Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on September 13, 2014

Former Israeli Soldier Eran Efrati Speaks Out About Gaza And The Occupation conversation with Eran Efrati, a former Israeli combat soldier turned anti-occupation activist. He recently interviewed several Israeli soldiers who participated in the Shejaiya massacre in... By: People Power Television

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Former Israeli Soldier Eran Efrati Speaks Out About Gaza And The Occupation - Video

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

Ruth Calderon Gives Voice to Characters Who Have Been Excluded

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Galvanizing Figure: Calderons Knesset speech attracted more than 250,000 YouTube views.

Published September 12, 2014.

A Bride For One Night: Talmud Tales By Ruth Calderon, translated by Ilana Kurshan The Jewish Publication Society, 184 pages, $21.95

If Ruth Calderon did not exist, it would be necessary to dream of someone like her.

For almost half a century, American expatriates and a small group of native Israelis have creatively and courageously re-engaged with traditional Jewish texts Talmud, Midrash, piyutim, or liturgical poetry that had long been the provenance of religious elites. Many of these, like Calderon herself, are not traditionally religious but have discovered that these texts, and the lives they illuminate, are rich in literary and philosophical meaning, whether or not one finds them religiously normative.

To those of us who have been part of this community in Israel at the Pardes Institute; at Elul and Alma, two institutions Calderon founded; in singing communities around the country, or in a growing handful of other locations the immersion within these textual and experiential worlds is often what we love most about Israel itself. And yet we know that these spaces remain at the margins of Israeli life, little countercultures with little impact on the mainstream.

It was a surprise when Calderon was elected to the Knesset in 2012. She was 13th on a list (Yesh Atid) that was expected to win half a dozen. Yet it won 19, and there she was, one of us.

It was an even bigger surprise when Calderons inaugural speech, in February 2013, included a lesson in Talmud (Ketubot 62b, if you wanted to follow along). Most freshman politicians would have given the pat, expected talk, full of vague and lofty rhetoric. But this was Calderon as Calderon, wasting no time confounding expectations of what a member of Knesset could be.

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How Ruth Calderon Transforms Israeli Politics and Talmud

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

Swastikas, Drawings Found on Miami Beach synagogue
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - A possible hate crime is under investigation at a Miami Beach synagogue after a person was seen drawing graffiti on a sign near its front...

By: JewsOnTelevision

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Swastikas, Drawings Found on Miami Beach synagogue - Video

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

Man arrested in vandalizing of Miami Beach synagogue
Less than 24 hours after a Miami Beach temple was targeted by a vandal, police have arrested a suspect in the case, the second such incident in Miami-Dade County in as many days. According...

By: JewsOnTelevision

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Man arrested in vandalizing of Miami Beach synagogue - Video

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

Pepper Pike

Harassing communications, Shaker Boulevard: Officials at Park Synagogue East reported Sept. 4 that they received a non-threatening but harassing letter, purportedly from a Twinsburg-area man, making comments directed to the Rabbi and referencing the Torah. Police contacted the supposed writer, who told them the letter was not his and his name was used fraudulently. He planned to file an identity theft report with his local police, as this is not the first instance of letters being sent out falsely in his name.

Disturbance, disorderly conduct; Chagrin Boulevard: Police were called on the afternoon of Sept. 10 to Orange High School football field for an incident involving a relative of a player and a girlfriend. No further information was available, other than neither party claiming injury.

Theft from building, Muirfield Drive: A contractor from the Chagrin Falls area reported Sept. 9 that someone stole a Milwaukee Sawz-All and battery charger from a local construction site.

Damage to property (private), Lander Road: Police responded to the Beech Brook juvenile facility on Sept. 4, where the owner of a 2009 Acura claimed that he found a "fresh ding" on the back passenger door, with a maroon paint scuff. The responding officer noted that it appeared to match a Buick Regal that had reportedly been parked nearby and had some possibly corresponding paint chips missing from the driver's side door, but upon contacting the owner, she denied it. Police noted that the cars were moved prior to their arrival and that both drivers have the same insurance company.

Identity theft, Hunting Hollow: A resident, 70, reported Sept. 3 that his identity was apparently stolen through a fraudulent filing of State of Ohio income taxes.

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Harassing and phony letter sent to local synagogue: Pepper Pike police blotter

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

Speaking to SaharaReporters today, a source from the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that they have withdrawn from the scene of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.

The source says church security staff, operating aggressively and threateningly, attacked emergency aid officials and smashed a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) camera. See Also News 15 Dead, Several Trapped As T.B. Joshua's Synagogue Church Of All Nations In Lagos Collapses 0 Comments 8 Hours Ago

Reasons for the "barbaric" behavior were unknown, but some speculated that the church may have been trying to cover up the real cause of the collapse. Others alleged Ebola virus disease patients were being kept there.

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Emergency Workers Driven From Scene Of Synagogue Of All Nations Church Collapse By "Barbaric" Church Security

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

The Casa de Sefarad, the museum of Jewish culture. :: AYTO DE CRDOBA

In the foothills of the Sierra Morena, bathed by the waters of the Guadalquivir river, glitters one of the most beautiful jewels of Andaluca. Cordoba and its enormous cultural legacy reminds us of the different peoples which have lived in the city and which turned it into a highly privileged place, marked by the presence of four great civilisations - Roman, Islamic, Jewish and Christian.

The city is testimony of greater past times not because it presents a shabby down at heel facade nowadays but because history recalls that it was once capital of the grandest empires, such as that of the Omeya caliphate.

However, while it is precisely that, its Moorish era, and that of its birth, the Roman epoch, which delineates its streets, the Cordoba that we know today would not be as we see it without the Sephardic culture left by the Jews. The mixture of different religions who lived side by side - Jewish, Muslim and Christian - created the unique city.

It was during the times of Al-ndalus when the Jewish inhabited an area still known as La Judera. Its irregular cobbled streets are some of those most sought out by tourists, who find in its corners the soul of a culture capable of captivating all of the senses.

For this very reason Cordoba is ideal to host the XV edition of the European Day of Jewish Culture which also takes place in a number of other cities and this year takes the theme, Women in Judaism.

This initiative was launched in France in 1996 and since then has grown, spreading with each year to more cities with a more extensive programme. In Europe the day is celebrated on September 14th, in countries as distinct as Austria, Bulgaria, Italy and Portugal. Also participating are the 24 cities which are part of the network of Jewish quarters in Spain, such as (in Andaluca) Cordoba, Lucena, Seville and Jan, with others further afield like Toledo, Barcelona and Valencia.

In the case of Cordoba, the programme goes beyond just one day with the second consecutive edition of the Otoo Sefard, whichbegins today and will continue until Sunday September 28th - more than two weeks to enjoy the city and its Jewish culture and history.

Jos Antonio Nieto, mayor of Cordoba, doesnt hesitate to point out that we have become the city with the biggest celebration of this kind. And there is no reason to doubt him because the programme offers an endless amount of possibilities to discover Jewish traditions and the traces left in Cordoba.

La Judera, part of the citys historic centre which is a Unesco World Heritage site, is home to two main attractions, the Synagogue and the Casa de Sefarad.

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What to do in Andalusia

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

History of Hasidism

The Hasidic Jews beliefs and practices date back to the Eighteenth century. Hasidism - the Hasidic Judaism movement was founded by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. There are many mystical stories surrounding his great personality. Hassidic Jews tell over a very interesting story on the birth of the founder of Hasidism Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. His father Rabbi Eliezer was a very pious Orthodox Jew, who together with his wife Sara was childless till close to age 100.

R' Eliezer and his wife always did the great deed of taking in guest, as called by Orthodox Jews - Hachnasat Orchim. There was great admiration in heaven for the great deeds of R' Eliezer and his wife Sara. The court of heaven decided that they must be rewarded.

Hasidic Jews relate the story further. The Satan argued that he wants to test R' Eliezer if he will take in as a guest even poor and dirty person. The court of heaven agreed. The Satan dressed up as a poor person dressed in rags and dirty from head to toe. He had a terrible body odor and knocked on the door of R' Eliezer and asked if he can stay there. R' Eliezer and Sara agreed. He asked for food, and behaved in a very immoral fashion. He asked for more and more food and later requested to sleep in R' Eliezers bed. All his needs were fulfilled.

As soon as the Satan returned to heaven, the heavenly court decided that he must be rewarded. Hasidic legend goes that it was decided in heaven that Sara give birth to a son with a holy soul, a soul that merits to come on earth only once in a thousand years.

Little Srulik was born, and his parents died when he was at very young age. Srulik devoted his childhood years for deep learning of Torah. Hasidism history started then at his very young age. Hasidic Jews accept many stories about his holiness in his very young age. His devotion to Hashem (God), his love for every fellow Jew and his happiness to every Mitzvah (commandment) of Hashem (God), were seen at his very young age.

As Rabbi Yisroel grew older he looked around on his fellow Orthodox Jews. He looked around and saw many of them very broken hearted and upset with their Judaism. He started to go around to towns and villages where Orthodox Jews lived, and taught Hasidic Jews Beliefs. He explained the love of Hashem (God) to every single Jew, the importance of love to every fellow Jew, and the vision of doing every commandment of Hashem with great love.

R' Yisroel, or as Hasidic Jews call him the Baal Shem Tov (the man with the Great Name) starting gathering around him many followers. This is when the Hasidic Judaism movement started. It was at the beginning of the eighteenth century that he started gaining followers in the thousands.

Many many stories are retols by Hassidic Jews on the divine power of R' Yisroel. His blessing worked wonders. Childless parents were blessed with children, the sick were healed and the lost were found through his blessings. Even gentiles came to him for his blessing. He would be able to say what's happening on the end of the world, and tell in advance on upcoming events. His followers and Hassidim today believe in him as heavenly divine sage.

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Hasidic Jew History- The Lifestyle And History of Hassidism

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

By Jenna Birch

Most women only undergo screening for harmful genetic mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes if many family members have developed cancer. However, a new study revealed women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with cancer-causing mutations have a high prevalence of breast cancer and ovarian cancer even if theres no real family history.

To mimic a universal screening on a small scale, researchers initially offered 8,000 cancer-free Ashkenazi men over age 30 to get tested for the genetic mutation, eventually finding 175 who carried a harmful mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Then the researchers asked female relatives to be tested for the mutation, finding 211 women who were affected by it. Half had nearly no family history of cancer, and only about one-third of those who did had been sent for a screening. But after getting tested in the study, they found cancer rates were high. If the women reached age 60, around 60 percent of the BRCA1 carriers and roughly 33 percent of BRCA2 carriers had fallen victim to breast or ovarian cancer. By age 80, the number rose to 83 percent of the BRCA1 carriers and 76 percent of BRCA2 carriers.

The mutations were found after random screenings, and many of the women in the study would not have discovered they were mutation carriers had the research not called for this test. Thats why the study authors recommend all women of Jewish Ashkenazi descent get tested for these potentially life-threatening mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force does not currently recommend counseling or screening in the absence of family history. The American Cancer Society only recommends action if an immediate family member has had cancer, or a family member developed it at a very young age. Researchers in this study suggest, with this new information, screening should be universal in this population of women. We should be testing people who are still healthy at a stage when we can prevent the disease, says study author Dr. Ephrat Levy-Lahad, director of the Medical Genetics Institute at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. And we dont have many diseases with a mutation that so clearly affects risk as BRCA.

Itll probably be a long time before changes are made to guidelines, though, and questions still remain as to the exact link between the mutation and cancer, or how to deal if a woman tests positive. Some experts still arent sure how high the risk of developing the disease is in a person with a mutation and no family history. Also, if a woman tests positive for the mutation, lowering risk of developing cancer might involve surgically removing healthy breasts and ovarieswhich is risky in itself, and obviously a huge decision for a woman to make.

So, right now, theres no easy answer in light of this new information. However, the research seems to be a big step toward preventing cancer before it ever starts.

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Researchers find a link between Jewish women and cancer, without family history

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Posted By richards on September 13, 2014

New Study Says Yes Experts Are Divided

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Life-Saving Screening: A radiology technician examines a mammography test.

No family history of cancer? Get tested anyway suggests a recently-published study, but medical experts are deeply divided.

The study indicates that even Ashkenazi women with no family history of the disease but who test positive for a cancer-causing genetic mutation have high rates of breast and ovarian cancer.

At the heart of the dispute is the question of whether all women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should now get genetic testing to determine if they have the mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. And, if they do get tested, what should they do if the results show mutations?

Ashkenazim are at a particularly high risk for these mutations: One in 40 carries a BRCA mutation as compared to one in 345 in the general population. But until now, the United States Preventive Services Task Force has recommended against routine genetic counseling or BRCA testing for women who had no family history of cancer.

Citing their findings, published September 5 on the website of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the studys authors recommended routine screening of all women of Ashkenazi backgrounds for harmful mutations in the BRCA genes. Some prominent experts agree.

I think it is going to be a game changer, said Dr. Harry Ostrer, a noted geneticist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York, referring to the study results. I think it puts the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on notice.

Ostrer said he had just returned from a bar mitzvah, where the study was making waves. People were walking up to me and saying, Gee, I want to be tested. How do I do that? he said.

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Should All Ashkenazi Women Get Tested for BRCA Gene Mutations?

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