lywood, FL and Ariela Robinson of Skok- ie, IL, with Manhigut Tze’erim Awards for their combined efforts in the cre- ation and growth of the YP division of One Fund. This past Septem- ber, their efforts, along with a handful of other devoted committee members, turned out 250 young professionals to the inaugural event, and the group con- tinues to grow and thrive. This year’s banquet was especially poignant as it celebrated not just the 18 Chai/Life years that the organization has been operating, but also the mas- sive resurgence of life in these once- thought doomed areas of the Biblical heartland of the Jewish people. As all observers agree, the simple fact that are living in Judea and Sa- maria is astounding. That the area has thrived and fl ourished despite the nev- er-ending hostilities and worldwide condemnation is nothing less than mi- raculous. These modern-day pioneers have displayed a unique devotion to the concept of yishuv ha’aretz —settling the land, and they continue to build their families and communities in the areas that our forefathers dwelled in over 3,000 years ago. One Israel Fund has played a signifi - cant role in making that dream a real- ity. Everyone who supports its mission can take great pride in the accomplish- ments of the past 18 years and look for- ward to even greater achievements in the years to come. 5 Ohr Naava’s Shabbos Of Inspiration Just two weeks have passed since 900 Jewish men and women of all stripes converged upon the Ocean Place Resort and Spa for Ohr Naava’s 8th annual re- treat—the sold-out weekend of spirit and song. “It was a powerful sight,” says Elisheva Perlman, the organization’s di- rector of communications. “500 girls and 200 couples from all over the tri- state area—and even as far as and Toronto—joined us with one pur- pose: to be inspired.” Over the course of its 48 hours with Ohr Naava, the diverse crowd was treated to luxurious accommodations and gour- met cuisine by Michael Schick—along with a round-the-clock array of scintil- lating classes and engaging workshops from Ohr Naava’s stellar team of educa- tors—including their widely popular se- nior lecturer, Rabbi YY Rubinstein—with eight simultaneous tracks that accom- modated different learning levels and ad- dressed a variety of timely topics. The multifaceted weekend featured some spectacular highlights, including a much-anticipated Friday night “Ask the Rabbi” session; a sparkling mot- zaei Shabbos grand concert with Lipa Schmeltzer, Yeedle Werdyger, and Yoni Z; a powerful keynote lecture by Ohr Naava’s dynamic director, Rabbi Zech- ariah Wallerstein; and—as part of Ohr Naava’s new shidduch initiative—a full- scale meet the shadchan event for the girls on the Shabbaton , moderated by over 15 shadchanim. (To date, the ini- tiative started three months ago has al- ready led to 52 dates and 3 successful engagements). But of the dazzling, non-stop pro- gram—described as a fl awless fusion

Continued on Page 102 TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 23, 2012 101 Community News life-changing: as each girl’s Jewish Continued from Page 101 name was joyfully pronounced dur- ing an aliyah , the crowd erupted into of fun and meaning—one segment song, wishing wholehearted mazal stood out in its beauty: the Ohr Naa- tov s and showering effusive berachos va annual kiddush . The two-year-old on the beaming young woman—who

Rejuvenating the soul at Ohr Naava

brainchild of Rabbi Wallerstein, this glowed with the reaffi rmation of her one-of-a-kind kiddush was launched af- Jewish identity. ter the Ohr Naava team became aware “It was incredibly touching,” says Avi- of the enormous numbers of girls vit Mikhli, Ohr Naava’s director of op- who’d never received Jewish names or erations. “Many of these girls are new never had kiddushim commemorating to Yiddishkeit , and we can only imagine their births. This year, for 20 such girls, the Shabbaton ’s Shabbos davening was Continued on Page 106

102 March 23, 2012 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION Community News “that the abundant, heartfelt mazal tovs dah (homiletical and non-legal litera- University, presented lectures related to Continued from Page 102 our girls received this Shabbos have ture), as well as the interpretation of ag- the subject of medieval interpretations changed their mazal for the good.” gadah in the writings of medieval and of aggadah , and Professor Horowitz of- the ripple effects that this transforma- Nurit*, a Sephardic girl with a tradi- modern rabbis. fered a personal response. tive experience will have.” tional upbringing, was exceptionally The volume is noteworthy both Contributors to the volume include Following the inspiring tefi llah , the grateful to be part of the proceedings. for its impressive scholarship and its all of the co-editors, as well as Rabbi over-900 attendees participated in a lav- “My whole life I was called “Nurit,*”she breathtaking scope. Subjects range from Yitzchak Blau (Midreshet Lindenbaum ish kiddush , featuring a stunning spread says, “but the name was never called the status of women through the lens and the Orayta Yeshiva), and professors of delicacies sponsored by Mr. Abraham out in shul. When I found out that Ohr of rabbinic aggadah , to studies in the Gerald Blidstein and Adiel Kadari of Banda, owner of Flatbush’s famed gour- Naava was organizing this kiddush , I methods of interpretation of aggadah Ben-Gurion University; Marc Bregman met supermarket, Pomegranate. “I have couldn’t think of a better way to prop- in the writings of Maimonides, Nah- of the University of North Carolina; always been a fan of the great work that erly acquire my Jewish name.” manides, and R. Moses b. Judah in the Hannah Davidson, Esti Eisenmann, and Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein and Ohr Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein, the cen- 12th-13th centuries, R. Isaac Abarbanel, Ora Wiskind-Elper of Machon Lander; Naava do,” says Mr. Banda, who memo- ter’s popular and energetic director, R. Moses Almosnino, R. Samuel de Uce- Hananel Mack of Bar-Ilan University; rably opened Pomegranate’s doors some notes that the ceremony was exactly da, R. Azariah de Rossi, R. Joseph Ashke- Avinoam Rosenak of The Hebrew Uni- four years ago. “But when I heard about in line with the organization’s mission. nazi, and the Maharal in the 15th-16th versity of Jerusalem, and Carmi Horow- this idea—to reach out to girls who nev- “At Ohr Naava,” he says, “we are fi erce- centuries, and R. Isaac of Karlin in the itz, now president of Givat Washington er had a name or a kiddush upon birth— ly dedicated to reigniting the spiritual 19th century. Two essays explore the Teachers College. that really pulled my heartstrings.” Ban- spark in our Jewish women and girls. history of interpretation of a celebrated Carmi Sheli: Studies on Aggadah and Its da notes that Pomegranate is involved The magnifi cent kiddush achieved just passage of the Passover Haggadah . Interpretation Presented to Professor Car- in dozens of kiddushim on a weekly ba- that—for both the onlookers and bene- “Readers of Carmi Sheli will discover mi Horowitz is published by Touro Col- sis—but this one was extraordinary. fi ciaries—in an unforgettable way.” original interpretations and novel the- lege Press, and distributed by Academic “Witnessing the Ohr Naava kiddush ,” he For more information about Ohr ses from the felicitous pens of master Studies Press. Copies may be ordered at says, “and hearing new Jewish names Naava’s programs, call 718-647-6228, scholars,” said Dr. Michael A. Shmid- www.academicstudiespress.com. 5 being called out and warm mazal tov s e-mail [email protected] , or visit man, dean, and Victor J. Selmanowitz, announced to girls who never had a www.ohrnaava.com . 5 professor of at Touro Kiddush, made me and the entire Pome- Graduate School of Jewish Studies. granate staff proud to be a part of such a Touro College Press The volume, in honor of the fi rst rec- beautiful and meaningful Shabbos.” Publishes New tor of Machon Lander, Dr. Carmi Horow- Communications director Elisheva Scholarly Volume itz, was co-edited by Dean Shmidman Perlman notes that having a kiddush is A new volume of scholarly essays in along with professors Arnon Atzmon of not just a nicety: many sources stress Jewish studies written by distinguished Bar-Ilan University; Avraham Grossman its importance, for a variety of reasons. academicians has been published by of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; “One kabbalistic reason,” says Ms. Perl- Touro College Press, in conjunction Nahem Ilan of Machon Lander, and Jo- man, “is that the mazal tovs a child re- with Machon Lander, an Israel affi liate seph Tabory, dean of graduate Jewish ceives upon birth bestow them with a of Touro College. studies at Machon Lander. certain mazal , a certain fortune, to suc- Titled Carmi Sheli: Studies on Agga- A book launch was held in Jerusalem ceed in life. If a girl never had a kiddu- dah and Its Interpretation Presented to earlier this year, attended by many not- sh , it’s possible that a particular koach is Professor Carmi Horowitz , the volume ed academicians and educators. At the held from her until she gets these mazal includes 15 essays, mostly in Hebrew, launch, Professors Shmidman and Ilan, tov s.” “There’s no doubt,” she concludes, that carefully examine rabbinic agga- as well as Ze’ev Gries, of Ben-Gurion

106 March 23, 2012 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES