On One Foot: Joshua Hammerman's Blog

Author of "Embracing Auschwitz" and "Mensch•Marks: Life Lessons of a Human Rabbi - Wisdom for Untethered Times." Winner of the Rockower Award, the highest honor in Jewish journalism and 2019 Religion News Association Award for Excellence in Commentary. Musings of a rabbi, journalist, father, husband, poodle-owner, Red Sox fan and self-proclaimed mensch, taken from essays, columns, sermons and thin air. Writes regularly in the New York Jewish Week and Times of Israel.

Friday, November 16, 2001

Shabbat-O-Gram, November 16, 2001

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Kislev (today is Rosh Hodesh!),

This week, I share with you a number of important articles and action items, as the War on Terrorism appears to be entering a crucial new phase. Over the past several days, I've had a number of opportunities to speak to audiences about our community's Israel Solidarity Trip. The interest has been running at a fever pitch, thanks in part to the excellent coverage offered by our local newspaper, the Advocate (a link to those articles is below). Some additional follow-up will be offered at a community wide event now being organized by the Board of Rabbis, to be held here at Beth El on Tuesday, December 11 at 8:00, the third night of Hanukkah and three months to the day following the terror attacks. Drawing inspiration from the Maccabees, we'll be addressing the subject of fear and courage in the Jewish tradition, from spiritual and psychological perspectives. The title of the program is, "The Only Thing You Have to Fear..." Plan to join us!

We live in a very wacky world. Near the end of this week's portion (Gen. 28:5), Toldot, Rashi looks at a passage where Isaac sends Jacob away, back to the ancestral homeland, to the home of Laban, who is described as the "brother of Rebecca, mother of Jacob and Esau." Now, anyone who has been awake knows who Rebecca is, and certainly who her sons are.   So Rashi looks at it and says, in effect, "Duh!" But he says it in an unusually humble way: "Ayni Yodeah mah melamdeynu."

Translation: "I have no idea what this teaches us."

Imagine George Will and William Safire looking at each other and saying, "Beats me." That's what's happening when something so straightforward appears to be stumping the great Rashi. And imagine Rashi actually admitting it! I'm exploring this curiosity for my remarks tomorrow, but for now, let's just say that humility is the perfect posture that we all need to assume regarding the pace and meaning of world events. None of us knows where things are headed. Except for one person, evidently. You see, our Sisterhood had scheduled a musical guest for this past Tuesday, an Israeli singer, who cancelled out at the last minute. Why? Because she thought it was too dangerous to fly from Israel to America? That in itself is a wild twist. But there's more. The reason she refused to come here is that her uncle, a Kabbalist, warned her that it would be particularly perilous to fly here this week! Sure enough, a terrible disaster occurred in Queens on Monday, for which we all grieve. So, while most of us, including Rashi, are dumbfounded by current events, there is one Israeli Kabbalist who evidently has things all figured out.

The singer may or may not reschedule. Memo to Sisterhood: Book the uncle!

There will be no Shabbat-O-Gram next week, as I head over the river and through the woods to my other ancestral homeland, Massachusetts. After the holiday, our regularly-scheduled Web journey will return.

One additional request. Apparently some on our list have not been receiving the O'Gram consistently. If you know of any such person who did not receive this one, please let me know. A happy and safe Thanksgiving to all!
jh

JUST THE FACTS

Friday Night:
Candles: 4:17 PM
Tot Shabbat 6:15 PM, in the lobby (note the early time!)
Family Shabbat Dinner (by reservation): 7:00 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the chapel.

Shabbat Morning:
P'sukey d'zimra (psalms and meditations): 9:15
Shacharit (morning) service begins: 9:30
MAZAL TOV to Ben Chuchinsky and family, as Ben becomes Bar Mitzvah
Torah Portion: Toldot
D'var Torah recommendation: Guided meditations for the Torah portions, Holidays and healing can now be found at Rabbi Judith Abrams' excellent web site, Maqom www.maqom.com and click on the link Guided Meditations). Each meditation is accompanied by material that links the meditation to the parashah through Drash, Gematria and so forth so the material can be taught as well as used as meditation.If people would like CDs of these meditations already recorded, they need merely to let Judith Abrams know, by writing to her at maqom@compassnet.com, and give her their “snailmail” address.

Also, JTS' commentary is at: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/5762/toledot.shtml

Children's Services: 10:30, with Nurit Avigdor (through grade 2) and Bert Madwed (grades 3 and up). This week, our 5th grade will be "hosting" the older service. Religious school and Bi-Cultural students of all grades are naturally most welcome, as are parents.

Friday, Nov. 23
Candles: 4:12 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the chapel

Shabbat Morning, Nov. 24
P'sukey d'Zimra: 9:15 AM
Shacharit: 9:30 AM; Family service and lunch
Torah Portion: Va Yetze

Children's Services at 10:30.

Morning Minyan: Daily at 7:30, Sundays at 9:00. N.B.: Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 23, at 9:00.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

1) “I would be blind to disclaim the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. The existential connection Jews have to Jerusalem needs to be recognized and respected, just as the Islamic and Arab connection to Jerusalem must be…[To resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict] Jewish settlers would vacate their homes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinian refugees would drop their claim to ‘right of return to Israel. The Palestinians have to recognize that this is a deal-breaker…Palestinians are very angry with me…After all, the stated official position of the PLO is the right of return.”—Newly-appointed P.A. Jerusalem Affairs Minister Sari Nusseibeh (Jer. Post, Nov. 13, 14)

2) The following sign is posted in the front window of a business:

WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1000 TERRORISTS THAN WITH ONE JEW.
GOLDBERG'S FUNERAL HOME

3) Thanksgiving Prayer (from "How to Have a Jewish Thanksgiving, by Julie Hilton Danan, at www.Jewishfamily.com)

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi has written a special Thanksgiving prayer which can supplement the Birkat HaMazon in the same way that already existing paragraphs in the prayer are recited at Chanukah or Purim: The English version of Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi's prayer reads:

In the days of the Pilgrims, the Puritans, when they arrived at these safe shores, suffered hunger and cold. They sang and prayed to the Rock of their Salvation. And You, standing by them, roused the caring of the Natives for them: who fed them, turkey and corn and other delights. Thus saved You them from starvation, and they learned the ways of peace with the inhabitants of the land. Therefore, feeling grateful, they dedicated a day of Thanksgiving each year as a remembrance for future generations, feeding unfortunates feasts of thanks. Thus do we thank You for all the good in our lives, God of kindness, Lord of Peace; thus do we thank You.

This prayer is available in Hebrew and English in a loose-leaf collection, Hashir Vehahevach--The Song and The Praise, through the ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal, alephajr@aol.com.

REQUIRED READING

"Resolution, Not Compromise, Builds Coalition," from the Wall Street Journal
http://interactive.wsj.com/fr/emailthis/retrieve.cgi?id=SB1005518151900471000.djm

"Next Step, Iraq," from WSJ
http://interactive.wsj.com/archive/retrieve.cgi?id=SB1005785686654119880.djm

Iraq and Anthrax:
http://www.jcpa.org/art/brief1-8.htm

"The Good Terrorist," a scathing article from the Jerusalem Post, written by the mother of a terror victim
http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/11/13/Opinion/Opinion.38001.html

Some photos from our recent Israel solidarity trip, featuring the Torah dedication at the Ethiopian synagogue in Afula, can be found at
http://www.shutterfly.com/my/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b31881f865c4

A selection of articles from the Stamford Advocate about the Solidarity trip: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/search/scni_news.jsp?Query=Strozier

The pressures on a leftist college student, torn between Jewish identification and the heavy campus influence of anti Israel groups.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=94918&contrassID=2&

C-Span on the hot seat for the broadcast of "Muslims for Truth and Justice" town hall meeting:
http://www.tnr.com/111901/cottle111901.html

More on the controversy surrounding Uri Regev, leader of the Religious Action Center of Israel (Reform), and his inaccurately quoted statements about Ultra Orthodoxy: http://www.thejewishweek.com/top/editletcontent.php3?artid=1625

Three new books describing various post-denominational responses to Judaism
http://www.jewsweek.com/aande/085.htm

Today is Rosh Hodesh Kislev -- Hanukkah is just 24 days away! Shopping for a wide variety of menorahs? Well, first, stop by our gift shop, which is fully stocked for all of your Hanukkah shopping needs. Then, if you still are looking, check out the variety at www.anymenorah.com.

Harry Potter and Jewish Values:
http://www.miami.com/c/jewish/local/digdocs/048118.htm
http://aish.com/societywork/arts/Harry_Potter_and_the_War_Between_Good_and_Evil.asp

Thanksgiving and Social Action: http://www.socialaction.com/thanksgiving.html

ACTION ITEM:

Pro-terrorist panelist at World Affairs Forum in Stamford on Sunday

Ghazi Khanan, of the Council on American Islamic Relations will be speaking at the World Affairs Forum Town Hall Meeting at UCONN on November 18th, as a member of a distinguished panel that includes Chris Shays. This is the same person who was quoted in the 10/14 (over one month after the incident) issue of Newsday:

"Mohammed Atta is alive and living in the United Arab Emirates. His passport was stolen. It is in the Arab press. Yet the FBI insists he was one of the hijackers. Why hasn't the media reported this?"

"What about the world Zionist network? Why are you in the media not looking at them?"

Here are some other things you need to know about CAIR, especially if you are planning to attend that meeting:  The following backgrounder was prepared by the American Jewish Committee to inform the public about the extremist Muslim organization known as the Council on American Islamic Relations.

According to its Internet site, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) was established in 1994 “to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America.” The group’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with chapters in other parts of the country. The organization’s executive director is Nihad Awad, and its communications director is Ibrahim Hooper.

While CAIR’s statements cultivate an image as a mainstream organization, its actions contradict its stated goals. Since its founding, CAIR has demonstrated a pattern of defending terrorist organizations and their leaders, including Hamas and Hizbullah.

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic extremist terror organization that denies the legitimacy of the state of Israel. As part of its radical ideology, Hamas interprets the Islamic theological concept of jihad as a holy war, and its official charter calls for the elimination of Israel through escalating acts of violence. Over the last 12 years, Hamas has taken responsibility for carrying out terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, against Israeli civilians.

Hizbullah is the Lebanese Islamic extremist terror organization that has targeted Americans as part of its jihad against Western influence in Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East. It is considered to be responsible for the kidnapping of American civilians in Lebanon and the bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut that caused the deaths of 241 Marines in 1982.

In a November 1994 interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, CAIR’s executive director Nihad Awad defended the terror activities of Hamas by citing the UN Charter as a justification. Awad legitimized the “military undertakings of Hamas” by asserting, “The United Nations Charter grants people who are under occupation to defend themselves against illegal occupation.”

In January 1995, CAIR opposed a US Executive Order prohibiting financial transactions with Middle Eastern terrorist groups such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah. CAIR objected to the organizations being officially designated by the US government as “terrorist” and defended Hamas and Islamic Jihad as “resistance organizations.

On July 27, 1995, Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzuq was arrested by immigration officials at JFK airport in New York for his involvement in terrorist activities. According to an INS spokesman, Abu Marzuq was arrested on charges of “conspiracy to murder, killing, and ‘malicious wounding.” Abu Marzuq has openly defended the use of suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. CAIR denounced the FBI’s arrest of Musa Abu Marzuq as an anti-Muslim bias crime.

In May 1998, CAIR co-sponsored an extremist rally at New York’s Brooklyn College where a radical Muslim preacher, Sheikh Wagdi Ghuneim, led the participants in an anti-Jewish chant:

"No to the Jews, descendants of the apes . . . The Jews killed the prophets and worshipped idols.”Ghuneim encouraged the participants to support the cause of jihad, or holy war, by declaring, “He who equips the warrior of jihad is like the one who makes jihad himself." CAIR never condemned or disassociated itself from Ghuneim’s statements.

On October 28, 2000, CAIR co-sponsored the “National Rally for Free Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa” that took place across from the White House in Washington DC. From the speaker’s podium, Abdurahman Alamoudi of the American Muslim Council openly declared support for Hamas and Hizbullah.

Demonstrators at the rally chanted the anti-Jewish slogan in Arabic: “Khaibar, Khaibar ya Yahud, jaysh Muhammad sawfa ya’ud!” which calls for action to “Slaughter the Jews!”

CAIR has not repudiated Alamoudi’s statements and made no criticism or condemnation of the chants at the rally.

Most recently, CAIR’s spokesman, Ibrahim Hooper, has endorsed the call of Abd Al-Munim Abu Zant, a Muslim extremist cleric in Jordan, for the trial and execution of a Muslim author who participated in a book project promoting interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims. Abu Zant called on Islamic clerics to investigate the author, Khalid Duran, on charges of apostasy from Islam. “As a result of that investigation,” Hooper declared, “his blood could be shed.”

CAIR’s defense of terrorist organizations that have targeted Americans and Jews does a disservice to the millions of Muslims in America and throughout the world who sincerely reject such acts of violence against innocent people. CAIR’s defense of such causes demonstrates that it does not share the value of the sanctity of human life. Such an organization has no place in group efforts dedicated to the principles of mutual respect and interreligious understanding.

CAIR's website identifies three things viewers can do to help the victims of September 11th. CAIR offers a direct link to the Holy Land Foundation in order to facilitate donations. We have found several sources in print that state the foundation gives money to help support the families of suicide bombers. According to the Holy Land Foundation website, the money they raise assists Palestinians and other Arabs in the Holy Land. Nothing goes to help victims of 9/11. Their website is intentionally misleading.

So, what can we do about it???

After looking into the matter, Rivka Lieber proposes three action points...and they are:

1.   Contact Congressman Shays office. Ask for Len Wolfson at 202-225-5541 and register a complaint that Shays has agreed to be a speaker with Al-Haaj Ghazi Khankan. The objective of this meeting is to build positive relationships between Muslims and Jews. Clearly this goal will not be met and Shays should know that any photo opportunity that shows Shays and
Khankan standing together is the WRONG message to send to the Jewish community. Khankan has stated that “the real terrorist is Israel.”

2.   CT. Humanities Council is co-sponsor of this forum. Call at 203-965-0020 and ask for Bruce or e-mail at bfraser@wesleyan.edu. One suggestion is to encourage them to use better role models to represent the Arab and Palestinian points of view. AJC had recommended Islamic Supreme Council in lieu of Khankan.

3.   Call World Affairs Forum and ask for for Eileen Heaphy at 203-356-0340 or e-mail at eheaphy@worldaffairsforum.org. Eileen has said that she is aware that many Jewish people oppose his presence, but that “he comes well recommended and we look forward to hearing what he has to say. We understand the concerns and hopefully people will come and ask all the right questions.” You can respond as you see fit, but it seems obvious to me that they need a Muslim who will respond with the “right” answers. They should have brought in someone who truly supports the efforts to build positive relationships between Muslims and Jews and that CAIR was the WRONG group to achieve their objective. Bad judgement on their part, for sure.

The forum begins on Sunday at 4 PM at the UConn’s Broad Street campus.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR "THE ROTHSCHILDS" THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:30. JOIN US FOR COCKTAILS, DESSERT AND A GREAT ONE-MAN SHOW, AS WELL AS FUN SOCIAL EVENING WITH OVER 100 OF YOUR BETH EL FRIENDS!

1) Midrash: Adding Color to the Bible -- Adult ed series with Rabbinical Student Greg Harris. Continues, Wednesday, Oct. 31. There was a very nice turnout at the first session and a very positive buzz about the class! It's not to late to sign up! We will continue to study the creative genius of our Rabbis as they enrich the biblical text with stories, legends and lore. These inspired texts blend the sacred position of the Torah with the real human struggle for spiritual understanding. All texts will be in Hebrew and English. The feel for the whole course is $18.  To reserve a spot, RSVP to Bonnie at 322-6901 X306.

2) Congregational Shabbaton reservations are coming in, fast and furious (over 100, at last count -- and we can only house 150)! Don't be left out in the cold this MLK Weekend! Sign up now! Special thanks to Gary and Judi Gladstein, as well as an anonymous donor, for their generous donations enabling us to defray expenses and subsidize costs, and to Penny and Michael Horowitz for sponsoring the guest speaker and prayer leader, Rabbi Steven Greenberg of CLAL (the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership), in memory of Bessie Silver.

3) The members of the 2002 Bat Mitzvah class have decided to work together with Beth El Cares to secure an Automatic External Defibrillator(AED).
There is a need for an AED in public facilities . On April 15, 2000 11 year old Danielle Brendner stopped breathing. He heart just stopped beating. In the months that followed her parents Sharon and Avi discovered that their daughter was the victim of a silent killer called Long QT Syndrome. It is possible that Danielles life could have been saved if she has been defibrillated.

Every year 225,00 Americans suffer fatal cardiac arrests as a result of various cardiac disorders. The most effective treatment for a person in cardiac arrest is an electrical shock to the heart through the use of an AED.

THE COST OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR IS $3000. If you are willing to make a contribution towards its purchase for the Temple, we would appreciate your support.
Please make the your tax deductible contribution payable to Temple Beth El. On your check please note: Beth 'El Cares /Defibrillator.
If there are any question please call: Barbara Smith 325-8598 or Sue Greenwald 325 1662
Thank you in advance for your support for this potentially life saving project

4) "Learn to Read Torah" with Hazzan Rabinowitz. 9:45 - 10:25 in the organ loft, on Sunday. Call him at 322-6901 X309 to register.

5) Be part of the Annual Teen Service of Dec. 1 -- if you want a part, contact Hazzan Rabinowitz at 322-6901 X309.

6) Mini Parlor Concert: "The Many Faces of Jewish Music," featuring Cantorial intern Laura Berman along with Hazzan Rabinowitz. December 2, from 11 AM to noon. No tickets required.

7) Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Brunch
Sunday, November 18 -- 10:00 12:00

“You Can Do This”

Lori Guttman, from The Robert Nevins Plan, will help us start the new year with ideas for healthy eating from your refrigerator.
We would appreciate your RSVP by November 13^thMary Sue Gilbert 322-9372
Ilene Kirschner Madwed 968-2570
Volunteers needed. Please call to RSVP and to Volunteer.
Sisterhood dues of $25 may be paid at the Brunch.
Bring a friend. New members welcome to join.

Sisterhood Shabbat will take place on Dec. 15. Any members of Sisterhood who are interested in participating but have not yet informed us should call Linda Simon at 324-2246 or Karen Hainbach at 322-8842 as soon as possible. In the spirit of Hanukkah, we invite all members of Sisterhood and other congregants to bring along an unopened, unwrapped children's gift to be donated to the Beth El Cares Birthday Closet. You may deliver it to the Religious School office or leave it in the collection box in the lobby. Hope to see you all on Dec. 15!

8) Mercaz and the Zionist Elections: MERCAZ USA is the Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement, the voice of Conservative Jewry within the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Zionist Movement and the Jewish National Fund to support religious pluralism in Israel and strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. Go to http://www.mercazusa.org/ to see how you can sign up to vote for the upcoming Zionist Congress elections. The deadline is fast approaching, Do it now! You can also Register online NOW for the World Zionist Organization Elections at https://vote.election.com/azm-registration/ It only takes a couple of minutes (and $4).

9) Our Kesher group (3-5th graders) goes bowling on Sunday, leaving from the temple at 1:30. Cost is $10. Contact our education office for details!

This Shabbat-O-Gram goes out weekly to hundreds of Beth El congregants and others. Feel free to forward it to your friends, and if you know of anyone who might wish to be included, please have them e-mail me at rabbi@tbe.org. To be taken off this e-mail list, simply click on "reply" and write "please unsubscribe" in the message box.

For more information on the synagogue, check out Beth El's Web site at www.tbe.org. To check out some previous spiritual cyber-journeys I have taken, see my book's site at www.thelordismyshepherd.com.

Shabbat-O-Gram, November 16, 2001

Friday, November 2, 2001

Shabbat-O-Gram, November 1, 2001

Shabbat Shalom (X2)

This O-Gram will cover two the next weeks, as I will be leaving for Israel on Sunday. By the time I return, it will be too late to get next week's out.

First, some old business: the STAR Webcast on Monday was spectacular. About 1,500 participated nationally and over 40 congregations set up chat groups, including ours. We were able to hear two eloquent theologians speak of the human implications of these difficult times, from a Jewish perspective. One comment by Yitz Greenberg that sticks with me is the quote form our sources, "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God." In truth, the fear that we face now can lead us to lives of greater wisdom and deeper meaning, if only can we can face those fears with courage and conviction. As Gary Rosenblatt writes in this week's "Jewish Week," "Fear at times is understandable and normal; but the real enemy is not fear, it’s panic. So we have to react with our heads as well as our hearts, turning our would-be alarm into steadfastness."http://www.thejewishweek.com/top/editcolcontent.php3.

While the rabbis were presenting, our chat room was humming with concurrent discussion. It was, to quote a certain 10 year old who lives in my house, "cool." There were glitches, and many were unable to receive the streaming video or enter the chat room of choice. STAR is working on those and I apologize to any of you who were frustrated in your efforts. You can still view the archived lecture at www.starsynagogue.org, and once you've seen it, feel free to e-mail me your questions and reactions. I'd also like some feedback from any of you who participated on Monday. How was it for you?

The second bit of old business is that the response to our scholar-in-residence of last weekend has been phenomenal. There clearly is a need for more spirituality and variety in our prayer experiences, and more teaching of Kabbalah from a liberal perspective.   We are looking for ways to bringing you more of what so many clearly are seeking. Along those lines, we're going to be setting up a Woman's Rosh Hodesh Group that will celebrate this women's monthly semi-festival together. An organizational meeting will be held with Barb on Thursday , Nov. 8, from 6:30-7PM.

JUST THE FACTS

Friday Night:
Candles: 4:30 PM
Tot Shabbat 7:15 PM, in the lobby.
Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the chapel.   The service will be led by our Junior Choir.

Shabbat Morning:
P'sukey d'zimra (psalms and meditations): 9:15
Shacharit (morning) service begins: 9:30
MAZAL TOV to Eric Weinstein and family, as Eric becomes Bar Mitzvah
Torah Portion: Va'yera
D'var Torah recommendation:   You can't go wrong with the selection at The Torahnet Page: http://uahcweb.org/torahnet/. The text of the portion and haftarah are at http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/5762/lekhlekha.shtml.

Children's Services: 10:30, with Nurit Avigdor (through grade 2) and Bert Madwed (grades 3 and up). This week, our 3th grade will be "hosting" the older service. Last week over 30 kids came to the service that was sponsored by the 4th grade. Let's keep this up!   Religious school and Bi-Cultural students of all grades are naturally most welcome, as are parents.

Friday, Nov. 9
Candles: 4:23 PM
Shabbat Shalom service (for grades K-4 and families): 7:15
Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the chapel

Shabbat Morning, Nov. 10
P'sukey d'Zimra: 9:15 AM
Shacharit: 9:30 AM
Torah Portion: Hayye Sarah
MAZAL TOV to Natalie Simon and her family, as Natalie becomes Bat Mitzvah.
MAZAL TOV to Adam Siegartel and Lisa Rabinowitz on their ufruf and upcoming marriage (and to Adam's parents Sandy and Alvin Siegartel)

Children's Services at 10:30, with the older service hosted by the 6th grade.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“…[I]f Americans go [approximately] 5,000 miles to find this terrorist group who killed their citizens, we have to go…the distance of one mile…I want you to understand, my house…is half a mile from the president's house, in the very center of Jerusalem. I hear every shot in Beit Jala, because it's only two miles from our house…And so we…go there for…24 hours, 48 hours. If you call it occupation, well, that is the obligation of every government to defend its citizens…”--Deputy P.M. Natan Sharansky during his U.S. visit (National Press Club, Oct. 29)

"It is not a revelation that large segments of the Arab world--at all levels of society--are not just anti-Israel, but fanatically anti-Semitic. Bernard Lewis wrote in 1986: "The demonization of Jews goes further than it had ever done in Western literature, with the exception of Germany during the period of Nazi rule. In most Western countries, anti-Semitic divagations on Jewish history, religion, and literature are more than offset by a great body of genuine scholarship... In modern Arabic writing there are few such countervailing elements."

So why did I look the other way? Why did I discount this anti-Semitism on the grounds that these are alien cultures and we cannot fully understand them, or because these pathologies are allied with more legitimate (if to my mind unpersuasive) critiques of Israeli policy? .... We in the West simply do not want to believe that this kind of hatred still exists; and when it emerges, we feel uncomfortable. We do everything we can to change the subject. Why the denial, I ask myself? What is it about this sickness that we do not understand by now? And what possible excuse do we have not to expose and confront it with all the might we have?" (Protocols, by Andrew Sullivan, The New Republic; see the full article at http://www.thenewrepublic.com/110501/sullivan110501.html)

CONTROVERSIES OF THE WEEK AND REQUIRED READING

1) Response to Last Week's Issue:
"Hate Bin Laden" Web Sites: Are they helpful? -- This from Beth Boyer:

As one of the people who forwarded you the Day-O spoof, I must say I debated sending it. It depicts Colin Powell, the son of Caribbean immigrants, singing the Day-O calypso song while bombs fall video-game style around Bin Laden. But then I figured, ok, so it isn't sensitive, it could even be called racist. But let's face it, it's funny and I need something to laugh at. Someone had way too much time on his or her hands, probably up late at night worrying about anthrax and put this together. It relieved steam for me, that's why I sent it on. I have to assume Powell and Bush, if they saw it, would laugh too.

2) Alan Dershowitz, on the parallels between American and Israeli experiences of terrorism:
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/299/oped/The_parallels_between_US_and_Israel_on_terrorism+.shtml

3) On the Red Cross and its blatant anti-Israel policies. (Thanks to Craig Price for forwarding this one -- it later appeared in the Stamford Advocate)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9031-2001Oct29.html

4) The Uri Regev flap: Rabbi Regev, a leader of the Reform Movement in Israel, was quoted to have said some rather controversial things about Jewish extremism in comparing it to extremists of other faiths.   I've yet to find a transcript of his original speech. What follows is a JTA report of the event, a commentary by the noted Orthodox (and vehemently anti-Conservative and Reform) columnist Jonathan Rosenblum, Regev's own response, and some background from Regev's organization, the Religious Action Center of Israel, indicating what he's been up against over there. Read it all and decide for yourself.
report from JTA -- http://www.jewish.com/news/compare1023.shtml
Rosenblum -- http://www.jewishworldreview.com/jonathan/rosenblum1.asp
Uri Regev responds -- http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/10/26/Opinion/Opinion.36979.html
R.A.C --  http://www.irac.org/news_e.asp

5) 9/11 LINKS -- RESPONDING TO TRAGEDY

-- Jewish educational and other links:http://www.caje.org/tragedy.htm
-- Also try: http://wtcrem.homestead.com/Index.html
-- This is the most moving tribute to the victims of 9/11 that I have seen on the Web, with a collage of photos set to a haunting Enya melody. You'll have to wait a few moments for it to download, but it is absolutely worth the wait: http://.attacked911.tripod.com/

6) THE GOOD SIDE OF ISRAEL: Since I'll be there in a few days, i need to be reminded that the true Israel is not what's on the front pages of the newspaper. Check out these two sites and you'll see what I mean. A photographic bonanza is to be found at http://israelimages.com/home.asp. While you're in a photographic mood, heck out the classic shots of the famed news photographer, David Rubinger, at http://dirckhalstead.org/issue0003/drintro.htm
Finally, try out this fantastic brand new site and see Israel behind the headlines: the good news --  www.israel21c.com
And if you want to prove to your friends that the American people have never felt closer to Israel, read them the results of this Jerusalem Post, Chicago Sun Times poll, at http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/10/26/News/News.36986.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MAZAL TOV to:
Sheila and Gordon Brown have a new granddaughter! Shoshana Laura born to Sheryl & Russ Ambers.
Amanda Matthews and Michael Lapides, who will be married at Beth El on Saturday evening, Nov. 10 (and to Amanda's parents, Marsha and Neil Matthews)

1) Midrash: Adding Color to the Bible -- Adult ed series with Rabbinical Student Greg Harris. Continues, Wednesday, Oct. 31. There was a very nice turnout at the first session and a very positive buzz about the class! It's not to late to sign up! We will continue to study the creative genius of our Rabbis as they enrich the biblical text with stories, legends and lore. These inspired texts blend the sacred position of the Torah with the real human struggle for spiritual understanding. All texts will be in Hebrew and English. The feel for the whole course is $18.  To reserve a spot, RSVP to Bonnie at 322-6901 X306.

2) Shabbaton reservations are coming in, fast and furious! I expect the demand to be greater than the "supply" this year, given the enthusiasm shown by those who attended last year, when we were sold out. Don't be left out in the cold this MLK Weekend! Sign up now!

3) Lunch and Learn at the JCC -- Thursday., November 15, I'll be discussing "The Death Penalty" at 12:30. Cost is $15 for the session, which includes lunch.

4) Temple Beth El Seniors: Stem Cell Research: A Panel Discussion with Dr. Fran Ginsburg, Dr. Justin Schechter and Rabbi Joshua Hammerman -- this Sunday at 1:45 PM RSVP to the temple office, 322-6901 X300.

5) Book Discussion, co-sponsored by TBE and the JCC, at the JCC. November 13, at 9:30 AM. Rabbi Joshua Hammerman will be discussing "The Bee Season," by Myla Goldberg.

6) If you are interested in some basic information on Jewish customs, history and prayers, why not take our Judaism 101 class, taught by myself and Barb Moskow. The class meets as part of the B'nai Mitzvah group curriculum, but it also can be audited independently. Meets Thursdays from 7-8. Also see the Adult Ed brochure that was sent out this week for material on other offerings, including Hebrew classes, upcoming classes with our rabbinical student Greg Harris and opportunities for home group study.

7) Read Hebrew with Shirley Fish: Begins Sunday, Oct. 28: 9:45 - 11:00 AM. Cost: $50.00 for a ten week session.

8) On Sunday, Nov. 11, at 7:30, I'll be giving a first-hand report on our community Solidarity Pilgrimage to Israel, at the November meeting of our Discussion Group (a monthly "Havurah" of Beth El families that has been meeting for years). It's open to everyone. For info and directions, call Elliot Tuckel, at 967-9441.

9) Don't forget: "The Rothchilds," Nov. 17. A one man show, cocktails, dessert and a fun social evening with your TBE friends.

10) "Learn to Read Torah" with Hazzan Rabinowitz. 9:45 - 10:25 in the organ loft, beginning Sunday, November 11. Call him at 322-6901 X309 to register.

11) Women's Rosh Hodesh Group, organizational meeting: Thurs, Nov. 8, at 6:30 PM, in the library, with Barb Moskow.

12) Our Sisterhood plans to send out Chanukah packages to all college freshman. Laura Markowitz is in charge of this effort. Names and addresses of students should be forwarded to Laura at: lmarko@optonline.net or call 968-2598. I also would LOVE to have the e-mail addresses so that I might include them on my college e-mail list.

13) Sisterhood Shabbat will take place on Dec. 15 and all members of Sisterhood are invited to take part. They should call Linda Simon at 324-2246 or me at 322-8842 or mail in the form which appeared in the October bulletin.

14) Temple Beth El Sisterhood   Proudly Presents   A Concert of Israeli Music
Featuring Ofri Salam, direct from Israel, Tuesday, November 13 at 7:30 p. m. Followed by Israeli dancing led by Yossi Elmani
Of the 92^nd Street Y and the New Haven JCC
Refreshments will be served
Ticket Prices:
Adults $12 Students and Seniors $8
Sponsors (includes 4 tickets) $100
Remaining tickets sold at the door $15
For information: Temple Beth El 322-6901 Ilene Madwed   968-257

15) Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Brunch
Sunday, November 18 -- 10:00 12:00

“You Can Do This”

Lori Guttman, from The Robert Nevins Plan, will help us start the new year with ideas for healthy eating from your refrigerator.
We would appreciate your RSVP by November 13^thMary Sue Gilbert 322-9372
Ilene Kirschner Madwed 968-2570
Volunteers needed. Please call to RSVP and to Volunteer.
Sisterhood dues of $25 may be paid at the Brunch.
Bring a friend. New members welcome to join.

16) Mercaz and the Zionist Elections: MERCAZ USA is the Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement, the voice of Conservative Jewry within the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Zionist Movement and the Jewish National Fund to support religious pluralism in Israel and strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. Go to http://www.mercazusa.org/ to see how you can sign up to vote for the upcoming Zionist Congress elections. The deadline is fast approaching, Do it now!

17) BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL AND KOACH
If you are 18-26 (post high school) and have never before participated in a peer Israel experience, KOACH the Conservative movement's college student organization, provides an uplifting and enriching Israel experience, offering first time travelers the requisite spiritual and educational framework for a truly transforming journey as well as a lot of fun. Koach "Birthright Israel" trips are booking for this winter! More information and registration are available at the Koach website, www.koach.org.

18) BETH EL CARES

Please check the bulletin for information on the Birthday Closet project we've just initiated. We're looking to collect unopened children's gifts for the closet, to be housed here and used by local agencies to support needy children.

D'VAR TORAH FROM THE INTERNET -- Rabbi Brad Artson

Shabbat Parashat Vayera - November 3, 2001 - 17 Heshvan 5762
Freed From the Trap of Experience

Torah Reading: Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
Haftarah Reading: II Kings 4:1-37

Personality is molded by experience. How we live our lives and the events that we confront individually serve to shape our very beings. We respond to each new situation by referring to previous ones -- always seeking to avoid past mistakes, always looking to improve upon earlier interactions.

In this light, our response almost always comes one event too late. We become trapped by our most recent experience. The story of Hagar and Ishmael conveys that essential insight into human nature. Expelled from the security of the caravan, Hagar takes her young son, Ishmael, into the desert. Unwilling to watch him die, she sets him down under a plant and then wanders to a distance, where she sits and sobs. God hears the wailing of the boy, and tells Hagar to have confidence, that her son will become the ancestor of a vast nation. "Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water."

The Torah does not claim that God created a new well for her. The miracle of the well is that Hagar had not noticed it before, and now she is able to see it. Trapped by her own despair and her own past, she was unable to recognize possibilities for her own survival. Her awareness of God, and of hope, liberates her from the shackles of her own experience.
Modern scholars have applied this same insight in their own fields of expertise as well. Professor Ernest May of Harvard University, in his book, "Uses of the Past," argues that the errors committed in America's last several military conflicts all spring from the fact that our generals applied the lessons of the previous war to the next conflict, always operating one war too late.

In Korea, we tried to rectify the errors of World War II, but those errors (and insights) didn't apply in such a different environment. Then we tried to correct the errors made during the Korean War in Vietnam, again with disastrous effect.

May argues that the dynamics of history itself leads people to seek to apply a model to each new situation, and that logic and memory dictate that the model they apply is the one they best remember, the most recent occurrence that seems relevant.

Sigmund Freud perceives a different motivation, arguing that each of us strives to correct deficiencies or painful encounters from our childhood. The way we do this is by constructing similar situations as adults, over and over again, desperately trying to master our pain and frustration by engineering a new resolution. Generally, however, we simply repeat past encounters, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and disappointment. This phenomenon he calls "repetition compulsion." We are compelled, says Freud, to constantly recreate scenarios of childhood pain and frustration. And most of the time, we are unable to emerge any differently, or any better, then we did as children. Thus, children with abusive parents often wind up marrying abusive spouses. To escape the enslavement of past experience requires a radical openness to the present, a willingness to see the world afresh each moment that we live.
As the Midrash Beresheet Rabbah notes, "All may be presumed to be blind until the Holy Blessed One opens their eyes." Until we learn to open ourselves to the marvel undergirding existence, we smother ourselves in convention and expectation and experience. But the liberating vision of a humanity redeemed and of a God who cares, in the present, can sunder those restrictive bonds.

Amen. Shabbat Shalom.
**********************************************************
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson is the Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism, a rabbinical school for the heart, mind and soul. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who you think might enjoy joining our Torah community. If you have received this e-mail via another person and would like to be added to the list for automatic receipt: Send an e-mail to listserv@uj.edu with the following in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE torah

BECAUSE WE NEED A LAUGH...

These announcements were found in shul newsletters and bulletins. In lieu of a Web journey this week, let's just lighten up a little and enjoy.

1. Don’t let worry kill you. Let your synagogue help. Join us for our Oneg after services. Prayer and medication to follow. Remember in prayer
the many who are sick of our congregation.

2. For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

3. We are pleased to announce the birth of David Weiss, the sin of Rabbi and Mrs. Abe Weiss.

4. Thursday at 5:00pm, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All women wishing to become Little Mothers please see the rabbi in
his private study.

5. The ladies of Hadassah have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the basement on Tuesdays.

6. A bean supper will be held Wednesday evening in the community center. Music will follow.

7. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the JCC. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

8. Rabbi is on vacation. Massages can be given to his secretary.

9. Goldblum will be entering the hospital this week for testes.

10. The Men’s Club is warmly invited to the Oneg hosted by Hadassah. Refreshments will be served for a nominal feel.

11. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Rob, who are preparing for the girth of their first child.

12. We are taking up a collection to defray the cost of the new carpet in the sanctuary. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will
come forward and get a piece of paper.

13. If you enjoy sinning, the choir is looking for you!

14. The Associate Rabbi unveiled the synagogue’s new fund-raising campaign slogan this week: “I Upped My Pledge. Up Yours.”

That's all for this week. As I head to Israel, I pray that we find peace and security on both sides of the ocean, in my going and in my returning, in our home country and in our homeland. I look forward to sharing the stories of this journey when I return. You will be able to follow the steps of my journey next week in the pages of the Advocate. Wherever I go, I'll convey your love and support for the people of Israel. And at the same time, wherever I go, I'll be thinking and worrying about all of you back here.

"Hold the fort" while I'm gone!

"Shabbats" Shalom
jh

This Shabbat-O-Gram goes out weekly to hundreds of Beth El congregants and others. Feel free to forward it to your friends, and if you know of anyone who might wish to be included, please have them e-mail me at rabbi@tbe.org. To be taken off this e-mail list, simply click on "reply" and write "please unsubscribe" in the message box.
For more information on the synagogue, check out Beth El's Web site at www.tbe.org. To check out some previous spiritual cyber-journeys I have taken, see my book's site at www.thelordismyshepherd.com.