DOCSLIB.ORG

Book Reviews

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Book Reviews BOOK REVIEWS Studies and Essays in Honor of Abraham A. Neuman, published by E. J. BRILL, LEInEN FOR THE DROPSIE COLLEGE (Philadel-. phia: 1962). Reviewed by historiography strives to become a Joseph M. Baumgarten science. That this laudable goal is, however, stil far from achievement is made clear by at least two of the This volume in honor of the sev- contributors, Rivkin and Weinryb, entieth birthday of Abraham Neu- who preface their historical essays man well reflects the character of by elaborate pronouncements on the Dropsie College which he has methodology. The attempt of his- served as president for the past toricism to make of history an ob- twenty years. Cutting acrQss re- jective discipline, which in Leopold ligious and denominational lines, Ranke's words tells "wie es eigent- the volume includes essays by thirty- lich gewesen ist," wil always be frus- three scholars, Jews of all different trated by the fact that historical persuasions as well as a few non- events cannot be reproduced and re- Jewish contributors, on historical quire interpretation to become and philological themes ranging meaningfuL. The data of history do, from the period of the Judges to the however, exercise a significant con- ideologies of modern Jewry. Al- trol on subjective vagaries. though some European scholars are included, the volume is mainly rep- In the area of philosophy even resentative of the contemporary this control is lacning. Meir Ben Ho- American version of Wissenschaft rin's essay, "The Civilzation of the des Judentums. 'Religious' " is a subjective attempt As pointed out by Prof. Zeitlin in to formulate a definition of Judaism his introduction, while Jewish his- on a secular foundation. Dismissing tory was once written "to impress the racial and narrow nationalistic the readers ideologically or to play definitions, Ben Horin concentrates upon the emotions," contemporary on his favorite target, the neo-mys- 159 TRADITION: A Journal of Orthodox Thought ticism of Heschel, whose poetic ter- beings wherever they may be" (p. minology he finds meaningless when 81) . reduced to a materialistic leveL. The Those concerned about the sur- religious definition, whether ortho- vival of Jt!daism in an age of such dox or liberal, is rejected because it definitions may find solace in some involves revelation. What Ben Ho- of the ':ery enlightening historical rin seeks is a catch-all formulation papers includ~d in this volume. of Judaism broad enough to include Thus, i. A. Agus shows that the tal- enlightenment, nationålism, social- mudic traditions of pre-Crusade ism, Zionism, liberalism, scientism Ashkenazic Jewry were preserved "all of which have been answers to by a small, but extremely dedicated modern Jews' quest for values." The and highly cultured remnant of upshot? Judaism is a civilzation or Jews in the western Roman Empire. religion (he is not sure which) di- Solomon Freehof gathers evidence rected to the fulfillment of the prom- for an original widespread neglect ise inherent in the whole realm of of religious observance among Jews experience. For readers who may in Spain which was gradually over- find this definition a litte too vague, come through education. Ben Horin lays down the first com- The readers of this substantial mandment of r.elativism: "Thou volume wil be greatly stimulated shalt not make unto thee an Abso- by the variety of problems treated lute, nor any manner of Ultimate, and wil see in them a fitting tribute of anything that is in heaven above, to the catholicity of interests of a or that is on earth beneath, or that distinguished Jewish scholar. is idea in the minds of intellgent Great Jewish Short Stories, edited and introduced by SAUL BEL- LOW (New York: Dell Paperback, 1963). and 1. B. Singer, Isaac Bavli, the Reviewed by William Braun masters of the East European ghet- toes are all represented, as well as Mr. Bellow has assembled a fine some more recent American writers. selection of translated stories writ- In the judgment of this reviewer, ten by Jews, about Jews. Applying the Europeans win, hands down. this standard rigorously and liter- There has been a great deal of ally, he omitted an author like Kaf- interest shown in Yiddish literature ka.He is less strict when it comes recently. Several reasons have been to questions of genre for he includes advanced for this re-discovery. The the story of Tobit from the Apoc- simplest is, perhaps, the emergence rypha as well as a long fragment of of the third generation on the Ameri- a novel by Heine. The bulk of the can Jewish scene. Children disap- book, however, is made up of the pointed by their parents, turn to .work of Yiddish writers of the last their grandparents, the European one hundred years. Sholom Alei- immigrants, and to the stories and chern, 1. L. Peretz, S. J. Agnon, 1. J. values which they brought along. 160 Book Reviews They find them more sincere" and In the opinion of this reviewer, more moving than the Jewish coun- Yiddish literature wil prevail, albeit try clubs which their parents fre- in translation. Yiddish as a language quent. History, too, may have made has a doubtful future. Yet such is them more. conscious of their fam- the strength of Yiddish writers that iles' past. They know of European they wil continue to be read even ghettoes that have gone up in smoke in translation. .Their values are basi- and of their inhabitants who have cally humane and timeless. Their been turned into ashes. Young peo- heroes are litte people, like little ple, more sensitive and independent people everywhere in this world. than their parents, are proud to bring They live in the midst of appression to light the roots of the culture which and hunger. They face the world they themselves know only in frag. and its diffculties with faith and hu- ments. milty, with humor, and at times Ths re-discovery of Yiddish with happy laughter. The picture of stories has been reinforced by a no. the ghetto that emerges.. from these ticeable trend in American life to- stories has been called overly ideal- day. Critics such as Benjamin de ized. Granted; but there is enough Mott have remarked on the favor- bitter realism in them to. deflate any able reception that books by Jewish such criticism. authors have found. A particular The people who live in these quality of Jewish fiction is respon- stories, like our own grandparents, sible for this tendency. Jewish were pious. Their sincerity, their re- writers have a special affection for ligious fervor, so very often fed by the Shlemiel, the man who failed in the spirit. of Chassidut, .stiU move life. Their J ewishness is reflected in the reader lost in a time that does the unusual treatment of this char- not know the art of dialogue with acter. For the Shlemiel. with all his the Creator any more. Poor people problems and frustrations, is far su- they all were. yet on iitimate terms perior in human terms to his suc- with "God who punished them daily, cessful persecutors. Our present day and yet wanted them to live and to American mass industrial society enjoy His world. Much formal edu- has created numerous failures who cation they did not have; sometimes easily identify themselves with the they were in awe of book learning. heroes in Jewish fiction. Hence the more often, in disdain of it.. Yet they popularity of Jewish novelists. all treasure life as the highest value, These two trends, then-the re- they look upon their children as the turn to the roots as well as the pref- fulfillment of their own lives... They erences of readers in an industrial try to live justly and humanely 'society..may be ephemeral, time- against tremendous odds, and more bound, and may not last. Does this often than not they succeed.. " adequately predict the future of Yid- In a time like ours when familes dish stories? Or does Yiddish litera- are exposed to strains that seem .to ture possess values that wil make shake their very foundations it is it a lasting document of a culture good to read about what a Jewish that is disappearing? family should be. In no other litera- 161 TRAITION: A Journal of Orthodox Thought ture have the feelings of parents for softens the harsh contours. Philp children, and sometimes of children Roth, for one, shows American Jew- for their parents, been described ish life. bare and unvarnished. He with the tenderness that is so repre- disdains the sympathy that his col- sentative of these stories. Their leagues absorbed walking with their children are their hope, for them the grandfathers or marketing with their sacrifices are being made; they must mothers. He does not gain much by rise to a higher economic level, they his honesty. Yet even he maintains must continue the learning, the tra- the tradition, for like all his Jewish ditions, and the faith that the par- fellow writers he is concerned with ents so desperately. try to protect. the fulfillment of man and his dig- If Yiddish short stories did nothing nity in this world. else than show the meaning of what The tone of so many Jewish short family life ought to be, their sur- stories, like the tone of so much Jew- vival would be assured. ish life, is intense. This is not sur- The world they face is hostile. It prising, for the short story is the musters alI its forces to humilate the perfect vehicle for intense moods. J~w. It even kils at times. It is a Its very form demands concentra- world that constantly needs to be ap- tion, it must dwell on the significant, peasedand bribed.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • J. David Bleich, Ph.D., Dr. Iuris Rosh Yeshivah (Professor of Talmud)
    J. David Bleich, Ph.D., Dr. Iuris Rosh Yeshivah (Professor of Talmud) and Rosh Kollel, Kollel le-Hora'ah (Director, Postgraduate Institute for Jurisprudence and Family Law), Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; Tenzer Professor of Jewish Law and Ethics, Yeshiva University; Rabbi, The Yorkville Synagogue, New York City; has taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Hunter College, Rutgers University and Bar Ilan University; ordained, Mesivta Torah Vodaath; Graduate Talmudic Studies, Beth Medrash Elyon, Monsey, N.Y. and Kollel Kodshim of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Radun; Yadin Yadin ordination; Woodrow Wilson Fellow; Post-Doctoral Fellow, Hastings Institute for Ethics, Society and the Life Sciences; Visiting Scholar, Oxford Center for Post-Graduate Hebrew Studies; Editor, Halakhah Department, Tradition; Contributing Editor, Sh'ma; Associate Editor, Cancer Investigation; Past Chairman, Committee on Medical Ethics, Federation of Jewish Philanthropies; Founding Chairman, Section on Jewish Law, Association of American Law Schools; Contributor, Encyclopedia of Bioethics; Fellow, Academy of Jewish Philosophy; Member, New York State Task Force on Life and the Law; Past Chairman, Committee on Law, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Member, Executive Board, COLPA (National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs); Member, Board of Directors, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; Member, National Academic Advisory Council of the Academy for Jewish Studies Without Walls; Member,
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory of the Rabbi David J. Radinsky Papers, 1970-2004
    Inventory of the Rabbi David J. Radinsky Papers, 1970-2004 Addlestone Library, Special Collections College of Charleston 66 George Street Charleston, SC 29424 USA http://archives.library.cofc.edu Phone: (843) 953-8016 | Fax: (843) 953-6319 Table of Contents Descriptive Summary................................................................................................................ 3 Biographical Note...................................................................................................................... 3 Collection Overview...................................................................................................................4 Restrictions................................................................................................................................ 4 Search Terms............................................................................................................................5 Related Material........................................................................................................................ 5 Administrative Information......................................................................................................... 5 Detailed Description of the Collection.......................................................................................7 Correspondence.................................................................................................................7 Memorial files and speeches.............................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • Aaron Leonard Mackler
    AARON LEONARD MACKLER Department of Theology (412) 396-5985 Duquesne University [email protected] Pittsburgh, PA 15282 Education Georgetown University, Washington, DC 1986-92 Ph.D., Philosophy, 1992 Dissertation Title: “Cases and Judgments in Ethical Reasoning: An Appraisal of Contemporary Casuistry and Holistic Model for the Mutual Support of Norms and Case Judgments” Dissertation Committee: Tom L. Beauchamp (mentor), Henry Richardson, LeRoy Walters Jewish Theological Seminary of America, New York, NY 1980-85 M.A., Rabbinic ordination, 1985 Yale University, New Haven, CT 1976-80 B.A., summa cum laude, Religious Studies and Biochemistry, 1980 Experience Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 1994-present ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR 2000-present, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 1994-2000: Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including “Health Care Ethics,” “Human Morality,” “Judaism,” “Interpersonal Ethics,” “Bioethics,” “Justice and the Ethics of Health Care Delivery,” and “Jewish Health Care Ethics, ”; serve as director and reader for doctoral dissertations and examiner for comprehensive examinations; served as Director of the Health Care Ethics Center, 2006-08. Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY 1992-94 VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR: Taught “Jewish Philosophical Texts,” “Jewish Approaches to Biomedical Ethics,” and “Readings in Philosophical Ethics,” to undergraduate and graduate students. New York State Task Force on Life and the Law, New York, NY 1990-94 STAFF ETHICIST: Examined and researched issues in biomedical ethics; participated in writing reports that analyze ethical and social issues and present legislative proposals on such issues as health care decision making (When Others Must Choose), assisted suicide (When Death is Sought), and reproductive and genetic technologies; spoke to public and professional groups on bioethical concerns.
    [Show full text]
  • Beth Jacob Atlanta
    BETH JACOB ATLANTA CONTINUING ADULT EDUCATION 2012-2013 / 5772-5773 Schedule of Classes What’s Inside: 5 Building Blocks continue with Rabbi Ilan and Rebbetzin Miriam Feldman Sefarim B’Shana, The Great Jewish Books Course - 12 An exciting follow up to the Tanach B’Shana course! Celebrating our 25 year New Parenting classes with Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich partnership with 14 Three full pages of Kollel programming including Bena, 15 Yesodai Hatorah and a new Beis Midrash program Youth Programming: From preschoolers to teenagers, there is 20 something for everyone What you are holding in your hands appears to be an adult education brochure, but is actually much more than that. It is the pulse, heartbeat, and blood stream of the vibrant Contacts community that has developed around Beth Jacob. It provides evidence that ours is a LEVI AFRAH , REALTOR® community with a ravenous appetite for that which has sustained the Jewish people Beth Jacob Atlanta throughout its history: the study of Torah as the word of G-d and its application to all 1855 Lavista Road Pinnacle Award Life Member circumstances of our lives. Atlanta, GA 30329 404-633-0551 In 5773, Beth Jacob marks its 50th year at its Lavista Road location. When the synagogue fax 404-320-7912 was dedicated on December 12, 1962, not even the most visionary could have imagined www.bethjacobatlanta.org R E A L T Y the kind of community that would develop around it. Ours is a community which P R E M I E R has come to be known for its passion, its commitment, its focus on upward spiritual Ilan D.
    [Show full text]
  • The Estranged American Jew
    TAMMUZ 5733 / JUNE 1973 VOLUME IX, NUMBER 4 THE FIFTY CENTS The Estranged American Jew HORAV MOSHE FEINSTEIN PROCLAIMS • A Time for Action A YOUTH WORKER ANALYZES • Key 73 and The Vulnerable Jew A YOUNG ROSH YESHIVA EXAMINES • What Can a Yeshiva Bachur Do? A FOUNDER OF YESHIVOS AND A PROFESSOR OF SCIENCES OUTLINE • A Memorandum for Cooperation THE JEWISH QBSERVER in this issue ... A TIME FOR ACTION, adapted from an address by Horav Moshe Feinstein .................... 3 KEY 73 AND THE VULNERABLE JEW, Aryeh Kaplan ..................... 7 OUR ALIENATED BROTHERS - WHAT CAN A YESHIVA BACHUR Do?, Yisroel Belsky ................................... 12 CoME, WALK IN MY GARDEN, Elkanah Schwartz 16 THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published monthly, except July and August, "ETERNITY" OR "'FOREVER," Nissan Wolpin 19 by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York, New York 10038. Second class RE: OUR ALIENATED BRETHREN (from "A Memorandum postage paid at New York, N. Y. Subscription: $5.00 per year; Two from Rabbi Simcha Wasserman and Dr. Bernard years, $850; Three years, $12.00; outside of the United States, $6.00 Fryshman") 22 per year. Single copy, fifty cents. Printed in the U.S.A. SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE: RAeeI NISSON WOLPIN Editor THE B'NAI B'RITH FIGHTS FOR JUDAISM 25 No ONE KNOWS WHY EXACTLY, Emanuel Feldman Editorial Board 28 DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Chairman RABBI NATHAN BULMAN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .............. 30 RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH fRJEDENSON RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS RABBI MOSHE SHERER THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibiJity for the Kashrus of any product or service advertised in its pages.
    [Show full text]
  • 18 Lc 116 0473 Hr 1523
    18 LC 116 0473 House Resolution 1523 By: Representatives Oliver of the 82nd, Holcomb of the 81st, Henson of the 86th, Kendrick of the 93rd, Taylor of the 79th, and others A RESOLUTION 1 Recognizing and commending Congregation Beth Jacob on the grand occasion of its 75th 2 anniversary; and for other purposes. 3 WHEREAS, the seeds which were sown by the loving and humble efforts of the devoted 4 original worshipers of Congregation Beth Jacob have blossomed, establishing a rich tradition 5 and history; and 6 WHEREAS, founded in 1943, Beth Jacob grew drastically under the divine direction of 7 Rabbi Emanuel Feldman for decades and continues to do the same today under the leadership 8 of his son and successor, Rabbi Ilan D. Feldman, allowing the Orthodox Jewish tradition to 9 spread throughout the community; and 10 WHEREAS, the more than 500 member families which make up the synagogue have 11 compiled an unparalleled record of constructive, compassionate, and humanitarian service 12 which is demonstrated daily through open minds, open hearts, and open doors; and 13 WHEREAS, the members of Congregation Beth Jacob have a sincere desire to preserve the 14 integrity of Jewish tradition and are wholeheartedly committed to continuing to be a robust 15 presence in the Jewish community; and 16 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this enduring flagship institution of 17 Orthodox Judaism be recognized and congratulated for its grand success and influence on 18 the Jewish community and the entire State of Georgia for over three-quarters of a century. 19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that 20 the members of this body recognize the rich history of Congregation Beth Jacob, commend 21 its 75 years of Jewish leadership and civic engagement, and extend their warmest best wishes 22 for its continued growth and success.
    [Show full text]
  • Observing Niddah in Our Day: an Inquiry on the Status of Purity and the Prohibition of Sexual Activity with a Menstruant
    OBSERVING NIDDAH IN OUR DAY: AN INQUIRY ON THE STATUS OF PURITY AND THE PROHIBITION OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH A MENSTRUANT Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner This paper was approved by the CJLS on September 13, 2006, by a vote of thirteen in favor, two opposed and four abstaining (13- 2-4). Members voting in favor: Rabbis Kassel Abelson, Elliot Dorff, Aaron Mackler, Robert Harris, Robert Fine, David Wise, Loel Weiss, Daniel Nevins, Alan Lucas, Joel Roth, Paul Plotkin, Avram Reisner, and Vernon Kurtz. Members voting against: Rabbis Gordon Tucker and Susan Grossman. Members abstaining: Rabbis Joseph Prouser, Leonard Levy, Myron Geller, and Pamela Barmash. :שאלה Is it necessary, in our day, to continue the prohibition of sexual activity during and after a woman’s menstruation? Is it still necessary for a menstruant to immerse in a mikveh before resuming sexual relations? If so, what are the parameters that apply? PROLOGUE Fundamental to the Biblical description of reality is the notion of the twinned states of tum’ah (impurity) and tohorah (purity), one of which (tum’ah) is incompatible with the sacred (kodesh). It is difficult to concede the reality of these designations in a twenty-first century that is dominated by scientific thought, and which cannot find any trace of these entities in reality. Yet the Torah clearly understands these to be either physical or metaphysical states and defines modes of contracting them and modes of being relieved of them which are quite physical in their nature. It would be convenient, but inconsistent with the Biblical foundation of our religion, to simply profess disbelief in a system described by the Torah at length.
    [Show full text]
  • Suffering, Sin and the Ways of God
    Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz SUFFERING, SIN AND THE WAYS OF GOD by Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz Can there be a misfortune in a city and God has not brought it? (Amos 3:6) n January 12, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake hit the country of Haiti, causing widespread devastation and massive loss of life and limb, and Oleaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The international commu- nity, shocked by the indescribable human tragedy, immediately galvanized efforts to bring relief to, and express solidarity with, the suffering people of Haiti. Prominently included among those expressing solidarity and offering humanitarian aid was the State of Israel and the Jewish community—including the Orthodox Jewish community.1 Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz, a musmach of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, is Rabbi of the Monmouth Torah Links community in Marlboro, NJ. 1 As was widely reported at the time, the State of Israel was the first to have an advanced field hospital setup in Haiti. For the Orthodox involvement, see, for example, Peter Applebom, “Haitians and Hasidim Find Common Cause,” New York Times, Jan. 20, 2010. 130 Dialogue No. 8 Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz There were other reactions to the tragedy as well. As frequently happens when faced with human suffering on such a massive scale, people struggled with the age-old question of “Why has God done thus to this land? What has caused this great anger?”2 And, as is inevitably the case, there were those who felt they had the answer, felt they understood the ways of God,3 and confi- dently made pronouncements as to the precise cause of the tragedy.
    [Show full text]
  • Shma Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael Emanuel Feldman
    (Continued from page 107) So somnolent was the audience that the significance > Our attempts to pray with a Torah have struck a of one of the speaker's statements completely raw nerve in the North American Diaspora, as they eluded them. Had they been listening, they follow closely on the heels of the effort to change would—or should—have been stunned by the im- the Law of Return. The Kotel is the central symbol plications of his words. Jewish education of our of the Jewish people, and should be accessible to young people in the Diaspora must be upgraded, all Jews to pray as they desire. As we learned in declared Dinitz. Furthermore, all Jewish education the round of coalition talks this past November, must have as its central focus the State of Israel. when the Jewish identities of thousands of people Then his peroration reached its climax. Raising his in the Diaspora would have been affected by agree- voice and lifting his arms, he cried out, "Teaching ments with the religious parties, everything is up Sh 'ma Yisrael is fine, but Sh 'ma Yisrael must lead for political grabs. The Kotel is also governed by to Eretz Yisrael\" the Religious Ministry, presently under jurisdiction of the National Religious Party. But What if the Zionist Orator Means it? There are those who are upset that "Israel has The audience stared ahead glassy-eyed, either un- enough problems now," why do we need this one? concerned with, or unaware of what they had just For those of us involved, who believe that the heard.
    [Show full text]
  • Family Planning and Government Regulation: Jewish Law Perspectives
    DePaul Journal of Health Care Law Volume 15 Issue 1 Spring 2013: Symposium - Religion and Article 3 Family Planning Under the U.S. Constitution October 2015 Family Planning and Government Regulation: Jewish Law Perspectives Steven H. Resnicoff Follow this and additional works at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/jhcl Recommended Citation Steven H. Resnicoff, Family Planning and Government Regulation: Jewish Law Perspectives, 15 DePaul J. Health Care L. 15 (2013) Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/jhcl/vol15/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Law at Via Sapientiae. It has been accepted for inclusion in DePaul Journal of Health Care Law by an authorized editor of Via Sapientiae. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FAMILY PLANNING AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION: JEWISH LAW PERSPECTIVES Steven H. Resnicoff "Family planning" includes a wide range of related subjects, including abortion, contraception, cloning, genetic engineering, and other alternative reproductive technologies. Each topic raises not only myriads of fascinating legal and ethical issues, but also countless Jewish law complexities. This article cannot comprehensively explore these matters in the limited space allotted to it. Instead, it identifies the underlying Jewish law principles that apply, describes some of the major controversies that have arisen, explains how government regulations may affect such matters, and provides references to more extensive discussions of particular details. As explained in part I, Jewish law highly prizes human life. It strongly promotes human reproduction and the protection of human health. For these reasons, Jewish law generally opposes abortion. Governmental measures that would require Jews or Jewish organizations to assist or enable conduct that violates Jewish law, such as religiously impermissible abortions,' would impinge on their religious freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • Directories Lists Obituaries National Jewish Organizations*
    Directories Lists Obituaries National Jewish Organizations* UNITED STATES Organizations are listed according to functions as follows: Community Relations 573 Cultural 578 Israel-Related 586 Overseas Aid 599 Religious, Educational Organizations 601 Schools, Institutions 613 Social, Mutual Benefit 625 Social Welfare 627 Note also cross-references under these headings: Professional Associations 632 Women's Organizations 632 Youth and Student Organizations 633 Canada 633 COMMUNITY RELATIONS AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (1906). The Jacob Blaustein Building, 165 E. 56 St., AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR JUDAISM (1943). NYC 10022. (212)751-4000. FAX: (212) PO Box 9009, Alexandria, VA 22304. 750-0326. Pres. Harold Tanner; Exec. Dir. (703)836-2546. Pres. Alan V. Stone; Exec. David A. Harris. Protects the rights and Dir. Allan C. Brownfeld. Seeks to ad- freedoms of Jews the world over; combats vance the universal principles of a Ju- bigotry and anti-Semitism and promotes daism free of nationalism, and the democracy and human rights for all; national, civic, cultural, and social inte- works for the security of Israel and deep- gration into American institutions of ened understanding between Americans Americans of Jewish faith. Issues of the and Israelis; advocates public-policy po- American Council for Judaism; Special In- sitions rooted in American democratic terest Report, (WWW.ACJNA.ORG) values and the perspectives of Jewish her- *The information in this directory is based on replies to questionnaires circulated by the editors. Web site addresses, where provided, appear at end of entries. 573 574 / AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK, 2001 itage; and enhances the creative vitality of ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH COMMUNITY the Jewish people.
    [Show full text]
  • By the Way, Whatever Happened to Chanuka?
    Rabbi Emanuel Feldman By the Way, Whatever Happened to Chanuka? may be considered a heretic for Ha-Torah-the light of Torah-and who teach their children Torah. But the following statement. and its holy wisdom (chochma shel mass gift givingand card sending as I merchants and gift shops will be kedusha) as distinguished from we know it today seems to have upset at me for stating it publicly, the secular wisdom (chochma shel become a manifestation of the Amer­ but with a muted voice and bated chol) of Hellenistic culture. ican neurosis which I call Imitatio breath I hereby whisper it-tenta­ Is it not an irony that the festival Goi. tively, timidly, but publicly: a Jew is which celebrates Jewish uniqueness Certainly there is no objection per not religiously obligated to give gifts and which represents a defeat for se to Chanuka gift-giving. It is only on Chanuka. the age-old thrust towards assimila­ that I find it ironic that the festival of Please do not misunderstand: gift­ tion should have fallen upon hard Chanuka, whose theme is anti-as­ giving is a fine gesture at any time. times in America, and become a pale similation, should have capitulated and expresses one's care, interest. Jewish version of the December sea­ to the very assimilatorytendencies it concern, or love. Gifts can be given sonal festival complete with tinsel supposedly defeated two thousand on Wednesday, on Pesach, Shavuos, and gift wrap? If some Jews are pil­ years ago. Even the modem state of Succos, Sbabbos-for any reason or ing up Chanuka gifts under the Israel has fallen victim to this: it for no reason.
    [Show full text]