The Jewish National Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 81, Number 2 • January 28, 2015 • 8 Shevat 5775 www.jewishpostopinion.com • www.ulib.iupui.edu/digitalscholarship/collections/JPO

Cover art by Jackie Olenick (see About the Cover, p.2). 2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 Editorial About the Cover Inside this Issue “Priestly Blessing” By Jackie Olenick Editorial...... 2 For this our 18th special Focus on About the Cover ...... 2 Healing edition, I am reviewing a new CD This piece portrays the Rabbi Benzion Cohen on the topic. A joint project of the Cantor’s oldest recorded blessing (Chassidic Rabbi)...... 3 Assembly and The United Synagogue of ever found and is one Arthur Marshall Fell Conservative Judaism, its title describes it of our most beloved (Opinion)...... 3 well. The Spirit of Hope & Healing is from blessings. The three-prong Rabbis Dennis & Sandy Sasso...... 4 The Spirit Series Volume 12,Voices of the and four-prong “shins” Rabbi Dennis Sasso...... 4 Conservative Movement. in the hands remind us Jackie Olenick Jim Shipley Twenty-one different songs, many of the ultimate unity (Shipley Speaks) ...... 5 familiar, are each sung by different cantors between man, woman and the Source Amy Hirshberg Lederman and an honorary one. They are mellow of all Blessing. (Jewish Educator) ...... 6 and pleasing to the ear as one would May God Bless and Keep You Ted Roberts desire when not May God Shine on You (Spoonful of Humor) ...... 6 feeling well. The and Be Gracious to You Melinda Ribner honorary cantor is May God Shine Within You (Kabbalah of the Month) ...... 7 Debbie Friedman, and Grant You Peace. Sybil Kaplan of blessed memory, Jackie Olenick is a Judaic artist and (Seen on the Israel Scene)...... 8 whose Mi Sheberach jewelry designer residing in Boynton Alden Solovy...... Healing 1 has become an Beach, Fla. Her work can be seen on her Rabbi David Wolpe...... Healing 1 anthem of today’s website: www.jackieolenickart.com. Lisa E. Harris, M.D...... Healing 2 healing services in Dennis Rosen, M.D...... Healing 4 many synagogues and temples. This is the j i Reb Schachter-Shalomi ...... Healing 4 first song and the CD is dedicated to her. Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick), it is said Howard Karsh On the insert of the CD, before the first when one visits someone who is ill, it (Jewish America) ...... 9 song it is written: takes away one sixtieth of their illness. Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. “Whereas prayers for healing have an If loud music is what you prefer, then (Wiener’s Wisdom)...... 9 ancient Jewish history with venerable texts you might not like this CD, but it does Rabbi Ben Asher & Bat Sarah that extend back to the Bible, communal an excellent job fulfilling its purpose. I (Gather the People)...... 10 healing services have developed in the recommend it! Rabbi Jon Adland Jewish community only during the last ...... 11 three decades – coinciding with the prolific The power of art therapy (Shabbat Shalom) Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel musical and liturgical career of the In our Indiana edition of Jan. 14, 2015, late singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman we published a story titled “Herron art (Media Watch)...... 12 (1951–2011). We dedicate this album to professor in the healing business”about a Morton Gold Debbie’s memory and to her legacy in our local professor who is also a licensed art (As I Heard It)...... 12 lives as Jews and as Hazzanim.”Sam Weiss therapist. Juliet King hopes to improve the Rabbi Israel Zoberman and David Propis lives of veterans facing emotional adjust- (Book Review)...... 13 Also on the insert, besides listing ments after their time on the battlefield. Rivka Sarah Horowitz information on the performers, arrangers “Art therapists…are trained to use art to (Book Review)...... 14 and creators of each song, an explanation help clients find ways to express things Sybil Kaplan or summary introduces it, giving it they might not be able to say with words, (My Kosher Kitchen)...... 15 more meaning. King said. Art therapy is an effective treat- Kindey still needed for Drew...... 15 Since I am not a musician, but I work ment intervention for helping anyone Auschwitz liberation event...... 16 words, I feel more comfortable commenting facing issues such as post-traumatic stress Eliyahu McLean on lyrics. Several of them resonated with me disorder, which can affect not only war (Jerusalem Peacemaker)...... 16 but one stood out.Titled“I’ll Be Here for You,” veterans but also victims of rape, torture, it is performed and arranged by Hazzanim child abuse, car accidents and natural The Jewish Alisa Pomerantz-Boro & Leon Sher and disasters, she said. (See article on our the music & lyrics are by David Roth. website or Facebook profile). Post&Opinion Jewish News and Opinion since 1935. One of the verses is: “Well, I don’t really This reminded me of my editorial from have any answers,/ And I don’t always know Nov. 26, 2008. I wrote about American art 1427 W. 86th St. #228 what to do./But if shoulders were meant educator Maureen Kushner, who spoke Indianapolis, IN 46260 to be leaned upon, / Then I’m putting one and presented a slide show at our annual email: [email protected] out here for you.” Sung with beautiful Ann Katz Festival of Books. As part of a phone and fax: (317) 405-8084 harmony, I found this especially comforting. traveling exhibit,“Peace Through Humor,” website: www.jewishpostopinion.com This reminds me of a message from Dr. she came with artwork from Israeli publisher & editor: Jennie Cohen Gerald Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione in children – Jewish, Arab, Bedouin, and graphic designer: Charlie Bunes the book Change Your Mind, Change Your Druze as well as Ethiopian and Russian Life. They found that when visiting the immigrants. She had worked in 27 schools and paintings were on the theme of war sick, frequently it was not necessary to say in Israel between 1992 and 1996 by invita- and peace. As Kushner clicked through a or do anything. Simply sitting with the tion of the Israel Ministry of Education. slideshow of artwork, she described the person was all that was needed. Also in The exhibit had been to 174 cities in the experiences of the children that led to the time-honored Jewish tradition of United States and Canada. The murals (see Editorial, page 14) January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 3 Semitism is the symptom of a crisis of Chassidic Rabbi Opinion democracy, a crisis of the Republic. For that reason it must be met forcefully. BY RABBI BENZION COHEN After Ilan Halimi in 2006, after the crimes in Toulouse, anti-Semitic acts have increased intolerably… Ingathering BY ARTHUR MARSHALL FELL “How can we accept that Frenchmen can be assassinated because they are One aspect of the complete and final French government Jewish?…It is not acceptable. If the nation redemption is the ingathering of the has not reacted sufficiently up to now,… exiles. Moshiach (our righteous Messiah), stands solidly I say, we cannot accept it, that we must and his followers will bring all of the fight against it and make a clear diagnosis. Jewish people to live in the land of Israel. behind Jews There is an historical anti-Semitism which The Lubavitcher Rebbe told us 23 years dates from centuries ago, but there is ago that this is actually happening right There is consternation in my thinking above all a new anti-Semitism born in now. At that time a million Jews moved to and in the minds of many people I know our neighborhoods, relayed through Israel from the former Soviet Union. Every in France following recent events in early Internet…and based on hate of the State day many Jews move to Israel from all over January with the terrorist assassination of of Israel and hate of Jews…It must be said the world, and recently Israel became the journalists of a humoristic political weekly and the words must be pronounced so largest center of the Jewish population, and clients at a Kosher grocery store. as to combat that unacceptable type of with almost 6 million Jews. The community radio station, Radio Aviva, anti-Semitism. One part of this process is that many which is in the main synagogue and where “As Madame Segolène Royal [a Minister people are discovering that they are I do a weekly radio program consisting of in the French Government and former Jewish. Here is an amazing case of this in jazz and commentary is under heavy Socialist candidate for the Presidency of which I was personally involved. A few guard by several army troopers. France] said in Jerusalem and I said this years ago I flew to Brooklyn, to spend the The Prime Minister of France, Manuel morning, and as Claude Lanzmann wrote High Holidays by the Rebbe. Together Valls, a Socialist born in Spain and who in a magnificent article in Le Monde, yes, with me on the plane were another 20 came to France as a teenager, made a let’s say it to the world: without Jews, men, women and children, also going to spectacular speech in the French National France would no longer be France. We the Rebbe. We changed planes in Assembly on Jan. 13. He said among must spread this message widely and Budapest, where we had to wait for 10 other things: France would not be France loudly to everyone… hours. We decided to visit the local without the Jews. His speech was a “We have not been indigent enough. Chabad House. We called them, and they ringing defense of French values and How can we accept that in certain high gave us instructions how to get there by against terrorism and anti-Semitism. schools and lycées, the Shoah cannot be bus and then by subway. I was the only While there are enormous problems, the taught? How can we accept that a child of member of our group who spoke English, French government stands solidly behind 7 or 8 could say, when a teacher puts a so I became the tour guide. We got off universal values and is doing what it can question to him ‘who is your enemy’ that the subway and climbed the stairs up to to fight anti-Semitism. It cannot eliminate the response is ‘it is the Jew’? When the street. anti-Semitism with a magic wand, no attacks are made against French Jews, I stopped the first passerby, showed one can. But to know the government it is the same as attacking France, it is him the address of the Chabad House, stands on the right side on this question is the same as attacking the universal and asked him for directions. He smiled something important in itself. When one conscience, and we must never forget it!” and said “Shalom”. He looked at the hears how eloquently the Prime Minister Arthur Marshall Fell, the author of the address, said that it is not far from here, asserts that policy, one cannot help but be book Tzimmes (see review on page 14), has and kindly offered to go with us to show impressed. Rarely has a major politician worked in the family scrap business, as a us the way. We started to walk. I asked him expressed it so forcefully. waiter, in a used furniture store, in a car if he is Jewish. After all, he greeted us with Below is an informal translation of agency, as an agricultural worker, as a radio “Shalom”, a word in Hebrew. He said no, part of Prime Minister Emmanuel Valls’ announcer, as a practicing lawyer in New but recently he had found out that his speech to the French National Assembly York City, as a US Foreign Service Minister- grandmother was once Jewish. (Parliament) on Jan. 13, 2015. He received Counselor and Mission Director posted in He told me that he is a lawyer, and a standing ovation on both sides of the aisle: several African countries, and as a Principal recently he had traveled to Italy. He was “The first subject to tackle clearly is Administrator in a Paris-based international walking down the street, and two young the fight against anti-Semitism. History organization. He is a decorated veteran of the men stopped him and asked him if he is shows that an awakening of anti- US Army, a pianist, a composer, recipient of Jewish. (I guess they wanted him to put on an ASCAP award, and he recorded a jazz tefillin.) He told them no. They looked at j i album on the British label MacJazz with the him and said “Yes, you are Jewish!”He told I asked him if this grandmother was his trumpet player, David Cross. He co-authored them that he is sorry, but he is not Jewish. mother’s mother. He said yes. I explained a book about development in the Sahel region He returned to Budapest, and to him that if so, those young men were of Africa published by the OECD in Paris mentioned this story to his family. right, and he really is Jewish. We arrived and has written numerous articles about They looked at him, and after a minute at the Chabad House. I knocked on the law, economic development and music. He told him that they have a secret to tell him. door. A young Rabbi opened the door, and was born in Bloomington, Ind., and was “Your grandmother was Jewish, but she greeted us with a hearty “Shalom”and a big admitted to the Bar in Indiana and New married a non Jew. After Hitler came to smile. I looked at him for a few seconds. York. His life has obviously been a tzimmes, power and started to persecute the Jews, Why such a warm greeting? He said like the mixed-up dessert stew. He presently she arranged to have her papers changed, “Rabbi! Don’t you remember me? I’m lives with his wife Teri on the southern coast and be registered as not being Jewish.” (see Benzion, page 5) of France. 4 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 wrote “For Those Who Can’t Believe,” an France loses How to invite honest inquiry into questions of faith and disbelief among modern Americans. if Jews leave godliness into While much of Schulweis’ writing addresses the reality and concerns of the our lives Jewish community, his scope and outreach BY RABBI DENNIS C. SASSO are universal in nature. Schulweis was for decades the rabbi of BY RABBIS Dec. 29, 2014 – At this season of the Temple Valley Beth-Shalom in Encino, DENNIS C. AND year, articles about religion fill the news – Calif., but he was a rabbis’ rabbi whose SANDY E. SASSO from the history of the holidays to the innovative and transformative ideas and question of whether Santa Claus, or even programs transcended his own congrega- The stunning march of a million French God, exists! Pollsters and concerned tion. He was an articulate orator, a sensi- citizens led by dozens of world leaders religious leaders talk about the rise of a tive pastor, a profound theologian and a was evocative of the civil rights marches new secularism in America. Surveys show progressive advocate of social justice. led by Martin Luther King in the Untied that the fastest growing denomination in Harold Schulweis was born in the Bronx States decades ago. Had the Civil Rights the religious landscape is the “nones.” in 1925 to secular Jewish parents. He movement been unsuccessful, it would One of the most compelling voices earned a degree in philosophy at Yeshiva have meant a defeat not only for blacks, addressing the quest of religious and University and trained for the rabbinate at but also for American democracy, for the secular Americans was that of Rabbi the Jewish Theological Seminary, where principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Harold Schulweis, who passed away he studied with Rabbis Mordecai M. If the recent impressive response to recently at age 89. In 1994, Schulweis Kaplan and Abraham J. Heschel, the two terrorism in France is not successful, it most influential thinkers of 20th century will spell defeat of the democratic ideals j i American Judaism. Schulweis internalized of the French Republic, of liberty, equality Dreyfus Affair. In 1894 Alfred Dreyfus, an Kaplan’s passion for reason and coherence and fraternity. assimilated Jew and an officer in the and Heschel’s sense of pathos and mystery. Tragically, the murderous assault on French army was falsely accused, tried and Schulweis was among the first rabbis to Charlie Hebdo and the kosher grocery in imprisoned for treason. French novelist openly welcome gays into the congregation. Paris were brutal attacks on basic human Emile Zola wrote an open letter to the He was a founder of Mazon, the flagship rights, freedom of speech and religion. president of France accusing the army of Jewish organization addressing the needs For French Jews this was the most recent anti-Semitism for which he also was tried of the hungry across religious lines. He incident of anti-Semitic violence on places and convicted. The Dreyfus affair led launched the Jewish Foundation for the of Jewish gathering, from day schools Theodore Herzl, an assimilated Jewish Righteous to recognize the heroism of to synagogues. journalist, to conclude that despite the thousands of gentiles who aided and These deplorable events have led to European Enlightenment, historic saved Jews during the Holocaust. Later, calls for French Jews to leave France. Of religious and racial anti-Semitism would Schulweis established Jewish World Watch course, it is up to French Jewish families to hinder the integration of Jews into to monitor and counter contemporary decide what is best for their own safety European society. human atrocities and genocides. and security. But if the majority of the Still, France continued to work toward the Schulweis believed that religion is as 500,000 Jews in France were to decide to ideal of a nationalism that would embrace religion does. Following his mentor, leave, the loss would not only be for Jews, all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or reli- Mordecai M. Kaplan, Schulweis rejected but for France. It would not only mean gion. That ideal is once again being tested. the theological supernaturalism that sees the dismantling of the second largest New emerging ethnic communities are God as the “Celestial Bellhop”or “Cosmic Diaspora community after the United questioning this model of national identity. Puppeteer” in favor of a theological States, but a weakening of French democ- The growth of separatist Islamic militant humanistic naturalism that invites us to racy. As the French prime minister stated, fundamentalism threatens the fabric of become partners of the divine in the “France without Jews is not France.” the French nation and many other completion of the works of creation From the time of the French Revolution European societies. The events of the past and redemption. in 1789, France led European countries in few weeks in Paris were not just an attack Schulweis developed a religious language affirming the full citizenship of its Jews. on the French Republic; they were an that he called “Predicate Theology.”Rather Looking back from the 21st century, this attack on all freedom loving people. than speaking of God as the “Subject” or does not seem like a revolutionary idea, They are a call to those who cherish civil “Substantive”of the sentence, e.g.: God is but it was. Until the 18th century, Jews liberties and human rights to unequivocally just”; “God is love”, we should think of were not citizens of the countries in which denounce intolerance, hatred and God as the “predicate,” that is the active they lived. They were a minority without violence. The future of democracy depends and feeling part of the sentence. Thus, civil rights, living at the pleasure of the on communities and governments edu- “Justice is Godly;” “Love is Godly.” We government. They were not allowed to cating their people for civic engagement, humans are called to emulate the godly vote nor hold political office. They were affirming the rights of individuals and attributes which qualify us as partners of banned from certain professions and celebrating the values of cultural diversity. God and creatures in the “divine image.” from universities. Sandy Sasso is rabbi emeritus of Encouraging us to think of God not in Then came this “radical idea” of the Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in static and fixed terms, but in relational and Enlightenment that Jews would be judged Indianapolis and director of Religion, active ways, Schulweis suggested that the not as a group but as individuals. Jews Spirituality of and the Arts Initiative at theologically correct question is not were promised that if they would assimi- Butler University. Dennis Sasso is senior “Where is God,”but “When is God?”How late into French culture, they would be rabbi at Beth-El Zedeck. Reprinted with can we invite godliness into our lives, our treated as equals. This ideal was tested permission from the Indianapolis Star relationships, our world. many times, most dramatically in the January 19, 2015. (see D. Sasso, page 5) January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 5 their own lives, free and independent BENZION Shipley members of a free society. It was only (continued from page 3) natural that those without their homeland Speaks would seek to return there – especially Glen Hurwitz, from South Africa, one since they were not wanted by the society of your students from the Yeshiva in in which they lived. Kfar Chabad!”Baruch Hashem, he told me BY JIM SHIPLEY And so we did. Early on, the Jewish that he had married, has three children, National Fund did the natural thing: They and now he is the head of the Yeshiva Tell me where began buying the land. Most of it owned in Budapest. by absentee Turkish land owners. When I introduced our young lawyer, who had can I go? the JNF bought land and got the proper just discovered that he is Jewish. They papers of ownership, the Turks did not talked for a while, and the lawyer put on Jews spent close to two millennia away bother to tell the people living on that tefillin and said his first Jewish prayers. from home. When the Romans finally land that it had been sold to another party. They exchanged addresses and telephone expelled the Jews from their land, really So, when Jews showed up to settle there, numbers, and agreed to keep in touch. upset because it took so long to beat they were not met with milk and honey. We believe that the Lubavitcher Rebbe their guerilla forces, we scattered to over But, here we are, some 110 years later, is Moshiach, our righteous Messiah. Here 50 countries. 67 years after independence, with our own is a beautiful example of the Rebbe and his Gone was the Second Temple, gone homeland. The first settlers were those followers gathering in the Jewish people. was our government, our army, our social with the dream of a Jewish homeland – Forty-six years ago I was in a similar structure, everything. Except us. The Jews. but for the most part driven by the situation. Though I knew that I was We scattered and as we did, we invented problems where they lived. No one Jewish, it did not mean very much to me, something uniquely Jewish: The Portable wanted them, they suffered indignities and at one point I even considered leaving Community. We didn’t have a Temple, and discrimination. They were massacred. Judaism. The Rebbe and his emissaries so we built synagogues. We didn’t have All good reasons to head to this new and followers helped me to discover our social structure, so we created Jewish nation that needed people. the wonderful treasures of our Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Family Services, So, they came. From Russia, from heritage. Now I also have a hand in the and Jewish Social Services of all kinds. Poland, from the Ukraine and elsewhere Rebbe’s work, to gather in all of the Jewish We went north to Europe and England. in Eastern Europe. Some decided not to people, to bring them back to their England thrust us out and banned the come and perished in the Holocaust. Judaism and to the Jewish Land. Jews in 1290. The king at the time was in The survivors provided the impetus to We are now in the Hebrew month of debt so he got rid of the Jews and took make a nation of the land that was once Shvat. The Rebbe took upon himself to be over the loans owed to the Jews. We were our nation and had no indigenous our leader on the 10th of Shvat. Now is not “officially”let back in until the 1800s. government since we left. an auspicious time to strengthen our We went south to Spain and Portugal. Then the Arab nations thrust out over connection with the Rebbe, to take upon When the Moslem Caliphate took over 700,000 Jews. Many of them came to the ourselves to join him in his work, to most of the known world after defeating one place they would always be welcome. redeem the Jewish nation and all of the the Romans, they gave a special place for The Arab nations on the other hand did not world. It is up to us to learn more Torah the Jews in their society welcoming the welcome their brothers whom they had and help others to learn more Torah and doctors, the philosophers, the merchants thrown into “refugee camps”. Till this day. do more Mitzvahs to bring Moshiach now. among us. Now it is happening again. France and Rabbi Cohen lives in K’far Chabad, When they were defeated and the Germany have huge Muslim populations, Israel. He can be reached by email at Catholic Kings took their place, things mostly from Arab countries. They fled [email protected]. went downhill in a hurry. Spain was really seeking a place where they could live in cool under the Caliphate, but along came peace – of course, as long as there were no j i the Catholics, the Inquisition and we were Jews there. D. SASSO on our way again, picking up our Portable But we are there. And it is becoming (continued from page 4) Community and schlepping it to Northern increasingly difficult to be a Jew in France. Africa and to the West. But, everywhere If it were not for the culture of France, We live in a world much in need of healing we went, we did as much good as allowed. there would have not been a Dreyfus and repair. At this season of religious In Europe, the unwelcoming Catholic Affair, no Herzl and perhaps, no Israel. So celebrations of peace and renewal, Rabbi Church saw to it through their puppet perhaps it is no surprise that the nation Harold Schulweis’ teaching and example politicians that we were banned from with the largest Muslim population is no invite us to translate the divine qualities of most professions, not allowed to own longer a safe place for Jews. It certainly is love, justice, forgiveness and peace into land, pushed into our own Shtetls and not no surprise that the largest influx of Jews human attributes and attainable goals. allowed in regular schools. But somehow coming to Israel are French. Rabbi Sasso has been senior rabbi we survived. The world is in turmoil. Muslims in at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in By the early 20th century Turks were the Niger get mad at a French newspaper and Indianapolis since 1977. Reprinted with most dominant part of the Caliphate and burn down Christian churches. The man permission from the Indianapolis Star. they held sway in Israel, still at that time who was ready to prove that the Brazilian known as Palestine, a name of derision government was complicent in the Jewish j i given to the area by the Romans. Jews Center bombing 20 years ago is killed and distribution, advertising, and telecommuni- were by then returning in dribbles. it is made to look like a suicide. cations. He began his working life in radio The idea of return of course, was put Islam is the youngest of the three major in Philadelphia. He has written his JP&O into motion by Theodore Herzl. He saw faiths in the world. God help us until column for more than 20 years and is director that Europe with its Catholic religion and they mature. of Trading Wise, an international trade and its hierarchy would never let the Jews live Jim Shipley has had careers in broadcasting, marketing company in Orlando, Fla. 6 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 B’Shevat stories – wait’ll I visit. Lemme do Jewish Spoonful it. Okay?” The first story is the old Greek myth of the of beautiful and radiant maiden Persephone Educator Humor and her capture by Hades, King of the underworld. How the earth mourned! BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN BY TED ROBERTS Gray with grief, nothing bloomed. Then Hades relented, goes the story, and let The perfect time Tu B’Shevat Persephone take an elevator, escalator, or staircase to the upper world – but for only My mother called when I was out. Her dazzles kids six months. The flowers rejoiced, clover voice on the answering machine sounded grew green, apple trees bloomed, and sap somewhat depressed but the message I have two explanations that I use with flowed again in every living thing. Even belied her tone. my kids for the mystery of spring. Well, I the spirits of humanity brightened. When “Hello darling, this is mom. I’m calling used to use them on my kids. But now the captive took the “down”escalator back with some good news. We’ve turned the since my kids are old enough to drive a car to the shady land that never knew the sun, clocks back an hour so there’s only a two- and pay a house note and have kids of the plants again were brokenhearted and hour time difference between us now. Isn’t their own, they fully comprehend the died their winter death. that wonderful? Call me back soon.” mechanics of springtime. So, I pontificate The second story...the one we believe Upon hearing my 89 year old mother’s to my grandkids. And I specifically instruct today, though more scientific is far less words, I immediately sensed that her my now grown- up children – “Hey, don’t poetic. Two spherical bodies, the earth message was merely a cover-up for the steal my thunder, don’t tell Lizzie my Tu and the sun, each weighing billions of things she couldn’t say, either because she tons hang in an infinite void – at this point hadn’t sufficiently put her feelings into j i my curious grandson interrupts to ask words yet or because what she wanted to of my wedding, the morning when my “what holds them up?” “Gravity,” I share was just too hard to talk about. I son was born, the first time she set eyes on confidently answer. A word that only guessed it was the latter. my daughter. represents our infinite ignorance – another My mother’s sense of family has always My life is much more hectic than hers myth, but one with a scientific tone. He’s been time-bound. When I was ten years and she appreciates the efforts I make to not grown up so he doesn’t know my old she told me the story about how her stay in touch. Gone are the once a week answer is only a word that masks our parents had died. She didn’t remember conversations, replaced by daily check-ins ignorance, but he’s old enough to know much about the accident because she was about life’s ups and downs, the books that this might be interesting, so why not only two years old at the time but she did she is reading, her new favorite doctor let Pop continue. recall the exact time of day, 1:30 in the who told her she can still drink one can Spring, the awakening of the plants afternoon, when the policeman knocked of diet coke a day. Cell phones make it that dwell in the backyard, is also an on the door and told her family that her easier to stay connected but they also awakening to the young mind that only father had drowned. And she recalled betray the tension in my voice as I rush knows what it sees. In November it even less about her 28-year-old mother between home and work or need to hang noticed that the apple tree was leafless who died from a broken heart exactly one up because one of the kids is calling. I and dead. In May it’s alive with cotton month later giving birth to her baby sister. assure her it’s no big deal but somehow, candy blossoms. And there’s talk around What she did remember was the time, the busy-ness of my life seems to distance the house of apple cider, and apple pie. 7:20 in the evening, because the nurse told us and underscores the fact that so Not to mention a fresh apple with your her she should go to bed like a good girl. much happens between the times we see school lunch. Having lost so much, so early in life was each other. And what happened to the swathe of a hardship my mother never overcame. So when my mother called last night, dirt along the back yard fence? It’s now a Her best defense to the loneliness and what she was really saying was that she yellow jonquil fresco by Degas. More abandonment she carried was to become feels somehow closer to me now, knowing springtime magic. the all encompassing mother. She kept that only two hours of daylight separates us. And kids love stories about trees. So, on track of me like a momma bear with her If you visit my mother’s kitchen, the first this holiday tell them about the acorn that cubs. And when I felt smothered or over- thing you notice is her clocks, none of turned into a 40-ton tree that shaded six whelmed, I tried to remember that I had which are set at the same time. The year old Melinda’s house; an easy-going been given everything that she had lost as microwave is set an hour before the tree that allowed them to tie a swing on a young child. antique wall clock, which reads at least a his lower branches. Tell them how that old I didn’t recognize at the time how hard half-hour later than the digital clock radio. Oak tree will patiently serve Melinda and it was for her when I left home for college; Yet regardless of her inability to keep track her children and her children’s children for that my departure was the trigger that of “real” time, whenever I call, her three to four generations of humankind. caused her emotions to spiral downward response to my voice is always the same. Remind them that 80 years from now into what I thought of as her “black hole”. “Hello dear. I was hoping it was you. Of some child, now patiently waiting in the Time became even more important to her course I can talk. It’s the perfect time.” womb of infinity, will thank her unknown after I left. Sundays at 5:00 pm were “our Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an author, grandmother, Melinda, for shade and a time.” Of course, without cell phones, it Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney nice swing. wasn’t as easy to stay in touch. But I knew who lives in Tucson. Her columns in the AJP Kids love Tu B’Shevat – because, like my call was her touchstone and I rarely have won awards from the American Jewish grown-ups they love miracles. And they missed a Sunday throughout college. Press Association, the Arizona Newspapers see clearer than us the transformation in Over the years, Mom has marked her Association and the Arizona Press Club for the green family of trees. life by the events in mine – the afternoon excellence in commentary. Visit her website My grandson, Jonah, turned five the I graduated from law school, the evening at amyhirshberglederman.com. other day. His parents gave him a party. January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 7 They even hired a magician fully dressed into ourselves is food and has the ability in cape and hat. The kids went wild. The Kabbalah to strengthen or weaken ourselves and magic man hid things and he transformed others. Make a conscious effort to eat things. He violated the laws of gravity. But of the Month in a way that is strengthening and nurtur- he couldn’t make a tree. ing. The “food” we eat is an expression I asked him,“Hey, Tu B’Shevat’s coming – of who we are and our relationship to make a tree”. Instead, he pulled a quarter BY MELINDA RIBNER the Divine. out of Jonah’s ear. Big deal. As I write this, we are all still shaken by Every year on Tu B’Shevat I tour our Tu B’Shevat – what happened in Paris during the month back yard with one grandchild after of Tevet. Staff at Charlie Hebo, the satirical another. “See that stick standing in the a joyous day cartoon magazine were murdered for ground, Jonah? Well, in a couple of weeks posting anti-Mohammed cartoons and it’ll sprout some leaves. And by the end of Shevat began after sunset on Jan. 20. It Jews in the kosher marketplace were summer, it’ll be a miniature, two-foot tree.” may still be the heart of winter in many murdered simply because they were Jews. Kids love miracles like they love magic. places, but the month of Shevat marks a The world seems to be more concerned One spring day a few years back Jonah, the hidden and mystical time of new begin- about the death of journalists than those birthday boy, and I were touring the yard. nings and rebirth. This month is a time of of Jews or Christians. “Jonah, hey look. See that stick poking up new inspiration and creativity. It is a time Now that a great number of Jews are out of the ground?” Actually, the “stick” when it is easy to come close to God. The planning to leave France as a result of was the product of four seeds planted last first part of the month may still feel harsh this massacre, at least the French prime fall. Since I’m not a certified plantologist, I energetically but that changes after the minister finally acknowledged the rampant attribute my success to the reward of my 15th of the month, on Tu B’Shevat, the anti-Semitism in his country. France will impeccable, ethical behavior during the time of the full moon. miss its Jews who have been replaced winter. Usually, from four seeds I get two The renewal in Shevat is not yet mani- by Moslems. The very week this tragedy sticks. Once, I got four sticks because from fest on the physical plane, but the process took place in Paris, over 2,000 Nigerian October to April never, not once, did I has begun, occurring first on the inner Christians were slaughtered by a militant raise my voice to my wife’s relatives. They planes. We may have lived through a cold Moslem group. Where is the world visit frequently at mealtime. This time, and challenging winter this year, but concern for the thousands of Christians however, I got only one stick. It was a spring is coming. Know that something being slaughtered? It barely got any tough year for me and my in-laws. new is going to come forth within you. media coverage. “So Jonah – see the stick?” Believe that you will bear new fruit and Hopefully as the world experiences “Sure.” you will.This month of renewal is the time more terrorism at the hands of Islamic “Well, wanta see a super trick?” to go deep inside and contact the creative extremists as they have promised, the “You’re gonna turn it into a candy bar energies within you. Open to a new world will finally connect the dots and like the magician at my birthday party?” beginning. Say “Yes!” to newness of life realize that Israel has also been combating “Nope – a lot better than that. I am once again and allow the potential within Islamic extremism since before its going to say the magic word – which is ‘Tu you to come forth. As you read this, take a existence. Islamic extremism has many B’Shevat’. I am going to wave my magic minute to close your eyes, open your names and forms but it is the same handkerchief over the stick. And you and heart, and literally say silently and out thing, whether it is in Pakistan, Nigeria, I, in five years, will come back to this stick, loud “Yes!” France, or Israel. Rather than continuing which will turn into an apple tree. We’ll sit This month of Shevat is an optimal time to demonize Israel with lies, may the in the shade and eat apples.Then, you can to conceive new projects and to be open world finally realize that Israel can lead climb up to the top of the tree. Is that a to newness in your life in general. Breathe them out of the darkness and into the trick or what?” out the old and breathe in the new. It may light of peace and unity. The normal five year old grandchild not be clear what is the new for you, but May all the good people in the world says thank you; then tries to get a handle simply agree to be open to renewal in unite to do good and build an energetic on the concept of time: How is five years your life. Give yourself time to relax, let go wall of protection and blessing around different from next Wednesday? But this and be open to inspiration. There is much the world. The battle we are facing with one, with a few ragged DNA threads from blessing available this month. Islamic extremism must be fought on my in-laws in his bloodstream, complained The energy of the month is best repre- many levels, internally and externally. about waiting so long for his magic trick. sented by the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the “Giving creates bonding. It is important That’s when I went from Oak trees to 15th of the month, the time of the full for Jews as well as for all people in the bean vines. Plant them in April and by moon.This is one of the most spiritual and world to give to others, for no reason than July you’ve got yards and yards of vines joyous days of the year. At this time, to express love and unity with them...” decorated with bean blossoms. though the trees may be barren, we are Esther, from my book, The Secret Legacy of Remember what Steve Jobs said: told that the sap begins to flow on Tu Biblical Women. “Fortunes are made by fools like me – but B’Shevat and we once again trust in the Melinda Ribner L.C.S. W. is also the only G-d can make a tree”. Something cycle of life to produce new leaves, fruits, author of Everyday Kabbalah, Kabbalah like that. and flowers. Like the sap of the trees, our Month by Month, and New Age Judaism. The humor of Ted, The Scribbler on the creative juices begin flowing on Tu Internationally known for her pioneering Roof, appears in newspapers around the US, B’Shevat and we too will bear new fruit work in kabbalistic meditation and healing, on National Public Radio, and numerous web and flowers this year. she is also a spiritual psychotherapist and sites. Check out his Web site: www.wonder The fixing of the month is eating. Pay for more than 30 years has used kabbalistic wordworks.com. Blogsite: www.scribbleron close attention to what you take into your wisdom as part of treatment. She offers a theroof.typepad.com. His collected works body, mind and soul. Eating is not just free newsletter on meditation, healing, The Scribbler on The Roof can be bought at physical food. What we do for recreation, kabbalistic energies of the months, holidays, Amazon.com or lulu.com/content/127641. friendships, work, everything we take and so forth. www.kabbalahoftheheart.com. 8 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 singer, writer, composer, music arranger Seen on the and conductor. He narrated the story of On this date in his daughter in between singing some of his special compositions. Jewish history Israel Scene He related how five years before, while watching fireworks for Israel On January 28, 1949 BY SYBIL KAPLAN Independence day, his then 4-1/2 year old Great Britian recognizes daughter, fell off a roof and landed on her the State of Israel. Hadassah-Israel head. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit became their home for many weeks of ~ From The Jewish Book of Days published by helps Hadassah operations and rehabilitation before she Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., New York. was moved to a children’s hospital. Now, make miracles as a 9-1/2 year old, she is back in her for women? pain in the chest; pain in the school and people who do not know her jaw, arms, back, neck and upper abdomen A few blocks from the foot of the story do not notice anything different which increases with exercise and BenYehudah Mall, parallel to Jaffa Road about her. To her family and those who decreases with rest; shortness of breath; is Hanevim Street. Perpendicular to know her story, she is a miracle. cold sweat; nausea and vomiting; Hanevim is a one-way, winding, narrow The program also included remarks by dizziness; unusual fatigue. street called Ethiopia Street, named for the the Hadassah-Israel National President, Besides eating fruit, vegetables, whole church built there in 1892 by the Ethiopian Rachel Oran; the CEO of Hadassah grain products, olive oil, and low-fat dairy royal dynasty.The street has unique houses Medical Organization, Professor Tamar products, 150 minutes of moderate built in the 1880s. Peretz; the current Hadassah Medical exercise is recommended each week. One home, which is a combination of Organization director, Dr.Yuval Weiss, and This activity reduces the heart disease risk three, was built by an Arab contractor but director of the Pediatric Intensive Care factors 30–50%. has always been lived in by Jews. It is the Unit, Dr. Jacques Braun. home, for the past 24 years, of American A certificate of recognition was presented Breast Cancer Center businessman, Martin Gerstel, his wife, to Gabby Yatziv, widow of the former Dr. Tamar Sela is director of the Marlene Shoshana (a former physical therapist at director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Greenebaum Diagnostic Breast Imaging Hadassah hospital) and their teenage son, Unit, in memory of her husband, Dr. Ido Cancer Center, dedicated in April of 2011, Gil. From the beautiful high ceilings, Yatziv (z”l) who channeled his energy to and created with the $1.4 million dollar enhanced by sconces, past the arches, down the unit for ten years but did not live to see donation from the Greenebaum family. to the tiled floors, one is overwhelmed by the new facility. Dr. Sela emphasized issues relating to the beauty of the home and the Gerstel’s breast cancer in Israel, where 90% of those art and decorative art collection. Hadassah Physicians Inform diagnosed are cured. The key is “Early (Gerstel was previously CEO of Alza Hadassah-Israel Members – Heart Detection Saves Lives.” Mammography,” Corp., a pharmaceutical and medical Disease, Breast Cancer Awareness, the examination that can save your life,” system company bought by Johnson & Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery is the only screening exam proven to Johnson. Today, he is chairman of the Once a year, members of Hadassah- reduce mortality. Ultra sound is an adjunct Israeli company, Compugen, a drug Israel venture to Hadassah Hospital Ein to a mammogram but not to be done discovery company; he also serves on the Karem for “Mediscope,” a day of learning instead. “Breast cancer awareness is a board of governors of the Weizmann from physicians. personal responsibility,” and it is up to Institute of Science and the Hebrew After a greeting by Professor Tamar women to know their breasts and be University; and the board of the Israel-US Peretz, general manager of HMO, aware of changes. Binational Industrial Research and Professor Philip Toltzis, director of the Development Foundation.) Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hadassah- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Recently the Gerstel home was the Israel’s 2014 quota project, explained their Dr. Michael Icekson, senior plastic venue for Hadassah-Israel’s largest focus on cardiac surgery and children’s surgeon in the Department of Plastic and fundraiser of the year, a Special Gifts cancer, as well as their position as a Reconstructive Surgery emphasized the Event, to benefit Hadassah-Israel’s front runner in trauma for children. He extensive training of their department’s project, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit particularly stressed the exemplary physicians and then elaborated on the at Hadassah Hospital, Ein Karem. dedication of the nurses and doctors. wide variety of reconstructive and aesthetic The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit treats surgeries which they perform including children from newborn through age 14 Cardiovascular Wellness Center malformations, body parts, wound suffering from life-threatening issues. Dr. Osnat Keider, director of the Linda closures, burn treatments, skin cancer, Hadassah-Israel was established in Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Center, micro surgery and limb salvage as well as 1983 with Hebrew and English-speaking introduced this innovative center to face surgeries (such as skin, eyebrows, chapters throughout the country and is its combat the number one killer of women eyelids, lips, cheeks, nose top and chins); own organization which raises its own worldwide –heart disease. The Center was breasts (reduction, enhancement, recon- operating expenses, and has its own created with a $10 million dollar grant struction, etc.) and body surgeries. projects. It shares some of the goals as from Irene Pollin in memory of her To avoid skin damage, he advised avoiding Hadassah US but is technically not part daughter. Dr. Keider explained that heart sun exposure, smoking and use of chemicals of it. disease affects women differently and and to wear sunscreen at least SPF 30, Anne Rothenberg who divides her time impacts on women differently. repeating its use after a few hours. between Albany, New York and Jerusalem, The six major risk factors are: high blood Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, food writer, was this year’s Special Events Chair. pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, lecturer and cookbook author. She also leads Featured performer was Yonatan Razel, a sedentary lifestyle and bad cholesterol. walks though Machaneh Yehudah, the New York-born haredi (ultra-religious) What are the symptoms of heart attacks Jewish produce market in English. a movie cover for St.Vincent.

January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 9 suffering – at $20,000 per plane – and is Jewish tied up in bureaucratic wrangling. To the Wiener’s question asked, is it ever really safe to fly in this intemperate zone? No, but. America 3) In the recent tragedy in Har Nof, Wisdom and the senseless and brutal slaying of BY HOWARD W. KARSH religious men at prayer, we talked to BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. our two children about what they planned Looking backward for the next day. The answer: Get up, get Righteousness the kids ready for school, drive the – Looking forward carpools and go to work. The Scriptures are filled with anecdotes After all this happens in large parts of describing acts of one human being toward As we look backward to our lives, our the world every day. another to enhance their values and encourage country, our world in 2014, what can we look 4) When we look at the recent epidemic humanities call for good. Having written forward to? It seems to me and many of of Ebola, there is recognition that that (which is a mouth-full), let’s try to the people that I talk to that we live in although over 8,000 people died, it was understand exactly what that means.There disorder, perhaps chaotic times. There is well managed in the U.S. and the rest of are so many ways to accomplish benevolence hardly a minute to catch your breath with world. Do we really want to live in a world and consideration. Perhaps the greatest of a world at war against disease, threatened where life is that cheap, and the decision is these is what is written in the Talmud, by radical groups that we did not see while based on whether it happened to you. “Out of consideration for human dignity, they were becoming factors in our world. 5) It would seem that if you were going you are not obligated to carry out negative Some years back we talked about the to relocate to a foreign country that works, commandments in the Torah.” unsettling fact that things were changing economically and politically, you would Hopefully, during our journey we will too quickly to give us the chance to fix it. On have to consider Germany, and give credit encounter individuals who personify the a regular basis now, I am told by repairmen to Angela Merkel. essence of dignified human behavior. I that the cost of fixing anything is too high. 6) It appears that the only reason was thinking of this as I watched a movie Just throw it away and get something Benyomin Netanyahu is still prime entitled, St. Vincent. The two main better. I wonder on those occasions how minister, is that no one else believes they characters in the movie attracted me to it, we feel about becoming obsolete. could keep the government which they Melissa McCarthy and Bill Murray. I There was a time, not long ago, when I was could win, together. expected to laugh myself silly, but instead very sensitive to any sign of ageism especially 7) We have $2.00 gasoline, and we are I left with a better understanding of the as it applied to me. But the truth is that the beginning to read articles that it is not goodness of people and how they are more mechanized our society becomes, good for the economy as a whole. As an overlooked at times because they do not the necessity is to be more facile. There is economy of one, I am celebrating it. I paid create sensationalism – the key ingredient no question but that we have to adapt, but $2.09 a gallon this week, but in St. Louis, in selling newspapers or encouraging I am happy to be beyond feeling bad about it. my daughter paid $1.87. people to watch newscasters. We have grandchildren who want to 8) It may be that cheap gas and a high We find a grumpy old man, dissatisfied help, and who can and will teach you how flying stock market may change peoples’ with life, unable to cope with everyday to use “Apple 6.” They are of a generation attitude about President Obama’s presi- living and resentful of people in general. who, when fixing things, begin with dency, especially if the Republicans and The storyline is interesting because, in my “You Tube,”and watch one of master chefs Democrats don’t destroy the country. experience, it could be depicting one of us. showing you how to do anything, for exam- 9) My father taught me to respect How many times, I wonder, do we feel ple making a Turducken for Thanksgiving, policemen. If the last two national fatali- frustrated and disappointed with people and you can run it again and again. ties’ fathers had taught them the same to the extent that we want to “stop the Trying to make sense out of politics here lesson, we might have two court cases, world, and get off?”There are those of us or in Israel, is even more complicated rather than two funerals. Is there racism who fall into despair and feel as though when we know that we don’t have a in America? “Yes,” but you don’t have to we are in a dark tunnel with no light to complete set of facts, and that we will have become a poster boy. If you rob a store, guide us out. There are those who can to wait a few years to really understand they will call the police, and if you choose snap out of these depressive moods and the world we are living in. And so I can’t to walk down the middle of the street, rejoin the living. Such is the journey. swear to the truth of the list I am going to in the same neighborhood, the police will Then we come across someone who will offer you, but it is what I believe today. come. We need to spend our energy on light up our lives, bring meaning to our 1) Close to home, a brute, a Detroit the right incidents, and there are many. experiences and lead us into a new under- Lion lineman purposely and repeatedly 10) If you ask people about their number standing that there is goodness in this stepped on the ankle of my star Green Bay one macro-wish for the coming year, world. We are so accustomed to hearing quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. They have world hunger will come up the majority of about the ugly side of life we forget that suspended him for one game, hopefully, the time. In every class I teach on Jewish there are two sides to every encounter. maybe. We have a “sport”based on hurting Values,I find a way to allow that to happen. Perhaps there are even more times we see your opponents, which can as we have And in 99 percent of the classes, I find that kindness, but we ignore it because we are seen move over to family life, of brutality only one percent of the respondents have programmed to believe that there is no to women, children and pets. Where did given a single cent to the agencies who are mercy or forgiveness. we go wrong? trying. Isn’t that fascinating? Many times I am asked about the hereafter. 2) An Indonesian Plane was lost 11) We have a great deal to do in 2015 to (see Wiener, page 13) yesterday with 162 passengers and crew re-right the world. We can’t possibly do it by lost. But the answer is and has been ourselves, but if we begin to “walk our talk,” j i available to help at least in the finding we have a chance of making a difference. Milwaukee, Wisc., and can be reached at hkarsh their location and saving some of the Howard W. Karsh lives and writes in @gmail.com. Submitted Dec. 30, 2013. 10 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 The Sefer haHinnuch, dating from the 13th always holding out before us the ideal of Gather the People century, notes: “…when we say continually, shalom – not peace per se, but constant ‘Blessed are You, Adonai’… the meaning is striving for unity with the Holy One – and evidently not to add blessing to One who we were blessed in the city with the has no need of any addition, perish the Temple, a place of assembly for the people thought.” Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch to strengthen themselves in their holy BY RABBI MOSHE teaches that to bless God means, instead, purposes and pursuits as a community. BEN ASHER,PH.D. “to further God’s purposes and wishes And fourth, we have been blessed – AND MAGIDAH for which the free-willed acts of human witness our historic and historically KHULDA BAT SARAH beings are responsible, or to vow, to improbable survival and success as a nation promise to do so.” – by God’s compassion and mercy toward us. Birkat Hamazon So “blessing”God by reciting the Birkat is Why would we not be grateful for these the way in which we proclaim our inten- blessings, even today? to arouse our spirit tion – “a reminder to arouse our spirit with Over the centuries, thanksgiving prayers the words of our mouth”(Sefer haHinnuch) for many other blessings were integrated The Birkat Hamazon (blessing of the – to actually do the will of God. into the first three benedictions. These food), known in Yiddish as benching In effect, because we have used the additional blessings encompass the Torah, (from the Latin benedicere – “bless”), is the sustenance from God to strengthen the covenant of Abraham (brit milah, i.e., three- to five-minute prayer service we ourselves, to replenish the energy required ritual circumcision), and David’s dynasty, commonly refer to in English as the Grace by our bodies and minds, we are in God’s from which the Messiah is to descend. after Meals. debt for the restoration of our strength; Would any of us trade the Torah for It’s probably true that most Jews, possibly and, since we are indebted to God for our some other vision and path to a good life? even most of those who would describe continued existence, a decent consideration With what would we replace the available themselves as religious, would not in return demands that we dedicate power of brit milah to foster responsibility describe the Birkat Hamazon as a “prayer ourselves to practical action that will fulfill among families and communities for the service.” This wouldn’t be surprising, and realize God’s will on earth. Therefore, moral careers of our sons? And what because it’s common during the Birkat the recitation of the Birkat without action vision of the future would we prefer to prayers and blessings in some synagogues that serves God in our daily life is nothing Days of Mashiach? for individuals to engage in loud talk, to more than “lip service.”So we are to prime At the end of the Grace, we make several walk about visiting with other people in ourselves consciously for such action petitions, each beginning with the word the room, or to help themselves to more when we recite the Birkat. “Harakhaman” (“May the Merciful food in the buffet line. But nonetheless, The Birkat Hamazon incorporates four One…”). These are not a part of the the Birkat is unmistakably a prayer service. foundational blessings: The Talmud teaches obligatory Birkat Hamazon but were added The fact that the Grace after Meals is us that Moses first made a blessing for over the centuries, and other petitions recited separately from other synagogue food in thanks for the manna that the may be added now for special occasions. services, or recited in the home, makes it Israelites received in the desert; that Why should the obligation to thank no less of a prayer service. A prayer service Joshua added a blessing for the land after God for these blessings be greater after we may be conducted any time or almost the Israelites had entered into Eretz eat than before? Possibly because after anywhere (except in places where idolatry Yisrael; that King David introduced the eating we are more likely to forget our or sexual lewdness is practiced, where blessing for Jerusalem after he established dependence on God’s goodness and, there are foul odors, or where excrement it as the capital of the country, and that his instead, to delude ourselves that we are can be seen). In fact, the home is the son, Solomon, the builder of the First entirely in control of our own fate. This preferred place for Jewish prayer outside Temple, expanded upon the blessing by self-delusion, not acknowledging the of the synagogue. And, of course, many expressing his thanks to God for the “great goodness God creates and sets to work in prayers and blessings are said at home, and holy house.”Following the destruction the world, leaves us vulnerable to experi- with none prescribed more frequently than of the Second Temple, when the survival ences that shatter our morale – we fail to those connected with eating, whenever of the Jewish people was in doubt, the see and rely on the goodness implanted that occurs. Sages added a fourth blessing to emphasize all around us by the Creator. Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin the eternal quality of God’s goodness. The Sages decreed, “since bread is the (1928–1982), in his classic guide, To But what have these blessings from our accepted basis of a meal, the full grace Pray As A Jew, teaches that, “Among history got to do with us – here and now? must be said only if bread is eaten,”but in the many blessings that we recite in the First, we are ultimately as dependent on an amount as small as an egg or even an fulfillment of our religious duties, the only God for our sustenance today as were the olive, notwithstanding the Scriptural ones that Scripture explicitly required Israelites in the desert who, according to commandment to say Birkat Hamazon us to say are those that we say after we the Torah, survived on the manna from only when one is sated from eating. eat….And though the specific wording of heaven. When we wipe away the scales of (Berakhot 45a) the Grace after Meals did not begin to take self-importance from our eyes, we can see Rabbi Avira taught that because of this shape until the time of Ezra, the Scribe, that our bread doesn’t come from the self-imposed stringency, God showed and was not totally crystallized even by supermarket or the bakery or the farmer – favoritism to the Jewish people: “The the Talmudic period, to say blessings of the seeds of life are gifts from the Creator. ministering angels said to the Holy One, thanksgiving after eating was prescribed Second, that we were promised a land, blessed be He: Master of the universe, it is by the Torah: ‘When you have eaten and Eretz Yisrael, one we could sanctify, and written in Your Torah that ‘You show no are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your thereby become a light to the nations, has favor or take bribes’(Deuteronomy 10:17). God for the good land that He has given throughout the ages been a spur to our Aren’t You showing favor to Israel, for it you’(Deut. 8:10).” moral vision and action. says, ‘God bestows favor upon you’? But what, precisely, does it mean here to Third, we were blessed as a people with (Numbers 6:26). Replied God: Why bless God? the inheritance of Jerusalem as our capital, shouldn’t I show favor to Israel! Look, I A Supplement to The National Jewish Post & Opinion January 28, 2015 Focus on Healing 1 A FOCUS ON H EALING weight and motion. In prayer, some Prayers Two great believe that you are pulling God closer to you. But in fact, Modena taught that for healing tribes prayer pulls you closer to God. However you conceive of God, in sickness God can be thought of as the BY ALDEN SOLOVY BY RABBI DAVID WOLPE source of that strength that helps you endure. There is more to the trial than pain Quick Prayer for Healing There are two great tribes in the world – and fear. Sickness brings with it boredom, G-d of love, the sick and the well. This is why I think the condescension and confusion of Cast the light of health and well-being spirit unites both. others and the indignities of a thousand On the injured, the infirm and the insecure, A faint dark scar runs down my arm. It pokes and prods. The sameness of each All who yearn for Your healing hand. is a reminder of the day the chemo line day is allied to its uncertainty. You need to Bless them with healing of body split and the poison ran free. be as strong for the mundane as you do Healing of soul Sitting in the chair at the center I was for the moments of drama. And healing of spirit. constantly struck by the radical break I have undergone two neurosurgeries (for Grant all in need a full between our sense of ourselves as bodies a brain tumor and then to fix a problem and complete recovery. and our sense of ourselves as spirits. with the original surgery, six years later) Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, The cancer was, after all, my own cells and chemotherapy for lymphoma. This is Source of Life. multiplying inside myself, as if seized by a what I have learned: There are two great wild urge to grow beyond my own tribes in the world, the sick and the well. R’fuat HaNefesh bounds. So it would seem to be all about We cannot completely understand each G-d of the spirit, the body. And yet illness often spurs us to other. Each has its frustrations and fears. G-d of the soul, the breath and the wind, consider our souls, as if in the act of being But for moments, in meditation, in prayer, Look with kindness and favor on sick the body becomes somehow less in tears, we can join across the divide and ______, (name) important. As my hair fell out and the see that each is part of the inevitable My [father /mother / sister / brother / son / weight slid off, I felt more like a spirit than human fate. We have all been well and will daughter / friend / husband / wife / partner] sinew, essence overriding anatomy. all be sick. A universal cord binds us all, Whose heart aches, I prayed but for strength. I’ve never and sickness’ twitch upon that string Crushed and fallow, been one to believe in the magic potency ripples through the whole. One more Whose heart yearns, of prayer, as though mouthing certain thing I have learned: The wretchedness of Empty and broken. formulas spares you from tragedy and the body need not lead to impoverishment G-d of the nefesh, ruach and neshama, the poor guy in the hospital in bed six, of the spirit. Guide his / her soul who neglects to say anything, is swept So in prayer, in fellowship, in friendship, Back to wonder and mystery, away. Rather, prayer for me is what was in community and in self-realization, Sacred moments and glorious days, beautifully described by the 17th-century sickness carries its blessings. They are So that he /she knows the power of Your love rabbi Leona Medina: If you watch a man blessings we do not choose, blessings we And the wisdom of Your word. out on a boat grab a rope and pull his boat would not choose. But there are human May his / her soul shine, to shore, you might think that he was angels of healing and large-hearted A light and blessing really pulling the shore to his boat. People people whose empathy and goodness For our people Israel. have the same confusion about spiritual renew one’s faith in our ability to transcend division. There are resources in the soul – “Quick Prayer for Healing” and “R’fuat j i in your soul – that you cannot begin to HaNefesh” are ©Jewish Prayers of Hope and been named 5th Liturgist-in-Residence at imagine if you have not been seriously ill. Healing, Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. the National Havurah Committee's Summer But we are more than we imagine. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Institute 2015 taking place August 3–9, at Whether we call it God, Spirit, Oneness, Alden Solovy spreads joy and excitement for Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New what you will, we can reach beyond prayer. A poet and liturgist, his work has been Hampshire. Go to: http://havurah.org/institute. ourselves to whatever exists. If we are used by people of all faiths throughout the Originally from Chicago, Alden has led blessed on our journey we will grow closer world, in private prayer and public ceremonies. writing workshops for adults, teens and to others, to what is best in ourselves and He’s written nearly pastoral care counselors in the United States to whatever mystery rolls through the 500 pieces of new and in Israel. He would love to come to your universe, touching our lives in scary yet liturgy, offering a synagogue. For more information, check out sacred moments. fresh new Jewish his website: www.tobendlight.com. Voted #1 rabbi in America by Newsweek voice, challenging the Also join the To Bend Light Facebook (2012) and named one of the 50 most influ- boundaries between page and follow To Bend Light on Twitter to ential Jews in the world by The Jerusalem poetry, meditation, get announcements about new prayers and Post (2012), Rabbi David Wolpe is the personal growth and stories posted, as well as (almost) daily senior rabbi of Temple Sinai in Los Angeles prayer. He’s a teacher, mini-prayers. Here’s a link to find out more and author of several books including most a writing coach and about his book, Jewish Prayers of Hope recently David: The Divided Heart. From an award-winning and Healing: http://tobendlight.com/book- Reimagine, The Magazine: https://reimagine essayist and jour- jewish-prayers-of-hope-and-healing. (Watch .me/magazine/ March 26, 2014. More by nalist. Solovy has for JPO’s upcoming review of this book.) him at www.facebook.com/RabbiWolpe. 2 Focus on Healing January 28, 2015 A Supplement to The National Jewish Post & Opinion Another 20% lies in the environment – eating right, it’s about connection to Our health, clean air and water, certainly, but also safe nature, a rich cultural and spiritual life workplaces, homes and roads, a built and, perhaps most important, social our future environment that enables good health connection – caring for each other. behaviors, for example, easy access to To have the kind of effect we need, healthful foods and sidewalks that are in though, if we’re going to have a community BY LISA E. HARRIS, M.D. good repair. that supports the quality of life we all The remaining risk lies in the genetic want, that connection, that caring, has to The following is an excerpt of a speech blueprint we’re born with. However, extend beyond the familiar network of given from the pulpit of Congregation Beth- only about 2 percent of deaths in the US family and friends, it has to reach across El Zedeck in Indianapolis on Sept.6, 2014 at can be attributed to purely genetic disease the breadth of our community. the Bat Mitzvah of Ella Eskenazi. and even for a problem like obesity, for “If I am for myself alone, what am I?” which almost two-thirds of the risk We are also responsible for the well- I have always admired the Jewish may be genetic, the risk is almost entirely being of our neighbors. tradition for its focus on social responsibil- controllable by lifestyle choices. Over the past several decades, though, ity, for the deep sense of personal obliga- So close to 90% of the responsibility for there’s been a widening gulf between the tion and humanity’s shared responsibility, health is on us. The biggest opportunity “haves”and the “have not’s.” encompassed in the Hebrew phrase for living a long, vibrant life lies in our And that’s a big problem, not only for Tikkun olam, to heal, repair and transform daily habits. those who are left behind, but for everyone the world, leaving it a better place for our And to give you a sense of the power living within our community, because we brief presence in it. that lies with the personal choices we make: are all affected by the consequences of So, though I had certainly heard the A while back we were part of a national poverty; increasing crime, resources rhetoric – “if not us, who, if not now, study that randomly assigned half of a directed toward a growing burden of when,” – I wasn’t surprised to learn from group of patients to 30 minutes of daily chronic disease and away from education the Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso that it exercise and a low-fat diet and the other and creating the kind of environment that originated with Hillel the Elder, one of the half to a drug used to treat diabetes, to see enhances quality of life for all. most important leaders in Jewish history, which approach was most effective in Rather than allowing the social who put it like this: reducing the risk of diabetes. The study separation that can come with widening “If I am not for myself, who will be for was stopped early because it would have income inequality, we need to stick me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? been unethical to continue, given that the together, engaged in dialogue, reaching And if not now, when?” participants receiving the medication were across social and economic divides in the When Rabbi Dennis Sasso spoke these not benefitting from the dramatically interest of greater mutual understanding words as he and Sandy explained to me better outcome experienced by the group and support. We can’t very well repair the how the Bat Mitzvah signals the age of receiving the lifestyle intervention: world if we’re oblivious to where it’s broken. moral discernment and therefore moral exercise and diet reduced the risk of By way of example, let me tell you what responsibility – of higher obligation and developing diabetes by 60%! played out at Eskenazi Health: Blackburn , accountability for one’s actions – he sent one of our inner-city health centers, a chills up my spine. “The biggest opportunity for living a couple of weeks ago. These words resonate powerfully with long, vibrant life lies in our daily It was 7:00 in the evening; everyone had habits…good nutrition, and regular me from many perspectives. The one I want physical activity, but also connection to left for the day, when the burglar alarm to focus on this morning, though, is not nature, social connection, and strong went off. One of our security guards only the notion of personal responsibility ties to family, friends and community.” responded, finding a young black male for one’s own health, but our responsibility with a tablet computer under his arm at for the health and vitality of all those There really isn’t much we can do in the back door. living within our community – and the terms of treating disease that has anything As he approached the young man, an good that can transpire from taking on close to this powerful an effect. older brother ran out of a house across that responsibility. This is why we see it as our responsibility the street, accompanied by several of Because good health provides the not just to take care of you when you’re his friends. foundation for everything else we aspire sick or injured, but to do everything we There was a lot of posturing. to individually and collectively. can to help you stay well in the first place. Our officer called for back-up, and soon If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And it’s why we spend a lot of time there was quite an assembly. Tensions The notion of personal responsibility working to help create and support the were high in that parking lot. for health and the powerful impact that kind of environment here in Indianapolis This could have gotten ugly, and if it personal decisions and behaviors have on that makes good health possible for had, you likely would already have heard health and wellbeing is at the core of our everyone living in our community. the story. But that’s not what happened. approach to care at Eskenazi Health. It’s why we offer free personalized As it turned out, one of the individuals Because we know that if we wait until the health coaching throughout our primary responding to the call for back-up was point at which we’re treating chronic care practices and it’s why, within a few Kelley Hayworth, a member of our security disease, we have only a 10% opportunity months, we’ll have the capacity to staff, who was on his way home when he to reduce the risk of premature death. download the data from personal fitness got the call. He recalls that the thought on That’s right. 10%. tracking devices right into our patients’ his mind, as he turned his car around was: The biggest opportunity, 50%, lies in medical records, so that physicians can “this can’t go bad.” personal lifestyle – good nutrition, and monitor not only the usual weight, blood It didn’t. regular physical activity, but also pressure and heart rate, but also physical What ensued was an interaction connection to nature, social connection, activity, one of the most important between Kelley and the young man’s and strong ties to family, friends and contributors to health. older brother, in which Kelley worked first community. But it isn’t only about being active and to defuse the tension and then orchestrated A Supplement to The National Jewish Post & Opinion January 28, 2015 Focus on Healing 3 a dialogue that acknowledged mutual They’re not thugs. They’re kids. with patients, staff, faculty and medical concern for the safety and well-being of They don’t need to be locked away. students coming from all corners of those living in the neighborhood, appreci- They need our understanding and our the globe and all walks of life, represents ation and respect for all those working help “If not now, when.” one of our community’s most diverse in the interest of the neighborhood and Well, getting back to the notion of intersections. So we developed the the need to understand the importance personal responsibility for health, Ella, for Commonground at the heart of our of the roles each played. Eventually, you and all of your friends, though it’s campus as a space where all are welcome everyone went home. never too late, now is the best time to and all are celebrated, a space that And what do you think the young man establish those daily habits. increase the likelihood of coming together was doing with a tablet computer outside Eat your fruits and veggies, stay away across the broad social landscape. our health center? from the junk (you know what that is!) – And we are grateful to your family and His homework. get moving! Find ways to get out into so many others across our community for His home didn’t have internet access, so nature – spend time with your family and the generous gifts that allow us to carry on he was tapping into our wi-fi. (We’re friends, get these habits set now and they our long legacy of caring for everyone working to amp up the signal so it reaches will help you all through your life. within our community, and now in an a little farther.) (That’s not to say, though, that you all environment deliberately designed to lift Kelley and I talked about this after I’d shouldn’t enjoy the Candy Bar at the the spirits both of our patients and those heard the story several days later. One of Children’s Museum tonight – a party, after who care for them. his main reasons for wanting to make sure all, is a party!) Central to this healing environment is a things went well is that he didn’t want For that notion of our broader responsi- public art program, one of my favorite anyone in the neighborhood surrounding bility, there’s a sense of urgency. pieces of which is a sculpture comprised of Blackburn to feel as though they couldn’t We’re faced with an epidemic of obesity intertwining ladders made of Indiana turn to us in the future for care and under- and related chronic illness that’s consuming maple. The artist, Aaron Stephan, named standing. I love how, as a security guard, enormous resources, resources that could it “Paths Crossed,” for the ways our lives he unassumingly embodies the most otherwise be spent on education, on intersect on our various paths from health important values we hold as an organization. investment in the public infrastructure to the challenges of illness and back to This capacity for compassion and that enhances life for all of us. Just this health again. understanding is especially important to week, the IBJ reported that Indiana is The message that Aaron is conveying us because of one of the singular roles spending $585 more per person annually with his art is the same message that we play in our community. Yes, we care on health care than is spent, on average, Kelley delivered in the parking lot behind for faculty members and their families, across the US. Blackburn: the business of caring and business leaders and philanthropists. But, Indianapolis was recently ranked #2, support doesn’t go just one way – we all as a level 1 trauma center, we also care behind Seattle, among US cities in terms bring resources to the mix – we all have for victims of violent crime. of cultural activities and attractions per something to give and to learn. And, in the past, it was the case that if capita, but everything we’ve achieved in Ella, you come from a religious tradition an individual survived being shot or recent years is at risk because of the that asks big questions, questions that are stabbed the first time (as most do), there alarming upsurge in violence that has its as important today as they were nearly was a 32% chance that they would return roots in poverty, lack of investment in 2,000 years ago. within 2 years, again a victim. early education, and the social support “If I am not for myself, who will be for We thought it was a problem that these necessary throughout childhood and me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? individuals were on first-name basis adolescence, without which the result is And if not now, when? with our trauma surgeons, so we started social drop-out. And you are fortunate to come from a Project Prescription for Hope, hiring a At the same time, though, positive family that strives to live by example the couple of individuals, who had themselves momentum builds within our city. answers to those questions. at one time been caught up in the web of Think of the cultural trail, all the yellow Take good care of yourself. Figure out violence, but who had done the hard work bikes out there, the urban agriculture what you can do to take good care of your of putting themselves on another path. initiative. You have a great example, Ella, world and do it. It’s waiting for you. They began working with these victims at the Legacy Center where the Patatruck Dedicating her career to improving in the context of their social milieu, their is based. What a great opportunity the health care for vulnerable and underserved families, their gangs, to address the factors Patatruck project and the urban gardens populations, Lisa E. Harris, M.D., has that got them headed down this self-and- that are springing up around Indianapolis practiced medicine for 30 years at nationally community-destructive path and, within offer for bringing us together in the recognized Eskenazi Health (formerly a couple of years, we had reduced the rate interest of broader engagement and Wishard Health Services). Today, Dr. Harris of violence recidivism from over 30% to understanding across the breadth of serves as Eskenazi Health’s chief executive less than 5%. our community. officer (CEO). In addition, Dr. Harris is The program has many components, Who knows where what you’re doing to engaged in research and teaching as the one of which is a group-based anger help the children there might lead? John F. Williams, Jr., M.D. scholar; associate management program similar to the The SkyFarm on top of our outpatient professor of medicine; and associate dean for alcoholics anonymous sponsorship care center, where we’re now harvesting the IU School of Medicine. approach. When the first group of over 100 pounds of produce a week, Annabella Morris Eskenazi (Ella) is the individuals had managed 9 months had its roots in a greenspace on our old daughter of David and Julie Eskenazi, and without an outburst of violence among campus where employees tended small the granddaughter of Sidney and Lois them, we asked them what they wanted to plots of ground.Who would have imagined? Eskenazi and Sally and Jerry Sussman. do to celebrate. Within reason, pretty We developed our entire campus to In June 2011 Sidney and Lois Eskenazi much anything was on the table. contribute to the positive momentum provided a $40 million gift to the Eskenazi What did they want to do? They wanted growing within our community. Health Foundation to build new hospital to go to King’s Island. Because we believe that our campus, facilities in downtown Indianapolis. 4 Focus on Healing January 28, 2015 A Supplement to The National Jewish Post & Opinion head, a red cardigan, and long patterned Vital Conversations skirt (the twins’ grandmother, it turned Psalm 23 BY DENNIS ROSEN, M.D. out) took center position, and asked me how the babies were. Excerpt from Vital It felt really good, standing there and Conversations: Improving telling them about all that my attending BY REB ZALMAN Communications Between and I had done for the infants. I described SCHACHTER-SHALOMI, Z”L Doctors and Patients how we had received the babies, intubated A David Song and ventilated them, and stabilized their I was about three hours into call at the breathing. I explained how we had given YaH, my shepherd, you supply my needs; neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in them medicines to keep their blood I don’t ever feel deprived. Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel, when pressures steady. I reviewed with satisfaction my pager went off. Marina, the obstetrics the head ultrasounds we’d done, which You feed me in the meadows; resident covering the delivery room, was did not show evidence of bleeding. I I am led to quench my thirst calling to let me know that there was a informed them that the girl had a heart by a quiet stream. twenty-five-year-old woman who was six murmur and that while we’d get an ECHO month pregnant with twins and now in cardiogram to confirm, it was likely the You stir my soul active labor who would probably deliver result of a blood vessel that might close on and guide me gently within the next hour. its own, and that if it didn’t, we might through the thicket “You’d better call need to give her medicine to do that or of right action; your attending at even consider surgery. I felt so smart and such is Your Fame. home and tell her important standing there and was really to come in,” she enjoying showing off my command of At times, I must make my way said. “I’m sorry, medicine to these people whose newest through dark and dangerous gullies, Dennis. You’re not family members my attending and I had but because You are with me, going to get much just saved. I won’t panic if I have to face evil. sleep tonight.” For at least ten seconds after I finished She was right. speaking, they all just stood there, staring Both Your rebuke Forty minutes at me silently with unreadable expressions and Your bracing support later my attending on their faces. Even now, I’m not sure what give me comfort. and I received the I was expecting to hear from them. Fawning twins, immediately admiration? A grudging concession that In the presence of adversity, inserting straw-sized endotracheal tubes science was more powerful than religion, You set me a feast into their windpipes right there in the that Fanaroff’s neonatology textbook at which my anxious head is soothed delivery suite, and spraying surfactant into trumped the Talmud? Applause? Whatever and my thirst is amply slaked. their immature lungs to help them it might have been, that wasn’t what I got. breathe. We then placed them inside the I was completely taken aback by the [Because You have invited me,] pre-warmed incubators and rolled them grandmother’s next question: I affirm that only goodness and graciousness back to the NICU for further care. After we “Aval doktor, kama hem shoklim? [But will manifest for the rest of my life, had transferred the babies to the open-air doctor, how much do they weigh?]” in which I will be always at home with You. incubators in the NICU, we worked The more time I’ve spent with patients on stabilizing them for the next ninety and their families, the more I understand Reprinted with permission from Reb minutes or so, until I felt comfortable what it says about much of the “dialogue Zalman Schachter- stepping away to provide an update to the of the deaf” that all too often passes Shalomi’s, of blessed family waiting outside. for communication between physicians memorial, Psalms Stepping through the accordion-like and patients. These people weren’t stupid in a Translation for partition that served as the door between or disengaged from the modern world Praying, published the NICU and the Newborn Unit, I saw surrounding them. However, they were in in Philadelphia by about fifteen people. Half a dozen men no position to make sense out of the ALEPH: Alliance were deep in conversation, their tzitziyot myriad data and facts I had just bombarded for Jewish Renewal, (ritually prescribed fringes) dangling them with. The one measure of the 258 Pages. $21. down from under their white shirts and newborns’ well-being that they could © 2014 Rabbi the black velvet kippot (yarmulkes) on relate to, the single most important piece Schachter-Shalomi. their heads identifying them as orthodox of information they needed in order to Available paper- Jews. On the other side sat a group of contextualize the infants’condition within bound from women engaged in animated conversation their personal and collective experiences Amazon.com, as an e-book from iTunes about their own birth experiences and about and that they could share with others, Books, and as two volumes of recordings whether or not they’d be able to celebrate was exactly that which I had neglected to from Amazon. com/mp3. Nook and Kindle a brit mila for the boy in eight days. provide them with: the infants’ birth also available. “Heenay hadoktor higi’a! [The doctor weight. If the babies weighed less than has arrived!],” exclaimed one of the four pounds – and in fact, they weighed j i women, and then, all at once, three of less than two pounds each – the brit mila author of Vital Conversations: Improving them stood up and made their way toward would need to be postponed. All the rest Communication Between Doctors and me. The other women and the men could have been science fiction as far as Patients. This excerpt is from pages followed, forming a half-circle around me. they were concerned. 155–159. Copyright (c) 2014 Dennis Rosen. A midsize woman who looked to be in her Dennis Rosen, M.D. is a pediatric Used by arrangement with Columbia mid-forties wearing a dark kerchief on her pulmonologist practicing in Boston, and University Press. All rights reserved. January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 11 wrote in the Torah,‘When you eat and are and even omniscience. Though I personally satisfied, you must bless God your Lord’ Shabbat struggle with an all-powerful God (Deuteronomy 8:10) but they are so controlling everything, I somehow over- stringent that even when they eat as little Shalom look it here. Maybe because our ancestors as the size of an olive or an egg [they say were weakened from the years of slavery. Grace].”(Berakhot 20b) Maybe because the battle of will and The naturalistic lesson of the story is BY RABBI JON ADLAND wits going on here is one of such a that constantly reminding ourselves to magnitude of power that it is better to do the will of God – following the Torah’s January 23, 2015, Bo stay out of its way. vision and path – is likely to bring down Exodus 10:1–13:16, 4 Sh’vat 5775 For me though, free will is something I greater blessings upon ourselves. need in my life and something I need to Here are some basic guidelines: Pirke Avot 3:1 – Akavya ben Mahalalel believe in.Though I don’t always make the When three or more males over the said: Reflect upon three things and you right decision, at least I know that I have age of 13 eat together at the same table, will not come to sin. Know from where the ability to be in control of my choices. traditionally they are obligated to recite you came and where you are going and Here is where God and I intersect in a the Birkat as a unit in which one leads and before whom you are destined to give profound and eternal way – I believe that the others respond (Berakhot 49b). account and reckoning. From where have the source of my choices, the truth in my The convening of all who are present you come? – from a putrid drop. Where are choices starts with a good, compassionate, to recite the Birkat is called zimun (invite). you going? – to the place of dust, worm, and loving, merciful God. I embrace this God The leader of the service extends an maggot. Before whom are you destined to in my life and hopefully listen closely invitation to bench with the words give account and reckoning? – before the enough to that inner voice to make the “rabotai nevareikh” (“gentlemen, let us supreme King of kings, the Holy One, best choice for me. When I realize or bless”). But the salutation khaverai (i.e., blessed be He. learn that my action or decision wasn’t friends) may be substituted for rabotai. the best or right or correct, I hope that Those present respond, “Let the name of “Then Adonai said to Moses, “Go to God will forgive me and that next time I Adonai be blessed from now and for ever Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart will listen more closely. Free will is like a more.”The formula of zimun may also be and the hearts of his courtiers, in order double-edged sword as it is something we used when three or more women are that I may display these My signs among all feel that we want, but it means that we dining together (Berakhot 45b). Rabotai them….”(Exodus 10:1) are responsible for our actions. (gentlemen) would be replaced by I will be honest, one of the issues I have We don’t want to live under a dictator- g’virotai (ladies) or khaverotai. always had with the Exodus story is the ship or in a fascist system where we have The Talmud also teaches us that the concept that Pharaoh didn’t harden his to do what we are told. We want to wake honor of leading should be offered to a own heart, but that God did it to him. up each day and think about the possibil- guest, to ensure that the guest may bless Many of us think that Moses goes to ities or know that each day there are the host through the harakhaman to Pharaoh and says “Let my people go,” endless roads to travel. I know that not “…bless the host and hostess and all who but Pharaoh says “No”because he has a every person has this blessing, but it is a are seated around the table…” hardened heart against the Israelite dream for all to aspire towards. Withal, we are called to act as a people. This is not so if you read the story. So let the God of the Exodus story community. The Chofetz Chayim (Rabbi God hardens Pharaohs heart from the battle with the god of the Egyptians. Let Israel Meir Hakohen Kagan, 1838–1933) beginning. These plagues were going to God harden Pharaoh’s heart until our teaches that when many of us unite to rain down on the Egyptians regardless of leaving our state of slavery for the freedom serve God, each of us reaches higher than Pharaoh. God wasn’t going to let on the other side of the sea is a reality. As if acting alone. The effect of the mitzvah Pharaoh say “yes” even if he wanted to we know that once we crossed the sea performed by many of us is much greater do so. God had a plan and part of that God did step back a little and let us wan- than one performed by a few. With many plan was to display God’s might and der and act on our free will. It took 40 more of us investing in the mitzvah’s power over the Egyptian ruler who years because we took two steps forward power, we can mutually inspire one believed himself a god. and one step back a whole lot of times another to far more significant action. See, this bothers me slightly. It isn’t as under the actions we determined, but we We have much to gain by sharing our we always think. Moses says that it is finally made it to the Promised Land. We table, reciting the Birkat together and, time to leave. Pharaoh says, no it isn’t, and learned what having free will meant and when doing so, sharing our day-to-day Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Sometimes we learned and continue to learn that hopes and pressures. It can be a first step he says yes then no with the same there are consequences – both positive to make the Shekhina more palpable in our outcome. In this case, Pharaoh wasn’t in and negative – for the choices we make. I day-to-day lives. The next step is to do control and no matter what he said or did am okay with that as long as I get to make something together about the threats to God would harden Pharaoh’s heart and the choices. our families and our community that we Pharaoh would say that this people can’t When you light your Shabbat candles uncover in that sharing. go anywhere. There is no free will in this this week, light one in thanks to God for Let’s arouse our spirit for this service to story. God is all-powerful and in control giving us the ability to choose. Light the the Creator by singing the Birkat “in a and we aren’t, nor is Pharaoh. other candle and let it always remind us voice of a great noise, mighty and powerful!” For all those, like me, who believe in that there are consequences to our © 2015 Moshe ben Asher & Khulda bat Sarah the concept of free will, no one really actions, but with the right choices these Rabbi Moshe ben Asher and Magidah questions the lack of it in this story and I consequences can be a blessing. Khulda bat Sarah are the Co-Directors of am okay with that, but at least it should Rabbi Adland has been a Reform rabbi for Gather the People, a nonprofit organization be noted. The story of the Exodus of more than 25 years with pulpits in that provides Internet-based resources for our people from slavery to freedom, the Lexington, Ky., Indianapolis, Ind., and congregational community organizing and beautiful notion of God’s redemption of currently at Temple Israel in Canton, Ohio. development (www.gatherthepeople.org). the Jewish people, is one of omnipotence He may be reached at [email protected]. 12 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 in the stash of a burglar who fell to his Media death, the owner of the place from which As I the gun is stolen is suspected of being the good ole boy who lynched Tarlow and Watch kept the gun as a souvenir of his vigilante Heard It Confederate Brigade organization’s BY RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL “victories.” The evidence even points BY MORTON GOLD Agent Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula) in the Two new TV series direction of the father of his formidable Gifted, talented nemesis, Councilman Douglas Hamilton address old wrongs (Steven Weber). We are thus reminded of musicians the cozy relationship between the police and done to Jews hate groups in certain communities and eras. The new release (October, 2014) by African American Chief Medical Cedille Records is titled As Dreams Fall Scorpion Examiner Dr. Loretta Wade (C. C. H. Apart. After listening to the two CD’s and Pounder) has made it her personal reading the excellent program notes by Scorpion is a sweet charmer of a series mission to solve this cold case, both out of Philip V. Bohlman, one cannot quarrel about a group of misfit geniuses who are gratitude to Jacob for his efforts in behalf with this title. However, appended to this recruited by U.S. Homeland security. The of the black community and out of friend- title is the phrase The Golden Age of Jewish characters are quirky in an engaging sort of ship and respect for his widow, Hannah Stage and Film way and likable even when ornery or whiny. and Jacob’s daughter, Miriam. Music 1925–1955. Scorpion is loosely biographical of The long grieving family members While a few songs super-I.Q. holder Walter O’Brien, who is appear to be devoted and cultured Jews, by composers for played by Elyes Gabel. A touching aspect with fine and beautiful fixtures and art in the Jewish stage in of the series is the relationship that devel- their townhouse, some pieces with Judaic New York during ops between Walter and a waitress and themes. One wishes that the writers this time frame her genius son. The boy connects with carried such culture into their dialogue were included, they Walter and his friends who recognize and instead of using the verb “hung”instead of were taken from appreciate his talents. Walter invites the the proper form “hanged” when having films and not shows. socially adept waitress, Paige (Katharine their characters discuss the lynching. No songs were included by the principal McPhee), to join the Scorpion team as a Indeed, the writers disappoint in a far composers of music for the Jewish Theater translator/interpreter, as it were, between more alarming way. For most of the hour in New York such as Joseph Rumshinsky, them and the “normal”world. the story appeared to be shaping into a Sholom Secunda or Alexander Olshanetsky, In an episode entitled “True Colors,” worthy history lesson about Jews and for example. (By writing “Jewish Theater written by Rob Pearlstein, a painting by an Blacks in the concluding years of the in New York City”one implies the United artist named Franz Biermann is stolen classic civil rights era. There are references States by extension.) I suspect these from an art gallery. We learn that, in 1936, here to attacks on both Black churches composers were not included because the painting had been directly purchased and civil rights advocating synagogues. for the most part their songs did not fit from the artist by a Jewish shoemaker The choice of the 70s rather than the 60s into the theme of this collection, which in Warsaw. In 1942 the Nazis stole the is clearly intended to teach viewers that emphasized composers from Austria and painting from its owner and sent him to lynchings continued into later years more Germany that were active during this time Auschwitz, where he was murdered.Three than generally believed. frame and whose music fit the theme of generations of the family have tried But in the end the writers decide to this collection. unsuccessfully to get the painting back. attribute the murder to indiscretions on The two songs by Abraham Ellstein Walter feels deep empathy for the the part of the Jewish widow, Hannah. (“I were taken from films as was the sole song family of the Holocaust survivors, and made a mistake that deprived me of so by Boris Thomashefsky. (Both composed a finds a way to return the painting to them. much”) Perhaps they think that this large body of songs for the stage.) On the The Holocaust is not invoked gratuitously makes her an authentically complex other hand the composers whose works here. The episode educates its audience in woman by 21st century standards, human were selected for inclusion were from all-to-frequent Nazi thefts, and does so and credible. But by old moral standards Austria and Germany and taken from organically, while developing the series’ that still matter to many people, this is films. A significant musical inclusion in own characters and their relationships, insulting to the theme of the episode and this CD is two songs by Viktor Ullman, and in keeping with its structure, themes, to Jewish women. who perished during the Holocaust. His and plots. There are some asides here on This was the Thanksgiving episode. The premature death at the hand of the Nazis color blindness and the value of art which writers had Loretta observe that “love deprived the world of other contributions provide fine humor and are even thought- done right can change the world.” That by a major talent. These songs are a testa- provoking. reinforces all the more the impression that ment to his talent. Hannah, the Jewish widow, was guilty of Some of the composers whose works NCIS: New Orleans love done wrong. The writers create a nice are included in this collection include on Jewish efforts during the Civil Rights sense of community at the Thanksgiving Disc 1: A. Ellstein, A. Perlmutter, E. Kalman, Movement are treated in an episode of NCIS dinner. But when Kaddish is recited as E.W. Korngold, P. Abraham, (3 songs by) New Orleans,“Chasing Ghosts,”written by Jacob Tarlow’s body is reinterred without a H. Leopoldi, L. Strauss, and V. Ullman. Jonathan I. Kidd and Sonya Winton. minyan, the suggestion is of an absence of On Disc 2: (5 songs by) H. Leopoldi, S. It seems that Chief Petty Officer Jacob community among Jews, even in an his- Shmulowitz, B. Thomashefsky, (5 songs Tarlow was murdered 40 years ago while toric Jewish community like New Orleans. by) H. Eisler, A. Brudno, and (3 songs) by engaged in recruiting African Americans The writers have Loretta observe, F. Hollander. As an aside I recall hearing for the Navy. When his gun is discovered (see Gertel, page 15) (see Gold, page 14) January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 13 conversation with the liberal persuasion in WIENER Book retreat. Yet, the authors face the ultra- (continued from page 9) Orthodox world head on regarding it as a “museum civilization” which lost touch In our faith the hereafter is an afterthought. Review with a changed world while it is solely We are taught that our concentration committed to perpetuating a lost past. needs to be devoted to here and now. REVIEWED BY RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN The Oz pair calls to replace it with a “living Again, the Talmud helps us understand civilization,” one willing to confront this with the pronouncement that we are Intellectually and challenge. “A living civilization is a to live by the commandments, not die by perpetual drama of struggle between them. This is simple and yet profound. To reinvigorating essay interpretations, outside influences and live for death is contrary to the intent of emphases, an unrelenting struggle over the Creator. We were not created to die, Jews and Words. By Amos Oz and Fania what is wheat and what is chaff. Rebellion but rather to live. Death is part of living, Oz-Salzberger.Yale University Press. 2012. for the sake of innovation. Dismantling for not the end of living. We are also taught Paperback 2014. Pp. 232. the purpose of reassembling differently. that love is the one essential ingredient in Jews and Words And even putting things in storage to clear this journey of “life.”In fact, it is the funda- is not an ordinary the stage for experiment and for new mental aspect of Jewish understanding. book. It is the creativity.” (pp. 201–202). However, has What about the hereafter? We also learn enchanting out- not ultra-Orthodoxy proven quite resilient? from Scripture that our deeds are the only come of a unique The authors find the Jewish encounter passport to eternity – eternal life – rebirth. collaborative con- with Western humanism to be a fateful one, Life is evolutionary as is our world. The versation between unlike its other experienced encounters in world was not created to disappear, but a remarkable cou- history, for Western humanism contains rather change with time and adjust to a ple of father and “Jewish genes” (p. 203) and consequently new period in its existence. We too follow daughter. Amos has an understandable and undeniable that same pattern. While we may disagree Oz and Fania Oz- appeal to Jews with all that implies, with Darwin, there are some concepts that Salzberger, both positively and negatively. A significant by- can find solidarity with faith in God. The well known figures with the edge to the product of the book’s inquiry is the Ozs’ evolution of man in that we are constantly world renowned Israeli author Amos Oz, assertion that the claim by the Palestinians taking on new looks, new abilities, new professor of literature at Be’er Sheva’s and others that the concept of a Jewish designs to continue energizing life and Ben-Gurion University and a center-left state is a late development, has no legs to making it more enjoyable. political activist. His daughter Fania, who stand on given the Biblical heritage of The people who make a difference in is an author in her own right, serves at words affirming an already early Jewish our lives epitomize another concept in the Haifa University’s Faculty of Law as a sovereignty. At the same time, the Talmud, “Deeds of kindness are equal in history professor. She also taught at Ozs’ unequivocally call for recognizing weight to all the commandments.”How can Australia’s Monash University, holding Palestinian pain of loss, disavowing the we exist without connection to each other? the Leon Liberman Chair in Modern rigid ideology of a Greater Land of Israel. If we lived in a vacuum, our lives would be Israel Studies and was as well at Throughout this intellectually reinvigo- meaningless. Talking to ourselves, doing Princeton University sponsored by the rating essay from an unabashedly proud for ourselves, leads us nowhere. It is a circle Laurance S. Rockefeller Professorship liberal prospective, we find incisive and with no beginning and no end. It is the for Distinguished Teaching. insightful use of words – living up to the dog chasing his tail. No rhyme or reason, The book is defined as an essay by its book’s title-such as,“Ours is not a blood- just an exercise to reduce the boredom. authors who ordinarily write in their line but a text line,”“At its best, Jewish We are all products of our environment. native Hebrew. This gem of a brilliant reverence has an irreverent edge,” “In Some of us are trapped by them and some essay explores the long and intimate bond Jewish tradition every reader is a proof- are able to break loose and change what is of a genuine love affair between the reader, every student a critic, and every deemed unfit. That is progress and it is Jewish people and language that has writer, including the Author of the also evolution. In Midrash Rabbah we are proudly defined them as “The People of universe, begs a great many questions,” taught that God does not care for what the Book”. It reflects their ownership of “Jewish continuity was always paved with our ancestors did, but what we do at the Hebrew Scriptures along with their words” (page X of the preface), “Genesis, this time. While Scripture may talk about passion, to the level of sanctification, of Isaiah and Proverbs are our pyramids, our the sins of the past generations carrying the literary enterprise in general.The point Chinese Wall, and Gothic Cathedrals. forward to the next, it is not a signal that is humbly made that “The point of our They stand undemolished in the flow of all is hopeless, rather it is an indication book is not that Jews were any better then time.”(p. 113). that if we do not change our ways, in some others, but that Jews had a special way The book is also enhanced by the respects, we are destined to repeat the with words. Words became texts. The authors’ mixing of profound reflection bad and thereby condemn ourselves to a published became perennial.”(p. 89). with biting humor, such as with their life of pain and misery. Staunchly defending Jewish identity defining of the perennial issue of who is a Let us not ignore the goodness that is and describing themselves as “secular Jew.“Here is our personal definition: any found deep down in our very soul. Let us Jewish Israelis,” who do not believe in human being crazy enough to call himself not dismiss the values we are capable of. God, the authors’ overriding and under- a Jew is a Jew. Is he or she a good or a Let us not discard those who epitomize lying thesis is that looking at the historical bad Jew? This is up to the next Jew to say.” these virtues. Let us, instead, honor them. Jewish experience through secular Jewish (p. 203). Rabbi Wiener is spiritual leader of the lenses is no less authentic, particularly This original volume is divided into four Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near in the current political and social climate challenging chapters: “Continuity”,“Vocal Phoenix, Ariz. He welcomes comments at in Israel where the religious Orthodox Women”, “Time and Timelessness” and ravyitz @cox.net. His new book Living with perspective hovers over the cultural (see Zoberman, page 15) Faith can be obtained on Amazon.com. 14 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 EDITORIAL simply looking down with his mouth Book (continued from page 2) open. His mother told Kushner that before the bombing, he had enjoyed painting. their creative works of art. The other children in the room with him Review After listening to the presentation and were his age and they were all busy painting. seeing the artwork, I could see their On the first day Kushner put some REVIEWED BY RIVKA SARAH HOROWITZ paintings were like art therapy. Later she beautiful colors of paints in front of him affirmed what I thought when she said with a blank piece of paper. After an hour Light, sweet that doing the artwork is cathartic for the he gradually started putting his fingers in children. It gives them an opportunity to the paint and then putting them onto the and humorous talk about upsetting experiences while page. He painted a grenade that filled the they are working. Here is one example of page and all around it were body parts. Tzimmes: (and don’t forget the cheesecake the stories she told. Through the artwork he was able to and the strudel). By Arthur Marshall Fell. Georgie, a four-year-old Armenian boy express himself and the next day he painted 2014. 84 pages. $4.99. E-book kindle or from Jerusalem was brought to Kushner to again, but this time the grenade was much nook only at amazon.com and barnesand see if she could help him. He was catatonic. smaller and flowers were around it. After noble.com. He had stopped speaking after he that Kushner said he was running around Like the dish, whether a side or a witnessed a grenade explode near him making as much noise as the other children. dessert, Arthur Fell’s book is a sweet con- and saw some children he knew blown up. This story demonstrates how powerful fection. Tzimmes is He was practically motionless and he was art therapy can be in healing Post Traumatic a treat – and with Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other the right combina- j i conditions. I applaud art therapist Julie tion of ingredients that time was. No exact references to dates King and others who do this kind of work. becomes ambrosia. were included, nor were any world history Jennie Cohen, January 28, 2015 The book is lighter or current events to help the reader than the dish can decipher when the story takes place, with j i sometimes be, not the exception that it is after women started GOLD cloying, but unre- to be ordained as rabbis and when a (continued from page 12) alistically sweet in woman rabbi was not commonplace. some respects. The Something of a comedy of errors “A Letter from Mother” by Shmulowitz title seems to rep- takes place, and also distrust on the part sung by various artists including my father resent the idea of a tzimmes (stew) of some of the board members because Leon Gold into the mid 1940s. metaphorically as well, since another use the protagonist gets in the middle as a Accompanying the CD’s in the fact filled of the term means to get into a mess or to “neutral facilitator.” Though he doesn’t and well written booklet is the “Historical have a problem. want to get involved, Sam agrees and does Counterpoints of Traum and Trauma” of The book is meant to be a comedy with a good job of getting everyone to reach an the time frame of the music selected. a central focus on the workings of syna- agreement in a very ingenious way. Other releases by Cedille Records gogue boards of directors, how decisions I enjoyed the book and would recom- (pronounced Say-dee!) and previously are reached, and what can happen when a mend it to those looking for a light, happy reviewed by me in this publication stalemate is reached. read that will take them back on a trip include: Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano The protagonist, Sam is a very likable down memory lane, or for younger folks, and Jewish Cabaret in Exile. character, who seems to get along with to help them understand their parents or The performers on these discs known as most people.The novel is short so not a lot grandparents, and what the world was like the New Budapest Orpheum Society of time is taken to develop the characters for Jews at that time. The book provides include: Julia Bentley, mezzo soprano; or really get to know many of them, but information and some nice teachings Philip V. Bohlman, artistic director/ what little we learn about them is familiar. about Judaism and life in general. narrator; Stewart Figa, baritone; Danny We seem to find people like them in The book uses a lot of Hebrew and Howard, percussion; Iordanka Kissiova, many communities, and the dilemma Yiddish terms, most of which can be found violin; Ilya Levinson, music director/ they face happens in congregations the in the glossary at the back, but are gener- arranger/piano; Mark Sonksen (string) world over. Is there ever a way to keep ally explained in the text or are clear from bass and Don Stile, piano and accordion. everyone happy? the context. This sweet, humorous novel These performers are a gifted group of After finally getting off his synagogue’s will delight Jewish readers, particularly talented musicians. They sang and played board of directors, Sam is thrilled and middle-aged and older Midwesterners well individually as well as collectively. ready for a trouble free existence. He’s put from traditional or Conservative type The arrangements were effective and in his time, but then is brought back to backgrounds, and those who know people contributed to the high level of worth to solve a problem. When the congregation from that era, or who want to learn more the music performed.To order the CD’s on loses their rabbi, it is up to the board to about it. Tzimmes is a light, quick read, and line: www.cedillerecords.org. They may hire a new one. Not wanting to offend will leave readers smiling. also be reached at: Cedille Records, 1205 anyone or lose business for his photography Rivka Sarah (Riki) Horowitz is a holistic W. Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640 or shop, one of the committee members healer, writer and educator. Her workshops by phone at: 773-989-2515. refuses to choose between the two focus on Kabbalah, Jewish Meditation and Dr. Gold is a composer, conductor, reviewer. main candidates, causing the board to healing. For more information see her He won second place for his review of a PSO reach a standstill. website at www.rivkasarah.com. Her first performance, in the critic's award category Their former rabbi was very traditional, book, The Messiah Chronicles, Book 1, of the Maine Press Association Better but the congregation was not affiliated with Have You Seen The Signs, is available at Newspaper Contest 2014. He is the recipient any denomination. This is rare nowadays, www.themessiahchronicles.com, or through of the Kavod Award given to him by the and possibly also at that time, whenever online booksellers. Cantors Assembly of North America. January 28, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 15 Kidney still needed GERTEL My Kosher (continued from page 12) for Drew Kitchen “Sometimes hate has nothing to do with Drew, age 11, a Jewish color.” And sometimes plot twists have BY SYBIL KAPLAN child in Indianapolis, has nothing to do with the themes on which PHOTOS BY BARRY A. KAPLAN been suffering from a TV writers purport to educate. very rare disease Alport’s Rabbi Gertel has been spiritual leader of Oranges for Chamisha Syndrome, which causes congregations in New Haven and Chicago. hearing loss and kidney failure, along with He is the author of two books, What Jews Asar B’Shvat eye problems, since age six. She attended Know About Salvation and Over the the Hasten Hebrew Academy until she Top Judaism: Precedents and Trends in Tu B’shvat comes Feb. 3–4 and the was too weak to complete full school days. the Depiction of Jewish Beliefs and fruits that are now in season in Israel are Her condition worsened earlier this summer Observances in Film and Television. He apples, persimmons, some strawberries requiring her to start daily dialysis. has been media critic for The National (although beautiful, they are expensive) A transplant team is actively searching for Jewish Post & Opinion since 1979. and several varieties of oranges. One a live kidney donor. If you have type “O” usually thinks of dates, figs, and carob blood and would like to be considered, j i for Tu B’shvat, the fruits of Eretz Yisrael please ask for Kelly at (317) 944-4370. ZOBERMAN but, for variety, here are some recipes See www.facebook.com/kidneydrew and (continued from page 13) using oranges. ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1081282. “Each Person Has a Name; or, Do Jews Nectarine Spice Cake* j i Need Judaism?”It is the brainchild of Felix 6 seeded, peeled cut-up nectarines 1/2 cup orange juice Posen, providing for a unique contribution 1/3 cup canola oil 1 Tbsp. grated orange peel to the distinguished ten volume in-the- 3 eggs 2-1/4 cps flour making Posen Library of Jewish Culture 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp. baking soda and Civilization. The Posen Library’s 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/2 cup chopped nuts challenging and most welcome mandate 1/4 tsp. cinnamon is to embrace Jewish history in its wider 1 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie context with all its intriguing complexities 1-3/4 cups flour sheets. Cream sugar and margarine with and connecting crossroads, which the 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder eggs. Stir in orange juice and orange peel. Ozs so ably probe and explore with 1/2 cup non-dairy creamer Add flour, baking soda and nuts and mix lingering delight. well. Drop by teaspoon onto cookie Rabbi Israel Zoberman is the spiritual sheets. Bake in preheated oven10 minutes leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in or until golden brown. Virginia Beach. Syrian Orange Chicken j i (4 servings) MCLEAN 1 Tbsp. margarine (continued from page 16) 1 Tbsp. oil 1 cut-up chicken Yeshiva hosted by the rabbis and students. 1/2 cup orange juice They will lead a Tu B’shvat Seder ritual 1 cup chicken soup celebrating the new year of the trees. 1-1/2 tsp. corn starch Then after a kosher hummus lunch we 1/2 chopped onion will ascend Mt. Tabor for its stunning juice of 1/2 lemon views and visit the Franciscan monastery 6–9 halved, pitted dates and Church of Transfiguration, meeting Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cake orange slices with the monks there. Later we will have pan, two loaf pans or place mini papers a fascinating visit with the Circassian in a mini-muffin pan and spray with Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking Muslim community in their village of Kfar vegetable spray. Place nectarine pieces, oil, dish. Heat margarine and oil in a frying Kama on the slopes of Mt. Tabor, finishing eggs and brown sugar in a mixer or food pan and brown chicken. Place in a baking the day with a relaxing visit to either the processor and blend a few seconds. Add dish. Add orange juice, chicken soup, corn hot springs or boardwalk in Tiberius on ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, flour, baking starch, onion and lemon juice to frying the shores of the Sea of Galilee. powder and non-dairy creamer and pan and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens. This event is part of the World Interfaith blend. Spoon into baking pans. Bake in Pour over chicken. Cover and bake in Harmony Week that takes place, Feb. 1–7: preheated oven 25 minutes or until a preheated oven 45 minutes. Garnish with http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/ toothpick inserted in the center comes dates and orange slices, cover, and bake Eliyahu McLean is director of Jerusalem out clean. at least 15 minutes or until chicken is Peacemakers. www.jerusalempeacemakers.org. *For larger quantity, double recipe done. Good served with rice. j i Orange Drop Cookies Orange Juice Salad Dressing Combine oil, orange juice, sugar and (about 3 dozen) 3/4 cup oil mustard in a jar. Shake well. Good on salad 1 cup sugar 6 Tbsp. orange juice with lettuce, avocado, and grapefruit. 2/3 cup unsalted pareve margarine 1/2 tsp. sugar Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, food and feature 2 eggs pinch dry mustard writer, and author of nine kosher cookbooks. 16 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT January 28, 2015 The Jewish 70th Anniversary Events PRESORTED Post &Opinion STANDARD for the Liberation of US POSTAGE Auschwitz-Birkenau 1427 W. 86th St. #228 PAID Indianapolis, IN 46260 INDIANAPOLIS, IN PERMIT NO. 1321 KROKÓW,POLAND,JAN. 26 – The World Jewish Congress and the USC Shoah Foundation held a special reception today at the Holiday Inn Kraków for 100 Auschwitz survivors who arrived in Poland from at least 19 countries to partic- ipate in tomorrow’s observance of the 70th anniversary of the camp’s liberation, for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Joining the survivors at the event

Surrounded by 100 Auschwitz survivors, (in the very center of fourth row from left to right ) Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress; David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications, and film director Steven Spielberg, founding chair of the USC Shoah Foundation. Photo credit: Shahar Azran. were Ronald S. Lauder, president of the reception. “We need to be preserving and forever find humanitarian ways to World Jewish Congress; film director places like Auschwitz so people can see fight the inhumanity.” Steven Spielberg, founding chair of the for themselves how evil ideologies can “I believe that you don’t just represent USC Shoah Foundation; and David become tangible acts of murder. My hope survivors,”Lauder told the 100 Auschwitz Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery for tomorrow’s commemoration is that the survivors at the reception.“All of you here Communications. survivors will feel confident that we are tonight represent one the greatest forces “Their testimonies give each survivor renewing their call to remember. We will of light over darkness. And for that we are everlasting life and give all of us everlast- make sure the lessons of the past remain not just grateful, we are in awe of you.You ing value,” said Spielberg at tonight’s with us in the present so that we can now inspire us all.” Jerusalem Peacemaker

BY ELIYAHU MCLEAN Tu B’shvat Seder in Galilee

Please plan to join us on Feb. 4, in person or with your prayers, for a special interfaith journey to the Galilee. Two buses of Israelis and Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the West Bank will, God willing, start the day at Ma’ale Gilboa (see McLean, page 15) Abrahamic Reunion will host interfaith trip for peace and understanding to the Galilee.