DOCSLIB.ORG

Hidden Sparks

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hidden Sparks SLINGSHOT CONTACT Rebecca Neuwirth BOARD CHAIR Matthew Bronfman PHONE 212-891-1403 A RESOURCE GUIDEBUDGET $520,000 EMAIL [email protected] INCEPTION 2005 SLINGSHOT FOR JEWISH INNOVATION MEET THE INNOVATORS: INNOVATORS: THE MEET the from for video messages www.slingshotfund.org/videos Visit in Jewish and life. projects organizations innovative most the of leaders introduction why do we create Slingshot? This is the ninth annual edition of Slingshot. So, here’s your homework assignment: Creating this guide takes nearly a year of evaluation, due diligence, discussion, and 1. Read this book and find a project that design. Slingshot represents the combined excites you. Then reach out to its leaders! If effort of nearly 100 people across North you are a participant, a volunteer, or a funder, America, and it costs an arm and a leg to you are what they need in order to grow. print. And then, we give it away for free. 2. Share this book with someone who Why? doesn’t find Jewish life personally relevant. Visit www.slingshotfund.org/order, and order Because the following pages include an that person a free copy. important story about the Jewish community, and we want you to read it – and share it. 3. Discuss this book with your family, Slingshot ’13-’14 tells the narrative of how friends, and colleagues. Slingshot is the Jewish community can remain relevant intended to be a conversation starter: Ask and thrive as the world changes around your parent to pick a favorite organization, it. Over the following pages, you will read and talk about why. Ask a friend what area about a vibrant Jewish community – not of Jewish life still needs innovation. With an aspirational community, but one that is your spouse, think about how your family happening out there right now. can contribute to the success of these ideas. Visit www.slingshotfund.org/ASK for This is a Jewish community of projects more discussion question ideas. that promote diverse perspectives and affiliations, meaningful learning, and modern Let us know how your conversations go, interpretations of ancient traditions. This is and how you use the Slingshot guide in a community for adults and kids, students interesting and inspiring ways. To learn more and teachers, environmentalists, artists, about Slingshot or any of the organizations and activists. This book contains the Jewish profiled here, please don’t hesitate to be in project you’ve been looking for. touch. We look forward to hearing from you. We have created this resource, and our Will Schneider funders have paid for it, but its success Executive Director - Slingshot is up to you. Julie Finkelstein Program Director - Slingshot Jaimie Mayer Phinney Program Director - Slingshot methodology our selection process As Slingshot guide evaluators, we, along Seth Cohen with 83 of our colleagues from across The Charles and Lynn Schusterman the country, reviewed applications from Family Foundation organizations and projects seeking to be listed in Slingshot ’13-’14. To increase Adina Dubin Barkinskiy transparency in the selection procedure, we The Morningstar Foundation were requested to undertake the additional responsibility of “auditing” the process. Simone Friedman Rones Emanuel J. Friedman Philanthropies In exercising this responsibility, we reviewed quantitative and qualitative evaluation Lesley Said Matsa materials in order to assess the assertion The Crown Family Philanthropies that Slingshot ’13-’14 was created fairly using the data and stated methodology. Alicia Schuyler Oberman Following this review, it is our unanimous Jack Miller Family Foundation assessment that: Dara Weinerman Steinberg 1. The organizations selected in Slingshot Lippman Kanfer Family Foundation ’13-’14 represent the collective views of the evaluator panel, and do not reflect the opinions or organizational views of any individual evaluator or his/her place of work. 2. Although the independent assessments of all of the evaluators are inherently subjective, Slingshot ’13-’14 organizations were selected through a rigorous process that makes every effort to fairly represent the most innovation projects in North American Jewish life today, given the wide-reaching set of nominations Slingshot received. 3. The process used to create Slingshot ’13-’14 endeavored to assure all readers that there was not bias in the creation of this guide. STEP 1 NOMINATIONS November 2012 January 2013 STEP 2 We encourage everyone to apply or EVALUATION nominate the organizations and February 2013 projects that inspire them, and to share how they best reflect our FOUR CRITERIA: Each application is read by at least 4 evaluators including one who is familiar with the organization, and one INNOVATION evaluator who has no prior knowledge. The mix of the insider’s point of view with a first-timer’s opinion gives a IMPACT well-balanced final picture. STRONG LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATORS EXPLORE: + 200Applications Innovation: Is the Impact: Does the organization taking organization affect a creative, inventive, the attitudes and pioneering, or behaviors of the ground-breaking Jewish community? Evaluators approach? 83 Grant-making professionals, Federation executives, and Jewish Strong Leadership: Organizational community consultants Is it a model for the Effectiveness: field? Is it collabo- Is the organization STEP 3 rating or partnering strategic in the DUE DILIGENCE strategically with way it does March 2013 others? business? Evaluation data for each organiza- tion is condensed into a one page summary—which is reviewed for accuracy—and approximately 90 semi-finalists are then chosen. After carefully reviewing budgets, calling references, and re-reading STEP 4 applications, we arrive at the final PROFILES 50 organizations and the list of April 2013 July 2013 Standard Bearers. Each profile summarizes the mission, impact and innovations that are new this year. We try to capture the unique character of each organization by including unattributed comments from our evaluators. Questions about the process? Visit www.slingshotfund.org/methodology slingshot organizations broken down by region NEW ENGLAND With one organization in MIDWEST NEWAll 4 of ENGLAND our New England organizations are based Seattle and one in Denver, The Midwest includes With one organization in MIDWEST Allin Massachusetts.4 of our New England the Northwest and Southwest 1 organization each in Chicago, organizations are based Seattle and one in Denver, The Midwest includes are our smallest regions. Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. in Massachusetts. the Northwest and Southwest 1 organization each in Chicago, are our smallest regions.SOUTHWEST Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. SOUTHWEST NORTHWEST 1 % NORTHWEST 1 % 6 % 6 % NORTHEAST NORTHEASTThe Northeast includes 4 % 2 organizations in % The Northeast includes 34 Philadelphia, 1 in 4 % 2 organizations in % Toronto, and 20 in 34 Philadelphia, 1 in New York. 1 % Toronto, and 20 in 1 % New York. WEST COAST 18 % 6 % WESTThe 12 West COAST Coast 18 % 6 % organizations are based Thethroughout 12 West California.Coast organizations are based throughout California. % MID-ATLANTIC 3 MID-ATLANTIC2 organizations in 3 % Mid-Atlantic are in 2Washington, organizations D.C. in and 2 Mid-Atlanticare based in areMaryland. in Washington, D.C. and 2 are based in Maryland. 17 SOUTHEAST ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING 17 SOUTHEASTThe Southeast includes both ON A NATIONAL LEVEL Mississippi and Florida. ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING The Southeast includes both ON A NATIONAL LEVEL Mississippi and Florida. NEW ENGLAND With one organization in MIDWEST All 4 of our New England organizations are based Seattle and one in Denver, The Midwest includes in Massachusetts. the Northwest and Southwest 1 organization each in Chicago, are our smallest regions. Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. SOUTHWEST NORTHWEST 1 % 6 % NORTHEAST The Northeast includes 4 % % 2 organizations in 34 Philadelphia, 1 in Toronto, and 20 in 1 % New York. WEST COAST 18 % 6 % The 12 West Coast organizations are based throughout California. MID-ATLANTIC 3 % 2 organizations in Mid-Atlantic are in Washington, D.C. and 2 are based in Maryland. 17 SOUTHEAST ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING The Southeast includes both ON A NATIONAL LEVEL Mississippi and Florida. trends emerging themes Each year, as we finalize the list of Social Services: Traditionally seen as organizations selected for the Slingshot providing vital services, but not always on guide, interesting themes and trends the cutting edge of programmatic innovation, emerge. As in prior editions, Slingshot the social services field has demonstrated its ’13-’14 highlights a diverse collection of ability to remodel in ways that provide better organizations and projects, exciting initiatives or newer resources to Jews in need. reaching broader sections of the Jewish community. This year, the guide also shows • Organizations like Footsteps, which evidence of innovation happening in new provides services to individuals transitioning ways and new places. out of ultra-Orthodox communities, City Harvest’s Kosher Initiative, which focuses Innovation Promotes Innovation: on feeding New York City’s impoverished As pioneering organizations continue to Jewish communities, or Kavod v’Nichum’s innovate, lessons from their beginnings are resources that support end-of-life Jewish adapted and built upon in new locations with rituals, provide just a few examples of different audiences. projects that support today’s Jewish community in caring and creative ways. • Alternative spiritual communities like IKAR, Mechon Hadar, and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Calling All Riverdale Kids! the Bayit Is the Place to Be! Be a Part of It! Please Register Your Child and Become a Youth Member Today!
    Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Bayit BULLETIN November 27 - December 4, 2015 15 - 22 Kislev 5776 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY 10463 718-796-4730 www.thebayit.org Steven Exler, Senior Rabbi: Mazal Tov To: [email protected]/ x108 Shoshana & David Fain on the birth of a boy. A shalom Zachar will be held this Friday night Sara Hurwitz, Rabba: at 8:00pm at Shoshana & David’s home, 3601 Johnson Ave. # 1D. [email protected]/ x107 Ari Hart, Associate Rabbi: Dayna Wiener & Michael Fleisch on their marriage. To parents Ayelet & Jonathan Wiener [email protected]/ x124 and the entire Wiener and Fleisch families. Anat Sharbat, Assistant Rabba: [email protected]/ x106 Jackie & Marvin Binstock on the birth of a granddaughter, Moriah Shoshana (Madison Avi Weiss, Rabbi in Residence: Sophia). Mazal tov to parents Rebecca & Mike Binstock, and big sisters Estee and Zoe. Mazal [email protected]/ x102 tov to grandparents Brona & Mendy Katz and Judy & Jeff Cahn, to great-grandparents Anne Richard Langer, Executive Director: & Dave Klar, and to the entire family. [email protected]/ x104 Menachem Menchel, Director of Condolences To: Education & Youth Programming: Leah Davidson on the loss of her husband. [email protected]/ x119 Bryan Cordova, Facilities Manager: The family of Regina Ganger on her passing. Shiva will take place at the Riegel residence, [email protected]/ x121 654 Church Avenue, Woodmere, NY, 11598 until Sunday morning, November 29th. David Fain, Assistant Youth Director: [email protected] Welcome New Members: Ariel Meiri, Synagogue Administrator: Lauren & David Lieberman. [email protected]/ x101 This Shabbat @ The Bayit Phyllis Newsome, Bookkeeper: [email protected]/ x103 Drasha: The drasha this Shabbat will be given by Rav Avi.
    [Show full text]
  • S Ling S Ho T
    SLINGSHOT SLINGSHOT MEET THE INNOVATORS: Visit www.slingshotfund.org/videos for video messages from the leaders of the most innovative organizations and projects in Jewish life. introduction Welcome to the first edition of the Slingshot effort of supporting these initiatives. Please Supplement on Women & Girls. This new share this guide with your friends, your sons resource highlights 18 of the most inventive and daughters, and colleagues. With your and pioneering Jewish organizations and help, this guide can be a vital resource in projects impacting the lives of women and sustaining and growing this field, and in girls. The organizations described on the promoting social change for women and following pages represent the array of ways girls within our community and beyond. that the Jewish community promotes long- term social change for girls and women at We are grateful to the Jewish Women’s all stages of life. From direct social services Foundation of New York for its support of to empowerment programs and political this project and for its tireless commitment advocacy, these organizations use gender to enhancing the lives of women and girls as a lens to address some of the most in strategic and impactful ways. Thank you important challenges in Jewish life today. also to the next generation funders who serve on Slingshot’s board and help fund A Jewish focus on women and girls is not the production of this book, and to the new to the Jewish community. Our robust evaluators of this guide – professionals in network of Jewish women’s foundations, Jewish and women-focused foundations giving circles, and activist groups has built from across the country who volunteer time today’s field of Jewish women-focused and expertise to select the organizations organizations and makes the case that the featured here.
    [Show full text]
  • CCAR Journal the Reform Jewish Quarterly
    CCAR Journal The Reform Jewish Quarterly Halachah and Reform Judaism Contents FROM THE EDITOR At the Gates — ohrgJc: The Redemption of Halachah . 1 A. Brian Stoller, Guest Editor ARTICLES HALACHIC THEORY What Do We Mean When We Say, “We Are Not Halachic”? . 9 Leon A. Morris Halachah in Reform Theology from Leo Baeck to Eugene B . Borowitz: Authority, Autonomy, and Covenantal Commandments . 17 Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi The CCAR Responsa Committee: A History . 40 Joan S. Friedman Reform Halachah and the Claim of Authority: From Theory to Practice and Back Again . 54 Mark Washofsky Is a Reform Shulchan Aruch Possible? . 74 Alona Lisitsa An Evolving Israeli Reform Judaism: The Roles of Halachah and Civil Religion as Seen in the Writings of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism . 92 David Ellenson and Michael Rosen Aggadic Judaism . 113 Edwin Goldberg Spring 2020 i CONTENTS Talmudic Aggadah: Illustrations, Warnings, and Counterarguments to Halachah . 120 Amy Scheinerman Halachah for Hedgehogs: Legal Interpretivism and Reform Philosophy of Halachah . 140 Benjamin C. M. Gurin The Halachic Canon as Literature: Reading for Jewish Ideas and Values . 155 Alyssa M. Gray APPLIED HALACHAH Communal Halachic Decision-Making . 174 Erica Asch Growing More Than Vegetables: A Case Study in the Use of CCAR Responsa in Planting the Tri-Faith Community Garden . 186 Deana Sussman Berezin Yoga as a Jewish Worship Practice: Chukat Hagoyim or Spiritual Innovation? . 200 Liz P. G. Hirsch and Yael Rapport Nursing in Shul: A Halachically Informed Perspective . 208 Michal Loving Can We Say Mourner’s Kaddish in Cases of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Nefel? . 215 Jeremy R.
    [Show full text]
  • 02252011Bayit Bulletin.Pub
    ה י ב ר ו א י נ ס ט י ט ו ת ד ׳ ר י ב ר ד ל ~ Hebrew Institute of Riverdale THE BAYIT BULLETIN February 25, 2011 Weekly Edition 22 Adar I, 5771 Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Mazal Tov to: 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway Sarah & Alan Poland on the birth of a daughter, Gabrielle Amelia. To big brother Samson. Bronx, NY 10463 To grandparents Doris & Elliot Weiss and Anne & Menachem Poland, and to the entire family. www.hir.org E-mail: [email protected] This Shabbat @ The Bayit Phone: 718-796-4730 TEFILLAT ESTHER: Women’s Tefillah will meet this Shabbat, Feb. 26, at 9:00am in the Lower Level Beit Midrash. Kiddush sponsored by Mierle & Jack Ukeles in honor of the Fax: 718-884-3206 birth of their new grandson, Amitai Emanuel Ukeles, son of Yael Ukeles. Kiddush BETWEEN MINCHA AND MAARIV - Seuda Shelishit There will be no Kiddush this Shabbat. Sponsored by Susan & Jonathan Dzik in commemoration of yahrzeits for their fathers Moshe Wincelberg and David Dzik. Jonathan will speak on "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Jewish This Week Calendar -- You Will Never Need a Jewish Calendar Again." Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel SATURDAY NIGHT PROGRAM: Lecture with scholar David Hazony February 25-26 "What Do the Ten Commandments Really Mean?" • Candle Lighting: 5:24pm David Hazony is a public scholar whose writings appear in many prominent • Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:25pm publications. From 2004-2007, Hazony served as editor-in-chief of Azure, the Shalem Center's journal of Jewish public thought. His recent book, "The Ten • Shalom Bayit: 6:50am (LL BM) Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern • Sephardic Tefillah: 8:30am (2nd FL BM) Life", will be available for sale.
    [Show full text]
  • Marriage, Divorce, and Domestic Violence in Israel's Orthodox Communities
    University of Puget Sound Sound Ideas Writing Excellence Award Winners Student Research and Creative Works Spring 2018 Marriage, Divorce, and Domestic Violence in Israel's Orthodox Communities Brea Kaye Follow this and additional works at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/writing_awards Marriage, Divorce, and Domestic Violence in Israel’s Orthodox Communities Brea Kaye P&G 360 University of Puget Sound Abstract This policy paper examines the intersections between domestic violence and the sovereignty Israeli religious courts have over family law. It analyzes the engrained Jewish traditions and values of Gets, Agunah, and Shalom Bayit. It later seeks to ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ explain the contradictions between the civil and religious court systems and illustrate comparisons between the Israeli Orthodox community and Hasidic community of New York City. Finally, it illustrates that domestic violence legislation, gender dynamics, and the imposing nature of male-dominated rabbinical courts maintain a culture of domestic violence in Orthodox Israeli communities. With this analysis, the author concludes the need for comprehensive social programs and education, cultural change, and court reform in order to break the cycle of violence. Introduction Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, or relationship abuse (all terms which can be used interchangeably) are “pattern[s] of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship” (National Domestic Violence Hotline). Domestic violence can be understood as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual or reproductive coercion, financial abuse, and spiritual abuse (NDVH, Dehan & Levi, 2009, 1294). This problem exists in every community and affects women's mental, physical, economic, and social health across the globe.
    [Show full text]
  • The Contemporary Jewish Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha
    t HaRofei LeShvurei Leiv: The Contemporary Jewish Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha Senior Honors Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Undergraduate Program in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Prof. Reuven Kimelman, Advisor Prof. Zvi Zohar, Advisor In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts by Ezra Cohen December 2018 Accepted with Highest Honors Copyright by Ezra Cohen Committee Members Name: Prof. Reuven Kimelman Signature: ______________________ Name: Prof. Lynn Kaye Signature: ______________________ Name: Prof. Zvi Zohar Signature: ______________________ Table of Contents A Brief Word & Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………... iii Chapter I: Setting the Stage………………………………………………………………………. 1 a. Why This Thesis is Important Right Now………………………………………... 1 b. Defining Key Terms……………………………………………………………… 4 i. Defining Depression……………………………………………………… 5 ii. Defining Halakha…………………………………………………………. 9 c. A Short History of Depression in Halakhic Literature …………………………. 12 Chapter II: The Contemporary Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha…………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 d. Depression & Music Therapy…………………………………………………… 19 e. Depression & Shabbat/Holidays………………………………………………… 28 f. Depression & Abortion…………………………………………………………. 38 g. Depression & Contraception……………………………………………………. 47 h. Depression & Romantic Relationships…………………………………………. 56 i. Depression & Prayer……………………………………………………………. 70 j. Depression &
    [Show full text]
  • Amudim Community Resources, INC. Amount
    Beis Community 2018 Amount: $7,000 Project: Women’s Leadership Development Amudim Community Resources, INC. • Supports women’s leadership development for Amount: $10,000 volunteers of an intentional and inclusive Project: Project Shmirah Orthodox Jewish community in Washington • Hold age-appropriate workshops in yeshivas Heights that attracts those traditionally on the and day schools to teach children about margins. healthy boundaries and strategies to increase emotional wellbeing. They will also provide Moving Traditions events in community centers, synagogues, and Amount: $60,000 homes that will encourage adults to become Project: National Jewish Summer Camp Healthy community advocates against abuse. Sexuality Initiative Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE) • Moving Traditions will prepare two cohorts of Amount: $10,000 camp directors and assistant directors to train Project: YES I CAN their staff on bias prevention, harassment, and • Motivate, encourage, and support girls to peer pressure among staff and campers. pursue STEM education and careers through exposure to mentors and educational, T’ruah volunteer, and internship opportunities. Amount: $75,000 Additionally, CIJE will establish the YES I CAN Project: Development of Rabbinic Network career center which will establish STEM • Supports strengthening their rabbinic network internships and opportunities in the US and and training rabbis and cantors to be more Israel and offer assistance to young women effective leaders and to amplify the moral with college and scholarship applications. voice of the Jewish community. T’ruah will Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) develop trainings on anti-Semitism and Amount: $75,000 provide support to their network, particularly Project: Leadership Development women clergy, and promote the voices of • JWFNY’s unrestricted funds will support women as experts in teaching positions and leadership development and political journalism.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender in Jewish Studies
    Gender in Jewish Studies Proceedings of the Sherman Conversations 2017 Volume 13 (2019) GUEST EDITOR Katja Stuerzenhofecker & Renate Smithuis ASSISTANT EDITOR Lawrence Rabone A publication of the Centre for Jewish Studies, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Co-published by © University of Manchester, UK. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this volume may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, the University of Manchester, and the co-publisher, Gorgias Press LLC. All inquiries should be addressed to the Centre for Jewish Studies, University of Manchester (email: [email protected]). Co-Published by Gorgias Press LLC 954 River Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA Internet: www.gorgiaspress.com Email: [email protected] ISBN 978-1-4632-4056-1 ISSN 1759-1953 This volume is printed on acid-free paper that meets the American National Standard for Permanence of paper for Printed Library Materials. Printed in the United States of America Melilah: Manchester Journal of Jewish Studies is distributed electronically free of charge at www.melilahjournal.org Melilah is an interdisciplinary Open Access journal available in both electronic and book form concerned with Jewish law, history, literature, religion, culture and thought in the ancient, medieval and modern eras. Melilah: A Volume of Studies was founded by Edward Robertson and Meir Wallenstein, and published (in Hebrew) by Manchester University Press from 1944 to 1955. Five substantial volumes were produced before the series was discontinued; these are now available online.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jewish Star
    The Jewish Star Independent and original reporting from the Orthodox communities of Long Island VOL. 8, NO. 21 MAY 22, 2009 | 28 IYAR 5769 www.thejewishstar.com KOREN SIDDUR School Board election READERS WEIGH IN Kosher Bookworm results online at Letters to the Editor Page 3 www.thejewishstar.com Page 4 IN MY VIEW Kosher Bubby’s and then some Varied support for new ethical seal interview BY MICHAEL ORBACH At Café Nana, a quaint, privately owned restaurant in the Columbia University Hillel, a new type of certification adorns the wall. Unlike the eatery’s hechsher, which certifies that the food being prepared is strictly kosher, this one, known as the A heritage trip to Poland Tav HaYosher, ensures something entirely different, that is best explained in the words of Alex, a Mexican immigrant who works in the kitchen: “It’s good,” he said. “They come here and ask how much [I get] paid.” BY DINA SANDHAUS Tav HaYosher, an initiative by the Orthodox social activism group Uri L’Tzedek, is a hechsher for workers’ rights. It ensures that basic labor conditions in restaurants are met: rom my dorm room in Israel, I ner- workers are paid at least minimum wage and given overtime, vously picked up my cell phone and and restaurants maintain a safe work environment. Each dialed her phone number; she restaurant that has the seal receives a visit every four to six answered. I could not articulate any F weeks by a compliance officer who goes through the restau- words, I was sobbing uncontrollably and the rant payroll and speaks confidentially to employees about tears were not allowing me to speak.
    [Show full text]
  • Birthright Israel, Jewish Peoplehood, and the Opportunities and Dangers of Religious Journeys
    2 Encountering the Other: Birthright Israel, Jewish Peoplehood, and the Opportunities and Dangers of Religious Journeys Sylvia Barack Fishman Fellow Travelers—or Itineraries to Different Destinations? What is the impact of Orthodox participation in transdenomina- tional Jewish activities? the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts has for many years run a Unity Mission, bringing boston-area Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform young leaders to New york to visit Ortho- dox, Conservative, and Reform rabbinical seminaries. the journeys have been a great success. yeshiva University, the Jewish theological 27 Non Orthodox Relationships.indb 27 7/13/10 10:06 AM Sylvia Barack Fishman Seminary, and Hebrew Union College each provides prestigious, em- pathetic, and effective speakers. boston participants have the opportu- nity to discover everything they always wanted to know but never had a chance to ask about other wings of Judaism (and sometimes about their own). but the most successful aspects of the SCM Unity Missions were the friendships and respect that developed among Jews across denomi- national lines. Participants said they discovered that Orthodox Jews were not narrow-minded bigots, that Conservative Jews had standards, and that Reform Jews cared deeply about Jewishness, israel, and klal Yisrael, Jewish peoplehood. One Reform woman remarked to me in wonderment when she came back from a SCM Unity Mission: “there were two Orthodox men on my mission. i had never really spoken to Orthodox men be- fore, and i was blown away. they were the most gentle, interesting, and non-sexist men of any religious persuasion i had ever met.” As it happened, i knew both of the men she was talking about, and her de- scription was more or less accurate.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Table of Contents
    INSIDE OUR GRANTS 2017-2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................... 2 What’s in This Book? ............................................................................................ 3 Jewish Communal Network ................................................................................... 5 Overview ............................................................................................................. 6 Membership List ...................................................................................................7 Fiscal 2018 Grants .................................................................................................8 Jewish Life ..........................................................................................................15 Overview ............................................................................................................ 16 Membership List ................................................................................................. 17 Fiscal 2018 Grants ............................................................................................... 18 Caring ................................................................................................................ 29 Overview ............................................................................................................30 Membership List ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Putting the Silent Partner Back Into Partnership Minyanim Rabbi Dr
    Putting the Silent Partner Back Into Partnership Minyanim Rabbi Dr. Barry Freundel Introduction Over the last few years a new phenomenon has appeared on the Jewish scene. This phenomenon referred to as “Partnership Minyanim”, claims to be Orthodox and/or halakhic, and to offer increased opportunities for women to participate in services.1 Specifically, women are allowed to serve as prayer leader (in some venues a woman is always asked to lead) for Kabbalat Shabbat—but not for Maariv on Friday night. On Shabbat morning a women may serve as Hazan(it)for Pesukei Dezmira but not for Shaharit and Musaf. So too, a girl may be asked to conclude the Shabbat morning services beginning with Ein Kelokeinu. Finally, women are given aliyot and read Torah at these services (in some places this is allowed only after the third aliyah).2 There are some of these groups that follow somewhat different structures.3 The title of this article reflects a fundamental concern about how this new development has come to the community. Partnership Minyanim exist in many areas; Jerusalem, New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Chicago and elsewhere.4 Yet there has, to the best of my 1 For a description and definition see the homepage of Congregation Kol Sason online at http://www.kolsasson.org/index.html and http://www.jofa.org/Resources/Partnership_Minyanim/ for The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) description of these services. 2 This is based on Responsa R. Meir of Rothenberg (1215-1293) 4:108, a source that in my opinion does not apply to the question of women regularly receiving aliyot in a mixed setting, today.
    [Show full text]