August 23, 2013  17 ELULwww.jewishlouisville.org 5773  Community B1

Communit■ ■ y Friday Vol. 38, No. 12 17 elul 5773 august 23, 2013 Section B

About this Section This year, many Louisvillians trav- BBYO, NFTY, Camp Livingston and eled to Israel. There were teens who traveled with their camp or youth group friends, young adults who went Beber Camp sent groups to Israel on Taglit-Birthright Israel trips or to spend time studying, an adult who made a trip to Belarus and Israel for BBYO trip adds leadership training to Israel trip professional development and fam- ilies who enjoyed the Israel experi- by Holly Hinson rael,” the teen said. ence together. Each trip was unique Special to Community Indeed, Maggie has been and the experiences and stories the heavily involved in BBYO since participants brought back with them or Maggie Rosen, going to Israel her freshman year, serving on were different. this July was the culmination of the Regional Board KIO and In this special section, Community a long-held and much-anticipated holding the offices of both chap- brings you many different facets of Is- F dream. ter communications officer and rael as seen through the eyes of people The 17 year old, a senior at Kentucky chapter president in 2012. In who have been there recently, as well Country Day, had been hearing about addition to the Cantor Award, as some stories with strong Louisville the trip for years. As the recipient of the Maggie also received the BBYO’s and Kentucky connections from our Ellen and Milton Cantor Israel Schol- Ellen Faye Garmon Award and Partnership with Israel region, the arship Fund Award from the Jewish was one of seven teens from the Western Galilee and a company that Foundation of Louisville in May, Maggie KIO (Kentucky-Indiana-Ohio) manufactures lifesaving backbacks. knew she was going on the BBYO ILSI region participating in the three We hope you enjoy this special sec- (B’nai Brith Youth Organization Inter- week Israel trip, including Lou- tion of Community. Additional photos national Leadership Seminar Israel) trip isvillian Natania Lipp (See story, can be found at www.jewishlouis- and had been eagerly awaiting the day of this page). Maggie also joined Maggie and the rest of the Kentucky Indiana Ohio delegation of ville.org. departure on July 2. approximately 100 other youth BBYO on Shabbat. “Since I was a freshman, older girls from around the world on the have known and talked about this trip. It trip that was for high school juniors, se- tourist spots and she knew the focus combined two of the things I love most niors and college freshmen. of the trip would be on leadership. The – BBYO and the opportunity to go to Is- Maggie said she expected to see the journey exceeded her expectations. “It was so inspiring. Every place we visited was so rich with history. We were really immersed in Judaism. We saw land- Lipp discovers new sense of community marks where my ancestors were 3,000 years ago, and they’re still standing,” she Editor’s note: For most of the teens fea- from mixing my Israel journey with my said. tured in this section, this summer’s trip BBYO one. I knew the story of Masada, “I always knew the importance of was the first time they went to Israel. A and I recognized how pretty the land Israel and my Jewish identity, but to few had been before, but for short periods was. But the connection between the im- make that personal connection with our of time. Natania Lipp has spent a lot of portance of the land and the importance homeland really made me feel closer to time there and speaks Hebrew fluently. of the Jewish people living in it didn’t my faith,” she added. She’s also an excellent writer and wanted resonate with me until I went through it The Israel trip also afforded the teen to tell her own story. So, even though she again with my peers. I was able to walk the opportunity to exercise her leader- and Maggie Rosen (see story, this page) the same steps but see different things, ship skills – and learn new ones. “We traveled together on the same trip, their to hear the same words but hear them had a real community experience and stories are presented separately here. in new ways. got to plan and lead Shabbat services. Surrounded by 100 of my newfound We connected our Jewish roots to our by Natania Lipp friends, all of my low expectations of leadership theme and Torah readings. It Israel used to be a vacation spot. I the land I had already been to disap- was exciting,” Maggie said. felt at home because I could speak the peared. The energy at the top of Masada Learning about the differences in the language and many of the restaurants was contagious. People had waited their Maggie Rosen and Natania Lipp atop Masada practice of Judaism in Israel and Amer- were kosher. I felt comfortable because whole lives to set foot on this land and ica was another aspect of the trip that we would stay there for months at a time being there was a dream come true for Maggie found interesting. and I’d grown accustomed to playing so many that I couldn’t help but feel the them into it. In Israel, Judaism just IS “We learned how they do things dif- at the playground nearby. Israel was a same way. relevant. It’s a part of their daily lives. ferently,” she said. “The Jewish tradi- home for me, but it wasn’t yet a home for As we did services at the top of Mas- From the discussions we had every tions are just a huge part of their culture. all of the Jewish people. ada, I realized that the connection I felt night, to the passionate and opinionated They say Shema every night and don’t Israel was simply an experience I had to my friends and the connection I felt speakers we heard, to the long treks we drive during Shabbat. They keep kosher. already discovered. I had eaten the food, towards Israel had come together to took through endless desserts, I was able Everything revolves around their reli- spoken the language, and even gone on make both stronger. Finally, my Israel to shape my own identity around the gion. After Israel, these things seem even tours. So when I signed up for ILSI (In- journey and my BBYO one had inter- land I was re-discovering. more important now – to see it first-hand ternational Leadership Seminar in Is- twined to strengthen my respect for the Before this trip, I was expected to be and bring it back home. I feel a greater rael) I figured it would be a fun place for holy land. an advocate of Israel. The idea of a Jew- responsibility to lead other Jewish teens me to meet new friends in BBYO. Being able to share my experience ish state sounded like a good idea and so to make that deeper connection.” In my Jewish youth group, BBYO, I with other teenagers was what made I supported it. One outing that Maggie said she am the Sh’licha of my region, meaning Masada so special. The mood that they After experiencing the sense of com- found very moving and educational was part of my job is to incorporate Judaism set made me realize the true magic of Is- munity first hand, and being educated the group’s trip to Masada, particularly and Social Action into the programs rael. Our history shapes the present in a on the past and present status of Israel once she learned the landmark’s pow- along with promoting Israel advocacy. way that makes everyone feel at home. as a Jewish state, I am now a proud ad- erful history. “We got up very early in By going to Israel with leaders from In BBYO, I interpret a big part of my vocate for Israel, remembering that it’s the morning to climb and they told us the same organization, I hoped to bring job to be making Judaism relevant with- always relevant. about how years ago the Jews were un- some of my knowledge back to the Ken- out force. I want members to be proud The best part of Israel was finding a der the rule of the Roman Empire. They tucky-Indiana-Ohio Region. Meanwhile, of their religion because it’s what shapes sense of community inside and outside couldn’t rebel and decided their only I expected to discover a little more of my our values, and because the traditions of my group. The Jewish people are at freedom was death, so they committed Jewish identity along the way and gain a will stick with us forever, and because home whenever they are together, but mass suicide on top of the mountain. new appreciation for Israel. the holidays are fun and create memo- Israel is the only place where our past, When I was standing there, I realized I It wasn’t until I climbed Masada with ries. present and future can all be recognized was seeing the same sights the Romans my group at the end of my first week that It’s difficult to try to get people to ap- at once. must have seen all those years ago, and I discovered the true benefits I would get preciate their religion without forcing see BBYO page 2 B2 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773 Beber Camp friends, old and new, explored Israel together

by Cynthia Canada “it was something I had really looked Special to Community forward to.” That’s where the strength of community hit home for him, sur- hree high school students from rounded by hundreds of other worship- Louisville experienced Israel ers, both friends and strangers, all of this summer from a new per- them praying. T spective – that of an adventure And, he added, “You can’t tell how big shared with friends. it is from the pictures.” All three teen- Michael Schwartz, Henry Strull, and agers were impressed with the sheer Emily Wolff spent four weeks at Beber size of the wall, as it extends not just up, Camp, developing team leadership skills but down into the earth. A trek through and preparing for the trip, then traveled the tunnels brought home not just the with a group of about 50 teenagers and religious significance but, as Michael staff members to explore Israel and con- pointed out, the amazing degree of engi- nect with their Jewish heritage. neering expertise required to construct Emily, a rising junior at Louisville Col- the Temple. legiate School, had visited Israel twice Michael also was deeply moved by the before – once after her brother’s bar sense of history, as well as the beauty, mitzvah and again after her bat mitz- of Masada. The group ascended to the vah. “It’s sort of a family tradition,” she ancient fortress by way of the staircase, said. But she found touring with peers which they said took about five minutes. Jonas Gallinaitis, Hanna Parsons, Deborah Feldman, Jess Beris and Henry Strull in Jerusalem. was different; she and her friends went Coming back down the footpath took farther afield than she had been before. considerably longer. From the top, Mi- mitments. Among the people they met shopping, it rarely involves riding cam- For Michael and Henry, both rising ju- chael said you could see all the way to were several “Lone Soldiers,” Americans els in the desert. niors at Kentucky Country Day School, the Dead Sea. who volunteered for the Israeli Army When it was over, Henry, Emily and this was the first trip to Israel. “I didn’t For Emily, it was the early morning even though they had no requirement to Michael all said this trip to Israel had have a lot of expectations,” Michael said. hike in southern Israel during the last do so. affected them in unexpected ways. All He had friends whose experiences hadn’t week of the trip that made the deepest Unlike Israeli citizens, who have a three said without a second’s hesitation met what they anticipated, so while he impression. “We got up at about four service obligation, these soldiers chose that they wanted to go back. And, as was open to whatever came of the trip, a.m.,” she said, “and we climbed into the to travel around the world and serve far Emily said, all three were glad to come the power of his own experiences came mountains to watch the sun rise.” Again, away from friends and family. Unlike home. After almost a whole summer of as something of a surprise. the range was breathtaking: a clear view Israeli soldiers, who are close enough constant companionship – traveling, For three weeks, the group traveled into Saudi Arabia on one side, Egypt on to travel home most weeks for Shabbat, praying, eating, napping, hiking, shop- together, becoming almost like family the other, and the Red Sea in the middle. these soldiers have to build community ping, and camel-riding together – it was as they visited sites around the country. But it was the companionship of where they are; it’s not an easy life. The great to come back to their air-condi- While many of them knew each other friends – now very close friends – that teens expressed respect for the level of tioned homes, their own rooms, and a from camp sessions in previous sum- she felt most strongly. “We knew we commitment and the strong belief from little bit of privacy. mers, this adventure drew travelers from were getting to the end,” she said. “We’d which that commitment must come. Henry and Michael received schol- both sessions, so there were new friends been together almost all the time for Between profound moments such as arships from the Jewish Federation of as well. The four staff members who ac- three weeks, and it was like it was the these, the group had plenty of time to Louisville that were funded by a grant companied the teens became “kind of last time we were going to be that close.” play. After all, what is summer vacation from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Ex- our parents,” as Emily said, watching Time spent together on the mountaintop without play? But while summer vaca- cellence. out for the campers, but interacting on cemented bonds and locked the memory tion may often include exploring and a more adult level in some ways. “We of this trip in place as a transformational respected them,” Emily said, “and they experience. respected us.” In addition to exploration, the group For Henry, the visit to the Western met Israeli residents who gave them new For NFTY group, Israel Wall in Jerusalem was the most moving. perspectives, both on life in Israel and “Just to be there, to pray there,” he said, on choosing priorities and making com- creates sense of belonging by Shiela Steinman Wallace Editor

For Pamela Niren, Harrison Reines and Christina Stoler, summer usually means going to Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI), the Reform Move- ment’s camp in Zionsville, IN. This year, the three of them chose to participate in the North American Federation of Temple Youth’s (NFTY) Israel Adven- ture. “Right off the bat, we went straight to the desert for four days of hiking in the mountains,” Christina said. “We slept and ate there, and it was a really different environment for everyone. We had this great tour guide who taught us Christina Stoler, Harrison Reines and Pamela Niren about nature and the places we were.” After an hour or more of climbing, she she stated. “So to be able to turn around enjoyed reaching the top and “being able and ask a random person on the street, to look out from a 2,000-foot mountain and they would answer that they were Michael Schwartz tackled some tough terrain in the Henry Strull at The Wall and see everything. It was a really cool Jewish” was an amazing experience. Golan Heights. experience.” “It felt a lot different,” Harrison “The thing I enjoyed,” Harrison said, agreed. “You felt accepted by everyone “is we were able to be immersed in a there because a lot of the people shared BBYO involved with the synagogue and with new culture for a month. We got to learn the same religion with you. Being able Continued from page 1 JCC (Jewish Community Center),” she a different lifestyle than the one we live. to relate with them is something very said. Maggie also wants to return to … It was a pretty cool experience.” unique.” I could imagine everyone lying there. It Israel at some point to spend a semes- One big difference he noticed imme- Pamela, too appreciated being in the sounds sad, but I thought it was amaz- ter abroad and is considering Indiana diately was “the food was so different. Jewish state, saying, “it felt natural to be ing how the Jews sacrificed themselves University for college since it has a large We could go anywhere and get falafel there,” but she also felt that the closeness for their faith and freedom,” she said. population of Jewish students. and schwarma compared to here, where of the NFTY group was also important. These type of experiences led Maggie To the Cantor Family, the Jewish you just get cheeseburgers and sodas. It She enjoyed “the experience of feeling to an understanding of the importance Foundation and BBYO, Maggie said was a totally different experience.” loved in the community from everyone of supporting Israel. “I am definitely she wants to say thank you for the op- “It was really cool to be in a totally – feeling close and connecting. … It was more passionate about Jews in Israel portunity to go to Israel. “It just means Jewish place,” Christina added, “every- nice that we could have services with- and their right to exist as a Jewish state. the world. I always knew Israel was im- where you went, you were able to find a out worrying about someone feeling left I am proud to be Jewish and have a place portant but I didn’t truly have a personal Star of David.” She also liked “hearing out.” to call home.” connection to it until the trip. I want to Hebrew everywhere and seeing in on One difference Pamela observed was Since the trip, Maggie said she sought stay closely connected to my Jewish faith signs.” the Israelis’ perception of distance. Ev- out her rabbi to talk to him about her and I want to protect Israel – our Jewish Just being surrounded by Jews was a erything is so close there, she noted that experiences. “I wanted to tell him how homeland. The trip was amazing. It does new experience for her. “At school, I’m “people thought an hour-long drive to much it inspired me. I want to get more make a life-changing difference.” the only Jewish kid out of 2,000 kids,” see NFTY page 3 August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773  Community B3 Six Louisvillians traveled Israel with their Camp Livingston friends by Holly Hinson once about my safety.” Special to Community Katie Segal said she thought there would be more of a cultural boundary. ix local teenagers – Ben Bass, “Most people spoke English and only oc- Amanda Berman, Daniela Reuter, casionally would you meet someone you Katie and Daniel Segal and Elana couldn’t communicate with, but there S Wagner – participated in Camp was always someone there to translate.” Livingston’s Solelim 2013 Israel trip this Daniela Reuter agreed. “I was sur- July. They joined more than 60 other prised by the amount of English I heard. youth from across the region to experi- I know everyone there learns English in ence the wonder and history of Israel. school, but we learn Spanish here and For years, these teens had heard I could never go to a Spanish-speaking about opportunities to take youth trips country and be okay on my own. I was to Israel through friends or family, their surprised by the amount of stores and synagogue or organizations like BBYO signs all in English.” (B’nai Brith Youth Organization). Most Daniel Segal said he was pleasantly had expectations about what the trip surprised at the freedom they were given would be like – with a few fears, mostly to roam freely around the markets and unfounded. explore. “I did not expect to feel so safe in Is- But whatever their initial misgivings Seeing an old israeli counselor in Jaffa – back, Alex Rubin, Daniel Segal, Ben Bass, Raphael, Ilana Frankel, Katie rael, “said Amanda Berman. “I thought or misperceptions, the teens all agreed Segal, Elana Wagner, Amanda Berman, Julia Mattis; front, Cassie Heldman, Mona Schieber, Sarah Wolf, Daniela it would be scary with a lot of soldiers it was a remarkable and transforming Reuter around, but really I didn’t have to think trip. added Elana Wagner, with a laugh. changed by the things they learned, the With a slate of activities encompassing Amanda said some of the best mo- people they met, the experiences they everything from snorkeling, swimming ments of the trip were the unexpected shared. These all have deepened their and riding camels to sharing Shabbat ones, like rolling down the Kassui sand connection to their homeland – and with host families, the teens experienced dunes in the middle of the desert. “I have their faith. the many cultural riches of Israel while to admit I was exhausted after we hiked “I was impressed by the fact that in learning more about their Jewish heri- up the dunes and not looking forward Israel you don’t have to be religious, tage and identity. to it, but when we rolled down, it really go to services, or do anything special. Daniel said he was amazed at the va- turned out to be one of my favorite activ- You were just Jewish no matter what. riety of activities that the group man- ities of my trip – because I thought where You didn’t have to go out of your way to aged to squeeze into one day. “We slept else in the world could you do something show it or believe in it, you were always, in Bedouin tents and then got up at 3:30 like that? It really made me think about no matter where you were or what you in the morning and climbed Mt. Masada everything Israel has to offer, what an were doing, 100 percent Jewish,” said and then toured Masada and went to the interesting place it is. It’s such a small Daniela. Dead Sea.” country but it has it all – desert, moun- Elana said she felt more connected “But wait, remember, before the Dead tains, beaches.” to her faith by seeing in person all the Amanda Berman and Elana Wagner planted a tree Sea, we swam in those natural springs,” Beyond the recreational and fun sites she had heard about for years. activities, the trip afforded the group “When we were in the Old City and we many opportunities to deepen their un- did all these tours, I knew the history NFTY aren’t doing anything that harms civil- derstanding of Jewish culture by being and heard some of the stories before,” Continued from page 2 ians. That shows that Israelis are very immersed in the land, language and she said, “but being there seeing where somewhere was long, where here, an committed to their country and will do customs of the country. One consen- it happened just made it more real.” eight-hour drive is long.” a lot for it, but they’re also very caring sus among the teens was that they felt see Livingston page 4 Christina Stoler also noticed how about themselves and other people.” close everything is, particularly Israel’s The Israelis are also very cognizant neighbors. “It was really interesting for of the price they pay for security. For me to go to the borders, like the Syrian Pamela, hearing about how on Memo- VISIT ISRAEL border and the separation wall and the rial Day “soldiers come to the graves Lebanese border. and light candles and put rocks on the “Before coming to Israel,” she ex- graves, even for people who might not WITH ADATH JESHURUN! plained, “we would watch the news and have someone to come there for them” see all these things about conflict. To was very empowering. FEBRUARY 5 - 14, 2014 stand at these borders and look at them When Memorial Day ends, she contin-

felt weird. We were standing at this place ued, “everyone transitions from learning where there is supposed to be all this about those who died and being sad into conflict, but it wasn’t scary to be there celebrating what they died for.” For those who prefer milder weather, February is and we felt safe. The teens also enjoyed getting to- “That’s because of the Israeli mili- gether with a group of Israeli teens. “It the perfect time of year to visit Israel! Trip price tary,” she continued. “There’s something was cool to talk with them and to get to about being in Israel. You know you’re learn about their lives and the kibbutzim including airfare is $3,999* per person based on secure because you’re surrounded by all and just growing up in Israel and how these really strong people in this place much they love their country,” Christina double occupancy. (Single room supplement is that has persevered all this time.” said. For part of the trip, the group split up “They aren’t that different from us,” $939.) Trip includes: Breakfast daily, four dinners, to pursue different options. “I spent four she added. “Everyone had a really great days in the IDF,” Harrison said. It was time together.” She enjoyed talking seven nights in hotels, and sight-seeing in an really cool to see how the IDF is very about America and listening to them air-conditioned motor coach with tour guide. The committed to keeping Israel protected, talk about Israel. Later, they enjoyed but at the same time, keeping in mind home hospitality on the kibbutz. “We got trip will be led by Rabbi Robert Slosberg and is open human rights and making sure they to look around and see how the kibbutz works,” she said, “and be part of a regu- to the community. Deposit of $500 per person lar Israeli family to see what that looks like and feels like.” required. Full payment is due by October 24, 2013. The three talked about many more highlights, including visits to historical To receive a trip packet including itinerary and sites, Masada, the Western Wall, the wa- ter tunnels in the City of David and the reservation form, please contact Rabbi Slosberg at shuk. All three came home with stronger [email protected] or 502-458-5359. connections to Israel and the Jewish people and a different understanding of the Jewish State. They also encourage *$3,999 price based on a minimum group of 22 travelers. others to go to Israel. Pamela received a scholarship from the Jewish Federation of Louisville that was funded by a grant from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence and ex- pressed gratitude for the help. Pamela and Christina are both Louis- villians. Every year, Harrison spends at least a month in Louisville visiting his grandparents, Irv and Sheila Steinberg. He and his family are moving to Austra- The NFTY group did a lot of hiking in the desert. lia. B4 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773 With NCSY group, Davis focuses on “Personal Displays of Positivity”

by Holly Hinson she was blindfolded. As part of an exer- salem Journey, Jennifer was one of hun- Special to Community cise to learn trust and solidarity, the very dreds of youth to embark on the three- first stop on Jennifer’s trip to Israel was week Israel trip on July 3. he first time Jennifer Davis vis- to go directly to Kotel, the Western Wall Jennifer, 16, a junior at DuPont Man- ited the Western Wall she was – “the first amazing thing in a surprising ual High School, attended with seven walking hand in hand with other and amazing adventure,” she said. youths from Cincinnati as part of a re- T young women. She didn’t know As part of The National Conference gional NCYS group that she has been who was beside her, however, because of Synagogue Youth (NCYS): The Jeru- involved with for more than two years. “They know me as that kid from Louis- ville,” Jennifer joked. “I have been going to regional conventions at least three times a year since freshman year.” Tori Shaw, Jennifer Freiman and Jennifer Davis This NCYS group is where Jennifer learned of the opportunity to go to Is- a different environment or in a different rael, a journey that literally began with way was another highlight of the trip, the blindfolded exercise at the Western said Jennifer. “We woke up at 4 a.m. and Wall. “When I opened my eyes after they hiked through the Sinai Desert, We were took the blindfold off, it was amazing,” split up in the dark and we sat on rocks said the teen. and prayed to God. It was really one-on- “Here we are by something still stand- one. In a synagogue, everyone is praying ing strong after 4,000 years, and it will at once, and you are afraid you are not be here for another 4,000 after we leave,” being heard, but here you know you are she noted. “It is the same as we Jews being heard. It was really personal. After still standing strong as a people. It was that, we hiked up this mountain for over a deep personal experience; I felt like I two hours, and I was beginning to won- finally found it, made it where I belong, der, but it was worth it. That sunrise was at my home, at my homeland.” about the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” Jennifer and her group at The Wall Having the opportunity to worship in The group also made a trip to Masada. For the youth participating in the trip – more than 300 in all – each busload Livingston ing to see it every day – even though it’s a we’re both Jewish and around the same was paired with a partner bus, sharing Continued from page 3 wall – it is still actually bringing people age. It really made me look outside of activities and staying at hostels together, together.” what I’m used to – opened my mind up “creating a sense of community,” said “Going to Israel, where everyone is “This is something we’ve learned to Israeli culture and I feel a strong con- Jennifer. “We spent the first two weeks Jewish,” added Katie, “you feel a real about and we’ve seen pictures of since nection to Israel now.” bonding and making connections with sense of community – you just feel at we were little,” said Katie. Finally being “I try very hard to not take things for people we had never met before. Part of home.” there and touching it, “it’s something granted because I learned my life in that was also learning more about our- Daniel agreed. “Here in America, as you’ve only dreamed about or imagined. America is a lot easier than most in Is- selves. We were introduced to what the Jews, we are a minority, but there, we It was very spiritual and you feel very rael,” added Daniela. rabbi called PDP, or Personal Displays of are the majority so there is never any connected with your Judaism.” The teens all agreed the trip was a Positivity,” she said. anti-Semitism.” He explained how that Seeing firsthand how Jews in Israel life-changing experience. Five of them “The idea behind PDP was that we was so different from an American Jew- live their lives and practice their faith of- received scholarships from the Jew- are all connected,” she continued, “even ish teens’ experience. fered interesting alternative perspective ish Federation of Louisville that were before we know one another. The rabbi “We did a program before when we for the youths. funded by a grant from the Jewish Her- said, ‘this is my family – these are my went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Mu- Katie and Daniel stayed with a host itage Fund for Excellence – and they sons and daughters.’ He told us we could seum. We all started talking about the family who were their cousins and couldn’t be more grateful for scholar- respect and love even before we really times where we faced anti-Semitism and found that the military is a big part of ships that made this trip possible for know someone. We learned that we have everybody had two or three or even four life in Israel, since service is compulsory them. The Segals also received assis- to love ourselves before we can learn to stories about this, but our Israeli tour – girls are required to serve two years tance from the Ellen and Milton Cantor love others and to grow.” guides had never once faced anti-Semi- and boys, three years. Israel Scholarship Fund and the Camp While the teens were involved in a tism. I was shocked but I guess it makes “We talked about the army and what’s Livingston Scholarship Fund. veritable potpourri of activities during sense because everyone there is Jewish.” always surprising is whenever you ask “My view of Israel has definitely the three weeks – faith group activities, Amanda said she felt a greater tie anyone who is an Israeli about this they changed,” said Daniel. “I see what we all sightseeing, recreational activities, wor- to her ancestors after making the trip. are never afraid of going in the army,” see on the news – all the violence. People ship, even camel riding in the desert and “When I think of all the effort that ev- said Katie. “They already know what think all of Israel is unsafe – but I did tubing in the Red Sea – Jennifer said one eryone put in to make Israel a country, it jobs they are going to do and they look not feel that way. It was life-changing of the tours that really made an impact just makes me so proud to call myself a forward to it. “ because it was like not being a minority was the visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s na- Jew. It’s so great knowing Israel will al- Another aspect of Israeli culture that anymore, being with people that are just tional Holocaust Memorial museum. ways be there for me and there is a place seems very different to American teens like you. I am so grateful to my sponsor “At the Children’s Memorial, they took where everyone is like me.” is the different emphasis on their faith for being able to have this amazing ex- us in this pitch-black room and we could For most of the teens, one of the most traditions. “We celebrated Shabbat with perience with my friends. I would love to hear a voice speaking all the names of impressive experiences in Israel was vis- our host family and we did nothing at all go back some day.” the children under 18 who were mur- iting Kotel – The Wall. Katie explained, on Saturday,” said Elana. “There were Amanda said, “This was really a once dered. Then it looked like hundreds of “It’s the only wall left standing from no cars at all on the street. In fact, one in a lifetime opportunity. Israel is a won- candles were lit, but it was really only the original Temple – which is our big- hotel had a special elevator where you derful country and I really consider it five – all the rest were mirrors and re- gest holy site. Other religions have more didn’t have to press buttons because on my homeland. Just knowing how old the flections – that were meant to represent sites, but this is the one site that is the Shabbat no one is supposed to do any land itself is and what’s happened there each child that had been killed. …just most important to us.” work. I thought that was so cool.” it was very exciting for me to be a part hearing those names of all those 4-17 Amanda said she believes The Wall Amanda recognized that Jewish teens of that history. I want to thank my spon- year olds, the names of some children represents all the struggles Jews have in Israel lead a very different life. sors for this great opportunity I was my same age,” she said. “It was so sad faced over time, but somehow managed “One thing that really changed me is given.” to think of that many innocent children, to overcome. “We are still here and still the one weekend we stayed with host Katie said, “I’ve always been proud to thinking what they went through.” standing strong and proud – just like families and I met a girl my age. Hearing be Jewish but I feel more connected to For Jennifer, the idea of solidarity The Wall. It is moving to me to see how about her life in Israel – it was so differ- it now. I always thought I would live in with other Jewish teens was a very ap- so many types of people are still com- ent from mine,” she said, “even though Louisville, but I think living in Israel is pealing component of the trip to Israel. a possibility now. I’d at least go back for “I feel really changed by this trip. I feel a semester abroad. I definitely want to like my faith is much stronger, and I’m return.” more open about it. I now know Jewish “It was one of the best experiences of teens just like me. They face the same my life,” said Elana. “I know it’s some- things I do, and these people are always thing I’ll never forget. I felt a real sense here for me even if they’re far away. I just of belonging there. It means a lot that realized I’m not alone. I have the great- someone would help me out with that so est sense of communion with the others I say thank you.” who share my faith.” Daniela said the trip changed her life. As memorable as her first trip to the “I got to experience what so many Jews Wall was, Jennifer said the group’s sec- before me have or wanted to. And for my ond visit to the Kotel tunnel near the end family, everyone who hasn’t gone or died of her three weeks was even more so, before they could go, I came for them marking it her favorite moment of the and I touched and prayed to the wall for trip. them. I say thank you very much to my “We were there for our last Shabbat, sponsor for not only making me a better and we were on one of the rooftops of person because of this trip, but for con- one of the buildings,” she explained. “We necting with my family and Israel.” could see every single person dancing Maggie Rosen and friend Phoebe Rose riding camels in the Negev desert see NCSY page 6 August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773  Community B5 Challenging the world in the Maccabiah Games Peyton Greenberg brings home the gold in 200M breaststroke

by Shiela Steinman Wallace her dream of competing in the Olym- swimmers both among her teammates Editor pics. “It’s a great thing to have for your and those from other countries. “I just resume,” she said, “because it’s an in- thought I should just race and not think hen the 2013 Maccabiah ternational competition and not a lot of about it and give it all I have,” she said. Games opened in Netanya, kids my age are able to do that.” “Then, after I was done with the race, I Israel, this summer, 11,000 “It was cool to represent the United just looked up and saw that I won and W of the world’s top Jewish ath- States of America,” Greenberg observed. the whole crowd was cheering. I could letes from 100 countries filed the arena “It was a big honor.” hear the United States team cheering for the opening ceremonies, prepared It was also exciting. “The opening cer- and screaming.” to compete in more than 70 different emony was just like the Olympic open- “One of the coolest experiences was sports. ing ceremony,” she said. “Every athlete when I was on the podium,” she added. Louisville’s Peyton Greenberg was from around the world paraded around “I saw my parents crying and I had the a member of the 1,000-person United the stadium and there were thousands of biggest smile on my face.” States delegation to the games and was people in the stands. There were shows She also enjoyed the closing ceremo- one of 500 swimmers to compete in the and fireworks and the torch was lit. nies, which Greenberg described as a games. In the 200-meter breaststroke, “The megatron was showed the whole rave. “That was so cool,” she said. “I was she brought home the gold – besting 50 U.S.A. team,” she continued, “and we jumping up and down and the lights competitors. She also won silver medals took up the whole stadium walking were flashing.” in the 100-meter breaststroke and a re- around it. I felt like I was in the real As in the Maccabi games stateside, the lay. Olympics when it started.” Maccabiah Games are much more than This outstanding performance in Greenberg was the favorite in the race the competition. They are about meet- these highly competitive games brings she won, but when she got in the pool, ing and getting to know other athletes, Olympic swimming gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg and Greenberg one step closer to achieving she had doubts. There were a lot of good trading memorabilia and learning about Maccabiah swimming gold medalist Peyton Greenberg

Israel. “I got to meet people from around the A year in Israel before college world through the games,” Greenberg said, “and competing against people from around the world was a whole new Golding did Jewish studies at Midreshet Harova experience. They talk differently and by Phyllis Shaikun they prepare differently. The Australians pray at the Western Wall every day were ing legal petitions to evict the families, even swam opposite – we swim clock- Special to Community among the experiences she will miss most often due to non-payment of rent. wise but they swim counterclockwise.” most. Along with her time at Midreshet As Palestinian families leave, they see When it came trading for memora- Most American students go from high Harova, Golding was accepted into a rig- Jews occupying their former homes. bilia, Greenberg said, “I got a British school to college with nary a break be- orous fellowship at the Jerusalem Center Prior to the establishment of the state, hat, an Australian shirt, an Israeli shirt, tween the two, while students in many for Public Affairs, where she explored much of West Jerusalem was owned a French shirt, Brazilian shirt and an Is- other parts of the world take a year off the Israel-Arab conflict. by Palestinians, but they do not have raeli swim cap. … I was not so good at (a “gap” year) before entering college The fellowship was an integral part of the right to take back these homes. “It trading, but I’m happy with what I got.” to help them grow up a bit. They fre- her year. just seems completely biased,” she says. She also made a lot of new friends. quently take advantage of academic and As a religious Zionist, Golding believes Golding finds it hard to understand how “That was the best part about my trip,” non-academic opportunities such as Israel is God’s answer to the promise a country in which morality is supposed she said. “We’re texting every day, and travel, voluntarism or internships to im- made to Abraham that Israel would be to guide every decision could allow this they love to talk.” Most of her new prove themselves before going to college. an inheritance for his descendants. She to happen. She asks: Does a Jewish coun- friends were teammates who live “all Eighteen-year-old Louisvillian Rivka is “consumed” with the knowledge that try mean that Israel is a country only for over the country – California, New York, Golding, who will be a freshman at the Israel is the land her forebears dreamt the Jews? Chicago, Atlanta and Florida.” She has a University of Maryland in the fall, chose about – having their own country in By the same token, she is adamant friend in St. Thomas, too. to spend a gap year studying in Israel at which to create a moral and just society that the Palestinians must stop terror- The games lasted only one week, but Midreshet Harova, a post-high school that serves God and shows the way for izing Israeli citizens. “Peace can only Greenberg’s Israel experience lasted for program for girls in Jerusalem. the rest of the world. Although the Jews be achieved,” she concludes, “through three. “I loved it, and I want to go back,” This was not her first time living away were exiled from the area countless tolerance and compromise. Israel is not she said. “It was the greatest summer from home. Golding and her family are times, she cites the Book of Jeremiah going anywhere, but neither are the Pal- ever. I loved the people, the things I did members of Louisville’s Orthodox com- that states Jews will ultimately come estinians.” The course helped her realize and the competition. It was fun.” munity, and although she was able to at- back to the Promised Land within Israel. that she can still strongly support Israel, “My top two favorite places,” she con- tend Torah Academy for primary school, Golding hoped the non-credit public without supporting all of its policies. tinued, “were the beach at Tel Aviv and the lack of a Jewish high school here affairs course would provide the infor- After the trip, Golding wrote a final The Western Wall.” In Tel Aviv, she en- meant she had to leave town to continue mation she needed about the issues in- paper, which she shared with Commu- joyed the dancing and meeting the Israe- her education. In her case, Golding lived volved to enable her to defend, advocate nity. It can be read in its entirety at www. lis. She described the visiting The Wall with an aunt in New York City while she for and promote Israel on the college jewishlouisville.org. as breathtaking and emotional. attended and graduated from an Ortho- campus. The class featured a variety of Another highlight of her year was “I had to learn how to barter in the dox high school in Teaneck, NJ. speakers from Palestinian students to a 10-day trip to Poland. For Golding, markets,” she noted. “That was hard. I Midreshet Harova was not a care- people living in the disputed territories whose grandparents are Holocaust sur- bartered for clothes and food.” free coming-of-age experience. Classes to professors, rabbis and members of the vivors, the trip was mentally and emo- Since she is an accomplished swim- ran from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Knesset who presented their perspec- tionally challenging. mer and was traveling with others with through Thursday. Rivka spent her time tives and then left it up to participants to “There were times when I doubted similar skills, Greenberg said that when studying Torah, Talmud, Jewish law, and form their own opinions. God and had trouble understanding they were in the Dead Sea, they tried to Jewish philosophy. Her favorite class While she believes it is the Jewish how He could let this take place.” She race to the Jordan River. “We didn’t get was a class on the weekly Torah portion. people’s internationally recognized right found standing in the gas chambers tre- that far, but was so much fun because She says, “It gave me a new perspec- to reestablish their homeland in Israel, mendously overwhelming, but says all in when you try to go all the way under the tive on what it means to be Jewish.” Cel- the class made her question some of the all the trip to Poland was ironically up- water, the sea won’t let you. You just bob ebrating the holidays with the rest of the practices taking place there. lifting. “We saw Israel’s strength by real- right back up.” country and having the opportunity to On an organized trip to Sheikh Jar- izing how much was taken from us and A lot of people rah, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem, how much we have been able to rebuild.” made contribu- she was conflicted over how the Pales- She declared it an “amazing year,” one tions that helped tinians are treated. Originally, the area that gave her so much more than any- Greenberg real- was owned by two Jewish organizations, thing else could have. Golding returned ize this part of but in 1948 the Jewish residents were home with a different perspective – one her dream, and ordered to leave by the Hagana and the full of shared experiences that could not she is grateful British Authority. In 1956, Jordan, in have happened elsewhere. She gained for the support. cooperation with the United Nations, a deep respect for her teachers, an en- She also received housed 28 Palestinian refugee families hanced connection to the Jewish people, help from The in those vacant houses. and the Jewish homeland. When asked Temple and a After Jerusalem’s liberation in 1967, if she could see herself living in Israel, scholarship from the Israeli Custodian General ordered she was quick to respond, “After my year, the Jewish Foun- the properties be released to the Jewish I could not see myself living anywhere dation of Louis- groups that owned them in 1948, with else.” ville funded by the understanding that Palestinian ref- Editor’s note: Golding’s final essay on a grant from the ugees living there could remain in their Zionism can be found online at www.jew- Jewish Heritage homes provided they continued paying a ishlouisville.org. Fund for Excel- Angham Wattad and Rivka Golding were fellow stu- symbolic rent. Since the 1990s, however, lence. Peyton on Masada dents. these Jewish organizations have been fil- B6 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773 Taglit-Birthright Israel trips are for young adults Experience includes a wide variety of activities all across Israel by Shiela Steinman Wallace she added, “was going inside one of the ing. Located near the Gaza Strip, this new friends. I’m still in touch with other Editor many bomb shelters that were located small town often finds itself under at- people. It reminded me of USY.” on the kibbutz. This kibbutz was lo- tack. Graphic videos drove home the Bennett found herself on a very secu- Trips to Israel have long been recog- cated very close to Lebanon and Syria, message that the “Tzeva Adom” (Code lar trip designed for groups of families nized as important building blocks to therefore they had experienced missile Red) warning gives residents only 15 and friends. Since she considers herself Jewish identity, so through Taglit-Birth- threats in the past.” seconds of warning to reach safety be- a religious person and was not traveling right Israel, the Jewish community of- A stop in Tzfat to learn about Jewish fore the rockets hit. “I held onto my boy- with people she knew, the group wasn’t fers a free trip to Israel to young adults mysticism was a mixed experience. A friend’s hand and wouldn’t let go for the a good fit for her; however, she still had who have not been there previously on scheduling snafu kept the group from entire time that we were in Sderot,” she a positive experience and learned a lot. a peer trip. This summer, three young meeting with the rabbi and seeing the said. “The Western Wall was quite mean- adults from Israel, Heidi Bennett, Ka- shul they had been scheduled; however, “The Israeli government has done a ingful and a very profound experience,” tie Moss and Ari Sabes visited Israel on “we did get to see some really cool shops lot to protect these people,” she noted. she said. “Being new to the Jewish com- Birthright trips. and some very interesting people,” Moss “They have required that all houses munity and newly Jewish, being at The “When I signed up to go on a Birth- observed. “We encountered many people built in this area have a bomb shelter at- Wall made me feel more connected to right trip to Israel, I wasn’t really sure claiming to be poor or homeless asking tached or very near to their home. They our ancestors.” what to expect,” said Moss. “As a recent for money. We also ran into many people have also sanctioned the building of bus The same day, her group went to Yad convert to Judaism, I wasn’t sure if I asking the men on our trip if they had stops, playgrounds, restaurants, bath- Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial would truly fit in with the others on the wrapped tefillin today.” rooms, and many other structures that Museum. “It was a huge emotional ex- trip. I already knew that I love Judaism On Friday evening, the group led their are designed to act as bomb shelters.” perience that made me feel more con- and support Israel, so I wasn’t sure if the own traditional Friday night service that The residents make the best of the sit- nected to the Jewish people,” Bennett trip’s main objective would really have Moss described as beautiful and fun, if uation, even crafting “beautiful metal said. an affect on me. Despite my fears, I still somewhat confused. It was designed to flowers” and other works of art from the “Israel is a gorgeous country,” she signed up and added my boyfriend, Ari accommodate the different levels of ob- remains of the missiles. said, “and the Western Galilee is breath- Sabes, and my good friend Heidi Ben- servance the group members practiced. The trip also included a stop at an taking.” She particularly enjoyed a stop nett as my trip companions. As a vegan, Moss had some difficulty “amazing farm in the middle of the des- at a lookout point, where the migrating Moss and Sabes wound up on the finding appropriate food throughout ert,” Moss said. “We got to dig up car- birds pass. same trip and signed up for the “Search the trip. She soon “made friends with rots and pick tomatoes, peppers, and cu- Since she keeps kosher, Bennett en- and Rescue” extension since Sabes has a the other vegan on the trip, so we pretty cumbers to eat. We also got to see some joyed being able to eat meat wherever background in firefighting. Bennett trav- much stuck together for all food out- trained carrier pigeons used in aiding she went. eled with a different group. ings.” the army.” She also enjoyed visiting the shuk “The closer we got to the trip, the more A trip down the Jordan River on a A night in a Bedouin tent camp was a (open market) on Friday afternoon when excited I got,” Moss said. “Israel has held raft was one of Moss’ favorite parts of highlight for Sabes. “I liked sleeping in people were getting ready for Shabbat. a very special place in my heart since I the trip.”It was a perfect day and we had Bedouin tents then climbing Masada at “That was a joyous feeling,” she said. started to become interested in Judaism. such a fun time trying to steer the raft sunrise,” he said. “I’ve never camped a “Kids were running around happy and I am one of the founding members of the and splashing each other with the water. day in my life,” so sleeping in a tent was everyone was buying challah. It was Cards for Israel group at the University “After rafting, our tour guide took us new experience. good.” of Louisville. So naturally as soon as our to this huge underground crawling cave Both Moss and Bennett had a diffi- She described the Israelis who ac- plane landed in Israel, I began to cry. I system,” she continued. “This scared me cult time with the climb up Masada. For companied her group as “fun and very looked out the plane windows and felt a lot, and there were a lot of girls on the Bennett, her discomfort was increased vibrant.” overwhelmed with a sense that I was fi- trip that refused to go in the cave. I de- because her group made the climb on Bennett, too, would like to return nally home. cided to go in anyways. It was one of the Tisha B’Av and she was fasting. – next time with her boyfriend – and “When we exited the plane, I was so hardest and scariest things I had ever As Sabes has had back surgery, he maybe to experience Israel on her own. excited to try and read all the Hebrew done in my life. was also pleased that he was able to Following the trip, she said, “I feel more signs that surrounded me,” she contin- “It was almost a mile of me dragging climb the rocks “all the way to the top connected to the global Jewish commu- ued. “I had taken 3 semesters of Hebrew myself through a dusty tunnel that was and see the sunrise and take pictures. It nity,” she said. at the university and I was anxious to pitch black,” she added. “Luckily I had was special.” The idea of providing the gift of a trip show off my skills.” my new friend Stephanie in front of He also had the opportunity to speak to Israel was initially endorsed by the Their first stop was a kibbutz in north- me, preparing me for every upcoming with a young Israeli. “He explained to philanthropists Charles Bronfman and ern Israel. “There were a school, a gro- twist and turn. When I finally made it me a lot about how life is in Israel – being Michael Steinhardt, who shared the be- cery store, a cafeteria, a pool and many out of the cave, I was drenched in sweat, in the IDF, how he lives his life and how lief that it was the birthright of all young other buildings,” Moss said. “Every- but I had a whole new respect for my- hard it is to live in Israel financially.” Jews to be able to visit their ancestral where you turned there were fruit trees self. I accomplished something I never Sabes said he is interested in return- homeland. and flowers. This was truly an oasis.” thought I would be brave enough to do.” ing to Israel in the near future, perhaps Since its inception in December 1999, “One of the most interesting parts,” Moss found a trip to S’derot unnerv- as a volunteer in the IDF while he learns Taglit-Birthright Israel has sent nearly and studies there. 300,000 Jewish young adults to Israel. “My trip to Israel was one I will never They come from 60 countries, all 50 forget,” Moss said. “I have made friend- U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and ships that will last a lifetime. I am very from nearly 1,000 North American col- grateful to the people that made it pos- leges and universities. sible for me to go, and I am very anx- The gift of a Taglit-Birthright Israel ious to get back to Israel and explore on trip is made possible thanks to the gener- my own. I would even consider moving ous support from many sources, includ- there someday. I am truly in love with Is- ing parents of trip participants, alumni rael and I will continue to support Israel of the program, the program’s founders in any way that I can.” and other philanthropists, the State of “Birthright was right trip for me,” Sa- Israel, the Jewish Federation system and bes added. “I enjoyed it. I didn’t expect as Keren Hayesod, the Jewish Agency for much hiking as there was, but I enjoyed Israel, and thousands of individuals do- being able to do whitewater rafting, in- nors from around the world. teracting with other people and making CONNECTCONNECT WITH WITH YOUR EXTENDEDEXTENDED TRIP DATES & COST: P2GP2G FAMILY FAMILY that this kind of thing must happen all IN ISRAEL. September 21 - IN ISRAEL. NCSY the time.” But the rabbi there told her October 1 Continued from page 4 that in his four years of taking trips to Israel, he had never seen that happen $2,980 / per person and singing – even the Israeli soldiers. before. “It was random and it was amaz- Visiting (Land Only & Double Occupancy) We could see the men on one side, pray- ing,” said Jennifer. Jerusalem, Single Supplement is $1240 ing and more serious but also dancing in Jennifer said she is so grateful for the Akko, and their black and white hats. The women scholarship she received from the Jew- Tell Aviv were on the other side – their outfits ish Foundation of Louisville funded by a were more colorful – they were rejoicing grant from the Jewish Heritage Fund for and dancing in circles and singing, even Excellence that allowed her to make this though no one even knew each other. incredible life-changing journey. Just seeing so many people come to one “Israel is just this very special place For more information place – all for the same reason, all for that every Jew feels connected to – no contact Jan Goldstein their religion.” matter how religious. If they are con- at [email protected] Jennifer said that when they visited fused or lost, they have that connection. To register the Cave of Machpelah, she witnessed They can just go there and find them- contact Sara Wagner at an amazing sight when she saw sponta- selves.” 502-238-2779 or [email protected] neous singing and dancing. “ I assumed August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773  Community B7 Professional development mission includes Belarus, Israel

by Niki King, Many of the Jewish children in Be- Silberman: In order to be most ef- mand bunker that provides security for Public Relations Specialist larus and the other new Eastern Euro- fective in this position, I must be able to the region. It was a very proud moment and pean and Asian countries knew nothing draw on both professional experiences for me to see Louisville listed along with Shiela Steinman Wallace of their Jewish heritage or identity until and personal, familial experiences. the other consortium communities on Editor recently, so the JAFI helps them fill in Raising Jewish children really inspires the plaque recognizing those who con- the gaps and develop a strong connec- me to be as effective as I can for the tributed to that building. ach year, the Jewish Federations tion to their roots through Jewish sum- other families in the community. Question: Any final comments? of North America takes Cam- mer camps. Often they return home and This is the first time my wife and I Silberman: This trip gave me a better paign leaders – both volunteers encourage their parents to strengthen visited State of Israel together and it was understanding of the important work we E and professionals – on a mis- their own connections to Judaism. the first time for our girls. We experi- do in Israel and around the world. It in- sion to see real examples of how dollars We visited one of those camps near enced the excitement and passion that a creased my passion for the Jewish com- raised by Annual Federation Campaigns Minsk and found that it rivals any mission to Israel brings. By sharing it, munity and my commitment to the work are used abroad through partner agen- overnight Jewish camp we have in the we hope to inspire others in the commu- of tikkun olam – the repair of the world – cies. United States with respect to both con- nity to experience something similar so that we accomplish with our Campaign. The Jewish Federations of North tent and facilities. I spent the day with they’ll return more committed to sup- I encourage everyone who has not America includes 153 Jewish Federa- two young girls, one of whom had just port Jewish people in need, not only in been to Israel, to go; and those who have tions member communities, including learned she was Jewish before coming Israel, but around the world. been to return to see and experience the the Jewish Community of Louisville, to camp. We sang Israeli songs, danced On the insistence of our younger extraordinary things we do together. and more than 300 network commu- Israeli dances and ate Israeli food. The daughter, Rachel, who is 11, we hiked Join the partnership mission to Israel nities. Collectively, we raise and dis- campers learned more about Israel as the snake path up Masada, starting be- in September (see ad, page B6) or con- tribute $1 billion through our Annual their counsellors helped them identify fore dawn and arriving at the summit in tact me, at 238-2723 or ssilberman@jew- Campaigns to provide vital services for religious sites and cities on a large Sty- time to see the sunrise. She had learned ishlouisville.org, and I’ll help you start Jews-at-risk in Israel, in Jewish commu- rofoam map of Israel. These children about it in Religious School, and she planning your trip to Israel. nities in 70 countries and at home. really connected with their heritage and wanted to experience it for herself. For This July, Stu Silberman, JCL’s presi- culture. us, it became symbolic of our ability to dent and CEO, elected to go on the week- Question: Didn’t our community take on the obstacles, whatever they may long, whirlwind mission trip to Belarus send goods? How were those received? be, and be supportive as a family and of and Israel to see first-hand how cam- Silberman: I’d like to thank commu- Israel’s determination to address its is- paign dollars are used and develop a bet- nity members and the Louisville district sues. That was one of our most mean- ter understanding of the extraordinary branch of Walgreens for helping me fill ingful experiences. things we do together to change lives. It a suitcase with school and medical sup- Our older daughter, Skylar, is an was his first professional mission. plies and arts and crafts. The Minsk equestrian, so we spent an afternoon He met individuals who receive needed Jewish Center received them with tre- riding horses in the Golan Heights, over- services, participated in programs that mendous gratitude. looking the Sea of Galilee. We were so build Jewish identity and community, Question: How about Israel? You close to the conflict in Syria we heard toured education sites for Jewish youth were there for about four days as part of a large bomb explode, a relatively com- and witnessed preservation efforts for the professional mission. What experi- mon occurrence these days. We also vis- Stu Silberman, center, with Rena and Shanna, two Jewish history and heritage. ences resonated? ited Yad Vashem, taking care to prepare young girls establishing their Jewish identity He returned inspired by the projects Silberman: We visited the town of Rachel, who as a rising sixth grader and he witnessed and galvanized to share his Kiryat Yam to see a science and technol- has not yet had the Holocaust curricu- experiences with our local community ogy-based school and I was impressed lum, for some of what she was going to with a renewed commitment to the work with what youth there were learning. see. we do as part of the worldwide Jewish World ORT built this incredible complex As it has been many years since Ali- community. in a relatively impoverished section of son and I had visited, we were excited to Question: Why was it important for Israel so those children can benefit from see some of the more recent excavations. you to go on this mission? first-rate math and science instruction. We toured the tunnels at Kotel (Western Silberman: When we allocate the With the improved education they re- Wall), and visited the Davidson Center money raised during our Annual Cam- ceive at this school, these children can and City of David just outside the Old paign, a portion supports critical work be prepared to enter university on par City where recent discoveries are be- overseas. Last year, our community sent with their peers from other parts of the ing studied. In the Western Galilee, our $194,312 to JFNA to be distributed to country and they will become produc- Partnership 2Gether region, we saw the the partner agencies: The Jewish Agency tive members of society. beautiful grottoes in Rosh Hanikra. We for Israel (JAFI), the American Jewish We had lunch at one of the six ab- met some of our colleagues there and Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and sorption centers for the 8,400 Ethiopian made a stop at Western Galilee Medi- World ORT. I want to be able to say I saw residents who have relocated to Israel. cal Center where they are treating some the money in action and to understand We just reached a milestone. The en- of the victims of the war in Syria. (See Diana with a mission participant, and in the back- how it changes lives. The information I tire community of Ethiopian Jews who story, page B9.) We also saw the com- ground, Alexandra Shklar, Louisville’s former sh’licha learned and the inspiration it provided wanted to come to Israel have now made will enable me to be a more effective ad- that journey. The final airlift was com- vocate for our Campaign and to convey pleted in August. That doesn’t mean the its importance more clearly and pas- work is done. Now it’s about helping sionately. them integrate. Much has been accom- Question: What experiences in Bela- plished already. Today there are many rus moved you most? Ethiopians who are productive mem- Silberman: A group of five of us had bers of Israeli society. There members the opportunity to go on a very inspir- of Knesset – even one Ethiopian woman ing home visit in Minsk. Diana, a high MK – doctors and other professionals. school student, and her mother, live in We must continue to provide support a two-bedroom apartment. Diana is cre- through JAFI for those who have just ative and bright, but she is also severely arrived, so they, too, can make the tran- vision-impaired. sition and contribute to their new home- To help fulfill its mission of caring land. for Jews-at-risk and helping them reach And, we visited an organic farm where their full potential, the JDC purchased Masa youth were spending six months an oversized computer monitor which at a time learning sustainable farming Diana uses for schoolwork, to write po- practices and values. Masa is a next log- Campers locate siginificant sites on a map of Israel etry and for other creative endeavors. ical step for participants of the Taglit She’s a poet, an artist and an actress. Birthright Israel program who want to Having the computer gave her a way to return and spend more time exploring write down her poetry, study her lines our homeland. and perform. She was very grateful for Question: Did the trip meet your ex- this gift and she and her mother under- pectations? stood that it was the Jewish community Silberman: It exceeded my expecta- caring for them. We all left feeling the tions. I’m convinced we’re making such real impact of how something small had a difference in so many ways overseas. I made such a big difference for her. hope next year we have more volunteers We also went to the town of Volozhin; from the campaign and community saw its historic Yeshiva and sites where take advantage of this opportunity and thousands of Jews were massacred dur- undertake the mission as well. ing World War II. There, youth from Question: After the Campaign Chairs former Soviet Union countries were and Directors Mission, why did you cleaning and cataloguing derelict Jew- choose to stay in Israel and have your ish cemeteries, helping to ensure that family – your wife, Alison, and daugh- Jewish history there is preserved. ters Skylar and Rachel – join you? Celebrating Israel at the JAFI camp in Belarus B8 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773 Families use summer vacation to visit Jewish State Goldberg family trip gives Sophia a chance to practice Hebrew by Phyllis Shaikun layover of at least a few nights in Italy on vary. Aly remarked they felt they had Special to Community their way home, their airfare cost would seen three of the world’s great religions This has been an exciting, enlighten- virtually be cut in half! They speedily in just 10 minutes’ time. ing and exhausting summer for Alyson and happily arranged for a week-long She emphasized that whether they and Jeffrey Goldberg and their 10-year- stay in Italy on the return trip. were at the Wall or in Tel Aviv or in the old daughter, Sophia. Their travel As for the land portion of their trip, Aly south, they felt totally safe in Israel. They agenda has taken them through six dif- sought advice from her friends, Faina found the people welcoming, kind and ferent time zones in the United States and Ariel Kronenberg, and a local travel grateful to have had tourists come to and abroad since May, when they began agent, Herlene Margulis. Once Jeff’s visit. their odyssey with a one-week trip to Is- cousins in Tel Aviv, Ze’ev and Irit Livnat, Their stay in Italy gave them time to rael. heard the Goldbergs were coming, they relax a bit, to visit the Jewish district There were several different reasons planned the itinerary and accompa- in Rome and to take in some tours of for their visit, Aly explained. She had nied them to sites in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem historical sites. Aly was particularly de- always wanted to go to Israel, and Jeff, and Ein Gedi. The Livnat’s parents and lighted to find so many different flavors who had spent an eight-month-long res- grandparents actually helped to found of lactose-free gelato – a really unex- idency at the Hebrew University Had- Tel Aviv, so their personal knowledge pected treat! assah Medical Center in Jerusalem in added a wonderful dimension to the trip. Their summer travels continued with 1986, was anxious to return. The trip was “We changed hotels four times in six trips to Chicago to see Jeff receive a Sophia Goldberg enjoys some Hebrew ice cream at also an opportunity for them to catch days,” Aly laughed, “it was amazing, but Master’s degree from Northwestern McDonald’s up with some of the students who had we were tired.” University and stayed with them in past years through Sophia didn’t miss a beat and enjoyed to attend the the Federation’s Partnership programs. all of the activities including swimming wedding of And finally, it would provide a in the Dead Sea and exploring the rain their Hindu chance for Sophia, who has been home- forest at Ein Gedi. Since their cousins neighbor to a schooled for the past few years and has knew the owners of a camel ranch, they Chicago girl been studying Hebrew as a second lan- were able to have tea with the Bedoin whose fam- guage, to have some hands-on practice ranchers (which was very nice) and to ily is of the with verbal communication. drink camel’s milk (which was not so Sikh faith. Sophia also polished her Hebrew nice!). (Aly says you skills both before and after their trip The family had a private tour of the can compare when the Goldbergs hosted Dikla Alegra underground tunnel that sits below Je- this to a Jew Levi, the Jewish Community Center’s rusalem’s Western Wall. They entered marrying a shlicha, in their home for five weeks. She on the Jewish side and reached a sec- Catholic – do- and Sophia made signs and flash cards tion closest to the Ark of the Covenant. able, but a bit and worked together on her language de- As they exited through the Muslim area, complicated.) velopment each afternoon. two IDF members flanked their group, They recently When Aly initially contacted Alita- escorting them out and cautioning them returned from The Goldberg family at the Ein Geddy Resort lia Airlines to book their Israel flight, that while they were under their watch, an Alaskan she was surprised to learn there was a the group should talk to no one. cruise with Jeff’s parents, Linda and plans for a return trip to Israel, they and unique opportunity to add another di- They quickly found themselves on the Stuart Goldberg, and his siblings and Sophia have no doubt they will be back. mension to the family’s travel and save Via Dolorosa, the route believed to have their families. In fact, Sophia might well be ready to money at the same time. If they booked a been taken by Jesus on his way to Cal- Although Aly and Jeff have no specific serve as their bilingual guide. Three generations of Greenbergs visit Israel together Bar Mitzvah by Phyllis Shaikun agent and did much of the groundwork, Yehuda (the Shuk or Arab Market), Special to Community Ron purchased the tickets and everyone where they divided into teams to pur- prompts Latts When Ruth and Ron Greenberg and had input as they worked for a year to chase the foods they would need to cook their children and grandchildren trav- plan their dream vacation. for dinner. eled to Israel on July 20 for a 10-day stay, They sought and found a family-cen- They returned to her home in the family trip Ruth considered it a special occasion tered guide who liked children (the boys Abu-Tor neighborhood, where the boys for many reasons. “When dealing with range in age from seven to 12), could baked challah, Ruth prepared grape by Phyllis Shaikun schedules for 11 people,” she explained, talk on their level and would be flexible leaves and the others did their part for Kate and Allan Latts’ recent trip to “being able to be together at the same to their needs. This was Rachel’s first the meal. Late that afternoon, they paid Israel was their second as a couple, time in the same place is reason enough trip to Israel, so it was fun for the others a pre-Shabbat visit to the Wall before re- but their first as a family. While their to celebrate.” to see and feel her unique excitement as turning to Ruti’s lovely home to enjoy the 13-year-old son Jake’s upcoming bar Although she and Ron had visited Is- they travelled together. meal they had prepared. mitzvah was a motivating factor in their rael several times, they felt blessed to ex- The children were engaged from the The Greenbergs consider themselves decision to visit, they felt it was a good perience it once again with their family, outset and peppered the guide with lucky to have been part of a small group time to share the country and their her- Jennifer and Jeff Tuvlin and Craig and questions. Ruth compared them to little that had the services of a private guide itage with Jake, 10-year-old daughter, Rachel Greenberg and their grandchil- sponges absorbing all of the information and minivan. They spent long, exhaust- Lindsey, and Kate’s parents, Ellen and dren, Andrew, Ethan and Jared Tuvlin they were given. ing days where they rose early and of- Max Shapira. and Daniel and Ben Greenberg. “It was “I truly believe they will always re- ten stayed out sight-seeing until after a phenomenal trip,” she said, “and every- member this trip,” she says. “Our hope is 5 o’clock. Their visit began in Tel Aviv, one loved every minute of it.” that they will establish a deep and com- where they spent two nights; they then They initially contacted Rabbi Robert mitted relationship with the country and spent two nights in the Hula Valley at Slosberg and spoke with others who had with their heritage. Standing in the Go- Kibbutz K’far Blum and five nights in traveled to Israel with young families to lan and watching and hearing bombing Jerusalem, which served as a base for determine how best to arrange their own blasts in the Syrian valley below drove day trips to explore Ein Ghedi, the Dead visit. Jennifer worked with the travel home the fact that the Middle East is a Sea, Massada and other sites. During vulnerable place.” the trip, they were on the borders with On the lighter Lebanon and Syria and drove through side, Grandma the West Bank several times. The Latts family overlooking the Old City in Jerusalem Ruth arranged Although the desert was the hottest for the family to spot they encountered, the children “Our intimate family trip was great be together for loved the camel rides in Genesis Land, for us,” said Kate Latts. “It was a fabu- “A Taste of Je- a place where they experienced life as it lous family vacation, and since we knew rusalem” (Cook was in Abraham’s time. The boys also en- what we wanted to get out of the trip, we in the Shuk for joyed the interactive Palmach and Her- planned accordingly.” short), which schel Museums and particularly loved The year-long preparation for the trip turned out to be their archaeological dig, which included began with a call to Jewish Community one of the high- a tour of an unexcavated cave system. of Louisville Senior Vice President/COO lights of the trip. If she had it to do all over again, Ruth Sara Wagner, who suggested they get The cook, Ruth thinks she might have added a stop in in touch with Da’at, a full-service travel (Ruti) Yudeko- Petra or included an extra day at the end agency the JCL often uses to plan Israel vitz, picked up of the trip so they could have relaxed be- trips. Da’at representatives interviewed the family on fore heading home. All in all, however, them to determine the type of trip they Friday morning the family felt Israel was the perfect had in mind and the family worked with Craig Greenberg, Ruth Greenberg, Ron Greenberg, Jeff Tuvlin and Jennifer Tuvlin on a dig and guided them place to experience together and they an agent in the United States and an on- in Israel through Mechane are delighted they made the trip. see Latts page 9 August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773  Community B9 Louisville connects to Western Galilee thru Partnership 2Gether Israeli MDs save Ethiopian Syrian victims recieve care at boy mauled by hyena Western Galilee Medical Center Although there has been little re- war and mass casualty events. It serves When Israeli doctors performed a CT to pull his son from the wild animal’s ported about it, Israel is playing a role both the civilian population of some scan on Abdulrazak, an eight-year-old jaws, Abdulrazak suffered severe head in the conflict in Syria – treating those 600,000 people of the region and the Muslim boy from Ethiopia who was al- and eye injuries and also lost an ear. injured in the fighting. IDF forces who serve along the northern most mauled to death by a wild hyena, He was transferred to Attat Hospital, The youngest victim of Syrian vio- border. they were surprised to find the rabid ani- a Catholic hospital 187 kilometers out- lence to be transferred to Israel for treat- mal – that caused severe head, scalp and side of Addis Ababa, and spent his first ment was moved directly to Western eye injuries to the young victim – had five days there clinging to life. Over the Galilee Medical Center (WGMC – for- also taken a piece of his jaw bone. course of five months, Abdulrazak was merly Western Galilee Hospital), Nahar- So, doctors at the government-run bandaged and re-bandaged, but because iya, with serious injuries to her face and Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya of a lack of hospital equipment and tech- limbs. added a bone graft operation to the list nology he had no surgeries. On Saturday, June 22, IDF medical of planned life-saving surgeries already In mid-June, a nun from the Philip- teams moved the young girl into Israel set up. pines who is also an anesthesiologist at for treatment, bringing her to WGMC’s Attat Hospital, called Dr. Rick Hodes, shock room. Her condition has been de- medical director of Ethiopia for the fined as moderate to severe as she suf- American Jewish Joint Distribution fered various injuries. Committee (JDC), and asked him to Immediately upon arrival, the extent come see Abdulrazak. and nature of her internal injuries were Israeli doctors treat a Syrian girl after she was injured “When I examined him, I noted that assessed. Dr. Michael Weiss, director of in the fighting. The girl is one of 20 casualties from Syria the Israeli hospital has treated since the begin- he had literally been ‘scalped’ and was trauma at the medical center, said, “The ning of fighting. missing his right ear; he had a mem- girl arrived with an open leg fracture brane over his right eye, and he had raw, and damage to blood vessels, which re- exposed scalp on the top, back and right quires a complex surgery. In addition a The staff and administration provide side of his head,” Hodes wrote in his penetration wound has caused damage quality care to all victims of violence, blog. to her eye area and cheek and there is including those transferred by the IDF, Hodes quickly understood that if Ab- damage to her left hand, as a result of fulfilling their strong desire to save lives dulrazak weren’t treated properly, his shrapnel, requiring surgery and rehabil- regardless of the diplomatic tensions be- wounds could become infected and he itation.” tween Israel and Syria. Abdulrazak, after being treated at Western Galilee could die, so he set in motion a human- Since the beginning of the fighting in WGMC is part of the Western Gali- Hospital. The eight-year-old went without proper treat- itarian operation that includes Bedou- Syria, WGMC has treated 20 casualties lee Partnership 2Gether region that is ment for five months before being brought to Israel for in-Israeli diplomat Ishmail Khaldi, Is- from Syria in the departments of neuro- paired with the Midwest Consortium treatment. raeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Belaynesh surgery, ophthalmology, oral and max- of Communities, including Louisville. A Zevadia, Friends of the Western Galilee illofacial, ENT, surgery and orthopedics. number of Louisville doctors and other “We’re trying to perform all the sur- Hospital, the United Jewish Communi- The Western Galilee Medical Cen- medical personnel have received train- geries we can. We’re saving his life and ties, the Jewish Agency, the JDC and the ter, located on the northern front of the ing in handling mass casualty events we’re taking him out of danger,” Dr. Israeli ministries of foreign affairs and State of Israel, is constantly preparing at WGMC, and several WGMC doctors Masad Barhoum, director-general of health to bring Abdulrazak to Israel for for emergency and conflict to provide have come to Louisville for specialized the Nahariya hospital, tells ISRAEL21c. proper medical treatment. the necessary complex care required by training. “What the hyena did was catastrophic.” “It’s a humanitarian effort. We’re help- a variety of emergency situations such as Abdulrazak is in Israel on a lifesaving ing a boy,” Barhoum tells ISRAEL21c. cross-border humanitarian mission. His “It is Israel’s nature to help whoever can journey from a remote Ethiopian vil- be helped. I’m proud to be a part of this lage called Enemur to Israel’s northern healthcare system that acts without hes- coastal city is one of bad luck, good luck itation to provide humanitarian aid in- and a lot of goodwill. ternationally when we are able. This is In January of this year, a wild hyena an all-embracing mitzvah.” raided Abdulrazak’s village, killing six people and injuring 18. The eight-year- Everyone gets equal treatment old was among those attacked – and Days after Abdulrazak and his father though his father, Alawi, risked his life see Ethiopian page 12 Latts Continued from page 8 the-ground person in Israel to work out the details. For the Lattses, it would need to be a kid-oriented, outdoorsy and experiential trip led by a guide with a sense of humor and the ability to adjust the itinerary to suit the mood of the crowd at any one time. Da’at provided the information The Latts family at the Banias Falls in Upper Galilee they needed – even down to restaurant recommendations – to make their visit gave us a better understanding of the a memorable one, and they appreciated relationships between Israelis and Ar- Da’at’s service and attention to detail. abs and between Orthodox and secular The family arrived in Tel Aviv and Jews. It was amazing to think there were spent the first part of their vacation in so many layers of culture and history in the north of Israel. They met Kate’s par- such a small place.” ents in Jerusalem for the second part of The family was impressed with mod- their journey. ern day Israel’s thriving, technologi- “It was such an educational trip for all cally-advanced business climate and of us,” said Allan Latts. “We gained so pointed with pride at Google, Pfizer and much from stops at Independence Hall, many other high tech companies with Caesarea and Sfad, and from exploring massive facilities in Israel. They found it the Old City and the Tower of David. Jake fascinating that after so many years of and Lindsey really loved the archaeolog- supporting Israel through philanthropic ical dig, rafting on the Jordan River and contributions, they could finally see a swimming in the Dead Sea. Jake partic- thriving, seemingly self-sufficient nation ularly enjoyed the ruins and captured in their midst. everything he saw on Instagram play by “There are so many ways to experi- play while we were there.” ence Israel,” Kate concluded, “and each “We learned a lot about the Jewish one is different. While our trip was great people’s biblical and political history,” for us, other families have to figure out Kate added, “and gained a better un- what they are looking for in order to derstanding of modern day Israel and achieve their goals. It is also important the lives of the different types of people to find a guide whose skills can greatly who live there. Observing everyday life enhance their entire experience.” B10 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773 Kentucky group Saving the Stones offers insights into provides bulletproof history and heritage backpacks to Israelis by Shiela Steinman Wallace Ottoman era in Old Acre, among other projects. While most of the time, Israel is a safe And then there’s summer camp! place to visit, and residents in most of Camp Conservation is a 14-day work- Israel are secure in their homes, Israel shop – perfect “vacation-length” – open is located in a difficult neighborhood. to all interested adults, from novices to Since its establishment 65 years ago, Is- those with more research experience. rael has fought several wars for its sur- Its primary focus is preservation of the vival, and even when there is no major historic Ottoman Governor’s Mansion combat, it must constantly be on guard in Old Acre, and it also includes tours against terrorist attacks. of sites in the Western Galilee, such as The IDF has been fairly effective the Rosh Hanikra Grottos, Achziv Beach against suicide bombers and other de- and nature reserve, the Kabri Aqueduct, vices within its borders, it has been un- and the Sea of Galilee and surrounding able to stop the almost daily barrage of area. rockets from Gaza. The southern cities The Center also has openings for vol- of S’derot and, more recently, Ashkelon unteers who want to live and work in are regular targets of these attacks. this fascinating historic venue. When hostilities break out with Hezbol- Visiting Israel often has the effect of lah, some northern Israeli cities are also The sun sets over the Old City of Acre. helping belief to find its taproot, nour- in jeopardy. ishing believers’ faith and understand- Wherever you turn in S’derot, there by Cynthia Canada As Peleg said in April, when she spoke ing and contributing to growth and a are bomb shelters and reinforced con- Special to Community with Community editor Shiela Stein- sense of unity among even those who crete structures that offer some protec- man Wallace and Jewish Community of consider themselves secular Jews. In- tion from the Hamas rockets. Ashkelon If you’re thinking about a trip to Israel Louisville Marketing Director Ben Gol- volvement in historic preservation can is a bigger city within three miles of a and you’re looking for a new perspective, denberg, “The entire country is my play- take the experience to the next level, cre- major hydroelectric plant and other stra- the Old City of Acre may be the place to ground.” She encourages Louisvillians ating very real ties to centuries past and tegic targets, and it is only recently that start. to consider coming to Israel to take ad- breathing life into what previously were Hamas acquired rockets that can reach Old Acre is the location of the Inter- vantage of these opportunities by enroll- simply stories or topics for discussion. it. When the “tzeva adom” – code red – is national Conservation Center, which ing in the “Saving the Stones” program. To delve into one’s historic and religious sounded, residents know they have just offers programs that can open up new “Saving the Stones” is an academic heritage in such a concrete way is to step 14 seconds to seek shelter before an in- views on life in Israel over the centuries. program geared toward young adults – into and participate in history – to bring coming rocket hits. Director Shelley-Anne Peleg, who visited students and professionals, particularly it to life for others to see and experience. Louisville in April with a Partnership those in the fields of preservation and Historic preservation studies also 2Gether delegation from Western Gali- conservation, anthropology and history, can build on one’s knowledge base in lee, shared information about exciting urban planning and design, and related other, more pragmatic ways. The Cen- opportunities to experience the region disciplines. Three months of founda- ter’s website includes the experiences and even the country differently. tional study in research documentation, of a law school student focusing on real The Old City of Acre was designated survey methods and treatment planning estate and land use law, who took home in 2001 as a UNESCO World Heritage cover both theoretical and practical as- an expanded understanding of archi- site. According to the program guide of pects of archaeological research and tecture that has helped her with related the International Conservation Center, conservation fieldwork. An optional two- questions, and a graduate student in the city has more than 50,000 residents, month advanced practicum allows par- Geographic Information Systems, who “all contributing to the cultural mo- ticipants to apply their newfound knowl- gained insight into integrating cultures, saic where Jews, Muslims, Christians, edge to personal research. as well as building valuable experience Armenians, Druze and Bahai, live in For those with less time to devote to in repurposing historic structures. exemplary coexistence.” Acre is a Med- such studies, the Center offers a five- The cost of all programs covers meals, iterranean port city, home to millennia week summer intensive that introduces accommodation, workshops and lec- of world cultures, from Hellenistic to the participants to historic preservation, tures, and exclusive access to historic The Shield of David distributing ballistic and bullet- proof backpacks to school children living in Ashkelon, British Mandate. heritage conservation and conservation sites throughout Israel. It also includes Israel. Just seven miles from Gaza, Ashkelon is the The Center offers a range of historic techniques. The summer intensive is the cost of transportation during the often target of rockets fired into this region by Hamas. conservation and preservation pro- open to all adults – the only requirement programs. Transportation to and from grams that provide insight into life in is a compelling concern for historic Old Acre is not included, nor are per- But what happens if someone is more historic Israel from a very real and con- preservation. sonal expenses. Scholarships are avail- than 14 seconds from a shelter? What crete vantage point. And while the pro- It combines practical and theoretical able for “Saving the Stones.” (Accommo- about little children, the disabled, the grams are based in Old Acre, they take training with hands-on experience at dations are not provided for volunteers.) elderly? participants all over the country, from ongoing national conservation projects, For more information, visit the Cen- Bart Britt, the executive director of Tiberias and Cesarea to Jerusalem, and including the medieval castle ruins of ter’s website, conservationcenter.org.il, Shield of David in Bowling Green, de- into active archaeological digs as well as Yehaiam and the Western Wall Tunnels or on Facebook (“Saving the Stones”). cided to do something about it. In 2009, labs such as those where the Dead Sea in Jerusalem’s Old City, and study of his- he established a non-profit organiza- Scrolls are kept. toric building technologies dating to the tion to distribute bulletproof backpacks made of a lightweight material that can shield people from many munitions as well as the deadly shards of glass, ball Today’s news updates from Israel bearings, nails, screws and shrapnel that often fill the air when a Kassam rocket hits. When incorporated into backpacks Women of the Wall, shielded by police, that weigh only four pounds, that ma- terial can shield the wearer’s vital organs and save lives. The backpack is made in raises Torah scroll and blows shofar sizes for both adults and children and is designed to accommodate school sup- plies, laptop computers and other things people commonly carry. Since each backpack costs $250, it is an expensive proposition to supply back- packs to all Israelis who live under this threat of attack. Shield of David, an Evangelical Chris- tian organization that interprets Eze- kiel 33:7 as an instruction that everyone needs to be watchful for Israel, has es- tablished as its mission the goal of pro- viding protective backpacks to those who are at risk of rocket attacks in Israel. Britt said, “We’re really new as a non- profit and we’re continuing to strive to build our base of donors. … We’ve barely Women of the Wall member raises a Torah scroll to cheers at the gate of the Western Women of the Wall members blow the shofar at the back of the Western Wall Plaza been in existence for year. We shipped Wall Plaza during the group’s monthly Rosh Chodesh service, Aug. 7, 2013. (Miriam during its monthly Rosh Chodesh service, Aug. 7, 2013. (Miriam Alster) the first 500 backpacks last October. Alster) see Backpacks page 12 August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773  Community B11 5773 Year in Review: Fighting over Jewish pluralism by Uriel Heilman who used to teach at the Y.U. high school University sociologist Steven M. Cohen, NEW YORK (JTA) – In 5773, the reli- for boys in the 1970’s and ‘80’s commit- one of the researchers who conducted gious wars just would not go away. ted hundreds of acts of sex abuse. When the study, told JTA. “So American Jewry, In Israel, elections that extended Y.U.’s chancellor, Rabbi Norman Lamm, with no other change, will become in- Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure as prime announced he was stepping down, he creasingly traditional in the years to minister delivered big wins to two apologized for mishandling the allega- come.” anti-Orthodox-establishment upstarts, tions when he was university president. While fertility rates among Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett. For the The Satmar hasidic community in non-Orthodox Israelis are not as low as first time in nearly two decades, Israel’s New York became embroiled in its own those of American Jews, they lag far be- coalition government included no har- sex scandal when it lined up to support hind those of Orthodox Israelis. The rel- edi Orthodox parties. an unlicensed therapist from Brooklyn ative size of Israel’s haredi community Egyptian protesters holding an anti-Morsi poster in charged with the repeated sexual assault as a share of Israel’s total population is Tahrir Square in Cairo shortly before the military’s of a female teenager in his care. expected to double by 2020, to 16 per- ouster of President Mohamed Morsi, July 3, 2013. Even after Nechemya Weberman was cent. (Spencer Platt/Getty) found guilty and sentenced to 103 years In Israel, the culture wars between in prison, the community’s support did haredi and non-haredi have focused on time ally Hosni Mubarak. not waver. Rather, Satmar leaders in- the haredi draft exemption and the Or- The Israeli-Palestinian relationship veighed against the victim and her sup- thodox Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over was marked more by the absence of porters. A few days after the trial, a ha- marriage. progress than anything else – until U.S. sidic assailant threw bleach in the face of The haredi establishment has mostly Secretary of State John Kerry managed a community rabbi, Nuchem Rosenberg, succeeded in protecting the status quo to coax both sides back to the negotiat- who advocates for victims of sex abuse. on both those counts, notwithstanding ing table in July. There was a mini-war But to extrapolate a storyline or trend changes in the draft law. And when the in Gaza in November 2012 that lasted Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid hugging Jewish Home party chief Naftali Bennett following Lapid’s first from these disparate events could be 150 or so electors charged with choosing eight days and resulted in the deaths of speech at the Knesset, Feb. 11, 2013. (Miriam Alster/ folly. new Ashkenazi and Sephardic chief rab- some 150 Palestinians and six Israelis, Flash90/JTA) For one thing, the Orthodox sex scan- bis went to the polls in July, they rejected but after that Israel’s border with Gaza dals might be more about the dawning the reformist favorite David Stav and was mostly quiet. The Israel Defense Forces took con- of a new age of reckoning on sex abuse instead elected two haredim, David Lau crete steps toward ending the draft ex- than the prevalence of sexual misdeeds and Yitzhak Yosef, the sons of former emption for haredi men. Israel’s Minis- among Orthodox Jews. chief rabbis. try of Religious Services agreed for the And for all the triumphs that Jew- In the American Jewish community, first time to allow non-Orthodox rabbis ish liberals saw this year, demographic the battle has not been between denomi- to serve in communal positions with trends suggest that the Jewish commu- nations but over Jewish values. state-funded salaries. nities in the United States and Israel are Is it a Jewish value to support the right growing less liberal. of gays to marry or does the practice Data released in contravene Jewish ethics? Should Jews January from the be advocating for greater government 2011 Jewish popu- funding for private religious schools or lation study of New fighting the use of taxpayer money in York showed that non-public schools? Should Jews press A ZAKA volunteer going through the wrecked apartment in Kiryat Malachi of the three people killed by a rocket two-thirds of the Washington to make a concerted push fired by terrorists from the Gaza Strip, Nov. 15, 2012. metropolitan re- for Israeli-Palestinian peace or is such (Yossi Zeliger/Flash90/JTA) gion’s Jewish popu- pressure right now not in Israel’s best lation growth over interests? It was tragedy in the United States the last decade oc- The divisions among American Jews that left the community with lasting curred in two har- on these issues do not fall neatly along scars. Late last October, a massive storm edi neighborhoods denominational lines. surge generated by Hurricane Sandy in Brooklyn. While Meanwhile, the American Jewish po- battered communities, synagogues and there hasn’t been litical divide appears slowly to be widen- Jewish schools up and down the North- a national Jewish ing. Though Jews as a whole still skew east coast. UJA-Federation of New York An illustration of Natan Sharansky’s proposal, which will expand the Western Wall population study in heavily Democratic, in last November’s convened an emergency meeting to au- and create a permanent egalitarian space in the Robinson’s Arch area. (Creative Commons/Graphics by Uri Fintzy) more than a decade, election President Obama dropped at thorize $10 million for rebuilding ef- least 6 points among Jews from 2008, forts, many of which continue today. And the Reform and Conservative winning an estimated 68 percent of movements finally broke through years the Jewish vote. The 2012 election also of apathy to get the Israeli government ushered in a Congress with fewer Jew- to consider changes to the Orthodox ish members than at any time since the monopoly over ritual and prayer at 1990s. the Western Wall – but there’s been no movement beyond proposals. In the United States, Yeshivat Ma- harat, a New York school for women founded four years ago to train Ortho- dox female rabbinic authorities, grad- uated its first class of Orthodox clergy, Two Chasidic men walk in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Along with Borough Park, the neighborhood accounts for two- known as maharats. The Supreme Court At Mazel Academy in Brooklyn, Torah scrolls were granted federal benefits to same-sex thirds of overall Jewish population growth in the New York area, according to new details from a 2012 study. unrolled to dry after being damaged by the floodwaters couples and struck down a California (Gedalya Gottdenger via Creative Commons) from Hurricane Sandy, Oct. 31, 2012. (Ben Harris) law banning gay marriage in the state. the data from America’s largest Jewish Outside of the United States and Is- community suggest that Orthodox Jews, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama em- rael, the big Jewish stories included the brace Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden just after banning of Jewish ritual slaughter in Po- with their high birthrates, will represent the election was called in their favor, at the Fairmont an ever-larger proportion of the Ameri- Chicago Millennium Park in Chicago, Nov. 6, 2012. land and a new German law regulating can Jewish community. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) ritual circumcision; a controversial ex- “The traditional population of Amer- hibit at Berlin’s Jewish museum dubbed ican Jews has high fertility and the The divides over politics and religion “Jew in a box” and a new Jewish museum non-Orthodox population as a group is stood in sharp contrast to the relative in Warsaw; a much-criticized deal be- well below replacement level,” New York consensus that held up through much of tween the Argentinean and Iranian gov- the year on international issues. ernments to investigate the 1994 AMIA There was practical unanimity on con- Jewish community center bombing; sex cern that Syria’s civil war not spill over abuse scandals in Australia; concerns about far-right movements in Hungary Yeshivat Maharat graduates at their ordination cere- the border, that instability in Egypt not mony in NYC, June 16, 2013 (Joe Winkler) turn the Sinai Peninsula into a breeding and Greece, and the appointment of a ground for Islamic militants, that Iran new chief rabbi in England. While Jewish liberals seemed to have be prevented from acquiring nuclear There was some good news here: None a good year, Orthodox leaders and insti- weapons capability, that the European of these stories were about major Jewish tutions found themselves on the defen- Union enforce its decision to designate calamities. sive. Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist To be sure, the Jewish people suf- Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Yona organization. fered tragedies in 5773 – from natural Metzger, was arrested on suspicion of But external threats did not dominate disasters, from Gaza rocket fire. But fraud and money laundering. communal discourse in 5773. There for a people obsessed with survival and Yeshiva University, the flagship insti- Haredi Orthodox Jews watching the victory speech of wasn’t the same public urgency on Iran accustomed to attacks, the absence of tution of Modern Orthodoxy, became President Obama at the American Center in Jerusalem, as in past years. The Egyptian coup in mass casualty events in 5773 made it a the subject of a $380 million lawsuit by Nov. 7, 2012. (Miriam Alster/Flash90/JTA) July was less concerning for Israel than remarkable year as much for what did former students alleging that two rabbis the 2011 revolution that overthrew long- not happen as for what did. B12 Community  August 23, 2013  17 ELUL 5773

The attacks early August 14 were in re- This week’s news briefs from JTA sponse to rockets launched at Israel the previous evening as Palestinian prison- The following is JTA’s weekly column of Benjamin Netanyahu does not support then deal with democracy and freedom ers being released by Israel were being Middle East Briefs for Aug. 20, 2013. the Gavison initiative. and so on. At this point it’s army or an- transported to the Gaza Strip and West The Jewish State Law bill’s sponsors, archy.” Bank. Israelis and Palestinians report- Likud’s Yariv Levin and Habayit Ha- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- “This is an absurd situation that edly talk again yehudi’s Ayelet Shaked, have called on tanyahu has ordered government offi- would not be tolerated anywhere else JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli and Pal- Netanyahu to support their proposed cials to refrain from publicly discussing in the world,” Israel Defense Forces estinian peace negotiators reportedly legislation, which states that the State of the situation in Egypt. spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said met for a second round of peace talks. Israel is the historical homeland of the Israel reportedly has been lobbying in a statement issued August 14. “The The French news agency AFP, cit- Jewish people and that the right of na- American officials hard to sustain the IDF is charged with and will continue ing an unnamed Palestinian official, tional self-determination within Israel annual $1.5 billion in U.S. aid to Egypt. to operate in order to safeguard Israel’s reported that talks were held Tuesday belongs exclusively to the Jewish people. President Obama has threatened to civilians, and combat terror and its in- in Jerusalem, with a second meeting The bill commits to upholding the withhold the aid over a violent govern- frastructure in the Gaza Strip.” scheduled for the evening. civil rights of all Israeli citizens. ment crackdown on demonstrations in One rocket fired August 13 at S’derot The Associated Press in reporting the support of ousted President Mohamed fell short of its target and is believed talks cited a “senior Palestinian official” Palestinian killed during Israeli Morsi that has resulted in more than 800 to have landed inside Gaza. A second who is “close to the negotiations.” mission at refugee camp deaths since last week. rocket landed in the nearby Sha’ar Ha- The first round of talks was held last JERUSALEM (JTA) – A Palestinian Last week, Obama canceled a planned negev region in an open area. A jihadist week in Jerusalem. The talks have been man was shot and killed during an Is- joint military exercise with Egypt over group linked to al-Qaida took responsi- held under a near-complete media black- raeli army mission to arrest a purported the bloodshed. bility for the attacks. out at the request of U.S. Secretary of terrorist at a West Bank refugee camp. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who led A day earlier, a long-range Grad rocket State John Kerry, who visited the region Soldiers from the haredi Orthodox the military coup that ousted Morsi, de- was fired at Eilat by a jihadist terror a half dozen times in order to bring the battalion Netzah Yehuda entered the veloped close ties with Israel when he group in the Sinai and intercepted by two sides to the negotiating table. Jenin camp on Tuesday night to arrest headed Egypt’s military intelligence, ac- the Iron Dome anti-missile system. Prior to the first round of talks, the ne- Basam a-Asadi, a senior Islamic Jihad cording to the Times, and has remained In the prisoner release, 26 Palestin- gotiators met in July in Washington with terrorist, according to the IDF. in close contact with Israel throughout ians were transported in vans to cross- Kerry and with President Obama. During a search of Asadi’s home, hun- the recent violence and bloodshed. ings into the West Bank and Gaza. They The Israeli negotiators are Justice dreds of Jenin residents surrounded the crossed the border at midnight. Israel Minister Tzipi Livni and the prime min- area and shot live bullets and threw fire- Palestinian hacker posts on Marc agreed to release the prisoners in order ister’s representative, attorney Isaac bombs at the soldiers, the IDF said. Zuckerberg’s Facebook wall to bring the Palestinians back to the Molho. The Palestinian negotiators are The Palestinian Maan news agency JERUSALEM (JTA) – A Palestinian peace negotiating table. Saeb Erekat and Dr. Mohammed Shtay- said the residents threw empty bottles hacker posted a message on Facebook Palestinian Authority President yeh, a senior Fatah official. and stones at the soldiers. founder Marc Zuckerberg’s wall to show Mahmoud Abbas greeted the 11 prison- Majd Mohammad Anis Lahlouh, 22, there is a bug in the social network’s se- ers freed to the West Bank at a celebra- Livni wants constitutional pro- was shot in the chest during the clashes curity settings. tion in Ramallah at the site of the Mu- posal balancing Israel’s Jewish, and killed. Khalil Shreateh of Hebron posted in- kata, the presidential palace. democratic identities Two Israeli soldiers and two other Pal- formation about the bug on Zuckerberg’s “We welcome our brothers who have JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Justice estinians were injured in the incident, wall late last week following unsuccess- left the darkness of prison into the light Minister Tzipi Livni appointed Israel which the IDF said it was investigating. ful attempts to report the bug to Face- of freedom and tell them they are the Prize winner Ruth Gavison to draft a book security. The bug allowed Shreateh first, but that there are other brothers constitutional proposal that would rec- Israel lobbying U.S., EU to sup- to post on the walls of other members who too will leave soon. We shall not rest oncile the country’s democratic and Jew- port Egypt’s military government despite security settings. until they are all with us,” Abbas said at ish characters. JERUSALEM (JTA) – The Israeli “Sorry for breaking your privacy ... I the ceremony. The proposal would be an alternative government is pressing its efforts to had no other choice ... after all the re- to the Jewish State Law, a bill proposed convince the United States and the ports I sent to Facebook team,” Shreateh Inscribed pottery shard found recently by the Likud-Beiteinu and Ha- European Union to support the mili- wrote on Zuckerberg’s wall. from First Temple bayit Hayehudi parties that would give tary-backed government in Egypt. Facebook security had denied that the JERUSALEM (JTA) – Archaeologists Israel’s Jewish identity supremacy over The New York Times reported late flaw was a bug. have discovered a pottery fragment in its democratic one, Haaretz reported. Sunday that Israeli ambassadors in Shreateh, who is unemployed, had Jerusalem believed to be from the First “I believe that the time has arrived to Washington and the European capitals hoped to win a $500 reward paid out to Temple period that contains the name of draft a constitutional framework that will lobby foreign ministers, and that Is- hackers who discover bugs on Facebook. a biblical figure. deals with the character of the State of raeli leaders will urge diplomats to see Instead, his Facebook account was fro- The fragment was found near the City Israel as Jewish and democratic, and an- the Israeli viewpoint that the Egyptian zen, since he violated Facebook’s terms of David in the village of Silwan, be- chors the components of the identity in a military will prevent a further deteriora- of service by posting illegally on Zucker- lieved to be the site of the ancient city of balanced way, integrating these values, tion of the situation in Cairo. berg’s page. His account has since been Jerusalem, according to the Israel Antiq- the Jewish and the democratic,” Livni The newspaper cited an unnamed reinstated. uities Authority. said in announcing the appointment of “senior Israeli official involved in the ef- The words on the fragment are be- Gavison, a Hebrew University law pro- fort.” Israel in retaliatory attacks lieved to be the name of Zechariah son fessor, which was reported Tuesday in “If you insist on big principles, then slams Gaza rocket launchers of Benaiah, the father of the seventh cen- the Israeli media. you will miss the essential – the essen- JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli airstrikes tury BCE prophet Jahaziel. The writing Haaretz reported that Prime Minister tial being putting Egypt back on track destroyed concealed rocket launchers in is in ancient Hebrew script; the first let- at whatever cost,” the official told the northern Gaza in retaliation for attacks ter is missing. Times. “First, save what you can, and on southern Israel. Jahaziel is found in the second book of Chronicles, when he prophecizes for backpacks King Jehoshapat. Continued from page 10 as soon as possible. Even though every- The fragment was found among other They were distributed through the may- Ethiopian one here is trying to help, you can see shards of pottery, candles, ceramics and Continued from page 9 or’s office in Ashkelon where children that they sense our embrace but they do figurines also believed to be from the have no access to shelters” even though arrived in Israel, doctors performed eye not feel at home,” explains Barhoum. “If end of the First Temple period. the city is often targeted. surgery on the young patient. Barhoum he has to come back for future surgeries, Britt was there for the distribution, says that as soon as it became clear that we will bring him back.” IBM to pay as much as $1 billion and “right after we left in October, Ha- his right eye could not be saved, doctors Amir Yarchi, CEO of Friends of for Israeli data security firm mas fired over 200 rockets at Ashkelon.” raised the idea for a prosthetic. the Western Galilee Hospital, tells IS- JERUSALEM (JTA) – IBM has agreed Britt is reaching out to the Jewish “But it turned out that a prosthetic RAEL21c that the organization kick- to acquire the Israeli data security firm community at this time, he said, be- is socially unacceptable in his village,” started a fundraising campaign upon Trusteer for an undisclosed sum that is cause “we need funding in order to put says Barhoum, stressing the importance hearing of the boy’s plight a few weeks believed to be up to $1 billion. a backpack on a child. We want the of respecting the family’s traditions. “We ago and is still raising funds to cover the Trusteer, which has locations in Tel Jewish community to know the Chris- closed the eye with skin so there will be necessary treatments, transportation Aviv and Boston, develops software tian community stands with the Jewish no chance of future infections.” and housing arrangements. to help businesses protect themselves community.” Abdulrazak is scheduled to undergo a The Western Galilee Hospital is one against financial fraud and security Although there are differences in our series of other procedures at the West- of the largest medical centers in north- threats. Upon the official closing of the beliefs, he explained, they come from ern Galilee Hospital including plastic ern Israel. It serves nearly half a million deal, Trusteer will join the IBM Security the same roots. And while Shield of Da- surgeries, skin grafting on large parts of residents of the region, as well as Israeli Systems organization, IBM announced vid was founded because of his Evan- his head, and a bone graft to reconstruct soldiers and UN personnel. August 15. gelical faith, Britt maintains that “We’re his jaw “so that he can eat properly,” says “We help everyone regardless of who IBM, an American multinational not just Evangelical Christian. We have Barhoum, the first Arab-Israeli to direct they are,” Barhoum says noting the hos- technology and consulting corporation, Jewish members too. This is a Christian a government hospital in Israel. pital also treated a 13-year-old Syrian is forming a cybersecurity software lab and Jewish organization. We stand to- The medical costs, bringing Abdul- girl injured in her country’s civil war. in Israel where Trusteer and IBM re- gether, united, and we want the Jewish razak and his father to Israel and sup- “The doctors treat everyone equally. searchers will work on advanced soft- community to know there is an organi- porting them financially while they’re It’s our pride that we can treat each pa- ware to address more complicated cyber zation on their back door which is doing here are expected to run between tient for being a person,” he says. “I hope threats. this, with administrative costs of less $40,000 and $50,000. we will be a partner in future humani- This would be IBM’s largest ever ac- than three percent.” “The boy will likely stay here for about tarian missions. This is not our first and quisition in Israel, according to the For more information, go to www. a month and then return to his village. we consider it a huge honor to be able to Israeli business daily Globes. The pur- theshieldofdavid.org. We want him to return to his way of life help where we can.” chase price is believed to be between $800 million and $1 billion.