xt7rn872zr1x https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7rn872zr1x/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2005-03 Newspaper of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, previously named the Central Kentucky Jewish Association and Central Kentucky Jewish Federation. Published ten times annually. The Federation seeks to bring Jewish community members together through holiday parties, lectures, Yiddish courses, meals, and other celebrations of Jewish heritage and culture. They also host fundraisers and provide financial assistance for Jews in need, both locally and around the world. This collection is part of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records, 2016ms010. newsletters 2016ms010 English Central Kentucky Jewish Federation Inc  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass records Jews -- Kentucky -- Lexington Jews -- History Shalom, March 2005 text image Shalom, March 2005 2005 2005-03 2025 true xt7rn872zr1x section xt7rn872zr1x  
  

    

 

Super Sunday

On February 27, our community
volunteers came together, as we do
every year, to reach out to as many
Jewish families in Central Kentucky
as we possibly can. Why do we do it?

We do it because community is about
people, and every member of our
community should have the
opportunity to be part of our
enterprise, because every member of
our community is the Federation. It
is not about how much people give,
but about the fact that they join
others to support our work here at
home, nationally, in Israel, and
throughout the Jewish world.

Think what we do at home; Camp
Shalom comes to mind as one of our
most visible programs, and Jewish

:amil} f't‘H ices as our main tool to

     

Tikkun Lexington helps us to bring
people together to do the right thing,
whether it is volunteering on the Day
of Giving, visiting the Stewart Home,
cooking meals for community
members, or the myriad other ways
we help each other and our friends
in the broader Lexington community.

Nationally, we advocate for the
issues our community is passionate
about, such as social justice,
separation of Church and State,
equal opportunity, countering anti-
Semitism and all other forms of
discrimination. We also plan
strategies for the future of the Jewish
community in America by
supporting Jewish .education and the
Hillel Foundation on campus and the
Iiirthright Israel Taglit, program to

 

h a I O m tie

Serving the Central Kentucky Jewish Community Since 1962
MARCH 2005

ADAR I-ADAR II

Newspaper of the Central
Kentucky Jewish Federation

h Feera

y.
”be! Ken‘“(' .

5765

A Scholar's Purim Toyre

By Stanley Neil Rosenbaum

The holiday of Purim is the one day in all the year on which Jews are
encouraged to get drunk. For this alone it deserves a place of honor in the
liturgical calendar. Ironically, the Book of Esther, in which the story is found,
almost failed to make it into the canon of the Writings, the third section of
TaNaKh, probably completed around 100 c.e.

Some rabbis were unwilling to include Esther because it is the only book in
Scripture that does not contain the Name of God. The Dead Sea Scroll
collectors of Qumran, in fact, omitted it from their collection, probably for this
reason. Today some point to the practice of dressing in costume as analogous
to the presence of God hidden behind the story.

There was, however, another reason for excluding Esther that the rabbis
probably didn't know: it's pure fiction. Herodotus, the Greek historian who
was nearly contemporary with Purim's setting, informs us that queens of
Persia were carefully chosen from seven selected Persian families. Even if
Esther looked like Bess Myerson (the first Jewish Miss America, 1945), there is
no way that King Ahasuerus would have chosen his bride from a beauty contest.

Purim probably derives from a Persian spring festival. The name Esther comes
from the Persian goddess Ishtar. Uncle IVIordecai's name from Marduk, the city

   

 

Cutting into the spirit ofa Women’s Seder.

    

 

 

Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

i050 Chinoe Road 0 Suite 203 0 lexington, KY 40502

Change Service Requested

 

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
lexington, KY
Permit it 719

 

 

 

 

This year the Community Women's
Seder will take place at Temple
Adath Israel on Sunday, April 17,
2005 at 4:00 pm. If you were able to
attend last year's Community
Women's Seder, you might remember
the difference between a traditional
seder and one from a woman's
perspective. Key to the celebration of
seders is reclining, relaxing, and
rejoicing, but women at home are
often so tired from cleaning and from
preparing and serving the meal that
relaxation is impossible. Another
element is meeting and welcoming
strangers. In a small Jewish
community, it is Vital that we all
strive for unity and have a place
where those who might not know
each other can meet and set aside
time to reflect together on the role
that Jewish women have played
throughout history, and continue to
play on a day-to—day basis.

The Community Women's Seder is
being held before the traditional
seder so the women who attend can
lead, learn, and even share a few
new recipes to take home and try out
with their own families. The
Community Women's Seder aims to
provide an opportunity to enjoy
sisterhood, beautiful music, and a

Women's Community seder Offers F emale Perspective

thought—provoking service. This year,
songs will be led by Aviva Bowling,
whose beautiful voice, inflected by
her Israeli heritage is a delight for the
ears. Service leaders include Aviva,
Gail Cohen, Cindy Derer, and Colby
Cohen—Archer. Thank you to those
who spend so much time to create
such a beautiful day.

The same Ma’yan Passover
Haggadah, Thy Journey Contiruu’s,
will be used in this seder as in the
past five years. It is written from the
female perspective but includes
traditional rituals and songs as well.
If you have been to a previous seder,
please bring your book; if you need a
book, simply request one on the
registration form and it will be
waiting when you arrive.

Everyone is expected to participate
in some way, great or small. We have
several tasks still unassigned, so
don't be shy when you fill out the
registration form. Set-up and food
preparation are the two biggest areas
in which we still need help. Also, it is
always nice for people to stay a few
minutes afterwards to help with
clean-up.

see Women’s Seder, page 13

 

 

., amaumsudd: g “5:..- ,7 '»:

 

  

IN THIS ISSUE:

Anti—Semitism .................................... 3
President's Message ................................ 4
Hadassah's 7th Annual Fun-Raiser ...................... 4
Know Your Board ................................. 5
Purim Masked Ball to be Held at TAl March 19 .............. 5
Herald-Leader to Publish Holocaust Supplement ............ 5
From the Executive Director .......................... 6
Accepting Nominations for Kenneth Freedman Award ....... 7
Camp Shalom Is on the Move ......................... 7
One World Film Series to Show Paperc/i'ps ............... 7
Rabbi's Corner .................................... 8
Celebrate 350: New World, New Century ................ 9
CKJF to Sponsor Spring Concert ....................... 9
Wurmser Family Attends WWll Memorial Dedication ....... 1O
Tikkun Lexington Update ........................... 1 1
Hillel Happenings ................................. 12
Calling All 10- to 13-Year—Old Campers ................. 12
Unbiased Media Coverage of lsrael: It Can Be Done ........ 13
Books Explore Jewish identity ........................ 13
34th Annual Music Festival Celebrates 350 Years .......... 14
Technically Alive and Very Well ....................... 15
Significant Increase in Israeli Poverty in 2003 ............. 16
ISRAEL21c: Israeli Device Enables Tracking of Individuals ..... 16
B’tayavon ...................................... 17
Ask JFS ........................................ 19
Maccabee Award Goes to Local Cub Scout .............. 20
Lexington Havurah News ........................... 21
Hadassah News ......................... 7 ........ 21
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs .................... '. . . . . , .21
TAI News ....................................... 22
OZS News ...................................... 23
Community Calendar .............................. 24

 

sbALom

Published ten times per year by the
Central Kentucky Jewish Federation, Inc.
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 203, Lexington, KY 40502
Phone (859) 268-0672 0 Fax (859) 268-0775
email: shalom®jewishlexington.org

March 2005, Volume XII, Issue 2
David Feinberg, President
Daniel Chejfec, Executive Director
Jana LaZur, Activities Director
Stacey Heisler, JFS Director

Shalom Committee
Ruth Poley, Editor-in-Chief
Mary Heléne Rosenbaum, Editor/Administrator
Marcia Blacker, Editorial Board
Judy Levine, Editorial Board

Contributing Writers
Vivian Bitensky, Kathy Feinberg, Evelyn Dantzic Geller, Judy Levey,
Stanley Ned Rosenbaum, Mark Schneider, Allison Kaplan Sommer,
and Jerry Wurmser

Production Services by Direct Response, Inc.

The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted
for publication in sbALom. The appearance of any advertising in this
publication does not represent a kashruth endorsement on the part of CKJF
or any other agency or organization. sbALom is supported by the
advertisements appearing in the paper.

© 2005 by Central Kentucky Jewish Federation

 

 

2 - mARCb 2005 sbALom

Mazel Tov to...
0 Havi and Neil Troffkin of 028 on the birth of their son Soren Ron Troffkin.

0 Gloria Rie upon being appointed chair of the Lexington Fayette Human Rights
Commission. She will also be one of three recipients of the Kentucky Council of
Christians and Jews’ Humanitarian Award at a dinner to be held April 12, 5:30-
9:00 pm. at the Marriott. For tickets or further details call (859) 255-6999.

Refuah Shlemah (Get Well Wishes) to...

° Harold Frankel

Condolences to...

0 Harriet and Leon Cooper and the extended Cooper family on the death of
Harriet's sister, Eleanor Rudman.

0 Robert and Elizabeth Scher on the death of Elizabeth’s mother, Frances
Bramlage, on January 28.

' Sue Dworkin on the death of her father, Joseph Dworkin, on February 16.
0 Nancy Amster and family on the death of her husband, Leon, on February 17.

We Note With Sadness the Passing of...
Joseph Wile, husband of the late Louise Wile. May his memory be for a blessing.

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shalom @jewishlexington.org

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Wages, Central Kentucky
“£5366 Jewish Federation

CKJF President:
David Feinberg

Executive Committee:

Michael Grossman, Vice President
Phillip Berger, 2nd Vice President
Ginger Knight, Treasurer

Pat Shraberg, Secretary

Ruth Poley, Member At—Large

I DON'T MISS OUT! I

Get this paper delivered CKJF Board:

 

I
I F R E E I Ray Archer Mimi Kaufman
I to your home ten times per yeah I Rachel Belin Steve Kesten
I Mail your name and address to: I MarCia BlaCker Judy Levey
I I Gail Cohen Art Lieber
SbAlom /CKJF Vicki Doukas Gloria Rie
I 1050 Chinoe, Rd., Suite 203 I Gerald Dubilier Lisa Satin
I ”Xing‘ggifosm I Stanley lsenstein Walter Solomon
I shalom@jewishlexington.org | Odette Kaplan Carole Wilson
I

 

 

 

 Generation Chai: Anti-Semitism

The word "anti-Semitism" was coined in 1879 How far has the negative labeling of Jews Participantsz

and implies that Jews are members of a
separate and dangerous "race." The term

combines older stereotypes about Judaism

with the racist thinking of the 19th century.

Why do you think Jews have been
singled outfor discrimination
throughout history?

Jordan: When something goes
wrong, the natural thing is to want to
blame someone. Everyone does that.
So it’s easier to blame the minority
rather than the majority because they
can’t defend themselves as much.
Jews have just always been. It’s like a
trend. I think it’s just because there’s
less of us.

Becca: I think you have a really
good point. Jews have always been
the minority and they do tend to.
segregate themselves from the
populace. It’s easy to look to Jews as
being the problem.

Solomon: The fact that Jews have
always been the minority is not
exactly true. Before Christianity
came about, Jews were more in the
majority. Jewish people becoming

    

Christianity came a t and Sgt-tinge”

splitting people.

Over your lifetinu's, as far as anti-
Semitism 1'; concerned, do you think
things have gotten better or worse for
Jews in Kentucky?

Jordan: It’s hard to know if it’s
gotten better or worse because it’s ‘
hard to know if you've just gotten
used to it. At school when we were
younger (I go to a small private
school with mainly the same kids for
the past twelve years), no one really
knew what Judaism was. They were
all mainly Christian. When
Christmas time came around, we
decorated the room for Christmas
but my Mom always came in to give
a little demonstration about
Hanukkah. And ever since then, my
friends have thought being Jewish
was cool and they came to my Bat
Mitzvah and stuff like that. But
when you go outside your comfort
zone, I think there is anti—Semitism.
When I went to public school for one
year and not everyone knew me,
there was one kid making Jewish
jokes. And it really hurt my feelings
and I didn’t even know what to do
about it because I’d never been
exposed to that before.

‘cgnvention" or "You’re goi to Jew camp." I wouldn’t
“M6!” SSW " ' " _ swampwew

come since then in Central Kentucky, in the
United States, and in the world at large?

In this Generation Chai roundtable, facilitated

Becca Knight, 16 (facilitator)
Ittai Eres, 14

Jordan Barnhill, 17

Sarah Stephan, 17

Solomon Alkhasov, 15

by Becca Knight, an intrepid group of local

teens aims to find out.

 

Left to right, Ittai Eres, Becca Knight, Solomon Alkhasov, Jordan Barnhill, and
sara Stephan.

Adult Coordinator:
Rachel Belin

that. And you know, that amount of
consideration needs to be taken seriously. Jews
should stand up for other Jews, even though you
may sometimes laugh it off, some people may
not. I think it’s pretty important that we stand
up for each other.

Let’s turn the tables. Have you ever had an
experience where you, out of ignorance or malice, said
something offensive to a minority?

Solomon: I’m in the Magnet program in Dunbar
and half the people there are Indian. And they
call themselves "brown." And that’s just normal.
I went out with some of them once and there was
this other Indian kid from Henry Clay and he
wasn’t used to being called "brown" and I just

 

Becca: A lot of people don’t know a lot about Judaism
because they’re not really educated on it. A lot of times
because they’re raised with that ignorance, it makes them
uncomfortable around someone who’s different.

Solomon: People know me at school as being Jewish and
even if they don’t know what Judaism is, it’s just in a
very bad way, a joke. Like, "Oh, you’re going to a Jew

Sarah: I’ve actually been very fortunate that I haven’t
experienced much anti-Semitism in Kentucky. Sometimes
in school, people ask me questions of curiosity. Especially
teachers. And I try to answer them.

Becca: When I was on my class trip to Washington, DC,
we got stuck at this Shoney's for several hours, and to
pass the time a lot of us played poker. And I played with
this group of guys that love to stereotype everyone. And
every time I won the pot, someone else had a big loss and
they would say, "Oh, you got Jewed." I was just like, "Oh,
it’s not a big deal." But another one of my friends who is
Jewish overheard it and he became really offended. He
was like, "Dude, that’s not cool." It is a big deal because
even though, yeah, sometimes stereotypes can be funny, a
lot of people take them pretty literally and they don’t like

  

mentioned it once and he quite literally blew up.
I was like, "Whoa, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be
offensive. At all."

How do you feel about the documented rise of global anti-
Semitism?

Ittai: Since September 11, there are not as many anti-
Semitic jokes that I’ve heard as anti—Middle Eastern jokes.

has gone’ ' down-a Etfie 1;!st
Israel, especially since the Iraqi war. So while in Europe
it’s increased, I’m not exactly sure why that would be.

 

Can you be anti-Zionist and not be anti-Semitic?

Ittai: Well, I have a friend whose dad is anti-Zionist and
he’s Jewish, so I would think so. He’s just a pacifist.

Becca: There's a difference between being against Israeli
policy and being against Israel itself. In America, you can
be against the President and against his policies, but it
doesn’t mean you’re against America.

Are we too comfortable with anti-Semitism growing up in
Central Kentucky?

see Anti-Semitism, page 15

 

The Central Kentucky Jewish Federation is now accepting application requests for:

CAMPERSHIPS

* CAMPERSHIPS to non-profit Jewish camps
* SCHOLARSHIPS for lsrael programs

The Application Deadline is

‘t‘fi‘t‘i Fedé‘rgéb
st 0

9 a5

Wear MY“)

MARCH 31 . 2005

Send your 2005 application in soon so
your child can be considered for this year.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

To request application call 859—269-8244 or email ifs@jewishlexington.org

 

mARCl) 2005 stan . 3

 

 President's Message

 

I Found My Thrill
on Blueberry Hill(e|)

09+

It is time for me to write my column.
What is it to be? Should I write about
Super Sunday? No, that will be over
by the time this edition of Shalom is
printed. How about the need for
more people to communicate with
our editor-in-chief of Shalom, Ruth
Foley? 1 could write about that. I
could write about the need for more
people "in the know" in the
community giving us ideas about
what is happening in the various and
sundry corners of our community. I
could suggest that such people
actually write a story for Shalom. No,
I have written about that already.
Maybe I could write something on
Camp Shalom. It is going to be bigger
than ever. I can talk about new
proposed programs. No, it is too
summery a topic. I will write about it
closer to application time.

David Feinberg

It is about time I write about Hillel.
Hillel’s long—time devoted faculty
adviser, Austin Cantor, has decided
to step down. He has done a
wonderful job for a very long time. I
do not think Austin has received the
acknowledgment he deserves for his
many years of service

and very good company. They
obviously had a good time with each
other and enjoyed socializing and
eating some wonderful homecooking.
Jana LaZur, CKJF’s community
coordinator for Hillel (and many
other programs) continued her good

 

to Hillel. I want to take
this opportunity to
thank him for his (and
Susan’s) tireless efforts
on Hillel’s behalf. We
need someone with
passion and interest in
seeing that our college-

We need someone with passion and interest
in seeing that our coilege-age young people

are involved with the Jewish community and
engaged in establishing a community unto

themselves.

 

 

age young people are

involved with the Jewish community
as well establishing a community
unto themselves.

Last year Kathy and I hosted a Hillel
dinner and a few (but charming)
students came. This year about 20
students, some from the University of
Louisville’s Hillel, came to our home.
It was a wonderful experience. The
students were enthusiastic, polite,

Camp Shalom
2005

Camp Shalom 2005

is now hiring
Counselors (ages 15+)
Group Leaders (ages 13+)

CITS (counselors in training) (ages 14+)

August. 14:2. 2&5

at the

BlueGrass Christian Cam

please call CKJF .3? 2618.057

2 ext. All for on application

 

 

work at keeping the program vibrant
and supplied with programs. The
only shock was that college students
are so much younger than they used
to be.

Thank you, Austin, for a job well
done. However, once again Uncle
Dave wants YOU. If there are
interested faculty or UK staff please
feel free to nominate yourselves. We

would love to hear from you. We
need someone with passion and
interest in seeing that our college—age
young people are involved with the
Jewish community and engaged in
establishing a community unto
themselves. We would also like to
entertain ideas for developing a space
in which Hillel students could hang
out over on campus. It is much more
difficult for us to have a stable and
growing program without a
consistent meeting place. Having an
identifiable place with their Hillel
"stuff" in it is a way to bridge the
periods when there are no formal
programs planned.

So, if you would like a thrill. Please
nominate yourself as the next Hillel
faculty adviser.

 

Hadassah's 7th Annual
F un—Raiser Promises a

Great Time

Silent and Live Auctions to be Featured along
with Mediterranean Food

#60

Hadassah invites the community to a
Middle Eastern feast and Slim;
(bazaar) with live music, traditional
Middle Eastern foods, and live and
silent auctions at its seventh annual
fundraiser. The event will take place
at Temple Adath Israel on Saturday
evening March 5 at 6:30 pm. Thanks
to the generosity of Central
Kentucky's merchants, the auctions
promise to have many unusual and
beautiful items. Alan Stein has
graciously donated Legends tickets
and a surprise to go with them. Or
you can bid on a condo in Florida,
Disney tickets, or original art by local
artists. There will be jewelry, books,
music, baskets of foods, children's
items, service items, and much more.

‘l he evening will begin v. ith \\ me.
hors d’oeuy res, and Israeli music

\\ hile you wander through the slim]
\vhere hawkers will entice you to bid
on silent auction items. When the

three stars rise, there will be a
Havdalah service followed by the
blessing of the wine and bread. Then
the feast (dairy) and live
entertainment begin. Finally, the live
auction with a surprise auctioneer
(or two) and a special auction item
brought from Israel for this occasion
alone. You must be there for the live
auction.

For those of you who may have to
miss this very special event, the
silent auction items will be featured
online one week before the event.
Bids will be taken up until 5:00 pm.
the evening of March 4. The highest
bid will be placed on the bidding
sheet for the following evening‘s
silent auction. Check at your Sunday

.: , . .
Skll‘l“lT"i-,iillii ‘
‘1

HT“ \x'VLIllLl tu't'h -:.
l'ebi nary tor more about this exiting
merit, and buy your rattle tickets
early tor the special rattle items.

em Fun-Raiser UJIW ’3

 

 

Chi—l omnn<

none

 

 Know Your Board

Stanley Ned Rosenbaum

 

Carole Wilson is originally from
New York City; she met her husband,
Terry, on a blind date in Brooklyn.
They've been married for 42 years
and have two grown children: David,
in Atlanta with his wife Rachel and
their two children, and Cheryl in
Seattle. Carole has lived in Lexington
for 30 years. The Wilsons are
members of the Lexington Havurah.

Presently employed as a reading
specialist and library counselor for
the Fayette County Schools, in her
“spare time” Carole has been
president of Hadassah. In this, her
second time on the CKJF Board, she
is acting as Hadassah representative.
As past chair of JFS, she chaired the
search committee for the new JFS
director. She is also past chair of the
Young Judea Camp Committee, and
currently serves as development
chair for that group.

When asked about her hobbies, she
laughed. She likes to read but these
days this quintessentially public-
spirited citizen only has time for
professional journals. Little wonder.

 

Gail Cohen is also from New York—
Manhattan. She met her Brooklyn-
born husband, Ernie, at a Hillel
function at Hofstra and they have
been married for '46 years. (ls a two—
borough marriage considered
“mixed"?) They have lived here since
1968; their children grew up here.
Elaine, her husband Steve, and their
two children live in Chicago. Alex,
his wife Sara and their three children
live in Vancouver, Washington. Gail
said that her favorite ”hobby” is
visiting the grandchildren.

Like Carole Wilson, Gail Cohen is a
serious community—oriented person.
Her credentials include: past
president of the Federation, national
board member of Hadassah, and
present president of the Lexington
Havurah. (The Cohens are also
members of Ohavay Zion.)

February was Gail's last month
working at the Sanders-Brown
Center on Aging. After that she hopes
to cajole a new knee to carry her
back onto the tennis court. And, of
course, retirement will allow her more
time for visiting her grandchildren.

 

 

859.231.0464

 

 

For all the celebrations in life!

Dupree Catering

1006 Delaware Avenue
fax 859.253.1727

www.dupreecatering.com

 

 

 

Tj—Pfi-fim Masked Ball t o 1) e H er (dd-Leader t0 Publish Jana

Held at TAI March 19

Fund Raiser to Feature Dinner, Dancing,
Auctions, and General Merriment

969

By Ruth Poley

Save the date—on Saturday, March
19, Temple Adath Israel will host a
masked ball in celebration of Purim.
Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be
followed by a three-course dinner
(served at your table), dancing,
entertainment, and both live and
silent auctions. The services and
items available for auction will
surprise and delight you.

We encourage everyone to come in
costume, but if that’s more than you
can handle, please come in festive
attire. Masks are required, regardless
of what’s on the rest of your body.

The cost for this evening of fun and
festivity is a mere $35 per person,
which includes hors d’oeuvres,
dinner and wine, and an all around
great party. For $50 per person you

 

get hors d’oeuvres, dinner, your own
personal bottle of wine (per couple),
a fabulous mask, and the great party.
A contribution of $75 per person will
give you hors d’oeuvres, dinner,
champagne, an even more fabulous
mask, and, of course, the great party.
If you can’t make it to the early part
of the evening and want to skip
dinner but still come to the
aforementioned great party, $10 per
person will buy admission to the
dancing and entertainment.

Members of TAI will be receiving
invitations in the mail, but the whole
community is welcome. If you are
not a member of the Temple but
would like to join us, please call 269-
2979 for an invitation.

 

 

Holocaust [Supplement

for Schools

The Jewish community has been
approached to help in a wonderful
educational program for Central
Kentucky. The project is part of the
"Newspapers in Education" program
of the Lexington Herald-Leader and it
will focus on teaching about cultural
diversity and tolerance utilizing the
lessons of the Shoah (Holocaust).

Newspapers in Education is a
nonprofit program of the paper, and
it has provided, and continues to
provide, newspapers as educational
tools to more than 800 schools in 72
counties in Eastern and Central
Kentucky. This particular issue, a
supplement called ”Holocaust: We
are witnesses," is planned to mark
the 60th anniversary of the liberation
of Auschwitz.

The total cost of the project is
approximately $20,000, of which they
have already secured $15,000. As a
community, we are asked to help in
raising the additional $5,000. A

separate account has been

established in our system to manage
this effort, in a way similar to our
joint efforts several years ago for the
Jewish Community Habitat for
Humanity project. Sponsorship of the
newspaper supplement will be listed
as "Central Kentucky Jewish
Community," and we are asking you
to join us on this project.

Please make your contributions
payable to ”CKJF,” indicating in the
memo line ”NIE” (Newspapers in
Education). The contributions will be
deposited in a dedicated account.
Mail the checks to our offices, 1050
Chinoe Road, Suite 203, Lexington,
KY 40502, before March 20. We can
all together make a difference. If you
have any questions about the project,
feel free to call Daniel Chejfec at
CKJF, Rabbi Kline, or Rabbi Cohen.
Thank you for your support.

m/lRCb 2005 stan - 5

 

 

 From the Executive Director

#

Don't cry "Gevalt!"

Keep Perspective
§ § +

In my line of work, and meeting with
many diverse groups in Lexington, I
have discovered that very often
people—and sometimes I am one of
them—prefer to blame somebody
else for a problem rather than doing
something to fix it. This shifting of
blame takes many forms, such as
blaming the system or creating a
distorted picture of reality that
provides us with an explanation
which takes away our responsibility
on the issues. It makes us feel better,
because it becomes somebody else’s
problem.

Unfortunately such an attitude does
not change the facts, and that is true
whether the facts refer to
homelessness in Lexington, peace in
the Middle East, or any other topic.
Let me give you some examples.

A few years back, a debate took place
in Israel that questioned the
rabbinical credentials of non-
Orthodox rabbis and, bv extension,
the le\\ isli t r'etleiitials ort tliosc

com erted by those rabbis, the issue
became known as the ”Who is a Jew"
debate. At the time and to some
extent even todayeit divided

 

American Jewry and created a rift
between some American Jews and
Israel. In other parts of the world the
issue was addressed differently. ln
Argentina, while I was growing up,
every conversion performed by the

Daniel Chejfec

Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano
(Conservative Movement) was co—
signed by Argentina’s chief rabbi——
who was Orthodox. No Argentinean
Jew by choice has ever had any
problem with being recognized as a
Jew in Israel. Which reaction was the
most effective?

easier to blame the system, which
“doesn’t listen to us.’

In Israel, the progressive religious
movements do not enjoy the same
power as the Orthodox. Some

American Jews blame this on “the

 

In many
communities
across America,
Jewish
organizations
complain that
other organizations
are ”trying to
steal” their
members and their resources, and
spend energy and time justifying
why theirs is the real, valid option. In
others, organizations pull together to
make maximum use of resources and
to set common goals—«in addition to
the individual goals of each
organization. Which attitude is
healthier? Which one represents true
leadership vision?

In our town we boast eight (yes,
eight) interfaith coalitions that rarely
talk to each other. Each one of them
\ltllllT\ to tart to: the same things
social jiistice, econoiiiit tairness. and
city development. Yet more often
than not each one of these groups
beats its own drum, and very often
these groups are lacking
representatives of one or more ethnic
or religious constituency. Some of
them are all talk; some of them do
not plan enough. Shouldn’t we all sit
together and come up with a more
comprehensive approach? No, it is

SAVE ems; mus

Spring Concert

performed by
The Lexington

Community Orchestra
will feature themes of Jewish Heroes

April to, 2005

 

3:00 pm.
at The Singletory Center for the Arts

Free and open to the public

 

“Tikkun” is an active noun; repairs
‘do not happen by themselves:
people make them happen.

lack of democracy in Israel" or ”the
need for religious pluralism in
Israel,” and they go around
demanding democratic reform while
they sit in Baltimore, or New York, or
elsewhere in the US. News flash:
Orthodox Jews represent l4 percent
of the lsraeli Jewish population, and
the vast majority of the other 86
percent defines itself as secular. If the
progressive religious movements
would do a better job in presenting
themselveswtto Israelis, there would
be more Conservative and Reform
lt‘\\ s .lllkl l‘\ ’lr. mm H mt yli‘mot‘ w
they \\ oiild be empimt led.
(onservalivt- and lx‘elorm Iiidaism
are simply not signiticant players in
Israeli society, although their
numbers are growing and they might
one day become even more
important than Orthodoxy So don't
blame lsraeli democracy , - peddle
your message!

Every culture defines in some way
the role of God and people in human
history. Judaism tells us that, as
humans, we have an active role in
defining the course of history, and
we can do it by helping to repair the
world—not just by trying to
determine who is to blame for
breaking it, but by rolling up our
sleeves and fixing it. ”Tikkun” is an
active noun; repairs do not happen
by themselves: people make them
happen.

The Jewish concept of repentance
involves three steps. The first is to
acknowledge what we have done
wrong, the second is to apologize to
all those affected by our wrong
actions, and the third is to change
what we do so as not to repeat the
error. Through most of this article I
identified what I believe we do
wrong. I am now openly apologizing
to those affected by my mistakes.
Last but not least, I invite you to j