xt712j686c97 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt712j686c97/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2012-11 Newspaper of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, previously named the Central Kentucky Jewish Association and Central Kentucky Jewish Federation. Published ten times annually. The Federation seeks to bring Jewish community members together through holiday parties, lectures, Yiddish courses, meals, and other celebrations of Jewish heritage and culture. They also host fundraisers and provide financial assistance for Jews in need, both locally and around the world. This collection is part of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records, 2016ms010. newsletters 2016ms010 English Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Inc.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records Jews -- Kentucky -- Lexington Jews -- History Shalom, November 2012 text image Shalom, November 2012 2012 2012-11 2025 true xt712j686c97 section xt712j686c97 “N.

November 2012

WI

Newspaper of

OF THE BLUEGRASS

 

Wk CHESHVAN/KISLEV 5773

 

Global Day of Jewish
Learning returns
Lexington Goes Global,

the sequel

By Tamara Ohayon

Global Day locally and around
the world

The Aleph Society and world-
renowned Rabbi Adin Even—Israel
Steinsaltz have announced the third
annual ”Global Day of Jewish Learn-
ing” to be held on Sunday, November
18, 2012. This event brings Jews of

*diverse backgrounds, from around the

world, together for a day to study Jew-
ish ideas. Our second year of participa-
tion in this international momentous
occasion broadens our community in
central Kentucky, and strengthens the
global Jewish community as a whole.

Individuals in more than 300 com-
munities, in over 40 countries, across 6
continents will collaborate in a day of
celebration and learning. Events will
take place in communities throughout
the United States from New York to
California, Texas to Florida and across
the globe from South America to
Europe, Canada to Israel as well as in
the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia
and the Former Soviet Union.

Our Lexington program will begin at
3:00 pm on November 18th at Ohavay
Zion Synagogue. This year’s event
will focus on the themes of blessings
and gratitude. The afternoon will

be structured similarly to last year's
Global Day at Temple Adath Israel;
we will again learn from each other as
community members lead two blocks
of 45-minute sessions with a break

see Global Day of Jewish, page 5

 

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By Lisa Satin

On October 7, Temple and Synagogue
members enjoyed spending part of
Sukkot working on a permanent dwell-
ing for a family (although the roof

is still open to the stars)! There were
about 10-15 members of each congre-
gation working on the project today!

Many of the participants eagerly ac-
cepted this opportunity to hammer
nails and use power tools! Several
people continued working with the
Temple during the second shift from
12:30 to 3:30. Special thanks to Ray
Archer for providing ample snacks and
a nice lunch for everyone!

Thanks to the following Synagogue

see Habitat, page 5

Habitat for Humanity

 

Campaign News:
Tzedakah in another form

Our community is blessed to have

so many donors who contribute
generously to the Federation annual
campaign, to their congregations,

to Hadassah, B’nai B’rith, and other
charitable organizations. We are grate-
ful that because of your contributions,
we are able to make a difference in the
lives of our brothers and sisters locally
and overseas. We are also grateful that
many of our community members
contribute in another way — with their
precious time in addition to their mon—

etary support.

Two Federation events coming up

highlight volunteerism in our com-
munity. On November 18th we will
join hundreds of Jewish communities
around the world by participating in
the Global Day of Jewish Learning.
Volunteers in our community will
again be offering classes and work-
shops dealing with Jewish concepts
about gratitude and blessings. As last
year, classes will include text study,
arts, Jewish Family Life Education,
and a P] Library musical program. The
Global Day will be held at Ohavay
Zion Synagogue at 3 pm.

see Campaign, page 18

 

 

 

 

  

IN THIS ISSUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President’s Message 3
Editorial 3
Access showcases Cincinnati and Plum Street Temple .................................. 4
JFS: At Your Service 4
Ask A Rabbi 6
Rosa Behar, una mujer fascinante 7
A Jewish Educational Manifesto, Part Two: Dreaming Large ....................... 8
Rosh Hashanah in Ukraine: A Personal Reflection ........................................... 9
Faith Communities and People with Disabilities ........................................... 9
11:11 10
Israel 21 c: Diets give long-term health benefits ............................................. 12
B’tayavon 16
Sim Shalom news 16
The Lexington Havurah 17
The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah 18
Ohavay Zion Synagogue 19
Temple Adath Israel 20
Around the Community 22

 

 

Shale

Published ten times per Byear by the
Jewish Federation of the uegrass, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Rd, Suite 1 12, Lexington, KY 40502

Phone (859) 268-0672 - Fax (859) 268-0775

email: shalom@jewishlexington.org

NOVEMBER 201 2, VOLUME XIX, ISSUE 8
Robert Grossman, President
Judy Wortman, Executive Director
Tamara Ohayon, Communications Director
Mimi Kaufman, JFS Director
Lori Bernard, Coordinator of Informal Jewish Education

SHALOM EDITORIAL BOARD
David A. Wortman, Editor-in—Chief
Hanna Smith, Chairperson
Jane Chaput
Susan Cobin
Betty Nigoff

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Aryeh Ben David, Janice Newman, Lisa Satin, Hanna Smith, Zhanna Veyts, Jesse Weil, Gary Yarus,
Elise Mandel

LOCAL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Lowell and Betty Nigoff
Production Services by Georgetown News-Graphic

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for publication in Shalom. Articles should not ex-
ceed 500 words. The appearance of any advertising in this publication does not represent either a kashruth
or any other endorsement on the part of the Federation or any other agency or organizations.

Opinions expressed in Shalom are not necessarily those of the Shalom editorial staff or the JFB or its con-
stituent organizations.
Shalom is partially supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.

Copyright 6 2012, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass. All rights reserved. For reprint permission contact
David Wortman, Editor-ln-Chief, Shalom, at shalomQjewishlexingtonorg

2 | November 2012 Shalom

 

The P] Library is a national
program offered locally,
which mails free, high-

quality and age appropriate

Jewish children's literature

and music to families on a
monthly basis.

 

All families raising Iewish children ages six months to eight years are welcome
to enroll. IFB is proud to ofler your family, through our partnership with local donors
and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, this opportunity to explore the timeless core
values of Iudaism through books and music.

Enroll your children or grandchildren today! Call us at 859.268.0672 or
visit www.pjlibrary.com and visit our Lexington community page.

 

 

 

 
 
   
 
    

 

ratitude
Join Us
NOV. 18 .1 2

  
 

YBJ Is a gathering of local Jewish adults, ages 21 to “40—ish” (about 45), who get
together monthly for social events. Join our mailing list. Contact Tamara Ohayon
at tamara@jewishlexington.org. (859) 268-0672, or find us on Facebook!

If you are not receiving Jewish Weekly email and would like to, please

send your name and email address to lexadmin ujewishlexingtonorg

OF THE BLUEGRASS

If i \\ 'I'hr-chish Federation

Federation President Federation Board
Robert Grossman Minna Katz-Brown Larry Kant

Jane Chaput Amy Faust Mayer
Executive Committee Susan Cobin Betty Nigoff
Kae Schennberg, ch-President Gail Cohen Seth Salomon
Hanna Smith, Secretary Jenn Garlin Marty Solomon

Evelyn Dantzic Geller Paul Tillier
Michael Grossman Elissa Weinstein
Joseph Hernandez David Wekstein

Gary Yarus, Treasurer
Evalyn Block, Member-at-Large
Linda Rawin, Member-at—Large

A”) it???” ,' L. “g" I
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Shalom Deadline

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 President’s Message

Bob Grossman, JFB President

 

I’m writing this message from Breaks
Interstate Park, on the border of south-
eastern Kentucky and southwestern
Virginia. Barbara and I took a walk in
the woods this afternoon. The leaves
have started to fall, although there’s
not much color in them yet. There’s

a beautiful, steep canyon here, carved
by the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy
River, and we saw kayakers enjoying
the river.

We’re here because we needed a short
respite from the hurly-burly of our
lives in Lexington. Jewish tradition, of
course, already knows the value of that
respite, hence Shabbat and the cycle of
holidays. And, just as taking time out
from our busy lives to mark time the
Jewish way is sometimes inconvenient
and even jarring, the isolation here

at the state park is a little more than I
bargained for: no Internet connection
in the rooms, only in the middle of the
parking lot! Nevertheless, I’m glad
Barbara and I came out here this week-
end to enjoy the natural beauty, just as
I’m always glad when I take the time
to celebrate the Jewish holidays.

The Jewish holidays have both reli-
gious and cultural aspects. Here at
JFB, we view our role as fostering the
cultural side of Jewish life, leaving the
religious side to our congregations. As
part of our efforts to foster Jewish cul-
ture, your Federation has begun a few
new programs in the past few years
that have seen increasing success. We
are in the third year of our Jewish Film
Festival, and attendance continues to
climb, which pleases us greatly. At the
same time, we have reduced the cost
of presenting the films by showing
them at UK and making them free to
students. Also last year, due to a very
generous group of local donors and the
equally generous support of the Har-
old Grinspoon Foundation, we started
the PJ Library program in Lexington,
which provides a free Jewish-themed
book every month to Jewish children
ages 6 months to 8 years. We are very
proud of these new programs, and we
hope the community will continue to
support them.

AJFB program with greater longevity

 

than these is
the annual
Hanukkah
Winter Din—
ner, which
this year will
be held on December 9 at Panda Cui-
sine restaurant. We hope very much
to see you there. This December, we
will also hold our annual Tzeason of
Tzedakah, when we will match Jewish
volunteers with service opportunities
in Lexington. The Tzeason of Tzeda—
kah has grown tremendously in recent
years, and we think its popularity says
a lot about the generous nature of our
community and its desire to help make
our world a better place for both us
and our neighbors.

Just as the Jewish holidays mark the
cycle of the Earth’s orbit around the
sun, so do life events mark our travel
through life. We wish a very fond fare—
well to our JFS director, Talia Smolkin,
as she and Rabbi Moshe become new
parents. Don’t be a stranger, Talia!
“Mazel tov” is also due to Tamara Oha—
yon, who has recently been promoted
to Director of Marketing, Outreach,
and Engagement. Tammy will also be
taking over as Camp Shalom Director
from Kathy Feinberg, who has decided
to resign after many years of dedicated
service in this position. Thank you for
all you have done, Kathy, and don’t be
a stranger, either!

As American Jews, we mark the cycle
not only of the Jewish year, but also the
secular year. As we approach the end
of JFB’s fiscal year, I would like to re-
mind you that all of your Federation’s
programs can happen only if you sup-
port them financially. If you have not
already made your pledge for the 2012
Campaign, we respectquy ask that
you do so now; if you have already
made your pledge, we encourage you
to pay it as soon as possible; and if

you have already paid it, thank you so
much, and please consider JFB again as
you make your end-of—2012 charitable
contributions.

Barbara and I wish all of you a very
happy Thanksgng and a happy
Hanukkah. 1:!

 

 

Jewish Federations Call for Fair
Solution to Situation at Kotel

While JFNA fully respects decisions of
Israel’s courts and judicial system, we
urge government, together with other
parties, to work out a fair solution to
the problematic situation that exists

at the Kotel. Such an outcome must
uphold Israel’s guarantee to grant full
freedom of worship for all in Jerusa-
lem, including rights of all Jews to

pray in their own traditions at our holy
sites. Further, JFNA is very concerned
over allegations of mistreatment of
Anat Hoffman at the hands of the
Israel Police. If media reports as to this
mistreatment are correct, we call on the
Israel Police to provide answers as to
how and why such actions occurred. It!

 

Notice of Cleaning of the gravestone
monuments of the Lexington Cemetery

To enhance the beauty and dignity of
Sections E-J and E—2 of the Spinoza So—
ciety sections in The Lexington Ceme—
tery Company, the Spinoza Society has
authorized the Lexington Cemetery
Company to clean all of the monu-
ments in Sections E] and E—2. The
entire expense for cleaning the monu—
ments will be paid by the Spinoza So—
ciety. Cleaning of the monuments has
begun in Section E-J (the older section)
and will continue while weather

permits. Cleaning of the monuments
in Section E-2 (the newer section) will
begin after Section E] cleaning has
been finished.

If you have any questions about this
Notice, you may contact Mr. Scalf,
President of the Cemetery (255—5522),
or any of the Trustees of the Spinoza
Society: Michael Ades, Ben Baker, Joe
Rosenberg, or Simone Solomon. :1!

 

December 5th.

 

Hanukkah Winter Dinner
to be held on December 9th

The Winter Dinner will be held on Sunday, December
9th, the second night of Hanukkah at 5:30pm. This year
it will be held at Panda Cuisine, 2358 Nicholasville Road.
A delicious vegetarian buffet will be served. The cost

for adults is $18. The buffet for children will cost $5. As
always, participants are asked to bring a can of food for
God’s Pantry or to make a contribution. Please bring
your Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) and candles so
that we can all celebrate together. Please call the office to
make reservations (268-0672) or send an e-mail to jfb@
jewishlexington.org. The deadline for reservations is

 

 

November 2012 Shalom | 3

 

‘- w "iW-«,c.,‘: l

 

  

Access showcases
Cincinnati and Plum Street

Temple in its new
United States of Shabbat

Series

Access’ Got Shabbat Dinner Series is
a popular way for Jewish Young
Professionals to wind down their
work week together

It’s an all—American celebration with a
traditional Jewish twist... introducing
The United States of Shabbat, Access’
newest ”Got Shabbat” Dinner series,
showcasing the best regional culture
and cuisine our country has to offer...
from sea to shining sea! Naturally,
the first city to be featured will be

the Queen City! And where better to
hold a Cincinnati-Style Shabbat than
the magnificent, historic Plum Street
Temple, considered to be one of the
_most iconic buildings in Cincinnati,
and in the country for that matter!

This event is free with advance reser-
vations and will take place on Friday,
November 9th. It is open to Jew-

ish young professionals, 21—35 from
around the region. The evening will
begin at 6:15pm with a brief and en-
gaging Shabbat service just for Access’
participants. It will be led by Rabbi
Lewis Kamrass, with musical accom-
paniment from ‘Wise Temple’s own
Shir Chadash Band. Guests will also
have the chance to learn more about
the significance of Plum Street Temple
at this time.

”We are delighted to share the history
and the story of Plum Street Temple
with the Access community, and to
celebrate Shabbat with them in a ser-
vice in our beautiful sanctuary," says
Rabbi Lewis Kamrass. ”I look forward
to this being the first of many oppor-
tunities for us to welcome our young
adult community and to giving them
access not only to our history, but to
the personal meaning of Shabbat and
of prayer."

4 l November2012 Shalom

Following the service, guests will
have the chance to mix and mingle
with other young professionals from
Greater Cincinnati and around the
region while enjoying a sit down
Shabbat dinner with all the trimmings,
including Montgomery Inn's famous
barbecued chicken and brisket (veg-
etarian options are also available), and
desserts from other popular Cincinnati
establishments such as Busken Bakery
and more. Complimentary beer and
wine and other beverages will also be
served.

Cincinnati—Style Shabbat is the first in
the new United States of Shabbat, din—
ner series and will focus on the iconic
tastes and traditions of our own coun-
try’s many unique cities and regions.
Like Access’ past International Got
Shabbat dinner series, which included,
Indian Summer Shabbat, Mexican-
Style Shabbat, CelebRussian, Tuscan
Summer Shabbat, Mid-East Feast and
others, Cincinnati Shabbat will offer
the perfect chance for guests to wind
down their work week with other
Jewish YPs while they enjoy a taste of
what makes our own city so unique
and interesting.

"For the past two years I have attend-
ed Yom Kippur services at Plum Street
Temple, thanks to Access' free High
Holiday ticket program and the gen-
erosity of WISE Temple. The sanctuary
is so amazing, and even thought I'm
not a very religious person, being there
makes me feel more spiritual some-
how," explains Jeremy Fine. ”1 am
really looking forward to participating
in a Shabbat service there and appreci—
ate that they are doing all of this just
for us!”

see Cincinnati, page 7

 

     
    

JFS: At Your Service

 

Giving a ”Shout Out” to
Leisure Club

By Janice Newman, member of Jewish
Family Services Advisory Committee

Give me an F for FUN

Give me an F for FOOD

Give me an F for FRIENDSHIP
What do you have? LEISURE CLUB

Now I know you want the scoop about
Leisure Club and what there is to cheer
about. Just ask those who come to the
monthly events: the men and women
ages 60 and over in our community.

The FUN is in having Harriett Rose
talk about her life, growing up in
Lexington and its many changes over
the years; visiting our beautiful Arbo—
retum; participating in book reviews
at Joseph—Beth Booksellers; hearing a
beautiful presentation by James Clark,
President 8: CEO of LexArts Inc, and
Scott Terrell, Music Director and Con-
ductor of The Lexington Philharmonic;
celebrating holidays at Leisure Club
parties, and much more!

FOOD is always something to cheer
about: latkes at Chanukah time;
restaurant outings or lunch at meet-
ing spots like Jewish Federation of the
Bluegrass, Ohavay Zion Synagogue,
and Temple Adath Israel. Most events
are without charge. Our periodic
restaurant outings entail a clutch treat
(everyone pays for her or his own).

FRIENDSHIP is really the focal point
of your involvement in Leisure Club.
Being new to town or a longtime
resident; making new friends or see-
ing some you already know—Leisure

ATTENTION proud grandparents, parents,‘and students

We want to publish any original writing produced by our community’s
elementary- and high-school-age children. if you’re proud of something
written by one of our kids, either fiction or non-fiction, please email it to
shalom@jewishlexington.org

Club is your avenue to experience new
things, have fun, laugh, socialize, be
involved in your community.

Please come and join in! If you are
not receiving monthly notices in your
mailbox about Leisure Club, please
call Jewish Family Services at 269-8244
or the main Jewish Federation of the
Bluegrass number at 268-0672. And, if
you want to help Barbara Barr, An-
nette Milch, and Ann Buckholtz on the
fantastic planning committee, call the
office right away. (Many thanks to Bob
and Sheila Orbach for their years of
service on the committee, and to our
beloved Ruth Moser, may she rest in
peace).

On a personal note, every time I see
the monthly notice of a Leisure Club
activity, I kvell and cheer, for I am
proud to have organized the Leisure
Club many years ago. It is definitely ..
one of the longest running successful
programs going on here in our com-
munity. Please be a part of it. There are
many unexplored arenas that would be
so much fun to explore together!

NEXT MONTH ................

Join friends from Leisure Club at our
community-wide Global Day of Jewish
Learning. This is a great opportunity
to learn from our peers on a variety of
subjects, ranging from text study to the
arts.

This year, Global Day will take place
Sunday, November 18 at 3 pm at Oha-
vay Zion Synagogue. See you there! fi

   

5'06 '11

MA‘Arqfiw'mruP-E'rhflo

.c.-. ._i.1

 Global Day of Jewish Learning (from page 1)

in between and an oneg following.
Workshops will include text studies,

a visual art program, yoga, a youth
learning lounge for ages 9 to 18, a P]
Library music program and child care
for young children, and a Jewish Fam-
ily Life Education program.

Blessings and Gratitude

Rabbi Steinsaltz said, ”the structure of
giving thanks on a regular basis, even
in hard times, encourages us to focus
on the positive side of life. It does not
mean that we forget the dark side, just
that we keep a true perspective, giv-
ing the positive side its due. Sorrow
and anxiety should not extinguish our
ability to say ’thank you’ for our bless-
ings, even when they are obscured

by pain, and these blessings are what
ultimately have the ability to guard us
against taking our most basic gifts for
granted.”

The mission of the Global Day is to
bring the Jewish people together once
a year to celebrate our foundational
Jewish texts through community based
learning. As a small but vibrant Jew—
ish community, let us join together to
share in those blessings we have as one
Jewish family, to learn from each other,

discover or rte-discover the joy and
richness of our heritage, and celebrate
those traditions and ideas we have in
common and new traditions we are
building toward collectively.

Let us also offer our thanks to those
Jewish organizations sponsoring the
program locally: Jewish Federation of
the Bluegrass, Jewish Family Services,
Temple Adath Israel, and our host
Ohavay Zion Synagogue. We would
also like to thank our other local Jew-
ish organization and their leadership
and volunmteers for their continued
support and participation. Internation-
ally, the Aleph Society’s organizing
partners for Global Day of Jewish
Learning include Jewsish Education
Service of North America (JESNA),
Jewish Federations of North America
(JFNA), Hillel: The Foundation for
Jewish Campus Life, and the Shefa
Institute in Israel.

For more information about the local
program, visit www.jewishlexington.
org or contact the Jewish Federation
staff at 859—268-0672. Additional infor-
mation can be found at www.TheGlo—
balDay.com We look forward to seeing
you on November 18. 1)

 

@V Job Openings at JFB

Full Service Bookkeeper

JFB is seeking applicants for a 16 hour per week position
which will include data entry, reporting, budgeting, AP/AR/PR,
tax support for the accountant, fundraising campaign sup—
port, and phone support. Candidates must be at a minimum
proficient in Quickbooks Nonprofit 2011, Microsoft Office Suite
2007. Additionally, candidate will need to learn new donor
software and assist software company with implementation

of data. Flexible schedule. Apply to Judy Wortman, Executive
Director by mail or by emailing resume and cover letter to
jfb@jewishlexington.org

Graphic Designer

JFB is seeking creative and disciplined individual(s) to work
on marketing materials including, but not limited to, flyers,
web graphics, html emails, invitations, and brochures. Appli-
cants must have access to, and experience using, Adobe
Creative Suite 5.0 or newer software. Work will be compen—
sated by hourly wages. Submit resume and a portfolio of your
work to Tamara Ohayon at tamara@jewishlexington.org, in
person by appointment, or by mail to the JFB office. In addi—
tion to portfolio and resume, applicants are asked to submit a
test project which is outlined on the Jewish Federation web—
site.

 

 

 

Habitat (from page 1)

members who eagerly participated:
Jared Bryan, Marty Luftman, Bruce
Broudy, Bennett Bayer, The Bourne
Family, Jon Satin, Mike and Kathy
Grossman, Bob Grossman, Michael
Ades, and Mark Klar. And thank you
to the invaluable Temple members
who participated: Dale Schermer,
Bruce Engel, Julie Lauderback, Al-
vin Goldman, Wayne Graff, Trevor
Creamer, Bob Rosenberg, Mark Swan-
son, Ben Swanson, Mike Burrell, Micah
Kaufman, Zach Kratzer, Mickey Her—
nandez, and Ray Archer.

Other Congregations involved, but not
there on October 7 with the Temple
and Synagogue, include: Central Bap—
tist, Southside Church of Christ, Mead-
owthorpe Presbyterian and Lutheran
Group. The work is being done for
Mie Makola and Madeline Bomboma,

 

from the Democratic Republic of Con-
go, who had to flee to the United States
because of the war in their country.
They have four children here, ranging
in age from 4 1 / 2 to 7 months. They
have two other children who they are
still working to bring here from Africa.
Mie works at UK full time as a cleaner
and floor technician and Madeline
works at Krispy Kreme, part time.

The next build date is on December 2
from 12:30 to 3:30 (626 Breckenridge)»:

 

An Early Childhood Program
for Toddlers & Preschoolers
at Ohavay Zion Synagogue ¥

Now enrolling for the
201 1-201 2 school you.

Creativity 8: Learning through Diversity.
We welcome children from all ethnic, religious,
social, and economic backgrounds.

- Flexible Full Day and Pan-lime Programs
0 Warm, Nurturing Environment

0 Special Enrichment Programs

- Ages 12 months to 5 years (Pro-K)

~Qialiy, UcensedcmcareandPreschooi Programs
'Weolw Firms and Music Programs

- Real LIeAclivities, Hantb-on Learning,

- Cultural Awareness, Highly Qualllad Toadiars.

- Small Child/Mu! Ratios

CorwonlomLocaIion:OnAlimriDM
justollolNewCiroleHoadJ—‘rvaMMeslromUK.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 

 

 

 : When my rabbi speaks of ”rabbinic
literature, ” what does s/he mean?

: ”Rabbinic literature” is a general

term that refers to documents
written by (or transcribed by) rabbis
from the 2nd century B.C.E. through
the present day.

The period from the 2nd century
B.C.E. — 2nd century CE. is known as
the Mishnaic. It was during this time
frame that the Mishnah was compiled,
ultimately by Judah the Prince. The
Mishnah is work by rabbis (or their
students) arranged by subject, rather
than by the order of the biblical text.
There are six major divisions, known
as ”orders.” These orders are further
broken down into tractates. The Mish-
nah is a written compilation of oral
traditions of the early rabbis.

From the 2nd-4th C.E. centuries,
another body of literature was written
down. It is known as the Gemarah. It is

Ask A Rabbi

Rabbi David Wortman

basically commentary on the Mishnah.
When taken together, the Mishnah and
the Gemarah constitute the Talmud.
This was completed by the 4th century
CE. The Talmud retains the order of
the Mishnah itself and has 63 tractates.
The literature itself can be subdivided
into two types: halachic (legal) and
aggadic (stories and parables). Each is
interwoven with the other.

The lst century B.C.E. — lst century
CE. witnessed the introduction of
another kind of rabbinic literature. In
the writing of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the
rabbis added commentaries to some of
the traditional text. This was accom-
plished sometimes through the word—
ing of the text, other times through a
more explicit commentary form.

Then came the Midrash. Midrash is
largely a collection of rabbinic ser-
mons, again either in legal terms or
as stories and parables. Most often,
Midrash follows the biblical order.

By the end of the lst millennium, two
more types of rabbinic literature ap-
peared. First is the traditional biblical
commentary, best exemplified by Rashi
(11th century) and Maimonides (12th
century). Earlier, during Gaonic times,
responsa literature was born. Responsa
refers to writings like this column.
Someone would ask a rabbi a question
and the rabbi would answer (respond).

Another type that was engendered
during the Middle Ages, was the Law
code. The most famous of these legal
compilations was the Shulchan Aruch
(16th century). This remains one of the
most authoritative legal compilations
in rabbinic literature.

With the exception of the Talmud

and the Dead Sea Scrolls, these liter-
ary forms continue to this day. In fact,
there are now commentaries on almost
all of the prior literature. Commentar—
ies, Midrash, law codes, and responsa

 

are still being
written.

The process
is endless
and will
keep enlight-
ening us for
many more years. OI

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:71

ment-Hf'imt‘i'foN’T‘OhfiTm

Hadassah Chanukkah Party

and
Kentucky Children’s Hospital
Mitzvah Project

Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012
7:00 to 9:00 pm
at the home of Evalyn Block

For our traditional gifi exchange, bring a
wrapped or bagged gift valued at $10
and a snack or dessert to share
(vegetarian, dairy or parve)

MITZVAH PROJECT:
Bring items for babies or adolescents who
are patients at the Ky C hildren’s Hospital.
Bring unwrapped, new items only.

 

RSVP by Dec. 7, 2012 to Gayle Boume at
312-0359 or lexhadassah@yahoo.com

 

208 s LIMESTONE, LEXINGTON-K? 40508

6 | November 2012 Shalom

 

AHerrou-rQ-mo-c-Hnfinv-‘hfifl-r—r‘hf-zHum-(D71

 Rosa Behar, una mujer fascinante

By Elisa Mandel

Being useful and giving her all to the
Cuban Jewish community in many
ways are the lessons that Rosa Be-

har was taught by her parents, who
always tried to be of use and who
believed that Jews carry responsibility
for every other Jew.

What a complicated and fascinating
international life story!

Rosa, born in Lille, France, is now
living in Cuba. Rosa’s father Moshe, a
Sephardic Jew from Turkey, married
her mother, Rivke , also Turkish, in
France. Her brother, a retired pharma-
cist, has lived in Israel since 1962. Her
husband, Aleop Gutierrez, is in the
Cuban Merchant Marines, an engineer
who has visited 64 countries. A son,
Aleop, was born in Havana, lived

in Italy, now lives in the Dominican
Republic. Her daughter Rebeca, a
member of the Lexington Chapter of
Hadassah and TAI, is a pharmacist.
She is formerly of Israel and is now
living in Lexington with her husband
and two children.

Rosa has lived in Cuba since 1938,
when her family left France because
the Nazis were coming to power. Her
family sailed to Cuba on a refugee
vessel. Her father needed to finish
just one more year of medical school,
but started working at an American
insurance company, later becoming
president of the company. Her parents
made Aliyah to Israel in 1959, fearful
of changes in Cuba. Rosa stayed in
Cuba and did her medical training
there, where these studies are free.
Part of medical training in Cuba was
to be a family doctor before becoming
a specialist. Dr. Rosa was a family doc-
tor in a small town, seeing children

in the mornings and adults in the af-
ternoons. In her 20 months there, she
delivered 300 babies and performed
minor surgeries. She then studied six
more years to become a gastroenter-
ologist.

Talking with Rosa in Lexington in July
was a fascinating lesson in history,
politics, international family back-

grounds — and mainly a story of this
energetic woman’s commitment to
Judaism and her community in Cuba.
Now retired (2006), she continues to
serve as head of Hadassah in Cuba.
She continues to work in a hospital
one day a week. She is the Director of
the Jewish Community Pharmacy in
Cuba and deeply involved in Project
Baby Bottom, which donates sup—
plies and medicines to mothers of
newborns. This organization delivers
clothes, diapers, formula, vitamins,
and Tylenol to 37 families in need.
Pampers and baby wipes are very
expensive in Cuba. Rosa also helps an
organization that aids children with
chronic illnesses. . .last year she was
able to donate $250 to each of five
families.

In addition, since 1990, Rosa has
coordinated efforts with the Jew-

ish Council of Canada, which sends
much—needed supplies of Passover
meals