The National Jewish Post &Opinion Volume 75, Number 22 • July 29, 2009 • 8 Av 5769 Two Dollars
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The National Jewish Post &Opinion Volume 75, Number 22 • July 29, 2009 • 8 Av 5769 Two Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com Bar Mitzvah by Jackie Olenick From Pirket Avot 1:1 - Moses received Torah from Sinai and gave it to Joshua; Joshua to the Elders; the Elders to the Prophets; and the Prophets to the People. NAT 2 July 29, 2009 Rebbe for advice. He asks her what she does with her time. She answers that she About the Cover Editorial studies. He asks her if she has ever shared her knowledge with anyone. She answers Jackie Olenick is an artist who creates Judaic illuminations in several The following is my editorial from six that she has not. The Rebbe tells her to mediums based upon her favorite Torah text, psalms and prayers. She years ago. At the time I was not sure if I teach others what she has learned. When also designs personalized, illuminated ketubot for brides and grooms. would succeed, but I was hoping to include she does, her illness goes away. The images Jackie creates are joyful, contemporary and inspirational fewer mean-spirited words, and more words These two quotes from Cayce and two and they speak to issues that guide us on our day-to-day journey.They Jackie Olenick of encouragement in the newspaper. This stories suggest that illness may be caused are intended to bring blessing and holy reminders to every Jewish home. was my explanation for the reason why. by something other than physical imbal- Jackie also presents and teaches hands-on workshops for temples, schools and ances, and in order to bring about a cure, organizations where participants of all ages and all levels of skill can learn about Judaic In previous editorials, I wrote about the the nonphysical must be examined. What art and create their own unique piece for their home. emotional effects of words of encourage- I learned from these very different spiritual Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi has honored her as an Artist and Artisan in the ment, praise, and kindness compared to traditions is that the physical, emotional, Sacred Guild of the Disciples of Betzalel. The UAHC (Reform Movement) has selected words of blame, disapproval, criticism and mental, and spiritual are all parts of a several of her images for book, CD and songbook covers. Many images adorn greeting condemnation. The former leaves one human being and although they might cards, which can be purchased at fine gift and Judaica shops throughout America. feeling grateful, uplifted, and happy, the seem separate, they are connected. What Her work has been exhibited and extensively collected throughout America and is in latter can lead to sadness, anger and affects one part, will affects the others. private, organizational as well as Synagogue collections. She works in several mediums frustration. What I have not mentioned If one is constantly bitter, filled with including acrylic, as well as collage/multi-media, for which she is how these feelings can affect the anger, hatred, resentment, and regrets, is noted. She has created bold and bright, large pieces that are physical body. eventually that will affect other areas in appropriate for a Temple or can serve as a focal point in a home. When I lived in the San Francisco Bay one’s life and could lead to health problems. She is married to Rabbi/Chaplain Leon Olenick, and is the Area, I studied Chinese healing at the My aunt, Diane Arnold from Tampa, has a mother of three grown children and nine grandchildren, from Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. On my unique way of expressing this. She said whom she constantly draws inspiration and naches. Visit her own, I read many books and took classes that when someone hates another, it is as website at www.cybershuk.com or email her at olenick@cyber on health and healing which was not part if they carry that person on their back. shuk.com. of the Institute. One of those I took was The one being carried is not sweating. Jackie’s work can be personalized (see image to the left). through Lehrhaus Judaica, an adult The one who hates has to struggle with “Making the old new and the new holy.” education program with classes taught the extra weight. by rabbis and Jewish lay leaders. It Another example comes from the June was called, “Jewish Perspectives on 21st Annie’s Mailbox, the column that is j i j i Healing and Wholeness”taught by Rabbi taking over the void left by the death of Nancy Flam. Ann Landers. A woman is responding to Shabbat Shalom Before that time, I had learned from my a letter published previously in which studies at the Acupressure Institute that someone was seeking advice about how each emotion is associated with a specific to behave with her verbally abusive BY RABBI JON ADLAND part of the body. To mention a few: fear is mother. This writer is saying that some- July 24, 2009, D’varim associated with the kidneys, anger with times one cannot do anything about it. (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22), 3 Av 5769 the liver, and grief with the lungs. For “I am 51, and my mother passed away example, if a person is constantly fearful, four weeks ago. Mom had so much hate Where were you when we landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took that eventually it could result in physical and anger inside, I have no doubt it’s historic first step on July 20, 1969? I was 15-years-old and in the dining hall of my problems associated with the kidneys. what killed her. She resisted any kind of summer camp called Kamp Kewanee, La Plume, Pa. We crowded around a small Chinese medicine is more complex than intervention, so we let her go through the television with rabbit ears with my kamp buddies watching a very grainy picture.Yet, this, but for the sake of this article I am last 15 years of her life as she wished. Of like many of you, I witnessed this incredible moment. For me, it was the culmination simplifying it. course, Dad felt bad when she died, but of watching blast-offs and splash-downs from the time I was in early elementary Another class I took was in Phoenix at the absence of that pressure is such a school at Somerset Elementary School. We would file into the auditorium, sit on the the Association for Research and relief that he’s doing much better.” This floor and watch these amazing moments year after year. I never failed to feel the Enlightenment. There I learned two suggests than when one is constantly excitement and anticipation. Whether it was the Gemini rockets or the Apollo popular sayings which are attributed to bitter it is not only physically hurtful to (see Adland, page NAT 3) the teachings of Edgar Cayce. They are: that person but also to those close to “Spirit is the life, the mind is the builder, that person. and the body is the result.”and “What you My suggestion to all those who doubt The National Jewish think and what you eat is what you are.” what I have said is to try the following Maimonides, a 12th century philosopher experiment. and physician, taught about the importance Some people will be better at this of a good diet and exercise in order to be exercise than others but in order to get Post &Opinion healthy, but these quotes are mostly the most out of it, include the five senses teaching how the emotions, mind, and (taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight) in www.jewishpostopinion.com spirit affect the physical body. the two scenarios I will ask you to recall. In Some months later in class with Rabbi other words, if one is remembering a beach Editorial and sales offices located at The Jewish Post & Opinion Flam, we read stories from the Talmud experience, think about the sound of the 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 Published biweekly by office: (317) 972-7800 • fax: (317) 972-7807 The Spokesman Co., Inc. such as one where Rabbi Akiva went to waves, imagine the sight of sea gulls flying (USPS 275-580) (ISSN 0888-0379) the house of a person who was bedridden above, the smell of salt water, and the [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at with illness. All he did was sweep the feeling of the wet sand between your toes. Address correspondence to: Indianapolis, IN 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225 floor and leave. The sick person began to Make sure the ringer on your phones All circulation correspondence should be addressed to feel better and recovered. What often is turned off and other distractions are Publishers Advertising Director Accounting The National Jewish Post & Opinion, accompanies illness is a feeling of loneliness. curtailed. Sit quietly in a comfortable Gabriel Cohen, z”l Barbara LeMaster Vivian Chan Subscription Department, This story suggests to me that when chair and close your eyes.Take a few deep Jennie Cohen 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, Indianapolis, IN 46225. Advertising Sales Editors Postmaster send address changes to: someone cares enough to come and visit breaths and let your muscles relax. Begin The National Jewish Post & Opinion, Graphic Design Mary Herring Jennie Cohen an ill person, it alleviates their loneliness to think about one of the happiest times Subscription Department, Charlie Bunes Grechen Throop 238 S. Meridian St., Suite 502, and that helps them to improve. of your life. Where were you? What were Indianapolis, IN 46225.