xt76ww76x67m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt76ww76x67m/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2010-06 2010-07 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, June/July 2010 text image Shalom, June/July 2010 2010 2010-06 2010-07 2025 true xt76ww76x67m section xt76ww76x67m "W

 

JUNE/JULY 2010

Camp Shalom and Camp Gesher salute
Jewish camping, adventure, and horse-mania

July 26 to August 6
By Jana LaZur

With the World Equestrian Games
coming to Lexington this summer, it
seems appropriate that our Federa-
tion-sponsored camps should share
the enthusiasm. Camp will include
many enjoyable horse-related activi-
ties. Enjoy the beauty of Kentucky in

a two-week day camp that has an
excellent staff-to-camper ratio, supe-
rior activities and enrichment, and
Judaic content. Whether it is spending
time together with frit nds, making
new frienske a:‘ in swmrmmg,

, . ‘- .. , -‘ oying‘ “name, or
just hanging out with other kids, Camp
Shalom and Camp Gesher are here for
you Save the last two weeks of sum-
mer, July 26 through August 6, for the
annual summer day camp.

Trained staff members are committed
to ensuring the best experience for
campers. Most of them have worked
at this camp for years; many of them
were campers here themselves, so they
are very knowledgeable. An entire
year of planning goes into making two
weeks of Camp Shalom and Gesher a
reality. There are specialists in story-
telling, drama, nature/ teva, sports-
movement, swimming, putt-putt, hik-
ing, exploring, singing, and dancing. '
Special events include Shabbat obser—
vation each week and the Maccabiah
(Olympics) on the last Friday.

With so much time and energy put
into providing a positive experience

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and having a place where being Jewish
is cool—even if it’s not required—it’s
no wonder we keep having record
attendance each year. But even with
numbers as high as they are, there is al-
ways room for more campers. Our new
location rs much larger than in the past
and the staff can handle at least double
the number of campers. So please take
advantage of a program that has been
around for 42 years and gained experi-
ence each year. Only about ten percent
of the community’s potential campers
have registered for this year.

There are many ways to pay less
money for camp. If you register before
June 2, you automatically get a $15
discount for registering early. Also, if
you refer a friend to camp, when your
friend pays, a $10 credit is issued to
your account; there is no limit to how
many new friends you can refer. To
register online, simply go to our web-
site at www.jewishlexington.org and
follow the prompts to Camp Shalom.
If you wish to pay by credit card, then
online registration is your only source.
You can also print a registration form
from the website and mail it in. Please
include a check for either the full
amount or a $50 deposit.

All fees must be in by July 15 so that
we can adequately plan for staffing
and activities and supplies. Please call
the Federation office at (859) 268—0672
with questions. We hope that you
choose Camp Shalom and Gesher

this summer. IO!

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Jewish Heritage Night with the
Lexington Legends confirmed

Sunday, July 18 at 2:05

Mark your calendars for Sunday, July
18 at 2:05 pm. at the Applebee’s Sta-
dium, otherwise known as the home of
the Lexington Legends baseball team.
The entire community has been invited
to celebrate Jewish heritage at the ball-
park. If you still have Federation hats,
camp T-shirts, or other clothing with
Jewish content, please wear them on
this day in the spirit of Jewish heritage.

Call the Jewish Federation of the
Bluegrass office to reserve your $6
seats. These discounted tickets will
be groupedin the same secuornAlso,
every Sunday rs Kids’ Day at the
stadium, so there are several exciting
activities throughout the day for kids.
After the game, kids under 13 can run
the actual bases on the field. There is a
large children’s play area with inflat-
able games and live mascots to enter-
tain the crowd of all ages. Of course,
standard baseball fare will be available
for purchase, including kosher beef
franks.

There will be a community organiza-
tion table with information about
Judaism here and abroad, promotional
items, hand-outs, and opportunities to
enroll in camp, congregations, orga-
nizations, Jewish pre-schools, and the
like. Eighteen kids from Camp Shalom
and Camp Gesher will accompany the
players onto the field when they are
introduced, and Camp Director Kathy
Feinberg will throw out the ceremonial
first pitch of the ballgame.

Gates will open at 1: 00 p. m. and the

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never been to a baseball game,
this would be a great time to start. You
can support the Jewish community,
support camp, and support our local
baseball team. Contact Jana at (859)
268-0672 or jana@jewishlexington.
org to buy tickets to the game. If your
child is between the ages of 5 and 13,
you can also sign up to be one of the
eighteen children who get to meet and
accompany Legends players onto the
field. 1:8

Pacesetters Event features Bret Caller,
raises increased pledges

Steve Caller welcoming Bret to peak to
Pacesetters.

The Pacesetters Event held on April
25 at the home of Susan and Steve
Caller was a great success, thanks

to the inspiring speech by their son,
Bret Caller, who has recently been
installed as president of the Jewish
Federation of Cincinnati. Bret spoke
about the importance of Jewish service
and philanthropy in his life and the
model provided by his extraordinary
parents. (An excerpt from his talk is
printed in this issue of Shalom). Those
who attended pledged a total of just

see Pacesetters, page 6

i

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NTI'ISBSIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEWART HOME SCHOOL
VISITATION SCHEDULE:
June 17, July 15,August 26

 

The Stewart Home, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is a residential school for individu-
als with disabilities. It is renowned throughout the country for the high quality of care
given to the students, and attracts people from all across the country. Tikkun Lexington
brings celebration to the Stewart Home’s Jewish students by honoring Shabbat and
Jewish holidays. It is a very special evening for all who participate, volunteers and
students alike. Please call Jana at (859) 2680672 or
email jana@jewishlexington.org for more information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speech Excerpt. 3
President’s Message 4
Third Opinion ........ 5
From the Director 6
What lsrael Means to Me — essay contest winners .......................................................................................... 7
JFS: At Your Service ............................. 8
Only Lexington performance oszofim lsrael Scouts slated .................................................................... 8
Man vs Machine — an acknowledgment .............. .......................... 9
TAl to hold congregational dinner and discussion on June i2 .............................................................. 9
Opinion ............................................................................................ i O
Mazel Tov to new board and officers ofTAl ..................................................................................................... ii
Community enjoys Yom Ha'Atzmaut dinner and celebration ............................................. .12
Mid—summerTAl congregational picnic planned .......................................................................................... i 2
Federation promotes lunchtime health programmm. .. 12
Hadassah Casino Night a success ..................... 12
Book Excerpt: Weaving the Bonds of Marriage ................. i5
Death by chocolate 15
lsrael 2i c: Israeli and Jordanian women are in business for peace .................................................... i 6
B'tayavon i 7
Ask A Rabbi i8
The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah ............ 19
The Lexington Havurah 20
Temple Adath lsrael 2i
Ohavay Zion Synagogue ......... 22
Around the Community 73
Calendar 24

 

 

Shalom

Published ten times per year by the
Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone (859) 268-0672 - Fax (859) 268-0775
email: shalom@jewishlexington.org

MAY 2010, VOLUME XVII, ISSUE 5
Linda Rawin, President
Judy Wortman, Executive Director
Jana LaZur, Activities Director
Paula Clancy, JFS Director
Tamara Ohayon, Communications Director

SHALOM EDITORIAL BOARD
Ruth Poley, Editor-in-Chief
Mary Heléne Rosenbaum, Editor/Administrator
Jane Chaput
Peter Schogol

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bret Caller, Nina Beth Cardin, Karin Kloosterman, Tamara Ohayon,
Stanley Ned Rosenbaum

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.
The appearance ofany 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 organization.

Shalom is partially supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.
Copyright CC‘ 2010, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass. All rights reserved. For reprint
permission contact Ruth G. Poley, Editor—in—Chief, Shalom, at rgp@insightbb.com

2 l June/July 2010 Shalom

 

Hadassah sellin
Macg’s Giict Car 5

Looking for aft ideas 1COI" Mother’s Dag, Father’s Day,
graduations, ir‘thdags, weddings, anniversaries, or to

. use gourseli: icor that shopping you’ll do angwag?

i"t.r?“i.ii.;.~:a 11.15; 452:: .‘ii'iis limit: 1Hadassah by contacting
Odette Rapian at 285% 271-3332 or emi~;.:tplan@aoi.cem.

Gift Cards are available in $25, $50, or $100
denominations; make checks payable to Hadassah.

These gift cards can be ordered in any denomination, may be used at
any Macy’s location in the US, and do not expire!

Not only will the recipient be thrilled to have the gift card, but you
can feel good about helping Hadassah raise funds for its valuable
programs here in the US. and in Israel.

 

 

 
   
 

The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah has the perfect and easy 501m—

 

 

 

In“ 'l‘hc‘lewish l‘bricraiion
. OF” THE REJEGWRSS
Federation President Federation Board Jeremy Popkin

Linda Ravvin Evalyn Block Ricki Rosenberg
Jane Chaput Kathye Schattner
Executive Committee Susan Cobin Kae Schennberg
Robert Grossman, Vice President Larry Kant David Shakib
Angie Onstein, Secretary David Levine David Shraberg
Bin Lucas, Treasurer Amy Faust Mayer Hanna Smith
Bruce Broudy, Member-At—Large Jennifer Miller David Wekstein
Evelyn Dantzic Geller, Member-At—Large Angie Ornstein Gary Yarus

 

Shalom Deadline

Deadline for articles for the August Shalom is July 9.
Email articles to jfb.shalom@hughes.net

 

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Not necessarily rivaling the teaching
of Maimonides, I have created a list of
ten personal principles that I believe
best explains what drives me to take
an active part in fulfilling the same
dreams for my community. If you like,
this is my top ten list of core values,
and these precepts require more than
just lip service, you must live by these
rules.

10. Parents are the most important
people in their children’s lives. How-
ever, Jewish parents have a more
complex role to fill. What I have come
to realize is that if I want my children
to ”do Jewishly" then I need to set an
example and ”do Jewishly for myself.”
My mother and father lived Jewishly.
”They did it and they do it.” They
were excellent role models, with mul~
tiple trips to Israel, education, kosher
home, Jewish camps, synagogue, and
tzedakah and what I learned from their
commitment to these principle, I will
pass on to my children.

9. I have a friend who was disciplin-
ing his son one day and his son said,
”iou're not my friend.” M friend told

It is my responsibility to raise you and
if at the end of this exercise we are
friends, then so be it, but that is not my
goal.” I share this principle. My rela-
tionship with my children starts with
me being a parent. Teaching them the
importance of earning what they have
and the mitzvah of generously helping
others in need is taught not by continu—
ously giving in to my children. Believe
me when I tell you that growing up in
the Caller Yeshiva you learn the value
of a dollar and giving generously.

 

Enjoying refreshments before Bret’ 5 speech.

'i‘l'.’

     

Speech Excerpt

JFB Pacesetters Event, April 25
By Bret Caller

8. This next principle is difficult to
publicly state. I believe that it is im-
portant to honor my/ our parents. The
respect that we show for our parents

is a reflection of how we respect our
world. It is easy to take our parents for
granted, not to realize how they sacri-
ficed for our benefit and never appreci-
ate their perspective. Unfortunately,
we never understand the real gift of
life given to us by our parents until
long after we have become parents
ourselves. Therefore, we must start
young and teach our children how
important it is to honor our parents.
By our example, they will learn what
that means, not for a selfish reason that
they will repay us for our acknowledg-
ment of our own parents, but it will
ultimately make them better parents
and we will have fulfilled a command-
ment to honor our parents.

7. On Yom HaShoah we remembered
the six million Jews that died for
merely being Jewish. Every year this is
a personal wake-up call to be an advo—
cate for our people and work to assure
our continued existence. There have

glfiyvays been fgrog‘ working 638%,

Jew§and1fwe donotspeakout,
clearly articulate our concerns, be the
conscience for the world, and sup-
port our causes, financially and with
earnest Vigor, then history will repeat
itself and we will be doomed to suffer
the atrocities of the past.

We must remember to nurture our
personal Jewish lives, our Jewish com—
munity and to love and support Israel.
Never be afraid to be Jewish, never be
afraid to be proud of being Jewish and
be vigilant to assure that the world

 

remembers that being Jewish is a mark
of conscience for the world, not a mark
for extinction.

6. How can we be a Jewish community
without Jewish connections? Meeting
people—meeting each of you—like—
minded people gathering together or
partnering to nurture a Jewish world.
We are all part of a large Jewish family
with a rich heritage, and without each
other, we are alone. The only way that
we can grow, the only way that we can
prosper as a people, is to be a people.

5. It is blissfully easy to go through life
without realizing how much there is to
learn and how little we actually know.
The only way to fulfill our covenant as
Jews, is to study and learn. Gathering
with the community members to learn
from one another is the directive from
the Exodus: do not end the journey,
extend the inspiration.

4. That being said, inspiring others to
give generously—guiding donors to a
capacity giving level and watching the
light bulb go off—is magical. Go out,

 
   

' community, RAISE boLL'ARs. I
love the challenge of raising dollars.

3. Take a leadership role. Volunteer,

go to a meeting, write a letter, do
something that shows you care and do
something that takes enough effort to
make a difference. I want to be part of
or lead an organization that gives more
to me than I give to it.

2. The philanthropist Carl Linder
spoke at a meeting I attended a few
years ago and raised a key philosophi-
cal point for himself that explains why
I get so involved in the organizations
that I contribute money to their sup-
port. ”I am giving while I am living so
I know where it’s going.”

1. The most important reason why do I
do what I do Jewishly is that I sincerely
believe it is my obligation to make this
world a better place for my family, my
wife, my children, my friends, for each
of you, and for myself. Tikkun 01am

is not merely a phrase, it is a mindset.
This is not arrogance of purpose, it is
born from a strong belief that if we
don’t each accept some responsibility
for the good of all, then there will be
nothing good to share.

 

 

who were donors last year are seekin 1

   

I shared my list because it underscores
how volunteering in the Jewish com-
munity (specifically at Jewish Federa-
tion) provides me the opportunity to
put my values, my personal goals into
action and to Live Jewishly. Living
Jewishly is more than just a concept, it
is a way of life and a commitment that
we make to ourselves, our family, our
community, and to our People who
brought us to this place.

Living Jewishly links us to each other
and allows each of us the gift of being
part of a heritage that represents above
all else the commitment of giving.
People are talking about the economy:
are things getting better or worse—
who got laid off this week, will un-
employment decline, when are things
going to get better? Just seeing people
out in the community is a constant re-
minder of the challenges our world is
facing today. There is a lot of talk, but
not always much action.

The needs in our communities, always
great, grow larger every day. People

As Jews, we are blessed with the gift
of unique perspective on surviving
difficult times. While most of us have
been fortunate not to have experienced
similar difficult economic times, we
have the innate skill of surviving even
the greatest challenges life can bring
our way. We know instinctively when
it is time to set aside working primar—
ily for ourselves and our families and
to shift our priorities to working for
the larger good.

Our Jewish tradition teaches us that
we all have a responsibility for one
another. Today our Jewish communi-
ty depends upon the Jewish Federation
more than ever to provide the neces-
sary resources to handle the increased
needs of the community. Preserving
your community today requires all of
you to give of your time and of your
financial capabilities.

Some of you have already made your
gift to the 2010 Jewish Federation
Community Campaign. We thank you
for your gifts and your leadership.
However, if you have not made your

see Speech, page 6
June/July 2010 Shalom | 3

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President’s Message

Linda Ravvin, JFB (Jewish Federation of the

Bluegrass) President

 

At the JFB
annual
meeting on
May 26, we
celebrated
another year
of accom-
plishments and events in the life of
our community and the Federation.
We have had a wonderful year with
many things to be proud of. We have
completed a very successful first year
of stewardship by Executive Direc-

tor Judy Wortman. She hit the ground
running, starting at her first public
event (last year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut),
which took place even before Judy
had actually assumed her position.
Through all the personal challenges
that she and David faced in the months
immediately following, Judy worked
at an amazing pace to introduce herself
to the community and to encourage all
of us to move forward in a cooperative
manner for the benefit of everyone. In
late fall, David underwent a double
transplant, from which he is still suc-
cessfully recovering. Judy remained
dedicated to her new position and
new community, working as a true
professional to make sure that every-
thing was accomplished. K01 ha’kavod
to Judy! In recognition of her excel-
lent work, the JFB board has renewed
Judy’s contract. I am very pleased that
Judy will now continue as executive
director at least until the end of April
2013.

 

Also during this past year, we saw a
transformation: Central Kentucky Jew-
ish Federation (CKJF) became Jewish
Federation of the Bluegrass (JFB). We
adopted the new name at the request
of our national organization, Jewish
Federations of North America, to begin
our organimfion name with ”Jewish”
so that we are more easily identified,
both locallyandaspartofour national
network.

Another accomplishment this year was
that we passed new, and amended old,
bylaws, bringing our internal rules or
operation up to date. Our bylaws nacl
last been updated more than ten rears
ago.

Camp Shalom and Camp Geshe: had
an extremely successful summer M
year, thanks to the hard work or the
camp committee, chaired by Eden My-

4 l June/July 2010 Shalom

ers, and the camp staff, led by Camp
Director Kathy Feinberg. We are very
fortunate to have Kathy, who works
throughout the year to plan, to pre-
pare the wonderful programs we offer
our children, and to hire and train the
camp staff. Kathy and Eden, you are
greatly appreciated by all of us! Regis-
tration is already open for this sum-
mer. So hurry up—give your children
and grandchildren our outstanding
camp experience.

We had many incredibly successful
programs throughout the year, offer—
ing both celebrations and commemo—
rations. We thank the community
activities committee for all its hard
work and success. The transfer of the
chairmanship to Evalyn Block was a
smooth and easy process and exciting
new programs are being explored for
the fall.

The excellent support and efforts of
Jana LaZur, as staff to both the camp
committee and the community activi-
ties committee, as well as to Tikkun
and Tzeason of Tzedakah, is greatly
appreciated. Jana has the outreach
skills and community contacts to help
expand our programs. Thank you!

Jewish Family Services (JFS) was,
because of the continuing economic
crisis, even busier than ever assist-

ing those in need in our community.
Through the efforts of Paula Clancy,
assisted by our excellent intern, Talia
Smolkin, community needs were met
and wonderful, entertaining, and edu—
cational programs were held. We thank
Paula for her superb work as our JFS
professional and continue to feel very
fortunate to have someone of her cali-
ber with our organization. We thank
Talia for her dedication and hard work
during her internship with us this past
year and wish her luck as she contin-
ues her studies this summer at Yeshiva
University in New York Talia will be
interning with Hospice for the com-
ing year and we know that she will be
a great addition to their staff, Thank
you to Evelyn Geller {or continuing to
serve so ably as JFS chair.

Our commuter; relaalons committee
(CRC) has W0: led through/.i-ut the year
with ether orga'tizav‘j .715 in fire (or ~
munity to admnce t: : uridrzstandiztg
of current issues fact}; all o» us, We

have co—sponsored programs dealing
with Jewish approaches to environ-
mental concerns and a mayoral debate
focused on ”green issues." We had a
well-attended Yom HaShoah program
with David Wortman as our excellent
speaker, and wonderful participation
by the area schools in the annual Emily
Szekely Memorial Holocaust Educa—
tion Essay contest. CRC co-chairs
David Wekstein and Mike Grossman
are looking for new participants to join
the committee.

Jane Chaput now chairs the Shalom
committee and is doing a fantastic job
overseeing our most important com-
munications vehicle. She is currently
looking for an editor for Shalom to
replace Mary Rosenbaum, who, regret-
tably, is leaving that position at the end
of this year. Sadly, Ruth Poley, who has
been our longstanding editor—in-chief,
is also leaving Shalom at the end of this
year

Tamara Ohayon—what would we do
without her? She works on just about
everything: Shalom, publicity, commu-
nications, computer, and web site—she
pulls it all together and handles it with
dedication and verve and a sense of
humor. Tamara has also been working
with our new marketing committee,
which she is leading in the absence of
a chairperson. Thank you so much!
Gayle Bourne is amazing—she volun-
teers time at least equal to that she is
paid for, and she is meticulous in her
work efforts.

Unfortunately, it is time to say good-
bye to some of our longstanding board
members. We are very sorry to have
them leave, but they have all served
the maximum terms allowed by our
bylaws. Our thanks go to Mike Gross-
man, Pat Shraberg, Odette Kaplan, and
Mimi Kaufman.

Mike Grossman, co«chair of CRC, has
been Federation vice-president and
served on the executive committee in
that capacity. He has been a constant
and consistent advisor, adding his
legal knowledge and wise council to
the board {and thereby to the com-
munity) throughout all of his tenure.
H3. participated strongly on the search
committee for our executive director
and has always worked to further the

.g -_i w". . 4 “.2; _,,
J)! vat J? int: l’r.’L.lt,‘l anon aIlCl LI!) LU?“

 

munity together. It is my great plea-
sure to announce that Mike Grossman
has received the President’s Award this
year in recognition of his many contri-
butions to the community.

Pat Shraberg has been a consistently
positive influence both on our board
and JFB as a whole. She has almost al-
ways been the first to say ”Oh, I can do
that!” no matter what is being asked.
She has served as a central member
of our executive committee for the
past few years, as our secretary, and
as our campaign co-chair with Angie
Ornstein. Pat will be truly missed for
her excellent input, her dedication to
the community, and her ”go-get-‘em”
attitude.

Odette Kaplan has been an outstand-
ing board member and community
leader. At one point, she was both
Hadassah chapter president and JFB
board member at the same time. Talk
about commitment to community! This
past year Odette has also served on the
executive committee and chaired our

nominating committee, WW
rm

ing the most incredible candidates for
election to the board. Odette has been
selected to receive the Volunteer of the
Year Award in recognition of her su-
perb efforts on behalf of the Federation
and the community.

Mimi Kaufman is also completing her
second term of office on the JFB board.
We have been fortunate to have Mimi.
She has helped in so many capacities—
with Camp Shalom, with community
activities (which she chaired), and with
Tzeason of Tzedakah (formerly Day

of Giving). She has generously offered
to stone our camp supplies and has
been a true role model to others. Mimi
fulfilled her role with JFB at the same
time that she served as Sisterhood
president at Temple Adath Israel.

I applaud the following people for ac-
cepting a leadership role in the Federa-
tion and the community by accepting
nomination to the board: Amy Faust
Mayer, David Shraberg, Hanna Smith,
and Gary "Yarns. I commend them for
their commitmeri and future efforts or.
behalf of all of in and I look forward

t0 Eifljt‘klii g Wl'tl’i

tome J—lu.

'ien‘z as part of our

 

 

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52c President’s h‘lessage, page 6

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 Third Opinion

Stanley Ned Rosenbaum, PhD

 

"" A Serious Man

tan The Coen brothers’ films generally
this defy description and this one is no
ltI'l' exception, but I have to try. 50, say

you got what you thought was a
5,000-piece picture puzzle and the box

y it came in had a cover illustration that
‘d showed a guy on a dung heap picking
al- at his boils. Well, you’d think ” o ,”
71 do of course—but when you opened it
(1. you found it was about 1,000 pieces

short and while most of what it did
contain dealt with a modern Job, there

:1 were other pieces from the life of King

ie David, some relating to a spurious epi-

or sode from Eastern European folklore

to (this part of the film was in Yiddish

n” with subtitles) and some from your bar
mitzvah.

d- The film is set in Minneapolis, the

Coen brothers’ home town, in 1967,
which happens to be the year of Joel

B Coen’s bar mitzvah. The protagonist,
ilk Larry Gopnick, is a theoretical physics
This professor at an unnamed university,

1 the being considered for tenure even as his
ur wife is divorcing him and his kids are.
it?” shall \\ v net), loss than model Jewrsh
for ‘W-fltough the‘son ends up do-
:en ing a very creditable job with his bar
the mitzvah Torah portion.

1-

ition In his stress, Gopnick visits three rab-

bis, like the first three comforters who
visit Job, and all three are, shall we say,

the names of the musicians in Led Zep—
pelin.

The fourth advisor, Elihu in the Book
of Job, seems to be represented by
Adam Arkin, playing a divorce lawyer.

There’s other stuff that I can’t really
place in Job. Surly gentile neighbors.
Larry’s nogoodnik brother who

lives with them. The man for whom
Gopnick’s wife is leaving him is one of
these touchy-feely types who, it seems,
has been writing anonymous letters

to the tenure committee accusing
Gopnick of moral turpitude. Ultimate-
ly, the charges prove true (though they
weren’t at the time the letters were
written)—Gopnick, on his roof, spies

a naked neighbor sun-bathing in her
yard as David did Bathsheba and...
But Sy Abelman, the ”other man,” dies
in an auto accident on the way to his
country club. What’s that about?

Then there’s the university colleague
who "advises” Gopnick on how the
tenure deliberations are going He is
l'b\l0Ll>.l\ ll‘lt Ad\ trsaix Silldll ti .gu It
in Job. Anyone who has gone through
a tenure evaluation—indeed, any job
evaluation—will relate to this part.
Gopnick is brilliant, but he hasn’t
published anything. (During my
tenure struggle at Dickinson one of the
college’s two Jewish trustees, a New
York law professor, said of me, ”I read
his (published) stuff; it isn’t any good.”
I almost developed an ulcer.)

As I said, though, this is not a point-
for-point, modern retelling of the story
of Job, as 0 Brother, Where Art Thou?
was a pretty straightforward take-off
on the Odyssey, but rather a Coen

 

her useless. But hilariously so. The first,
ard. the "junior rabbi,” is completely su-
mi. perficial; the second, the senior rabbi,
es— tells a long tale of Kabbalistic mysti—
ity cism and gematriyah that dead ends in
with meaninglessness; and the third, known
y only by his last name (a la Hillel or

tIEd Shammai) has trouble remembering
limi

ne

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brothers ”riff" on Job as though the
book were a piece of music and the
brothers were Jewish jazz musicians.
In fact, they tear the first part of the Job
story off and put it at the end.

The movie was released in limited
distribution (it never made Bardstown)
because you have to have knowledge
of and love for the Jewish tradition in
order to understand it. It got some Os—
car nominations but, as one reviewer
put it, this is the kind of film you can
make only after you’ve already won an
Oscar.

You’ll laugh,
you’ll scowl,
but you will
enjoy it. o

Stanley
Ned Rosen-
baum, PhD
(Brandeis),
is an adjunct professor of Hebrew at UK
and professor emeritus of Judaic Studies

at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Penn.
The title of this recurring column is drawn
from the old chestnut, ”Two Jews, three
opinions. ”

 

 

abroad.

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Community Campaign

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