xt76125qc767 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt76125qc767/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2002-11 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 Central Kentucky Jewish Federation 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 2002 text image Shalom, November 2002 2002 2002-11 2025 true xt76125qc767 section xt76125qc767  

Newspaper of the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

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63
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halom

Serving the Centra/ Kentucky Jewish Community Since 1962

 

 

ill/b vember 2002

Hes/7 van -Kis/ev 5763

 

 

Teachers Visit Holocaust Museum

Participate in Michael Adelstein Teacher Training Program

group of seven Fayette County high

school teachers spent the weekend of

October 19—20 visiting the US. Holocaust
Memorial Museum in Washington DC. These
teachers will incorporate what they learned into
their course curriculum. The teachers are: Paula
Azzarito. Nancy Buzard, and Pat Pryor of Dunbar
High School; Mary Dees and Alice Schaaf of
Bryan Station High School; Alyce Emerson of
Tates Creek High School; and Jim Beward of

 

Henry Clay High School.

To help teachers prepare for this trip, C KJF held
a briefing session for the participants. Prof. Jeremy
Popkin from the Department of History at the
University of Kentucky presented the group with
the general historical framework of the Holocaust
and reviewed available resources for Holocaust
studies. This included an extensive bibliography as
well as Internet resources.

Part of the presentation included a video inter-

Holocaust Museum
participants were, as
,f'm’iows! back, 1'ch to

‘ t) Pat Pryor; Nancy

2 i" ; .Doniel Chejfec,
CKJF Staff; Alice
Emerson; Jim Beward
(front, left to right)
Jana Lazur, CKJF
Staff; Paula Azzariot;
Alice Schaaf; Mary
Dees.

we‘éa'emnrc‘ idem" ~ semen

view of the late Emily Szekely conducted by the
Shoah Foundation in 1996. During the interview she ‘1
described her arrival in Auschwitz, her life at

forced—labor in the Death Camp and the subsequent

Death march to Cracow and Bergen Belsen.

 

Judaic Studies
Program at UK
Sponsors Lecture and
Poetry Reading

ohn Hollander, distinguished poet, critic. and
translator will lecture at the University of

Kentucky on the general relatg :...« .5 43¢:

 
  

Sterling Professor Emeritus of English at Yale
University. His lecture will be in the President‘s
Room at the Singletary Center for the Arts. l,’l\'. on
November 4. 2002. at 8 pm.

The lecture will culminate in a reading from
Hollander’s own poetry and a discussion with the
audience. Refreshments will be provided and the
public is welcome.

 

ur belief that the Lexington Jewish

Community is ready for another social

action project can become a reality.
Hospital Hospitality House is a facility that offers -

' free of charge - sleeping, bathing, laundry,

telephone and kitchen facilities for people who
come from areas beyond Fayette County and who
have critically ill family members or friends in one
of Lexington’s hospitals. At Hospital Hospitality
House (HHH), guests are provided with a sup-

New Volunteer Project

portive environment by a resident staff and
through the companionship of others in similar
situations. But HHH is in dire need of renovation
and supplies.

Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, through
the Tikkun Lexington program, will help coordinate
the efforts of the Temple Adath Israel and Ohavay
Zion Synagogue, the Lexington Havurah, the
Lexington Chapter of Hadassah and Hillel to
provide painters, bakers and “sprucers” to volunteer

 

00:
1050 Chinoe Road, Suite 203
Lexington, KY 40502

 

82 P1 “"“"'”"“‘&DIGIT 40615
Eric & Jana Lazur

171? Hunters Rest Ct

Lextngton, KY 40515—1321

Change Service Requested

 

 

Nonprofit Org.
US. Postage
PAH)
Permit # 719
Lexington, Ky

 

 

 

 

 

Hospital Hospitality House

their time and energy. There are several rooms to
paint and home cooked meals and sweets to be
baked and frozen as well as other minor repairs.
All help would be greatly appreciated. We need
YOU!

Donations of dishes and home accessories
would also be appreciated. Even if you don‘t paint,
come visit the house to see if there is anything else
you can donate to help the Hospitality House
achieve its goal of being a “home away from
home”. Monetary donations can be made directly
to Hospitality House, 342 South Limestone, Lexing-
ton, Kentucky, 40508.

If you are interested in painting or baking, please
contact Jana LaZur at Tikkun (CKJF) 268-0672
ext. 4 (tikkun @jewishlexingtonorg), Anne Graff
264-9424 (AGraff8@ 301.com) or Ricki Rosenberg
269—2300 (Rickirose1@aol.com). We will meet at
the Hospitality House at 342 South Limestone on
Sundays,iNove_mber 10th, 17th and 24th between
the hours of 9:30AM until 1]: 45AM; and also an ..
aftemoon shift of 12—230. i .-

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ MAZEL Tov TO:
I" "“5 Issue: Andrew & Melissa Strauss on the birth of
Never Give Up ........................................... 2 their daughter Madelyne Levy Strauss.-
Rob Doctrow & Lisa Kaplan on their
UJC General Assembly .............................. 3 marriage on September 28, 2002. R0b is the son
. of Dave & Jan Doctrow.
Pl' f W ’ S d 2003 ............. 3
arming or omen S e er LisaMarie Price & Matthew DeYoung on
Trembling Before God ................................ 3 their marriage on October 27, 2002. LisaMarie is
, the daughter of Lynn & Karyn Martin.
Presrdent’s Message .................................. 4
Yiddish Library ........................................... 5 CONDOLENCES T03
_ . ' Sylvia Atkinson on the death of her mother,
Winter Dinner ............................................. 5 Hermine Dapson, on August 15’ 2002.
Campaign .................................................... 6 Janice Crane on the death Of her brother.
Bruce & Mary Engel, on the death of
CKJF Exec. Director‘s Column ................. 6 Mary’s sister, Linda Sondergard on September
, 28. 2002.
Leisure Club ............................................... 7 The Goloborodko family on the death of
Health & Beauty Fair ................................. 8 Valentina‘s “10th“, Manya Bisnovataya, on
. October 6, 2002.
Rabbl sCOlumn .......................................... 8 Jeff & Debbie Masters. on the death of
Hula with Hadassah ................................... 9 1355365 mother, Evette Joffe on October 6’
JewLS Update ............................................ 9 Please let us know of any news you would
Ask JFS .................................................... 10 like t"_ Share With the fommuni’y-
E-mall your Community News to:
More True Stores About KY .................... 10 shal0m@jewishlexingt0n.org
U.S. Jewish Population ........................ 12—13 0’ ma”: Community News
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation
Artist featured at ARTBEAT Israel ......... 13 1050 Chinoe Road, Suite 203
Mayoral Debate ........................................ 14 Lexington, KY 40502
Winter Dinner Sign-Up ............................. 15 5h“ [om @endline
TikkunLexington ...................................... 16 Deadline fOl’ articles for the
Stewart Home Shabbat ............................ l7 December/January Shalom is
Lexington Havurah ................................... 18 November 10_ E-mai| artides to
Ohavay Zion Synagogue .......................... 18 shalom @jewishlexington,org
Temple Adath Israel ................................. 19 Articles SmelttEd in hard copy
Community Calendar ................................ 20 should be double—spaced.
‘9 h a lo m

Published ten times annually by the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Road, Suite 203, Lexington, KY 40502

(859) 268—0672 0 Fax (859) 268—0775 0 e-mail: shalom@jewishlexington.org
web address: www.jewish|exington.org

November 2002, Volume X, Issue 3
Stanley Saxe, President
Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Fran Morris, Jewish Family Services
Jana Lazur, Activities Director

Editorial Board
Marcia Blacker, Evelyn Dantzic Geller, Judy Levine, Ruth Poley

Production Editor & Advertising Manager, Carrie McDanald

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for publication in 5halom .The appearance of any advertising
in this publication does not represent a kashruth endorsement on the part of CKJF or any other agency or organization.
final..- is supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.

© 2002 by Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

 

 

“Never Give Up"
Or a Great Miracle

Happens Everywhere
By Daniel Chejfec

anukkah is approaching and, as every

year, the story of the Maccabees reminds

us of the ongoing struggle for freedom.
The story of the Hasmonean family has always
been a favorite of mine; it always symbolized in my
mind a bright side ofJewish history — let me tell you
why.

Let me begin the story with the return from
Babylon. Ezra and Nehemiah led the reconstruction
of the Jewish homeland and the organization of a
fledgling autonomous Judaea. This was a time of
transformation from the monarchic past into a
different future where the legislative and judicial
powers (Sanhedrin) stalted to gain preeminence.
And then Alexander the Great from Macedonia
came.

The Greek conquest presented a completely
different challenge. The idea of“Hellenizing" (or
the synthesis of Greek and local culture throughout
the conquered regions) became the dominant force.
How far were Jews willing to go? How was it
affecting Judaism? Many in the ruling class adopted
Greek ways, going so far as not undergoing circum-
cision. Yet there was a red line.

As long as the Greek rulers and their Jewish
partners remained content with following their own
ways without imposing them on others. most Jews
were willing to “let it go.” But when J udaea shifted
from the Ptolemaic (Egyptian) rule to the Scleucid
(Syrian) rule, the new overlords of the Jewish
people were not content with benign neglect. They
issued harsh laws forbidding the study of the Jewish
heritage and the Torah. The message was clear;
conform to the mold or else.

It was then that an obscure teacher-rabbi of the
small village of Modi‘in on the western slope of the
Judean hills said “NO." The rabbi. by name
Matathyahu Hahashmonayi, had seven children
who joined him in defending the right of the Jewish
people to preserve their tradition, their heritage and
their beliefs. The meaning of the rebellion echoes
down to us as a cry for freedom and a claim for the
rights of the Jewish people. A small family from an
obscure village raised an army of dedicated defend—
ers of Judaism and defeated, against overwhelming
odds, one of the leading powers of that time. It was
Judah Hashmonayi who led the troops in the
beginning and earned the name “Maccabee” (“The
Sledgehammer") for his choice of weapon. It was a
bloody march to Jerusalem, and many lost their
lives, including Judah. Yet as the lyrics of a song by
the Boston-based group “Safam” says — “They
never gave up.” They stood up for their rights.

As Hanukkah approaches, let the Maccabees be
our role model. When anti-Israel forces try to deny
Israel’s right to exist, when foes and well—inten-
tioned friends call us to abandon our people, when
injustice grows in our society - remember the
Maccabees, and never give up.

Lil

b\

de

tht

39

Ah

 

  

UJC General Assembly Meets in Philadelphia
November 20-22

he United Jewish Communities (UJC)

General Assembly (GA), the annual meet

ing of the Federated and Network Communi-
ties of North America, will have as its theme the
individual pursuit ofjustice in a collective environ-
ment when it convenes in Philadelphia November

20-22, 2002.

The UJC 2002 General Assembly headed by national
chair Richard L. Wexler has issued an invitation:

“If you embrace the vision as well as the practice
of social justice...lf you share in the holy work of the
Jewish people...If you accept the responsibility of

 

Trembling Before
God to be Shown
Thursday,

November 7

he film Trembling before God.

sponsored by Temple Adath

Israel. will be shown November
7, 2002 at the Lexington Central Public
Library Theater at 6:30 pm. & 8:30 pm.

The film documents the struggles faced
by individuals who are both gay/lesbian and
Orthodox Jews. Critics have proclaimed it
‘r‘l' itmg en; tble "

“Surprisingly Funny!’ ‘Powerful. '” ‘ln—
deed a film that must be seen.’

Though there is no charge, admission to
the film is by advance reservation only.
Call the Temple Adath Israel office at 269—
2979 to reserve your tree seats.

(Io—Sponsors with Temple Adath Israel
are. Senior Chai. Lexington Havurah.
Lexington Chapter of Hadassah. and
UK‘s Women‘s Studies and Judaic Studies
programs.

Get the Download
of the Month

hnlom. the monthly newspaper

of the Central Kentucky Jewish

Federation has finally made it
into cyberspace! That’s light. not only
can you now view Shalom on the
internet. but )ou can download it and

t I be: "Prmocative. "

 

print it out too. Now you can get
\Shalom wherever you are: at work.
home. hotel or even on a plane. Just log
on to www.jewishlexington.org. The link
is at the top right hand side of the page.
Simply follow the jumping \Slmlom
bear (he‘sjumping I‘orjoy over
\Shnlom now being on the web). And
don‘t forget. We also have a cyber
library on our website. Just click on the
fihnlom page. All the past issues in
the library are listed right there. Enjo) I
Feel free to send us your feedback on
our new and improved website. Send
comments to
shalom@iewishlexingtonorg.

 
     
         
       
          
      

Fourth Annual
Women's Seder
Save the Date
Monday, April 21, 2003
Women will come together
for an evening of
Food, Fun, Music, Dance,
Spirituality and Sisterhood!

developing new Jewish leadership...If you recog»
nize the obligation to secure the future of our
community...lf you believe in the philanthropic goals
of our shared experience and that only together can
we fulfill our saCred obligation to care for our
people and repair the world...If you stand with
Israel...be in Philadelphia November 20-22, 2002.”

The 2002 GA is also dedicated to giving federa-
tion leaders the tools to deliver equity, compassion,
service and Torah in their local communities.

For further information call the Central Ken-
tucky Jewish Federation office at 268-00672.

The Jewish Community Joins together

HELP US TO HEL

Lexington’s fl
HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE

The Hospital HOSpitality House welcomes the relatives and loved ones of
seriously ill peoples-comingcfrombeyond commuting distance of Fayette Co. _-,
for treatment in one of Lexington’s hospitals.

      
      
    
 
      

  

   
     
         
       
   
     
      
  
     
       

* Painting * Sprucing up
* Home cooked meals to be frozen
* Baked sweets

Donations of dishes. home accessories could be of use and would also be much appreciated.

We will meet at the Hospitality House at
342 South Limestone St. on
Sundays, November 10, 17, and 24, 2002
_ 9:30 am. to 11:45 am.

as

342 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY! 40508

’ If interested please contact:

Jana LaZur at TIKKUN (CKJF) 268- 0672 ext. 4 or
tikkunlexington@jewishlexington. org or Anne Graft at AGraff8@aol. com
Ricki Rosenberg at Rickirose@aol.com

November 2002 - 3 .

 

  

 

 

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4 ' fihnlom

he. initial reports of the massive

National Jewish Population Survey

(NJPS) 2000—2001 were recently
released. Much of this report issued by the
United Jewish Communities (UJC) appears
in this issue of Shalom. This demographic
study has been described as the most
ambitious and most extensive study of any
minority population in the United States.

In a commentary on the survey published
in the Forward, Calvin Goldscheider. profes-
sor of sociology and Ungerlcider Professor
ofJudaic Studies at Brown University,
describes the survey as “the most compre-
hensive set of data on a large Jewish
community ever to be collected in Jewish
history.”

Prof. Goldscheider writes that there are
and will be critics of the study. He himself
has questioned the design and orgammtion
of the study and recommended alternative
strategies for the collection of data. But. he
writes, “let us not be distracted by the
detractors,” and notes this study will be
mined for insights about the Jewish commu-

nity in the United States for the next decade.

Prof. Goldscheider emphasizes the
study‘s potential value for understanding the
American Jewish community and for policy
planning. He believes as a demographer that
the estimates of the total number of Jews in
the United States is the least imponant part
of the study’s value: more important than
counting Jews and current marriage patterns
is the need to know about the Jewishness of

Presidents Message
JPS - More Than Counting

Jews
by Stan Saxe

the households where Jews live with others
who are not Jewish.

Another aspect is the enormous impor-
tance of the Jewish institutions and networks
that characterize communities. The Brown
University professor comments regarding the
survey’s findings that “the astounding fact of
our generation is that most American JeWs
continue to define themselves as Jewish and
that many who are not born Jewish see
value in connecting with Jews and the
Jewish community."

We will learn much about the formation
of families (later marriages and postponed
births), the professor notes; and about the
diverse ways that the community identifies
itself. “Mostly we should be learning about
the challenges that the Jewish community
will face because of the aging population.
changes in the roles of men and women.
changes in Jewish education and emerging
Jewish cultural alternatives to religion among
Jews who are secular". Prof. Goldscheider
emphasizes these are not the signs of a
declining community but of a community that
is vibrant and changing.

We should and will be able to utilize
survey findings that apply to communities the
size of Central Kentucky. We should be able
to utilize what we now know of our commu—
nity and View it in light of the NJ PS findings.

For more information on the survey one
can go to www.uje.org or to our website at
www.jewishlexington.org

I'""—_-—-—"'_"'-—-————__--_-—-_---'I
I I
I I
: DON’T MISS OUT! :
i Get this great paper delivered FREE to your i
I home ten times annually. Mail your name & I
: address to: l
: $halom / CKJF :
I 1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 203 I
I Lexington, KY 40502 i
l or by e-mail at shalom @jewishlexington.org :
I I
I.—.-—__———_——_————___________——.l

ll

 

 L——-——-——————-————fl

 

National Yiddish Book Center Announces The New Yiddish Library

aron Lansky, President of the National

Yiddish Book Center, at Amherst, Massa-

chusetts, has announced a ten—year project
to translate Yiddish literature. To be produced jointly
with Yale University Press and the Fund for the
Translation of Jewish Literature, the books will be
published as a series called The New Yiddish
Library. Recently released in this series are:

The Letters of Menakhem-Mendl and
Sheyne-Shendl and Motl, the Cantor’s Son, by
Sholem Aleichem, translated and with an introduc-
tion by Hillel Halkin. The first of these two comic
novels portrays a tumultuous marriage through
letters exchanged between a bumbling itinerant,
traveling in Russia and then the New World, and his
jealous. scolding wife. The second novel reveals the
New World, as seen through the eyes of a mischie-
vous young boy who has emigrated with his family
from Russia to America.

Sholem Aleichem, known today as the author of
the stories that became the musical Fiddler on the
Roof, was much loved and revered during his
lifetime. Legend has it that Mark Twain, on meeting
Sholem Aleichem, said to him: “I hear you’re the
Mark Twain of Jewish literature,” and Sholem
Aleichem replied: “I hear you’re the Sholem
Aleichem of American Literature.”

The I. L. Peretz Reader, edited and with an
introduction by Ruth R. Wisse. This volume is an
expanded and updated edition of the short stories,
poems, memoir. and drama of one of the most
influential figures in modern Jewish literature.

Peretz, born in Poland in 1852, died in 1915. On
the day of his funeral, a hundred thousand Jews
marched in silence through the streets of Warsaw
to pay final tribute to him. Speaking the language of
the common man, Peretz’s works explored the
complex struggle of traditional Jews attempting to

by Evelyn Kossoff Goodman

preserve their cultural heritage while adapting to
modern times.

“If you want to discover the beauty, the depth,
the unique wonder of Yiddish literature,” says Elie
Wiesel, “read this volume by its Maser.”

A Jew in America, a new book by Arthur
Hertzberg, scheduled for publication this fall by
HarperSanFrancisco.

Considering Hertzberg’s long and distinguished
career as rabbi, scholar, historian, professor, author,
editor, and statesman, this memoir is bound to be an
extraordinary personal history.

In addition to serving as rabbi of Temple Emanu-
E1 in Englewood, New Jersey, Hertzberg has been
president of the American Jewish Congress and the
American Jewish Policy Foundation, as well as vice
president of the World Jewish Congress. He has
been senior research fellow at Columbia
University’s Mideast Institute, and professor of
religion at Dartmouth; he is currently Bronfman
Visiting Professor of the Humanities ‘
at New York University.

Among Hertzberg’s previously
published works are titles such as
The Zionist Idea, The French
Enlightenment and the Jews,
Judaism, The Jews in America, and
Jews: The Essence and Character
of a People. Hertzberg’s first book,
The Zionist Idea, published almost
half a century ago. is still in print and
is now considered a classic. In an
era when the word ‘Zioriist” has
been maligned by anti-Semitic
propagandists, it is useful to have a
reminder of what the term originally
meant to the founders and precur-
sors of modern Zionism.

 

8th Annual Winter Dinner

Promises Great Fun, Great Food
by Jana LaZur

The Fall 2002 issue of Reform Judaism includes
an interview with Professor Arthur Herzberg by
Aron Hirt-Manheimer, editor of the magazine. In an
article titled “2025: The Next Generation,”
Hertzberg “forecasts the Jewish future in a fast—
changing America, Middle East, and Europe."
Although Hertzberg, now an octogenarian, has been
looking backward, writing this memoir for the past
several years, he evidently has not lost touch with
the present, and is still forward—looking enough to
dare to predict the future.

Shalom Y’all: Images of Jewish Life in the
American South, photographs by Bill Aron, text by
Vicki Reikes Fox, published by Algonquin Books of
Chapel Hill. This work includes 137 black—and-
white photographs, together with funny and poi-
gnant stories of growing up Jewish in the Deep
South. The photographer, Bill Aron, has had works

_ see-Book. Notes on page 8

ErlingW. Eng, Ph.D.

1918-2002

 

he Central Kentucky Jewish
Federation’s Winter Dinner will be

at Aladdin’ s restaurant on Tues-

day, December 24th at 6: 00 p. in. We Will”:

have live music, fun for the kids, and
fabulous food. AIaddin’ s team is planning
several new recipes, and pizza and ice
cream sundaes will beavailable for the
children.

As part of your admission, we are
asking you to bring two non- perishable
food items or a contribution of two
dollars per person. These donations will
go, as usual, to God’s Pantry.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $6 for
children 5-10, and free for children
under 4 and under. Babysitters will be
provided, and there will be many crafts
and activities to keep the little ones

 

entertained.

The buffet will be plentiful and will
include pita bread and humus, baba
gahnoush, fried kibbi without meat,
stuffed grape leaves, falafel, moussaka,
spinach pie, mujadarah, rice pilaf,
tabouleh salad, as well as many other
vegetarian favorites. Beverages are
included; however, more exotic items
such as Turkish coffee or Middle
Eastern juices will be available upon
request at an additional cost.

The Winter Dinner is a time for good
food and good companionship. Reser-
vations and payment are needed by
Friday, December 6th. Please call me
at the office of CKJF (phone 268-0672)
with any questions. I look forward to
seeing you there!

 

People who seek out psychotherapy have a
,. . self-actualizing tendency toward greater
- contentment and 1mprov1ng adaptivity. They
f i " f seek psychotherapy out of a feeling that this

One of the most important things the

__ therapist does is to give the patient the feeling

’ that lie/she is known by another person.
Faust was willing to negotiate with the devil
because in spite of all his erudition he never

felt he was present with the essence of life.
Psychotherapy can help with this feeling. And

Help Offered

tendency is frustrated

at a much lower cost.

Harwell F. Smith, Ph.D.

 

 

 

November 2002 - 5

 

 

 

  

Making Your
Campaign Dollars
Count

rina Bronstein lives in the small

Ukranian town of Narodidze. It was

once a town with a large Jewish population;
they had two synagogues, a Bikkur Holim, and a
group which took care of the elderly. In World
War II much of its Jewish population was
exterminated in a nearby forest. Those who
survived saw the numbers of the community
dwindle further when new generations chose to
move to nearby Kiev, and since the fall of the
USSR, many more have left for Israel, America,
and Western Europe. Hardly any Jewish pres—
ence remains in Narodidze. But Irina cannot
afford to move, and has no living relatives since
her husband and one child were killed in World
War II and the other child by the Soviets. She
receives a state pension which does not cover
half her expenses, and which many times does
not even arrive.

An Eastern European Jewish woman arrived

in the midwest a year ago and needed a place to

 

stay and some help. She received it through the
generosity of community volunteers and the local
Jewish Family Services and Jewish Federation.

A community member was harassed in the street
by an “Anti-Zionist.” The local Community Relations
Committee helped him to present the appropriate
reports and worked with the local police department
to prevent this from happening again.

Jewish communities around the US and
Canada help train teachers on Holocaust Educa—
tion and put them in touch with a vast network of
resources on the subject.

Being Jewish in campuses across North
America is not easy these days. Anti-Semitic
mobs under the guise of Anti-Zionism harass and
attack Jewish students to the point that college
presidents felt forced to denounce it. Hillel, with
the support of local Federations, provides a
supportive environment on campus.

Yakub Mollah recently flew from Addis
Abbaba to join his parents and siblings in Israel.

All this and more is possible because of your
generous contributions to the UJC/CKJF Com-
munity Campaign. If you have not made your
pledge for the 2002 Campaign yet, please mail
your check today to CKJ F, 1050 Chinoe Road #
203, Lexington, KY 40502.

6 ' fibulom

 

ately we hear a lot about the “multilateral

approach to international relations.” That

phrase translates in lay terms to “don’t go
around bullying people, check with them first.” It
does ring a bell... more specifically a Talmudic bell.
Making a decision through consultation with all the
parties involved is indeed not so much about who is
right, because there might be no right or wrong
involved, but about getting people onboard, about
selling an idea. There is a classic Talmudic tale used
often to illustrate the Jewish way of doing things:

Rabbis were arguing about how to make an
oven Kosher for Passover. Most Rabbis
agreed with a specific way, but Rabbi Eliezer
disputed that decision. After arguing for a
while, Rabbi Eliezer exclaimed: “If I am right,
let God prove it by uprootin g the tree outside
the window and make it walk.” L0 and
behold, the tree uprooted itself and walked!
Faced with such a miraculous proof, the other
Rabbis just said: “We don’t care, we already
agreed on a way of doing it.” Rabbi Eliezer
then exclaimed "Ifl am right, let the waters
of the river flow backwards.” Lo and behold,
the waters flowed backwards. Yet the rest of
the Rabbis insisted “we don’t care, we
already agreed on a way of doing it.” Rabbi
Eliezer then exclaimed: “If I am right, let the
walls of this House of Study fall upon us.” Lo
and behold, the walls started to come down.
Faced with imminent disaster, the Rabbis
responded fast “We already agreed on how to
do it!” An imposing voice then came down
from the Heavens proclaiming “Why are you
so stubborn? I already told you three times
that Rabbi Eliezer is correct.” The Rabbis
answered “The Law is not in Heaven,”
meaning that the Torah belongs now to the
people, and not to God. Faced with such an
answer, the Almighty laughed, saying “My
children have beaten me.” In honor of that
dispute, the walls of that House of Study are
tilted to this day. They did not go back to the
upright position because Rabbi Eliezer was in
fact right, yet did not completely fall, because
what the Rabbis claimed was also right.

Jewishly we make decisions by including people.

A good decision is that which allows for the com-
munity to continue to work together and maintain
cohesion, even if the decision itself is incorrect.
That is our tradition. We are an opinionated and
passionate people, so “keeping the community

Making Decisions in a
Multilateral Jewish Way

by Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

together” often is most difficult.

In order to build the consensus necessary to be
able to act in the Jewish community, we often need
to follow a protocol of consultations to make sure
that the different segments of the community can
live with the decision made. So we have commit—
tees. Jewish committees have been described as a
mother and a mother~in~law arguing between
themselves about who was the most offended by
their child and child-in-law respectively, so they can,
after the argument has been resolved, go to yell,
together, at the child. The key word is “Together.”

Of course, on an institutional level, whether it is
a congregation or another grassroots organization,
each committee then plays the role of a member in
a larger decision making body, a Board of Direc—
tors. The President of any Jewish organization can
tell you that the proper greeting for somebody who
has just been elected as President is “You have my
sympathy” or “I’m so sorry” or variations thereof,
for it is the President who stands at the center of
this process and the one who needs to make it
possible for the group to reach a workable decision.

And then we have the community level when all
these different organizations come together to
address the issues of the Jewish community as a
whole. In our community we have a Federation.
with representatives from each organization and
members-at-large all representing very different
ideas.

Does it sound complicated? It is, but it has been
working well for over 2000 years, so it must be a
good system. And if you think about it, it is in fact a
“multilateral approach to decision making.” We
consult the parties involved, we get them to buy an
idea (or buy an idea they sell us), we argue about it,
we come up with a compromise everybody can live
with, and we act collectively to make it happen.

To be honest, this process means that some
in