miracle. Prof.Yonath is only the third woman to base with my children each week to wish very grateful. The next day I also helped “I showed my father the dollars and win the prize for chemistry since 1963. She them a Shabbat Shalom reminds me of him. When he finished praying, he told told him about my visit to the Lubavitcher was awarded the Albert Einstein World the importance of family. I try to make me that he wanted to tell me a story that Rebbe. We both understood that the Award for Science in 2008.Yonath’s award this day different from the other days of happened to him. I said sure. I love to Rebbe’s blessings had brought him back brings the number of Nobel Prizes won by the week by spending Shabbat afternoon hear and tell stories. to life. Baruch Hashem, my father, of Israelis to nine, including three for peace, doing something with family or for my “In 1973, I finished my service in the blessed memory, lived for another 14 one for economics, and one for literature. peace of mind. It may be a book, a hobby, Israeli army and got married. My wife and good and pleasant years.” a walk, or something else, but Shabbat I contemplated going on a trip to see the Now it was my turn to thank Nissim, j i afternoon is my time to sustain and lift world. A very popular destination in those for telling me this wonderful story. I’ve my soul in preparation for the next week. days was New York City. However, there was been a follower of the Rebbe for 40 years. Bit of Wit Life isn’t always the perfection of creation, a problem. My father, Shlomo, was very ill. I myself have seen many miracles from nor does it usually fall to the level of total “I told my father of our plans, and also the Rebbe, large and small. When my The Army of God implosion, but life does have its ups and about our concern about his heath. He own father, of blessed memory, was 96, he Moishe Goldberg was heading out of downs. Judaism in general and Shabbat encouraged me to take the trip, and started to sleep 22 hours a day. He hardly the synagogue one day, and as always Rav in particular can be that anchor to help assured me that with the help of Hashem, ate or drank. The doctors said that there Mendel was standing at the door, shaking you through the difficult times and walk he would be all right. was nothing to do, and he didn’t have hands as the congregation departed. with you during the great times. “With mixed feelings, we made our way long to live. We asked the Rebbe for a The rabbi grabbed Moishe by the hand, When you light your Shabbat candles to New York. I mentioned my father’s blessing. Soon my father came back to pulled him aside and whispered these words this evening, light one to celebrate condition to my friends there. They himself, and lived another two years. at him:“You need to join the Army of God!” Shabbat. It is our special day of rest and recommended going to 770 Eastern Besides the miracles that I personally Moishe replied: “I’m already in the renewal that comes once every seven Parkway, to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe. witnessed, I’ve heard and read about Army of God, Rabbi.” days. It is up to us to figure out how to “I went to 770. I think it was Purim. I thousands more. But each miracle is The rabbi questioned: “How come I make it special. Light the other for those was amazed. There were thousands of unique and inspiring. Nissim didn’t ask don’t see you except for Rosh Hashanah things in our lives that help steady us Chassidim listening as the Rebbe spoke the Rebbe for a blessing, or even speak and Yom Kippur?” through the ups and downs through for hours. The Rebbe spoke in Yiddish, to the Rebbe at all. He was standing Moishe whispered back: “I’m in the which we all pass. May this light give us which I don’t understand, but the feeling together with thousands and listening secret service.” strength to face each day. was very special, and I stayed till the end. to the Rebbe. The Rebbe didn’t hand Submitted by Arnold Parris, Louisville. Rabbi Adland is senior rabbi of I was spellbound by the Rebbe’s radiant him the dollars, he just gave a packet to Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. appearance and holy countenance. someone to distribute three of them to “The Rebbe finished speaking. Some of everyone. And the three that Nissim j i the Chassidim went up to the platform got were enough to make a wonderful Start by praying for Nissim, who was On this date in where the Rebbe was sitting, and he gave miracle, to bring his father back to life and kind enough to tell me this story. His Jewish history each of them a pack of dollars in order to give him 14 more years. Hebrew name is Nissim, the son of Sarah. give three dollar bills to everyone in We believe that the Rebbe is Moshiach, Say some prayers, learn some Torah and On October 21, 1781 attendance. I was puzzled, and asked one and right now he is ushering in our long- do some Mitzvahs in order that he should Emperor Joseph II of Austria of the young men who spoke Hebrew awaited redemption. The miracles that have a complete and speedy recovery, and abolished distinctive Jewish dress. about the meaning of this custom. He the Rebbe makes are also meant to in order to bring Moshiach now! ~ From The Jewish Book of Days published by explained that this is one way that the inspire us to learn more Torah and do Rabbi Cohen lives in K’far Chabad, Israel. Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., New York. Rebbe encourages people to give charity. more Mitzvahs. Each Mitzvah brings our He can be reached by email at bzcohen1@ When the Rebbe gives people dollars, he redemption a little closer. neto.bezeqint.net. NAT 4 October 21, 2009 I think you can guess the end of the father’s house to the land that I will show Wiener’s story. He took the money he and his wife Jewish you. And I will make of you a great nation; had saved and paid for the boy’s operation. and I will bless you and make your name He put the girl through art school and great and you shall be a blessing.” Wisdom even donated the balance to the town Educator Abraham was asked to give up every- fundraising effort for a new hospital. thing he knew, to sever all ties with his BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Yes, it’s corny. The end of the story is BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN family, friends, community and home, to easy to determine even before it’s told. follow God’s lead. Looking at this story The meaning But as I listened tears swelled in my eyes. Lech Lecha, the with contemporary eyes, I am amazed at I knew it was mushy and sentimental, but Abraham’s courage and chutzpah. Here of faith I couldn’t help but feel the pain of all Jewish search for was a man living in a world ruled by I am very fond of old-time radio. I concerned. And then I understood why it meaning and purpose multiple gods and myriad superstitions listen religiously to satellite radio because filled me with such emotion. who followed a voice that no one else one particular channel plays radio My youth returned, my childhood If I got paid for the amount of time I could fathom, let alone hear. By our programs from the Golden Age of Radio. memories and I remembered those days. spend looking for my car keys or cell phone, standards it seems, I don’t know….crazy? Naturally they bring back memories of my And as I thought about them I turned my I could quit my day job. My husband is no Undoubtedly many thought so at the childhood. For example, I remember the attention to today. Here we are, at this better. Sometimes he passes me in the time. Dangerous? Most certainly, as he coal truck delivering coal to our apartment time in our lives always asking for hall, sleuth-like and squinting, because encountered enemies, famine and war on building. The coal was burned in huge remembrance and kindness from God; he can’t find his glasses or wallet. I’m his journey to Canaan. Inspiring? Most furnaces and the heat from the burning asking Him to remember who we are and wondering if this new ritual is symbolic of definitely, if we let the message of Lech coal was transferred to each and every help us in our attempt at daily living. something deeper when I hear him call, Lecha become a directive for us in our apartment through radiators.You could hear Our purpose in life is not only its somewhat annoyed, from the bedroom. lives today. the steam escaping through the pipes. fulfillment but the opportunities presented “Where did you put my wallet?” God’s instruction to Abraham to leave There are many such memories: During to us to make life bearable for others as “I hid it in your pants pocket, the ones his past was enhanced by the promise that the summer, the Good Humor man well. The everyday experiences should that are still in the dryer,”I call out gaily as Abraham’s future would include children, would ride around the neighborhoods to teach us to realize that we are not alone in I victoriously find my cell phone under in fact multitudes of descendants, which bring relief in the form of ice cream pops this journey of life. There are those less the newspaper. was no small thing considering that his or popsicles. Following him would be the fortunate, those who depend on the On a serious note, most of us spend wife Sarah, at the age of 65, had not yet ice truck delivering ice to people with no charity of others to survive. a great deal of our lives searching – for conceived. He was also told he would refrigerators. While he was delivering his How many times have we witnessed love, meaning, identity and purpose. In become great, a standard by which others ice, we would sneak up to the truck and poverty and homelessness only to turn our youth, we seek parental approval, would measure and bless themselves. chip off a piece to suck in our mouths. our backs and pretend that it doesn’t friendship, social acceptance and new Simply put, Abraham was given a Divine There were street games, such as stick exist? How many times have we had the experiences. As young adults, we look for purpose that helped him understand the ball or curb ball. Some of my friends who ability to extend a helping hand only to loving relationships, a quality education significance of the journey he was about had roller skates would get large orange withdraw that outstretched effort because and career, freedom of expression, perhaps to undertake. crates and nail their skates to the bottom of selfishness of indifference? our first home. And for many years Abraham was able to follow his heart and create scooters to ride the streets. Memories are mostly fun because they thereafter, we continue the search – for because of two important reasons: He had It was a time of dreaming and innocence. contain only good thoughts. Memories the right partner, the best opportunities faith and he had trust. Faith in the Divine It was a time of heroes like Joe DiMaggio are designed to enhance our faith in our for our kids, meaningful friendships, guidance he received, which enabled him and Yogi Berra and Jackie Robinson. It was ability to survive. After all we did survive spiritual fulfillment and communities in alone to hear and understand. And trust, a time of unmentionable courage as the past and are now seated here in the which we feel accepted and appreciated. that no matter how difficult or dangerous everyone joined together to support the present knowing full well that we have a the journey might be, it would be worth it war effort. Rock and Roll was born. The future because of our faith in ourselves because he would become the man he corner candy store was our meeting place and in God. Looking at this story with was destined to become. and all was well with the world, our little However, there are those who renounce The story of Lech Lecha beckons us, as corner of the world, that is. faith like it is some kind of yoke, a burden. contemporary eyes, I am human and as Jews, to take risks and One particular program on satellite There is the story of a man driving his car travel into the unknown in pursuit of radio that caught my attention is called too fast down a treacherous mountain amazed at Abraham’s our true purpose or purposes in life. It Family Theater. It was originally started pass. The car goes over the cliff, and the encourages us to listen to our intuitions, by a Catholic priest to offer faith and man barely survives by reaching out and courage and chutzpah. to pay attention to the inner voice that encouragement during the bleak times of grabbing a clump of bushes growing from more often directs our heart than our head. the depression and the war. Eventually it the side of the mountain wall. As different as we are from one another, It teaches us that we may have to leave became a program for everyone to listen to. Dangling in space, the man pleads with the human need to find and make meaning what we know and move away from areas One story I heard recently on that God. “Please help me.” God calls out to from our life is a common bond between of comfort, stability and ease, in order to program speaks to who we are and what the man.“You want my help?”“Yes,”says us. Whether this need stems from the develop our potential and become our we are capable of being and of faith. It the man.“Anything.”“Anything.”“I’ll help ego, our inner voice or Divine Guidance, most authentic selves. Like Abraham, we was a story of a man who spent 35 years you on one condition.” Says the voice of the search for identity, belonging, and may appear crazy for leaving a job that on one job and was getting ready to retire. God. “Anything.” “All right,” says God. self-worth is what drives us to develop seems perfect or a lifestyle that others Unfortunately his wife died before they “Trust me and let go.”The man hears the ourselves and reach our highest potential. covet. But like Abraham, if we hear the could realize their dream, the dream they message. Thinks about it for a minute. The questions that drive our search for call, we must remember to put our faith in saved for over the 35 years, the dream of And then shouts: “Is there anybody out meaning are often framed as: What is my that inner voice that guides us along the traveling around the world. there who can help me?” purpose? Am I on the right path? What is way, whatever or however we define it, After his wife died, he decided to move Yes, there is someone out there to help my passion? But the obstacles we most and trust in our strength, ability, creativity into a rooming house rather than live us and be with us and guide us and care often place in the way are questions that and talents that if we make the journey, alone. The owner of the rooming house for us. All it takes is a little faith and sound like this: Am I good enough/ we too, may find our own “promised land.” was a woman who had a son who remembrance of those days gone by and talented enough/smart enough? What if I Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an award- desperately needed an operation to fix a the faith in those yet to be. fail? What will others think and who will winning, nationally syndicated columnist, back problem that prevented him from Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of I disappoint if I change? author, Jewish educator, public speaker and walking without pain. He became the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near The quintessential “search story” in attorney. Her new book One God, Many attached to the boy and would read to Phoenix, Ariz. He welcomes comments at Judaism is found in the Torah. It begins Paths: Finding Meaning and Inspiration him and bring him little treats. And he [email protected]. with one person, Abraham, who was in Jewish Teachings won the 2009 Arizona had a co-worker, a young girl, who always called upon by God to journey with his Book Publishing Association’s Best Book wanted to be an artist but could not wife to a foreign land. God told Abraham: Award on religion and is available at www. attend art school because the scholarship “Lech Lecha! Go for yourself from your OneGod-manyPaths.com or on her web site she needed was not available. land, from your relatives, and from your at www.amyhirshberglederman.com. October 21, 2009 NAT 5 rest of Denmark to don them as well. great many vacancies, but we would find, by I haven’t read the second two books to I believe, people of better character, Jews the kids yet and am in the process of Jewish morals and ethics taking their jobs. We deciding when to do it. The questions have been bruised for years by “morality Choice rolling around in my mind are the same America determined by being caught.”Is that really kinds of questions I grapple with in a code we want to adhere to? Will you BY MARY HOFMANN teaching Torah in my Shabbat School BY HOWARD W.KARSH be content to be less of a scum-bag than class (which includes my Aidan and Lyra someone you know, and feel good about it? There’s nuthin’ and five other kids from four to six years “Some kind of Do we all need to ratify every perverse of age). behavior. In the very same verses in like a good book I keep flashing back to the old joke Judaism” leaves us which we are taught about sexual law, It’s beyond me (and everyone in my about the little girl who asks her dad to morally bankrupt homosexuality is included with the family) how anybody can resist a good tell her where she comes from. Dad takes condemnation of incest and bestiality. book. Just the other day, a Jewish friend a very, very deep breath and proceeds to A reader, responding to my column on Will that be the next national fight? Will brought over some children’s books, explain the facts of life, only to have the Senator Ted Kennedy’s death, asked if I there be liberal states where anything is including Lon-Lon’s Big Night (by Miri girl look puzzled and respond, “Wow. thought that the world would be a better okay, perhaps Nevada? Leshem-Pelly), a relatively new picture book And Jenny comes from Cincinnati.” place, given a review of the Kennedy’s None of the people we have been talking in English and Hebrew about a curious Of course we have to consider what our acknowledged accomplishments. I said it about killed anyone, well, there is some Israeli sand fox pup who gets lost in the children are ready to hear when we teach would be a better place. question about that, but the others are desert one night following a jerboa. After them. Torah – and Jewish history – is rife And that was only days before we were only accused of raping a child, adultery, meeting numerous nocturnal desert with incidents our preschoolers might not assaulted by the movement to free lying, cheating, stealing, misrepresenting, mammals on his wandering, Lon-Lon is be ready to learn about yet. Across the Roman Polanski and now, to forgive breaking oaths, vows, promises. saved from the talons of a fearsome eagle Alley is set in a time and place that, to David Letterman. Our moral fabric is A column gives its author a chance owl by a rocks hyrax who hides him in a gap little kids from rural California, might as under attack. On the freeway, I pass a sign to stand on a platform and yell out a in the rocks and later walks Lon-Lon home. well be on the moon – or 4,000 years ago board, featuring a gay family, titled, “It’s message. I've seen some soap box orators My four-year-old granddaughter, Lyra, in Eretz Yisrael. But it, at least, is benign All about Love.”Is it? in Trafalgar Square in London, and took one look at Lon-Lon and suggested, and positive. The Yellow Star is Holocaust. Are we to believe that without the though entertaining, they were all equally “What do you say we read this, Momou?” With no insular Jewish culture to support Kennedy’s, the world would have stood ineffectual. We are being assaulted from I, of course, complied, adding an invita- them, do we really want to tell the tiny still? I think not. Was Bobby Kennedy a every side. We are at war, and our souls tion to five-year-old Aidan to join us in ones there are people out there who want part of the Civil Rights Movement, or was are at risk. There are more and more The Big Chair. Aidan, already reading at to kill them because they’re Jews? it that he was the attorney general of the names on my list of people I would never second grade level, peeked at the book The current hot word in education is United States of America, and there were like to meet. and shook his head with a look on his “scaffolding” – using language and signs in the South that law and order Dennis Prager is coming to Milwaukee face that said “that’s baby stuff.” situations at kids’ levels so as to move were wheeling, and someone had to take on the 18th of October. The publicity It took only into the second page, them along with meaning. Scaffolding charge. If we are reluctant to make indicates that Mr. Prager, who has attained however, and Aidan was crawling up on prejudice is tough. Scaffolding mass Abraham Lincoln a feverish abolitionist, fame on a radio talk show, is coming to my lap as well. It’s simply impossible for murder is quite a challenge. which he was not, it would be wise not to say that without Jews practicing some him to resist a good book, and this was a I grew up as a Christian and, I’m sorry crown Bobby Kennedy with any Civil kind of Judaism, Jews and Judaism will good one indeed. to say, my training all the way through Rights Awards. cease to exist. I am going to the program confirmation never got past the happy, Roman Polanski deserves to be to find out if it is not “some kind of cheerful Bible stories. Not that Bible repatriated to the United States and face Judaism” that has gotten us to the place stories have ever been happy or cheerful, justice. John Edwards needs to display we are. but my Sunday school teachers always some moral background and make the Some things were simply not meant to presented them as if they were. It was paternity results public. Elliott Spitzer be tinkered with. something of a shock when I went back needs to give up the idea that he can Howard W. Karsh lives and writes and re-read them as an adult. I only heard return to politics. And David Letterman, in Milwaukee, Wisc. His e-mail is about the Holocaust in whispers until I who is being defended for his “self [email protected]. was in high school – and I grew up in a abnegation,”well if any of it were true, we Jewish neighborhood! wouldn’t have to talk about it. If I’m too chipper with the kids, I fear I When people of prominence scoff at run the danger of having their perceptions morality and ethics and brush aside their Mary Hofmann reads to her four-year-old Call/Write for Free Books of religious history frozen in preschool or responsibilities, the whole moral fabric of granddaughter, Lyra, and her five-year- elementary school terms as mine was. As our lives is tarnished. Our children come We are 100% Judaism; not old grandson, Aidan. Jews we pride ourselves in grappling with to believe that money and power mean disguised of any other science Along with Lon-Lon, my friend (a Truth, with History, with struggle and more than right and wrong. university professor who also can’t resist heartbreak and prejudice and villainy. But Would there be anyone left standing, I Jack Botwin a good book store) brought Across the when kids are very small and live in a was asked? Well initially, there would be a Books by Morris Lichtenstein Alley (Richard Michelson) and The Yellow rural community where they are the only Star (Carmen Agra Deedy), both of which Jews in preschool or primary school, do j i FREE BOOK by are also excellent. The former, a stereo- we really want to show them the dark Purim and Passover that all has not always type buster, takes place in a 1950s New side so soon? gone well. Once they seem to understand Rabbi Morris Lichtenstein York tenement in which a little Jewish As a parent, grandparent, and teacher, I that, then perhaps we’ll be ready for King boy’s grandfather pressures him to play want these little ones to cherish who they Christian and the wonderful Danes (oh, Applied Judaism the violin while he’d rather play baseball, are and to love everything about being how I hope that legend is true!) and some Jewish Science like his best friend across the alley, a black Jews before they have to cope with the other stories that hint at the dreadful and boy, whose dad coaches the neighborhood painful and dangerous aspects. I want dangerous while concentrating on the 11 AM Sunday • 109 E. 39 NYC team. The boys teach each other and, them to love Judaism like I do and know heroic. Meanwhile, between my own years All Welcome/Friendly/Free while both happily end up on the same that being Jewish is worth whatever they as a parent, a school librarian, and my team, it is the black friend who becomes may have to deal with as they get older. friendship with a wild woman professor 12301 San Fernando Rd. #406 the violin prodigy. But when to broach the sensitive stuff? who cannot stop herself from buying any Sylmar, CA 91342 The Yellow Star, of course, is the World How? Where do we begin? Jewish children’s book she sees, I think I’ll War II legend of King Christian X of I’m thinking in bits and pieces – and be ready when the questions come. (818) 367-4532 (24 Hr.) Denmark, said to have worn the Star of always, of course, through books. I’m not Mary Hofmann welcomes comments www.appliedjudaism.org David on his chest when all Danish Jews ready to talk about the Holocaust with at: P.O. Box 723, Merced, CA 95340; were given that decree, thus inspiring the kindergarteners, but there will be hints at [email protected]. NAT 6 October 21, 2009 Ben-Shahar catching media attention. theory in the 1970s, developmental Central to such works has been a focus on psychologists have known that in childhood Psychological hope and optimism, gratitude and wisdom, our attitudes and behaviors are shaped Teen love of learning, the mind-body relationship, by our social milieu: specifically, by Perspective and happiness. Though the leaders of those with power to dispense rewards Outlook positive psychology are generally secularists, and punishments, namely our parents. REVIEWED BY EDWARD HOFFMAN they have recently turned their attention We imitate what they do, not what they BY SIGAL TAVEL to the writings of history’s great religious say, in order to gain their approval Maimonides: thinkers for insights into character-building and affection. Based on this viewpoint, Giving back to Emily and the attainment of life-meaning and positive psychology has begun to unravel Pioneer of positive direction. In this regard, a major figure how desirable behaviors of kindness, In this poem, I try to quantify my psychology in Judaism is highly relevant: Moses altruism, and empathy arise in certain appreciation for one of the best American Maimonides. Though living long ago, he social settings but rarely so in others. poets of all time, Emily Dickinson, by For more than can be aptly viewed as a pioneer in this Consistent with Talmudic thought, using the first line in her poem: “Bring me 800 years, Moses domain – as both a brilliant rabbinic Maimonides stressed the role of social the sunset in a cup” Maimonides has been thinker and esteemed physician. surroundings in affecting individual as a starting point for a towering figure in Due to space-limitations for this article, behavior. Though readily acknowledging my own poem. As Judaism. Not only did I’d like to highlight five aspects of the influence of heredity, he contended such, I decided it he become the leader Maimonides’ teachings relevant to that its impact on human conduct was would be a perfect of world Jewry in a positive psychology today: much less than our daily social milieu. submission for this tumultuous era, but 1. Human beings are creatures of habit. Relatedly, Maimonides recommended special Appreciation his religious works The notion that habit plays a key role in that we seek teachers, mentors, and even Day edition. What including the monumental Mishneh Torah molding personality was first advanced friends in order to uplift our daily conduct – better way to show and the Introduction to the Mishnah by William James back in the 1890s. As even paying for the opportunity, if appreciation than by writing something remain avidly studied today. His Guide for the founder of American psychology, necessary, to be positively influenced inspired by that very author whose the Perplexed, seeking to integrate classic he famously described habit as “the by moral exemplars. Conversely, he famous poetry has influenced not only Greek thought with Hebraic monotheism, enormous fly-wheel of society” — repeatedly warned against associating my own writing, but so many others? has exerted an enduring influence on propelling our lives in ways that lie out- with unethical companions for their In addition, it struck me that most of Western philosophy. And yet, Maimonides’ side our conscious awareness. Consistent detrimental effect on our character. If those poems were published after she extensive writings are both important and with this longstanding view, positive there are no ethical people with whom to died. She didn’t have the pleasure of relevant for another, rapidly growing psychology today has affirmed the associate, Maimonides advised, then seeing her writing published while she field of knowledge: namely, positive efficacy of making habitual various forms dwell alone in a cave rather than succumb was still alive. My poem, Giving Back to psychology. In this article, I’d like to of character-building activity, such as to harmful social influence. Emily, is my way of not only saying thank highlight Maimonides’ teachings related daily writing in a gratitude journal to 3. Develop good social skills. Among you to Emily Dickinson, but also a way of to this important new specialty: what “count one’s blessings” or maintaining a the major interests of positive psychology thanking every writer and reader whose its originators have called “the study of diary to strengthen “learned optimism.” today is the development of what work and feedback has influenced all the character strengths and virtues.” are known as social competencies or writers of this generation. collectively as social intelligence. Recent The Science of Positive Psychology The mental health field research in organizational psychology has Bring me the sunset in a cup, The mental health field today is rightfully shown that socially oriented traits like And I’ll give you the sky to put over the sea. accepting “character strengths and today is rightfully accepting conscientiousness and extroversion are Bring me a paint brush made of the wind, virtues” as vital to understanding human predictive of workplace achievement as And I’ll paint with the sunset for all to see. nature.This development is long overdue, “character strengths and well as job satisfaction. Clinical studies, for more than a century ago, William too, have revealed a strong relationship Give me ink black as the night, James urged the budding discipline of virtues” as vital to under- between mental health and the presence Give me a pen to pour out what’s in me, psychology to explore the heights of of friends and confidants in one’s life; Give me a paper to hold it all in, human attainment, including altruism and standing human nature. conversely, social isolation is an important And I’ll give you a story, shining bright as can be. transcendental experience, rather than indicator of depression at virtually all focus on laboratory studies involving the Maimonides repeatedly stressed the ages. In Maimonides’ relevant view, the The sun is sinking into the sea – sensations of average people. Unfortunately, importance of habit in fostering ethical cultivation of such social attributes as Will the world forget Emily? James’call was largely ignored for nearly a and altruistic behavior. It’s fascinating cheerfulness, friendliness, helpfulness, No, even though she’s fading, she’s shown the world half-century, until Abraham Maslow in to note that he specifically highlighted generosity, and kindness is not only Just how bright she can be. the 1950s and 1960s co-founded the field the importance of repetition in building ethically important, but also represents a true of humanistic psychology. Maslow’s positive habits. For example, in his path for success in life. Thus, Maimonides The sun is sinking, sinking, sinking, approach to studying emotionally healthy influential formulation on charity, he endorsed the teachings of Pirkey Avot Into the waves of time. and high-achieving persons – those observed that performing many small acts (Ethics of the Fathers) that positive social The icy white stars poke holes whom he termed self-actualizing – had over time is more conductive to building relations are the hallmark of the sage. Into the now smooth black velvet sky. great impact on both academia and character than if we perform one stupendous 4. Avoid negative emotions, especially American popular culture, but eventually act with the same philanthropic value. anger. To maximize mental health, The moon remains and tries to sing, lapsed significantly after his death in Why? Because we are inwardly changed positive psychology is concerned with Never quite there, never quite gone. 1970. Then, about a decade ago, Martin by our own behavior and thereby become strengthening such life-affirming But the day will break again Seligman and his colleagues launched more compassionate. emotions as optimism, gratitude and Because we can never forget the sun. the field of positive psychology, drawing Maimonides’ emphasis on the admiration – and lessening the force of partly upon humanistic conceptions of psychological significance of “small-act our negative emotions. This view is Tavel is an eighth grade student at Hasten personality – but stressing empirical repetition” is precisely consistent with consistent with increasing evidence from Hebrew Academy in Indianapolis, Ind. She research to validate its viewpoint. recent research in marriage and couples behavioral medicine that chronic anger can be reached at: [email protected]. Since then, positive psychology has counseling – revealing that marriages exerts severe wear-and-tear on the body grown tremendously, with courses offered disintegrate mainly due to many small and leads to premature aging and that “Anger is a most evil quality. One at more than 200 American colleges acts of hurtfulness or indifference between reduced longevity. Here, too, Maimonides should keep aloof from it to the opposite and universities, several new academic spouses, not one huge calamitous event. was a pioneering thinker, for throughout extreme, and train oneself not to be vexed journals established including The Journal 2. We are powerfully affected by our his Judaic and medical writings, even by a thing over which it would be of Happiness Studies and The Journal of social milieu. The twin values of individ- he repeatedly warned against negative legitimate to be irritated.” In the same Positive Psychology, and popular books ualism and self-reliance are considered the emotions for their debilitating effects. volume, he contended that,“The life of an like Seligman’s Authentic Happiness bedrock of American culture, but since For example, in the Mishneh Torah angry person is not truly life. The sages and Happier by Israeli psychologist Tal Alfred Bandura advanced social learning (Book II, chapter 3), Maimonides asserted (see Hoffman (Maimonides), page NAT 15) October 21, 2009 NAT 7 time with some special touches. When the moved to New York in 1976 and became a on the chatan torah and eshet chayil and others poet. She took a course at the New School Seen were honored, four friends or relatives for Social Research, and “it opened a The Roads carried a chuppah to where each was whole world for me, but I had to make a Israel Scene sitting and brought each to the bimah. choice,”she explains – to be a poet or not. from Babel At the end of the Torah reading, an She decided instead to go to Israel in BY SYBIL KAPLAN especially nice thing occurred. The last 1979 where she spent half a year on a BY SETH BEN-MORDECAI verses were continually repeated until kibbutz and half a year in a development Before and during every member of the congregation, town “and fell in love with the country.” That Shin is thin singles or couples, received an aliyah. “I didn’t grow up as a Zionist,” she Simchat Torah Barry and I were among those called up says candidly. In Modern Hebrew, Sukkot week was very busy in as a couple and he did the blessing. After that year, she returned to New the letter shin repre- Jerusalem. Besides being invited to eat When that was complete, then York, but in 1981, during the First sents two sounds, Sukkot dinner in several sukkot, Barry B’rayshit was read and the Shabbat Lebanon War, she came on aliyah to “sh”and “s.”Thus, the and I went to the Tsadah, the annual services continued, lasting until around Kibbutz Yiron (in the Upper Galilee, near words sar (prince) march into Jerusalem, where companies 2 p.m. When services were ended, the Lebanese border, founded in 1949). and shar (sings) are and individuals and all sorts of groups the members pitched in, removed the That wasn’t pioneering enough for her, so spelled identically but participate in varying lengths walks, upholstered chairs, rolled up the rug, she moved to Kibbutz Ketura (which had pronounced differently. Despite the words’ ending in Jerusalem in time for a march brought in plastic chairs, tables, set table- its beginnings with Young Judaeans and identical spelling, their adiffering pronun- through the streets. cloths on the tables and the congregation Hadassah in the 1970s), became a ciations reveal that they stem from two We stationed ourselves near Mamilla lined up for a beautiful buffet luncheon. member and lived there from 1982 to distinct roots. If, however, the secondary Mall, opposite the David Citadel Hotel, Barry and I had a really good time, 1985, working with young children, in the pronunciation of shin had been lost such and what a great place to watch and for sitting with friends and as one said to me, enamel workshop and with horseback that the Hebrew words for prince and Barry to photograph. In addition to the “Doesn’t it make a difference this year? riding for the tourists. sings were pronounced identically, one 27,000 Israelis and soldiers, 8,000 You know the players!” “That reminded me of Barney might erroneously conclude that both Christians from 70 countries were here to Leaving synagogue close to four, there Goodman (a local Jewish Community words stemmed from one root. attend the annual Feast of Tabernacles was something bittersweet as we walked Center day camp) and horseback riding at In early Hebrew, the letter shin sponsored by the International Christian along and looked at the many apartment Benjamin’s Stables!”she recalls. represented a third sound in addition Embassy Jerusalem. For the past 30 years, buildings with sukkot on balconies or in On two different occasions she directed to “sh” and “s”: “th” as in “thin.” But with Christians have been coming during yards. We knew there were no more the Purim shpiels, which were big the massive Roman disruption of Jewish Sukkot week for prayer services, holidays for two months. And the kiosk musical productions. culture in 70 CE, knowledge of the third workshops, seminars and teaching at owners realized it the next day. Sufganiyot “It reawakened the theater bug and pronunciation of shin was lost along with Binyanei Haooma (Convention center). (jelly doughnuts) that are served at ultimately, I knew kibbutz wasn’t for me, the knowledge that several other letters Many booths of souvenirs and information Hanukkah were for sale! So we have jelly so I left and went back to New York.” represented multiple sounds. Samaritans, were also available. doughnuts to look at for the next two After receiving an MBA in marketing whose culture was disrupted first by One evening our Baptist pastor friend, months and more news. and international business, she got a Romans and then by Byzantines and Arabs, Al, and his wife, Billie, invited us as their In January, the gas masks will be job with the Manhattan Theater Club, an retained only a single pronunciation for guests to Israeli Guest Night. We were distributed. off-Broadway theater, where she started shin: “sh,” pronouncing even the name entertained by an orchestra, singers, a to direct,“fulfilling my dreams.” Yisra’el as “Yishra’el.” fantastic youth choir from Estonia, and After about five years, she realized “the Because Arabs were not native to Israel, dancers who went into the audience to Libi’s books are written dream was kind of empty.”She started to Arabic culture was not disrupted by engage people in dancing. We kept explore, became religious and joined a the Roman occupation and Arabic meeting Christians at our bus stop during under a pen name, synagogue. This was the process that letters corresponding to multipurpose the week and on buses and helped a showed her she wanted to go back to Hebrew letters retained those multiple number of them find their way. “Libi Astaire,” which Israel, and she returned in 1995. pronunciations. For this reason, Arabic Then it was Simchat Torah, the most She found an apartment, managed an cognates help us understand why Hebrew joyful of holidays in Israel, except maybe is close to her real art gallery in the Old City and finally got words with very different meanings seem for Purim, and at our synagogue, Kehilat name of Libi Esther… a job doing public relations for a firm to stem from a single root. Moreshet Avraham, it is especially freilich. specializing in nonprofit organizations. For example, the Biblical Hebrew words On the night itself, which was Friday, Libi also began to write a Tzadik story ’ashar (walked) and ’ashrei (happy), which Barry and I arrived with our guests, the Israeli-American mystery writer from and then was asked to write for an are very different in meaning, appear to Baptist pastor and his wife, around 6 p.m. Kansas to Jerusalem Orthodox magazine, Mishpacha, in stem from one root, aleph-shin-resh.Yet in All of the Torot were removed from the The book publishing market worldwide English and Hebrew. Arabic, ’athr is a footstep (a mark made by Aron Kodesh and laid on the bimah, which is now going through tough straits with While there in 2007 to 2008, she started walking) and ’ashira is cheerful. Thus we is in the middle of the room. Then for the internet competition. So what are the to write a serialized novel, Terra Incogita, conclude that in early Hebrew, (1) ’ashar first hakafah, Cohanim were called. The chances a relatively unknown writer from which, in turn, was picked up by may have been pronounced ’athar, (2) number of teenage and army boys in our Prairie Village, Kan., will be asked by a Jerusalem publisher Targum and will be derives from the root aleph-thin-resh, and congregation seems large, and they were publisher to write books in a series? For published in the fall. (3) does not stem from the same root as there in full spirits to lead the dancing in Kansas City, Missouri-born Libi Feinberg, “It’s about descendants of anusim ’ashrei, though both are spelled with a shin. the adjoining kiddush room. who was visiting her (marranos) living in a small village in Other examples of words with similar Second hakafah were Leviim. And the parents, Morris and Catalonia, in northeast Spain. This led me spellings, but different roots include: dancing continued. After that for the Ruth Feinberg, the to a trip to Spain for research and to write shenayim (two) and shinnayim (teeth), remaining five hakafot, various members call last November a four-part series on the Jews of that from the roots th-n and sh-n, respectively; of the congregation (men and women) was a surprise and area,”she says. shamma (yonder) from th-m, and shem carried Torot, including one hakafa just a challenge, con- Libi’s books are written under a pen (name) from sh-m; yashan (old) from y-th-n, for women and one for new immigrants. sidering the paths name,“Libi Astaire,”which is close to her and yashen (asleep) from y-sh-n; sha‘ar The singing and dancing in between each she had taken in real name of Libi Esther, because she (gate) from th-‘-r, and sha‘ar (rate, price) hakafa lasted at least 15 minutes. One her life. didn’t want her name as Libi Feinberg from sh-‘-r; and shad (breast) from th-d, rabbi, who heads the Jewish Theological Libi grew up in so much out in the public. and shed (evil spirit) from sh-d. Seminary program for rabbinical Prairie Village. After Libi Feinberg. Photo While visiting in Prairie Village last An attorney and Semitic linguist with students, carries a crib sheet in his pocket high school gradu- by: Barry A. Kaplan. November, the CEO of Targum Press degrees from Brandeis, Stanford and Univ. in case a song isn’t begun spontaneously ation, she went on to the University of called to tell her they were starting a new of Calif., Seth Watkins (pen name, Ben- when one ends. Michigan where she graduated with a major imprint in paperback, Zahav Press, and Mordecai) merges linguistic analysis with legal Next morning, we were there around in theater, English literature and history. asked if she would like to write a book. sleuthing to uncover lost meanings of ancient 9:30, and soon it all began again; but this Not sure what she wanted to do, she then (see Kaplan (Israel), page NAT 15) (see Ben-Mordecai, page NAT 15) NAT 8 October 21, 2009 The price is also based on the beauty He mentioned several character traits we of the Sofer’s writing. Handwriting a can all learn from Dad and discussed the Guest whole Torah correctly can take a year or names of his four children. I’m only sorry more, and must be done with precision, the talk wasn’t better attended. Column because any deviation can deem it Pasul, Sunday was the big day we were waiting or nonkosher. for! At 2:00 p.m. people of all ages and BY SHIRA POLLACK When the writing is concluded, the backgrounds started to stream into the parchments are checked by a computer rabbi’s and rebbitzen’s tasteful dining room. The Torah that program for errors, which is later put on a There were some refreshments served at disc to stay with the Torah. (This can be the back wall, but more important, the brought our used to identify it in case it is stolen.) sofer sat at a table with the Sefer Torah family together After corrections, it’s checked at least Seated: Ed and Cyrelle Simon. Back row: opened to the last passage, and assisted once more, and usually by someone who Rashi, Hillel, Shira, and Ronit. those waiting in line to fill in one letter Just 11 days before Rosh Hashana specializes in checking the holy writing. each. As Rabbi Rashi explained, the last 2007, my family and I had a truly uplifting (Believe it or not, these people are known Mom particularly wanted the theme of mitzvah of the Torah is to write a Sefer and emotional experience. I’ve been to find mistakes that the computer “Jerusalem” because it was always her Torah and it is quite a rare one to fulfill. living in Israel for the past 25 years and missed.) There are many more steps that dream to live in Jerusalem (where she But even the act of writing one letter is have remained in very close contact with go into making a kosher Torah. A actually is living today), and her husband sufficient to get “credit”for this mitzvah. He both my parents who had stayed in point-by-point description of the Sefer is buried there. Our names and appropriate spoke publicly several times to different Indiana. My two brothers live in London Torah and it’s ingredients was distributed dates and scriptural verses were crowds as people came and left. Of course and my sister lives in Milwaukee. Baruch at the event. embroidered on both sides. he didn’t forget the jokes! On the table Hashem, we are all married and have While Mom figured out how to In addition, we were able to personalize near the Torah was a pretty vase in which wonderful children. liquidate the large sum, I dealt with the the wooden rollers. Our names were to put donations after receiving the honor Eleven months before this exciting dealer together with Rashi. After the inscribed in the decorated wood, and silver of writing a letter. These were used to episode, my father, Dr. Edward Simon, approximate time of the completion of covered the tips. However, instead of cover expenses of the event. may his soul rest in peace, passed away. the Torah was determined, Rashi began to attaching these to the parchment directly The procession left a couple hours later Needless to say, the whole family and plan the big event. He set the date at after the Torah script was completed, we from the driveway of a congregant’s home countless friends and students were Sept. 2, 2007, and started advertising: The asked that the wooden rollers remain a block away from the Kesher Kehila. devastated. My mother and siblings first new Torah dedication in the History detached for more convenient plane Approximately 300 men, women and wanted to do something lasting and of the Kesher Kehila! It was advertised in travel. Indeed, my husband, Shlomo, son children escorted the masterpiece under a worthwhile in his blessed memory. I had several Jewish publications, and flyers Mordechai, and I, transferred it from chuppah (wedding canopy) while singing been to a festival dedicating a new Torah to were sent to their whole mailing list. My Israel to England by plane with the rollers and dancing. Family members took turns a synagogue, a year and a half ago, and told second brother, Rabbi Hillel, and his wife, in the belly of the plane and the scroll holding the Torah while approaching the my children at that time that I would like Yael, who also live in London, advertised with us in the passenger storage. synagogue. I had brought 150 “pekelach” to do this one day. So, the idea of writing in their children’s schools. Rashi My brother Hillel picked us up from (treat bags) from Israel, which the a new Torah was born. I suggested this commissioned a photographer and an the airport, but before bringing us to his younger cousins gave out to the children during the shiva (seven days of mourning organist. In addition, we needed the nice and spacious home, we dropped off who happily grabbed (and devoured) for an immediate family member) a few services of a sofer. Of course, a major part the unattached pieces of our most them. I regretted not bringing more. days after the burial in Jerusalem, and it of any Jewish simcha is the FOOD! Ruti precious possession to be professionally Police and volunteer guards stopped all was unanimously decided to purchase or (my sister-in-law) was put in charge of sewn together by the sofer Rashi had traffic on the main road where the Kesher commission a new Sefer Torah as an iluy this aspect, since she is definitely an commissioned. He later came to oversee Kehila is situated, while the crowd neshama (rising of the soul in heaven), for expert simcha maker in her own right. the writing of the last few lines of the walked leisurely in the street. our beloved father. This was somewhat of script at Rashi and Ruti’s house. “Each step is a mitzvah!”I had tears in a comfort for us amidst our deep sorrow Shabbos was fantastic! My two sisters- my eyes as we were greeted by a talented and pain. But even the act of in-law made delicious meals, which we organist who played and sang beautifully My brother Rashi, is the rabbi of a shul enjoyed eating all together. Our Aunt outside the main entrance. Most of the and founder of the outreach program writing one letter is Harriet Leibowitz, Dad’s only sister, songs were either modern-day popular called Kesher the Learning Connection in came to England for the event from “Chassidic tunes” or old time Simchas the religious section of London called sufficient to get “credit” White Plains, N.Y. It was very special for Torah songs. The lively tunes lifted our Golders Green.They had only two Torahs, us to be around the same table on spirits and souls, making the dancers which were both borrowed, so we decided for this mitzvah. this momentous occasion. The dovening light-footed. Mendy Simon, Hillel’s 10- the new one would be given a loving (praying) at the “Kesher Kehila” year-old, also sang with the vocalist. He is home in Rashi’s shul and read with honor (synagogue) was complete with beautiful quite professional for his young years! and respect every week. Since Rabbi Rashi Simon’s shul is still singing and explanations of the Parsha by When the other Torahs were brought out A new Torah costs at least $20,000. We rather new, they still hadn’t purchased a their rabbi, Rashi Simon. Of course he to welcome their distinguished new were fortunate that Mom agreed to pay paroches (the velvet covering for the arc). also gave a wonderful and inspiring arrival, we couldn’t control our emotions. the vast majority, while the remaining But surprisingly, just as the Torah was sermon. My husband, Shlomo chanted Mom cried and said,“I’m so happy I lived sum would be paid by the four of us, and being commissioned, a donor showed the Haftorah perfectly. to see this day!” Now several men had hopefully completed by donations. Rashi up! Yocheved, Rashi and Ruti’s eldest There was a “beautifully prepared Torah’s to dance with. I called my sister was nominated to write letters to relatives daughter (19), designed a beautiful Kiddush after the dovening, which Ronit in the States so she could be apart and close friends whom he presumed pastel-colored appliqué for the parochet included delicacies Ruti and others had of the festivities by phone. would want to participate in this depicting in a circular form, a stunning made, and special kosher candies that We then proceeded into the sanctuary holy endeavor. Professor Simon was a Jerusalem view with the theme kesher (lit. Aunt Harriet brought. After the Kiddush, and continued the leibadik dancing and distinguished scientist and medical knot or connection) intertwined in the a noted guest speaker named Dr. David singing, which resembled Simchas Torah. researcher and a long-serving governor of picture. A unique shade of purple-violet Latchman, a professor of genetics, spoke (This, in a way, made up for last year, the Association of Orthodox Jewish was chosen. Therefore it made sense to on Genetics in Halacha (Jewish Law) in a which was the beginning of our aveilus Scientists, who published and lectured choose a matching mantel (Torah cover). very similar way that Dad used to speak (mourning), so we sort of missed out on widely on Torah and Science on four There were over 100 designs to choose to many audiences around the U.S.A. and the celebrations.) The celebration was continents. Many of his fans were elated from. Luckily, one was a perfect match, the world. Mom said, “I can just hear exemplified by Dad’s famous “Kazachka” to be a part of this worthy undertaking. also using an appliqué showing a gate to Ed saying the exact same thing!” The (step), which my brothers did, but not Torahs are often sold by dealers who enter Jerusalem via the surrounding jokes and stories, as well as the animated nearly as well as Dad used to do it! Our match the Sofer (scribe) with the buyer, mountains, which are in shades of tan. manner of speech, especially reminded us new prized possession was passed from and make sure he is truly a G-d fearing The same idea of a knot (kesher) of him. hand to hand while circling the bima individual who is a professional in his surrounds the gate. They chose a Rabbi Hillel Simon spoke at the third together with it’s newfound “friends.” field and goes to the Mikvah every day. beautiful shade of purple-maroon velvet. meal of Shabbos known as shala shudis. All this time the tables outside in the October 21, 2009 NAT 9 garden were picturesquely loaded with food, void in a lesser and more differentiated including pastries, fruit, and sweet roll expression than before – enough light to “Veshavu Banim sandwiches. Much of the food was happily Kabbalah sustain creation but not too much to eaten (early) by the many children who obliterate it. Nothing can exist if not for Legvulam” came from all over to enjoy not only the of the Month the Godly light within it. The Zohar calls repast, but also the simcha shel mitzvah God “the most hidden of the hidden.” BY SAMMY HUDES (joy of a mitzvah – commandment). BY MELINDA RIBNER Unfortunately for many, this holy light is Finally Rabbi Rashi took the micro- often so hidden that its very existence is “Hello, this is Gilad, phone, all out of breath, and exuberantly Beginning anew questioned or ignored.Yet, for many who son of Noam and Aviva explained that now the one who reads have tasted a glimpse of the joy of this Shalit, brother of Hadas from the Torah, will layn the last passage This week (Oct. 17), we read the first light, the yearning to know God, to be and Yoel who live in Mitzpe Hila. My ID before placing it into its new honored Torah portion titled Bereshit (In the connected to God is primary. It is for this number is 97027.” Israel has switched home, the Aron Hakodesh (holy arc) so as Beginning). Knowing that there is always connection we know we were created governments. It has celebrated more than not to “embarrass”the Torah by refraining a beginning is a basic and important and live. 60 years of independence. Israel and to read from it. Following this, Rashi gave teaching. Wherever we are in life, we can God gives us so many gifts; our very life Hamas have gone to war again. Ehud a short sermon, not before reminding us begin anew. No matter how spiritually is a gift. But the gift of Torah is one that Goldwasser, z”l, and Eldad Regev, z”l, that “food will follow”! He stressed that connected or disconnected we may feel, many have not yet learned how to have been returned home and been Dr. Simon, our father, taught us to be we can always grow. When we connect to receive. If you feel alone and do not know buried. It has been 1,177 days. Three and proud to be a Jew. the Holy One, each moment is new, and how to live, how to love, or if you simply a quarter years. Around 39 months. Gilad Even though we grew up in West we are given the strength to begin our want to be a better person and love more Shalit lives. Lafayette, Ind., amongst the Goyim and lives anew. deeply, if you have questions about why Gilad was kidnapped by Hamas on the corn fields, we were happy to be To truly begin again, we have to be able evil exists in the world, and what the June 25, 2006. To this day, I still feel a different from our classmates in public to go beyond this world, to be out of the future will be, you need to make a strong connection to our Israeli brother, school. We couldn’t participate in social box of our more contracted fear-based/ commitment to learn Torah this year. as this happened to be my 13th birthday. programs that took place on Shabbos, ego-mind way of thinking, to know that The Torah offers answers to our deep The kidnapping occurred just two weeks instead, we walked to shul. We often there is so much more, even if it is just for questions in life. But most importantly, before my bar mitzvah. For over three brought for ourselves kosher food to a few minutes of inspiration. the Torah offers a blueprint for how to live years, I have prayed that Gilad Shalit be various celebrations. Now, baruch hashem, Here is a powerful meditation that was one’s life more meaningfully and how to alive and healthy, and that he be returned we are all teaching our children Torah adapted from the most ancient and holy be connected to all that is good and true home to Israel as soon as possible. On values. Dad was very proud of us and of text known as Sefer Yetzirah that will take in this world. Oct. 2, 2009, I was elated to find out that his grandchildren. you out of the confines of the ego mind. Each of us needs to increase our Torah G-d has answered two of my three I was glad to have this happy and Imagine that you could go back in time, learning and significantly diminish the prayers, thus far. spiritually uplifting weekend, filled with traveling further in your imagination as time spent in the astral world of the kind emotion, even amidst the adversities of far as you can conceive. Imagine a time of relationships, movies, television that the year of mourning. This act chesed in your consciousness of 100 years ago, disconnect us from the True Reality, that (loving kindness) combined sorrow and 1,000 years, 10,000 years, and travel back is God. God is beyond infinite and the joy in a unique way. in your imagination as far back as your path to God is infinite. We never arrive at Unfortunately, ShIomo, Mordechai, and mind can conceive. When you can go no the final destination, for God is even I had to leave that very evening. I remember farther, when “farther” is beyond your beyond infinite, and yet paradoxically calling Ronit from my cell phone at the powers of conception, know that you God is also so available and present airport to describe the days’ events with have touched a place in time known as wherever we are. great enthusiasm and excitement. The infinity. Repeat this meditative exercise Admittedly it is not easy to find a true next time we’d all be together would be in and travel forward in time in your Torah teacher. If you have tried to learn Yerushalayim at the cemetery one month imagination until you also reach a similar Torah and did not find it the most beautiful later for the yartzheit. May all Jews soon point in time where you once again interesting experience, then you probably be together in Eretz Yisrael as we greet touch infinity. did not learn Torah. You need to pray Israeli Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit. Moshiach speedily and in our days. It is important to repeat this exercise in more, take on another mitzvah and On this day, a video of Gilad Shalit I dedicate this personal story as a tribute your imagination in space as well. This search for a holy teacher. was attained by Israel from Hamas, in to my father, Dr. Edward Simon, z”l, meditation is too long to guide you There are many teachers, and each one exchange for 20 female Palestinian whom I know would have wanted me to through it in this article, but know that has something unique to offer. We now prisoners whose dates of release were write it because he would have done it it is a powerful meditation that will have the Internet and telephone so we already looming. The video, which was himself if only he could. “blow your mind”in the most wonderful can reach beyond our geographic area. It filmed on Sept. 14, 2009, features an Editor’s note: Dr. Simon was a frequent way. In my book New Age Judaism, the is important to find a teacher who can often-smiling Gilad holding a Palestinian contributor to this newspaper. He composed meditation is recorded in its entirety and help you open the gates to your soul. If newspaper from that day. Shalit sends his the following to my father, founder and the reader is guided in meditation to you can’t find such a teacher, learn with a regards to his family and lets them know publisher, Gabriel Cohen, z”l, for his 75th travel in space and time in the various friend or find books that are commentaries that he is also in good health.“I want to anniversary tribute issue in June 2007. directions until one touches infinite on the Torah written by holy people tell you that I feel well in medical terms.” “I am a scientist, but writing for news- space, and infinite time. throughout history. Even though these In order to prove his physical capabilities, papers has been an avocation ever since During this meditation, you may people are not living in this physical Gilad Shalit walks back and forth around junior high school almost 60 years ago. become aware of a place known as world, they write like they are speaking the room. Gilad requests from Israeli Gabriel encouraged both me and my infinity in time and space. Beyond Infinite directly to you today. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wife, Cyrelle, to write for the Post & Time and Space is the headquarters for May the Torah we learn this year be to “allow me to fulfill my dream and Opinion. She had a regular column called the Light and Glory of God and God (Ain deeper, more true and real. Love and be released.” “Lafayette Chit-Chat” for nearly seven Sof). Before there was time, before there blessings, Miriam Shulamit. It too is a dream of mine that Gilad years, while I periodically wrote letters, was space, there was Ain Sof alone. We Melinda (Mindy) Ribner (Miriam Shalit finally be returned to Israel. Two articles, and book reviews. learn in Kabbalistic teachings that there Shulamit), L.C.S.W. is a spiritual years ago as a grade-nine student, I My scientific papers paid the rent, but arose a desire within Ain Sof to bestow psychotherapist and healer in private learned the Jewish law “Veshavu Banim it was the Jewish ones that reached goodness and to be known. So Ain Sof practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). Legvulam” (Jeremiah 31:16). The literal an audience and had an impact in the contracted to allow creation to occur, so She is a teacher of Jewish meditation and translation of this quote is “And thy “real world.” there would be something to love and be Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of children shall return to their own border.” Thank you for the opportunity, and known by. If there was only Ain Sof, no Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age This law dictates that we as Jews are may your second generation follow in one would be available for Ain Sof to Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is responsible for any fellow Jew that is held your footsteps!” bestow goodness upon. also the founder and director of Beit Miriam captive. There is no “if,”“but,” or “unless” Edward Simon, West Lafayette, Ind. The Light of Ain Sof, according to (www.Beitmiriam.org). She can be reached by written in this law. No matter what the 6-8-05. Kabbalah, withdrew and then reentered the email at [email protected]. (see Hudes, page NAT 11) NAT 10 October 21, 2009 Track No. 2: Solution (by A. Gajic) is an and then take turns revealing their interesting and reflective work for violin, selection. The answer receiving the As I mandolin and bass. Track No. 3: Katerina Funsmith greatest number of votes is deemed the (by A. Gajic) is a Serbian dance with an winning answer and the players who Heard It unusual time signature of 11/8 time. chose the winning answer move ahead Track No. 4: Kamenetzer (traditional) is one space. In a case where there is no REVIEWED BY MORTON GOLD inventive and also charming (arranged BY BERNIE DEKOVEN clear majority, no one scores. Hence the with a funky groove). name, Consensus. Fine addition to Track No. 5: Anthem (traditional), Kosher, family- The key to the difference between the where Mr. Van de Ven and his clarinet Junior Edition and the other editions of Klezmer tradition distinguish themselves here as well as friendly game Consensus is the content of the noun and The Canadian group known as Beyond throughout the other tracks. Track No. 6: Hello, again, Mr. Funsmith. adjective cards. Given, for example, the the Pale has released a new CD titled Shtern (traditional. Lyrics by M. Felsenbaum) So, today I find myself thinking about following randomly selected noun cards: Postcards (www.borealisrecords.com). features S. Lozinsky with her husky and games. Why am I thinking about games? I Bee Hive Quoting from the flyer, “Now in their sultry voice. Track No. 7: Turkish Delight guess because Hanukkah is coming. But we Bed Bug eleventh year, the band is at a creative peak (I. Fields). While definitely sprightly, I can’t like to play games all the time. Especially on My Daddy with this sophistical collection of North discern the Turkish connection. Although Shabbos. And I’m remembering your article Nemo American inflected, East European roots the arrangement is very clever, it would on Kosher Fun. And I was wondering World Peace fusion.”While I did not notice too much have been even more effective to play the maybe you have something to say about “fusion,” I will not dispute that a certain melody without any embellishment. kosher games, if there is such a thing, Which would you vote for if the amount of this quality may indeed exist. Track No. 8: Back to the Beginning Your friend and mine, adjective were (also a random sample)?: The performers include: Eric Stein, (A. Gajic). Definitely inventive, but I Simcha Dick Rare leader (mandolin, mandocello, cimbalom), found it to be too repetitive. Track No. 9: Adorable Bret Higgins (bass), Bogdan Djukic Meditation (A. Boltes, arranged by My dear, dear Mr. or Mrs. Dick, Unforgettable (percussion, violin), Aleksandar Gajic Eric Stein). Why was this described as Can I tell you how glad I am you asked? (violin, viola), Milos Popovic (accordion, pseudo-classical? I found the arrange- Games just happen to be one of my Martin van de Ven (clarinets), and joining ment to be excellent and not pseudo favorite ways to have fun. In fact, I have a them for this CD is Vira Lozinsky, vocalist. anything. Track No. 10: Split Decision whole website – called MajorFun.com – I have two reservations about this CD, (E. Stein).This is a set of variations over a devoted to games. And yes, most defi- neither of which concerns its musical ground bass (i.e.,“funky”). nitely, by me, some games are definitely contents. There are three songs with Track No. 11: Postscript (e. Stein). Same more kosher, fun-wise, than others. Yiddish text, and no translations or tune, new repetitive bass line and Latin Let me give you an example, for example. transliterations of the texts are given. style rhythm.Track No. 12: An Old Legend Consensus (see http://consensusgame Then there is the use of two words, (traditional. Lyrics by Felsenbaum). The .com/ for more information) is a party. If “funky” and “groove.” Wikipedia defined vocalist is overpowered by the group. your kids are old enough, it’s just that funky as “an amalgam of soul music,soul Track No. 13: Are Two (by M. van de Ven). kind of family game – the kosher kind. It’s jazz and rhythm and blues. Slang: earthy Listed as a duet for clarinet and accordion, a game that makes people laugh, think, and uncomplicated, natural. (Or, having a it is essentially a clarinet solo, tastefully and talk and listen to each other. Most of all, moldy or musty smell!). I suspect that as sparingly accompanied by the accordion. it’s the kind of game that brings the If the adjective were “rare,” which do with many words in Yiddish, the exact family together and keeps them together. you think is, um, rarest: your daddy, world meaning may depend on context or even It’s what you might call a “voting peace, or Nemo? Which the most the tone of voice. game,” where the “right” answer is the adorable? Which the most self-evidently The term is used by itself and also with answer that receives the majority of votes. unforgettable? the other word groove (“funky groove”). I This shifts the focus from being “correct” Even as the mature person you most do not want to split hairs here but really, to learning about the people you are obviously are, you’d still have a somewhat using a word with no precise meaning in playing with. Since players end up clear and more or less patently obvious conjunction with another word of inexact focusing on each other more so than on choice, regardless of which adjective was meaning adds nothing to the explanation the actual content of the game, it chosen. And, with an “opponent”of the or description, at least to me. Besides, I creates the kind of fun that unites people, unabashed certainty of an eight-year-old, am old enough to recall that the word regardless of who wins or loses. you know there will be strong opinions “groove” meant a state of mind of well- You don’t have to write anything down. about everything. being (e.g., “feeling groovy”) or being in There’s a kind of race track to help keep This is what makes the Junior Edition some place (i.e., “he has found his score. So you can most definitely play it so kosher: everyone counts, everyone in groove”) or (now archaic) the spaces on Shabbos. the family finds themselves personally between the lines in an LP. Track No. 14: Dutchmandu (by M. van Consensus Junior, the third and newest invited, everyone has an opinion, Precisely what does a faux-Latin groove de Ven). Same technique, different addition to the Consensus collection, is everyone feels equally entitled, equally mean? I suspect that groove may mean or rhythm, different tune.Track No. 15: Doina the name implies, designed for the kids. correct, and, with the Junior Edition, imply style, at least here.These observations (Z. Bardichever). Very pleasing to the But it’s fun for the whole family.The game pretty much equally informed. How many aside, the group is a very talented one, ear and the result of a fine performance. follows the same, Major Fun award- family games can you say that about? individually and collectively. The arrange- Track No. 16: Extra Spicy (A. Gajic). This winning design as the other two versions. DeKoven resides in Indianapolis, Ind. ment of choice seems to be having a selection is written in the style of a There’s a large, colorful board, a deck of and calls himself a “funsmith” because musical idea present in the lowest voice Serbian Kolo dance. Whatever a Kolo 200 noun cards, a deck of 75 adjective it’s the easiest way he can define the last (in music this is known as a ground) and a dance, it is a very happy and lively dance. cards, a deck of voting cards (8 sets of 40-plus years of his career. In brief, he helps series of variations and/or improvisations To conclude: This is a pleasant CD that cards, each with a unique border color, people make things more fun: work, school, in each of the different instruments. is the result of fine performances by a numbering 1-10) and a collection of 8 games (of course), marriage, parenthood, The music of each selection is published talented group of performers. How much colored pawns, one for each set of voting exercise, healing, toys, recovery, retirement, by BTP music.Those arrangers not credited is the result of “fusion” or simply clever cards.The board has numbered spaces for life. He does this by helping people look are with BTP.What follows now is a brief arrangements of authentic European 10 noun cards, a space for the adjective at things from a fun perspective, which reaction and/or description of each of the melodic material, I will leave to you. card, and a scoring track. usually turns out to be something people 16 tracks. This is a fine addition to CDs in the The noun cards are drawn and placed under stress would never think of. And Track No. 1: Magura (traditional) is a Klezmer tradition. face-up, one in each of the numbered he happens to know a lot about this lively selection. The idea is that what Dr. Gold is a composer, conductor, pianist spaces on the board. An adjective card is particular perspective. Which is what he sounded good the first time will sound and retired educator and may be reached at: turned over. Players select the one noun hopes you will conclude from reading even better when it is repeated, is repeated, 6 Webster Street, Springvale, Maine 04083 they think most closely fits the adjective, more about him on http://deepfun.com/ is repeated, etc. or by email at [email protected]. place their vote face down on the table, about.html. October 21, 2009 NAT 11 Taibele and her Demon, a musical, Fair Portraits: Photography, 1913–2008, EDITORIAL spoken word, and visual interpretation, of continues to January, and focuses on such (continued from page NAT 2) Travel a story by Nobel Prize winner, Isaac leading photographers as Cecil Beaton, Bashevis Singer, will be performed by Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz. I offer to you the words of Albert BY ROSE KLEINER Toronto’s top klezmer and jazz musicians, The Art Gallery of Ontario is showing Einstein, which I believe speaks to you as a melding together the age-old art of story- Alexander Calder: The Paris Years 1926 – person and of the thoughtfulness in your Fall in Toronto: telling with creative influences of 1933, until Jan. 30. Edward Steichen: In ambition to bring peace and harmony to klezmer, world and jazz music. High Fashion, the Conde Nast Years,1923 – troubled souls: Rich in color, On the music scene, the Royal 1937 continues at the AGO until January. “Strange is our situation here upon Earth. full of vigor Conservatory of Music has just opened its On Nov. 24 the AGO opens a new Each of us comes for a short visit, not new, 1,140-seat Koerner Hall, with a exhibit, King Tut: The Golden King and knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to Toronto’s fall colors, this year, are rich three-week festival of classical, jazz, world The Great Pharaos. Organized by the divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily in their intensity. As such, they aptly music, and pop this fall. The opening National Geographic Society, this exhibit life, however, there is one thing we know: complement the impressive vigor of the concert included a new commissioned makes its only Canadian stop at the AGO. That we are here for the sake of others…. city’s arts scene. A fine new kosher piece by R. Murray Schafer. Israeli artist, Shaul Smira’s paintings, Above all, for those upon whose smile and restaurant, performances by Topol and On Oct. 24 the Koerner Hall will bring titled ‘Migration’, are on view at the Julie well-being our own happiness depends, Theodore Bikel, festivals, films, exhibits Handel’s Israel in Egypt, with the Toronto M. Gallery, whose sister gallery is in Tel and also for the countless unknown souls and concerts, all combine to make it a Mendelssohn Choir. Benjamin Britten’s Aviv, until Oct. 25, in the Distillery with whose fate we are connected by a bond most stimulating fall season. War Requiem will be presented by the District, 15 Mill Street. of sympathy. Toronto’s favorite out-of-town theater Toronto Symphony Orchestra, at Roy Art Toronto, at the Metro Toronto Many times a day I realize how much festivals, the Stratford Shakespeare Thomson Hall, on Nov. 11 and 12. Convention Centre, runs Oct. 22–26. my own outer and inner life is built upon Festival and the Shaw Festival, continue The Faculty of Music, at the University About 100 galleries from 12 countries the labors of my fellow men, both living till Nov. 1. The Shakespeare Festival, of Toronto, presents From (nearly) are expected to participate at this 10th and dead, and how earnestly I must exert North America’s leading classical theater, Schubert to Jazz and Klezmer, on Nov. 5. anniversary of Art Toronto. myself in order to give in return as much as has designated fall performances at 40% Dec. 4 there will be a Musical Cocktail Two special events in the fall are the I have received.” savings or more. Hour with music by Leonard Bernstein, 33rd annual Jewish Book Fair (Oct. 24 – I knew of Rabbi Nancy Flam when I too Among the plays running this fall are Andre Previn, and others, as well as a Nov. 1), and the 29th annual Holocaust lived in the Bay Area and I know that she Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac (both preconcert talk. Russian Fantasies, with Education Week (Nov. 1–11). Both events is and will continue to be proud of all that starring Colm Feore), West Side Story, music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and offer stimulating, moving programs. They you do in the name of the Jewish people. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Borodin is scheduled for Dec. 5. also are a great opportunity to meet new If you read the book Healing of Soul, Importance of Being Earnest, with Brian people, and get to know the community. Healing of Body, you will find a reference Bedford, and Julius Caesar, with Ben Among the myriad programs planned for to the study of Psalms as a healing tool for Carlson, as well as A Funny Thing As such, [the fall colors] Holocaust Education Week will be showings those in need. In it there is one particular Happened on the Way to the Forum. of three recent films – Defiance, The phrase taken from the Shulhan Arukh, The Shakespeare Festival’s popularity with aptly complement the Reader and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Orah Hayyim 124:1, “The person who U.S. visitors is such that there are special The Jewish Book Fair, among its programs, says ‘Amen’ sincerely is counted as if the weekends for members from several impressive vigor of brings (Oct. 29) author Michael Wex, who entire prayer has been said.” different states, Michigan members, will speak about how to be a mentsh, I say “Amen” to all that you stand New York, Ohio, and Chicago members. the city’s arts scene. based on his new book, How to Be a for, for all that you have achieved, for all The Shaw Festival, just across the Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck): The Secrets of the things yet to be counted as you border from Niagara Falls, is also drawing The Faculty of Music’s Opera Series the Good Life from the Most Unpopular endeavor to bring peace and harmony to large crowds from the U.S. Its fall agenda includes Haydn: Il Mondo de la Luna,Nov. People on Earth, a book about happiness. a troubled world. continues with Noel Coward’s Brief 5–8, celebrating Haydn’s bicentenary. An Also at the Jewish Book Fair, on Oct. 31, Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. Encounters and Play, Orchestra, Play,as afternoon of opera and tea will be held at there is a program, From the Book to the well as with Garson Kanin’s Born the Faculty’s Macmillan Theatre on Dec. Big Screen: an evening of film inspired by Now that you, dear readers, have two Yesterday, and Stephen Sondheim’s 6, with the performance of an abridged Amoz Oz. The book is based on Oz’s examples, I hope that on Nov. 2, you will Sunday in the Park with George. version of Bizet’s Carmen. novel, Panther in the Basement, and has take out a few moments of your day to let The Play by Play – Autumn Experience, A free concert series at the Four Theodore Bikel among its stars. at least one person know how much you offered by the Academy of the Shaw Seasons Centre of the Performing Arts The International Festival of Authors, at appreciate him or her. Festival, includes daily panels and continues until next June, on most Harbourfront Centre, is in its 30th year, and Jennie Cohen, 10-21-09. presentations, four performances and Tuesdays and Thursdays, at noon, and on runs Oct. 21–31. Its mandate is “to bring an invaluable opportunity to go behind some Wednesdays at 5:30. together the best writers of contemporary the scenes. The Canadian Opera Company is world literature.” j i One of the most successful plays staging Madame Butterfly though the Israeli folk dancing for beginners and HUDES running this season is The Sound of end of October, and Stravinsky’s The intermediates, and international folk (continued from page NAT 9) Music, at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Nightingale, as well as Other Short Fables, dancing are offered at Darchei Noam presented by David Mirvish. The play Oct. 17 till Nov. 5, at the Four Seasons Synagogue. For those interested, it is a cost, we must bring our sons back home, continues until Jan. 3, and has been Centre. Massey Hall presents Gordon fun way to exercise, and an especially dead or alive. The cost for Ehud received with standing ovations. Lightfoot, In Concert, Nov. 18–21. good opportunity to meet people. Goldwasser, z”l, and Eldad Regev, z”l, Other Mirvish productions this fall, at For dance, the National Ballet of Canada Toronto has many kosher dining from Hezbollah was 200 dead terrorists, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, are The Boys is performing The Sleeping Beauty from Nov. facilities, from the elegant to the fast as well as five living ones. Former Prime in the Photograph, with music by Andrew 13 – 22.The National Ballet’s world premiere, food establishment. Newly opened is Minister Ehud Olmert constructed that Lloyd Webber, until Nov. 1; Stuff Happens, by choreographer Aszure Barton, will Hamizrach, a glatt kosher Middle Eastern prisoner swap. Freedom Is Untidy, Nov. 14 – Dec. 23, and feature Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments Grill House. Its menu also features We must pray that Benjamin Fiddler on the Roof, with a last chance to see and Glass Pieces by Jerome Robbins. national Bukharian cuisine, such as Netanyahu reaches an agreement with Topol, in his farewell tour, Dec. 8 into Jan. At the museums this fall, the Dead Sea lagman soup and manti, which this Hamas in exchange for Shalit. The price Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and Scrolls exhibit continues until Jan. 3, and writer tasted and highly recommends. for a living and healthy Gilad Shalit will The Four Seasons, at the Toronto Centre is drawing huge crowds at the Royal Other meat restaurants are Miami Grill, without a doubt exceed that of two for the Arts, is now into its second year. Ontario Museum. The second rotation of Marky’s, King Solomon’s Table and nonliving soldiers. However, it is worth it. Rock ‘N’ Roll, a play written by scrolls on display, which started Oct. 10, Chicken Nest, to name but a few. Among I look forward to the day that Gilad’s Tom Stoppard, and starring Fiona Reid, contains two scrolls on public display for the dairy restaurants is Bistro Grande, smile takes place in his home of Mitzpe is running at the Bluma Appel Theatre the first time ever. Milk & Honey and Dairy Treats. Many Hila, instead of the Hamas jail. until Oct. 24. 7 Stories, Morris Panych’s Complementing the exhibit are a series of places have take-out foods, and there are Sammy Hudes, 16, is the son of Nelson existential comedy, will be at the lectures which run Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 11, 15, several cafeterias as well. and Myrna Hudes, and lives in Thornhill, Canadian Stage, Nov. 9 to Dec. 5. and Dec. 3, 10, 15. Also at the ROM,Vanity Toronto’s Singles Hotline is 416-635-5600. Ontario, Canada. NAT 12 October 21, 2009 and puts a boot up your…[derriere]?”Not answer to anti-Semitism or anti- United States of America, where he had unexpectedly, the Jewish school sequence Catholicism is Lois’s sigh: “I just want been hiding out for many years. Media mocks Jewish boys in gym class. to be a good person on my own.” This Nazi war criminal believes that he Peter is convinced that a change in To get to this profound (?) conclusion, benefited from his close association with Watch religion can bring spice to his marriage. writer Hentemann recycles old jokes and Jews – as their tormentor and as murderer, He cannot wait to be aroused by his wife inverts cliché Brotherhood Week of course: “In my time at Treblinka, I BY RABBI ELLIOT B.GERTEL seducing him with the line,“Tell me why sermons. Fair enough, I suppose, but not obviously came into contact with many you don’t earn as much as my friend’s very creative or entertaining. It simply Jews. I also came to learn about certain Family Guy and husband.”Yet in his dreams he is visited, makes stale lines and stale themes aspects of their beliefs, their culture.” He Fiddler on the Roof style, by his sainted (including the anti-religion tag lines) fancies himself to be something of an FlashForward Irish father, who chides him, “Knock more stale: I want to be Jewish because expert in Kabbalah, which he describes as Has Family Guy gone stale in the off all the Jewish stuff or you’ll spend Hanukkah has eight nights of presents a “code.”In Kabbalah, he says,“everything second episode of the new season? Or has eternity in hell.” Finding his old-time while Christmas has only one. The half has a meaning.” The 137 seconds that the seemingly cutting-edge series revealed religion once more, Peter warns his wife hour mocks mockery of Hebrew names, everyone on Earth was in dreamland a staleness that was always there? at breakfast,“Jews are gross, Lois. It’s the thus making a mockery of mockery, or correspond to the numerical value of the In a meandering and interminable only religion with ‘ew’ in it.” At night he perhaps making mockery unfunny. Hebrew letters that spell out “Kabbalah.” episode written by Mark Hentemann, Lois, ties his wife to a cross and in the morning (“Grandma Hebrewburg is Jewish?”“It was Is there significance to the Nazi war the wife of the title cartoon character he takes rifle shots at his wife and at a originally Hebrewburgmoneygrabber.”) criminal’s name? He is given the name family-guy Peter, the simplest of simple Jewish neighbor near the mail box. In the end, there are two messages here. Geyer, almost the same as one of the Joes, needs to consult her medical history Lois runs to her mother for moral The first is that all religion is the same writers. Are our writers telling us that after a breast cancer scare and discovers support. Her mom confesses, “I let your and that it’s all a matter of baggage from Geyer has been “chosen”to reveal that the that her grandmother was a Holocaust father take my Jewish identity.”Lois then one’s parents of which one needs to let solution to the world’s problems rests in survivor. The problem is that Lois has announces that she will have a Passover go. After all, Lois admits that she wants to Kabbalah? Geyer envisions himself at a always regarded herself as a good seder and that there will no longer be make up for her mother’s mistakes and Peter future time as a free man, passing Christian. Hearing the news, hubby Peter Easter in their house. Peter dresses up in attributes his aggressive behavior to his through an American airport. And the comments, “Breast cancer is starting to an Easter bunny costume and declares his dead father’s threats of eternal damnation. airport agent in Geyer’s vision saw Geyer look pretty good.” intention to mess up the seder. He says, But Peter may need no excuse, anyway, in his “flash forward.” Lois questions her mother, whose “I’m a Catholic and I want to live in a for his bad behavior with regard to upper-crust (White Anglo Saxon Catholic house.”She responds, internalizing religion. The second and overriding Protestant – or Catholic?) husband made the beliefs about Jewish materialism of message of this episode, as of the show in his wife conceal her Jewishness (“It was the men in her life,“Well, I’m a Jew and I general, is that the “common man” the right thing to do”) in order to be want to live in a nicer house.” American father trips from one obsession admitted to the right country clubs. The moment Peter refers to the to another; is disposed toward debasing Unlike his father-in-law, who still tests importance of believing in Jesus, the his neighbor, morally speaking; and is his wife’s “Jewish”response to dollar bills Christian savior appears, with beard and capable of burying a cut-out of a pin-up (!), Peter embraces the idea of being robe, to remind Peter that Jesus was a Jew in the back yard, if not an actual person. Jewish. He purchases a Jewish star and to tell him that Judaism and (Yes, this episode about “Judaism” begins necklace (equipped with chest hair), and Catholicism are “two sides of the same with Peter’s affair with a cut-out photo of FBI team meets on FlashForward. dons a tallit and kippah. He decides to coin”and that the essence of all religion is a famous beauty.) One of the FBI agents, Janis Hawk change his name from Peter to “Chhhh” to treat others the same way you want to When Family Guy was first broadcast in (Christine Woods), is adamant that (Hebrew guttural sound). be treated. When, in the final moments of 1999, Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales Geyer’s victims “deserve his punishment.” Confused and disconcerted, Lois calls the episode, titled “Family Goy,” Peter described it as “utterly excremental.” He She believes that a line against release in Max the Jewish accountant for advice asks Jesus (who, by the way, is depicted as warned that it would lower standards of from prison should be drawn in the case from an “actual Jewish person.” Max’s a believer in 9% tips) which is the best entertainment and that such an effect is of a Nazi. But Geyer is released at the “Jewish”gut reaction is that “being Jewish religion, Jesus replies,“Six of one. They’re not conducive to genuine, reflective, request of her partner (Joseph Fiennes) does not have to change you or your all complete crap.” wholesome humor. He was right. and it appears that Geyer might be a family’s life.”(Does the writer intend this continuing character. as a critique of American Jewish attitudes FlashForward I dare say that the integrity of this series or as a “healthy” attitude?) Yet Max does TV’s newest science fiction series, will be determined by how Kabbalah and change his rhetoric a bit when he informs FlashForward, rhapsodizes over the Geyer are treated. If Kabbalah is reduced Peter later that becoming Jewish is a effects of an international blackout. to another “code”in tepid New Age style, process that “involves spiritual education Though killing millions when airplane the series will be inaccurate. If the and good works.” Impatient with Lois’s pilots and automobile and bus drivers lost emphasis is put on Geyer’s “vision”rather desire to keep things as they are and consciousness by the tens of thousands, than on Janice’s moral concerns, then the Max’s rather contradictory insistence that the event made everyone who survived series will be immoral. After all, the one must work to become Jewish in order on Earth a bit of a prophet, able to Hebrew Prophet is not so much fortune to be like everybody else, Peter complains, foresee something of the future in one’s teller as a truth and justice teller. “Leave it to a Jew to take all the fun out of temporary coma. The lead characters in I remain hopeful about all new TV being Jewish.” the series are FBI agents charged with series reaching heights of artistry and Peter drags the family to the synagogue, discovering exactly what or who caused insight and moral vision, but I am taken complete with Ben Stein as the rabbi. As Main characters of Family Guy. the catastrophic, traumatic yet thrilling aback by the “novelty” in FlashForward Peter enters, he announces, “I’m one of What is the moral of this story? Peter universal blackout. of regarding a Nazi war criminal as a you guys now. I’m Jewish.” He then interprets “Treat others as you want to be In the third episode, writers David S. naming opportunity. shouts,“Holocaust! We’re Number one!” treated”to mean “an eye for an eye.”Is the Goyer and Marc Guggenheim (who are Rabbi Gertel has been spiritual leader of A boy who sits behind Peter’s daughter writer offering a critique of religion or is also producers), with story suggestions by Conservative Congregation Rodfei Zedek greets her with a whisper that makes her he setting up a contradiction in religion Robert Sawyer, introduced a Jewish since 1988. A native of Springfield, Mass., recoil (the lewdness of Jewish boys?). (when the two sayings are not necessarily theme of sorts. It seems that a notorious he attended Columbia University and Peter immediately enrolls his sons (but contradictory)? Or is his depiction of Nazi war criminal (Curt Lowens, who is Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the not his daughter?) in a Jewish school all these stereotypes of Jews all about all too good in this role), rotting in Quale author of two books, What Jews Know where the wise-guy baby learns about contradiction – to show that stereotypes Prison, Munich, dreamed something that About Salvation and Over the Top Hanukkah and then questions, “How are contradictory, or to use contradiction he wants to sell to the FBI as a possible Judaism: Precedents and Trends in the long before we play pin the eviction for easy laughs? Or is he piling up all clue to the cause of the world’s temporary Depiction of Jewish Beliefs and notice on the black man’s door?” He the contradictions to make the point coma. He will do so on condition that all Observances in Film and Television. He thinks up another question: “What are that religious differences breed more charges against him (for killing Jews) are has been media critic for The National you going to do when Jesus comes back contradiction than conciliation and the dropped, and that he can return to the Jewish Post & Opinion since 1979. October 21, 2009 NAT 13 by counting how many students were periods when they are apart. While her absent from school on Yom Kippur. honesty and her diligence in continuing Book Reviews On the High Holy Days, the Grand to dissect this odd relationship provide Concourse bustled with well-dressed the material for most of the book, there are REVIEWED BY MORTON I. TEICHER people heading home from the synagogues also references to her family, her friends, in the area. Their weddings and bar and to events in Israel. This backdrop Bronx history includes mitzvahs were held in the luxurious gives some realistic credence to Noa’s ballrooms of the Concourse Plaza at 161st self-analysis and to her “confessions.” large Jewish population Street and the Grand Concourse or in the Readers are inevitably caught up in trying many nearby catering halls. Close to the to understand the complexities of the Boulevard of Dreams. By Constance Concourse Plaza was the Yankee Stadium, peculiar relationship between Noa and Rosenblum. New York: New York which saw its first game on April 18, 1923 Alek. The commonplace notion that “love University Press, 2009. 277 Pages. $27.95 and which is now replaced by a new is blind”offers a partial but unsatisfactory Yankee Stadium. Further to the north explanation of Noa’s persistent love where Fordham Road crosses the Grand for Alek despite his unyielding avoidance Concourse, a shopping area, featuring of a conventional relationship. Perhaps Alexander’s and Loehmann’s, attracted Hareven is implying that love cannot be customers. In that same neighborhood, deciphered and that it is beyond rational- the Loew’s Paradise began business in ization. That would suggest that Noa’s 1929 with its Italian Baroque architecture search for intellectual justification has to and a blue sky ceiling with twinkling yield to the power of her emotional stars. Close by were the ice cream parlors: attachment to Alek. This gives the story a Krum’s, Jahn’s, and Addie Vallins. modicum of authenticity and elevates In addition to its large Jewish population, appreciation for Hareven’s skill in posing the Bronx had many Irish Catholics who two nonfiction books, two children’s a problem that does not yield readily to a were especially proud of their parochial books, and four plays. In 2002, she won conventional solution. high schools and Fordham University. the Sapir Prize for The Confessions of Noa This thoughtful and provocative Since New York University had a branch Weber, her first book to be translated into novel clearly promises that a receptive in the West Bronx, James J, Lyons, the English. This introduction of Hareven to audience awaits the translation of Irish borough president called the Bronx, English readers tells the story of the first- Hareven’s other books. “the borough of universities.” person narrator, Noa Weber, a Jerusalem Until the end of World War II, the only resident who struggles mightily between blacks in the area were women maids her feminist ideology and her deep love From health to mental hired by the mostly Jewish matrons at the for Alek, an enigmatic character who is illness and back again “Bronx Slave Market” where the women out of Israel most of the time. waited to be selected for a low-paid day’s Noa was born on a kibbutz and raised Rage Against the Meshugenah.By work. In the 1960s, blacks and Puerto in the children’s house until her family Danny Evans. New York: New American Ricans descended on the Grand Concourse moved to Tel Aviv when she was seven. Library, 2009. 337 Pages. $15. Those who come from the Bronx (doesn’t neighborhood and the Jews moved out. Alek was one of the large numbers of Melancholia, depression, manic- everyone?) will be fascinated by this The newcomers had many problems – Russians who came to Israel when depressive illness, cyclothymia, and intriguing account of its rise, fall, and the poverty, alcoholism, mental illness, crime, emigration restrictions were eased. They bipolar disorder are all names for a special beginning of its rise again.The “boulevard” and drug addiction. Landlords abandoned went through a pro forma marriage so form of mental illness. The usual pattern in the book’s title is actually the Grand the buildings as they sank into chaos and that Noa could avoid military service, and consists of mood swings from excessively Concourse, the wide thoroughfare that disrepair. Inner cities across the country they have a daughter, Hagar, born when happy states to conditions of dark stretches north and south through the deteriorated, and the Bronx became a Noa was 18. Alek did not see Noa or his despair. Sometimes, the patient remains Bronx. This history by Constance noted disaster area. Novelists depicted daughter in the hospital, having left for in a depressed state. Originally treated Rosenblum, a New York Times reporter what happened, especially Tom Wolfe in Europe the day they came home. Five by electro-shock therapy, the condition and editor, is being released just before The Bonfire of the Vanities. months later, he returned briefly to serve currently responds to medication and Nov. 24, 2009 when the Grand Concourse More recently, there are some signs of in the Israeli army during the Yom Kippur psychotherapy. will celebrate its 100th birthday. renewed health and development. The War and spent a short time with Noa and The author of this autobiographical In the years before the Grand neighborhood appears to be struggling to Hagar. Alek had relationships with many memoir, Danny Evans, lived in southern Concourse was constructed, the Bronx move beyond its “nightmare past.” Some other women and at least two of them California where he worked in an adver- consisted largely of farms and park land. restoration has taken place including the gave birth to his children. Despite this tising agency. He and Sharon, the wife to It was annexed from Westchester County reclamation of the destroyed Loew’s Paradise. and despite her own casual affairs, Noa whom he was happily married, had one by New York City in 1874, becoming the There is hope that the Bronx could was irrevocably and fervently committed son. On Sept. 7, 2001, without warning, only part of the city attached to the become a successful interracial community. to Alek. he learns that his agency has been sold mainland. Louis Risse, a French engineer Rosenbaum has told a harrowing story The book is an in-depth examination of and that the new owners are closing the who settled in New York at the age of of construction and destruction, ending with Noa’s conflict between her longing for office where he has been working. Danny 17, designed the Grand Concourse as an the realistic requirement for changes in Alek over a 30-year period and her public and Sharon had been living up to his total 11-lane speedway where wealthy New attitudes to restore the happy days that once personality as the successful author of a income. Without any savings, they will be Yorkers could race their horses while, at made the Bronx a desirable place to live. series of novels featuring Nira Woolf, a broke once they use up the two weeks the same time, it served as a link to the tough private investigator who is a severance pay he received. parks of the Bronx. Conceived in 1892, Intriguing novel on “fighting lawyer”and a militant feminist. Devastated and somewhat disoriented, the Grand Concourse was dedicated in These books have given Noa financial Danny decides to fight back and find a 1909, by which time the horses had given relationships by security, enabling her to support herself new job. However, a few days later, on way to automobiles. In short order, the and her daughter who is in America Sept. 11, 2001, the United States is Victorian houses lining the Grand Israeli author studying to become a rabbi. attacked and Danny begins to fall into a Concourse were replaced by opulent Alek flits in and out of the story either depressed state. He starts to wonder five- and six-story Art Deco apartment The Confessions of Noa Weber. By Gail during fleeting visits to Israel or when whether life is worth living and he feels houses. Upwardly mobile Jewish families Hareven. New York: Melville House,2009. Noa eagerly responds to his calls that she that he has hit “rock bottom.” He vividly from the Lower East Side moved into 331 Pages. $16.95 comes to see him in Moscow where he describes his sexual fantasies and his these apartments. By 1930, the Bronx had The author of this intriguing novel, Gail lives and works as a free-lance newspaper purchases of pornographic magazines 585,000 Jews, many of them living on the Hareven, is an Israeli writer who is well correspondent. When they are together, her and DVDs. He drinks heavily and stays in Grand Concourse or its surrounding known in Israel for her magazine columns, love for him pours forth and presumably bed until Sharon, whose part-time work streets.The actual number was determined six novels, three short story collections, sustains her during the much lengthier (see Teicher, page NAT 15) NAT 14 October 21, 2009 with vegetables, potatoes, and grains. The range of 22 desserts goes from Kosher lemon soufflé to cheesecake, from Book tiramisu to cakes, and sauces and more. Kuisine Bars and cookies have 14 varieties such Review as cranberry pistachio, chocolate mint, BY SYBIL KAPLAN and a few for Passover. REVIEWED BY EDWARD HOFFMAN In addition to the really beautiful Exciting new presentation, the chef’s tips are A doorway into a particularly useful, and the general kosher cookbook elegance of recipes will be a wonderful timeless and Panache – Montreal’s Flair for Kosher addition to any kosher cook’s library. enchanting realm Cooking, edited by Shawna Goodman- *Available from the Auxiliary, 3755 Sone, published by the Auxiliary of the Sir Chemin de la Cote Ste. Catherine, #A 018, Leaves from the Garden of Eden: One Mortimer B. Davis General Hospital, $42 Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2. $7 postage and Hundred Classic Jewish Tales by Howard paperback,* 2009. handling within Canada; $12 postage and Schwartz. Oxford University Press, 2008, I always love receiving a kosher handling to the U.S. 544 pp., $34.95. cookbook, but when a good friend of “According to Jewish folk tradition, mine told me a friend of her daughter’s Some delectable recipes to try for Fall Abraham and Sarah never died. Ever was in Jerusalem, she wanted to meet me since they took leave of this world, the and she had done a cookbook, that was Challah Crisps patriarch and his wife are said to make especially exciting. 1 loaf unsliced square challah, their home in the Garden of Eden. During Shawna Goodman-Sone is a culinary crust removed the week, Abraham wanders through the training graduate of the Natural Gourmet 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Garden and gathers leaves that have fall- Cooking School and a pastry arts 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds en there. And on the eve of the Sabbath, graduate of the Institute of Culinary 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds Sarah crushes those leaves and takes the tual trait, and awakening it can certainly Education, both in New York City. She 2 Tbsp. dry onion flakes powder made from them and casts it into aid our inner growth. has also trained at the Cordon Bleu in 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese the wind…Then angels carry it to the four Consistent with his earlier anthologies Paris. She teaches, caters and cooks in 1 Tbsp. powdered garlic corners of the earth, so that all who of Jewish folklore, the author provides Montreal where she lives. 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt breathe in even the smallest speck have a extensive and lucid bibliographic infor- A huge number of people contributed 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper taste of Paradise,” relates Howard mation concerning all 100 tales. In addi- recipes to make this fundraiser cookbook Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking Schwarz in the opening paragraph of tion, he offers a fascinating, well-rounded a success; others tested recipes; and sheet with aluminum foil. Cut the bread Leaves from the Garden of Eden. For more introduction to “the Jewish mythical chef, teacher and cateress, Goodman- lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Lay than a quarter-century, as a professor at imagination” and a brief focus on “What Sone put it all together, with all proceeds the slices flat, cut them into 1/2-inch- the University of Missouri-St. Louis, he makes a Jewish folktale Jewish?” In the going to support the hospital emergency wide strips, and then cut the strips in half has enriched the Jewish world with his latter, intriguing essay, Professor department. crosswise. Place the bread sticks on the inspiring body of writing – now number- Schwartz relies upon Israeli scholar Dov Chapters include roasted vegetables baking sheet and brush with butter. ing 30 Judaic books of short stories, chil- Noy’s viewpoint that four key criteria are 101, suggested menus, starters, soups, Combine sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dren’s fiction, poetry, essays, and involved: time, place, characters, and salads, breakfast and brunch, poultry, onion flakes, Parmesan, garlic, salt and anthologies of historical folklore. message. meat, fish, vegetarian, on the side, pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over the bread Leaves from the Garden of Eden is the From that perspective, a story without desserts, bars and cookies, a glossary and pressing slightly into the bread so it author’s tenth work in the latter literary specifically Jewish sacred time like the an index. Each chapter title page is on a sticks. Bake 7-8 minutes. Turn over and category and follows closely his monu- Sabbath, or an identifiably Jewish locale full-color photograph. Scattered through bake 4-5 minutes more until golden brown. mental Tree of Souls: The Mythology of like Jerusalem, or indeed any discernable the book, on every other page, are color Serve warm or at room temperature. Judaism. Less ambitious and sweeping in Jewish characters, could still be consid- photographs of food or implements. scope, Leaves from the Garden of Eden is ered “Jewish”if its moral or lesson harmo- There are 167 recipes with metric and Apricot Orange Bread nevertheless a valuable addition to nizes with traditional Jewish values, such regular measurements in shaded boxes; (4 miniatures or 1 regular loaf) Professor Schwartz’s oeuvre – presenting as the pursuit of justice. instructions are paragraphed (not 1 cup dried apricots 100 tales encompassing biblical figures For this reviewer, such a viewpoint numbered), on the rest of the page. Juice and zest of 1 orange such as Miriam and King Solomon, seems a bit too elastic and syncretic, The 17 starters include Egyptian, 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter or margarine ancient sages such as Simeon bar Yohai, especially as some biblical values have Italian, Sicilian, Chinese and French 2/3 cup sugar early-modern rabbis such as Judah Loew certainly transcended their original dishes as well as classics such as tzatziki, 1 egg of Prague, and Hasidic masters including Hebraic origins. Fortunately, though, vir- guacamole and pita chips. French, Italian, 1 tsp. vanilla extract Reb Nachman of Bratslav. tually all the stories in Leaves from the Spanish and Indian soups are part of the 2 cups all-purpose flour The book is divided into four broad sec- Garden of Eden offer indisputable Jewish 13 as well as chicken soup and cream of 2 tsp. baking powder tions, reflecting its author’s categorization content, rich with the ethos of our 4,000- asparagus. There are 17 salads and 3 Pinch of salt of classic Jewish stories: fairy tales, folk- year tradition. Professor Schwartz is to be dressings, including Italian, Greek, Latin 1/2 cup toasted, chopped walnuts or tales, supernatural tales, and mystical commended once more for offering a American, French, Moroccan and pecans (optional) tales. “Each of the four primary types,” doorway into a timeless and enchanting Japanese; and Lebanese fattoush, Caesar Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a Professor Schwartz cogently writes, realm. salad, and St. Tropez salad (using hearts 9x5 loaf pan or four miniature loaf pans. “seems to have its own purpose. Fairy Edward Hoffman, Ph.D. is an adjunct of palm). Place apricots in a bowl and cover with tales are fantasies of enchantment. associate psychology professor at Yeshiva Sixteen breakfast and brunch recipes 1 cup boiling water. Let stand for 20 Folktales portray the lives of the folk as University and author of numerous books offer overnight French toast, several minutes. Drain and reserve soaking they imagined them, with a rich helping including The Wisdom of Maimonides sweet breads and fish dishes. Poultry has water. Add to orange juice to make 1 cup. of magical and divine intervention. (Trumpeter, 2008). 14 recipes from the Mediterranean, Chop apricots and combine with orange Supernatural tales portray fears about the Morocco, the Caribbean and France with zest. Cream butter and sugar in a large power of evil, such as demons and dyb- familiar entrees like chicken piccata and bowl. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. buks and other kinds of supernatural To Subscribe, glazed honey mustard turkey breast. Ten Add juice mixture then gently stir in flour, beings, especially the ubiquitous meat dishes offer steak, London broil, baking powder and salt. Mix until flour demoness Lilith. visit our Web site: lamb, veal, brisket and meatballs. disappears. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in And mystical tales serve as teaching Among the 12 fish dishes are halibut, apricot and nuts, if using. Pour batter into stories of some of the greatest rabbis, www.jewish tuna, salmon, and sea bass. Twelve pan, bake for 25 minutes for small loaves such as Rabbi Akiba, Rabbi Isaac Luria, or vegetarian dishes include Mexican, Greek or 1 hour for large or until a toothpick the Ba’al Shem Tov.” In the Kabbalistic postopinion.com and Italian. On the side are 17 choices (see Kaplan (Recipes), page NAT 15) view, too, imagination is a powerful spiri- October 21, 2009 NAT 15 HOFFMAN (MAIMONIDES) KAPLAN (ISRAEL) BEN-MORDECAI (continued from page NAT 6) (continued from page NAT 7) (continued from page NAT 7) have therefore advised that one keep far “I decided to do something I can have texts. His Exodus Haggadah uniquely from anger until being accustomed not to fun with, a mystery series, taking place in the includes the full story of the Exodus in an take notice even of things that provoke 1800s England in the Jewish community. accessible format. When not lawyering or irritation. This is a good way.” The detective is a parnass (wealthy writing, he tends his 20-year-old ocicat. 5. Cultivate mindfulness. The fields benefactor of the synagogue),”Libi says. Email: [email protected]. of positive psychology and behavioral The book, The Disappearing Dowry,was medicine today are increasingly published in April for adults, but it also j i recommending mindfulness training has appeal to young adults. It is already (that is, learning to stay focused in the being considered for the prestigious KAPLAN (RECIPES) present moment) for its therapeutic Sidney Taylor Book Award for 2010. (This (continued from page NAT 14) value. The scientific evidence is clear that is an annual award for a book for children such training is effective not only in or teens that authentically portrays the inserted into the center comes out clean. reducing destructive emotions like anger Jewish experience and is awarded by the Cool on a rack. and fear, but also in strengthening the body, Association of Jewish Libraries.) such as by lowering blood pressure and Now Libi is writing the second book in Whipped Cauliflower Puree with heart rate. In this regard, it’s fascinating to the mystery series. What else is in Libi’s Fresh Chives (4 servings) learn that Maimonides addressed this future? “My next step is to sell my book This is a replacement for mashed potatoes topic in his influential Guide for the for a movie. It would be perfect for for those on low-carb diets. Perplexed (volume 1, chapter 60): “If we Hallmark Hall of Fame!”she exclaims. 1/2 pound cauliflower florets pray with the motion of our lips and our Reflecting philosophically on all the 3 cups water face toward the wall, but simultaneously paths she has taken in her life, Libi says, Kosher salt think of business; if we read the Torah with “I really feel when you come to Israel, 1 Tbsp. olive oil our tongue while our heart is occupied that’s when you discover who you really TEICHER 1/3 cup vegetable stock with the building of our house, and we do are and what your purpose is in this life. (continued from page NAT 13) 1-2 Tbsp. heavy cream or milk, optional not think of what we are reading; if we HaShem is going to help guide you so White pepper perform the commandments only with you can fulfill that purpose.” is supporting them, insists that he go to a 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives our limbs; then we are like those who are therapist. He does so and he also gets a In a large saucepan, combine engaged in digging the ground or hewing The Disappearing Dowry by Libi Astaire, prescription for Zoloft from his doctor. cauliflower, water and salt. Bring to a wood in the forest without reflecting on the Zahav Press (Targum), $9.99 paperback, He vividly describes his reaction to this boil, reduce heat to medium and cook nature of those acts, or by whom they are May 2009. anti-depressive drug and to the various until cauliflower is very soft, about 30 commanded, or what is their purpose.” This book is the first in a new series therapists he tried before settling on Susan. minutes. Remove from heat and drain. Indeed, Maimonides attributed so of historical mysteries by the Israel Danny sprinkles his descriptions with Put cauliflower, olive oil, vegetable stock much importance to mindfulness for publisher, Targum. Set in London in Yiddish words and then devotes a chapter and cream or milk in food processor establishing a healthful lifestyle that he the 1800s, the author, Libi Astaire calls to his “unchecked disdain for almost and puree until smooth. Season with salt even provided specific advice on how his her series a kind of “Jane Austen meets everything about Judaism.”He tells about and pepper. Garnish with fresh chives. fellow Jews could cultivate this trait: “The Sherlock Holmes.” his disenchantment with Hebrew school Sybil Kaplan lives in Jerusalem. first thing you must do is turn your Astaire has lived in London and loves and Sabbath services. He concludes this thoughts away from everything while you things which are English and felt discussion by saying that what he took 13 9 say the Shema or other daily prayers. Do comfortable using that as her setting. away from his Hebrew education is “Take 7KH1DWLRQDO-HZLVK3RVW 2SLQLRQ   ELZHHNO\   not content yourself with being devout Narrator of this book, who sets the tone what is safe and certain. Settle. Don’t make -HQQLH&RKHQ 60HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD when you read merely the first verse of for this book and the series, is a young waves.” This attitude led to “humiliating   Shema or the first paragraph of the Jewish woman named Rebecca Lyon. victimization,” which might have been 60HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD prayers. When you have successfully In this work, the plot revolves around avoided had he “learned to rebel and -HQQLH&RKHQ6RXWK0HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD practiced this for many years, try when the Lyon family – father, Samuel who rage against the meshugenah as a child.” reading or listening to the Torah to have owns a clock making shop; his wife, Rose; His use of the Yiddish word here and -HQQLH&RKHQ6RXWK0HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD all your heart and thoughts occupied with their marriageable daughter, Hannah; in the title of the book is supported by *UHFKHQ7KURRS6RXWK0HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD understanding what you read or hear… and three younger siblings plus Rebecca, some definitions he offers that might be

After some time, when you have the narrator. questioned by some Yiddish linguists. 6SRNHVPDQ&R,QF 60HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD -HQQLH&RKHQ 60HULGLDQ6WUHHW6XLWH,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD mastered this, accustom yourself to have Just as the family has arranged the A year after 9/11, Danny went back to 'DYLG(G\ 6RXWK3LQH6WUHHW,QGLDQDSROLV,QGLDQD your mind free from all other thoughts marriage of Hannah, Mr. Lyon’s bank work and Sharon had their second child. 0HOLQGD0DUVKDOO &RQFRUG:D\*UHHQZRRG,QGLDQD when you read any portion of the other goes bankrupt and someone steals a large After a while, he began to work as a books of the prophets, or when you say sum of money he kept hidden in his shop. senior copywriter in the behavioral health any blessing…have your mind exclusively Along the way, we are introduced to division, but he was unhappy with the directed to what you are doing.” Mr. Ezra Melamed, a wealthy benefactor work until his therapist urged him to Maimonides’ career as a rabbinic of the Jewish community, a widower with write magazine articles during his free scholar, communal leader, and physician time on his hands and a very keen sense time. Gradually, the depression eased. spanned several decades. His legacy is of curiosity who enjoys playing detective. Danny began to enjoy his children and 7KH1DWLRQDO-HZLVK3RVW 2SLQLRQ 239 profound and enduring. As I’ve sought to Mr. Melamed undertakes to look for clues learned “how to live again.” demonstrate in this brief article, his on the robbery, both to restore the money Danny’s remarkable journey from health  psychological insights can clearly enrich to its rightful owner and to prevent the to illness and back again is presented with 80812 the new scientific specialty known as loss of the dowry money and breaking of good humor and with great honesty. For   positive psychology with its important the engagement. the millions of sufferers from depression,     emphasis on fostering individual character All of the details of Jewish life in London the book is almost a manual for how to cope. 80812 320 15 strengths and virtues. are woven into the plot as narrated Jane For everyone else, it is an inspiring lesson   This article is an adaptation of an invited Austen-like by Rebecca. about the severe impact of depression   lecture at the University of Tokyo, Department Preteens and teens (and their parents, and a welcome opportunity to be grateful   320 15 of Religious Studies, in October 2009. too) will enjoy a very quick paced, for one’s mental health. 20 27 80 73 Edward Hoffman, Ph.D. is an adjunct absorbing read. Dr. Morton I. Teicher is the Founding   71.4372.05 associate psychology professor at Yeshiva Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, book reviewer, Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, 219 University and author of numerous books food columnist and feature writer who moved Yeshiva University and Dean Emeritus, including The Wisdom of Maimonides ( from Overland Park, Kan., to Jerusalem in School of Social Work, University of North 3XEOLVKHU99 Trumpeter/Random House). 2008. Carolina at Chapel Hill. NAT 16 October 21, 2009 and are revealed page by page, as the Lauro has etched a series of deeply as herself). All of this material is offered reading progresses. Not surprising, the moving incidents. In the hands of these without comment, as a kind of reportage. Jewish first sketched outfit is a Brownie uniform. competent actors, the characters come What is missing in this Fisher show is any But the monologues continue, with the alive. Highlights are the deaths, captures, depth, introspection or commentary on Theater fashion parade, through pre-pubescence, betrayals – all focusing on the women her part. adolescence, dating, marriages, divorces, and their children. Standing on stage in black satin pajamas REVIEWED BY IRENE BACKALENICK and other high and low moments. In and a sparkling robe, she conveys a sense typical Ephron style, it is also a sharp of intimacy, informality.This is not easy to Love, Loss, and What spoof of current mores. In an exchange do in the large packed Studio 54 theater. between a Jewish mother and her daugh- But Fisher manages it, while working hard I Wore, All Through ter, the mother delivers words of wisdom: to involve the audience. She encourages the Night, and “Nice Jewish girls don’t get their ears questions from the audience. And she is pierced. Never wear white after Labor Day. not above the grossest of tactics, as she Wishful Drinking Never wear velvet before Rosh Hashanah.” pulls a young man up on stage and asks Since no one is obligated to learn lines, him to reveal his intimate body parts. There is no better example of Jewish the show permits a rotating cast, with Fisher is at times very crude – in looks talent and high visibility in today’s enter- notable actresses among them delivering as in delivery. Now in her 50s, she has tainment world than the remarkable their material effectively. On the after- (L-R) Hana Kalinski, Michelle Lookadoo, grown heavy – all too obvious despite her Ephron family. Screenwriters Henry and noon this reviewer attended, Rosie Lesley McBurney, Theo Allyn, and Andrea concealing costume. Some of us who had Phoebe Ephron produced four gifted O’Donnell and Tyne Daly lent their skills Sooch. Photo credit: Nathan Johnson. expected a pert, slim, charming creature daughters – Nora, Delia, Hallie, and Amy, to the show, as did Samantha Bee, Katie However, a more effective production were doomed to disappointment. She can all of whom grew up to be writers. Delia Finnerean, and Natasha Lyonne. Initially, would give greater credence to the scream like a fishwife, while throwing out and Amy followed in their parents’ the piece appears to be frivolous, but the piece. The Red Fern Theatre Company, the bawdiest of comments. It is all grist footsteps as screenwriters, and Hallie is darker side is gradually revealed, creating with apparently limited resources, does for the mill. a novelist who writes crime fiction. a rich, varied, poignant view of today’s not create a stage set with a strong, The highlight, for this reviewer, was Undoubtedly best known is Nora, listed women. It is indeed a revealing statement convincing sense of place. Moreover, the what Fisher called Hollywood 101 – a class in her bio as a “film director, producer, by women, for women, and about women. carefully learned German accents are so in session. Pointing to a large bulletin screenwriter, novelist, journalist and thick that much dialogue is lost. This, board pasted with photos, she presents blogger.” Her long list of films include All Through the Night unfortunately, is particularly true of the numerous complex relationships that such hits as Sleepless in Seattle, When Over the years, the history of the Leslie McBurney’s narrator. resulted from marriages and divorces in Harry Met Sally, Heartburn and, most Holocaust (in terms of personal experi- All told, one would like to see this her family. Beginning with her own recently, Julie and Julia. ences) has been thoroughly researched unusual play given a stronger, more parents and their several marriages, she It is the Jewish touch once more mak- and publicized – thanks to the efforts of effective production. Since All Through the adds the various marriages and divorces ing its mark on Hollywood. But Nora Eli Wiesel, the Simon Wiesenthal Center Night won a Jefferson Award nomination of their sometime spouses. Added to that Ephron’s Jewishness emerges more as and other enlightened activists. But those in Chicago for Best New Play, one would is her own marriages – first to songwriter creative effort than as religious practice. efforts, quite naturally, have focused on hope that there is a future for Shirley Paul Simon. “He was a short Jewish As to her religion, she says dismissively, the Jewish victims, who indeed bore the Lauro’s worthy drama. singer,” she says, pointing to her father, “Because you can never have too much brunt of Nazi atrocities. also a “short Jewish singer.”Was she seek- butter, that is my belief. If I have a But another segment of the German Carrie Fisher Tells All ing a replacement for a missing Daddy? religion, that’s it.” population was also victimized by the Carrie Fisher is not a Jewish-American Her second marriage, she says flatly, was Currently the Ephron sisters (Nora and Nazis – some Gentile German women. It princess. That is true. But she is indeed a to a man who ran off with another man. Delia) have joined forces to create a new is understandable that most of us – Hollywood baby, the product of two film off-Broadway show called Love, Loss, and particularly we Jews – have given little, if celebrities – the daughter of a Jewish- What I Wore. Even the title (which has its any, thought to these women. American crooner (Eddie Fisher) and a own shock effect) reveals the inimical But now playwright Shirley Lauro takes Texan WASP film star (Debbie Reynolds). witty Ephron touch! The show is a a hard look at such women in All Through She is, in fact, a hybrid (to use the current collection of vignettes and monologues the Night. It proves to be a formidable expression). And she is only too happy based on Ilene Beckerman’s book of the and very worthy topic. Culled from actual to share with audiences and readers same name. But the Ephrons go beyond interviews, Lauro has created an the disastrous results of that union and that, adding, by way of interviews, the Expressionistic piece that digs into the that setting. recollections of friends and colleagues. All hearts and minds of such women. Fisher has, in fact, conveyed this tale of the material is woven into one piece, Moving back and forth in time, Lauro woe on the printed page and on stage. offered as a staged reading. takes on four women – from their She succeeds best as a clever, satiric Now, under direction of Karen childhood years to adulthood, as the Nazi writer in several tell-all books, among Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking. Carpenter, the show runs at the Westside regime takes over. Ludmilla (played by them her award-winning Postcards from All told, Carrie’s solo show never quite Theatre. Five actresses, dressed in tasteful Leslie McBurney), who is a down-to- the Edge and Wishful Drinking. But she creates an identity. Is she a stand-up black outfits, sit on stools, reading from earth peasant type, serves as narrator, succeeds far less effectively on stage, in a comic? There are indeed amusing quips, the script. It is all about clothes, clothes, commenting on her own and the other solo show now playing on Broadway. but ones that are not quite funny enough. clothes, but clothes as they relate to life’s experiences. Gretchen (Theo Allyn) is a The show, cleverly titled Wishful Is it a revealing picture of a personal critical moments. A rack of drawings poor girl, eager to get on in life, who Drinking, and based on the book, goes all journey? Hardly, since one never knows depicting different outfits (rather like a grows steadily tougher as she rises in the the way back to Carrie’s birth. That event, what she herself thinks or feels. In short, file of museum posters) stands to the left, Nazi hierarchy. Angelika (Hana Kalinski) she insisted, set her off on the wrong the show wavers between two poles, is a naïve adolescent, hoping to become a road. With her two celebrity parents in the sending one back to the printed page. nurse, who grows stronger as she manages birthing room, no one paid attention to Wishful Drinking is a better read than a to oppose the regime. Friederike her, she insists. She was unattended by stage offering. (Michelle Lookadoo) is a high-spirited the nurses, doctors, the entire staff. Theater critic Irene Backalenick covers adolescent of privileged background, Such an opening gambit leads one to theater for national and regional publications. who ultimately survives as a dissenter. think that the whole Carrie Fisher story may She has a Ph.D. in theater criticism from Hovering menacingly over all four women be fiction. Of course she was attended at City University Graduate Center. Her book is a series of high-ranking women Nazis birth. But she is after the amusing quip, East Side Story – Ten Years with the Jewish (all played by Andrea Sooch). not reality. Yet certain verifiable facts are Repertory Theatre won a first-place national All their stories carry a degree of horror, presented, such mileposts as drug abuse, book award in history. She welcomes (L-R) Rosie O’Donnell, Tyne Daly, Samantha as one realizes that they are locked into alcoholism, mental hospitals, promiscuity, comments at [email protected] and Bee, Natasha Lyonne, and Katie Finneran. the Fascist system. Although the play’s bad companions, worse marriages, invites you to visit her website: nytheater Photo credit: Carol Rosegg. Expressionist format tends to be confusing, numerous divorces (of her parents as well scene.com or at: jewish-theatre.com.