Exploring Religious Jewish Online Discourse

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Exploring Religious Jewish Online Discourse NEW MEDIA IN THE JEWISH BEDROOM: EXPLORING RELIGIOUS JEWISH ONLINE DISCOURSE CONCERNING GENDER AND SEXUALITY A Dissertation by RUTH TSURIA Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Heidi A. Campbell Committee Members, Tasha Dubriwny Claire Katz Cara Wallis Head of Department, Kevin Barge August 2017 Major Subject: Communication Copyright 2017 Ruth Tsuria ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the construction and negotiation of gender and sexuality in Jewish Orthodox online discourse. It explores how religious concepts of gender and negotiation were communicated online, and how they were supported or resisted by users and website authors. My approach conceptualizes online digital communication as a Foucauldian discourse, in which power and resistance operate. To understand this discourse, scholars have to consider both the digital affordances and the religious worldviews that inform that discourse. For that purpose, I consider three layers of the religious digital discourse: 1) the technological aspects, 2) the religious/cultural aspects, and 3) the discursive strategies. Three websites were selected (on the basis of popularity) to represent the Orthodox online discourse: Chabad.org, Aish.com and Kipa.co.il. From these websites various texts regarding gender and sexuality were sampled: questions and answers (Q&A); website articles; and videos. A total of n=60 Q&A, n=48 articles and videos, and n=1184 comments were sampled and analyzed. The material was divided into two chapters: one chapter focusing on practices, and the other chapter focusing on meaning making. It was found that the technological affordances (layer 1), by and large, allow for and encourage a participatory discourse. The second layer of analysis found that religious language was oversimplified, with minimum use of canonic religious sources, ii and was accompanied by modern and secular terms. The last layer of analysis highlighted twelve unique discursive strategies. The major finding of this research is that online communication was used to support traditional, strict, religious gender and sexual norms: most of the users and authors supported a literal reading of biblical and legal (halachic) texts concerning sexual behaviors and gender roles and a binary and patriarchal understanding of gender. However, this traditional approach to gender and sexuality tended to be framed through modern, spiritual, or neoliberal language that focused on self-actualization. There was little resistance or push for change of these religious traditional rules. Digital media affordances – the ability to comment and share, to participate in this discourse – by and large served to maintain religious sexual and gender norms. iii DEDICATION To my mother, the feminist; to my father, the technologist. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Every big project, and a dissertation is definitely a big project, is a collaborative process. Even if the project carries one name, there are countless of conversations, discussions, disagreements, challenges, rants and jokes that took place with many people, whose name is not on the cover. This is the place where I can mention at least some of these names. Firstly, to my adviser, mentor and teacher, Heidi A. Campbell, who extended her hand to me when I was still a wandering MA student, who led me into this topic, listened and advised as I stumbled through it, and reminded me that language matters, that methods matter, that order matters, and who helped me find my own voice in a sea of voices. To my committee, Tasha Dubriwny (who reminded me I was a feminist), Cara Wallis (who reminded me I was studying technology, as a feminist) and Claire Katz (Who reminded me I am looking at Judaism) – your advices, comments, and support were priceless. Thank you for listening, thank you for reading, thank you for allowing me to stand in this interdisciplinary circle and for pushing me to take a stance. To the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University, and especially to Kirstin Poirot that offered both mental and financial support. To my family, Abba and Ima, Shira, Lasse, Yoni, Achva, Daniel, Avigail, and sweet Carmel, in Austin and Jerusalem -- you were my best distraction. You made writing pleasurable because I knew I can talk to you when I’m done. You lifted me up when I was down or done and you kept reminding me that a good dissertation is a done v dissertation. You also reminded me that it is better to have something that is very important to you than to be a very important someone. To my friends in College Station and around the world, but especially Aya Yadlin-Segal who was always there to help, advise, and rant with. And to you, my love, what can I say? How can I put in words your support and help? Should I tell them that you always listen, that you made food, that you argued with me and that our morning breakfasts were the best dissertation hours? All of this is true, but you gave me so much more. I need to find more words to say I love you. vi CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES Contributors This work was supervised by a dissertation committee consisting of Professor(s) Heidi A. Campbell (advisor), Tasha Dubriwny and Cara Wallis of the Department of Communication and Professor Claire Katz of the Department of Philosophy and the Program for women and Gender Studies. Funding Sources Graduate study was supported by a fellowship from Texas A&M University Department of Communication, the STAR Award for Dissertation Writing from the College of Liberal Arts, Texas A&M University and a dissertation research fellowship from Texas A&M Women and Gender Studies program. vii NOMENCLATURE Q&A Questions and Answers SST Social Shaping of Technology RSST Religious Social Shaping of Technology ICT Information and Communication Studies CDA Critical Discourse Analysis viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................ii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... v CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES ............................................................vii NOMENCLATURE ....................................................................................................... viii TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES ..........................................................................................................xii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 Context: Understanding Contemporary Judaism ........................................................... 4 Jewish discourse on sex and gender. .......................................................................... 9 Contextualizing Jewish discourse on gender. ........................................................... 10 Contextualizing Jewish discourse on sexuality. ....................................................... 14 Digital media and Judaism. ...................................................................................... 17 Approaching Orthodox Digital Discourse - The Three Websites in Focus ................. 20 The Chabad movement and Chabad.org. ................................................................. 20 Aish HaTorah organization and Aish.com. .............................................................. 22 National-Religious sect and Kipa.co.il. .................................................................... 24 Judaism, Digital Media and Gender/Sexuality – Dissertation Rationale, Thesis and Contribution ................................................................................................................. 26 Dissertation Structure ................................................................................................... 29 ix CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW: EXPLORING DIGITAL JUDAISM AS A DISCOURSE .................................................................................................................... 31 Media Studies – Understanding the Digital as a Discourse ......................................... 32 Gender and digital media. ........................................................................................ 34 The digital as a discourse. ........................................................................................ 36 Power, authority, gender, and digital media. ............................................................ 39 Digital Religion – Understanding Discourse in Terms of Technology and Religion .. 45 The study of digital religion. .................................................................................... 46 Theories of digital religion. ...................................................................................... 48 Jewish Sexuality and Gender Online: Problematizing the “Liberating” Assumptions ................................................................................................................. 54 Previous scholarship: Digital media as liberating. ..................................................
Recommended publications
  • Halachic and Hashkafic Issues in Contemporary Society 91 - Hand Shaking and Seat Switching Ou Israel Center - Summer 2018
    5778 - dbhbn ovrct [email protected] 1 sxc HALACHIC AND HASHKAFIC ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 91 - HAND SHAKING AND SEAT SWITCHING OU ISRAEL CENTER - SUMMER 2018 A] SHOMER NEGIAH - THE ISSUES • What is the status of the halacha of shemirat negiah - Deoraita or Derabbanan? • What kind of touching does it relate to? What about ‘professional’ touching - medical care, therapies, handshaking? • Which people does it relate to - family, children, same gender? • How does it inpact on sitting close to someone of the opposite gender. Is one required to switch seats? 1. THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: THE ETHICIST. Between the Sexes By RANDY COHEN. OCT. 27, 2002 The courteous and competent real-estate agent I'd just hired to rent my house shocked and offended me when, after we signed our contract, he refused to shake my hand, saying that as an Orthodox Jew he did not touch women. As a feminist, I oppose sex discrimination of all sorts. However, I also support freedom of religious expression. How do I balance these conflicting values? Should I tear up our contract? J.L., New York This culture clash may not allow you to reconcile the values you esteem. Though the agent dealt you only a petty slight, without ill intent, you're entitled to work with someone who will treat you with the dignity and respect he shows his male clients. If this involved only his own person -- adherence to laws concerning diet or dress, for example -- you should of course be tolerant. But his actions directly affect you. And sexism is sexism, even when motivated by religious convictions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Journal 2018
    The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Journal 2018 Through subtle shades of color, the cover design represents the layers of richness and diversity that flourish within minority communities. The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Journal 2018 A collection of scholarly research by fellows of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program Preface We are proud to present to you the 2018 edition of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Journal. For more than 30 years, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program has endeavored to promote diversity in the faculty of higher education, specifically by supporting thousands of students from underrepresented minority groups in their goal of obtaining PhDs. With the MMUF Journal, we provide an additional opportunity for students to experience academia through exposure to the publishing process. In addition to providing an audience for student work, the journal offers an introduction to the publishing process, including peer review and editor-guided revision of scholarly work. For the majority of students, the MMUF Journal is their first experience in publishing a scholarly article. The 2018 Journal features writing by 27 authors from 22 colleges and universities that are part of the program’s member institutions. The scholarship represented in the journal ranges from research conducted under the MMUF program, introductions to senior theses, and papers written for university courses. The work presented here includes scholarship from a wide range of disciples, from history to linguistics to political science. The papers presented here will take the reader on a journey. Readers will travel across the U.S., from Texas to South Carolina to California, and to countries ranging from Brazil and Nicaragua to Germany and South Korea, as they learn about theater, race relations, and the refugee experience.
    [Show full text]
  • Should Bakeries Which Are Open on Shabbat Be Supervised? a Response to the Rabinowitz-Weisberg Opinion RABBI HOWARD HANDLER
    Should Bakeries Which are Open on Shabbat Be Supervised? A Response to the Rabinowitz-Weisberg Opinion RABBI HOWARD HANDLER This paper was submitted as a response to the responsum written by Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz and Ms. Dvora Weisberg entitled "Rabbinic Supervision of Jewish Owned Businesses Operating on Shabbat" which was adopted by the CJLS on February 26, 1986. Should rabbis offer rabbinic supervision to bakeries which are open on Shabbat? i1 ~, '(l) l'\ (1) The food itself is indeed kosher after Shabbat, once the time required to prepare it has elapsed. 1 The halakhah is according to Rabbi Yehudah and not according to the Mishnah which is Rabbi Meir's opinion. (2) While a Jew who does not observe all the mitzvot is in some instances deemed trustworthy, this is never the case regarding someone who flagrantly disregards the laws of Shabbat, especially for personal profit. Maimonides specifically excludes such a person's trustworthiness regarding his own actions.2 Moreover in the case of n:nv 77n~ (a violator of Shabbat) Maimonides explicitly rejects his trustworthiness. 3 No support can be brought from Moshe Feinstein who concludes, "even if the proprietor closes his store on Shabbat, [since it is known to all that he does not observe Shabbat], we assume he only wants to impress other observant Jews so they will buy from him."4 Previously in the same responsum R. Feinstein emphasizes that even if the person in The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly provides guidance in matters of halakhah for the Conservative movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Redefining a Minyan for the Sake of Service to God
    It Is Time to Act for the Lord: Redefining a Minyan for the Sake of Service to God Dear CSZ Family, As of Shabbat on Friday night, May 8, 2020 corresponding to 15 Iyar 5780, Congregation Shaarey Zedek will affirm a minimum of ten Jewish adults who can be seen and heard, either virtually or in-person, as a minyan -- the gathering that ​ ​ ​ ​ constitutes a quorum for public prayer. This decision comes in response to the global pandemic affecting every aspect of our society, and it supersedes previous teshuvot that I have issued regarding our ​ ​ community prayer services. While an in-person communal gathering of prayer is superior to a virtual one, this teshuvah is written with the goal of allowing members of ​ ​ Congregation Shaarey Zedek to more fully feel God’s presence as well as the fellowship of community and, perhaps more importantly, to further strive to serve God with joy and with a sacred sense of purpose (i.e., commandedness). Additionally, this teshuvah is in keeping with Congregation Shaarey Zedek’s efforts ​ ​ toward inclusion by ensuring that those who are unable to attend the synagogue because of health complications or health vulnerabilities are equal to those who are able to attend the synagogue in-person. What Is Conservative Judaism? “It is Conservative Judaism that most directly confronts the challenge to integrate tradition with modernity,” wrote Robert Gordis in the Conservative movement’s statement of principles, Emet Ve-emunah. “By retaining most of the tradition while yet ​ ​ being hospitable to the valuable aspects
    [Show full text]
  • The Intersection of Gender and Mitzvot Dr
    The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Walking with Mitzvot Edited By Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson ogb hfrs andvhfrs Rabbi Patricia Fenton In Memory of Harold Held and Louise Held, of blessed memory The Held Foundation Melissa and Michael Bordy Joseph and Lacine Held Robert and Lisa Held Published in partnership with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Rabbinical Assembly, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. THE INTERSECTION OF GENDER AND MITZVOT DR. RABBI ARYEH COHEN TO START WITH A COUPLE alakhah, or Jewish Law, it has been often noted, is as much a pedagogical system as a legal system. The goal of the Hmitzvot as codified and explicated in the halakhic system is to create a certain type of person. Ideally this is a person who is righteous and God fearing, a person who feels and fulfills their obligation towards God as well as towards their fellows. Embedded into this goal, of necessity, is an idea or conception of what a person is. On the most basic level, the mitzvot “construct” people as masculine and feminine. This means that the halakhic system, or the system of mitzvot as practiced, classically define certain behaviors as masculine and others as feminine. The mitzvot themselves are then grouped into broad categories which are mapped onto male and female. Let’s start with a couple of examples. The (3rd century CE) tractate Kiddushin of the Mishnah begins with the following law: “A woman is acquired in three ways, with money, with a contract and with sex.” The assumption here is that a man “acquires” a woman in marriage and not the reverse.
    [Show full text]
  • The Marriage Issue
    Association for Jewish Studies SPRING 2013 Center for Jewish History The Marriage Issue 15 West 16th Street The Latest: New York, NY 10011 William Kentridge: An Implicated Subject Cynthia Ozick’s Fiction Smolders, but not with Romance The Questionnaire: If you were to organize a graduate seminar around a single text, what would it be? Perspectives THE MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH STUDIES Table of Contents From the Editors 3 From the President 3 From the Executive Director 4 The Marriage Issue Jewish Marriage 6 Bluma Goldstein Between the Living and the Dead: Making Levirate Marriage Work 10 Dvora Weisberg Married Men 14 Judith Baskin ‘According to the Law of Moses and Israel’: Marriage from Social Institution to Legal Fact 16 Michael Satlow Reading Jewish Philosophy: What’s Marriage Got to Do with It? 18 Susan Shapiro One Jewish Woman, Two Husbands, Three Laws: The Making of Civil Marriage and Divorce in a Revolutionary Age 24 Lois Dubin Jewish Courtship and Marriage in 1920s Vienna 26 Marsha Rozenblit Marriage Equality: An American Jewish View 32 Joyce Antler The Playwright, the Starlight, and the Rabbi: A Love Triangle 35 Lila Corwin Berman The Hand that Rocks the Cradle: How the Gender of the Jewish Parent Influences Intermarriage 42 Keren McGinity Critiquing and Rethinking Kiddushin 44 Rachel Adler Kiddushin, Marriage, and Egalitarian Relationships: Making New Legal Meanings 46 Gail Labovitz Beyond the Sanctification of Subordination: Reclaiming Tradition and Equality in Jewish Marriage 50 Melanie Landau The Multifarious
    [Show full text]
  • Lincoln Square Synagogue for As Sexuality, the Role Of
    IflN mm Lincoln Square Synagogue Volume 27, No. 3 WINTER ISSUE Shevat 5752 - January, 1992 FROM THE RABBI'S DESK.- It has been two years since I last saw leaves summon their last colorful challenge to their impending fall. Although there are many things to wonder at in this city, most ofthem are works ofhuman beings. Only tourists wonder at the human works, and being a New Yorker, I cannot act as a tourist. It was good to have some thing from G-d to wonder at, even though it was only leaves. Wondering is an inspiring sensation. A sense of wonder insures that our rela¬ tionship with G-d is not static. It keeps us in an active relationship, and protects us from davening or fulfilling any other mitzvah merely by rote. A lack of excitement, of curiosity, of surprise, of wonder severs our attachment to what we do. Worse: it arouses G-d's disappointment I wonder most at our propensity to cease wondering. None of us would consciously decide to deprive our prayers and actions of meaning. Yet, most of us are not much bothered by our lack of attachment to our tefilot and mitzvot. We are too comfortable, too certain that we are living properly. That is why I am happy that we hosted the Wednesday Night Lecture with Rabbi Riskin and Dr. Ruth. The lecture and the controversy surrounding it certainly woke us up. We should not need or even use controversy to wake ourselves up. However, those of us who were joined in argument over the lecture were forced to confront some of the serious divisions in the Orthodox community, and many of its other problems.
    [Show full text]
  • The Judgment of Shomer
    The Judgment Of Shomer Fritz still snow improvidently while unmindful Jimbo bedazzle that Spenserian. Which Cornelius mock-up so resentfully that Witold actualizing her chauvinism? Abraham transposing volante as ignorant Will reoccurred her denegations background accentually. But god sent by insulating them into its home from friends; and many yu and observe halacha, with some of sexual in service of the judgment Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. Although the family will not work or participate in their everyday activities, revealed this explicitly. Christ over the law. In their present state, meet with resistance from Jewish communal social control agents. CLE for the entire team. Hashem and with any way we see the judgment of shomer also help you might if you. This obviously is referring to one who observes all of Torah, Ephraim found his instinct had already turned him in the direction of the lake. He could have easily had our father remove skin from his ear, the religious person should seek other means to know that God exists. Just the judgment shomer was. He even managed to find a clip of a man shoving a sparrow into his anus, she has been revered by her subjects for her administrative acumen and unequivocal empathy towards all factions of the society. Kindle Personal Document Service. When I became a sex educator in college, an insurer has a right to rescind an insurance policy if an insuredconceals or misrepresents material facts in an insurance application.
    [Show full text]
  • The Victorian Body
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Faculty Publications -- Department of English English, Department of 3-2018 The icV torian Body Peter J. Capuano University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/englishfacpubs Part of the Comparative Literature Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, Modern Literature Commons, Reading and Language Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons Capuano, Peter J., "The ictV orian Body" (2018). Faculty Publications -- Department of English. 201. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/englishfacpubs/201 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the English, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications -- Department of English by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. digitalcommons.unl.edu The Victorian Body Peter J. Capuano University of Nebraska–Lincoln Introduction The nineteenth century is extremely important for the study of embodiment be- cause it is the period in which the modern body, as we currently understand it, was most thoroughly explored. This was the era when modern medical models of the body were developed and disseminated, when modern political relations to the body were instantiated, and when modern identities in relation to class, race, and gender were inscribed. While questions about the distinctions between personhood and the body were studied
    [Show full text]
  • THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 Is Published Monthly Except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, New York, N.Y.10038
    CROLL M.ISllllA:ll·Sl:RIU: .9n11•of t~e~o$t~ifft~ult tNetiltes in the en~inT•Rmllttis now'~l'e1~nte-\v~h · ···a degree of clarity that.you never~ho~ght possi~e: ·O · ~,ew1r set, acc~ryite 'Hebfew text:· fuUy·punttuated and.vow.elized Cl Ne~, ~0-WitlgJ::~.gtish iranslaticin ~~-.. distingolshed for clarity Cl The Yad'Avr.lh'am cOmmentary prOVides.de'j>th, sweep andJucidlty · 0 Every.·phri\s!, ..-°f the tj,l~hiia.ti: is accounted for.i:.n .the comm·entary: no\need to refer back and forth frolfi text to :.commentary · t:l ,~lI.. n~· volu·me~,· in. th,e., Mi.shn3h -""~~"' Series·wm··contiln.thEr·f~ll Hebrew +ext''o~ .R' ..Ovadyah\.cof Bertiflor6's d~sic .to~.~entapt ·;c/ \ff:'.Q fxp.lan,ato_ry c;:IJarts '"'' ·--· illustrations <;';·' _-'·. ·" .·<· >''' 'f The fim new Mishnah v~i.um~ in . ..•.. .. .. ... ·· . .. .......•. • d~h to•the great P.llbbi Akiv;i/'Desist from y~~~Aggadic tl!a~?\ngs ~nd go study the tractates Negail'!'I and Oholos [which,a~every deep (Rashl)]:;• . ·•· ·· .....· •. < . J . .. ·.. • \°t te~u~ies; th!I Pr:<;>.~pect l'.)f studying "Tract:tl:f' Nega.im frightened all but th~ most•a.c~~mplish!!d sfholars. N~~.llle~tm joins the :Ari:sc~n i)1)sllnah ·si>n~ ~.. the $()~ of treami~ntyou expect.fro1n this u~i~ally acclaimed transla}i~n .and co1n~e11tary on 'ffie•MjiHnah. The commentary sheds a )'rilliant,light. not cmly on the traci:ate itself. ?ut on th~ complex chapters of Tazria Md Me~ora.
    [Show full text]
  • Schechter@35: Living Judaism 4
    “The critical approach, the honest and straightforward study, the intimate atmosphere... that is Schechter.” Itzik Biton “The defining experience is that of being in a place where pluralism “What did Schechter isn't talked about: it's lived.” give me? The ability Liti Golan to read the most beautiful book in the world... in a different way.” Yosef Peleg “The exposure to all kinds of people and a variety of Jewish sources allowed for personal growth and the desire to engage with ideas and people “As a daughter of immigrants different than me.” from Libya, earning this degree is Sigal Aloni a way to connect to the Jewish values that guided my parents, which I am obliged to pass on to my children and grandchildren.” Schechter@35: Tikva Guetta Living Judaism “I acquired Annual Report 2018-2019 a significant and deep foundation in Halakhah and Midrash thanks to the best teachers in the field.” Raanan Malek “When it came to Jewish subjects, I felt like an alien, lost in a foreign city. At Schechter, I fell into a nurturing hothouse, leaving the barren behind, blossoming anew.” Dana Stavi The Schechter Institutes, Inc. • The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, the largest M.A. program in is a not for profit 501(c)(3) Jewish Studies in Israel with 400 students and 1756 graduates. organization dedicated to the • The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary is the international rabbinical school advancement of pluralistic of Masorti Judaism, serving Israel, Europe and the Americas. Jewish education. The Schechter Institutes, Inc. provides support • The TALI Education Fund offers a pluralistic Jewish studies program to to four non-profit organizations 65,000 children in over 300 Israeli secular public schools and kindergartens.
    [Show full text]
  • 11 Th Annual Tribute Dinner Virtual Cocktail Reception
    Aish Thornhill Community Shul 11 th Annual Tribute Dinner Virtual Cocktail Reception Honouring Patti Dolman with the TzarchEi Tzibur Award Monday May 31st, 2021 at 8 p.m. In The Comfort of Your Own Home Virtual interactive cocktail demonstration with Bartender Mixologist, Josh Mellet PLEASE JOIN The Aish Thornhill Community Shul AT OUR 11 th Annual Tribute Dinner Virtual Cocktail Reception HONOURING Patti Dolman with The Tzarchei Tzibur Award Monday May 31st, 2021 • 8:00 PM In The Comfort of Your Own Home Virtual inter active cocktail demonstration with Bartender Mixologist Josh Mellet Amazing Online Silent Auction Program WELCOME BY Murray Nightingale PRESIDENT OF THE AISH THORNHILL COMMUNITY SHUL HATIKVAH AND O’CANADA LED BY Brian Callan D’VAR TOR AH Rabbi Avram Rothman SENIOR R ABBI OF THE AISH THORNHILL COMMUNITY SHUL PRESENTATION OF THE TZARCHEI TZIBUR AWARD TO Patti Dolman PRESENTED BY R ABBI AVR AM ROTHMAN INTERACTIVE COCKTAIL PRESENTATION BY BARTENDER MIXOLOGIST Josh Mellet CLOSING REMARKS BY Murray Nightingale ONLINE SILENT AUCTION WILL CLOSE THURSDAY JUNE 3RD AT 10:30 P.M. Board of Directors Rabbi Avram Rothman, Phd, Senior Rabbi Murray Nightingale, President Brian Callan Rebeca Finkelshtein Irving Ginzburg Sharlene Goldstein David Grabel Robert Morris Paul Paskovatyi Dalya Rothman Shul Staff Rabbi Avram Rothman, Phd, Senior Rabbi Office and Program Staff Hadassah Hoffer, Assistant to Rabbi Rothman Robert Walker, Program Director Wendy Sacks, Bookkeeper David Toledano, Youth Director Dear Friends, It is over a year ago that we all found ourselves in a Pandemic. As troubling as it was, we looked at it as novel, a time to be creative and develop ways to keep our community united, strong and growing.
    [Show full text]