Seenon the Israel Scene from Masada to Kibbutz Ketura
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Jewish National Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 84, Number 2 • March 7, 2018 • 20 Adar 5778 www.jewishpostopinion.com • https://go.usa.gov/xn7ay Cover Art by Carolyn Frankel (see About the Cover on p. 2) 2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT March 7, 2018 About the Cover Seen on the Be Like Miriam Israel Scene By Carolyn Frankel This art depicting Miriam from the BY SYBIL KAPLAN Passover story is from the book, Be From Masada to Like Rachel: Lessons of Character from Kibbutz Ketura Women of the Bible written and beau- Masada is about two hours from Methuselah in the Arava Institute research tifully illustrated by Kibbutz Ketura but its connections are a park on Kibbutz Ketura. Photo by Dr. Stolowey Carolyn Frankel. lot closer. London-born Dr. Sarah Sallon, Frankel, a writer Director of the Louis Borick Natural University of Zurich, Switzerland for radio and artist, was an Medicine Research Center at the carbon dating.They were also tested to see elementary school Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Karem, if they were anti-bacterial, anti-viral, educator teaching through the arts for 38 Jerusalem is friends with California-born anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-malaria, years in the Ohio public schools. She botanist of the Arava Institute for anti-oxidant, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and wrote this book to teach children not only Environmental Studies at Kibbutz Ketura, immune regulatory. about the Matriarchs of the Bible but as a Dr. Elaine Solowey. The date palm was one of the best vehicle to teach good character. She According to Dr. Sallon, “in 2005 we medicinal trees, domesticated over 6,000 believes this is a lifelong task for everyone were interested in rejuvenating lost flora years ago. It can be male or female, and the world is in need of of Eretz Yisrael. One of the lost flora is the and the babies are dates. Medicine of the seeing more examples of Judaean date. I was discussing with some date palm was used for lung disease, this now. scientists about their work, trying to extract colds, heart disease, hair growth and In order to achieve DNA from ancient seeds.” She asked, “if other things. “enduring external success we had ancient seeds, why couldn’t we After eight weeks, in March of 2005, one we must continue to build grow them?” seed successfully germinated and was a strong moral core,” she Masada came up in the conversation. named Methuselah, the biblical person writes. “I want readers to C. Frankel The fortress, built by King Herod over who was said to have lived 969 years. think about how they can contribute to 2,000 years ago, between 37 and 31 BCE, Initially, the first leaves had white spots something larger than themselves, which was home to almost a thousand zealots because of a lack of chlorophyll. At 15 can only come when we answer the ques- until the Romans breached the wall in 72 months, the seedling was transferred to tion of what qualities of character each of CE and found the bodies of the Jews. a larger pot. After 26 months, the plant us want to work on.” From 1963 to 1965, archaeologists showed normal development. In the book, Frankel gives background Yigal Yadin and Ehud Netzer excavated Dr. Sallon says it is in the Guiness Book information on each biblical woman fol- Masada and found date palm seeds at of Records as the oldest cultivated seed. lowed by helpful lessons one can glean from the approach to the Northern palace. In 2011, I was permitted to see a still the good character traits they all demon- They became part of the custodianship of photograph of Methuselah on the strated. Then hopefully one will strive to Netzer, stored at Bar Ilan University. computer when its exact location was emulate these traits in his or her own life. Dr. Sallon had the idea to plant the being kept a secret. At that time, it was Below are the women in the book with seeds and see if they would grow. two meters high (about 6-1/2 feet) and the good character traits they exhibit. Each Hadassah asked her what the seeds had in a “protected quarantine site,”due to its woman is stunningly, artisically portrayed to do with them and she replied, “we scientific and financial value. by Frankel helping the reader feel a study natural therapies.”Hadassah agreed In April 2011, a white flower appeared kinship with her. to let Dr. Sallon become involved on on the inner part of the tree, indicating Eve – Be Responsible & Accept Consequences; three conditions – “don’t ask us for money, that Methuselah was, indeed, male. Naamah – Protect the Planet; Sarah – don’t ask us for anything and don’t On Nov. 24, 2011, the tree was planted Believe in the Power of Your Dreams; Hagar embarrass us!” at Kibbutz Ketura, in the presence of the – Determination; Rebekah – Promise Dr. Sallon directs a research center which National President of Hadassah, Marcie Keeper; Rachel – Kindness; Leah – Faith; studies complementary alternative and Natan, and Lord David Wolfson of England. Miriam – Inspiration; The daughters of integrated medicine through the Middle Today, Methuselah has a permanent Zelophehad – Cooperation; Deborah – Eastern Medicinal Plant Project. After home in the Arava Institute research park Leadership; Ruth – Devotion & Loyalty looking at medicine of Tibet, as an intro- on Kibbutz Ketura. At the time I wrote Hannah – Gratitude; and Esther – Courage. duction to the ancient world of traditional this, there was hope for Methuselah, a Every classroom should have a copy of medicine, they began to look at the male tree, to be bred with a female to this book and it also makes a great coffee medicinal plants of Eretz Yisrael, of which produce the same date variety eaten table art book, as well. Even though it was there are approximately 2,900 species. commonly in ancient Judea, where it was written for children, adults appreciate the Dr. Sallon asked Professor Netzer if valued as much for its delicious flavor as message this book communicates. they could have a few seeds, and they for its medicinal properties. For more details or to purchase the were given five palm seeds. Dr. Sallon Solowey continues to work with palms book, go to her website: carolynfrankel took them to her colleague, Dr. Solowey. and has grown other date palms from .com, or email: [email protected], Dr. Solowey took three of the 2,000-year- ancient seeds found in archeological sites or on Facebook: facebook.com/Author old seeds and planted them in January around the Dead Sea, as well. CarolynFrankel 2005. Other seeds were sent to the (see Kaplan/Israel, page 17) March 7, 2018 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 3 about myself. I wanted to offer him, too, Editorial the chance to give something and feel Inside this Issue good about himself. In the end, he gave me so much – a About the Cover ......................................2 Over winter break, my brother moment of netzach, of eternity – a moment Sybil Kaplan: (Seen on the Israel Scene) Benzion’s oldest son and his wife traveled that I will never forget. Our souls are From Masada to Kibbutz Ketura........2 by van for a one day visit from Buffalo, wired to give. That’s how the Creator Jennie Cohen (Editorial)..........................3 N.Y., with six of their seven children for a created us. Sometimes the kindest act we Rabbi Moshe ben Asher & Magidah family reunion. See what my brother can do is to receive – to allow someone Khulda bat Sarah (Gather the People) wrote about this on page 6. In a conversa- else to give to us. Miraculous manna from heaven........4 tion with my niece, I told her about this Aryeh Ben David founded and directs Amy Lederman (Jewish Educator) column below that we had published. Ayeka (www.ayeka.org.il) Center for Soulful Passover: Faith and Hope...................5 Education. Rabbi Herbert Horowitz (Maggid) On the Subway by Aryeh Ben David God’s second chance...........................6 I am taking the Broadway #1 train from After the column came out, I saw the Rabbi Benzion Cohen (Chassidic Rabbi) Penn Station to Van Cortlandt Park in the following quote by Shlomo Carlebach: A beautiful story ..................................6 late afternoon. Van Cortlandt Park is the “You are not doing a favor to those in need Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow last stop on the line. About 3 stops from [when you give them charity]; they do you Fear of God verses in awe of God ....7 the end, everyone in my car exits. I’m left a favor by turning you into a benefactor.” Rabbis Dennis & Sandy Sasso alone. The door opens from another car. (Found on p. 218 of the book, Kol Chevra: Revisit purpose of 2nd Amendment ......8 Enters a 30-something year old guy, big, Love & Healing, published on the 22nd Rabbi Jon Adland (Shabbat Shalom) and obviously drunk. I’m at the other end anniversary of his yahrzeit.) Terumah, Exodus 25:1–27:19................8 of the car. This column reminded my niece of a Jim Shipley (Shipley Speaks) He stumbles over to me. I’m getting a story which is appropriate for this bridal Therefore, choose life..........................9 bit nervous. He’s bigger than me, and I’m edition. I will tell it as I remember it and not Rabbi Sandy Sasso a worrying kind of guy. He leans over necessarily as it is written (Talmud Bavli, Culture drives sexual harassment.......9 close to me, about 5 inches from my ear, Shabbos tractate, Page 156, second side).