July 2015 - Reflections from the CEO by Linda Kislowicz
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The Debate Over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue
Jack Wertheimer (ed.) The American Synagogue: A Sanctuary Transformed. New York: Cambridge 13 University Press, 1987 The Debate over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue JONATHAN D. SARNA "Pues have never yet found an historian," John M. Neale com plained, when he undertook to survey the subject of church seating for the Cambridge Camden Society in 1842. 1 To a large extent, the same situation prevails today in connection with "pues" in the American syn agogue. Although it is common knowledge that American synagogue seating patterns have changed greatly over time - sometimes following acrimonious, even violent disputes - the subject as a whole remains unstudied, seemingly too arcane for historians to bother with. 2 Seating patterns, however, actually reflect down-to-earth social realities, and are richly deserving of study. Behind wearisome debates over how sanctuary seats should be arranged and allocated lie fundamental disagreements over the kinds of social and religious values that the synagogue should project and the relationship between the synagogue and the larger society that surrounds it. As we shall see, where people sit reveals much about what they believe. The necessarily limited study of seating patterns that follows focuses only on the most important and controversial seating innovation in the American synagogue: mixed (family) seating. Other innovations - seats that no longer face east, 3 pulpits moved from center to front, 4 free (un assigned) seating, closed-off pew ends, and the like - require separate treatment. As we shall see, mixed seating is a ramified and multifaceted issue that clearly reflects the impact of American values on synagogue life, for it pits family unity, sexual equality, and modernity against the accepted Jewish legal (halachic) practice of sexual separatiop in prayer. -
Israel in 1982: the War in Lebanon
Israel in 1982: The War in Lebanon by RALPH MANDEL LS ISRAEL MOVED INTO its 36th year in 1982—the nation cele- brated 35 years of independence during the brief hiatus between the with- drawal from Sinai and the incursion into Lebanon—the country was deeply divided. Rocked by dissension over issues that in the past were the hallmark of unity, wracked by intensifying ethnic and religious-secular rifts, and through it all bedazzled by a bullish stock market that was at one and the same time fuel for and seeming haven from triple-digit inflation, Israelis found themselves living increasingly in a land of extremes, where the middle ground was often inhospitable when it was not totally inaccessible. Toward the end of the year, Amos Oz, one of Israel's leading novelists, set out on a journey in search of the true Israel and the genuine Israeli point of view. What he heard in his travels, as published in a series of articles in the daily Davar, seemed to confirm what many had sensed: Israel was deeply, perhaps irreconcilably, riven by two political philosophies, two attitudes toward Jewish historical destiny, two visions. "What will become of us all, I do not know," Oz wrote in concluding his article on the develop- ment town of Beit Shemesh in the Judean Hills, where the sons of the "Oriental" immigrants, now grown and prosperous, spewed out their loath- ing for the old Ashkenazi establishment. "If anyone has a solution, let him please step forward and spell it out—and the sooner the better. -
EXTENSIONS of REMARKS April 13, 1989 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS Yielding to Extraordinary Economic Pres Angola
6628 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS April 13, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS Yielding to extraordinary economic pres Angola. Already cut off from South African TESTIMONY OF HOWARD sures from the U.S. government, South aid, which had helped stave off well funded PHILLIPS Africa agreed to a formula wherein the anti invasion-scale Soviet-led assaults during communist black majority Transitional 1986 and 1987, UNITA has been deprived by HON. DAN BURTON Government of National Unity, which had the Crocker accords of important logistical been administering Namibia since 1985, supply routes through Namibia, which ad OF INDIANA would give way to a process by which a new joins liberated southeastern Angola. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES government would be installed under United If, in addition, a SWAPO regime were to Thursday, April 13, 1989 Nations auspices. use Namibia's Caprivi Strip as a base for South Africa also agreed to withdraw its anti-UNITA Communist forces, UNITA's Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I estimated 40,000 military personnel from ability to safeguard those now resident in would like to enter a statement by Mr. Howard Namibia, with all but 1,500 gone by June 24, the liberated areas would be in grave ques Phillips of the Conservative Caucus into the to dismantle the 35,000-member, predomi tion. RECORD. In view of recent events in Namibia, nantly black, South West African Territori America has strategic interests in south al Force, and to permit the introduction of ern Africa. The mineral resources concen I think it is very important for all of us who are 6,150 U.N. -
Black-Jewish Coalition” Unraveled: Where Does Israel Fit?
The “Black-Jewish Coalition” Unraveled: Where Does Israel Fit? A Master’s Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program Professors Ellen Smith and Jonathan Krasner Ph.D., Advisors In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by Leah Robbins May 2020 Copyright by Leah Robbins 2020 Acknowledgements This thesis was made possible by the generous and thoughtful guidance of my two advisors, Professors Ellen Smith and Jonathan Krasner. Their content expertise, ongoing encouragement, and loving pushback were invaluable to the work. This research topic is complex for the Jewish community and often wrought with pain. My advisors never once questioned my intentions, my integrity as a researcher, or my clear and undeniable commitment to the Jewish people of the past, present, and future. I do not take for granted this gift of trust, which bolstered the work I’m so proud to share. I am also grateful to the entire Hornstein community for making room for me to show up in my fullness, and for saying “yes” to authentically wrestle with my ideas along the way. It’s been a great privilege to stretch and grow alongside you, and I look forward to continuing to shape one another in the years to come. iii ABSTRACT The “Black-Jewish Coalition” Unraveled: Where Does Israel Fit? A thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts By Leah Robbins Fascination with the famed “Black-Jewish coalition” in the United States, whether real or imaginary, is hardly a new phenomenon of academic interest. -
ISRAEL's TRUTH-TELLING WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY Inquest Faults
September 1991 IIISRAEL'''S TTTRUTH---T-TTTELLING WITHOUT AAACCOUNTABILITY Inquest Faults Police in Killings at Jerusalem HolyHoly Site But Judge Orders No Charges Table of Contents I. Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 II. The Confrontation: Sequence of Events............................................................................................................................................................ 6 III. Judge Kama's Findings on Police Conduct.................................................................................................................................................... 8 IV. The Case for Prosecution ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 I. Introduction Middle East Watch commends the extensive investigation published by Israeli Magistrate Ezra Kama on July 18 into the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif killings. However, Middle East Watch is disturbed that, in light of evidence establishing criminal conduct by identifiable police officers, none of the officers involved in the incident has been prosecuted or disciplined. Middle East Watch also believes that the police's criminal investigation of the incident last fall was grossly negligent and in effect sabotaged the -
Field Trip 2017 Israel
YEP Field Trip 2017 Israel Technology Tour Itinerary YEP – Young Engineers’ Panel 5.11.2017 DAY 1 • Pickup (08:30 AM): Eilat airport and north beach hotel. • Ramon Crater: The world’s largest erosion crater (makhtesh). A landform unique to Israel, Egypt and Sinai desert, it is a large erosion cirque, created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. The Ramon Crater measures 40 km in length and between 2 and 10km in width, shaped like a long heart, and forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve. • Ramon Visitors Center, located on the edge of Makhtesh Ramon is overlooking the Crater. It displays the geography, geology, flora, fauna and history of the region from prehistoric to modern times. A film explains how the Makhtesh was formed and a three-dimensional interactive model helps bring home an understanding of the topography of this unique region. • Sde Boker kibbutz is famous as the home of David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister whose home is now a museum open to the public, and is the feature of a number of supporting exhibits in the kibbutz. Sde Boker is a community founded in 1952 by a number of pioneering families who were later joined by Ben Gurion after an interesting encounter. South of Sde Boker is Ben Gurion’s burial site, which is set in an incredible location overlooking one of the most striking and impressive views in the Negev, across the Zin Valley. 1 • Ashalim (Technology tour) - Solar Energy (thermal and PV) Solar power tower and Solar field. -
The Good Principal
South Philadelphia High School is known throughout the world for the talent it has produced. Its alumni include Jack Klugman, the stage, TV and film actor; Marian Anderson, a The contralto and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th cen- tury; and Israel Goldstein, the founder of Brandeis University. Three years ago, the venerable school’s reputation was tarnished. After racial tensions escalated into violence, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice found that the school had been “delib- Good erately indifferent to the severe and pervasive harassment” of Asian students. Fifteen miles away, at Springfield Township High School, an up- scale suburban school ranked 16th among Philadelphia magazine’s Principal top public high schools in 2009, Principal Otis Hackney followed the news coverage. Hackney had completed his master’s in educa- Three years ago, Otis Hackney tional leadership at Lehigh in 2006 and served two years as assistant principal at South Philly before taking the reins at Springfield. was asked to turn around a school At a faculty meeting, someone asked Hackney if he was glad that he was no longer at South Philly. notorious for tensions among “I said, ‘If I had gotten what I wanted, I’d be principal of South Philly right now,’” Hackney recalls. students. The key, he says, is Not long afterward, a friend from South Philly called. The con- versation turned into a job interview, and almost before Hackney simple, but elusive: Teaching knew it, South Philadelphia had asked him to return—as principal. “I got the phone call during a night lacrosse game, and at first I people to respect each other. -
R E P O R T of the World Jewish Congress Organization Department
REPORT of the World Jewish Congress Organization Department August 1951 ־ August 1949 by DR. I. SCHWARZBART WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS 15 East 84th Street New York 28, N. Y. 1951 CONTENTS msê. IN MEMORIAM DR. STEPHEN S. WISE AND LOUISE WATERMAN WISE INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION I A. THE CENTRAL BODIES OF TKE WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS (a) Composition of the Executive ............. 2 (b) Meetings of the Executive . 3 (c) General Council 3 (d) Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress and. Constitution 4 B. THE ORGANIZATIONAL TASK OF TEE WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS ׳a) New Affiliations . 4) (b) Organizing Communities and strengthening existing Affiliations # 5 (c) Visits by our Emissaries. 7 C. CHANGES IN JEWISH LIFE AND WJC ORGANIZATIONAL TASKS (a) 3he Sephardic World reappears on the Stage of Jewish History 10 (b) Relations of the WJC with other Jewish Galuth Organizations ........... .... 11 (c) Relations between the WJC and the World Zionist Organizations 12 (d) Agreement with the Jewish Agency ........... 12 (e) The State of Israel 13 ־f) East and West 1*4) How the Organization Department works. ... The Commemoration of the 7th and 8th Anniversaries of the %rsaw Ghetto Uprising ........... 15 SECTION II - THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION DEPARTMENT AND TEAT OF OUR AFFILIATES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON TKE ORGANIZATIONAL FIELD A. GENERAL (a) The Executive Branches 16 (b) The. Offices of the World Jewish Congress 16 - i - IMS. B. INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES Israel ............ » • 18 Western Hemis-phere United States of America ... ...... 19 Canada 21 Latin America - General Remarks « 23 Argentina ......... 24 Brazil 26 Uruguay . ...» 27 Chile 29 Mexico 30 ן • Cuba, Colombia .............. -
The Bedouin Population in the Negev
T The Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Bedouins h in the Negev have rarely been included in the Israeli public e discourse, even though they comprise around one-fourth B Bedouin e of the Negev’s population. Recently, however, political, d o economic and social changes have raised public awareness u i of this population group, as have the efforts to resolve the n TThehe BBedouinedouin PPopulationopulation status of the unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev, P Population o primarily through the Goldberg and Prawer Committees. p u These changing trends have exposed major shortcomings l a in information, facts and figures regarding the Arab- t i iinn tthehe NNegevegev o Bedouins in the Negev. The objective of this publication n The Abraham Fund Initiatives is to fill in this missing information and to portray a i in the n Building a Shared Future for Israel’s comprehensive picture of this population group. t Jewish and Arab Citizens h The first section, written by Arik Rudnitzky, describes e The Abraham Fund Initiatives is a non- the social, demographic and economic characteristics of N Negev profit organization that has been working e Bedouin society in the Negev and compares these to the g since 1989 to promote coexistence and Jewish population and the general Arab population in e equality among Israel’s Jewish and Arab v Israel. citizens. Named for the common ancestor of both Jews and Arabs, The Abraham In the second section, Dr. Thabet Abu Ras discusses social Fund Initiatives advances a cohesive, and demographic attributes in the context of government secure and just Israeli society by policy toward the Bedouin population with respect to promoting policies based on innovative economics, politics, land and settlement, decisive rulings social models, and by conducting large- of the High Court of Justice concerning the Bedouins and scale social change initiatives, advocacy the new political awakening in Bedouin society. -
Western Europe
Western Europe Great Britain National Affairs OIGNS OF SLOW BUT DISCERNIBLE economic recovery in 1993 —such as a drop in interest rate, reduced inflation, and even a small decline in unemploy- ment — did nothing to halt the unremitting decline in the political fortunes of Prime Minister John Major's Conservative government. The Tories lost to the Liberal Democrats in by-elections for two hitherto safe parliamentary seats — Newbury in May and Christchurch in July — and in local elections in May, when the Conserva- tives lost control of all but one county council. The most likely cause of the government's unpopularity was its own disunity. Internal dissension, for example, dogged the progress of the bill to ratify the Maas- tricht Treaty on European Union. In March the government lost a key vote on the bill by 22 votes, and Major had to call for a vote of confidence in July, which did insure final ratification of the treaty. The Labor party limited itself to profiting from the government's unpopularity and to updating its image and organization. Under leader John Smith's impetus, the party's annual conference in September voted to abolish the bloc vote enjoyed by the trade unions, in a bid to enhance the party's appeal to middle-class electors. Despite appeals by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and other groups, the government's Asylum Bill, which would limit the number of political refugees admitted to Britain, was passed by the House of Commons in January. Israel and the Middle East The draft peace accord signed by Israel and the Palestinians in September was welcomed by all political parties and opened the door to a more positive stance by Britain in Middle East politics. -
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Page V. The Threat to Israel’s Civilian Population and Israel’s Civil Defense Measures ............106 A. Life under the Threat of Terrorist Rocket Fire and Cross-Border Tunnel Attacks .................................................................................................................106 B. Israel’s Civil Defence Measures against Rocket and Mortar Attacks .................107 1. Passive Defence Measures .......................................................................107 2. Active Defence Measures (the Iron Dome System) ................................111 C. Harm Caused to Israel’s Civilian Population by Rocket and Mortar Attacks .................................................................................................................112 1. Civilian Deaths and Injuries.....................................................................112 2. Effects on Children, Teenagers and College Students .............................118 3. Effect on the Elderly and People with Disabilities ..................................121 4. Internal Displacement ..............................................................................122 5. Psychological Damage .............................................................................125 6. Economic Damage ...................................................................................132 D. Conclusion ...........................................................................................................136 i V. The Threat to Israel’s Civilian Population -
Between Mumbai and Manila
Manfred Hutter (ed.) Between Mumbai and Manila Judaism in Asia since the Founding of the State of Israel (Proceedings of the International Conference, held at the Department of Comparative Religion of the University of Bonn. May 30, to June 1, 2012) V&R unipress Bonn University Press Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de. 296’.095’0904–dc23 ISBN 978-3-8471-0158-1 ISBN 978-3-8470-0158-4 (E-Book) Publications of Bonn University Press are published by V&R unipress GmbH. Copyright 2013 by V&R unipress GmbH, D-37079 Goettingen All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printing and binding: CPI Buch Bu¨cher.de GmbH, Birkach Printed in Germany Contents Manfred Hutter / Ulrich Vollmer Introductory Notes: The Context of the Conference in the History of Jewish Studies in Bonn . ................... 7 Part 1: Jewish Communities in Asia Gabriele Shenar Bene Israel Transnational Spaces and the Aesthetics of Community Identity . ................................... 21 Edith Franke Searching for Traces of Judaism in Indonesia . ...... 39 Vera Leininger Jews in Singapore: Tradition and Transformation . ...... 53 Manfred Hutter The Tiny Jewish Communities in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia . 65 Alina Pa˘tru Judaism in the PR China and in Hong Kong Today: Its Presence and Perception .