OTS Newsbrief • SUMMER 2018 • 5778 Up Close and Personal After nearly two decades of successfully placing hundreds of educators and in communities, campuses, pulpits and schools around the world, OTS emissary training programs added a new dimension to its training: a field trip abroad. or the first time since opening its doors to rabbis and F educators 19 years ago, OTS’s emissary-training programs arranged a visit abroad to see Diaspora communities up close, to learn from their leaders and members, challenges and successes. Called “Back to the Future,” the trip set out to introduce students from the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary’s Straus-Amiel Program for Rabbinical Emissaries, the Ethel and Adolph Beren Educator Institute’s Beren-Amiel Program for Educational Emissaries, and the Claudia Cohen Women Educators Institute to the rejuvenating communities of Poland, where alumni of all three programs are making a huge impact.

“In recent years, we’ve been expanding and refining our training program, to stay on the cutting edge and prepare our students even better for their work in the field,” said Eliahu Birnbaum, director of Beren-Amiel and Straus-Amiel. “This trip is one example; its purpose is to expose the future emissaries to challenges that await them and their communities in the Diaspora,” he explained.

Continued on page 2 THE GROUP AT THE GHETTO HEROES MONUMENT IN WARSAW

abbi Dr. , Rabbi Dr. , Yinon Ahiman, R the OTS Boards of Directors, faculty and students mourn the passing of Marcel Lindenbaum, z”l, our longtime supporter, board member, and true friend. A man of elegance, grace, modesty and deep integrity, Marcel was a visionary leader whose convictions changed the course of Modern Orthodox history. Together with his life partner – Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum z”l – Marcel was a fervent proponent of Modern Orthodoxy in its truest sense; an inspired advocate of compassion and justice; and a trailblazing, passionate believer in women’s scholarship and leadership. OTS has been blessed by Marcel’s guidance and partnership for over three decades. In particular, the establishment and expansion of our College for Women, which continues to forge groundbreaking paths for Modern Orthodox women all over the world, will forever bear testament to Marcel and Belda’s pioneering foresight. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire Lindenbaum family: Nathan and Shari Lindenbaum, Bennett and Rebecca Lindenbaum, Matthew and Ray Lindenbaum, Victoria and Ben Feder, Abigail and Shai Tambor, and their children. יהי זכרו ברוך – May his memory be a blessing 2 OTS NEWSBRIEF

Continued from page 1 studying toward ordination at the Straus he took from the experience. “My wife and Rabbinical Seminary. “Every place we I are going to Teaneck, New Jersey in the went, no matter what the character of the coming year,” he said. “While the commu- community or what challenges they were nities we’ve visited on this trip are vastly facing, the emissaries we met in the field different from the one we will be serving, were nothing short of entrepreneurs inno- we did learn one thing: that you should vating change. In Wroclaw, for example, bring something that you love and use it for Claudia Cohen graduate Danielle Basok the benefit of the community. Whether it launched a successful cooking class to better be music, cooking, art, or something else… teach Hebrew and – and the num- all of these things add to community life

LEARNING ABOUT MIKVA CONSTRUCTION IN LODZ ber of participants grew so much that the and connect between the emissary and his local university asked her to teach the class or her community, between the community as an academic course. Or in Lodz, where members themselves, and between each “Students met with the leaders and in addition to managing the kindergarten person and their .” community members of Warsaw, Lodz, she opened about three years ago, Claudia Wroclaw and Krakow,” reported Beren- Cohen alumna Rabbanit Miriam Singer Amiel and Straus-Amiel Educational BETWEEN DEATH AND LIFE taught us about the interreligious coopera- Director, Rabbi Benjy Myers. “Their train- tion in which she’s involved,” he said. On Shabbat morning in Krakow, Zusha ing process began in the classroom, where Radikovska shared her personal story with they are exposed to the world of the the group – her experiences in school and Diaspora, become familiar with various in the Hashomer HaTza’ir youth move- traditions and cultures, and meet with ment, how her childhood was cut short returning emissaries and faculty who by the Nazis and, afterward, by the Iron provide myriad examples. But there’s Curtain which fell over Eastern . nothing like seeing with one’s own two Only now, as a senior citizen, has she eyes,” he declared. “There’s nothing like reconnected with the Jewish community, climbing on the rooftops to see up close through the JCC and Rabbi Avi Baumol, how a mikva works, like sitting in a garden Rabbinic Representative of the Chief and listening to stories from Shlomi, DANIELLE BASOK GIVING EMISSARIES-IN-TRAINING A TOUR Rabbi of Poland and a graduate of Straus- an Israeli who has made his home in OF WROCLAW Amiel. “I now have a good life,” said Poland, or like learning from local jour- Radikovska. “I meet with young people at ”The Diaspora is another world,” said nalist Konstanty Gebert about the Poles’ the JCC, not only with Holocaust survivors Rabbi Uriel Zaretzky who, along with his attitude toward the in their midst.” of whom there are fewer and fewer… It’s wife Batya, serves the Jewish community important to develop the Jewish life in the of Warsaw. “The adjustments here are A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE city and not only the religious life around great – on personal, familial and pro- the , to develop culture and to On the first morning, after a sleepless fessional levels – so one has to innovate. enjoy being around other Jews.” flight, the group met with community Fortunately, at Straus-Amiel we learned members in Warsaw. “I was exhausted,” how to work with all kinds of people, even The journey was summarized by Rabbi admitted Claudia Cohen student Tohar those with whom we have ideological dif- Dani Appel, who is responsible for student Liker, who will be taking a position in ferences. We were taught to focus on what recruitment and community relations and Toronto in the coming year along with her we have in common rather than on ways who coordinated the trip itself. “There is husband, Netanel. “But the moment we in which we differ.” no doubt that our students underwent a started speaking with the locals my eyes significant and positive transformation in lit up. The experience was so powerful,” their understanding of Diaspora Jewry, she said. which will help them in their future field- work,” he said. The discussion also clarified something for Beren-Amiel student Moshe Nachman, Claudia Cohen student Adi Abebe who will be serving in Omaha, Nebraska agreed. “This trip was so inspiring and next year along with his wife, Hadar. educational,” she said. “It was our trip as “Meeting the community members, I individuals, couples and families into our suddenly internalized that Diaspora Jews future as emissaries to Am Yisrael.” are happy where they live. We really need “BRING SOMETHING YOU LOVE” – GUITARIST WAKS WITH FELLOW EMISSARIES-IN-TRAINING AHARON LEMBERGER A TRIP TO OUR FUTURE: HAVDALA IN KRAKOW to think about ways in which to reach each (LEFT) AND MOSHE NACHMAN (RIGHT) individual Jew given those circumstances; how to strengthen their Jewish identity AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE and how to connect them to their commu- nities and their heritage, while accepting On the bus, in the community, in the syn- their choice to live there.” agogue and on the street outside of the Rema shul in Krakow, one of the highlights PRACTICAL SHLICHUT of this trip was witnessing the power of outreach via music as a number of musical “The word which summarizes for me the students brought with them their flutes, visits with all the OTS emissaries in the recorders, clarinets… and much joy. Beren- field is ‘innovation,’” said Straus-Amiel stu- Amiel student Yaakov Waks – who had dent Moshe Vecht, who is simultaneously brought along his guitar – shared a lesson SUMMER 2018 • 5778 3 Stopping and Walking at the Same Time The Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership (WIHL), established with the mission of training female scholars to take part in the complex and intense halakhic discourse and prepare them to serve institutions and communities of Klal Yisrael, graduated two more Spiritual Leaders and Morot Hora’ah. “I came to the WIHL to acquire knowledge of , its practical implementation, and its current rabbinical rul- ings,” said Zaddik. “But it was no less important to me to enter the realm of beit midrash study and understand the pro- cess by which halakhic conclu- sions are attained. I believe that the Torah was given to us with tremendous wisdom and log- ic,” she said. “Only if we im- merse ourselves in the world of RABBANIYOT NAVIT ZADDIK (LEFT) AND AMIRA RAANAN IN THE LINDA AND MURRAY Torah can we understand the LAULICHT BEIT MIDRASH wisdom and logic of this Godly RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN ADDRESSING creation.” GRADUATES AND GUESTS abbanit Amira Raanan and Rabbanit Navit Zaddik were R certified as Manhigot Ruchaniyot and Morot Hora’ah by ’s Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership (WIHL), an advanced 5-year program for female schol- ars at Midreshet Lindenbaum, under the leadership of Rabbanit Devorah Evron and Rabbi Shmuel Klitsner.

OTS Founder, Chancellor and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin; OTS incoming President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander; and OTS Co-Chancellor Rabbi were amongst those who congratulated and blessed the new graduates, whose words of Torah merited standing ovations from the more than 250 guests who attended the event at the Besen Family Center for Advanced Women’s Studies.

“The dictionary definition of psika‘ ‘ [halakhic ruling] is stopping, or standing in place. And halakha [from the root holekh] means walk- ing, moving, progressing from one place to another. Ostensibly, this is a contradiction,” noted Raanan. “A person who is required to rule on halakha must both stand in one place while at the same Congratulations to the Class of 2018! time advancing. A halakha ruling should be rooted, but not stuck in his year’s graduation season was kicked off by 75 elated place. On the one hand, it must keep the tradition of the ‘father’s T seniors at Ulpanat Oriya in . All together, home,’ and on the other hand it is innovating a new floor in that 470 boys and girls successfully graduated from OTS’s six high house. Stopping and walking, at the same time,” she said. schools, which also include Derech Avot; Neveh Channah, in memory of Anna Ehrman; the Jacob Sapirstein High School ”We do not seek, God forbid, to uproot the role of the synagogue for Boys and the Jennie Sapirstein High School for Girls in rabbi or to compromise the tradition of the rabbinate throughout Ramot, ; and Neveh Shmuel, in memory of Samuel ,” said incoming OTS President and Rosh HaYeshiva, Pinchas Ehrman. Rabbi Kenneth Brander. “On the contrary, our goal is to enable Of these future leaders, 9% are immediately joining the IDF, the sea of to become a part of ‘Torat imecha,’ our mothers’ 48% (of the girls) are embarking upon sherut leumi (National teachings. We wish to add a unique light increasing the illumination Service Program), and 37% (of the boys) are entering of Torah to our people – men, women and children – as well as to yeshivot which combine Torah studies with military duty. the rest of humanity.” The remainder of our graduates are deferring their national service for at least one year, with 3.4% signed up for a shnat OTS Co-Chancellor Rabbi David Stav affirmed, “The Torah was not sherut (a year of voluntary communal service); 23.6% enter- given to one group; it was given to the entire nation, to men and ing pre-military preparatory mechinot; and 26% (of girls) and women. It is only natural to seek within the framework of Torah and 9% (of boys) opting to spend a year in a seminary or tradition that there will also be women involved in the transmission before performing compulsory IDF or National Service. of the Torah tradition,” he said. 4 OTS NEWSBRIEF A Constant Dialogue The Monique and Mordecai Katz Integrated Studies Program at Yeshivat Hesder Machanaim, Named in Memory of Joseph and Leila Applebaum encourages future leaders to absorb the wisdom of the world, so that the light of the Torah can shine back into the public domain with inspired answers to the world’s existential challenges.

ary academic courses in Law, Political Science, of feminism in a life of Torah Judaism, and Middle Eastern Studies, Economics, Litera- the mutual influence each world has upon the ture and Communications, over and above the other. classic curriculum of rabbinic literature. “The Monique and Mordecai Katz Integrated Studies “Often, feminists contextualize religion in terms Program shapes our students’ thinking at this of how it suppresses women, but Oriya Mevorah’s crucial time in their lives when they are crystal- approach was fascinating,” explained Kelman. izing their world views – ultimately producing “For example, she challenged a popular notion religious leaders who are well-aware of the tem- that women’s hair-covering is an indication of per of the times, and who are thus able to render male dominance. Mevorah maintained that meaningful and relevant Jewish legal rulings.” it’s appropriate for feminism to be critical of religion, but at the same time she argued that SMARTER AND MORE EXACT religion should also examine feminism. In the ”SHAPING STUDENTS‘ THINKING AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN ”This year, the Katz program case of hair covering, for instance, a woman THEIR LIVES“ – DR. ITAMAR BRENNER offered an intriguing course may believe that her identity warrants her n order to be a relevant rabbi and leader, in Gender Studies,” shared covering her hair, but feminism educates her “I one must construct a language which in- Avraham Oriah Kelman, that as a true feminist, her hair ought to re- corporates both the world of halakha and the a rabbinical student in the main uncovered. This represents an element of world of secular knowledge,” maintained Rabbi Joseph and Gwendolyn female suppression within feminism itself,” Shlomo Vilk, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Machanaim, Straus Rabbinical Seminary. Kelman said. Named in Memory of Joseph and Leila “Thirteen of the lectures were Applebaum. “Judaism has traditionally adopted given by Dr. Itamar Brenner “The concept of placing different schools of the positive forces of every discipline,” he said, of Herzog Academic College thought side by side is an interesting one, not and two by Oriya Mevorah, “and Jewish leaders must continue to seek out the KELMAN: “MORE only in relation to feminism, but also in the wisdom of the world and infuse it into the halakhic SIGNIFICANT, MORE a Bar Ilan University doctoral context of all our academic courses. Critical INTENSE AND MORE student who focuses on gender discourse, so as to facilitate a constant dialogue examination makes us smarter and more ex- RELEVANT” in Judaism.” between halakha and the issues of our times.” act,” noted Kelman. “Ultimately, examining the The course, which is fully accredited toward a Torah through the prism of many disciplines For this reason, the yeshiva provides post-army B.Ed. through the Robert M. Beren College, only strengthens the Torah and makes it more and rabbinical students with interdisciplin- examined questions brought up by the world significant, more intense and more relevant.”

Midreshet Lindenbaum’s English-language overseas programs marked the end of the year with their traditional siyyum of the Shisha Sidrei Mishna – the six orders of the Mishna – and festive banquet. Students from the Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program and the Elaine and Norm Brodsky Darkaynu Program cried and laughed as they thanked faculty and staff and shared the experiences of this life-altering year. Here are some excerpts:

REBECCA HYMAN each other and they push us to accomplish the that we’ve learned. It’s not just that you should New Rochelle, NY extraordinary.” leave the beit midrash— it’s that you have to, “In Halachic Man, the Rav that’s the whole point. And that’s this year, you [Joseph B Soloveitchik] offers ATARA KANNER think you’re learning lishmah [for the sake of an interesting idea on how N. Miami Beach, FL learning] — but you’re really not. If we just stayed to view time. One can think “The Mishna teaches us to here and didn’t leave we wouldn’t be using our of passing time in terms of acquire a rabbi and a friend, year correctly.” duration, or instead evaluate time based on and to make sure we are part experiences. Our learning and development of the whole nation and treat MICHAL MIZRAHI doesn’t end when we on the plane to go everyone the way we want to home; what has happened here will continue to be treated. I have made wonderful friends here Teaneck, NJ shape the rest of our lives.” and had amazing friendships I will remember “This year we had the oppor- forever. We are there for each other and have tunity to learn in an incredible LEAH JOSHOWITZ learned what true friendship really means. As a institution and focus solely on Pittsburgh, PA Darkaynu student I was also part of Midreshet personal growth. Though that “Midreshet Lindenbaum is Lindenbaum and Ohr Torah Stone and for this I may seem selfish, it’s actually composed of so many teach- am proud as well. We are each an individual; yet together we are all part of Am Yisrael.” the first step intikkun olam – making sure that our ers and faculty members who own world is proper before going out to help truly go above and beyond to others. The founders of Midreshet Lindenbaum ensure that each student has ESTHER LEVY a successful and enjoyable year, in which she , NY recognized an issue in the world and did not feels that her unique contributions are valued, “This year, we did lots of learn- just sit around and talk about it; they saw that necessary, and appreciated. Just like the system ing, some of it practical and women’s learning needed to be furthered and so established in the Mishna [for establishing Rosh applicable, and some of it not. they took action! They effected change, and now Chodesh], the teachers and faculty here never But it’s dafka when we leave look around: we are what the founders of Linden- merely settle for mediocrity. Rather, they push the beit midrash that we see baum dreamt of.“ SUMMER 2018 • 5778 5 “The Eyes of the Country” The Claudia Cohen Torah/Army School (Hadas) at Midreshet Lindenbaum introduces its newest track for religious women: Tatzpitaniyot – responsible for monitoring ’s land borders, keeping troops and residents safe from hostile infiltrations. position. “The job itself involves spending roughly eight hours a day intently moni- toring the country’s perimeter fence using cutting edge technology, and identify- ing hostile infiltration attempts into Israeli territory. When there is an infiltration, we Reaching Out, are the ones who direct the event through ongoing communication and control of the forces in the field, while continuing to Bringing In monitor the troops’ operations throughout the wider area. It’s an extremely challenging “Our school holds aloft the banner and demanding position,” she said, “but it’s of communal involvement – whether TATZPITANIYOT: ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT also crucial and most rewarding.” through the girls’ living accommoda- OPERATIONAL ROLES A WOMAN CAN PLAY IN THE IDF tions in local apartments or through wenty-one years ago, 15 trailblaz- AN IDEAL POSITION their volunteering projects through- T ing women joined the nascent The job requires tremendous responsibility, out the city,” related Naama Frankel, Claudia Cohen Torah/Army School dedication, focus and efficiency – qualities Rosh Beit Hamidrash of Midreshet (Hadas) at Midreshet Lindenbaum to for which Hadas soldiers have distinguished Lindenbaum – Lod. “We feel that it’s spend an entire year together immersed themselves over the years. “At the same appropriate not only to go out into in beit midrash study, followed by full ser- time,” said Hadas director Rabbi Ohad the community, but also to open the vice in the ’ Education Teharlev, “this is another ideal position doors of the beit midrash and invite the Corps. As it became clearer that religious for religious female soldiers, because it community in to learn alongside us.” women could serve in the army without enables them to serve together as a large threatening their faith or observance, the group – one of the hallmarks of the Hadas In keeping with this approach, number of Hadas participants swelled, and Program. Our teachers and faculty will visit Lindenbaum-Lod hosts a weekly shiur new tracks in the Intelligence Corps and them weekly on their base to deliver shiurim with distinguished Tanach teacher, Miri the Israeli Air Force were created to adapt and packages, just as we support all our Westreich, which is open to the public. to the growing demand. Next year, yet soldiers during the course of their service,” “We are so delighted that the open- another new track is being opened in the he said. ing of this new beit midrash for girls Field Intelligence Corps: “Tatzpitaniyot” – It is because of this support and attentive- benefitted us too,” says Lod resident the Hebrew name for the female soldiers ness that there are already 109 girls signed Shira Goldkorn. “I find myself waiting responsible for remote video surveillance up for next year’s Hadas class at the school’s each week for Tuesday night to come along Israel’s land borders – known collo- flagship location on the Chana and Yaacov and provide me with this inspirational quially as “the eyes of the country.” Tilles Campus in Jerusalem. “And our Lod experience. I call it ‘soul maintenance,’ and Carmiel branches will have 30 students as we replenish and recharge ourselves ”Being a tatzpitanit is one of the most sig- each,” Teharlev revealed. “The enrollment through Miri’s thought-provoking words nificant operational roles a woman can play will continue to grow and we will continue – and the camaraderie of women.” in the IDF,” related 19-year-old Yael Ben to provide the framework in which young, Zimra of Midreshet Lindenbaum’s “Mattat” religious women can serve the country branch in Carmiel, currently serving in the while learning and living lives of Torah.”

Building and Being Built idreshet Lindenbaum’s Mattat-Carmiel branch is unique for a variety of M reasons, chief among them being a pervasive sense of pioneering. As the young women settle Israel’s forgotten Galilean frontier, they are instilled with a deep sense of connection to Carmiel – as well as to the ; it’s not at all uncommon for alumnae on leave from the army or their university studies to drop in for a quick chavruta or class in the beit midrash. In what has now be- come a tradition, each year’s graduates build something with their own hands to leave for the next year’s students. This year’s contribution: a pergola and matching benches. “One of the girls told me she views it like the famous story of Choni HaMeagel, who asked someone planting a carob tree why he would plant something whose fruit he might never enjoy himself,” shared founding director, Neta Lederberg. “She told me, ‘Just as our character was built in this midrasha, we will build to strengthen those who come after us.’” 6 OTS NEWSBRIEF Lighting Candles in all the Worlds The Yachad Program for Jewish identity provides fun, innovative and meaningful opportunities for secular Israeli families to welcome the Shabbat each week in communal settings which are warm, welcoming and non-coercive.

sible for no fewer than 22 about togetherness, about cherishing our communities in Israel’s culture and our heritage,” she said. upper Galilee. “For the religious population, MEANING, GUIDANCE AND PRIDE Kabbalat Shabbat takes place in the synagogue; The idea of a public Kabbalat Shabbat that it’s obvious and it’s easy,” would appeal to everyone was the brain- he said. “But for secular child of Yachad facilitator Racheli Semo, people, who are not aff- who launched the first Friday afternoon iliated with a synagogue, event in the Givat Massuah park back receiving the Shabbat has in 2010. According to Semo, “The most a different character. We important element is the fact that it takes do it in nature, we use place outside of the synagogue. You have “CHERISHING OUR CULTURE AND OUR HERITAGE.” local musicians, we make to understand your crowd; you have to challot, have storytelling, answer their specific questions and quench he long, lazy Friday afternoons of games, arts and crafts or their particular thirst,” she insisted. T Israeli summer are being imbued with cooking – ways in which they can connect “In our ceremony, for instance, instead meaning as hundreds of Israelis partake to the special nature of Shabbat and claim of saying the six Psalms that make up the in Yachad Program festivities celebrating it in a meaningful way. bulk of the traditional Kabbalat Shabbat, the coming of Shabbat. we sing six Israeli songs which also corre- spond to the six days of creation – some- In community centers and parks across the country, Yachad’s 32 Jewish Cultural thing which speaks to them and provides Facilitators are inviting Israelis of all them with meaning, guidance and pride.” ages and backgrounds to welcome the Semo continued: “The Israeli poet Zelda approaching Shabbat through music, games, crafts, and lively discussion over wrote, ‘To light candles in all the worlds picnic dinners. Non-coercive in nature, – this is Shabbat.’ As we sing together the focus of these programs is not on the and receive the face of Shabbat, we look rituals involved in the upcoming Day of to our right and look to our left, we see Rest, but rather on the richness and beauty the people amongst whom we live and we inherent in the day and the opportunity celebrate alongside them. This is what it families have to bond with one another. means to light candles in all the worlds. We mustn’t keep the beauty of Shabbat “We gather in the park two hours before inside the home; we must bring it into the Shabbat,” reported Azur facilitator Yosi “YOU CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH MY CHILDREN WAIT FOR public. We have an obligation to share this Duvdevani. “The entire community is THIS EACH WEEK.” beautiful gift, which belongs to us all.” invited for an arts activity, a story or a play, then we all gather in a circle for the “Shabbat exists in the public sphere of Israel,” Galil added, “sometimes – too “DISCONNECTING FROM OUR HECTIC LIVES AND Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony. The parents CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD.” always tell me, ‘You can’t believe how much often – it’s the subject of controversy and my children wait for this each week.’” fighting. When I first started as Yachad facilitator here, many locals were wor- Netanya resident Sarah Haduk confirmed, ried. They said, ‘Oh look, here comes the “It’s so special to bring Shabbat in as a community: ultra-Orthodox, religious, religious guy, he’ll want to lock the gates traditional and secular, native Israelis and so there won’t be anyone driving on olim from many countries. Everyone looks Shabbat.’ But with time, they have come to forward all week to that moment when we see that we are so much more alike than disconnect from our hectic lives and con- unalike, and Shabbat is just another one nect with one another instead,” she said. of those beautiful things we share.” “I have to say, I am a secular woman, “ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL and the nicest part of these events is that THINGS WE SHARE” there is absolutely no religious coercion, Eliyahu Galil is the Yachad Facilitator of no hints or hidden content,” agreed par- Maaleh Yosef Regional Council, respon- ticipant Merav Cohen Arzi. “Rather, it’s all SUMMER 2017 • 5778 7 From Israel with Love OTS’s newest initiative, OTS Amiel BaKehiIa, combines Jewish education, Israel engagement programs, Jewish culture and the arts in order to empower and invigorate Jewish communities across the globe.

”When our delegation arrived at the apartment complex, Vladimir introduced himself as Zev, and began speaking to us in Hebrew,” Malek describes. “He described how he had suffered an in- jury serving in the Artillery Corps in the Yom Kippur War, and how he had been a concert violinist in for many years. After bringing us to his apartment, he took out his very valuable violin, and began playing the notes to the classic ‘Shalom Aleichem.’ When we returned downstairs to the activities director, she told us that she had no idea about Vladimir – that he had served in the IDF, that his Hebrew name was Zev, that he spoke Hebrew, or even that he played the violin. Somehow, having visitors from Israel brought out something in him and reconnected him to his past.”

BAKING CHALLAH IN GUATEMALA

rabbi, a media consultant and a individual and touch their hearts through a Amusician walk into a café. Yes, it sounds variety of experiences,” said Spolter. “One like the beginning of a joke, but in reality, community head in Lodz, Poland, told us, it depicts the launch of Ohr Torah Stone’s ‘Words are important and are good, but newest initiative, OTS Amiel BaKehila. your music has opened something in our hearts that is beyond what we have here in The program – the first of its kind – aims to this community.’” empower Jewish communities throughout the world through a unique combination of In Ottawa, musician Yitzchok Meir Malek Jewish education, Israel engagement and had the children of the Jewish Community Jewish arts and culture, explained director School dancing and singing nonstop dur- Rabbi Reuven Spolter. ing a fantastic pre-Shabbat event. And in Buffalo, New York, Malek’s music reached ”OTS successfully won a complex and deep into the soul of a senior resident demanding bid to become the Israel named Vladimir who lives in the Federation Ministry of Diaspora Affairs’ agents in this apartments. AT THE YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT innovative initiative,” Spolter revealed. “The Ministry was extremely cognizant of VLADIMIR-ZEV AND HIS VIOLIN IN BUFFALO THE SPIRIT OF ISRAEL the decades-long impact OTS rabbinical and educational emissary programs have ”Whether in New Orleans, Louisiana; made and continue to make on the Jewish Charleston, South Carolina; or Cherry Hill, world,” he shared. “That’s why we were New Jersey, we saw firsthand the kind of awarded 24 communities: all of the commu- impact we can have through offering a nities in Latin America, and two-thirds each multi-faceted program which highlights the of Europe and .” wisdom, culture, and spirit of Israel to a wide audience of Jews,” affirmed Rabbi Aaron TOUCHING THEIR HEARTS Goldscheider, another North American delegation leader. “There was a real sense Each community is visited seven times a year of excitement about the ways in which by a dynamic three-person team consist- we engaged the Jewish community and ing of a Jewish educator, an Israel engager brought greater unity through connection and an artist. “This combination of person- with the Jewish homeland.” alities and talents enables us to reach every PHOTOS: GERSHON ELLINSON; OTS STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND STAFF. GRAPHIC DESIGN: ZATAR CREATIVE • WWW.ZATAR.CO.IL

David Katz David

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gave passersbygave Rabbi David Stav

Tel: 212-935-8672 Fax: 212-935-8683 [email protected] KINGDOM UNITED Friends of Ohr Stone Torah Clocktower Row, 22 Teapot Drive Southsea, Hants PO4 9YA www.ots.org.il www.facebook.com/ots.org.il www.youtube.com/user/torahstone www.twitter.com/ohrtorahstone FOUNDER AND CHANCELLOR: CHANCELLOR: AND FOUNDER ShlomoRabbi Dr. Riskin PRESIDENT-ELECT AND ROSH HAYESHIVA: Brander Kenneth Dr. Rabbi CO-CHANCELLOR: DIRECTOR GENERAL: DIRECTOR: INTERNATIONAL , Box 1037 Israel 90435P.O. Tel: 972-2-548-8444 Fax: 972-2-548-8455 [email protected] USA AMERICA: NORTH DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE Frankel David West49 45th Street, Suite 701 New York, NY 10036 he shared. “Her tragedy is not hers alone. Her tragedy is our problem.” and it was truly a sobering experience,” related Daniel now “I Behar. know that there arethousands of women like her in Israel cages. invisible in alone; women who live They wake up every go to work,day, take care oftheir kids, and people don’t even know that they are trapped in an invisible cage. glad I’m I happened to come here that today, met I A and spoke tothe women from La’isha,” Yad he said. “Maybe just by being aware of the problem, I can help someone I know.” cage the Another incoming was to visitor PresidentOTS and Rabbi Rosh HaYeshiva, Dr. Kenneth Brander. the “E, woman with whom I sat, is a mother of two whose husband lives in Gibraltarand refuses to grant her divorce,”a - - -

- , the ) from pictured Elaine and Norm sitting inside the cage agunot onlyfully-immersed program for Brodsky Darkaynu Programs tudents in the and women imprisoned in marriage feel all the time. the all feel marriage in imprisoned women and RABBI KENNETH BRANDER WITH E: “HER TRAGEDY IS OUR PROBLEM” tor. “By placing “By tor. it in the middle of the busy pedestrian illustrating mall, we’re the juxta position between her being unable to move forward,while for everyone else lifegoes on normally.The world continuesto turn; people around her are unaware of her pain. It is our public duty not to abandon these trapped shewomen,” said. spent”I about fifteen minutes talking with A, one of the to experience just a tiny taste of the captivity felt by women trapped in the cage of matri mony on a daily basis. LIFE GOES ON “Thecage exemplifies the everyday living experienceof women chained to marriage,” explained La’isha’s Pnina direc Yad Omer, so much toso our much class while with helping activitiesfood prep, and outings, and the kids absolutely as adored him,” is evident from this end-year party photo. Orthodox young adults with special needs,learn and tour Torah the country duringtheir year in Israel while they acquireskills future for indepen living.dent Part of their training is vocational; this 26 students year’s worked in stores, supermarkets, and, centers restaurants, senior offices, like Zalman Feiglin ( Melbourne, , in a kinder- garten. were the we of the end year, “At so sad said to say Ganenet goodbye,” Hadassah. [teacher] “Zalman added S

- - agunot . Inside the.

– women whose husbands

agunot

assersby who walked along the Ben pedestrianYehuda mall in Jerusalem re

sit with the clients and learn about the plight of chained women. Many also accepted Yad La’isha’s “three minute challenge” to spend seconds180 locked in the cage, in an attempt their quest for freedom. Throughout the the cage day, piqued the interest of hundreds of people who momen tarily paused their activities to enter the cage, cage sat are stubbornly and cruelly denying them a represented being who are – Jewish divorce La’isha’s rabbinicalby Yad court advocates in a huge birdcage housing a little sitting parlor, part of a unique display organized by OTS’s La’isha: Yad The Monica Dennis Goldberg Legal Aid Center and Hotline cently were confronted with an unusual sight:

Yad La’isha: The MonicaYad Dennis Goldberg Legal Aid Center and Hotline captivity in opportunity an minutes pedestrian three mall experience to Yehuda Ben on the what taste of – just a tiny Life in Prison in Life 8

A TINY TASTE OF CAPTIVITY P