xt7v6w96bc9m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7v6w96bc9m/data/mets.xml Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass Kentucky Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass 2013-10 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, October 2013 text image Shalom, October 2013 2013 2013-10 2025 true xt7v6w96bc9m section xt7v6w96bc9m Shalom

 

October 201 3

Newspaper of

The Jewish Federation
Kerry???

OF THE BLUEGRASS

 

asst-IVAN $774

 

A Father’s Memory of
Persia

By Hanna B. Smith

David Shakib, a member of the Lexing-
ton Jewish community, recently pub-
lished his father’s
memoirs, Dardashti,
available at amazon.
com, His father, Mr.
Nematollah Shakib,
was born in Es—
fahan, Iran, in 1909,
into an old Dist-bib:
lishegjLwish fain-

1 y. He lived in Iran
until 1970 when he
and his wife immi-
grated to the United
States, to be near
their children who
were already living
here. The couple re-
sided in Lexington,
Kentucky, where

N ematollah died in
1993. His wife died
in 2007.

According to David Shakib, his fa-
ther was retired from his job with the
National Iranian Oil Company when
he came to Lexington. The elder Mr.
Shakib devoted the remainder of his
years to writing, an activity that gave

him much pleasure. He wrote for Farsi
magazines in this country on a variety
of topics relating to Judaism, social
events, and politics. He also translated
Abba Eban’s book, My People, into
Farsi. In addition, Nematollah wrote his
biography, which is also a history of the
Shakib family as well as a record of Jew—
ish life in Esfahan in
the 20‘h century.

“Dardashti,” the
book’s title, is the
name of one of the
three Jewish glu‘ttos
in Estahan V. hm»
the Shakib tam“,
lived, according to
David Shakib.

Iran in the early
part of the 20th
century was a poor
country and life
was hard. Life was
especially difficult
for Jews who were
considered second—
class citizens under
Islamic law. Worse
yet, under Shi’a
Islam, the state religion in Iran since the
16th century, non-Muslims, including
Jews, were considered ritually unclean.
Physical contact between Muslims and

see A Father’s Memory, page 8

 

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Jewish Federations Mobilize

in Response
to Historic
Colorado
Flooding

The Jewish Federations of North
America are mobilizing to help the vic-
tims of unprecedented flooding across
Colorado, which has swept through

3, 15 counties, killing five and displacing
i thousands of people w and the Jewish

community has not escaped the disaster.

The Jewish Federations today opened a
mailbox and online donation fund and
provided $50,000 in emergency aid. So
far more than 1,500 people are missing
in the flooding, which has wiped out

roads and bridges and destroyed or
damaged thousands of homes, busi—
nesses and institutions. Rain continued
to fall today, swelling flooded rivers and
hampering response efforts,

”Our hearts and prayers go out to lhv
people of Colorado," said JFNA Board
of Trustees Chair Michael Siegal. ”Jew-
ish Federations across North America
are working closely with the Allied
Jewish Federation of Colorado and will

see Colorado Flooding, page 21

w CAMPAIGNNEWS ‘———‘

Equine Division to host Kevin Flanery,

3 On Tuesday, October 15 at 6 pm, the
3 Equine Division of the Jewish Fed—

eration of the Bluegrass will meet for
a light supper and a talk by Kevin
Flanery, at the home of Antony and
Angela Beck at Gainesway Farms.

Mr. Flanery became the 13th president
of Churchill Downs Racetrack in 2009.
He came to Churchill Downs in 2005 as
vice president of national public affairs.
During his career, he held important
state government posts, including serv—
ing as secretary of the Finance and Ad-
ministration Cabinet of the Common-
wealth of Kentucky. Mr. Flanery holds

SPresident of Churchill Downs

a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology
from Bellarmine College and a juris
doctor from the University Of Kentucky
School Of Law,

Funds raised at the event will benefit
the Horseback Riding Therapy program
at Ben Yakir Youth Village in Israel. Ben
Yakir is a residential school and treat-
ment center for emotionally challenged
young boys and teenagers. at

For information and reservations, call Indy
Wortrmm at 268-0672 or send an email to
]fb@jewishlexington.org.

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Director's Message ........ 3 7 k i ,
Editorial 3 . g
JFS: At Your Service .. 4 a L ‘ 6 ”3:?
Third Annual Global Day ofJewish Learning is Coming... ................................... 5 new norms Home M Stings
Chagall and the Bible: Traveling Exhibition 5
Jewish Family Life 6
- Judaism and the Ethical Treatment of Animals ............................................... 6 , , , ‘
, 91 Library ,5 Almost Three Years Did 6 The P] Library IS a national program offered
oTeaching Children the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim .............................................. 7 locally, which mails free, high-quality and age
- ”You’re Not invitedz” 7 . . . , . .
1‘
Spoonful of Honeya Big Success 8 appropriate Jewrsh children s lite ature and musxc
AskA Rabbi 9 to families on a monthly basrs.
lsrael 21C: Peace prize for JeWiSh and Mus'im leaders """""""""""""""""""""" 10 All families raising Iewish children ages six months to eight years are welcome to enroll. [PB is proud
Hadassah Kle'Off LunCheon Scores POll’ltS ‘2 to ofier your family, through our partnership with local donors and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation,
UK. Department Of Jewish Studies Preview 14 this opportunity to explore the timeless core values of Iudaism through books and music.
B tayavon _ 15 Enroll your children or grandchildren today! Call us at 859.268.0672 or
The Lexington HaVUrah 16 visit www.pjlibrary.com and visit our Lexington community page.
Temple Adath lsrael 17
Ohavay Zion Synagogue 18
The Lexington Chapter of Hadassah 19 Lunch and Learn with our
B’nai Brlth 20 Lexington community rabbis
Around the Community 22 _ _
October 29 With Rabbi Sharon Cohen
‘ At 12 noon on the IastTuesday of each month.
a @ I I ' in the IFB office, rabbis, on a rotating basis,
will be discussing the holida s, the Torah
Published ten times per year by the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, Inc. portion of the week, and other topics of
1050 Chinoe Rd., Suite 112, Lexington, KY 40502 ~ - - -
Phone (859) 2680672 . Fax (859) 268.0775 mterest. A dairy lunch is, offered at a nominal
email: shalom@jewlshlexington.org charge. If you are interested m attending,
. OCTOBER 2013' VOLUME x, lSSUE 7 please call Judy Wortman at 859-268-0672
MichaeiGrossman, President m it" )uwlx l-‘u vigillrili 50 we can order lunch for you.
Judy Wortman, Executive Director W or m ENE

Tamara Ohayon, Marketing and Outreach Director
Mimi Kaufman. JFS Director
Lori Bernard, Coordinator of informal Jewish Education
Kathie Kroot. Administrator

SHALOM EDITORIAL BOARD
David AWortman, Editor-in-Chief
Hanna Smith, Chairperson
Jane Chaput. Susan Cobin. Betty Nigoff

 

  
 

 

 

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ni\ 'l‘hc‘lcu'isli Federation

OF YHE BLUEGRASS

Board Members

Jane Chaput Angie Ornstein
CONTRIgnggWRITER Executive Committee Susan Cobin Jenny Rice
Gail Cohen Kae Schennberg
LOC‘L DISTRIBUTION‘SERVICES Michael Grossman, President Jenn Garlin Pat Shraberg
Lowell and 3m" N'goff Evalyn Block, Vice President David Feinberg Marty Solomon
Production Services by Georgetown News-Graphic Hanna Smith, Secretary Mickey Hernandez Paul Tillier
The editorial staff has the right to edit all articles submitted for publication in Shalom. Articles should not ex- Gary Yams; Treasurer Larry Kant Elissa Weinstein
ceed 500 words The appearance of any advertising in this publication does not represent either a kashruth Bob Grossman, At—Large Minna Katz-Brown JUdy Worell
or any other endorsement on the part of the Federation or any other agency or organizations Seth Salomon, At—Large Amy Faust Mayer

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

Shalom is partially supported by the advertisements appearing in the paper.

Copyright 0 201 3. Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass. All rights reserved. For reprint permission contact
David ortman, Editor~in~Chiet Shalom, at shalomojewish xingtonorg

2 l October 2013 Shalom

 

Shalom Deadline

Deadline for articles for the November Shalom is October 10.
Email articles to shalom@jewishlexington.org

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Director's Message

Judy Wortman, Executive Director

 

This past summer David and I had the
pleasure of spending almost 2 weeks
in Brooklyn, NY with our newborn 6th
grandchild (and first granddaughter),
Naomi, big brother Shmuel, and son
and daughter-in law Ari and Zhanna.

Naomi will be starting her Jewish
education when she becomes 6 months
old and will begin receiving PJ Library
books (as her brother does) thanks to
the generosity of the Harold Grinspoon
Foundation and the New York Jewish
Federation. Our 6 year old twin grand-
sons Or and Lev also receive PJ Library
books thanks to the Grinspoon Foun-
dation and the San Francisco Jewish
Federation.

As I thought about this program which
begins children’s participation in Jewish
communal life, I realized how much my
family has benefited from the contribu-
tions of strangers to their federations.
Our grandchildren attend Jewish day
schools and JCC programs and day

" "camps. Our children also attended Jew-

ish day schools, Jewish resident camps,
and Hillel Foundations. One son went
on a Birthright trip to Israel and our two
daughters studied in Israel.

My parents took adult courses in Jewish
studies at Gratz College in Philadelphia
which is funded by the federation. My
mother in her older years was assisted
by Jewish Family Services. I spent many
years as a camper and staff member

in Jewish
communal
camps, and
my passion
for Jewish
camping led
me to become
a Jewish professional.

I guess this is all about ”paying it
forward." I am a contributor to our fed-
eration and a contributor to P] Library.
The funds that I donate serve other
people’s children in Lexington, Israel,
and around the world.

The Jewish community is a global one
and we are all responsible for one an-
other’s children, grandchildren, elderly
parents, etc. The familiar Jewish words,
Kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba zeh — all Israel
is responsible one for the other — has
great meaning in our mobile society
where children leave the city of their
parents at age 18 and rarely return.

I expect services to be available for my
family members wherever they may live
and I have assumed the responsibility
of providing for others in every commu-
nity in which I have lived.

As our world becomes smaller, let us
open our hearts even wider to ensure
that our families, wherever they live,
benefit from the myriad of programs

and services that Jewish Federations

sponsor worldwide. a

 

Dignified transportation

Voiimteer drivers
Fayette (Toasty , ..

 
 

 

iTNB/ue egress

for seniors

llzu e :1 drn ing desire

to help people"

me a Vt leer driver!

Drivers earn mileage credit which can be use

friend’s ride account Can’ tdn've at this time? Surprise an m, ‘ ’ ' .
member-rider with a gift certificate~ -we have them for all occasiOns!

For more infoumtiori about this program visit
_ _ www.imbhiegrass.org or call 859-252-8665

 

 

   
 

Editorial

David Wortman

 

By 1793, George Washington was enter-
ing his second term as President. Politic
began to split into two factions - the
Federalists under John Adams and the
anti~Federalists under Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson did not believe in political
parties, especially since there were none
during Washington’s first administra-
tion.

The Federalists and their opponents,
however, became increasingly bellig-
erent. So much so that the election of
1800 between Adams and Jefferson was
downright ugly. By the end of Jeffer-
son’s second term, he had accepted the
idea of a two party system and actually
thought it was good for the country.

Ever since then, campaigns have been
extremely vituperative. This also
became true of the Congress. Lincoln’s
campaign, administration, and Congress
were deeply divided. If one visits the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in
Springfield, IL, he or she would see an
entire wall of anti-Lincoln cartoons that
were published in northern newspapers.
They were repeated in the South, but
that was to be expected.

Such nastiness continued to modern
times. One need only think of the
Kennedy - Nixon, Carter — Bush, Gore
- Bush, and Obama -— McCain eras.
Frequently, the Congress, either the
House or the Senate, were controlled by
the party opposing the President. This
made it difficult for the President to en—
act legislation. Lincoln was barely able
to have the 13th Amendment, abolish-
ing slavery, passed.

Seldom, however, has the atmosphere

in Congress been as rancorous as it is
today. As of this writing, we are a week
away from a possible government shut-
down. We are three weeks from the US.
defaulting on its debts. Both sides have
dug in their heels and eschew compro-
mise. The impasse may seem irresolv-
able. Senator Cruz is currently filibuster-
ing the necessary government-funding
bill that will prevent fiscal crisis. The
Democrats seem equally unwilling to
try to find a middle ground, if there is
one.

Our elected officials have apparently
forgotten that they were elected to as-
sure that the wheels of government run
smoothly. They were not put into office
to create standstills in the process of
governing. Irrespective of one’s feelings
about Obamacare, there are so many
equally if not more important issues fac-
ing the Congress. It is time to stop the
unwillingness to let it appear that the
other side has "won."

Jefferson was committed to democratic
principles. He feared Hamilton’s at-
tempt at creating an American monar-
chy. However, he left in place Hamil-
ton’s other creations (such as national
banking system), despite his opposition.
He had a vision of politicians working
for the people, not for themselves. This
was echoed by Lincoln in his Gettys-
burg Address. If the idea of a people’s
democracy was maintained by two
Presidents in contentious times, how
much the more so do we need to resur-
rect their paths.

We must remember our past, to ensure
our future. I)

 

 

 

Our advertisers
support this paper.

advertisers.

 

 

October2013 Shalom | 3

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JFS: At Your Service

Mimi Kaufman, JFS Director

 

 

not have any
dental insur-
ance you may

Living in a to show up for an appointment without
University notice will result in no further appoint-
town certain— ment scheduled for you.

1y has its

advantages. This clinic also offers free dental check-
If you do ups for kids entering Kindergarten as

well as a ”Give Kids A Smile” program
in the Spring, which is a free dental
week to kids 12 and under.

want to check out the Bluegrass Com-

munity and Technical College Dental

Hygiene Clinic.

The basic clinic information is as fol-
lows. The fall semester started in Sep-
tember and will go through November.

They will be open again
January through April.
The costs are between
$10 and $35 for the visit,
depending on what year
of training your hygienist
is in. During your clean-
ing appointment you can
expect:

0 Health History

Evaluation

0 Dental History

Evaluation

0 Hard / Soft Tissue

Exam

' Oral Cancer Screen-

ing

0 X—rays, if needed

- Dental Cleaning

0 Polishing and Fluo-

ride Treatment.
Something to keep in
mind is that these are
long appointments as
you are helping students
learn, and the program
is committed to provid-
ing quality care, thus the
appointments are lengthy.
You will need to plan
for your appointment to
take 3 hours. Your dental
care will oonu'nuously be
evaluated by faculty to
assure appropriateness
and quality. You may need
multiple appointments
but you only pay once per

410cmber103351mlom

  

If you think that this sounds like a
program you would like to be a part of
or you have further questions give a call
or email to Melissa C. Kemp,RDH, clinic
Coordinator at 859-246-6235 or Melissa.
kemp@kctc.edu. 33

(pronounced “ray-key") is a hands-on
relaxation technique which helps to:
. Increase energy 8. stamina
Reduce the side effects of medications
improve sleep. as well as mental & emotional attitudes
Accelerate recovery from injuries & surgery
Complement medical treatments to help maintain
balance & well being
Elayne R. Crystal
Reiki Practitioner & Master Candidate
ecrysiaBCG aolxrmi
Home (859) 273-6680 (Sell (859) 227-1071

 

coco

 

 

   

 
 

SPARE PARTS & EQUIPMENT
60 Years of Service

346 Richmond Avenue
Lexington, KY 40502-1458
(859) 266-2188 or Fax (859) 268-1877

Mitchell Barnes - Owner

1 lNDEPENDENTCAUTOMOTIVE
rarer: Lexus g some

111 Mechanic Street, Lexington, KY 40507

- - -. (859) 233-1173

Website: mwjowellsus
Email: louellséi-lowellsms

 

 

  
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewish
Family
Services

 
  
 

*1

Leisure Club w
Thursday, October 24th - 11:00am
Join us for a day at Keeneland.

 

We will meet at the Federation on Chinoe Road. We are joining the
Bell House group with the Lexington Senior Center

Cost: $15.00

 

For more information about these events, to RSVP, or to arrange transportation to the event location,
please contact Mimi Kaufman at (859) 269-8244 or jfs@jewishlexington.org.

 

 

 

Guisclmmiumj

Jewish Family Services

ANNOUNCEMENT

Now on Thursday October 16th at 7pm, Mary Volkerding, the Com-
munity Relations Representative with Kentucky Health Cooperative,
a member-governed non-profit organization, will be coming to the
JFB office to give a short presentation that is designed to focus on
some key aspects of the Affordable Care Act. The presentation will
include going over important dates and knowing how to apply for
assistance.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, this is a great opportunity
to come, listen and learn. If you are someone who provides direct

 

services to families or a volunteer who works with families, this short
20-minute presentation about options available will hopefully help
you better serve your constituents.

Please RSVP by October 14 to JFS@jewishlexington.org
or call Mimi Kaufman at 269-8244

 

 

 

 

  

Third Annual Global Day of
Jewish Learning is Coming!

On November 17‘“, Jews across the
world will come together in their
communities to study Jewish texts
and teachings. In Lexington, the entire
Jewish community is invited to gather
together at Temple Adath Israel to join
in on this global event.

Originally, Global Day was created as a
one-time event to mark the completion
of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s monumental
translation and commentary on the Tal—
mud. However, the survey results spoke
of a communal desire to continue Rabbi
Steinsaltz's mission of “Let my People
Know” through an annual Global Day
of Jewish Learning.

The theme for this year’s Global Day

of Jewish Learning and curricular
materials is Creating Together—Jewish
approaches to creativity and collabora-
tion. Sources for each learning session
or conversation come primarily but not
entirely from the Talmud and delve into
themes related to Creating Together
that are universally relevant to Jews
around the world and of all generations.
As we study these words together on
the Global Day, we will demonstrate
our unity, collective responsibility, and

shared connection to our sacred Jewish
texts.

The Global Day is for all Jews regard—
less of their educational background or
religious affiliation. The classes have
been created for all audiences; no prior
knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish text is
necessary in order to participate. The
curriculum includes a variety of formats
and modifications based on local inter-
ests and learning levels.

The Global Day project is spearheaded
by the Aleph Society together with
American Jewish Joint Distribution
Committee, Hillel: The Foundation for
Jewish Campus Life, the Jewish Federa-
tions of North America, JESNA, and the
Shefa Institute. PartnershipZGether: The
Jewish Agency Peoplehood Platform is a
Community Partner.

Additionally, over 20 supporting part—
ner organizations, representing a broad
spectrum of Jewry, encourage their
members to organize or attend local
events. X)

Call Lori at 859-268-0675 or email at lori@
jewishlexingtonorg for further information.

~ um

 

 

UK Lectures

PUBLIC LECTURE:
October 21 at 7pm
LINGUISTICS SEMINAR:

October 21 at 1pm

 

”Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language
and Culture of Orthodox Judaism”

Sarah Bunin Benor, PhD, Hebrew Union College will speak
at the WT Young Auditorium (UK Campus)

”Languages, Dialects, or Repertoires? Approaches to
ethnic language, with a focus on Jewish English”

at the Niles Gallery, University of Kentucky Campus

Both mnts are free and open to the public.

 

 

Chagall and the Bible:
Traveling Exhibition

Marc Chagall (1877—1895) is
perhaps the foremost visual
interpreter of the Bible in the 20th
Century. With wit and joy, he has
given us the stories that we know
so well from the Old Testament.
His art is filled with his own reoc-
curring symbols of visual memory
and imagination. He said he did
not see the Bible, but he dreamed
it, even as a child. Chagall’s vision
of the Old Testament combines his
Jewish heritage and modern art
giving us a rich display of symbol
and imagination.

 

Chagall said, ”Since my early
youth I have been fascinated by
the Bible. It has always seemed to
me and it seems to me still that it
is the greatest source of poetry of
all time. Since then I have sought

 

 

 

this reflection in life and in art.
The Bible is like an echo of nature
and this secret I have tried to
transmit.”

Marc Chagall and the Bible contains 28
etchings and lithographs of Chagall’s
graphic works. This exhibition contains
eight of the 105 etchings that constitute
a suite of work for Marc Chagall's Bible
(1932—39, 1952-56), an enormous project
spanning twenty-five years. This series
brings together the artist’s spiritual-

ity and childhood fantasy through

the sophisticated artistry of a master
printmaker. Chagall’s vision of the Old
Testament combines his Jewish culture
and modern art giving us a rich dis—
play of symbol and imagination. Some
pieces extract the spirit of the text and
others use his poetic vision to express
his insight into the beloved Book. To
embark upon this project Chagall went
to Israel, the land of his ancestors where
he wrote, ”In the East I found the Bible
and part of my own being."

Also included are seventeen brilliantly
colored images from his 1956 and 1960
suites of Bible lithographs, printed

Solomon by Marc Chagall

by Mourlot and published in Paris by
Teriade for Verve as special editions de-
voted exclusively to Chagall’s original
lithographs. Each is a delightful and col-
orful interpretation that lets the viewer
enter the world of the Bible and Chagall.

Chagall's own words help us see the
essence of human experience and reveal
a deep mystical reality: “I went back to
the great universal book, the Bible. Since
my childhood, it has filled me with
vision about the fate of the world and
inspired me in my work. In moments

of doubt its highly poetic grandeur and
wisdom have comforted me. For me it is
like a second nature.”

It is most interesting that Chagall, even
though a Jew, would have used the
Crucifixion in so many of his works, yet
numerous of his pieces include the Cru-
cifixion as a reference or the subject of
his paintings. Mystical Crucifixion and
Christ in the Clock, two colored litho-
graphs in this exhibition, demonstrate
his fascination with this theme. 3)

October2013 Shalom | s

 

  

 

 

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A New Page Devoted to Iewish Families

I asked the Shalom editorial board if we could dedicate a section of the paper to family friendly articles and they responded with an enthusiastic YES! Thus this page

lfe

 

JleWis hi Fa in l\

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was created. Each issue, I will share interesting articles on Jewish activities and parenting issues. This page will be geared for parents with children of all ages from

the youngest members of our community to the teenagers preparing to go off to college. I welcome any input you would like to share or questions you may have.
Contact me at lori@jewishlexington.org I am excited to be able to offer this section to you.

Judaism and the Ethical
Treatment of Animals

Excerpt from Posted on August 28,
201311ttp://pjlibrary.org/pj-blog/index.php/
archives/5327/judaismcand-the-ethical-
treatment-of-animals/

WHY DO CHILDREN LOVE
ANIMALS?

There is something about fuzzy, warm,
wet—nosed animals that appeals to
children.

Erin McNew is the Education Coordi—
nator for the Jewish Family Services

of Cincinnati, which is a co—sponsor of
the PJ Library program in Cincinnati.
She says the bonds children develop
with animals are critical as they learn
to love, share, and empathize. ”From a
very young age children find animals
fascinating and often develop special
relationships with them,” McNew says.

WORDS 8: ANIMALS

Many of a baby’s earliest words will
represent animals. ”Cat,” ”dog,” and
”duck” are especially common. Accord-
ing to Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., founder
of the Baby Signs Program, more than
a third of babies’ first words are animal
names. She explains it in her blogpost,
Why Kids Love Animals.

”As young babies begin looking around
their world, they are automatically at-
tracted to things that move, are brightly
colored, and are easy to see,” Acredolo

6 I October 2013 Shalom

writes. ”They are fascinated by things
that make interesting noises, are capable
of interacting with them and are unpre-
dictable in what they do and how they
behave.”

NURTURING COMPASION FOR
ANIMALS

It makes sense, therefore, that aside
from other people, animals are the next
most interesting “thing” for young
children. “Babies find animals about as
far from boring as things can be without
being human,” Acredolo quips.

The ethical treatment of animals is a
core Jewish value. As Rabbi Jill Jacobs
writes in her MerwishLearning.com
piece, Ethical Treatment of Animals in
Iudaism, the early chapters of the Torah
establish ”a fundamental connection
between human beings and animals.”

That connection is given further speci-
ficity, Jacobs explains, with the story of
Noah’s ark. ”When the waters recede,"
she writes, ”God gives Noah seven

laws — now known as Noahide laws

—— aimed at establishing a just society.”
Among these laws is God's protection of
animals ”against unduly cruel slaugh-
ter."

Within the Talmud, Jacobs adds, this
sort of cruelty is expounded upon. ”This

see Treatment of Animals, page 15

 

PJ Library Is Almost Three

Years Old!

By Lori Bernard

Almost three years ago, a core group of
very generous and invested individuals
gathered together with Jewish Federa-
tion of the Bluegrass, planned to bring
a new program to Lexington, Kentucky
that would mail free books and CDs to
the youngest members of our Jewish
community, and committed to donating
money over the next 3 years to make it
happen. Now fast forward to today. This
new program is PJ Library.

Jewish bedtime stories. In the past year
that I have been coordinating this pro-
gram, I have heard numerous testimo-
nies from families about how PJ Library
has enriched their Jewish family life.
Many have shared how they have incor—
porated the Jewish values and rituals
that they have read about in the books
into their Jewish family life.

Now, as we are approaching the end of
the initial three year period, it is time for
us to renew our commitment to PJ Li-

An amaz- brary. Our
ing goal is to
Jewish motivate
family new do—
engage- nors to
ment r aw join our
pro- J® founding
gram donors
that is and the
imple- Jewish
mented Federa-

on a local level throughout North
America. Free, high-quality Jewish chil-
dren’s literature and music are mailed
to families across the continent on a
monthly basis. PJ Library is a program
of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation,
made possible through partnerships
with philanthropists and local Jewish
organizations.

In the 2% years since Lexington area
parents started enrolling their children
in P] Library, over 150 children in the
Central Kentucky area have received

tion of the Bluegrass so that we can con-
tinue to provide books and programs
that celebrate Jewish family life. The
cost of the books and programs is more
than $7,000 each year. As we declare
daily, “You shall teach this diligently
onto your children,” F] Library is a
parent’s first opportunity to expose
their child to Jewish values and celebra-
tions. Please join me and our founding
donors and consider committing to
making a donation to this incredible
program and help us to enrich Jewish
family life in our community. to

 

 Teaching Children the
Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim
(Visiting the Sick)

Posted on August 29, 2013 http://pjlibrary.
org/pj—hlog/index.php/archives/5306/teach-
in g-children—the-mitzvah-bikur—cholim-
visiting-the-sick/

There comes a time in most everyone’s
life when a visit to a sick friend or rela-
tive is required. Doing so exemplifies
the mitzvah of bikur Cholim (visiting the
sick). As parents, how do we impress
upon our young ones the value of this
mitzvah?

Indeed, the mitzvah of
bikur Cholim can be per- ,
formed with children
starting at an early

age. If a child is ' if"
old enough to re- if
member being

sick, he or she
could learn

to empathize
with another
person who is .. 45,
currently sick. ‘9‘

by“ g

9“, ,_

In her Koeller.
com article,
”Visiting the
Sick,” writer
Lisa Samick ,_ .«
explains that the

first step in teaching

bikur cholim is to help a

child understand what it
means to ”feel better.”

"The next time your child is recovering
from a cold, engage them in a con-
versation about what kinds of things
make them feel better," Samick advises.
“Brainstorm a list of “get well strate-
gies” that you can refer back to (and if
you’d like, you can call it your ’Bikur
Cholim List').” Your young one can later
use this list — or, at least, the under—
standing gained from it — in helping
others to feel better.

 

Another sure-fire way to impress upon
children the values of bikur Cholim is to
actually visit a friend who is ill.

Visiting the sick can bring with it a host
of emotions. In the MylewishLearning.
coni excerpt of Rabbi Bradley Artson’s
book, It’s a Mitzvah, entitled Visiting the
Sick in Judaism, the author touches upon
the wide range of feelings associated
with such a visit.

”Even as we feel grateful to those
brave and loving people who
came to visit us in our sick-
ness, we still feel hesitant,
awkward, and fearful
when it comes to visit-
ing the sick our—
selves," Rabbi Artson
writes. “Resistance
‘ to Visiting the sick
is quite common
and emerges from
several different
concerns.”

For this reason
Samick tells parents,
”It will be important
to prepare your child
for what they might
see.” She adds, “Be sure
to have a conversation
about what is going to hap-
pen before you go. Help them
to understand that they may see,
here, or smell things that are unusual.”

In a Philadelphia area Jewish paper ar-
ticle, When Children Visit Friends Who Are
Ill, Dr. Flaura Koplin Winston suggests
parents remember that children will fol-
low the lead of their parents.

“Remember that your children will pick
up on your fears and may internalize
them,” Koplin Winston writes, adding,
”Try to make the visit as natural as pos-
sible.” $

 

 

”You’re Not Invitedz” Teen
Victims of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Years and What To Do Ab