DOCSLIB.ORG

Why I Matter

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Why I Matter elsewhere? Simply because G-d =========================== לכבוד האי גברא וב"ב הרוצים בעילום שמם wh atter gave each place its unique על הסיוע שמושיטים לי בעין יפה ,.Y I M characteristics, plants, climate, etc להמשיך את הגליון עוד הפעם בשה זו and these are the characteristics He בשבילי ברא העולם (סהדרין לז) שיהיה לזכותם ולזכות כל משפחתם הקב"ה יברך אותם בכל מילי דמיטב (Edited by Yedidye Hirtenfeld gave to Eretz Yisrael. (Da’at Torah ================================= מיט יידישע חת בעושר ואושר ואריכת תשרי יג' - כו' ה' תשפ"ב ימים בבריאות בזה ובבא עבגצב"ב September 19 to October 2 '21 See the world ============================== "וירא אלהים את האור כי טוב" - אמר ר' Volume 23 #1 deeds. Maybe, just as they אלעזר: אור שברא הקב"ה ביום הראשון, אדם abandoned Me for other gods, they צופה בו מסוף העולם ועד סופו. כיון שסתכל ======================== will abandon those other gods and הקב"ה בדור המבול ובדור הפלגה שמעשיהם Young Israel of Midwood ,return to Me.” But, G-d continues מקולקלים - עמד וגזו לצדיקים לעתיד לבוא. [חגיגה י"ב, א']. on the Web: YIMidwood.Org they didn’t do that. “They provoked 1694 Ocean Avenue ========================= Me with a non-god, angered Me with Brooklyn NY 11230-5401 “Yeshurun [i.e., Yisrael] became their [things that were] nothing; so I Succos Shmini fat and kicked.” (32:15) R’ shall provoke them with a Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook non-people, with a nation that is no Atzeres Bereishis z”l (1865-1935; Ashkenazic Chief nation I shall anger them.” Hashem Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael) writes: We responds measure-for-measure. have a tradition that there will be a This, writes R’ Saba, is a recurring סכות שמ"ע בראשית spiritual revolt in Eretz Yisrael and theme in our parashah. For example, We read in last week’s Parashah among the Jewish People in the very (32:8), “When the Supreme One Hashem gives us wealth so that we era in which the national life of our may study Torah in comfort, but, gave the nations their inheritance, People reawakens. The reason is when He separated the children of instead, we allow the wealth to cause that the material tranquility that part us to rebel and forget G-d, as we man, He set the borders of the of our nation will experience will lead peoples according to the number of read (verse 15), “Yeshurun became it to believe that it already has fat and kicked. You became fat, you Bnei Yisrael.” R’ Yerucham Levovitz attained its ultimate goal. This will became thick, you became z”l (Mashgiach Ruchani of the Mir cause the soul to become smaller, corpulent–and it deserted Elokah its Yeshiva; died 1936) writes: When we so-to-speak. Yearning for lofty and Maker, and was contemptuous of the look at the natures of places, we see holy ideals will cease, and, as a Rock of its salvation.” Therefore, we a remarkable thing. Every place is natural consequence, the spirit will read (verses 23-24), “I shall different–different climates, different sink. Eventually, a storm will come accumulate evils against them, My minerals, different plants and crops, and cause a revolution, and then it arrows shall I use up against them: etc. And, the people who live in these will be apparent that Yisrael’s bloating of famine. .” The parashah places have different personalities strength lies in the Eternal Holy One, continues (verse 29), “Were they and characteristics which somehow in the light of His Torah, and in the wise they would comprehend this, reflect their respective places. We desire for spiritual light. (Orot) they would discern it from their end.” tend not to view this as remarkable, We possess enough wisdom to for we take it for granted; indeed, it “He will say, ‘I shall hide My face discern that our troubles follow from makes perfect sense to us. R’ from them and see what their end our sins. (Tzror Ha’mor) Levovitz continues: [Many people are will be–for they are a generation of skeptical of the idea that G-d is reversals, children in whom there Why does Sukkot follow so closely “found” in Eretz Yisrael more than in is no confidence. They provoked after Yom Kippur? Indeed, not only the Diaspora, or that greater spiritual Me with a non-god, angered Me are they close to each other on the growth is possible in Eretz Yisrael with their [things that were] calendar, a deeper connection than elsewhere.] Since we accept the nothing; so I shall provoke them between them is suggested by the idea that G-d gave each place unique with a non-people, with a nation Halachah that one should perform physical characteristics, why should that is no nation I shall anger some part of his Sukkah-building on we not accept that Eretz Yisrael has them’.” (32:20-21) R’ Avraham Motzai Yom Kippur / the night when unique spiritual characteristics also? Saba z”l (1440-1508; Spain and Yom Kippur ends. Why? R’ Moshe We don’t ask why Etrogim grow in Portugal) writes: Hashem says in Eisemann (former Mashgiach Eretz Yisrael and not in Poland! We these verses, “I want to hide My face Ruchani of Ner Israel in Baltimore, understand that Poland simply is not from them as if I don’t see what’s Maryland) explains: Our Sages refer the place to grow Etrogim. In the going on because they act like to Yom Kippur as a day of salvation Kinot for Tisha B’Av, we refer to Eretz children who are inconsistent. I wish, or liberation. A gift such as liberation Yisrael by the following terms, among so-to-speak, to see how far they will brings with it responsibility, and it others: “There the Divine Presence go–‘what their end will be’–for they must be cherished and nurtured. It resides;” “the royal palace;” “G-d’s are a ‘generation of reversals,’ also must be protected, and that throne;” “the air of your land is the life constantly changing their deeds. protection is provided by the Sukkah, of the soul;” “who can compare to They are children in whom there is no as explained below. Thus, it is no your anointed ones, your prophets, confidence [i.e., no truth], for they coincidence that the first stop that your Levi’im, your singers?” Why don’t maintain one position for very Bnei Yisrael made after their aren’t these characteristics found long. Maybe they will yet regret their liberation at the Exodus was at a place called “Sukkot.” Thereafter, the third category of activities, man Gematria of the word “Dofen” they were protected by the Clouds of must realize that his life in this world (singular for wall), multiplied by four Glory, which our Sukkot is fleeting. This is alluded to by the (for the four walls), plus the Gematria commemorate. For the same reason, Sukkah, which must be at least 7 of the word S’chach, equals 660, every night in Ma’ariv, we recite the Tefachim wide by 10 Tefachim high which is also the Gematria of the blessing, “Ga’al Yisrael” / “The One (approximately 28 inches by 40 words, “Baruch Attah Hashem.” who redeemed Yisrael,” and then we inches). After Yom Kippur, when man (Imrei Shaul) pray, “And spread over us the has repented, he moves into the ================================= Sukkah of Your peace.” And, after flimsy Sukkah to demonstrate his Yom Kippur, we hurry into our awareness that during the seventy Working for food "וייחהו בגן עדן לעבדה ולשמרה" - תיא, ר' Sukkot. R’ Eisemann continues: The (7×10) years of his life, he should not שמעון בן אלעזר אומר: גדולה מלאכה, שאף Sukkah extends our Yom Kippur feel at home in this world, but rather אדם הראשון לא טעם כלום עד שעשה מלאכה, שאמר: "וייחהו בגן עדן לעבדה", experience. On Yom Kippur, the like a traveler passing through. When ואחר כך "מכל עץ הגן אכול תאכל"... Shechinah was with us. At the Iyov learned this lesson, it made his [אבות דרבי תן פ' י"א]. conclusion of that holiday, the suffering easier to bear. Once one Shechinah departs, so we build a recognizes that this life is only a way ========================= Sukkah and invite it back. The station, he does not expect it to The Halachah states that one is Sukkah protects what we always be comfortable or pleasant. exempt from sitting in the Sukkah if accomplished on Yom Kippur. How (Bnei Yissaschar: Ma’amarei Tishrei) doing so will cause him to suffer. so? By placing the imprint of sanctity ================================= Why? We do not find that one is on everything we do in ordinary life. exempt from other Mitzvot (for We eat in the Sukkah, drink in the World apart example, eating Matzah) merely because observing the Mitzvah may "וירא אלהים את כל אשר עשה והה טוב Sukkah, sleep in the Sukkah, relax in מאד" - רבי תחומא פתח: "את הכל עשה be unpleasant! R’ Menachem יפה בעתו [קהלת ג', י"א] - בעותו ברא the Sukkah, etc. Everything is Mendel Morgenstern z”l (the העולם, ולא היה העולם ראוי להבראות קודם ’sanctified. Therefore, Sukkot, R (Kotzker Rebbe”; died 1859“ לכן. אמר ר' אבהו: מכאן שהקב"ה היה בורא Eisemann writes, tells us how a Jew explains: The idea of the Sukkah is עולמות ומחריבם, בורא עולמות ומחריבם, עד who “lives” Yom Kippur looks. (The that one negates his independent שברא את אלו, ואמר: הללו יפים עלי, ואותם Themes of the High Holiday אים יפים עלי... existence and places himself [בראשית רבה ט', ב']. (Machzor completely in G-d’s hands. If one Iyov was complaining about his =========================Why is there no Berachah on building suffers from sitting in the Sukkah, it is suffering, but when he saw that an indication that he has not the third wall of a sukkah need be the Sukkah? Because it is not a Mitzvah which one must do with his succeeded in nullifying his only one Tefach / handsbreadth independent existence.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jewish Law and the Middle East Peace Process
    Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review Volume 21 Number 2 Article 7 5-1-1999 Speech: Jewish Law and the Middle East Peace Process Abraham D. Sofaer Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ilr Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Abraham D. Sofaer, Speech: Jewish Law and the Middle East Peace Process, 21 Loy. L.A. Int'l & Comp. L. Rev. 313 (1999). Available at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ilr/vol21/iss2/7 This Other is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews at Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPEECH Jewish Law and the Middle East Peace Process ABRAHAM D. SOFAER* Loyola Law School justifiably celebrates establishing the Sydney M. Irmas Memorial Chair in Jewish Law & Ethics. Loyola is determined, under Dean Gerald T. McLaughlin's leadership, to be a place where the law of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is studied so that its students and the American legal system can derive and utilize the important lessons that these major religious law systems provide. This is a worthy objective, and one which friends of Loyola, and of the study of religious law, should warmly support. Dean McLaughlin asked me to speak on the Middle East peace process, in which I was privileged to play a part while serving as Legal Adviser to the Department of State.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Education (CIJE)
    THE JACOB RADER MARCUS CENTER OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH ARCHIVES MS-831: Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation Records, 1980–2008. Series C: Council for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE). 1988–2003. Subseries 5: Communication, Publications, and Research Papers, 1991–2003. Box Folder 46 7 Press clippings, 1995-1996. For more information on this collection, please see the finding aid on the American Jewish Archives website. 3101 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 513.487.3000 AmericanJewishArchives.org UA5HINGTO H JEUISH UEEK WASHINGTON, DC WEEKLY 21, GOO JAN 5 1995 13 HR .l<C'i! . 'l , r ( Keep a high wall of separation why federations support day Republican majorities m the £310 schools. House and Senate but also a by Yosef I. Abramowitz In November at the Gen­ dangerous streak of selfish­ Spec13I to WJW eral Assemply of the Cotl6cil ness into the mainstream of of Jewish Federations, phi­ society's deliberations. Under here is a small religious lanthropist Edgar Bronfman presidents Reagan and Bush group in Florid-0 that called for universal Jewish it would have been u naccept~ Tsacr ifices antmals. a day school education regard­ able to talk about orphanages practice Jews gave up nearly less of cost. Many federations and cuttmg off food money 2,000 years ago. Yet if some are looking for ways to raise for poor children who were federation leaders had their more money to support this born out of wedlock. way, the Jewish community vital aspect of the conunuity But now we are witnessing would advocate that the gov­ agenda. the abandonment of even the ernment should subsidize the most vulnerable members of religious education of the our society, all in the name sect's children.
    [Show full text]
  • March 2020.Pub
    The Bulletin Congregation Shaaray Shalom .&-: *93: %-*%8 Jewish Community Center of West Hempstead Franklin Square Jewish Center Conservative Egalitarian Synagogue 711 Dogwood Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552-3425 516 481-7448 Fax: 516 489-9573 www.shaarayshalom.org Rabbi Art Vernon March 2020 Adar/Nisan 5780 Cantor civilizations permitted us. Todd Rosner Rabbi’s Message But, unless the king's laws violated our religious principles, we observed the President While most of us enjoy the Alan Shamoun laws of the land of our host countries. In celebratory aspects of Purim, there is a fact, we made observing the local laws a st serious theme of the holiday. Haman is the 1 Vice President religious principle of Judaism - dinah Leah Freeberg villain of the story because he tried to d'malchuta dinah - the law of the kingdom is exterminate the entire Jewish people of nd the law. 2 Vice President Persia, in a sense, the first holocaust in Daniel Alter Nevertheless, we were a minority in Jewish history. The canard he raised against every country of the world in which we the Jews of Persia became the template for Treasurer lived. Our rights and privileges were Lew Stein anti-Semitism throughout the ages. He determined by the host country and our accused the Jewish people of being status varied from place to place over Financial Secretary dispersed among the people of the land, Ronni Pollack time. At times we were warmly welcomed observing their own laws and not following and flourished and, sadly, at times we were the king's laws.
    [Show full text]
  • November 16, 1995
    1111111111111•111115-D!G!T 02906 2239 11/30/96 ~* 25 R.I~ JEWISH HISTORICAL ASSOCIA 130 SESSIONS ST. PROVIDENCE RI 02906 Rhode I_ 1s1-and-Jewi-Sh Remarkable Jews HERALD PAGES 12 & 13 The Only English-Jewish Weekly in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts VOLUME LXV, NUMBER 52 CHESHVAN 23, 5756 / THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1995 35,PERCOPY Rabin Assassin Fits the Profile by Jacob Schreiber death of a man wh~ dared trade JERUSALEM (JTA) - For parts of the Holy Land for peace? weeks, Israel's security services Even Amir's friends are per­ had been warning that the prime plexed by his actions. minister or another high-rank­ "He was a wonderful per­ ing government official might be son," Avner Goldshmid t, a per­ the target of a political assassin. sonal friend, told reporters. "I According to media reports, don' t understand how he could the profile they provided of the do this. I'm stunned." potential assailant was that of "Yigal was quite, sensitive an unassuming, right-wing, re­ and very smart," said Yaron ligious, Israeli Jew. Yehoshua, a fellow student at Yigal Amir, the law student Bar-Ilan who grew up near from Bar-Ilan University who Amir. "We would have some confessed to shooting Prime political arguments, but the Minister Yitzhak Rabin Nov. 4, never seemed radical." fit the profile exactly. But, according to police re­ So how did Rabin's security ports of statements given them agents allow an assassin to get by Amir, he was patient - and near their charge? calculating. Apartfromanapparentlapse Amir reportedly surprised in the security forces' vigilance his interrogators by telling them - which will be the subject of that his decision to assassinate Placing With Pumpkins an official investiga lion - most the prime minister was made Students at the Wheeler School had a pumpkin decorating contest recently.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2019 3 Cheshvan to 2 Kislev 5780 Vol
    Congregation Ahavath Sholom A Family of Families November 2019 3 Cheshvan to 2 Kislev 5780 Vol. 85—Number 2 New book featuring pictures from the CAS Archives: Fort Worth Memories II: The 1940s, '50s, and '60s Story on Page 3 Idelle and David Luskey on their wedding day in 1951. (Such a handsome couple!) Among the images sure to stir nostalgia is a photo snapped at the Brachman family's Seder in 1943. (Who can spot Karen Raimey Kaplan among the guests?) From the 1950s, Lil Goldman, founder of the preschool that bears her name. The school opened at Ahavath Sholom on Myrtle Avenue in 1952. Lil is pictured with one of her earliest classes. Bringing God and the Community Closer Together www.ahavathsholom.orgA Conservative Synagogue affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismPage 1 Clergy & Professional Staff: FROM OUR RABBI Rabbi Andrew Bloom Hazzan Jeffrey Weber Reflections on partnered with Martin Luther King JR. In the fight for Michael L. Linn Judaism’s view civil rights. In today’s times of upheaval and the Executive Director regarding Civil fracturing of communities, I believe that it is important Officers: Rights, that we remember his words. Community President Strife and Fears Heschel believed that “A religious man is a person who Jerry Stein of holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest 1st Vice President Abandonment Rich Hollander and healing in passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair.” In other words, when one 2nd Vice President light of Atatiana Foster Owen Jefferson’s person hurts, we all hurt, and when injustice occurs it is tragic death.
    [Show full text]
  • November 30, 1995
    ---------------------. l"I, T ""r T n Hf .. • H ' c; u 41 ,r • ,- r l " rr ., A rr ,. C ~ T. L I ' 1' Rhode Island Jew1sn More Remarkable _ .. _____I HERALD Jews PAGE 8, 9 The Only English-Jewish Weekly in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts VOLUME LXVI, NUMBER 2 , KISLEV 7, 5756 / THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1995 35¢ PER COPY Story on Ac cused Rabbi Changes From Day to Day Hecht On Vacation Ye hos hua H echt, said hi s quoted totally out of context." by Cynthia Mann father's character was being as­ Nonetheless, he said, "l wish NEW YORK (JT A) - The sassinated and he had become to publicly apologize to my com­ Brooklyn rabbi who said Jewish a n easy target fo r all the "anger, munity for causing any unin­ law permitted the assassination chagrin and pain" of the Rabin tentional aggravation and pain of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin assass ination. that I may have caused them." has been publicly isolated by "My father is not a Khomeini," Ambassador Colette Avita!, his congregation for his remarks. he said, referring to one of the Israeli consul general in New But, contrary to previous epithets that have been directed York, welcomed the apology at news reports here and in Israel, at the senior Hecht. "He is a the time that it was issued, but Rabbi Abraham Hecht has not prince of a man. He has always in thewakeof the assassination, been fired from Shaare Zion had the interest of the Jewish she has accused Hecht and oth­ Congregation.
    [Show full text]
  • American Jewish Archives
    Volume XLIV Spring/Summer, 1992 Number I American Jewish Archives A Journal Devoted to the Presmation and Study of the American Jewish Experience Jacob Rader Marcus, Ph.D., Editor Abraham J. Peck, Ph.M., Managing Editor Ruth L. Kreimer, Editorial Associate Tammy Topper, Editorial Assistant Published by The American Jewish Archives on the Cincinnati Campus of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Dr. Alfred Gottschalk, President American JewishArchives is indexed in The Index to Jewish Periodicals, Current Contents, The American Historical Review, United States Political Science Documents, and The ]oumal of American History Informntionfor Contributors: American JewishArchivesfollows generally the University of Chicago Press "Manual of Style" (12th revised edition) and "Words into Type" (3 rd edition),but issues its own style sheet which may be obtained by writing to: The Managing Editor, American JewishArchives 3101 Clipon Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 Patron 1992: The Neumann Memorial Publication Fund Published by The American 1ewik.h Archives on the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College-wish Institute of Religion ISSN 002-905X O 1992 by the Ametican Jewish Archives CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction: Sephardim in the Americas Part I Families and Futures: The Early Sephardic Phenomenon The Sephardic Phenomenon: A Reappraisal Martin A. Cohen Stones of Memory: Revelations From a Cemetery in Cura~ao 81 Rochelle Weinstein Portuguese Sephardim in the Americas Malcolm H. Stern The Fidanques: Symbols of the Continuity of the Sephardic Tradition in America 179 Emma Fidanque Levy Part II The Sephardic Experience in Latin America "Those of the Hebrew Nation ..." The Sephardic Experience in Colonial Latin America Allan Metz Sephardim in Latin America after Independence Victor C.
    [Show full text]
  • Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace July 20, 2013 - 13 Ab 5773
    Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace July 20, 2013 - 13 Ab 5773 SHABBAT SHALOM FROM CYBERSPACE VAET’HANAN Haftarah: Yeshayahu 40: 1-26 JULY 20, 2013 13 AB 5773 Kiddush this week is sponsored by Leon and Karen Sutton to commemorate the yehrtzeit of Leon's father Mordechai Ben Avraham. Kiddush is also sponsored by Robert Krouss in celebration of his mother’s 100th birthday. Abal 120! Kiddush is also sponsored by Jeff Metviner ..... In honor of his birthday. Any of us who received an appliance voucher from The Buzz or AHC must keep in mind that these appliances must be chosen no later than 7/30/13. You may make arrangements for delivery at another time. After 7/30, these vouchers will become void. Candles: 8:04 PM - Afternoon and Evening service (Minha/Arbith): 7:00 PM Morning Service (Shaharith): 9:00AM –Please say Shemah at home by 8:29 AM 11:00 - 12:00 Orah's will be here with our Shabbat Morning Kids Program upstairs in the Rabbi's study. Stories, Tefillah, Games, Snacks and more . And Leah Colish will be babysitting down in the playroom 6:30 - Shabbat Afternoon Oneg with Rabbi Yosef and Leah; Treats, Stories, Basketball, Hula-hoop, Parsha Quiz, Tefillot, Raffles and Fun! Supervised play during Seudat Shelishit. 5:30: Ladies Torah Class at the Lemberger's 1 East Olive. Pirkei Avot with Rav Aharon: 6:45 Minha: 7:20 PM – Seudah Shelishi and a Class 7:55 – with David Evening Service (Arbith): 8:55 PM - Shabbat Ends: 9:04 PM WEEKDAY TEFILLA SCHEDULE Shaharit Sunday8:00, Mon-Fri at 7:00 (6:55 Mondays and Thursdays) WEEKDAY TORAH CLASS SCHEDULE Daily 6:30 AM class – Honest Business Practices Monday Night Class with Rabba Yanai – 7PM We want to thank Rabbi Colish for organizing a meaningful Tisha Be'Av.
    [Show full text]
  • A Quarter of a Million Jews in Unity Rally in Support of U.S
    NNeewwss A QUARTER OF A MILLION JEWS IN UNITY RALLY IN SUPPORT OF U.S. AND ISRAEL 250,000 Jews (and, l’havdil, a nice Christian organization who spoke in said by only one speaker – who wasn’t showing of gentiles) from all over the support of Israel. even Jewish – and she was wildly Unites States and from all walks of life, applauded. took off a day of work on Monday, April All the speakers expressed their 15, to rally in support of the United unconditional support of Israel’s war on There were additional rallies held States and Israel. terror. The only ill-received speech was throughout the U.S. and Canada in which many thousands There was never a participated. gathering like this of Jews in the history of the U.S., not The Crown Heights Beis even during the Six-Day War. Din had announced that all These days Jews feel that they those over 18 should cannot remain apathetic to participate in the D.C. rally. So what is going on Eretz Yisroel many people responded that and throughout the world. 30 buses from Crown Heights alone went to the rally. Within six days, the leaders of the Jewish Federation It was an amazing sight to organized the rally with the behold how all the highways Conference of Presidents of leading to Washington were Major American Jewish full of long lines of hundreds Organizations. They set aside and thousands of buses and their differences of opinion and cars filled with Yidden ready to united for one purpose: to tell protest for the sake of our the president of the United and Jewish brethren across the States, and the rest of the world globe.
    [Show full text]
  • Inciting Violence in a Democratic Society Category: Israel Education Author(S): Roey Shiff Edited By: Dan Garwood Created For: Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Day
    Program Title: Inciting Violence in a Democratic Society Category: Israel Education Author(s): Roey Shiff Edited by: Dan Garwood Created for: Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Day Please Note: This program may be used "as-is," however; NFTYites are encouraged to "adapt" programs, combining their own elements of innovation with this preexisting program. TOUCHSTONE TEXT: “Violence erodes the basis of Israeli democracy. It must be condemned and isolated. This is not the way of the State of Israel. In a democracy there can be differences, but the final decision will be taken in democratic elections…”-- Prime Minister Rabin last remarks at Tel Aviv peace rally (November 4, 1995) GOALS: The participants will familiarize themselves with Rabin’s character as a military general and peace activist and with the peace process timeline in Israel. The participants will learn about the process of inciting violence before Rabin’s assassination and the consequences it brought; using this as a case study to encourage awareness of the dangers of inciting violence within our daily lives and to become attuned to the impact it has on our society. The participants explore topics of hate speech and how it influences all people both using and targeted by it, including incidences of hate speech in contemporary American society. DETAILED PROCEDURE: Part A- Interactive timeline of Rabin’s life Divide the participants into four groups. Each group is assigned a category (Childhood, Military Life, Political Life and Peace Process, and Assassination) and given two pieces of paper with of text: a summary of that period of Rabin's life, and an excerpt from a speech that Rabin gave referring to the same subject (Appendix 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Torah! the Heavens and the Earth,” Bre- Lates ‘Breishis’ As ‘With Wisdom;’ Down
    Week of July 15 – July 22, 2016 • 9 – 16 Tammuz, 5776 Vol. 9 • Issue 21 Canadian Prime Minister 38 Justin Trudeau visited PAGE 3 & 19 Auschwitz with former prisoner Nate Leipciger who emigrated to BACK COVER Canada from his native Poland in 37 1948 HATZOLAH NYPD BASEBALL Will Theresa May, The UK’s New Prime Minister 38 Be Good For Israel? In an increasingly anti-Semitic Beyond the notion that “good for around the world. Indeed, Theresa has Europe, having a British PM who is Israel” implicitly means “supportive been a firm and consistent friend of supportive of Israel is very important. of, or at least not in opposition to, the the Jewish community and Israel, and Many in the press have called Theresa increasingly right-wing government I believe she will continue to stand up May as “probably the most Jew-friend- and the occupation” — a problematic for Jews and the Jewish state as Prime Rabbi Yaakov Klass & Rabbi Mendy ly prime minister in British history.” assumption in and of itself — it’s cu- Minister. Mirocznik at Rabbinical Aliance of America When she visited Israel two years ago, rious and, frankly, frustrating that the Theresa May already has a strong she felt very “enthusiastic” about her Jewish response to any political ap- relationship with the UK’s Jewish IN THIS WEEK’S trip. Also, the fact that Israeli Prime pointment is to ask how the politician community, having addressed a num- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is will relate to Israel. ber of major communal events. She ISSUE heartily supportive of her appointment The new Prime Minister is certain- played a prominent role in reassuring Trying to Understand gives us an impression that Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • We at Shaarie Torah Hope You Have a Wonderful Summer!
    June - July 2015 www.ShaarieTorah.org 503.226.6131 Sivan/Tammuz - Av 5775 What Comes Next? e are now in the What happens if we are wide open about the Jewish book of BaMidbar, future just as our forebears were so many centuries ago? Numbers. In Hebrew If we suspended all assumptions about what synagogue Wit means "In the wilderness." prayer, membership, learning, gathering, and everything Midrash Tanchumah teaches else - if we dreamed big - what would we come up with? that "Whomever does not make If we made ourselves ownerless, what Torah would we oneself hefker [ownerless] like receive? the wilderness cannot receive wisdom and Torah." What is it This year we as a synagogue community have a very special to be hefker, ownerless? I believe opportunity to find out. Over the next year our shul Midrash Tanchumah is teaching us that to receive Torah community is going to engage in a process of envisioning we have to be open and free - and beholden to no our future. It is a program of the Conservative Movement person, situation, assumption or idea. How much this called Sulam (ladder). little midrashic passage has to teach members of shuls! At its heart it is a framework that guides us in an We stand now in the wilderness. The oft-cited Pew ongoing structured communal conversation about what study and what we can see with our own eyes already tell we want our shul to become in the future. Over the us - that synaoguges are not fulfilling the vital role that summer you will be invited to respond to an extensive they once did.
    [Show full text]