xt7jdf6k423s https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7jdf6k423s/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2001-08 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, August 2001 text image Shalom, August 2001 2001 2001-08 2025 true xt7jdf6k423s section xt7jdf6k423s

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Newspaper of the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation f

halom

Serving the Central Kentucky Jewish Community Since 1962

August 2001

SAXE HEADS LIST

OF NEW OFFICERS

ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
. ELECTION, PAST YEAR'S

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

t the 2001 Central Kentucky Jewish Federation
Annual Meeting, Stan Saxe was elected to serve as
ederation president for the next two years. Also
elected at the annual meeting in June were Lowell Nigoff as
vice—president, Ginger Knight as Treasurer, along with Phil
Berger and Vinnie Dubilier as members-at-large to the
Executive Committee.

The officers. drawn from the board of directors member—
ship. are elected by the board. The board ofdirectors is
elected by the general membership of the Federation. At this
year‘s annual meeting. five members were re-elected for a
second three—year term to the board: Marty Barr. Aviva
Bowling. 20} a ()rlm‘. Stan Saxe and David Sogin. Two
People were elected tn been: .l first term' \lerle Wei stein mi

I :‘1' I! 0 “I ' in o“.

cn‘nl‘ .I-0 ‘I‘

sent Temple Adath Israel, CongregationOhavay Zion, the
Lexington Havurah and Lexington Chapter of Hadassah. The
board thus totals twenty-three directors.

Outgoing president Marty Barr reviewed this past year’s
accomplishments. He noted the expansion of activity at
Federation’s Jewish Family Service, the implementation of
Tikkun Lexington, the community-wide programs of the
Community Activities Committee, the ongoing work of the
Community Relations Committee, and the activity of Young
Leadership. The Camp Shalom summer day camp for chil-
dren expects record enrollment this year. Strategic planning
has been dOne and implementation is beginning. President
Barr reported to the community growth in the ‘annual cam-
paign: from 290 contributors and 280 thousand dollars in
1998 to 456 contributors and 330 thousand dollars in 2000.
He estimated 500 contributors and 350 thousand dollars for '
the 2001 campaign.

On behalf of the ofﬁcers and board of directors president
Marty Barr was presented with a piece of Israeli art by Stan
Saxe who thanked him for his service to our community.

See related photos on pages 14 and 15

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EZRINE, LEVINE
RECEIVE TOP
AWARDS
AT FEDERATION
ANNUAL MEETING

Judy Levine, Sue Ezrine

wo women were the recipients this year of the highest honor given by the Central

Kentucky Jewish Federation - the President’s Award. Sue Ezrine and Judy Levine

received the 2001 awards at the CKJF annual meeting on June 24. Begun in the year
2000 these awards are for demonstrated long-term commitment and effort on behalf of United
Jewish Communities / Central Kentucky Jewish Federation.

Sue Ezrine has been a strong leader and hands—on worker for Federation Campaigns. Her
demonstrated support has continued through the current 2001 Campaign. She has an exem—
plary record of leading by example.

Judy Levine. one of the founding members and a past president of Central Kentucky Jewish
Federation. has been an acti\ e participant in many programs. activities and committees in
Federation throughout the \ ears Recentlx on the constitution committee. she sen es on the

‘- i-'t‘.t'-.'\‘t\lwiirtl I‘M‘A'Ll
._, Outorn_ Federation president Mart' Barr resented the awards to both women'citing them

chaired the CKJF’s community Yom HaAtzmaut
celebration the past two years. She planned and
implemented the CKJF spring concert of Jewish
composers given by the Lexington Community
Orchestra in April.

Ruth’s many hours of volunteerism for Federation
includes Community Activities Committee programs
plus writing and editing for \Shalom newspaper
where she serves on its editorial board.

Ruth Paley

Aviva Bowling

ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER

. by Ruth Paley
he Central Kentucky Jewish Federation has planned a cool and relaxing summer evening
for you and your family. We’re having a boat ride and picnic supper just a short ride
away, at Shakertown.

On Sunday, August 12th at 6:15pm, we’ll meet at historic Shaker Landing (we can plan to car
pool if that’s your wish). We will board the DiXie Belle, an authentic stemwheeler, for a pleasant
two hours on the river. As we cruise past the natural palisades and rock formations, the Captain
will ﬁll us in on the history of the Kentucky River, High Bridge, and how the Shakers utilized the
river.

CKJF Nonproﬁt Org. CKJF will provide soft drinks, dessert (dairy) and all
340 Romany Road U-S- Postage disposable goods (plates, napkins, cups, etc.); you bring
Lexmgton, KY 40502 PAID . . . . .
your own picmc supper. This 18 a great opportunity to get
Perfnit # 719 together with friends and have a group picnic. Or just
Lexmgton, Ky bring yourself and a sandwich. Either way, you’ll have a
- great time.
Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for Children 10 and under.
Space is limited so call Diana at CKJF (268-0672) now to
reserve your place.
Change Service Requested
See notice on page 14.

In This Issue: . MAIZE; TOV TO: id f
. , , A an Irene Bloomfie on the birth 0 their grand—
Pre81dent s Message ................. 2 daughter, and to Stacy & Art Dunahue on the birth of their
Camp Shalom 1“ Sessron """""" 3 niece, Alana Corrinne Bloomﬁeld, on June 28, 2001 . The
A1 Galgalim ............................... 3 proud parents are Kim & Hugh Bloomﬁeld.
Leader, Leader 0h The Board 4 Barbara & Marty Barr, on the birth of their grandchild,
H . . Graham Holden Soofer. Graham is the son of Stephanie &
untington Museum Trip .......... 4
. _ Robert Soofer.
Birthright Israel ---------------------- 5 Julie Cerel, who graduated from Ohio State University
Column Musings ........................ 6 with her Doctorate in Psychology. Julie is the daughter of
Unsettling Thoughts ................... 6 Jerry & Jan Cerel.
. Harriet & Leon Cooper, on the celebration of their 50th
Leisure Club .............................. 7 . .
wedding anniversary August 19.
Sandra Heymann ........................ 7 Marty & Gayle Dorio, on the marriage of their son, Jay
Do You Keep Kosher ................. 7 Dorio to Erika Raymond on April 18, 2001 in Orlando, FL.
Rabbi’s Comer ........................... 8 Also on the graduation Of their son’ Paul J‘ Dorio, MD who
Ask JFS 1 0 successfully passed his oral medical boards and is a board
""""""""""""""""""" certiﬁed radiologist. In addition, their daughter, Amanda
Hebrew Union College ------------- 10 Dorio graduated from Marquette University Law School in
Wise Jewish Dateline ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 11 May and was admitted to the bar of the state of Wisconsin.
ISO/Hillel Needs Names .......... 11 Stacy Smith K‘s‘en» Who graduated in May With
, , _ _ distinction from the UK Medical School. Stacy is the wife of
Singles Whitewater Rafting l 1 Daniel Kesten and daughter -in-law of Stephen & Nancy
Hadassah .................................. l 2 Kgsten,
Habitat Update ......................... 12 Alison Plavin, who was acceptﬁd into the Governor’s
UK Judaic Studies ............... 13 School for the Arts. Alison is the daughter of Marc Plavin &
Toni Reiss.
Jr/Sr Program .......................... 13 Zack MOSCOW who won 2nd place for the Nathaniel
Singles’ Event .......................... 14 Patch Award for piano. Zack is the son of Jeff Moscow &
Community Boat Ride ............. 14 Lynn Carnpbell .
Annual Meeting Photo ............. 14 Sydney.sc"‘?r 0“ her gFaduat‘O“. May 5: 20.01 from
. . Indiana Univers1ty—Bloomington, With a major in Psychology
Zionist ...................................... 15 and a minor in Classical Studies. Sydney is the daughter of
Annual Meeting Photo ............. 15 Bob & Libby Scher and the granddaughter of Stanley &
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs .................... 16 Phyllis SCher- . .
Calendar .................... 17 Mr“ &i1;4’s'sam Swgﬁegﬁmmmmw
msei'fi'; """" 7,’ , 1.14m, . g _ ,, _...,.
' Ohavay Zion S‘ynaéégﬁe :L.‘.i:...18* ' mm. pearnssseib“ ‘ sessiro iris stains??? "
Temple Adath Israel ................. 19 the granddaughter ofMarjie & Lenny Lerner. Roth] nun-n
and David are in residencies iii the lntemal Medicine pro-
_ ram at UK. The weddin will take place in June 2002.
REFUA,H SHLEMAH Get. g Charles & Leona Stegrn, on the celebration of their 50th
Well Wishes:

Mike Adelstein, Rose Brazin, Cokie
Hymson, June Lipton, Bob Miller, and
Rachel Plavin.

wedding anniversary June 17.

Joseph & Rebecca Young and Ira & Anita Mersack, on
the birth of their son and grandson, Maxwell Mersack
Young, on June 30, 2001.

(859) 268-0672

‘9 h a lo m
Published ten times annually by the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, Inc.
340 Romany Road, Lexington, KY 40502
Fax (859) 268-0775
August 2001, Volume VII, Issue 9

Stanley Saxe, President
Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Fran Morris, Jewish Family Services
Diana Sisken Lockridge, Activities Director
Lisa Miller, Volunteer Coordinator
Lori Zimmerman, Administrative Assistant
Editor-in-chief, Marcia Blacker

e-mail: shalom@jewishlexington.org

Editorial Board
Michael Adelstein, 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 shalom .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. 5mm»:-
is supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.

2 ~*— $|unlom

A PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE

by
Stan Saxe

ne year into retirement, I began three

years ago, a term on our Federation’s

board of directors. It was the same time
Marty Barr also came on the board. A year later
Marty was elected president. It has been a positive
and engaging time for our Federation. Marty has
provided tireless service, sound judgement and wise
counsel. I had the opportunity to observe from the
position of first vice—president, and he has set a very
fine precedent, so we are hardly beginning at ground
zero as we all move forward and build on past effort
and accomplishment.

Here in Lexington we are one of the one hundred
eighty-nine Federations, large and small, across the
country. The UJA Federation system has had great
success in past years. Two years ago the merger of
United Jewish Appeal, Council of Jewish Federa-
tions and United Israel Appeal (which monitors the
spending of monies in Israel and elsewhere abroad)
was completed. We are now United Jewish Commu-
nities —— where we, the Federation, “own" UJA.
helps advance the welfare of our Central Kentuckv
.lcvi l\il Continuum}. \‘u- iilt‘ .1 [my let-xx i 01 ,irizumt
nity. We look forward to becoming a great commue
nity, one that is vibrant and open, a community of
learning, a community of caring, a community of
justice. We are blessed to have outstanding
grassroots organizations which we as individuals
support, our congregations, our local Hadassah
chapter. We are fortunate to have forged an afﬁlia-
tion with Hillel Foundation —— the Jewish Student
Organization at UK.

Our own Federation is still in the business of
rescue and help for Jewish communities abroad. We
are also committed to a healthful, vibrant, content-
full Jewish life for Jews around the world. Together
we will make it so.

CONDOLENCES TO:

Richard & Barbara Grossman on the death
of Barbara’s nephew, Evan Baum, on May 12,
2001.

Rabbi Jon & Sandy Adland and Norma
Chapman, on the death of Sandy’s uncle, and
Norma’s brother-in-law, Jake Chapman, on
May 18, 2001.

Please let us know of any news you
would like to share with the community.

O O

CAMP SHALOM IN SESSION

amp Shalom was created by the Central

Kentucky Jewish Federation to provide

an excellent day camp experience for
children aged 4-10 years. It is a nurturing environ-
ment for Jewish children to enjoy playing and
learning
together.
Activities
nclude
swimming,
tennis,
drama, art,
song ses-
sions, and
ﬁeld trips.

Judaic content is a priority.

We are extremely proud and excited about what
Camp Shalom is offering this year. The great
location of the Lansdowne Club provides us with
space to offer the above-mentioned activities plus
plenty of land for children to run and play. We also
provide fun indoor activities to allow the children
time to “wind down” and to learn.

by Jana Lazur, Camp Shalom staff
Jewish programming
brings the children together

9:30 am AM Snack/Jewish Lesson of the Day/

Coordinating arts/crafts

as a community and helps 10am Swimming (including preparation, clean

them form life-long bonds. up and changing clothes)

This year’s theme is 12 noon Lunch/Story/Games (Friday Shabbat

“Immigration and Migra— observance)

tion,” and we are teaching 1 pm Outside Activity/3 days of tennis instruc-

campers their heritage in tion for children interested; AND games,

the form of ancestral backgrounds of countries, nature walks, Olympic training OR 2nd

going on field trips, and having them participate in swim period.

our Olympic Festival/Games. 2:45 pm Begin transition for campers who leave at
We have a wonderful group of counselors who 3pm/PM Snack

are full of ideas and enthusiasm and who are having 3-5 pm Special Drama Activity/Art/Science/

as much fun as the kids!
Our weekly schedule follows so you can see for
yourselves the fun our kids are having:

Camp Shalom Weekly
Schedule

8:30 am Indoor Recreation Centers/Arrival of
early drop—off campers

Activities Begin

Morning Song time with Sandy Adland

Story time/Mitzvah of the Day/Transition
for home

9:00am
9:15 am

AL GALGALIM (TRAINING WHEELS)
BEGINS ITS SECOND YEAR IN LEXINGTON

exington's Al Galgalim is being offered and
“(r \,ptiy]kl)l‘t‘vl again this fall b\ Hadassah

and Jewish ramrly Servrces ot CKJk. Al

education program, is designed to help parents

(grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or other adult

companions) and young children aged 2—5 years

experience the joys, traditions, customs, and foods
associated with celebrating Shabbat and the Jewish
holidays together.

Al Galgalim offers nine sessions of fun—filled
play and learning experiences that:

° Create a support group for parents to share
concerns about raising young children in the
Jewish tradition.

° Create a play group for the children.

' Create a havurah(friendship group) for parents
and their children to share Shabbat and the
holidays.

0 Provide quality time for parents/grandparents/
aunts/uncles/adult companions and children,
strengthening the family.

Last year ten families participated in Al
Galgalim. Those same families are welcome to
register again (we have new facilitators and some
new programming) and we invite new families to
join us, too. The cost for all nine sessions is $25
per child for Hadassah members and an additional
fee of $25 for non-members. These fees help defray
the cost of craft supplies and snacks.

Al Galgalim will meet alternate weeks in the
preschool rooms of Ohavay Zion Synagogue and
Temple Adath Israel on Sunday afternoons from
4:00-5:30 PM. The ﬁrst session is September 9th

Diane Sobel
I329 Copperfield Court
Lexington, KY .40 1.4

and will be held at Ohavay Zion Synagogue.
Subsequent meetings will be on September 30.
October 28, December 2, January 13, ‘ebruary 10, 5
«:— ‘ ‘ " ‘ ’ r.-~,::.,v..,._ ‘ 1 R53 ” .- an»;

s , 5"er itﬁw‘g’; ’ ,

We look forward to seeing you at our irst
session. If you have any questions, need more
information, or wish to register for Al Galgalim,

please contact:

Or send the registration form.

Co-sponsored by Hadassah and Jewish
Family Services

: Registration Form :
I 4 I
I Parents’ names Hadassah member Y N I
I Address :
: Phone Number I
| Family Fee of $25 (+$25 for non—members) I
I Child’s name/birthdate :
: Child’s name/birthdate I
I Child’s name/birthdate I
I I
I I
I Total I
I I
| Please make checks payable to Hadassah and mail to: I
I I
I Di Sobel |
I 1329 Copperﬁeld Court I
: Lexington, KY 40514 :
L-----—__—-—----——---—-------------J

Aug/57200 —ar— 3

' \

I/CIEESLI"1' (:hl<:1hf=
ON THE WEB AT

WWW.JEWISHLEXINGTON. ORG

OR E-MAIL US AT

SHALOM@JEWISHLEXINGTON. ORG

~ﬁres-iulist's
233— 1 173

asatmaatmramaewmr'ewwm
mimwmamma

up a song. about it: p

Loneliness
Unfulﬁlling Relationships
Marital Conﬂicts

I have 22 years professional experience helping
people with these difficulties. My current
special interests include loss of a pet, Benedict

Spinoza, and the search for a sense of one’s
signiﬁcance and value at midlife. I want to help
you live a rewarding life.

Harwell F. Smith, Ph.D.

Board Certiﬁed in Clinical Psychology
Saint Joseph Ofﬁce Park

276-1836

ho is the best person to assume
a leadership position? This
question is raised every year in

organization across America and across the
world. How do you identify a leader ?

In Jewish tradition, the ideal of leadership
has been Moses, so much so that of Moses
Maimonides, the great Medieval Jewish
scholar and community leader, it was said
that “From Moses to Moses there was no one
like Moses.”

But one does not have to be Moses to lead.
Other models of Jewish leadership do exist,
such as King David, but it is becoming very
difﬁcult to ﬁnd giants to bring down with a
sling these days. In the biblical story of King
David, however, there is a cryptic passage
that praises those who brought water from the
Philistines’ well, so modern day Israelis made

the Philistines‘ well / three heroes rose to the
occasion / and were on their way.
Water for King David,/ Water, water for
David

And they hurried to Bet Lehem/ to bring
the water for the king / on their way they told
each other/ great tales of heroism
Water for King David,/ Water, water for
David

The ﬁrst exclaimed : Pay attention l /On—
my path there was a river / I put my feet on it
/ And the river stopped
Water for King David,/ Water, water for
David

The second said 2 Listen l/ On my path

pool and syVimwrikeflie thirdBut to

LEADER lEADER

ON THE BOARD

By Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

there was a mountain / And when I raised
my voice / The mountain crumbled
Water for King David,/ Water, water
for David
And the third without a word / De-
scended upon the Philistines’ camp / And
the well with all its water / On his shoul-
ders carried back
Water for King David,/ Water, water
for David
Then David sang a song / For the three
brave soldiers / A passage was added to
the Tanach / And ever since people sing :
Water for King David,/ Water, water
for David
King David knew that all three soldiers
were necessary to accomplish the task. All
three were leaders. There are those who
are good observers like the first soldier,
some who are good listeners like the

Ltcuzmplish Ills l.l\l\ z! lN llt‘t‘:'\~~.!l‘\ I:x 3 1E»?
observe, to listen and, to act.

As a community we also need all
different kinds of people in leadership
positions to help us usher the community
into the future, to ﬁnd ways to strengthen
existing Jewish organizations and services,
and to create new ones where needed.
When a voice is silent, the community
loses. We are a chorus of opinions. So step
up to the plate and volunteer. In the
Federation, in your congregation, in
national organizations. Whether you are
an observer, a listener, or a doer, your
community needs you.

LEXINGTON COLLEGE YOUTHS IN ISRAEL

his May, I had the opportunity to spend ten

days in Israel with three other students from

UK and hundreds of other college students.
This trip, which was sponsored through Birthright
Israel, was completely free. The only stipulation
was that you had to be between the ages of 18 and
26 and that you had never been to Israel before on
an organized tour. This was one of the most inter-
esting aspects of the trip. There were a surprising
number of people, myself included, who had been to
Israel before. Some had gone with their families on
vacation, some had gone to visit relatives, and some
had even lived there when they were younger. Yet
being there in this environment, discovering Israel
with peers, was a unique experience for everyone.

' In the months leading up to the trip, I was
nervous. (My parents were especially nervous.)
From what I could %e on the news and on CNN, it
didn‘t look like a good time to go to Israel at all.
However, I decided that if Hillel and the Birthright
program felt that it was safe to continue the trip as
planned, then they must have been very conﬁdent
since there were so many people involved. And once
I got there, I realized I felt very safe. Of course we
didn‘t go to any high risk areas and we had rules to
ensure everyone’s safety, but there was never a time
when I was really afraid. In fact, most of the time
we didn‘t even know that something was going on
until we (‘1lll(‘(l home and our parents would giw us
an update.

from our thoughts of Israel, but it is important to
remember that it’s not all like that. Seeing the Israeli
people going on with their everyday lives was very
comforting to me! If they weren't scared to live
there, I shouldn‘t be afraid to visit.

’ indepenaeac'e; we Gisied'tiiiéﬁi sauce; the pialée

by Beth Bloom, president
Jewish Student Organization / Hillel

While we were in Israel, we had a full schedule
of touring. We were kept mostly in bus groups
throughout the trip. Our bus was unique in that
rather than having only students from one or two
schools, we had all the students from smaller
Hillels. We had students from University of Louis-
ville, University of Tennessee, University of Okla—
homa, and several schools in the Northeast. Because
we were all from smaller Jewish communities, we
all connected easily; we all knew what it felt like to
be in the minority and for people not to understand
and to question our beliefs daily.

We stayed at Kibbutz Kfar Blum for the first two
nights. The kibbutz is located in the north, near the
Golan. While we were in the north, we took ajeep
tour with some former Israeli soldiers, went on a
nature hike, and went rafting down the Jordan
River.

We also went to the village of Safed, the center
of Jewish mysticism. In the evening, we learned
some Israeli folk dancing and got to know each
other and some Israeli students who were traveling
with us. This was interesting because it gave us a
chance to talk with people our own age. We asked
them questions about Israel, and they asked us
questions about America. They shared their music
and their unique experiences with us, which is
something you wouldn’t normally get if you’re just
vacationing in lsrael

We spent a few days in Tel Aviv and learned

ritu‘

where Prime Minister Rabin was assassinated in
November 1995, and Independence Hall, where
Israel was declared a state on May 14, 1948. We
also went to a secret armory where the people had
to make their ammu—

nition underground
because the British
would not let the
people have any kind
of weapons.

We concluded our
visit to Israel in
Jerusalem. We visited
the Old City, Mt.
Herzl, and Ben

Yehuda Street. At the lookout point that gave us our
first view of the city, lntemational Hillel Director
Richard Joel spoke to us. He reminded everyone
how special it was that we were all in Israel to-
gether and that we would be celebrating Shabbat in
the holiest Jewish city. One thing he said that stuck
out in my mind in particular was to remember our
family and friends who would never get the chance
to stand in the promised land This point really
made it hit home for me just how special it was that
I had this chance. Many of my family members will
never put their prayer in the Kotel. Yet there I was,
doing what so many Jews have only dreamed of.
Celebrating Shabbat and going to temple in J crusa-
lem made me realize why we say “Next year in
Jerusalem,” at the end of our Passover seder. Being
there with so many Jewish people my own age made
me realize exactly how special it is! And knowing
that they were realizing it as well made it all the
more special.

I think the most memorable parts of the trip were

grou of around ten andxdiscut‘iS . w at we‘ .. ' 'i
seen that day, how we felt about it, our earliest
Jewish memories, and our Jewish identities. It
forced us all to explore our Judaism. After we went
to the Old City, which is emotional in itself, our
group sat and tried to discuss how we felt as we

saw the Western Wall. It’s hard to explain that
feeling, but we all knew what everyone else meant
and we all ended up in tears. Because we were all
from smaller communities and not used to being
around so many other Jews, I think that it made us
all feel much closer as a community travelling
together in this Holy Land.

Birthright Israel is a funding mechanism to
allow young Jewish students to visit Israel for

free. The funds are contributed by private
philanthropists, the United Jewish

Communities local Federations and the state
of Israel. Our Central Kentucky Jewish
Federation is an active participant in the

program. For a program to qualify for

“birthright” funds, it needs to be at least a
ten-day program and it must include a Jewish
education component. Participants are
expected to share their experience with their
community upon returning. In the 2000/2001

ﬁscal year, more than 15,000 American

Jewish students participated.

August 200 —at— 5

..- 1—11,“. w

COLUMN’ WW it’s?!

by Marcia Blacker

he public schools will soon be back in

session, and this time of year always

reminds me of the last real heat of a Nebraska
summer, fewer hours of sunshine, and the trip to the
shoe store to buy new saddle shoes. Every summerl
had the same argument with my mother. “Please, can I
have a pair of loafers?” “No,” said this woman born
of immigrant Polish parents. “You have an aristocratic
foot. It’s too narrow and needs the support of an
oxford.” Just where this aristocratic foot came from, I
have no idea. Perhaps in that jumble of nationalities
that was Poland/Austria/Hungary/Russia from time to
time and conﬂict to conﬂict, I was somehow related to
the late Tsar’s daughter who escaped dying with the
rest of her family. Or, perhaps I was related to a
Hungarian count. In any event, I got the inevitable
saddle shoes and started school again, delighted to be
back in the classroom.

But it wasn’t always so. No, my friends, yours
truly was at one time a truant, and not just a child who
missed the occasional day of school, but an honest-to-
goodness truant who simply refused to go to school. I
started ﬁrst grade when I was six, shortly after my
father’s job took him to Hope, Arkansas during the
early days of World War II. As far as I was con-
cerned, he might as well have gone to Austria/
Hungary/Poland to check on the noble ancestors. In
those days no one ever noticed that children were
affected by family changes, and so no one really

srde I didri’ t recognlze it then nor for many years
later. but I suppose I w as afraid that if I let mother out
of my sight, I might not see her, either.

So, I chose to stay home from ﬁrst grade. My
mother used to walk me to school, but I would ﬁnd a
way to follow her back home. I don’t remember too
clearly, but I think, she ﬁnally stopped trying. It was,
no doubt, easier to just keep me at home.

We moved from Pennsylvania to New York City to
live with an aunt and uncle while we waited for word
that we would be able to join my dad in whatever
place the Army Engineers would send him. This was
at a time when the Bronx was ﬁlled with nice parks,
apartment buildings, comer ice cream stores, and
great places to roller skate and play hopscotch.
Besides, my Aunt Madeline and Uncle Bill were
wonderful to be with, especially for the baby of the
family. Uncle Bill was the family comedian. He was a
small man who used a cane, for reasons I never
learned, but he was warm and fun and loving. And, he
used his cane as a radio microphone — he was the
quizmaster and I was the contestant. We were a riot; at
least whenever the rest of the family came over, I got
lots of laughs.

This lovely idyll came to an abrupt halt when it
was time for me to enter the second grade. Now, my
father was still away. and I was going to a new school
with a new teacher. I hadn’t liked my ﬁrst grade
teacher, sol held out no hope that the one for second
grade would be any better. Once again. I refused to go
to school. However, the Bronx school district must
have had higher standards and better ways to keep

1415?‘-

6 ﬁbulom

enigma» -~

Column Musings continued On page 13

lease don’t get me wrong. I’m 110 percent

pro-Israel. But only dictators and kings can

do no wrong. And lately, I’ve had some
disconcerting thoughts about Israel’s policy con—
cerning settlements at the time of my writing this
column.

What started me down this line of heretical
thought was an editorial in the Forward, a Jewish
weekly newspaper published in New York City,
which was written years ago in Yiddish but now
appears in English.

In praising General Powell for his efforts to
secure peace in the Middle East, the writer- singled
out his call for an end to Palestinian violence but

_ added that Israel could add “one important gesturez”

a freeze on new settlements in the West Bank and
Gaza. Pointing out that this would cost Israel little,
the writer explained that “vacant housing stock is
already available in the settlements...for some five
years to come, as a recent Peace Now study
showed.”

poll showing a margin of nearly two to one favoring
a construction freeze in rctum 1111 a team 1.111 But
the writer pointed out that by doing so, Sharon
would lose right-wing support, his natural constitu-
ency.

The issue of the settlements also appeared in a
recent column by The New York Times 11 senior
editorial writer, Anthony Lewis. A liberal and
generally pro—Israel, he has consistently been
critical of the settlements. He quoted a statement by-

-. new...

~ 1% égﬁiﬁ FQGUME‘S
by Michael E. Adelstein

admired by some people.)

Finally, a strong statement urging the freezing of
settlement construction was made early this month
by Rabbi Yofﬁe, president of the Union of Ameri—
can Hebrew Congregations. He stated that this
action would be “politically wise and morally right”
and that “deepening or extending settlements simply
does not serve Israel’s interests.”

To obtain some balance, I’ve asked two ardent
Israel supporters about the settlements, but did not
receive satisfactory responses. Emily Topolsky, an
AIPAC representative, spoke recently in Lexington.
In my mind, she sidestepped my questions, by
stating that it was difficult to establish whether the
settlements in question were an expansion of the
existing ones or brand new homes elsewhere.

So I decided to ask an old college friend, who
lives in Haifa and recently retired from being a
professor at the Technion University. He fired back
an angry e—mail, accusing me of overlooking “the
murderous, savage, and not only politically IN—
CORRECT but HUMANLY UNACCEPTABLE
murders, violence, incitement to which” the Israelis
are being subjected. But he went on to explain that
most of the settlers are religious and have large
families, requiring more dwelling units for the
increased population. And he also questioned the
ﬁve-year vacancy figure.

As you can see, I’m unsettled about the settle-
ments. Are they really that important to the Israelis?

~ 1 NW» ”Nam...“

placate Arafat that they wi