Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 2, 2020

Synagogue layout and servicesInside the synagogue

The synagogue is the Jewish place of worship, but is also used as a place to study, and often as a community centre as well.

Orthodox Jews often use the Yiddish word shul (pronounced shool) to refer to their synagogue. In the USA, synagogues are often called temples.

In Orthodox synagogues men and women sit separately, and everyone (except young girls) has their head covered. In a Reform synagogue men and women can sit together.

Synagogue services can be led by a rabbi, a cantor or a member of the congregation.

Traditional Jewish worship requires a minyan (a quorum of ten adult males) to take place.

In an Orthodox synagogue the service will be conducted in ancient Hebrew, and the singing will be unaccompanied.

Few British synagogues now have a choir, but they are more common in the USA.

In a progressive (Reform, Liberal) synagogue the service will be at least partly in English, there may a choir and instruments, and men and women can sit together.

Everyone except unmarried women wears a hat in synagogue in order to show reverence to God. (And once unmarried women pass a certain age they usually wear a hat too.)

Jewish men always wear hats when they are saying prayers which mention God's name.

Observant Jewish men wear a hat almost all the time.

The most common hat for men in the synagogue is a small round cap called a yarmulke (Yiddish) or a kippah (Hebrew), but an ordinary homburg or street hat will be accepted.

Hats are always available for visitors, but a hair grip comes in handy to keep a kippah on.

Adult men (i.e. those over the age of 13) often wear a Tallit or prayer shawl for morning prayer. A Tallit has fringes (called tzitzit) on the edges to remind the wearer to observe God's commandments - as commanded by God in the Bible.

Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.

Numbers 15:38-40

There are several times in synagogue services when people kiss these fringes - for example when the tzitzit are mentioned.

Every synagogue contains an Ark, which is a cupboard where the Torah Scrolls, which contain the text of the Hebrew Bible, are kept, and a desk from which to read the Torah.

The Hebrew words of the Ten Commandments are usually written somewhere above the ark.

The Ark is named after the wooden chest which held the stone tablets of the Covenant that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The search for that original Ark formed the plot of the movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

An Eternal Light (called Ner Tamid) hangs above the Ark.

This light is always burning, as a symbol of God's presence.

It also represents the pillar of fire that guided the Jewish people on their early journey.

The platform and the desk for Torah readings are called the Bimah (pronounced beemar), and in an Orthodox synagogue are in the centre of the building. (In a Reform synagogue, the Bimah is usually close to the Ark.)

At the proper moment in the service the Ark is ceremonially opened, and the Torah scroll is carried in procession to the reading desk, unrolled to the reading chosen for the day and laid on the reading desk.

It is normal for everyone to stand whenever the doors of the ark are open.

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BBC - Religions - Judaism: The Synagogue

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Posted By admin on February 2, 2020

BOISE Christians werent the only ones who packed up their belongings in the early days of the United States and hit the trail to make a new life in the American west.

In the mid-19th century, Jewish Americans joined the thousands of pioneers who decided to try their luck in the wild, wide open spaces of the Idaho territory. They arrived in small groups to open businesses in the 1860s to serve the booming mining towns springing up across the state, including in the Treasure Valley. Although they were not a large community, this initial migration planted the seeds for the founding of Idahos first synagogue celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020.

Jews in Boise informally gathered in each other's homes for services through the mid-1890s, but their group outgrew the living rooms they were worshiping in. Under the leadership of Moses Alexander, the group voted in February 1895 to form a congregation and raise the funds to build a synagogue of their own. Less than a year later, they completed construction of a Spanish-inspired house of worship at the intersection of 11th and State streets.

Alexander later went on to become mayor of Boise in 1897 and later, the first elected Jewish governor in the United States when he became Idahos chief executive in 1914.

The building may have since been moved to the Boise Bench, but it has been a gathering place for Jews ever since and remains the oldest synagogue in continuous use west of the Mississippi. It is home to Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, the result of a merger between the Beth Israel reform congregation Alexander started in 1895 and the conservative Ahavath Isreal congregation founded in 1912.

Rabbi Dan Fink, who began leading Ahavath Beth Israel in 1994, said although his synagogue is small and without the backing that comes from being located in a large city with a sizable Jewish population, it has blossomed anyway. There are now roughly 225 families or individuals members of the congregation.

Its a real achievement that we have not only survived, but thrived and grown for 125 years, he said. Were a do-it-yourself community.

He said the synagogue serves both reform and conservative Jews from birth to death in a variety of ways, both with traditional religious services held in the historic synagogue and community support groups for families to meet each other and grow as a community. On Friday nights, he performs a service aimed at reform Jews and leads more conservative worshipers on Saturday mornings.

This blend of different religious ideologies came from slow merger of the two congregations that was finally completed in 1987 after years of negotiations and discussions.They began worshiping in the same synagogue on State Street, which was renovated from top to bottom in the early '80s.

Jews typically fall under three major philosophical umbrellas of thought: reform, conservative and orthodox. Reform Jews are the most liberal of the three and is the most open to outside influences and progressive causes. Conservative Judaism has a stronger emphasis on Jewish law, and services are more traditional than Reform synagogues often perform. Orthodox Judaism is the most strict of the three, where followers believe Jewish law should be followed exactly as it was interpreted during the time of the Old Testament.

Although there are these distinctions and further divisions within these groups about how to approach their faith, Fink said Judaism is different than some other major religious groups because there is no authority figure who guides Jews as a whole. Each synagogue and rabbi is an island unto itself and sets its own rules and ways of worshiping.

People sometimes come to me and they say, I like what you do, but I have a problem with organized religion.' And my response is, 'Youll like us because were not organized at all, he said. In certain religious traditions, like the Catholic church, they have a pope, or in the LDS church, they have a council of elders. So there is somebody who can say, 'This is the policy.' But we have nobody like that in the Jewish world.

By 2003, the synagoguewas hemmed in on all sides by development in downtown Boise. Fink said there was barely room for a handful of cars in the parking lot and no available land nearby to purchase for an additional building, more parking or any expansion of any kind.

This led to a vote by the congregation on whether or not to move the building itselfto a new location. Support for moving the synagogue prevailed by a large margin, though some members strongly objected.

Jews are an argumentative people, Fink said, referencing the decision to move. We like to argue. We have 3,000 years of arguing with ourselves, so there is nothing you can do Jewishly and get to 100% (agreement). Ive been a rabbi for almost 40 years, and youre never going to get 100%. Were used to that.

Since the synagogue moved to its new location on a spacious lot on Latah Street, Fink said the community has worked hard to build relationships with nearby neighbors. One of the synagogue's first moves on its new property was to create a community garden, which is now farmed predominantly by refugees who live in a nearby apartment complex. This relationship led to a tutoring program and other outreach to the new Americans to help them settle into their new lives in Idaho.

For the synagogues 125th anniversary, congregation members are focusing their energy on social action causes, such as their belief in the importance of welcoming refugees and immigrants and climate change. There is also an initiative where the congregation will be completing 125 acts of kindness for Boise. Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel Board President Amy Duque said the goal for the year is to give back to Boise.

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We feel safe here and cared for, and theres camaraderie and friendship here, more than tolerance, Duque said. Theres welcome and theres embrace. We want Boise to know were grateful for that. The events we plan for the year and visibility well have during this anniversary time, thats what we want to convey.

The safety Jews say they have found in Boise comes amidst a rise of anti-Semitism nationwide and a rash of violence at the end of 2019. This included a machete attack in a New York suburb in the home of a Hasidic rabbi that left five people injured, and a shooting in a Jewish supermarket in New Jersey where two men were killed. A little over a year ago, an anti-Semitic shooter in Pittsburgh killed 11 people and wounded six at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue in October 2018.

According to a report from The Hill, nearly 60% of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. were inspired by hatred toward Jews in 2018. The Anti-Defamation League, a group that advocates against anti-Semitism, recorded 1,879 incidents against Jews in that same year.

Fink said despite the rise in hateful speech against Jews, the synagogue has remained open and welcoming to everyone, although they did receive a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to beef up security on their property. Tamara Ansotegui, Ahavath Beth Israel's executive director, would not comment specifically on what security was added but said the grant could be used for fences, security gates, guards for up to three years, lighting and surveillance equipment.

(Anti-Semitism) concerns us as Jews, and I think it should concern everybody because Jews are part of the culture, were everybodys neighbors and friends and family and because anti-Semitism has historically been a sign of a civilization in decline, Fink said. It behooves us for a bunch of reasons to pay attention.

Dan Prinzing, the executive director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in downtown Boise, echoed Finks calls to fight anti-Semitism and any other kinds of hate speech or crimes throughout the world.

What weve seen as late is an emboldening of white nationalism in a spirit where theres almost an attitude of, I can do as I please and I can say as I please and I can target those who I view as vulnerable,' he said. This is a time for all of us to step up and speak out. What type of a country are we? What are the rights and the responsibilities we all hold dear?

Idaho has a nationwide reputation as being a refuge for white supremacy and hate groups due to the presence of the neo-Nazi, Aryan Nations compound near Coeur DAlene in the 1990s and other groups. But Fink said in his time in the Gem State, he has almost always experienced acceptance from Boiseans.

There are more people who are completely unfamiliar with Jews and Jewish customs and tradition (here), he said. Not anti-Jewish, not xenophobic, but a little more unaware. Ive found people eager to learn and be educated. Overwhelmingly weve found the community to be welcoming.

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Jewish Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel celebrates 125 years in Idaho this year - Idaho Press-Tribune

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Posted By admin on February 2, 2020

The Orthodox Union the nations largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization applauds New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his proposal to expand eligibility to synagogues and other houses of worship as part of New York statesSecuring Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program.

Until now, the three-year-old program created by the governor was open to nonpublic schools and residential camps, non-profit day care centers, community centers and cultural museums vulnerable to attacks due to their ideology, beliefs or mission, but didnt include synagoguesand otherhouses of worship.

The current program provides $25 million in grants of up to $50,000 per facility to make physical security enhancements and support security training. Organizations that operate more than one facility may submit an application for each one, with a maximum of five applicationstotaling $250,000 allowed per organization.

The governor unveiled the proposal Thursday during the states first No Hate In Our State security grants conference in Manhattan, where more than 600 community and faith leaders, public safety officials, security experts and others gathered to discuss best practices for making vulnerable communities safe. The conference also focused on how eligible organizations can apply for the hate crimes grants.

The Orthodox Union has been at the forefront of advocating to protect houses of worship, nonpublic schools and other institutions at risk of attacks across the country. It was instrumental in the creation and expansion of New Yorks hate crimes grant program as well as state programs in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and California.

In 2005, the Orthodox Unionhelped spearhead legislation that created the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides grants of up to $100,000 apiece to synagogues and other houses of worship as well as nonpublic day schools and other nonprofits at risk of terror attacks.The funds can be used to make security improvements to buildings and hire security guards; to date, more than 4,000 institutions have received NSGP grants.

A bill signed into law days ago, and backed by the Orthodox Union, authorizes $375 million for each of the next five years to eligible institutions through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. That brings total funding for the NSGP, the only program of its kind in the country, to$794 millionto date. The Orthodox Union is working with legislators to dramatically increase NSGP funding for this year.

Gov. Cuomos announcement comes in the wake of a series of violent anti-Semitic attacks on Chassidic Jews last month in Brooklyn and Monsey, N.Y., where an attacker went on a stabbing spree at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg as congregants gathered to celebrate Chanukah. Five people were injured; one of them, 72-year-oldJosef Neumann,remains in a coma.

Also in December, two Jews were among four people shot to death in a targeted attack at akosher supermarketin Jersey City. From 2018-19, New York logged a total of 668 anti-Semitic attacks across the state, 30 percent of them in New York City. In neighboring Pennsylvania, agunman entered the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh in October 2018 and killed 11 peoplethe deadliest such attack on Jews in the United States.Afterward, the attacker told police he wanted all Jews to die.Six months later, a gunman killed entered a Chabad synagogue in Poway, Calif., killing congregant Lori Gilbert Kaye.

Said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane:

We are very grateful to Gov. Cuomo for his bold leadership in putting forth this vigorous proposal to expand New Yorks existing hate crimes grant program so that our synagogues and other houses of worship have the security they need to be protected against those who seek to do them harm.Said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin:

It is our obligation to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of faith, feel safe when they enter a synagogue, church, mosque or any other faith-based institution. Gov. Cuomos proposal goes a long way toward accomplishing this, and we urge the state legislature to take swift action to approve the expanded eligibility and funding for this program.

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OU Lauds Gov. Cuomo for Proposal to Expand Securing Communities Against Hate Program to Include Synagogues, Other Houses of Worship - Orthodox Union

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

Editors Note: In 2018, the Forward published this essay raising concerns about female representation in Jewish Studies, focused on a 2017 book about Hasidism. One of its authors responded this month with a broader critique of diversity in the field. The original critics then had another take, and now more of the authors are responding.

Our massive 2017 book, Hasidism: A New History, has now been criticized twice in the pages of the Forward for not having enough representation of women. We want to share with Forward readers the unusual backstory of how this book came to be and what we believe it accomplished.

The book grew out of a special study group of international scholars meeting at the Institute for Advanced Study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem starting in 2007. Bringing together men and women as well as younger and more senior scholars, we tried to see if we could provide new insights into understanding what Hasidism was, where it came from, and how it had changed over time. The bi-weekly seminar attracted some twenty-five historians, sociologists, philosophers, anthropologists and others interested in the field, including some actual Hasidim. Out of this project came several others, perhaps the most extraordinary being this book.

Unlike a standard academic text, this one was written collaboratively by a team of nine scholars: five Israelis, two Europeans and two Americans; eight men and one woman; one Christian and eight Jews, one of them of Mizrahi origin, the others Ashkenazi. (Unfortunately, the female scholar had to withdraw from the project three years before publication for personal reasons.) Some of the group are religious, others secular; some senior in the field, others junior. The hope was to take all the ideas wed shared in Jerusalem and build them into a comprehensive narrative spanning the emergence of Hasidism in the 18th century to its development in the 21st.

The team spent four summers in Leipzig, Germany, at the Simon Dubnow Institute. There, we wrote together, argued and ultimately produced a book that, we hope, sounds like it was written by a single author. In recognition of this process, quite unique in the social sciences and humanities, we received a Collaborative Research Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and presented our work to a sold-out event in December 2017 at the Smithsonian Institute as well as at the Association for Jewish Studies.

Nine scholars working together did not always mean agreement far from it! We debated loudly. The Germans working at the Dubnow Institute were at first taken aback by our vocal arguments, but then came to cheer us on. Our disagreements were sometimes based on disciplinary or cultural differences. But by rigorously criticizing each others texts in a constructive spirit, we were able to produce a coherent narrative.

Some have argued that the book lacks a female point of view. We do not believe that only women can write and think about women any more than only Jews can write and think about Jews. To attack a book mainly because of the gender or identity of its authors, rather than the content of its pages, seems to us irresponsible: a book is much more than its title page.

In fact, one of the issues that we debated hotly was the role of women in Hasidism. We were guided by Ada Rapoport-Albert, an emerita professor and head of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University College London who was one of the original members of our team not because she is a woman but because her pathbreaking work on the subject throws cold water on the idea that Hasidism was originally a feminist movement.

The subject of women appears throughout our book, as attested by the twenty-four separate entries under Women in the index. Among the topics we discuss are: the place of women in 18th-century Poland, the impact of 18th-century Hasidism on women and the family; the special role of women as Hasidic leaders in 19th-century Chernobyl and in 20th-century Belz; women in Hasidic courts and in local shtiblakh in the 19th-century; the role of Hasidic women during the Holocaust; marital relations in post-Holocaust Hasidic groups; the ascetical holiness regulations of Ger, Slonim and Toldot Aharon in contemporary Israel; and , the unique role for women carved out by Chabad. The picture that emerges from this story is one of initial exclusion of women in the 18th century, to partial integration in the 19th and a fuller integration in the 20th.

On the question of women, as on many other questions, there is much more work to be done. Our book, long as it is, does not pretend to have exhausted the subject of Hasidism. But we hope to have shown readers how, despite what many may think about the academic world, scholars can put aside petty differences to work productively together.

David Assaf is Professor of Jewish History at Tel Aviv University; David Biale is Emanuel Ringelblum Distinguished Professor of Jewish History at the University of California, Davis; and Samuel C. Heilman is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Queens College and the Graduate Center, CUNY.

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The history of Hasidism: A New History by those who wrote it - Forward

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

In her debut memoir, The Color of Love: A Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl,independent film and television producer Marra B. Gad tells a deeply compelling story about her life as an adopted, biracial Jew growing up in Chicago in the 1970s. Told she was not "black enough" for black spaces, Gad simultaneously faced racism in the Jewish community--even within her own family. Her parents cut ties with relatives who discriminated against their daughter, including her beloved Great-Aunt Nette. But 15 years later, when Nette is dying of Alzheimer's, Gad decided to become her great-aunt's caregiver. In beautiful, fearless prose, Gad tells a story about that relationship that is alternately heart-wrenching and heartwarming.

JUF Newsrecently spoke with Gad about The Color of Love:

What's the one message you'd like people to take away from your story?

If I had to choose one thing that I would like people to take away from my story, it's that love is the most powerful force in the universe, and that it is always a choice that we can make. Especially in the face of hate.

You make loving reference to your rabbi, Rabbi Schaalman (z"l). Was your experience at your own congregation different or better than in the general community?

I believe that a synagogue is simply a microcosm of the larger Jewish community, and my experience in my childhood congregation was reflective of my experience in the general community. There were many beautiful moments and many horrific moments. On the beautiful side, I was the president of my youth group, and my confirmation class. I found my way to OSRUI, where I went to summer camp. And I had some wonderful relationships, including the one with Rabbi Schaalman. That said, the terrible moments were certainly magnified because it was the place that should have been "home."

With increasing diversity in the American Jewish community, do you see attitudes and behaviors changing? Do you think a young biracial or African-American Jew today would have the same experience you did?

I see the demographics in the American Jewish community changing and becoming more gorgeously diverse and that is a very good thing. When I was younger, I was always the only brown face in a sea of white, Ashkenazi faces. I never saw myself in anyone else, and that was painful and isolating. That is no longer the case. We are also talking about our diversity, and that is also a very good recent thing. That said, I cannot say that things are demonstrably different now behavior-wise than they were in the 1970s. They certainly are not markedly different for me. At High Holy Days services this year, a woman seated near me made a scene during services asking repeatedly--even after she watched me pray for nearly an hour--what I was "doing there" . . . I hold hope that by talking about things we will find our way to a better, more warm and wholly accepting place as a people. And I pray with all my heart that the gorgeous, young non-white Jewish children that I see around me and that I see out on my book tour will not experience the things that I have.

There's a beautiful moment of reconciliation, where you and Nette share a piece of chocolate cake; can readers hold this image in mind as the end of the story?

While I appreciate the sweetness (no pun intended) in wanting to end the story with Nette and me sharing that piece of chocolate cake, it's simply not where the story ends. Part of the joy in writing this book was finding the beauty in the truth--and the truth of my story extended beyond that piece of cake. While the book doesn't offer up a traditional "happy" ending, to have ended the book by sharing Nette's entire journey, and my own, was important to me. Because, as I share in the end, I know exactly who I am because of the entirety of my relationship with Nette. And I hope that my readers will find beauty in that, just as I have.

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JUF News | The Color of Love - Jewish United Fund

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

A fascinating debate occurred last month in Jerusalem during the launch event of Dr. Asaf Malachs book From the Bible to the Jewish State The Cycles of Jewish Nationalism and the Israeli Polemic.Responding to Malachs analysis that shows how Jewish nationalism was always core to Judaism itself, famed Israeli author AB Yehoshua argued that the linkage with the Jewish religion has been detrimental to Jewish nationalism, and that it has downgraded the homeland gene, which according to Yehoshua is the basis of every nationality. A nation should be based on territory, and not on religion, he argued.But Yehoshuas argument fails both historical and contemporary realities.Historically, nearly all nations that existed during the Greek and Roman invasions of the Middle East have vanished. This, to a great part, is because they were over-connected to a territory. Once the territory was gone, the national ethos was too weak to keep it as a distinct group in exile or under occupation. After a few generations, those nations evaporated.This was not the case with the Jews, who were able to respond to their new state of exile by transforming. The architecture that bound Judaism since its inception physical presence in Judea and Jerusalem, as well as the Temple and the ritual of the sacrifices were all gone. Yet the Jewish nation-religion persevered by adapting a new architecture: Halacha (Jewish law), rituals, Oral Torah, learning, yearning to return, and indeed, religiosity. The transformation from Biblical Judaism (Judaism 1.0) to Rabbinical Judaism (Judaism 2.0) enabled Jewish survivability.Religion did not hurt the Jewish nation, as AB Yehoshua claims; religion was the glue that kept the Jewish nation-religion intact during 18 centuries of exile. Jews prayed at the same time, celebrated Shabbat in an identical manner, marked the holiday in a similar fashion and proclaimed, All Israel are friends once a month on the same day. THEODOR HERZL, the father of modern Zionism, understood this unique survival trait: the ability of Jews and of Judaism to adjust to changing circumstances. He compared Jews to seals, who happened to be thrown into the sea, and therefore adapted the traits of fish, even though they are not. Just as Yehoshuas argument fails historical context, it also fails contemporary global realities. Yehoshua seems to use outdated models of national absolutism. There are no French without France, he declares. But this simplification fails to take into account the current state of a multi-identity world on one hand, and the rapid migration to cloud mentality and shared economy on the other. The package deal has been long broken. In the United States, patriotic Americans are proud of their Irish, Mexican, or Italian ethnological national affiliation. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is not in conflict with being a proud American; it is an expression of American patriotism. Similarly, two Cuban-American candidates who ran for president in the 2016 Republican primary repeatedly argued which one of them is more Cuban. One of them (Marco Rubio) even accused the other (Ted Cruz) of not speaking Spanish. No one accused those Senators of being unAmerican.Indeed, political national affiliation (where you vote, which passport you hold, which flag you wave), is just one element of a persons composite of identities. Ones profession, university, social circles, sexual orientation and club affiliations are other components of identity, and indeed so is religion, ethnicity and ethnological national affiliation. Each individual places those and other values at different positions in his or her own personal hierarchy of identities. Yehoshua is correct that there are no French without France, but this need not be a physical France. It could be on a cloud. There are certainly Francophiles without French citizenship, just as there are French citizens today who care nothing for French culture.Nowhere is this multi-identity reality more prevalent than with the American Jews. While the vast majority of American Jews have never been to Israel, there is a clear trend of cultural Israelization of the American Jewish experience. Old Jewish connectors, such as Yiddish culture are becoming irrelevant, and so is the previous connection through the Holocaust, as the survivors generation passes. At the same time, Israeli-related connectors innovation, entrepreneurship, Israeli wine, Israeli cuisine, Israeli soldiers, Israeli culture all are sources of Jewish pride, and are increasingly incorporated into the American Jewish experience. For American Jews, connection to Judaism through want is replacing connecting through duty; happiness is replacing sadness; the shuk is replacing Carnegie Deli; Wonder Woman is replacing Yentel; and strength is replacing victimhood. Even the passionate political debates and criticism of Israel by a significant portion of American Jewry are a form of connection to ones Judaism through Zionism. Moreover, for many young liberal and progressive Jews, Zionism has rapidly become the primary arena in which they meet their Judaism.THIS IS a reversal of a trend: For decades, Judaism has been descending in the hierarchy of identities of the American Jew. Zionism now allows Jews to elevate Judaism in that hierarchy. This is exactly what Chaim Weizmann predicted over a century ago: Zionism is Judaizing the Jewish communities. Indeed, the seal in Herzls analogy is evolving again. With secularization, removal of external walls and integration into the broader global society, the architecture of Rabbinical Judaism (Judaism 2.0) that enabled Jewish survivability for 18 centuries is fading. But another architecture has emerged: Zionism. This is enabled not only by the reestablishment of the Jewish state, but also by its astonishing success in recent years, as well as by the disassociation of Zionism from secularism. Such disassociation is a product of the increased democratization of Israeli society the gradual shift of power and Zionist ethos from the secular minority to the religious/traditional majority, as well as of the growing interest of secular Israeli Jews in the Jewish religion, while staying secular.Therefore, we are in the midst of a historic transformation of Judaism: from Rabbinical Judaism (the religious aspect being its organizing principle), to Zionism: its national aspect serving this role (Judaism 3.0). This transformation is occurring without any compromises to the religious aspect of Judaism, just as in 18 centuries when the Jewish religion was the organizing principle of Judaism, the national element of Judaism remained a core aspect of Judaism.Indeed, Yehoshuas novels and insightful essays are not just Israeli heritage assets, they are also Jewish heritage assets, and along with Malachs new book have their rightful place in the library of Jewish texts. Herzl noted that once the seals return to dry land, they will turn their fins into feet again. The pluralism of thoughts and fierce debate in Israel is a celebration of Zionism and of the return: Return to the homeland, return to Judaism.The writer analyzes trends in Zionism, Europe and global affairs. He is chairman of the AIFL think tank and author of upcoming book Judaism 3.0. For more of his analysis visit: Europeandjerusalem.com. For comments: gol@europeandjerusalem.com

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The Jewish religion is indeed intertwined with Zionism - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

Thursday

30

January

Motivational Interviewing Training. Learn techniques to motivate change in behaviors with Jess Guardado, social work manager, RRMC. Refreshments provided. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Rutland Recreation Community Center, College of St. Joseph, 71 Clement Road, Rutland, rksmith@rrmc.org, 802-776-5515.

Meditation. Explore a mindful meditation practice. A weekly free meeting to create an enriching practice. 9-9:25 a.m. Petras Wellness Studio, Howe Center, 1 Scale Avenue, Building 3, 3rd floor, Rutland, PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com, 802-345-5244.

Pickleball. A rising sport for all ages and abilities, very similar to tennis, but on a smaller scale with large wooden paddles. $2/ day or $10 monthly membership, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Rutland Recreation Community Center, 71 Clement Road, Rutland, Kimp@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Kripalu Yoga. Increases strength and flexibility, improves circulation, breathing and digestion. $15 or 5 for $60, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Petras Wellness Studio, Howe Center, 1 Scale Avenue, Building 3, 3rd floor, Rutland, PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com, 802-345-5244.

Yomassage. Students hold poses with support from bolsters, blocks, and blankets for around five minutes while a licensed massage therapist comes around to each student and performs massage. $40, package 4 $130, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Petras Wellness Studio, Howe Center, 1 Scale Avenue, Building 3, 3rd floor, Rutland, PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com, 802-345-5244.

Pottery Wheel. Our pottery wheel is up and running and Jess Ferrara will be helping us learn how to use it. $5 per project, 12-2 p.m. Turning Point Center of Rutland, 141 State St., Rutland, krisharvey85@gmail.com, 802-773-6010.

Diabetes Prevention Program. Year-long lifestyle change program for anyone at risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Learn to make small changes surrounding nutrition and exercise. 4-5 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland, klneary@rrmc.org, 802-776-5507.

International Folk Dancing. No experience, no partner no problem. All dances are taught and vary from simple Israeli to European dances. Wear comfortable clothing and dry, non-slip shoes. Doors close at 6:45 p.m., please ring the bell. 6:30-8 p.m. Rutland Jewish Center, 96 Grove Street, Rutland, office@RutlandJewishCenter.org, 802-773-3455.

Vincent. A one-man play written by Leonard Nimoy. A multi-image dramatic staging with Frank Wright or Jamie Willis playing the one extraordinary role. Following the Saturday performances only, the director and cast will engage in a talk back with the audience. $15 at the door only, 7-9 p.m. The Sparkle Barn, 509 US Rte. 7 South , Wallingford., asleep@comcast.net, 802-558-2758.

Samite. Lessons of Humanity. Samite, TED Talk speaker, world-renowned musician, and photographer, has remarkable stories based upon his work with refugees and survivors of war. Includes an extended post-performance Q&A. $10, 7:10 p.m. Castleton University Fine Arts Center, 45 Alumni Drive, Castleton, 802-468-1119.

Introduction to Judaism. Designed for anyone looking to acquire a greater understanding of Judaism, ideal for interfaith couples, Jews looking for a refresher course, spiritual seekers, individuals interested in conversion, anyone interested in a deeper exploration of Judaism. 7:30-9 p.m. Rutland Jewish Center, 96 Grove Street, Rutland, rabbishemtov@rutlandjewishcenter.org, 802-855-8028.

Tai Chi. Two classes: Yang 24 at 2 p.m. Fall Prevention at 3 p.m. Low impact, slow-motion exercise which benefits all people and is safe for those with balance or arthritis issues, with certified instructor Larry Walter. Rutland Rec. Center, 16 North Main Street Extension, Rutland, 802-775-3855.

Friday

31

January

Storytime. Weekly stories, songs, and crafts.. 10:30-11 a.m. Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Road, Killington, youthservices@sherburnelibrary.org, 802-558-3663.

Line Dancing Class. A 5-week class on Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 instructed by Mary-Anne Ligouri. Donations appreciated. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wallingford Town Hall, 75 School Street, Wallingford, townclerk@wallingfordvt.com, 802-446-2336.

Friday Writers Group. The Friday Writers. This group of writers of all genres and levels meets weekly to read and discuss their work. All interested writers are welcome. Free will donation, 12-2 p.m. Chaffee Art Center, 16 South Main Street, Rutland, thefridaywriters@gmail.com, 802-775-0356.

Woodburning. Try your hand at woodburning and create a beautiful piece of art to take home. All supplies provided. $5 per project, 1-3 p.m. Turning Point Center of Rutland, 141 State St., Rutland, krisharvey85@gmail.com, 802-773-6010.

Open Studio Pottery. Open studio drop-in or punch pass options. Create independently or get peer pottery support from fellow participants. Ages 14+; under 14 must be accompanied by adult. . $10/ visit, 6-8 p.m. Courcelle Building, 16 North St. Extension, Rutland, info@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Queen of Hearts Drawing. Every Friday night, drawing at 6:30 p.m.. 6:30-6:45 p.m. VFW Post 648 Rutland, 15 Wales Street, Rutland, Denise@DeniseByers.com, 802-775-6892.

Vincent. A one-man play written by Leonard Nimoy. A multi-image dramatic staging with Frank Wright or Jamie Willis playing the one extraordinary role. Following the Saturday performances only, the director and cast will engage in a talk back with the audience. $15 at the door only, 7-9 p.m. The Sparkle Barn, 509 US Rte. 7 South , Wallingford., asleep@comcast.net, 802-558-2758.

Saturday

February

Calendar

Yoga Prana Shakti. Open to all levels and beginners are welcome. However, the energy level is between moderate to vigorous. Class incorporates Asana, pranayama (breath work) and deep relaxation. $10-12, 9-10:15 a.m. Every Body Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic, 155 Woodstock Ave. , Rutland, linacloffe@hotmail.com, 917-301-7150.

Shabbat Morning Service. Religious service on Saturday morning with Rabbi Ellie Shemtov.. 9:30-11 a.m. Rutland Jewish Center, 96 Grove Street, Rutland, office@RutlandJewishCenter.org, 802-773-3455.

Yoga Prana Shakti for Beginners and Gentle Yogis. Incorporates Asana, pranayama (breath work) and deep relaxation. $12 drop-in, $100 for a 10-class card. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Every Body Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic, 155 Woodstock Ave. , Rutland, linacloffe@hotmail.com, 917-301-7150.

VFFC Sprouts. An open-flow program for kids at the indoor farmers market with weekly themes based on gardening and nature. Crafts, play, books, and space to interact with peers. Parents can stay or take a moment to shop at the market. Free, monetary and material donations appreciated. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. VFFC Farmers Hall, 251 West St., Rutland, vffc.fabel@gmail.com, 802-417-7581.

Georges Back Pocket & Phil Henry and the News Feed. Two beloved Rutland singer-songwriters and their bands team up to present an evening of rock, roots and original music. $10 adv / $15 door, 7-10 p.m. West Rutland Town Hall Auditorium, 35 Marble St., West Rutland, phil@windrant.com, 802-779-4769.

Vincent. A one-man play written by Leonard Nimoy. A multi-image dramatic staging with Frank Wright or Jamie Willis playing the one extraordinary role. Following the Saturday performances only, the director and cast will engage in a talk back with the audience. $15 at the door only, 7-9 p.m. The Sparkle Barn, 509 US Rte. 7 South , Wallingford., asleep@comcast.net, 802-558-2758.

Paul Asbell in Concert. A genre-blurring, virtuosic waltz through the deep heritage of American folklore, with twists on blues and jazz standards, old-timey country-based themes and original pieces from the American roots tradition. $10 general admission; $15 to $20 generous admission; $3 children, 7:30 p.m. Ripton Community House, Route 125, Ripton, andreachesman@gmail.com, 802-388-9782.

Classes Workshops Continuing Education

Learn Japanese Class. Beginners welcome. First and third Saturdays of the month. 2 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 2nd floor, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 802-773-9594/ 802-483-2628.

Sunday

February

Calendar

Rutland Cold Rolled Fatbike Festival. A day of fatbike stoke on cold-rolled singletrack this Groundhog Day. Group rides, demos, and hearty brews around warm fires. $10-$30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Giorgetti Athletic Complex, Oak St Extension, Rutland, john@mtbvt.com, 978-500-8116.

Yoga for Winter. Explore a sampler of yoga, including yin and restorative, breathing techniques, meditation, mantra and self massage to help balance out the qualities of winter. No experience necessary, come to one or all five, each class will be unique. $15/$13.5 w card, 2-3:30 p.m. Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center, 56 Howe Street, Building H, Rutland, Pali36@aol.com, 802-772-7011.

350 Rutland County Meeting. Join us in discussing our plans to hold composting workshops around Rutland County and to build a bin system for hot composting at the Vermont Farmers Food Center. . 3-5 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 117 West St., Rutland, rutland@350vt.org, 802-353-0998.

Science Pub. Infertility treatments come with risks for both women and children. Judy Stern will share what we are learning from a study of over 1 million fertile, infertile and IVF-treated women. 4 p.m. Fair Haven Inn, 5 Adams Street, Fair Haven, mlmolnar3@gmail.com, 80-468-5125.

NAMI Connection Peer Support Group. Free, 90-minute recovery support groups for people living with a mental health condition where people learn from each others experiences, share coping strategies and offer mutual encouragement and understanding. 4:30-6 p.m. Rutland Mental Health, 78 South Main, Rutland, program@namivt.org, 800-639-6480.

Monday

February

Calendar

Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions. Free workshop for anyone dealing with chronic health issues like diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease and any other condition. Learn practical lifestyle changes from people dealing with similar issues.. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Templewood Court, 5 Tremont Street , Rutland, jabentley@rrmc.org, 802-776-5503.

Better Breather Club. Learn to cope with lung conditions such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma with a combination of guest speakers and problem-solving discussions led by trained facilitators. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street , Rutland , 802-776-5508.

Diabetes Self Management. Designed for people living Type 2 Diabetes to learn about healthy eating, managing stress, monitoring blood sugar and more. Those who complete the program notice significant improvement in their lives. . 2:30-5 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland, jabentley@rrmc.org, 802-776-5503.

Rutland Baby Cafe. Free drop-in breastfeeding support group. Meets every Monday. Check the RFL calendar for closings due to the observance of holidays or conflicts in schedule. . 3:30-4:30 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, lcunderhill@rrmc.org, 802-775-1901.

Free Help Quit Smoking, E cigarettes and JUUL. A group to help quit smoking or vaping. Free Nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. New time every Monday. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Rutland Regional Medical Center- CVPS Leahy confernce center, 160 Allen Street, Rutland , 802-747-3768.

Yoga Prana Shakti. Open to all levels of Yoga experience, however the energy level is between moderate to vigorous. Class incorporates Asana, pranayama (breath work) and deep relaxation. $13-15, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Every Body Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic, 155 Woodstock Avenue, Rutland, linacloffe@hotmail.com, 917-301-7150.

NAMI Family Support Group. All groups are led by trained individuals who have a family member living with a mental health condition and understand the same challenges you are experiencing. 6-7:30 p.m. RRMC Leahy Center, 160 Allen Street, Rutland, program@namivt.org, 800-639-6480.

Open Studio Pottery. Open studio drop-in or punch pass options. Create independently or get peer pottery support from fellow participants. Ages 14+; under 14 must be accompanied by adult. . $10/ visit, 6-8 p.m. Courcelle Building, 16 North St. Extension, Rutland, info@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Amateur Radio (Ham) Licensing Class. 11 week course. At the end of the class, students will be ready to take and pass the Technician Class amateur radio license exam. You do not need to learn Morse Code to get a license.. 6:30-8:30 p.m. NeighborWorks of Western VT, 110 Marble Street, West Rutland, timabraham@gamil.com, 802-558-0389.

3-2-1 Powerful Story. In this talk, Dennis Gillan takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as he explains how he recovered from the suicide deaths of both of his brothers. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Castleton University Fine Arts Center, 45 Alumni Drive, Castleton, 802-468-1119.

Loss and Substance Use to Recovery and Hope. Dennis Gillans story of perseverance and message of hope will help others recognize the warning signs of mental distress, the benefits of therapy, and how he found peace in sobriety. 7-9 p.m. Casella Theater , Castleton University, Castleton, 802-776-5515.

Tuesday

February

Calendar

Ask a Trainer Clinic. Personal trainers, Kyle Finneran and Kara White, from Studio Fitness lead classes on Tuesdays. 8:15-9 a.m. Rutland Recreation Community Center, 71 Clement Road, Rutland, KimP@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Free Help Quit Smoking, E cigarettes and JUUL. A group to help quit smoking or vaping. Free Nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges. Every Tuesday. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Heart Center , 12 Commons Street , Rutland , 802-747-3768.

Pottery Wheel. Our pottery wheel is up and running and Jess Ferrara will be helping us learn how to use it. . $5 per project, 3-5 p.m. Turning Point Center of Rutland, 141 State St., Rutland, krisharvey85@gmail.com, 802-773-6010.

Beginners Swing Dance. Tuesdays January 21 through February 18. 6:30-8 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 1953s.mck@gmail.com, 773-1860.

East Coast Swing. Join Richard and Sherri for a 5-week session of beginners swing dancing lessons, East Coast style! Come to any or all sessions. 6:30-8 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, rutlandfree@rutlandfree.org, 802-773-1860.

A Woman, Aint I?. Living History of Sojourner Truth. This program, presented by Kathryn Woods, tells Sojourner Truths story in her own words, speeches, and songs. 7 p.m. Castleton University Campus Center, 49 University Drive, Castleton, 802-468-1119.

Wednesday

February

Calendar

Yoga Prana Shakti. Open to all levels and beginners are welcome. Incorporates Asana, pranayama (breath work) and deep relaxation. $10-12, 9-10:15 a.m. Every Body Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic, 155 Woodstock Avenue, Rutland, linacloffe@hotmail.com, 1917-301-7150.

It Takes a Village. A Community of Parents. Free Support group for parents, expecting parents and caregivers. Find support during transition of adding a new baby or child to your family. Baby-siblings welcome. . 10-11:30 a.m. Wonderfeet Kids Museum, 11 Center Street, Rutland , 802-775-1901.

Yoga Prana Shakti Chair Yoga. If you have physical limitations or health issues this might be the class for you. With the help of a chair anyone can practice yoga, with benefits of increased circulation, balance, flexibility, mobility, strength and more. 5 classes $50, drop-in $12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Every Body Physical Therapy & Wellness Clinic, 155 Woodstock Ave. , Rutland, linacloffe@hotmail.com, 917-301-7150.

Mindfulness Meditation. Every Wednesday. . 4:45-6:15 p.m. Mountain Yoga, 135 North Main Street , Rutland, cooley.dane@gmail.com, 802-477-2824.

Integrative Yoga. Gentle to moderate in nature. Beginners will have an experience that is challenging but safe, experienced students will learn how to work at a deeper level to develop a more personal practice. $10 to drop in or sign up for a full session and get a discounted rate, 6-7:15 p.m. Courcelle Building, 16 North Street Extension, Rutland, Nikkia@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Open Studio Pottery. Open studio drop-in or punch pass options. Create independently or get peer pottery support from fellow participants. Ages 14+; under 14 must be accompanied by adult. . $10/ visit, 6-8 p.m. Courcelle Building, 16 North St. Extension, Rutland, info@rutlandrec.com, 802-773-1822.

Daybreak Express. Duke Ellingtons Train-Inspired Compositions. Reuben Jackson shares some evocative Ellington recordings and discusses Ellingtons love for trains. 7-8:30 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 10 Court St, Rutland, randall@rutlandfree.org, 802-773-1860.

Three Goofs. A circus troupe featuring standard clown routines we know and love, throwing some silly magic and music into the mix, all while attempting to create the worlds biggest soap bubble. . $10, 7 p.m. Castleton University Fine Arts Center, 45 Alumni Drive, Castleton, 802-468-1119.

Song Circle. Song circle welcomes singers and acoustic players to share their music and play along with others. Or just come to listen. Fiddlers especially welcome. Song book of traditional songs encourages group singing. . Donations welcome, 7:15-9:15 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland, jack_cr2@yahoo.com, 802-775-1182.

Thursday

February

Calendar

Pottery Wheel. Our pottery wheel is up and running and Jess Ferrara will be helping us learn how to use it. . $5 per project, 12-2 p.m. Turning Point Center of Rutland, 141 State St., Rutland, krisharvey85@gmail.com, 802-773-6010.

Diabetes Prevention Program. Year-long lifestyle change program for anyone at risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Learn to make small changes surrounding nutrition and exercise.. 4-5 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland, klneary@rrmc.org, 802-776-5507.

Monthly Yoga Dance. Guided movement exploration and yoga asanas as we dance through the chakras. No dance or yoga necessary, no registration, just drop in. First class just $5, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Studio Serpentine at Cobra, 56 Howe Street, Building H, Rutland, cobravt@me.com, 802-772-7011.

Monthly Yoga Nidra. A deep guided relaxation similar to a completely lucid nap. An excellent way to calm anxieties and access the serenity within.. Appropriate for all levels. 5:45-6:45 p.m. Studio Serpentine at Cobra, 56 Howe Street, Building H, Rutland, cobravt@me.com, 802-772-7011.

Harry Potter Book Night. Young wizards, witches and Muggles will be treated to an evening of magical games, activities, readings and quizzes. All ages are welcome. Costumes encouraged. . 6-8 p.m. Phoenix Books Rutland, 2 Center Street, Rutland, 802-855-8078.

Vincent. The excitement and color of Van Goghs life and art enhance this Marble Valley Players production through images that fill the stage as the story unfolds. A talk back follows on Sat., featuring Carol Berry, author, art educator and authority on Van Gogh. $15 at the door, 7-9 p.m. West Rutland Town Hall Theater, 35 Marble Street, West Rutland, asleep@comcast.net, 802-558-2758.

Introduction to Judaism. Designed for anyone looking to acquire a greater understanding of Judaism, ideal for interfaith couples, Jews looking for a refresher course, spiritual seekers, individuals interested in conversion, anyone interested in a deeper exploration of Judaism. 7:30-9 p.m. Rutland Jewish Center, 96 Grove Street, Rutland, rabbishemtov@rutlandjewishcenter.org, 802-855-8028.

Classes Workshops Continuing Education

Tai Chi. Two classes: Yang 24 at 2 p.m. Fall Prevention at 3 p.m. Low impact, slow-motion exercise which benefits all people and is safe for those with balance or arthritis issues, with certified instructor Larry Walter.. 3 p.m. Rutland Rec. Center, 16 North Main Street Extension, Rutland, 802-775-3855.

Friday

February

Calendar

Library Book Sale. Always a broad selection of discounted rare and antique books. Highlights this month: American presidents and patriotism. Puzzles Buy One get One of equal or lesser value free.. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, friends@rutlandfree.org, 802-773-1860.

Storytime. Weekly stories, songs, and crafts.. 10:30-11 a.m. Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Road, Killington, youthservices@sherburnelibrary.org, 802-558-3663.

Line Dancing Class. A 5-week class on Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 instructed by Mary-Anne Ligouri. Donations appreciated. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wallingford Town Hall, 75 School Street, Wallingford, townclerk@wallingfordvt.com, 802-446-2336.

Friday Writers Group. The Friday Writers. This group of writers of all genres and levels meets weekly to read and discuss their work. All interested writers are welcome. Free will donation, 12-2 p.m. Chaffee Art Center, 16 South Main Street, Rutland, thefridaywriters@gmail.com, 802-775-0356.

Woodburning. Try your hand at woodburning and create a beautiful piece of art to take home. All supplies provided.. $5 per project, 1-3 p.m. Turning Point Center of Rutland, 141 State St., Rutland, krisharvey85@gmail.com, 802-773-6010.

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Conservative

AGUDATH BNAI ISRAEL: Meister Road at Pole Ave., Lorain. Mark Jaffee, Ritual Director. SAT. 10 a.m. 440-282-3307. abitemplelorain.com

BETH EL CONGREGATION: 750 White Pond Dr., Akron. Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein, Hazzan Matthew Austerklein. SAT. 9:15 a.m.; SUN. 8:45 a.m.; WED./FRI. 7:30 a.m. 330-864-2105. bethelakron.com.

BNAI JESHURUN-Temple on the Heights: 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike. Rabbis Stephen Weiss and Hal Rudin-Luria; Stanley J. Schachter, Rabbi Emeritus; Cantor Aaron Shifman. FRI. Shabbat Service 6 p.m.; SAT. 9 a.m., 6 p.m.; SUN. 8 a.m., 6 p.m.; MON.-THURS. 7/7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; FRI. 7/7:30 a.m. 216-831-6555. bnaijeshurun.org.

MONTEFIORE: One David N. Myers Parkway., Beachwood. Services in Montefiore Maltz Chapel. Rabbi Akiva Feinstein; Cantor Gary Paller. FRI. 3:30 p.m.; SAT. Service 10:30 a.m. 216-360-9080.

PARK SYNAGOGUE-Anshe Emeth Beth Tefilo Cong.: Park MAIN 3300 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights; Park EAST 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. Rabbi Joshua Hoffer Skoff, Rabbi Sharon Y. Marcus, Milton B. Rube, Rabbi-in-Residence, Cantor Misha Pisman. FRI. 6 p.m. (Park East); SAT. 9 a.m. (Park East), 5 p.m. (Park East); SUN. 8:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (both Park East); MON.-FRI. 7:30 a.m., 6 p.m. (both Park East). 216-371-2244; TDD# 216-371-8579. parksynagogue.org.

SHAAREY TIKVAH: 26811 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Rabbi Scott B. Roland; Gary Paller, Cantor Emeritus. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m.; SAT. 9 a.m.; SUN. Minyan 9 a.m. 216-765-8300. shaareytikvah.org.

BETH EL-The Heights Synagogue, an Independent Minyan: 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Heights. Rabbi Michael Ungar; Rabbi Moshe Adler, Rabbi Emeritus. SAT. Morning Service 9:15 a.m. 216-320-9667. bethelheights.org.

THE SHUL-An Innovative Center for Jewish Outreach: 30799 Pinetree Road, #401, Pepper Pike. Rabbi Eddie Sukol. THURS. Toast & Torah at Corky & Lennys 8 a.m. See website or call for Shabbat and holiday service dates, times and details. 216-509-9969. rabbieddie@theshul.us. theshul.us.

AHAVAS YISROEL: 1700 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights. Rabbi Boruch Hirschfeld. 216-932-6064.

BEACHWOOD KEHILLA: 25400 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Rabbi Ari Spiegler, Rabbi Emeritus David S. Zlatin. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat 5:22 p.m.; SAT. Shacharit 9 a.m., Study Group 4:25 p.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:10 p.m., Havdalah 6:25 p.m.; SUN. 7:30 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:25 p.m.; MON.-THURS. Shacharit 6:30 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 7:45 p.m.; FRI. Shacharit 6:30 a.m. 216-556-0010.

FROMOVITZ CHABAD CENTER: 21625 Chagrin Blvd. #210, Beachwood. Rabbi Moshe Gancz. SAT. Morning service followed by kiddush lunch 10 a.m. 216-647.4884, clevelandjewishlearning.com

GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE: 2437 S. Green Road, Beachwood. Rabbi Binyamin Blau; Melvin Granatstein, Rabbi Emeritus. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat 5:30 p.m.; SAT. Hashkama Minyan 7:45 a.m., Shacharit 9 a.m., Youth Minyan 9:30 a.m., Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m., Rabbis Talmud Class 4:15 p.m., Minchah 5:15 p.m., Havdalah 6:24 p.m.; SUN. Shacharit 8 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:35 p.m.; MON.-WED. Shacharit 6:40 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:35 p.m.; THURS. Shacharit 6:40 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:40 p.m.; FRI. Shacharit 6:40 a.m. 216-381-4757. GreenRoadSynagogue.org.

HEIGHTS JEWISH CENTER SYNAGOGUE: 14270 Cedar Road, University Heights. Rabbi Raphael Davidovich. FRI. 7:15 p.m.; SAT Morning Parsha Class 8:30 a.m., Morning Services 9 a.m., Minchah 30 minutes before sunset; SUN. 8 a.m., 15 minutes before sunset; MON.-THURS. 6:45 a.m., 15 minutes before sunset; FRI. 6:45 a.m. 216-382-1958, hjcs.org.

KHAL YEREIM: 1771 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights. Rabbi Yehuda Blum. 216-321-5855.

MENORAH PARK: 27100 Cedar Road, Beachwood. Rabbi Howard Kutner; Associate Rabbi Joseph Kirsch. SAT. 9:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m.; SUN. Minyan & Breakfast 8 a.m. 216-831-6500.

OHEB ZEDEK CEDAR SINAI SYNAGOGUE: 23749 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst. Rabbi Noah Leavitt. FRI. Minchah 5:20 p.m.; SAT. 9 a.m., Minchah/Seudah Shlishit 5:10 p.m., Maariv 6:10 p.m., Havdalah 6:25 p.m.; SUN. 8 a.m.; MON.-FRI. Shacharit 7 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:20 p.m. 216-382-6566. office@oz-cedarsinai.org. oz-cedarsinai.org.

SEMACH SEDEK: 2004 S. Green Road, South Euclid. Rabbi Yossi Marozov. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat at candlelighting; SAT. 9:30 a.m., Minchah at candlelighting. 216-235-6498.

SOLON CHABAD: 5570 Harper Road, Solon. Rabbi Zushe Greenberg. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat 5:15 p.m.; SAT. Torah Study 9 a.m., Service 10 a.m., Minchah 1:30 p.m.; SUN. 8 a.m.; MON-FRI. 7 a.m. 440-498-9533. office@solonchabad.com. solonchabad.com.

TAYLOR ROAD SYNAGOGUE: 1970 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights. FRI. Minchah 5:15 p.m.; SAT. Shacharit 9 a.m., Havdalah 6:32 p.m.; SUN. Daf Yomi 7 a.m., Shacharit 8 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:15 p.m.; WEEKDAYS Daf Yomi 6 a.m., Shacharit 6:45 a.m., Minchah/Maariv 5:15 p.m. 216-321-4875.

WAXMAN CHABAD CENTER: 2479 S. Green Road, Beachwood. Rabbis Shalom Ber Chaikin and Moshe Gancz. Contact the synagogue for service times. 216-381-1770. waxmanchabadcenter@gmail.com.

YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREATER CLEVELAND: Hebrew Academy (HAC), 1860 S. Taylor Road; Beachwood (Stone), 2463 Green Road. Rabbis Naphtali Burnstein and Aharon Dovid Lebovics. FRI. Minchah 5:30 p.m.; SAT. Shacharit (Stone) 8/9 a.m., (HAC) 9 a.m., Minchah 5:15 p.m., Maariv 6:23 p.m., Motzei Shabbat 6:31 p.m.; Shacharit: (Stone) SUN. 7:15/8/8:30 a.m., MON./THURS. 6:40/7:50 a.m., TUES./WED./FRI. 6:45/7:50 a.m., (HAC) SUN. 7:20 a.m., MON./THURS. 6:40 a.m., TUES./WED./FRI. 6:45 a.m. WEEKDAYS Minchah 5:30 p.m. 216-382-5740. office@yigc.org.

ZICHRON CHAIM: 2203 S. Green Road, Beachwood. Rabbi Moshe Garfunkel. DAILY 6 a.m., 6:45 a.m. 216-291-5000.

KOL HALEV (Clevelands Reconstructionist Community): The Ratner School. 27575 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. Rabbi Steve Segar. FRI. Shabbat Dinners in Members Homes; SAT. Torah study 9:30 a.m., Hagiga 10:30 a.m., Shabbat Service 10:30 a.m., Philosophical Inquiry 1 p.m. 216-320-1498. kolhalev.net.

AM SHALOM of Lake County: 7599 Center St., Mentor. Spiritual Director Renee Blau; Assistant Spiritual Director Elise Aitken. 440-255-1544.

ANSHE CHESED Fairmount Temple: 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Rabbis Robert Nosanchuk and Joshua Caruso; Cantor Sarah Sager; Jordana Chernow-Reader, Rabbi-Educator. FRI. Abbreviated Shabbat Evening Service 5 p.m.; SAT. Torah Study 9:15 a.m., Lay-Led Shabbat Minyan 10:30 a.m. 216-464-1330. fairmounttemple.org.

BETH ISRAEL-The West Temple: 14308 Triskett Road, Cleveland. Rabbi Enid Lader. Alan Lettofsky, Rabbi Emeritus. FRI. Service 7:30 p.m.; SAT. Torah Study 9:30 a.m., Service 11 a.m. 216-941-8882. thewesttemple.com.

BETH SHALOM: 50 Division St., Hudson. Rabbi Michael Ross. SAT. Shabbat afternoon retreat at KSU 3:30 p.m. 330-656-1800. tbshudson.org

BNAI ABRAHAM-The Elyria Temple: 530 Gulf Road, Elyria. Rabbi Lauren Werber. FRI. Shabbat Service 7 p.m. 440-366-1171. tbaelyria.org

SUBURBAN TEMPLE-KOL AMI: 22401 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood. Rabbi Allison Bergman Vann. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6 p.m.; SAT. Torah Study 9:15 a.m. 216-991-0700. suburbantemple.org.

TEMPLE EMANU EL: 4545 Brainard Road, Orange. Rabbi Steven L. Denker; Cantor David R. Malecki; Daniel A. Roberts, Rabbi Emeritus. FRI. Tot Shabbat 5:30 p.m., Shabbat Service 6:15 p.m.; SAT. Parshat HaShavuah 9 a.m., Service 10:30 a.m. 216-454-1300. teecleve.org.

TEMPLE ISRAEL: 91 Springside Drive, Akron. Rabbi Josh Brown. Cantor Kathy Fromson. FRI. Service 6:15 p.m.; SAT. Torah Study 9 a.m., Morning Service 10:30 a.m. 330-665-2000 templeisraelakron.org.

TEMPLE ISRAEL NER TAMID: 1732 Lander Road, Mayfield Heights. Rabbi Matthew J. Eisenberg, D.D.; Frederick A. Eisenberg, D.D., Founding Rabbi Emeritus; Cantorial Soloist Rachel Eisenberg. FRI. 7:30 p.m. 440-473-5120. tintcleveland.org.

THE TEMPLE-TIFERETH ISRAEL: 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Senior Rabbi Jonathan Cohen; Rabbi Roger C. Klein and Rabbi Stacy Schlein; Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo. FRI. Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m.; SAT. Torah study 9:15 a.m. 216-831-3233. ttti.org.

JEWISH SECULAR COMMUNITY: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights. FRI. Feb. 7: Tu BShvat Celebration and Shabbat dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 8 p.m. (RSVP to Peg Fishman 440-349-1330 or pegfishman@gmail.com.) jewishsecularcommunity.org.

THE CHARLOTTE GOLDBERG COMMUNITY MIKVAH: Park Synagogue, 3300 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights. By appointment only: 216-371-2244, ext. 135.

THE STANLEY AND ESTHER WAXMAN COMMUNITY MIKVAH: Waxman Chabad House, 2479 South Green Road, Beachwood. 216-381-3170.

This is a paid listing with information provided by congregations.

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Synagogue service times: Week of January 31 | Synagogues - Cleveland Jewish News

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

A historic synagogue near Krakw, Poland, was mostly destroyed by Nazis during World War II, but a secret hoard of precious ritual objects that was hidden there remained undetected and undisturbed until now.

Recently, restorers at the Old Synagogue, an 18th-century temple in Wieliczka, Poland, unexpectedly found a cache of Jewish artifacts and other silver items in a large, wooden crate that had been concealed under the floor. They uncovered the crate while digging a hole to test the soundness of the building's foundation, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

The box which measures about 3 feet high, 2 feet wide and 4 feet long (80 by 70 by 130 centimeters) was crammed with around 350 objects, including a silver goblet with flowery designs, bronze vases inscribed with Hebrew writing and silver-plated candlesticks, according to the Chronicle.

Related: 30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing

Also among the artifacts were two menorahs (nine-armed candelabras that are lit during Hanukkah), two rimonim (decorative ornaments that crown a Torah scroll) and an ornate silver plaque that hung at the front of a Torah, Polish news outlet Gazeta Wyborcza reported. On the plaque were raised images of lions on pillars holding a crown over the Ten Commandments, and an attached silver chain led to a yad, a ritual pointer used for reading the Torah.

Time had rotted the wooden frame of the hidden box, but the objects inside, packed tightly together, were in good condition. Most of them are thought to date to the 19th century and would have been used in religious rituals, though there were some unusual exceptions: 18 badges from military caps of infantry officers in the Austro-Hungarian army. The badges bore the initials of Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled from 1848 until 1916, according to Gazeta Wyborcza.

One possible explanation is that military caps were used to line the box and protect the ritual objects at the time when they were packed up and buried. But the fabric later rotted away, leaving only the badges behind, Micha Wojenka, a researcher with the Jagiellonian University Institute of Archaeology and leader of the investigation of the artifacts, told Gazeta Wyborcza.

When the box was hidden and who concealed it remain unknown. However, further investigation of the religious artifacts could reveal clues about individuals in Wieliczka's Jewish community, as ritual objects are often inscribed with the names of the people who donated them, according to the Chronicle.

Approximately 1,135 Jews lived in Wieliczka according to records from the 1920s, but most of the community was deported and murdered during World War II, and few who survived returned to the city after the war ended, the Chronicle reported.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Posted By admin on January 31, 2020

A high-profile case of alleged child sex abuse at a prominent Washington, D.C., synagogue is closing with no apparent charges, leaving the childrens families furious and pushing for further investigation.

Emails obtained by The Daily Beast show prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the District of Columbia reached out to families this week to say they are closing the case of Jordan Silverman, a former teacher at the venerated Washington Hebrew Congregation's preschool who was accused of sexually abusing more than a dozen children in his care.

The U.S. Attorneys office declined to comment, but the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the 16-month investigation was ending.

After exhausting all investigative avenues, the universal determination of the investigative team was that there was insufficient probable cause to establish that an offense occurred or to make an arrest, the department said in a statement on Thursday morning.

Silvermans attorneys have maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. In a statement on Thursday, they claimed vindication in response to the MPDs announcement.

For 19 months Jordan Silverman has been forced to endure the nightmare of being accused of and investigated for crimes he did not commit, attorneys Sarah Fink and Jon Jeffress said in a statement. To prove his innocence Mr. Silverman took two independent polygraph tests conducted by former FBI agents. He passed both of those tests with flying colors. We look forward to restoring Mr. Silvermans reputation and good name.

But the decision not to bring charges against Silverman has infuriated parents, who feel the U.S. Attorneys office showed deference to the accused and failed to take into consideration the special circumstances surrounding crimes against minors.

Emails to U.S. Attorney Mark OBrien obtained by The Daily Beast show parents criticizing him for not reaching out to them directly before coming to a conclusion. Other parents said they were told their child would have to take the stand at a criminal trial, or were criticized for enrolling their child in therapy. A number of families are now advocating for a special prosecutor to be appointed in the case, which has garnered national attention.

Fifteen children are not going to see justice for this, a mother of one child, whom The Daily Beast is not naming to protect their identity, told The Daily Beast. This guy is going to go without any charges ever being brought against him. Its unfathomable to me that we live in a time and a place where he could do this to our children.

Of OBrien, she added, I have no words for this person. He is supposed to be the person in charge of protecting us.

OBrien, in his email responses to several parents, defended his decision to inform the families civil counsel about the outcome instead of contacting them directly. He subsequently attempted to schedule meetings with them this week and, by Wednesday, had told one parent that his timeline for telling Silverman the results of the investigation was still fluid.

The investigation into Silverman began in August 2018, when the Washington Hebrew Congregation's preschool told D.C. police that a preschooler claimed to have been abused by a teacher. As word of the allegations spread, the parents of more childrenboys and girls, ages two to four also came forward to say their children had been abused.

Its unfathomable to me that we live in a time and a place where he could do this to our children.

Mother of a child at the Washington Hebrew Congregation preschool

Silvermana former Vermont photographer with no full-time educational backgroundwas placed on leave that month and fired in October. Police and prosecutors did not name him publicly at the time, but emails reviewed by The Daily Beast reveal that he was the subject of a criminal investigation.

Parents of eight children sued the Washington Hebrew Congregation in April, accusing the school of turning a blind eye to the grievous, demeaning and damaging forms of sexual abuse that Silveman allegedly inflicted over more than two years. Two more families were added to that suit this month.

The attorney in that case, Michael Dolce, previously told The Daily Beast that they believed Silverman had taken small groups of children to remote locations both inside and outside of the building to abuse them. Three more parents filed a separate suit in May, bringing the total number of alleged victims to 14.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education conducted an investigation into the allegations last year, according to a cease-and-desist letter obtained by CNN. While Silverman is not named in the June 2019 letter, the investigation found that "more than one child was a victim of sexual abuse by an alleged maltreator at the school. It said that the alleged maltreator would regularly take groups of children outside or to the bathroom by himself for extended periods of time with a handheld radio, but not respond to the radio when called."

The OSSE also found that the school did not enforce its no cell-phone policy, allowing the alleged maltreator to take pictures and video of the students. They noted that the school had no record of any application, resume, letters of reference, or verification that Silverman met the credential requirements for an assistant teacher.

In a statement on Thursday, Washington Hebrew said that it had taken extraordinary steps to ensure student safety, and that the corrective action plan brought to them by OSSE was in line with improvements they had already made. They added that they were working closely with the families who filed suit to find a resolution that will bring healing to all concerned.

All OSSE requirements have been fulfilled and we are fully licensed to operate our child care programs year round, with no interruption to the continuous early childhood education programs that we have offered, a spokesperson for the school said.

Why does it seem like you are protecting a predator and, for no reason, an institution that harbored a predator?

Email from preschool parent to prosecutor

Family members of Silvermans alleged victims had been working closely with the U.S. attorneys office for months, operatingthey sayunder the assumption that the office would talk to them individually before making a decision on the case. On Monday, OBrien alerted the families attorney that the case had been closed, leaving several parents shockednot only that they were hearing the news indirectly but that OBrien was apparently going to inform Silverman about the investigations closure first.

In an email to OBrien sent Wednesday, one mother pleaded with him not to alert Silverman or Washington Hebrew about his decision before meeting with the parents. Where is the protection for my child? she wrote. Why does it seem like you are protecting a predator and, for no reason, an institution that harbored a predator?

Im sorry it keeps you up at night I have not slept in a year and a half, she wrote in a follow-up email. No matter how hard this is for you, Mark, you will never know how this feels.

Other parents said they were dissatisfied with how the investigation was run as a whole. Multiple families said OBrien and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Allen told them their child would have to take the stand if that case went to trialsomething not always required of minors in sexual abuse cases. In another instance, two families told The Daily Beast that OBrien had accused them of enrolling their child in therapy exclusively to advance their civil case.

One father, shocked at how difficult the process seemed, told The Daily Beast that he asked OBrien facetiously if abusers should purposely target preschoolers, because the law did not seem to protect them.

The responseand I wrote this down word for wordwas, Well if youre a pedophile, thats a good place to start, the father told The Daily Beast.

The families had asked the U.S. Attorneys office to keep the criminal case open until the end of discovery in their civil caseor at least until Silverman could be deposed in March. But in an email viewed by The Daily Beast, OBrien declined, writing that there was no reasonable basis to conclude that you will secure sufficient evidence during the deposition to change the decision.

For 19 months Jordan Silverman has been forced to endure the nightmare of being accused of and investigated for crimes he did not commit.

Statement from Silvermans attorneys

Several of the families say they have lost faith in the U.S. Attorneys office, and are pushing to bring in a special prosecutor who is experienced in trying child sex abuse cases.

Were asking for a special prosecutor because we believe that Mark OBrien, the lead prosecutor weve trusted to seek justice for our children, has behaved in a way that shows he clearly does not understand the complexities of a case involving the abuse of children this young, one father said.

The U.S. Attorney's office of the District of Columbia has come under scrutiny before for its handling of sexual assault cases, albiet under the leadership of a different head attorney. A 2016 investigation by independent investigators reporting to the D.C. City Council found that prosecutors there brought forward sexual assault and abuse cases at a level comparable to or just below the national average. But the investigators also found that attorneys failed to communicate effectively with victims whose cases they did not take, and often left victims feeling like they were speaking with attorneys for the defense team.

The offices communication pattern, the investigators wrote, is vastly less respectful and meaningful than the USAO perceives it to be, and extremely destructive to their ability to communicate an unfavorable outcome to a survivor.

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No Arrest Coming in Washington Hebrew Congregation Preschool Sexual Abuse Case - The Daily Beast

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