xt7ncj87mk4v https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7ncj87mk4v/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2016-06 2016-07 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 2016 text image Shalom, June/July 2016 2016 2016-06 2016-07 2025 true xt7ncj87mk4v section xt7ncj87mk4v 1 a

‘ W

Volume XV

Issue 5

Newspaper of Iyyar/Sivan/

. . . . . Tammuz5776
llii Ilrh‘axli lt'tlt‘l‘LillHii
‘ OF THE BLUEGRASS June/Ju‘y 2016

 

Director’s Message
By Judy B. Wortman
Shalom Chaverim

This is my final article as
executive director of the Jewish
Federation of the Bluegrass. I
am so grateful for my time here.
The past seven years have flown
by, but at the same time, I hardly
remember life before David and
I arrived here. I can honestly say
that in my career of more than 40
years, this has been my very favorite position and the most
wonderful community to serve. My life here has been one
of personal highs and lows. I lost my beloved husband
almost 18 months ago but was supported by friends and
family in so many ways during his long illness and after
his death. Three of my seven grandchildren were born
since I arrived, and an 8th will be born in Philadelphia
around the time I move there. I celebrated births of three
children of my colleagues — Tamara’s daughter Rebecca,
and Talia and Rabbi Smolkin’s children Ashira and Lev. I
have been blessed to be a part of their lives and feel that
in many ways they are surrogate grandchildren. I have
also mourned the loss of a number of special people in our
community.

This is a time for many thank you‘s, but I will mention
only a special few. The Federation staff is extraordinary.
We operate as a team and feel like a family. Tamara
Ohayon has been both my right hand and left hand, and I
am overjoyed that she will become the next director. She
is bright, talented, kind, and generous. She will serve the
community with grace and expertise. Mimi Kaufman has
been a dear friend as well as a skilled social worker. She
is so dedicated to the welfare of JFS clients and serves
with great compassion. Talia Smolkin is an outstanding
professional and a kind and devoted friend. In her work as
the former J FS director and her work in informal Jewish
education and as P] Library coordinator, she brings talent,
passion, and dedication. Kathie Kroot is totally committed
to our Federation and volunteers for many hours beyond
her job requirements. She is dedicated to our entire Jewish
community and is a caring, thoughtful friend. I also am
grateful to our exceptional Shalom staff - Barbara Gold-
man, Editor and Kasey Hall, Marketing Assistant. Thanks
also go to former staff members Gayle Bourne, Jana La-
Zur, Lori Bernard, and Kathy Feinberg.

I also would also like to thank the three (continued p. 2)

Editorial
By Barbara Goldman

Working with Federation Director Judy Wortman for

the past two years has been an uplifting and motivating
experience beyond my wildest expectations. The first time
I met Judy I was struck not only by her keen ability to ob-
serve everyone and everything in a room, but the compas-
sion and drive she had to be a problem solver.

As far as bosses go, and friends go, Judy has filled my
world with constant love and support, through many of
life’s unexpected curveballs. I had just started working for
Federation when my father passed, and shortly thereafter,
Judy lost her beloved husband Rabbi David Wortman.

Judy is one of those rare people we hope to encounter,
who really pushes you to be your best self and knows
when and how to let you know she’s got your back. To
know her is to respect her motivation and love for the
Central Kentucky Jewish Community, and hope to earn
her respect.

Her passion has been an inspiration that I personally have
needed in my life. I am so thankful I have had the oppor-
tunity to work with such an amazing Jewish woman.

Judy leaves Kentucky this July and is passing the torch to
vibrant and creative Assistant Director Tamara Ohayon. I
am thrilled Tamara will be continuing her work with Cen—
tral Kentucky on a greater scale. We are lucky to have her
talent and love of Judaism in Lexington.

 

CAMPAIGN NEWS
The Cost of Services Our Federations Provide Over-
seas

By Jady B. Wortman

The funds we raise for our brothers and sisters in Israel
and around the world go to two agencies: the Jewish
Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Joint Distribution Com—
mittee (JDC). I thought it would be a good idea to give
you the costs of some of the programs we fund through
JAFI. As you know, none of the funds we send to Israel go
to the government. They are only for social services like
those listed below:

° $82 will allow one child from the former Soviet Union
to attend one day of a Jewish Agency Day Camp dur—
ing a school vacation. For most of these children, this
camp is their first source of Jewish education.

$147 will cover the costs for one student to attend one
of the JAFI Sunday schools in (mntinued p. 2)

 

  

(Director's Message, continued from p.l ) presidents with
whom I partnered. Linda Ravvin, a volunteer par
excellence, has become an adopted sister. She had a
significant role in hiring me and will have my love and
gratitude always. Bob Grossman served the Federation
for many years as treasurer, vice president, and presi-
dent and working with him was a joy. Mike Grossman
has also served our community for many years. He has
been a thoughtful and caring partner and a delight with
whom to work. I send best wishes to Evalyn Block as
she assumes the presidency. A skilled and experienced
leader, Evalyn will also serve with distinction. Thank
you also to all the board members and officers who
have served these years with me.

In addition, my gratitude goes to our congregational
rabbis, Rabbi Moshe Smolkin and Rabbi David
Wirtschafter, both dear friends and extraordinarily
talented men. The community is so fortunate to have
them both. And thanks also go to my friends Rabbi
Sharon Cohen, Rabbi Uri Smith, and Rabbi Shlomo
Litvin and their families. How fortunate is this com-
munity to have such wonderful rabbis.

There are so many other friends that I have made here,
and you know how grateful I am to all of you. Thank
you for making these last seven years a joyous time of
my life. Finally, thank you to my twin sister Linda An-
gelo and her partner Larry Porter for being everything
to me and for encouraging me to come to Lexington. I
have cherished these years we have had together.

I wish only good things for our Jewish community. I
encourage all of you to attend the Town Meeting at
TAI on June 15 at 7:30 pm. at which time Dr. Jack
Ukeles will bring recommendations from our com-
munity study. Please consider these recommendations
seriously. Don’t let the report lie on a shelf. Do every-
thing you can to ensure that the community remains
vibrant and sustainable well into the future.

L’hitraot.

 

(Director's Message. continued from p. l )
the Former Soviet Union for one academic year.

° $150 sponsors a child newly arrived from Ethiopia
to enjoy summer camp in a Jewish Agency Ab-
sorption Center.

0 $400 will provide a new immigrant from France
with a one-way ticket from Paris to Ben— Gurion
Airport.

' $693 will send one child in the Former Soviet
Union to a 7-day Jewish Agency Sleepaway Camp.

Please consider these critical programs when you
make your generous gift to the Jewish Federation.
You can change lives.

June is LGBTQ awareness month
By Linda Angelo

Here in Lexington, we are fortunate to have a support
organization PFLAG Central Kentucky, a partner-
ship of parents, families, friends and allies united with
people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer or questioning. Their mission is to support,
educate, and advocate for acceptance, affirmation and
equality for LGBTQ youth and adults within families,
institutions and society at large.

PFLAG (“P-flag”) emerged in the 1970’s and the
letters originally signified Parents, Friends and Fam-
ily of Lesbians and Gays. Now PFLAG’s focus has
broadened to include diverse sexualities and gender
identities and PFLAG members include families who
are seeking support in understanding or advocating for
their transgender or gender fluid children. Allies who
attend include faith leaders, activists, students, teach—
ers and counselors.

PFLAG meets once a month, with a speaker the first
hour and the support meeting the second hour. At-
tendance is free and confidential. You are welcome no
matter where you are in your joumey or family strug-
gle. One can talk or just listen and learn. Who goes
to PFLAG? “Parents and family members — those
who are bewildered and distressed, those who just
want to get more comfortable or be a better family ally
or friend to their loved one by learning all they can.
Parents get support from other parents who understand
the feelings and the challenges they experience, and
gain additional knowledge and perspective from our
LGBTQ members and allies. LGBTQ adults who have
not experienced acceptance in their own families will
find it at PFLAG; others are there to remind us what
their positive family experiences have meant to them.
PFLAG Central Kentucky is a welcoming family that
offers wonderfully diverse perspectives. All of us look
forward to a day when families will realize that their
child who has come out as LGBTQ is the same child
they loved yesterday. We know that acceptance and
support from parents is the most crucial factor in the
adjustment of LGBTQ youth.”

The next PFLAG meeting is on June 14 at 6:30 pm. at
St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 2025 Bellefonte Drive
in Lexington. The topic for the meeting is “What
Parents Need to Know” about LGBTQ issues. This is
a community conversation including parent educators,
sex educators, PFLAG families and allies.

Meetings are open to all, and individual support can
also be arranged. Volunteers or donations from those
who share their Vision are welcome. To learn more go
to iillalgcgull flying, or contact inlets, I‘ll,§i:—:’n'§l,1_l,lfélll$) .
mg or (859) 338-4393. The website includes free
publications available for download.

  

 

 
   

‘~ ,g 5-4;, _ V ‘ *5
re m ,
:l!!l[‘£!~iif‘l:ll 15::

Wednesday-June 15-7z30 p.m.
”Temple Adath Israel

At the beginning of 2016, over 900 individuals in
our community were invited to to play a direct role
in shaping the future Bluegrass Jewish community by
completing a survey, entitled, The Jews of the
Bluegrass: Ideas and Interests. An extraordinary
proportion of you responded —-— 46%!!

On June 15th, Dr. Ukeles will share survey findings
and a draft of his proposals for making Central
Kentucky a stronger Jewish community.

This is another wonderful opportunity to shape the
future of our community. Join us.

Contact ifb@iewishlexington.org
for more information. w

 

  

Ask A Rabbi: Rabbi Sharon Cohen

In the cycle of the major
Jewish holidays, one of the
holidays least familiar to many
Jews is Shavuot, which this
year begins the evening of June
12th. Shavuot, however, is

.. actually one of the “big three”

7 -— one of the three pilgrimage

' holidays, along with Passover
and Sukkot, described in the
Torah. Shavuot is actually
known by more different
names than any other festival on the Jewish calendar.
There are five most commonly used: Hag ha-Katzir
(Feast of the Harvest), Hag ha-Shavuot (Feast of
Weeks), Yom ha-Bikureem (Day of the First Fruits),
Atzeret (Concluding Festival), and Z ’man Matan Tora-
Ieinu (Season of the Giving of the Torah). Our Chris-
tian friends might know it as Pentecost.

  

It is easy to see the agricultural nature of the holiday
as described by the first three names which come
directly from the Torah. Each of these three names
are connected to the offering of the first fruits of the
harvest with the observance of a festival celebrating it.
The fourth name, Atzeret (interpreted as “concluding
festival”) is not found in the Torah, but in the Talmud.
While the precise meaning of the term is uncertain,
the Bible associates the word Atzeret with the last day
of Passover and the final holy day at the end of Suk—
kot. Similarly, the Rabbis deduced, Shavuot should
also be considered a “concluding festival” as it marks
the completion of the 49-day period of the Omer (the
period of the grain harvest and offering) which began
on Passover.

Although Shavuot in Biblical times was purely ag-
ricultural in nature, historical circumstances and the
mission to make tradition, rituals, and customs mean-
ingful in each generation evolved Shavuot into an his-
torical and spiritual holiday as well. Theologian and
scholar, Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, points out that the
Pharisees (who gave rise to the Sages of the Talmud)
established the holiday as one commemorating the
Revelation at Sinai which was said to have occurred
on the fiftieth day after the Exodus. This identification
of Shavuot with the giving of the Torah on Sinai, al-
though not cited in the Torah, was based on small ref-
erences found in some of our oldest pieces of liturgy
and in texts dating to the period of the Maccabees.

Why did the Pharisees and their predecessors at-

tach such importance to the historical significance of
Shavuot — as a holiday connected to the Revelation?
Rabbi Finkelstein teaches that since the Pharisees were
essentially city dwellers and not farmers, they feared

that without some additional meaning beyond its ag-
ricultural associations, the holiday of Shavuot would
soon be lost. They also wondered why there was no
specific holiday mentioned in the Torah that celebrates
the Revelation at Sinai. The birth of Israel as a nation
was marked by Passover. Sukkot celebrates the harvest
and the journeying our ancestors did as they wandered
through the wilderness toward the Promised Land.
Was it possible that the event which established Israel
as a divine people would be passed over in silence?
The Pharisees, thus, chose to emphasize a connection
between Shavuot and the Giving of the Torah while
still maintaining its agricultural meaning as well.

Given that Shavuot celebrates such an important part
of our history and our Covenant with God, why is this
holiday so overlooked by the modern Jew? Perhaps,
it is because it often falls during the beginning of the
summer when school is out and the modern rhythm
of society tends to slow down. Perhaps, it is because,
contrary to Passover and Sukkot, Shavuot is a short
holiday (observed only one day in Israel, one or two
days outside of Israel), and it is easy to overlook it.

I believe, as do many, that. in part, it is because, unlike
Passover and Sukkot, Shavuot has no specific mitzva,
food, or ritual associated with it. There is no build-

ing of a Sukka nor a Seder for us, and especially our
young children to enjoy as a part of its celebration
(yes, there is a custom of eating dairy foods, but this

is merely a custom and not a legal mandate). How is
Shavuot observed? In addition to worship services
which parallel those of the other festivals, we mark
Shavuot by. . .STUDYING! The custom is to engage
in some period of Jewish study on the holiday, (gener-
ally on the evening it begins) as a way of commemo—
rating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai and of affirming
our Covenant with God and the gifts of our Tradition.
Called a Tikkun L’ayl Shavuot, this study period often
lasts all night. In Jerusalem, the custom by many is to
study all night, and at sunrise, to walk to the Old City
or Western Wall for the morning service (a very cool
experience, by the way!).

While Shavuot may not be filled (continued p. 5)

 

Have a question? Ask a rabbi.

The rabbis write columns in response to questions sub-
mitted by the readers. We encourage you to submit your
queries on theology, morality, ethics, religious obser-
vances, 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.org 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.

 

 

 

 ASK JF S: Warning about Scam Artists
By Mimi Kaufman

There has been a recent
surge again in phone calls by
criminals impersonating IRS
agents.

 
 

The IRS has seen a surge of
these scam artists who threat—
en police arrest, deportation,
license revocation, and other
things.

 
  

, .‘ H;
I ’1]

"a, ‘- Taxpayers across the nation

5 ' ' I (L face a deluge of these aggres-
sive phone scams. Don’t be fooled by callers pre-
tending to be from the IRS in an attempt to steal your
money” said IRS commissioner John Koskinen. There
are many variations. “The caller may threaten you
with arrest or court action to trick you into making a
payment” Koskinen added. Some schemes say you’re
entitled to a huge refund. These all add up to trouble.
Some simple tips can help to protect you.

Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS.
They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill.
They con the victim into sending cash, usually through
a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They also leave
“urgent “call back requests through “robe-calls” or via
a phishing email.

The phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully.
They often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like
the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use
IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legiti-
mate. They may use the victims name, address, and
other personal information to sound official.

The IRS will NEVER:

0 Call to demand immediate payment; nor will the
agency call about taxes owed without first having
mailed you a bill.

01‘

HOME & GOMENTS

806-1932

 

call
JIM MISCHNER

- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the
opportunity to question or appeal the amount that
they say you owe.

- Require you to use a specific payment method for
your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

0 Ask for a credit card or debit card numbers over
the phone.

' Threaten to bring in local police or other law
enforcement groups to have you arrested for not
paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be

from the IRS and asking for money, here is what you

can do:

° Do not give out any information; hang up immedi—
ately. Contact TIGTA(Treasury Inspector General
for Tax Administration) to report a call. Use their
“IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page.
You can also call 800-366—4484

0 Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use
the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov and
add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

If you think that you owe taxes, you can call the IRS.
Stay alert to scams that use IRS as a lure. These
scams are especially prevalent after tax time but can
happen any time of the year.

JFS: At Your Service is a monthly column covering a wide
range of issues. If you have a problem or a concern that
you would like addressed in this Shalom column, please
send them either by mail to Jewish Family Services at 1050
Chinoe Road Suite 112, or by email toils (/1 [cu [sh/tit lg;
toners. You can also always call with your confidential
questions at (859) 269-8244.

 

(Ask A Rabbi, continued from p. 4) with exciting rituals,
symbols or foods, it is a holiday with great mean-

ing and one well-deserving of our attention. Shavuot
provides us a unique opportunity to celebrate Torah, to
renew our personal connection to God and to recom-
mit ourselves to learning more about our heritage. It
reminds us of our humble beginning as farmers, our
desire to expand our minds and hearts through leam-
ing, and the unique Covenant we share with God. If
you are not able to attend any of the formal Shavuot
programs going on in the community, take some time
on your own to do some Jewish studying. Open the
Bible and read the description of the Revelation and
the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19). Read the Book
of Ruth which is often studied on the holiday. Choose
an aspect of Judaism you wish to learn more about
and begin your exploration of it. Thank you Pharisees
for helping to keep this important holiday alive and
relevant for our generation to observe and enjoy!

 

  

IsraelZlC: Eyes of the nation

Photographers Meir Elipur and Judith Harpaz ask
viewers to look into the eyes of Israelis to learn about
society.

By Viva Sarah Press
(Originally published online May 9, 2016)

 

These are the eyes of singer Einat Sarouf. Photo: courtesy

Looking straight into someone’s eyes can be discon-
certing. But two Israeli photographers believe that it is
through the eyes of the country’s politicians, celebri—
ties, journalists, athletes and every day people that the
nation’s story is told best.

In honor of Israel’s 68th Independence Day, a photo
exhibit of 68 pairs of eyes “representing the mosaic of
Israel" will grace the walls of the Jerusalem Theater.

Photographers Meir Elipur and Judith Harpaz say they
wanted to show the “real Israel” and chose subjects
who represent communities within the multicultural
society that makes Israel what it is.

The eyes belong to the likes of President Reuven Riv—
lin: legendary American-Israeli basketball playerTal
Brody; Israeli politician/human rights activist Natan
Sharansky; Miriam Peretz, mother of fallen Golani
Brigade soldiers Uriel and Eliraz Peretz; Nobel lau-

 

V «,5 1
These eyes belong to Israeli news reporter Sivan Rahav—Meir.
Photo: courtesy

reate Prof. Yisrael Aumann: Greek Orthodox priest
Gabriel Naddaf; singer Einat Sarouf and others.

“We spoke about how to connect the viewer to the
people in the photographs and both groups to our very
special country,” says Elipur, a press photographer. as
to how the new exhibit came about.

“We want the viewers to look into the eyes of our sub—
jects and learn about their stories. We want people to
understand how diverse and unique the Israeli society
is. And there's no better time than Independence Day."

The exhibit is also interactive. It includes a map of
Israel showing the different communities in which
people featured in the exhibition live. And the Come-
ToArt app will give visitors access to more in-depth
explanations of the subjects.

Elipur, who has been behind the camera since the age
of 16, says that photography plays a major role in his
life. The Jerusalem—bom father of three says that for
him, photography is all about catching a real moment
and letting it tell a full story.

Harpaz, a studio photographer, says taking photos of
people is an “exciting activity filled with surprises.”

The exhibit will be open to the public for free at the
Jerusalem Theater from May 9 through June 9 and
then will then travel to other galleries around Israel.

 

your support.

Thank you to:
- Yvonne Goldstein in memory of Celia Flomen.

Judy Worell in honor of Judy Wortman.

 

Make a Donation to JFB in Someone's Honor or Memory

Make a donation to the Jewish Federation in honor or memory of someone, or in celebration of a special
occasion, and help JFB nurture the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social
justice) and Torah (Jewish learning) within our Jewish community at home and abroad.

Send us your special contributions with a note specifying its intent. Also, let us know if you would like your
contribution published in this box in Shalom. You may also make your special contribution online.

Celebrate your loved ones and support our Jewish community by giving a special contribution. Thank you for

Cheryl and Eric Hanson in memory of Celia Flomen.
Sandy and Henry Tutt in memory of Celia Flomen.

 

 

 B’tayavon: Kreplach
By Babara Goldman

I can still see my
father salivating

at the mention of
the word kreplach.
These small Yid-
dish dumplings
are a Jewish staple
we all can enjoy
Kreplach can be , 3'
stuffed with a variety of fillings and are traditionally
served in soup or steamed or fried and served with a
rich tomato sauce or meat gravy.

Noodle dough:
2 large eggs

‘5“ . -
kg 15.1.3
39*»
.

1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Beat eggs, salt slightly, and add flour (use more if
needing to make firmer dough). Kneed thoroughly,
until soft and elastic (five minutes). Roll out very thin
and evenly on a slightly floured surface. Cut into two
inch squares. Place one tablespoon of filling onto each
square. Fold crosswise into triangles, pressing edges
together securely. Drop into boiling salted water or
soup. Cook for around 15 minutes, 18 if using a meat
filling.

Variation: Boil ten minutes in salted water. Drain and
fry in hot schmaltz (chicken fat) until brown and crisp
on both sides. Serve in soup or as a side.

Fillings:

Meat: one tsp onion juice, one raw egg, two garlic
cloves, one tsp salt, one pound ground beef, salt and
pepper to taste. Saute garlic, onion, add beef. Cook
thoroughly. Add seasonings and egg to meat. Mix. Fill
kreplach.

Chicken: Use cooked chopped chicken meat in place
of beef. Add one tbsp minced parsley.

Chicken liver and egg: Combine cooked chicken liv—
ers and hard-cooked eggs. Chop together until smooth.
Season as above.

Cheese: one pound dry cottage cheese, two tbsp melt—
ed butter, one tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1%: teaspoon

salt Mix all ingredients. Fill kreplach. Cook by drop—
ping into boiling milk. When done, kreplach will rise

to top Remove from milk. Serve with melted butter.

 

 

 

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Help us keep Shalom solvent.

You may contribute online or mail a check to JFB,
1050 Chinoe Rd Ste 112, Lexington, KY 40502.
Please make checks payable to JFB and write
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GIVING LEVELS
Chai - $18; Double Chai - $36; Three Times Chai —
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CHABAD OF THE BLUEGRASS

Practical Parsha

A new weekly series of classes discussing the
weekly Torah portion and how its lessons are
applicable to our everyday lives. Classes meet at the
Chabad House Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Open to the entire community.

Women, Wine and Wisdom

Led by Mrs. Shoshi Litvin, this social gathering
brings fellowship, Torah and fine kosher refresh-
ments. Women ages 21 and over are invited to greet
the new month together. Join us in welcoming the
month of Sivan on June 6th at 7:30 pm at the home
of Betty Nigoff, and the month of Tammuz on July
6th at 7:30 pm, location TBA.

For more information on any of Chabad’s
programs, please visit tliabadlilncg1313: 15371171.

 

 

 

 JFB Major Gifts Brunch
Sunday, May 22 at the home of Arlene and Harry Cohen

 

  

   

‘.
' 3.

Additional photos of the brunch can be found in the .ui/iin;_\1g;L\M 1 J guy/11.2.3.

 

Join us an time Sunda . June 26 from Ll - 6 m
Y Y p
FAR" at the Firebrook Clubhouse in Lexington.

UJe will share nosh. drink and celebrate Judy UJortman's eight
years as our friend 8 Jewish Federation Executive Director.
This is an opportunity to speak with Judy and share your
thanks and well wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.

FOR JUDY WORTMAN

RSVDs not required but ITIUCH appreciated.
Contact Tamara Ohayon at tamam@jewishlexington.org
or (659) 2600672 to RSVD or for more information.

 

 JF B Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 26 at the Jewish Federation offices

   

 

    

      
  

V

V f. 37%. , ,
Judy Wortman, left, presented Gayle Jenn Carlin, left, accepts the Hanna Smith, left, graciously accepts
Bourne with the Cookie Wenneker Young Leadership Award. the President ’5 Award from Michael

Volunteer of the Year Award. Grossman.

a» '

 

More photos
from the
Annual
Meeting can
be found on
our F are-
book Page.
Click £11,.

  

SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2016 I WASHINGTON, DC fi

9

 

  

 

THE LEXINGTON CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

Dianne Bazell, President

 

By Dianne Bazell HADASSAH I I
Summer months usually ; s 3,1 w 2.,- , ,2.»

bring a shift in schedules: ‘ i ,. i I ' . , I

for some, camp; for others, 0» ,utt 5‘5" .

different jobs; for many of
us, road trips. My husband
and I both come from families that took meandering
trips to all comers of the country. No visit to relatives
was complete without one or more side trips—muse-
ums, historical sites, natural wonders.

We’ve continued the tradition. Annual July 4th visits
to my in-laws out east (Boston, Washington, and
Westchester County) have always involved circu-
itous side trips to Civil War battle grounds and DC.
monuments. Last summer, we visited Philadelphia’s
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell (with a detour
to view where Washington crossed the Delaware).
Conferences, too, have provided a chance to see first—
hand places of national and local significance. This
coming July, following Hadassah’s biennial meeting in
Atlanta, we look forward to stopping at commemora—
tive civil rights museums and sites both there and en
route through Alabama. Whether at home, or away, we
ration sidewalk and roadside markers according to our
time frame.

Why do we—and we’re not alone—do this sort of
thing? Why are memorials built in the first place?
The subtlety and complexity of one of the Torah pas-
sages (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) read last March at
Hadassah’ s Shabbat Zachor service highlight issues
of remembering and forgetting, memorializing and
accountability, that I find profound and remarkably
pertinent today.

Jews are commanded to “Remember what Amalek did
to you on your journey after you left Egypt” (link-

ing to the Book of Esther, where Haman is identified
as a descendent of the Amalekites, the marauding
tribes who harassed our ancestors on their way out

of Egypt). At the same time, though, we’re also in-
structed to “blot out the memory of Amalek under the
heavens” and, in a final paradox, enjoined not to forget
to do this!

The collective Amalek has come to be used by Jews to
refer to all our enemies and would-be destroyers. The
injunction after the Holocaust to “Never forget” could
be read as hearkening back to this Parashat Zachor
admonition to “Remember (Zachor) what Amalek did
to you.” Hence, we’ve written and videographed his-
tories, collected eye-witness accounts, by both victims
and perpetrators of the Shoah, and built monuments
and museums to honor and commemorate its

victims and to ensure that such atrocities never again
be perpetrated.

Obliterating the memory of Amalek, or any enemy,
erases its victims, too, nor does this deletion offer

the instruction and possible prevention of repeated
atrocity that historical accountability and collective
remembering can provide. Remembering history and
recounting it can afford a moral reckoning (hence,

the term “accountability”), a chance for “truth and
reconciliation,” depending on who’s doing the remem-
bering, who or what is honored, and what message is
communicated.

When we remember Amalek, presumably, we’re hon-
oring Amalek’s victims, but not honoring (and cer-
tainly not sentimentalizing) Amalek. We’re admonish-
ing against the possibility of Amalek ever again being
able to wreak havoc.

We, in our community, in our country, and around

the world today are struggling with the conundrum
posed in this very passage about Amalek, namely, the
meaning of memorials and the significance of what we
might term “monumental silence.”

At base, monuments and memorials serve as teaching
devices: they inform us of “the facts” of an historical
event or personage and also guide our moral response
to them: to remember past heroes or victims in order
to honor them, perhaps even to be inspired by them, or
to caution us against repeat repeating them—or both.

Why would we refuse to commemorate, or why
would we remove a memorial? To consign the past to
oblivion, so as not to grant it honor? Or to consign the
past to oblivion, so as to avoid having to confront it,
acknowledge it, and repent it? In this broader context,
it’s important to ask, who’s doing the remembering?
And who, metaphorically speaking, is Amalek?

Our country, as well as our region, is still contending
with the facts and the moral accountability of our na-
tional history,