Friday, March 22, 2002

Shabbat and Pesach-O-Gram for March 22-24-- Nisan 10, 5762

 Shabbat and Pesach-O-Gram for March 22-24-- Nisan 10, 5762

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Temple Beth El, Stamford, Connecticut

 

 

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Kasher V'Sameach

The Shabbat-O-Gram is being e-mailed out in plain text, but if you wish to see it in all its html splendor, you can click to it on the Web, at http://www.tbe.org/sog/020322.htm. If you wish to unsubscribe, contact office@tbe.org.

This O'Gram covers the next two weeks -- with plenty of material to get you through the holiday. Enjoy!

 

 

ISRAEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

UPDATE ON JERUSALEM SUICIDE BOMBING

For the latest: http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/pages/Flash1.html

Thursday, March 21, 2002

(GPO 2) UPDATE: ISRAEL TV CHANNEL 2 REPORTING TWO DEAD AND AT LEAST 41 WOUNDED (7 SERIOUSLY) IN THIS AFTERNOON’S SUICIDE-BOMBING IN JLEM (KING GEORGE ST, BETWEEN CORNERS OF HAHISTADRUT & AGRIPPAS). ISRAEL TV CHANNEL 2 ALSO REPORTS THAT FATAH "AL AQSA MARTYR BRIGADES" HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTACK. (COMM BY GPO)

IMRA: Israel Radio reported that PA security chief Jibril Rajoub and other Palestinian officials reiterated that the PA would not take action to control Arafat’s Fatah "AL Aqsa Martyr Brigades" or any other illegal militias.

--------------------------------------------

IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Website: www.imra.org.il

 

HEALING PRAYERS

With Israelis continuing to suffer so horribly, take a few moments this Shabbat to pray for those who are wounded, whose Hebrew names can be found at the "cholim" Web site, at http://www.torah.org/services/cholim/cholim.php3.

 

UJC NEW YORK RALLY SUNDAY

The United Jewish Communities, in partnership with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is organizing a Gathering on Sunday, March 24 to demonstrate that We Stand With Israel. The program, scheduled to last from noon to 2 PM, will be headlined by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, and there will be a live feed from Israel. Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres and a number of other Israelis will be part of the broadcast, which will be delivered by satellite feed to scores of communities across North America.

You can join them from the comfort of your own home, via webcast at www.ujc.org . It is recommended that you log on half an hour ahead of time to make sure that you can access the program.

 

 

JUST THE FACTS: Services and Such (scroll down to the bottom for other Beth El announcements)

Friday Night: Candles: 5:50 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the chapel

SPECIAL ADDITIONAL SERVICE: TALKING AT THE BORDERS: Interfaith Families and Extended Families Walking the Line: 7:30 P.M. Join Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener for an engaging service and a thought provoking discussion on the challenges and joys encountered by interfaith families and their extended families

MEDITATIVE MINCHA Shabbat afternoon, March 23rd at 4:00p.m. All those in a meditative mood are invited to join Rabbi Cohen-Kiener. Featuring niggunim, chant and contemplation to enjoy the day of rest. RSVP to 322-6901, extension 306.

 

Shabbat Morning:

P'sukey d'zimra (psalms and meditations) 9:15 and Shacharit: 9:30

MAZAL TOV to Daniel Madwed, who becomes Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat morning;

MAZAL TOV to Richard and Tara Shapiro, on the naming of their daughter Ashley Lauren

Torah Portion: Tzav -- Shabbat Ha-Gadol: A look at the sacrificial system, and a special haftorah for the Shabbat before Pesach. Read the Masorti commentary at http://www.masorti.org/mason/torah/index.asp. JTS commentary is at: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/. USCJ Torah Sparks can be found at http://uscj.org/item20_467.html. UAHC Shabbat Table Talk discussions are at http://uahc.org/torah/exodus.shtml. Other divrei Torah via the Torahnet home page: http://uahcweb.org/torahnet/. Test your Parasha I.Q.: http://www.ou.org/jewishiq/parsha/default.htm. CLAL's Torah commentary archive: http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvQhbV2AtLb/

CONTEMPLATIVE LEARNER’S MINYAN: 10:00 A.M., led by Rabbi Cohen-Kiener:

Children's Services: 10:30, in the chapel (grades 3 - 6) and downstairs in the Kindergarten room for younger grades. This week, the chapel service will be "hosted" by grade 4.

 

Morning Minyan: Daily at 7:30, Sundays at 9:00 (N.B. THERE IS NO EARLY MORNING MINYAN ON THE FIRST TWO AND LAST TWO DAYS OF PASSOVER).

 

PASSOVER SERVICE SCHEDULE

N.B. CHILDREN'S SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON THE FIRST TWO AND LAST TWO DAYS OF PASSOVER

ALL HAMETZ SALE FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON (I will be selling our hametz to Alberto Eyzaguirre early on Wednesday morning. Should he choose to, Alberto will sell it back to us following Passover. So -- BE ESPECIALLY NICE TO HIM THIS WEEK!)

Wed. March 27: FAST OF THE FIRST BORN… Siyum for the first born (quick study session following the tradition that will enable first born to end their fast on that morning) -- to be held immediately following morning minyan.

 

Wed.: Candles at 5:56 PM

Thurs. March 28 and Friday March 29Morning service at 9:30 AM (9:15 for Psukey d'Zimra). Please note that Stamford Schools are not in session on the second day of Passover (Something about it being a very Good Friday, I hear). Take this opportunity to join with us here -- and bring the extended family!

Friday, March 29: Candles at 5:58. Shabbat Hol Ha-Moed service: 8:00 PM

Saturday, March 30: Psukey d'Zimra at 9:15 AM, Shacharit at 9:30. Family Service. We read Song of Songs on the Intermediate Shabbat of Passover. The lunch will be co-sponsored by the Braun's and Greenmans in honor of the upcoming Bat Mitzvahs of Jennifer Greenman and Joelle Braun.

MAZAL TOV to Robin and Greg Druckman on the naming of their daughter Shayna Druckman at this service, and a special welcome back to Shayna's grandparents, Ron and Belle Agronin.

 

 

Spiritual Journey on the Web: Call Me Ashke-sephard

This week's journey begins with my own article in the week's Jewish Week, at http://www.thejewishweek.com/top/editletcontent.php3?artid=1862, which in turn was based on a sermon I gave here a couple of weeks ago. I make the claim to being a Jewish mutt, and that all the old lines of division between Jews are dissolving. Unfortunately, some are not going down without a fight, and, as you can see from the below material on a new Conversion Crisis, even in wartime, "Who is a Jew" is rearing its ugly head once again in Israel. What I thought I'd do was to transform that article into a web journey, complete with hyperlinks and annotation, to encourage you to explore more fully the shifting sands of Jewish identity. For what is Passover but an annual Jewish Identity Booster Shot? Let's prepare to once again sit around the Seder table with family and friends by gaining a better understanding of what it means to be a Jew in this crazy, complex world.

My Boston-bred sister Lisa, who is Orthodox and now living in Israel, recently married a Jew by choice originally from Texas, whom she met on their settlement on the West Bank (see where at http://www.geocities.com/m_yericho/). In the scheme of the Jewish world today, that match comes as no shock.

But now she tells me that she has decided to become Sephardi. (for lots of this subject, see the Sephardi Connection at http://www.sephardiconnect.com/, and also check out the American Sephardi Federation at http://www.amsephfed.org/)

Please understand, no one in this world looks less Sephardi than my red-haired, freckle-faced, fair-skinned, dimple-cheeked sister. If I were in the Israeli rabbinate, I would surely investigate this — except that they’re the ones who authorized it.

It seems that when her husband, Asher, converted, an Ashkenazi and a Sephardi rabbi were both present. Asher asked them which tradition he should adopt, Ashkenazi (European-based, see 
http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Judaism/Ashkenazim.html) or Sephardi (primarily Middle Eastern, Spanish based) and was told to take neither but to wait for the time when a new indigenous Israeli tradition is established. So for the time being, he took on Sephardi ways, and when my sister married him she went along for the ride. (What are the differences between the two? Go to http://www.landfield.com/faqs/judaism/FAQ/07-Jews-As-Nation/section-3.html, also http://www.escape.com/~elyaqim/ashk/)


And a nice ride it is, thank you very much. For now, with Pesach approaching, Lisa will be able to get away with things that would make most American Jews turn karpas-green with envy. She gets to eat the rice and legumes ("kitniyot") that Sephardi Jews have always eaten, foods that their more stringent Ashkenazi cousins have avoided. Cleanup is also not as difficult as in an Ashkenazi kitchen. (For Sephardi customs on Pesach, and lots more, go to 
http://www.midrash.org/)

All of this, and the only drawback is having to do "hagba" (lifting the Torah) with those heavy, encased Torah scrolls. So where do I sign up to become Sephardi?

A few years ago, the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Israel came out with a rabbinic ruling indicating that it was OK for Ashkenazi Israelis to adapt a Sephardi posture with regard to kitniyot on Pesach (see the ruling at 
http://www.tifereth-israel.org/legumes.html). The feeling was it would make sense to relax the practice in order to allow all Jews in Israel to "break bread" together on the holiday, so to speak.

But Israel is Israel, with a majority Sephardi population, and America is America, where the European legacy prevails. So when I offered my congregants the Masorti ruling as a valid Passover option, and when I told them that, as a vegetarian, I would be adopting it myself, people went ballistic. It was as if I had just sanctioned the eating of pork, except that a number of certified pepperoni pizza eaters were among those who scoffed at the impudence of my OK to eat kitniyot.

Despite the resistance of these inveterate Ashkenazim, it’s clear the distinctions are dissolving, almost as fast as you can say "Sadducee." (Read about Josephus' views on this 1st century sect at 
http://www.jewishgates.org/history/eyewitness/josects.stm, or, in simplified version at http://religion.rutgers.edu/iho/pharisee.htmlFor the pattern of the past several centuries of Jewish life has been to create acute cultural divisions, pump lots of anger into these feuds, and then to see them run out of gas within a few generations. We Jews divide like amoebas, but our internal conflicts tend to dissipate quickly. The Litvaks (http://litvakai.mch.mii.lt/religious_tradition/) and the Galicianers (http://www.geocities.com/turkel.geo/Galicia.htm), bitter enemies in the Old Country, now lie down like the lion and the lamb (if they even know what they are); the Zionist Revisionists (http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/j/jabotins.asphttp://www.odessit.com/namegal/english/jabotins.htm) and Laborites now share a unity government (for the whole shebang on Zionist history, go to http://www.hum.huji.ac.il/dinur/Internetresources/zionism.htm#leaders and go to town!); and today’s chasidim act more like their former arch enemies, the Mitnagdim (http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/363_Transp/Orthodoxy/Misnagdim.html), than did the original Mitnagdim two centuries ago, who defined themselves by the fact that they hated chasidim.

As for the religious denominations, growing numbers of Jews shun the old labels, choosing to identify themselves as "post-denominational," "Reformstrucative" or "Renewal-Orthoprax." Rarely do the labels matter anymore because the sands of Jewish identity are shifting too quickly. (All the movements of Judaism are described on a basic level at 
http://www.jewfaq.org/movement.htm)


That’s a good thing, for just as Israel needs to maintain its unity government, the rest of the Jewish world is also aching for unity.

A few weeks ago, the Israeli Supreme Court issued a landmark decision granting unprecedented recognition to non-Orthodox conversions that occur in Israel. While the Orthodox authorities haven’t been happy, the response on all sides has been amazingly muted. We’ve all come to realize that it’s ludicrous for Jews to haggle over questions of "Who is a Jew" when terrorists are answering that question loud and clear. We all seem to be intuiting that this is not the time to emphasize our differences — those that haven’t already dissolved. (Unfortunately, see below for an update on this issue)

So call me Sephardi this year when Pesach rolls around.

Call me Sephardi when I say the Kaddish ("YIT-gadal") (What is the Mourner's Kaddish? See 
http://www.tifereth-israel.org/dvarlav.html) but Ashkenazi when I say "Good Shabbos." I like to combine a Sephardi diet with an Ashkenazi soul; my blood churns Ladino hot (http://www.hareshima.com/Study/Ladino.asphttp://www.jewishworldreview.com/0798/ladino1.asp) and my humor spouts Yiddish (http://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/) irony. I daven Orthodox (http://www.godaven.com/), hum chasidic (http://www.bethelsudbury.org/prayer/nigdesc.htm), philosophize Conservative (http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/rl/jcu-belief.htmlhttp://www.crosscurrents.org/heschel.htm), innovate Reconstructionist (http://www.rrc.edu/reconstructionism/), meditate kabbalist (http://www.elatchayyim.org/) and do social action Reform (http://www.rac.org/). I’m Likud (http://www.likud.org.il/) on terrorism and Labor (http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html) on human rights. I’m Meretz (http://www.meretz.org.il/) meets Yesha (http://www.moetzetyesha.co.il/); and they do meet — in me. I’d have been a Zealot on Masada (http://www.jewishmag.com/26mag/masada/masada.htm) yet a Pharisee in Yavneh (http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/biography/ben_zakkai.html), a Saul supporter on Gilboa (http://www.imakenews.com/gems/e_article000002700.cfm) and a Davidite in Jerusalem. I’ve got the Gaon of Vilna (http://members.aol.com/LazerA/VilnaGaon.htm) in my mind and the Baal Shem Tov (http://members.aol.com/LazerA/baalshemtov.html) in my heart. Dig deep enough and you may even find that I’ve got a little Karaite in me, too (http://www.karaite-korner.org/)

In short, I’m a Jewish mutt.

All of Jewish history culminates in each of us. We all are the synthesis of Torah and time. Seemingly irreconcilable opposites are reconciled in the intractable, complex matrix of the individual Jewish soul.

So good Shabbos to you, a zisen Pesach … and please pass the legumes.

 

 

Quote of the Week: (this week, a full editorial)

 

NO EQUIVALENCE
Editorial, Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2002


General Anthony Zinni is returning to the Middle East today in search of a cease-fire. On Tuesday the U.S. sponsored a United Nations Security Council resolution supporting a Palestinian state. And State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has called for Israel to "exercise the utmost restraint and discipline to avoid further harm to civilians"--as if the difference between Palestinian suicide bombers and Israel's measured response isn't abundantly clear. Even President Bush said yesterday that Israel's recent military actions are "not helpful."

The reason for the Administration's sudden re-engagement on the issue is no secret. Vice President Dick Cheney is in the region trying to build support for regime change in Iraq, and the deteriorating Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a sore spot in our relations with the Arab world. The trouble is, this activity comes just as Israel has started to win some important victories in its war on terror. And worse, it threatens to undermine the moral case for our own war--a case President Bush couldn't have put any better than he did Monday, declaring: "There can be no peace in a world where differences and grievances become an excuse to target the innocent for murder."

A couple of years ago, perhaps, it was still possible to argue that Palestinian violence was the work of a few Islamic extremists, and that punishing Yasser Arafat only made it harder for him to rein them in. But in the summer of 2000 Israel offered Mr. Arafat a state, and Mr. Arafat launched a war. The lion's share of recent attacks have been carried out not by Hamas or Islamic Jihad, but by the military wing of Mr. Arafat's own Fatah movement. And after Saturday night's deadly suicide bombing at the Moment cafe in Jerusalem, Mr. Arafat's state radio praised the bomber as a "heroic martyr."

In short, the targeting of innocents is Mr. Arafat's explicit strategy to address the "grievance" of Israeli occupation. Israel, on the other hand, has pursued a policy of carefully targeting militants, and has been risking its soldiers over the past week to arrest suspects and confiscate weapons in Palestinian towns and refugee camps. Some non-combatants have been killed, but there is no moral equivalence here--certainly not the kind implied by U.S. proposals for monitors to keep peace between the two sides, or by Colin Powell's declaration last week that "if you declare war on the Palestinians and think you can solve the problem by seeing how many Palestinians can be killed, I don't know if that leads us anywhere." The message all this sends Mr. Arafat is unmistakable: Ratchet up suicidal bombings of Israeli civilians, induce a military response, and the U.S. will heavily pressure Israel for concessions.

The Saudi peace "plan," meanwhile, seems to be going nowhere fast. [I]f Crown Prince Abdullah were serious, he might have presented it to Ariel Sharon as Israel's elected leader, not to a New York Times columnist. He might also have presented it two years ago, when it could have made a difference, instead of urging Mr. Arafat to reject the hugely concessionary offer made by former Israeli Prime Minister Barak at Camp David. Now there's even talk among the Arab League of removing any reference to "normalization" at all. Without that, it amounts to nothing but a demand for unconditional surrender.

We understand the Bush Administration's concerns as it makes the case in foreign capitals for an expansion of the war on terror. But the White House should understand that both strategic and moral consistency means sometimes telling people what they don't want to hear. To wit: The U.S. has already spent more than a decade sponsoring talks for Israel to return to something like the 1967 borders, and the Palestinian grievance over Israeli occupation must be addressed by a return to the negotiating table, not violence aimed explicitly at innocent civilians.

The definition of such violence is terrorism. It is the very kind of anti-civilian terror as an instrument of politics that President Bush so eloquently condemned on Monday. Until such time as the Arab world is ready to seek solutions by civilized means, the U.S. has no moral alternative to standing firmly behind Prime Minister Sharon's war against such terror.

 

 


REQUIRED READING AND ACTION ITEMS

 

ON ISRAEL AND TERRORISM

At the suggestion of our own Jami Shapiro, who is studying in Israel this year, look at the article on how Israelis are coping at the new web site Israel 21c (an excellent site) , home page : http://www.israel21c.org:7001/ISRAEL21c/bin/en.jsp?enPage=HomePage. The article itself is at http://www.israel21c.org:7001/ISRAEL21c/bin/en.jsp?enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Articles%5El103&enZone=democracy&enVersion=0&. And one more thing: HAPPY PESACH JAMI!

This week's Jerusalem Report also has an article on how Israelis cope (not online) and interesting columns by former Beth El Scholar in residence Hirsh Goodman, at http://www.jrep.com/Columnists/Article-1.htmland editor David Horovitz, at http://www.jrep.com/Columnists/Article-0.html

The events of September 11th and continuing strife in the Middle East have brought Islamic culture and beliefs into the American consciousness, and, for many Jews, have deepened questions about the relationships between Judaism and Islam in historical and contemporary times. For those who are confronting these issues, Dr. Raymond Scheindlin, a noted scholar of Jewish and Arabic culture and literature, offers a guided reading list, which is found below. He lead an on-line discussion of these issues the week of April 15th. To learn more, click on http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/reading/islam

http://www.senate.gov/~inhofe/fl030402.html -- for a stirring defense on Israel given on the Senate floor.

http://www.themedialine.org/news/index.asp

http://www.walk4israel.com/ Writing to Israeli terror victims

 

THE CONVERSION CRISIS (SEE BELOW FOR BACKGROUND)

http://www.forward.com/issues/2002/02.03.22/oped1.html -- Rabbi David Hartman, "Indifference, not Conversion, Is the Real Crisis"

 

Passover:

USCJ Passover Guide and Seder Supplement, by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner: http://www.uscj.org/perekyomi/passover_guide.htm

From CLAL:

Steve Greenberg: Passover -- http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvPXbV2AtLb/

David Kraemer: Pesach - To Ask Questions -- http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvPYbV2AtLb/

Dianne Kohler Esses: To Tell the Exodus Story http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvPZbV2AtLb/

An Interactive Passover Holiday Card -- http://click.topica.com/maaaiRtaaRvP0bV2AtLb/

New Israel Fund’s new 20 page Haggadah Supplement is now available for downloading at http://www.newisraelfund.org/content.cfm?id=1597&currbody=1.

The Forward: Finding Personal Meaning in Passover Rituals: http://www.forward.com/issues/2002/02.03.22/fast7.html

http://www.rabassembly.org/info/pesahguide/ Rabbinical Assembly guide to Passover practice

http://www.thejewishweek.com/bottom/special.php3 Jewish Week Passover supplement

Kashrut.Com - The Premier Kosher Information Source on the Internet http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/;

http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/default.htm;

http://www.kosherquest.org/html/passover.htm

http://www.kosher.com/?ad=11 -- Order Passover food online

http://all-worldtravel.links2go.com/more/www.kosher.co.il/ An extensive array of Kosher links

www.iabolish.com/passover/ a valuable new web site that provides materials and activities about modern day slavery; are appropriate for Passover.

 

CRISIS IN ARGENTINA:

Approximately 220,000 Jews live in Argentina, more than 50,000 below the poverty line -- and the number is rapidly accelerating. The current financial crisis has had a devastating impact on all institutions of Jewish life there. Included in this are many Masorti institutions. Contributions to the Argentina Masorti Social Assistance Fund can be made payable to the "World Council of Synagogues, Inc." and sent to World Council of Synagogues, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. All contributions are tax deductible.

 

EMERGENCY PRE-PASSOVER FOOD DRIVE FOR PERSON TO PERSON

This past year Temple Beth El’s High Holy Day Food Drive exceeded all previous years. Because of present economic conditions more families are coming to the Person-To-Person Food Pantry for help. This is particularly true at the end of each month.

In 2001 Person-To-Person’s pantry provided over 112,000 meals to over 906 different families. In January 2002, 517 families requested food supplies totaling 7,000 meals. Other emergency providers are also reporting increased demand and reduced supply.

During this month, in which we celebrate Passover, we remember the commandment in the Haggadah, "Let all who are hungry come and eat." Person-To-Person is not looking for matzos or gefilte fish, but is in need of cereal, pasta, rice, soups and canned fruits and vegetables.

Please do your part by bringing one or two bags of food to the Temple by Friday, March 22nd. If you prefer, take the food bags directly to the Person-To-Person Food Pantry behind St. Luke’s Church at 1864 Post Road in Darien, CT. Empty bags are available in our lobby.

Your holiday is always sweeter if it’s shared!

 

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK INTO THE MIKVA………. (At the worst possible time, the conversion crisis hits again)

As expected, the Orthodox establishment is trying to circumvent a recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling that gave unprecedented recognition to non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel. Below is the text of a letter I hope that you will send (cut and paste or change as you see fit) by e-mail, or by fax, to your local Israeli consulate and to the Israeli embassy. Please send a copy to the Masorti office by e-mail masorti@masorti.org or by Fax: 972-2-6246869) and they will pass it on to the relevant authorities in Israel. You may also wish to contact Rabbi Danny Allen at the Foundation for Masorti Judaism in Israel for more ways to help. For a fuller explanation of the matter, scroll down and read the letter sent by our Conservative leadership to Prime Minister Sharon.

Dear Prime Minister Sharon,

As a Zionist, and as a Conservative Jew, I turn to you out of my deep concern for Jewish unity and out of a desire to avoid a schism between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. I am concerned that a law (The Law of Conversion) intended to circumvent the recent ruling of Israel's Supreme Court mandating the recognition of Masorti/Conservative and Reform conversions would be contrary to democratic values and show contempt for the Israeli judicial system.
During these troubled times we stand together with Israel. The passage of this legislation, at this time, would be a disastrous blow to the unity of the Jewish people.

Respectfully,

Send to:
New York, U.N. Consulate1-212-499 5510 
israel.un@israelfm.org
Washington, Embassy of Israel1-202-364 5500, 
ask@israelemb.org

The original letter…

To:
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Office of the Prime Minister
HaKirya
Jerusalem

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Out of a deep feeling of concern regarding the unity of the Jewish people, and a desire to prevent an erosion in the relationship between the State of Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora, we are turning to you concerning the matter of "The Law on Conversion." The Israeli Supreme Court decision on conversion, of February 20, 2002, was welcomed by an overwhelming majority of world Jewry. The decision of the court was an historic milestone toward official recognition, by the State of Israel, of the religious movements that make up the majority of Diaspora Jewry.

For this reason, we would presume that the acceptance of this court decision and its immediate and full implementation would not only be the logical step of a democratic government, bound to uphold the law, but it would also serve as a concrete contribution toward the unity of our People and the strengthening of Israel-Diaspora relations.

Sadly, it turns out that there are those who refuse to accept this Supreme Court verdict and who seek to overturn it. Once they failed to achieve this aim by way of the elimination of the "nationality" clause from the national identity card -Teudat Zehut - (causing damage to the security of the State) they sought to enact legislation that would circumvent the decision of the Supreme Court. An ultimatum has been issued to the government to pass legislation that would broaden the powers of the Chief Rabbinate and extend to it a monopoly over conversion. We urge you to reject this demand. Any law seeking to overturn the Supreme Court decision, be it "The Law on Conversion," or an attempt to impose that which was never agreed upon by the Ne'eman Commission, or any other version that would seek to prevent the implementation of the Supreme Court decision, could lead, heaven forbid, to a deep schism and an open confrontation, between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel, and to the erosion of freedom of religion and conscience of Israeli citizens and residents.

Sadly, today the State of Israel is in one of its most difficult hours. Those of us who live and work in the Diaspora, stand with you in the brave fight against terror and violence. Especially in these difficult times we all must strive for Jewish solidarity and unity.

We call upon you not to surrender to the demands of Shas, and not to lend a hand to the prospective legislation that would be so harmful to this unity. A vote for "The Conversion Bill" would be, in our view, a deep insult and a rejection of our entire movement, as well as a hard blow to the unity of the Jewish people. A vote for "The Law on Conversion" could, heaven forbid, create open confrontation between Israel and the Diaspora. Surrender to the demands of Shas would be, in our view, an undermining of the Jewish and the democratic nature of the State of Israel.

Mr. Prime Minister, please, to not allow such a thing to happen.

"For the sake of my brothers and my friends I say: May peace reside within you. For the sake of the House of the Lord I shall seek your welfare. May the Lord grant His people strength, May the Lord bless His people with peace."(Psalms 29:11)

The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor, Mr. Gershon Kekst, Chairman of the Board of Governors

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Director Ms. Judy Yudoff, President

The International Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Joel Meyers, Director Rabbi Reuven Hammer, President

The Foundation for Masorti Judaism in Israel
Rabbi Daniel Allen, President Rabbi Gordon Tucker,Chairman of the Board

The Woman's League for Conservative Judaism
Ms. Bernice Balter, Director Ms. Janet Tobin, president

The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
Rabbi Charles Simon, Director Mr. Robert Levine, President

The Cantors Assembly
Cantor Steven Stein, Director Cantor Sheldon Levin, President

Merkaz USA
Rabbi Robert Golub, Director Ms. Evelyn Selig, President

Masorti Olami-The World Council of Conservative Synagogues
Rabbi Joseph Wernick, Director Rabbi Allen Silverstein, President

The Masorti Movement in Israel
Rabbi Ehud Bandel, President Dr. David Brakestone, Chairman of Board

 

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

MAZAL TOV to: Alice Jaffe on the birth of a grandson, Elias Leo, born to Tatiana & Stephen Jaffe

 

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS

ALL YOUTH, GRADES K-8: Baseball League registration closes Friday, March 22nd. For more information, contact Marcie youth@tbe.org or call 322-6901, ext. 324.

KADIMA (Grades 6-8): CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE & PIZZA!! Chocolate Seder will be this Sunday, March 24th, 5-7 pm, $10. Please e-mail Marcie youth@tbe.org or call 322-6901, ext. 324 to sign-up.

ATID (Grades K-2) & KESHER (Grades 3-5): Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hockey Game trip, Sunday, April 7th, $30 - includes Center Club Seating, transportation by bus and snacks. For more information, contact Marcie youth@tbe.org or call 322-6901, ext. 324.

USY (Grades 9-12) Spring Convention is coming!!!! April 12-14, North Haven Holiday Inn. For application/information, contact Marcie youth@tbe.org or call 322-6901, ext. 324. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is April 1st - no exceptions!

8TH GRADERS: 8th Grade Overnight at USY's Spring ConventionApril 13-14, North Haven Holiday Inn. For application/information, contact Marcie youth@tbe.org or call 322-6901, ext. 324. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is April 1st - no exceptions!

 

 

MORE UPCOMING PROGRAMS WITH RABBI ANDREA COHEN-KEINER!!

 

Friday evening March, 22nd at 7:30 pm

TALKING AT THE BORDERS

Interfaith Families and Extended Families Walking the Line

Join Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener for engaging service and a thought provoking discussion on the challenges and joys encountered by interfaith families and their extended families

TELL YOUR FRIENDS (INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE UNAFFILIATED)!!!

-----------------------------

Shabbat, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m.

Spend Shabbat morning with Rabbi Cohen-Kiener

CONTEMPLATIVE LEARNER’S MINYAN

A spirited, spiritual service filled with stories, song and meaningful prayer

------------------------------

Shabbat afternoon, March 23rd at 4:00p.m.

All those in a meditative mood are invited to join Rabbi Cohen-Kiener for a

MEDITATIVE MINCHA

Featuring niggunim, chant and contemplation to enjoy the day of rest

RSVP to 322-6901 extension 306

 

 

Coming soon….

 

Trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage

Date: April 28, 2002- Sunday

Time: Bus departs TBE at 10:30, return late afternoon.

Cost: $36- includes transportation, museum fees, and guided tour of the museum, plus kosher lunch at the Museum.

Send checks to TBE, write on check "seniors trip". Anyone wanting more information can call me at home. Phone 203-329-9516.

All checks must be in by April 4th, as the Museum requires payment in full by April 7, 2002. There are no refunds and the date will be not be held after April 7th, 2002 if they don't have the full payment.

 

 

Annual Cantor's Concert, featuring the Klezmer Conservatory band of Boston:

April 21 @ 3 PM

 

 

Temple Beth El To Honor Hazzan Rabinowitz

The Committee to Honor Hazzan & Sandy is looking for former Junior Choir singers to participate in the upcoming festivities! If your son or daughter ever participated in the Beth El Junior Choir, please call Roz Perlson (323-7328), Kathy Paseltiner (356-9735) or Carol Kalter (968-1075) to give his/her name, address and phone number. Thank you.


May 4 - Dinner Dance at Temple Beth El
May 19 - Community Event to Honor Sidney and Sandy Rabinowitz

Send us any memories, history, personal observations, programs, photos or other memorabilia. Those wishing to honor the Hazzan with a gift to the temple can do so with an entry in a journal being prepared for the May 4 event. Watch your mail for details or contact Roberta Aronovitch (for information) at 203-322-6901 ext 304 or by e-mail at 
execdir@tbe.org

 

Junior Choir Reunion! Friday, June 14, 2002

The Committee to Honor Hazzan & Sandy is looking for former Junior Choir singers to participate in the upcoming festivities! If your son or daughter ever participated in the Beth El Junior Choir, please call Roz Perlson (323-7328), Kathy Paseltiner (356-9735) or Carol Kalter (968-1075) to give his/her name, address and phone number.

 

 

Beth El Cares

 BETH EL CARES and AMERICARES HOME FRONT NEED YOU!

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2001 (FLEXIBLE HOURS)

Please volunteer to help us refurbish and repair the home of an elderly Stamford resident. No experience needed, though we are also looking for people with painting and home repair experience to assist the group.

TO SIGN UP OR TO GET MORE INFORMATION CALL:

Art and Sue Greenwald at (203) 329-1662 or e-mail adg521@optonline.net

JOIN THE MAY MITZVAH TEAM!

 

 

SHABBAT SHALOM and HAG SAMEACH V'KASHER!



The 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 sign up at www.tbe.org. You can unsubscribe by contacting our office at office@tbe.org.

For more information on my 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.

 

 

 

Call Me Ashke-Sephard - The Jewish Mutt





(this was done as a Web Journey in the Shabbat-O-Grma of March 22, 2002. Some of the links may no longer be operative, but the basic ideas expressed are as relevant as ever!)

This week's journey begins with my own article in the week's Jewish Week, at http://www.thejewishweek.com/top/editletcontent.php3?artid=1862, which in turn was based on a sermon I gave here a couple of weeks ago. I make the claim to being a Jewish mutt, and that all the old lines of division between Jews are dissolving.

What I thought I'd do was to transform that article into a web journey, complete with hyperlinks and annotation, to encourage you to explore more fully the shifting sands of Jewish identity. For what is Passover but an annual Jewish Identity Booster Shot? Let's prepare to once again sit around the Seder table with family and friends by gaining a better understanding of what it means to be a Jew in this crazy, complex world.

My Boston-bred sister Lisa, who is Orthodox and now living in Israel, recently married a Jew by choice originally from Texas, whom she met on their settlement on the West Bank (see where at http://www.geocities.com/m_yericho/). In the scheme of the Jewish world today, that match comes as no shock.

But now she tells me that she has decided to become Sephardi. (for lots of this subject, see the Sephardi Connection at http://www.sephardiconnect.com/, and also check out the American Sephardi Federation at http://www.amsephfed.org/)Please understand, no one in this world looks less Sephardi than my red-haired, freckle-faced, fair-skinned, dimple-cheeked sister. If I were in the Israeli rabbinate, I would surely investigate this — except that they’re the ones who authorized it. It seems that when her husband, Asher, converted, an Ashkenazi and a Sephardi rabbi were both present. Asher asked them which tradition he should adopt, Ashkenazi (European-based, see http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Judaism/Ashkenazim.html) or Sephardi (primarily Middle Eastern, Spanish based) and was told to take neither but to wait for the time when a new indigenous Israeli tradition is established. So for the time being, he took on Sephardi ways, and when my sister married him she went along for the ride. (What are the differences between the two? Go to http://www.landfield.com/faqs/judaism/FAQ/07-Jews-As-Nation/section-3.html, also http://www.escape.com/~elyaqim/ashk/)

And a nice ride it is, thank you very much. For now, with Pesach approaching, Lisa will be able to get away with things that would make most American Jews turn karpas-green with envy. She gets to eat the rice and legumes ("kitniyot") that Sephardi Jews have always eaten, foods that their more stringent Ashkenazi cousins have avoided. Cleanup is also not as difficult as in an Ashkenazi kitchen. (For Sephardi customs on Pesach, and lots more, go to http://www.midrash.org/)All of this, and the only drawback is having to do "hagba" (lifting the Torah) with those heavy, encased Torah scrolls. So where do I sign up to become Sephardi? A few years ago, the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Israel came out with a rabbinic ruling indicating that it was OK for Ashkenazi Israelis to adapt a Sephardi posture with regard to kitniyot on Pesach (see the ruling at http://www.tifereth-israel.org/legumes.html). The feeling was it would make sense to relax the practice in order to allow all Jews in Israel to "break bread" together on the holiday, so to speak.

But Israel is Israel, with a majority Sephardi population, and America is America, where the European legacy prevails. So when I offered my congregants the Masorti ruling as a valid Passover option, and when I told them that, as a vegetarian, I would be adopting it myself, people went ballistic. It was as if I had just sanctioned the eating of pork, except that a number of certified pepperoni pizza eaters were among those who scoffed at the impudence of my OK to eat kitniyot. Despite the resistance of these inveterate Ashkenazim, it’s clear the distinctions are dissolving, almost as fast as you can say "Sadducee." (Read about Josephus' views on this 1st century sect at http://www.jewishgates.org/history/eyewitness/josects.stm, or, in simplified version at http://religion.rutgers.edu/iho/pharisee.html) For the pattern of the past several centuries of Jewish life has been to create acute cultural divisions, pump lots of anger into these feuds, and then to see them run out of gas within a few generations.

We Jews divide like amoebas, but our internal conflicts tend to dissipate quickly. The Litvaks (http://litvakai.mch.mii.lt/religious_tradition/) and the Galicianers (http://www.geocities.com/turkel.geo/Galicia.htm), bitter enemies in the Old Country, now lie down like the lion and the lamb (if they even know what they are); the Zionist Revisionists (http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/j/jabotins.asp, http://www.odessit.com/namegal/english/jabotins.htm) and Laborites now share a unity government (for the whole shebang on Zionist history, go to http://www.hum.huji.ac.il/dinur/Internetresources/zionism.htm#leaders and go to town!); and today’s chasidim act more like their former arch enemies, the Mitnagdim (http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/363_Transp/Orthodoxy/Misnagdim.html), than did the original Mitnagdim two centuries ago, who defined themselves by the fact that they hated chasidim. As for the religious denominations, growing numbers of Jews shun the old labels, choosing to identify themselves as "post-denominational," "Reformstrucative" or "Renewal-Orthoprax." Rarely do the labels matter anymore because the sands of Jewish identity are shifting too quickly. (All the movements of Judaism are described on a basic level at http://www.jewfaq.org/movement.htm)

That’s a good thing, for just as Israel needs to maintain its unity government, the rest of the Jewish world is also aching for unity. A few weeks ago, the Israeli Supreme Court issued a landmark decision granting unprecedented recognition to non-Orthodox conversions that occur in Israel. While the Orthodox authorities haven’t been happy, the response on all sides has been amazingly muted. We’ve all come to realize that it’s ludicrous for Jews to haggle over questions of "Who is a Jew" when terrorists are answering that question loud and clear. We all seem to be intuiting that this is not the time to emphasize our differences — those that haven’t already dissolved. (Unfortunately, see below for an update on this issue)So call me Sephardi this year when Pesach rolls around. Call me Sephardi when I say the Kaddish ("YIT-gadal") (What is the Mourner's Kaddish? See http://www.tifereth-israel.org/dvarlav.html) but Ashkenazi when I say "Good Shabbos." I like to combine a Sephardi diet with an Ashkenazi soul; my blood churns Ladino hot (http://www.hareshima.com/Study/Ladino.asp, http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0798/ladino1.asp) and my humor spouts Yiddish (http://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/) irony. I daven Orthodox (http://www.godaven.com/), hum chasidic (http://www.bethelsudbury.org/prayer/nigdesc.htm), philosophize Conservative (http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/rl/jcu-belief.html, http://www.crosscurrents.org/heschel.htm), innovate Reconstructionist (http://www.rrc.edu/reconstructionism/), meditate kabbalist (http://www.elatchayyim.org/) and do social action Reform (http://www.rac.org/). I’m Likud (http://www.likud.org.il/) on terrorism and Labor (http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html) on human rights. I’m Meretz (http://www.meretz.org.il/) meets Yesha (http://www.moetzetyesha.co.il/); and they do meet — in me. I’d have been a Zealot on Masada (http://www.jewishmag.com/26mag/masada/masada.htm) yet a Pharisee in Yavneh (http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/biography/ben_zakkai.html), a Saul supporter on Gilboa (http://www.imakenews.com/gems/e_article000002700.cfm) and a Davidite in Jerusalem. I’ve got the Gaon of Vilna (http://members.aol.com/LazerA/VilnaGaon.htm) in my mind and the Baal Shem Tov (http://members.aol.com/LazerA/baalshemtov.html) in my heart. Dig deep enough and you may even find that I’ve got a little Karaite in me, too (http://www.karaite-korner.org/)

In short, I’m a Jewish mutt. All of Jewish history culminates in each of us. We all are the synthesis of Torah and time. Seemingly irreconcilable opposites are reconciled in the intractable, complex matrix of the individual Jewish soul. So good Shabbos to you, a zisen Pesach … and please pass the legumes.

Friday, March 15, 2002

Shabbat-O-Gram for March 15-17-- Nisan 3, 5762

 Shabbat-O-Gram for March 15-17-- Nisan 3, 5762

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Temple Beth El, Stamford, Connecticut

 

Shabbat Shalom

The Shabbat-O-Gram is being e-mailed out in plain text, but if you wish to see it in all its html splendor, you can click to it on the Web, at http://www.tbe.org/sog/020315.htm If you wish to unsubscribe, contact office@tbe.org.

With Israelis continuing to suffer so horribly, take a few moments this Shabbat to pray for those who are wounded, whose Hebrew names can be found at the "cholim" Web site, at http://www.torah.org/services/cholim/cholim.php3.

 

JUST THE FACTS: Services and Such…

Friday Night: Candles: 5:43 PM

Tot Shabbat: 7:15, in the lobby

Kabbalat Shabbat: 8:00 PM, in the sanctuary  

Shabbat Morning:

P'sukey d'zimra (psalms and meditations) 9:15 and Shacharit: 9:30

MAZAL TOV to Stephanie Bachar, who becomes Bat Mitzvah this Shabbat morning;

Torah Portion: Va-yikra: We begin the book of Leviticus. Read the Masorti commentary at http://www.masorti.org/mason/torah/index.asp. JTS commentary is at: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/. USCJ Torah Sparks can be found at http://uscj.org/item20_467.html. UAHC Shabbat Table Talk discussions are at http://uahc.org/torah/exodus.shtml. Other divrei Torah via the Torahnet home page: http://uahcweb.org/torahnet/. Test your Parasha I.Q.: http://www.ou.org/jewishiq/parsha/default.htm.

Children's Services: 10:30, in the chapel (grades 3 - 6) and downstairs in the Kindergarten room for younger grades. This week, the chapel service will be "hosted" by grade 3.

Shabbat Mincha-Havdalah: 5:15 PM.

MAZAL TOV to Allison Casper, who will become Bat Mitzvah this Shabbat afternoon.

Morning Minyan: Daily at 7:30, Sundays at 9:00.

 

Spiritual Journey on the Web: Haggadah Tales

The Haggadah demonstrates both the continuity and diversity of the Jewish people through history, and nowhere is that more apparent than on the Web.  There one can find a breathtaking array of Jewish expression.  Just type in the word "Haggadah" and on Excite you’ll find 1,515 Web sites, on AltaVista, 10,880, and in Google, 17,600. 

1)      Birds Heads

Where to begin… How about with history?  A superb assortment of medieval illuminated Haggadot can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/judaica/exhibits/haggadah/, where you’ll see the pages from the 13th century Bird’s Head Haggadah.  In this illuminated manuscript from southern Germany, the facial features of people have been replaced with those of birds, in deference to the commandment prohibiting graven images.  This stringent interpretation of the law was not the rule in medieval Haggadot, but it serves as a reminder not only of the piety of Jews in this generation, but also a hint as to their sense of self.  The images almost look like grotesque reflection of the centuries of European dehumanization of Jews.  Read Jerzy Kosinski’s "The Painted Bird," or Bernard Malamud’s short story "Jewbird," then look at these pictures  the effect is devastating.  This collection also features some fine modern Israeli Haggadot.

At http://www.cn.huc.edu/libraries/haggadahs/ you can find more medieval manuscripts.  Then it’s time to cross the pond to the British Museum, where you’ll find the exquisite Barcelona Haggadah, at http://www.facsimile-editions.com/bh_page.htm.

More history can be found at Ohr Samayach, at http://www.ohr.org.il/special/pesach/hagghist.htm
(with other Ohr info. on Passover at http://www.ohr.org.il/special/pesach/pesax.htm), which informs us that the popular song "Had Gadya" was first found in a Haggadah dating from the 12th century.  Also, although we don't know who actually authored Had Gadya, tradition teaches that it is a very significant work. "Literally hundreds of explanations have been written on it.  The Vilna Gaon (1730-1798) alone wrote more than 10 different explanations."

2)      Personal Statements and the Virtual Shtetl

There are a number of personal Haggadahs on the Web, and many of them are quite interesting.  Howard Rheingold, the well-known iconoclastic cyber-guru, has his at http://www.sirius.com/~ovid/haggadah.html.  The Parnes family Haggadah, at http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bparnes/HAGGADAH/seder.html, features downloadable music sung by bass singer of the group "Rockapella," which, for this former "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego" fan, was disappointing.  At http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Uncle_Eli/Eli.html, Uncle Eli spins children’s ditties about parts of the Seder, such as:

You can't ever fool me,
you can't ever hide.
Your matzah's not safe
in the house or outside.
I'm famous, fantastic!
I'll tell you, in brief--
I'm Abie, the Afikoman-thief!

But the biggest treat for me was to discover a link from another personal site, http://marc.canter.com/haggadah/ to something far more intriguing: a virtual shtetl, at  http://www.ibiblio.org/yiddish/.
Go to http://marc.canter.com/Haggadah/Haggadah-4.htm to find several links to Yiddish culture, then click http://www.ibiblio.org/yiddish/ to enter the virtual shtetl.  Be prepared to lose yourself there for hours browsing the images of old European synagogues, tracking your genealogy or writing down old recipes.  The World of Our Fathers doesn’t exactly come back to life here, but, like the Haggadah itself, a site like this can link us at least to echoes of our not-too-distant past.

3)      An Array of Judaisms

You can find a Haggadah to reflect almost every form of Judaism known -- and then some.  I even found a Christian Seder.  No, this is not part of that Hebrew Messianic garbage (and they do have a field day with Passover), but rather a guide for legitimate churches wishing to hold a "last Seder," and it’s at 
http://www.christianseder.com/

You know, in rabbinic history, Christianity was perhaps only the second most dangerous heretical sect. For many centuries, public enemy number #1 to the rabbis was a group called the Karaites.  You can find out all about them, and how they observe Passover, at http://www.karaite-korner.org/haggadah.shtml.  The Karaites take the Bible literally and reject rabbinic interpretation, so unlike our Haggadah, the Karaite Haggadah does not tell stories about Mishnaic rabbis staying up all night in B’nai Brak, but instead uses Biblical quotations to tell the story of the Exodus, interspersed with short explanations and blessings.  By the way, there are very few Karaites left, primarily in Israel, where to this day they still perform the annual Passover sacrifice, just as was done in the days of the Bible.

There really is a Haggadah for every taste.  There’s the Humanist Haggadah, at http://www.machar.org/passover.html, and one prepared especially for a Seder shared with the Dalai Lama, at http://www.savetibet.org/action/seder/hagg.htm. Parallels are drawn between the Jewish and Tibetan experiences.  Some of the text is quite inspiring:

"We set aside as a token of hope, this matzah of freedom, as we remember the Tibetan people, whether in exile or under the yoke of Chinese oppression. The Talmud teaches that in messianic times we will recall at Passover not just the liberation from Egypt but the liberation of all peoples from their oppression. We can bring that time of perfection closer by recalling the hope of freedom for all Tibetan people."

Not surprisingly the Seder ends with a chorus of "Next Year in Jerusalem" and "Next year in Lhasa."

4)      Good to the Last Drop

You can also find Web sites for a number of published Haggadahs.  Among these, some of my favorites are the Santa Cruz Haggadah, at http://www.santacruzhag.com/ (for a way-out "Californian" Seder), and the Shalom Hartman Institute’s wonderful Haggadah, " A Different Night," http://www.jajz-ed.org.il/hartman/.  I use it at my Seder.  The price has gown way down on this one (I’ve found them for under $8 a copy), so now might the time to switch from the old Maxwell House wine-stained booklets to something of lasting quality.  The same company that distributes the "A Different Night" also sells those fun Plagues Bags you may have seen around.  They’re a great way to involve the kids in the Seder  find them at http://www.haggadahsrus.com/Plagues_Bag.htm.

Speaking of the "Max," if you want to know about that icon of the American Jewish experience, see one, c. 1937, at http://www.jewishwomenexhibit.org/inside10.asp , read about one person’s memories of it http://www.jewish-holiday.com/pesach/maxwell.html and, if so inclined, buy one on e-bay at http://search-cache.ebay.com/themes/tvsponsors/goodtolastdrop.html.

Other links can take you to Haggadot modeled after specific themes, like world hunger and liberation, but I think it’s best to stop here, before the children fall asleep, so we can finish this virtual Seder.  BTW, want to know what’s for dessert?  Checked out "afikoman" on Google -- over a thousand hits; and "afikomen," another 1,800.

This could keep us in front of our computers all night  until our students in B’nai Brak inform us that it’s time for the morning prayers!

 

Quotes of the Week:

 "To the Israelis, I say: you have the right to live in peace and security within secure internationally recognized borders. But you must end the illegal occupation… To the Palestinians, I say: you have the inalienable right to a viable state within secure internationally recognized borders. But you must stop all acts of terror and all suicide bombings. It is doing immense harm to your cause, by weakening international support and making Israelis believe that it is their existence as a state, and not the occupation, that is being opposed."—UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, addressing the UN Security Council yesterday. His statement marks the first time he has branded the Israeli presence "illegal". (New York Times, March 13)


"Mr. Annan had firm words for both sides, and we welcome any call for the Palestinians to stop violence and terrorism. But the words 'illegal occupation’ are definitely regrettable. It feeds the notion that Israel woke up one morning and said, ‘Let’s take over this land.’ But history does not bear out that version of events."—A spokesman for the Israeli Mission to the UN, reacting to the Secretary-General Kofi Annan (National Post, March 13)


"We have no choice but to kill the occupier, to kill him everywhere, every village and every city. There’s no other way to defend ourselves."—Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi, threatening bloody revenge after Israeli defense forces mounted the largest military offensive in 20 years, thrusting into Ramallah as well as the Jabalya, Khan Yunis, Dehaishe, and Deir el Balah refugee camps. (Colonel Gad Hirsch, the IDF head of military operations in the West Bank, says that in its sweep Israel has captured scores of hardcore militants, and destroyed weapons arsenals and bomb-making factories.) (Nat’l Post, March 13)


"We are not going there to say, 'Look, we won.' No, that is not the point. Our aim is to foil attacks. When you come to Dehaishe or any other refugee camp and uncover laboratories for making bombs and rockets with solid fuel, TNT, and explosive belts, what else do you expect us to do?"--Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, saying that military actions against refugee camps will continue as long as terror attacks against Israel continue. (Jer. Post, March 12)


"We are not doing these military operations because of the women [a reference to the heaven full of virgins promised to suicide bombers]. We are doing them because of my house in Ashkelon. My house is stolen. I want it to go back to my children…" Dr. Nizar Rayan, a leader of the Islamic group Hamas. When asked if it was hard for him to have lost his son during a suicide attack in Gaza last fall, Rayan replied, "No, no, no, it was very easy… If we want to get back our land, it seems we have to lose half this generation.(N.Y.T., March 10)


"If they do such a thing here, next to the prime minister's residence, then where aren't you going to be afraid?"--Baka resident Avi Tubul, stepping around shards of broken glass at Jerusalem’s Moment Café after Saturday night’s terrorist attack. "If there was an attack in the city center…you would come to Moment…Moment was the place to go after there was an attack. Where will I go now?" Yankel Amzaleg, a frequent customer (Jer. Post, March 11)


"The liberal fantasy describing Yasser Arafat as ‘a partner for peace’ with Israel has always been farcical…in a 1972 conversation with the Italian journalist Orianna Fallaci, he made his views perfectly plain: ‘The end of Israel is the goal of our struggle and it allows for neither compromise nor mediation…We don’t want peace. We want war, victory...Peace for us means the destruction of Israel and nothing else.’"—Columnist George Jonas, citing Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat (Nat’l Post, March 10)


"Deadly terrorist attacks in Israel have escalated to a daily basis, and it is time to formally designate the Palestinian terrorist groups responsible for these attacks on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. Doing so will demonstrate to these groups, those who direct them, and those who associate with them or support them that the failure of these groups to conform their behavior to civilized norms has a price."--Letter to U.S. President George Bush, signed by 202 members (out of 435) of the U.S. House of Representatives, calling on Bush to add Yasser Arafat's Fatah-linked Tanzim, Force 17, and the Aksa Martyrs Brigades to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. (Jer. Post, March 12)

 

From: Rabbi Paul Freedman (in Jerusalem)

Dear Friends:

YES, Nina and I are all right, Nina got up from Shiva for our adored brother , Charles , of blessed memory.Adi , our granddaughter , is on the mend

YES, last night we heard the bang from the explosion at the restaurant on the Aza(Rehov)- Balfour junction.

YES, there was a pigua (attack) in Natanya

The following telephone call came from a friend in London just two minutes ago:

"I'd do anything to be in Israel now because people are not running away , because people are strong and care for each other and stay put. It's not the same here."

We know that a lot of you feel that way.

YES, we are not giving up. After two thousand years , we have a state and a army.

YES, we just went to Cafe Rimon for breakfast

YES, Nee is getting on a bus to go to Elezar across the road from Efrat to help our daughter - in - law , Zilla, because the kids are sick , she's pregnant , and Giddy ,our youngest is on Reserve Duty till Friday.

YES, the sun is shining ; there were kids outside Moment Cafe including a group from the Conservative Yeshiva with whom we joined for the saying of Tefillin this morning as the municipality cleared up.

We've been through much . We CHOOSE to be here , to get on a bus , to go to the Kotel

Pray for us , lobby for us. And if you choose to be here ,Nina and I welcome you with open arms for a meal,for a visit.

From Yeushalayim

Paul Freedman

 


REQUIRED READING AND ACTION ITEMS

 

ON ISRAEL AND TERRORISM

 

Open Letter to Crown Prince Abdullah. It may be found at http://www.jewishtimes.com/scripts/edition.pl?now=5/25/1999&SubSectionID=34&ID=1205

http://www.memri.org/ : Saudi Government Daily: Jews Use Teenagers' Blood for 'Purim' Pastries

http://www.themedialine.org/news/index.asp

http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2002/03/01/Opinion/Opinion.44368.html "A Betrayal of Trust" by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in the Jerusalem Post, on an Arab friend who blew himself up in Efrat.

http://www.walk4israel.com/ Writing to Israeli terror victims

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/charleskrauthammer/ck20020306.shtml Charles Krauthammer on the Saudi "Peace" Plan

 

 

Passover (Food Shopping Guides and other materials):

New Israel Fund’s new 20 page Haggadah Supplement is now available for downloading at http://www.newisraelfund.org/content.cfm?id=1597&currbody=1.

http://www.rabassembly.org/info/pesahguide/ (Rabbinical Assembly)

http://www.thejewishweek.com/bottom/special.php3 Jewish Week Passover supplement

http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/; http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/default.htmhttp://www.kosherquest.org/html/passover.htm

http://www.kosher.com/?ad=11 -- Order Passover food online

http://all-worldtravel.links2go.com/more/www.kosher.co.il/ An extensive array of Kosher links

www.iabolish.com/passover/ a valuable new web site that provides materials and activities about modern day slavery; are appropriate for Passover.

 

A Conservative Torah Commentary (Etz Hayim)

Response to the N.Y. Times article of last Saturday:

Letter to the Editor of the New York Times

The review (March 9) of Etz Hayim, the new Torah Commentary published by the Conservative Movement, is so misleading in both its headlines and its focus that it borders on being insulting to any student of Bible. Michael Massing, a freelance author, bases his article on material and perspectives that have been broadly accepted by non-Orthodox Jewry for more than half a century. By quoting only from selected passages chosen to sensationalize rather than to constructively illuminate, Mr. Massing opines rather than reports on this significant publication. By stressing a single issue, archeology, and a relatively minor one at that considering the scope of the Commentary, the author misrepresents both the approach and the value of Etz Hayim.

For the Jew, as important as reading the text of the Torah has been, the quest for understanding the text has been paramount. Traditionally, rabbis and teachers analyzed words and grammar and speculated on accounts and events that were not illuminated in the text itself. Their words -- quoted in the Mishnah, the Gemara and the Midrash -- are obvious examples of attempts to grapple with the meaning of the sacred text of the Torah.

Scholars such as Rashi, Maimonides and Nachmonides continued this tradition. Their insights into the Torah helped generations who lived long after its composition to understand the meaning of the text and apply it to their lives. Today, blessed with rabbis and scholars who bring new intellectual and religious disciplines to help us understand the text of the Torah, Etz Hayim’s rich commentaries, essays and analyses are devoted to helping the open-minded but committed Jew understand the Torah and apply it to daily life. Etz Hayim makes it clear that the truth of revelation and the strength of faith itself do not lie in the negation of knowledge. Rather, faith is enhanced by knowledge, whatever its source.

The twelve hundred pages of Torah text and Commentary in Etz Hayim draw upon the vast sea of classical and modern sources and inspire the reader to draw closer to God. Indeed, the essays – which are an integral part of Etz Hayim – raise some challenging issues. The Torah was never meant to be a historical narrative or scientific text, even though it may contain history and scientific truth. Yet there are events and circumstances that might be challenged from these perspectives. The collection of essays in Etz Hayim encourages the reader to examine the Torah text in order to seek meaning. The point is not whether the text is historically true, but what truths can be learned from it. In the words of Michael Fishbane, one of the editors of the volume: "The biblical text is a shaping of the divine spirit by the human breath of Moses and the prophets; but it may speak now only through the spirit and breath of its interpreters."

The value of Etz Hayim is well understood by the more than one hundred thousand Conservative congregants whose reading of the Torah is enriched by Etz Hayim, who study from it at home and in class and who find in its Commentary and essays new insights and deeper meaning.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Massing chose to craft a sensational hook for his article rather than studying the Commentary in more depth.

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein Rabbi Joel Meyers

Executive Vice President Executive Vice President

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism The Rabbinical Assembly


http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/09/arts/09BIBL.html

Review from the Jerusalem Report (‘Still Timid After All These Years,’ online at http://www.jrep.com/)

 

 

WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS

 WHY VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS FOR THE WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS Your participation in the elections for the 34th World Zionist Congress provides you with the opportunity: To celebrate 53 years of Israeli statehood after 2,000 years of exile; To stand up for Israel’s security against Arafat’s hypocrisy and Palestinian terrorism; To show your concern about the pressing social questions that threaten to undermine the quality of Israeli society; To make your voice heard on behalf of religious pluralism and religious freedom in the Jewish State. Click here to learn more about what’s at stake.

WHO MERCAZ USA IS: MERCAZ USA is the voice of Conservative Jewry within the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Zionist Movement and the Jewish National Fund working to support religious pluralism in Israel and strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. Click here to learn more about MERCAZ USA and its agenda.

WHAT ISSUES MERCAZ IS RUNNING ON: Our election platform seeks to realize a better society in the State of Israel while fighting for the country’s safety. We are concerned with Security, Pluralism, Social Justice, Ecology and Jewish/Zionist Education, in addition to the specific concerns of the worldwide Conservative/Masorti Movement. Click here to learn more about the MERCAZ Platform.

WHO THE MERCAZ CANDIDATES ARE: Our slate of candidates represents the best of the Conservative Movement. Led by Dr. Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, the MERCAZ list of delegates includes leaders from every arm of the Conservative Movement, including rabbis, synagogue presidents, cantors and Sisterhood and Men’s Club officers, from all regions of the United States. Click here to learn more about the MERCAZ slate.

FURTHERMORE...There are 10 other slates running in this election. Click here to learn about 5 more reasons why you should support MERCAZ.

 

CRISIS IN ARGENTINA:

Approximately 220,000 Jews live in Argentina, more than 50,000 below the poverty line -- and the number is rapidly accelerating. The current financial crisis has had a devastating impact on all institutions of Jewish life there. Included in this are many Masorti institutions. Contributions to the Argentina Masorti Social Assistance Fund can be made payable to the "World Council of Synagogues, Inc." and sent to World Council of Synagogues, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. All contributions are tax deductible.

 

EMERGENCY PRE-PASSOVER FOOD DRIVE FOR PERSON TO PERSON

This past year Temple Beth El’s High Holy Day Food Drive exceeded all previous years. Because of present economic conditions more families are coming to the Person-To-Person Food Pantry for help. This is particularly true at the end of each month.

In 2001 Person-To-Person’s pantry provided over 112,000 meals to over 906 different families. In January 2002, 517 families requested food supplies totaling 7,000 meals. Other emergency providers are also reporting increased demand and reduced supply.

During this month, in which we celebrate Passover, we remember the commandment in the Haggadah, "Let all who are hungry come and eat." Person-To-Person is not looking for matzos or gefilte fish, but is in need of cereal, pasta, rice, soups and canned fruits and vegetables.

Please do your part by bringing one or two bags of food to the Temple by Friday, March 22nd. If you prefer, take the food bags directly to the Person-To-Person Food Pantry behind St. Luke’s Church at 1864 Post Road in Darien, CT. Empty bags are available in our lobby.

Your holiday is always sweeter if it’s shared!

 

 

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS

Saturday, March 16th - USY Semi-Formal, Manchester, CT, $30 at door, call regional office at 860-563-5531 for information & directions.

Sunday, March 24th - KADIMA Chocolate Seder, 5-7 pm, $10. RSVP to Marcie at 322-6901, ext 324 or e-mail youth@tbe.org.

Sunday, April 7th - KESHER & ATID Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hockey Game, $30 per person, we will be going by bus to the game. For more information, call Marcie at 322-6901, ext 324 or e-mail youth@tbe.org. RSVP's must be in by March 24th.

 

 

MORE UPCOMING PROGRAMS WITH RABBI ANDREA COHEN-KEINER!!

 

Friday evening March, 22nd at 7:30 pm

TALKING AT THE BORDERS

Interfaith Families and Extended Families Walking the Line

Join Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener for engaging service and a thought provoking discussion on the challenges and joys encountered by interfaith families and their extended families

TELL YOUR FRIENDS (INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE UNAFFILIATED)!!!

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Shabbat, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m.

Spend Shabbat morning with Rabbi Cohen-Kiener

CONTEMPLATIVE LEARNER’S MINYAN

A spirited, spiritual service filled with stories, song and meaningful prayer

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Shabbat afternoon, March 23rd at 4:00p.m.

All those in a meditative mood are invited to join Rabbi Cohen-Kiener for a

MEDITATIVE MINCHA

Featuring niggunim, chant and contemplation to enjoy the day of rest

RSVP to 322-6901 extension 306

 

 

TEFILLIN SEMINAR

Conducted by Hazzan Sidney G. Rabinowitz

Sunday, March 17, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.

A must for all Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates of all ages! There will be a wonderful video on the making of Tefillin, what makes them kosher, and what could make them un-kosher. Surgery will be performed on a pair of no-longer kosher Tefillin and allow hands-on inspection of each part. This seminar is open to all within our congregation. If you do own a pair of tefillin, please being them along.

This program will be sandwiched between the two sessions of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class family program with Rabbi Hammerman, "Becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah" that will also take place that morning.

  

 

Coming soon….

 

Trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage

Date: April 28, 2002- Sunday

Time: Bus departs TBE at 10:30, return late afternoon.

Cost: $36- includes transportation, museum fees, and guided tour of the museum, plus kosher lunch at the Museum.

Send checks to TBE, write on check "seniors trip". Anyone wanting more information can call me at home. Phone 203-329-9516.

All checks must be in by April 4th, as the Museum requires payment in full by April 7, 2002. There are no refunds and the date will be not be held after April 7th, 2002 if they don't have the full payment.

 

 

Annual Cantor's Concert, featuring the Klezmer Conservatory band of Boston:

April 21 @ 3 PM

 

 

Temple Beth El To Honor Hazzan Rabinowitz

The Committee to Honor Hazzan & Sandy is looking for former Junior Choir singers to participate in the upcoming festivities! If your son or daughter ever participated in the Beth El Junior Choir, please call Roz Perlson (323-7328), Kathy Paseltiner (356-9735) or Carol Kalter (968-1075) to give his/her name, address and phone number. Thank you.


May 4 - Dinner Dance at Temple Beth El
May 19 - Community Event to Honor Sidney and Sandy Rabinowitz

Send us any memories, history, personal observations, programs, photos or other memorabilia. Those wishing to honor the Hazzan with a gift to the temple can do so with an entry in a journal being prepared for the May 4 event. Watch your mail for details or contact Roberta Aronovitch (for information) at 203-322-6901 ext 304 or by e-mail at 
execdir@tbe.org

 

Junior Choir Reunion! Friday, June 14, 2002

The Committee to Honor Hazzan & Sandy is looking for former Junior Choir singers to participate in the upcoming festivities! If your son or daughter ever participated in the Beth El Junior Choir, please call Roz Perlson (323-7328), Kathy Paseltiner (356-9735) or Carol Kalter (968-1075) to give his/her name, address and phone number.

 

 

Beth El Cares

 BETH EL CARES and AMERICARES HOME FRONT NEED YOU!

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2001 (FLEXIBLE HOURS)

Please volunteer to help us refurbish and repair the home of an elderly Stamford resident. No experience needed, though we are also looking for people with painting and home repair experience to assist the group.

TO SIGN UP OR TO GET MORE INFORMATION CALL:

Art and Sue Greenwald at (203) 329-1662 or e-mail adg521@optonline.net

JOIN THE MAY MITZVAH TEAM!

 

 

AND FINALLY… 

"What would you give to alleviate the suffering of our fellow Jews in Israel?"

By helping terror victims rebuild their lives, and providing the emotional and psychological services needed to overcome the traumatic experiences they’ve experienced….

There we can make a real difference!

  • By helping the Israel Trauma Center in Jerusalem aid victims of horrible suicide bombings and devastating shooting sprees
  • By rehabilitating the lives of Jews who have lost loved ones and/or limbs in the bombings
  • By helping the Israel Trauma Center expand to meet the greatly increased needs
  • By renting larger facilities and hiring new staff psychologists to rehabilitate Jews suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

If you lived in Israel, wouldn’t you expect your fellow Jews in America to do the utmost to help you in your time of need?

Send your tax-deductable contribution to Israel Trauma Center at Herzog Hospital, 12467 Carmel Cape, San Diego, CA 92130.

For further info call Rabbi Efraim Warshaw(858) 523-0927.

PSYCHO TRAUMA – ISRAEL’S LATEST CONCERN

 

Scratch an Israeli, and under the surface you’re likely to find some kind of psychological trauma carried along like an invisible backpack from all the wars, the fighting, and the violence they’ve experienced.

These days the situation is even more serious as suicide bombers terrify the population at large. "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is becoming a society-wide phenomenon in Israel," says Dr. Danny Brom, head of the Israel Trauma Center at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.

Many adult Israelis are scared to go out to crowded places, while their children are nervous and suffer from psycho-somatic ailments, such as headaches, nervousness, irritability or sleeping problems. Each major terrorist attack in the streets of Israel’s cities affects hundreds of people, directly, and thousands of people indirectly. First there are the dozens or even hundreds of wounded, who have to deal not only with severe injuries, but also with psychological trauma, such as fear, loss of family members and/or limbs, loss of a profession and a source of livelihood, and the like. Relatives and friends of the dead and injured are also affected by the traumatic event, as well as the many eyewitnesses to an attack or bombing.

Another section of the public that is very much impacted by terrorist attacks is everyone who watches TV, who react with horror to the shocking pictures, continuously screened on television, bringing the traumatic event right into their living rooms.

The Israel Center for the Treatment of Psycho-Trauma at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem, is recognized as one of the most effective treatment and research centers in Israel. Experienced psychologists utilize new and effective short-term methods for treating trauma.

However, there are not enough staff or facilities to handle the enormous overflow at the present time, and many in urgent need of help cannot afford to pay, and therefore remain untreated and suffering.

According to Rabbi Efraim Warshaw, American Representative of Herzog Hospital, "In the current near-war situation, we can offer our relatives and friends in Israel little military, financial or diplomatic advice. What we can do is to help them cope with the harsh realities of daily life in Israel – and when terror strikes, make sure that there are well-trained trauma medical personnel who can help them get through the crisis.

For further information on how you, your family foundation, or your organization can make a difference and alleviate the suffering of our brethren in Israel, contact Rabbi Efraim Warshaw, at (858) 523-0927 or efwarshaw@earthlink.net.

  

SHABBAT SHALOM!



The 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 sign up at www.tbe.org. You can unsubscribe by contacting our office at office@tbe.org.

For more information on my 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.