xt72rb6w129t https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt72rb6w129t/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2014-02 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, February 2014 text image Shalom, February 2014 2014 2014-02 2025 true xt72rb6w129t section xt72rb6w129t Shalem

February2014

UK President Eli
Capilouto Denounces
ASA Boycott of Israel

”Open Inquiry is Essential in
Higher Education”

A college campus — perhaps more than
anywhere else — is a cherished cru— i 3}
cible for the free exchange of ideas and
beliefs.

This is a fundamental characteristic
when you consider that our faculty and
" staff are charged with developing new
scholarship, and our students are at an
age when their civic and 'p'eTSOnal phi-
losophies are evolving. Over time, these
necessary attributes of a campus have

been challenged, debated and protected.

Though honoring it can be demanding
at times, our commitment to academic
freedom, fostered in a safe and respect-
ful environment, is at the core of our
work in a university community. It is
who we are.

Recently, I was reminded again of that
fundamental tension as members of the
American Studies Association (ASA)
endorsed a resolution boycotting Israeli
academic institutions for that country’s
policies toward Palestine. The proposed
boycott has elicited strong responses

from,

other pro-

fessional

organiza-

tions in

the acad-

emy —-

ranging

from the

American

Asso-

ciation

of University Professors (AAUP) to
institutional organizations such as the
Association of American Universities
(AAU) and the Association of Public
and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
Administrators and faculty — indi-
vidually and collectively —— at several
colleges and universities also have
engaged in the debate.

Their statements clearly indicate a na-
tional dialogue, one happening on col-

lege and university campuses like ours.

see UK President Capilouto, page 16

 

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Newspaper of

The Jewish Federation

OF THE BLUEGRASS

 

ADAR ‘l 5774

Tamara Ohayon Appointed
Federation Assistant

Director

Tamara Ohayon, who has been Director
of Marketing, Outreach, and Engage—
ment at the Jewish Federation of the
Bluegrass, has been appointed JFB As-
sistant Director. Tamara has been on the
staff of the Federation since 2005 follow-
ing her graduation from the University
of Kentucky with a degree in Fine Arts.
While a college student, Tamara was on
the staff of Camp Shalom and was very
active in Hillel. A Los Angeles native,
she spent many years as a camper and
staff member at Camp JCA Shalom. It
was this experience at a Jewish resident

. .y.,carnp that interested Tamara in working
i , as a Jewish professional.

\‘The summer after she was hired, Ta-
mara participated on a Birthright Israel;
trip. As has been true for many young

Jews, this was a transformational ex-
perience for her. Her love of Israelwas
ignited, as was her commitment to Jew-
ish peoplehood and the field of Jewish
communal service.

see Ohayon Appointed, page 17

JFB Launches the 2014

Annual Campaign

The annual campaign of the Jewish Fed-
eration of the Bluegrass officially kicks
off on Super Sunday, which will be held
on Sunday, February 9th. Community
volunteers will be calling between 10
am and 1 pm and 7 to 9 pm. Please give
generously when you are called, and
help support our local Jewish communi-
ty and our brothers and sisters who are
in need in Israel and around the world.

For Women Only — a Happy Hour for
women of our community will take

place on Thursday, March 6 at 5:30

Pm at Ohavay Zion Synagogue, 2048
Edgewater Court. Enjoy a glass of wine,
light supper and dessert. A skit directed
by Marcia Blacker with music by Lorne
Dechtenberg will highlight the evening.
The couvert is $18.00 and participants
are asked to contribute a minimum of
$18.00 to the 2014 Women’s Philan-
thropy campaign. For information and
reservations, please call Judy Wortman,
268-0672 or email jfb@jewishlexington.
org. it!

 

  

IN THIS ISSUE

 
  

 

 

 

 

   

 

  

 

 

Editorial ..................................................................................................................... 3
President’s Message ......

JFS: At Your Service .......................................

JFNA mourns Ariel Sharon ................................................................................. 4
Tzeason oszedakah: A Season of Blessings ............................................... 4
Magen David Adom To Serve ............................................................................ 5
Message from PJ Library ..............

Tzeason of Tzedakah Photos ............................................................................. 6
Ask A Rabbi ......................................... 7
Sim Shalom News .................................................................................................. 8
Babysitting ......... .. .............................................. 8
Camp Shalom is gearing up for 2014 ................................................ 9
Professor of Contemporary Hebrew Literature and Film visits U.K. 9
Israel 21c: Israeli mom invents comic book for kids with cancer ....... 10
UK Jewish Studies kicks off new year with special events .................... 12
My Federation Story ...............................................................................

JFB Winter Event Photos ......... . ......................................................................... 14
Cairo Genizah — Jewish Treasure... 1 5
In Memoriam, Ariel Sharon .............................................................................. 15
B’tayavon ......................................

Ohavay Zion Synagogue ..................................................................................
The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah ............................................................ 19
The Lexington Havurah ..................................................................................... 20
Temple Adath lsrael ................................ 21
Around the Community .......... 22

 

‘%

W

Published ten times per year by the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 112, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone (859) 268-0672 - Fax (859) 268—0775
email: shalom@jewishlexingtonorg

FEBRUARY 2014, VOLUME XII, ISSUE 1
Michael Grossman, President
Judy Wortman, Executive Director
Tamara Ohayon, Assistant Director
Mimi Kaufman, JFS Director
Lori Bernard, Coordinator of informal Jewish Education
Kathie Kroot, Administrator

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Daniel Baker, Lynn Furness, Sharon Kanon, Tamara Ohayon, Hanna Smith, Jesse Weil
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 0 2014, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass. All rights reserved. For reprint permission contact
David Wortman, Editor-in—Chief, Shalom, at shalom@jewishlexingtonorg

2 | February 2014 Shalom

 

 

Hie l’i i Abra: 1 is a naiiunal program ixiiered
locally which mails tree, high—quality and
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and music in tannins" am a monthly basis

Allfamilies raising Iewish children ages six months to eight years are welcome to enroll. [PB is proud
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this opportunity to explore the timeless core values of [udaism 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.

 

 

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0‘ THE. BLUE GRASS

Executive Committee

Michael Grossman, President
Evalyn Block, Vice President

Hanna Smith, Secretary

Gary Yarus, Treasurer

Bob Grossman, At-Large
Seth Salomon, At—Large

a; _

experiences
”that ilasz.
a. lifeti e

 

if you are not receiving Jewish Weekly email and would like to, please
send yow name and email address to iexadmin ,§.jewishiexington.org

Board Members
Jane Chaput
Susan Cobin

Gail Cohen

Jenn Garlin

David Feinberg
Mickey Hernandez
Larry Kant

Minna Katz-Brown
Amy Faust Mayer

 

    

Angie Ornstein
Jenny Rice

Kae Schennberg
Pat Shraberg
Marty Solomon
Paul Tillier

Elissa Weinstein
Judy Woreil

 

Shalom Deadline

Deadline for articles for the March Shalom Is February 10.
Email articles to shalom@jewishIexington.org

'l

 Editorial

David Wortman

President’s Message

Michael Grossman, Executive Director

 

Ariel Sharon (1928-2014) was a com—
plicated man. I only met him once, but
was impressed by his sincerity and
commitment to his ideals. At that time,
he was the Minister of Housing Con-
struction. in his office, there was a map
of the West Bank. On it were plans for
settlements to be built along the hilltops
along the spine of the region. Irrespec-
tive of one’s attitude toward settle-
ments, his picture of the future of Israel
won the support of many Israelis.

Despite this position, as Prime Minister,
he ordered the unilateral withdrawal of
settlements from the Gaza Strip.

He was an accomplished military leader
and strategist. He was responsible for
the Israeli victory on the Egyptian front
during the Yom Kippur war (1973). He
was a vital participant in all of Israel’s,

from the War of independence (1948)
through to his stroke (2006), which
resulted in an eight year coma.

He was not a man without controversy.
He was held responsible for two massa-
cres, one at Qibya (1953), the other in Sa-
bra and Shatilla (1982). He periOdically
defied orders form higher command. He
was accused of several financial irregu-
larities, especially during the election
campaign of 1999.

Ariel Sharon, however, will be remem-
bered for/his many contributions to the
success of Israel during its existence.

He was also a builder of coalitions. We
sadly mourn his death; offer his two
children and family our heartfelt condo-
lences.

May he rest in peacefi

 

 

 

 

 

Our advertisers .,
support this paper.

 

 

[Enema armors

This past Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
. the Jewish community of Lexington
i marched along side hundreds of others
in Lexington’s March for Freedom, as
we have for many years. Commitment
to social justice is deeply ingrained
in the Jewish religious tradition and
American Jews played an active role in
the civil rights movement.

Judaism teaches respect for the funda-
mental rights of others as each person’s
duty to G-d. ”What is hateful to you, do
not do to your neighbor” (Shabbat 31a).
Equality in the Jewish tradition is based
on the concept that all of G-d’s children
are “created in the image of G-d” (Cen-
esis 1:27). From that flows the biblical
injunction “You shall have one law for
the stranger and the citizen alike: for I
Adonai am your G-d” (Leviticus 24:22),

 

American Jews have played a significant
role in the founding of some of the most

Dr. King
relied
heavily
on Jew-
ish sup-
porters.
In a
1964
state-
ment

to a
Jewish newspaper in Atlanta to de-
nounce black rioters in New York who
looted Jewish stores, Dr. King stated
”Our Jewish friends have demonstrated
their commitment to the principle of
tolerance and brotherhood in tangible
ways, often at great sacrifices. Can we
even express our appreciation to the
rabbis who chose to give moral witness
with us in St. Augustine during our
recent protest against segregation in that
unhappy city? And who will ever forget
the sacrifice of two Jewish lives, Andrew

 

. important"civilfights-orgarfizatimx‘lfifliflfioodmafi'and Michael Schwer'rter,”in'

cluding the NAACP, the Urban League,
and the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference. More than 2000 primary
and secondary schools and 20 black
colleges (including Howard, Dillard and
Fisk universities) were established in .
whole or in part by contributions from
Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald.
A group of 20 Conservative rabbis left
New York in 1963 and headed to Bir—
mingham to support civil rights demon-.
strations led by Dr. King. Speaking just -
before Dr. King when he delivered his ”I
have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March
on Washington, Rabbi Joachim Prinz
declared, ”America must not remain
silent. Not merely black America, but
all of America. It must speak up and
act.” Leaders of Reform Judaism were
arrested with Dr. King in St: Augustine,
Florida in 1964 after a challenge to racial
segregation in public accommodations.
Most famously, Rabbi Abraham Joshua
Heschel marched arm-in-arm with Dr.
King in his 1965 March on Selma.

 

Mississippi this past June? It would
be impossible to record the contribu-
tion that the Jewish people have made
toward the Negro’s struggle for free-
dom—it has been so great.”

While our march in 2014 may not seem
as important as the actions of Dr. King
and others in the 19605, it is important
that we reaffirm and recommit to our
belief in equality and justice and that
we‘do so under the banner of the Jewish
comm'unity. We should all feel pride that
our people played such a prominent
role in the Civil Rights movement, and
gratitude that many of us today have
the power and privilege to help others.
But we should also feel a responsibil-
ity to continue this tradition. Let us

' teach our young people to continue our

legacy of social justice. 3‘31

February 2014 Shalom | 3

 

 

  

JFS: At Your Service

Mimi Kaufman, JFS Director

 

   
 

The Fayette
Cooperative
Extension
service is a
wonderful
resource that
I would like
to recom-
mend. You
can look them up on line or call their
office and get on their mailing list.
They do many different things for
our Lexington community and house
some interesting clubs and programs.
Specifically, in this article, I would like
to share how they can help people who
are job searching. Last month I wrote
about some do’s and don’ts as they
relate to finding and keeping a job in
today’s work force. As a follow up, I
wanted to advertise one of the pro-
grams that the extension service offers.
It is called the Job Club.

The Job Club meets every second and
\fourth Tuesday from 9- 10:15 at the
Extension office, 1140 Red Mile Place
Lexington, KY. The purpose of the Job
Club is to provide a positive environ-
ment for motivated job seekers to
meet, connect, share, and learn. The
group meetings are free and open to

first and t  

arge.

3: I February 2014 Shalom

the public. Job Club is for you if you
are motivated and currently out of
work, underemployed, or looking to
make a career transition. In addition,
recruiters and employers are always
welcome. For more information, call
the UK Alumni Association at 859-257-
8905 or the Fayette Cooperative Exten-
sion office at 859-257-5582.

In addition, the Job Club is designed

to support adults in the work force,

the extension office, and has program-
ming to help our youth grow and learn
valuable skills. This past month the
Extension office partnered with Jewish
Family Services to offer a babysitting
course for our youth, who are newly
interested in babysitting jobs.

Jewish Family Services plans to part—
ner again with Extension office to offer
a class to our older teens who may be
searching for their first summer jobs.
Mark your children's calendars for
“Skills to Pay the Bills.” This course
will focus on mastering soft skills
needed for workplace success. The
program will be sometime in April.
Please cali the office, 269—8244, for
more information. ix

:Jewish Federation
OF THE BLUEGRASS

 

The Jewish Federations of North
America mourn the death of Israel’s
former Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon,
who passed away today at the age of 85
following medical complications.

JFNA Board of Trustees Chair Michael
Siegal and JFNA President and CEO
Jerry Silverman issued a joint statement
lamenting Sharon’s passing. ”Today,
Jewish Federations mourn the loss of a
great Israeli leader. Ariel Sharon was a
highly regarded military leader, but he
was also a peacemaket. One of the coun-
try’s most daring and celebrated gener-
als, he was also a man who was able to
take bold steps in the hopes of achieving
peace. "Sharon worked his entire life
for the unity of the Jewish People. He
was closely connected with Jewish com-
munities around the world, and acutely

JFN A mourns
‘Ariel Sharon

aware of their needs and aspirations. In
all his leadership roles, and especially as
prime minister of the Jewish state, Sha-
ron engaged with Jewish communities
across the Diaspora. He was a regular
speaker at Jewish Federation events and
is warmly remembered for welcom-

ing countless Federation groups to his
private home in the Negev.

”Today it is not only the State of Israel
that has lost one of its most celebrated
figures, but the Jewish people as a
whole. Arik Sharon was not just the
prime minister of the Jewish state, but a
determined and inspirational leader of
the entire Jewish world. Our heartfelt
condolences go out to his sons Omri and
Gilad, to the entire Sharon family, and to
all the people of Israel." X3

 

Once again, the Jewish community of
Lexington stepped up and volunteered
all over the greater Lexington commu-
nity. Over 115 people volunteered at
numerous different events filling over
130 ”jobs” throughout the month of
December. This figure does not include
the numerous doctors and nurses in
our community who volunteer to be on
call or work the emergency rooms and
hospitais on Christmas day so their fel-
low CO-XYUI‘kCI‘S can celebrate Christmas
with their famiiies as well as others who
annually volunteer for organizations at
this time of year.

 

Airing with sending out a general
request for voiunteers, this year we
once again asked the various Jewish
community organizations to “sponv
sor" recruiting volunteers to work at an
event. The response was extraordinary.
Thanks to the positive responses from
these organizations; B’nai Brith (Austin

Tzeason of Tzedakah:
A Season of Blessings

Cantor — coordinator), Hadassah (Judy
Saxe - coordinator), the Havurah (Stan—
ley Saxe - coordinator), Ohavay Zion
Synagogue (Brian Derer - coordinator),
, Temple Adath Israel (Tammy Brennan
and Rabbi Kline — co-coordinators), and
TA] Social Action Committee (Karen
Patrone) we were able to expand our
volunteer outreach. We sorted food

at God’s Pantry, delivered Meals—on-
VVheels for three different churches,
delivered meals for Moveable Feast

, and entertained residents at both
Mayfair Village and Sayre Christian
Village. We cooked and served din—

ner at both the Catholic Action Center
and Hope Center,, cooked and served
both breakfast and dinner at the Ron-
ald McDonald House, and also set—up
and helped people shop at the Catholic
Action Center’s Community Christmas.
Todah Rabah to all who helped to make
this Tzeason 0f Tzedakah so meaningful
to those we were able to serve. 231!

 

 Magen David Adom To Serve As National
Emergency DispatchCenter For More Than
Just Its Own Ambulances And Medicycles

Bi/ Slliif'tlll lx'iiiioii

JERUSALEM — in a move designed to
better coordinate responses to medical
emergencies in Israel, the Ministry of
Health annoui‘iced that Magen David
Adom, the country’s otticial national
emergency medical services organiza-
tion, will serve as the dispatch center for
all first—responder organizations, includ—
ing United Hatzalah.

Under the plan, which becomes ef-
fective Saturday, February 1, United
Hatzalah’s ambucycles will be tracked
and dispatched only by MDA. This will
be in addition to MDA's own extensive
fleet of emergency response vehicles

_ including 180 of its own Medicycles,
more than 1,000 ambulances, and two
Advanced Life Support Helicopters.
Thirty other ”Hatzalah" organizations
that primarily serve the ultra-Orthodox
community were already under the
MDA dispatch network.

”This move will serve the Israeli people
by ensuring that all EMTs are operating
from one dispatch center, which will

be enormously helpful in better coordi-
nating the EMS response to a medical
emergency. So you won’t have dozens
of EMT s responding to one relatively
minor scene while potentially leaving
other parts of a region uncovered,”

said Eli Bin, director—general of Magen
David Adorn. ”It will also ensure better
healthcare for patients by requiring that
all responders adhere to MDA’s strict
protocols and regulations.

"The decision by the State of Israel,
recognizing MDA as the national first-
responder body, is a badge of honor to
MDA,” he added.

Under the Health Ministry's plan, MDA
will activate all first responders dur-
ing medical emergencies. All medical

 

i‘l‘n. i ‘1 -i \ ta i<\ ill be insneitd b\
\ll) \L dispatch ing tenters, and the job
of actiy ating the first responde rs \\ ill be
conducted by MDA's National Medi-
cal Dispatching Center A just as MDA
currently does for its own EMTs and
paramedics.

Upon receiving a medical l'e’mergency
call from am one dialing MDA s emer—
gency phone number, l01, MDA \\ ill
dispatch, according to the guidelines
published by the Ministry of Health,
five first responders located nearest
to the scene, whether they are MDA
members or belong to a different rescue
organization.

All first responders will work with
MDA’s emergency call centerfianld
adhere to MDA’s professional stan-
dards and protocols, as approved by

the Ministry of Health. The ministry
also established the hierarchy for scene
management and determined that, upon
the arrival of an MDA ambulance team,
scene management will be conducted
exclusively by the MDA team.

Information about the patient and

their personal and medical data will be
retained exclusively by MDA, adhering
to MDA’s already strict rules regarding
personal information secrecy.

In recent years, MDA has approached
the Ministry of Health with numerous
complaints about the lack of medical
professionalism among other EMS orga-
nizations and their breaching of patient
confidentiality, which finally led to the
new plan and regulations.

The activities of all first responders will
be supervised by the Ministry of Health.
First responders who fail to adhere to
the guidelines will be summoned by
MDA to a hearing, along with a repre-
sentative from their organization.

’\\t \t alii a\ s said th it am first re—
sponde r that’ s will hng to adhere to MDA
standards for providing emergency
medical care is welcome to join us in our
lifesaving efforts in the State of Israel,”
said MDA“: Director-General Bin.
“These regulations ensure that this will
be the case that the standards \1 ill be
high for ever\ EMT aiid paramedic, and

hat the response fof niediil al emergen—
cies is constantly supeiv ised

Magen David Adam is Israel's ambu-
lance, blood—seryices, and disaster-relief
organization, serving as emergency
medical first responders for the state's 8
million people. MDA is the only organi-
zation mandated by the lsraeli governv
ment to serve in this role, but it's not a
gm ernment agenm, so it 1e lies on cliaris
table donations for funding. lhiot'rgh
your gift \ou re saving ll‘ e s.

n \\ \\ atmcla oig.

 

Dear Partners,

As our partner in the mission of enhanc—
ing Jewish identity, increasing engage-
ment in Jewish life, and building a more
vibrant Jewish people, I am delighted

to share with you the results of the 2013
Evaluation of the PJ Library® Program
conducted by Informing Change.

Across the continent, many Jews are
concerned about the future of our
people. The recent Pew study confirmed
what most of us already knew - Jews

are walking through institutional doors
and attending synagogues less often,
intermarrying more, and becoming more
secular as a whole.

The 2013 PJ Library evaluation is the
largest known study of North Ameri—
can families raising Jewish children. It
shows an evolution in today’s young
Jewish families who are embracing new
methods of engagement with Jewish
religion and culture. This study demon-
strates that P] Library helps make Juda-
ism relevant and accessible, and when
presented this way, families are willing

 

 

 

- even eager- to connect with their heri-
tage,” each other and the broader Jewish 1')
community.

PJ Library is working today, and it paves
the way for families to connect with
Jewish community! In 2010, only 21m

of P] Library families reported going to
community events for families raising
Jewish children. The 2013 study shows
that number has grown to 80%! You
have been visionary in your support of
P] Library and your community is reap-
ing the benefits. Kol hakavod!

We are about to launch a PR campaign
to announce the findings publicly. We
will share coverage with you and all the
generous funders who make PJ Library
possible. Congratulations to you, and
thank you for your ongoing partnership!

B’Shalom,
Marcie Greenfield Simons
Director, PJ Library

For more information about P] Library,
please contact Lori at
lori@jewishlexington.org

  

 

 

FobruaryZOMShdom | 5

. 'va. .

“I‘M"

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 | February 2014 Shalom

 

 

 Ask A Rabbi

Rabbi David Wortman

 

: With all that is going on in the world,
does the Torah say anything about
con ict resolution?

A:The Torah says many the things that
would guide us toward conflict resolution
Let me illustrate this by citing four types
of relationship that exemplify this conflict
resolution.

The first relates to Cain and Abel. Here is

the story:
3In the course of time Cain presented
some of the land’s produce as an of-
fering to the LORD. 4And Abel also
presented [an offering] — some of the
firstborn of his flock and their fat por-
tions. The Lord had regard for Abel and
his offering, but He did not have regard
for Cain and his offering. Cain was furi-
ous, and he was downcast.
6Then the LORD said to Cain, ”Why are
you furious? And why are you down-
cast? 7If you do right, won’t you be
accepted? But if thou do not do right, sin
is crouching at the door. Its desire is for
you, but you must master it.”

8Cain said to his brother Abel, ”Let’s go .

out to the field."
And while they were in the field, Cain
attacked his brother Abel and killed

The rabbis write columns in response to questions submitted by the readers. We encourage you—whether you are a member of the Jewish community or nob-to
submit your queries on theology, morality, ethics, religious Observances, etc. for response by one of our rabbis. If you have an issue you would like to see ad-
dressed, please email it to shalom@jewishlexington.com and put ”Ask a Rabbi” in the subject line of your email. (It may take quite a while until your question
is answered or it may never be answered, if no rabbi selects it.) You will not be identified as the writer of the question to either rabbis or readers, nor will you be

him.
——Genesis 421-8

Cain and Abel come into conflict over
whose sacrifice is accepted by God. Cain
is the hunter-gatherer, while Abel in the
agrarian. Some commentators understand
this as the prototypical differentiation as
hunting is replace by farming as a means
of sustenance in the ancient world. How
do they resolve their conflict? Cain kills
Abel.

The second conflict takes place between
Sarah and Hagar. Hagar is Sarah’s Egyp-
tian maidservant. They lived together as
wife and concubine of Abraham. When
Sarah was 76 and had not produced any
children for Abraham, she suggested that
he have a child with Hagar. Hagar has a
son, whom Abraham names Ishmael. All
is well until God promises Abraham (100
years old) that he and Sarah (90 years old)
will have a child. She does and they named
him Isaac (laughter) because Sarah had
laughed after being told she would bear a
child.

Both women were told that their-offspring

would produce might nations. Sarah
wanted Isaac to carry on the Abrhamic

Have a question?

tradition since she, as his wife, had borne
Isaac. Ishmael had been Abraham’s first
son, however. By all rights, he should have
been the heir. To enforce her wish, Sarah
had Abraham banish Ishmael and his
mother, Hagar. After this, God revealed

to Hagar that Ishmael would still be the
father of a mighty nation. Yet, his nation
would always be in conflict. From this sto—
ry, scholars suggest that Ishmael becomes
the progenitor of the Arab peoples.

The third conflict is between Isaac and
Ishmael. They had each gone their separate
ways. They remain apart until Abraham’s
funeral when they reunite to attend it.
After it, they separate again.

This is not dissimilar from the story of Ja-
cob and Esau. There after separation, Jacob
approaches Esau long after their dispute
after the birthright conflict. They, too,
separated. When Jacob approaches Esau’s
camp, he is afraid. He divides his camp
into two groups; providing that if one
group is destroyed, the other will survive.
The meeting goes well. They depart as

3 ffiends,.hut_seg§rate. .3. .3. ., .. .3,

The fourth conflict is between Joseph and
his brothers. The brothers were jealous

fllska rahlii

asked to specify which rabbi should answer.

”a...i;ntgdayjs ,yvorld we see all of these resold-.3

of Joseph’s
dreams that
he would be
higher than
they were.
They sold him
into slavery.
After a long
story, Joseph
does, in fact, become a vizier of the Pha-
raoh. Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to
seek food during a famine back in Canaan.
Joseph reveals himself to them. After some
travail and conflict they join together and
return to Jacob and live happily, each on
his own adjacent property, but working
together as a family.

 

Each of these stories represent categories
of conflict resolution: killing your adver-
sary; meeting each other later in life and
separating forever, albeit one in eternal
conflict and the other in a more friendly
separation; meeting each other in a ”trust
but verify” mode; reconciliation and com-
ing together.

tidns being used. Ultimately, our payer is
that the Joseph and his brothers modality
will prevail. t

 

”ft E “1;“

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February 2014 Shalom | 7

 

 

c._ v, a... __ nr

 

  

Sim Shalom News

by Jesse Wail

Soon after the last newsletter, we had a
visit by a delegation of about 40 mem-
bers of Central Synagogue of NYC. Sim
Shalom and Bet Orim put on a joint
service for them in the Jewish Commu-
nity Center of Budapest, featuring the
best musicians of the two congregations.
Central Synagogue is one of the larg-
est and oldest Reform congregations in
NYC, with an extremely active and lib-
eral congregation. It was a real privilege
to have them as our guests, and to show
them that Reform is alive and growing

in Hungary.

Hanukkah came early this year, and was
celebrated at a number of venues. The
above-mentioned JCC held the first one
for the whole Budapest Community.
There was a competition for the best
video about the holiday. Sim Shalom’s
contribution was about a street musi