C54 HAMODIA 18 KISLEV 5772 DECEMBER 14, 2011 Community An Evening at the White House Brooklyn Writers’ Conference BY EZRA FRIEDLANDER Empowers and Inspires Last Thursday night at the White House, BY CHAYA BREINDY KENIGSBERG she writes; she shared some of the ways that politics stood still for one brief, shining she brainstorms and plans before writing. moment as a cross-section of Jews from Over a hundred writers, from aspiring to Other features of this event included a across the United States came to celebrate professional, gathered on Wednesday beautiful booklet of Resources for Writers, Chanukah, and perhaps more than that. I evening, November 30, at the first-ever an interactive Writers’ Shadchan wall would like to share with Hamodia’s reader- Writers’ Conference in Brooklyn. This where participants posted their profiles if ship the extraordinary feeling of inclusion I groundbreaking, multifaceted event gave they were interested in finding a writing experienced as I entered the South West participants the opportunity to tap into a partner, a book raffle and private consulta- gates of the White House. variety of resources, to network and learn tions with authors. Indeed, for those of us who appreciate from some of today’s most talented authors. The evening was also graced with the history, entering the White House to the In her inimitable, affable and humorous presence of several forward-thinking publi- singing of traditional Chanukah melodies is manner, Etka Gittel Schwartz, noted Binah cations including Binah, Hamodia and an acknowledgment of just how far our columnist, opened the evening by sharing Mishpacha, which sent representatives to community has come from the dark days of the tools she uses to make her narratives tap into the amazing pool of talent that was the Holocaust, when our Rabbis were not real and compelling. Chana Devorah present at the conference. These publica- allowed anywhere near the interior of the Urbach charged the atmosphere with her tions set up appealing tables with wares, White House to plead on behalf of our fore- Ezra Friedlander (R) speaking with Vice inspiring speech on Courageous Writing, in sample publications, questionnaires and fathers who were being killed by the mil- President Biden at the White House. which she challenged the participants to let surveys. The representatives took the ini- lions. Those who are familiar with the his- go of their inhibitions and write. tiative to open communication with tens of tory of those days know what I am referring convey a brachah for “Divine inspiration as The audience then chose to attend one participants in a gracious manner. to; it is important for those who do not he leads our nation and is confronted with of three simultaneous workshops present- Participants left the evening empowered know to educate themselves. decisions that impact humanity.” The ed by Azriella Jaffee, Sarah Shapiro and and inspired. As Toby Z., one of the partici- Those were the emotions that accompa- President listened to me thoughtfully, Chana Devorah Urbach. Azriella Jaffee pants, expressed, “The energy in the room nied me as the Secret Service waved me thanked me and asked me, “Where I’m empowered her audience with a host of could be felt in the sense of community, joy, through and we entered the White House: from,” and then wished me a Happy pragmatic writing skills and tips. Sarah openness and sharing.” When asked what If only then, if only then... Yes, symbolism is Holiday. Shapiro’s intelligence and dignity they felt they had gained from the evening, important. In many ways, that is the mes- Upon taking leave of the President, we entranced her listeners as she helped them participants were eloquent in their enthu- sage of Chanukah, when we display our returned upstairs to the State Dining Room tune into the stories inside of themselves. siasm. “A great dose of courage, guidance, symbols for the world to see! to mingle with the guests. Vice President Chana Devorah Urbach helped writers inspiration and a craving for more writing! On Thursday night at the White House I Biden played the gracious host who greeted advance their writing through creative To inquire about future events or saw an extraordinary display of unity — a everyone warmly and spent an inordinate exercises and techniques. Libby Lazewnik, resources for writers, call Chaya Breindy night bereft of politics, partisanship or divi- amount of time making everyone feel very noted author and Binah columnist, closed Kenigsberg at 718-435-8127 or email sion. Jews of all stripes — Republicans, much at home. We had many opportunities the evening with a talk as spellbinding as [email protected]. Democrats, Independents and, indeed, rep- to schmooze that night. Since my con- resenting all levels of observance, gathered science persisted in reminding me that I together to acknowledge that all of us are ought to use this opportunity to advocate grateful to these United States for the privi- for a pressing issue, I decided to respectful- lege of practicing our religion as we choose. ly mention Jonathan Pollard. I told the Vice Book Review Yes, that was what the evening repre- President that I was aware this might not be sented. A White House that hosted an the proper venue for it, but I just wanted to BY DAVID J. GLENN Rabbi Waldman asked his evening serving glatt kosher l’mehadrin cui- remember him tonight. In order to be friend for more tapes. sine offers a testament and a strong state- respectful of the Vice President’s agreeing It might seem at first Finally, “the doubts, the lin- ment that we, the Jewish people, can to talk with me, I will only say that I walked glance that Rabbi Shmuel gering, nagging questions,” observe our religion unhindered, but even away with a positive feeling. I was quite Waldman’s book Beyond a were being addressed, he more so — we can contribute to our nation conflicted about the propriety of raising the Reasonable Doubt — says. without conflicts. issue, but I am aware that officials are Convincing Evidence of the It was more than just an opportunity to always monitoring the pulse of the commu- Truths of Judaism is a work Strengthening the eat on White House china and utensils nity. At an event such as this, I concluded on kiruv designed to bring Connection kashered under the supervision of Rabbi that I had an obligation to tell our nation’s young Jews to, or back to, the Rabbi Waldman studied Levi Shemtov, Executive VP of American leadership what is on the minds of our fel- Torah. in the Yeshivah of Staten Friends of Lubavitch in Washington, D.C., low Jews. Perhaps it was even appropriate His key intent, though, is Island and at the Mirrer whose emphasis on pas Yisrael and chas- given the spirit of the moment. to provide answers for FFB Rabbi Shmuel Waldman Yeshivah in Brooklyn. He sidishe shechitah indicated that the cuisine All in all, it was a sobering experience [ frum-from-birth] Jews with with a copy of his book was a Mashgiach in Yeshivas was permitted. There was also an implicit that imparted an important lesson to me: questions about the basics of Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Mercaz HaTorah of Belle message that we can prosper in these be proud of who you are and try to be a bet- emunah. He’s providing the Harbor for about eight years United States while conducting ourselves ter Jew. It demonstrated that Jarrod kind of material he says he could have used and currently teaches at a Bais Yaakov as fully observant Jews, with our faith Bernstein, the White House Director of himself when he was a teenager. seminary in Boro Park. remaining the central fact of our lives. Jewish Outreach, ‘gets it’ and knows how to “I was an FFB teen,” Rabbi Waldman He often gives shiurim at yeshivos, As President Obama welcomed us to the advocate for the community. In 1944 the says. “Outwardly, I was doing everything — seminaries and kiruv rechokim gather- White House, I was keenly aware not only White House did not have a Director of davening and learning every day, strictly ings, conveying the basics of emunah of the distinction of being feted at the White Jewish Outreach; in 2011 we have the keeping Shabbos and kashrus, and all the Since the book was first published in House but also of the awesome responsibil- President of the United States opening his rest. But internally, I felt an emptiness. I 2002, Rabbi Waldman says he has ity that comes along with it. I could not help remarks by acknowledging Jarrod had many conscious and subconscious received dozens of letters, emails and but feel a sense of awe that I was standing in Bernstein as the new Director of Jewish emunah questions that I never dared to ask. phone calls from Jews at all levels of line to greet the President of the United Outreach at the White House. Nor did I feel that I really had anyone qual- Yiddishkeit, telling him that the book States, a man whose decisions may have Though I admit that the world stood still ified to answer any of my questions since answered questions that had been linger- momentous consequences for mankind for me that night in the White House, I am the basic topics of emunah were really ing in their minds for a long time. Several I was impressed with the respectful under no illusions about the overwhelming never discussed in class. organizations, including Oorah and NCSY approach of the White House staff to the challenges that face our community and the “The problem was, we were taught how (National Council of Synagogue Youth), nuances of our religious observances, an world. I am mindful that it was an evening to follow all the laws and mitzvos, we have handed out hundreds of copies of the attention to detail that I believe reflected for reflection, not just an opportunity to eat learned lots and lots of Gemara, but we had book, contributing to a distribution of something very unusual but also very posi- glatt kosher lamb chops in the East Room of no idea why. We were given a house built on many thousands in the past nine years. tive: that we, as Orthodox Jews, not only the White House. Still, it was also an no foundation.” Rabbi Waldman says the book was also have the right to be fully observant but are evening to thank the President of the written for rebbeim and moros so that they obligated to do so. United States for recognizing and respect- Not Afraid of Questions would be “better equipped to take on The President and First Lady could not ing our Jewish heritage, something for This started to change when he was questions from students.” He says that have been more gracious or welcoming. In which we must be eternally grateful. seventeen. A friend, Rabbi Ephraim several high schools are currently using the few seconds that were allotted to us to Isralowitz of the Mirrer Yeshivah, gave the book in their classes. share private time with the President, we Mr. Friedlander, is CEO of The Friedlander him some cassette tapes of lectures by The book addresses questions of evo- had the opportunity to tell him whatever Group, a NYC and Washington D.C.-based public Harav Avigdor Miller, zt”l. “I was lution, the authenticity of maamad Har was on our mind. I had thought long and affairs consulting group that is now spearheading amazed,” Rabbi Waldman says. “Rabbi Sinai, Olam Haba, and other essential hard about what to say, realizing that it the effort to award Raoul Wallenberg with a Miller wasn’t afraid to answer questions topics. might be inappropriate to address a singu- Congressional Gold Medal in light of his upcom- on the theory of evolution or on human “The truths of the Torah have always lar issue or advocate for something in par- ing centennial in 2012, recognizing his heroism in suffering. In fact, toward the end of all his been available in the works of the ticular. Having discussed this with my saving over 100,000 Jews in the waning days of lectures he invited questions of emunah Rishonim,” Rabbi Waldman says. “You father, the Liska Rav, shlita, I decided to the Holocaust. and hashkafah.” just have to know where to look.”