xt7pvm42vt7c https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7pvm42vt7c/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2010-09 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 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, September 2010 text image Shalom, September 2010 2010 2010-09 2025 true xt7pvm42vt7c section xt7pvm42vt7c Shale

Newspaper of

The Jewish Federation

SEPTEMBER 2010

We?

OF THE BLUEGRASS

ELUL/TISHREI 5770

Nina Sundell to speak at
Hadassah opening meeting

Nina Sundell, regional director of the
Anti-Defamation League’s Ohio / Ken-
tucky / Allegheny Region, will speak
at Hadassah’s opening meeting on
Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 pm. The
meeting will take place at the Tates
Creek Library community room. Light
refreshments will be served.

From the ADL website:
The number of anti-Semitic
incidents in the US. remained at
a ”sustained and troubling” level in
2009. The 2009 ADL Audit of Anti-
Semitic Incidents counted a total of
1, 211 incidents of vandalism,
harassment and physical assaults
against Jewish individuals, property,

and community institutions across
the US.

The above statement from the ADL’s
2009 audit, the provocative issue of
text book selection in the US, and
separation of church and state will be
touched on by Ms. Sundell in what
promises to be a lively discussion. She
also is prepared to answer questions
and to talk about the latest hot-button
issues facing the American Jewish
community today.

Please RSVP to Angie Smith at (859)
338-2829 or lexhadassah@yahoo.com.
Seating is limited. a

CAMPAIGN NEWS
Thank You Event to be held on Saturday,

November 6

The Thank You Event to honor con-
tributors to the 2010 campaign will be
held on Saturday evening, November
6 at 8:00 pm. at Mike Scanlan’s garage.
This will be a comedy night starring
Caryn Bark. The program is a gift from
the famil of Elizabeth Rosenberg. The
chair of the event is Pat Shraberg and
the co-chairs are Ruth Foley and Teri
Solomon. Reservations must be made
by calling the Jewish Federation of

the Bluegrass at (859) 268-0672. Space
is limited and reservations will be
accepted on a ﬁrst-come, first-served
basis. There will be no charge. Light
refreshments will be served.

Caryn Bark is a comedian, writer,
novelist, and playwright. She is the
creator/ performer of the critically
acclaimed one woman show "Diary

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of a Skokie Girl,” which has played to
sold-out audiences in Chicago, Kansas
City, Little Rock, Phoenix, and Win-
nilpeg. She has appeared on Lifetime
C annel’s Girls Night Out and worked
for HBO and Comedy Central. She
has performed at numerous comedy
clubs and studied at Chicago’s famed
Second City.

Caryn’s novel, Mittelschmerz, is a comic
romance about Chicago’s Jewish com—
munity. She currently performs her
evening of comedy, "What’s so Funny
About Being Jewish,” at JCCs, syna-
gogues, and Jewish Federations across
North America. Caryn lives in Chicago
with her husband and three children.

More information will follow in the
October issue of Shalom. 2:!

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Summertime sizzles with music
Israeli Scouts and Rick Recht bring life to Lexington

By Jana LaZur

This summer
boasted two
weeknight con-
certs of interna—
tionally rated
artistic groups that
brought in more
than 300 fans. First,
in June, came the
Israeli SCOUTS,
eight 17-year-old
ambassadors of
Israel who sang,
danced, promoted
Israel, and taught
a session about
leadership to counselors of JFB’s Camp
Shalom and Camp Gesher. Then in Au-
gust, during camp, there was a com-
munity concert—”Camp R0cks”—held
at the campsite. The entire community
was invited to enjoy Rick Recht, a real-
life Jewish rock star. This concert was
made possible by generous donations
from Hadassah, Havurah, Ohavay
Zion Synagogue, Temple Adath Israel,
and Camp Shalom/ JFB, as well as two
private donations from community
families.

Since Lexington is the perfect stop-
over between Ohio and Tennessee, the
Tsofim Israeli Scouts could visit for less
than 24 hours and accept home hospi-
tality in exchange for a great commu-
nity performance. It was a short time,
but they made a large impact. The day
started for the Scouts with meeting
their host families during a Subway
lunch subsidized by the Kaplan family
at the beautiful Gainesway Horse farm,
owned by the Beck family. After lunch,
our host families and Scouts were
given a full tour of the farm. Many
thanks to those who donated time and
money to help make this performance
possible, especially our host families:
the Graffs, Grisés, Kaufmans, Ravvins
and Satins. These families really made
a difference by driving, opening their

Tsoﬁm performing with Rck Recht at Camp Shalom I

homes, and even helping the Scouts
wash clothes.

The Scouts said they will not forget
Lexington, and will recommend other
troops perform in Lexington. They
much appreciated the more than 150
people who attended their show.

Our next performer, Rick Recht, made
a return trip to Lexington on August
3. His soundman and his wife and two
boys traveled with him. His young
sons played their guitars and joined
their dad on several songs. Rick also
invited the community to bring musi-
cal instruments, and Lexington new—
comer Anat Rubenstein brought her
recorder and played along with him
on several songs. Rick ran some music
workshops with campers before the
concert and invited them to come on
stage and be part of his band at various
points. Though the temperature was
high, the crowd did not seem to mind.
He even invited all of the Camp Sha-
lom and Gesher staff to come up and
sing a couple of songs. His music was
about hope and tikkun olam, as well as
about Israel and its blessings.

We hope that you made it to at least

see Summertime, page 1 3

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IN THIS ISSUE

Camp Shalom enjoys new campsite 3
Giant rummage sale and New York-style deli opening soon ................................................................... 3
President’s Message 4
Third Opinion ......... S
From the Director 6
Ken Freedman Scholarship to be awarded. 7
Save the date: Piano recital at OZS to feature lnon Barnaton .................................................................. 7
JFS: At Your Service ...... 8
RSVP program launched with grant to United Way of the Bluegrass ............................................. 8
Essay —Thoughts on parenthood .............................................................................................................................. 9
lsrael Bonds High Holiday appeals are continuation of decades—long tradition ....................... l 0
Opinion -The new name .......................................................................................... i0
Opinion — A personal view of Kashrut ......................................................................... i l
Summertime sizzles with music .............................................................................................................. l4
ISRAEL 21c: A cancer turn-off ..................................................................................................................................... i 6
B’tayavon ..................................................................................... i 7
Ask A Rabbi ............................................................................. i 8
The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah .............................................. i 9
The Lexington Havurah ................................................................... 20
Temple Adath lsrael ................... 21
Ohavay Zion Synagogue 72
Around the Community ............... 73
Calendar 74

Published ten times per year by the
Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone (859) 268—0672 - Fax (859) 268—0775
email: shalom@jewishlexington.org

SEPTEMBER 2010, VOLUME XVII, ISSUE 8
Linda Rawin, President
Judy Wortman, Executive Director
Jana LaZur, Activities Director
Paula Clancy, .lFS Director
Tamara Ohayon, Communications Director

SHALOQ! Eﬁﬁ‘ﬁkiki BOARD
gash i’eieg, Eéiter‘in—{hief
altar}: ﬁeiéee gesegbaseg, Eéiterfﬁéministrator
Eases {isagses
§§g¥ Sciseges

iassaeﬁce as. gees; steer; assess gages, Seersie Sobel

igﬁi mm Sfﬁifigfg
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The editoria! staff has the rigs: :3 see a¥¥ aﬁicies sabesitted for publication in Shalom.
The appearance of any aéyei’ﬁsissg is; ﬁsts pebiicatiee does not represent either a
kashruth or any other endorsemeet or; the part of the Federation or 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 the paper.

2 1 September 2010 Shalom

Rabbi Smolkin to speak on Tuesday,
September 28

The Jewish Federation will sponsor its second Lunch and Learn with the Rab-
bis on Tuesday, September 28 at 12:00 noon at the Federation ofﬁce, 1050 Chi-
noe Road, Suite 302. The speaker will be Rabbi Moshe Smolkin of Ohavay Zion
Congregation. A dairy lunch will be served for a minimal charge. Please call Judy
Wortman at (859) 268—0672 and let her know if you will attend. Rabbis Smolkin,
Kline, Smith, and Wortman will be alternating as teachers on the last Tuesday of
each month. Please join us.

MAZON IS Corners of Our Fields - Hunger Relief
- Food Pantries . Social Justice 0 Tikkun O/am

- Soup Kitchens . Advocacy - Home Delivered
Meals for Seniors 0 Tzedakah o Self-Empower-
ment - Nutrition for Children - Sustenance ~
Food Banks . THE JEWISH COMMUNITY’S
RESPONSE TO HUNGER

If you are not receiving Jewish Weekly email and would like to, please
send your name and email address to lexadmintwjewishlexington.org

m- Wi- pi iitzsirmzz

Federation President w Federation Board

Linda Rawin Evalyn Block Ricki Rosenberg
Jane Chaput Kathye Schattner

Executive Committee Susan Cobin Kae .Schennberg

Robert Grossman, ch President 3:52:3‘ 3:33 2:322er

AT‘Q'e Ornsteln, Secretary Amy Faust Mayer Hanna Smith

3'" Lucas, Treasurer Jennifer Miller David Wekstein

Bruce Broudy, Member-At—Large Angie Ornstein Gary Yarus

Evelyn Dantzic Geller, Member-At-Large Jeremy Popkin

Shalom Deadline *

Deadline for articles for the October Shalom is September 7.
Email articles to ifbshalomcghugpesaet

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Camp Shalom enjoys new campsite

Camp was hot this summer, and we’re
not just talking about the temperature.
It was a luxury to have all ten days

of camp in one location rather than

at multiple sites. With over 60 acres

of beautiful rolling Kentucky blue-
grass, campers enjoyed a swimming
pool, archery range, lake for canoeing
and fishing, basketball, gaga, art, teva
(nature) adventures, and even a large
community concert with Jewish rock
star Rick Recht.

This year boasted a high attendance
and a staff well supervised by Director
Kathy Feinberg and Assistant Director
Rachel Heller. Thanks are due to them
and to Tamara Ohayon, Federation
marketing director, for her attention to
detail with photos, website, and Rick
Recht.

The dedication of the entire Camp
Shalom and Camp Gesher staff re—
sults in personalized attention, hugs,
and fun. As one staff member said, ”I
consider the campers and camp staff
of this camp to be like family." We are
lucky to enjoy so many unique talents,
responsible young adults, and the
camaraderie among our staff.

The Ofarz'm group, who are 4 and 5, ‘
enjoyed swimming, art, storytelling by
guest story tellers in the spellbinders’
group, physical/ sports movement, na—
ture, and even a couple of snack times
daily. They ate lunch as a group under
a large shelter, an event preceded by
the Hamotzi and ending with dance.
Many thanks to Dani Heller for being
group leader and directing Jessica
Geddes, Eli Gould, Jessica Foster, and
Abby Miller.

Tsoﬁm is for 6- t0-8—year old campers
and Chalutzim is for 9— to-lO-year-olds.
These two groups were offered the
same schedules as above, but with age-
appropriate additions. They partook
in chugz'm in the afternoons, which
included a choice of an extra swim,
teva, cooking, archery, and sometimes
drama/ music / song. The days were
action-packed thanks to Tsofim leader
Lizzie Engel and her staff: Jonathan
Feinberg, Ryan LaZur, Emily Miller,
and Adira Jarman. The Chalutzim
group leader was Josh Kline; his staff
included Chaz Foster, Justin Graff, and
Mara Slepyan

Gesher, meaning ”bridge” in Hebrew,
is for campers from 11 to 13 years old.
Thanks to Kaitlin Graff, group leader,
and her staff of Danny Shapiro, RaChel

Swanson,andTofIﬁr.E13ejsl'?'lJt”3“(33" ; F 3

Maccabiah, or Color Wars, is a full camp
event that everyone looks forward

to each year. It is structured like the
Olympics. Camp is divided into four
teams, and each is assigned a color.
Campers and staff spent a good por-
tion of the morning putting on their
war paint and hair spray to show spirit
for their team. It was quite a lot of fun
and lead to many great pictures, as you
can see in our spread.

All campers participate in a mitzvah
project, donating time, money, and
energy to a group in need. Camp
Shalom tried to help encourage tikkun
01am this year by making horse treats
for the Kentucky Equine Humane
Center, a horse rescue program; Rachel
Heller personally delivered the treats
to the horses. After camp ended, our
remaining food was donated to people
in need.

Newcomer to camp Rachel Meltzer did
a great job with music and dance. Alex
Shapiro taught campers about living a
healthy lifestyle. Tyler Nelson, our Teva
specialist, make good use of guests
who taught campers about animals.
She also conducted nature walks, col-
lecting creatures with nets. It is a treat
to see little girls in nice clothing telling
their parents, ”Wait, I want to show
you this bug before we go home.”
Finally, Kendall Levenson, assisted by
Hannah Gould, led art activities from
painting to making marionettes out

of paper towel and toilet paper rolls.
Thanks to all our specialists for sharing
their talents.

A special aspect of our camp is our
sense of community. Camp Shalom

is 42 years old; many of our found-

ers still support it by sending their
grandchildren and helping with
activities whenever we ask. Though

it is a Jewish camp, some non-Jewish
families consider it their community as
well. One year we rented an Episcopal
church bus, used a Christian camp,
and sang Hebrew songs—all while
making mitzvah projects for all UK
hospital child patients and sending
letters to soldiers at war. How is that
for diversity? We are also fortunate to
have community volunteers who help
with storytelling, cooking, and bak-
ing challah, among other tasks. Thank
you to those who work, send campers,
donate money, or just spread the good
word about what we do. Camp Shalom
and Gesher would not exist without all
of you. it?

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Giant rummage sale and New

VK‘!’

York-style deli‘ opening soon
October 10 to be big day at TAI

Save the date! Sunday, October 10 will
be the opening of the New York-style
deli at Temple Adath Israel (name still
undetermined at the time of this writ—
ing). It will be in conjunction with a
huge rummage sale. There will be bar-
gains galore at the sale, and succulent,
delectable deli sandwiches and salads
available for your gustatory delight.

The sale will be a one—day event where
you’ll be able to shop for all manner of
treasures and bargains; the deli will be
open on an occasional basis through-
out the year.

Opportunities are still available for
you to design (from our list of ingredi-
ents) your own sandwich and name it.
For a donation of $500, your sandwich
will appear on our menu and can be
enjoyed by the entire community. Call
(859) 263—9606 or email Marsha Rose

(marsharose06@comcast.net) for more
information.

We will be accepting rummage at the
Temple from Monday, September 20
until Wednesday, October 6. There

are lots of opportunities for getting
involved here, folks. You can donate
to the rummage sale and / or offer to
help set it up and run it, you can help
in the deli by preparing salads and
sandwiches; we’ll need many hands
to run these events successfully. We’re
anticipating lots of fun with these proj-
ects, and we’d love to have you with
us. Call (264-8857) or email (patshra@
aol.com) to join the fun.

The sale and deli will be open to the
entire community and we hope to see
lots of you there. It:

Two new programs at itﬁ‘é‘li‘éderation ofﬁce!

Last Tuesday of the month:
“Lunch and learn With our Lexington
community rabbis” continues on
Tuesday, September 28 with Rabbi
Moshe Smolkin of Ohavay Zion
Synagogue. Each month at 12 noon in
j the J PB office the rabbis, on a rotating
basis, will be discussing the holidays,
the Torah portion of the week and other
topics of interest. A dairy lunch will be offered at a nominal
charge. If you are interested in attending, please call Judy
Wortman at 859-268-0672 so we can order lunch for you.

Every Monday and Wednesday:
Get fit and have fun with the Federation
staff for a midday exercise session. Bring
in exercise Videos or lead a class for the
group. All ages and abilities welcome!
Call Jana LaZur at 859—269—0672
for more information or to volunteer.

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OF THE BLUEGRASS

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President's Message

Linda Rawin

JFB (Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass) President

The High
Holidays are
early this

/ year and

( my mind is
focusing on
reﬂection.
Have I lived up to my own expecta-
tions this past year? What about those
of my family? And my friends? There
are certainly many times throughout
the year when I could have and should
have done better, been more consider-
ate and spoken more gently. As Rosh
Hashanah approaches, these thoughts
circle through my head.

We, as Jews, live within two tradi-
tions, one religious and one secular,
which afford us the opportunity to
review our behavior twice a year (at
the least). Within our Jewish tradition,
the High Holidays provide us with a
mirror, one in which we are supposed
to take a realistic look at ourselves

and judge ourselves before we face

the judgment of Gd. We are required
to make amends for our bad behavior
with recognition of our failures and the
asking of forgiveness from others. To
paraphrase: we must ask for forgive-
ness from those against whom we have
sinned; we can expect forgiveness from
G—d only for those sins committed
against G-d. Thus once a year we have
the extraordinary possibility of wiping
the slate clean and starting over fresh.

Our secular tradition offers us the
opportunity on December 31 at New
Year's Eve to make resolutions about
what changes we would like for the
next year. It also offers us the op-

portunity to change our ways and
acknowledge our weaknesses—we all
pledge to go on diets, stop smoking,
start exercising, and so forth. However,
these are all things that we promise for
ourselves alone, and we do not start
January 1 having apologized to others
for our past behaviors. We merely set
goals for ourselves for the new secular
year without cleaning up from the year
before. And how long do we really
keep our New Year’s resolutions, any-
way? Gym memberships expand by
huge amounts (no reference to pound-
age) at the beginning of January, but
by March or April exercise classes have
gone back down to their November
numbers.

Judaism imposes different expectations
upon us than our secular mores do. It
is not enough to try to change and do
better in the future. We must deal with
our past relationships before we can
move into the New Year.

Leon and I went to Montreal at the
beginning of August to visit our moth-
ers. As usual, we went to a local kosher
bakery to pick up bread and goodies to
bring home. We almost always bring
an empty suitcase with us for bread
and bagels. This time I made an order
in advance because I wanted to get
round challahs for the High Holidays.
We went in person before Shabbat to
place the order for Sunday morning
pick-up and had a wonderful conver-
sation with the owners-an older reli-
gious couple with Hungarian accents.

On Sunday morning, we dutifully
went at the appointed time to pick up

May this New Year be one of joy, happiness,
and good health. May we celebrate
community and family and strive to
strengthen the bonds between us.
May we continue to hold Israel dear
to our hearts and wish for peace—
for her, and for all the world.

from the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass

UShanahTovah

4 I September 2010 Shqlpm

our breads and were told that some
employees had not shown up after
Shabbat ended the night before and
our order was not ready. We were told
that it would be ready by noon and
that I could call ﬁrst to make sure.

I called and was told that the order
would not be ready until about 1:00
p.m. On our way to the airport at 1:45,
we stopped at the bakery to pick up
our challahs and we were told by the
lovely owner that she had sold them
when we didn't show up at noon. We
were very upset at the misunderstand-
ing, but how could we stay upset when
this wonderful, older woman said to
us over and over: ”Please don’t be an-
gry with me, darling, it’s almost Rosh
Hashanah!”

My angry reaction was halted imme-
diately! How indeed could I remain
angry with someone who believed
fully in the obligation to seek forgive—
ness for any thoughts and / or deeds
which might have been offensive or
done in error?

80, to my family and friends: I seek
forgiveness for any thoughts or deeds
I have committed throughout the past
year that caused you pain in any way.
This includes any things that I may
have done by omission—any friendly
calls you did not receive, assistance not
offered, and any other ways in which I
may have offended you.

We all have such a limited time on
this earth—we must use the time

to the best of our abilities. We must
constantly strive to do better, both for
ourselves and for all those around us.
Hopefully, it will involve a continued
and growing commitment to our com-
munity through Jewish Federation of
the Bluegrass.

Shanah Tovah! With hopes for a won-
derful year full of good health, joy, and
peace. a

SA E THE DATE

COMEDY NIGHT
SAT NOV 6 ZOIO

Mike Scanlan’s fleetwood Garage
540 East 2"(1 Street

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Ask A Rabbi

Rabbi Moshe Smolkin

: If u non-Jewish person converts to

Judaism and then reverts to his or
her original religion, what is the person ’s
standing in the Jewish community?

: A preliminary answer can be

found within Rabbi Yosef Caro’s
Shulchan Aruch (from the 16th centu—
ry). Concerning a man who is convert-
ing, it says:

Once he has immersed in a mikveh,
he is like any other Jew. If he returns
to his prior religion, then he is like
any other apostate Jew, and therefore
if he betroths a Jewish woman, his
betrothal is a valid one. (Shulchan
Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, 268:2)

Here we have what appears to be a
clear answer to our question. A person
who converts is like any other Jew.
And one who subsequently returns

to the prior religion is simply like any
other apostate Jew.

Traditionally, apostates would be cut
off from the Jewish community. Not
only would they be varred from the
synagogue, Jews would not even do
business with them. And yet at the
same time, the Jewish community
would consider them to be Jewish and
would hold them accountable for their
actions with respect to Judaism. More-
over, the Jewish community would
continue to hope for their return to
Judaism.

Today, I would hope that we would
mainly focus on the last part, remain-
ing open to the Jewish apostate and
hoping for a choice to return to Jewish-
ness. Such a person might not be able
to come to synagogue to lead services,
but I would hope that we would
remain warm, making it possible for

a return. And even if a person does
not choose to return to Judaism, let us
nonetheless continue to show the same
compassion and respect that we must
have for everyone.

Let us now consider another text from
Rabbi Yosef Caro’s Shulchan Aruch.

When one comes to convert, we
investigate whether they are
motivated to convert for money, for
power, or from fear. If it is a man, we
investigate whether he is motivated
to convert for a Jewish woman.

And if it is a woman, we investigate
whether she is motivated to convert
for a Jewish man.

If no improper pretext is found, we
inform them about the challenges of
living a Jewish life so that they might
abandon conversion. However, if
they should accept the challenges,
and we see that they are motivated
from a love of Judaism, we accept
them.

If we did not investigate their
motivation or we failed to inform
them of the rewards and
punishments for compliance or
violation of the commandments, yet
there was circumcision [for a man}
and immersion in a mikveh [for both
genders] that was done under the
auspices of three Jews, then their
conversion is valid.

Even if it is known that their
motivation for conversion was
improper, once there was
circumcision [for a man] and
immersion in a mikveh [for both
genders], they are no longer non-
Jews, though we remain dubious
concerning them until they
demonstrate their honest
commitment to Judaism.

Even if they return to their prior
religion, they are like any other
apostate Jew whose betrothal is
valid. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah,
268212)

With this text, Rabbi Yosef Caro adds

a new piece to the puzzle: the issue of
motivation. One is supposed to convert
to Judaism as a result of a love of the
Jewish ways, and not for an ulterior
motive.

In our time, while there may be many
motivating factors, love does often
enter the mix. Even a person who
converts merely for love is considered
a Jew just like any other Jew, and yet
here Rabbi Yosef Caro inserts an inter-
esting caveat. The community formally
acknowledges the convert’s Jewish-
ness, though there may remain some
doubts concerning sincerity until the
convert demonstrates an honest com-
mitment to Judaism.

With this text, Rabbi Yosef Caro raises
an important issue: the difference

between the letter of the law and the
spirit of the law. Rabbi Yosef Caro
notes that according to the letter of the
law, as long as a person converts under
the auspices of three Jews and there

is circumcision and immersion in a
mikveh, then the person is fully Jewish.
However, Rabbi Yosef Caro suggests
that if the convert’s motivation was
not pure, then that person may eas-

ily abandon Judaism if the alternative
reason for being Jewish disappears. As
such, in terms

In reviewing
the Shulchan
Aruch and
the Mapah,
we can
therefore see
that Juda-
ism would claim that the convert who
returns to the prior religion is Jewish.
A further question we can ask is: What
is the status of the children?

If the children continued

of the spirit
of the law,
the convert’s
Jewishness
is suspect.

In our time, while there may be
many motivating factors, love does they are not only Jewish
often enter the mix. Even a person by the letter of the law,

who converts merely for love is

their Jewish observance,
there is no question that

but also by the spirit of

The only way considered a Jew just like any other the law.

However, if the child ren

to be fully Jew, and yet here Rabbi Yosef Caro

accepted, inserts an interesting caveat. The

in terms of community formally acknowledges followed the parent in
the Spirit of the convert’s Jewishness, though

the law, is if,
over a period
of time, one
demonstrates
an honest , W" , , .____
commitment

to Judaism.

Rabbi Moshe Isserles formalizes the
spirit of the law in his commentary

to the Shulchan Aruch, known as the
Mapah (also from the 16th century).
Right after Rabbi Yosef Caro mentions,
”Even if they return to their prior reli-
gion, they are like any other apostate
Jew whose betrothal is valid,” Rabbi
Moshe Isserles comments:

An apostate Jew who returns to
Judaism does not technically need to
immerse in a mikveh, but by a
rabbinic decree, they should
immerse in a mikveh and formally
express their commitment to
Judaism under the auspices of three
Jews. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah,
268212)

Rabbi Moshe Isserles is not disputing
the letter of the law that a convert who
returns to the prior religion is still a
Jew. Rather, he is formalizing the spirit
of the law by an obligation to quasi
re-convert.

In a sense, he is saying, ”Yes, we accept
that you are technically Jewish, but
before we can fully embrace you as a
fellow Jew, you must formally express

. your commitment to Judaism"-

there may remain some doubts
concerning sincerity until the then?
convert demonstrates an honest
commitment to Judaism.
____..AA~,,_AA provides us with an ini—

practicing another reli-
gion, what is their status

A gain Rabbi Yosef Caro

tial answer. Concerning
a male apostate, he says: " 5"“ "7

If a Jewish apostate betroths a Jewish
woman, his betrothal is valid, and
she would need a get [a Jewish
divorce document] to divorce. And
even if his son, who was born after
he became an apostate, should
betroth a Jewish woman, his son’s
betrothal is valid. This is provided
that the son is born of a Jewish
woman, even a Jewish woman who
is herself an apostate. (Shulchan
Aruch, Even HaEzer, 44:9)

Again we see that by the letter of the
law, the children would be Jewish.
And yet, I would say that like the case
above, if the children wish to return
to Judaism, then they should formally
acknowledge their Jewishness.

In all of these cases, we see that the
person is technically Jewish but is
considered an apostate and held at a
distance from the community. As we
acknowledge that truth, I would also
ask us to keep in mind another teach-
ing from our tradition. This teaching
from the Talmud cautions us concern-
ing our behavior toward those who
may diverge from the path:

see Ask A Rabbi, page 19
September 2010 Shalom | 5

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From the Director

Judy B. Wortman

As I sit here to write my New Year greet-
ing to the community, it is 95 degrees
outside. As I have said in my earlier
columns, our deadline for Shalom is the
10th of the prior month, so we often feel
out of synch with the publication date.
It is therefore very hard to get myself
spiritually ready for the High Holidays
when I feel like it i