xt7jsx647x4d https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7jsx647x4d/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2007-09 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 2007 text image Shalom, September 2007 2007 2007-09 2025 true xt7jsx647x4d section xt7jsx647x4d SHAL

NEWSPAPER OF THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY JEWISH FEDERATION

 

SEPTEMBER 2007

ELUL 5767 - TISHRI 5768

 

Central Kentucky Jewish Federation to sponsor Holocaust

related play at the Lexington Children’s Theater

Hana’s Suitcase to play in October
Q § §

The Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, through its
Community Relations Committee, is proud to sponsor
the local presentation of Hana’s Suitcase at the Lexington
Children’s Theater. The play is based on a book by Karen
Levine, adapted for the stage by Emil Sher, which tells
the true story of young Japanese students and their
teacher who try to uncover the real story of Hana Brady.
Hana, a young Jewish girl, once lived a happy life in
Czechoslovakia before the Nazis turned her world into
a real—life nightmare. Through these captivated stu—
dents we learn to appreciate the preciousness of life,

as well as of the objects and people we hold dear.

under the Stars”

Event will bring insight into Ethiopian aliyah
§ 5 s

lii/ Rnliert (Trossman

their integration into Israeli society.

On Saturday, October o at 8:00

p.m., the Central lxi'iituck) plus ish
Federation will hold a special pro—
gram, "Havdalah under the Stars,”

at the home of Ronil and :\\l tires, in
Le\ington. it will feature Zion Lness,

who will share his firsthand stories

CKJF to hold (‘Hanalah

of Ethiopians who made aliyah and
He will give us a window into some

ama/ing stories of the homecoming
of a fascinating Jewish community.

see Havdalah, page 5

Hana’s Suitcase comes to LCF in only its second appear-
ance in the United States. Larry Snipes, the director,
feels that the story told by Hana carries an important
message that should be heard by all. The Community
Relations Committee has been working with the staff at
the Lexington Children’s Theater to make the experience
as meaningful as possible, including a Q&:A session with
the cast and crew of the play after their October 14 per—
formance. The initiative includes bringing students from
Lexington’s public and private schools to see the play.

The committee and the theater are also working to
complement the play with a meaningful exhibit of
Holocaust artifacts, some local and some belonging to
Cincinnati’s Center for the Holocaust and Humanity.

  
    

[{1/ lane Clinput

”Now is the Time” was the theme of
this year’s L93rd Hadassah National
Convention in New York City this
July. And what a time it was. From
the super—funny comedian Joel
Chasnoff to super—serious discus—
sions of the state of the world and of
the Middle East, it was both a time to
laugh and a time to reflect.

 

Central Kentucky Jewish Federation
1050 Chinoe Road - Suite 302 - ’Lexmgton. KY 40502

Change Service Requested

 

fi.V This convention had something for

   
    

 

NoaniofitOrg ‘ ) , , u ' , s x —
US.PosIage everyone. Our chmgton Clth ga
PAID tion consisted of thirteen women
lexin9man“ and men committed to furthering
Permitil7l9

Hadassah's mission to strengthen
our partnership with Israel, ensure
Jewish continuity, and realize their
potential as a dynamic force in
American society. The six plenary
sessions were attended by all 2,500
delegates. They covered a range of
topics including organization busi—
ness (the treasury, elections of new

 

 

Hana’s Suitcase will be performed
on the LCT main stage October
14 at 2:00 p.m., October 20 at 7:30
p.m., and October 21 at 2:00 and
4:30 p.m. Tickets are available at
the Lexington Children’s Theatre
Box Office, (859) 254-4546 ext. 245

or online at www.1ctonstage.org. $

   

Convention time well spent

First-time attendee finds pride and inspiration
§ § §

officers), a look at the important
issues of the day for Jews in the
United Sates and ls‘rael by Rabbi
Daniel Gordis, and an exploration of
Islam by a panel consisting of author
and advocate lrshad Manji, author
and journalist Judith Miller, and
author and commentator Douglas
Murray. it was moderated by Marvin
Kalb, Senior Fellow, Shorenstein
Center on Press, Politics and Public
Policy, Harvard University; corre—
spondent Andrea Mitchell led a wide—
ranging discussion of the national

scene.

At the opening plenary, New York
City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
received the prestigious Henrietta
Szold Award as “a man of character,
integrity and vision” for his ”sup-
port of charitable causes and issues
concerning freedom and social justice

see Hadassah convention, page 3

 

  

 

IN THIS ISSUE

    
   
     
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

TAl Sisterhood plans another year of exciting events .......... 3 I Opinions
exPresser! by _.
President's Messa e ................................... 4 ' " ' i I . . .
g writersin The Community Relations Committee is looking
Camps Shalom and Gesher sizzle ......................... 4 , I ' g ,, g g , for additional people to participate in its letter-to-
F h E _ . Shfllflm the-editor program. They would join an existing
rom t e xecutive Director ............................. 6 . group who routinely write letters to the editor of
Third Opinion ........................................ 7 are W ”“8335"? the He’a’d'Leade’ 0" a variety °f issues pemnem
those 0f theedztanal to Judaism, Israel, social justice, and the like.
Ask a Rabbi ......................................... 8 8mg“ advisers, no: 0f Each person writes about one letter every two
it; C- : iK t ‘ '
JFS: At Your Service .................................. 10 8 m m an inch] to three months. Other than being. supportive
Iewrsh Federation of JeWIsh causes, there is no particular pomt
Book Review ....................................... 10 or its constituent of View to be eSPOUSEd- A SChedU'e 0f letter
_ _ . _ _ communities, officers, writing is distributed in advance to the group.
History of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Part XXI ........... 11 staff, or committee in addition, each person receives a reminder
Camp Gesher and Camp Shalom in pictures ............... 11 members. Letters to a few days in advance, and sometimes a
the Editor are aiways suggestion of the topic to be addressed. If you
B'tayavon. . . ........................................ 18 wish to join this dedicated group or just want
welcome” . . . .
A b t l d ff . CKJF C , h K k R‘ 3e d th mt more information, please contact DaVid Wekstein,
0a 0a 0 un. ““59“ e entuc y iver """"" 20 d‘ ‘fr@: d: 0 co—chair Community Relations Committee, at
1-1 at SOW . . - -
Christian community holds ”Night to Honor Israel” .......... 21 ncom (859) 269'4454 or mwdrwek@in5ightbb.com.
Israel 21c: ......................................... 21 7
Book Review ....................................... 23
Around the Community ............................... 24 0 #0“: I a
L ' .................................. . . . ,
exmgton Hadassah 25 0 Have an interesting story or mem01r youd
Lexington Havurah ................................... 25 like to tell the community about?
T Al 2 6 0 Have a burning desire to interview someone in the

community and then write about it in Shalom?
OZS ---------------------------------------------- 27 0 Have a secret interest in writing an occasional story
for Shalom (don’t wait for us to ask you—we won’t
know you’re interested if you don’t tell us)? ~ - ,
0 Know someone in the community with an interesting .._______

SH ALOl‘l my if you don't feel up to writing it yourself)?
i

If you recognize yourself (or someone you know—go ahead, rat
Published ten times per year by the . . . .

Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, .m on him) here, please emall Ruth Poley at rgp@1nsrghtbb.com.
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone (359) 268-0672 - Fax (859) 268-0775
email: shalom@jewishlexington.org

Community Calendar ................................. 28

 

 

If you are not receiving Jewish weekly email and
SEPTEMBER 2007, VOLUME XIV, ISSUE 7
Linda Ravvin, President

would like to, please send your name and email
Dame' “We" “em” °"e“°' address to ckif@iewishlexington.org

Jana LaZur, Activities Director
Tamara Ohayon, Office Administrator

 

Abby Miller, JFS Director Wm”
ct) ‘ ‘00 I I
; 0 Central Kentucky JeWIsh Federation
SHALOM COMMITTEES ”Wm“
Editorial Board -
Ruth Poley, Editor-in-Chief CK": PreSIdent CK“: Board
Mary Heléne Rosenbaum, Editor/Administrator Linda Ravvin Judy Baumann Lowell Nigoff
Marcia Blacker El' B o L' d N ff .
Judy Levine issa I' Wn In a 0 Singer
Advisory Board Executive Committee David Feinberg Angie Ornstein
Elissa Brown, Gail Cohen, Angie Ornstein, _ _ . Odette Ka Ian Rickie Rosenber
Janet Scheeline, and Rose Rita Wurmser M'Chad Grossman, VICE PreSIdent Doug Katzp Walter S lomong
Pat Shraberg, Secretary 0
Robert Grossman, Treasurer Mimi Kaufman David Wekstein
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ruth Poley Member-At-Lar e David Levine CaroleWilson
Rachel Belin, Nicky Blackburn, Alice and Jerry Honchell, ’ _ g .
Marty Barr, immediate Past Pre5ident Jennifer Miller

and Vivian Bitensky

 

Production Services by Direct Response, Inc.

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for Séalom Deabline

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. Shalom is supported by the Deadline for articies for the OCtObEI’ Shalom IS September 10.
advert'semems appear” '" t 9 paper Email articles to di-ifr@bardstown.com.

© 2007 by Central Kentucky Jewish Federation Articies submitted in hard copy should be double-spaced.

 

 

2 0 September 2007 Shalom

 

 TAI Sisterhood plans another
year of exciting events

First meeting will be Wednesday, September 19
Q + 0

The TAI Sisterhood will present a full calendar of interest-
ing and informative meetings during the 2007-2008 year.

First on the calendar is the opening meeting, traditionally an invitation to new
members and an introduction to sisterhood and its functions. This meeting
will be on Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm. at the Temple. We encoure
age everyone to attend, whether you are presently a member or not. You can
see old friends and perhaps meet some new ones as we share dessert and
good fellowship. Call Sandee at TAI (269—2970) to let us know you're coming.

Our October meeting, on Wednesday the 17th, will give us an opportunity
to explore the Lexington mounted leICC facility on I‘v'est Sixth Street. We‘ll
meet at the Temple for a box tun-ch at noon and then carpool over to learn
about this interesting arm of the police department and watch a demonstra-
tion of the horses at ‘.\'Hri(. This meeting is open to spouses and other guests.

We have been invited to Maxwell Place, the home of UK President
and Mrs. Todd in February, where Patsy Todd will give us an
insight into her life as the Wife of a university president.

In April we will meet again with the women of Christ the King Women’s
Club as they have invited us to their church for the evening.

Other programs are in the planning stage but you can count on the
third Wednesday of every month from now through May (except
for the second Wednesday in November, the 14th, so as not to con-
flict with Thanksgiving) for an interesting program from your

TAI gisterhood. Mark vour calendars and plan to attend. X7

Hadassah convention (from page 1)

I

[and]. . . for his commitment to public health and environment'il issues. . . .’
Mayor Bloomberg's 98-year-old mother is kvelling in Boston that her son is
following in her Hadassah footsteps!

That evening, it was with a great sense of collective pride that we learned
that Henrietta Szold will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of
Fame later this year. Ms. Szold founded Hadassah in 1912 after she discov-
ered a pressing need for medical services in what was then Palestine. Over
the past 95 years our growth has been nothing short of phenomenal and we
are now the largest Jewish women’s Zionist organization in the world.

The campaign to raise funds for the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower addi-
tion to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem was inaugurated at Tuesday’s after-
noon session. Thanks to a very generous donation of $75 million from the
Bill and Karen Davidson of Detroit, Michigan in honor of Bill’s mother, this
campaign has reached 87 percent of its goal. Mrs. Davidson was a founding
member of the Detroit chapter of Hadassah. With a goal of $210 million, this
campaign is not ‘nly the largest in Hadassah’s history, it is the first to be
conceived, planned, a; ‘ executed almost entirely by volunteers.

A time to rest? Not at this convention. Every available minute was filled
with forums and workshops. We learned, among other things, about Young
Judaea, Israeli art, high tech issues here and in Israel, Hadassah Hospital,
Hadassah College, how to complete a mail campaign, how to write an
award-winning newsletter, Youth Aliyah, talking to our legislators, the nurs-
ing shortage, and how to define our relationship to Israel. The list goes on

and on.

And in the meantime, we played that always—delightful game, Jewish
Geography. From the perspective of this first-time attendee, the 93rd Annual
Hadassah Convention was time well spent. Q

 

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For all the celebrations in life!

Dupree Catering

859.231.0464 fax 859.253.1727

 

1006 Delaware Avenue

www.dupreecatering.c0m

 

 

September 2007 Shalom - 3

 

  

 
 

93W Chis

w'”

 

 

Tuesdag. October 2nd

at OhaVag Zon Qgiagogue
2048 Edgewater Court

knowledge of this special holiday.

 

‘ 'rwi'éwis'firaifiay‘s‘éréégl
Upcoming Programs

  
 
 

Join the

Jewish Family Services
Leisure Club
for a festive Sukkot celebration.

from [2:00 noon to 2:00 pm

The group will be joined by Rabbi Sharon Cohen
in the OZS sukkah. She will share with you her

Tasty treats and beverages will be provided.

Please RSVP. to Abby Miller by Monday, September 24.

‘ ‘ of" 1‘ v

 
 

President's

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about these. events, to
RSVP or to arrange transportation to the event

location, please contact our JFS Director,

 

Abby Ml/ter. (859)26948244 orjfs (Ijewx/isnlexington.org

 

 

 

 

The High Holidays are the most
solemn of our Jewish religious

tion, and reconciling with others.

as individuals, we can do more.

More to Listen

More to Help

More to Lead

 

to others and occasions missed.

More to Learn

   

 

Camps Shalom and GeSher sizzle ‘
during the record high temperatures

It’s never over, just a new start to
planning!
+ + +

The year 2007 was a great one for camp. Even though it
reached almost 100 degrees many days, the kids had a
great time and not only kept hydrated, but went home
telling some great stories. Mom Rachel Belin writes,
“Sarah is absolutely loving Camp Shalom—despite the
heat! The staff has been so loving and attentive and
the activities are so engaging that she comes home
practically bursting at the seams with excitement.
Brother Ben could not be more jealous of her daily
descriptions of the new friends, pool, crafts, cook-
ing, singing and other activities. She is in heaven!”

So many thank you's are due to all involved in camp
this year. Once again, it was a community effort led by
our seven-year veteran director Kathy Feinberg with
Elissa Brown by her side, along with returning senior
staff member Penina Goldstein, who led the camp
with art enrichment activities and did a fabulous job
with all campers of Camp Shalom and Gesher. Our
staff has a total of more than 120 years of combined
experience and seniority. We feel fortunate to have the
same dedicated counselors, group leaders, and senior
staffers return every year to share in this community
endeavor as positive role models to our campers.

4 0 September 2007 Shalom

Besides staff, we also have return—
ing volunteers each year. There are
storytellers, cooking chug leaders,
singers, and song leaders as well as
specialists who either teach or talk to
campers about special experiences.

Robert Ziegler takes off at least two
days each year from his full time job
to teach archery. The kids loved it
again this year; thank you to Robert
for his third year at camp. He is great
with kids and is a natural teacher, as
well as being very cautious in teach-
ing safety along with archery skills.

Thank you to Stephanie Barrett,
who came out three mornings of
Week One to lead songs. She and
the campers had a lot of fun and
really got up and moved. It was

a great way to start the day. She
even brought a cupcake and led
the singing of “Happy Birthday” in
Hebrew for Rabbi Kline on Shabbat
morning. We were happy to have
Rabbi Kline’s involvement on two
days of Week One as well, includ-
ing his actual birthday on Monday

       

 

Car

ers g
Message and
expe
Linda Rawin havi
mer.
Roni
A fir
Observances. They mark the time of tech]
year for introspection, self-evalua- Gej}
an
It is the quintessential “turn over a r::;:::;:'i;1212?; are ‘
new leaf” time in the Jewish year. area.
Each one of us has the opportunity, Th . last ‘
and indeed the obligation, to take ere are so many ways m COUI‘
_ , which we can contribute. the r
full account of our actions and mac—
tions,.our positive attitudes and our Volunteer to be on org t
negative outlooks, our kindnesses .
a Committee Plea:
teers
It is the ideal time to consider how, Attend Events Offic‘
the I
Help with an Event can 1
Encourage Friends and
Family to Become Involved =
Give Your Time and Your Ha‘
Enthusiasm to Help Make The .
More to Participate Our Community Better. a his
Wishing a happy, healthy and :2:
peaceful year to all of you. ¢ neig:
"Bet.
”“4“" ~ ~ »- "~‘" “V ‘-' ”'59-?‘Wf With
and his participation in an early Shabbat observance. m
His presence gave campers a better idea of what Shabbat majc
means, as did our breaking and enjoying the deli- man
cious challah made by our own Kathy Feinberg. ing 1
Israe
Another special thank you goes to Jonathan Miller, mun
who came out all five mornings during Week Two of vide
camp even though his children did not attend this year. and
Jonathan has been a Camp Shalom song leader/musi- they
cian for five years. The campers love his singing and the I
guitar playing and identify his music as ”our camp"
songs; they know all the words and melodies by the Afte
second day and are eager to perform with Jonathan. char
He has some join him on stage and calls them his mus
”doo-wop group.” Jonathan, a former camper and (botl
counselor himself, and his entire family have always so). 7
made special efforts to be a part of Camp Shalom, and dess
now of Camp Gesher. Thank you, Miller family! to R!
the (
One of the most important yet least favorite jobs of camp
is the schlepping in and out of camp. We have to store Thos
the items in a locker throughout the year, bring them out to th
before camp starts, and take them back as camp ends. Carr
This year we had some special volunteers to help. Besides “In”
our executive director, who fearlessly drives the truck g
every year, we had the Kash family—Neil, Marah, and E
Jacob—as well as David Feinberg and Micah Kaufman E
for the move in. The move out was led by Daniel, helped E
by jessica and Chaz Foster and Jana and Ryan LaZur. E
Einat Dvir joined our staff in Camp Gesher but also 3
met with all groups at Camp Shalom. She had camp— 2
see Camp, page 5 gm"

 .-_”,._...‘a-’/ .

Camp (fromruge 4) ' '

ers go through a mock army training course, taught Israeli dancing,
and talked with campers about Israel. She shared her Army and Navy
experiences and talked about life in Israel. Einat came to our camp after
having worked at Camp Livingston in Indiana for ten weeks this sum-
mer. She is planning to attend university in Beersheva. Thank you to
Ronit and Avi Eres for hosting Einat during her stay in Lexington.

A final thank you is owed to CKJF’s Tamara Ohayon, who served as our
technology person at camp. She ran a one-hour media chug each day with
Gesher campers. She taught them photography skills, picture composition,
and photoshop editing skills. Their work is featured in the center spread. We
are very proud of our campers and grateful for Tamara’s leadership in this
area. Tamara also set up all equipment for the parent presentations on the
last day of each week, as well as movie-theater-quality systems so the kids
could cool down with water, popsicles, and a movie on the afternoons when
the mercury rose the highest. Visit our website at www.jewishlexington.

org to see more pictures and to View your children at camp year round.

Please find the ad on this page of Shalom to see the entire list of volun-
teers and staff to plan for our 40th anniversary. Please call Jana at the
office if you have any old pictures or ideas, or would like to be part of
the planning committee or the Camp Shalom planning committee. She
can be reached at jana@jewishlexington.org or (859) 268-0672. 3?

 

Havdalah (from page 1)

The Ethiopian Jewish community has
a history that parallels that of Jews
everywhere. Though called Falasha
(”Landless”) by their non-Jewish
neighbors, they call themselves

"Beta Israel.” They reconnected

With world Jewry beginning at the

majority have already made aliyah,
many remain in Ethiopia wait-

ing for the opportunity to go to
Israel. The American Jewish com—
munity, through the JDC, pro-
vides these people with medical
and educational services while

Zion Uness

 

well as those who have not already
made a pledge. The minimum con-
tribution for the event is $150 per
individual or $250 per couple. If you
wish, you can contribute online prior
to the event by visiting http://www.
jewishlexingtonorg and clicking on
the ”Donate Now” button. You can
pay by credit card if you wish, or
even arrange for monthly payments.

they wait for exit permission from
the Ethiopian government.

After Havdalah, there will be a
chance to chat with friends, listen to
music, and indulge in tasty desserts
(both the healthy kind and the less
so). To make sure we have enough
desserts for everyone, we ask you

to RSVP by September 20 by calling

the CKJF office at (859) 268-0672. Please join us for this enjoyable

and inspirational event and hear
about one of the most interest-
ing and uplifting Jewish sto—
ries of the 20th century. Q

Those who have already pledged
to the 2007 CKJF/UJC Community
Campaign are invited to attend, as

fl||ll||ll||ll|IllII||II|||llI|l|||lIIlIIll||ll||lI||I||II|||I||Ill||ll||IllIllll||ll|Ill||lI||Ill|II||II||II|IllIlll||I||ll||ll||III|ll||ll|l|||IllIlllllllllllllllllllllllll:

DON’T MISS OUT!
F R E E

Mail your name and address to: Shalom l CKJF

1050 Chinoe Rd, Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40502
or email at shalom@jewishlexington.org
lllllllllll|Illlllllllll||llllllllllllIlIlllllllllllI|IIIIIIIIlIIll||Illllllllllllll||IIIIIIIIIIII|l|lI|lI|ll|II|lI|||llllIlllllllllI|llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

to your home ten
times per year.

Get this paper
delivered

JllllllllllllllI||II||II||ll||II|lll|Ill|ll||l|l||l|l||||||l|||
'fllllllllllllllllII|Il|lll|||l|||l||lIIllllllllllllllllllllllll

 

 

    

Thanks to the many people who helped
Camp Shalom and Camp Gesher

“Camp totally rocked this summer!”
Anonymous

Volunteer Coordinator - Mimi Kaufman

Cooking:

Linda Gerall, Vinnie D'ubilier, Ruth Poley, Anne Graff, and
Susan Cobin

Challah bakers: Deborah Booker, Barbara Umansky, Mimi
Kaufman, Kathy Feinberg, and Lisa Satin.

Storytellers:
Barbara Barr, Pascal Bauté, Charly Eyer, Sandy Goldberg,
Weese Kidd, and Etta Polan.

Movers:

Daniel Chejfec, our fearless truck driver! Neal, Marah, and Jacob
Kash, David F einberg, Micah Kaufman, Chaz and Jessica Foster, and
Ryan and Jana LaZur, as well as ALL CAMP STAFF.

1st Shabbat - Rabbi Kline

2nd Shabbat: Penina and Asher F inkel, staff.
Archery: Robert Ziegler, Tamara Ohayon, and Josh Kline.

Media/Digital Photography: Tamara Ohayon

Enrichment Spectallbl Penina boldstein

. W 3'2: ' 7-_ - ...., ,, ~5 u-‘W‘s .v ‘VJH 1&3“; (17 it,” 7 2.
Israeli schlicha: Einat Dvir

   

M usie.’ Jonathan Miller and Stephanie Barrett
Special Helper: Alex Thompson

And the BEST STAFF AWARD GOES TO:

Kaplan, Katie
Kline, Joshua
McKee, Aaron
Nelson, Tyler
Noffsinger, Jared

Alkhasov, Solomon
Alkhasova, Maria
Barr, Jackson
Brown, Elissa
Engel, Lizzie

Eres, lttai Shapiro, Alex
Feinberg, Kathy Simon, Nora
Finkel, Asher Swanson, Rachel
Gerall, Ariel Taulbee, Katie Rose

Graff, Kaitlin
Heller, Danielle
Heller. Rachel

Westerman, Seth
And our Lifeguard, Nick Bruins

A special Ila/ink You to Kelly; Bobby; and Adam of the
BlueGrass Christian Camp

c “3.6“ Fade-6,601]
a FAX ,. L1._.“;.:_| , 9
Eli”? SIT—Jaimie 6““ R

September 2007 Shalom - 5

 

 

  

From the Executive Director

Daniel Chejfec

 

A tale of four Jews
+ + +

Jewish tradition is full of stories about four kinds

of people. We have the story of the four children in
Passover, the four minim in Sukkoth, and so on. I would
like to add my own take on it: a tale of four Jews.

The first Jew is the one for whom being Jewish is incon-
sequential; this one knows she or he is Jewish, but being
Jewish is unimportant. This Jew is uninterested in learn—
ing or interacting with other Jews, knows very little
about Jewish heritage, yet does not wish to learn more.
This Jew is well on the way to shedding Jewish identity,
convinced that, by giving up what makes Jews differ-
ent, acceptance by gentiles—the ultimate goal—will be
achieved. To this Jew I say, “we miss you”; if you ever
want to come back, you have our address and the door
is open for you—come in without knocking. Accepting
one’s Jewish identity is a choice today: if some choose

to remain on the outside and refuse to take the initia-
tive to accept the inheritance and the charge of being
Jewish, we will not be able to change them. The change
must come from within themselves, from a personal
need to absorb the experience of our ancestors, make

it theirs, and apply it to the reality of our time.

The second Jew does not know how to ask, but is inter-
ested in who he or she is. This Jew is timid with the
questions but has a “gut feeling" (”the kishkes factor”)
of being a Jew, is interested in embracing the inheritance

but does not even know where to
start. Usually, this Jew comes to
events, plays a passive role trying
to absorb what happens but is too
embarrassed to ask questions about
what being Jewish means. For this
Jew, I would prepare a welcoming
and non-judgmental environment
of freedom to ask questions, or at
least to have access to the answers
for questions unasked. This person
is sitting on the fence and wants in,
but feels that the club is too exclu-
sive and feels uncomfortable about
joining, because of not knowing
Hebrew, or being unfamiliar with

 

The change must come from
within themselves, from a
personal need to absorb the
experience of our ancestors,
make it theirs, and apply it
to the reality of our time.

 

the prayers, or feeling estranged
from community life. In any Case, we
need to reach out; this Jew will come
through the door if we open it wide.

 

 

 

 

The third Jew is ready to
ask questions and actively
seek answers. This Jew is
usually engaged with other
Jews socially and intellec—
tually, and is often affili—
ated with one or more Jewish organizations. This Jew
wants to absorb the answers, wants to consume
Judaism and learn about the tradition, the history,
and the Jewish experience. This is the Jew we all like,
the one we all want to have, the one who wants to be
involved and sometimes even serves on committees.

 

The fourth Jew has been engaged for a while seeking
answers, studying, participating, contributing time
and money to the Jewish enterprise. This is the Jew
who can help others along the way. This is the poten-
tial leader, the one who can articulate a vision and
even if not always putting the Vision into

 

share it
action. To this Jew you can only give all your support.

The funny thing about these four Jews, however, is that
unlike the minim and unlike the four sons of Passover
who are presented as distinct and different from each
other by nature, the four Jews in this tale can be one and
the same. At some point in our lives, we have all been
one or the other or even all of them. The job of Jewish
organizations is to encourage people to move along the
way from being the first Jew to the fourth. It is true that

see Four Jews, page 19

   

«3";

(-—---

M ke a lasting difference in your Jewish community. Buy a car.

The . if) G-

 

E ' '; ’ .. ’ > ‘ .vou can do both,

    
 
  
  
  
  
   
    
   
   
    
  
  
 
 
   
   
   
 
      
      
        
   
 
 
  
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

 

third Opinion

Stanley Ned Rosenbaum, PhD

 

 

Tangerine
+ + +

You may have heard that Sen. John
Edwards’ wife made a dainty faux
pas recently when she suggested the
family might have to do without tan-
gerines. This was her response to the
realization that it costs a lot in ener-
gy to transport them from California
to South Carolina. However, it also
points to a larger problem in our
society, a problem we could call 24/7.

We want what we want when we
want it and that’s no matter what
“it” is. In the late 60s in Israel my
family learned a better approach to
life and have practiced it ever since.

at the
Bardstown
farmers
mar-

ket that
recently
opened. And his apples are incom-
parable. This year will be a sore
trial because all of his peach

trees were blooming when a

late cold snap killed the fruit.

It’s true, I admit, that I sometimes
sneak into Kroger under cover of
darkness and buy fruit out of season,
but this is mainly because we have
the grandchildren over for breakfast
five times a week. Left to my own
devices, I would
do without.

 

Before 1968 I
hadn’t practiced
much of any-
thing Jewish so it
was all new and
wonderful to me.
One of the new

you have to wait for its
season to roll around. But
that’s the genius of it.

Everything is a treat if

Anticipation,
as I’m sure

you know, is

a large part of
enjoyment. The

 

things I learned,
of course, was the shehecheyanu, the
blessing we say almost at the drop
of a hat for arriving at this point

atever oint “this”,_1s.

One of its uses is to bless the first
fruit of any crop, in any season
that one consumes it. In Israel the
seasons seem to follow hard one
upon the other so there’s no lack
of fresh produce. And the oranges
and grapefruits and pomelas right
off the trees, or so it seems, are

to die for. The thing is, you can't
get everything you might like to
eat every time you go to the store
because they’re not always in season.

We came back to the US, reluctantly,
in 1970. Ours was a small college

in a small town that also happened
to have a farmers market. Well, we
were on that like white on rice.

Local organic chicken, lamb, and
beef. (We had to explain to Mr.
Eby, the nice pork merchant, that
we didn't eat his products for reli-
gious reasons.) In the spring, red
raspberries; chestnuts in the fall,
along with the best tomatoes and
apples I'd had since I was a child.

Once you remind yourself how good
fresh produce can taste, you don’t
want to buy the stuff out of season.

I wouldn’t think of buying a peach
from anyone but Maurice Fegenbush

The thing is, waiting‘worksirweilig‘ht ‘

psychologists
call it ”delayed
gratification” and it explains why
some Jews still wait for the Messiah
and others root for the Cubs.

 

  

the first fire of