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Published by The Jewish Federations of North America Rabbinic Cabinet FALL 2011 - 5771 YOUR INVITATION TO PERFORM ONE MORE ACT OF KINDNESS BEFORE THE HIGH HOLY DAYS.

This and , we’re not to help families get back on their feet. And it’ll asking you to make a resolution for next year, pay for other things you can’t put a price on. we’re asking you to do something meaningful Like connecting every generation to and right now. Your donation will help pay for inspiring a lifelong passion for Jewish living. food, medicine and employment counseling Do a world of good. Make a world of difference.

® JewishFederations.org jfederations @jfederations Thexsrpv Orchard Chair A Prayer For Gilad Shalit’s Release...... 4 Stuart Weinblatt The Jewish Federations of North America Rabbinic Cabinet...... 5 Vice Chairs From the JFNA Chair of the Board and President...... 6 Rabbi Les Bronstein Kathy Manning and Jerry Silverman Rabbi Fred Klein New Year’s Greeting from the Director of the Rabbinic Cabinet...... 7 Rabbi Larry Kotok Rabbi Gerald I. Weider Rabbi Steven Lindeman A Rosh Hashana Greeting...... 8 Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt President Rabbi Steven Foster High Holy Day Thoughts and Sermonic Contributions...... 9

Honorary Chair Feeling Right At Home In Schul...... 9 Rabbi Matthew H. Simon Rabbi Uri Topolosky Sermon, How To Apologize...... 11 Director Rabbi Francine Roston JFNA Rabbinic Cabinet Rabbi Gerald I. Weider The Of Chocolate Chip Cookies...... 14 Fred Guttman JFNA Chair of the Board Living More Than A Normal Life: Yom Kippur Morning ...... 17 Kathy Manning Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro JFNA Chair of the A New Approach To Rosh Hashanah ...... 20 Executive Committee Rabbi Paul Kerbel Michael Gelman Three Cheers For The Tradition Of Pluralism ...... 21 Rabbi Allen S. Maller JFNA President and CEO Tzedekah Goreret Tzedekah: Inspiration To Give Mindfully ...... 23 Jerry Silverman Rabbi Francine Roston Reflections On The ...... 26 ® Rabbi David J. Zucker, PhD What We Can Learn From Seal Team 6 ...... 27 ® Rabbi Wayne Allen Kol Nidre - The New Anti-Semitism - Anti- ...... 28 ® Rabbi Laurence A. Kotok The Orchard Remember Not To Fear ...... 32 published by The Jewish Federations of

® Rabbi Anthony Fratello North America Rabbinic Cabinet Rosh Hashanah ...... 34 25 Broadway, Suite 1700 Rabbi Michael Zedek ® New York, NY 10004 Encountering Elijah ...... 37

Email: [email protected] Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt

® Spring 2011 - Nisan 5771 Chomer Lidrush ...... 39 Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Searching For The Right Path ...... 40 Published in cooperation with Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein the rabbinic cabinets of local There Is No Such Thing As Kosher Spam ...... 42 Jewish federations Rabbi Erik Polokoff

Joint Distribution Committee: Making Israel A Start-Up Nation ...... 45

Jewish Agency For Israel...... 48

The Orchard Fall 2011 3 The Orchard Fall 2011 4 THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA RABBINIC CABINET

The mission of the JFNA Rabbinic Cabinet SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

is to unite of all ideologies in the work of 1. Raise the level of knowledge about JFNA in the kiyum ha’umah, Jewish continuity, and , rabbinate and community.

acquaint and involve the North American rab- 2. Stimulate and support rabbinic participation in, and relationships with, JFNA and local Federations. binate with the goals and activities of JFNA, and

bring the talents, resources, and perspectives of the 3. Assist with and participate in The Federation Annual Campaign by enlarging the scope and intensity of rabbinate to JFNA and the Federation movement. involvement.

4. Upgrade rabbinic giving and increase rabbinic The cabinet serves as the rabbinic arm of JFNA, solicitations.

the major agency of North American Jewry for 5. Strengthen the rabbinic, congregational, community, agency and Federation partnership. tzedakah. It promotes the unity of the Jewish

people in its efforts to support the needs of 6. Engage the next generation of rabbis.

everywhere by including rabbis from every 7. Continue education

movement in North American Jewish life. 8. Develop programs and educational materials about Israel, the Jewish tradition and Jewish peoplehood/ community. The Rabbinic Cabinet further seeks to inform 9. Serve as teachers and spiritual resources to the colleagues about the most current developments leadership and constituencies of JFNA, local in Jewish life, the needs of our people, and the federations and the Jewish community.

techniques for effective utilization of rabbinic

leadership within local communities. In addition, STANDARDS FOR MEMBERSHIP the Rabbinic Cabinet endeavors to apprise the Members of the Rabbinic Cabinet should: lay leadership of the concerns of the rabbinate, 1. Be involved in local Federation and campaign infuse Jewish values and content into the work of activities, support federation work and engage local federations, and serve Israel and the Jewish in the community campaign.

people with rabbinical involvement and support. 2. Pledge a minimum of $1000. Rabbis who were ordained less than five years ago should pledge at least $500.

3. Participate in JFNA missions.

4. Attend the Annual Meeting of the Rabbinic Cabinet and/or regional conferences and special meetings.

The Orchard Fall 2011 5 FROM THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND PRESIDENT

HIGH HOLY DAY GREETINGS. This Rosh Hashanah, as we enter this period of self-reflection, may we gain the strength to continue focusing outward, beyond ourselves. May we find ways to do even more to help Jews in need the world over, to ensure that they, too, will be inscribed in the book of life. We have so much to contemplate. Over the past year, The Jewish Federations of North America and our global partners, including the Jewish Agency and JDC, reached out to so many Jews at home, in Israel and in more than 60 nations from the former Soviet Union to Ethiopia . This past year, Jewish Federations helped ease the impact of the Carmel Forest fires–the worst in Israel’s history–helping victims and their families emerge from the devastation and begin anew. Throughout the year, Jewish Federations continued to help Israelis cope with unceasing rocket and terror attacks. On the world stage, Jewish Federations, association with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, moved to help safeguard Israel with the creation of the Israel Action Network, to bring the power of our movement to bear on countering the escalating assault on Israel ’s very legitimacy. Our efforts extended across the Jewish world. Jewish Federations launched the “Completing the Journey” initiative to help close a remarkable chapter in the history of our people and our movement–the Ethiopian aliyah. Recently, a Jewish Federations mission to Ethiopia and Israel witnessed the dramatic arrival of more than 100 Ethiopian immigrants, with 60 participants from 25 communities on hand to help close the chapter we began writing in the 1980s and 1990s with Operations and . We also remain focused on writing the chapters of our collective story for generations to come. In the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe , we helped young Jews rekindle the flame of Jewish identity with summer camps, JCCs and more. In North America and around the world, we sent thousands of young people to take part in the incredible story of the Jewish State through Birthright Israel and Israel experience programs. At home, we continue to help many families deal with enduring economic challenges through employment services and training programs; we helped communities improve defensive measures against new threats, through the Secure Community Network and through Department of Homeland Security grants, and we came to the aid of victims of life-altering disaster in places like Joplin, Missouri . As we look ahead to next year, may we be enabled to do even more to help our Jewish family worldwide, for a sweet New Year and for many years to come. L’Shana Tova Tikatevu

Kathy Manning Jerry Silverman Chair of the Board President & CEO

The Orchard Fall 2011 6 New Year’s Greetings from the Director of the Rabbinic Cabinet

As the new year of 5772 approaches, we at the JFNA offices are excited about the energy that has been infused into the New York national office at 25 Broadway. That excitement and positive feeling has been translated into a revitalization of the programs of the Rabbinic Cabinet. As such, the Rabbinic Cabinet activities will be moving towards a higher level of participation and activity that we hope will benefit rabbis, synagogues and local federations all over North America. This feeling was evident in our well attended and positively received June 2011 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. At the gathering Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt was elected as the new Chair of the Rabbinic Cabinet. I am confident that his leadership will move the Rabbinic Cabinet to become a strong and positive force within the entire JFNA movement. In this vein, the Rabbinic Cabinet is happy to announce that we will be able to once again sponsor an overseas mission that will highlight the work of JFNA, JDC and JAFI. This mission will be directed at showing the participants how their communal tzedakah funds are used in a way that supports and nourishes the Jewish people all over the world. In addition, during this new year, we will continue working on other important projects that further the work of the Rabbinic Cabinet. Those are: • The creation of a new mission and vision statement for the Rabbinic Cabinet • Community visits to local Federations and Boards of Rabbis in North America • Visitation programs at all the major rabbinic seminaries in order to teach all rabbinic students about JFNA and their local Federations • Mekor Chaim and The Orchard • The 2012 Annual meeting, to take place in New York City, June 4-5-6, 2012 It is my firm belief that we must join together for the betterment of the Jewish people on a world wide scale, and within our local communities, through the Federation movement. I believe that this must be a communal effort based upon the principle of K’lal Yisrael. I believe that as rabbis, each of us must become a “dugmah ishit” as active leaders within our local community through Federation. As such, I believe that we can inspire our bal-abatim to reach up to a higher level of tzedakah and gevurah. May that be G-d’s will in the new year ahead. Shana Tovah to one and all. Rabbi Gerald I. Weider Director of the Rabbinic Cabinet of JFNA

The Orchard Fall 2011 7 A Rosh Hashana Greeting Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt

I first entered the Rabbinic Cabinet several years after ordination in the mid 1980’s, at the time of the extraordinary effort to save Ethiopian Jews. We were presented with the opportunity to do what the generation before us either couldn’t or didn’t do, and that was to try and rescue and save a Jewish community. I saw firsthand the words of Hazal come alive.Kol Yisrael areyvin zeh b’zeh. All of Israel is responsible for one another. Im ein ani li mi li, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And all of those other phrases which were used to motivate us to respond were invoked. I believed then and I believe now with all my heart that these were not just campaign slogans. These words captured and expressed the ideas and ideals that determine how we as Jews act, what we do and what our life’s purpose is all about. The Rabbinic Cabinet is where we have a chance to explore, to implement and to further these precious concepts. The work of the Cabinet embodies three basic core values. First and foremost is the of tzedekah: of advocating the importance of giving and of bringing about justice by supporting the work of our Federations. In this capacity we help people understand that the resources we have are but lent to us. We help to teach that what we do with what we have is one of life’s challenges. Secondly, the value of peoplehood is central to the work of the JFNA Rabbinic Cabinet. We work on behalf of Jews in Israel and around the world. And the third value that guides what the Rabbinic Cabinet does is the concept of Jewish unity. We seek to model unity in the context of diversity, unity in the context of respecting each other while maintaining our differences, unity in the context of pluralism at work, unity in the context of “Elu v’Elu divrei Elohim Hayim: these and these are the words of the living God.” All three of these values converge and are interconnected and interdependent as we work together and use our resources to do what we can to strengthen the Jewish people. Most of us became rabbis because of our enduring and abiding love for the Jewish people; because we were inspired by Jewish teachings and/or by Jewish teachers. We became part of this Cabinet because of our desire to cast our fate with those who seek to work to perpetuate the Jewish people, to see to it that lives on for the generations, “l’chol hadorot.” Here is where we can work together to achieve those goals. Not just as individuals, but with other colleagues who share that vision, who are visionaries. Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who was killed in the Challenger tragedy a little more than 25 years ago, said, “I teach, I touch the future.” What a beautiful inspiration. I was thinking about how we rabbis are similarly blessed for we also “touch the future.” I would amend it, however, and say how fortunate we are. “We are rabbis. We touch the future–by drawing upon our past.” As the new year, 5772 enters, let us continue to draw upon the richness of our heritage to continue to touch the future and to touch each other for good in the new year ahead. If we can do this, then we will most certainly strengthen the Jewish people at a time when we truly need to be strengthened. Hazak, hazak, venithazek. Let us be strengthened as we work together in this new year of 5772. © Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt Chair of the Rabbinic Cabinet, Congregation B’nai Tzedek, Potomac, MD

The Orchard Fall 2011 8 HIGH HOLY DAY Thoughts and Sermonic Contributions feeling right at home in schul Rabbi Uri Topolosky

Recently, my seven year old son Elyon was with me in shul and we were amidst the silent together. Suddenly, he heard the voice of his friend Ethan in the outside hall as his family was coming into the shul building. Elyon immediately ran to the rear door of the shul and pushed it open. And with one foot in the shul and one foot holding the door open, he screamed out, “Ethan! I’m here! I’m in the shul davening!” Everyone started laughing. It’s a wonderful feeling for a father, and a Rabbi, to see my child so comfortable in shul. Lately, the kids have been participating more and more in the service and we recently purchased new little that they dance around with each time we carry the big Torahs. The kids are smiling. They’re happy. They’re dancing. They feel right at home. And this is what I wanted to focus on in this short essay–feeling right at home in shul. Our starting point is the book of Isaiah. In his writings, Isaiah describes the Beit HaMikdash with a peculiar nickname: The Temple will be called the “House of Yaakov.” Isaiah depicts the nations of the world saying, “Come, let us go up to the house of the God of Yaakov.” And the leaders of Israel as saying similarly, “O house of Yaakov, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isaiah 2) Over and over in the prophecies of Isaiah, the future Temple in is referred to as the “House of Yaakov.” The in Pesachim 88a wonders why the Beit Hamikdash is referred to here as the House of Yaakov? Why not the House of Yitzchak or Avraham? The Talmud explains as follows: Avraham experienced the place of God on a mountain. The Rabbis say that Avraham’s covenant with God was sealed after the binding of Yitzchak atop Mount Moriah - the mountain that would one day be the site of the Temple. For Avraham, the mountain is where we seek the mystery of God. Yitzchak experienced the place of God in a field. The Rabbis suggest that Yitzchak’s covenantal dynasty is assured when he meets Rivkah for the first time while out meditating ina field. For Yitzchak, the field is where our prayers are answered. Yaakov, however, first experiences the place of God in a home. The story is familiar to us. Along his journey, Yaakov lays down to sleep in a place that is described neither as a mountain nor as a field, but simply as a “Makom”–a non-descript place. There he dreams his famous dream of the ladder with angels ascending and descending upon it. When he awakes, Yaakov proclaims, “Mah Norah Hamakom Hazeh. Ein Zeh Ki im Beit Elohim”(Bereishit 28:17)–“How awesome is this place. this is surely none other than the House of God.” For Yaakov,

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The Orchard Fall 2011 9 feeling right at home in schul

the house is where God is found. Here, the Talmud reiterates distracted in prayer, and we can then turn and look outside to Isaiah’s prophesy that the third Temple will be nicknamed nature and be uplifted and inspired to return to our meditation “Beit Yaakov”–“The House of Yaakov,” and intimates that, in (Mishna Berurah 90:8). Ironically, though, the Chafetz Chaim’s contrast to a mountain or a field, a house is the ideal model for note assumes that we are indoors, looking out. This, then, seems a place of community worship, which is why Yaakov’s legacy to underscore the message of our Talmud, which clearly prefers the is linked in a special way to the Beit Hamikdash. But this model of a house to that of a mountain or field when considering assumption regarding a house being an ideal place of worship the ideal place of community worship. Why is this so?! seems puzzling. Certainly, we can all relate to the spiritual One answer may relate to the notion that a house is man-made, inspiration we find in the great outdoors! More than once people and both a mountain and a field are a part of the natural have said to me, “Rabbi, why don’t we pray outside?” Obviously, world. When we stand in Yosemite, the Rockies, the Ozarks, they are not talking about davening outdoors in a the Appalachians, or even in the Bayou, we are awed by the summer (!), but what about prayer at the foot of the mountains, awesomeness of the Creator. We can be literally bowled over by or in the forests, or fields? These places can be marvelously the grandeur of creation. The mountain and the field are God’s uplifting! pristine domain. They are untouched by man; uninhabited. In Personally, some of the most powerful davening moments in my short, nature is the perfect place to simply find God. life have come outside–I will never forget a particular Mincha While this is a powerful way to experience prayer, ironically, it I davened with a group along the side of the highway. You see may not be the only experience intended for schul. One could this often in Israel. Just as the sun is setting, scores of people argue that what we seek instead in shul is the experience along the highway pull their cars to the side of the road, and get of being at home. When we glance around our homes, a quick shuckling Mincha in before dark with car horns blaring, we feel the presence of all those within it. A beautiful trucks whizzing by, and while choking on exhaust fumes. But home exudes the personality and character of its residents. A the Mincha I’m thinking of, took place in New Zealand during home is a wonderful place to find each other. This then perhaps a teen tour my wife and I were leading. One day, as the sun is the message of the Talmud and the reference to the Beit was setting in New Zealand, we all jumped out of the bus along Hamikdash as a “Bayit”: As we enter our Mikdash Mi’at, our the side of the highway to daven. We happened to be at the little shuls, in addition to them being a place of prayer, we foot of a beautiful string of mountains with a full moon nestled also want them to feel like a home, where we can celebrate just above their white crested peaks. I still have a picture of the character of our communal family and embrace each other. that scene in our photo album. We were in the same area that When we daven, we have to not only ask if we have fulfilled the film “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed. It was incredibly our spiritual duties to our creator, but also wonder if we have beautiful. That service could have been one of those awful, done so towards our family and neighbors. And perhaps most next to the side of bus with exhaust blowing up your nose, kind importantly, we have to look around our schuls and wonder if of Minchas, but instead it was unbelievable! I’m sure all of us ALL members of our community–the children, the women, the can think of beautiful places we’ve visited, where spontaneous disabled, the poor, the converts. would they also call it “home.” prayer was easy. Rabbi Uri Topolosky In fact, the Chafetz Chaim explains that the requirement for Congregation Beth Israel of New Orleans every shul to have windows is critical because we inevitably get

The Orchard Fall 2011 10 Kol Nidre Sermon, How to Apologize Rabbi Francine Roston

I begin with a joke as a way of illustration: me months later, during the Aseret Y’mai Teshuvah, to apologize, acknowledge the pain she had caused, express remorse and ask A ventriloquist is doing his act in a small nightclub and the for my forgiveness. I felt humbled in receiving her apology, that dummy starts making fun of blondes. she had carried the hurt and that she had cared enough to reach Most of the audience is laughing and enjoying themselves except out to me. I immediately forgave her and wished her an easy fast. for a very well dressed blonde woman in the center of the front One year, when I was a Seminary student, I davenned at the row. She is quietly sitting straight up in her seat with a stern look Seminary for Yom Kippur. As everyone was finding their seats on her face. The puppet leans into the audience and asks her if and waiting for the services to begin, a classmate sat down next she doesn’t understand. to me without invitation. Can I sit here? Sure, I said. I was a bit Commanding silence she stands up and looks the dummy straight surprised because we had not hit it off well and he had said some in his wooden eye. things in class that had really offended me. I didn’t know what I “I am so sick of dumb blonde jokes. I’ll have you know I have was going to talk to him about, but I didn’t have to worry for long a law degree, I’m a partner in a well-established lawfirm and I because he opened up with an apology. He turned to me with am a member of MENSA. I have written four books that have all a serious, kind face and said “I want to apologize for offending been best sellers in their fields AND I can complete you. I did not intend to be disrespectful and I’m really sorry that crossword in ten minutes. So no more dumb blonde jokes if you I hurt your feelings. I hope you’ll forgive me.” While I wasn’t too please!” sure about this guy and whether I could trust him in the future, in the moment his sincerity and vulnerability were moving. I Quickly the dummy says he apologizes, but it isn’t meant to be spontaneously forgave him, we shook hands and services began. taken seriously, after all it is only an act. He promises he won’t do any more dumb blonde jokes that night. I’ve also experienced what I like to call the Drive-by apology. This is the person who is on a mission, doing their apologizing Her eyes flashing, she stands there. before Yom Kippur. He walks up to you and says “If I’ve “Well?” she says, “Where’s my apology?” “I just apologised!” protests the dummy. Continued on next page “Yes I know YOU did–now it’s the dummy’s turn behind you!” How many of us would love to be the ventriloquist, hiding behind the puppet, when it’s time to give an apology. Apologies are hard. ‘Tis the season for apologies, though. We are completing the Ten Days of Repentance…We arrive to shul on Yom Kippur prepared to stand before God, and sit, and stand, and sit and stand…and we are to bring before God the sins which we have committed against God, the places where we have fallen short in our Jewish living, we repent or apologize for the sins which we committed unwittingly, the sins we committed willfully and the sins we committed by omission…But, when we have wronged the people in our lives, we cannot seek forgiveness from God or anyone else for that matter, we must apologize and seek forgiveness from the person we have wronged. Some of my strongest memories of this season are of apologies made to me. First, my cousin called me from Detroit a few days before Yom Kippur. She was calling to apologize for any insult she may have caused me at a family gathering. There had been some tension as they were Orthodox and I was then studying to become a Conservative rabbi. Some words were said in jest–that were not funny to me but rather hurtful. I had let it go because I knew we had much in common in our love of Judaism. I had moved on but I guess it had stayed with her and so she phoned

The Orchard Fall 2011 11 Kol Nidre Sermon, How to Apologize

offended you in any way over the past year, I apologize.” He have sounded offensive to the sensitivities of the Muslim faithful stands there, smiling, might wait for an “OK” or an “I forgive and should have been interpreted in a manner that in no way you” and then rushes off to the next potentially offended person. corresponds to his intentions.” Now, I know that this is a traditional gesture, and it can be a How many of us have received one of these apologies? I’m sorry redemptive, repentant act opening up a conversation that reveals that you misunderstood me. I apologize but you misunderstood… unknown or nonacknowledged wrongs, bringing true repentance but I didn’t do it on purpose…but I had a very good reason.. I’m and forgiveness. But it can be misused as an easy way to get off sorry If I offended you but that was not my intention. You were the hook without acknowledging any wrong or experiencing any too sensitive. Read: it’s your fault, not mine….and not an apology. remorse. How can you make sure you don’t commit the offense Shifting the blame or making excuses are surefire ways to sink again, if you don’t even know what offense you committed ?! an apology. The offended person is left standing there wronged a It seems that apologies are on the rise, in general, in our society. second time without any sign that the offender understands his There have been some pretty interesting apologies in the news over shortcoming and has resolved not to repeat the offense. For good the past year. reason, these apologies fall on deaf ears. After it was revealed that Paul Wolfowitz, the former President of It is really hard to apologize. It is so easy to slip into excuses. It is the World Bank had personally orchestrated a high-paying job and so easy to try to explain away the offense. We want to minimize the guaranteed promotions for a bank employee with whom he was pain of the person before us so that our wrong is diminished. We romantically involved, he made this apology: I made a mistake want to minimize the discomfort we feel in making the apology so for which I am sorry. A mistake. Which mistake. What did he do? we might try to share the blame…I did this and, well, you did that. What was he taking responsibility for? Did he mismanage funds? Sometimes it comes out this way: “We’ve both said unfortunate Misuse his power? Or mismatch his socks? How do you know from things.” Unfortunately, accusing someone of wrongdoing is not the that apology? key to their heart or the key to forgiveness. In September 2006, Pope Benedict XVI gave a speech in which he Why is it so difficult to apologize? Dr. Lazare, a psychiatrist briefly discussed the Islamic concept of jihad, saying that violence & professor of psychiatry, and national expert on apologies, asked in the name of religion was contrary to God’s nature and to reason. several groups of high school students, medical students and He also cited a reference to Islam as “evil and inhuman.” [The psychiatrists why they find it difficult to apologize. Their responses next week Benedict said he was “very sorry” that his remarks fell into two categories: precipitated a storm of anger during which several churches were In the first, the offenders fear the reactions of the people to whom firebombed and extremist groups threatened the Pope’s life. Three they apologize. “I might not be forgiven; She might make a scene days later, he issued a second expression of regret, saying that his and never want to see me again; he might feel superior to me; the words, mostly about faith and reason, largely criticizing the West, punishment could be severe; I would be opening myself up to hurt, had been misunderstood.] Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal the person might humiliate me…you never know how the other Tarcisio Bertone issued this apology in an official statement: The person will react.” [from “On Apology” by Aaron Lazare, Oxford Pope “ sincerely regrets that certain passages of his address could Univ Press, 2005] The second group of offenders are less concerned with how the offended parties will react to their apologies but are more concerned with feeling weak, incompetent, defeated, guilty, ashamed, emotional, like a loser–in essence, Lazare states, losing their self-esteem or their very self. What is striking is that they suffer this fear not from the offending behavior but from the prospect of apologizing, as if their shame and guilt will be invisible if they don’t admit their wrong and apologize! Interestingly, Lazare points out that the two reasons why people avoid apologizing are the two main reasons for many people to apologize–out of internal feelings of guilt and shame or out of a strong desire to influence external factors such as how they are viewed or treated. Lazare encourages us to ask ourselves why we are having a difficult time apologizing so that we can face our fears

The Orchard Fall 2011 12 Kol Nidre Sermon, How to Apologize

and stand them down “since the fears, on closer examination, Lastly, I wanted to share one teaching with you on forgiveness turn out to be much exaggerated. Most responses to genuine that might help you apologize. The Shulkhan Aruch teaches that apologies are expressions of gratitude.” There’s hope, Lazare is “An injured party should not be cruel and deny forgiveness for trying to teach us. Forgiveness comes easily and spontaneously this is not the way of the Jewish people. Once the person who when the offended person experiences a true apology. commits the injury apologizes once or twice, and it is known that he has turned away from his sinful ways and regrets his evil, he There is one last reason, I imagine, that holds people back from should be forgiven. One who is quick to forgive is praiseworthy…” apologizing: they don’t know how. How does one find the words? How does one make sure it is a true apology and not one of those This teaching is not offered to force forgiveness; that is pseudo-apologies that often just makes things worse? How does impossible. Forgiveness is praiseworthy and also hinges on the one do it? delivery of a true apology that shows remorse, acknowledges the offense and the impact on the offended individual, and includes How to apologize? First, an apology can’t be forced, just like a sincere pledge not to repeat the offense. forgiveness cannot be forced. Think of the way we often teach children to apologize: Sam hits Melissa. Melissa screams. Parents Apologies can bring inner peace to the offender. Apologies can tell Sam hitting is unacceptable. What is his punishment? He has bring healing to relationships that are hindered by the breach of a time-out and then he must apologize. The apology becomes part trust and pain that the offense caused. Apologies are steps on the of the punishment!? No big surprise we avoid and fear apologies. path of repentance and what this season is all about. By the way, My favorite is when the offending child mumbles a heartless if you are struggling and need a little more time to form the words apology and the offended child yells: I don’t accept it…what can of your apology so that it is without excuses and causes no further you do?! Separate the parties, walk away and pray for bedtime! damage, there is a teaching that the gates of repentance stay open through . Really, it is never too late for apologies. Apologies are done best in person and should follow a few Hoshana Rabba guidelines. Maimonides gives good advice in this regard in his A friend was telling me about his recent brush with death teaching on repentance. Maimonides offers us a formula for how and danger. He was flying in a plane when it all of a sudden to apologize to others. There must be a few critical elements shuddered, the engine surged and sputtered, and oxygen masks for a sincere and effective apology. First, one must honestly dropped from the overhead bins. He said everyone was calm, the acknowledge what one has done. There should be no attempts to cabin was very peaceful as an emergency landing was attempted explain or justify why one acted this way. “This is what I did and I’m and people hoped for the best and feared the worst. The thoughts truly sorry I acted this way.” No excuses to lessen the admission. that stayed with him after he safely landed were the thoughts that Second, it must be heartfelt, honest remorse. Often missing in went through his head when he thought his life might be over: the coerced apologies of young children! Or top executives or who did he wish he called more often? With whom did he wish celebrities, for that matter, in fear of their job or reputation. Then, he had more time to spend? To whom did he owe an apology that if it is possible, one must offer to make reparations; and last, one he had thus far failed to deliver? He’s resolved to try to do better must promise not to commit the offense again. on all these counts and hopes that he will stay on top of them without the need for any more near-death encounters. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you in the past year” is not really a true apology from the standpoint of Maimonides’ teaching either. We’re taught we are supposed to repent one day before our death. We are in synagogue for the next day with plenty of time to How are we to know when we will die? We don’t so we are to treat think and reflect. I imagine each one of us can think of reasons every day as our last, ask the important questions and find the that we need to apologize to others. I imagine we each have courage and strength to act on our good impulses. words that jumped out of our mouths ahead of our brains and In this new year may we be relieved of the burdens of guilt and hearts that hurt another’s feelings, humiliated them in public or shame that we carry. May we choose words of healing over words misrepresented the truth. Even if we did not intend to offend, we of pain. May we be forgiven of our offenses as we offer true and might have done damage and that damage is our responsibility sincere apologies. And may we stand united before God in peace, this day and every day. prayer and teshuvah. I encourage you to practice this Yom Kippur and offer at least one G’mar Hatimah Tovah. May you have an easy fast and a good apology in the next day to someone you have wronged or might new year! have wronged. What better place and time to do it when we are Rabbi Francine Roston all feeling vulnerable, when we are all in need of healing, when Congregation Beth El, South Orange, NJ we are all seeking forgiveness.

The Orchard Fall 2011 13 The Torah of Chocolate Chip Cookies Fred Guttman

The word “Torah” literally means “teaching.” However, it Here the prayer tells us that indeed, the guideposts of seems to me that in addition to Torah she Biktav and Torah she repentance, prayer and charity can help us get through these Baal Peh , there is a third type of Torah which I call the Torah difficult times. If I ask for forgiveness and am forgiving, I cope of wisdom which comes from personal experience. Frankly, I better with these challenges. If I pray and ask God for strength, believe that this type of Torah also comes from Sinai, but is I can rest assured that indeed God will “lift up the fallen” and added to our personal experience and becomes part of the road heal my brokenness in some way. And if I am charitable to map of who we are. This is the Torah that we will pass on to our others, I will remind myself that there are others whose problems children and grandchildren. are much greater than mine and whose lot in life is much more difficult and serious. My father-in-law Ernest, of blessed memory, once gave me his Torah when more than thirty years ago his daughter and my wife I find this prayer particularly awesome on the High Holy Days Nancy rear ended someone on the FDR Drive in New York City. I when I stand up here looking at a congregation in which there remember being very upset about the mess that the car was in. will be both “simchas” and “sorrows” in the coming year. You However, Ernest patiently told me to calm down and to consider know we expect this of our elderly people and frankly as sad as that our lives would be much different had one of us been the death of the older person is, we often find ourselves rejoicing seriously hurt. After all, what had been damaged was only metal that the fact that his or her life was filled with accomplishment and that could be replaced or fixed. This was Ernest’s Torah and and meaning. However, when a middle age or young person dies, I have kept it with me ever since that day. we are bereft and filled with questions such as “what if?” and “why?” Part of our liturgy during the High Holy Days is the prayer Unetaneh Tokef. You probably know the middle part of the This past year, our community experienced such a death in terms prayer wherein we read, “On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on of Renee. Renee was only 54 years old. With the permission of Yom Kippur it is sealed- who shall live and who shall die.” Of Renee’s family I want to share a few pieces of “Torah” that I course the prayer is not entirely fatalistic because at the end of learned from her passing. Certainly as Renee attended services the prayer we read, “Repentance, prayer and charity can temper here last year at this time, the last thing on her mind or on the the sever decree.” For me this means that even if next year, bad minds of her friends and family would have been the sad fact things are going to happen to some of us, it will be our choice that at Yom Kippur Yizkor, we would be reading her name. as to how we respond to these unfortunate occurrences. In the Personally her death hit me quite hard. Renee was just a few coming year in our lives, we might have to face illness or death of years younger than I. I found myself wondering how many more ourselves or our loved one. We might have to face problems with years I had to live. The Torah that came out of this for me was our children. We might have to face problems in our marital or that I needed to make everyday count. I found myself making ongoing relationships and some of them will reach a sad ending. a promise that every single day that I wake up will be a day of potential and possibility. The psalmist prays to God saying: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) He realizes that his days are numbered and we do as well. So friends, every kiss, every hug, every act of kindness, every moment that we could be learning must count. This bit of Torah teaching tells us that life is too precious to waste time on the meaningless and insignificant. Second, Renee’s untimely death taught me the Torah of the beauty of community. Renee had special friends who took care of her so lovingly. Her children who grew up in this community and in the congregation was blessed with many friends who came to express their sorrow both at the funeral and at the Shiva minyanim. When I saw this outpouring of love and support, particularly by young people, I felt reminded by God just how special a Jewish community we have. I felt as though I was seeing firsthand the success of the beautiful “Torah” of community which is one of the goals of every congregation including ours.

The Orchard Fall 2011 14 The Torah of Chocolate Chip Cookies

Third, I saw the warmth of a family that loved Renee so much. I God then says to Jonah: Why do you have such concern for the particularly saw this in the eyes of her family some two months plant which you did not make. Should I not be compassionate before her death when her husband arranged to reconsecrate to the people of Nineveh? God is telling Jonah, “Why are you their marriage on their twenty-fifth anniversary. Friends, when sweating the small stuff? Why does the trivial bother you when our time comes or when the time comes to say a final goodbye to so much else is at stake; namely, the lives and welfare of the those we love so much, may it be God’s will that we should all, people, men women and children of Nineveh? be surrounded by loving family! In 1965, Ralph Nader published a book entitled “Unsafe at The final piece of Torah occurred one night at the shiva . Any Speed.” The book described the resistance of American In order to understand what occurred, I must begin by confessing automobile manufacturers to make changes in the cars to that I am a chocoholic. For me, a good brownie or chocolate chip increase the safety of those riding in them. The most famous cookie is almost as addictive as the worst addictions known to chapter in this book was chapter one which details how unsafe humankind. I cannot resist them. I cannot eat just one of them a Chevrolet car called the Corvair was. The car lacked an anti- and if there are leftovers, I will eat them for breakfast and lunch! roll bar and had other problems with its suspension. Nader was particularly critical of Corvairs made between 1960 and 1963. So after the minyan one night at the Levy house, I went into the dining room for a nosh and there I saw them. There I saw a plate In 1968, I was sixteen years old and had a summer job working in of chocolate chip cookies. A Pavlovian response immediately a camp near my hometown of Nashville. One weekend, we were began to set in. I began to salivate in glorious anticipation. I given time off and four of us got in a car to travel to Nashville reached for the chocolate chip cookie, brought it up to my mouth to visit our parents. You guessed it! The car was a Corvair. I and took a bite out of it. Lo and behold! It was not a chocolate estimate that the four of us weighed somewhere between six to chip cookie but an oatmeal raisin one! Now it is not that I do not seven hundred pounds back then. Today we would be well over like oatmeal and raisin cookies, but that I really do like chocolate 800 pounds! chips. Disappointed, I found myself searching the plate. Perhaps As we were riding down Interstate 40 at the speed limit of 70 someplace on that plate amidst all of the oatmeal raisin cookies, miles per hour, a car with four beautiful girls pulled up beside there was indeed one chocolate chip cookie. Alas, this was not us in the right lane. They began to flirt with us. I had never seen to be! anything like it. They even threw us kisses. Our testosterone And then it happened. I heard what I could call a “whisper of levels were quite high. After thirty seconds or so of flirting, the God” telling me to get a grip on my life. Here I was at such a car pulled away. They had driven us crazy. We all shouted at the sad occasion and I was allowing myself to be disappointed over driver to catch up to the girls. The driver floored the gas pedal something as trivial as an oatmeal raisin cookie. This lesson of and the Corvair with all of us in it reached a top speed of eighty Torah, of wisdom teaching was that all too often, we allow the miles per hour. Horrors upon horrors! Eighty miles and hour was trivial to upset us. It is the trivial upsets that seem to get in our not enough! So one of us had the idea that if we rocked the way of fully being present in any situation. It is the trivial that car, we could go faster. So on three, we would lunge our bodies prevents one from truly appreciating the many blessings of our forward. Sure enough, the car lurched a little bit. Satisfied with loves. our success, we proceeded to do this six or seven more times. All of a sudden, the engine of the car stopped. We pulled over This is not an experience that only happens to us chocoholics. to the side of the Interstate and waited for a police car. This was On Yom Kippur afternoon, we will read the story of Jonah. Most before the days of cell phones. After a while, the police came. We of us know the part about the whale. But after he was swallowed were unable to restart the car. The car was towed and from the by a whale, Jonah went on to the city of Nineveh where he service station, we called one of our parents to come pick us up. encouraged the people of that mighty and corrupt city to repent. He was successful and the people did repent. Jonah is angry that So what was wrong with the car? Well it turns out that our God did not destroy the city and says in his anger that it could testosterone induced lunging had cracked the chassis of the car. have been better for him to have died. God asks Jonah, “Why are We had totaled the car! you so angry?” Jonah then goes out of the city and makes himself Recently, a friend of mine put this in proper perspective. In a booth, and sits under it in the shadow, till he should see what her view, God had totaled this car in an incredible act of Divine would become of the city. God then makes a castor oil plant grow over Jonah for shade. This made Jonah very happy. The next day however, God has a worm destroy the plant and a hot east wind beat down upon Jonah’s head until he fainted and wished to die. Continued on next page

The Orchard Fall 2011 15 The Torah of Chocolate Chip Cookies

Providence. After all, none of us had been hurt. Given the fact that we were in one of the most unsafe cars ever built, God had probably saved our lives. I used to think that this was just an amusing story of my childhood, but with Carolyn’s interpretation, I realized that this could have been for the four of us one of the most miraculous events of our lives. I do believe that some of the time, God whispers to us in the same way that God spoke to Jonah. As I reflect upon all of these incidents, I realize that by paying attention to these divine whispers, I have learned much personal Torah. I learned the following lessons. 1. Make every day count. You will not live forever. 2. We have a beautiful Jewish community here that can take care of those in need. 3. Love your family now. Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries as special days. Make Shabbat a time for family closeness. 4. Do not expect that life will always go your way and that you will always get what you want. Some of the time, the Divine plan is different. Try not to let the trivial bother you, but do your best to see the bigger picture and the lesson that God, with love, is trying to give you. 5. An oatmeal raisin cookie or a totaled Corvair might be just what you needed at that particular moment in your life in order that you should gain wisdom and add to your own personal Torah. Gam Zu le Tovah! Try your best therefore to turn the disappointing moments of life into moments of growth and meaning. 6. Finally, never forget that no matter what happens to us or our loved ones this year, our challenge will be in how you respond to the situation. Do not become a “Debbie Downer,” but rather always respond with hope and optimism. Remember and believe the words of the Unetaneh Tokef which states, “Repentance, Prayer and Charity can temper the severity of the decree.” May God bless us this year with the joy of chocolate chips and the wisdom or oatmeal raisins. May we be blessed with a year of love, healing, health, learning compassion and peace. May we all be inscribed for a blessing in the book of life. Fred Guttman Temple Emanuel, Greensboro, NC

The Orchard Fall 2011 16 Living More than a Normal Life: Yom Kippur Morning Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

It’s 1948 just before the creation of the State. Israel’s undercover Why doesn’t Time also note that, at great expense and with grave agency, the Mossad, dispatches a top agent to meet a fellow spy concerns for its security, Israel has withdrawn from the Sinai in New York, a man by the name of Abe Ginsberg who lives at Peninsula, southern Lebanon, and Gaza–all for the sake of peace? 123 Delancey Street on the Lower East Side. The password for And Time certainly doesn’t mention a poll conducted earlier this Ginsberg is–“The sky is blue, the earth is brown.” summer which showed that, even if a peace settlement could be The Mossad agent leaves Israel and arrives at the New York reached, 62% of in Ramallah would oppose Jewish airport. To make sure he is not being followed, he takes a train to responsibility for Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter and the Western Connecticut, a bus to New Jersey, a limo to Staten Island and a Wall. ferry to Manhattan. Finally, he arrives at 123 Delancey Street, an Time’s easy, breezy presentation is enough to make you a Zionist if old tenement building. you weren’t one before. Friends, you’re all sitting near information He enters the building and reads the names on the mailboxes. It about Israel Bonds. If a mainstream journal like Time can do a turns out that two people with the name of Abe Ginsberg live in setup job like this, you understand why Israel needs us as friends. the building: One on the second floor and one on the fourth floor. Interest rates aren’t listed in this year’s brochure. But you know The Mossad agent decides to visit the Abe Ginsberg on the second the drill. Sign up. Indicate you would like to know more. The Israel floor to see if he is the person he needs to meet. Bonds office will contact you. All of your money comes back. It’s guaranteed. You can hand in your completed forms when our The bell does not work, so he knocks very loudly. The door opens service concludes. just about an inch or two. A little old man appears and asks, “What do you want?” By the way, when I visited Time Magazine’s website earlier this week to reread the Israel article, I discovered something The Mossad agent replies, “The sky is blue, the earth is brown.” unexpected. There were so many readers writing in to complain To which the old man responds, “Oh, you want Abe Ginsberg the about the article that Time had closed out that option. spy. He lives on the fourth floor.” I found that heartening, although I want to surprise you now by So once upon a time people told endearing stories like this about suggesting that, as objectionable as the article was, the article did Israel and the laughter came easily. Israel was on a roll. point to at least one truth about Israel. Now it’s more complicated. Continued on next page Settlements and settlers, roadblocks, blockades, and occupation. The 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The unresolved and unsettling battles with Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel presents us with headlines that confuse or concern us. It’s not so easy to laugh anymore. Then along comes Time Magazine with its September 13, 2010 cover story. A bold Star of David in flowers at the center of which we read: Why Israel Doesn’t Care About Peace. Come on! You must be kidding! Aside from the fact that the article appeared at the very moment when Prime Minister Netanyahu had begun peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, the article offers no context. We’re told about a real estate boom in , but not a thing is said about the constant harassment of Israel for 62 solid years. When it comes to conversations about who does or doesn’t want peace, why doesn’t Time Magazine publicize the recent opening of a public square in Ramallah on the ? The square was happily named after Dalal Mughrabi, the terrorist who hijacked a bus near Tel Aviv in 1978. By day’s end, Mughrabi was responsible for the death of 37 Israeli citizens, including 13 children.

The Orchard Fall 2011 17 Living More than a Normal Life: Yom Kippur Morning

It’s not that Israel doesn’t want peace. It’s not that Israelis family: her parents, her husband, and her adult children. Israeli don’t care about peace. It’s that given all the delays, pain, and Tammy wrote to me as Tammy, a daughter, wife, and mother. uncertainty, Israelis are tired. In that regard, Time Magazine is Last month I spent a few hours watching an Israeli movie called correct. It is true that given the choice, Israelis would just like to Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi. Guess what? It wasn’t about the military live. situation in Israel. And it wasn’t about politics or ideology either. It They would like to make a decent living, read a good book, and was, instead, the perfect illustration of what I’m describing. It was sip a latte. a simple film about a family where mom and dad are separated, older brother in his 20’s is a bit of a braggart, and younger brother Yehuda Amichai, Israel’s great national poet, captured this truth going on 15 dreams about girls and having a relationship with his about Israel in a poem he wrote many years ago. He called the very shapely next door neighbor. It’s a quiet, gentle movie about a poem – Tourists – and here is how the prose conclusion reads. slightly dysfunctional Israeli family. No more. No less. [Slightly adapted by MDS] May I tell you about an experience I myself had the last time I was Once I was sitting on the steps near the gate at David’s Citadel in in Israel–February 2009? It didn’t take place at the sort of spot the Old City of Jerusalem and I put down my two heavy baskets you find in a guidebook. It happened, instead, along the Tel Aviv beside me. A group of tourists stood there around their guide, and beach where three friends and I found ourselves talking for about I became their point of reference. “You see that man over there 90 minutes outside a café. with the baskets? A little to the right of his head there’s an arch from the Roman period. A little to the right. Yes, the one who’s Here’s what happened around us as we talked about Israel. Two moving. He’s moving.” young mothers with pre-schoolers positioned themselves under an umbrella and watched their children play. They sipped iced coffee I said to myself: Redemption will come only when those tourists and laughed as their big, friendly dog chased back and forth down are told, “Do you see that arch over there from the Roman period? to the waves. It doesn’t matter, but near it, a little to the left and then down a bit, there’s a man who has just bought fruit and vegetables for his A woman in her 50’s sat down next to our table with her mother. family.” They ordered salads and the daughter helped her slightly infirm mother cut the lettuce and tomatoes. Does Israel want peace? Do Israelis want peace? Four men dressed in business suits took another table, opened Of course, that’s on the agenda. But sometimes we imagine too their laptops, and conducted a business meeting. much about Israelis. We idealize them. We expect them to be larger than life. We, who are their brothers and sisters, forget that they And nothing else happened under the Mediterranean sun that are also regular human beings. They do walk by fabulous historic morning. treasures, sites, and scenery every day. As tourists, those settings I know 25 miles to the south the Gaza Strip was probably amaze us. But don’t forget Amichai’s poem. The truth is that a Jew miserable. Inland the Orthodox religious establishment was shopping for fruit and vegetables in the years 2010 can be every bit continuing to disenfranchise liberal Israeli Jews. The gap between as inspiring as the Roman archeology next to the grocery store. rich and poor in Israel was also not resolved. That Jew is living his life. He’s getting by. And that’s not something But here’s my point for this morning. Sometimes it’s OK to go to to be taken for granted. the beach. Israelis do it the way we do it, and we do it the way they Do you remember the summer of 2006? Hezbollah kidnapped do it. Israelis are like us; we are like Israelis. several Israeli soldiers late that June. Israel crossed the border We talk family. So do they. We talk sports. So do they. Like into Lebanon to get those soldiers back and a war erupted during them, sometimes all of us need a day at the beach. And if it’s which Hezbollah lobbed thousands of shells into northern Israel. not the beach, well, perhaps for you it’s the serenity of the great It was a terrible, frightening summer. Life in Israel was turned lawn at Tanglewood. Or maybe it’s the feeling you have about upside down. Thanksgiving Day – nowhere to go, nothing to do, breathe deeply, How interesting, then, for me last week when I came across a drink in the faces of those around the table. Satisfaction. Peace. letter I received from Israel that summer. Rabbi Tammy Kohlberg, Why doesn’t Israel care about peace, asks Time magazine? What who lives in Tel Aviv, wrote to me about her experience. She a stupid, offensive question. Of course, Israelis care about peace. talked about some of the political facts. She described what her Like you and me, they care about the kind of peace and tranquility synagogue was doing. But most of her letter was actually about her I’ve just described. They should care about it and so should we

The Orchard Fall 2011 18 Living More than a Normal Life: Yom Kippur Morning

because it’s this kind of peace that allows us to be fully human – injustice, to undo the fetters of bondage, to let the oppressed go with a slight Yom Kippur twist. free, and to break every cruel chain? … Share your bread with the hungry…Bring the homeless poor into your house…When you see The twist comes when I recall another experience I had in Israel. the naked, to clothe him, and never to hide yourself from your It was 1968, my first trip, one year after the Six Day War. Israel own kind.” was only 20 years old that summer and, like a person so close to the teenage experience, Israel was brash, confident, and bursting Frankly, I don’t think Isaiah’s passion means we have to all go join with pride. the Social Action committee. But it does mean that somewhere/ somehow we do each need to cultivate a higher calling. We need My last night in Israel I remember going to a restaurant with to know that life is ultimately not about us. Life is about goals, friends where the waiter (only a bit older than 20 himself) refused ideals, and values. to serve us unless we made aliyah, unless we agreed to move to Israel. As my good friend Hillel also taught, “In a place where no one behaves like a human being, you must strive to be a human “We need you,” he said. being.” Or to put it in the colloquial, even if everybody else seems Literally, that was true. I could have made aliyah that summer. I quite satisfied to lounge by the swimming pool, you have more to was the right age to join the army and help defend the State. But do. You have a role to play in building a world that is more decent more than that, I believe the waiter was caught up in something and more at peace than it was when you arrived. you also sense in Israel. That is the feeling, that as normal as you The real problem in life doesn’t take place when you leave behind are, you are still involved with a historic project. You are part of an fingerprints. The real sadness is to live and not leave any marks experiment. You’re a pioneer building a society where there was at all. virtually nothing before. The story is told of a small town during the Civil War. Fighting Living in Israel means going shopping like a normal person for swept through the town and in the midst of the commotion, an your fruits and vegetables, but it also somehow means something old woman rushed out of her house, brandishing a broom handle bigger, something grander. as a weapon. Not all Israelis feel this all the time. Many probably don’t feel it A soldier yelled out, “Grandma, you can’t fight with that. at all. But some do. At the beach, in the clubs, at the mall, some sense that life means or should mean more than caring about Without hesitating, she shot back, “But I sure can show which yourself. side I’m on.” As Hillel taught, If I am not for myself, who will be for me. But if And that’s the message of this day. We have to be on a side. We I am only for myself, what am I? What’s the point? need to take a side, to care, to make a stand. On that very first trip to Israel, I came across a comment on Israel Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro written by someone called Margaret Larkin. It rang true back then Sinai Temple, Springfield, MA and still works for me today. “When people live with an ideal, they are marked by that ideal.” In other words, they don’t just go about living. At their best, people ought to somehow be living with purpose. As I said before, that’s the Yom Kippur twist: the sense that living a normal life and doing nothing more than normal is OK as long as we have feelings for a larger purpose and goal in our lives. Of course, a day at the Tel Aviv beach is delicious. A day at the Cape recharges and refreshes us as well. But Yom Kippur is that day of challenge which also says life (wherever we live it: in Israel or here in America) has to be about more than sunbathing, good food, and happy times. That’s the message of Isaiah in this morning’s Haftarah. The prophet speaks directly to us when he says taking care of ourselves only goes so far. The next step is “to unlock the shackles of

The Orchard Fall 2011 19 A New Approach to Rosh HaShanah Rabbi Paul David Kerbel

A typical Saturday night for me in the Spring and the seasons tickets and seats in a luxury box and shirts and bats Summer when the days are long and Shabbat ends in the range and all kinds of baseball souvenirs. And subsequently major of 9:30 p.m., is to recite and then stay at home, turn corporations came forward to further reward Christian. The on the television and check the scores of the golf tournaments, premier beer company in America offered to throw a beer party tennis matches and baseball games that I did not get to watch in his honor! Christian Lopez was rewarded in the end. He too on Saturday afternoon. From Wimbledon to The Kentucky Derby got what he deserved because the Yankees and other companies to The Braves, I like to watch the highlights and check the want to honor people with his values, behavior and attitude. results of my favorite teams and sports. So it occurred to me that we should apply this story to the High But one Saturday night this summer of 2011 was different. I Holy Days. had missed a moment of baseball history. In July, Derek Jeter Many people approach Rosh HaShanah the way Christian was ridiculed and derided as a “has been” and on the downward children approach Christmas. descent of his storied career. On this particular Saturday, after The perception of Christmas as portrayed in movies and on TV is that you create a list of things you want, and, if you are good, Santa will give you what you ask for. Is that really what Rosh HaShanah is all about? Hopefully we do think about how we can be better, hopefully we do ask forgiveness of our family, friends and our God and then, either quietly or not so quietly we give God a list of the things we want in the coming year. I have begun to wonder: is that what we should be doing? Is that what God wants from us on Rosh HaShanah? Wish lists and requests? A long list of ‘me shebeyrachs’? (The prayers we recite asking for healing or blessing during our Torah service). There is no doubt that we have the right to returning to the line- up from injured reserve, Jeter hit his ask God for health and blessing and prosperity; our tradition and 3,000th hit and went five for five on that Saturday. The baseball prayers allow us, even encourage us to ask for these and other he hit landed in the hands of a baseball fan, Christian Lopez. blessings. But I would like to suggest that this year, we emulate What Christian Lopez did and what Christian Lopez said was the behavior of Christian Lopez and say to God, “God I really covered in dozens of sports stories the next day and week. First, don’t want anything this year. Yes, I would like to be written Christian Lopez returned the ball to Derek Jeter (it is a baseball into the Sefer HaHayim (the Book of Life) this year but I didn’t that easily could earn $250,000 at auction by a collector.) And bring a list; please just provide me with what I deserve.” As we here is what Christian Lopez said when asked why he didn’t keep approach the High Holy Days and as we enter our sanctuaries the ball and become instantly financially comfortable. this Rosh HaShanah, let us enter our High Holy Days with some Lopez said: “I didn’t want the ball. It belonged to Derek. He modesty, with a lot of humility, and with great love, caring, awe deserved it. I didn’t want anything for it.” and respect for our God, our fellow Jews and all of humanity. Let us realize on this Rosh HaShanah that every hour is precious I found this to be so unusual and refreshing. Christian Lopez and that we should seek to link our lives with wholeness and understood the meaning and value of that moment. He was just holiness and with all that is timeless and true. a lucky fan in the right place and right time. It was Derek Jeter who hit the ball. It was Derek Jeter who for sixteen years was a Rabbi Paul David Kerbel Congregation Etz Chaim, Marietta, Ga. leader on the New York Yankees. And Derek Jeter deserved his ball back and Lopez did not want anything. What a mentsch! How humble and modest and respectful. You all know that Christian Lopez walked away that day with

The Orchard Fall 2011 20 Three Cheers for the Tradition of Pluralism Rabbi Allen S. Maller

First Cheer: A Synagogue with Five Shules So they decided to buy a big three story building, with only one doorway. On the first floor there were two synagogues. On the Today there are 12 synagogues for the 13,000 Jews living in second floor there were two synagogues. On the third floor was the city of Rome, but about 450 years ago there were only five the fifth synagogue. Everyone agreed to refer to the one building synagogues for a much smaller Jewish population. Still, the as “the” synagogue, and to call the five synagogues; schools, Pope who ruled the city of Rome in those days thought there “scolas” in Italian or “Shules” in Yiddish. This solution worked were to many synagogues in Rome. In the year 1,555 the Pope for over 300 years, until the Pope lost his power over Rome and ordered all the Jews in the city to live in just one area. He the Italian government took over. also decreed that the Jews should have only one synagogue for the whole community. (In those days, and for over 100 years If five different Orthodox Jewish groups could share one after, Catholics and Protestants fought several wars against one synagogue building in a time of religious warfare, all the another.) different Jewish groups today should be able to live together in a time of much greater tolerance and freedom. If many different Those Jews who did not already live in the Jewish area had to kinds of Jews can learn to live together in harmony, then the sell their homes and move into the newly formed Ghetto (a place different sects of every religion can learn to live together in where a group of people are forced to live). Although many Jews harmony. And if all religions can live in harmony with their own did not want to sell their homes, they had to do it, so they did heretics, maybe they can live in harmony with each other. it. But they did resist the decree to have only one synagogue. The members of each synagogue decided to hold services in the Second and Third Cheer: home of the member with the largest room. But when the police Two Rabbis Sit Together in God’s Name learned of their plan, the Pope ordered that all the Roman Jews should only pray in one building with only one entrance. A few days before Rosh HaShanah, two Jews who had never before encountered one another, found themselves sitting What should the Jewish people do. Some said the Jews should next to each other on a train. This was not unusual in 1933 obey the Pope’s order just as they had obeyed the order that all in Poland. What was unusual was that one was a Progressive Jews must live in the Ghetto. But most Jews disagreed. Two of Rabbi from Krakow, and the other was a Hassidic Rabbi from the synagogues in Rome were Sephardi (Jews from Spain and Warsaw. At first they sat next to each other in silence reading North Africa), and two were Ashkenazi (Jews from Germany and Hebrew texts. But after a couple of hours they both felt a need the North of Italy. The fifth congregation followed the tradition to talk, so they started discussing the meaning and significance that Roman Jews had followed for more than 17 centuries (the of the election of Adolph Hitler as chancellor of Germany. Their Roman Jewish community had existed for 200 years before the discussion went smoothly because they fully agreed with each first Christians even came to Rome). other, so they moved on to recent negative developments among We say the same prayers they all agreed, but we sing the prayers the various political parties in Poland. From there they began with different melodies. to debate both Zionist and anti-Zionist politics in Poland and We all say some of the same prayers they all agreed, but some in the . Finally, they began arguing about religious have added extra poems and prayers that others do not say. issues between Orthodox and . When their passions grew too strong they fell silent again. Some have longer services and some have shorter services they all agreed. After a few minutes the Progressive Rabbi said, Our conversation over the last few hours reminds me of the four sons in the Some pray with more joy and some pray with more intensity. Hagadah, At first, when we were talking about Some would rather pray at home than go to a different Anti-semitism in Germany we were largely in agreement and synagogue they all agreed. So what should they do? considered each other to be wise. When we discussed how to The rabbis discussed the problem. One of them said, “We all know react to the political and economic challenges here in Poland; that the difference between a human king and God, who is the King we frequently disagreed and saw each other as opponents. In of Kings, is that when a human ruler stamps his image on a coin debating the wisdom and chances of success of the Zionist (like a Lincoln penny) every coin has the same image on it. But when movement, the gap between us grew even larger, and we God creates humans in God’s image we all look different. God wants regarded each other as naïve simpletons. Finally, in arguing over diversity, not uniformity. God wants pluralism, not universalism. We religious issues we were so far apart that we were not even able can all live together in harmony, but we cannot all think, feel or to ask each other intelligent questions or to listen honestly to one another’s answers. behave the same way.” All the Roman Rabbis agreed. Continued on next page

The Orchard Fall 2011 21 Three Cheers for the Tradition of Pluralism

The Hassidic Rabbi thought for a few minutes about what the or followed other Tsadikim. There seemed to be no end to the Progressive Rabbi had said and then he smiled and replied, “You negative comparisons the Hasidim could make. are right and I thank you for a new insight into the nature of the One festival day he called them all together. He told them that he four sons in the Hagadah. You also reminded me of something my had one very important lesson to teach them. He had assumed grandfather taught me more than 30 years ago, when I and my that they all already had learned this lesson early in their lives, younger brother had a big fight about Theodore Herzl. He told us but it seemed that that was not true. On a large sheet of paper that Psalm 133 says that it is both good and pleasant for brothers the Tsadik wrote the Hebrew letter Yod. The yod is the smallest to sit together. That it is pleasant is obvious; most families letter in the Hebrew alphabet he said, yet it can be used to stand enjoy being in each others company. But why is it morally good? for the Hebrew word; Yehudi-a Jew. The Hasidim looked at each That part applies to all those occasions when we are able to sit other. We all know that, they thought. The Tsadik then wrote together as brothers, in spite of out differences. Not by ignoring another yod next to the first one saying, “two Yudim, one next to or suppressing our differences; but by respecting them. And then the other stand for the name of God”. Now the Hassidim were my grandfather told me something his grandfather told him, that mystified. Every Jewish child learns this in the first year of heder came from the mouth of the great Tsadik David of Lelov: If you they thought. Why is he telling us things we have known since we want to glue two pieces of wood together so they will become one, were children? you must first shave them down and smooth them out so they will stick together as one. But then you will have lost a lot of the Now the Tsadik smiled and wrote two yods one on top of the wood. But if the bumps and humps in one piece of wood fit the other. “If one yod stands for a Jew, and two yods next to one grooves and hollows in the other, and vice versa, then no cutting another stand for the name of God, what does one yod on top of is necessary. You have a good fit and you do not lose any of the another yod stand for?” The Hasidim were silent. They had no wood. This is why when brothers disagree strongly, it is good to idea what the answer was. Finally, one of them said, “Rabbi, I do find a way to be able to sit together.” not think it means anything.” Now the Reform Rabbi smiled saying: That reminds me of a “Exactly”, said the Tsadik, “when two Jews stand side by side, Hassidic story I learned from Martin Buber when I attended a that indicates the name of God. But when one Jew stands on top lecture of his in Germany several years ago. A Tsadik became of another Jew, it does not mean anything at all.” concerned about the souls of his Hasidim. He overheard them Both rabbis smiled and shook hands. Then overcome by a sense speaking about each other in disrespectful ways. One Hasid of elation, they both rose and standing next to each other; hugged said that he could pray faster than others. Another said that one another. his talit was larger than others, and a third Hasid said that his Inspired by FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN by MARTIN BUBER daily prayers were for a longer time than some rabbis. Many of p. 269 & p. 39 the Tsadik’s Hasidim looked down on those who did not dress like them or sway the way they did, or used different melodies, Rabbi Allen S. Maller Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Akiba, Culver City, Ca

The Orchard Fall 2011 22 Tzedekah Goreret Tzedekah: Inspiration to Give Mindfully Rabbi Francine Roston

A man named Bill was reading through his newspapers and magazines and came across the statistic that half a million children die every year from rotavirus. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children. He had never heard of rotavirus and asked himself, “how could I never have heard of something that kills half a million children every year?” He then learned that in developing countries, millions of children die from diseases that have been eliminated, or virtually eliminated in the United States. Every day, more than 1,000 children die because they didn’t get a 15-cent measles vaccine. Now he was really shocked, because he assumed that if there are vaccines and treatments that could save lives, governments would be doing everything possible to get them to the people who need them. The knowledge that millions of children were dying unnecessarily haunted him. As he has said, he “could not escape the brutal conclusion that–in our world today–some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not.” He did not want this to be so. He believes strongly that all lives–no matter where they are being led–have equal value. But he saw that it was so in reality. In that moment, he realized that he had the capacity to help save lives and repair this injustice in the world. In 2000 Bill Gates and his wife Melinda gave $30 billion dollars to create a foundation aimed at reducing poverty, disease and premature death in the developing world. Just this past year, Warren Buffett doubled the size of the foundation with his $33 billion gift. In the year 2000, another campaign was begun. A four-year old cancer patient decided to raise money to “help her doctors” find a cure for kids with cancer. In July of 2000, Alex and her brother Patrick set up the first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer” on their front lawn. Alex decided to fight cancer “one cup at a time.” This simple idea inspired others who would not usually participate in fundraising or philanthropy, especially children, to organize and raise money for childhood cancer. For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands have been held across the country primarily by children, over 8,000 since 2004, all to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer. Lemonades stands have been organized by a diverse group of volunteers including inner city school children, senior centers, pre-school aged children, a juvenile detention center, college students, and a group of homeless people. The lesson that children and adults everywhere learn from holding their own lemonade stands is simple but powerful - every person can make a difference in the world. Alex died peacefully on August 1st, 2004 and in her short, rich lifetime she inspired a movement that continues to this day to raise money for childhood cancer research. As of June 2007, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $12 million for childhood cancer research across the country! A billionaire and a little girl. Each one had a cause, a moment when they realized something needed to be done, and they were able to do it. Whether it’s billions of dollars or collections of quarters, the money was being put to good purposes–to save lives. Rabbi Michael Strassfeld teaches that “every act of tzedekah is an act of life in the face of death…Every poor person is a critique of the notion of God’s goodness.”

Continued on next page

The Orchard Fall 2011 23 Tzedekah Goreret Tzedekah: Inspiration to Give Mindfully

While not everyone makes billions or even millions…while not are given. (YD 248:1). What is the proscribed amount to give? The everyone can give on an equal level, every one can make a Shulkhan Aruch teaches: If you have sufficient for your means, difference in the world with their money. give what the poor need and if you don’t have sufficient for your means, extremely generous would be to give up to 1/5 (20%); In Jewish teachings, the amount of money that is given is not 1/10 (10%) is the mean; and less than this looks bad. determined, it is the act of giving that is the mitzvah. We are all equal in our responsibility to give tzedekah. Notice that the law code does not determine the amount of money that we must give but rather gives us two determining factors. Tzedekah is not charity; it is a mitzvah. It is that which compels First, we must consider our own financial health. If we are able to us to give money to help others, to help those in need, to relieve live above our means, we are to give what we can and where we suffering and cure injustice. The word tzedekah comes from can. If we are struggling to live within our means, only then are the Hebrew word meaning a righteous or just act. The word we given guidelines, and then they are not clear cut. You could charity is derived from the Latin word caritaten, which means give 20%, you could give 10%, you could give 5%. love, benevolence or kindness. The fundamental difference between charity and tzedekah is that charity is a human attitude The Shulkhan Aruch certainly places value on the higher and tzedekah is a human act. It is an action that we take out percentage but then it continues with this teaching: One should of a sense of justice or the recognition of injustice and our never withhold less than 1/3 of a shekel annually. And, if you do, responsibility to act. you have not fulfilled the obligated amount for tzedekah. What is 1/3 of a shekel? Less than 33 cents. What is the meaning of such There are many reasons behind people’s giving. Some people a small minimum for annual ? It occurs to me that the give because they have more money than they feel they need. tzedekah law is set up to allow even the poorest amongst us to fulfill their Zell Kravinsky became well-known in 2002 when he gave away responsibility of giving with dignity. most of his $45 million real estate fortune to health-related tzedekah organizations–$6 million going to the CDC. When asked what that How do we decide where to give our tzedekah? There is a strong amount of money meant to him, he said: “To me, it would either trend in Jewish tradition that the community must first help its be a charitable donation for some worthy cause or a bunch of high own. In his , Maimonides presents concentric tech toys that I’m not really interested in.” circles of care and concern. Some people give because they feel obligated to give and see it He teaches: A poor person who is your relative should receive as part of their covenant with God. For some, they don’t see their your charity before all others; and likewise the poor of your own possessions as their own but God’s. As God is sovereign over the household have priority over the poor of your city; and the poor of earth and all that is in it, they look to God’s commandments your city have priority over the poor of another city as it is stated to guide them in their giving. Many people take the system of in Torah [you must give] ‘to poor and needy brothers in your tithing in the Bible very seriously and even set up separate bank land’(Deut 15:11)” (Laws of Tzedekah 7:17) accounts called “tithing accounts” to collect and set aside 10% The act of giving tzedekah with a common purpose unites of their earnings to go to charitable organizations, as 10% was to individuals, strengthening families, creating community and be given to the priests in the ancient Temple. guaranteeing continuity. Some people give their money to causes that connect them to On the one hand you might hear this and consider it too self- their community–whether it is giving to one’s alma mater or one’s interested to be generous. On the other hand, the law is directing synagogue. The monetary gift goes to maintain a connection or us not to forget the people in need who are right in front of us and nurture a connection and establish one’s identity as part of that often get overlooked. Often we feel sympathy for starving people community. We also give when we sense that there is need in our far away and forget about those in need in our own backyard. community. Out of a sense of responsibility and caring, people give to keep their own community intact and strong. Some of us While the tradition placed the priority on giving to support the give because our friend asked us to give. Or, we give because we needs of our own community first, in a remarkable provision for its have a personal interest in the money’s destination–for example, time, the Talmud and later Jewish law taught that we must care we suffer from a disease, or our loved one, so we support the for non-Jews as well as Jews. As we are taught: foundation that works for a cure. In a city with both Jews and [nonJews], the collectors of charity No matter why we give or how much we give, we are united and collect from Jews and non-Jews for the sake of peace; we support equalized in our responsibility to give. In the Shulkhan Aruch we the poor among nonJews along with the Jewish poor for the sake are taught that all are obligated to give tzedekah. Even the poor of peace; [we visit the sick among nonJews with the sick among who are sustained by tzedekah are required to give from what they Jews;] we mourn and bury the non-Jewish dead [assuming that

The Orchard Fall 2011 24 Tzedekah Goreret Tzedekah: Inspiration to Give Mindfully

they do not do that themselves] for the sake of peace; and we all people throughout the building and right up to the bimah is comfort those mourning nonJews for the sake of peace. ( compelling. Certainly giving to organizations like Jewish Family Gittin 3:18, BT Gittin 61a) Services and our local UJC Federation addresses the needs of families that are struggling and in need here in our own backyard The commandment to give tzedekah comes from the Torah, as well as in Israel and around the world. Parashat Re’eh, in which we are told: If there is a needy person among you, one of your kinsmen in any of your settlements in the There are matters of justice and need that present themselves to land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not harden your heart us in our Federation community, in Israel, in Darfur and around and shut your hand against your needy kinsmen. the world. It is for each one of us to decide not whether we are giving, but how much are we giving and to whom? Based on this verse we learn the answer to the question of whether we are obligated to give to the beggar who asks us for Maimonides teaches that “the highest level of tzedekah, exceeded money on the street. According to Jewish law, the answer is yes. by none, is that of the person who assists a poor Jew by providing Your fellow human being, b’tzelem elohim, is standing before him with a gift or a loan or by helping him find employment. In a you in need. When he asks, we must answer. The rabbis have the word, by putting him where he can dispense with other people’s concerns, as we often do, about how the money will be spent and aid by supporting himself—and so he won’t have to ask from how you can prevent the perpetuation of the beggar’s condition… anyone. Helping like this helps strengthen the one in need.” but, in the end, we are taught that we need to respond. (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts to the Poor 10:7-14) The Torah tells us it is preferable to give a loan: “Rather, you The famous Chinese proverb puts it this way: “Give a man a fish; must open your hand and lend him sufficient for whatever he you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have needs.” We are cautioned to give without anger, resentment or ill fed him for a lifetime.” feelings. And then we are taught: “give to him readily and have The last teaching on this subject that I want to leave you with not regrets when you do so, for in return the Lord your God will this morning is the rabbinic promotion: , bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings. For there one mitzvah breeds another. In a great article on young Jewish will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I philanthropy in Hadassah magazine, I found this story: “In 1917, command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsmen in 27-year old Westman and her mother, Bessie, hosted your land.”(Deut 15: 7-11) Henrietta Szold for 10 days in their Detroit home and were The existence of injustice and imbalance in society is the reality instrumental in founding Hadassah’s Detroit chapter; a year later, presented by the Torah and so it demands of us tzedekah. We in 1918, Sarah gave $1,000 (borrowed from her father) toward cannot rely on individuals’ feelings of generosity that can wax and the purchase of an ambulance to send as part of a medical wane, we need to remember that tzedekah is our responsibility. mission of that Hadassah and the JDC were sending to Palestine. There is always work for us to be doing to repair the world and Fast forward 80 years to 2007: Sarah Westman’s son, William raise up our society. Davidson, has just donated $75 million toward the construction of a new inpatient tower at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.” Each one of us is given so many blessings, whether we are given Mitzvah goreret Mitzvah. Tzedekah goreret tzedekah. Remember millions or not. And tzedekah is our way of acknowledging our it’s not the amount of money that is proscribed but the very act blessings and sharing them with others. Tzedekah saves lives. of giving itself that unites us all in the responsibility of tzedekah. Tzedekah repairs the brokenness in our society and in our Think about how much you want to give. Think about the areas community. Tzedekah begins at home and connects us to others of need, suffering and injustice that are calling out to you. And, in our own neighborhood and across the globe—in Israel, in then, as you are giving, make sure to explain to your children and Darfur, in Eastern Europe… grandchildren what you are doing and why so that they can learn What stands at the heart of the most inspiring stories of tzedekah and be inspired in the important mitzvah of tzedekah. is the moment when the giver realized an injustice and realized May we find joy in sharing our blessings with others in the that he or she could do something about it. Once that happens upcoming new year…and may it be a year of more life than death, there is no stopping the potential for good that can come about more light than darkness, more blessings than suffering. Shanah as the result of tzedekah. Tovah U’metukah! This year, I encourage you to think about the ideas that you want Rabbi Francine Roston to put into action with your tzedekah. Where do you see needs Congregation Beth El, South Orange, NJ in your own community? Certainly our own capital campaign and renovation plans that seek to make our synagogue accessible to

The Orchard Fall 2011 25 REFLECTIONS ON THE SHOFAR Rabbi Bonita E. Taylor, DMin and Rabbi David J. Zucker, PhD

The significance of the shofar reaches back to earliest speak to the reality–and the fragility–of life itself. We, who work biblical and midrashic times. Although the term itself is not used with those who are aged, stricken, compromised and physically, in Genesis, we know that our sages link the shofar to the ram’s horn psychologically and/or spiritually at risk, are intensely aware of how at the Aqedah in Genesis 22. References to the shofar’s sounds are unexpectedly life can change from the blessings of health to the found in all three sections of the Tanakh. For example, there are unchartered territory of unwellness. numerous citations from its first appearance in Exodus 19:16, 19 When we are well, we are like the whole and sustained notes of at Sinai to the festival calendars in Leviticus and Numbers. The the teqiyah. Then, with the onset of trauma, life abruptly changes. prophets speak of the shofar’s proclamation in the land (Jer 4:5), We feel like the broken sounds of the shevarim, fragmented, and its blast in Zion (Joel 2:1). God urges Isaiah to raise his voice tremulous and quavering. If we are hospitalized or for other reasons like a shofar’s clarion call (Isa 58:1). Numerous psalms feature taken away from our primary place of residence, our lives become references to the shofar sounds, such as Psalm 81:4 and Psalm even more delicate and brittle. Like the sounds of the teruah, life 98:6. becomes disjointed and segmented. We can only hope and wish As we know, the shofar plays a prominent role during the High that we will soon be through with the difficulties that diminish our Holy Days. During this auspicious time the Baal Teqiyah sounds quality of life and that once again, we will experience blessings of four different series of tones. The initial sound, the teqiyah is a wholeness, the majestic call of the extended teqiyah gedolah. whole and sustained note. It commences in a low register and then, This year, let us pray that the sounds of the teqiyah, particularly the dramatically, it reaches into an even higher register. Next, come extended teqiyah gedolah, resound through the core of our being, three rapid, repetitive and fragmented blasts, shevarim, which bringing sustained goodness to our physical, psychological and are tremulous and quavering. The series continues with the set of spiritual well-being. teruah, nine disjointed blasts in a low register. To conclude the series of shofar blasts, these sacred sounds end with the teqiyah Rabbi David J. Zucker, PhD, recently retired after eighteen years as Rabbi/ Chaplain and Director of Chaplaincy Care at Shalom Cares, a senior gedolah – the majestic call of an extended great teqiyah. continuum of care center and hospice in Aurora, CO. He is a Board Throughout the millennia, our sages have offered many reasons Certified Chaplain by the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), for the importance of these shofar blasts. They reference startling on whose board he served for many years. He is a frequent presenter at many international conferences and a contributor to many journals, www. us out of our complacency and reminding us of God’s call to davidjzucker.org repentance (Saadia Gaon). In our own time, the shofar’s sound has Rabbi Bonita E. Taylor, DMin is the Associate Director of CPE, and Director been likened to a prayer without words (Max Artz) and recently, of Jewish Chaplaincy Education, at HealthCare Chaplaincy, New York, NY. contemporary colleagues have suggested the images of a High Holy She is an ACPE (Association of Clinical Pastoral Education) Supervisor, and Day Morse Code. We think of it as an aural text message. a Board Certified Chaplain by the NAJC, where she serves as Vice President. She was designated the 2008/5768 Chaplain of the Year by the New York As professional chaplains, we offer another reason to pay attention Board of Rabbis (NYBR). [email protected] to the calls of the shofar. In our experience, the shofar sounds

The Orchard Fall 2011 26 WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SEAL TEAM 6 Rabbi Wayne Allen

Howard Wasdin became an instant celebrity this past year. That leads to the second thing we can learn from Seal Team 6 The publication of his memoir Seal Team 6 coincided with emerges from the first. Wasdin was asked if he still maintains the news that Osama Bin Laden was shot dead by the same the skills he learned in the Seals. He said that when he went anti-terrorist group of which he was once a part. Interviewed by to the shooting range for the first time in ten years, all of his Time magazine (May 23, 2011), he revealed several interesting shots came within a quarter’s diameter from the bull’s-eye. His pieces of information that ought to shape our lives as Jews. And comment was: “Talk about muscle memory.” how we ought to live our lives as Jews is central to our thinking I am sure all of us have heard about muscle memory, that is, on RoshHashanah. once our bodies are accustomed to performing a particular Questioned on what is the difference between Seal Team 6 pattern of activity, our tendency is to repeat doing it in the same and any other elite unit of the armed forces, Wasdin explained way almost unconsciously. Baseball pitchers rely on muscle that each team member is loaded down with fifty pounds of memory, as do all athletes. Golfers rely on muscle memory and equipment, two weapons and a side-arm and run up and down thus spend endless hours practicing their swing. (I am not a big stairs all day long, clearing rooms of potential threats. The fan of golf. I share Will Roger’s observation that long ago men training is relentless. In his words: “We’re going to do this cursed and beat the ground with sticks. Today it’s called golf.) all damn day, every day” until they are summoned to go on a Shooting, we now learn, is also a matter of muscle memory, mission. hence all the practicing. I suppose we all expected to hear some other explanation; But I would suggest that as Jews we ought to enlist more than just something more compelling. We wanted to hear that these muscle memory in our lives. We need to incorporate “goodness are men selected for super-human abilities: great strength, memory,” that is, repeating acts of nobility, kindness, and exceptional judgment, keen eyesight, the shortest reaction- compassion, so that they become second nature to us. In the times, the sharpest reflexes, championship calibre fighting introduction to her inspirational book entitled My Grandfather’s techniques, and unerring marksmanship. But that is not the Blessings, Naomi Remen tells how her grandfather once brought secret of success of Seal Team 6, according to one of its former her a gift of a paper cup filled with some dirt. He placed it on members and chronicler. What distinguishes this elite unit the windowsill and asked Remen, then a little girl, to promise from any other is its dedication to training: to repeating the she would water it every day. If she did, her grandfather added, same activities throughout the day, day after day after day. I something may happen. She promised and, more often than doubt that you would hear a member of Seal Team 6 complain not, kept it. About four weeks later, she noticed a small shoot that their repetitive activity is monotonous, boring, irrelevant, had sprouted from the dirt. Her grandfather had placed a seed or useless. I suspect that each and every member of the team in that soil. All excited, she asked her grandfather about the honestly believes that their training sharpens their skill and secret of this miracle. “All it needs is water, Grandpa?” she makes them better equipped to face any challenge. asked. “No, Neshumeleh,” he responded. “All it needs is your faithfulness.” Contrast this attitude with so many of us today. Faced with a tradition that requires regular and fixed prayer that includes the What Judaism needs today is faithfulness. And what Jews need same scripted words recited every day with little variation; that to do today is become practitioners of faithfulness, that is, follows a repetitive cycle; that demands a body of requirements repeat with love and care those noble patterns that can bring to be fulfilled relentlessly, many conclude that Judaism is beauty and wonder to the world. stifling or worse. The third thing we can learn from Seal Team 6 is that teamwork The first thing we can learn from Seal Team 6 is that training is essential to success. The most elite fighting unit in the U.S. and practice and repetition do not make us bored, they make military does not function without the cooperative support of all us better. Bill Bradley, Rhodes Scholar, former U.S. Senator its members. No single man, no matter how proficient, is able from New Jersey and champion basketball player for the New to complete a given mission. The tasks are too complex and York Knicks, writes in his 1998 book entitled Values of the demanding. Likewise, the Torah teaches that while the Kohanim Game that his success was the result of perpetual training and are empowered to perform some key rituals, their service would conditioning. He would practice three to four hours each day not be possible without the support of the . Even Moses and two more hours each day over the weekend. He would not required the support of his subordinate appointees when it came leave the basketball court until he sank twenty-five consecutive to properly judging the people of Israel. Judaism is a group shots from five different places on the floor. And then he would endeavour. As such, it requires all of our effort. We are all part play practice games. He learned that the harder he worked, the of the team. more things became “automatic.” Continued on next page

The Orchard Fall 2011 27 Kol Nidre – The New Anti-Semitism – Anti-Zionism Rabbi Laurence A. Kotok

I am walking in the Judean hills – I am a young teenager – charities and hospitals whose boards were not open to Jews. You see I had talked my parents into letting me go to Israel for But growing up for me was easy–there didn’t seem to be the the summer on a NFTY trip. It is the mid sixties….and there I barriers the closed doors–even as a rabbi I have been welcomed am in Jerusalem at the Goldstein youth village. The village was in the Vatican–have worked in serious dialogue with the United established in 1949 as a home for 40 Jewish orphans who had States Conference of Catholic Bishops–struggled through hard lost their families in –then a school and a youth conversations with Presbyterian leadership on their positions on hostel. At that time it sat off in the Judean hills, 10 miles from Israel. I have felt that we were in a new time–where honesty and Jerusalem, now it is a part of central Jerusalem. truth led the way to understanding on an institutional as well as on a personal level. I still believe that but I have also experienced There I met a young man like myself but from a very different some rather strange moments this past year that I want to share background. He had been born like me after the war–me in New with you tonight as a way to come to understanding. Jersey–he in Germany–as a young child in the early 50’s his parents had died after the war and he through the Jewish Agency My first experience happened through eBay–I am sure that many was brought to Israel to live at the Goldstein youth village. True of you have had a few encounters with the wonder of eBay–it to their mission of rescue and resettlement. is like the cosmic Arab market. So here I was searching after whatever–I find it and contact the seller by email to ask a few So here we were two kids having just met–sitting on a rock questions–he responds with his phone number and suggests I looking out at the Judean hills talking about life–Israel–America, call for details. We talk–he turns out to be a physician–born in being Jewish. I remember it well. His life experience and world France–asks me what I do–I tell him I’m a rabbi–he tells me were formed by his early years as were mine–he carried with him his accountant is Jewish–we discuss his item and the price he the inherited scars of his parents–of the Shoa. He asked me if wants–the conversation ends. He sends me more pictures–we I felt safe in America from anti-Semitism. I remember telling continue to email until we come to a difference in price. It’s over him America was different–people from all over the world–a I thought–several months later he sends this email: melting pot of culture and ideas–we weren’t Europe–strongly he disagreed – he told me it would happen just like it did in Europe. “I was able to sell it–you wanted to steal it. I am not surprised I recall feeling sorry for him that he was so fearful. because that is what Jews do. They steal things, and I see that in the Israeli settlements on land stolen from the Palestinians. The years have passed and my experience in America has been There is so much that can be said on this subject. I think that quite easy. I never experienced the anti-Semitism that many the Americans are realizing now that it is time to stop supporting have told me about–the fights on the way home from school– Israel. I always thought that 9/11 is due to our support for Israel. the neighborhoods where Jews were prohibited to live –the I always thought that the Iraq war and the loss of young American organizations and clubs that wouldn’t accept Jews–the public lives and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis is just for the

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SEAL TEAM 6 Continued from page 27

The fourth thing we can learn from Seal Team 6 is that without The challenges that face us individually and collectively during the ability to plan and anticipate we are doomed. We all know the course of this coming year may be significant. But we do the story. Of the two helicopters sent to Abbottabad, Pakistan, have a design for success. All we need to do is make operational one suffered from mechanical failure and crashed. Anticipating the lessons from Seal Team 6: we need to be faithful in our all that could possibly go wrong, the team was able to complete practice, keep doing what is good, act as part of a team, and act its mission by shifting to the second helicopter. Our tradition in anticipation of the possible threats to us as a people. And may defines wisdom as the ability to anticipate the future. “Eizehu God bless our efforts. hakham? Ha-ro’eh et ha-nolad.” One of the words I disdain is Rabbi Wayne Allen the neologism “pro-active,” which really is no word at all. But Beth Tikvah Synagogue, Toronto, Canada it does convey a real idea, namely, that rather than behave in consequence to things that affect us, we ought to act with forethought, anticipating what might occur and thus be prepared for that contingency.

The Orchard Fall 2011 28 Kol Nidre – The New Anti-Semitism – Anti-Zionism

protection of Israel. Nobody hears anymore of the Israeli Paul “That is the best organized lobby that exists there,” he said”there Wolfowitz, the architect of the Iraq war, who, I think committed is, indeed, a religion, I can hardly describe it differently, among the same crime as Hitler. I always thought that the Israeli lobby most Jews that they are right. So it is not easy to have a rational is running the US government. Israel asked the US to attack Iran discussion with a moderate Jew about what is happening in the and Bush said no finally. I regret that my tax money is going to middle east..” help Israel. The media and the Jewish holocaust movies did a Moshe Kantor, President of the European Jewish Congress, said: good job gaining the sympathy of the American people in such “this is part of a dangerous trend of incitement against Jews and a way that nobody dares saying anything against Jews because Israel in Europe that needs to be stamped out immediately.” that person will be accused of being anti-Semitic. I am sure that the majority of the American people share my point of views but This past June in the Netherlands in addition to the synagogue afraid to express it. desecrated with red spray paint, a commemoration ceremony for the last transport of 3,000 Jewish children deported to their Where is this unfairness going and when is it going to stop??? I death was disrupted by passing bikers shouting ‘Heil Hitler’ hope that you agree with me.” during the mourners’ . Needless to say I was shocked–it was stunning to see those Hyves, known as the Dutch face book, has postings calling words in black and white–to get a glimpse into the psyche of ‘to murder all Jews’ and for ‘Adolf Hitler to finish the job’; a random person I did not know–but under the surface of this the center for information and documentation on Israel in the seemingly well spoken person was a rage and a hatred so intense Hague reported receiving phone messages calling for ‘many gas that he had no trouble spewing it out. It troubles me to think chambers to be built’; anti-Semitic incidents in the Netherlands what is under the surface of so many others in our world–the reportedly grew by 64 percent in 2009. recent past has only given us to many public examples of this –from Rev. Wright’s comments saying that it was the Jews The European Union’s fundamental rights agency reports a who kept him from speaking with the President–only for him to surge in attacks against Jewish people and synagogues in change the statement two days later that it was the Zionists–the Belgium, Britain, France, and the Netherlands coinciding with former Belgian foreign minister who is now the E.U.’s Trade the Gaza offensive. Commissioner, said that rational discussion about Israel was The European Jewish world faces serious challenges and issues impossible with Jews and that the Jewish lobby is the most as growing evidence of Muslim anti-Semitism and the return of influential in Washington. systemic anti Semitism rises through Europe.

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The Orchard Fall 2011 29 Kol Nidre – The New Anti-Semitism – Anti-Zionism

Here in Rochester, I had my own experience with this form much a supremacist, racist tendency.” of bigotry and hatred–it reached into the blogosphere but this The ministers at the Unitarian Church and I set some dates later time it was at the hand of someone who was born a Jew but in July to discuss the issues: they wrote: “I am glad you shared has now become a known anti-Semite masked in the cloak of the information you did. I will be sure to pass it on to our social anti-Zionism–the new face of anti-Semitism is now packaged justice council which oversees the approval of speakers.” as anti-Zionism–and the worst of it comes from within our own Jewish community from those Jews who, in my mind, do not Next thing we start getting hateful phone calls – then the really understand the dynamics of the middle east and measure emails begin: the first from a Pam Hardyment in England, she their perceptions based on historic American liberal views of describes herself as a retired journalist/port/writer from the UK peace and conflict. The Middle East is far more complex and who mainly devotes her activities to a free Palestine. complicated for simplistic concepts. That does not mean that “Shame on you all, what terrible Jews you are to prevent loving one must always agree with the decisions Israel makes–but it talented Jews to perform, this will go viral for sure.” does mean that we have an obligation to learn before we judge A second from her: “ I am very surprised that such an institution Israel’s actions to defend itself. should bow down to Zionist pressure and try to prevent a concert This past June I received a flyer announcing a program by Jews, it can only mean that you too are infected with the scheduled at the Unitarian Church. I made investigation into Zionist scourge which does nothing for Jewry worldwide, you will the speaker performer–Gilad Atzmon–the concert was organized live to regret this and it will reverberate around the world where and promoted by a Dan McGowan, founder and chairman Deir these eminent Jews play. Shame on you rabbi.” Yassin remembered–that was a red flag in itself. So I responded: Another from a Rich Siegel–“I am Gilad Atzmon’s pianist Dear Kaaren and Scott: for the planned concerts, and an anti-Zionist Jew. While you I was surprised to receive the flyers announcing your hosting of obviously will disagree with my politics, it seems to me that as a program with Gilad Atzmon. I have included below information an American you probably agree with the idea of free speech. from honest reporting regarding his anti-Semitism, holocaust Does it not apply to anti-Zionist Jews? I am asking you to get denial, and totally offensive views. back in touch with the Universalist church and apologize for having objected to their program. “ I am saddened that you would provide a venue for him to present. I, like you, hope for a real and sustainable peace in the “Your behavior regarding the Jewish musicians scheduled to Middle East between Palestinians and Israelis. I do not believe perform in Rochester is disgraceful and disgusting! Shame on this program accomplishes any of these goals and in fact drives you !” Mike Levinson a greater wedge between our communities. Sincerely, Larry “Rabbi, these pressure tactics worked in the past: they won’t Kotok, Senior Rabbi,Temple Brith Kodesh work now. Such pressure now only attracts adverse notice Gilad Atzmon is a former Israeli paratrooper, a well-known towards Zionist crimes. Best,” Professor Muhammed Alam saxophonist, a campaigner for Palestinian rights and someone There was a growing consistency to the messages–The shame who is comfortable employing openly anti-Jewish rhetoric. He on you–your disgraceful behavior–lead me to see this as a has repeated the old libel that “the Jews were responsible coordinated orchestrated campaign. for the killing of Jesus”. He believes that the current Israeli I then learn that the concert had been cancelled and I was listed government is a more radical evil than Nazi Germany. as the reason on several web blogs. It read: in Rochester, NY a Atzmon speaks openly the classic anti-Semitic Jewish conspiracy concert by jazz saxophonist and noted Israeli anti-Zionist Gilad libel: that American Jews, and Zionists do control the world. Atzmon is being canceled because of admitted pressure from In 2004 the Board of Deputies of British Jews criticized Atzmon Rabbi Laurence A. Kotok of Temple B’rith Kodesh. for saying, “I’m not going to say whether it is right or not to burn They then listed our contact information–hence the barrage: down a synagogue, I can see that it is a rational act.” “I heard about your role in the cancellation of the concert of these “As it happened, it took me many years to understand that the people. I am an Austrian Jew, escaped from , who lost in holocaust, the core belief of the contemporary Jewish faith, was the Shoah his father and two of his grandparents and is disgusted not at all an historical narrative–for historical narratives do not by the infamous misuse of the Shoah to justify the crimes of need the protection of the law and politicians.” Israel. In my opinion, the role of a rabbi is to enhance spiritual He states that he does not attack Jews or Judaism but Zionism values and not to use his influence for political issues. Attitudes and what he calls “Jewishness,” which he describes as “very like yours make me feel ashamed to be a Jew.” Kurt Brainin

The Orchard Fall 2011 30 Kol Nidre – The New Anti-Semitism – Anti-Zionism

I think you get a sense for what transpired–for me there is a vast manipulation of reality that somehow makes the contemporary difference between constructive dialogue and hate speech. I am face of anti-Semitism acceptable when it is put in the context of appalled by the exploitation of free speech as a means to make Israel. When in reality it is the same hatred of Jews and Judaism hate speech admissible. at its very core. What we see unfolding is very troubling–the rise of anti-Semitism Rabbi Sacks continues: “That is why those who care for freedom, and blending into anti-Zionism–anti Israel actions. What we democracy and human rights must realize that anti-Semitism or see and hear are governments and individuals criminalizing mythic anti-Zionism will not liberate the supposed victims of Israel’s existence, distorting Israel’s motives and maligning its Jews but the opposite: it will perpetuate their self-definition as character, its birth, even its conception. Too often, as a result victims and thus perpetuate their victimhood. It will gain them we hear chanted “Zionism is Nazism” and worse. sympathy but deprive them of all responsibility. I must question why last week’s cover of Time magazine: “Why The unresolved issues in the Middle East will never be solved by Israel doesn’t care about peace”…didn’t read “Why Palestinians demonization, lies, and conspiracy theories, or attacks on Jews don’t care about peace “–or “Why Hamas doesn’t care about and synagogues throughout the world. peace?” The answer is found in the current and continuing Political problems have political solutions, and they require picture of Israel projected in the press. We also just learned that nothing less than truth, facts, and relentless honesty. The the author of that article Karl Vick, Jerusalem Time bureau chief capacity to compromise, and a willingness to prefer an said:” It’s not my title; the people who put together these covers imperfect peace to the perfect purity of holy war, sacred suicide, are trying to be as provocative as they can.” and murderous martyrdom should be our goal. Vick acknowledges that there is an attempt to delegitimize Anti-Semitism begins with Jews but never ends with Jews. Now Israel, particularly in Europe, and that it is a fair and reasonable is the time for those who care about humanity to join in the concern on the part of American Jews and Israelis to not want defense of humanity, by protesting this newest mutation of the American journalism to get sucked into that process. world’s oldest hate. Chief Rabbi of Britain–Jonathan Sacks said: “this is not anti- I return quite often to the Judean hills–I look there for the two Zionism, not generalized racism, not random violence, but boys that met years ago: the one I was and the one I met there. anti-Semitism. Coming simultaneously from three different I wonder what ever became of him , as I feel the life long tension directions: first, a radicalized Islamic youth inflamed by between his view of the world and mine–both then and now. extremist rhetoric; second, a left-wing anti-American cognitive elite with strong representation in the European media; third, a May this Kol Nidre night awaken in us a new sense of identity resurgent far right, as anti-Muslim as it is anti-Jewish. and courage to work for peace and to fight intolerance and racial hatred in all its ugly forms. Fed by the instability of globalization, the insecurity of the post-cold war world, anti-Semitism has been allowed to grow Amen unchecked because of a general unwillingness among Europe’s Rabbi Laurence A. Kotok political leadership to confront the problem head on.” Brit Kodesh, Rochchester, N.Y. Sound familiar? Eerily reminiscent of times gone by but still remembered. In the 18th century Edmund Burke taught us ‘for evil to triumph it is necessary only for the good man to do nothing’ the truth of that statement continues in our day. Is Israel always right in all of its actions? Is our country always right? Of course not, but just think about how differently the world and the press treat these mistakes–think of the standard Israel is held to–but let us not be fooled it is more than a higher moral standard–it is in actuality an inherent prejudice and a moral flaw that requires Israel to be held to a higher standard than her neighbors and their actions. I do not want to condone violence–but i want us to realize the

The Orchard Fall 2011 31 Remember Not to Fear Rabbi Anthony Fratello

“Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulkhem… You are standing this The Holidays are for Jews a similar time of coming together day, all of you before the Eternal Your God to enter into God’s again. Even those who don’t make it a regular practice to attend Covenant.” For generations, the traditional interpretation of this synagogue during the year, make it a point of at least stopping verse has been that it was not only those who were alive with in once or twice for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As your Moses out in the wilderness that were present to enter into Rabbi I can say, “Thanks for coming. It’s nice to see you. Don’t the Covenant, but indeed Kol B’nei Yisrael, All the Children be a stranger.” With the crowds, you can expect that most of Israel, were there to enter into the Covenant. The text even Rabbis feel a tremendous amount of pressure when it comes to goes so far to suggest this very thing. A few verses down we are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. To adequately prepare, we get reminded, “V’lo Itkhem Levadkhem… It is not with you alone together and discuss what’s in the news, what’s in the Torah, that God makes this Covenant, but also with those who are not and try to come up with some pithy things to speak about. I here as well.” In that moment, tradition says that all Jews, who will tell you the one topic that was foremost on many minds have ever lived, who will ever live, were there entered into the during this HH prep season: The Swine Flu. I had countless Covenant. We don’t have our connection to God by virtue of our conversations with colleagues both near and far about, “Are you parents, but by virtue of our presence there in the wilderness. going to shake hands? Are you not going to shake hands? Are you going to hug but not kiss? Are you going to kiss but not hug? Now all of this may be well and good for those who are Biblical Will the ushers hand out Purel?” Let’s be honest for a moment, Literalists, for those who take as verbatim the words of Torah. there is something tremendously ironic about a bunch of Rabbis But, for we who have a more, let’s say, liberal interpretation arguing about how to avoid the Swine Flu. of the text, we who tend to believe that the Torah more clearly represents the longing of humanity for the Divine as opposed to Now you may ask for a moment, “With all that is going on in the literal word of God, how are we to interpret these word? What the world, THIS is the most pressing issue?” Certainly. Any does it mean to us when we say that All the Children of Israel, discussion of Swine Flu, essentially boils down to our fears. We Past, Present, and Future were there to enter into the covenant? have a tremendous fear about the Swine Flu. We fear it because Do we believe that? Do we believe that ALL Jews were there at when it first broke out this past summer, it seemed to have a that moment? tremendous mortality rate. We fear it because there are those who remember, or who lived through previous great Flu crises, I will tell you what I believe. I believe that all of us were present and know what can happen. The 1918-1920 Spanish Flu killed in that moment; I believe that we all entered into the Covenant an estimated 50 Million People. We fear the flu because so of God together. This text provides for us a memory of that many facets of the modern world have conditioned us to expect which happened. This is a communal memory of a discrete that it is only a matter of time before something comes along moment in time, when we as a people, fractious though we that is going to wipe us all out. may be, were united into a common whole. When we recall this event, when we remember it, we are transported as a whole Fear is a powerful human emotion. When we find ourselves in a back to that moment of unity, and though the house of Israel new situation, it is natural to be afraid; we don’t know what to may be divided along Religious, Philosophical, or cultural lines, expect. When we find ourselves facing a new test, it is easy to when we tap into that text we are made whole again. When we be afraid; we don’t know how to handle the challenge, and we remember that moment, we are renewed in a state of unity. fear an unfavorable outcome. Everyone out there knows what it feels like to be afraid. Were I to ask you, you could describe

with great clarity what that fear fells like. How your heart beats,

The Orchard Fall 2011 32 Remember Not to Fear

how fast your breathing becomes, how frozen in place you feel. Not only is fear our overwhelming emotion, but the course of To be sure other animals fear, but only humans have the great current events has allowed a proliferation of people who are capacity to fear not only in the moment of danger, but in the all too ready to take advantage of those fears. Many of those moments of anticipation as well. To be sure other animals fear, in the media or other positions of power and influence want to but only we have the capability of allowing our fears to get the capitalize on our fears. The talking heads on both ends of the better of us. political spectrum know that if they efficiently and effectively stoke the fears of average Americans, then those fears will lead If we are honest with ourselves, then we must admit that fear public opinion precisely where they want it to go. Such thinking seems to be the the most prevalent of all human emotions. is disingenuous at best, downright dangerous at worst. Love does garner headlines. Compassion and empathy are not in the news. Fear is our constant companion, and with good We are very near a state when our fears will take over our reason. Just taking a cursory look at the events which have consciousness, and we will cease being thinking beings, making use transpired over the course of the last ten years demonstrates of our highest faculties, and instead devolve into our lowest form. We that we have had more than our share of things to be afraid of. will no longer be capable of acting out of rational thought, but only There are, of course, obvious things to be afraid of, things like succeed in stabbing blindly at vague shadows in the night. terrorism. Anyone who claims not to be afraid of terrorism must Now this is Yom Kippur, this is one of the High Holidays. This not have had a TV on September 11, 2001. The state of the is one of those special days at the start of our year when we Environment is something to be afraid of. Anyone who claims set out a new course and direction for the year to come. I do not to be worried about the Environment must never have read a not want this to be for you a year of fear, and so I offer you an copy of National Geographic, or must not have tried to purchase alternative. This Yom Kippur I am peddling an antidote for fear. gasoline last summer. The state of economy is something to This antidote is not what you think. You might think that the be afraid of. Anyone not afraid about the economy must not antidote for fear is faith. You might think that, but you would be have a job to loose, or any money in a bank, or a mortgage, or wrong. Faith is great; make no mistake faith will get you through a mortgage backed security, which in this day and age can be many tough times to be sure. But faith will not insulate you from anything. My Starbucks Card is a mortgage backed security. fear. I myself am living proof of this. I have an abiding faith and I am convinced that even much of this summer’s brouhaha yet frequently I lie restless in bed on account of my fears. No. about Health Care Reform stems from an overdose of fear. There is a more powerful weapon against fear, and that weapon Those who have good insurance are afraid of what change will is memory. mean for them. Those who believe that President Obama is In my pocket I carry this rock. It is with me wherever I go. It is secretly a Muslim, or a Socialist, or the Antichrist, or whatever not a magic rock; it is not a particularly beautiful rock. To tell he has been accused of this week, are afraid. They are afraid of you the truth there is nothing special about it at all. The only what Health Care Reform symbolizes, or that it is the camel’s meaning it has, is that which I have given it. You see I picked nose under the tent that will inexorably lead to the demise of this rock up in a little place outside of Munich Germany, a place the United States. Some people wrongly believe that those who called Dachau. Maybe you have heard of if. I picked it up there are against Health Care Reform are hardhearted, or that they in March of 1993, and I have carried it with me ever since. somehow don’t care if the uninsured live or die. I don’t think Why? When I look at this rock I stop and think. Whenever things it’s true. I think people DO care, I just think that they are afraid, seem bad, I am reminded that they have always been worse. even if they don’t know what it is that they are afraid of. Whenever I think things are worse, I am reminded that one day

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The Orchard Fall 2011 33 Rosh Hashanah Rabbi Michael Zedek

For most of my adult life, it was relatively easy to speak Jewish community stand perplexed, divided and pained. about our love for the reborn State of Israel. In fact, I’m of the As example, a few weeks ago I was in LA for a rabbis’ seminar and generation born on the cusp of statehood, even as my parent’s inquired–especially because of my intent to speak on this subject generation was fully aware of the enormity of May 14, 1948, as –how my colleagues were planning to address the increasing it was nothing less than an alteration of the cosmos, a genuine discontent, the disconnect between American and Israeli Jewry. To miracle. my dismay, not one of the colleagues with whom I spoke intended That assuredly is why my father gave more than we could afford to speak on Israel. The primary reasons: my congregants will tune to United Jewish Appeal. That’s why every week all the change in out or only get angry, or just don’t care, all of which I understand every Jewish home I knew went into those once omnipresent blue even as I find such makes it all the more essential to speak. We metal boxes of JNF, the Jewish National Fund. must, for aside from the daily papers, the NPR reports or CNN coverage, aside from the drumbeat of so many to delegitimize We thrilled and marveled and drew immense, if vicarious, naches/ Israel as pariah, Israel as occupier, Israel (chas v’shalom) as a pride with Israel’s every achievement: from deserts blooming to IT modern-day Nazi Germany, with all that, our faith and fate are advances, from the Entebbe rescue to triumphs in battle and peace intimately linked to what happens there. I repeat: our faith and treaties with Egypt and Jordan. It was enough to banish some fate are intimately linked, for that is the heart of the matter and a awkwardness, if not inferiority, embarrassment or shame as we matter we need to take to heart. agonized and sometimes confronted not being part of the so-called majority (Anglo-Saxon) culture of America, an experience lately Oh, I know many of us care deeply, indeed so much so that we becoming all too common place for members of the American become agitated in the extreme by a certain policy of Israel and/or Muslim community. what we consider biased coverage in the media and/or actions by other persons, groups or governments which we may judge as anti- But now our often reflexive liberal sensibilities are on edge. Our Israel. It is a sometimes confusing minefield, one that gives me historic concern for the underdog, our as it were bleeding hearts, sympathy for my colleagues’ reluctance to discuss. But at least we combine with media coverage in which we see Palestinians still care, or do we? For I am concerned deeply about the increasing portrayed as often innocent victims of their own horrible leaders for number for whom that statement no longer rings true. It’s not my sure and alas–the media emphasis always/sometimes only focused affair. I just don’t have any interest, feeling or connection, and this on the frequently devastating effect–of Israeli policies. The result, a is made all the more challenging in that Israel has been having a palpable drift, a falling away as the non-Orthodox in the American

Remember Not to Fear mystical powers. The only meaning these rocks will have is that Continued from page 33 which you will give them. Take one. Put it in your pocket. Put it in your purse. Put it on the dining-room table, under a coaster they will get better. of course. Take a rock and put it on the kitchen counter, and, for the next year, whenever you see that rock, I want you to stop Fear is an emotion that comes over us and is born out of and think and remember. Whenever things seem bad, remember uncertainty. But once we have been through a new situation, that they have always been worse. Whenever things are worse, the uncertainty is gone; we know what will happen. Fear is an remember that they will one day get better. Whenever you feel emotion that is born out of doubt. But once we have been through lost or afraid, be strong and of good courage. a new challenge, the doubt is gone; we know what to do. Fear is born out of the potential pain of change. Memory counteracts Dear friends, whatever it is that has brought you to this place, fear because in it we remember that all things change, nothing you are welcome here. My hope and prayer is that during this ever stays the same. That which is new, will become familiar; that High Holiday season, and indeed during this entire year, you will which has been muddied, will again become clear; that which is be released from the fear that may have gripped you. May you down will surely one day rise again. I can tell you this, and I feel be filled with a renewed spirit of courage and calm to face the comfortable saying it, not because I somehow know the future, tasks ahead difficult though they may be. May you have a Griga but because I have watched, and I have waited, and I remember. Ta’anis, an Easy Fast, and may 5772 be for you, year of health, of blessing, of memory, and of peace. Now, when you leave the synagogue today, you will find rocks in the lobby. Take one with you when you go. These are not magic L’shanah Tovah Tikateivun rocks, they don’t come from someplace special, unless you think May You Be Inscribed for a Blessed New Year Home Depot is someplace special. These are not Madonna’s Rabbi Anthony Fratello rocks; neither the cantor nor I have imbued these rocks with any Temple Shaarei Shalom, Boynton Beach, FL

The Orchard Fall 2011 34 Rosh Hashanah

tough time of it lately. for all the evils in the Middle East. Some even act and talk as if a new understanding with the Muslim world could be achieved if On the international stage, there can be no doubt that a full- only we were prepared to sacrifice the Jewish state on the altar.” fledged campaign is ongoing and having far too much success in Then, too, this one additional suggestion by a rabbi/friend in Israel branding this one small place called Israel as illegitimate, a pariah, who writes, “... we’re surrounded by a world that is tired of us, as a stain on the fabric of nations. Consider Charles Krauthammer once again. It has tired of its guilt, and has tired of the state that it writing in the Washington Post. “The whole point of this relentless re-created when that sense of responsibility was at its peak. Gone international campaign is to deprive Israel of any legitimate form of is the era when the world understood, even if momentarily, that we, self-defense... The world is tired of these troublesome Jews... hard no less than anyone else, deserve a place to be. We had it, briefly, by the Mediterranean, refusing every invitation to national suicide.” but it’s gone.” But Krauthammer is on the right of the political spectrum where This effort–may it not bear fruit–is not about the policies–good, bad, Israel still enjoys a certain cache, even if it’s a matter of how we stupid or indifferent of the Netanyahu government. Simply put, it play and pander for our own domestic politics. So along comes Tom means to suggest that Israel has no place among the “family” of Friedman, a bona fide liberal in a recent New York Times op-ed nations. Were that all, I have no doubt our voices would be loud piece. While acknowledging his dissent from a number of policies and clear. We’d be with Israel even as we know no other state is of the Netanyahu government, he pinpoints an issue that should held to such a standard, for we would recognize immediately the be of concern to us all. “... [T]here is something foul in the air. It current effort is not just anti-Zionism. It is anti-Semitism. It is an is a trend, both deliberate and inadvertent, to delegitimize Israel... attack against all of us. You hear the director Oliver Stone saying crazy things about how Hitler killed more Russians than Jews, but that the Jews got all the Such matters why we must make clear our support, our devotion, attention because they dominate the news media and their lobby our commitment to a strong, safe, secure Israel, and while I hope/ controls Washington. You hear Britain’s Prime Minister describing pray the most recent initiative in the search for peace will bear Gaza as a big Israeli ‘prison camp’ and Turkey’s Prime Minister fruit, there are still too many of her antagonists (her enemies) telling Israel’s president, ‘When it comes to killing, you know very who do not want peace. They will not abandon the singular goal well how to kill.’ You see singers canceling concerts in Tel Aviv. of Israel’s destruction. Even should we dissent, as I assuredly do, If you just landed from Mars, you might think that Israel is the from some policy, nothing should be allowed to suggest that our only country that has killed civilians in war -- never Hamas, never differences with Israel and in the American Jewish community (as Hezbollah, never Turkey, never Iran, never Syria, never America.” example the too often heated exchanges of those only with AIPAC and those only with J.-Street) will gainsay our unshakable, our Similarly, listen to the comments of the former Spanish Prime unwavering support. Minister José Maria Azner (1996-2004). “It is easy to blame Israel

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For if Israel is made a scapegoat and pariah for the world’s ills, it was discussing this matter with an esteemed older colleague, he will not be our co-religionists alone who suffer the consequences. commented on his own increasing sense of alienation, but such You and I, our fate is on the line too. can only occur when something once was in a positive condition and has been damaged, torn. And so the question became why? Why, because they are our family. Why, because the future of the How so? Jewish people, of you and me, is on the line too. Don’t think the reverberations of a destroyed Israel will not echo with our families My friend angrily offered that the responsibility rests on the total here and everywhere. Why, because the dream of a free, at peace intransigence of the ultra-Orthodox, well that combined with the and democratic Jewish state will shape and change and enhance, peculiarities of Israel’s coalition politics, which grant to a small more precisely transform Jewish life for generations to come. But and frightening minority incredible leverage over all. But no, I none of that will happen without us and without the confidence responded, we share some of the blame as well. How many of us on the part of Israelis that our criticism is born of love for Zion, are members of ARZA–our voice, may it only increase, for liberal with the certainty that we shall work for her best interests, as we democratic and Jewish values in Israel? How many of us sent understand them, because they are our interests as well. protests/e-mails/letters about the Rotem bill? How many expressed their commitment in letter and contribution to Anat Hoffman? Such would be enough, were it not that this summer a whole Many, no doubt [did so] and not enough for sure. other set of issues came to the fore, matters that contributed to, if not accelerated a drifting away by the non-Orthodox Jewish Is there intolerance in Israel? Yes. Why should it be immune community. As more among us no longer feel a compelling, in the from a fever many are catching? Just consider the outrageous gut connection to Israel, to the notion of a shared fate and faith. claims in recent days against all Muslims in our own country. No matter the particular religious expression, there is (what I call) an For some of us, all I have to say is the Rotem bill on conversions “Ayatollization” going on in so many parts of the world, and surely to Judaism, and our blood pressure will rise. That misguided effort, it would be nonsense to imagine that Israel would escape the now thankfully tabled, would have enshrined in Israeli law the disease. If we are silent, if we withdraw, then the only voices will disenfranchisement of the overwhelming majority of world Jewry. be those of the haredim with their authoritarian response to every And while tabled does not mean done with, all of us should have issue. We must join in this battle for the sake of Israel. We must been and certainly many of our women were–to understate the join in this battle for the sake of ourselves, even as what happens matter–agitated by the arrest of Anat Hoffman, the head of our there, I have no doubt, will impact the entire world. own Israel Religious Action Center, an incredible instrument for equal justice. Anat’s crime, a woman carrying a Torah, something Now I admit I have a love affair with Israel, one I urge us to share, our Cantor will do tomorrow morning at services, and Anat did but love does not mean I love you only when you do what I want. To so at the Western Wall, a place that should belong to the entire use a modest story, an imprecise analogy, a man came to his Rabbi Jewish people, not just the ultra-Orthodox haredim. In fact as I deeply grieved by the behavior of his son. “Rabbi, what should I do? My son has disappointed me.” To which the Rabbi’s response, “Love him more.” So it is with Israel, love her more and come, please, love her with me in support of ARZA and UJA (Federation) and Israel Bonds and AIPAC and/or J. Street, with the Israel Religious Action Center, World Union for Progressive Judaism, Rabbis for Human Rights, for after all we are people about whom our biblical tradition says, lo toochal lehitalem/you must not; you cannot be indifferent. For in our commitment, we shall heal the pain of 2000 years of exile, of ghetto and immigrant masses, of pogroms and refuseniks, redeem the hope of Judah Halevi and Nachman of Bratslav and Achad Haam and Ben-Gurion and Golda, of 6 million who perished in the Nazi inferno, for generations yet to come who, may it be so, will know an Israel at peace with her neighbors and an Israel which serves as a beacon to all Jewry and all the world. Key Mitzion Tetzey Torah. May the day come soon when out of Zion shall indeed come Torah, and may we help make it so. Amen. Amen. Rabbi Michael Zedek Temple Emanuel, Chicago, Ill.

The Orchard Fall 2011 36 Encountering Elijah Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt

Most of us know of Elijah as a welcome guest at our Passover seders. Although no book in the Bible bears his name, and no writings are attributed to him, there are more legends and stories in Jewish folklore about him than any other Biblical hero. Throughout his life Elijah wandered from place to place, with the bible saying that he departed from earth in a chariot of fire, borne by a whirlwind up to heaven. His mysterious disappearance gave birth to the popular figure of Jewish tradition and lore created by the rabbis of a person not bound by time or space who wanders over the face of the earth in a variety of disguises, acting as a celestial messenger. He appears in times of distress and danger, befriending and helping the poor and those in need. He brings consolation to the afflicted. In some stories he rescues Jewish individuals and sometimes whole communities. Elijah is regarded as the precursor who heralds the coming of the Messiah, which is why he appears at the Passover seder and is an honored guest at every as well as at the Havdalah ceremony at the end of the Sabbath. Moving freely about earth unrestrained, without regard to space or time, he takes on disguises as appropriate so that his true identity is hidden. He usually takes the form of a poor person or a beggar, as if to test to see how he will be treated. He rights wrongs by rewarding the poor and punishing the greedy who do not share their wealth with others. A story in the Talmud places him at the gates of the town sitting with other lepers so they will not be alone and to bring them comfort, disguised as a fellow leper. You can tell the difference, though, because whereas the others bind all the bandages of their sores at the same time, he does so one at a time. The rabbis explain he does it this way so that if he is needed to help another he will be able to so unhesitatingly, without any delay. An example that typifies the many stories about Elijah is of a bachur, a student who told his father, the rav, the rabbi of the town how much he wished to meet Elijah. The father told his son, “If you study Torah with unceasing devotion you will be worthy of him appearing to you.” And so he applied himself with diligence. One night a poor man dressed in tatters wandered into the study hall carrying a heavy pack. The young man turned the stranger away saying the beit was not a place for tramps, and so he left. Later his father asked him if anybody had come to visit, and his son told him of the poor straggler he had sent away. Immediately his father said that the visitor was none other than Elijah the Prophet, and that he had missed his chance. But for the rest of his life the boy who became a great rabbi in his own right, made a point of saying shalom and welcoming everyone into his home or place of study.

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The Orchard Fall 2011 37 Encountering Elijah

In a story that has many versions Elijah disguises himself as a Perhaps it was that anonymous messenger who is sent for any of poor wayfarer who is invited to eat a meal with a poor family even a variety of reasons to earth by God to help others in time of need. though they themselves have little to eat. Before he leaves to go The High Holiday liturgy quotes from the prophet Malachi that the on his way he tells them he would like to grant them a wish since prophet Elijah will not only bring peace, but that he will turn the they have been so generous even though they have so little. The hearts of parents to their children, and of children to their parents. couple asks to be relieved of their poverty. Many years pass, and May this new year be one in which we know the blessings of the same poor visitor returns and finds that the now prosperous reconciliation, of peace, the blessings of the prophet Elijah. couple has a large home with many servants. When he asks to see them he is turned away by foreboding guards. Seeing that Amen. the couple has used the wealth he gave them for themselves Before sending you home I would like to suggest that you discuss rather than sharing with others the prophet restores them to their this evening at your yom tov new year’s dinner table tonight, or previous status and takes away what he gave to them. when gathered at lunch tomorrow with family and friends: Can A unifying characteristic of the various stories about Elijah is that you think of a time in your life when you may have encountered the prophet is always anonymous, which brings me to the story I Elijah the Prophet? Was there ever an anonymous person who want to share with you. helped you out in time of need, in time of trouble or distress, who maybe, just maybe might have been Elijah? Or perhaps This August I went to the Wall, the kotel in Jerusalem on Friday even more significantly, are there times when someone has night after my first chemotherapy treatment. It was crowded, approached you asking for help. Did you extend a helping hand packed with Jews from all over the world, decked out in all to some anonymous individual, a person in need, a person who kinds of dress and costumes and customs. Myriads of minyanim could have been Eliyahoo the Prophet? were jammed next to each other. Each group had its own way © Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of davening, its own tunes and style. I escorted the people of Congregation B’nai Tzedek, Potomac, Maryland our group from one side to the other, to expose them to the cacophony of the wondrous sounds and to see and hear, to touch and smell and take in all the beautiful ways in which with such joy Shabbat was welcomed and God was praised. We settled upon one minyan, where the singing was spirited, and they were dancing while singing a nigun, a wordless melody that flowed into Lecha Dodee. I was happy to be able to be in Jerusalem, at the kotel and to be able to offer my prayers, to welcome the Sabbath. Truth be told, I was thinking a bit about my diagnosis. And just then, as we were with these strangers, a man with a short white beard and white hair, and a warm smile looked at me. He didn’t just look at me. He fixated on me. He pointed to me and picked me out of the whole crowd in the circle. He extended his hands towards me and with a twinkle in his eye, grabbed me and started to joyously dance with me as the nigun was being sung. It was a moment I will never forget. He danced and prayed with so much fervor, such kavanah. I felt he wanted me to share in the joy, to feel uplifted. I couldn’t help but wonder, and think to myself: Did this anonymous man somehow know? Did he have any idea what I was feeling and going through? Did he single me out for some reason? Did he know the worries, concern or anxiety I was feeling at that time? I have no way of knowing, and never will, and really do not wish to know. For later as I reflected on what happened I thought, perhaps, maybe, just maybe it was Eliyahoo HaNavee, Elijah the Prophet, who came to dance with me and to uplift my spirit.

The Orchard Fall 2011 38 Chomer Lidrush Rabbi Vernon Kurtz

Elie Wiesel in his “Legends of our Times” tells the story of ‘The Testament of A Jew From Saragossa.’ He writes that he made a trip to Saragossa Spain back in the early 1990’s. Before 1492 this was a thriving Jewish community but now there are no more Jews there. When Wiesel was at the Cathedral in Saragossa, a man approached him and started speaking to him in French which Wiesel speaks and writes fluently. He offered to be his guide for no fee and was very proud to show Wiesel around. They started talking and the man asked Wiesel some personal questions. When it became obvious that Wiesel was Jewish and he knew Hebrew, the man said to him: “There have been no Jews here for almost 500 years. I’ve been waiting to meet one so I could ask for some help. There is something I want to show you at my home.” The two of them walked off to a small apartment on the third floor and the man took out a fragment of yellowed parchment. “Is this Hebrew?” he asked. Wiesel examined the yellowed document and as he started to read it he was visibly shaken. These were not only Hebrew letters, but they had been written over 500 years ago. He started to read and translate for the man: “I, Moses, the son of , forced to break all ties with my people and my faith, leave these lines to the children of my children and theirs, in order that on the day when Israel will be able to walk again, its head high under the sun without fear and without remorse, they will know where their roots lie. Written at Saragossa, this 9th day of the month of Av, in the year of punishment and exile.” The year of course was 1492, the year of the Spanish Inquisition. The man explained to Wiesel that this document was cherished by his family and passed on almost as an amulet from one generation to the next. He wanted to know more about this Jew and the Jewish background that he professed. So Wiesel took many hours to explain who the Jewish people were and what had happened to them. He then left Saragossa to continue his travels. A few years later Wiesel was walking down a street in Jerusalem when suddenly a man ran up to him and said: “Shalom, Shalom, do you remember me? Saragossa, Saragossa.” There he was on the streets of Jerusalem this man, but he wasn’t speaking French this time, he was speaking to Wiesel in Hebrew. “I have something to show A remarkable story of a Jew and a heritage almost lost to posterity you.” He took Wiesel by the hand and led him up to his apartment. and yet redeemed by a name. The name lives on, this time in the Up three flights of stairs they walked and Wiesel saw that yellowed State of Israel, this time with an individual who knows Hebrew, this parchment in a picture frame on the wall. But this time the man time in the personage of an individual who is both not embarrassed read it to Wiesel in Hebrew. He had come to Israel, had learned and persecuted for being a Jew. Hebrew and had redeemed his Jewish tradition. This is a blessing of our age: to live in a world where there is a State Wiesel said, “Please forgive me, I’m so embarrassed I didn’t of Israel where we can live as proud Jews. It is also a challenge recognize you.” Jokingly the man said to Wiesel, “Maybe you need of our age: to ensure its security and well being as together we an amulet like I have to help you not to forget.” As Wiesel was attempt to fulfill the Zionist dream of creating a hevra“ le-mofet,” about to leave, the man said, “You forgot to ask my name. I want an ideal society. you to know my name. My name is Moshe ben Avraham. My name Rabbi Vernon Kurtz is Moses, the son of Abraham. He is alive after 500 years.” North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois

The Orchard Fall 2011 39 SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT PATH Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein

As we approach this New Year, we have been bombarded reverence, but disdain our customs. We uphold trust, but we with thoughts about resolutions, keeping them or breaking might break a promise. them. As Jews, we have the opportunity to create resolve each Central to our tradition, we read from the Holiness Code on day to find the best path to follow, that is, the way of God. Yom Kippur. Why? Because our ethics are at the core of our Maimonides, one of the greatest figures of Jewish history–a spirituality. We do not separate our ethical behavior from our rabbi, physician, philosopher, writer, jurist and teacher, who rituals or our teachings. It is not only central topographically to lived in Spain and North Africa in the 12th century–wanted the Torah-almost dead center!-but it is the central focus of our people to continue to improve, so as to walk in the way of daily lives. goodness. This was the middle ground between competing The great golfer of the early 20th century was Bobby Jones. The behaviors and ideologies, the sacred mean. U S Open was his to win in 1925, but because he accidentally What was that way? Maimonides wrote that people should not knocked his golf ball-just a bit-he told the officials to mark him be easily moved to anger, nor be like the dead without feeling. with a penalty. No one had witnessed this, and he could have “But one should aim at the happy medium–to be angry only for won the tournament, but Jones was honest when he admitted a grave cause that rightly calls for indignation. Not to be tight that the ball had moved. He lost the trophy by a shot. Honored fisted nor a spend thrift, but to bestow tzedakah according to for his ethics, Jones replied, “You may as well praise a man for one’s means and to give a suitable loan to whoever needs it. not robbing a bank.” Golf’s sportsmanship award is named in Neither to be frivolous nor given to jesting, neither mournful nor his honor. melancholy, but to rejoice throughout the days tranquilly and Even when no one is watching, we have to match our deeds with cheerfully. Although some people have these traits innately, our words. That’s how to live in a holy way each day. others learn them as they grow. Whoever observes in his or her Wrestling with Ourselves and our God character the mean is termed wise.” And a man wrestled with Each day we can choose how to face life’s path. We control our Vayeavek ish imo ad alot hashachar him until the breaking of the day Genesis 32:25 point of view, our perspective, our attitude. In our covenant with God, bound to the Jewish people, integrally connected to the We all do a great deal of wrestling. We wrestle with our time, our Torah, may each of us find our own right path. values, and our commitments. We struggle with our hopes and Bobby Jones and Daily Ethics fears, and those of us in this room have also led congregations and institutions as we struggle with the results of the depressed It’s a challenge for every one of us to match our words and our economy. We struggle as we rabbis prepare for the High Holy deeds. We profess honesty, but we might tell a lie. We proclaim Days. The Talmud in Chullin 91a commented on this verse

The Orchard Fall 2011 40 SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT PATH

that “the man who wrestled with appeared to him as a heathen. Another opinion is that he appeared to him as one of the wise.” In many ways we have the same kind of struggle in our work. Those people who agree with us, and support our programs, and fund our ideas, they indeed are the wise. We love them, we appreciate them, and we wish we had twice as many of them on our boards! From them we receive our strokes, our good feelings, and they make our work as klei kodesh, vessels of God’s holiness, feel really good. We love to greet them on Rosh Hashanah. But we also have other kinds of people, those who may disagree, those who neither attend nor like what we program, those who may not give in proportion to their means, and those who may not share our dreams. We scorn them. We may say things about them we shouldn’t be thinking. They may alienate us, or hurt our feelings, and from them we may suffer indignity or insult. We want to treat them as the heathen. We think of them as we read our communal list of sins. This kind of in-the-trenches difficult interpersonal stuff is not necessarily why we chose to become rabbis. And sometimes working through the experience might leave us limping, even as we try to stride forward to reach our personal and professional goals. Like Jacob, we are hesitant and fearful of the Isaacs, the Labans, the Esaus in our lives; sometimes we do lofty and marvelous deeds and feel that we have truly become Israel. Who among us has not wrestled with our difficulties and our stresses? Who has not been wounded along the way through fighting for our goals, for struggling to do what is right? Who among us has not stood alone waiting for daybreak? The funny thing is, we have to work with both of them. They all show up at the High Holy Days. We need to connect with both kinds of people and create as healthy a relationship as we can with each of them. Like Ya’akov Avinu with the Ish, we need to spiritually engage and wrestle, mitavek, for only then will we be able to mithabek, to embrace them. Rabbi Na’amah Kelman, dean of the HUC Jerusalem campus, taught that there is a Hassidic custom to read this story at Havdalah as a reminder that Shabbat is a time for spiritual wrestling. So are the Days of Awe. By anticipating our struggles, we prepare ourselves to face the week ahead, the year ahead. By spending this special time of prayer, we will hopefully have more clarity of thought, more wisdom, and more energy to return to our mitzvot as rabbis. “In this way, we move forward, taking with us our strengths and leaving behind our fears.” Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein University Synagogue, Los Angeles

The Orchard Fall 2011 41 THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS KOSHER SPAM Rabbi Eric Polokoff

I use my first initial in my email. As such, I also get junk email • We have a weakness for a certain brand of coffee. Alas, our health directed to long-lost relatives, like a person who died in 1994. Just could be better. So we are offered budget wheelchairs, discount recently the FBI wrote her (that is me) wondering why she had not pharmaceuticals and a plethora of free Viagra. yet claimed the $5 million inheritance left for her at the Central Which brings up the vexing issue of our love-life. On the one Bank of Nigeria. In truth we all are very popular people. We receive hand we are advised that now is the time to pursue anatomical scores of unsolicited messages every day. Judging by what is sent enhancement. On the other hand, if we were so unattractive, then to us, some patterns emerge. why would so many alluring young singles living nearby so want • We are successful. I, for example, have been nominated to to meet us? Or why do websites want to fix us up–a particular join Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, The challenge for my long-lost relative, gone since 1994. Global Directory of Who’s Who Online, and Who’s Who of World I guess most spammers don’t do their homework. An estimated Businessman. (Apparently no one has yet marketed a “Who’s 80% of Americans are married by age 40, yet little of the junk- Who of Ordained Southbury Rabbis.”) email we receive is directed to couples. Shouldn’t there be subject • We are strivers. This includes being worthy candidates for lines galore inviting one to “Click here and stay connected to you language lessons–maybe so that we can then read the Russian soul-mate?” So too, more than 80% of adults reproduce, but and Chinese messages we also get. where are the come-ons for “True Parenting Confessions” or “Free Fatherly Advice?” Talk about missed opportunities. Instead, spam • We are regularly offered new employment opportunities, new plays us for “dumb and desperate”. business cards, government grants and, as we must be creative and industrious, discount ink toner. Now truth be told, our congregation also sends out numerous mass emails to our membership–at least one a week- and I trust that • We are frugal. Websites send us coupons and refinancing they would immediately be marked as “in-box worthy”. For our proposals, presumably to assure that our monitored credit scores messages are the antithesis to–and antidote for–spam. There is no remain stable. such thing as kosher spam–and I’m not just talking canned ham. Spam is about externals; a spam message is sent out across the Internet ether with confidence that some rube will reply. In contrast, we communicate as a faith-community that cares, while a spam message hawks desire. We speak of responsibility and obligation, while spam can’t be trusted. We stand sincerely as part of a venerable tradition, as opposed to an instant world where useless information expands exponentially and hopes can last as long as a mouse-click. There really is something to be said for connecting to the wisdom of an Eternal People that cannot be deleted. There was communication prior to the internet. Even spam has its antecedents – unwanted faxes, junk mail, telemarketing. In my home we still receive snail mail solicitations for my late father-in- law, who died over 7 years ago. Ecclesiastes taught of behavior: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Evolutionary biology understands deception as part of the natural world. Parasitic worms will deceive our immune systems, employing the same chemical coating as the placenta of a pregnant woman. Lying, too, comes naturally to us. Consider the Torah’s first depiction of human behavior in the Garden of Eden: obfuscation and evasion. God asks: “Why did you eat the fruit of that tree?” Adam replies: “It was her fault.” Eve responds: “The serpent tricked me.” Tellingly, the Torah does not command: “Thou shall not lie”–that would be impossible. The commandment is: “Thou shall not bear false witness.”

The Orchard Fall 2011 42 THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS KOSHER SPAM

Yet that’s not the whole story. Integrity and compassion are also inherited traits. Ready to protect any innocents in the wicked city of Sodom, Abraham, Judaism’s founder, demanded of God: “Shall not the Judge of the whole world deal justly?” A new Yale study examines six month olds watching short morality plays. A good character helps someone up a hill, while a bad character pushes someone down a hill. When given the opportunity to choose, the vast majority of babies reached for the good character. Similarly, in a variant test older babies overwhelmingly preferred those who rewarded the good character. The upshot: humans possess a moral conscience. Science supports Judaism’s Sages. We are complex creatures born with competing impulses – a good inclination and an inclination to evil. The urge to cheat is pervasive. But we decide our behavior. As the Bible teaches, there is to be a moral standard. There may be a sucker born, or a sucker on-line every minute–but Judaism maintains if we are to endure we must choose differently. We pray to God to inscribe us in the Book of Life–not in the book of “Who’s Who in Global Businessman.” We don’t sound the Shofar to celebrate credit scores. Rather we proclaim a timeless message of Divine caring and human potential. Think about those encounters with God that I mentioned earlier. Amidst corruption God only asks for honesty from Adam and Eve. Amidst much evil-doing in Sodom, God welcomes Abraham’s protests for justice and compassion. Having created us with good and evil inclinations, God is the force that consistently challenges us to be our best selves. Ultimately what’s most important are the messages that we send and receive…..not only what will we say to God, but what we say to our dear-ones and to our community. Will we be taken seriously–or dismissed outright? How will we be acknowledged? Will we reconsider our own spam filters that block us from knowing or caring? Through the decisions we make, or reaffirm, for heartfelt change or repetitive deceptions where we are our weakest, we shape our legacy and our destiny. During the High Holy Days, according to Jewish teaching, every creature and the source of every current email is judged anew. As the High Holy Day prayerbook explains: “On Rosh HaShanah it is written (nowadays make that, typed)… and on Yom Kippur it is sealed (that is, sent).” Turning inward for introspection, and avowing a renewed sincerity in our relationships and in our dealings with others, may we all be forwarded for blessing to the Mailbox of Life……perhaps even with a downloadable graphic image of us treasuring the sweetness of the world and people around us. May this be this God’s will. Amen Rabbi Eric Polokoff B’nai Israel of Southbury, Conn.

The Orchard Fall 2011 43 1 out of every 8 children under the age of 12 goes to bed hungry. Thanks to donors like you, this isn’t one of them.

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® MAKING ISRAEL A S NATION FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS

Rosh Hashanah brings to As an organization that began working in pre-State Israel in 1914, Jews the world over the JDC is determined to ensure that all Israelis, especially those on hope and promise of a society’s margins, have the opportunity to become part of their country’s burgeoning economy. To do so, they must be able to realize fresh New Year. When our their individual potential—and that is where JDC comes in. thoughts turn to Israel, Working in partnership with Israeli government ministries, local peace is uppermost in authorities, and voluntary agencies, JDC is helping to: our prayers, and so is our resolve to broaden the Give more Israeli children and young adults the chance to grow reach of the country’s they need to succeed in life. opportunities and Bring the most vulnerable Israelis into the workforce so that all economic success. - pendence.

Bolster the ability of people with disabilities to live independently and contribute to mainstream society.

Enable the elderly to live with dignity by providing innovative services that meet their needs and enhance their quality of life.

secure a more promising future for all of its citizens.

The Orchard Fall 2011 45 MAFTEACH

EMPOWERING A STRUGGLING HAREDI FATHER TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY

JDC’s TEVET employment partner- As Akiva, a young Haredi father in Bnei Brak described it, “MAFTEACH ship with the Israeli government helped me turn our lives around.” A child of ultra-Orthodox parents, Akiva tackles troubling economic trends this mandate by studying at a rather than pursuing a career. in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox commu- nity through initiatives such as frugally on his modest kollel MAFTEACH Y . This network

quickly skyrocketed, far eclipsing their income. culturally sensitive job readiness

counseling, job search and place- into poverty. Akiva was ashamed that he could not provide for his wife and ment support, and referrals to a children, but with no education or work experience outside the yeshiva range of technological and voca- world, opportunities to improve his status were extremely limited. tional training opportunities to help Determined to learn how to navigate in the modern job market, Akiva Haredim enter Israel’s 21st century responded to an advertisement in the community newspaper for the local workforce. MAFTEACH his capabilities and build his resume, and he was put in contact with companies where JDC had pre-established relationships. Following an

included the promise of future professional training. MAFTEACH

from his prospective supervisor to adjust his shift time so he could drop his

Today, Akiva’s salary is helping him and Tzipora chip away at their debt and move steadily toward their goal of supporting themselves with dignity. MAFTEACH has brought new life and opportunity to their young family.

The Orchard Fall 2011 46 TEACH FIRST ISRAEL

TALENTED YOUNG TEACHERS BRING HOPE TO ISRAEL’S DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS

TEACH FIRST I TFI Innovative training and dedicated mentorship by senior educators places outstanding college gradu- strengthen the commitment of TFI participants like Arik, a new math ates as teachers in low-income communities with the aim of equal- students. F to help them prepare for their math matriculation exam, and their izing educational opportunities for results surpassed the national average. Arik also taught a particularly Israeli schoolchildren of all cultural challenging class of 11th graders, 90 percent of whom ended up passing and socioeconomic backgrounds. Highlighting JDC’s successful role Young TFI teachers like Arik quickly gain the conviction that children as an incubator for innovative social from all backgrounds can be high-level achievers—and they become programs, TFI is following up on a change agents fully dedicated to realizing that transformational possibility banner first year, with 140 dynamic in Israel’s education system. teachers now placed in 40 schools across Israel. energy to continue.” A highly respected local principal seconds the importance of these achievements, lauding the “outstanding contribution” that TFI teachers

and drive to succeed,” she said. Convinced that a system can only be as good as the people who are in it, JDC is determined to continue adding quality teachers to the nation’s cadre of educators. By incentivizing Israel’s best and brightest to enter the teaching profession, TFI can help all Israeli children achieve a better future.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters. To learn more, visit www.JDC.org

The Orchard Fall 2011 47 Jewish Agency For Israel

NURTURING BIG DREAMS: JEWISH AGENCY YOUTH VILLAGES Jewish Agency News Bureau

It has been 20 years since some 14,000 Ethiopian Jews the Jewish Agency and Israeli youth villages have been sending were covertly airlifted from Addis Ababa to Israel, under students on trips abroad so they can represent their schools and the cover of darkness, in a miraculous rescue operation. But the communities with pride, connect with other Jews and learn about initial jubilation they experienced upon arrival soon gave way to the hardships Jews have faced throughout history. the reality that integrating into Israel’s modern society would be Udi’s Story hard, and developing a collective sense of belonging has been one of the principal challenges for the entire Ethiopian Jewish Eighteen-year-old Udi Yosef’s story is exemplifies the impact that community in Israel. the youth village experience, including trips abroad, can have— both to strengthen connections to the Jewish people and to build Roughly 70 percent of Israel’s 120,000 Ethiopian citizens live self-confidence. Like many Ethiopian immigrants, integration into below the poverty line. First generation immigrant adults have, in Israeli society has not been easy for Udi’s family, which made large part, been unable to overcome language and socio-cultural Aliya in 1995. Since settling in Tirat Hacarmel, a development hurdles, which has made it hard for many to gain economic self- town south of Haifa, it has been difficult for his parents to provide sufficiency. This has frayed inter-generational relationships, bat- opportunities for their son. To give him a better chance for suc- tered self-esteem and forced an entire generation of teens and cess in Israeli society, Udi and his parents decided a few years young adults, who have spent much—if not all—of their lives ago that he would go to Ben Yakir, a youth village funded in part watching their parents struggle and fail, to question whether there by support for the the Jewish Agency from JFNA. is a place in Israeli society for themselves and their families. This past year, Udi was part of two overseas delegations. First, “Teenagers from immigrant families, or those who are immigrants the 12th-grader traveled to Australia, as part of a Ben Yakir choir, themselves, face a unique set of challenges, including questions and performed at Jewish schools and community events through- of belonging—both to Israeli society and to the Jewish people,” out Melbourne. He was also able to speak to groups about his said Barry Spielman, the Jewish Agency for Israel’s director of experiences as an Ethiopian Jew and to celebrate Shabbat in the communications for North America. “As a result, these teenagers local Jewish community. Later in the year, Udi traveled to Poland often create a sub-culture that rejects Jewish heritage altogether.” as part of a delegation of Ethiopian students from several youth In response to the growing alienation among Ethiopian teens, villages and a group of North American women from Hadassah.

The Orchard Fall 2011 48 NURTURING BIG DREAMS: JEWISH AGENCY YOUTH VILLAGES

In Poland, Udi visited the Jewish cemetery of warsaw and the Treblinka, Maydanek and Aushwitz death camps before spending Shabbat in Krakow. At each site, the students gave d’vrei Torah. “We saw and heard about everything that happened there during the Holocaust,” Udi said. “The most memorable moment was standing next to a mountain of human ashes in Maydanek. At that moment I was thinking about the families that were murdered there and how they felt when they saw their loved ones cremated.”

Youth Village Success Ben Yakir was founded in 1974. Today, more than 120 students reside at the boarding school, where they take a full-range of academic and/or vocational courses and study Jewish heritage. Students have a chance to participate in numerous extra-curricular activities, such as visual and performing arts, athletics, karate, ceramics and carpentry. Finally, Ben Yakir operates a comprehensive therapeutic facility, which includes agriculture and animal husbandry. At their core, Jewish Agency youth villages—like Ben Yakir—seek to develop increased self-esteem, the desire to be a part of Israel’s success story and the confidence neces- sary to succeed. Udi, like many other immigrant children, has come through the youth village system with a strong determination to suc- ceed in society, including service in a selective combat unit when he joins the Israeli army. To prepare himself to com- pete for a spot in an IDF combat unit, Udi has deferred army service for two years for further training. He has enrolled at Hadassa Neurim, another Jewish Agency youth village, which combines academics or vocational work and intense athletic training. In addition to participating in the school’s renowned track and field program, Udi will focus his studies on automotive engineering. “After the journey to Poland, many of us decided we want to contribute more to the state of Israel,” says Udi. “I look back and remember the day I arrived at Ben Yakir; I was afraid, excited and shy. The array of activities at the board- ing school and the group discussions helped me in becom- ing attached to the village and my friends. I hope each of us will fulfill our dreams and succeed in life, and that we will never give up—(success) is only a matter of will.”

The Orchard Fall 2011 49 ®

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