xt7jsx647x50 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7jsx647x50/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2014-06 2014-07 Newspaper of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, previously named the Central Kentucky Jewish Association and Central Kentucky Jewish Federation. Published ten times annually. The Federation seeks to bring Jewish community members together through holiday parties, lectures, Yiddish courses, meals, and other celebrations of Jewish heritage and culture. They also host fundraisers and provide financial assistance for Jews in need, both locally and around the world. This collection is part of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records, 2016ms010. newsletters 2016ms010 English Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Inc.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records Jews -- Kentucky -- Lexington Jews -- History Shalom, June/July 2014 text image Shalom, June/July 2014 2014 2014-06 2014-07 2025 true xt7jsx647x50 section xt7jsx647x50 Newspaper of

S h a1® m 6% WE galélséxs’s‘

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

Rabbi Leaves a Legacy in Lexington p. 2
Camp Shalom Updates p.3

Editorial p. 4

Ask A Rabbi: Rabbi David Wortman p. 5
President‘s Message p. 6

JFS: At Your Service p. 7

Campaign News p. 8

lsrae121 C p. 9

Havurah News p. 13

Ohavay Zion Synagogue News p. 14
Temple Adath Israel News p. 16

Sim Shalom News p. 19

Around the Community p. 20

SHALOM is published 10 times per year.
JUNE/JULY 2014. VOLUME Xlll. ISSUE 5

SHALOM EDITORIAL BOARD
David A. Wortman. Editor—in-Chief
Hanna Smith. Chairperson

Jane Chaput

Susan C obin

Betty Nigoff

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Torn Eblen

Jason Goldstein

Abigail Klein Leichman
Tamara Ohayon

Jesse Weil

Rabbi David Wortman

SHALOM is produced by the staff ofthe Jewish
Federation of the Bluegrass. For website or email
questions. please contact Tamara Ohayon at
tamara@jewishlexingtonorg or (859) 268-0672.

 

 

 

 

Shalom Deadline
Deadline for articles for the August Shalom is July 14. Email articles to shalomaijewishIexington.0r2.

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for publication in Shalom. Articles should not
exceed 500 words. The appearance of any advertising in this publication does not represent either a kashruth or
any other endorsement on the part of the Federation of any other agency or organizations.

Opinions expressed in Shalom are not necessarily those of the Shalom editorial staff or the JFB or its
constituent organizations.

Shalom is partially supported by the advertisements appearing in this publication.

Copyright C 2014 Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass. All rights reserved.
For reprint permission contact David Wortman. Editor— —-1n -Chief. Shalom. at shalom@jewishlexingtonorg.

 

  

Rabbi leaves a legacy in Lexington
By Tom Eblen

Reprinted with the permission ofthe Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.Kentucky.com.

Mare Kline, who is moving to a new congregation in New
Jersey, was an important voice for diversitr and cross-cultural
understanding during his 11 years in Lexington as rabbi of
Temple Adath Israel. He was photographed on they/rant porch
ofhis Bell Court home on May 15, 2014. Photo by Tom Eblen l
teblen@herald—leader.com

In a city with a Jewish population ofjust over 1 percent. a
rabbi‘s departure might not attract a lot of attention. But Marc
Kline leaves a legacy far beyond his own Lexington faith
community.

 

Kline, rabbi at Temple Adath Israel on North Ashland Avenue for the past 1 1 years, is moving to Tinton Falls,
N.J., this summer to lead Monmouth Reform Temple.

"1 never thought I would leave Lexington," he said. ”I had planned on retiring here. Man plans and God laughs."

Kline, 53, grew up in Las Vegas, graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans and earned a law degree
from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The "recovering lawyer" later studied at Hebrew Union College
in Cincinnati to be a rabbi and ministered eight years in Florence, SC, before moving here.

In Lexington, Kline's congregation grew. His children grew up. When his wife, Cindy, died in 2008. he felt the
community's love ~— including the tough love of friends who urged him to get in shape. Kline met Lori Bernard
and remarried in 2010.

"I have experienced so many more blessings than challenges here," he said.

Kline will be remembered in Lexington for his tireless work to bridge gaps of religion. race and culture. He
chaired the city's Human Rights Commission, served on civic organization boards and taught pastoral care to
Christian ministerial students at Lexington Theological Seminary.

Kline opened his pulpit to other religious leaders, and they opened theirs to him.

The first time Kline invited a local Muslim imam to speak at the Temple, he recalled, "there were people who
didn't show up believing that he would come strapped with bombs to his chest. All he did was simply thank the
congregation for the opportunity to share the Sabbath. What an eye-opening experience!"

"When Mark Johnson (senior minister at Central Baptist Church) shows up at Temple now," he added, "it's not
'The Baptist minister is here,’ it's ‘Oh, Mark's here again."

Kline has become close friends with several leaders from other religions and races.
He meets weekly with a group of Protestant clergy friends to discuss the Bible from different perspectives.

"We have expanded each other's conversation," he said. "And we've been able to create a lot of conversations
that our town just hasn't had."

Kline said they share similar concerns, from secularization to fundamentalism.

"We've got a fundamentalism in one part of this community that seems to want to believe that it's the only

2 l

 

 voice," Kline said. "I believe in faith first. I think religious denominations give us frameworks through which
we can practice faith. But I refuse to accept that there are different Gods in the world. And I refuse to accept
that God likes some of us more than others."

As Kline prepares to leave Lexington, I asked him to reflect on the city: its strengths, weaknesses and
challenges.

"There are two Lexingtons, at least," he said. "One is a very conservative, very old school. The other Lexington
is one of the most progressive cities in America. And the two co-exist, sometimes with more tension, sometimes
with none. This community has grown a lot in l 1 years. but still there's a racial divide and a cultural divide.

"I'm finding that there are more and more people, because they are transplants here, who are not vested in the
old Lexington." he added. "At the same time. there's some rebellion from old Lexington because they feel their
city is being taken from them. It plays out at Temple. It plays out in churches. It plays out in politics, certainly.

"In all ofthat struggle, everyone will say, 'I'm working for a better Lexington,‘ and I believe everyone means it,"
he said.

In his extensive organizational consulting work, Kline said he talks a lot about change — how change is
inevitable. and choosing to embrace it or not is often the choice between organizational life and death.

"As the world continues to change, we're not looking at a homogenous Lexington or Kentucky anymore," he
said. "You have people coming in with different religious experiences, cultural experiences, social norms. The
population is diversifying, which is creating all sorts of different conversations."

The key to a successful city. Kline said. is strong relationships.

"We have an obligation as we move forward in this global world to get to know each other, to find out what
makes each other tick." he said. “Because so many of the things that divide us are completely artificial. We
don't see that we really are all the same."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/05/ l 7/3247286/tom-eblen-rabbi-1eaves—a—
legacy.html#storylink=cpy

 

Camp Shalom Updates for Summer 2014

By Tamara Ohayon, Camp Director

This year brings new staff. new programming, and some great additional conveniences for our parents. We are
very excited to announce that Camp Shalom is offering bus transportation this year for only $10 per camper
each week! For our regular day campers (9 am. to 3 pm), busses from the Community Action Council will be
picking up our campers in town at 8:00 am. Monday thru Friday and returning them to the same location
Monday thru Thursday by 4:00 pm. Afternoon pick—up for all campers will be at 5:30 pm. on Fridays as we
strongly encourage parents to participate in our Open House and Shabbat Circle beginning at 4:30 pm.

This year we will continue to bus Extended Day (3:00 -5:45 pm. and requires additional fee) campers to the
Tates Creek Aquatic Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays where campers can be picked up. Extended Day
campers will still need to be picked up at the campsite on Monday and Wednesday afternoons by 5:45 pm.
Again, all campers will remain on site for the Open House and Shabbat Circle at 4:30 pm. on Fridays, and
parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Pick up will be at the close of Shabbat Circle.

3 l

 

   

I am also very excited about our programming for this summer. Our theme for the two weeks will be “Diversity
within Jewish Community." and we will be learning about different traditions, streams within Judaism, and
cultural differences around the Diaspora and within Israel. To help enrich the program, we are thrilled to be
including a Jewish Programming Director position to our staff. This individual will help us continue to elevate
our Jewish programming and deepen our campers’ connection to their Jewish identity, while also helping our
non—Jewish campers learn more about Jewish community and Jewish life.

We will have a few new staff members on our team this year, including a guest ethno—musicologist and dance
ethnologist who will be assisting with our theme from a music and dance perspective. And we are also excited
to have a dedicated Camp Nurse on staff this summer to take care of our campers’ everyday boo-boos and make
sure everyone is well hydrated and taking care of themselves. We are still hiring the rest of our staff for the
summer, and would love to see more applications come in for counselor positions, in particular.

Returning this year are the Israel Scouts, the Tsofim Friendship Caravan. These energetic young ambassadors
will be spending much ofthe day on Wednesday, July 30 at camp with us, running programming with our
campers and putting on a special show for them. That evening, the Caravan will perform for the whole
community at 7:00 pm. in the Temple Adath Israel social hall. Please plan tojoin us for this fun and free show.

Finally, we are really thrilled to be offering a special program for the whole family this year. We will be renting
the Camp Livingston facility in Bennington, Indiana from Friday, August 22 thru Sunday, August 24 for a
special Family Camp weekend just for our local community. Livingston will be providing their own seasoned
staff, kosher meals, bunk living, tons of great activities on their beautiful site in the woods, and a special
Shabbat experience. This weekend is being designed strictly for families with children from the Lexington area.
and for a special low fee of $80 per person (ages 2 and up) which covers all food, staff, and activities for the
weekend.

If you are interested in Camp Shalom as a parent or potential staff person, in volunteering, or Family Camp at
Camp Livingston, please contact me at the Federation office at (859) 268-0672 or by email to
camp@iewishlexington.org I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Online registration for all of
these programs, including staff applications, can be found online at http://iewishlexingtonorg/camp—shalom.

 

Special note ofthanks: The heavily subsidized bus transportation and the salaries/Or the new Camp Nurse and
Jewish Program Director positions have been generously awarded to us by the Jewish Heritage F and-for
Excellence in Louisville, Kentucky. Our thanks to their board and grants committeefor their thoughtful
consideration ofthis request.

Editorial
By David Wortman

The following is based on a piece I wrote about six years ago. I hope it will give you something to think about.

One of the things that Einstein suggested that I just never got my head around — even when I was studying
physics — was the concept of time as a variable. Apparently, if you had the ability to travel to Neptune close to
the speed of light, you would return to Earth and find that Earth-time would have progressed longer than you
would have.

Now, I have become a believer. Not that I’ve been to Neptune (contrary to popular opinion), but I am finding
that the speed of time increases in geometric proportion to my age. In English, time flies much faster the older I
get. Unfortunately, my memory decreases in the same proportions. At least I think so. I can’t remember how

4 l

 

 much I’ve forgotten. I had a doctor tell me once that there is medicine that can aide a memory. I asked him,
“How would I remember to take it?” He had no answer.

Time is a precious commodity. We spend it; kill it; waste it. Worst of all, as we pass into our more senior
years, we realize that our allocation of time is finite. We don’t get back all the time we killed, spent or wasted.
It’s gone.

I would like to suggest a different perspective on time. Time in the Jewish community is not spent, killed or
wasted. Instead, we invest time. The rate of return on community time is high. Anytime we invest assures the
survival of our people, our community, our families, and our Jewish identity. Whether it is prayer, a program,
learning, PJ Library, informal education, or anything else that bids you welcome, it is really asking for a time
investment.

I recognize that, just like Wall Street, some people will have more time to invest than others. That is OK.
Unlike Wall Street, the Lexington Jewish community strives to yield a high rate of return on any time
investment.

Ask a Rabbi
By Rabbi David Wortman

Q: The Jewish Federation has a Jewish Community Relations Committee. What is Jewish about it?

A: JCRCs (also known as C RC5) exist in many Jewish communities throughout the US. They serve as the
Jewish voice in community affairs. In Lexington, the C RC, recommends actions to the Federation board, which
then approves or vetoes the policy.

What is a Jewish subject for this committee? It is any issue that directly affects the Jewish community or one
that our Jewish tradition and values dictates our collective consciousness to become involved. For instance,
matters dealing with Israel, anti-Semitism attempts by government to interfere with or ban Jewish practice, etc.
In the second area, we might become active in such matters as poverty, homelessness, and/or civil rights.

An important addition to these topics is the act of establishing coalitions or dialogues with the non—Jewish
community. Our strength as Jews is greatly enhanced by partnership with others. If we need a letter to the editor
responding to an article about Israel, it is much more effective if a non-Jew writes it. The public expects it from
us. It is news if someone else submits it. This can only come about as a result of these coalitions and
partnerships.

It is important to remember that we do not have to agree with all the policies of a coalition partner in order to
form an alliance with them. For instance, the community relations field creates partnerships with the Catholic
Church in shared advocacy despite there being many policies, theologies, and practices with which we disagree
(sometimes vehemently). While C RC 5 discuss issues, occasionally achieving consensus, any member can
dissent. We try at most meetings to provide for dialogue on both sides of an issue.

However, the best community relations do what is appropriate, not just what makes you feel better (Barry
Ungar, 1989). We also represent the Lexington Jewish community and the American Jewish community. This
means that sometimes what may be in Israel’s best interest, for example, may not be in ours as Americans. One
story, many years ago, when I was the executive director of the JC RC in Philadelphia, I was called to a meeting
in New York with then Foreign Minister Netanyahu. At the breakfast, He asked the American JCRCs to support
Israel’s lobbying effort to prevent a sale of AWAC airplanes to the Saudis. We had already expended much of

5 .

 

  

our influence of preventing arms sale to various Arab countries. I felt that to maintain our credibility as
American Jews. we could not jump on every Israeli bandwagon. I expressed this and FM Netanyahu yelled at
me. Fortunately, all the other American Jewish leaders agreed with me.

In addition. occasionally it is not good policy to respond to every adverse article or letter in the Herald—Leader.
We do not want to bring more attention to the absurdity by responding. We, as Jews. think that each anti-
Semitic or anti-Israel piece will influence the general community. The truth is that those who already hold that
position will be emboldened. We Jews will feel threatened. The vast majority will already have a position or
will skip the article altogether. Neither the author nor the responder will have the influence they think they have.

In the final analysis. we are obligated by Torah to take care of the Jewish community and the strangers in our
midst. Support us, join us, and engage in Iikkun 01am.

For more information contact Larry Kant, CRC chair. at dblk2@qx.net.

Have a question? Ask a rabbi

The rabbis write columns in response to questions submitted by the readers. We encourage you--whether you are a
member of the Jewish community or not--to submit your queries on theology. morality. ethics. religious Observances. etc.
for response by one of our rabbis. If you have an issue you would like to see addressed. please email it to
shalom@jewishlexington and put "Ask a Rabbi" in the subject line of your email. (It may take quite a while until your
question is answered or it may never be answered. if no rabbi selects it.) You will not be identified as the writer of the
question to either rabbis or readers. nor will you be asked to specify which rabbi should answer.

President’s Message
Michael Grossman. J F B President

Serving as JFB president this past year has provided me with the opportunity to observe up close how our
Federation meets the needs of the Jewish community in Central Kentucky. Most Bluegrass Jews are touched by
J FB in some way—some in many ways. I am deeply moved to see how the entire Jewish community working
together is able to nurture and sustain our Jewish identity in Central Kentucky. Thank you for allowing me to
lead this organization. one that is so important to the future of the Bluegrass Jewish community.

Allow me to highlight just one initiative in particular. which JFB has undertaken this year. For the first time in
many years, a truly comprehensive collaboration has been taking place to develop long—Brange plans for the
Jewish community and its institutions. This President‘s Council includes the presidents of the Federation, OZS.
TAI, the Lexington Havurah, the Lexington Chapter of Hadassah. and B’nai Brith along with the congregational
rabbis. executive director, and assistant director of the Federation. We have been actively involved in assessing
communal needs and addressing potential programmatic and capital projects necessary to keep us a vibrant
Jewish community for the next 20+ years. 1 hope you will ask these community leaders to share with you their
experience as part of this initiative by the President’s Council. and feel the excitement which I feel each time we
meet.

While we are just beginning on this journey, to trade on a well known idiom, the train has left the station and I
think I speak for everyone aboard this train: it will be well worth the effort. With each meeting the President‘s
Council gains momentum and “buy—in" from participants.

Successes are important. and I’m pleased to report the President’s Council’s first success. Camp Shalom. a JFB
jewel for 46 years. is a place where all of our Jewish children, affiliated and unaffiliated, can come together as a
community. learn about their heritage, and have fun. Transportation has always been a challenge. and some of

6 l

 

 our children have not been able to attend as a result. A transportation proposal was approved by all of the
President‘s Council organizations as the first request for support from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence.
The proposal included grants to subsidize bus transportation for all of our campers, provide a camp nurse, and
fund a Jewish program specialist. I'm delighted to report that the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence has
approved our proposal for Camp Shalom 2014!

Success breeds success is more than an age-old adage. Studies have shown this 10 be true. I have no doubt that
the initiative begun this year through the President’s Council will result in more successes for the benefit of our
Bluegrass Jewish Community. So as we dream about the future. let‘s dream big—now that we have
transportation to Camp Shalom. anyone want to dream about a campsite?

Ka’eetz sameach—Best wishes for a glorious summer.

JFS: At Your Service
By Mimi Kaufman. JFS Director

1 recently had the privilege to interview Linda Angelo about her role as a clinical psychologist, co—founder of
the Lexington PFLAG. which stands for Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays. The chapter is
now called PFLAG Central Kentucky. She shared the information below, which I am most grateful to be able to
share. Hopefully. it will be helpful to PFLAG as an organization to help get the word out that they are there for
those in need of support.

PFLAG is a national organization that began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her gay son in New
York‘s Pride Day parade. with a sign that read “Parents of Gays Unite in Support of our Children.” So many
young people asked that she talk with their parents that Jeanne organized a support group, PFLAG. which now
has hundreds of chapters across the US. In appreciation of her leadership, Jeanne was awarded the Presidential
Citizens‘ Medal by President Obama in 2012.

Despite more awareness and acceptance in our culture. learning that your own child is lesbian, gay, bisexual.
transgender, or “questioning“ (LGBTQ) can be challenging — it asks that you provide support even while you
have questions and need time to process. Some people find themselves unable to do the most essential thing: to
reassure their child, no matter their age, that they’re still loved. Some children might be reticent or impatient
with their families. Yet we know that parental responses are a crucial factor in the adjustment of LGBTQ
individuals. Rejection — whether blatant or subtle — puts your child at risk of poor self-worth. depression,
substance abuse. and suicide. as well as academic and social problems. No one wants that for their children.
These children have already had a difficult journey by the time they come out to you. Now your journey
begins.

The Central Kentucky chapter of PFLAG is composed of parents, siblings. straight allies, friends, and LGBTQ
individuals and couples. The group meets monthly, typically with a guest speaker or program the first hour,
followed by a support group discussion. Participants include parents who seek help dealing with their own
feelings as their child comes out, or those who want to be better educated, so they can talk with and support
their child more effectively or deal with their acquaintances and relatives more comfortably. Other attendees
might be individuals who have not yet come out to their families. or who seek the support that their families are
not willing to offer. There are LGBTQ teens and adults, allies, and students who care about these issues and
want to help.

 

   

From one of our parents: “Keep the promise you made when you first became a parent because the person
before you is the same child you loved before they told you this news. Take your time to sort out your feelings,
to get support, and to get educated. Do your best to love your child as you always have. Nothing replaces
parental love, and nothing hurts more than parental rejection. PFLAG is a safe, confidential place to feel
respected, accepted, and supported for who you are, wherever you are in your own journey or family struggle.
Just as you pledged to love and nurture your child in the life ahead of them, we at PFLAG pledge to support one
another as we work toward greater acceptance, love and understanding by all.”

PFLAG‘s mission is that of support, education and advocacy, and our Central Kentucky chapter is willing to
provide information or presentations to interested groups. Free publications are available for download at
wwwpflagorg. For more information about our chapter, which meets the second Tuesday evening ofthe
month, please visit wwwpflagcentralkyorg. We welcome all who would like to assist in our efforts.

PFLAG Central Kentucky is part ofa network ofservices and advocacy groups including the Lexington GLSO
(Gay and Lesbian Sen’ices Organization); the Fairness C oalition.‘ TransKentuc/q‘; A VOL (AIDS Volunteers of
Lexington); the high school, college andprofessional school GSAs (Gay Straight Alliance groups); GLSEN
(Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and JustFundKY A all working on behalf'ofLGBTQs, from the
schoolyard through the nursing homeyears.

JFB Campaign News

The Need for Contributions for Overnight Camp and Israel Program Scholarships

As has been confirmed in numerous studies, two ofthe most significant experiences leading to Jewish
commitment lifelong are attending Jewish overnight camps and participating in teen trips to Israel. While free
trips for college—age students and those up to 26 are available through Birthright Israel. the teen programs and
tuition for camps are prohibitive for many families.

This year we have been very fortunate that more teens than ever are interested in attending camp and Israel
programs. However, our budget allocation for scholarships ($5,000) was approved in December and there are
not extra funds available through the Federation. Therefore, we divided the scholarships among those applying,
each receiving less than they would have in past years. On average, depending on income, students received
about $500 each from the campaign funds. 028 students received considerable help from a fund at the
synagogue. However, TAI had fewer funds available this year. The cost of attending a Jewish overnight camp,
depending on the length of the stay, can be from $2,500 to over $5,000 per summer. The cost of an Israel
program averages $5,000. Therefore a gift of $500 from Federation, while welcome, is insufficient.

Considering that our campaign has been flat, we are spending more funds for teen and young adult engagement
than we have in past years. This is one reason that we no longer publish a printed version of Shalom. However,
we are not spending enough on these scholarships and we need our donors to help. If you have not yet made a
pledge for the 2014 campaign, please give generously. If you have already given, please consider another gift
earmarked for camp and Israel program scholarships. It will help change lives. If you have any questions or
would like more information, please contact Judy Wortman at 268-0672 or email her at
ifb@iewishlexington.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 Israel 21c: How to Learn Hebrew in a Hurry
By Abigail Klein Leichman

 

Hebrew in a cafe, with UlpanOr teacher Yael Gruper. if

Jackie Gebel, 24, of New York spontaneously decided to move to Israel for a month in November 2013. “I
needed a change of scenery,” she explains to ISRAELZlc. “I had only been to Israel once before, on Birthright,
and everyone said I should take a Hebrew class. I had basic reading skills but not conversation.”

How much of the spoken language could Gebel expect to pick up in ulpan (the Hebrew term for an intensive
language class) during the two-week period she allotted? After googling around, she signed up for a one-on-one
crash course at UlpanOr, one of a few private Hebrew—teaching companies that offer classes for short-term
visitors.

“It is possible for people with no prior knowledge of Hebrew — Jews and Christians — to learn reading, writing
and verbal communication in a week,” says Yoel Ganor, who cofounded UlpanOr with his wife, Orly, in 1995.

UlpanOr’s one-week Sabra Hebrew Immersion Program, held in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, consists of three hours
of one-on-one study in the morning and another two or three hours of interactive outdoor activities in the
afternoon, such as a visit to a café. Other options include a VIP course with a cultural element such as Hebrew
theater or music.

Gebel didn’t expect to become fluent in two weeks, and she didn’t. But she made great progress. “The amount
of Hebrew I learned let me speak in the shuk [marketplace] and ask simple questions, even make simple
conversation,” she says.

The Ganors devised the course after studying how Europeans are able to learn several languages fluently though
listening and observing.

“Verbal communication is key, and our methodology is based on that,” says
Ganor. “Another element is introducing language not in an academic
, . manner but at eye level, providing opportunities to use the vocabulary
, -, ” ‘7‘: . : immediately in real settings. We saw this process does not have to take
” several months.”

Young tourist learning Hebrew
with teacher Adi Amram. 9 I

    

   

 

 

 

   

 

Tailor-made Hebrew

Ulpan Aviv, also with Jerusalem and Tel Aviv locations, assures tourists that they can complete one level of
Hebrew though an intensive, tailor-made program of 10 one-on-one sessions, each lasting two and a half hours
in the morning or afternoon, spread over a two-week period.

“It is very good for tourists, even those just wanting to get the sound of the language and a little bit of the
culture,” co-owner Gil Pentzak tells ISRAEL2lc.

The course alternates between conversation with the teacher and guided self-study assignments involving
reading, writing or listening. Pentzak estimates that at least 35 percent of Ulpan Aviv”s clients opt for this crash
course founded in July 2009, and they include Jews, Christians and Arabs of all ages who either are short-term
tourists or need to learn Hebrew quickly for professional or personal reasons.

“The schedule and materials are tailor-made and can involve music, culture, Bible —— anything at all, according
to the interests and preferences of the individual student,” says Pentzak.

Ulpan Israeli in Netanya offers a customized group option for learning Hebrew in a hurry.

Director Frida Fisher says she and her other teachers work with tour groups, business people, families and even
athletic delegations from all over the world in groups of one to six at a time, provided they are all on the same
level.

“The course can be as long as they want — one week or two or three,” Fisher tells lSRAELZlc. “For example, I
have a group from Finland that wants to come for three weeks. We’ll work with them from 9 to 12:30 on the
weekday mornings before their day trips.”

Clients can choose to have their lessons in the classroom, at their hotel, in a touring bus or in everyday settings.

Fisher once did a culinary ulpan for a British family who were renting a house for the summer in Herzliya. They
went to market together and prepared meals in the kitchen, all the while interacting in Hebrew to give the family
appropriate vocabulary for buying, slicing, chopping, cooking, frying and baking a variety of edibles.

Retaining what they have learned is a different issue. Jackie Gebel admits she
lost much of her Hebrew after a few months back in New York.

Ganor of UlpanOr encourages “graduates” of crash courses to continue
studying via guided distance-learning courses after they’ve gone home.

“Hebrew is an objective by itself, but we also see ourselves as ambassadors of
Hebrew as a national language that brings Jews closer to their identity, and
brings all our students closer to Israeli culture,” says Ganor.

For more information, see www.ulpanor.com, www.ulpanisraeli.com or
www.ulpanaviv.com.

About Abigail Klein Leichman

Abigail Klein Leichman is a writer and associate editor at lSRAEL2Ic. Prior
to moving to Israel in 2007, she was a specialty writer and copy editor at a
daily newspaper in New Jersey and hasfreelancedfor a variety ofnewspapers
andperiodicals since 1984.

 

UlpanOr tourist/students get a
crash course.

 Make a Donation to JFB