The National Jewish Happy Purim! Post&Opinion Volume 76, Number 11 • February 10, 2010 • 26 Shevat 5770 Two Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com

Weddings 2010 See page nat 2

NAT 2 February 10, 2010 appear, signaling the beginning of spring. “Today, JNF and its partners must It is a great time of the year to take a grapple with the challenge of balancing Editorial Shabbat Shalom sapling and plant it in a forest or on a the phenomenal growth and development hillside. Since the beginning of the 20th Israel has experienced in the last decade About the Cover BY RABBI JON ADLAND century, over 240 million trees have been with the maintenance of an ecologically January 22, 2010, Bo planted. Many of the trees have been sound environment. JNF has been For this Bridal/Purim issue, I have an (Exodus 10:1–13:16), 7 Shevat 5770 planted by you and me, and Tu Bishvat is increasingly responsive to the rapidly interesting story. I will start at the end and the traditional time for Jews to send evolving needs of the country: new water work my way back. This Shabbat Shalom is about Tu Bishvat. money to the Jewish National Fund for resources, including finding alternative Jenny Blain married Josh Pittleman in Literally it means the 15th day of the the tree or trees to be planted. techniques for utilizing waste water as well Jerusalem on Nov. 23, 2009 (see large month Shevat, but we refer to it as the Israel was once a forest, but over many as brackish and flood water sources, soil photo in center of the page). Jenny is the new year of the trees. It is odd that it centuries the trees were cut down for fuel, conservation issues and river restoration. daughter of David and Susan Blain of comes in the middle of winter, but the protection, homes or weapons, and no JNF, historically committed to strengthening Cherry Hill, N.J. Her grandparents are holiday began in Israel not the United one thought about replanting the trees. the ties between man and land, has and David and Rose Raduziner of States so we have to consider the weather At some point, Israel finally had no forests led successful efforts to ensure the Boston, and Mike and Sylvia Blain of and time of year there. By February in and the country’s landscape was barren. legislative protection of designated areas Indianapolis. Josh is the son of Carin Israel, the worst of winter has passed. As Jews began to move from Russia and and forests. With today’s technological and Mark Pittleman of Milwaukee, the Sometime in February the almond trees Poland to Israel following their Zionist advances, JNF’s role as guardian of the grandson of Shirley and Maryl Pittleman, will bloom and wildflowers will begin to ideal and zeal, they set about reclaiming land becomes ever more critical.” the late Beverly Shapson, and Esther the land by planting trees. Though the What Israel has done in reclaiming this Shapiro and Milton Shapson. j i Jewish National Fund (www.jnf.org) land and making it productive once again Jenny’s maternal uncle Rabbi Zvi Leshem This reminds me of a beautiful midrash does many things to improve the is a testament to human resolve. Despite officiated. Twenty-six years prior, Rabbi on the Akeda. In the credits for “Shema infrastructure of this small piece of Earth, the wars and the many challenges Israel Leshem officiated at the wedding of Jenny’s Koleinu,” the Jewish healing prayer the organization is most widely known faces on a daily basis, Israel continues to father also Leshem’s brother, David Blain. service compiled by Rabbis Nancy Flam for its tree planting program. progress in areas that can help us adapt to David and the former Susan Raduziner and Yoel Kahn,it says this story was heard the realities of a changing world. Israel were married in Framingham, Mass., on at an Aquarian Minyan High Holiday doesn’t have the natural resources that so June 26, 1983 (see photo bottom right). service in Berkeley, Calif., in 1991. Since the beginning of many other countries enjoy, so instead of Jenny made aliyah from New Jersey, “According to a midrash, the entire moaning, it sets about finding ways to and Josh is from Milwaukee, Wis. Both are Akeda (the binding of Isaac on Mount the 20th century, over create more water, more fertile land, more studying in Jerusalem. Moriah by his father Abraham) took place energy, and more life for the people. Lest Jenny’s paternal grandparents, Mike as a vision in the mind of Abraham. 240 million trees have we think that Israel is only about Israel, Blain and the former Sylvia Kramer of Abraham had a vision of the future of the check out the web to discover that Israeli Rochester, N.Y., celebrated their 53rd Jewish people. He saw a long dark tunnel been planted [in Israel]. rescue teams were on the ground before wedding anniversary in 2009. They were with Isaac standing at the front and Jacob anyone else in responding to the earth- married in New York on Aug. 19, 1956 behind Isaac and Dina and all the tribes Many of us had the little blue and white quake in Haiti. No doors were barred. (photo bottom left). behind Jacob, and all the generations JNF pushke (charity box) in our homes as Instead arms welcomed the relief this Beside their wedding photo, we also until now. All Abraham saw in that tunnel we grew up. A quarter would be placed in small nation could provide to a people have the wedding photos of Rabbi Zvi were the pogroms, the oppression, the the pushke on Shabbat or at moments of continuing to suffer the effects of such a Leshem (who changed his name from near genocide of the Jewish people – and joy and celebration. When the box was terrible natural disaster. I am so proud of Mark Blain) and his wife, the former Julie he decided in that moment to raise his full, the money went to JNF for trees, my brothers and sisters in Israel and all Kropf, which took place in Amherst, knife and slay Isaac, to prevent all that roads, and other infrastructure projects. that they do for others and how they set Mass., on Dec. 26, 1978 (photo top right) suffering from happening. When I was in religious school, each about solving their own problems. and their third son Daniel Blain who “But at that very moment, another winter we would bring flyers home When you light your Shabbat candles this married Miriam Rosenberg on June, 20, tunnel appeared before him, and this was encouraging us to plant a tree or trees in evening, light one for everyone who has 1993 (photo right center). a tunnel of light; there he saw Isaac Israel at $2 or $3 a tree. Today the price is helped plant a tree in Israel. Light the other Mike Blain is a Holocaust survivor who standing at the front and Jacob behind $18 (chai = life). Right now you can go to to remind us that even the little things like saw most of his family wiped out. He was him and Dina and all the tribes behind the JNF site and purchase three trees for planting a tree can make a huge difference. born in a village in Carpatho-Ruthenia, him, and all the generations of the Jewish the price of two. On the JNF website you Rabbi Adland is senior rabbi of which was part of the former people until now. But in this tunnel, all can read the following: Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. Czechoslovakia, later part of Hungary he saw were the beautiful Shabbatot, the and now part of the Ukraine. He left festive dancing on the holidays and the The National Jewish home at age 14, living in Hungary, the songs that reached to heaven – and he former Soviet Union and England, before decided in that moment, as if hearing the coming to the United States in 1949. He voice of God, that he should not slay Isaac. has many achievements, a major one is that He realized that the suffering and the joy Post &Opinion Mr. Blain headed Israel Bonds, and during would come together, and that to get rid his 33 year tenure, his Indianapolis-based of one would be to get rid of the other.” www.jewishpostopinion.com office generated some $100 million in When I tried to call Mike and Sylvia investment capital for Israel. this week to ask them about wedding Editorial and sales offices located at The Jewish Post & Opinion As a teen in the midst of so much pain photos, they were out of town. On their 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 Published biweekly by office: (317) 972-7800 • fax: (317) 972-7807 The Spokesman Co., Inc. and suffering, who would have predicted return I found out they had been to (USPS 275-580) (ISSN 0888-0379) all of these weddings in his future? This is southern California to attend the funeral [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at good lesson to all of us to remember not of Mike’s sister. Mike said she had been Address correspondence to: Indianapolis, IN 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 to give up even in dire circumstances. ill, and after her 90th birthday celebration All circulation correspondence should be addressed to Keep faith because, it may take time, but in October, she declined rapidly. But the Publishers Advertising Director Accounting The National Jewish Post & Opinion, challenging situations can and do change. joys continue because… Gabriel Cohen, z”l Barbara LeMaster Vivian Chan Subscription Department, Also it is heartwarming that so much Sylvia and Michael Blain are pleased to Jennie Cohen 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225. Graphic Design Editors Postmaster send address changes to: love and devotion has come from this one announce the engagement of their Israeli The National Jewish Post & Opinion, Advertising Sales Charlie Bunes Jennie Cohen couple – their marriage of more than 50 grandson Ma’ayan Leshem, son of Rabbi Subscription Department, Mary Herring Crystal Kurz Grechen Throop 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, years, the marriages of their children some Zvi and Julie Leshem, Efrat, Israel, to Indianapolis, IN 46225. of which are more than 30 years, and now Shlomzion Clarfield, daughter of Drs. Mark Subscriptions $36.00 per year, back issues $2.25, single copies $2.00. the marriages of their grandchildren. Clarfield and Ora Paltiel of Jerusalem. A All advertisements designed and prepared by The Jewish Post & Opinion are the sole property of the newspaper and may not be Their family now includes 12 grand- May or June wedding is planned. reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2005 Spokesman Co. Inc. All rights reserved. children and four great-grandchildren. Jennie Cohen 2-10-10. February 10, 2010 NAT 3 Miriam’s song only appears in the Torah. drink, and all of the other rules to follow Yet there are those who say that the song in order to have a good and happy life, Kabbalah of Miriam and the circle dances of the Chassidic Rabbi a healthy body and a healthy soul, and women were even higher than that of fulfill our purpose for coming down to of the Month Moses. Only in messianic times will the BY RABBI BENZION COHEN this world. consciousness of Miriam and the circle I can personally testify about the benefits BY MELINDA RIBNER dances be fully experienced. My 60th birthday is rapidly approaching, of keeping kosher. When I was 17, I started When the Jewish people left Egypt, the 14th of Nissan (this year Mar. 29). I to eat kosher. Not because I was trying Tu B’Shevat Miriam knew that a miracle was going to hope that we will all celebrate together in to observe Mitzvahs, but because I started take place, and she persuaded the women to the Third Temple, which will be built soon to practice Yoga. Part of yoga is to avoid on Shabbat bring their tambourines, in place of taking in Jerusalem. hurting any living creature. This, by the Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for the Trees other items that were more practical. How should we celebrate birthdays? way, is one aspect of a very important is a day that is not so widely known or Imagine for a moment, Miriam whose The Lubavitcher Rebbe says to invite Mitzvah, “Love your neighbor as your- celebrated but is kabbalistically one of the face is shining with light from “one corner close friends and make a small party. self.” I became a vegetarian, and was highest days of the year. It signals a time of of the world to the next”proclaiming with Everyone should bless the one who is careful not to eat any meat, fish, or any new beginnings. Interestingly enough, Tu great joy, “We will soon have something celebrating the birthday. The one having other living creatures. B’Shevat is always around the time of the to really sing and dance about, bring the birthday should bless them in return That year became a major turning point Torah portion Beshallach, the recording of your tambourine.” Let’s draw faith and and make good resolutions for the in my life. I made some major discoveries. the Jewish people’s crossing of the Red strength from the images of the women coming year, to increase in learning Torah I discovered Hashem, I discovered my Sea that was read Shabbat Jan. 30. singing and dancing together crossing the and doing Mitzvahs. soul. I began to see the beauty of the At this time, the Jews have left Egypt Red Sea. It has been said that the merit of At this point you might ask, am I for Torah way of life. but now find that the Red Sea is in front the women saved the Jewish people in real? I’m turning 60 and celebrating it? It of them, making it impossible for them to the desert in ancient times and it will be all depends what your values are. Before I proceed, and Pharaoh’s army is quickly the women who will lead the people joined Lubavitch, physical beauty and Everyone should bless the approaching from behind. What shall toward the final redemption. strength were very important to me. I they do? Should they return to Egypt, spent many hours lifting weights and one who is celebrating the should they fight the Egyptians or should drinking protein drinks to make my they drown themselves in the sea. There Do you feel yourself in muscles bigger and stronger. In Lubavitch birthday. The one having is much discussion among the people I learned that spiritual beauty and about the proper course of action. Not front of a Red Sea in your strength are much more important. I’m the birthday should bless knowing what to do, the people pray not as strong physically as I used to be. I for guidance. God then tells Moses in life? I know that I do. have grey hair and wrinkles, but it doesn’t them in return and make so many words. “Don’t cry to Me. Go matter. My soul continues to grow forward, raise your staff and I will split the There may be challenges stronger with every passing day. Every good resolutions for the Sea.”The key is to pray, to move forward day adds a little experience and wisdom. and trust in God. There are times that you are also currently Indeed, turning 60 can and should be a coming year, to increase when we are not to cry to God: that is, positive experience. Now that the physical in learning Torah and rather, not collapse around our fears but facing that seem almost aspects of my life are growing weaker, strengthen ourselves with our faith and they interfere less with the spiritual life I doing Mitzvahs. move on. insurmountable or at try to lead. The wisdom and experience Do you feel yourself in front of a Red Sea least difficult. that I have gathered from living for 60 in your life? I know that I do. There may years and learning Torah for 40 years help What does this have to do with keeping be challenges that you are also currently me to constantly make my life better and kosher? Just like junk food is bad for facing that seem almost insurmountable Every woman knows that singing and better. I am also able to share this wisdom our body, so non-kosher food is bad for or at least difficult. We live in a world that dancing together offers faith, strength and experience with others to help them our soul. is facing a Red Sea challenge. Like the and joy to her. Dance offers a woman a improve their lives. Another nice present for my birthday Jews of the past, what we need to do is deeper connection to the Holy One than Another important aspect of birthdays would be for you to “love your neighbor access faith. No matter how difficult it analytic study.To dance ecstatically before is birthday presents. I will greatly appreciate as yourself.”Be careful not to hurt anyone. may be, like the Jews in the past, we must God is to live life fully.The deepest secrets any birthday presents, especially spiritual Visit the sick, the needy, and the elderly. also move forward in our lives with faith. of God are transmitted to the dancer who ones. A wonderful birthday present to Make the effort to help people and make We also learn from this Torah portion knows how to dance and be danced by give me would be to start eating kosher. them happy. Tell your loved ones that you not to fight evil, and also not to retreat. If the Divine Herself. Then every time that you pass a love them, and really mean it. Soon you we fight the negativity, we often become When women sing and do circle dances McDonalds and don’t go in I’ll have a will get this strange and beautiful feeling. mired in it. If we retreat, we lose and deny together with the proper intention, we small part in that Mitzvah. You’ll be happy. a part of ourselves and to some extent we reveal the Shechinah in our midst. By our Why keep kosher? When you buy a car, I will greatly appreciate these or any deaden ourselves when we accept retreat. movements along with our hearts and you are careful to read the owner’s manual. other Mitzvahs that you take upon The story goes that as the Jews cross our minds, we express our love of God The people who made your car tell you yourself as a birthday present for me. the Sea, the Sea miraculously parts. and testify to the world that God is one, which type of gas and oil is right for it. However, don’t wait for my birthday. Start Moses sings and Miriam sings. For a brief present and everywhere equally. The Torah is our owner’s manual. now. And please let me know about any time God was not hidden in nature but My upcoming book on Biblical Women Hashem made us, both our body and our presents. You can email me or the revealed through it. titled Conversations with Biblical Women, soul. He instructs us what to eat and newspaper. I will publicize these birthday The Zohar says that “whoever sings the Reclaiming the Path of the Feminine presents in the National Jewish Post & song of Moses daily with true devotion includes an interview with each woman. j i Opinion. That way the Mitzvahs that you will be worthy to sing this song in the Here is a quote from the interview with May the Shechinah soon be revealed in our take upon yourself will hopefully inspire final redemption, for it contains the Sister Miriam. midst. She has been waiting so patiently others to do the same. Let me know if you confirmations of faith and the mysteries “Just as we were moved in the most for so long. May we be dancing soon. want to remain anonymous. relating to the days of Messiah.”So let’s be radical way into a new reality at the time Melinda Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual In truth, any Mitzvah that you do as a very conscious to sing these words with in which I physically lived, you are psychotherapist and healer in private practice birthday present for me is first a benefit great kavannah (focus and intention). similarly on the edge of a new frontier of (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She is a for yourself, and also for all the world. Make an effort to be in synagogue so you consciousness. Get your tambourines ready. teacher of Jewish meditation and Kabbalah for Every Mitzvah brings the complete can be inspired by hearing the words I want you to know that there will be much over 25 years. Author of Kabbalah Month by redemption that much closer. We want chanted directly from the Torah. to sing and dance about in your time!” Month, New Age Judaism, and Everyday Moshiach now! The song of Moses is glorious and Bless me. Bless yourself, and bless others. Kabbalah, she is also the founder and director Rabbi Cohen lives in K’far Chabad, majestic and is incorporated into the daily May we each be blessed to cross our Red of Beit Miriam (www.Beitmiriam.org). She can Israel. He can be reached by email at prayer book so it is sung each day. Seas. May we sing new songs to God. be reached at [email protected]. [email protected]. NAT 4 February 10, 2010 The State of King. The commentators say that this is Kaufman’s Teen because she wished that she would not the Union and be chosen to be queen, and that instead she would be sent home to her family. the Super Bowl Conclusions Outlook Her name even hints at this humble aspect of Esther. “Esther” in Hebrew is BY RABBI SANDY EISENBERG SASSO BY ARI J.KAUFMAN BY SIGAL TAVEL related to a word meaning hidden, and “Megillah” to a word meaning revealed. This week we are poised between the One year in, Israel A passing thought That is to say, Esther is a diamond in the State of the Union and the Super Bowl. At rough. Or maybe it is even that Esther is first glance, the two events seem to have still lacks a friend The story of Purim is like a fairy tale; a not really her true name, which is actually nothing in common. One is a sports in the White House peasant’s child becomes a queen, her “Hadassah,” meaning Myrtle tree. She competition of athletic import and uncle overhears a plan to kill the king changed her name in order to hide her entertainment value. In Indiana, whether Each morning I thank G-d that I live in and so saves his life; a spiteful man tries Jewish identity and so save herself from or not we are regular fans of football, we 21st century America. Though I naturally to eradicate an entire nation for the sake being killed. In the end, though, it was all feel engaged and vested in the wish I earned more money, I couldn’t of a grudge. The new queen and her the fact of her hidden Jewish identity that outcome of the game. It is a matter of ask for a more blessed life. So when a uncle try their hardest and succeed to she was able to save herself, as well as her state pride and loyalty. friend recently claimed I “don’t support save them. It all seems thrown together, fellow Jews. The other is a report on how far our President Obama,” I calmly noted that fantastical, just a story. Why is it so It’s easy for modern teens to think of country has come over the past year and a every time Mr. Obama speaks, I pray for important – when it comes down to the story of Purim as just that: a story. A measure of our nation’s health and vitality. him to say the right things, because I fear religion, not even once does the scroll fairy tail from long ago, with no meaning, In Indiana, regardless of what political for my country, my family, and especially from which we read the story every year and no true significance. But in reality, party we align with, we also are vested in our prime ally against terror: Israel. say the name of G-d. things are the same then as they are now: the outcome. It is a matter of our patriotic This president has continuously chosen First, in all fairy tales, there is a hero. both the nation then and the nation now pride and our nation’s future. to ignore and criticize Israel, while offering The hero in this story is a girl named are trying to be saved. We need an Esther, Unfortunately, too often and for too serial apologies to their enemies. Using Esther. After the Persian King kills his and we will always need an Esther. Maybe many, the State of the Union is like a sophistry to revise Jewish history and other wife (which seemed to have been a we’re all an Esther inside: Maybe there is Super Bowl with two teams vying for capriciously dismissing the commitments common habit of men in those days), he a kind of Esther hidden in all of us, and ultimate victory. When one side of the of the prior administration with regard to tells his servants to bring every woman we just need to reveal it the same way we congressional chamber is applauding legal settlements, he should generate they can find into his castle and allow the reveal it every year: with a Megillah. and cheering, the other side is often outrage from the Jewish community. A girls to choose whatever they’d like in seated and quiet. When one side is elated, recent Washington Post article confessed cosmetics and clothes and whatnot. In Those Days the other is dejected. The president honestly that the only country in the world When Esther was brought before the speaks, and the other party’s rebuttal with which the U.S. has worse relations King, she wore no makeup, and none of A rush of sound, follows. It often appears as if we are on since Obama took office is Israel. the fancy dresses or jewels offered by the A blur of color. different teams. Israelis must realize that, while Obama Children making their way is president, America is no longer an ally through the crowds – at least in the same sense as the past. As j i Holding candy We are, in fact, on the a fervent Zionist, knowing the “special And laughing. relationship”of the past 60 years with this I will support President Obama when same team – the United capitalist, pro-American liberal democracy, he gives speeches like he did recently at A day to remember to forget. surrounded by intolerant Islamic Ft Hood, or when he ironically defended States of America. Our caliphates could cease to exist saddens war while receiving the Nobel Peace A simple man me, to put mildly. Prize. Though these words inexplicably A boastful king goals are not at opposite I want to live a long life and thrive, and took nearly a year, I was pleased that An unusual queen I therefore don’t want Iran or other rogue these were the first instances where he And a man who holds a grudge: ends of the field, but ahead nations obtaining nuclear weapons. I also avoided platitudes and finally seemed to The most dangerous one of all. believe that Islamic totalitarianism is the understand the priorities of this nation. of us, a common horizon. greatest expression of contemporary evil. But at some point action needs to follow A day to remember. Discouragingly, this president, unlike his the words. A day to forget. But nothing could be further from the erstwhile promises, has coddled our A year since the hype ended, buyer’s In those days, truth. We are, in fact, on the same team – enemies and allowed the possibility of remorse has set in. Polls indicate millions And in our days, the United States of America. Our goals catastrophe to occur – in the name of of folks feel duped into voting for Obama, We strive to be saved. are not at opposite ends of the field, but “diplomacy.” History shows diplomacy and now realize how simplistic they were ahead of us, a common horizon. We share and negotiating from a position of weakness to base a choice on “change.”Even liberal In those days, a common goal – the welfare of our fails, and that real peace is achieved NY Times columnists are talking about We were saved, country. We may not always agree on the through strength, military build-up and the president’s “credibility gap,” and In our days same game plan, but we will assuredly victory. A nation’s people surrender peace, “someone whose rhetoric cannot be We try to save ourselves not achieve victory if we view each other temporarily, for the prospects of freedom; trusted.” The massive failure of Health And must try to save others. as opponents, if we spend most of our they do not do the opposite. Apparently Care Reform, a calamitous year for time tackling one another, rejoicing over our president was never taught these unemployment, an improbable GOP A queen each other’s fumble and preventing rudimentary lessons, as he refused the victory in Massachusetts, and a Who should not have been a queen, any advance. When there is too much simple “peaceful”action of supporting the reenergized Republican party should With a noble heart punting, there is not enough scoring. If democratic movement in Iran this past serve as a “blessing in disguise” for And a duty. we are about nothing more than political summer. Yes, Iran: the most dangerous the president to reclaim his party from partisanship, then not only will we fall country in the world, a brutal theocracy radicals. Clinton learned this in 1993. A nation short of our objective, but we will never led by a Holocaust-denying zealot who Obama still has time for his triangulation. Which should not be a nation cover the yardage required to make even wishes to wipe Israel off the map. Israel would be a nice start. With a fearful heart a first down. Do I inherently think Obama wants Kaufman is a military historian with the And a duty. Healthy debate and constructive America, Israel, or the West to be Indiana War Memorials Commission in argument are essential to the democratic demolished by terrorists? No. But he Indianapolis. Also an Associate Fellow at A day to remember to forget. process. We do not always have to agree. also doesn’t listen well. Based upon the Sagamore Institute, Kaufman is the But we do need to stop acting like his upbringing and education, he author of the new book, Marble City. The Tavel is an eighth grader at Hasten adversaries bent on crushing our rivals misunderstands world affairs, especially book can be found through Amazon or Hebrew Academy in Indianapolis. She can (see Sasso, page NAT 7) in the Middle East. Iuniverse.com. be reached at: [email protected]. February 10, 2010 NAT 5 death activities that took place there. In 65th anniversary addition, I was able to visit the Krakow to the mayor’s office and had the opportunity to Letter Editor of Auschwitz discuss various issues that are common to both of our cities.” Freedom of the Press – The Post & liberation It was announced that a “Presidential Opinion encourages readers to send letters. BY ARI J. KAUFMAN Delegation” from the USA was at the All letters to the editor should be addressed to service, led by Federal Communications The Jewish Post & Opinion, 238 S. Meridian Eva Mozes Kor, Holocaust survivor Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225, or and founder of CANDLES Holocaust This included a White House Jewish by e-mail: [email protected]. Center in Terre Haute, Ind., took 55 Community liaison, the Vice President of people to Auschwitz the week of Jan. Left to right: Elyse Evans, Eva Kor, Mika the International Auschwitz Committee, Dear Seth Ben-Mordechai: 23–30 for the 65th anniversary of the Brown. All photos from Mika Brown's and two survivors of the camp. Unfortunately, my copies of The Post & camp’s liberation. Kor and the group Auschwitz: Revisited Facebook page. “Apparently, no one at Auschwitz was Opinion do not arrive until approximately members’ aim was to take the lessons More photos can be viewed at http:// offended by the lack of high-ranking four or five weeks after their publication learned at Auschwitz and help make a www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=214 American presence, and the organizers date. We just received the issue dated positive impact in their communities 3983&id=32306929&ref=mf. admitted that the 65th anniversary didn’t Dec. 30, 2009. Your current column, after the trip. A majority of the teachers seem to be as big of a deal to the heads of “The meaning of Zion” was extremely and students that joined this journey “Now I feel even more compelled to stop state as the 60th,” Kiel Majewski, interesting. Your explanation of the were not Jewish. the smallest act of discrimination and to Museum Coordinator for CANDLES, derivations of words we have used for Of the 55 individuals, more than 30 celebrate the tiniest show of resistance noted. “They also think the ceremonies, so many years without appreciating their came from Indiana (the vast majority toward such acts.” since the 60th, will continually decrease full meanings has enriched our under- from the Bloomington and Terre Haute On this International Holocaust in importance until the 75th.” standing of our heritage. Both my wife areas), as well as four from upstate New Remembrance Day, 150 European leaders and I thank you. We are looking forward York, three from Washington D.C., and and Auschwitz survivors, delegations to reading your next column. one person each from the states of North from 42 countries, along with Israeli Salomon Stein, M.D. Carolina, Ohio and Texas. In all, 12 middle Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and high school students made the were on hand. Speaking in both English j i journey, along with 20 educators and and Hebrew, Israel’s leader reiterated that three local media members. the Jewish people will be safe, and what Purim happened at Auschwitz/Birkenau will not be repeated. It is Purim again “From this damned ground of Annually Auschwitz and Birkenau and the other Time for a new burst of beauties death camps rises the voices of millions of upon the world our brothers and sisters of our people who The evening star and the morning star were suffocated, burned and tortured in a Majewski added his views upon his first The violets and clovers and dandelions thousand different and unusual deaths,” visit to Auschwitz: on the lawns and the meadows Netanyahu told the crowd. “In some ways, there is no answer to And Children growing up. Kor, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Polish Auschwitz, and there is no understanding President Lech Kaczynski, and the of all that went on there. And yet, on the Parades and processions and pageants republic’s prime minister, lit a memorial flight home, I felt rejuvenated,” he said. Euclid’s beauty and the inner beauty Eva and her twin sister, Miriam, avoided candle at the ruins of a gas chamber and “It’s funny that a trip to the site of the and the beauty of character certain death at Auschwitz because crematorium together during the closing worst man-made tragedy in history along the king’s highways. they were chosen for horrific medical of the evening ceremony. would restore one’s faith in humanity.” and various feminine beauties experiments by the notorious Nazi Elyse Evans,Terre Haute news anchor at Vashti’s beauty and the greater beauty doctor, Josef Mengele. The sisters, not yet WTWO-TV, was awed by the experience of Esther, 11 years old, survived and walked out of “Now I feel even as well. Esther, Hadassah, Ha-drash, The lesson, the camp when it was liberated by the “Growing up, I’ve seen so many The lesson that Beauty attracts Soviet Army on Jan. 27, 1945. Standing more compelled to stop pictures but nothing quite prepared And what holds the world together has on the spot where she last saw her me for the vastness of it: 458 acres. I been called Attraction. family 65 years ago, Mrs. Kor offered the smallest act of still can’t wrap my mind around it,” an inspiring message about the power of she recalled. “Another thing that caught Louise Rarick the human spirit: discrimination and to me was thinking about what the Jewish “I want you to remember that in spite population and situation would be had it j i of what you see here, the human spirit celebrate the tiniest not been for the Holocaust.” “We do have a lot of work to begin cannot be defeated,” she said from a Her father, Mr. Hershenson of to help heal the world, but I know I can railroad platform at the Auschwitz- show of resistance Indianapolis, believed that “Being on the call on these people (our group) in the Birkenau concentration camp. “I don’t site of this killing field, I was very engaged. future to help us in our mission of think that there is a strip of land like that toward such acts.” It was very cold, and it’s hard to imagine Tikkun Olam.” anywhere on the face of this earth that the poor souls at the concentration camps WTWO Terre Haute’s series “Auschwitz has witnessed so many hundreds of Though President Obama gave a video could survive this terrible climate.” He Revisited: Repairing the world starts here” families being torn apart.” message, no high-ranking White House also felt “a sense hope and a feeling will begin the week of Feb. 22. The series On her 13th trip back to the camps, official physically attended. Along with of celebration that the Nazis were not will be also posted online at: mywabashvalley Kor called it “the most incredible and the Ambassador to Poland, the Mayor successful in killing us.” .com. Stan Jastrzebski, news director of the memorable trip that I made voluntarily of Terre Haute, Ind., Duke Bennett, Majewski, as Kor’s right-hand man, public radio station at Indiana University to Auschwitz” also attended. continued to look upon his experience as (WFIU), created a number of stories that Teachers and students alike felt the Bennett commented: “The trip to a “teachable moment.” you can link and download at http:// power of the moment, too. Poland provided me with a unique “Humanity’s hope lies in our ability to indianapublicmedia.org/news. Jeffrey Rudkin, “There is a bareness and a bleakness opportunity to learn much more about transform each of our little spheres of from the media department at Batchelor that is inescapable when you are so close the Holocaust and to be able to actually influence into worlds of compassion and Middle School in Bloomington, was on his to the grounds where children and many see the place where this all occurred. understanding,” Majewski believes. “And second trip to Auschwitz with students and more innocents died,” Jamie Luna, I was very surprised at the sheer size of on this trip I saw that it is possible to Mrs. Kor. His students will be producing language arts teacher at Chauncey Rose the camp complex and was shocked by transform the world in this way.” documentaries with the 20 hours of footage Middle School in Terre Haute, told me. the sickening details of the daily life and Eva Kor agrees. (see Kaufman, page NAT 6) NAT 6 February 10, 2010 place Israel itself at the mercy of demographic shifts that mean the state Dowty on Arab- Guest may soon need to make the grim choice Column between being a democratic nation or a Israel history Jewish one. BY CINDIE HARP Frustration over the phenomenon of BY JEREMY BEN-AMI “leaders”who fail to represent the actual “You will hear some things you interests of the American Jewish public disagree with. I promise you.” Beyond statecraft has led to a powerful sense of alienation Professor Alan Dowty began with a Making the case for a two-state and disenfranchisement, particularly disclaimer at the Laiken Auditorium at solution from the ground up among young people – with the result the Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community that they have removed themselves from Center on Thursday night, Jan. 28. Professor Alan Dowty (l) with Michael I’ve spent a lot of my life in Washington – a conversation in which they don’t feel His topic, “Regional Conflict: The Wallack (r), President JCRC. watching first-hand as “inside the themselves to be welcome. Arab-Israel Arena,” covered one of the Beltway”machers seek to affect change from But if we’re to achieve our goal, a true most controversial issues of our time reemerged as a major player in this the top down. I’ve watched – and learned resolution of the conflict, this disconnect in a remarkably even-handed and opposition with Israel. This stage has from – activists and advocates who seek must be rectified, and soon. We have to magnanimously received manner. roots in the 1960s but only fully emerged to affect change by focusing exclusively broaden the conversations about Israel Dr. Dowty identified some of the in the 1980s with the first intifada. Finally, on elected officials, Washington-based within our communities, and let people “most persistent myths” on this conflict, within the last decade, there has been the staff and national media. know that their contributions to the disputing them with a pithy historical rise of religious radicalism and new And I’ve learned one clear lesson – in struggle for lasting peace are vital, rebuttal. For example, one frequently “actors,” as Dr. Dowty calls them. This our democracy, no real change happens empowering them to act. hears that this is an “age-old conflict.It is stage began with the second intifade, in unless the people in power really believe not. It started with Jewish Settlement in 2000, and the collapse of the peace that the grassroots support is behind historical Palestine, beginning about 120 process. These new actors include them. We truly are a representative Demanding that there be years ago. Before that, Jews generally Hezbollah, Hamas and the clerical regime democracy, and our elected officials know dwelt peacefully, though not as equals, in in Iraq. that as fast as they are swept into office, no change in the status Arab lands.” Still, Dr. Dowtry does see positive they can be voted back out. Nor is this a conflict caused by age-old elements in the current situation. In the Therefore, I’ve come to see that the only quo, they fail to see that hatreds. These hatreds are more a result beginning, neither the Jewish inhabitants way to achieve durable change is to of the conflict, not the cause.“Again, Jews nor the Arabs acknowledged the other mobilize grassroots support as an integral there no longer is a generally fared better historically among existed. Despite the breakdown in the element of any advocacy campaign. For Arab or Muslim populations than in peace talks in Oslo, both sides recognize those of us looking to impact American “status quo” – there is European states. the other and are both officially open to a policy in the Middle East and to hasten two-state solution. In April 2009, 74% of the achievement of a two-state solution, only a steady deterioration. Palestinians and 78% of Israelis said that the time to mobilize support is now. …one frequently hears they would accept a two-state solution. Over the last year or two, Washington For many, this will be a process of “That doesn’t mean they think it’s has begun to feel a fresh wind blowing homecoming. Having feared that they that this is an “age-old possible,”noted Dowty,“but, in principal, from the Jewish community and pro-Israel were in the political wilderness, they will they would accept it as the preferred advocates. Organizations – new and old – learn that in fact their views do represent conflict. It is not.” solution...It’s much easier to predict the have gotten more of a hearing than the Jewish mainstream. There is little that likely content of a settlement than when before, and political leaders and policy is more pro-Israel than working to Third, this is not a conflict that is rooted it is likely to be achieved.” makers seem more open to our views. achieve a two-state solution, particularly in religious differences. Religious issues have Currently, Alan Dowty is professor They’re hearing and appreciating our as this is the best and perhaps only way to emerged in the course of the conflict, but emeritus of political science, and senior challenge to conventional thinking on what ensure Israel’s future as a democratic Judaism and Islam recognize each other associate for Middle East studies of the Joan it means to be pro-Israel, and hearing our Jewish homeland. as legitimate, monotheistic faiths.” B. Kroc Institute for International Peace commitment to advancing a pro-peace But to be successful, we’ll have to work What is this conflict about? Dr. Dowty Studies, at the University of Notre Dame. agenda. They have seen the raw numbers hard and work fast. We’ll have to hold quoted David Ben Gurion, founding In 2003–2006 he was the first holder of the proving that most American Jews do meetings in living rooms and JCCs, even prime minister of Israel.“We and they want Kahanoff Chair in Israeli Studies at the hold pro-Israel, pro-peace positions, as we meet with members of Congress the same thing. We both want Palestine.” University of Calgary, and in 2004–2006 he with three-quarters believing that an and the Senate. Dowty put it into his own words as well, was president of the Association for Israel independent Palestinian state alongside a And in mobilizing the grassroots, in “Two peoples. On piece of land.” Studies. He received his Ph.D. from the secure Israel is the best possible resolution networking and building bridges, we’ll create The conflict, according to Dr. Dowty, University of Chicago in 1963. He is the of the conflict, and two-thirds of us a powerful mechanism for political change. has been marked by four distinct stages: author of several books on the Arab-Israel supporting active American engagement There’s nothing easy about the task the first, with two communities coexisting conflict and U.S. foreign policy, as well as in achieving a solution, including pushing before us. The divisions between Israel in what was then called Palestine, from numerous articles and reviews. He lectures all parties to make necessary compromises. and the Palestinians are real, and the 1880–1948; the second, from 1948 to the widely around the world, including aboard The paradox is that while the winds of American government is hesitant to push 1980s, began with the 1948 war. Israel cruise ships. change are beginning to blow at the a return to talks. War isn’t overturned in a mainly fought against other Arab nations, Dr. Dowtry’s speaking engagement was national level, many pro-peace Jews are day, and entrenched attitudes aren’t shifted marking the conflict as a state-to-state sponsored by the Jewish Community feeling alone and isolated and, in their in a moment. struggle. It was only from the 1980s Relations Council. communities, they haven’t yet been able Those of us in the American Jewish to 2000 that the Palestinians truly Cindie Harp lives in Indianapolis. She to break through the conventional community who understand that a two- can be reached at [email protected]. wisdom about American Jewish opinion state solution is vital to Israel’s security j i shared by their local leaders. must now join together to take decisive Clinton’s Deputy Domestic Policy adviser Many Jewish leaders and politicians action, to remind ourselves and the and as policy director on Howard Dean’s j i continue to act as though the Jewish world: Supporting Israeli-Palestinian Presidential Campaign. Jeremy was most KAUFMAN community is content with status quo, peace is mainstream, it’s pro-Israel – and recently senior vice president at Fenton (continued from page NAT 5) with persistent conflict and a belief it has never been more urgent. Communications. He also has served as the that military solutions exist to what are Jeremy Ben-Ami is executive director of communications director for the New Israel they shot, and over 3,000 digital pictures. fundamentally political problems. J Street. He comes to J Street from a 25- Fund and started the Israeli firm Ben-Or Reflections on the trip can be seen at: Demanding that there be no change in year career in government, politics and Communications while living in Israel http://btvpoland2010.ning.com/. the status quo, they fail to see that there communications, here and in Israel. He has in the late 1990s. Jeremy’s father was born Ari Kaufman is a military historian with no longer is a “status quo”– there is only served in a number of senior government in Tel Aviv, and much of his family lives the Indiana War Memorials Commission in a steady deterioration. In so doing, they positions including as President Bill in Israel. Indianapolis. February 10, 2010 NAT 7 Theodor Herzl, timely inasmuch as this year “As part of its preparations for tomorrow’s Another of Barry’s classmates was on the is the celebration of 150 years since his birth. expected inclement weather, the Jerusalem the New Jersey-born minister of the Seen The next speaker was Yulie Edelstein, Municipality will today (Wednesday), at Jerusalem Baptist church. He and his Disapora Affairs and Public Diplomacy 16:30, at its maintenance center in the wife have become good friends of ours Israel Scene minister, responsible for the Broadcast Givat Shaul neighborhood, exhibit its snow for day trips, home dinners, visits to our Authority and the Government Press removal and road-salting equipment.” synagogue and visits to the church. Now BY SYBIL KAPLAN Office, who was both speaker and We happened to be in the Givat Shaul her nephew and his wife are living with “staller”for time until the prime minister neighborhood on Wednesday doing them for three months while being Hadassah, Netanyahu, arrived. He arrived with four bodyguards, research on places to find bargains for involved in sports and other activities two on the stage behind him and two in my Thursday radio show, but we missed as part of the wife’s college degree in Jerusalem snow, front, explaining he had come from the seeing the equipment. The weather was intercultural relations, learning about and Purim Knesset where they were changing the bitter cold, rainy, and windy. other cultures firsthand. planning and building committees to The temperatures went down Friday evening, we are having all of After our trip to Sderot and Ashkelon, streamline them. Wednesday night, colder than they them to our home for dinner so they can things just got better and better. He said Israel has the highest percent had been and people were advised to witness a Friday evening Shabbat dinner The National Board of Hadassah, of of homes with PCs, is number three keep their heating on. and blessings. This week we also had the which I was a member for six years – in number of cell phones per capita, is When we awoke Thursday morning in experience of my applying to renew my three as region president and three after – number one in cell phone usage, but eager anticipation of snow, there was government press credentials and for had a quick three-day trip. My colleague 120th in the time it takes to get a building none, but it was very cold, rainy and Barry to apply for his. from Springfield, Ill., Natalie Silverman, permit, and he was changing this. “I windy. Mid-morning, Barry called to me, Here’s what a foreign correspondent wrote to say she was coming and would love cutting bureaucracy,” the prime come look, it’s snowing! Well, it was goes through to apply (or in my case, like to see us. minister exclaimed. sleeting and that lasted five minutes. renew) an Israel government press card. Thanks to the mission leader, former The rest of the day was cold, rainy and (1.) We filled out and duplicated National president, Marlene Post, we windy. (This is beginning to sound like forms with personal details, addresses, were invited to share Friday night dinner On Iran, he stated the refrain to a song!) professional details, bureau address in with them at the Inbal Hotel. Meantime, we left to do our errands for Israel, bureau address abroad, questions I bet you thought a Friday night dinner emphatically, “an enemy the day. about length of employment, circulation, at a nice Jerusalem hotel was traditional. Wednesday in Givat Shaul and the day previous experience, languages and more. Think again! On the table was gefilte fish that just wants to cut before when I was in the industrial district (2.) We signed a censorship form. (3.) with horseradish and chicken liver pate of Talpiot, also looking for bargains, a Attached two copies of our passport. (4.) and salmon with avocado and sushi. us in pieces and wants large number of discount stores were Went out to have new passport photos After that we had our choice of pumpkin unpacking Purim accessories – hats, taken ($5.40) so we could submit two. (5.) soup or chicken soup with noodles and us obliterated is not masks, costumes, wings. I immediately Paid a nonrefundable application fee of julienne vegetables. This was followed by thought, how I would love to buy pink $13.51 each to the bank at the post office. a visit to the salad bar. Then we could a partner for peace.” wings and wear them for Purim when (6.) Attached letters of accreditation on have leg of duckling with veal tongue and adults and children really get dressed up company letterheads signed by the a blueberry sauce or Cornish hen in a puff He then outlined the three security at our synagogue. All the small stores on editors. (7.) Attached seven proofs of pastry stuffed with fried fruit and apricot challenges Israel faces: the military threat King George in downtown Jerusalem are work from the past year. (8.) Hand carried sauce or braised steak in a shallot sauce. of Iran, the missiles and rocket fire filled with hats, costumes and accessories. everything to the Israel Government Those came with mashed potatoes, from Iran-supported enclaves, and the And as if I didn’t realize Purim is Press Office and delivered the papers to stuffed squash and other vegetables. The Goldstone effect. coming at the end of this month, there are the proper secretary. dessert buffet ended the meal. “These are the three most important already hamantashen in kiosks, bakeries, Hurrah! Barry received on the spot a The speaker was Avraham Infield, a challenges we face and we need immedi- cafes and grocery stores. temporary card, good for three months, most articulate and inspiring educator ately to negotiate peace.” Unfortunately, People often ask besides writing and but by no means a guarantee that he who formerly headed world Hillel. the Palestinians have raised preconditions research and press conferences and would get a permanent one. I was told my I asked Natalie to bring us a few things that didn’t exist in the past 16 years; events to report on, what else do I do? For expired one is good until the end of and that led me to ask friends, what can’t they incite people in the media; and they the past month, I have had two spots on February at which time they should you get in Israel that you buy on trips or promote the Goldstone agenda. an English-language radio station, decide whether or not to renew it. ask people to bring. “The only way to finish negotiations is accessed through the Internet. Type in All in a week. to finish them,”he declared. RustyMikeradio.com to find podcasts of Sybil Kaplan lives in Jerusalem. Hearing Prime Minister Netanyahu Prearranged questions were then asked by my shows. On Monday at 11:15 or there- One of the privileges of having journalists – the president of the foreign abouts, I have “shuk shopping,” where I j i government press credentials is being journalists association, a journalist from tell what to buy, what not to buy and SASSO invited to the annual foreign press Brazil, one from France and one from the what is unusual at the outdoor-produce- (continued from page NAT 4) reception with the prime minister. I U.S. Responses included the prime minister and-other-things Jewish market, arrived at the David’s Citadel hotel at stating “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Machaneh Yehudah. I do this in a and work together. Only one team 5:30, as requested, went through three an open city, an undivided city.” He conversation with Adam Mallerman, can receive the coveted Super Bowl levels of security and entered the area discussed relations between Brazil and founder of the radio station. Then on trophy. In our union, the trophy is won outside the ballroom downstairs. Lovely Israel. On Iran, he stated emphatically, Thursday at 12:15 or thereabouts, I chat or lost for us all. hors d’oeuvres were passed around along “an enemy that just wants to cut us in with Nettie Feldman about bargains I The Super Bowl is the ultimate football with wine and soft drinks for the next two pieces and wants us obliterated is not a have found. Both shows seem to be game. I, along with all my fellow hours while we chatted with each other partner for peace. Hamas and its parent getting a lot of hits and are very popular. Hoosiers, will be cheering on the Colts and waited. At 7:30 we were ushered into regime, Iran, want to destroy us....Hamas Sunday evening, we were privileged to to victory. Solving the serious problems the ballroom; at the rear were more than is more concerned with maintaining its go to a typical Israeli “steakiya,”restaurant facing our union is not a game. It is our 20 cameramen and others with lap top hard power than it is with the well-being where you are served lots of salads and life and the life of our children and grand- computers. Dozens of journalists with of its own people.” pita bread and then have a choice of children. I, along with all my fellow cameras were in the audience. different foods cooked on a skewer. It American citizens, hope the leaders of Danny Seaman, director of the Jerusalem Snow and Preparing for Purim was the 80th birthday of a classmate of our government will remember that they Government Press Office welcomed Wednesday, Feb. 3, we opened our Barry’s from Ulpan (language course) are on the same team, working for the everyone and explained that this was the Jerusalem Post to find a list of where to pick and she invited their children and same goal – a strong and vibrant union. ninth reception with the prime minister up your newspaper if you were a subscriber grandchildren as well as lots of friends Sasso is senior rabbi at Congregation in ten years. He told the audience,“Israel and your paper could not be delivered to to share with her. The evening closed Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis. She is the remains one of the most inviting nations you the next day – because of snow. when a huge birthday sheet cake with author of several best selling children’s for the press because we have freedom Then I found an email from the festive sparklers was brought in and we books. Reprinted with permission from the of the press. He then showed a video on Jerusalem Municipality stating: all sang Happy Birthday. Indianapolis Star Feb. 2, 2010. NAT 8 February 10, 2010 child is born, a voice from heaven The wedding was not disappointing. announces: ‘The daughter of this person The ceremony and symbolism were over- Jewish is destined for so-and-so’”(Sotah 2a). Spoonful powering. They did it all, beginning with How does one find their soul mate? the signing of the ketubah. The ketubah, Educator Jewish history provides us with several of Humor of course, is written in antique Aramaic so answers. Abraham’s servant Eliazar is our that the groom doesn’t understand his BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN first example of a Jewish matchmaker, a BY TED ROBERTS commitment to his wife, his in-laws, and man on a mission to find the right wife for her Uncle Louis, who hasn’t worked Jewish Soul Mates: Isaac. During the 12th century in Europe Who doesn’t love steady since he was fired as a flagman for and Asia, it became customary to hire an the State Highway Department. Is this marriage intermediary (called a Shadchan in Hebrew) a wedding? They did the badeken, too.The veiling of made in Heaven? to find a suitable marriage partner. While Why is it that a Jewish wedding always the bride. Necessary, says tradition, so this custom is no longer widely practiced, does a number on our heartstrings? that the groom is not overwhelmed by the The night I met my husband was a it is still followed in traditional Orthodox Even my cousin Myra’s that featured a beauty of the bride. He shouldn’t miss the warm evening in April and the smell of Jewish communities today. garage sale chuppah and a one-man band goodness of her soul. With this bride, the orange blossoms permeated the air. The Another answer has emerged from the blowing a kazoo. veil should have been of lead; such was date was “arranged”by mutual friends but world of technology. Just google Jewish I say it’s our pessimism. Pharaoh, her radiance. And for good measure they I had lots of doubts about meeting their matchmaking and you will find numerous Haman, Hitler, and Stalin did it to us. should have blindfolded the groom. old college friend, a nice Jewish doctor websites offering successful matchmaking Somewhere deep down in the midnight of from Los Angeles. for Jewish singles of all denominations. our soul, we’re expecting the Cossacks to “If he’s such a great guy, why is he 31 Many people find this way of meeting break down the door instead of the gentle We lucked out. years old and not married?” I asked others preferable to the bar scene or a knock of the caterer with 300 chicken myself as I pulled into the parking lot, blind date, because it permits you to learn breasts Florentine. And we’re thinking This wasn’t simply a totally missing the irony of my own about your potential match before you that this union – these two young people unmarried situation. meet him or her. brought together by who knows what marriage ceremony. I knew, even before the chips and salsa motive – love, lust, economics – is our arrived, that my children would have last hope at survival. How silly. On an It was a seven-day his eyes. Deep, calm, caring eyes that had …in Genesis, God said: evolutionary scale, we’re tougher than me convinced in less than a minute that I the boulders of Sinai. extravaganza, rich with had come home to the place I had been “It is not good for man Me and my wife, we love a good the rewards we out-of- traveling 27 years to find. to be alone; I will wedding. She says it takes a bris, a family I didn’t know what it was called at the reunion, and a 25th wedding anniversary town guests expect. time, but according to Jewish tradition, I to equal the joy of a single marriage had found my bashert, my true soul mate. make him a helper ceremony.That’s why, last week, we drove What is a soul mate? Is it a New Age 300 miles to a wedding on roads that There was frenzied dancing by the hungry concept to define true love? Is it a catchy corresponding to him.” didn’t sport a single decent deli. We guests who were magically transported to phrase used by Romance novelists and almost perished. Jerusalem, Minsk and the lower East side publishers to sell books? Or does it mean Not finding one’s soul mate does not We lucked out. This wasn’t simply a by an incredible band from New York. something deeper and more essential, a mean that one will live a loveless life. marriage ceremony. It was a seven-day After dinner the bride and groom were spiritual bond between two people that is There are many forms of love and many extravaganza, rich with the rewards we chaired around the room clinging to each essential to fulfilling our heart’s destiny? types of loving relationships that nourish out-of-town guests expect. I mean to say other with a white handkerchief. Not The Bible gives us a glimpse of the origins the heart and elevate the soul. Although that we out-of-towners demand. And touching – just clutching the end of the of a soul mate in Genesis when God said: different from a soul mate, a soulful why not. Didn’t I spend $20 on gas? Did I hanky. This is a source of much debate “It is not good for man to be alone; I will relationship is one born out of true not spend six excruciating hours in the among scholars of Judaica. One school make him a helper corresponding to knowledge, caring, respect and love for vocal company of three Barry Manilow holds that it symbolizes the physical him.” Loneliness is God’s first concern another person and imbues life with CDs – my wife’s favorite tenor? separation that must prevail before about us as human beings.There is a sense emotional and spiritual meaning and Find that in our pre-nup! I was promised marriage. Others, notably the Alte Rebbe that we will not be happy alone; that we purpose. Soulful relationships can occur NO Barry Manilow and lots of kugel Chaleria in Hotlox, Alabama, says that need to be connected to another human throughout our lives with friends, when we stood under the chuppah 48 it signifies the last clean handkerchief, being to experience companionship, co-workers, respected teachers, and years ago. Real kugel with plenty of sock, and shirt the young groom will see support and the struggles inherent in a family members as well as in our efforts raisins – not Mama Manishevitz frozen until he visits his mama on weekends. relationship if we are to achieve personal to know and love God. In all cases, it noodles. I tried to insert it into the Who knows? fulfillment and reach our highest is through our search for love and the ketubah. My rabbi, a straight-arrow Me and Mrs. Manilow stayed two days potential. Adam, the first man, may have belief and faith that we will find it, that traditionalist, refused. after the wedding so as not to miss a been complete in his physical being but we open ourselves up to finding soulful Anyhow at the wedding, I was all set single free meal. And why did she blush without someone to love, without a relationships as well as our true bashert. for a suitable gustatorial payoff (maybe a when I asked the hostess at the last feed partner with whom to relate, he was My husband and I will celebrate our kugel entree!) for my $20 gas bill, six if I could have a couple of corned beefs spiritually and emotionally incomplete. 28th wedding anniversary in April. While hours of Barry, and our wedding gift – on rye for the road? What a mitzvah In the story of Isaac and Rebekkah, we some may view ours as a “marriage made which we picked up at a road-side yard sale. opportunity for the hostess! And can you watch as Divine guidance directs the in heaven,” we both know how hard we Really a bargain, because contributing name one decent deli on I-24 between St. meeting of two people destined for one have struggled, worked, negotiated and to the gift were several family members Louis and Huntsville? another when Abraham’s servant Eliazar compromised to make it a strong and who chose not to make the trip. (“Are you Ted Roberts, a Rockower Award winner, prays to God for a sign. Eliazar barely fin- loving relationship here on Earth. When kidding – you guys and Barry Manilow for is a syndicated Jewish columnist who looks ishes his entreaty when Rebekkah I look into his face and see the light six hours! Here, take a fiver for a yard sale at Jewish life with rare wit and insight. appears and provides the exact sign that reflected in the eyes that so closely wedding gift.”) When he’s not writing, Ted worships at Etz Eliazar had prayed for: She offers him and resemble those of my children, I am Chayim Synagogue in Huntsville, Ala., where his camels water to drink. This is seen as reminded of a wonderful Jewish saying j i for 25 years he has served as bar mitzvah more than a lucky coincidence; it is from the Hasidic Rabbi, the Ba’al Shem Tov: hirshberglederman.com) is an award- teacher. His inspiration is his patient wife, viewed as an act of Divine providence “From every human being there rises a winning, nationally syndicated columnist, Shirley. Check out his Web site: www.wonder guiding Isaac to his true love. light that reaches straight to heaven. And author, Jewish educator, public speaker and wordworks.com. His collected works The The idea that heaven plays a part in the when two souls that are destined to be attorney. Her new book One God, Many Scribbler on The Roof can be bought at destiny of our hearts also appears in the together find each other, their streams of Paths: Finding Meaning and Inspiration Amazon.com or lulu.com/content/127641. Talmud, which describes a soul mate as light flow together and a single brighter in Jewish Teachings won the 2009 Arizona someone who is chosen for us even light goes forth from their united being.” Book Publishing Association’s Best Book Visit our Website at: before we are born. “Forty days before a Amy Hirshberg Lederman (www.amy Award on religion. www.jewishpostopinion.com February 10, 2010 NAT 9 not too concerned about her Jewish actually LEARNED something. Maybe heritage. She was a beauty queen who something not directly related to social Wiener’s ascended to the highest court of royalty. Funsmith or intellectual growth, but something, Her life was one of luxury and self- definitely something. Wisdom indulgence. But then she is thrown into In fact, learning is what kids computer the spotlight of terror and horror as her games are all about: learning by BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. uncle Mordecai relates something he BY BERNIE DEKOVEN observation and recall, by controlled overheard that threatened every Jew under experimentation and conceptual Yes, it is Purim Persian rule. Not a candidate for heroics, Learning by dying mapping. Which, by the way, is probably she finds that her future is intrinsically the way we learn most things about The Jewish calendar is filled with holidays connected to her fellow Jews and she Dear Funsmith: I bought a computer using the computer. By trial and error. and observances that relate to our spiritual develops, over time, the courage to stand that I thought would be powerful enough for By intuition and observation. Fearlessly. development and well-being. The year with them in their hour of need. the whole family to use. Well, it’s powerful Other computer games have a different begins with Passover, the birth of freedom. This is no small feat. Think about it.You enough. Only, I’m not getting to use it! The perspective on death and learning. The The lesson of Passover is simple: We are are comfortable and feel connected to kids don’t let me near it. Actually, that’d be learning process is the same, but dying is free to choose a life of meaning and your environment and all of a sudden, okay. I’d let them use it all the time if only no longer seen as having any entertainment purpose or a life of emptiness, void of any that safety valve is ruptured by someone they would use the computer to do something value. Take, for example, Myst (Ubisoft). significance. We move on to Shavuot, the reminding you that you are different, intelligent. All they do, hour after hour, is Myst has been an extremely popular birth of laws and commitments. The no matter how you feel accepted. You play computer games. ~ Frank Lee Farmisht computer game for people over 13 for lesson of Shavuot is also simple: to live in learn very fast that assimilation is not Dear Mr. Farmisht: Since you’re not more than 15 years. Like most games a world of orderliness signified by respect synonymous with abandonment, the getting to play with your computer, you of this genre, it’s a fantasy adventure for judicial conduct. This is followed abandonment of your past. Esther learns might as well play with your kids. Even if into labyrinthine worlds. Unlike other by Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the meaning of valor and she comes you never win, you can be assured that adventure games, Myst takes you into a the birth of completion through human through in a meaningful way and the kids will eventually take pity on you world in which you never die. There are relationships determined by contrition becomes the savior of her people. and teach you everything you need to do puzzles to solve, mazes to learn, but there and self-evaluation. The lessons of Rosh Haman, the arch villain, befits the to avoid dying. are no threats to virtual life or conceptual Hashanah and Yom Kippur are not so embodiment of evil and symbolizes, to limb. Lots of game play, no dying. simple because they require a look into this day, the anti-Semitism expressed in Trying to restrict your kids from a learning our inner-selves. It is like looking into a so many ways time after time. The Book We really don’t like opportunity is not going to make anybody mirror and seeing two people: One who of Esther describes this: “There is a certain happy. Instead of looking for a way to we are and one who we would like to be. people…whose laws are different from dying, even when it’s lock your kids out of the computer, look any other people, and it is not in your for a game that you can play together. majesty’s interest to tolerate them” only a game. Even in DeKoven of Indianapolis, Ind. calls You learn very fast (Esther 3:8). How many times have we himself a “funsmith” because it’s the easiest heard that before? In the Book of Exodus the abstract, we really way he can define the last 40-plus years of that assimilation is we read: “There arose a Pharaoh who did his career. In brief, he helps people make not know Joseph…”And that too begins don’t think of dying as things more fun: work, school, games (of not synonymous with a chapter of human enslavement of mind course), marriage, parenthood, exercise, and body. In our day we learned the a learning opportunity. healing, toys, recovery, retirement, life, etc. abandonment, the meaning of “the final solution.” He does this by helping people look at things Whether the story is fabrication or an It’s not going to be so easy. It’s hard for from a fun perspective, which usually turns out abandonment of exaggerated version of a historical incident, most adults to play kids’computer games. to be something people under stress would the Book of Esther and Purim have We really don’t like dying, even when it’s never thinµk of. Which is what he hopes you your past. become accepted as part of the festival only a game. Even in the abstract, we will conclude from reading more about him cycle. The levity and joyfulness is because really don’t think of dying as a learning on http://deepfun.com/about.html. One more holiday before we enter the there is a light at the end of the tunnel of opportunity. world of lost souls, Purim. The holiday despair. But it also recounts the story of a But in kids’computer games every little immediately preceding Purim is a minor people who have been dispersed all over death brings a little more information. SUBSCRIBE TO holiday, which has become a major event this planet. And this story has a deep For kids on the virtual playground, in modern times, Hanukkah. Hanukkah is meaning for each generation in that there death is temporary, and reincarnation is The Jewish now celebrated as a time for re-dedication, is a connection with each generation. guaranteed. The trick is not to die the a time to revive our pride in sacrifice and Purim is a time to masquerade as same way twice. To die, to be reborn to a Post & Opinion fulfillment. The lesson of Hanukkah someone else. It is carnival time. It longer life, to die again. In the most Send to: is a prelude to the commemoration is an escape from reality. It is a successful of the Nintendo games (like of Purim because it leads way to hide from who we are Sonic the Hedgehog, though Sonic was Jewish Post & Opinion us to understand that so that we will not be designed for a completely different game 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502 only with perseverance afraid of hatred. This is machine), death is a way of life. In fact, Indianapolis, IN 46225 can we fully determine true, especially living in you usually start out with a guaranteed Or Online at: our destiny. We won the Diaspora because number of lives (and an unspecified www.jewishpostopinion.com the battle of wills, but we sometimes feel as number of implicitly guaranteed deaths). in the process we forgot outsiders, not part of To get a longer life, you have to I 3 years – $91 (SAVE $17) to remember that might the mainstream. And has remember exactly what you did that led alone is not the salvation been said so many times in to your death last time. You have to have I 2 years – $63 (SAVE $9) for independence. so many ways, Purim gives us I 1 year – #36 Purim! It doesn’t fit anywhere in the opportunity to rejoice in our the cycle of spiritual enrichment. At salvation while generations before us On this date in (Outside USA, payment must be in U.S. least Hanukkah was given a sacred have not been so lucky. Jewish history funds and you must add US$10.) dimension when the rabbis of the Talmud So we remember and are thankful. If for Name instructed us about the cruise of oil that no other reason, Purim stands out as the On February 10, 1934 lasted eight days instead of one. They one holiday that allows us to know that Address British blockade of Palestine broken taught us the value of and respect for we are in control of our fate, ever mindful City State Zip miracles. Purim, on the other hand, of the help we receive from God. by ship carrying illegal immigrants. reflects self-determination and caution. Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the ~ From The Jewish Book of Days published by E-mail us at: Here we have an assimilated Jewess. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near Phoenix, Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., New York. [email protected] She intermarries, and for all we know,is Ariz. Send comments to [email protected]. NAT 10 February 10, 2010 Having said that, I know that people at that “center of gay awareness” have an Jewish Jewish agenda concerning the first gay Jewish Supreme Court justice and the first gay Activist America president of the United States. It is my personal opinion, that it will happen, BY RABBI ARTHUR WASKOW BY HOWARD W.KARSH but that it would happen sooner if the most avid of the gay movement Howard Zinn's last Adam Lambert, would stop defining themselves by their sexual preference and would allow their advice to America gay poster boy or personage to emerge. Jan. 28, 2010 another trial balloon Adam Lambert, the runner-up on the last American Idol, was careful to walk Tuesday morning – just two days Although I welcome critiques and along a “slippery slope” during the last ago – I wrote to half a dozen leaders of letters of views from readers, most of my contest year, realizing that his “coming progressive thought and action in columns, although I write them believing out” could cost him the title. But he America, each separately, the letter that they are strong and edgy, do not prompt slipped along that path, and in the end, it follows. One of the people I wrote was crisis and on health care, plus the emails. The exception is when they deal seems that it did cost him the title. the historian/activist Howard Zinn, Supreme Court decision on corporate with “gaydom,” and even then, they are In his recent appearance on the author of A People’s History of the United financing of elections, plus the use of not from gays themselves but from American Music Awards show, he was States, whom I have known for 45 years the filibuster in the Senate – all in what protective and caring parents. out in full-gay, kissing his male drummer, or so. He responded just 90 minutes later, many assumed or hoped would be a It may have to do with the demographics simulating male-to-male sex, and and his response is also below. year of major progressive change – has of those who read the National Jewish Post proclaiming himself the new “poster boy” All day yesterday I was meeting with shocked enough people that it should, & Opinion, or more likely, that the paper of the movement to be the fullest of what doctors who cleared away the last of my and might, make possible a progressive has never sought to be in the fulcrum of you are, whether it offends anyone or not, medical barriers to travel and to risking coalition aimed at “independence from national Jewish fervor. Publisher Jennie simply because you can. arrest in nonviolent civil-disobedience the military-corporate alliance,” with a Cohen wrote lately, that she was There is no question that he is free actions. I intended this morning, platform that includes strong planks on surprised and unprepared for her paper to do whatever he wants, as is the Thursday morning, to write Howard back climate, jobs, health, ending the present to be picketed by a “Right Wing Church movement, but you wonder if in doing so, to ask how to follow up on his comments. wars, major reductions in the military, Group”who had come to Indianapolis. It he gave himself up to being another gay transforming campaign finance, and is okay not to work in the center of storms. “trial balloon.” These continued “are we ending the filibuster. there yet?”tactics have marginalized most The best of the America Perhaps with rallies, vigils, sit-downs, j i of the other “balloonists” to appearing etc., in state capitals and other centers all I was going to write Howard today to mostly at gay parades and gay festivals. he celebrated in his around the country on July 4, and support ask whether he’d invite some of those Adam Lambert is a very talented young for specific progressive candidates in the people and a few others to meet to talk man, and most of us believed he could bottom-up history, in 2010 Congressional elections. about the possibilities. have made it more easily and gone farther Do you think this would make sense? Now – is it possible to see those on his talent and not on his cause. which the energies How would it be possible to begin few words as a kind of legacy that we We have been told by many homosexual shaping such a coalition? can turn into a new chapter of the men and women that they did not choose and currents of Blacks, Shalom, salaam, shantih – peace, “people’s history”? to be who they are. But neither did the Arthur Two stories: In the mid-1960s, Howard rest of us. What they did choose is how of workers, of women, spoke at some gathering in Washington they choose to live with what they are, And this letter back from Howard: about the Vietnam War. He said that most and further, why they need to have those of religious minorities, Arthur, you are absolutely right, this is of the time, the American people – any choices ratified by all the people who do the time for the resurgence of a national people – walk around in the dark, bumping not accept their choices. of war resisters, movement that begins with a coordinated blindly into extremely dangerous and Even with all their actions in spectacularly countrywide action. hurtful objects – wars, depressions, bad taste, the public generally still tries to were the center – not The theme you describe,“independence racism, drug epidemics, police violence. differentiate between the talent and the from the military-corporation,”is one that Literally blind-sided, again and again. lifestyle, while the din of their need for presidents and senators. all sorts of people and groups can unite But occasionally, some event would acceptance rants on. around. I believe millions, probably tens become a lightning flash, illuminating the There will be gays in every level of our But I can’t. Howard died yesterday, at of millions of people are ready for this structures of power behind these lives. But this question is how it will come 87. He was one of the wisest, gentlest, because there is little left of the early disasters. He said Vietnam had become about. I believe that it would happen drily good-humored of progressive thinkers euphoria that greeted Obama’s election. a lightning flash. We were for the first quicker and with more acceptance if and activists. The best of the America he A huge job to organize it, but it was done time seeing the connections between gays allowed people not to focus on their celebrated in his bottom-up history,in for Mobilization Day, Oct. 15, 1969, and the universities and the military, we were sexuality. They are more than that. which the energies and currents of Blacks, of without the advantage of the Internet. seeing the way children were channeled Limiting themselves to the way they workers, of women, of religious minorities, Someone or some group that is from their earliest years (without make love, demeans them as total of war resisters, were the center – not respected throughout the progressive regard to their intelligence or creativity) human beings. presidents and senators. movement would need to take the into becoming factory workers, or And the effect of their behavior is to After I share with you this last initiative and summon supporters. With unemployed, or lawyers, or… challenge people who want to accept all exchange I’ll be able to have with him – blacks, Latinos, women prominent, and And our job, he said, was to try to turn people as the creations of the Almighty, perhaps the last commentary he made not disdaining celebrities. I think of Julian these lightning flashes into steady light, each with their own warts, not to exclude on the American political scene – I’ll Bond, Danny Glover, Rosie Perez, Cindy to help a whole society keep seeing the them from the definition. They are share two stories – one long ago that has Sheehan, Harry Belafonte, Matt Damon, truth about itself. people, not mutations. They are people stayed lit up for me all these years, and Oprah, Alice Walker, Marian Wright And just last month, late December: who choose, just as we choose, and like one very recent. Edelman – some well-known clergy, you I had sent out an essay in a satirical us, they will live and die by those choices. and others, some labor leaders. Maybe vein, pointing up the absurdity of the I would like to spend my time on earth This is what I wrote him not that exact group, but just to suggest a way Washington is carrying on the concentrating on my choices and how I Tuesday morning: direction. And a few super-organizers. Afghanistan war in order to defeat will stand at judgment. It would be easier Dear Howard, I’m not up for organizing these days, “terrorism.” (You can click to it here: without the fireworks. It seems to me that the confluence of maybe for consultation, and whatever http://www.theshalomcenter.org/node/ Howard W. Karsh lives and writes massive disemployment, plus knee-jerk help I can give. 1676) Several folks wrote or called to tell in Milwaukee, Wisc. His e-mail is militarism, plus stalemate on the climate Howard (see Waskow, page NAT 15) [email protected]. February 10, 2010 NAT 11 performance that is on the DVD (and a marvelously moving performance it is). Jewish As I The texts used are by: David Eddleman, (Rabbi) Barry Friedman, Pavel Friedman, Theater Heard It Mordechai Gebirtig, Hirsh Glick and Marie Syrkin. The conductor was Polsar REVIEWED BY IRENE BACKALENICK REVIEWED BY MORTON GOLD Tokarczak; the soloists were Michael Poiscer, tenor; Adam Kruszewski, baritone; Arthur Miller again Effective treatment and Kamila Kulakowski, soprano. The chorus of the Krakow opera was prepared on Broadway of Holocaust story by Marek Kluza; the children’s chorus by Arthur Miller, arguably America’s Rabbi Alan Podet was kind enough to Beata Kluza; and the stage production best-known Jewish-American playwright, send a DVD of David Eddleman’s oratorio, was under the direction of Beata R. once more makes his mark on Broadway. Kolot min HaShoah (Voices from the Dobber. The oratorio is “dedicated to the This time, a stunning revival of his A View Holocaust) to me. I am grateful to him for survivors of the Holocaust and in memory from the Bridge has opened at the Cort the opportunity to watch and listen to this of those who were lost.” Theatre. The characters, not surprisingly, Pictured (l-r): Scarlett Johansson as work and to review it in this column. are not Jewish, but Italian-American – Catherine and Liev Schreiber as Eddie Note: An oratorio is the treatment of a and “Bridge” deals with an American Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the sacred work presented by soloist(s), tragedy on the Brooklyn waterfront. This Bridge. © Joan Marcus, 2010. chorus and orchestra, frequently but not piece, written in 1955, midway through always with the aid of a narrator. Miller’s career, fell into the period when his family, his community and, most of Miller strove to be seen as a mainstream all, himself. playwright. Only later in life (in a more Liev Schreiber, certainly one of our “May there be peace, receptive atmosphere) would he tackle best modern actors, holds us in his grip. specifically Jewish themes. Yet one cannot help but remember the life for us and for all The current revival of Bridge is now New York production some years ago, raising a storm on Broadway – and no which featured Anthony LaPaglia. Israel” may be the wonder, blessed as it is with a flawless LaPaglia was Carbone, while this time cast, headed by Liev Schreiber and around Schreiber, clearly, is not Carbone, most poignant musical Scarlett Johansson, and directed by the but an actor playing Carbone, superb visionary Gregory Mosher. The play itself performance though it is. phrase in the work. offers a strong challenge to the gifted Others in the cast who contribute to performers, giving them plenty with the show’s success are Johansson as Background to the oratorio: David There is a screen mounted in the rear of which to work.The story of longshoreman Catherine, Jessica Hecht as Beatrice, and Eddleman relates that in 1995 he wanted the stage that has still as well as motion Eddie Carbone and his downfall is a Michael Cristofer as the Narrator, the to write a large work on the subject of the pictures of scenes from the Holocaust riveting study in twisted human behavior. lawyer Alfieri. Mosher sees the story Holocaust. He approached Cantor Lee that relate to the texts being sung. There Audiences and performers alike are playing out in a tenement world, brilliantly Coopersmith who celebrated her 25th are two very different musical styles used emotionally drained, as the last sad depicted by set designer John Lee Beatty year of service to Temple B’nai Abraham in the oratorio. The men soloists, who are moments of Bridge die away. and lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski. in Livingston, N.J. “On the spot,” the excellent by the way, sing in an atonal “Tragedy” is not a word to be used In all, a memorable evening on Broadway. cantor commissioned Eddleman to do style, while the soprano sings in a mostly lightly, and one can question whether Irene Backalenick critiques theater for that. The rabbi of the temple, Barry tonal harmonic style. The chorus (as well modern man can indeed be a tragic national and regional publications. She has Friedman, had used not only the texts as the children’s chorus) is superb and I figure. In Greek drama, where the a Ph.D. in theater criticism from City that Eddleman had planned to use but was moved by their singing of the concept originated, a hero was one University Graduate Center. Her book East also connecting material. Nine months Kaddish prayer a cappella as well as the brought down from the heights, Side Story – Ten Years with the Jewish later the work was completed and had its section in chorale style that follows it. destroyed by a singular flaw. In Repertory Theatre won a first-place national premiere at Temple B’nai Abraham in “May there be peace, life for us and for all Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, it was pride book award in history. She welcomes April of 1995. A year later a complete Israel”may be the most poignant musical that finished the King of Thebes. comments at [email protected] and performance took place in the Temple phrase in the work. Another superb But Miller’s tragic figure is no Greek invites you to visit her website: nytheater Synagogue in Krakow, Poland, and a composition for the chorus occurs in “I king. Eddie is a hard-working second- scene.com or at: jewish-theatre.com. staged version on April 19, 2009. It is this Still Believe.” These two pieces should generation Sicilian, very much part of the have a place in choral programs all over Brooklyn dockside community. He lives the world. with his wife Beatrice and niece As I have lamented in many a column, Catherine (whom the childless couple as a people we are accustomed to listen to has raised). He sweats to “put food on the soloists and do not pay that much heed to table,” as he reminds them frequently. choral writing. This is doubly unfortunate Though limited in vocabulary and lacking because Eddleman’s writing for chorus in self-knowledge, he lords it over his is as moving as it is appropriate for women. (Not surprisingly, they submit, as chorus. The most moving vocal solo in this is the 1950s pre-feminist era.) this work is given to the soprano in “From As Catherine has grown and blossomed, tomorrow on,” which receives tender Eddie’s paternal affection for his niece loving care from Ms. Kulakowski. The turns into something else – a lust, which contribution of the male singers is mostly he refuses to acknowledge (or perhaps declamatory in relating the horror of the even sense). He ignores his wife, focuses texts used. The use of atonal style is quite his concerns on Catherine. And when appropriate, I think. his wife’s two Sicilian cousins (illegal The oratorio begins with the singing immigrants) arrive on his doorstep, the of the familiar Yiddish song, “Eli, Eli” stakes are raised. Rodolfo and Catherine unaccompanied by the tenor soloist (who fall in love, a reality Eddie cannot tolerate. wears a kippah). This phrase is repeated As the circumstances move relentlessly near the end of the work with a violin toward disaster, it may not be grand obligato. Eddleman’s use of the orchestra Greek tragedy, but it is modern tragedy Pictured (l-r): Scarlett Johansson as Catherine, Jessica Hecht as Beatrice, and Liev Schreiber is striking and original throughout. The all the same. Eddie will end by betraying as Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge. © Joan Marcus, 2010. (see Gold, page NAT 15) NAT 12 February 10, 2010 the Commonwealth government in Now to the root k-b-d: Its basic meaning from the Canberra. Ominously, the Commission is “heavy.”But heavy objects are also hard Notes opened the enquiry with the question of The Roads to move, so k-b-d also came to mean whether religious freedom is compatible “burdensome” or “severe.” And since Antipodes with individual human rights. from Babel weighty objects are more durable and As matters now stand, Section 116 of prized, k-b-d came to mean “honor,”too. BY RODNEY GOUTTMAN the Australian Constitution promulgated BY SETH BEN-MORDECAI Examples include kaved (heavy), kibbed in 1901 ensures that there can be no (make heavy, honor) and hikhbid (burden). A case study imposition of a national religion, no Honor Early texts display the root’s more basic impediment to the free exercise of meanings: ra’av kaved (heavy famine, Routinely, in Australia during religion, and no religious test for public Because the Book of Exodus is a record Gen. 12:10, 43:1); tikhbad ha’avodah (Let December and January, it is a time office. This section was said to have been of our departure from Egypt, it was the labor be more severe, Ex. 5:9); dever when TV stations end their public-rated influenced by the First Amendment of the meant to be understood. Therefore, we kaved (severe cattle disease, Ex. 9:4); and shows and submit the viewers, with few Constitution of the United States. can assume that it gave words their arbeh…kaved me’od (very heavy locust exceptions, to puerile and repeat However, in contrast to its American common meanings and observed the infestation, Ex. 10:14). Yet, ignoring the programs. Ratings, however, are counterpart, the peak appellant legal rules of contemporary Hebrew grammar. common usage of k-b-d as heavy or paramount in the serious topic of a body in Australia, the High Court, found If one of its passages defies common severe, translators usually render it to mean student’s entry to university. This rite of in the case of the Defence of Government sense, the fault may rest with our “honor” in Ex. 14:4: “And I will harden passage depends on a student’s final Schools in 1981 that Section 116 did imperfect understanding of words or Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after years of secondary schooling, with not entrenched the division between grammar of the day, and with the loss of [the Israelites]; and I will be honored upon state-run examinations prominent. On church and state in Australia. Moreover, historical context. Further, all Jews had Pharaoh and all his host….” this basis the various state education the freedoms it affords with respect been expelled from England centuries before The word at issue is v’ikkavdah [xohj'n], authorities rate schools and students to religion are only valid where King James ordered a translation of the a niph’al verb in the cohortative mood. alike. Their assessment provides bragging Commonwealth law applies. Each one Bible.Thus, in addition to lacking Hebrew Applying early grammar and the basic rights for the most successful schools, of the Australia’s six states has its own dictionaries and grammar books, the meaning of k-b-d yields a starkly different while for individual students, it often constitution dating from the 19th century, translators lacked context that Jews could translation: “I intend to make myself assures entry to the university and when they were colonial possessions of have provided – and they made interesting heavy on Pharaoh,” or, colloquially, “I’ll academic study of choice. Great Britain. None of these speak on the errors. Modern translations, including Etz come down on Pharaoh like a ton of In this emotionally and cognitive subject of religion. Hayim, often retain or polish those errors, bricks.”That, of course, is precisely what sapping exercise, Jewish schools have rather than correct them. happened. The Egyptians were drowned again this year performed extremely well. One such error, discussed in the Exodus in the sea. One of these actually rated highest in What is historic in Haggadah, illustrates Hebrew’s niph’al This example and others like it in the Victoria, with the five others following in conjugation, cohortative mood, and the Exodus Haggadah demonstrate that applying and around the top ten percent of schools the London case is root k-b-d. First, the grammar: In early ancient meanings, usages, and context to in the state. Those in Sydney and Perth Hebrew, niph’al denoted reflexive action the Book of Exodus lets the plain meaning have also done equally well. its casting of Jews (something one does to oneself), but in of the original text to surface, offering a However, in recent weeks a possible Modern Hebrew it denotes passive voice. window into how our ancestors saw the problem has arisen. It concerns the British as an ethnic group. Thus, early Hebrew nishmarti meant “I momentous events of their world. High Court’s finding that London’s watched myself,” but now means “I was An attorney and Semitic linguist with Jewish Free School’s (JFS) admission watched.” And in early Hebrew, the degrees from Brandeis, Stanford and Univ. policy breached English human-rights According to the Australian Constitution, cohortative mood (which looks like the of Calif., Seth Watkins (pen name, Ben- law by denying entrance to a student whose education is essentially a state government future tense with the suffix “-ah”) Mordecai) merges linguistic analysis with mother’s conversion was questioned affair. However since the 1960s, the expressed determination: Nagilah meant legal sleuthing to uncover lost meanings of by the chief rabbi of the British commonwealth has funnelled funds “we intend to be joyous,” while nagil ancient texts. His Exodus Haggadah uniquely Commonwealth. His interpretation had directly to nongovernment schools, meant “we will be joyous.” includes the full story of the Exodus in an long been a basis for admission. which include Jewish schools. Initially accessible format. When not lawyering or It is a very long time since British laws only a trickle, cash flowing to the non- j i writing, he tends his 20-year-old ocicat. have had direct legal authority in state sector has grown into a torrent. Like no matter their political outlook, have not Email: [email protected]. Australia. Nonetheless, a comparable drug addiction, many schools in this linked their taxpayer-funded largesse body of human-rights law exists in category have become hooked on this with any demands. Canberra has mainly Australia, both at commonwealth and injection for their future viability. Jewish focussed on issues that deal with the Call/Write for Free Books state levels. Thus, should a similar case schools are equally dependent. curriculum, education standards, teacher We are 100% Judaism; not occur in London, it would not be beyond Though never accurately measured, the education, and access to resources disguised of any other science the plaintiff to claim this judgement as a value of real estate of the Jewish schools designed to aid learning. Even in the state valid precedent. is enormous, especially when compared sphere, as in Victoria, all faith-based What is historic in the London case is to the small size of Australian Jewry. They schools have been exempted from the Jack Botwin its casting of Jews as an ethnic group. are, however, cash poor and rely on strictures of human-rights law with Books by Morris Lichtenstein Much has been written in the post- government funds to reduce the scale of respect to teacher employment. Enlightenment era to the present about the rise in annual tuition fees, which are As yet no admission criteria have been FREE BOOK by whether Jews constitute a religious, racial, increasingly growing beyond many applied. That said it is not too difficult to Rabbi Morris Lichtenstein or cultural entity. Now we have a secular parents ability to pay. With the growth in envision a government that might court, sitting in judgment on an essentially the Jewish day school movement in the emerge that, for ideological, political, or Applied Judaism religious matter, saying that Jews are past few decades has come the withering financial reasons, may be driven to ethnic beings for the purpose of the Act of the Synagogue or Temple-based reconsider this aspect, camouflaged Jewish Science under which the case was tried. Jewish education. Now, with many being under the rubric of human rights. The case has raised few eyebrows driven out of the Jewish day schools, these Dr. Gouttman is a former senior academic 11 AM Sunday • 109 E. 39 NYC in Australia, despite its possible future traditional pedagogic institutions might at the University of South Australia, current All Welcome/Friendly/Free influence for faith-based schools in need to be resurrected and modernized if senior political analyst with the B’nai B’rith general, and certainly for some Jewish quality Judaic learning is to reach into the Anti-Defamation Commission (Australia’s schools in particular. It should have done distant future. For the moment, there is a ADL), and associate of the School of 12301 San Fernando Rd. #406 so if only because at the moment there is reluctance to confront this prospect. Historical Studies at Monash University. Sylmar, CA 91342 a nationwide discussion initiated by Perhaps one reason for Australian Jewry’s He is one of the founders of the Australian Australia’s Human Rights Commission general disregard of the London judgement, Jewish Studies Association. He is married and (818) 367-4532 (24 Hr.) on the subject of religious freedom here. apart from apathy and ignorance, is that has a daughter who lives in Jerusalem. He www.appliedjudaism.org The conclusions will be presented to successive commonwealth governments, can be reached at [email protected]. February 10, 2010 NAT 13 publication said he was tied with Frank Author Steve Stern, who was born in Sinatra for being America’s number one Memphis, lives in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Book Reviews singer. As he achieved eminence, his where he teaches creative writing at marriage failed and ended in divorce. In Skidmore College. He knew little about REVIEWED BY MORTON I. TEICHER 1969, he married Marcia Murphey with Judaism until, at the age of 35, he was whom he remained for 25 years. Their employed in an oral history project that Biography of divorce reportedly entailed Diamond focused on “the Pinch,” an old Jewish giving his second wife a settlement of neighborhood of Memphis. As he Neil Diamond $150 million. In 2001, Diamond became interviewed informants, he became more involved with Rae Fawley, an Australian; and more interested in Jewish folklore He Is…I Say. By David Wild. New York: they are still together. These relationships and Jewish mysticism. He eventually Da Capo Press, 2009. 206 Pages. $14.95. had an influence on some of the songs became the chronicler of the lost Jewish that Diamond composed. ghetto in Memphis, leading him to write Born in 1961, author Wild grew up about dybbuks and golems in the Jewish in Tenafly, N.J., in a home where dream world. He has published several Diamond’s music “was always near the novels and collections of short stories, very top of our pops.” They were all mostly based in “the Pinch.”Stern’s work “Diamondheads.” Wild became a music is filled with “Yiddishkeit,”myths, angels, critic for Rolling Stone and, in that capac- dreams, and folk traditions. Although his ity, he interviewed Diamond in 1988, last novel, The Angel of Forgetfulness was writing “a long and loving piece.” A well received, most of his earlier writings friendship between Wild and Diamond earned a scattered reception. This new began, eventually resulting in this novel deserves more critical commentary biography. Wild acknowledges that he and more readers. It clearly demonstrates sees Diamond as “very much a musical the continuing attractiveness of creative god…a very American idol.”Wild stresses rabbi. His father explains that the rabbi is ingenuity. This book is scheduled for their identification as Jews, pointing out a “keepsake,” that has been “handed publication in May 2010. that Diamond recorded Kol Nidre and put down from generation to generation.”He a “Semitic spin”on his Christmas albums. then gives Bernie a ledger written in Diamond aficionados will undoubtedly Yiddish, which supposedly explains the Riveting mystery tale be intrigued by the book’s detailed mystery. The trouble is that no one can emphasis on most of his recordings, his decipher the Yiddish. The Executor. By Jesse Kellerman. New songs, and his concerts. Others will be Turning back to 1899, the venue shifts York: G.P.Putnam’s Sons, April, 2010. 352 entertained by the introduction to arcane to Poland where “Rabbi Eliezer ben Pages. $25.95. elements in the music world. One Zephyr, the Boibiczer Prodigy,”fell into a such detail is the book’s title. When Wild pond where he froze. Discovered by his interviewed Diamond in 1988, Diamond followers, the solidified mass containing David Wild, a hero-worshipping devotee posed the question,“Am I a rock person, the rabbi is brought to the surface and taken of Neil Diamond, has written a biography or what the hell am I?”“Definitely rock,” to the local ice house for safekeeping. The filled with praise and adulation. It has said Wild. Chasidim venerate the place as a “sacred many Yiddish expressions, reflecting the To conclude his story of Diamond’s life, sepulcher” and they become known as fact that both the author and his subject Wild expresses the hope that Diamond the “Frozen Chasidim,” as they wait for are Jews. Diamond, who celebrated his will write an autobiography. “In the their rabbi to burst out of the ice. Before 68th birthday on Jan. 24, 2009 was born in meantime,” he says, “here is mine.” Wild that can happen, the threat of a pogrom Brooklyn and lived there for about a year has fully succeeded in setting forth the causes the villagers to abandon their before moving to Cheyenne, Wyo., where life and experiences of Neil Diamond, shtetl, taking the refrigerated rabbi along his father was stationed during World simultaneously describing aspects of with them. War II. In 1945, after the war, the family the times in which Diamond lives as well Eventually, through a series of unlikely returned to Brooklyn, and Diamond’s father as bits and pieces of his own biography. incidents that are thoroughly spelled out, opened first a haberdashery, then a dry The result is a warm-hearted portrait the block of ice with the rabbi is taken to goods store where Diamond helped out. of Diamond that will appeal to lovers of America, arriving on the lower East Side He attended Erasmus High School and music and to a broader audience as well. in 1907. Further complicated events land Lincoln High School where his fencing the frozen rabbi in an ice factory and his skills earned him a scholarship to New escorts then experience many convoluted York University. Although he started as a Imaginative story adventures. Finally, the still frozen rabbi is pre-med student to fulfill his parents’ with Jewish folklore shipped to the only surviving family ambition that he become a doctor, his member, Marvin Karp, who has a “retail Author Jesse Kellerman is the 31-year- passion to make music took over. He took The Frozen Rabbi. By Steve Stern. emporium” in Memphis, Tenn. He is the old son of Faye and Jonathan Kellerman, his guitar on the fencing team’s road trips, Chapel Hill: Algonquin Books, 2010. 368 father of Bernie Karp who we met at the both successful mystery writers. Jonathan and writing songs began to pre-occupy Pages. $24.95. beginning of the story. Kellerman, a former clinical psychologist, him. After making a few records, he If you have a taste for fantasy, folklore, The reader’s credulity is tested as Bernie has written many thrillers featuring decided to concentrate on music and and freakish Yiddish expressions, then brings the rabbi to life, reminding us Alex Delaware, a forensic psychologist dropped out of NYU just 13 credits shy of this novel is for you. Steve Stern has put that fantasy still has a strong appeal. and special consultant to the Los Angeles graduation. He worked as an apprentice together an imaginative story that breaks Thoroughly thawed out, the rabbi Police Department. Faye Kellerman, song writer with a small music publishing free from reality as it roams across the soon becomes sufficiently acclimated trained as a dentist, is a highly successful company and married Jaye Posner, a years from 1889 to 2002. Moving back to America as to realize that he can do detective story writer. Her chief characters young lady from Long Island who he had and forth skillfully between actuality and far better as an evangelist than as a are “Rabbi” Peter Decker and Rina met one summer while working as a illusion, Stern makes an elusive comment traditional rabbi. He becomes a successful Lazarus. She has recently published a waiter in the Catskills. They had two on reality that sometimes gets lost in his guru, running the “New House of novel for teens, written with her daughters together. host of characters and in slippery details. Enlightenment” where he attracts many daughter, Aliza. The family members are For seven years, Diamond struggled to The story opens in Memphis in 1999 followers, seeking to save their souls. The observant Jews and Jesse Kellerman spent survive on Tin Pan Alley as a singer and with the remarkable discovery by 15-year- story then limps to a somewhat puzzling a year in Israel studying at a religious song writer. Finally, in 1965, his songs old Bernie Karp that the bottom of his conclusion but by this time, persistent seminary. However, only Faye Kellerman began to achieve commercial success, and parents’ food freezer contains a block of readers have been sufficiently entertained features Jewish characters in her books. by the end of 1967, a music industry trade ice with a well-preserved 19th-century so that it really doesn’t matter. (see Teicher, page NAT 15) NAT 14 February 10, 2010 Romanian Sweetened Chickpeas Kosher (8–10 servings as a side dish) Book 1 pound (2 1/2 cups) dried chickpeas Kuisine 6 Tbsp. vegetable oil Review 1/4 cup all-purpose flour BY SYBIL KAPLAN 1/4 cup honey or packed brown sugar REVIEWED BY EDWARD HOFFMAN 1 1/2 Tbsp. salt or From my favorite 1 Tbsp. kosher salt Daily cultivation cookbooks for Purim 1 tsp. ground black pepper of awe provides Day before: Soak chickpeas in cold true happiness When one writes a food column for water to cover for 12 hours. Drain and rinse. many years, there comes a point when Day of serving: Put chickpeas in a large Awakening to Awe: Personal Stories of one realizes that one has used all one’s pot with water to cover plus 2 inches. Profound Transformation. By Kirk J. favorite Purim recipes. That’s when I look Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and Schneider. Rowman & Littlefield, 2009, at my favorite cookbooks to see what they simmer 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Drain 208 pp., $26.95. have to offer. Kosher by Design by Susie and reserve 2 1/2 cups of cooking liquid. “The beginning of awe is wonder, and Fishbein was published in 2003 and was Heat oil in a large pan. Stir in flour and the beginning of wonder is awe,”declared the first in what was to become a series, cook until bubbly, about 3 minutes. Add Rabbi Abraham Heschel in God in Search which now has six different books. Here honey and stir until lightly browned, of Man. In this profound volume of is her hamantach recipe. about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in theology for modern Jews, Rabbi Heschel reserved liquid. Increase heat to medium, focused specifically on the experience of Hamantasch bring to a boil, stirring constantly. awe as “a way of being in rapport with the (4 dozen) Add chickpeas, salt and pepper and cook mystery of all reality”for “awe enables us until thick, stirring frequently, about 10 to see in the world intimations of the frequent moments of awe. Not surprisingly, 3/4 cup vegetable oil minutes. Serve warm. divine…and to sense the ultimate in the all are engaged in something that 3 large eggs common and the simple.” passionately inspires them – such as work 2 tsp. vanilla Kosher Delicious by Diane Kastenbaum Unfortunately, though a half-century in a helping profession, creative artistry, 1 cup sugar and Penn Brenner is one of those has elapsed since the publication of or safeguarding the natural environment. 3 tsp. baking powder cookbooks whose profits benefit a God in Search of Man, its emphasis on Most are in midlife or their elder years, 6 cups all-purpose flour particular cause, in this case Maimonides awe as a vital energizing force of Judaism and eventually learned – sometimes only 1 large beaten egg Academy in Los Angeles. The poppy has been almost completely ignored. after undergoing pain and adversity – that apricot butter or prune butter seeds are part of the minhag (custom) Except for the possible exception of the cultivation of awe on a daily basis not cinnamon sugar attributed to honoring Esther who the Jewish Renewal movement, the only provides true happiness but also a was a vegetarian and ate only beans and institutional branches of Judaism have dialogue with the divine. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover 2 baking other legumes. shown minimal interest in cultivating – Dr. Schneider’s chapter entitled sheets with parchment or foil. Combine or even affirming – personal experiences “Awe-Wakening in the Everyday” is oil, eggs, vanilla, water, sugar, baking Poppy Seed Cookies of awe among their congregants and perhaps most relevant for reinvigorating powder and flour either by hand or in a (2–3 dozen) adherents. Indeed, the entire experiential contemporary Jewish belief and practice, mixer. Knead until it forms a soft dough. realm that Rabbi Heschel regarded as as he highlights seven different “lenses” Roll the dough out in a very thin layer. 1 cup vegetable shortening so important for true religiosity is rarely for fostering our sense of daily awe.These Dip the rim of a 3- or 4-inch glass in 1 cup sugar acknowledged in synagogue life. As a encompass the lens of transience; the flour. Use the glass like a cookie cutter 3 large eggs result, it’s hardly surprising that so many lens of unknowing; the lens of surprise; and cut out circles, Reroll and reuse 2 tsp. vanilla American Jews find their religion to be the lens of vastness; the lens of intricacy; scraps of dough. 3 1/4 cups flour dull and lifeless. the lens of sentiment; and, the lens of In the center of each circle, drop a 2 tsp. baking powder Hence, the importance for American solitude. While all of these indeed appear teaspoon of apricot or prune butter. Fold 3/4 tsp. kosher salt Jewry of Dr. Kirk Schneider’s new book, to be important catalysts for awakening two sides of the circle to the center to 1/2 cup poppy seeds Awakening to Awe. Written by a leading awe in the midst of everyday life, I would form a triangle. Pinch together at the American humanistic-existentialist also add an eighth: the lens of travel. corners. Fold remaining side up to the Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking psychologist based in San Francisco, How so? From my own experience, center and pinch together at the corners. sheet with parchment paper. Cream it amplifies and brings up to date Rabbi distant travel is definitely a way to Place hamantasch shortening and sugar in mixer. Beat in Heschel’s important view regarding the experience life as a wonderful adventure one inch apart on eggs and vanilla. Add spiritual significance of awe. Though not filled with marvels and synchronicities. In the baking sheet. flour, baking explicitly aimed at Jews, this book in its Hasidism, travel has long been extolled as Brush with beaten powder and salt own way is a wake-up call for everyone a powerful spiritual force. For example, egg. Sprinkle and combine interested in revitalizing Jewish belief Rabbi Nachman of Breslov declared that with cinnamon well. Stir in and practice. a person should always travel when sugar. Bake 20 poppy seeds. Well organized conceptually, opportunity presents, for it enables one to minutes. Can Form dough into Awakening to Awe is divided into three see the world through fresh eyes. More be made ahead a long roll. Wrap parts. The first,“Our Awe-Depleted Age,” than a century later, philosopher Martin and frozen. in plastic wrap presents an overview of how Americans Buber wrote that, “Every journey has and refrigerate suffer today from an absence of awe in a secret destination of which the traveler Olive Trees and Honey several hours or our daily lives – the price we pay for is unaware.” by Gil Marks is one of overnight. Slice banishing this energizing force from our Finally, Part III,“Toward an Awe-Based my favorite Jewish cookbooks because dough 1/8-inch thick and place on baking souls and close relationships. With the World Awakening,” offers suggestions it is a collection, subtitled “treasury” sheet. Bake 15–20 minutes. constant impact of videogames and the and recommendations for creating a of vegetarian recipes from Jewish Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, book reviewer, Internet, even young children are often world civilization grounded in the communities around the world. In the food columnist and feature writer who moved cut off from the types of awe-inducing experience of awe. It’s not an easy task, legume section is this Purim recipe from Overland Park, Kan., to Jerusalem in experiences – such as involving aesthetic but without at least the semblance of from Romania called Tzimmes Nahit, September 2008. She has recently completed play or intense encounters with nature – a practical vision for doing so, little can dating from Medieval times. The origin compiling her ninth kosher cookbook We’re that earlier generations took for granted. be accomplished to change our present of eating chickpeas on Purim is because Cooking at Kehilat Moreshet Avraham. Part II presents Dr. Schneider’s in-depth reality. In the author’s view, our societal in order to keep kashrut, Esther ate beans interviews with men and women who capacity to experience awe is deeply and peas. are, in his view, enjoying lives filled with (see Hoffman, page NAT 16) February 10, 2010 NAT 15 on time, she headed home. Several hours WASKOW The Executor is Jesse Kellerman’s later, the plane on which she was to have (continued from page NAT 10) fourth novel. Although he has a graduate An Observant flown began its descent to its destination, degree in playwriting, he prefers to write the woman’s reserved seat empty… me they didn’t think humor, even or fiction since he doesn’t have to share Eye The plane touched down, safely and on especially bitter humor, was appropriate responsibility with a play’s director. time. The passengers disembarked. in talking about a war. I felt dismayed, His three previous novels, The Genius, BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN End of story. unsettled, dispirited. Trouble, and Sunstroke were all well- Moral: The woman never came to know Then I got this note from Howard: received mysteries. This latest book will The myth of why she lost her chance at the job. “Dear Art, A friend of mine just sent me undoubtedly add luster to his already Nobody did. But, all the same, there was this piece you wrote – satiric, powerful – fine reputation and will reinforce the mundanity a reason. about Detroit, Islam, Kabul, terrorism. It is high esteem fully earned by the An abrupt shift takes place in all the The Torah’s segue from miraculous a brilliant commentary and I have passed Kellerman family. world’s synagogues around this time of year. narratives to quotidian concerns takes it on to a number of people.Thank you for The protagonist in The Executor is Over the previous 17 weeks, since the public place during the weeks leading to it. I wish you a peaceful and joyful New Joseph Geist, a 30-year-old “lapsed public reading of the Torah was begun anew the holiday of Purim. The Talmud says Year. Howard” Catholic” who, when we first meet him, after the holiday of Sukkot, the readings that the Jews’ acceptance and embrace So – dear Howard, I’m not so sure is being evicted by his girl friend from were narrative in nature, beginning with of the Torah at Sinai included an element about “brilliant,”but I’m glad you felt the her apartment, Yasmina, after their the world’s creation, continuing with of coercion and thus lacked something humor had some bite where our rulers two-year romance reaches its end. She elements of the lives of the patriarchs and that was only supplied centuries later, at need to be bitten.You revived my spirits. comes from a wealthy family in California matriarchs, then the account of Joseph’s the time of the events recounted in the And – dear, dear Howard, I wish you and is finishing her law education at life, the sojourn in Egypt, the Exodus and Book of Esther. The “coercion” may well a joyful New Year making trouble for Harvard. Geist is in his eighth year as a the revelation at Sinai. include the overwhelming nature of the Authorities in Heaven. If ever the graduate student in philosophy, also at Beginning with the portion called the encounter itself. How could anyone memories, the teachings, of a tzaddik – a Harvard, but is unable to complete his Mishpatim, though, the Torah’s focus is present at Sinai possibly have resisted practitioner of tzedek (justice) – could dissertation and his student status is largely on technicalities of civil and accepting the Torah? G-d revealed bring blessing to those who are still being suspended. ritual laws. Then, in subsequent weeks, Himself then like at no other time in scrabbling for justice on this stricken Geist comes from a troubled laws pertaining to the minutiae of history. In the time of Esther, by contrast, Earth, it’s the memories and teachings Midwestern household that is dominated the Tabernacle’s construction, its many there was no overt manifestation at all you left us. by his cruel father who “brutalized his vessels and the special garments worn of divine intervention (nor is there any Shalom, salaam, shantih – peace! family,”His mother “was a child when she by Cohanim during sacrificial services will mention of G-d in the Book of Esther). Arthur married”and she is completely cowed by be read. The sudden transition from Arthur Waskow, director, The Shalom her husband. They were wed after she miraculous to mundane is striking. Center www.shalomctr.org; co-author, The became pregnant with Christopher, Every word of the Torah, though, is as The challenge lies in Tent of Abraham; author of Godwrestling – Geist’s older brother. The father physically important as every other; a missing letter, Round 2, Down-to-Earth Judaism, and a abused Christopher, finally beating him whether in the account of the revelation recognizing that every dozen other books on Jewish thought and so severely that Christopher ran away in at Sinai or in the rules governing property practice, as well as books on U.S. public his father’s truck and went off the road, damage, renders a Torah scroll invalid. place in which we find policy. The Shalom Center voices a new dying in an accident. It was never clear Likewise, every seemingly pedestrian prophetic agenda in Jewish, multireligious, as to whether or not Christopher had law or occurrence in the Torah is ultimately ourselves is special; every and American life. To receive the weekly actually committed suicide. as imbued with holiness as the most online Shalom Report, visit www.shalomctr Befriended by the local Catholic priest, astounding miracle recounted. The situation we face, divinely .org/subscribe. Geist studied philosophy with him and dimensions of the Tabernacle’s outer ordained; every moment, was encouraged to seek admission to perimeter and the description of the j i Harvard where he gradually did well manna that fell from heaven are, in in its own way, a miracle. GOLD and was urged to pursue a doctorate. the end, of equal import. (continued from page NAT 11) Now, as his relationship with Yasmina A similar false dichotomy inhabits our is ending and his dissertation progress is individual lives. We tend to readily perceive To see G-d where He is most patently ending of the work features the text “Am at a standstill, he answers an ad for a the divine in certain places, circumstances evident is one thing. To discern His Yisroel Chai” in a triumphant march-like “conversationalist”and begins a relationship and events – in the synagogue on Yom presence in what seems mundane is manner with chorus and orchestra. On with Alma Spielmann, an elderly, wealthy Kippur, after an escape from danger, at entirely another. And the latter, more the screen one notices the rising (or lady, originally from Vienna. She is the birth of a child. The challenge lies meaningful, perception is what the Jews perhaps the setting) sun over a body interested in philosophy, and they have in recognizing that every place in which managed to attain in the time of Esther. of water. I could go on, but I think my lengthy discussions, leading eventually to we find ourselves is special; every They turned in supplication to Him in readers have gotten the idea that I believe her inviting him to live in her large house. situation we face, divinely ordained; every their time of crisis and, after their that this is a welcome, appropriate, and Things begin to deteriorate as her poor moment, in its own way, a miracle. salvation, they recognized that the effective treatment of the Holocaust story. health gets worse and a scheming nephew I’m no fan of the contemporary turn of events, so easily dismissible as I do not know if this is the penultimate appears on the scene. The ensuing “wonder-stories” so many find inspiring. “mere chance,” had been divinely treatment, but it certainly rates at or near developments are hellish with dire and Even the modern-day miracle-accounts guided throughout. And they established the top of what has been done to date. disastrous consequences. that don’t turn out to have been the holiday of Purim to eternalize The fact that it was produced and given This intriguing story grips the reader’s embellished (or fabricated entirely) leave that recognition. such an incredibly good performance and attention as it proceeds inexorably to its me unmoved. In fact my favorite story, “Purim” the word, of course, means reception in Krakow speaks volumes all calamitous conclusion. Kellerman makes told to me by one of my daughters (who “lots,” referring to the agents of chance by itself. Yasher Koach. full use of his own experience as a heard it from a friend) concerns a woman Haman employed to choose a date for the Dr. Gold is a composer, conductor and Harvard undergraduate in providing a who had to catch a plane to make it to an destruction of the Jewish community. music columnist for the Post & Opinion. backdrop for his riveting tale. He holds interview for a job in another city. She left Purim the holiday celebrates the fact that He may be reached at: drmortongold@ the reader’s interest to the very end of plenty of time to get to the airport and chance, as it is usually understood, is in yahoo.com. the book. When Jesse Kellerman’s had her boarding pass, but found herself fact an illusion, that what seems to be parents get ready to pass the baton, they stuck in traffic as the departure time randomness is but a subtle manifestation j i can do so with full confidence that the approached. Arriving in barely enough of divine purpose – that everything in TEICHER next generation will live up to the high time to park her car, she ran to the our history and in our lives is, in the (continued from page NAT 13) standard they have set. terminal, found the gate and then end, guided by an unseen but all- Dr. Morton I. Teicher is the Founding watched in dismay as the plane pushed encompassing hand. That isn’t altogether accurate since Jesse Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, away from its dock just as she arrived. © 2010 AM ECHAD RESOURCES Kellerman’s new book includes an Yeshiva University and Dean Emeritus, After discovering that there were no other Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs Iranian Jew named Yasmina, but her role School of Social Work, University of North flights that would get her to her interview for Agudath Israel of America. in the story is somewhat secondary. Carolina at Chapel Hill. NAT 16 February 10, 2010 small truck when he was riding his bike For a very short period of time, when I almost 20 years ago. Once he recovered, I was three years old, my mother’s father Musings warned him to be careful, so he won’t get stayed with us, for days or weeks, I doubt hurt. He thought I was crazy. if anyone remembers how long. At that from Shiloh “I healed and I can be healed again.” time my grandmother was already dead. Is it a female thing? My brother was a tiny infant and I BY BATYA MEDAD remember that my grandfather stayed in Nothing like my Shiloh neighbors my room. I remember his talking to “Seize the Day.” My father can’t go out in the cold, so I me, but I have no idea of the topics. barely got out yesterday. I needed to Sometimes I wonder if he, the most Shoot! borrow some “light reading”books from a religiously observant of all of my A couple of weeks ago I was in a tremp neighbor. He came over to visit with my grandparents, had spoken to me of (hitched ride) to Jerusalem, sitting in the father while I ran over to choose some. Judaism. Maybe he planted the seeds back seat, when suddenly the guys in the His “library”is just my taste, and without threatened for wasting money. But today that contributed to my becoming front said: even trying I grabbed four books. when I look at those old black and religious. My mother, fearing for his “Where’s your camera? Why aren’t you I did my fitness walk late at night after whites, I see excellent composition, and health, insisted that the walk to the local taking pictures?” my husband got home. of course in those days you just took shul (synagogue) would be too far. “What?” I didn’t manage to buy more milk. one shot of something. Every print and Forbidden attending shul and being with “You can see the Dead Sea behind the Before my father came to live with us, one developing process was a lot of money. other religious Jews, he wouldn’t stay mountains.That doesn’t happen every day.” 2-liter container generally lasted a week, Even now, when digital photography is so with us. “Here it is.You shoot.” unless we had guests. Now, every couple cheap you can delete the bad ones and My grandchildren are now growing Then nothing. He just sat there. of weeks I have to buy an additional 2 print nothing, it’s rare for me to take more up knowing their “grandpa,” which is “Why aren’t you taking pictures?” liters, and this week is one of those. But I than two or three of the same scene, and what they call their great-grandfather. I “Maybe they’ll be better over the next couldn’t get out to the store yesterday. frequently the first is the best. no longer am able to help care for them hill.” And my husband didn’t have a chance to This photo (above), taken in once or twice a week as I did ever buy some in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, is just one.The photos since the eldest was born. That’s I figured that I could always call the before and after are totally a loss for all of us. But at store and ask the manager to ask a different. It was photographed least they’re being raised neighbor to bring some up. First I asked most probably on Jaffa Street, knowing that taking care my husband to ask around on his way out either while walking or on a of an elderly parent or to work. Before I managed to call the bus. Because of the time grandparent is part of the store, my cell phone rang: factor between pressing cycle of life. “Your milk’s on the way. Can you come the button and the actual Batya Medad is a veteran out and get it from my car?” shot, I’m never quite sure American olah, immigrant in “I’m not dressed for that.” how a picture will look. Israel. She and her husband made aliyah in “So, I’ll deliver to the door.” Contrary to my former attempts at 1970 and have been in Shiloh since 1981. And that’s what a neighbor did. Thank art, drawing and painting, I’m more She’s a wife, mother, grandmother, EFL G-d for good neighbors. than satisfied with the results of my Teacher, writer and photographer. Besides Of course they weren’t.You’ve heard the photography. I think that the picture is her articles and photographs we’ve been saying: “Shoot first and ask questions later.” G-d’s canvas perfect, but I don’t know what title it featuring in this publication for a number Well, the same goes for photography, Winter, sunset, Shiloh... should get. This is a real Jerusalem street of years, Batya is very involved in the especially today in the digital age. Just shoot scene. If you have any suggestions, yes, international cyber community as a Jewish as soon as something looks interesting. please caption this. Send in your idea for blogger. She has two active blogs, http:// The next opportunity, over the next hill, a title as a letter to the editor. Thanks. shilohmusings.blogspot.com and http:// may be worse. And if it’s better, you’ll me-ander.blogspot.com, besides having shoot more. The guys in the front seat Casting a shadow established the Kosher Cooking Carnival; were tour guides. They can always “spin “Casting a Shadow,” influencing, details on me-ander. You can contact her with words.” I’m a photographer, so I changing the dynamics of our family... at [email protected]. need the right image.

Risk taker, not me j i I took this picture on our way to Tel HOFFMAN Aviv a couple of weeks ago. It was fine to (continued from page NAT 14) observe it from the bus window. Nothing can ever be more beautiful. connected to such values as liberty Art on G-d’s canvas. We’re so small in and democracy. comparison. Capturing these images on my The appendix of most books is largely camera makes me think that photography superfluous; not so with Awakening to Awe. may really be the greatest art medium Drawing effectively on his background as for humans. It’s recognizing that we’re a practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. secondary to G-d. It’s a form of worship. Schneider identifies a variety of specific I’ve lost all control of my life since I began conditions that either foster or discourage caring for my elderly father. I didn’t even our experience of humility, wonder, and feel this way when my children were born. amazement in everyday life. Interestingly, it’s a list quite consistent with the psycho- Hard to label spiritual advice of influential Kabbalists I’ve always loved taking pictures. like Abraham Abulafia and Moses Chaim On my father’s side, there are lots of Luzzatto – and one that would surely artists and art talent. It was always a great resonate with Rabbi Abraham Heschel I can’t relate to my younger son’s tackle disappointment that my attempts at as well. football. Even when younger I couldn’t see drawing and painting were disastrous. My bringing my father to live with us Edward Hoffman, Ph.D., is an adjunct the attraction in those things. I don’t like The finished product was always far from wasn’t planned or thought of, at least by associate psychology professor at Yeshiva being injured. I don’t feel confident that what my mind had pictured. me. I didn’t grow up with grandparents to University, and the author of numerous one heals and is fine afterward. My elder When I was a kid I wasn’t praised or care for. My father’s mother lived with my Judaica books including The Way of Splendor son was seriously injured when hit by a complimented on my photos, I was aunt and her family. and The Wisdom of Maimonides.