Vol. VI, No. 2 ______

In this issue: 's 70th

Cantor Rachel Rosenberg on aspirations and reality Yael Hoffman on growing up as an Israeli American A Basa mother/daughter interview on making Elliot Gershon on a 46-year US-Israeli collaboration Art and poetry by Shelley Kaplan and Robert Hutchison ... and more Volume VI Number 2 Contents

Introduction 5

When Aspirations Meet Reality: Connecting to Israel, Past, Present, and Future 6 by Cantor Rachel Rosenberg

The Listening Wall, a poem 10 by Shelley Kaplan with art by Robert Hutchison

Growing Up as an Israeli American 12 by Yael Hoffman

Making Aliyah: An Interview with Leah Basa 15 by her mother, Rhea Basa

A Family's Bumpy Road 18 by Irene Glasner

The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel: A 46 Year 21 American-Israeli Collaboration to Support Research into Nervous and Mental Disorders by Ronen H. Segman and Elliot S. Gershon

Impurities and Sacrifices, Israelites and Israel 25 by Rabbi David Minkus

This American Shabbat 28 Jonathan Lear, Joanna Martin, Anna Siegler

Rebel without a Clue: A Date with a Dusty Piece of History 37 by Jeff Ruby

Congregation Rodfei Zedek www.rodfei.org 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60615

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4 Introduction to Volume VI Number 2

This year on April 19, Yom Irene Glasner, lived there for a time. Some, Ha'Atzmaut, we celebrate the 70th like Elliot Gershon have lived there and anniversary of the Declaration of the maintain professional relationships. Some, Establishment of the State of Israel. We're like Shelley Kaplan and Robert Hutchison, made conscious of the , both have visited. Some, like Leah Basa, have in our secular lives – by the daily news – made aliyah. Our different backgrounds are and in our religious lives. In synagogue as reflected in the contents of this issue. we near the shema we speak of being brought to our land from the four corners of As we celebrate with Israel, we may the earth; sometimes we sing those words be guided by our community to new to the tune of Hatikvah. On Shabbat we all understandings. One starting point is recite a prayer for our country and then suggested by RabbI Minkus: "Israel needs pray, "Bless the State of Israel, [that it may to begin with joy. We have the land of be] the beginning of our redemption." Israel, not a longing or a hopeful prayer but a place.... our concern is understandably Our relationships to Israel are protecting its borders, but we can never complex and evolving, as our Rebel Jeff neglect the necessity to protect its soul." Ruby recounts. While his story is his own, it has elements in common with each of ours. In this issue members of our Congregation describe all sorts of ties to Israel. Some, like Yael Hoffman, were born there. Some, like

Editorial Board: Shirley Holbrook Andrey Kuznetsov Joan Neal Joseph Peterson

Past and current editions of this publication are online at http://www.rodfei.org/To_Learn_and_To_Teach

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When Aspirations Meet Reality: Connecting to Israel, Past, Present, and Future by Cantor Rachel Rosenberg

others had made their way to the young When I was State of Israel. A cousin in Israel was not very young, my only a relative I had not yet met, but part of mom would often the emerging story of the Jewish state – a tell me stories. place I had dreamed of visiting as long as I Entertaining and could remember, a culture whose modern true enough to I was learning and whose maintain her music was sung to me as lullabies. I was credibility, her ori- hoping to make the dream a reality as soon ginal stories would as the opportunity and resources arose. also convey an important life les- Through my mother’s portrayal of the son, thrown in for young country whose birth she remem- extra impact. bered, I felt especially connected to my far- away cousin, whom I considered my Israeli One of my favorites was the story of counterpart. We were, after all, the same a cousin I had never met (true), a girl my age. We were both named after the same age living outside of . This parti- common ancestor, our great-grandmother cular story conveyed more than one life whose name was Leah. My middle name lesson, including the importance of was Lea (without the final “h” to be connecting with family, the importance of “modern”) and my cousin was named connecting with family members living in “Liora.” I had no idea what Liora looked like, Israel in particular, and the importance of but in my mind’s eye, she had the same relating to Israel itself – as family. dark hair and dark eyes as I did and we could be mistaken for sisters. I imagined, These stories helped me grow to however, that unlike me she had an added understand that Israel’s land, history, glow from the Mediterranean sun, growing people, and culture were parts of our up in the pioneering spirit of building and extended global Jewish family. Our cultivating the Land, the country, and its connection to Israel was inseparable from emerging culture. our Jewish American lives and was to be valued, nurtured, and cherished. Fast-forward to the summer before I started college when I was fortunate to Ours was not a large family (at least embark on my first trip to Israel with a small not since after World War II), so any group called “The Chicago Community relatives living anywhere in the world were Project.” Besides making a fast-paced tour especially significant. My mom would tell of ancient and modern destinations across me about our family’s background and how the country, we would also visit social some of our relatives had emigrated from service agencies in Israel to compare how Eastern Europe to the United States, while our two countries responded to those in

6 need. By agreeing to volunteer back in reality of experiencing Israel for six weeks Chicago on a variety of Jewish social that summer started a love affair that has service initiatives, I was lucky to receive only grown stronger with time. I returned significant subsidies to defray the cost of two years later to spend nearly a year the trip. studying at the Hebrew University of . Most of my classes were in Equal to my eagerness to see Hebrew and I was fortunate to study with Jerusalem’s Old City, explore the ancient some of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the ruins of Masada, and hike in the hills of the time including Rabbi David Hartmann and Galilee, was my anticipation of seizing the Professor Nechama Leibowitz, both of opportunity finally to meet my cousin, Liora. blessed memory. Upon arriving in Israel, I contacted her family to see if we might get together on my During this pivotal year, I continued free weekend. This was no small feat in a to be amazed and thrilled at how much the world before cell phones, so I was excited various facets of Jewish life were infused to succeed at using the now defunct into day-to-day Israeli culture. I never grew “asimonim” – the small metal tokens that complacent seeing Hebrew on street signs were used at that time in Israeli payphones. and storefronts and hearing “Shabbat I managed to find the right bus to take me Shalom” from everyone you would meet on to their home in Bat Yam, a small Fridays in the open-air markets and on the community outside of Tel Aviv. streets, Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and secular. Jewish holidays were cele- When I entered the modest yet brated by the entire country, as much in charming home, I was warmly welcomed secular settings as in religious communities. with open arms, something cold to drink, On the festival of Sukkot, the colorful sukkot and too much food. I was excited to meet would be visible on balconies up and down my grandmother’s siblings for the first time, the buildings on the streets of Jerusalem. recognizing the familial similarities through On the darkest days of the year during their faces and Hungarian accents – the Chanukah, those same streets would Hebrew counterpart to my grandparents’ literally light up as homes, schools, and combination of Hungarian and Brooklyn businesses would all be displaying English. But where was my cousin, Liora? countless eight-branched chanukiyot from After what seemed like an eternity, she their windows and even on the street finally descended the stairs from the second outside their front doors. On Pesach, the floor wearing her army uniform. She potato rolls brought to the table in kosher- gestured in my direction with a dismissive for-Passover restaurants would be even wave (if that), and immediately left the more delicious than the leavened variety. house to join her friends for the remainder of the day before returning to army duty. All year round, I enjoyed the That was it, my only exposure to my availability of good kosher cuisine while idealized Israeli cousin (to this day), lasting marveling at how many restaurants in Tel all of twenty-two seconds. Aviv, in particular, went out of their way to be open on Shabbat and offer non-kosher Although the reality of gaining a new delicacies. I was inspired by the openness best friend in my “twin” cousin fell and diversity of Israeli society, as seen devastatingly short of my aspirations, the through the huge variety of people,

7 language, religion, music, and culture from the gleaming white building nearby, the around the world. I saw the motorcade Shrine of the Book, where the original Dead moving through the Jerusalem streets Sea Scrolls are kept. In contrast to the dry during the historic visit of President Anwar heat of summer days in Jerusalem, the Sadat from Egypt, and felt the promise of evening breezes on our balcony always feel peace it represented. On a person-to- refreshing, made sweeter with a glass of person level, the peaceful coexistence of wine in hand. those from different backgrounds and religions was evident more often than not. It Over the last ten years or so, we was special but not unusual when I visited have managed to get to our condo once or an Israeli Arab village in the Galilee, home twice a year, noting each time how much it to a pair of sisters from my dorm. It felt feels like home in spite of the lapses natural and wonderful to be welcomed into between the visits. That feeling of home- their family’s home through the hospitality of coming is boosted by the increasing hot tea with mint leaves and homemade numbers of family and friends who live in sweets. Israel, evidenced by the many family weddings we have attended over the last Fast-forward yet again, and after few years, including the wedding of our own many visits to family and friends in Israel son in the Jerusalem hills. Over this same over the years, including trips to celebrate period of time, we have also experienced our sons’ B’nai Mitzvah, my husband, the anguish of periods of war, increased Chuck and I made the impulsive decision to tensions between Jerusalem neighbor- purchase a small condo in Jerusalem itself. hoods that had once lived in harmony, and This changed our already close relationship rocket attacks from Gaza that required the to Israel by converting it from a wonderful short but agonizing use of the protected place to visit, to a second home. Other “sealed room” in our apartment. friends from Chicago were part of the trend as they also moved to apartments on the As I look back at my relationship with same floor. It was comical and exhilarating Israel and think about the future, I am often to encounter typical Israeli bureaucracy as aware of how my original idealistic we built and furnished our new apartments aspirations can be now seen through a together from afar, and then enjoyed visiting more mature and realistic lens. I some- them on overlapping times encounter vacations whenever we situations where those could. aspirations are out of sync with the painful From our balcony in realities of this unique the Western part of the city, country struggling with you can see the expanse of issues of freedom of the new city of Jerusalem, religious ex-pression, including the tennis courts of threats of violence and the Israel Tennis Center, unrest, challenges to and Teddy Stadium where respecting the human Cantor Rachel with Chuck raucous soccer games are at the Shrine of the Book, dignity of its peoples, and played. We can see the Israel Museum, Jerusalem other expressions of the Knesset across the valley, and democracy its citizens so

8 dearly want to maintain. On a personal level, I have struggled to find opportunities Rachel Rosenberg has served as to express my own Judaism through ritual Cantor at Rodfei Zedek since 2011, the and music in ways that feel authentic and same year she was invested as Hazzan natural. through the Cantors Assembly after completing its four-year internship program. At the same time, I continue to be Previously she had studied psychology and proud of Israel’s achievements and music at the University of Illinois, pursued contributions to the world and how it Jewish studies at the Hebrew University of continues to express and refine its uniquely Jerusalem, and earned her Masters of Jewish character against the backdrop of Management degree at Northwestern more than 3000 years of amazing history. I University. Rachel worked as a feel privileged to live in a time where I can Professional Development Manager at IBM not only visit the modern version of the and then as Ritual Director for Jewish homeland, but have a home there Congregation B'nai Tikvah in Deerfield. as well. Rachel has served on the Cantors Assembly Executive Council and Education And as with family, the encounters Committee and is past president of the can sometimes be painful and challenging. Chicago Milwaukee Association of But also as with family, the love, devotion Synagogue Musicians. With her husband and countless gifts are felt each and every Chuck she is a founding member of the day. ensemble, Shakshuka, which features Israeli and Sephardic music "spiced with jazz." Look for Shakshuka at the upcoming outdoor Greater Chicago Jewish Festival on Sunday, June 10, 2018.

9 The Listening Wall, a poem by Shelley Kaplan with art by Robert Hutchison

© Shelley Kaplan 2017

Shelley Kaplan has had a strikingly varied carreer since her studies at the University of Chicago. She taught Hebrew School at Rodfei Zedek, substituted as a math teacher, performed as a clown, served as a Chicago police officer, and earned a law degree. For the Congregation she has a long history of participating in Torah and haftarah chanting, cooking

10 for Shabbat luncheons, and creating and writing poems for Sisterhood events. She has written poems and books for children, including Chameleon (1992), and Songs for Scratching Mosquito Bites and Petting the Cat (1998), illustrated by her husband, Robert Hutchison.

Robert graduated from Oberlin College and works as an artist. He has taught art at Robert Morris University and exhibited there and around Chicago. He created a painting on commission for display at The Medici restaurant. He has been generous is contributing his talents to the Congregation. When the building was under construction he created a beautifully painted portable ark. For many years the Havdalah Hoedown was decorated by the fanciful animals he designed and he joined a Hoedown band playing banjo and guitar

11 Growing Up as an Israeli American by Yael Hoffman

The subject of Israel is brother survived working so complex today that underground forging passports, while her many synagogues, sister-in-law was captured and gave birth such as ours, largely to my cousin in Theresienstadt in the final avoid it. This contrasts days of the war. They were reunited some sharply with the days months after the war and all later made of my early childhood aliya, and that small family remains in in the 1970’s, when Israel controlled not Israel. Israel saved the remnants of my only the West Bank and Gaza but also the family; without it, I would not be here. Sinai Peninsula, but the settlements were not yet built, the and Shatila camps My mother, for whom my son Avi is were unknown to us, and the word intifada named, was born in British Palestine in had yet to make headlines. The Holocaust 1929. The War of Independence was vivid ended 26 years before my birth in Israel, for her; she would show me her Jewish existence still felt precarious, and kindergarten class picture, naming each of the Zionist project still felt righteous. Two the boys, every last one of whom had died years after my birth, Israel was very nearly fighting. Hostilities with Arabs were no lost in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. abstraction for her; it was very much an “us or them” reality, with immigration quotas for My maternal grandparents, mem- firmly in place everywhere, including bers of youth Zionist organizations in in the US and British Palestine. Jewish , were part of Aliyah and came survival literally hinged on Israel winning to British Palestine in the early 1920s, independence, hinged on the Law of leaving behind wealth and many creature Return. My mother served in the Israel comforts for a harsh life. My grandfather, a Defense Forces in 1949, a year after yeshiva boy and heir to brewery wealth, independence was won, and not long after was one of 12 siblings; he saw no future the Exodus ship debacle. Her job was to for Jews in Europe even then and traveled teach Hebrew to Holocaust refugees in the alone to Palestine where he traded books armed forces. It was a country of for asphalt and paved some of the first hardscrabble, traumatized survivors, with roads in Petach Tikva. One of his brothers no emotional bandwidth to empathize with joined him, but the primitive life was too the Arabs they conquered. The new much for him to bear, so he returned to had faced death several times over Poland and perished with rest of my great in the 1940s. They saw an enormous Arab aunts, great uncles, their children, and my world that could absorb the displaced great grandparents. My grandfather in Arabs, whereas they had no place else to Palestine, for whom my son Ezra is go. That was my mother’s perspective until named, was the sole survivor of his the day she died, and of course, that enormous family. My grandmother came to perspective is shared by many today. Palestine and worked in the orange groves. Her mother and sister managed to I learned to be a human rights join her while it was still possible; her advocate from my parents. My father was a 12 Reform rabbi who raised funds in the US students in my classes — to be a human for the fledgling Jewish state, who marched rights professional with a full commitment and protested in the Civil Rights to uplifting the oppressed and advocating Movement, and who was arrested while for the disadvantaged. But for the first time, protesting against Soviet oppression of I wasn’t just reading about Palestinians in Jews. My mother participated in charitable the Jewish press. I was hearing from actual organizations, and both of my parents Palestinians about the inhumanity of life in donated what they could to organizations overcrowded refugee camps meant for promoting human rights. But their world temporary use and now inhabited by was Jewish and insular, and while they generations for 60 years. I was hearing could extend concern for non-Jews, that about how Israeli land confiscation affected excluded Arabs. Disdain for and prejudice the families of my classmates, and about against Arabs was passed down to me power, water and food shortages mere along with many lessons on the importance kilometers away from settlements that had of human rights, and that did not seem plenty. I was hearing about nighttime home contradictory to us, since “Arabs threa- incursions, humiliation of elders, brutality tened Jewish existence,” and we had to against children, rampant unemployment… choose our own survival first and foremost. I was asked to contribute to medical relief I know I share this experience with in the West Bank after a particularly brutal many of you who are reading military incursion during the this. second intifada, which was Our love of Israel As an undergraduate detailed by the student isn’t blinding student at the University of organizing the fundraising ••• Michigan, seeing non-Jewish whose family was affected in friends sympathize with Arab students Ramallah. I watched a film in which a demonstrating against Israel as the first Palestinian family showed the filmmaker intifada raged was shocking. I took an the original key to the family home in interest in the campus chapter of AIPAC Jerusalem, now inhabited for decades by and sought solace in my tribe. It was Jews, which they are not even allowed to difficult for me to justify soldiers shooting at visit. children who were throwing rocks, but I Firsthand, I heard Palestinian fury nonetheless tried to explain it to non- over Israeli laws that welcome Jews from Jewish friends. The ensuing peace process all over the world whose only ties to Israel was a huge relief to me; I no longer had to are conceptual, but prohibit entry to defend Israeli actions that looked displaced Palestinians with material ties to indefensible (although surely they were the country, and keep families separated. I not!). heard much of the same from Jewish But in graduate school at the American friends who made aliya and University of Michigan for social work and worked as journalists in Israel alongside public health, the second intifada was in Palestinian colleagues, for whom they felt full swing and the peace process in tatters. deep affection and sympathy. These And while the Palestinians played their role friends regularly worked in the West Bank, in that failure, Israel continued appro- covering the conflict and witnessing injus- priating land and building settlements. As a tices perpetrated by Israel firsthand. They social work and public health student, I did not trivialize the challenges of dealing was now training — alongside Palestinian with entities sworn to Israel’s destruction,

13 such as Hamas, yet they also personally where. Why, then, should criticism of Israel knew many well-educated and moderate be blasphemous? Palestinians, and they spoke of how Hamas attracted more adherents as living While anti-Semitism persists, Jewish conditions grew more desperate, people survival is not precarious at this moment in were increasingly humiliated by the IDF, history. It’s clear that Egypt will not absorb and Palestinian casualties rose with the Gaza, and Jordan will not accept millions use of excessive force. And in the media, of Palestinian refugees; Israel’s fate is Israelis began speaking out about the intertwined with that of Palestine. Indeed, trauma they experienced secondary to the what does feel precarious in modern Israel, violence they committed against Pales- given the occupation, the orthodox tinians during their army service. In- hegemony and now the African migrant creasing numbers of Israelis began crisis, is her moral integrity, her com- conscientiously objecting to service and mitment to human rights, and her demonstrating against the occupation. The democracy. Criticism and protest may save name Israeli Defense Forces, once so Israel from drowning in the military might befitting of the righteous Jewish nation that she exerts against a subjugated population had faced down so many would-be denied its self-determination, the sup- destroyers, seemed less fitting now; pression of religious diversity, and the defense no longer characterized all of the expulsion of non-Jewish migrants seeking military activity in the territories. asylum and seen as perceived threats to maintaining a Jewish majority — an The subject of Israel is so complex extension of the Palestinian problem. for many of us because we love Israel deeply, want to ensure her sustainability, For those of us who love Israel, and want to stand proudly by her. We also including my friends and relatives raising know that anti-Semitism is alive and families there, criticism of unjust resurging across the globe, including here government policies is more important than in the US. I myself am Israeli and feel ever. Criticism, the exertion of pressure to viscerally connected to Israel. I obtained uphold human rights so that Israel can dual citizenship for each of my children, once again be a light among nations, work hard to maintain their knowledge of seems to us to be the actual key to her Hebrew, and we visit as often as possible. survival. My children may one day serve in the IDF, and I care deeply that they should love Israel as I do. Many of my American Yael Hoffman is Project Manager of friends have made aliya, aligning the fates the REACT Program: Recovery and of their families with that of Israel. Empowerment After Community Trauma at the University of Chicago Medicine. She is Our love of Israel isn’t blinding, a public health social worker, and also however. For me, it no longer makes sense substitutes as a crisis worker at the Cook to protest against oppression in every County Health System Stroger Hospital corner of the globe except Palestine and ER. Yael and her husband, Andrew Skol, Israel. Like most of my Jewish friends and joined Congregation Rodfei Zedek in 2007 family, I protest vociferously against human and have three children, Yoni, Ezra, and rights abuses in this country and else- Avi.

14 Making Aliyah: An Interview with Leah Basa by Rhea Basa, her mother Q: When and why did you first decide to go to Israel?

A: After high school, I went for a gap year to study engineering at the Technion.

Q: Why did you want to go to the Technion?

A: It sounded like fun to study in a different country and Israel was a logical choice because I was familiar with it from my visits. Also, I had grown up in a Jewish environment – my home life, Rodfei, Akiba, Camp Tavor.

Q: When did you first think of making aliyah?

A: After a couple of weeks at the Technion, once I got to know my classmates and roommates – most of them had already made aliyah. I’d never talked to anyone who had made aliyah before. I’d always kind of wanted to do it but didn’t understand the mechanics of it. When I went to Camp Tavor in the summers, I was interested; but it didn’t seem like something that was really possible. There were issues of timing and programming in the Habonim Dror movement that weren’t working for me. But once I got to Israel I learned about other ways of doing it.

Q: What were the influences that led you in that direction?

A: Mostly it was summer camp. Visiting Israel was some influence, especially the trip with my family in 2015.

Q: Please describe some reasons for making aliyah.

A: I like it here. I really like Israeli culture. I like how everyone talks to everyone and everyone looks out for each other – it's part of the culture. I like that it's a Jewish country. Though because it's easier to be Jewish some people [in Israel] become less observant.

Shira, Leah, Eva, Rhea, and Andrew

15 Q: Is it unusual for a person your age to make this choice?

A: Definitely not. From my perspective a lot of people do it at this age. Young olim are a big part of Israeli culture.

Q: What have you done in Israel so far?

A: I went to college for a year. I played soccer on my college team, which included a National Tournament in Eilat. I hiked Yam l’Yam from the to the Kinneret – it took four days!

I lived in an absorption center in Ranana. I went on a trip with the Israeli Scouts and Lone Soldiers from Garin Tzabar to the con- centration camps in Poland. I lived and worked in a Moshav in Nachariya.

And I joined the Army.

Q: Why did you join the Army?

A: I wanted to feel Israeli, and being in the Army is part of the Israeli culture. It also improved my Hebrew!

Q: Do you have friends or family in Israel?

A: I have friends I made when I got to the Technion, friends from Garin Tsabar and friends in the Army. I’ve also run into friends from camp and Akiba-Schechter. Coincidently, one of my close friends on the army base was a close friend of mine at Akiba-Schechter! As for family, I do have some distant cousins but haven’t had much contact with them.

Leah on the army base with Akiba-Schechter friends Talia Yahav and Davida Gordon

16 Q: How are you getting along when it family is secular but we always have comes to speaking Hebrew? Shabbat dinner. Shabbat has a similar vibe to Shabbat at Rodfei. A: Pretty good. It got better when I worked in a gan at my moshav because the children did not speak English. Rhea Basa has been a member of Q: How do you view your connection to the Congregation Rodfei Zedek since 1986. US as you make Aliyah? She led the Family Minyan for many years and also served on the Board at CRZ. She A: I’m only really connected to my is a teacher at Akiba-Schechter Jewish immediate family in America. Most of my Day School, heading the Music Program friends are in Israel. It’s hard to keep up as well as directing the Mathematics with my American friends because of the Curriculum at the Elementary and Middle time change and my limited free time while School levels. in the Army. A graduate from the University of Q: Do you participate in “religious” life in Michigan, Northwestern University and Israel, and, if so, how does it compare with DePaul University, Rhea lives in Hyde Park what you experienced at Rodfei Zedek? with her husband Andrew and 33% of their three daughters! A: When I was at the Technion, my roommates were Orthodox and so I went along with that. On the Army base, I’m not as observant. On my moshav, my host

Leah's Vocabulary

are people immigrating to Garin Tzabar is a program that provides (עלים) Olim services to Jews aged 18-24 who make Both terms .(עליה) Israel, or making aliyah aliyah and serve in the Israel Defense are related to the word for "ascend," the Forces (IDF) as Lone Soldiers. same word used when one is called to the Participants are adopted by an Israeli Torah. community that becomes their home away

from home before and throughout their Camp Tavor is a Jewish overnight camp military service. located in Three Rivers, Michigan. The camp is affiliated with Habonim Dror, a the Hebrew for "garden," is the ,(גן) Labor-Zionist youth movement which Gan promotes the ideals of communal living Israeli term for kindergarten. and sharing, in a -like environment. is a cooperative (מושב) A moshav The Yam l'Yam (Sea to Sea) hike is one of agricultural community of individual farms, the most popular hiking trails in Israel. pioneered by the Labour Zionists during the second wave of aliyah.

17 A Family's Bumpy Road

by Irene Glasner she made us promise not to tell. This was It has never been easy to be a Jew in the in the forbidden column. Clear. Our family . Back when I was a child, it was was then a member of Beit Tikvah, where also confusing: why didn’t we – my two we saw our extended family only for brothers and I – have a tree? How come all weddings and funerals. Confusion. Our my friends had presents when it was not parents allowed us to celebrate "Kings’ their birthdays? And who was this bearded Day," the Russian orthodox day celebrating guy who supposedly brought them? On a the Three Kings bringing presents to the sleigh – when for us it was summer? manger. (Also known as the ‘Epiphany’). We would leave our shoes at night outside Little by little, we learned the the door, and they were filled with presents answers. Sometimes on our own (through the next morning. More confusion. the school grapevine), sometimes they were explained to us. But all The result was that that was going we experienced that to change. Un- mixture of attraction willingly, mind to the forbidden and you. Our "aliya" fear of angering the was the result grownups, that chil- of some grown- dren often expe- ups' shenani- rience. We were born gans, around in a Catholic country, which our , simultane- young minds ously the sanctuary could not wrap. of These political and of the Jews upheavals he victimized. An Irene (sitting second from the left) and her class in Ramat Gan would equal opportunity eventually immigration policy. A country that recently define our lack of Jewish observance for a had its profile raised in our city by yet long time. We didn’t know it then, but we another lucky citizen, the Chicago were growing up as secular Jews. In any Symphony Orchestra’s music director event, we had the on our Daniel Barenboim. At the time of my story, side, and, secular or not, our parents had a in the early 60s, there were many Jews in ketuba, so although temporarily foreign, we Buenos Aires, the capital, maybe up to a would eventually "belong," the aspiration of quarter of a million. We were growing up in all children. that country, but we were not supposed to be going to church. (Among others, we Israel was young and poor at the Jews were guilty of being Christ-killers beginning of the 60s. Unlike our orderly then). We had learned the words of the and disciplined observance days at the Pater Noster from our Catholic nanny, but

18 synagogue in Argentina, religious services Yom HaShoa. Just when we understood were noisy and chaotic in Tel Aviv. that no gifts made in would be Children were running around in the aisles, accepted. Just when this inscrutable seemingly without any adult supervision. language was lifting its veil. “Yaradnu”. In Could the freedom of Israeli children 1966. Important distinction that we compensate for the horrors their parents understood when we came back to visit. went through during World War II? This No, we did not avoid the war. We left long was but one aspect of our adaptation. We before it. also had the language to contend with – my uncle sent us a Hebrew-Spanish bible Paris was our next – soon to be which my brother and I dutifully lugged on temporary – stop. With a shaky legal the bus to our teacher’s home. The status. So shaky, in fact, that it would not principal, of our school in Rehov Talpiot, be possible for my brother to have a Bar Mr. Wallenstein, had volunteered to teach Mitzvah. Those were dark times. Less for us. The learning was arduous and slow, us, children, than for our parents who bore but not as slow as the one that our parents all the responsibilities on their shoulders. went through in the . Later, it became Our previous stint in Israel hadn’t made our clear that we children had “ulpan duty” as European travel easier: there remained well as our own homework. My parents enough fear, among Jewish travelers, a were not adapting to what was then an few years after the Holocaust, not to want even less developed country than the one to stand out. And Israeli authorities had they had emigrated to from the European scribbled in red ink all over our documents, chaos. The Hebrew language, this marvel- so they conveniently disappeared. The ous testament to Jewish life and survival, events of May 1968 in Paris were a life would forever remain a mystery to them. altering experience for the 16-year-old that I was, but there were no Jewish We children, the older of my two experiences. Yet maybe this was one, brothers and I, were attending school. indeed, in an old-world sort of way: staying Well, to be accurate, we were thrown into a in the shadows, avoiding being carted class of kids that were our age. Another away in one the infamous police vans. penance since we couldn’t make heads or tails of what was being said. But we also The breathing was easier in our next had pleasant things; Purim was one of stop: Brussels. Moving around was also them. It did not matter that we did not know becoming easier, although leaving friends the story of queen Esther, this was like behind became harder the older we grew. Carnival, right? We knew about that. Beit Belgium was then starting to face the Sefer HaGefen was well represented and consequences of colonialism, so we had to our Hebrew was good enough by then to struggle to understand these different comment on all the children’s costumes. realities.

Sadly, “yaradnu” - the contrary of The clouds lifted in our next stop: “alinu”. Just when we were getting used to the French speaking part of . the noisy synagogues and the absolute We were proud members of the only could-hear-a-pin-drop silence of the whole synagogue in that city, and we had a country standing still in remembrance of Hungarian rabbi there (to whom my Dad

19 could relate to, being Hungarian himself). The sun finally shone when I Our rabbi always performed very fast decided to leave the old continent behind. during his services. Being able to follow – Still in the Diaspora, a benevolent one, but no page numbers were announced – was it will not bring back the feeling of made easier by our previous study of the “belonging” when our family is so far away Hebrew language but it was still a from the land of milk and honey. challenge. He was stern in his sermons – in my view at least. He said we – the whole congregation – were “three-day-Jews.” Well, how could it be otherwise, for us, secular Jews? I always resented this guilty feeling he instilled in me. Especially when he insisted on all the children getting out of Irene Glasner came to America to the sanctuary during Yizkor. It felt like marry her American-born love. She has being kicked out, “you don’t belong here.” lived in the same country, the same city, My younger brother managed to celebrate and the same apartment since 1983. In his bar mitzvah under our stern rabbi, 2000 she became a U.S. citizen, and she testament to my family’s enduring sense of chose to reconnect to her roots by joining belonging to a nation without borders. We Rodfei Zedek. After retiring from working at also had a communal Seder there; but my the Chicago Board of Trade she now leads Dad was so hungry (or impatient) that he a much calmer life. She has been widowed would start eating matzah before we were since 2012. supposed to. He was no leader in Jewish observances.

20 A The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel: A 46 Year American-Israeli Collaboration to Support Research into Nervous and Mental Disorders by Ronen H. Segman and Elliot Gershon

Elliot Gershon and his funny mistakes in his Hebrew presentation, wife Debby have been but a year later he was among the first members of Rodfei Young Investigators funded by NIPI, and Zedek for 19 years, shortly after became a member of the taking part in study Scientific Advisory Board. groups and classes. Elliot has served on The Department of Research in the Board and been Jerusalem that he had set up between active in leading ser- 1971 and 1974 was a first of its kind in vices, and Debby is a Israel, and it had a favorable effect on member of the Sister- development of translational neuroscience hood. They have a long and close research in mental illnesses in Israel for connection to Israel. They lived in Israel some years after he left. Debby, Elliot, and from 1971 to 1974, their younger son their children returned to the US in 1974, Ethan was born at Hadassah Hospital and Elliot became an independent during that time, and their older son Ari and researcher at the National Institute of his family live there now. They visit often. Mental Health research facility in Bethesda. Elliot kept in touch with Starting in 1970, Elliot began to researchers in Israel, and got to know forge a professional relationship with others who came to the US for Fellowship Israel. In that year Elliot was in his final training. He had gotten to know Charlie year of Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psycho- Smith, and his family, from their visits to pharmacology and Biological Psychiatry at Israel with Joel to see how NIPI was the National Institutes of Health in developing, and to continue their very Bethesda, MD. Joel Elkes, of Johns generous philanthropic support. Joel Hopkins University, heard that he was remained Chairman of The Board of interested in moving to Israel the next year, Trustees of NIPI for many years, and Elliot to set up a research facility in clinical and was very pleased to be named his translational studies of mental disorders. successor as Chairman in 2003, by the Joel made the 40 mile trip to tell him about Board and by the Smith family. Joel the National Institute for Psychology in continued to be intellectually active for Israel (NIPI), then in formation, and to many years afterward, and had another encourage him to get involved with it. The career an artist of watercolors, with next year after Elliot had arrived in Israel considerable success. He died at 102 and become Director of Research at what years of age, in 2015. David Smith, is now the Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem, grandson of Charlie, serves as President of he applied to NIPI for funding. His first NIPI and continues the family tradition of meeting with the NIPI Scientific Board, in supporting it. 1971, was a disaster – he made some very

21 In 2017, Ronen Segman, Director of The National Institute for Psycho- NIPI, and Elliot as Chairman wrote an biology in Israel (NIPI) article describing the history and work of NIPI for public release, which is was founded on the pioneering leadership reproduced here. of the late Charles E. Smith, a philanthropist in Washington, DC, and Co-author, Ronen Professor Joel Elkes, who was Chairman Segman, is a Sabra, of Psychiatry at of Johns Hopkins born in Petach Tikva University in Baltimore. They clearly saw and raised in . the necessity for a broad integrative clinical Ronen has come up – basic approach for tackling brain through the ranks of disorders, the most complex of all medical NIPI. He was first disorders. Based on this vision set forth in awarded a Young 1971, NIPI became the only national Investigator grant from nongovernmental philanthropic activity in NIPI in 1996, while he was a Psychiatry Israel whose major goal is to support resident at Hadassah Hospital in clinical and translational research in the Jerusalem. His grant funded a very neurosciences. Its goals are to increase successful research project on the genetics our understanding of basic mechanisms of Tardive Dyskinesia, and Elliot came to underlying brain disorders and the know him through his work. Ronen was discovery of novel disease modifying mentored by Beni Lerer, who headed (and treatments. Collaborative research and still heads) the Biological Psychiatry dialogue between basic and clinical laboratories at Hadassah, and who served scientists is fostered through the for about a decade as Director of NIPI. establishment of dedicated calls for Ronen served as a grant reviewer for NIPI collaborative clinical – basic research during those years, and got to know the grants, and NIPI's annual symposia inviting organization through Beni. In 2012 the international and local brain scientists and then-Director of NIPI, Shaul Hochstein, clinicians to present novel approaches. retired from the position, and Ronen became Director. Apart from his other Maintaining the highest standard of responsibilities, he chairs the Scientific research has been and remains NIPI’s Advisory Committee very ably, and is main criterion for funding. The rigorous and responsible for organizing and managing competitive process of identifying the most the competitive review process for all grant promising ideas to fund each year is led by applications. NIPI’s prestigious Scientific Advisory Committee, composed of top researchers The editors of To Learn and To from clinical and basic research settings Teach are delighted that Elliot and Ronen throughout Israel. The committee evaluates have agreed to share their work with our grant applications, and submits them for Congregation. external peer review to leading experts in the relevant field in Israel and abroad.

AFNIPI’s and NIPI‘s volunteer team of Board and Scientific Advisory Committee members, who are all senior research

22 faculty at major Israeli institutions, ensures Collaborative Initiatives between the impartial distribution of grants to all Clinicians & Basic Neuroscientists. universities and research institutions in Israel based on scientific merit and Among NIPI’s central goals has potential contribution to the understanding been an effort to eliminate the ‘disconnect’ and treatment of brain disorders. For over between clinicians and basic researchers four decades NIPI has been the only Non- by breaking down barriers, increasing Governmental Organization (NGO) that dialogue and promoting collaboration has funded brain research in every major between clinicians and basic university, hospital and research institute in neuroscientists around major themes the country, leading to vital scientific representing unmet needs. To help discoveries. This has led to multiple achieve this goal, we initiated a new class discoveries pertinent to causes, prevention of grants that requires collaboration and treatment of brain disorders. NIPI has between two senior investigators, one helped reshape the neuro-psychobiology clinical and the other basic, that has community in Israel by deepening the sparked great interest in the Israeli translational commitment of basic scientific community. neuroscientists, and collaborative clinical – basic brain disorder research over the Research into Alzheimer’s and Other years. Neurodegenerative Diseases

Since its founding NIPI has had a Israel is making a name for itself in major impact on the quality and volume of research into neurodegenerative diseases, neuroscience in Israel. It has awarded including Alzheimer’s. A most important over 600 grants since its first grants in finding of one of our Young Investigator 1971. What began as a fledgling discipline grantees, Ina Slutsky who is now Professor with 56 scientists in Israel is now a at Tel Aviv University, was that amyloid- dynamic and vibrant scientific community beta peptide, which was thought to be only of over 1,000 expert researchers and harmful to nerve cells and a cause of clinicians, with a wealth of basic and Alzheimer’s, actually had important clinical scientific findings. Basic physiologic roles. Her paper published in neuroscience in Israel is at the forefront of Nature Neuroscience in 2009 proved that prestigious scientific and international neuronal cells in a part of the brain research highly regarded worldwide, as involved in Alzheimer’s, hippocampus, evidenced by its representation in leading actually depended on this peptide for journals in the field. Israel’s small size regulation of their signaling activity. This enables inter-institutional collaboration and finding anticipated the unfortunate results productive research synergies and Israel’s of clinical trials in Alzheimer’s patients of start-up culture allows new ideas and antibodies to this peptide, which were research to flourish in an unparalleled way. disastrous. NIPI is also proud that it is addressing Israel’s brain drain by making successful An article appeared in Ha’aretz careers in high-end research in Israel newspaper in the spring of 2016 about a possible and desirable and by establishing NIPI Young Investigator award recipient in Israel as a center of excellence in 2009 - 2011. Prof. Daniel Offen, a neuro- psychobiology.

23 scientist at Tel Aviv University Medical School working together with Prof. Bilha Fischer, a chemistry professor at Bar Ilan University, have been developing a new drug to fight Alzheimer’s disease. They were now able to obtain the complete disappearance of dementia symptoms in mice. The mice demonstrated similar cognitive capabilities to healthy ones after taking the drug. Although it is early days, Ronen H. Segman, MD, is Director the scientists say that their “preliminary of the National Institute for Psycho-biology findings present a worthy candidate for a in Israel and Professor of Psychiatry at future treatment for a disease that is Hebrew University, Jerusalem incurable today.” Prof. Offen’s NIPI grant also funded his research into a treatment for reducing the symptoms and progression of Huntington’s disease. NIPI Elliot S. Gershon, MD is Chairman is proud to have supported Prof. Offen’s of the National Institute for Psychobiology laboratory and career. in Israel, President of American Friends of the National Institute for Psychobiology in American Friends of the National Israel, and Professor of Psychiatry and Institute for Psychobiology in Israel Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. AFNIPI is a public charitable foundation, recognized as a 501 (c) (3) charity by the US Internal Revenue Service, which provides financial support, grant opportunities, and fellowships to scientists, laboratories, and research centers in the field of psychobiology in Israel. We bring together physicians who devote their lives to the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from brain disorders and basic researchers in medical sciences, including neuroscience and genetics. AFNIPI supports the ongoing research and activities of NIPI, and similar Israeli research.

24

Impurities and Sacrifices, Israelites and Israel by Rabbi David Minkus adapted from a devar Torah on Tazria-Metzora, originally presented on April 29, 2017

Since the many places the text does not make sense Hyde Park Yom to us; it also offends our moral outlook on HaShoah pro- the world, betraying our vision of what is gram, Israel has right and wrong. Amending the way we been on my see the text here is a good thing. While it mind. As I sat has led to the Torah having less authority down to think and sway in the lives of Jews, those who about what to have engaged with it engage on a deeper write about this level–no longer being mere passive portion, it was readers or being beholden to its literal Israel that was filling the pages of my meaning. But it is ok to say that the text is notes. Despite the political and internal hard, not as relevant or resonant, while difficulty it presents, it may be easier to sanctifying just that, making holy the speak about Israel than to parse the recognition that it may not move us today, meaning of white and yellow hairs on skin it may leave us feeling empty or angry, but and its ritual implications (the double this is a part of the process of maintaining portion of Tazria-Metzora deals with its centrality and furthering the tradition. physical issues, bodily fluids, and ailments We need to resist the urge of introducing stemming from ritual impurity). Or maybe I drashshot/sermons or ideas solely to make have simply convinced myself of that. But it work for us today–much of the Torah before I return to Israel, I want to offer a does, these portions may not, at least this brief thought on where I am now after a Shabbat–but that does not mean we week of studying this difficult and distant neglect it and, God forbid, skip over it. double portion. Perhaps you can see the Israel Part of me feels that we should sermon coming… But, specifically what become a little more comfortable letting the has made me think of Israel in the parasha text be. We should gain a comfort with the was that much of the afflictions were based inherently uncomfortable; perhaps upon speech and moral failures. Speech squirming from unease should not be on Israel consumes so much of our energy, divorced from other forms of biblical study so much of our time–yet that energy leads and the experience they yield. We need to not to building up but to breaking down. learn to undo our instinct to write off, And we as a community have spent far discard or rewrite a text or passages in the less time on recourse, on how to bring Torah that offend us or no longer make each other back from such negative, and sense to us; that was the prevailing mode often, mean-spirited talk (not discussion or of Torah study for much of Jewish history. dialogue). We break each other down As progressive, modern Jews who look to because of where we stand on Israel, scholarship and are critical consumers of leaving each individual isolated with no bible, we have broken it down–and in many place to go other than deeper into that or most places for the right reasons. In originally held position. Keep in mind the

25 isolation felt by the person who has the instinct, which is right, but they are contracted tumah/impurity in our portion. different and distinct days; conflating them He/she was placed outside of the camp, is a mistake. We need to hold onto to but the Priest would come and routinely both, while honoring them independently. check on him/her and bring that person Previous generations have gotten the back into the community himself! education of both Yom Ha'Atzmaut and Yom HaShoah wrong. There has been too My teacher Rabbi Danny Nevins much blind joy and too much loss: the joy wrote a great dvar Torah about where keeping us from seeing beyond our Jews were 70 years ago today, not next particular joy while the Shoah has been year when Israel will celebrate its 70th transformed into communal guilt, and guilt birthday. In 1947 the Jewish people were that has often been translated into an at an all-time low because the horrors of educational policy. And, perhaps worse, the Shoah were now fully known, at least to that loss – on all sides – has been given Jews. Survivors of this incomprehensible short shrift because now we can rejoice in trauma were being repatriated by the very our Zionist reality. people who had turned them over to the Nazis (or were at least complicit). For me, and I think for the Jewish Immigration to British Mandate Palestine community too, Israel needs to begin with had always been difficult, and now its Joy. We have the land of Israel, not a policies were constricting. And even if you longing or a hopeful prayer but a place that safely immigrated to the US or or we are only a few clicks away from, which even Palestine, the shame of being a Jew must never be overlooked. But now that as well as the guilt of surviving must have we have it, and our concern is, been too much to bear. It must have felt understandably, protecting its borders, we not only dire but also that being a Jew was can never neglect the necessity to protect hopeless, that this was the cataclysmic its soul. That means having difficult low-point to Jewish history, a history conversations and protecting the "Nahshon littered with low points. ben Aminadovs" (people like the Hebrew who, as the Egyptians were closing in, But then the UN partition plan was went into the water first and initiated the signed and a year later, after the War of Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea) of the Independence, Israel was real, a reality. Jewish community – those brave enough How easily that sense of hopelessness can to begin those very conversations, those be forgotten, which I think is a good thing. strong enough to speak for but also to the Yet, how quickly have we become Jewish community. habituated to Israel existing? This is not a good thing, as we have quickly neglected Israel's being a reality means the several thousand years of an ever-present luxury of choosing a book for One Book, vulnerability for a few decades of strength. One Rodfei that is an Israeli book by an I bristle with discomfort when Hatikvah is Israeli Arab. That means not being sung at Yom HaShoah programs. These threatened by the truths and realities of two days and realities need to be that book or by the author. Only a people separated for the dignity of both – for the in power, a people in control have that dignity of the people they memorialize and luxury. We should relish that responsibility, the people they celebrate. I understand not cower in fear of it; nor can we deny that

26 it is a luxury. And while I resist, fervently, when it fails. We must have the courage to the urge to conflate the birth of Israel with say it has contracted tumah/impurity, but the Shoah, historically accurate or not, the we must also be willing to be the priest and truth that it taught us must never escape us bring it back into the community. We must and are bound in the same book of be strong enough to acknowledge its need memory. to be purified, while overcoming the fear of standing with it because of that impurity. Theodore Herzl did not dream up the idea of out of nowhere, nor did We as a Jewish community in the it come about because of what he saw or diaspora need to recognize how important realized with the Dreyfus Affair. But he Israel is for us – whether or not you as an knew of the threat of anti‑Semitism, and he individual are a Zionist. Those are two knew that the Jews needed a state separate conversations that should happen because of it. The Zionist thinkers that internally and communally. Good or bad, followed him put together a far more Israel exists, which is like the woman who compelling reason and vision for Zionism, has given birth in our parasha. Whether one that allows for Judaism and Jewry to we like it or not, the Torah has demanded be not only sustained but also furthered. that she make an offering because of the impurity she has contracted during labor. I Israel represents many things: the think, like with the offerings she is to give, rebirth of Hebrew, a Jewish food culture, we as community are too hesitant to offer entirely Jewish cities – not ghettos but praise, joy, and love for Israel – we metropolises. And Israel also represents certainly know of communities who fail in the acknowledgement that we are here and the opposite direction. We should begin by Israel is there to ensure that. Yet we offering blessings, which does not and cannot forget how quickly things can be cannot trivialize or gloss over its real taken away – wealth, dignity and, failures – its impurities. But let’s start by ultimately, life. elevating this essential and miraculous development of Jewish history while For those who do not feel the pull of always having an ever-present eye on its Zionism, challenge yourself to acknow- need for purification. ledge its essential nature in the life of Jews and Judaism – we need to see the timeline Rabbi David Minkus has been with of Jewish history before and after Congregation Rodfei Zedek since June, emancipation, as well as before and after 2014. He earned a BA with a major in the Holocaust. Challenge yourself to think psychology from the University of Illinois, of the security and self-confidence we have Champaign/Urbana and also studied at as a Jewish community and as Jews Hebrew University and at the Machon simply because Israel exists; being a Jew Schechter Institute in Jerusalem. He since Israel was born is unequivocally graduated from the Jewish Theological different from before. For those of us who Seminary with a Masters in Jewish have Israel coursing through our veins, Education. He lives in Hyde Park with his remember it is our national representation wife Ilyssa and daughter Raia, who attends of what Jews have been called on to do, to nursery school at Akiba Schechter. As of be the living embodiment of mitzvot – and this issue’s publication date they await a we must use our voices to demonstrate new baby.

27 This American Shabbat

Since arriving at Congregation Rodfei Zedek Rabbi David Minkus has created and nurtured a program originally suggested by NPR's This American Life. Invited by the Rabbi, participants in This American Shabbat study together and discuss, then present their interpretations at a Shabbat service. Over and over participants express their appreciation for each other's insights, and the entire Congregation thrills to the rediscovery of its members' talents and commitment. These three talks on Parashat Vayishlach were originally presented on December 2, 2017.

by Jonathan Lear

In this parasha we What should we think of Uncle read about the Essau? He is our uncle – if that is, we are reconciliation of the the children of Israel. Or, is this another two sons of Isaac case of ambiguity? On the one hand: if we and Rebecca, are children of Israel and Essau is Israel's Essau and Jacob. brother, he is our uncle. On the other The Torah tells us hand: if Israel is assumed to be our entire that the sons began family -- if all our aunts and uncles fall their struggle in the within Israel -- then Essau is not our uncle, womb, and that so even though he is Jacob's – Israel's – troubled their mother that she asked of the brother and we are children of Israel. But Lord, "Then why do I exist?!" God answers what are we to make of this exclusion, Rebecca and the translations give Jacob denying that Essau is our Uncle Essau? the upper hand. So, from Etz Hayim: "Two nations are in your womb / Two It is not difficult to read the Torah as separate peoples shall issue from your depicting Essau as ugly at birth and coarse body; / One people shall be mightier than to the point of oafishness in his judgment. the other, / And the older shall serve the We are told he "emerged red, like a hairy younger." But Robert Alter (in his Genesis, mantle all over".i And we know that he was 1996), following the lead of Richard willing to sell his birthright for a bowl of Friedman (in The Disappearance of God, lentil soup. I am not a Hebrew scholar, but 1995), points out that in the last line the Robert Alter says that the language is Hebrew is ambiguous and thus oracular in coarse: structure. It can be read either as "the 'Give me some of that red stuff to elder shall serve the younger" or as "the gulp down, for I am famished' -- elder, the younger shall serve". On the which is why he was named Edom. standard reading, Jacob's coming out Jacob said, 'First sell me your triumphant is in accord with divine plan. birthright.' And Essau said, 'I am at But if we take seriously the oracular the point of death, so what use is reading, then Jacob's triumph is a my birthright to me?' trickster's outcome: a wrestling with the But is it not possible also to glean hints of divine utterance itself that won't let go until unjust prejudice hidden in our tradition? he comes out on top. Why should we judge a man by his

28 physical appearance at birth? If we had Bless me too Father!" Isaac bestows a been told that the first-born would be a lesser blessing. We are told that Essau great servant of the Lord, would we not seethed with resentment over this incident hold those same looks with kind of and vowed to kill Jacob after Isaac died. reverential, perhaps bewildered, awe? In Rebecca somehow knows this, warns terms of trading his birthright for lentil soup, Jacob, and he takes off – and we can fast- what are birthrights anyway? Are they forward twenty years to Jacob's return and more than human confections: cultural the moment of reconciliation. inventions that perpetuate systems of injustice amongst siblings? It could be a Both brothers want reconciliation, sign of the beauty of his soul that Essau but for different reasons. It is fair to say was indifferent to the birthright-institution, that only Essau has reconciliation in his even though in a worldly sense he stood to heart. For Jacob, the Torah suggests that gain from it. By comparison, lentil soup is his reasons are instrumental: he has left real; it is truly health-giving. Laban and wants to return to Canaan, he is afraid that he and his family will be The greatest injustice that Jacob attacked and destroyed by Essau, he perpetrated on his older brother is stealing would like to live in peace and have his father Isaac's "innermost blessing". In family prosper. He devises a strategic terms of an act that can destroy a family, approach with many gifts, an elaborate this is a real lulu. As you know, Isaac in procession, much bowing and many old age tells Essau he wants to give him repetitions of "your servant" directed in his innermost blessing. Rebecca overhears obeisance to Essau. It is almost as though and intervenes. Let's face it: Rebecca is a the other version of the oracular terrible mother. She explicitly plays pronouncement is fulfilled – the younger favorites with her children; indeed, she nation serving the older. But there is no plots with one to deprive the other of his indication that there is love in Jacob's due. She is also an unfaithful wife: she heart, any fellow-feeling for his estranged acts deceptively to ruin the last wishes of brother. By contrast, when Jacob bowed her husband. Jacob's only concern in this before his brother, "Essau ran to meet him scheme is that he might get caught. and embraced him and fell upon his neck and they wept." This is a stunning act of When the deed is done and Essau non-retaliation: a willingness to abandon finds out, his cry is as heartrending as any 'eye-for-an-eye' retribution out of love for you will find in the Torah, if only you will let his brother. Essau suggests that they it affect you: "Bless me too, Father!" Isaac, continue on together: 'Let us journey who was bound in childhood, in old age onward and go, and let me go alongside considers himself bound. Instead of you.' If this is Essau too simple to hold a declaring his previous utterance null and grudge for long, we could use a bit of his void because it was intended for Essau 'simple-mindedness'. Jacob makes an and extracted under false pretenses, he excuse and lies. He says that his children, takes his innermost blessing to be sheep and cattle are tired, which may be irrevocably gone, given to Jacob. He says true, but he says that after a rest he will to Essau, "What, then, can I still do for you follow Essau and join him in Seir. Instead my son?" – and Essau repeats his appeal: Jacob headed off in a different direction, to "Do you have but one blessing my father?

29 Succoth and then on to Shechem where he Essau's exclusion is, I think, based set up his home in Canaan. on a crime. God had not yet given the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, but He The Torah is explicit that Israel – might have felt the need to by reflecting on that is, the people Israel – is founded on Jacob's behavior. Jacob dishonored his exclusion. If our history is the history of father by tricking him out of his innermost Israel, then hairy Essau does not count as blessing; he stole that blessing from his part of us. The rabbis and commentators brother Essau; he coveted Essau's have been resolute in building a wall birthright and all his privileges of being around Israel and placing Essau on the first-born. That is three Commandments other side. They look for reasons why violated -- and if they had been honored it oafish Essau got what he deserved. He would have been Essau, not Jacob, who made some bad marriages and went his would have received Isaac's innermost own way. And subsequent history blessing. If that had happened Essau purportedly vindicates this outlook. might well have become one of our Ancient Edom, of which Essau was the patriarchs. supposed founder, was a perpetual enemy of Israel. In the Tanakh, King Saul defeats So what? There is little point in Edom and then forty years later King David dwelling in might-have-beens for events defeats them again. Later, in the time of that occurred in the ancient past. The Nebuchadnezer II, the Edomites plundered question is whether a legacy was created Jerusalem and killed Judeans. Thus the that has worked its way down through the prophets denounce Edom. ages and somehow now confronts us, here in the present. It seems to me that the Here is a question worth pondering: reconciliation between Jacob and Essau does this subsequent history of strife remains unfinished business. It began between Israel and Edom vindicate the long ago with Jacob and Essau, but was Torah account or is it rather the reverse: flawed by Jacob's deceit and lack of full- namely, that the subsequent history of hearted participation. True reconciliation is strife retrospectively influenced an a possibility held open, yet is still to be unnecessarily harsh reading of Essau in fulfilled. But if reconciliation is unfinished the Torah? This is an important question. business, then I cannot see whose It is one thing to think that a loutish oaf with unfinished business it is, if not our own: we bad judgment was excluded in the the children of Israel, that is, Jacob, who formation of our people; perhaps that is began reconciliation but fudged it. what needed to happen for us to become Israel. It is quite another to think that a What would it be for us to accept good-hearted, simple-hearted innocent this inheritance? There is much to be said person was kicked out by deceit, and that about this, but I shall leave you with one we as a people are formed on the basis of thought. When we see a people over unjust treachery and unjust exclusion. And there, on the far side of some wall, whether all this has been covered up by later one- literal or metaphorical, instead of thinking sided interpretations. I am inclined to go of them as having nothing to do with us, or against the rabbis and accept this thought. as going their own way or perhaps as being hostile, might there be a way to envisage them as our long-lost cousins –

30 descendants of brothers who did not quite currently writing for the television show achieve the reconciliation that was called "Living Biblically". His son Sam is in fourth for long ago. And may we not see the grade at Lab School. The family is grateful burden of reconciliation as falling on us, we to be part of the Rodfei Zedek community. the children of the patriarch who snuck away when he had a chance to go further? This may at first seem an unusual lesson to learn from this Torah portion, but I am convinced this could be our inheritance if only we choose to inherit it. by Joanna Martin Shabbat shalom -- to you and to Uncle Essau and all our unknown cousins! I appreciated the chance to study this Torah portion Jonathan Lear teaches philosophy with David, at the University of Chicago. He currently Jonathan and serves as director of the Neubauer Anna. As I Collegium for Culture and Society. Before explained to coming to Chicago, he taught philosophy at the group, I Cambridge University and at Yale. While have found teaching at Yale he also trained as a biblical analo- psychoanalyst and he currently serves on gies more pro- the faculty of the Chicago Psychoanalytic found, as of late, due to our current political Institute. He is interested in conceptions of climate. I have watched with shock and the human psyche that trace their way disgust, as biblical themes of hatred, back to Socrates. In particular, how does prejudice, and greed are constantly our understanding of who we are help us affronting us in the news. understand how we ought to be, ethically speaking? Among his books are: Aristotle: I grew up in a Cleveland suburb The Desire to Understand (1998), Radical attending a reform Jewish congregation Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural and a public high school with a sizeable Devastation (2006) and Wisdom Won number of Jewish students. I was a From Illness (2017). His book Freud was history major in college and fortunate to rated number one by the Guardian have the opportunity to study abroad at Tel newspaper (UK) in its top ten books on Aviv University for a semester. As an psychoanalysis. He is a member of the adult, I found my limited experiences with American Academy of Arts and Sciences reading from the Torah often left me and has received the Andrew W. Mellon wondering more about the experiences of Foundation Distinguished Achievement girls and women in ancient Judaism, Award. Jonathan is married to Gabriel because they are usually without voices. Lear who currently serves as Chair of the This Torah portion really surprised me with Philosophy Department and works on its relevance to current events. I was ancient Greek ethics and aesthetics. His immediately drawn to the story of Dinah. daughter Sophia writes comedy and is Many readers of this passage take away

31 that Dinah was raped. Some rabbis in the her brothers, but how did she feel watching past have interpreted this passage as a other women and children share her fate? warning to girls and women not to go out The cycle of violence continued. The story on their own, thus blaming the victim. How is even more confusing in that her can we give Dinah a voice? How can we presumed rapist wants to marry her and put into words her feelings about her negotiates a “price” with her brothers. Her predicament? And all the Dinah’s who father, Jacob, is noticeably absent from came before her? these negotiations. It turns out that her brothers negotiate a steep bride price, insisting that all the townsmen get circum- Society is now confronting sexual cised. Their cunning plan leaves the violence and exploitation of women. townsmen physically incapacitated and Women are coming together to share thus easy targets. Jacob is dismayed with personal experiences of sexual exploitation what happens saying to Simeon and Levi, and violence and how these experiences "You have brought trouble on me, making impacted their lives. It is possible that this me odious among the inhabitants of the moment now will prove to be more than land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; just a moment, and permanently change my men are few in number, so that if they the way women are heard. Why now? In unite against me and attack me, I and my part, it is due to the collective anger women house will be destroyed." But they experienced after the election of our answered, "Should our sister be treated current president, who, prior to the election, like a whore?" had been not only been accused of sexual assault by over a dozen women, but had This biblical story touches on our also been recorded on tape, bragging current national discourse about sexual about sexual assault. The current climate violence that has also included a Senate emboldened some brave victims to come candidate, Roy Moore, preying on forward and some brave reporters to teenaged girls. It is hard to believe that we capture their stories. Moreover, social are still having a national conversation media has allowed for a collective voice about what is appropriate behavior towards and a platform to quickly amplify this issue. children and what is the legal age of While our current president was rewarded consent. Many have spoken out against and elected despite numerous accusations this politician’s behavior, but it is important of sexual assault, many women have now to note that we still have a lot of work to do stepped forward sharing their experiences educating adults and children to speak out of sexual assault or harassment, leading to if they witness or are subjected to the shaming and professional downfall of a inappropriate behavior. In their indignation, handful of powerful men. some of Moore’s critics have said that they would commit violence against Moore if he Dinah was likely a young teenager, tried something like that on their own around 12 or 13. The story is messy daughters. These are the modern day because, although her brothers take descendants of Simeon and Levi. And revenge on her behalf, they kill many Jacob’s inactions are a model for people people and then take ownership of the like Alabama's Governor, Kay Ivey, who murdered men’s women and children. have said that while Moore’s actions were Dinah was likely relieved to be rescued by reprehensible, people shouldn’t do

32 something rash. Like voting for a access to food, shelter and water may not Democrat. Think of the consequences be stable are at high risk of exploitation. before you try to right a wrong. Their stories need amplification and We know that Simeon and Levi are awareness from the world. furious at the treatment of Dinah, but why? It is unclear if they are angry that she was Like many people, I am a big fan of violated and taken for a wife against her the musical Hamilton. When reading this will or if they were more angry that Torah portion, I kept thinking about the Shechem didn’t ask their permission first. final song in the hit musical that is sung by We can only wonder about Dinah’s voice Hamilton’s wife, Aliza. She sings about her here. Was she fearful and sad? Maybe husband and his early death at the hands she had friends or relatives to confide in? of Aaron Burr: "Who lives who dies who She may have felt guilty at the revenge her tells your story?” I like to think about what brothers took or she might have felt Dinah would look like if given a song by the vindicated. musical genius of Lin Manuel? But after the events described in this Torah portion, There is a lot to learn from our the Torah says little about Dinah, and there ancestors. Their lives were very different, are varying accounts in the midrash of her but the range of human emotions are the eventual marriage, perhaps to her brother same. We all are capable of anger, Simeon, or perhaps to Job. The Torah’s betrayal, greed, joy and celebration. Our narrative shifts to other characters and leaders are still highly fallible. Power and other branches of the family tree. The patriarchy are running themes in the bible. immediate aftermath of the rape is Society has changed in many ways, but discussed in detail, but its long-term powerful people still exploit the vulnerable. consequences for Dinah are thought to be Social media has changed our lives in the not of much interest to the audience. So past ten years, but social media, like the the spotlight goes elsewhere. Dinah must bible, is complicated. Vulnerable people have a lot to say if only she could tell her can use social media to gain power and story. find a collective voice. Social media is also a place for very negative things, like anti- Semitism, misogyny, racism, and the spreading of propaganda. Joanna Martin MD is a palliative Social media can allow people to care physician at the Jesse Brown VA and come together and start controlling their a clinician at Northwestern Memorial own narrative. On twitter, the hashtag Hospital. Joanna and her husband, #metoo has become the rallying cry of Lior, have two children, Eli and Iris. They women sharing their experiences of sexual have been members of Rodfei for four violence and exploitation. #Hertoo was years. created by Alyssa Milano and UNICEF to recognize those women and girls who don't yet have a voice on social media, an effort to raise awareness of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Women who live in places with extreme poverty, where

33 by Anna Siegler First, the story of Sarah and the birth of Isaac, which we read in Vayera a In a short month ago. And second, in the Haftorah for passage from our Vayera, we read about the Shunammite parasha – only three woman. If I were not standing between you verses – we learn that and lunch I would have talked about Rachel goes into labor Hannah, the mother of Samuel. But time and dies giving birth to pressures win out and Hannah’s story must Benjamin, her second wait. son. In thinking about Rachel, I decided to The story of Sarah and the explore the theme of conception of Isaac is delightful. Divine divine intervention in conception and birth. intervention comes from three strangers, Today I will discuss the stories of three whom Abraham hastens to welcome and women who conceived sons with the feed. The strangers ask after Abraham’s intercession of God or his messengers, wife, Sarah (how did they know her either late in life or after many childless name?). And then, out of the blue, one of years. them says “I will return to you next year, and your wife Sarah shall have a son!” First, Rachel’s story. We recall that What an extraordinary announcement, Rachel was the much beloved wife of given that Sarah has been in menopause Jacob, who worked an additional seven for well over 50 years. Sarah laughs at this years in order to win her father Laban’s news. She is incredulous. The messenger permission to marry her. Laban had tricked seems miffed that Sarah would doubt his Jacob into marrying Rachel’s older sister word, saying, “Is anything too wondrous for first. the Lord?” Sarah then denies that she laughed. Rachel is deeply saddened, though, as her sister Leah bears son after son (and Consider Sarah’s state of mind: the a daughter Dinah, as a mere footnote). news that she will have a child is both Even the two handmaids, Bilhah and stunning and embarrassing. We can easily Zilpha, bear sons, while, still, Rachel imagine a number of reasons for her remains childless. After many years, God laughter: her advanced age; her husband’s remembers Rachel and opened her womb. advanced age and even the thought of With the birth of her first son, Rachel enjoying sex with Abraham since both of exclaims, “God has taken away my them are almost 100 years old by now. disgrace.” Curiously, she names the baby Lucky for us, 100 is the new 50! “Joseph” – meaning “May the Lord add another son for me.” That prayer was When the baby was born, Abraham fulfilled with the birth of Benjamin, as we named him “Yitzchak,” Sarah said: “God read today. has brought me laughter: everyone who hears will laugh with me.” The name Isaac In addition to Rachel’s story, the evokes a wonderful event, full of joy and stories of three other women come to mind: laughter.

34 In contrast, the story of the you so sad? Am I not more devoted to you Shunammite woman is dark and complex; than ten sons?” the gift of a son is terrifying rather than comforting. The Shunammite is a wealthy Hannah goes to the temple to pray woman who treats the prophet Elisha with for a child, making a silent vow that if she great generosity and kindness, and in is given a son, she will dedicate him to the return, he asks her what he can do for her. Lord. When the priest Eli observes her She does not answer directly. It is Gehazi, moving her lips but not speaking, he chides the servant of Elisha, who observes, “She her for being drunk. “How long will you has no son and her husband is elderly.” make a drunken spectacle of yourself? When Elisha says to her, “At this season Sober up!” Really, will the indignities never next year you will be embracing a son,” cease! When Hannah explains that she she replies, “Please, my lord. Man of God. was praying out of deep sadness and Do not delude your maidservant.” [2 Kings distress, the prophet responds, “Then go in 4:16] Rather than being amused at the peace. May the God of Israel grant you idea – as Sarah was – the Shunammite what you have asked of him.” With these reacts with denial and anxiety. words, Hannah’s despair leaves her and she returns home. The text tells us that her As the story continues, we learn that husband “knew her” [that wonderful biblical her sense of foreboding was well-placed. euphemism] and “the Lord remembered The boy – perhaps about seven or eight - her.” She conceived, bore a son and is with his father in the field when he says named him Samuel, meaning “I asked the to his father, “Roshi, roshi,” – “my head, my Lord for him.” When the child reached the head,” and collapses in pain. The father right age, Hannah took him to the prophet has the boy taken to his mother, who Eli, keeping her vow, saying, “I hereby lend perceives that he is dead. Then the mother him to the Lord.” seeks out Elisha and rebukes him. She says, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I Here we have four stories about say, ‘Don’t mislead me?’” [2 Kings 4:28] women who are childless – some in old Remarkably, the prophet gives the lad age, some because they were unable to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and brings conceive – and all three are granted the him back to life. According to Mark, my in- gift of a son seemingly through divine house consultant, this miraculous event is intervention. I was drawn to the stories of one of the earliest, perhaps the first, these individual women because each reference to resuscitation in history. experiences a personal and distinct range of feelings: the spectrum runs from Rachel, Sarah, the Shunammite. disappointment, disgrace, pain and fear, to And now, Hannah, the wife of Elkanah. joy and laughter. [Book of I Samuel 1: 1-2:10] In the Haftorah on the first day of Rosh As a modern audience, we can Hashanah, we find Hannah in deep despair identify with these experiences surrounding because she is childless. Elkanah’s other conception and the gift of children. It’s wife Peninah bears many children and important to note, though, that our biblical cruelly taunts Hannah. Her husband tries sisters were limited in the roles they were to comfort her: “Hannah, why are you expected to fulfill, even to the point of crying and why aren’t you eating? Why are bearing sons rather than daughters.

35 Women today have choices and more control over their reproductive capacities. Women can choose not to have children. And, some women cannot have children. But, in our culture and in ideal circumstances, women can enjoy personal and career achievements on an equal Anna Siegler grew up in a suburb of footing with men. Our congregation is filled Chicago and came to Hyde Park to study with women of great accomplishment in at the University of Chicago, where she science, medicine, law, education, earned her BA and a PhD in History. She business, and the arts. We are fortunate is currently Secretary of the congregation that we live in a time that values and board and is proud of her long association promotes our individual achievements, with Rodfei Zedek, where she and her even as we find fulfillment in motherhood husband Mark have been members for and – importantly – and especially over forty years. Their four children all live important, even as we value daughters in Chicago. For some years, the children equally with sons. attended Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School, where Anna taught middle-school In conclusion, I feel gratitude for a English and Social Studies in 1980-81. life that allowed me to balance motherhood and a career. Some of you know that in the When she turned to fulltime work, 1970s, I was one of five women to write a Anna spent ten years in administrative book called “The Balancing Act.” My co- positions at UChicago in the office of a authors and I felt like pioneers in a strange medical school dean, the president of the land back then, struggling to pursue Hospitals and the chair of surgery, then careers while also being mothers. another ten years in the office of the CEO of Nuveen Investments. Now retired, she In my case, I had difficulty pursues her interests in music, art and conceiving, a fact that explains why the reading and treasures her time with family stories of Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, and the and friends. Anna and Mark celebrated Shunammite woman so fascinated me. their fiftieth anniversary in June 2017. One Mark and I sought medical help and felt fun fact: In the 1970s, Anna and four fortunate to live in a time when science friends published a book, The Balancing could contribute if prayers were not Act, on the challenges women face in sufficient. balancing careers and families (first edition, 1976; second edition, 1982). Our first born were – not one but Guess what? It’s still a challenge. two! Twins Dillan and Alison. Our son Richard was given the Hebrew name of Yitzchak very deliberately. And Jessica, our treasure, was born when I was 40.

Thank you for giving me the honor to speak and to share my thoughts and my gratitude for God’s many blessings.

36 A Date with a Dusty Piece of History by Rebel Without a Clue/Jeff Ruby

Years ago, I went on dropped me off first, and I had to lean over a date. As a blind the eight-year-old in the back seat to say date and a double goodnight to my date. Needless to say, date, it was awk- there were no sparks. Whatever the ward on multiple opposite of sparks are, that’s what we levels. The fact that experienced. Lumps, maybe. we seemed to have nothing in common I still don’t know why I did it, but I was just the cherry sent her an e-mail the next morning: “That on top. She was a budding young Zionist was weird. Wanna try again without the working as a waitress in Chicago only long chaperones?” To my surprise, she said enough to sell her things and make aliyah. yes, and a bizarre courtship began. I was a nihilistic young editor who had just Periodic dates followed, usually as friends, broken up with his longtime girlfriend and often ending in high fives. was not fit for public consumption at the time. At some point, I’m not sure when, we become boyfriend and girlfriend. It For whatever reason, the two of us wasn’t exactly Romeo and Juliet, but we tagged along with another couple and their clicked. And yet, it was obvious to us both 8-year-old son at a restaurant in the Loop. that our connection to each other was on a The food was eh, the conversation stilted, collision course with her connection with and I wore a mock turtleneck. Which she Israel. I didn’t know her well enough to roundly mocked. make a commitment, let alone move to the Middle East together, so I was honest. “If Though I’ve blocked out much of the you still want to move to Israel, I’d evening, I remember that she wouldn’t shut understand,” I said. “But I won’t move there up about Israel. She loved Israel more than with you. And I would miss you.” I’d loved anything, ever. She went on and on about the Negev, kibbutzim and She cried. Sometimes to me, madrachim, the schwarma at the Haifa bus sometimes to others. She tried to sell me station and the Israeli soldier she’d dated on Israel: its history, its beauty, the miracle who rode a motorcycle and had an M-16 of its existence. I was not swayed. To me, under his bed. The only dialogue I recall Israel was little more than a dusty piece of from that night went something like this: history—a word in a prayer book. Her: You ever been to Israel? Me: No. In the end, she did not move to Her: (angry) You interested in ever Israel. I had won, which pleased me to no going to Israel? end. I am more powerful than the toughest Me: (angrier) Not really. country in the world. Or so I thought. She began to work on the idea of a trip there At the end of the date, the other together. No fool, I realized that if I said no couple gave us both rides home. They to this, I was also saying no to the future of

37 our relationship. So I said yes. Not for me, Back home, Chicago suddenly not for Judaism, not for any reason other seemed bland and predictable. We than I wanted to stay together. repeated stories about our Israeli adventures and looked at the photos So, in the summer of 2000, we constantly. I knew we’d had an spent two weeks in Israel. We did the usual unforgettable time, but it took me months stuff: floating in the Dead Sea, wandering before I fully understood the importance of the Old City, Yad Vashem, the Kotel that trip. She was saying: You want to tunnels. Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The know who I am? What stirs my heart? grottoes at Rosh Hanikra. The beach in Tel Here. This is it. It’s a country that’s far Aviv. We smoked a hookah, drifted in and away, but it’s beautiful and maddening and out of souks, and ate a lot hummus. I got complicated and I want to share it with you. the worst food poisoning of my life. Will you share it with me?

But she also took me to the places I did. And I realized that Israel had that meant something to her personally, come to mean something completely like her aunt’s home in Jerusalem where different to me than it did to her. In my we shared a Shabbat meal with countless mind, the country became forever cousins, almost all of whom beat me at intertwined with this remarkable woman, ping-pong on the rickety table in the her passion for life. Her curiosity. Her backyard. We traveled to Revivim, the empathy. For me, the country became a kibbutz where she had once lived, and symbol for falling in love. tended to the ostriches with Goldie, a sunburned farmer who had been doing it That fall, I proposed to Sarah at a B so long he’d begun to look like an ostrich & B in Lakeside, Michigan. Got down on himself. There were buses and boats and one knee and everything. It was probably bikes, waterfalls and deserts. An old lady not what she envisioned, but she said yes. yelled at me in Arabic at the Temple Thirteen years later, we took our young Mount. I even put my own prayer in the children to Israel for another extraordinary western wall. It was the first time I had ever trip, and I saw the place in a new light: prayed. Did I feel a connection to the land? through their eyes. I can’t wait to see what I’m not sure. But I felt something. it ends up meaning to them.

As if sensing an opening, my Jeff Ruby is the chief dining critic girlfriend took me to a jeweler in the Old of Chicago magazine and is the author City to get rings made. Cluelessly, I of the middle school age novel, agreed. When she tried to get me to Penelope March is Melting, which was propose to her, the dim light bulb over my released last November. He is a head finally flickered. I told her I wasn’t graduate of the University of Kansas ready. “You don’t get to control when journalism school and also has a someone asks you to marry him,” I said, bachelor's in philosophy from the and she didn’t like that. The two of us sat in University of Colorado. He is the husband angry silence at a felafel place on Ben of Sarah Abella, who grew up at Rodfei Yehudah Street. Eventually, we got on with Zedek; and they are the parents of things and enjoyed the rest of the vacation. Hannah, Max, and Abigail.

38