The National Jewish Post &Opinion Volume 77, Number 8 • May 18, 2011 • 14 Iyar 5771 www.jewishpostopinion.com

A Torah Mantle by Suzanne R. Neusner (see JPO 2). May 18, 2011 JPO 2 Editorial About the Cover Shabbat Shalom

Torah Mantle BY RABBI JON ADLAND My editorial for the Aug. 15, 2007 issue was about a bereavement support group I BY SUZANNE R. NEUSNER May 13, 2011, B’har was attending to help me cope with the (Leviticus 25:1-26:2) 9 Iyar 5771 challenge of losing my father and founder of The Torah is loved and cherished and this newspaper, Gabriel Cohen (1908–2007). it deserves a covering that befits its Pirke Avot 1:65 – Joshua ben Perachyah For the benefit of the other group importance. As a textile artist, I was and Nittai the Arbelite received the Torah members, I had made a list of excerpts challenged to match the outside to the from them. Joshua ben Perachyah said: from sympathy letters that many readers inside, to do justice to the most sacred Provide for yourself a teacher and get of this newspaper had sent to my father in object in Judaism. yourself a friend; and judge every man 1999 when my mother, Helen Cohen died. What I created is a pattern of vines towards merit. In that editorial I wrote, “Some of those around a Star of David. This motif words are here for you, my dear readers, in symbolizes growth and life. The quilting I apologize for the brevity of this hopes that if a time comes when you need medium with its detailed stitching evokes Shabbat Shalom, but it is early Friday to hear or offer words of comfort, they will the detail of the text: the visual hints at morning and I am on my way out to be helpful.” the written. Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) That time of need recently came for me Suzanne Richter Neusner is an artist, for the annual Brotherhood work and I found myself looking again at these working in Rhinebeck, NY. She works in weekend. This is when a bunch of Jewish words of wisdom. It was three days before fabric art and makes chuppot on order. She guys with tools come together to build, fix my father’s fourth yahrzeit, 1 Iyar, when has had work in many shows including one or repair things at camp. Started by the my father’s first cousin Joseph (Joe) woman shows and has won prizes. She can Brotherhood from Toledo, Ohio, it now Buchwald died after a short illness. He be reached at [email protected]. includes men from Dayton, Cincinnati, was 77, and since his mother Belle (my Indianapolis and a few other cities. It is father’s aunt) lived to be 92, I had assumed j i always fun. I would be talking to and visiting him is temporary. We old-timers with enough This year the weekend is bittersweet as many more times in the upcoming years. experience know that there is an end to our during this weekend a special celebration What a lesson in not putting off what can temporal existence and [we] develop our own will be held for the outgoing director of be done right away (calling/visiting)! philosophical outlook and personal faith.” GUCI, Rabbi Ron Klotz, who has led this I didn’t meet Joe until 15 years ago ~ Rabbi Gedalyah Engel, West Lafayette, Ind. camp since 1975. At the end of camp last but he left an indelible impression on me. “We invest a lot of ourselves in our loved (see Adland, page JPO 9) One reason is that he ended his phone one, so that she becomes an integral part of conversations to family and friends with a our own life. No one can replace her…As j i sincere,“I love you.” (Once when he was you know, we must accept God’s inscrutable “Even while we mourn the death of a visiting my father, I heard him talking on will. God’s intended imperfections of our life cherished one, there is room in our hearts for his cell phone, and I realized it wasn’t only and the universe was to inspire us to make thankfulness for that life. We have lost what in phone calls with me.) He also made our life better. We are partners with God, we have had. For those years of love and sure that there was laughter at some point and perhaps some day we will be able to comradeship, there is no adequate compensation. in the conversation because he never conquer some of these diseases and physical Impoverished as we are by the passing of our hung up the phone without telling at least imperfections. In the meanwhile, we must beloved, we would be poorer by far if we one good joke. live this life, with all of its challenges as well never tasted the joy and richness of that Joe set an example of living life to the as fulfillments, the best way we can.” union. May the pain of parting be mitigated fullest, enjoying each moment. He wasn’t ~ Rabbi Harold L. Gelfman, Jacksonville, Fla. by faith in a divine providence, which afraid to express his beliefs. He kept up “Your departed dear one has bequeathed permits no life to be utterly destroyed.” with what was going on in the world innumerable fond and deathless memories, ~ Author Unknown especially politics, sports and finance. which will keep her alive in your hearts and “It is so difficult to know what to say at He had earned a Ph.D. in 1965 from minds for an enduring blessing.” ~ Rabbi a time like this. I hope and pray that soon University of California, Los Angeles, and Morton M. Applebaum, Boca Raton, Fla. your feelings of loss and grief will transform worked until his retirement a couple of “[Even with the best choice of] words, it is to acceptance and peace.” ~ Miriam years ago as Professor of Finance, Real difficult to assuage the pain which is yours. Zimmerman, San Mateo, Calif. Estate and Insurance at California State Prayerfully, the knowledge that you shared “Tragedy and sorrow come to us all – its University Northridge. He had done well her life for so many years in a constructive part of what it means to be human and alive. financially investing in real estate. and rewarding manner will bring you some So if we have one miracle to make our own, He is survived by a daughter Phyllis and measure of comfort in these difficult days. one strength – let it be the strength to turn son Norman, both of California. He will be You and others were immeasurably enriched by curses into blessings, to learn joy from sorely missed. her life and now diminished by her passing.” sadness, and life from death.” ~ Rabbi After rereading these words below, I ~ William Z. Novick, Chicago, Ill. Steven Z. Leder, Los Angeles, Calif. recognized that since the original printing, “Words of comfort are difficult to accept I have added new excerpts (see bottom some of these letter-writers have at a time like this, I know, but having the three) to my original editorial from Aug. themselves passed away. It made me knowledge that so many of your friends share 15, 2007. I plan to continue to add more realize that one is still able to receive your loss will, I hope, be an ameliorating words of comfort to my list so that they comfort from loved ones even though that factor. May the fond memories and good will be there for me again and for you, person is no longer living. times shared…be a source of comfort and dear readers. Until then hopefully we will “It is difficult to accept the reality of death, serve as a means of easing your sorrow.” be experiencing only simchas! but we are born with the awareness that life ~ Philip Lax, Maplewood, N.J. Jennie Cohen, May 18, 2011 May 18, 2011 JPO 3 at the event about the subject of her new Chassidic Rabbi Jews’ News book, The Eichmann Trial (ee review page JPO 23), written while she was the Judith BY RABBI BENZION COHEN B. and Burton P. Resnick Invitational Elie Wiesel presented Scholar at the Museum’s Center for with United States Advanced Holocaust Studies. Home sweet home. Baruch Hashem, This year marks the 65th anniversary of we are very happy to return to the Holy Holocaust Memorial the verdicts at the first Nuremberg trial, Land after traveling around the world for Museum’s inaugural a watershed moment in international five weeks. We are gradually recovering. justice, and the 50th anniversary of the Wed., March 28, we got on a plane in award trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the most Vancouver at 5:30 a.m. and flew four and high-profile postwar recountings of the a half hours to Toronto. There we WASHINGTON, D.C. – The inaugural Nazi genocide and a landmark in public changed planes and flew eleven hours to United States Holocaust Memorial awareness of the Holocaust. Israel. I think this is the most that I have Museum Award was presented at the Days of Remembrance observances will ever flown in one day, and it wasn’t easy. Museum’s National Tribute Dinner to also take place in communities, state houses, However, it was worth it because we got Nobel Laureate and Museum Founding city halls, churches and synagogues in the a royal welcome from our children and Chairman Elie Wiesel for the singular United States and military installations grandchildren. Their love moved me to role he has played worldwide. The Museum has created an tears. in advancing the interactive map allowing people to find The next morning I went to shul to say the cause of Holocaust programs in their area, available at morning prayers. I told myself: “Look how remembrance and www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor/even much my children and grandchildren his significant tmap/. For more information, visit www. love me. I should learn from them, and contributions to ushmm.org. try harder to love my Father, our humanity. The Heavenly Father and Creator. This isn’t Museum has cre- as easy as it might seem. We are in exile. ated this annual Pope John Paul II’s One aspect of exile is that we are far award – its highest honor – to recognize legacy to become from Hashem. Hashem has hidden individuals who have demonstrated himself from us, to the extent that some exceptional leadership in advancing the part of Museum of people don’t even know that He exists. Museum’s vision of a world where people Another aspect of being in exile is that confront hatred, prevent genocide and Tolerance’s permanent we always have many projects to take promote human dignity. exhibit care of and problems to solve. To Wiesel’s extraordinary vision and moral overcome all of the distractions and stature played an indispensable role in the LOS ANGELES – The Simon Wiesenthal think about Hashem is a major project in creation of the United States Holocaust Center announced today that it would itself. But if we try, we can succeed. Memorial Museum and in inspiring a honor the beatification of the late Pope So I tried, and I try every day. When worldwide movement to ensure the John Paul II by including highlights of his I say “And you shall love Hashem, Your lessons of the Holocaust forever shape the historic friendship and solidarity with the G-d with all of your heart”I think about human experience. Jewish people as a part of the permanent how great Hashem is. He created the “It was Elie Wiesel’s conviction that the exhibit of the Center’s renowned Museum earth, the sun, the moon and all of the Museum should be a ‘living’ memorial, of Tolerance in Los Angeles. stars. He gives life and existence to and no one else has done so much to This March, the Center honored John everything. I think about all that Hashem honor the victims of the Holocaust by Paul II with its Medal of Valor at a ceremony has given me and how much He does working tirelessly to create a more just in New York. At the behest of Pope for me. For a minute or two I feel love for world in their memory,” said Museum Benedict XVI, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Hashem, and then other thoughts come Director Sara J. Bloomfield. “His legacy Papal Nuncio to the United States received into my mind: All of the things that I to humanity is unique and extraordinary. the medal on behalf of the Vatican. have to take care of today, and all of the It is our great privilege to present him with “Pope John Paul II will always have a problems that need to be solved. the institution’s inaugural award.” special place of honor in the hearts of Jews These moments of love for Hashem Historian Deborah Lipstadt also spoke everywhere. In our two private audiences are very special. But why is it so hard to (see News, page JPO 4) hold onto them? Because we are in j i exile. How do we get out of exile? We and take us out of exile. By proclaiming want Moshiach now! Moshiach will take “May our King, our Master and Teacher, us out of exile. When Moshiach comes Moshiach, live forever and ever.” we will all be close to Hashem, all of the Starting at sunset on Wed., May 4 was time! There will not be any distractions. the yahrzeit of out dear father, Gavriel Then our love for Hashem will come Moshe, the son of Yizchak Michoel Cohen. naturally, just like we love our family now. Light a candle for him, and learn some How do we bring Moshiach? By learning Torah and do some mitzvahs for his sake. more Torah, especially the teachings of We hope that these mitzvahs will bring the Baal Shem Tov and his followers. By Moshiach, and then Dad will come back to returning to Hashem and doing more life, together with all of Israel. mitzvahs, by spreading Torah and Rabbi Cohen lives in K’far Chabad, Rabbi Marvin Hier of the The Simon mitzvahs to all people. By asking Israel. He can be reached by email at Wiesenthal Center meets with Pope John Hashem, our Father, to have mercy on us [email protected]. Paul II in 2003 in Vatican, Rome. May 18, 2011 JPO 4 NEWS Xavier University are sponsoring the day’s Awards including Best Picture, Best (continued from page JPO 3) activities with HUC-JIR, as part of an Director, and Best Screenplay. official program in celebration of Jewish “The Jewish Film Club was conceived with the Pope, we experienced firsthand American Heritage Month. because after a decade in search of the the uniqueness of this great man; from the “It is so meaningful that this event very best in independent and foreign film, very beginning of his pontificate, the celebrating 100 years of this campus of we found that so many great Jewish films warmth of his interaction – particularly HUC-JIR is taking place during May, are produced every year and unfortunately how he engaged in conversation with Jewish American Heritage Month only a handful ever get the recognition each of the Holocaust survivors who were (JAHM),” says Abby Schwartz, national and viewership they so rightfully deserve,” members of our delegation,” recalled coordinator of JAHM. “The collaboration said Adley Gartenstein, president of Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of between HUC, the American Jewish Film Movement. the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who along Committee and Xavier University is exactly The Jewish Film Club is sponsored by with Larry A. Mizel, Chairman of the what JAHM is all about – community JDate®, the premier online Jewish personal Board of Trustees, presented the Medal of organizations working together to raise community since 1997. Chai Lifeline, an Valor posthumously to the late Pontiff. awareness and increase knowledge and organization renowned for bringing joy “As early as 1983, we could see that this understanding of the contributions that and hope to families of children with life- Pope would go on to make history. John Jewish Americans have made to the fabric threatening illnesses and serious chronic Paul II will be remembered for charting a of American history, society and culture.” conditions, will receive a portion of funds new course in the often-troubled relationship HUC itself dates back to 1875, but it from each membership. For more between the Church and the Jewish people. wasn’t until 1911 that it actually built a information, please visit www.chailife He was the first Pope in the 2000-year history campus.Today that campus is an historical line.org. For more information, visit of the Church to pray in a synagogue, the site with the Klau Library, the Skirball www.jewishfilmclub.com. first visit a concentration camp, and the Museum, the Scheuer Chapel and The first to recognize the State of Israel,”Rabbi Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the Immigration reform Hier added.“We want these achievements American Jewish Archives. to be part of the permanent installation of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute timeline is vital the Museum of Tolerance so that they may of Religion educates men and women for “We call on the President and Members of be a living testimony to his remarkable service to American and world Jewry as rabbis, Congress to remember, above all, that this life and a source of inspiration for future cantors, educators, and communal service nation is a nation of immigrants, and is in generations,”Rabbi Hier concluded. professionals, and offers graduate and post- desperate need of compassionate, effective graduate degree programs for scholars of all reform.” ~ Rabbi Saperstein faiths with campuses in Cincinnati, Los Centennial anniversary Angeles, New York, and Jerusalem. WASHINGTON,D.C.,MAY 12, 2011 – In of Hebrew Union College Jewish American Heritage Month response to President Obama’s speech (JAHM) is a national month of recognition this week about immigration reform, Hebrew Union College – Jewish of the more than 350-year history of Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Institute of Religion is opening its doors Jewish contributions to American culture, Religious Action Center of Reform to all to launch the celebration of the celebrated in May. JAHM acknowledges the Judaism, issued the following statement: 100th anniversary of its Clifton campus achievements of Jewish Americans in President Obama’s speech in El Paso in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sun., May 22. The fields ranging from sports and arts and this week on the issue of immigration anniversary celebration has been scheduled entertainment to medicine, business, reform has drawn renewed attention to for the same weekend as the school’s science, government, and military service. the very real problem of our broken graduations and ordinations. The school is immigration system. After years of the nation’s oldest institution of higher First-ever Jewish failed efforts, including legislation to Jewish education and the academic, comprehensively overhaul our system or spiritual and professional leadership Film-of-the-Month target specific shortcomings, immigration development center of Reform Judaism. reform remains a vital policy challenge. “This anniversary is an occasion to Club launches in The President laid out his vision of the celebrate not only the professional and North America most important parts of comprehensive faith-based support HUC-JIR provides immigration reform – promoting family for the American Jewish people, but also NEW YORK, NY – Film Movement will unity; meeting legitimate labor market the role the institution has played, and launch the first-ever North American needs; offering a pathway for undocumented continues to do so, in enriching and Jewish Film-of-the-Month Club on May students; and championing a program of shaping the larger community, both in the 9, 2011, the company announced today. earned legalization for those who entered Greater Cincinnati area and elsewhere The Jewish Film Club is a subscription- the country illegally. At the same time, we throughout the United States and based service, which provides members are acutely aware that the President did beyond,”says Dr. Jonathan Cohen, director (in the U.S. and Canada) access to an not issue any executive orders, or set hard of outreach of HUC-JIR in Cincinnati. award-winning Jewish-themed feature deadlines for achievement. His lack of Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., president film and bonus short film every other month concrete policy prescriptions is disappointing. of HUC-JIR, a distinguished scholar before released to the general public. The We are also encouraged by the re-intro- and a dedicated leader of the Reform films are made available to own on DVD duction of the DREAM Act in Congress Movement, will kick off the anniversary and to view via online streaming. by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and celebration with a talk,“The Contribution The multi-award winning The Human Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA- of the Jewish Seminary to American Life Resources Manager will be the Jewish Film 28) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), and Scholarship.” Club’s first film. It was Israel’s Foreign following President Obama’s address. The The American Jewish Committee and Language Oscar Submission in 2011 as DREAM Act, which came so close to the Brueggeman Center for Dialogue at well as winner of five (5) Israeli Academy (see News, page JPO 23) May 18, 2011 JPO 5 parade of entrepreneurs today. Reduced Jewish to a very simple formula, they boil down Jewish to “ARF”: attitude, relationships and the failure factor. Educator Israelis develop an attitude about America authority in the Israeli Defense Force BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN (IDF) which transfers beautifully into the BY HOWARD W. KARSH business world. Since most Israelis serve Watching Israel in the military immediately following high Israeli justice on school (men for 3 years, women for 2), a grow into a common culture is established between trial – the pending Israeli youth that binds them together, “Start Up” Nation literally for life. Soldiers are taught from indictment of the start to work together as a team; it is I recently returned from a fantastic imperative for their safety, the nation’s Avigdor Lieberman trip to Israel – an interfaith business and security and the success of their mission. leadership delegation sponsored by the But unlike many other military models, The record of successful litigations American Israel Friendship League. Our the Israeli army has an informal quality against highly placed Israeli cabinet group consisted of 29 dynamic Tucsonans among its ranks that has been described ministers is quite impressive. From the – a vibrant mix of faiths, ethnicities, as “anti-hierarchical.” office of president, prime minister and professional backgrounds and expertise. IDF commanders are given nicknames cabinet minister, they usually succeed, but Together we explored the rich tapestry by their units, they make coffee for their for those of us used to the American of religious, archeological, business and troops and hang out with them, telling system of initial indictments, the process cultural sites that makes Israel so unique. jokes and stories. Soldiers are encouraged seems unusually cruel. Toward the end of the trip, each participant and expected to assert themselves, to Look at the present case of Avigdor had the opportunity to experience a day voice their opinions and ideas, in a Lieberman, the Russian born defense long “counterpart exchange” with Israelis respectful way that fosters debate and the minister in the Netanyahu cabinet. in their fields of interest in order to learn rethinking of strategies. We might see this According to the headlines, the decision to and share knowledge, expertise and as arrogant or insubordinate, as totally indict may be months away, but the innovations in medicine, art, technology, unacceptable in the US military, but charges are in the headlines, and both his education and venture capitalism. Israelis view this type of chutzpah (which career and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s I lived in Israel in 1974–5 when I was a means “nerve” in Yiddish) as positive. A government are frozen in time. junior in college and Israel was only 26 soldier with chutzpah, who respectfully The process of corruption at high levels years old. It’s hard to reconcile the Israel of disagrees with his commander, is not is much more than a Middle East distrac- today with the one I knew back when my punished, but applauded. tion, it is embarrassment for the Israelis apartment had no hot water or heat and in Israelis take this attitude with them into and for all of us in the Diaspora. order to call home, I had to take a bus to the work force where it serves to promote Rationally, we know that Israel is rightfully the central post office in downtown original thinking, encourage respectful allowed a certain number of greedy Jerusalem where a row of public phones debate between employees and their politicians, but that doesn’t give us a lined the wall like soldiers. superiors and challenge old paradigms stomach for it. Lieberman, a far-to-the- Over the past 37 years, I have watched that are no longer working. right politician in dealing with the Israel develop from a third world The Israeli attitude inspires less formal Palestinians, has become a national leader adolescent country to a robust, maturing, and more trusting relationships between for many in the settlements who want a high-tech nation. At 63, Israel is the most employers and employees. Because of strong voice. If he goes down, what part innovative and entrepreneurially successful the informality that is accepted and the of the opposition to “giving away the land” country in the world. According to chutzpah that is expected, people at will go with him? journalists Dan Senor and Saul Singer, every level of business are more willing (see Karsh, page JPO 23) authors of Start-Up Nation, Israel has the and able to debate and disagree with one highest per capita density of start-ups in another without fear of recrimination. j i the world and has more companies listed This reduces the amount of back-biting, used in the future and will become the on NASDAQ than all the companies from gossip and negative competition because springboard for the next generation of the entire European continent. In 2008, disagreements are aired openly and freely. assumptions. The question is not “What per capita venture capital investments in Relationships at work are built on the did we do wrong?” but “What have we Israel were 2.5 times greater than those in same principle as those in the army: that learned and what do we need to know to the US, 30 times greater than in Europe, the group must work together and trust take this idea to the next level?” 80 times greater than in China and 350 one another in order to accomplish the There is no doubt that Israel has made times great than in India. business’s end goal. many mistakes and has much to learn in What are some of the secrets to Israel’s What is most impressive however, is its trajectory from third world country to success? Why, despite all of the hardships the Israeli reaction to failure. In many start-up nation. But we stand to gain she faces daily while struggling to remain countries, including our own, there is a much, as individuals and as a country, if the only genuine democracy in the Middle tendency to view failure as negative. we consider the values and attitudes that East, is Israel able to outshine all other But in Israel, when a drug trial fails or an have served her so well in her success as countries in the development of innovative idea falls short, the failure is seen as value front runner in the entrepreneurship race. business practices and enterprising neutral if it is grounded in intelligent, Lederman is an award winning author, entrepreneurial efforts? well-reasoned assumptions. If the risk Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney There are three significant reasons that taken is rational and not reckless, the who lives in Tucson. Visit her website at Israel is listed Number One on the hit failure will be seen as information to be amyhirshberglederman.com. May 18, 2011 JPO 6 It seems that many legislators are not Rewards of Truth must at all concerned about separating fact from fiction when it comes to the issue of welcoming be told funding Planned Parenthood. They distort facts, spread misinformation and create a Russian, other fictional caricature of an organization they immigrants BY RABBI SANDY SASSO are intent on maligning. Here are the facts: When telling stories to children, I am Public funding for Planned Parenthood often asked whether the story is true. In is used to provide contraception, cancer BY RABBIS other words, at a certain age, children screenings, testing for sexually transmitted want to distinguish fact from fiction. As diseases and preventive health care for DENNIS C. they grow up they want to know what is more than 22,000 low-income women AND SANDY scientifically verifiable and what is fantasy. and men in Indiana. EISENBERG SASSO These services constitute 94 percent of j i what Planned Parenthood of Indiana does. Among the more misguided legislative Circles that helped to resettle several There are not enough other agencies in proposals to come before the General hundred new immigrants in Indianapolis. the state to offer these lifesaving services. Assembly this session is Senate Bill 590, They were welcomed, provided with Federal dollars are not used for abortions. which addresses illegal immigration. housing, clothing, food and resources. There is no reliable scientific evidence Patterned after a similar bill in Arizona, They were assisted in finding employment that suggests that abortion causes infertility. which already has proven detrimental to and advancing their education. They were Access to contraception decreases the the best interests of that state, SB 590 afforded medical care and emotional number of unwanted pregnancies. would invite racial and ethnic profiling support. At the 20th anniversary celebration Many who support the defunding and infringe on civil and human rights. It we learned how this community, now of Planned Parenthood also oppose the would send the wrong message to legal numbering more than a thousand, has dissemination of contraceptives. immigrants who might bring new business, grown and prospered: Planned Parenthood does not promote new investments and new talent to our state. Sixty-nine former immigrants work at abortions or force women to choose to Immigration reform is a serious issue Eli Lilly and Co. and at other local and have one. In fact, its work decreases that needs to be addressed by the federal national pharmaceutical companies. the number of abortions by preventing government in pragmatic and compassionate Forty-one Russian trained physicians unintended pregnancy through birth ways that are enforceable and humane. work at hospitals and medical centers control and education. Passing separate state laws complicates around the city and state. Every public dollar spent on family compliance and multiplies expenses. Thirty hold research and professorial planning in Indiana saves taxpayers $4.78 The biblical legacy enjoins us to treat the positions at Indiana University-Purdue in state and federal Medicaid costs. stranger with fairness and hospitality. University Indianapolis and at Butler and Indiana could potentially lose $4 million More often than the commandment to Purdue universities. in federal family planning money if “Love your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:18), These immigrants are now teachers, lawmakers were to defund Planned the Hebrew Scriptures admonish 36 plumbers and electricians; they have Parenthood of Indiana. Federal law times: “The stranger (immigrant) who engineering and programming positions prohibits states from choosing which sojourns with you shall be to you as the with private enterprise and with the state providers can offer family planning home-born and you shall love him as of Indiana. services to Medicaid patients. yourself”(Leviticus 19:33). One young female, a cosmetologist upon Tragically, there are those who won’t let Fearing the consequences of wrongful arrival, went to seminary and was ordained the facts get in the way of their beliefs – legislation, a broad coalition of citizens a rabbi; another operates a successful religious or political. In Texas a bill that would and organizations, including the business, foreign children’s adoption service. have required the state’s “abstinence- religious and academic communities, has Forty-four have grown their own only” sex education program to impart signed The Indiana Compact, affirming small and large businesses and provide medically accurate information died in an immigration policy that is secure employment for hundreds of Hoosiers. committee. So much for telling the truth. and friendly, strong and hospitable. Our These former immigrants are now It seems that that if you repeat misinfor- goal is a society that champions business raising families, strengthening faith and mation and untruths loudly enough, opportunities, protection of civil rights values. With their gifts of dance, music and passionately enough, often enough and and the education, health and well-being the visual arts, they enrich the culture of authoritatively enough, you can find of our children and families. our city and state. enough people to believe you. Recently, the Jewish community of Imagine how impoverished we would be No one wants to see an increase in the Indianapolis celebrated the 20th anniversary without the contributions in commerce, number of abortions. All the inflammatory of the arrival of immigrants from the culture and science of these and many other rhetoric to the contrary, those who former Soviet Union. The process started immigrants of different regions and ethnicities. support Planned Parenthood hold life – all with the collapse of the Iron Curtain and Let us not be driven by fear and life – with reverence. the concerted efforts of American Jewish suspicion. Let us build, instead, on our The facts tell us that the most effective organizations to secure emigration rights heritage of Hoosier hospitality with clarity way to decrease unwanted pregnancies and for families that suffered persecution due of mind and generosity of spirit. thereby to decrease abortions is to provide to their religious and cultural identities. The Sassos were the first rabbinic couple medically accurate sex education and access In concert with international efforts, the and have been senior rabbis at Congregation to birth control. Sadly, there are those who Jewish Federation, the synagogues of our Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis since 1977. do not want the truth to be told. Self- city and the National Council of Jewish Reprinted from the Indianapolis Star, April righteousness is not a barometer of truth. Women coordinated a program of Family 5, 2011. (see S. Sasso, page JPO 19) May 18, 2011 JPO 7 identity and a head full of inexperience. An Observant Spoonful of Then he chances to stare into that copper disc that illuminates his new world. It beams over all. Eye Humor Still sitting on the green Savannah and swiveling his head in all directions, BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN BY TED ROBERTS because the Lord of creation has put a potion called curiosity into his bloodstream: A song from beyond A fable: Adam unappreciated at the time by Adam but destined to feed his intellect. So much to My dear mother, of blessed memory, sees the light see that it took many hours to inscribe it has been gone for 22 years. Her yahrtzeit, all in his heretofore blank brain like the the Jewish anniversary of her passing, 22 Can you imagine Adam – G-d’s first honeybee fills his comb with nectar. Adar I, fell on a Shabbos this year, several human creation in Eden’s green meadow? Then among his recording of his weeks ago. All who knew her will readily See him, newly minted. His fresh body surroundings, he made an alarming testify that she was one of the kindest, gleaming and his mind totally empty of observation. That bright orange thing was most caring people they had ever met. facts, attitudes, and opinions – as empty as no longer straight ahead. The trees on the Despite her transplantation from Poland Eden is of thorn bushes – ready to begin far horizon appeared to consume it. And to the U.S. as a little girl, and then the loss its lifelong task of accumulation of data he could no longer see the sharp outlines of her grandmother, a brother and her and weaving that data into an intellect. He of trees and mountains. In fact, the father when she was a teen, no scars of turns slowly 360 degrees, a full circle, and creatures that had been joyfully bounding those challenges were ever evident in her takes in grass and forests, and flowers, in the woods were no longer visible to interactions with people – the moment and mountains, and brooks, all covered by him. Darkness was replacing light. He she met you she began caring for you – a blue dome. trembled. Even a partially stocked brain and she was the most wonderful mother As he registers every throb of the new knew that somehow darkness meant any child could ask for. creation in the lush, green grass of Eden blindness and blindness was death. And And she was present at our Shabbos and wonders at his consciousness – as as the trees pulled more and more of the table on her yahrtzeit this year. She even flimsy as the few white clouds that sail light below the horizon, Adam’s blindness taught my grandson a song. above him, he looks closer and sees the increased. He chose to run to escape this Two year old Shmuel, who was visiting songbirds. And look, there are small danger, but he fell over a large boulder. He with his parents and little brother, is an creatures in the grass and larger ones rose, only to run into a tree. He resumed adorable, rambunctious little boy; to his hopping and bounding amongst the trees. his running – somewhere there must be good fortune, his propensity to display his Truly, a brave new world full of creatures light and he must find it. He was cold and impressive pitching arm and ability to unlike himself that are necessary for him blind and fearful all at once. break things have been divinely counter- to understand – he who at birth has no (see Roberts, page JPO 15) balanced with preternaturally blue eyes and a smile that could melt Pharaoh’s j i j i heart. He’s a quick learner too. the song and the motion, much to the time hosting our grandson. He managed At one point, someone at the meal amusement of Shmuel, who then shouted to break only one child-proof gate, open claimed to be directionally challenged, “Yemin!”three times, complete with hand only one child-proof cabinet (though needing to consciously think about which motion. As we all laughed, I realized with several times) and drop just one book into way was right and which was left. I smiled a start that, my goodness!, my mother the aquarium. (My wife’s quick move as I realized, and explained, how I came to had just reached through the years – on prevented Shmuel’s socks from following.) have a split-second recognition of which her yahrtzeit no less! – and taught her That Friday night, when I returned from way is right. great-grandson a song. shul, the house was very quiet. Shmuel When I was a little boy, probably a bit Of course, I think she is constantly had been put to bed, but hadn’t yet fallen older than Shmuel, I would accompany teaching him, many other more important asleep. To soothe him and ensure that he my mother on Shabbos afternoons to the things as well. Every time I am moved to didn’t climb out of his crib (something in shul in Baltimore’s Lower Park Heights do something kind or considerate, I know which he has considerable expertise and neighborhood where my father, may he be it is her legacy (bequeathed to her no less experience) and wreak havoc, our daughter well, was rabbi. There, she would host a by her parents) that I am, if imperfectly, was sitting in the darkened room with gathering of neighborhood children for embracing, and hopefully passing on to him. He was babbling quietly, probably snacks and songs and stories. One song others. My wife and I, and our children – planning his mischief for the next day. has remained with me over the more than Shmuel’s mother among them – along While we were waiting for the babble to half-century since. It consisted of the verse with their spouses are all links in a chain fade to the peaceful slow breathing of “Kol rina viy’shua bi’oholei tzaddikim; of generations, passing on the Jewish well-deserved sleep, my wife excitedly yemin Hashem osoh choyil”: “The sound of beliefs and values we have absorbed from motioned to me to come closer to the rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of our forebears to the young with whom bedroom door, which was slightly ajar. the righteous; Hashem’s right hand does we have been entrusted. In fact, being And then, bringing me a rush – and a valiantly” (Tehillim 118, 15). And, in the such links is arguably our most important smile leavened with a tear – I heard what song, the word for “right hand”– yemin – role in life. And whether we’re adequately she had: “Yemin!”Shmuel’s little-boy voice was repeated with gusto thrice, each time filling it should be our constant concern. was piping.“Yemin! Yemin!” with everyone thrusting a right fist into More recently, my wife, perhaps in the © 2011 AMI MAGAZINE the air. spirit of chaos associated with the season, Rabbi Shafran is an editor at large And so, I recounted, I need only think of invited Shmuel’s parents to leave him with and columnist for Ami Magazine. the word yemin and my right arm starts us for the Shabbos before Purim, an offer Communications to: rabbishafran@ami automatically to move. I demonstrated they couldn’t refuse. We had a wonderful magazine.org. May 18, 2011 JPO 8 mantra to repeat! All healing comes from are a beautiful being, created in the image Kabbalah our connection to God. of the divine. Affirm that about yourself. There has been sufficient research to If you feel regret or guilt over something of the Month document the power of prayer to effect you have done, forgive yourself and healing. People who pray are healthier forgive others. Punishing yourself is not and people who are prayed for recover helpful. Affirm to do better in the future. BY MELINDA RIBNER more quickly and completely, whether Ask for forgiveness and make amends if they know they are being prayed for or you hurt someone. Iyar began May 4 – not. Take a peek at Larry Dossey’s books, 6) Meditate and repeat affirmations particularly, Prayer is Good Medicine. for five minutes or more each day; a time for letting go There are so many stories of people who “Blessed is God the true Healer,” “God is were healed through love and prayer. healing me right now.”Visualize yourself and for being open During this month, we increase our faith surrounded by God’s light and love each and our skill in praying for ourselves, for day. Speak lovingly to the body part that is Iyar is a time of letting go of what does others and for the world that is in such hurting. Give that body part special love not support one’s well being – what is need of healing by refining ourselves, and attention. toxic and false, and a time for being open reducing anger and jealousy, speaking and 7) Pray for healing each day. You need to what does support one’s well being – thinking positively, and by strengthening God’s help to heal. You may even have what is true and real. It has been taught our connection with God and others. gotten ill just so you would reach the point that the Jewish people were on the 49th There is a kabbalistic process of “Counting of calling out to God in a sincere way. level of impurity before they were lifted the Omer”that encourages us to refine our Pray for the healing of others as well. out of Egypt. Now we go through a period character traits. Make a prayer list of people who need of 49 days beginning on Passover that healing, need livelihood, a soul mate, and culminates with Shavuos on the 50th day, such. When you stand in prayer with a list a period of time for rectification to People who pray are of needs of others, it is more powerful prepare us to be ready to receive the light than when you make requests just for of Torah on Shavuos. May it be a gentle healthier and people who yourself. You receive more spiritually. time of blessing and healing for each of us. Even if you yourself are sick, pray for others. During Passover, we entered a new are prayed for recover more 8) Do meditations with God’s name. order, whether we experienced it or not. The Yud, Hay and Vav and Hay. Place the It is natural to feel some restlessness and quickly and completely, divine name in your body. (See book New uncertainty after Passover for we are Age Judaism or my CD, Arousal from adjusting to this new alignment. We are whether they know they Below for meditation guidance. If you do on a new journey. We need to be mindful not know the letters of the Divine Name, that we are going forward. Spring is are being prayed for or not. and even if you do, visualize yourself in a emerging and it asks something new to Jewish star filled with divine light. come forth from within us as well. Below are ten more suggestions to 9) Nourish yourself physically by The Hebrew letters for the name of Iyar promote healing. eating natural food, drinking pure water, spell out the initials of the verse, Ani Yud- 1) Do not worry. Worry does not help exercising, and spending time in the sun Yud Rofecha. “I am God your Healer.” the person who is sick at all, rather it each day. Eliminate negative eating, Between Passover and Shavuos, we enter makes a person contract, and not be drinking or other destructive behaviors to a special time, according to kabbalah that available for healing. Cultivate faith in the body. Seek alternative approaches is devoted to healing. Healing is the G-d’s ability to heal you and others. There like acupuncture and spiritual energy movement towards a greater sense of is some hidden good in everything that is healing to support healing. Your body wholeness, of well being. My friend Leah happening. Find the good. wants to heal. Sands pointed out that there is a similarity 2) Choose to live in the present. Do not 10) Make an effort to reach out to others between the English word for illness waste energy thinking too much about to uplift them. Say kind words to others. and that for wellness. In wellness there what was or what will be. We have only Do not speak loshen hara (gossip). Do not is the “we”and illness that is the “I”. In the present moment. When we are aware speak badly about others. Hug as many wellness we feel unified with others, with and present in the moment, we are open people as you can each day. We all need life, we feel whole and balanced within to the Divine Presence. Celebrate the gift more hugging. Give charity. It opens the ourselves. In illness, we feel separated, of life in each moment as fully as you can. gates for healing. Even if you are poor, it disconnected, alone. Take deep calming breaths throughout will be helpful to give charity. Love is a powerful force of healing. Love the day. May we each heal on a personal level. enables us to truly relax and open. To 3) Do something each day to promote May the whole world heal and be brought genuinely love others is to be a channel healing for yourself and others. Be good to to a greater well being and wholeness. for God’s love to flow through you. yourself. Be good to others. Melinda (Mindy) Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a Loving others heals you and the other 4) Count your blessings each day. Being spiritual psychotherapist and healer in private person as well. To know that one is loved grateful opens the heart so one can receive practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She unconditionally by God is healing. healing. Today was a day when I is a teacher of Jewish meditation and The Talmud reminds us that those in ______. Write in your journal what Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of prison can not free themselves. Being ill is you received and learned each day. Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age a kind of prison. When people are ill on 5) Eliminate feelings of guilt and Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is what ever level they experience contraction, shame. Guilt is the feeling that you did also the founder and director of Beit Miriam it is natural that they often call out to God something wrong. Shame is the feeling (www.Beitmiriam.org). She can be reached for healing. God tells us this month “I am that you are inadequate. Healing is by email at [email protected] God Your Healer.” What a powerful blocked by feelings of shame and guilt.You or [email protected]. May 18, 2011 JPO 9 “Would you carry my bag to the car?” she ADLAND Wiener’s asked. I took the suitcase to the cab then (continued from page JPO 2) returned to assist the woman. She kept Wisdom thanking me for my kindness. summer, Ron said that he was retiring “It’s nothing,” I replied. “I just try to treat effective June 1. Through Ron’s work, my passengers the way I would want my effort, creativity, and leadership GUCI has BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. mother treated.” become the magical place that it is. “Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. Thousands of children have come to this Some thoughts When we got in the cab, she gave me the special place as one kind of person and address, and then asked, “Could you drive left a better one knowing more about who about life through downtown?” he or she is, more about his or her Jewish “It’s not the shortest way,” I answered. soul, and ready to face the world. Many of As we age it seems that the gates to “Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no these children have returned in leadership eternity open too frequently. So many hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.” I looked positions and some have gone on to people have begun a different journey; in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were become Jewish professionals – rabbis, a journey that does not include our glistening. “I don’t have any family left,” cantors, educators. GUCI will continue, participation but brings tears to our eyes she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have the magic will always be there and for that and thoughts of our own mortality. very long.” we have Rabbi Ron Klotz to thank. On The difficulty in saying farewell leaves I quietly turned off the meter. “What route Saturday night about 150 of Ron’s friends, an ache that permeates our being. The would you like me to take?” I asked. colleagues, and former GUCI staff will join absence can sometimes be daunting and For the next few hours we drove through together to say “thank you”. we begin to question whether we did the city. She showed me the building where Many of you reading this message today enough or said enough to really matter. she had once worked, the neighborhood went to camp as a youth and some of People, in general, do not remember what where she and her husband had lived when this group attended a Jewish camp. You we say, what we did, but they will always they were newlyweds. She asked me to stop understand what camp means to a person remember how you made them feel. I in front of a warehouse and told me that it and a life. The friendships are forever and was reminded of this when I read the once was a ballroom where she had gone the experience is inexplicable when you following story: dancing as a girl. Sometimes she would ask come home from your 2 or 4 or 8 weeks in Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a me to slow in front of a particular building a cabin bonding with old friends and new. living. It was great being my own boss with or corner and would sit staring into the (I went to a camp where we slept in tents no one to answer to. What I didn’t realize darkness, saying nothing. mounted on wooden platforms.) Jewish was that it was also a ministry. Because I As the sun began to rise, she suddenly camp adds the component of deepening drove the night shift, my cab became a said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.” one’s relationship with Judaism. Lessons moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, We drove in silence to the address she are taught, Hebrew songs sung, prayers sat behind me in total anonymity, and told had given me. It was a convalescent home. said, and Jewish living that can’t be me about their lives. I encountered people Two orderlies came out and watching every experienced in the suburbs today becomes whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, and move, they helped her. I guess they were a short term reality at camp. I have been at made me laugh and weep. expecting her. camp most of my life for a week or two or But none touched me more than the I opened the trunk and took the small a month or two. It is a part of who I am woman I picked up late one August night. suitcase to the door. The woman was already and I am grateful for these experiences. If I was responding to a call from a small in a wheelchair. “How much do I owe you?” you’ve been to camp, then take just a brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I she asked, reaching into her purse. moment to remember a good moment or assumed I was being sent to pick up some “Nothing,” I said. a good friend. partiers, or someone who had just had a fight “You have to make a living,” she I need to leave so let me say personally with a lover, or a worker heading to an early answered. to Rabbi Ron Klotz, thank you for GUCI shift at some factory. “There are other passengers,” I responded. and thank you for your friendship. Yo u When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building I bent down to give her a hug. She held onto leave a legacy behind of fruitful years of was dark except for a single light in a ground me tightly. work, love, vision, and commitment to floor window. Many drivers would probably “You gave an old woman a little moment Jewish life, Israel, and the future. You will just honk, wait a minute, and then drive of joy,” she said. “Thank you.” I walked be missed and your work will continue away. But I had seen too many impoverished away. Behind me a door shut. It was the this summer and for many to come. people who depended on taxis as their only sound of the closing of a life. When you light your Shabbat candles means of transportation. Unless a situation All sorts of thoughts ran through my this evening, light one for the spirit of smelled of danger, I always went to the door. mind like, “What if someone didn’t take the Jewish camping that has touched so many Perhaps this person needed some assistance, time to be with her or drive her around or souls in a positive, lasting way. Light the I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door listen to her stories?” I don’t think I ever did other candle for the Shabbat memories at and knocked. anything more important in my life. We are GUCI that so many of us have and will “Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly conditioned to think that our lives revolve never forget. voice. After a long pause, the door opened. A around great moments. But great moments Thank you, Ron. small woman in her 80s stood before me often catch us unaware – beautifully Rabbi Adland has been leading Reform dragging a suit case, wearing a print dress wrapped in what others may consider a congregations for more than 25 years in and a pillbox hat. The apartment looked as if no small one. Lexington, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind., and one had lived in it for years. All the furniture Here we are, summer is approaching beginning July 1, Temple Israel in Canton, was covered with sheets. There were no clocks and we still have the same troubles that Ohio. He may be reached at j.adland on the walls, any knickknacks or utensils on the were with us this past winter and spring. @gmail.com. counters. And in the corner was a cardboard Will this season be different or will it be box filled with photos and glassware. (see Wiener, page JPO 23) May 18, 2011 JPO 10 the Jews of China. Dr. Pan was a principal Shipping my speaker. Les and Claudia invited me to attend the conference. They introduced rabbinic educational me to Dr. Pan Guang and I asked him if he would be willing to speak at my Temple in material to The Worcester, which he kindly accepted. Were it not for Israel’s and China’s diplomatic Center for Jewish bilateral recognition, most likely the conference would not have occurred, and Studies, Shanghai, most certainly, Les and Claudia would not have introduced me to Dr. Pan. And our Rabbi Seth Bernstein stands in the sanctuary China, 1971–2011 lives would have continued to develop of Temple Sinai with his wife, Marsha. Photo along very separate paths. BY RABBI SETH L. BERNSTEIN,D.MIN. credit: John Ferrarone. My wife, Marsha, travels extensively in A speech given in Shanghai, China on Sinai and members of the Worcester Asia recruiting International students for May 4, 2011 Jewish community who financed and her high school. I joined Marsha in a supported this venture, and most trip to China in November 2008. Some Dr. Pan, President Pan, faculty and especially, Les and Claudia Ross of Beijing months before that November trip, when I students of the Center for Jewish and Worcester who introduced me to Dr. was fast approaching my 60th birthday the Studies Shanghai, Shanghai Academy of Pan in 1992 and have been instrumental following May, I began the journey of Social Sciences, Consul General Camp, throughout the years of this project. I gifting my educational material to Dr. Pan members of the United States Consulate, wish to share a bit of the story of how this and the CJSS. It was a dream. But then Consul General Eldan, honored guests, project came about and unfolded. again, biblical Isaiah had his dreams, too. and friends: I am named after my maternal Before leaving, I had made a DVD of all My wife, Marsha, and I are thrilled to grandfather, Sam Levin, who hailed from my educational material. join this celebration. We left Worcester on Yirkutsk, Siberia, a city one fourth the May 1, a date with significance in this distance to Shanghai than is Worcester, country of a student movement in Mass. My grandfather was a cantor and The only place in the entire 1919 protesting the award of German kosher butcher. I bear his Hebrew name, concessions to Japan by the Versailles Yishayahu, the name of the biblical world, whose doors were Treaty. It is also regarded as the start of prophet, Isaiah. My grandfather was a the vernacular movement in literature and passionate Zionist whose lifelong dream open continually from education. On the Jewish calendar, we left came true on the 5th day of the Hebrew on Yom Hashoah, the day of commemorating month of Iyar, May 14, 1948, when the 1933–1940, was none the Holocaust and resistance. Today, on State of Israel was born. He lived to see his the Jewish calendar is the first day of the Zionist dream come true and died two other than Shanghai. Hebrew month of Iyar, a day sandwiched weeks later. between Yom Hashoah, and Israel I was born a year later on Israel’s first I happened to visit Dr. Pan and the Independence Day. Five days from today, birthday, 5 Iyar, but in 1949, the date was Center on the eve of the 70th anniversary Jews will observe Israel’s 63rd birthday. May 4, 1949. Today, May 4, 2011, is my of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, This Shanghai Jewish moment, like so 62nd birthday and I can think of receiving Nov. 7, 2008. That day I met with Dr. Pan, many others in this incredible city, is no better birthday gift than to know that Professor Zhou, faculty and students from framed by this city’s unique and heroic my rabbinic educational material is in the the Center. In addition, I also met several harboring efforts during the Holocaust and hands of the CJSS for research study and Jews who had been part of the Shanghai its own relationship and that of the Chinese furthering knowledge of Jews in China, Jewish community in the late 1930’s, who people’s relationship with the Jewish Asia, and beyond. were to speak at the Germany Embassy people and the modern State of Israel. My collection started 40 years ago in that evening. Before I left, I met with It is a privilege beyond measure to be 1971 and was mostly built through the Dr. Pan and gave him the DVD and asked present on this occasion as we dedicate generosity of my rabbinic mentor, Rabbi if he and the CJSS would be willing the gift of educational material to the Bernard Mehlman. He has considered to accept the donation of all my Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai gifting his library abroad, and that idea educational material. (CJSS). No words can express my sincere implanted the seed for me to donate On Feb. 15, 2010 – well into my 60th gratitude for Dr. Pan’s willingness to my collection. year – Dr. Pan wrote in an email that he accept this donation, those at the Center Shortly after my arrival at Temple Sinai and CJSS “would certainly like to accept for their work, the American Consulate for in the spring of 1986, Les and Claudia this wonderful donation. We will organize all that they did to expedite this project. Ross joined our Temple. Les is a lawyer a ceremony for this donation.” I was To Greg Phleger, Joe Hogan, Jiang, and working in Beijing and Claudia is a thrilled. Maybe there is something to the others at the Consulate of whom I am not Professor of Chinese Language in Chinese notion of one’s 60th year when even aware of their names, I am most Worcester. Both Claudia and Les bridge five cycles of the 12 zodiac signs all come appreciative for all your concern, your the worlds of Judaism and Chinese together. When Dr. Pan agreed to accept responsiveness, and your devoted work language and culture. They are the human this donation, I knew it was the start of over the course of many months. bridge that brings me to you. something really big. So here we are at I thank all those from First Express who The People’s Republic of China and the proposed ceremony. helped in the transport here in Shanghai Israel established formal diplomatic During the next year there were over as well as those on the other side of the relations on Jan. 24, 1992. In late August 300 e-mails with Les and Claudia Ross, Pacific, KAB Transport and the U.S. Border of that year, there was a conference at the American Consulate, Dr. Pan and Patrol in Worcester, congregants of Temple Harvard University devoted to the study of (see Bernstein, page JPO 11) May 18, 2011 JPO 11 BERNSTEIN were open and open continually from was a baseball team in Shanghai, China – (continued from page JPO 10) 1933–1940, was none other than: The Shanghai Baseball Club! This fact is Shanghai, China. Until the Japanese stated in George Vecsey’s book, Baseball: A shipping companies in both China and prevented any more immigration into History. As Susan Sarandon, who played America. One hundred forty-eight boxes, Shanghai in 1940, the residents – non-Jews the character, “Annie,” in the movie Bull totaling 4,446 items, weighing 2,341 of Shanghai – opened their arms, their Durham, would say,“you can look it up.” kilograms were shipped on 5 pallets. hearts and their doors where no other Page 161. (No League, but in Shanghai Originally, the shipment was to have left city’s citizens in the entire world would do they most certainly played in the Far Boston on November 12. There were four so. This was especially important after Eastern Division!) delays in sailing between November 12 Kristallnacht on November 9–10, 1938, In honor of Shanghai’s early enthusiasm and December 9 when the shipment set until 1940. Those were the years when for baseball, the people’s sport, all of my sail. On the seas, there were: inclement it was most tragic for German and rabbinic educational material is lovingly weather, berth congestion in the Shanghai Austrian Jewry. donated to the Center for Jewish Studies port – and would you believe – even Why Shanghai? In addition, I can only Shanghai with deepest appreciation for another ship that got stuck on rocks think of the quotation from the prophet, the gracious efforts of Dr. Pan, CJSS and closing all ship traffic in and out of Isaiah, “Or lahgoyim,” (A light unto the SASS, the United States Consulate and all Shanghai for several days. Finally on Feb. nations.) Isaiah’s quotation refers to the the people along the way who made this 14, 2011, the process was complete, all unique Jewish people and how they would donation – this grand slam possible. With bills were paid and the materials were become a light unto other nations. I this donation we have scored four times: placed into the hands of the Shanghai contend that the educational material now an increased understanding, a deeper Academy of Social Sciences which brings in the hands of the Center for Jewish appreciation, a greater sense of cooperation, us to today. Studies Shanghai is “a light unto the and a greater harmony for our world. Finally, I wish to share with you an nations.” Much of my collection is It took 40 years for the Israelites to inspirational teaching about what this duplicated in the United States, however, journey from exile to the Promised Land. project teaches all of us about Torah. there is precious little of this literature in It took 40 years for my books to find their Torah has many meanings for Jews. The China and the East. While it is true, that home finally here in Shanghai. My wife, most basic meaning is the Torah scroll these materials could one day be lost, Marsha, and I thank you all for coming itself, a parchment containing the first five heaven forbid, who of us can possibly here today. We thank you from the bottom books of the Hebrew Bible. Another basic fathom – let alone measure – what might of our hearts. meaning is Torah as a generic term come of all of this educational material in Rabbi Bernstein was born and raised in meaning everything the Jewish people the near and/or distant future? Indianapolis, Ind. He was ordained from know about God,Torah, Israel, our history, Today we are planting a seed for the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of customs, and beliefs. growth of knowledge for the Chinese Religion in 1977. He was assistant and When all of this was happening people and all people – be they in Shanghai, associate rabbi at Congregation Rodeph between November 2010 and February elsewhere in China, or throughout Asia – Shalom in New York, NY from 1977–1986. 2011, a 108 and one half year old woman, to learn about Jews and Judaism. This is In 1986 Rabbi Bernstein became the rabbi Goldie Michelson, in my congregation an opportunity for Jews to come into of Temple Sinai in Worcester, Mass. He wanted to donate a Torah scroll to the greater contact with the Chinese people holds a Doctor of Ministry from Andover Temple. A Torah scroll was shown to and for the Chinese people to come into Newton Theological School in the areas of Goldie precisely on the day my Torah, the greater contact with the Jewish people, chaplaincy and family systems theory. Since shipment of the 4,446 items, was to leave the American people and all people. The 1991, Rabbi Bernstein has been the Jewish for Shanghai. It took three months to permutations and combinations that Chaplain at UMASS-Memorial Hospital properly restore this Torah scroll. Lo and could come from this one donation might and since its founding, has been the Pastoral behold, the Torah scroll was made kosher very well be endless, even from the Care Director of the Jewish Home Hospice in and dedicated on February 12, 2011, the perspective of a superficial glance. Worcester. He is a Board Certified Chaplain very date that all the educational material We look at our world and ask, will it be with the Association of Professional that I am now gifting to the Center, was around forever? If the road of humanity is Chaplains and the National Association of finally received by the Center. eternal – and that is very much an open Jewish Chaplains. For the past two years I could not help but recall the words question in these troubled times – but if Rabbi Bernstein served as the Chair of from the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible, the road of humanity is eternal, there are Certification of the N.A.J.C. “Hashem natan, vihhashem lakach. Yehi two well-worn paths on that human road Rabbi Bernstein is the Rabbinic Founder shem Hashem m’vorach.” (The Eternal which have existed for thousands of years: of the H.E.A.R.T. Program in Worcester gives and the Eternal takes away. Blessed the path of the Jewish people and the path involving Temple Sinai and Emanuel be the name of the Eternal.) What a of the Chinese people. Today we celebrate Baptist Church in an after school tutorial spiritually uplifting coincidence, indeed: not only those points of intersection, but program. He is the Past President of the the receiving of Torah and the giving of hopefully, we celebrate the ways in which Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless, Jewish Torah to Shanghai. those paths will continue to intertwine Family Service of Worcester, and the Why Shanghai? Many people ask me with and reinforce the other. Worcester Pastoral Counseling Center. why I am giving my collection to Why Shanghai? I now move from the Presently, he is the co-President of Worcester Shanghai. The primary reason, of course, holy to the profane and ordinary. In 1861, Interfaith, a community organizing effort for is that from the time Hitler came to power it was ten years before there was the Worcester and Central Massachusetts. on January 30, 1933, until 1940, the only National Association of Professional On the weekend of April 8-9, 2011 Temple place in the world that German or Baseball Players, before there was a Sinai in Worcester, Mass., celebrated Rabbi Austrian Jews could go without passport National League, and before there was an Bernstein’s 25 years at the congregation. and visa was not Worcester, Mass.; New American League. In 1861, before base- Beginning July 1, 2011, he will be the York City, Buenos Aires or London. The ball came to Puerto Rico, or the spiritual leader of Congregation Bet Aviv in only place in the entire world, whose doors Dominican Republic, Cuba or Japan, there Columbia, Md. May 18, 2011 JPO 12 the door of the Marlene Greenebaum Seen on the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Breast Center. There is a large reception room, two mammography rooms, an ultra sound Israel Scene room, ultra sound biopsy room, biopsy room, research room, reading room, staff BY SYBIL KAPLAN kitchen and Dr. Sella’s office.

The Greenebaum’s Yom Hazikaron – Remembering Israel’s Fallen of Baltimore Sunday evening, May 8 and 4 Iyar, at 8 p.m., a siren sounded for one minute donate for breast throughout Israel marking the start of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. Places cancer center of entertainment closed and radio and Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum. television stations had programs and What one annual experience do music that evening and the next day women over the age of 30 dread the most? University Medical Center; and Stewart |honoring soldiers. Going for a mammogram and waiting for and Marlene Greenebaum. Monday, May 9, a two-minute siren the results. Marlene Post welcomed the sounded at 11 a.m. Flags were flown at Last year at the National Hadassah Greenebaums and others “to our home.” half mast. Mount Herzl military cemetery convention, one of the speakers was Dr. She added that this dedication is “truly in in Jerusalem held the main memorial Tamar Sella, director of the Hadassah-Ein your honor, Marlene Greenebaum and a ceremony. The Ministry of Defense placed Karem Diagnostic Breast Diseases Unit. tribute to you for your vision, for your a flag and black ribbon on the graves of all She expressed the need for a comprehensive caring about other women.” fallen soldiers in 43 military cemeteries. If breast cancer center. Dr. Sella said today is a festive day for someone required assistance finding the women of Israel “It will change the way grave of a fallen soldier, the Defense things are done” and will help women Ministry provided the block and parcel of realize “there is a light of hope at the end the graver and a map to the appropriate of the tunnel.” cemetery. Women of Hadassah-Israel also had this Machal volunteers who fought during as their fundraising project last year. Israel’s War of Independence were Professor Mor-Yosef said he had known honored at the memorial to them near the the Greenebaums for ten years and one Sha’ar Hagai junction. Since 1860, more of the benefits of his job is to collect than 22,500 men and women have been friends like them. “This was different killed defending the land of Israel. At the because we didn’t ask them; Dr. Sella gave conclusion of the solemn, thoughtful day, a lecture in which she presented her role the festivities of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel and her vision.” Independence Day began. From the synagogue the group moved Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, food writer, to the main lobby of the hospital where a Jerusalem Post columnist and cookbook ribbon was cut and the mezuzah affixed at author who lives in Jerusalem. Marlene Post, Past National President of Hadassah. Sitting in the audience were Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum, a Baltimore- based real estate developer who made a $10 million dollar gift in 1996 to the University of Maryland Medical System and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This was the largest private contribution ever made to the school or hospital and they renamed their Cancer Center after the Greenebaums. When Marlene heard Dr. Sella, she as a 20-year survivor, turned to her husband and said “that’s what I’d like to do.” In the Abbell Synagogue with Chagall windows surrounding the gathered group, on April 12, Ron Krumer, director of external relations for the Hadassah Medical Organization presided over a dedication ceremony with Marlene Post, past National President of Hadassah; Dr. Tamar Sella; Professor Shlomo Everyone, even traffic, copmes to a halt when the siren sounds for Yom Hazikaron in Mor-Yosef, director general of Hadassah Israel. Photos by Barry A. Kaplan/Jerusalem. May 18, 2011 JPO 13 But it is the second act in which Weekly editor, in a ceremony officiated by Jewish Greenberg (and the show) comes into her Rabbi Ellen Lippmann.) own. Both Fanny and the show grow up. It And now Kushner offers up his latest covers the years of Brice’s great successes drama, on stage at the Public Theatre in Theater (top of her field as a singer, comedienne, Manhattan. The title is almost as long as stage, radio, and film actress), and her the play itself, which runs just under four REVIEWED BY IRENE BACKALENICK 20 years with the Zeigfield Follies. It also hours – The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide follows Brice into radio and her successful, to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to Yet another tribute long-running Baby Snooks show. the Scriptures. Greenberg introduces many famed fellow to Fanny Brice performers – Eddie Cantor, W. C. Fields, and Gypsy Rose Lee among them. But Kimberly Faye Greenberg pays tribute impersonations, alas, are not Greenberg’s to one-time star Fanny Brice (born Fania strong point, and she would do better to Borach) in her solo show, One Night With not attempt them. Fanny Brice, now playing off-Broadway at Most importantly, the second act focuses St. Luke’ Theatre. Impersonating the on Nicky Arnstein, the great love of Brice’s famed Zeigfield star, Greenberg takes her life. Arnstein, by coincidence, is a larger-sized from childhood to death and beyond, version of her father. In fact, he carries in a series of songs and anecdotes. laziness, crime, gambling, and exploitation, Greenberg’s rich voice does credit to the to far greater extremes. (One wonders songs Brice made famous, chief among whether Brice was seeking a father figure What is the focus this time around? It’s them “My Man,”“Second-Hand Rose,”and when she took up with Arnstein.) After six a Kushner-style family play, with nothing “Rose of Washington Square.” Thus the years of living together, Arnstein finally (or nothing obvious) that calls upon evening proves to be fairly entertaining. divorces his wife and marries Brice. Kushner’s Jewish background.There’s Gus Though a gifted performer, Greenberg Arnstein is several times arrested, and Marcantonio, an old-time union organizer never quite becomes Brice herself. Is it that serves time in prison. But Brice is always and longshoreman (who happens to be an she’s too pretty? But that need not be a behind him, paying out exorbitant funds erudite scholar focusing on the Roman detriment if she had really dived into the to gain his release or lessen his discomforts Horace’s “Epistles”). Then there are Gus’s role.The fact is that she should play Fanny in prison. children – his gay son Pill, his lesbian more broadly, belting out the songs and It is in the second act that Greenberg daughter Empty, and his straight youngest speaking with a stronger Yiddish accent. sings “My Man,” Brice’s signature piece, son V. Why these names – or nicknames? (It is difficult not to make comparisons and it is indeed the highlight of the show. One more mystery in Kushner’s world with Barbra Streisand’s portrayal of Fanny, Greenberg is quite capable of offering a of mysteries. not too long ago, in the film Funny Girl.) show-stopper, as her rendition goes from The play focuses on the particular, The first act is given over to Fanny’s quiet, touching torch-song moments to a played out against the backdrop of world childhood and early years – her beloved, great roar. If only Greenberg offered more affairs and intellectual movements. but no-good father, her tough, hard- such moments throughout the show! Kushner has a particular skill in working mother, and her own break into interweaving both. Here is the show business. Much of the bio material Another Tony Kushner sighting dysfunctional family, so familiar in is interesting – her parents’ saloon in Tony Kushner is seen as one of the most today’s dramas. But their concerns go Newark, N.J., the parents’ battles, her brilliant young American (make that far beyond personal relationships and starting years in burlesque, and so on. Jewish-American) playwrights on the individual angste. Gus Marcantonio is an current scene. His Angels in America made unreformed Communist, still holding out theatrical history in 1992, forging ahead for the People versus the Establishment. with a new vision and a new style. The And his politics informs every exchange play took numerous awards and catapulted with his children. Others, too, in the Kushner into the limelight. family, are concerned with how they relate But Kushner is also seen as a controversial to the world and what good they figure – at least in the Jewish world. His can achieve. positions on Israeli-Palestinian relations The story? Gus, supposedly suffering have been viewed with alarm in some from Alzheimer’s, has decided to kill quarters. (He has criticized Israel’s himself. His children and his sister Clio treatment of the Palestinians and the react with varied emotions – despair, increasing religious extremism affecting anger, love, and acceptance. Family the country’s politics. The Zionist discussions range from lofty intellectual Organization of America, for example, exchanges to rage-filled accusations. protested when Brandeis University chose Yet the play remains curiously detached to give Kushner an honorary degree.) – more an intellectual Kushner exercise In any event, Kushner continues to than a drama of real people caught up in forge ahead, using his considerable real life. Does one care what happens to knowledge, as well as his own life any of these people – these repositories of experiences, to write his plays. His own Kushner ideas? Unfortunately not. homosexuality feeds into the mix, as But, like all Kushner works, this play is Kimberly Faye Greenberg as Fanny Brice does his considerable erudition and his rampant with ideas. And this particular in One Night With Fanny Brice. Photo Jewish heritage. (Kushner recently production (which is co-produced by the credit: Carol Rosegg. married Mark Harris, an Entertainment (see Backalenick, page JPO 14) May 18, 2011 JPO 14 BACKALENICK theater troupe in Warsaw (in the ‘30s). As I (continued from page JPO 13) Murphy, nothing short of incredible, quickly shedding her years, her halting Heard It Public Theatre with the Signature Theatre walk, her crippled back, slips back in time in association with the Guthrie Theatre) is to become the joyous young performer. first-rate, under Michael Grief’s astute Not surprisingly, life becomes exceedingly REVIEWED BY MORTON GOLD direction. The stellar ensemble includes, difficult for this Jewish troupe, as the alphabetically: Michael Cristofer, Linda anti-Semitism becomes more and more Hazzan singing Emond, Michael Esper, K. Todd Freeman, virulent. Ultimately, under German Hettienne Park, Steven Pasquale, Molly occupation, few manage to escape death. for HaShem Price, Matt Servitto, Danielle Skraastad, But, after the war, Raisel and her young Stephen Spinella, and Brenda Wehle). daughter come to the States, to begin a life Chants of a Lifetime: From Synagogue to Kushner could not ask for a better difficult in other ways. Opera is the name of a recently issued CD interpretation of his work. And we come The play is skillfully staged, with the past featuring the vocal artistry of Sheldon away from the show, not devastated by living in Bubbe’s mind, yet reaching out to Merel. Merel is a Hazzan recently retired emotion, but permeated with thoughts. the audience. It is all spelled out musically, from Congregation with pleasing, though not memorable tunes, Beth Israel in San The People in the Picture – and enhanced by Murphy’s rich voice and Diego, Calif. Once Who is this Bubbe? skill in vocalization. It is altogether a fine upon a time retro- Donna Murphy a Bubbe? We’re talking ensemble of performers, under Leonard spective recordings about her leading role in The People in the Foglia’s able direction. Each one in the of the great Picture, a show which has just opened on large cast creates strong, individual cameo (and nearly great) Broadway. It is the tale of an elderly Jewish portraits. In particular, Rachel Resheff, as were made only woman, living in New York, who lovingly the little granddaughter, gives a fresh, after their death. cares for her granddaughter, while her delightful performance – and the scenes Fortunately these daughter serves as breadwinner. between her and Murphy are loving and days, many artists We could not help reflecting on whether highly believable. including cantors a non-Jew can play a Jewish character, or have left behind CD’s that contain the whether an actress of presumably Irish- finest of a lifetime of musical achievement. American background can succeed. To name but a few see (better listen to) Granted that Murphy is an award- CD’s by Jerome Kopmar and David winning actress, known for her past stellar Lefkowitz. After listening to this CD by performances – an actress whom, judging Merel, I would agree that this collection by her track record, can do anything. But does indeed represent the best vocal as a Bubbe? well as musical evidence of his varied and But indeed she prevails once again. And eclectic vocal art. While he probably could we quickly come to terms with our doubts. have been successful on the operatic stage (Never mind that her Yiddish accent (see cuts 7 & 8) he decided instead to doesn’t quite make it!) But isn’t this what devote his life to the cantorial art. To his acting is all about? The best of performers credit Merel performed the music of inhabit the roles they play, becoming the composers contemporary with him. very essence of their characters, however The works selected for this CD far removed from their own origins. Foreground L-R: Donna Murphy and demonstrate that he is not pandering to Certainly Jewish actors should not be Rachel Resheff in The People in the the current vogue of singing simplistic, confined to Jewish roles – nor should any Picture. Photo credit: Joan Marcus, 2011. let’s-join-in type of music presently other actor be kept within the confines of written for worship. The works performed his or her own ethnic group. The story itself, unfortunately, lacking on this CD were composed mostly in This tale of mothers and daughters an arc, does not build toward a climax. the middle of the last century and have moves back and forth in time, as does This is a problem encountered with justifiably already become classics of Murphy herself. Conflict is never far from backward-looking tales, with memoirs. synagogue music. Merel’s performances the surface, as mothers – and Bubbes – The element of surprise, with an intense are idiomatically right on the mark. We must do what they must to survive. Bubbe build-up, is missing. Yet, for those of us are conscious of a Hazzan singing for was once Raisel, the star of a Yiddish who lay claim to a common ancestry, The HaShem rather than a singer trying to People in the Picture is a satisfying show. entertain us. j i Staged as a giant photo album, it parallels There is a booklet that is included which for Freedom by Morton Gold; Parigio by our own photo albums complete with our gives the translation of each selection as G. Verdi; Rachel Quand du Seigneur by own people in the picture. well as pertinent information about the Halevi; Los Bilbilicos, a Ladino folk song; Theater critic Irene Backalenick covers composer. My only reservation about the R’tzey by Aryeh Schlossberg; Shalom Rav theater for national and regional publications. booklet is that one is not informed as to by Michael Isaacson; Hashki-veynu by She has a Ph.D. in theater criticism from the date of each recording. There are David Nowakowsky; Kaddish of R. City University Graduate Center. Her book eighteen selections on the CD. Yitzchok of Berdichev by Leo Low; East Side Story – Ten Years with the Jewish These include the following: Shalom Une-Taneh Tokef by Max Janowski; Repertory Theatre won a first-place national Rav by Ben Steinberg; Hashki-veynu by K’va-Karat by Max Helfman; Adonai, book award in history. She welcomes Max Janowski; La Kol Z’man by Steinberg; Adonai by Helfman; Avinu Malkaynu by comments at [email protected] and Kiddush by Kurt Weill; Adon Olam by Janowski and Kol Nidre arr. by Helfman. invites you to visit her website: nytheater Charles Davidson; Kiddush from A Search (see Gold, page JPO 22) scene.com or at: jewish-theatre.com. May 18, 2011 JPO 15 email can be used to set the stage, but ROBERTS Confidentially Yours never, ever should a break up happen in (continued from page JPO 7) 160 characters or less. And what if you’re the recipient of the And the Lord G-d saw his fear and took BY AVI AND ADELE break-up conversation? Hold your head pity on him. Ah, we need a light for the high, resist the urge to throw scalding hot night, thought the mind of G-d wherein If you’re thinking of coffee in your now-ex’s face, and don’t go dwells all the mechanisms of the on Facebook for at least 12 hours. If you universe. Therefore, he flung the full sending a break up hear that it’s over, don’t beg or apologize. moon into the midnight sky. Adam And don’t start to bargain with how stopped. Only a small improvement. text, think again! you’ll be different. It’s over, and it’s time Now at least he could see the river, which to move on. Treat yourself well (with lay in his path. But still the garden’s Dear Avi and Adele: whatever that means to you), and get back beauty seemed blurred in dusky yellow. I’m a 45 year-old male who has been on into that pond! So, the lord flung millions of points of three dates with a 35 year-old woman in the light into the sky. They helped but a little. past month. I like her as a person, but I feel The good Lord, who made the heart of like I’ve given it enough time to know it’s Avi and Adele dish Adam, understood the heart of Adam. not going to work out – I’m just not feeling on him looking at This fear of nighttime blindness needed any chemistry. What’s the best and most more than moon and stars. The Creator appropriate way for me to tell her “it’s over”? other women spoke in Adam’s ear the secret of day and ~ Not Sure Noah night. How they revolve like all things in Dear Avi and Adele: nature; life and death, the seasons, the Dear Not Sure Noah: My husband of 10 years looks at other great architecture of the galaxies. But Neil Sedaka wasn’t kidding when he women when we go out even though we have Adam’s mind could not accommodate sang “Breaking-up is hard to do.” Back in a loving relationship. I know it’s probably the voice of his maker. It was like talking 1962, our dear friend Neil was in some normal, but it annoys me. What should I do? to the beasts. He needed one of his own ways lucky that he didn’t have all the ~ Jewishly Jealous kind. The ragged hole of fear in Adam’s options of modern technology that today’s soul could only be filled by a helpmate. daters are afforded. He probably hoofed Dear Jealous: Thus, Adam slept and G-d made Eve. it over to his lackluster love’s home and Your brain is already saying that you She stood beside him and pointed to broke the news – like a man – on her acknowledge that you’re not the only the horizon where the earth had parent’s front porch. female on the planet. That it’s “probably swallowed the sun. Her eyes expressed Our dear friend Mark B. said it best normal” that your husband has 20/20 no fear, only wonder. They sank to the when he said,“The thing that sucks about vision and can see that there are other grass in each other’s arms – huddled like relationships is that the person who likes women within 20 feet of him. That two babes. Neither knew anything except the other person least has all the power.” something about this still annoys you. the warmth of the other. They watched Which is why breaking up is hard to do Anytime we get annoyed about and waited. Their fearful eyes focused on and hard to receive. something, it’s usually coming from one of the Pine tree where they had last seen the So how to tackle the end of an era (or a couple of deeply human places. Avi says sun. Would it ever return to bless them perhaps just a moment) best? Consider that these little annoyances stem from our with light and warmth? They dozed, two factors: the time you’ve been together own insecurities. So the bell goes off in frightful, but full of the need to sleep. and the most common mode of your head anytime hubby’s gaze goes Then Eve, feeling a warmth at her back communication you’ve employed. across the shul to 24-year-old Shayna, and noticing the lightening of the black sky, For those of you who’ve gone on one the buxom and bubbly youth director, laughed the first exultant laugh of creation date and didn’t make it clear after dessert jumping to that dark and ugly place and put her hand to Adam’s face in order that you’re not interested in seeing him or wherein lie negative self-talk like, “She’s to turn it to the life-giving light behind her again, a quick and thoughtful email so much more buxom and bubbly than I; them.“It returns, it returns,”she whispered will suffice. However, we encourage he surely would love someone so buxom with awe; “but not where it was eaten a phone call if you can muster it. and bubbly.” by the earth.” They stand, they face the Admittedly, it’s entirely possible that this Adele agrees, but also thinks that rising sun, and then they lift their faces to scenario will allow you to just disappear sometimes those things that most bother heaven – wherein the laws of nature are from memory, as your date may not be us about others are telling us something made – to thank He who gave them life interested either and won’t call you for that we are perhaps bothered at in and light and warmth. Around them all another date. ourselves. Are you a little perturbed that living things hummed a hymn of hope. If you’ve gone on more than one date or his eye wanders because your eye has ever Ted Roberts, a Rockower Award winner, had extensive communication, Avi and wandered? Perhaps you felt guilty when is a syndicated Jewish columnist who looks Adele say cut the meshugana behavior you noticed that your trainer is super at Jewish life with rare wit and insight. and just pick up the phone. More than a hot and therefore wish he felt guiltier When he’s not writing, Ted worships at month of seeing each other, with at least about having full range of motion in his Etz Chayim Synagogue in Huntsville, Ala., some regularity to your time spent together? ocular muscles? where for 25 years he has served as bar In-person endings are best. Schedule a You can surely discuss this annoyance mitzvah teacher. His inspiration is his cup of coffee at a place that’s both with dear hubby, but before you do we patient wife, Shirley. Check out his Web site: mutually convenient and also not “your highly recommend figuring out why it www.wonderwordworks.com. Blogsite: place.”Neutral territory works wonders for bothers you so much. It could be a mix of www.scribblerontheroof.typepad.com. His dissipating the stress of both parties. anything from jealousy, to distrust, to your collected works The Scribbler on The Roof What not to do? Text your future ex that own feelings of guilt about fantasizing can be bought at Amazon.com or lulu.com/ you’re done. Texting, IM’ing, and even (see Avi and Adele, page JPO 17) content/127641. May 18, 2011 JPO 16 A visit to Me’arat HaMachpelah – an insight to our Holy Sites BY RABBI GABRIEL COUSENS, M.D. Me’arat HaMachpelah, the Cave of the Patriarchs, is one of the two most powerful energy centers in Israel for me. The other is the Temple Mount, an extremely high energy center near the Eh’ven Shetiyah, the sacred Stone of Nurturance, where the Akeidah – the near-sacrifice of Yitzchak and the tenth trial of Avraham – occurred some 4,000 years ago, and where the First and Second Temples once stood. The energy was so powerful there that even standing and trying not to close my eyes, I Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, Israel – southern view of the enclosure. fell into a meditative state and was arrested for praying at my ancestral holy site. the same soul-deep Abrahamic vibration demand that it never be taken away from Fortunately, the situation peacefully at Me’arat HaMachpelah that I had us. Obviously, the more people of Am resolved within a few hours by the inter- previously experienced was an unexpected Yisrael that make this pilgrimage to vention of the guide for the tour I was soul-nourishing homecoming that sent Me’arat HaMachpelah in Hebron, the leading, and some accompanying prayers. me deep into a meditative and prayerful stronger Am Yisrael will become and the However, the incident left me deeply actualization and empowerment of less likely this access will be taken away. baffled as to why it happened to begin ancestral (avot) lineage energy. I Connecting to the root helps our people to with. How is it that a Jew can be arrested immediately understood the wisdom of wake up to its fundamental oneness as for praying or meditating on the spot Caleb, one of the twelve Hebrew Am Yisrael and activates the blessings of where his ancestors prayed and meditated chieftains sent by Moses to scout the land. Yitzchak to Ya’akov needed for the next for millennia? It is said that he stopped at these caves to step in the survival and mission of Am The Me’arat HaMachpelah was a more be energized by the Avot so as to become Yisrael in the world. personal experience. It is a cave that immune to the negative spiritual egoic er’ Having studied the oral tradition of our emanates forth the living energy of the ev rav energy of ten of his fellow scouts as people, I was all set to actually go into the ancestors Adam and Chavah, Avraham he entered Eretz Yisrael. In deep gratitude, caves, which was said to be a place from and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivkah, Yaakov I absorbed the energy of each Patriarch where not every one returned, especially and Leah – even the head of Esau. It was and Matriarch (at Sarah’s headstone, the Ishmaelites who consistently, by a more personal visit for me because I had blessings for my three granddaughters Ishmaelite legend, did not seem to return. in years past two awe-filled energetic emerged), energetically connecting to It is also taught in the oral tradition that visions during which I was visited by an these 4,000 year old roots. I had returned Me’arat HaMachpelah was considered a apparition identifying itself as Avraham to my spiritual home with a strong con- physical doorway into Gan Eden. If that Avinu. The first such vision was a lucid nection to my ancestral roots in a deeper seems wild, consider that the Maoris’ of dream I had on Rosh Hashanah of 2003, way than was previously thought possible. New Zealand and most Native American and the second was a physical-energetic The next time I return to Me’arat traditions – including the Cherokee who manifestation of Avraham Avinu that I HaMachpelah it will be very interesting have recently been proven to have the experienced during a 72-hour initiation to see if the same energies are still there. DNA of Am Yisrael, specifically from the experience in a semi-cave in Arad, which If it was so with Caleb, according to the Galilee area – trace their origins from involved a purification process without food ancestral spiritual principle of Ma’aseh beneath the earth surface. But much to my and water for the purpose of activating my avot siman labanim (the experiences of the surprise, the rabbi who was explaining aliyah into Eretz Yisrael. In this case, the ancestors replay themselves in the lives of Me’arat HaMachpelah said that because same Abrahamic energy that manifested their progeny), it should still be there. To the Muslims have great fear of going in the dream appeared now in a physical- be able to experience the direct energy of into the Caves, they have decreed that the energetic form. He identified himself the Avot, and for me especially that of people of Am Yisrael would not be allowed again as Abraham and poured the Divine Abraham, by simply going to the well- to go down into the Caves either, and energy of Abraham into me for 30-60 spring of the spiritual roots of Am Yisrael, therefore no one is allowed in. seconds before vanishing. is an incredible spiritual gift available to all Based on the spiritually empowering At Me’arat HaMachpelah, I was of us. It would be very powerful if many experiences that were already happening pleasantly surprised to feel the same more of Am Yisrael would begin to for me at Me’arat HaMachpelah, it became Abrahamic energy that I had experienced (1) understand and appreciate the spiritual obvious that this prohibition was just on my two previous direct experiences. power and strength gifted to us from another example, as the one I experienced This time, the Abrahamic energy continued this ancient energetic spiritual fountain; at the Temple Mount, of the Ishmaelite/ non-stop and took me into a deep (2) choose to make this deeper connection Muslim attempts to control and cut Am revelatory meditation in front of the which is presently available, and (3) in the Yisrael off from full energetic access to its Abrahamic headstone. Re-experiencing process create the legitimate and growing (see Cousens, page JPO 17) May 18, 2011 JPO 17 COUSENS Yisrael’s connection with its spiritually Travel (continued from page JPO 16) empowering roots. He even pointed out in micro-detail that although the Muslim BY HAROLD JACOBSON AND ROSE KLEINER holy sites and spiritual roots. It is the same people had built a beautiful addition to tactic that the U.S. government tried, and Me’arat Hamachpelah, they had threatened with great success, to do to the Native to create a riot if the Jewish section built so Acqualina: Florida Americans, as any aware Native American much as a glass roof over the area where will point out, by depriving them of their Jewish prayers were recited. For the time hotel combines high ancestral lands, and what the Greeks tried being, there is no shelter in that part of to do to Am Yisrael that ultimately sparked the shrine, and Jewish visitors must stand esthetics with user- the Maccabean rebellion. and pray in the wind, the rain, and at A tree cut off from its roots will lose its times the snow. friendly attitude energy and slowly die. It is a concern to One unbelievable further step, among a me that most American and Israeli Jews whole variety of such disempowerment It is arguably one of the most beautiful do not seem to seriously consider this attempts over the years, is the unilateral five star luxury hotels in Miami Beach, occult and conscious spiritual warfare that decision by the U.N. to declare both the soaring 50 stories on 178 St. and Collins is going on to weaken the spiritual power Me’arat HaMachpelah and the Tomb of Avenue in the heart of what Miamians call of Am Yisrael. Have we forgotten the Torah Rachel as exclusively Muslim holy sites. It “Sunny Isles.” This architectural marvel lesson of the 22 years that it took for was nice to read in the press that Prime combines basic aesthetic design principles Ya’akov to spiritually mature enough to Minister Netanyahu actually talked to the with a human touch, and a service staff overcome the black-occult entrapment head of the U.N. about how unacceptable chosen to accommodate guests in under- and disempowering energies of his uncle this was for the U.N. to try and invalidate stated courtesies. The multi-lingual Laban? The Torah encourages us to pay 4,000 years of Jewish history. This is personnel at the Acqualina’s reception attention and act on all planes including so much like Holocaust denial, which provide the appropriate libations in Torah study, but not limited to it. From this has unfortunately become acceptable welcoming newcomers and personally perspective, it is not simply an issue of throughout much of the world, and escort them to their rooms. “land for peace in Hebron” but a bigger further expands the efforts to spiritually long-term picture involving a deliberate delegitimize Am Yisrael by “officially occult spiritual undermining of Am Yisrael cutting Am Yisrael off from its roots”. over the years by depriving them of access As I have written in my book, Creating to their spiritual energy points across the Peace by Being Peace, there will never be a length and breadth of their ancestral lasting peace until both sides acknowl- homeland. As was said at the memorial to edge the right of the other to exist. Crazy Horse, a great Lakota warrior who Attempting to control and destroy the fought relentlessly for the spiritual survival access of Am Yisrael to its spiritual roots is of his people: “My lands are where my a clear and deliberate effort to undermine dead lie buried”. the spiritual existence, and ultimately the The hotel has three magnificent At one point, I asked a rabbi in Hebron, physical existence, of Am Yisrael and Eretz swimming pools backing on to the Rabbi Hillel Horowitz, who is also Yisrael. These holy sites, which are the Atlantic Ocean and a carpet of artificial the head of the Me’arat HaMachpelah roots of the children of Abraham, need to turf right on the beach where sun bathers Heritage Fund, if he was aware of this be respectfully opened to the people of all can rest on sumptuous sofas and chairs huge issue, and if there was any reality to the nations. Before we can seriously talk while partaking of a selection of drinks it, and if the Arab world was aware of what about a lasting and full peace, these sacred and comestibles. The Acqualina is a condo they were doing. He claimed that he and shrines need to be politically administrated cum hotel with almost a hundred guest many of Am Yisrael in Hebron were aware in a way that guarantees access to, and rooms, double the size of conventional of this subtle attempt at spiritual acknowledges the spiritual rights of, all of units and suites with every modern disempowerment and that he felt that the Abraham’s children, to their fullest capacity. amenity. The latter are particularly Arab world was far more aware of this Rabbi Cousens, M.D. is Director of the attractive, especially those with huge ongoing occult-powered spiritual warfare Tree of Life Foundation, U.S. and Director of terraces that afford views of the ocean and than Am Yisrael, and indeed was doing the Tree of Light Foundation, Israel. Visit are large enough for guests to use their everything in their power to block Am www.treeoflife.nu to read more. terraces for relaxing, dining and reading. Each room and suite in the hotel is j i equipped with the most luxurious AVI AND ADELE appointments – classic furnishings, goose On this date in (continued from page JPO 15) down duvets and Rivolta Cargimani sheets Suites come with granite kitchen Jewish history about another man. Get right with counter tops, espresso machines and yourself before you try to make this right generous displays of snacks. The hotel is On May 18, 1948 with hubby, otherwise your conversation extremely gracious in catering, through Il Czechoslovakia, Nicaragua, will resemble the Hindenburg: full of good Molino, to various dietary requirements intentions, but also full of explosive gas. including vegetarian fare.The Espa Spa on Poland and Uruguay recognized Livin’and Lovin’, Avi and Adele the hotel’s main floor is a very popular the State of Israel Please go to www.letmypeoplegrow.org – treatment and recreation center. a blog dedicated to cultivating Jewish The Acqualina is the only hotel in Miami ~ From The Jewish Book of Days published by conversations on topics that matter, while Beach where the concierge desk offers Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., New York. educating, entertaining and engaging our (see Travel, page JPO 23) national Jewish community. May 18, 2011 JPO 18 In our early years in Israel, when Musings we lived in Bayit v’Gan, Jerusalem, we could see the fireworks display at Mount from Herzl from our building. An Israeli Shiloh tradition at outdoor celebrations that bridge Memorial Day to Independence BY BATYA MEDAD Day is to have impressive fireworks light the sky. Memorial Day, I don’t remember doing much on the actual day of Israeli Independence Day. Independence Day, On the Eve of Independence Day, as long as we’re home in Shiloh, we go to the and Rain Mishkan Tabernacle Synagogue for the fantastic Holiday prayers. The Israeli West Bank Mama is calling for aliyah custom is to eat, have cookouts all over the stories. They’re soon to celebrate 20 years place and barbeque lots of meat which is in Israel and will do a big spread, round- eaten with salads and pitot. up, blog carnival of sorts. I guess I’m going Yesterday the Rami Levi chain had a to have to think of something. Is there special on many of the traditional Yom any story I had once promised to tell, write Ha’Atzma’ut foods, humus, cucumbers, or post but never did? If you remember or tomatoes, kabobs and such. That was his have an idea or question for a story I (yes there’s a Rami Levi who owns and should tell, please let me know. runs the chain) way of celebrating with It’s hard to believe that we’re in our 41st his customers. year here, about to celebrate 41 years of For quite a number of years we’ve been marriage and aliyah. The number just going to my cousin’s house for Yom doesn’t jive with the way I think of myself. attention. You could feel how everyone Ha’Atzma’ut where they provide a very It’s hard to believe that I’m not a teenager entered his or her own world of memories Israeli and extremely delicious meal. What any more. as the siren wailed. do you do where you live?

Business stopped at Rami Levi, How do you celebrate Israeli Even though we must keep taking out Sha’ar Binyamin Independence Day? our winter coats One of the “public service”announcements When I first got into the world of There still hasn’t been enough rain. It yesterday, when I was working in Yafiz, of Zionism in the mid-late 1960’s, a celebration rained again yesterday. Generally, there’s the Sha’ar Binyamin Rami Levi, before the of Israel and Zionism was “cultural,”music no rain here in the Holy Land between “Mincha Prayers in our synagogue located and dance. If there was any special food, Passover (early April) and Succot (early at aisle...” was to get ready to stand it would have been falafel, but I don’t October.) This year was pretty dry the first at attention for the Memorial Siren. remember food as being a central aspect few months of winter, which is one of the Everyone, customers and workers were of the Yom Ha’Atzma’ut holiday. We reasons that the Carmel Forest burnt so instructed to leave the stores and go to danced Israeli folk dances and sang Israeli uncontrollably. the open space by the parking lot to best folk songs. (see Medad, page JPO 20) hear the sirens. Shoppers left their shopping carts, and workers left their stations to stand at May 18, 2011 JPO 19 an envoy, Earl G. Harrison, to investigate ground in the rearing and education of the Book Review the situation. The Harrison report DP children,” whom they saw as “the completed in August 1945 confirmed that Jewish future”. Even those religious groups REVIEWED BY ROSE KLEINER the Jewish DP’s were “treated virtually as who were opposed to Zionism, “worked war prisoners”. alongside Zionists to educate the children.” Strongly influenced by the Harrison Students and teachers from the famous The DP camps in Report, Truman wrote to General yeshivas of Lublin and Lubavitch who had Eisenhower on Aug. 31, 1945, directing survived the Holocaust were brought to post-war Europe him to “get those people into decent the DP camps as well. In one camp there houses”that “should be requisitioned from was a yeshiva with 50 students who were Displaced Persons: The Liberation and the German civilian population.” studying for the rabbinate. In the DP camp in Abuse of Holocaust Survivors. By Ted Not all generals tried to help the Landsberg, Germany, over 700 teenagers Gottfried. Twenty-First Century Books, refugees. General George Patton was were training for skilled occupations. 2001. 112 pp. Illustrated by Stephen ruthless and inflexible in his attitude The unspeakable atrocities which many Alcorn. For young adults. toward African Americans, as well as of the survivors had been subjected to had The phenomenon of the post-World toward Jews. At war’s end he wrote to his left them crushed and hopeless in many War II displaced persons’ (DP’s) camps is wife that “the Germans are the only cases. One of the strongest influences in an integral part of any study of the decent people left in Europe.” He was the camps was that of the Zionist leaders, Holocaust. The history of the DP camps, soon relieved of his position as governor who restored hope and a will to live to which became the of Bavaria, and as the person in charge of many of the survivors, most of whom first home for the DP camps. On Dec. 21, 1945 he died were preparing to settle in Israel. The most of the Jewish from injuries in a car accident. slow return to a semblance of hope and survivors of the By 1946 there were 250,000 Jewish trust led to new relationships and new Holocaust, is one refugees fleeing from Eastern Europe family structures. of pain, drama, toward the west. There were 185,000 in There were “wholesale weddings”in the courage and hope. Germany, 45,000 in Austria, and 20,000 in camps. In the DP camp, Bergen Belsen, It is a history that Italy. Most were from Poland. A large there were at one point 20 weddings a has come under number among them had fled from day. The total for all the camps during one closer scrutiny only communist Russia. By 1947 there were more period was 1,000 weddings a month. For in recent years, and DP camps for Jews than for other refugees, many survivors the fear of loneliness and is skillfully captured in Ted Gottfried’s book. and they were extremely overcrowded. the need for closeness overcame the At the end of World War II, two thirds of As the DP’s came from different dreadful memories with which most of Europe’s Jewish population had been countries (Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, them had to live. destroyed. There were 8 million displaced Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, and By the end of 1946 nearly 1,000 babies persons of various nationalities on the others), they spoke about a dozen lan- were being born each month. The DP continent. Among them were 100,000 guages, leading to various communication camps had the highest birthrate of any Jewish survivors of concentration camps. problems, clashes, and misunderstandings. Jewish community in the world at that Over 13,000 inmates at the Bergen Belsen This challenging, difficult situation was time. Weddings and births were celebrated concentration camp perished within days confronted by the DP’s themselves. They by the entire camp population. of liberation. began to organize and establish all sorts Gottfried’s book shines a light on a The Jews were different from the other of committees, to create a remarkable dark era as the survivors emerged from displaced persons, who could all return to community that would meet the needs of history’s most tragic period. But it ends on their countries of origin. The Jews had no this diverse population of survivors. a promising note as he records the first homeland to return to. Each camp elected its own administrative courageous steps that these survivors took The immediate problem, facing both committee. Funding for their work came toward a normal life. the American and British liberators was from the Joint Distribution Committee Today among those babies born in the what to do with the concentration camp and other Jewish agencies. DP camps there is a disproportionate survivors. There was the danger of the The camps’ elected administrations number of high achievers and prominent general population being contaminated by undertook the tasks of keeping order, figures, many of whom are making their the diseases from which some survivors punishing, or disciplining illegal behavior, impact on society in Israel and throughout suffered. There was also concern about and setting high standards for hygiene and the Diaspora, both in their Jewish revenge killings. It was decided to keep sanitation. They also saw to establishing communities and in the world at large. the survivors where they were, thus cultural and religious facilities. More than 70 turning the concentration camps into newspapers were published in the DP camps, j i Displaced Persons’camps. mostly in Yiddish with some in Hebrew. S. SASSO It was a ‘temporary’ solution, but it Although there were extreme shortages (continued from page JPO 6) continued for a long time after the war. of the most basic supplies such as pencils The loss of lives during the war, and its and paper, a network of DP camp schools Our children need us to help them horrible memories left many survivors in a grew rapidly. Because of the dedication of distinguish between fact and fiction. It state of depression. Suicide was not teachers who were themselves survivors, a seems that the legislature needs some uncommon. The enormity of the Jewish successful educational system became help as well. If our legislators are unable to DP problem was finally confronted on available to children, for many of whom tell the difference, then let us hope that May 8, 1945, the day when the war in this was the first exposure to a school. the governor will veto the bill and let truth Europe officially ended. The survivors represented many different be told. The media focus on the deplorable backgrounds, religious and secular, but Sasso is senior rabbi at Congregation Beth- conditions in which the Jewish survivors whatever their views,“they were united by El Zedeck in Indianapolis. Reprinted from lived led President Harry Truman to send the Holocaust, and now found common the Indianapolis Star, April 28, 2011. May 18, 2011 JPO 20 ranks, with six Jews earning the MEDAD Book Congressional Metal of Honor. However, (continued from page JPO 18) more Jewish officers were in the Confederacy. While there were Jewish We’re already in the middle of May, and Review companies on both sides, Jews preferred we’ve been getting good strong rain at to be part of mixed units. Jewish families least once a week. Meteorologists report REVIEWED BY RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN were split not only along the North and that we’ve had a record-breaking April’s South divide, but in the very same house- rainfall. No doubt May will also reach An important hold as with the Ochs in Chattanooga, a record. Friday night my sleep was Tenn. Julius Ochs, the father of Adolf Ochs disturbed by loud thunder. These things piece of Jewish of New York Times fame, was with the do happen here, every few years, but Union Army while his wife Bertha helped usually it’s only once or twice past rain American History the Confederacy. season. This year it’s more frequent than A highly controversial and embarrass- we’ve had during many winter months. Jews and the Civil War (A Reader). ing topic was General Order No. 11 issued And when it rains, it sure rains. Edited by Jonathan D. Sarna and Adam by General Ulysses S. Grant on Dec. 17, At Yafiz, the clothing for the entire Mendelsohn. New York University Press. 1862, ordering all Jews to depart from The family store where I work, people keep 2010. Pp. 435. Department of Tennessee within 24 hours coming in for winter clothes, but most are April 12, 2011, for breaking trade regulations. This over- packed up. We just don’t have room for marked the 150th arching and shocking order held an entire everything. Last week I managed to sell a year anniversary of group of people responsible for the acts of woman and her young daughter a cute the Civil War, with some while there were gentiles as well, shawl/poncho from the half-price-rack to the attack on Ft. including many soldiers, who participated keep the little girl warm. Sumter triggering in the illegal and profitable speculation in Neighbors keep saying that the late rain the bloodiest cotton which became a scarce commodity. is bad for the crops, but I reply that in internal conflict Grant was characterized by historian most agricultural places it rains all year ever to confront Bertram Korn as “the most sweeping anti- and the crops thrive. We need the water the American Jewish regulation in all American History.” and shouldn’t complain about the timing. nation. Along with The New York Times described it as “one of the not too far off the deepest sensations of the war.” The What a start to “Birthday Month” Sesquicentennial Anniversary due on April quick response of Jewish leaders and oth- I must buy a bunch of birthday cards 9, 2015, recalling Robert E. Lee’s surrender ers led President Lincoln to immediately today. Some will be sent a bit late, but at Appomattox, we are presented here intervene, instructing that Order No. 11 be at least they’ll be sent. I didn’t like the with an eclectic and eloquent collection of rescinded.The controversy followed Grant selection I had found the other day, but essays exploring the Jewish connection into his presidential campaign, and even today, G-d willing I’ll find the perfect with a monumental challenge to a young his wife Julia Dent Grant referred to that ones. May is “Birthday Month” in my nation, threatening to tear it apart. order as “the obnoxious order,” though family. My mother, brother, sister and I are This fruitful collaboration of the two Grant himself never apologized but did all “May babies.” And so is my third editors, Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna, and Dr. intimate that it was issued in haste with- daughter. And, having no idea of course, a Adam Mendelsohn, has produced both a out review. friend sent me a link to an old article readable and academic volume. Sarna, the Concerning the explosive theme of slav- about the founding of the State of Israel senior partner, is Professor of American ery, the Jews reflected by-and-large the which mentions my birthday, not long Jewish History at Brandeis University as particular environment in which they before I was born. well as Chief Historian of the National lived. However, the point is made that Batya Medad is a veteran American olah, Museum of American Jewish History. He were it not for the enslavement of the immigrant in Israel. She and her husband is the foremost living authority in his field. blacks, the Jews would not have fared as made aliyah in 1970 and have been in Shiloh Mendelsohn is Assistant Professor of well as they did in the South, which over- since 1981. She’s a wife, mother, grandmother, Jewish studies and Director of the Center all was better than in the North. The rea- EFL Teacher, writer and photographer. for Southern Jewish Culture at the College son given is that in the South they were Besides her articles and photographs we’ve of Charleston. considered as part of the white communi- been featuring in this publication for a This authoritative book is divided into ty. Even a wealthy merchant Jew such as number of years, Batya is very involved in 7 parts: Jews and Slavery; Jews and Aaron Lopez who was engaged in heavy the international cyber community as a Abolition; Rabbis and the March to War; trade had only very limited participation Jewish blogger. She has two active blogs, Jewish Soldiers during the Civil War; The in the slave trade, as reflected in the http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com and Home Front; Jews as a Class and an William and Mary Quarterly of 1975. In http://me-ander.blogspot.com, besides having Aftermath. Each part is accompanied by the matter of accepting Jewish Chaplains established the Kosher Cooking Carnival; an illuminating introduction. Some salient into military service, the South was kinder details on me-ander. You can contact her at facts and factors: In the midst of the U.S. and presented no legal impediments as [email protected]. population in 1860 of about 31 million, was the case in the North until July 1862, 150,000 Jews resided, whereas in 1850 where Chaplains had to be of the j i there were less than 50,000. Most of the Christian faith only and one already serv- account of the multi-faceted Civil War newcomers were from Germany. Jews ing Jewish Chaplain from Philadelphia whose ramifications and lessons are still participated in the fighting on both sides was forced to resign. with us today. and in that patriotic effort and sacrifice The enlightening volume of Jews and Dr. Israel Zoberman is founding rabbi of their identity as Americans was shaped. the Civil War brings together invaluable Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Between 2,000 and 3,000 Jews served in and credible source material under one Beach, Va., and President of the Hampton the Confederacy and 6,000 in the Unions cover, enriching those who seek full Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors. May 18, 2011 JPO 21 college and, briefly, in the minor leagues. He was visiting from his home in New Book Reviews His mother was Jewish but his father was York in order to work on a movie script. not. To supplement his limited Jewish He saw her cooking potato latkes and he REVIEWED BY MORTON I. TEICHER background, he had participated in an was immediately smitten. They spent the “amazing”ten-day Birthright trip to Israel evening together and she gave him her and he welcomed the opportunity to address and telephone number. Then, just Professional baseball revisit the country in order to learn more before driving off, she mentioned that her in Israel about the Israelis and the Arab-Israel husband was away at art school in conflict. His chronicle is divided unevenly Chicago. He was devastated to learn that Pitching in the Promised Land. By Aaron between reports of his activities to further she was married, but he nevertheless Pribble. Lincoln, Neb: University of this objective and much longer accounts managed to see her from time to time Nebraska Press, 2011. 280 Pages. $24.95. of the games in which he was a prominent during the next year and a half as he flew This remarkable memoir was written by participant. He describes his Friday night back and forth between New York and Los one of the many unusual participants in the visits to the home of an Israeli teammate; Angeles. Finally, he settled permanently abortive effort to introduce professional his involvement with a Yemenite Israeli in Los Angeles where he learned that baseball into woman; and the foolhardy expedition Annabelle had divorced her husband. She Israel. Supported he took to Ramallah, despite warnings and Jeff had occasional dates until they by Larry Baras, a against it. were finally married with a rabbi performing wealthy Boston Emphasis on Pribble’s personal situation the wedding ceremony. Their differing bagel maker and is highlighted towards the end of the views of the five years from the time they entrepreneur, the book when he explores the dilemma first met provide a funny prelude to the Jewish National posed to him by an offer to play in “the descriptions of the ensuing 14 years after Fund, and others, best independent baseball league” in the they were married. the well-inten- United States. His original intent was to The light touch that characterizes this tioned idea was return to his high school teaching job at early part of the book continues through to enhance rela- the end of the summer in Israel but he is Annabelle’s pregnancy before the mood tionships between tempted strongly by the opportunity to shifts when it turns out that their son, Israelis and pursue his career as a pitcher. He resolves Ezra, has a rare combination of serious American Jews by bringing America’s this quandary in the final chapter of birth defects. Annabelle and Jeff struggle national pastime to Israel. Predictably, the the book. with the many issues this entails with the wide gulf of preoccupations and interests Pribble has managed to bring together aid of an excellent doctor who treated Ezra that separate these two Jewish communi- intriguing autobiographical information and became their friend. The forthright ties plus the lack of sufficient finances with a lively record of the crack at portrayal of the troublesome years of brought inevitable doom to the quixotic exporting American baseball to Israel. His thorny experiences is offered with some attempt. enjoyable book is an eminently successful amusement as they explore their problems To staff the six teams that made up the merger of these two elements. from the current vantage point of having a Israel Baseball League in the summer of son now about to become a teen-ager. 2007, its first and last season, 120 players A question that Annabelle and Jeff were selected from nine different Marriage wisdom confront arises from their determination countries, mostly the United States and cloaked in humor “to give Ezra a sprinkling of his religious the Dominican Republic. A few had heritage.” Their answer is to “observe” played briefly in the major leagues; many You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up.By Hanukkah by giving him presents. They had experience in the minor leagues; they Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn. light the Hanukkah candles on the first varied considerably in their expertise. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2011. night and give Ezra a gift from his Daniel Kurtzer, Princeton professor in the 264 Pages. $14. relatives. By the second night, the joy of Woodrow Wilson School of Public As most couples the holiday has disappeared and, by the and International Affairs, and former will testify, third night, it is completely gone. For the American ambassador to Egypt and marriage inevitably last night, they attend a “Christmas party Israel, agreed to serve as honorary has its ups and eating a decidedly unkosher meal of ham Commissioner. He quickly demonstrated downs. This book and imported cheeses.” his diplomatic talents when he managed richly and wittily A distinctive set of enigmas arise from to avert a threatened strike over a problem testifies to that Annabelle and Jeff’s relationships with about salary payments. unchanging reality. their in-laws but, once again, despite their The living quarters assigned to the Presented through different standpoints, they consider these players were minimal; the fields on which the alternative interactions with airy cheerfulness. games were played left a great deal to be perspectives of Similarly, questions about sexual intimacy desired; and the attendance was sparse. each partner on a are openly and deftly discussed. Despite these limitations, the teams variety of subjects, Jeff, the Jewish “agnostic” Couples sometimes try to steer through competed vigorously with each other and husband and Annabelle, the Jewish“secular, the rocky shoals of marriage by joining some of their members managed to learn humanist, atheist” wife recount the story support groups or by turning to marriage a little about Israel. They established close of their marriage and courtship.The two of counselors. Annabelle and Jeff tried both relationships with each other and several them are actors, writers, and comedians. with limited success and with different of them kept their promises to keep in Their charming narrative is easy to read appraisals. They assiduously follow the touch after the season ended. and, despite its seeming frivolity, many pattern established throughout the book The first person narrator, Aaron Pribble, significant truths are offered. by describing these experiences with was a 27-year-old high school teacher in Annabelle and Jeff met in 1989 at a frankness and jocularity. California who had played baseball in “Rosh Hashanah party” in Los Angeles. (see Teicher, page JPO 23) May 18, 2011 JPO 22 The introduction discusses differences Curious what varenkes (half moon- My Kosher and diversity, is there Jewish food, and shaped pasta from the Ukraine), schnecken why is Jewish food important, followed by (coiled yeast pastry from Germany), manti a timeline of Jewish history.The entries are (filled dumplingsof Uzbekistan), Kitchen alphabetical and include origin and other khachapuri (Georgian bread) or gulab names and then background and history, jumun (sweet fritters of Jews of India) look BY SYBIL KAPLAN followed in many cases by a recipe. They like or how to make them? Photographs go from Adafina (a Sephardic Sabbath and recipes are in this book. Cheese for Shavuot stew) to Zwetschgenkuchen (a cross Fascinated? This is a most intriguing between a cake and a tart made with book to read whether you are a cook, food from Encyclopedia Italian prune plums). There is also an enthusiast, historian or just interested in extensive bibliography and index. Jewish history and Jewish food. of Jewish Food Think of any subject that interests you about Jewish food and it’s probably included. Blintz Souffle (4 servings) Gil Marks has a wonderful article on Cabbage evolved around the first century 1 package frozen blintzes Shavuot and how cheese is the “preemi- BCE, is not mentioned in the Bible but is 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine nent food symbol of the holiday among mentioned in Talmud. Stuffed cabbage 2 eggs Ashkenazi, as well as Sephardim and originated in Turkey or Persia and has 3/4 cup sour cream Middle Eastern Jews. Below are two of my names in no less than 23 languages (e.g., 1/8 cup sugar favorites. dolmeh in Farsi, galloptchy in Poland, 1/2 tsp. vanilla Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by Gil yaprak domasi in Turkey. 2 Tbsp. orange juice Marks. John Wiley & Sons. 672 pp. $40 Lab is Ethiopian curd cheese and you hardcover. can make it in your own kitchen with the Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter or Reading cookbooks is something I can included recipe. Schmaltz, melted and margarine in rectangular baking dish or unequivocally say, I adore, but in this purified poultry fat, became to Ashkenazic melt and pour into dish. Arrange blintzes case holding a 672-page volume was cooking what olive oil was to on top. In a bowl, combine eggs, sour somewhat cumbersome. Chef, rabbi, Mediterranean food and is mentioned cream, sugar, vanilla and orange juice. writer, historian and expert on Jewish in the Talmud by a third century rabbi. Pour over blintzes. Bake in preheated cooking, Gil Marks, has written a number One of the most ancient methods of oven 35–40 minutes. Serve immediately. of cookbooks including Olive Trees and keeping foods was pickling. Pickles were Honey, The World of Jewish Entertaining, an intrinsic part of dining throughout Cheese Latkes The World of Jewish Cooking, and The the Medieval Middle East. 1 cup drained cottage cheese World of Jewish Desserts, all of which I find Sabich, the pita or laffa sandwich with 1 cup milk to be wonderful resources. fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, Israeli 3 eggs Marks grew up salad and sauces or pickles, was 1 tsp. vanilla in Richmond, Va.; introduced to Israel by Iraqis in the 1950s. 5 Tbsp. sugar was ordained from Eggplant began to be used by Jews of 1 1/2 cups flour Yeshiva University Spain in the late ninth century. Today, it 1 tsp. baking powder and founded can be found in the cuisine of Jews from oil for frying Kosher Gourmet Romania, Georgia, Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Magazine in 1986. Turkey, and more. After 1948, during In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, milk, He is a featured the period of austerity, eggplant was eggs and vanilla. Add sugar, flour and lecturer on food. one of the few plants grown in Israel in baking powder and mix well. Heat oil in a In 2007, Marks, any quantity so the government and frying pan. Drop batter around pan with who had been a newspapers promoted eggplant recipes. teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on collector of recipes for over 25 years, was Although the bundt cake originated in size latkes you want. Fry on both sides approached by his editor who suggested Germany and Central Europe, it was until brown. Drain on paper towels. Top he write an encyclopedia of Jewish food. members of a Minneapolis, Minn., with jams or preserves or sour cream. The result is more than 650 entries, Hadassah Chapter who wanted to bake Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, food writer, 300 recipes and illustrations and maps, the cake of their mothers and went to compiler and editor of nine kosher cookbooks, providing “a cultural odyssey of more than Northland Aluminum Products to see if and feature writer. She leads walks in 2,500 years, exploring and embracing they could create the correct pan to Jerusalem’s Machaneh Yehudah Jewish Jewish foods from across the globe – use. Using a German kugelhopf pan as a produce market and has a weekly spot on their history, etymology, cultural and prototype, the American bundt pan was RustyMikeRadio.com. religious significance, continuing usage born in the 1950s. in Jewish life, and relationship to the Interested in the history of dumplings? j i wider culture.” A map traces its movement and name GOLD Marks includes entries on Jewish differences from Northern Germany as (continued from page JPO 14) holidays and rituals and food traditions kloes to Southern Germany and Austria with recipes that are – “most representative, (knodel), France, Central and northern I can and do enthusiastically meaningful and pertinent.” Marks says Poland (knaidel) Ukraine, Hungary, recommend this CD for my readers. It “the collection of information and Slovakia and some places in between to can be obtained from www.cdbaby.com. traditional recipes in Encyclopedia of Italy (gnocchi). Another map shows how This CD follows the previously released Jewish Food – the influential and integral sugar in seventh century Persia moved to CD of Merel’s art, Standing Ovation. parts of ancient and modern Jewish Iraq and the Middle East, Greece, Italy, Dr. Gold is a composer, conductor, pianist history and culture – tells the story of the Hungary, Poland, Russia, Netherlands, and music critic. He may be reached at: past 2,500 years of Clal Yisrael.” Denmark and places in between. [email protected]. May 18, 2011 JPO 23 KARSH WIENER There is one other significant back- (continued from page JPO 5) (continued from page JPO 9) drop to the book. Before presenting her concluding chapter, Lipstadt takes Because Wisconsin borders Illinois, we the same? The challenges are great, the on Hannah Arendt who, in 1963, are not unaccustomed to politicians going effort seems futile. And then I remember published her account of Eichmann’s bad. Two of their ex-governors currently this story. trial, Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report reside in Federal “white collar” prison- Many such stories can be found in the on the Banality of Evil. Based on her country clubs in Wisconsin, and then there journey we take but the important thing to five New Yorker articles, Arendt’s book is the nagging case of the ex-Illinois remember is that our world is so fragile generated considerable debate since she Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was first and we are so dependent on each other dismissed Eichmann as an unintelligent exposed by United States Attorney Patrick and are very important to each other. clerk who was simply following orders. Fitzgerald, who then failed to quickly The rest seems so insignificant. Don’t However, Lipstadt shows that Arendt indict him, but did bring his career to a you agree? “was absent for much of the trial,” screeching halt. The first trial ended Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of including the cross-examination of with a hung and confused jury, failing to the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near Eichmann. convict on the most substantive issues, Phoenix, Ariz. He welcomes comments at Arendt vigorously criticized the Jewish and even though the Governor is not free, [email protected]. Councils who “collaborated” with the he has become, in the minds of many fair- Nazis, ignoring, as Lipstadt points out, minded people, a victim of a botched case. j i the massacre of Jews in the “eastern It is hard to feel badly for Blagojevich. TRAVEL territories” where there were no Jewish He is 3 parts clown to 1 part elected (continued from page JPO 17) councils. Arendt also condemned the Jews official, but in most of America, there is who worked in the gas chambers. In still judicial process and some sense of guests information sheets specifying the refutation, Lipstadt cites Italian Auschwitz fairness. It is likely that in the next round – exact location of a dozen different kosher survivor, Primo Levi, who asserted that no win or lose – this case will be in the courts facilities, restaurants and synagogues one had a right to judge them. Lipstadt for a very long time. within relatively easy walking or driving claims that Arendt had a “personal disdain The prosecutors in Israel have usually distance from the hotel. for Israel that bordered on anti-Semitism prevailed, but the long interim between and racism.” Although Lipstadt makes announcement and indictment provides j i some effort to be even-handed in her another cause for division in the country. TEICHER critique of Arendt, she has written a book Lieberman is a polarizing personality, and (continued from page JPO 21) that is designed to replace Arendt’s view as a proponent of a major cause, his of the Eichmann trial. predicament is both personal and national. Under the cheerful gaiety of this Lipstadt’s account begins with the As Jews we are enjoined to pursue memoir is a significant commentary on capture of Eichmann in Argentina and the justice, and we observe that there are the pitfalls of contemporary marriage. subsequent debate about where he should many innocent victims of the crime, Dealing with these daunting tasks is made be tried. Ben Gurion rejected the view sometimes a whole nation. somewhat easier by the wisdom cloaked in of some American Jews that the trial Howard W. Karsh lives and writes in humor that is contained in this fine book. should be held in Germany or before an Milwaukee, Wisc., and can be reached at international tribunal. He also was [email protected]. He has recently been involved in determining who should be named as a community columnist for the New study of 1961 the prosecuting attorney and who should Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Eichmann trial serve as the three judges. Two crisp chapters detail the actual proceedings, j i The Eichmann Trial. By Deborah E. plainly and coherently describing the NEWS Lipstadt. New York: Nextbook, Schocken, testimony, including the prosecuting (continued from page JPO 4) 2011. 251 Pages. $24.95. attorney’s successful elicitation of The author of this lucid and impressive evidence to refute Eichmann’s claim that passage last year, will provide young book, Deborah E. Lipstadt, is Professor of he was just following orders. Recounting people who seek to contribute more fully Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at the courtroom drama includes the to America with a path to legalization. We Emory University. She has published argument by Eichmann’s lawyer that the urge Congress to expedite its passage and several books on the Holocaust, one of court lacks jurisdiction; the opening look forward to seeing the President sign which describes her trial for libel brought speeches by the lawyers; dramatic it into law. by Holocaust denier David Irving. The accounts by a number of Holocaust Let us ensure that we honor our introduction to this new book summarizes survivors that helped to change their heritage, ensure our security, and prepare those proceedings, indicating that the image among Israelis and American for our future. We call on the President case against Irving Jews; and Eichmann’s own examination and Members of Congress to remember, was so powerful and cross-examination. above all, that this nation is a nation of as to produce a This absorbing chronicle focuses the immigrants, and is in desperate need of complete victory reader’s attention on a drama that unfolded compassionate, effective reform. for Lipstadt. 50 years ago with repercussions that echo The Religious Action Center of Reform This experience loudly to this very day. We are indebted Judaism is the Washington office of the combined with to Deborah E. Lipstadt for her valuable Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than her Holocaust contribution. 900 congregations across North America scholarship led Dr. Morton I. Teicher is the Founding encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews and more to this new Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, than 1,800 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org. study of the 1961 Yeshiva University and Dean Emeritus, (see News, page JPO 24) Eichmann trial. School of Social Work, UNC at Chapel Hill. May 18, 2011 JPO 24 NEWS A Sacred Bridge – (continued from page JPO 23) A Community Change of leadership under one G-d at PEJE this Fall BY CANTOR BENJAMIN Z. MAISSNER BOSTON – The Partnership for “Music speaks louder than words. It’s Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) the only thing that the whole world listens announced today that its long-time to. When you sing, people understand.”In L-R: Henry Renglich, Conductor, Etobicoke executive director plans to leave the a recent article on urj.org, Cantor Alaine Centennial Choir; Cantor Benjamin Z. organization at the end of September and Katzew describes the healing and bonding Maissner, Holy Blossom Temple; David that a transition will begin immediately power and how music affects our lives. Warrack, Conductor, Hillcrest Christian that will soon see its associate director Music can function as a fantastic tool for Church; and Dr. Peter Nikiforuk, become the acting director. outreach and keruv, drawing people Conductor, Menno Singers. After 14 years of guiding the leading together in creating an inter-religious Jewish day school support organization, global community. Singing ensembles write a complete setting of a Jewish Rabbi Joshua Elkin, himself a former thus function as a community within a service for cantor, choir and symphony day school head, wrote to his board, community. orchestra. This massive work is the “just as 1996 was a time that felt right It is in this spirit that we anticipate the realization of humanity’s love of G-d, in for a new venture, so too is 2011. I feel celebration of an “Interfaith Choral fellowship and brotherhood. The work that I have another chapter within me Extravaganza.” This collaboration of was composed between 1930 and 1933, that I am eager to explore – a not-yet- church and community choirs in one voice and received its first performance in 1934. identified different platform from which exemplifies human unity through the On April 10, 2011, at Holy Blossom I can continue to help strengthen the power of music. The combination of four Temple in Toronto, Canada, A Sacred Jewish people.” church and community choirs numbering Bridge – A Community under one G-d News of Rabbi Elkin’s coming departure over 130 singers lifting up their voices was held. Participants of the evening was greeted with understanding and in harmony, singing unto G-d as one included: Menno Singers – Peter Nikiforuk, gratitude by the PEJE board chair, Diane galvanized community is for the sole Conductor; Etobicoke Centennial Choir – Troderman. Ms. Troderman affirmed her purpose of bringing together hopes and Henry Renglich, Conductor; Hillcrest commitment to a seamless transition aspirations for a more tolerant world with Christian Church – David Warrack, through Rabbi Elkin’s departure on peace and understanding between human Conductor; Soloist – Cantor Benjamin Z. September 30. To that end, she and the beings. Music is truly the language of the Maissner; Organist – Alison Riseley-Clark; entire PEJE board concurred in a vote this soul. It gives us hope and lifts our spirits. and Accompanist – Nadia Adler. week to appointment Amy Katz, Associate Music remains with us throughout our Cantor Maissner is Music Director of Director of PEJE, as acting director. lives and soothes our souls evoking Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Ontario, Spanning a Jewish communal career of emotions and memories. It tells us the Canada. With degrees from the Hebrew over 33 years in the Boston area, Amy Katz story of our people, our morals and values Union College of Sacred Music and has worked in leadership positions since and unites us all in times of sadness Temple University, he is renowned for his 1991. A day school graduate herself and and happiness. knowledge of both secular and liturgical the mother of five day school graduates, The Sacred Service – Avodah HaKodesh music. He is also Conductor and Music Ms. Katz is an alumnus of Yeshiva is a landmark in the history of Jewish Director of Lachan, Toronto’s Jewish University’s Stern College and holds an music. For the very first time a composer Chamber Choir. This is reprinted from their MSW from the University’s Wurzweiler of world stature was commissioned to April-May 2011 bulletin. School of Social Work. The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) believes that day schools are essential for fostering an engaged Jewish people for an enduring future. PEJE connects and empowers Jewish day schools and major stakeholders in the Jewish community across the denominational and geographic spectrum and offers unparalleled knowledge and resources to foster financial sustainability and affordability.

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