The Jewish National Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 81, Number 4 • May 27, 2015 • 9 Sivan 5775 www.jewishpostopinion.com • www.ulib.iupui.edu/digitalscholarship/collections/JPO Multi-cultural mosaic promotes unity INDIANAPOLIS — Previously, this space has promoted the therapeutic benefits of art to help heal emotional wounds. On the surface this Tree of Life mosaic, an art project, by local artist Joani Rothenberg and her Israeli cousin Yael Buxbaum, fills that purpose but it goes a step further. It was definitely therapeutic to survivors of cancer and their loved ones, but also approximately 4,000 people of diverse backgrounds and locations contributed to this – not at the same time – uniting many people who do not always get along. (see Mosaic, page 19) 2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT May 27, 2015 Editorial On April 30, the first four American Jewish women of each denomination to become rabbis, gathered at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis (see reception photos on page 20) where the first ever rabbinic couple, Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso served together for 36 years. The four are Sally Priesand, Reform ordained 1972; Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Rabbi Sally Priesand Rabbi Sandy Sasso Rabbi Amy Eilberg Rabba Sara Hurwitz Reconstructionist ordained 1974; Amy Reform Reconstructionist Conservative Orthodox Eilberg, Conservative ordained 1985; and Ordained in 1972 Ordained in 1974 Ordained in 1985 Ordained in 2009 Sara Hurwitz, Orthodox ordained 2009. Dr. Gary Zola, director of the American Jewish degree to teach. As conditions deteriorated 10/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/ Archives in Cincinnati was the moderator in Germany, the need for more spiritual op-ed-my-message-to-the-man-who- of a panel discussion with the women. leadership grew and she was ordained attacked-me-at-the-kotel Even though to this day discord takes privately in 1935. Letters and documents From the Los Angeles Jewish Journal: place among the denominations (see a that were found showed that the liberal http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/ prime example at the end of this editorial), Jewish community put her to work as an article/alden_solovy_wounded_but_still_ none was apparent on this bimah.This was official rabbi. defending_women_of_the_wall one of the most harmonious discussions to Toward the end of the discussion Dr. Solovy penned the following a year ago: take place between the four denominations. Zola asked,“What is the biggest change to The four women had remarkably similar Judaism brought about by having so many Jew Against Jew stories to tell. It was interesting to hear women in leadership positions today?” Oh my people, what factors led up to their wanting to Rabbi Sasso responded that one stands What has happened to your heart? become rabbis. For the most part it was out to her. Midrash, the way we interpret What has happened to your vision? that they loved Judaism – the rituals, texts – particularly biblical texts – has been And what has happened to your wisdom? synagogue, prayers, theology, holidays – claimed by women. Therefore questions And what has happened to your love and under their tutelage, they wanted to that have never been asked of the text are for one another? be able to help others discover that too. now being asked. The seeds of disrespect and All four told about the opposition they For example, where was Sarah at the misunderstanding have taken root, endured such as not getting jobs, and binding of Isaac and why did she die right Yielding fear and anger, grossly inappropriate questions asked by afterward? Questions like that are being Condemnation and recrimination, the search committees. However, all four addressed in a different way. Stories of A rising hatred of Jew against Jew also reported having one or more male women who had no names are being That threatens to consume us. rabbis who were enormously supportive. retold. “The way we look at texts, the Sinat chinam has attacked One example of opposition was told by questions we ask, the spaces we fill in the soul of our people. Amy Eilberg, ordained in 1985. One year have made an enormous difference,” prior, the Conservative movement agreed exclaimed Sasso. Ancient One, to accept women into their rabbinical Ten days prior to this event and in sharp G-d of our fathers and mothers, program. Before that time women were contrast to it, a clash at the Western Wall Grant us a new wisdom and a new vision allowed to take the same classes that were in Jerusalem took place. Two men, one To see beauty and holiness required of men studying to become whose readings we have recently In all of the tents of Israel. rabbis. By 1984, Eilberg had already done published, were beaten. When I first Guide us back to each other well in those classes. After she was heard this I thought it was done by With reverence and understanding. ordained one year later, she got a letter terrorists, but it was by other Jewish men. Renew our days with love. from a man complaining that he had to go The reason? They had handed a Torah to Then, G-d of Old, we will build several years to get ordained so they must the Women of the Wall who joyously A temple of song to your Holy Name, be making special exceptions for women. danced and prayed with it. Resounding from heart to heart, In reality, she had been studying for nine Since one can read the details about From soul to soul, years and women students were held to a this at the two sites listed below, I will From generation to generation, higher standard than the men. include here what Alden Solovy said at The whole House of Israel. During this two hour discussion it was his synagogue and on Facebook. “At my intriguing to hear about these and other synagogue I asked people not to hate the Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, women rabbis going to Germany with man who stomped on me. Rail against his You delight in Your people’s love. Dr. Zola to walk in the footsteps of the misogyny, object to what he was taught, first woman rabbi in Jewish history, condemn his behavior, seek justice against ©2015 Alden Solovy and tobendlight Regina Jonas. She studied at a liberal his violence, if possible, and seek change .com. All rights reserved. rabbinic seminary, completing the entire in Israeli democracy. But please don’t use rabbinic program and her thesis. She what happened to me to justify hate or to I say “Amen” to that and hopefully the was scheduled to be ordained but the prejudge others…Charlie Kalech and I day will soon come when we are able to Talmud teacher with the authority to do so have received an outpouring of kind wishes work out our differences in a harmonious died. His successor would not ordain her and support from all over the world.” way like the panel discussion. in 1930 so she left that school with a From JTA: http://www.jta.org/2015/05/ Jennie Cohen, May 27, 2015 May 27, 2015 The Jewish Post & Opinion – NAT 3 Increase your gratitude – this Chassidic Rabbi 5 ways to feel thankful Inside Issue BY RABBI BENZION COHEN BY YVETTE ALT MILLER Multi-culture mosiac .....................Cover Editorial.....................................................2 In 1978, researchers at Northwestern Rabbi Benzion Cohen Mushki University and the University of (Chassidic Rabbi).....................................3 Massachusetts made a series of startling 5 Ways to feel thankful ..........................3 Mushki is one of my grandchildren. discoveries. The Illinois state lottery was Rabbi Jon Adland She is almost three years old, and lives in new then. Common sense would say that (Shabbat Shalom).....................................4 Kfar Chabad, right down the street. She is winning a fortune would create great Bernie De Koven the star of today’s story. happiness, but there was a growing body (A Playful Path) ......................................4 One of my jobs is to visit the sick and of literature showing that even very good On This Day in Jewish History............5 elderly at our local hospital. This is a fortune didn’t always result in long-lasting Melinda Ribner wonderful Mitzvah. Many of the people appreciation. Were lottery winners any (Kabbalah of the Month) .........................6 that I meet are suffering. Some have lost more aware of their blessings after Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. hope. When they see that someone cares winning the lottery? (Wiener’s Wisdom)..................................6 about them they feel better already. I give Studies showed that while winning Amy Hirshberg Lederman them a smile to cheer them up. They smile produced feelings of euphoria at first, after (Jewish Educator) ....................................7 back, and cheer me up. just a few months the effects wore off and Jim Shipley Two days before Pesach this year they people reverted to whatever level of hap- (Shipley Speaks) ......................................8 had a special treat. My granddaughter piness they’d always enjoyed. Rich or poor, Sigal Tavel Mushki came with me to the hospital. I it seemed that everyone had a “happiness (American in Israel) ................................8 promised her that if she would wish set point,” a level of contentedness with Joshua Halickman, Sports Rabbi everyone a happy holiday, I would buy her their life that was internal, and had little to (Jews in Sports) .......................................9 ice cream. do with outside circumstances. Dr. Miriam Zimmerman She did a great job. When we met (see Miller, page 5) (Holocaust Educator) ............................10 someone, she looked up to them and Ted Roberts wished them a happy holiday. They all j i (Spoonful of Humor) .............................12 smiled back and wished us a happy saved the day, and the holiday! Genetic testing gift! ..............................12 holiday.