xt7cjs9h7d4r https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7cjs9h7d4r/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2003-09 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, September 2003 text image Shalom, September 2003 2003 2003-09 2025 true xt7cjs9h7d4r section xt7cjs9h7d4r   

  

Newspaper of the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

halom

Serving the Central Kentucky Jewish Community Since .7962

 

 

 

 

 

September 2003

 

E/u/ 57§3 WSW/45764

 

 

CKJF’s Womens Division Presents “Feeling Safe After 9/11:"
Securing Our Families in an Insecure World

n an instant on a clear September morning.
the world as I knew it for myself and my
children was irreversibly altered, I often
view a photograph of my then five-year—old daugh—
ter heading off to
' kindergarten: I see
her sweet face and
bright smile; it
captures for me the
”’93 relative innocence
’ of our nation prior
to this terrorist war.
This picture also
-- makes me consider

all those children
Debra Nussbaum Cohen who would not

  
 

 

by Allison Caller

return to their parents. their losses permanent and sat mesmerized by the simultaneous images on
insurmountable. television and the clear view of downtown from

I returned that day from my daughters school to their 40‘“ floor window. Her office was immedi-
a persistent ring. It was my mother desperate to see SAFE on page 3

know the whereabouts of my sister’s office.
Camp Shalom Ends

Though she works in the financial field in New York
on H :9 h Note

City, her office was located at 6 Rockefeller

Center. I turned on CNN and watched in disbelief
New Location Brings
New Fun and Spirit

 

the wreckage of one of the twin towers. What I
was unaware of was that my two-year-old Jenna
had entered the room at the exact time the second
plane hit. Unable to d1st1nguish the reality of the he Central Kentucky Jewish Federation’s
news from The Rugrats, she Simply echoed, .
“Boom ” I right away called my sister who was campers ended the“ two-week summer

‘ ’ camp 2003 session, at Camp Woodmen 0f

unaware that the second lane had hit and 0f the .
. . p . the World on August 8‘“. The new s1te brought so
intentional nature of the events, Her entire office . . .

g _ _ much more to this year s camp experience than

      

 
   

  
 

‘ ’ pit-vioUs locations. As a result of the varied
, .7 . . . . . Q . ,, - . . _ .
Ann versary ' ' ”We“ 33mm
other sports and games. There was a large outdoor

Centennial Festivities Begin With
Jewish Music that Rocks

Jewish rock band will kick-off the year—long celebration of

Temple Adath Israel’s 100Kh anniversary. On the weekend

beginning Friday. September 19‘“, rock musician Danny
Nichols will participate in TAI services and Sunday school. A concert
Saturday evening will feature Nichols and his band, Eighteen.

Friday evening Nichols, who plays acoustic guitar, will lead services
with Rabbi Marc Kline. Rebecca Young, Temple member who, as a
member of the 100‘h anniversary committee is in charge of arrange-
ments for the weekend events, describes the Saturday morning service
on September 20““ as an educational program. Billed as a creative
liturgy. the Shabbat morning program will feature a Nichols-written
song, “B’tzelem Elohim.”

Eighteen, the Jewish rock band which includes Nichols and two
fellow musicians, will be in concert Saturday evening. Preceding the
concert Nichols will lead the Havdallah service. Sunday school children

see TAI 100 on page 2

 

Dan Nichols

 

 

 

OCF _ Nonprofit Org.
1050 Chinoe Road, Sutte 203 us. Postage
Lexington, KY 40502 PAID
Permit # 719
Lexington, Ky

 

 

Change Service Requested

 

 

 

theater for the drama group and storytellers, which
worked well for entertaining large groups, as well
as cabins for each age group to call their home
during downtime. All the facilities were used. It

 

 

This year was truly a
community effort, and the stafi of
Camp Shalom cannot fully thank

all of the volunteers for their
wonderful service provided.

 

 

was a fun-filled, action-packed time for the 60+
campers each week. And, thanks to the rainy
days, the children were even engrossed in arts and
crafts with the luxury of air conditioning, which was
not available in years past.

Camp Shalom would like to thank the many
volunteers from the community who came in and
read stories, discussed Shabbat, taught the cooking
chug, made challah dough, helped kids braid
challah, officiated at soccer, taught Israeli dance,
made jewelry boxes and taught beadwork, painted
doors, painted flags, talked about Israel or helped
with the Shabbaton. This year was truly a commu-
nity effort, and the staff of Camp Shalom cannot
fully thank all of the volunteers for their wonderful
service provided.

Specifically, week one began with Kathy Stein

see CAMP SHALOM on page 10

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:
Michael Adelstein Holocaust Training ........ 3
President’s Message .................................. 4
Facing History and Ourselves .................... 5
CKJF Executive Director’s Column .......... 6
Leisure Club ............................................... 7
Rabbi’s Column .......................................... 8
Ask JFS ...................................................... 9
Jewish Men’s Club ..................................... 9
Camp Shalom Highlights ..................... 10-11
JewLS Retreat Highlights ......................... 12
Keeping Kosher ........................................ 13
TAI Preschool News ................................ 13
Jewish Cooking Classes ........................... 13
Spellbinders and Camp Shalom ................ 14
Tikkun Lexington ...................................... 14
Leisure Club Calendar .............................. 15
Bonds ........................................................ 16
Community Activities Committee ............. 17
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs ..................................... 18
Ohavay Zion Synagogue .......................... 18
Temple Adath Israel ................................. 19
Community Calendar ................................ 20
Correction

Rabbi Marc Kline was quoted incorrectly in
last month ’s article about his speech at the
Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass Rally in
July. It should have read, “When it comes to
the vision of seeing our community be truly
of one heart, we have to remember the

prophetic teaching, ‘justice, not just us. ”’

MAZEL TOV T0:

Fran Morris and Clark Mandel on their
engagement on August 19.

Shane O’Connor who received an AIEJ
scholarship for a year in Japan. Shane received his
BA in Japanese Studies, a minor in Political
Science from Earlham College in July. He is the
son of Susan Dworkin.

Judy Baumann’s mother Janet Kravitz and
Shia Klarreich who were married August 1, 2003
in Cleveland.

Eric Sweet on his Bar Mitzvah in Atlanta on
August 23. Eric’s parents are Karen and Dannie
Sweet. His grandparents are David and Merle
Wekstein.

Scott Rothschild on his Bar Mitzvah in
Chicago on August 30. Scott‘s parents are Greta
and Steve Rothschild. His grandparents are Ted
Friedman and the late Sue Friedman.

Stephanie Doctrow on her Bat Mitzvah in
Louisville on August 30. Stephanie's parents are
Amy and Matt Doctrow. Her grandparents are
Janis and David Doctrow.

Nancy and Phil Hoffman on the marriage of

their son. Mark to Kristen Vender on August 31.

REEUAESHLEMAH (get well wishes):
Mitchell Barnes
Barbara Barr
Fryda Haber

CONDOLENCES TO:

Andy Mapper, partner of Judy Goldsmith.
His mother passed away recently.

Please let us know ofany news you would
like to share with the community. E-mail
your Community News to:
shalom @jewishlexington.org or mail:
Community News
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation
1050 Chinoe Road, Suite 203
Lexington, KY 40502

 

 

\Shalom

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
September 2003, Volume XI, Issue 1
David Feinberg, President
Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Fran Morris, Jewish Family Services
Jana LaZur, Activities Director

Editorial Board
Gay Adelstein, Marcia Blacker, Evelyn Dantzic Geller, Judy Levine, Ruth Poley, Stanley Saxe

Production Editor & Advertising Manager, Carrie McDanaId

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for publication in \Shulom .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.
5halom is supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.

© 2003 by Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

 

 

2 0 $halom

TAI 100 from front page

willjoin with Nichols in a song session the next
morning to complete the 100‘h anniversary inaugural
event.

“We wanted something exciting that would bring
people to Temple," Young said, “something uplifting
and with spiritual feeling. Dan brings a lot of energy
and excitement."

“Dan’s music will touch everyone in some way,"
Young added. Dan Nichols and Rebecca Young met
when they attended the reform movement summer
camp in Zionsville. Indiana, Goldman Union Camp
Institute, popularly known as GUCI.

Nichols, an Indiana native. received a degree in
music from the University of North Carolina. He
moved to Nashville in 1994 where the band,
Eighteen, was formed.

Described as a planned year of festivities. the
events celebrating the Reform congregation’s
centennial year continue through April. 2004. C0-
chairs of the 100‘h Anniversary Committee are
Anita and Harold Baker and Tomas Milch H. Over
two dozen committee members have planned the
year’s events.

In October. early Jewish life in Kentucky will be
described in a lecture by Lee Shai Weissbach.
University of Louisville historian. Other events
during the year include Mark Novak. a musician.
and Renee Brachl’ield. a storyteller andjuggler:
Rabbi David Ellenson. president of Hebrew Union
College; and Judy Caplan Ginsburg. singer. with
David Syme pianist.

Further events include Gary Zola historian,
R1th1FiIV\ft‘ 1 .i‘ili i‘ 1 iii I 1‘ \-
t11ilitli1tutii11er‘gc
guitarist and singer.

“Temple Adath Israel welcomes members of the
Jewish community to celebrate with us.“ Young
said. Judy Hersh is president of Temple Adath
Israel and Rabbi Marc Kline is the spiritual leader

\Shalom @eadline

Deadline for articles for the
October Shalom is September 10.
E-mail articles to

shalom@jewishlexington.org

Articles submitted in hard copy
should be double-spaced.

Ill...-

;.1t1i111s 111tl.11111t‘511\t1.

 

 

 

 

Ir-----—-----_-—--‘

. 'DON’T MISS OUT!. '

I Get this great paper delivered FREE I

I to your home ten times annually. Mail your
I name & address to:

$hnlom / CKJF
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Lexington, KY 40502

or by e-mail at
shalom @jewishlexington.org

r-_-_-—
L-——-——--

 

  

Second Michael Adelstein Holocaust *

Training Program Set for October ’“wa HaShanah Greefingsgl:

Selected Educators To Visit Museum in D.C.

n the middle of October, eight local public

school teachers will participate in the Second

Annual Michael Adelstein Holocaust Educa-
tion Program. They are: Stacey Middleton, Michele
Martin, Teri Harper, Misty Cheetham, Carole
Johnston, Delores Minor, and Nureka Smith. They
represent Tates Creek, Lafayette, Bryan Station,
and Franklin County High Schools. The program
includes a briefing by Prof. Jeremy Popkin, a
renowned historian who teaches Holocaust courses
at the University of Kentucky, and a field trip to the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in
Washington, DC

Last year’s program was extremely successful

in helping the participants gain in their understand—
ing of the Holocaust. One of the teachers who
participated in the 2002 Michael Adelstein program,
Jim Beward, was the keynote speaker for the
Central Kentucky Jewish Community Yom
HaShoah 2003 program last April. Jim has also
initiated a website with pictures and notes derived

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of Ohavay Zion
Synagogue, I wish everyone a year of
peace, health, and happiness.

from his experience during the trip.

The Central Kentucky Jewish Federation sees
Holocaust Education as an issue of the utmost
importance. Holocaust Denial is today gaining
currency as an alternative reading of the historical
events, and being given equal footing in universities
across Europe; it is also being used in a
disinformation campaign aimed at de—
legitimizing the State of Israel. It is
our duty as a community to continue
to educate the people in our area
about these historical events, and to
make sure that the universal message
they carry does not get trampled by
history falsifiers.

Upon their return, the participating
teachers will share their experiences
with the community and, most impor-
tant, with their students. Check the
November issue of Shalom for this
report.

Nancy Hoffman, President
Ohavay Zion Synagogue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF YOU FEEL...

Dissatisfied with your relationships
Too often angry and frustrated
Discouraged and depressed

Stressed or anxious

Displeased with your work situation

I can help you make changes that will improve
your relationships and allow you the happiness
you deserve. Please contact my office to schedule

 

SAFE from front page

ately evacuated as a precaution.
There were other difficult calls that day to
friends who had not yet confirmed the safety of

m, whimmk inwiihw i\1\“‘\(‘l (\.:it‘l|[\ \Mnlxiiiu

1 WWW My. 111 the fmal toll, three. young

men I knew well from high school perished in the
inferno that morning. Two of them had left behind
young families in the New Jersey suburbs.

My story is not unique. for the aftershocks of 9/
ll affected all American families. My daughter’s
school assured me that the children would be
sheltered from the news of the attacks. Yet. within
two days Danielle had collected an array of confus-
in g and frightening information, some factual, some
imaginary. “What is terrorism?” “Why do they hate
us?" “Where are their Mommies and Daddies?”
“Who died that day?” Such painful realities for a
little girl! I would spare her the knowledge that many
children perished alongside parents on those planes.

How can we help our children feel secure when
we ourselves feel so vulnerable? Bin Laden and
Sadam Hussein have become household names in
the past two years. Can we truthfully calm our
children? Can we assure them in todays world that
monsters don’t exist?

On September 111h Central Kentucky Jewish
Federation’s Women’s Division will welcome
Deborah Nussbaum-Cohen, a reporter for the
Jewish News, who will explore the topic of main-
taining a sense of security for our children today.

In addition to being a journalist, Ms. Cohen is also a
mother of small children who lived in NYC during
the attacks.

Come share your insights and feelings with other
mothers, aunts, grandmothers and friends who wish
to help maintain our children’s emotional well being

 
   

an appointment.

DAVID L. FEINBERG, Ph.D.
Individual, Marital 8: Family Counseling
520 East Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY 40502
limiter \xillheprinidctial ‘Sliltlilper , {8'39} 233—3390
person. There will be nosohcitauon. L I

CENTRAL KENTUCKY’S 2003

Israel . $3

MISSION W , MAW

in these changing and dangerous
times. The event takes place at
Ponofino Restaurant at 6:30pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
        

    
 

We see fig!

 
 

November 9 - 20, 2003

  
  

  

The mission will include participation
in United Jewish Communities’ (UJC)
General Assembly
as“ Fede’eag in Jerusalem from November 16 - 20.

x“ G) o

o Ll-=-'-J"_' A
“immoa‘ $2,030.00 per person
Cost includes hotel. roundtrip airfare from NY. registration for the
General Assemby and some meals.

 
          
       
      
    

Call Central Kentucky Jewish Federation office for more details. 859-268-0672 ext. 6#

ISRAEL
NOW MORE THAN EVER

September 2003 o 3

 
   

 

 

 

  

 

 

.EE-Iwwaail
us at

Shalom @JewishLexington.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosh Hashanah Greetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the
creation of the world and the promise
of continued creativity and life. We
focus on our own contributions to the
creative process since Jewish

tradition teaches that we are each
responsible for helping to complete
the creation of a peaceful world. l
‘i Therefore, Rosh Hashanah requires
i us to hold ourselves accountable for
ll tasks we completed and tasks we left
unfinished. May God guide us and

help us to know what to do.

1, On behalf of Temple Adath Israel, I i
ll wish each of you a sweet and healthy it
New Year, one filled with happiness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

am writing my column the weekend after

the successful completion of Camp Shalom.

On behalf of the Board and myself. I com—
mend the very hard work of the camp staff. camp
committee. and volunteers. I could go on about
how great I thought the camp was, but others, no
doubt. will be writing about the experience. I know
the children had a great time.

As the new president (and the husband of the
camp director). I was more involved in camp than
ever before. Camp Shalom was a great success.
What particularly struck me. in addition to the
happy faces of the

President's Message

by
David Feinbei‘g

children from the Temple and the Synagogue get to
know each other and set the stage for future
friendships. In addition, we got to know numerous
terrific children who were unaffiliated with our
chief Jewish institutions. Clearly, the more our
community meets and plays together, the greater
our chances of developing a stronger. more unified
Jewish community.

We all know it is a mitzvah to volunteer our time
and money. However. it’s a double blessing. While
we give to others. volunteering gives so much to us.
This glow of good feeling made me think there is a
wealth of untapped ability

 

 

children. the counselors.
and the counselors—in—
training (CITs). was the
spirit of volunteerism in
evidence at camp,

The best thing ubnur volunteering
is it does not have [0 hurt.

and skill that v\ ould be
wonderful lltlLllllUlh to our
bank of \ oluntcers.
Appeals may nol suffi—
ciently empliasi/e the

 

What was such a
pleasant surprise was
the vast number of volunteers who willingly lent
tl‘wir ~~ ' 'i" ‘
an ulna/trig Jen hi? ttviii-inn.i;5
smart and talented individuals. Although i am
tempted to name these wonderful people. I am very
concerned that I would inadvertently omit someone.
These deserving individuals told stories to the
children. created art. made crafts. cooked a won-
derful Shabbaton meal. refereed

/ Viv .,..

,1...“

.‘tiilil‘tixczi til slittiix

 

and peace.
;; Judy Hersh, President
é Temple Adath Israel
l _

TomasMilchH.

First Vice President—Investments

@ Prudential

Prudential Securities Incorporated
Lexington Financial Center, Suite 2900

Tel 859 233-0321 KY 800 998-8766 800
tomas_milchh@prusec.com

 

250 West Main Street. Lexington KY 40507

soccer games. demonstrated winning
table tennis. taught lessons in Jewish
history. and helped with setting up

‘ and packing the camp away for
another year. The camaraderie and
good fellowship was obvious every-
where. People not only did what
they had volunteered to do. but far
surpassed what could have been
expected. This was altruism in its

354-9066

 

 

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purist form.

Personally. I enjoyed helping. I
was mostly involved in helping to set
up camp and close it down for the
season. The staff and volunteers
worked together the necessary hours
with purpose. and accomplished their
tasks. What was also in evidence is
that people had fun and seemed to
have been enriched by the experi—
ence. while at the same time being
invaluable to the camps operation.

It is a happy experience to see

. benefits ofvolunteering.
It allows us to meet and
withpeople in our community we would " ' ;

’l

network

- “*3“, c,

are sitting and pig} in; during the high lioiititi) s tuit‘
reflecting on our “good deeds bank account." But
most of all it helps others and makes us feel good
about ourselves.

The best thing about volunteering is it LloCx not
have to hurt. Your talents and interests vvill prob-
ably fit with existing needs somewhere in our
community. Are you interested in meeting other
single people? Why not help our singles group
organize events? Interested in the care of our
older community members? The Leisure Club
would welcome new volunteers. Are you a good
cook? Families may need dinners cooked when a
memberis ill. How about Mitzvah Day? Do you
know that our community members substitute for
Christian peers every December 25”1 so they can
spend time with their families that day? Hillel can
always use willing hands and creative members to
assist our Jewish students at UK. How about visits
to the Stewart Home? You could visit Jewish
developmentally challenged people and help with
services.

For you creative people. how about developing
some ideas relating to your specialty? There is no
shortage of needs. No matter what your interest.
there will be a spot for you. Volunteer today! I
can’t recall anyone who regrets giving time to the
community. but I have heard many people with
regrets for lost opportunities. Don‘t let the “I
should haves” get you.

 

 “Facing History and Ourselves” Goes to Hebrew School
Education Program Comes To Lexington

Holocaust

As part ot‘ CKJF's efforts to expand Holocaust
education in the local community. "Facing Histor}
and Ourselves." the national non—profit dedicated to
using the Holocaust to teach )oung neople about
issues of social justice. will soon be a part 0! the
uniquely Jewish experience for a group ot‘ Lexing—
ton teens.

With a tuition scholarship from CKJF. I partici-
pated in a week—long training for Jewish educators
in Boston. “The Kesher Institute," as the program
is called. aspires to provide teachers with the
materials and support to study the Holocaust in the
context of Jewish views of socialjustice. Though I
have been working over the past three years with
Gloria Rie and the local non—profit, the
Humanitarium. to raise funds to train nearly 60
public school teachers in the pedagogy of “Facing
History,” the Kesher Institute represents a method
for teaching about the Holocaust specifically within
Jewish educational settings.

The curriculum, which is based on the “Facing
History” book, The Jews of Poland, begins with a

 

  

 

   

  
  
 

SAVE THIS DATE!!!

The Women's Division of the Central Kenluchg Jewish
Federation Communilg Campaign

is pleased lo welcome journalist and author

Debra Nussbaum'Cohen

who will presenl

IIRaising Children After Seplember 11"

a! Porlofino's Restaurant on

Thursdag, September 11,

PLEASE RSVP T 0 268-0672 by Augus! 30, 2003

Debra Nussbaum Cohen writes for IThe Jewish News.I
and authored 'Your New Jewish Daughter: Creating
Jewish Ways to Welcome Babg Girls into the

Covenanl-New and Traditional Ceremoniesl

by Rachel Belin

chapter on Jewish identity in the Diaspora. examin»
ing the ilVL‘s ol‘Ret‘orm. Conser'» ati\ e. Orthodox
and secular Jews. It also prmides resources about
the rich and \aried Jewish life in Poland before
World War II. including art. music. and literature.
The material includes asubstantial piece on Jewish
resistance and a chapter dealing with the legacy of
the Holocaust for Jews as individuals and as a
community. The Jews of Poland is a resource
book that incorporates a variety of primary and
secondary texts and multi—media to engage students
in discussions and critical thinking activities. As
“Facing History” facilitator Leora Shaeffer explains
in an upcoming article for “Jewish Education
News.” such an approach supports students to use
the Holocaust as a case study to get a sense of the
bigger picture. “This curriculum leaves students
with a perspective that extends beyond the trag—
edies of Jewish history,” she writes.

By adding the Kesher program to its Jewish
education curriculum, Lexington joins a network of
over 300 Jewish educators who have committed to

    

    
  

the content and pedagogy since it began in 1998.
While the immediate plan is to field test the curricu-
lum at Temple Adath Israel in a course I‘m teach—
ing to ninth and tenth graders this fall. the larger
objective is to ensure that all local Jews—including
adults—eventually get a chance to participate in
this incredibly important and timely educational
initiative.

 

 

 

 

Rosh Hashanah Greetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shana Tovah

Lexington Chapter of Hadassah looks
forward to a peaceful, healthy year in
which we work together to promote
our humanitarian goals.

Elise Mandel and Di Sobel
co-Presidents
Lexington Chapter of Hadassah

 

 

 

 

 

        
     

 

SPARE PARTS & EQUIPMENT

(859) 266-2188 0 Fax (859) 268-1877

60 Years of Service
346 Richmond Ave.
Lexington, KY 40502-1458

Mitchell Barnes

 

 

2003, at 6:30 pm

 
   
 
 

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September 2003 o 5

 

 

 

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recent article published in the Peaceways,

the newsletter of the Central Kentucky

Committee for Peace and Justice, made
the case that not only did the American government
know about September 11‘“, the article implies that
it played an active role in the World Trade Center
and Pentagon attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

__ Rosh Hashanah Greetings _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The High Holiday season is a time for
evaluation, both spiritually and in our
daily lives. May our prayers and
reflections bring us inner peace and
renewed sense of purpose. May we
also see a year in which peace comes 1
to Israel and all countries embroiled
in hostility.

On behalf of The Lexington Havurah,
I wish the entire Jewish community
of Lexington a productive and healthy

yean
Judy Saxe, President
The Lexington Havurah

 

 

 

 

 

From The Executive Director

By Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

The September 11th Conspiracy

Why is it that people have a tendency to explain
reality — especially when painful — through
conspiracy theories? Don’t get me wrong; con—
spiracies do exist, but certainly not to the extent that
many people believe. So how come conspiracy is
used as an explanation for everything, from the
WTC attacks down to being bypassed for promo-
tion at work?

One possible explanation is that human beings
crave control. If America is doing the right thing in
the world -— and we never doubted it before —
then there is no rational explanation for the WTC
attacks; if there is no rational explanation, we have
no way to prevent a second (or third) attack. The
sense of insecurity this brings is more than most
people can handle.

become the main force shaping Christian civiliza-
tion. It is not a surprise, therefore, that ideologies
take on a religious like force in Christian Europe.

In America, because of the separation of church
and state forced by the diversity of religious beliefs,
ideologies were relegated to the domain of private
life. Ideologies as such are not part of the public
discussion, and consensus building becomes the
predominant, albeit not exclusive, form of politics.
This is true even when recently some religious
streams have tried to impose their ways on others.
This might explain why Jews fit in in America
better than in most other non-Jewish societies.
Being Jewish is not a public issue, but a personal
and private choice.

When ideologies overrule

 

 

But if our government
is responsible for the
attacks, we can
remove the current
administration come
next election. It is a

When ideologies overrule reality to
justify themselves, conspiracies are
a good explanation.

reality to justify themselves,

conspiracies are a good

explanation. “Since real

Muslims would have never ~ W
done what the suicide pilots

did on September 1 1'“, it must

 

 

nice, round way to

prevent another attack. In another variation, Israel
was the culprit; stop aid to Israel and everything is
solved.

The idea of a complex world, powered by
ideologies, appears to be alien to our collective
psychological make-up. Yet, in most of the world,
ideologies overpower facts. In other words, when
the facts don’t fit the explanation, it is the facts
which are believed to be wrong. While we see this

 

 

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more clearly in the
Arab world, the same
is true for Europe and
Latin America.

As Jews, we
accept the possibility
of being mistaken.
Judaism’s concept of
het is different from
the Christian concept
of sin. Het is, chiefly,
a “missing of the
mark,” a “not living
up to standards.” In
Christianity, sin is
disobedience to God.
While Judaism leaves
room for adjustment,
Christianity makes
room for repentance.

E—moil: crtking@ortkingdom.com
Web site! W

 

 

 

6 0 \Shalom

 

In that context,
systems of belief

be a conspiracy of the CIA/
Mossad etc.” Or “Since Harnas does so much good
for the Palestinians and they are so honest, Arafat
must be on the American/Israeli payroll.” There are
many other variations of these theories, but they all
boil down to the same: “I am on the right side, and
nobody who sympathizes with me can do any
wrong for I have the Truth.” It follows that explain-
ing the wrongs must be supported by other facts, so
very elaborate and complicated conspiracy theories
come into existence. The Protocols of the Elders
of Zion comes to mind as a prime example fol-
lowed closely by Mein Kampf or the Secret
Relationship between Blacks and Jews of Louis
Farrakhan. Most political ideologies have very little
or no room for adjustment to reality.

But don’t get me wrong — conspiracies do exist.
When resources are scarce, every interest group
uses, even in America, its political capital to get as
much as possible, even at the expense of those who
have less. Blacks in the South can probably testify
to this issue. Yet conspiracies are not as widespread
as people would like to believe; they just provide a
simplistic and convenient explanation. And maybe,
just maybe, that September 11‘h happened because
America does not understand the power of ideolo-
gies and dismisses it offhand. May we, as Ameri-
can Jews, remember that our most powerful prayer
starts with the word “Sh’ma” — “Listen.” And may
we as American Jews remember this Rosh
Hashanah that listening and observing is important
for understanding the world around us.

 

 Leisure Club Begins Fall Programs
with Health Focus

53v Fran :‘llorris. jFS Director

g.

it August Illth. 2003. an interested group

of Leisure Club members came together

for a special program, We met at
Guiseppe‘s Italian restaurant and enjoyed a

delicious lunch while listening to guest speaker, Dr.

Pam Allwciss. talk to us about good health in later
life.

We learned about how to tune into our bodies”
internal signs and signals that something is wrong.
and when it is necessary to get professional help
orjust to slow down and rest. We learned about
drug interactions and how diet and exercise all
have an effect on our overall health and our
feelings of wellness or illness. In general. this
session taught us how to be more responsive to
the needs of our bodies. and what to do when we
j ust don‘t feel well. We also now know more
about the risk factors lor diabetes. thyroid disease.
and heart disease. A hearty thank you goes to Dr.

Allweiss for a very informative discussion. and to
the Leisure Club committee of CKJF for planning
a very enjoyable afternoon.

Be sure to note the upcoming fall/winter
programs for Leisure Club on page 15 of this issue
of Shalom. Our next program will be on Thursday.
September 18‘“. at 12: