Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Fahrenheit Five

Joshua Yaffa paints a vivid, dire picture of the role that rising temperatures are playing in thawing permafrost, a process that then accelerates climate change (The Great Thaw, January 17th). It is impossible to deny the United States outsized contribution to the climate crisis, or the need for urgent action. So climate data and reporting need to be legible to as many people as possible. In Yaffas piece and other climate journalism, I fear, the sole use of Celsius, without a Fahrenheit conversion, risks understating the problem for too many Americans. A recent poll indicated that Americans are largely unfamiliar with Celsius and would like climate research and reporting to include Fahrenheit. The U.N. Environment Programmes Emissions Gap Report 2021 warns that the world is on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7 degrees C by the end of the century. That converts to an increase of nearly five degrees Fahrenheita figure that would sound much scarier to the average American. I hope that climate journalists, at this magazine and elsewhere, will consider including conversions to Fahrenheit in their work.

Andrew UngerleiderSanta Fe, N.M.

Ariel Levys lovely article about Janet Lansburys parenting gospel begins with references to the pediatrician Emmi Pikler, the originator of the principles behind RIE, or Resources for Infant Educarers, and to Magda Gerber, the subsequent founder and propagator of RIE (Mother Superior, January 17th). In prewar Budapest, my mother studied with Pikler, who was already so well respected that this connection helped my mother get a job as a governess for an upper-class family; she was thus able to escape the reach of the Nazis for some months. After the war, my mother put me and my brother under the care of one of Piklers associates. My family left Hungary in 1956. We knew nothing of the fame and influence of Magda Gerberwho, like my mother, shared Piklers child-rearing philosophyin the United States. Some six decades later, my Ethiopian daughter-in-law, who had spent time as a nanny in Los Angeles, showed me one of Gerbers books. She believed that Gerbers techniques were the ones that worked best, and intended to raise her newbornmy first grandsonwith them. A full circle indeed!

Annie SzamosiToronto, Ont.

Thank you to Ian Buruma for his piece about the modernization of the Chinese language (Books, January 17th). I was fascinated by Burumas discussion of the efforts to create a Romanization system for Chinese, which reminded me of the period of the Hebrew-language revival, when the Jewish community of Palestine used the sacred language of the Hebrew Bible to establish a vernacular that would eventually become Israels official language. One of the most ironic stories from this time involves Eliezer Ben-Yehuda. He put together the first modern Hebrew dictionary, yet his son, Itamar Ben-Aviwho was, according to lore, the first person in modern history to be raised as a native Hebrew speakerwas part of a movement that wanted to use the Latin alphabet to transcribe the language. Ben-Avi even ran a Romanized Hebrew newspaper.

Without Hebrew letters, the language would be stripped of its ties to the Bible and other rabbinic literature. Burumas piece gave me a new appreciation for the resiliency of Chinese, in the face of long-running debates over how to write that language.

Matthew CheckBrooklyn, N.Y.

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

All writers in Op Ed are here to inform and acknowledge issues of importance to our communities, however these writings represent the views and opinions of the authors and not necessarily of The Advertiser.

By Sigrid Fowler

Psalm150isa musical rush of sound bringing Gods praise to a crescendo.The sweep of adorationisset in the broadest terms, giving thepsalm an expansive tone that seems to take in the cosmos.Theopening versesestablish the setting. We are urged to praise Godinhis sanctuaryandinthe firmament of his power.We are to praise himforhismighty acts and according tohis excellent greatness.Thepsalmist merely approaches thepreeminence ofGod in these generalities. Its as if the limitlessbeingand character of theAlmightycan barely be expressed.Five of the sixverses begin, Praise him, and the brevity of the opening (vv. 1-2) confrontsliketheshoutof a herald. The blast of trumpets at the end of the psalm concludestheentirepsalterwith an audible outpouring of praise.We have to hear the musical hubbub.

The body of Psalm 150 is a catalog of instruments of praise, a veritable orchestra of celebration and rejoicing in God. Trumpets are listed first and last, maintaining the pitch of the praise. Psaltery and harpare next and listed together as if to hold their own against thelouderbrass.This isnt quiet worship!

The timbre of the various sounds enhancesthe specificity ofthe body ofthe psalm, moving the focus from thebroadgeneralities of the opening to a sense of individual praise. The Hebrew instrument names are translated inmanywayslute or lyre or psaltery, timbrel or tambourine or instruments of brass, strings and organs or pipes or flutes. A feeling of fortissimo results. Dancers (v. 4) add motion and excitement. A final crash of cymbals completes this orchestra of worship: Praise him upon the loud cymbals; praise him upon thehigh soundingcymbals (v. 5).

The Book of Psalmsissomething likethe hymnbook of Hebrew worship, and it engages us to be participants. It has been said that every human emotion is expressed in the psalms, but the focus is always on God. We are exhorted to express open praise, and the psalms and prayers include many examples. The negative tonein the lamentsoften lifts in the context of prayer and praise in these hymns.Again and again sorrow and fearor griefaretransformed to peace, confidence, and satisfaction when the psalmist turns his heart to God.

The final verse of the Book of Psalms sums up the tone and purpose of theentirepsalter. The specificity narrows to individual levelasvocal praise is addedto thesounds of instruments: Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD (Ps 150: 6).When the psalmist addresses everything that has breath, he or she is extending the praise beyond that of human voices! Consider the implications. All animals, birds, and insects breathe, not just human beings. In this final verse of the psalter, every breathing thing is urged to praise the LORD. Praise has now become as general as we can imagineasthe psalmistextendsthe size of his picture of praise to the whole of creation. The tone is again broadandgeneral. The backdrop of specific musical instrumentsin the previous verses,gives the psalm a kind of completenessthe whole as well as the individual parts and persons.

The first and last words of this psalm are the Hebrew wordhallelujah, literally Let us praise Jehovah. The English Bible uses the word LORD for the unspoken name of God, sometimes expressed in the psalms as Jah/Yah. This isan abbreviation of the name God gave Moses to tell the people (Ex 3: 13-16),andit isa form of the Hebrew being verb.Psalm 150 ends with the wordhallelujah(the literal Hebrew); the wordis a reminder,appearing frequentlythroughout the psalms, that we are to praise God. The grammatical formof this wordis plural, and the word is in the imperative mood,a commandto praise. The final syllable, the abbreviated name, keeps God in focus. In fact, this abbreviation of Gods unspoken name is thelastHebrew wordandthe last English syllable of the psalter: Jah/-jah.The worshipof Godis what the psalms are all about.Thesounds of praiseinPsalm150, thelist of musical instruments, and the reference to all breathing things increases the range of expressed praiseto bring us in. The audible qualityencourages reading the psalmoutloud.

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With her son on Shnat, SHARON BERGER reflects on her mixed feelings about Israel: the dynamism and sense of connection, but her estrangement from its political currents

MY SON IS in Israel for the year, and I am jealous. Its not just because I havent been on an international flight in over two years; I have mixed feelings as I watch him reconnecting with our old friends and family, discovering the many layers to Israel and eating lots of my favourite food.

Despite having organised an army exemption for him as he was born in Israel, he jokes about how he is going to meet an Israeli and join the army. While military service wasnt the reason we left Israel, when we did, I was relieved he would never have to put his life on the line as a political pawn. The thought of not seeing him for so many months is hard enough.

I dont know how Israeli parents live with the uncertainty of what might happen to their children during their military service and the following years of miluim (reserve duty). Many of our friends who made aliyah at the same time as we did now have kids in uniform. Most are not on the front line, but those who do have kids at the border or elsewhere must be philosophical and worry only about the things they can control. A useful lesson to inculcate regardless of where you are living.

I hope this experience takes him far outside the comfortable world of Sydneys Eastern Suburbs that he knows. Dont get me wrong, I love Sydney. I relish being by the beach and near my family. The weather is pretty good and apart from the traffic and real estate prices I feel blessed to live here. Its comfortable and so much easier than day-to-day life in the Middle East.

But there is a dynamism in Israel that sometimes makes Sydney feel flat. I was in Israel a few years ago for work and after a long day decided to visit the Kotel at night. By the time I walked there it was midnight. Instead of desolate stones I had to jostle my way through several layers of women to touch the Wall. I tried to think what would be open in Sydney at a similar time and nothing came to mind, not even most supermarkets or petrol stations.

Despite having made the decision to live in the Diaspora, I see the future of the Jewish people in Israel. I know, I know; at least I recognise the paradox.

Despite having made the decision to live in the Diaspora, I see the future of the Jewish people in Israel. I know, I know, but at least I recognise the paradox. While I might not agree with all the directions this future is taking, there is an automatic connection and coherency to living Jewishly in Israel that makes so much more sense than living as a Jew in another country.

My son will experience most of the cycle of the Jewish calendar publicly, not just in the synagogue or at home as he has growing up. This includes seeing the roads filled with bicycles on Yom Kippur, the country coming to a stop for Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Day) and Yom Hazikaron to remember the fallen, not being able to buy bread on Pesach and even the Friday night Shabbat scene outside Jerusalems synagogues. Although he might have learned about all of this at school, experiencing it will feel very different.

I am torn because I know I loved that sense of connection to something bigger than me and a feeling of completeness when I moved to Israel. No longer did I have to juggle my identities and could be accepted for what I was. My sense of belonging was probably more pronounced than most due to having lived in five continents by the time I made aliyah.

I am torn because I know I loved that sense of connection to something bigger than me and a feeling of completeness when I moved to Israel.

At the time, I didnt give much thought to how my parents felt. I must give them belated credit for not guilt-tripping me about my decision to live on the other side of the world and not taking it personally.

After living in Israel for 10 years I felt both more and less connected to the country. My Hebrew had improved significantly but I knew it would never be my native tongue. (I recently tried playing Wordle in Hebrew and this helped reconfirm any doubts I might have had.)

Despite my professional capacity to work in Hebrew I realised I would always be an immigrant and only our kids would truly be part of this society. Having said that I still have an accent whichever country I am in.

I also felt increasingly estranged from the politics and complete lack of movement towards changing the status quo. Many years later little has changed on this front, and I have become more informed about the costs of the Occupation.

While there are many unique attributes to living in a Jewish country, I have also become increasingly aware of how that impacts the non-Jews living there, as well as who gets to define what kind of Jewish practices are instituted. For example, the womens section at the Kotel would have been less crowded if it was the same size as the mens section.

While my son is mainly looking forward to a year without covid restrictions and lockdowns, being able to go to a nightclub, meet new people and expand his social horizons, I wonder how we would react if, at the end of the year he chose to stay, or he decided to return to Israel after he finished his degree.

I guess I should take my friends advice and not worry about the things I cant control. For now.

Photo: Women at the Western Wall

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Parshat Tetzaveh(Exodus 27:20-30:10)By Frankie Sandmel | February 7, 2022

In the past few weeks weve seen God as an architect designing the mishkan, a trip leader guiding Israel through the desert, and a performance artist delivering the commandments amidst pomp and circumstance at Sinai.

This week we meet God, the fashion designer:

Make holy clothing for your brother Aaron, for dignity and adornment. (Exodus 28:2)

Gods instructions about what Aaron should wear to serve in the temple are elaborate and detaileda blue coat, an elaborately embroidered sash, linen pants, and a whole host of magic jewlery.

As someone who has spent a lot of my life agonizing about what clothes to wear, this dalliance into the world of fashion, framing it as striving for dignity and adornment, touches a particular part of my heart. For me, coming into my power and my confidence as a person, and into my voice as an (almost) rabbi, was integrally tied with coming into my identity as a trans person, which was intimately tied with the process of finding the clothes that felt most right to wear in the world. I am a person whose body does not easily tell the world the story I want to tell, so my clothes are a key place where I can communicate my transness to the world. I still remember the first time I braved the mens section of the thrift store, the first time I wore a button down and slacks to shulfeeling intimidated, mustering the nerve, and feeling surprisingly comfortable in clothes that finally fit and felt right.

When God hands down a detailed uniform for the priests, God recognizes the power that clothes can have for usthe way that a costume can transform what we feel capable of and what the world sees us as capable of. And the magic of all of itof the costume in combination with the elaborate ritualis that it gives off the appearance that Aarons priesthood is a natural part of who he is. In our minds, Aaron is the epitome of what a priest is.

Marla Brettschneider, in her drash in Torah Queeries, unpacks this illusion of inherent identity through the lens of queer theory. With regards to why Aaron was chosen for priesthood over, say, Moses, she writes:

Historically, scholars have looked for preordained reasons that actually only they have the power to invent and legitimate since the text does not offer us any explanation. Rather than seek some natural cause or some special trait in Aaron and his particular descendants, queer theory encourages us to understand that it is through the utterances, speech acts, and other performative gestures in this moment that the priesthood as a structure then associated with Aaron and some of is descendants is created.

In this way, Parshat Tezaveh reveals to us the path towards constructing Aarons identity as a priest: it outlines the clothes and the context that will facilitate him embodying the identity of priest. By following the script, and donning the costume, and bringing himself into the role, Aaron constructs what priests are in our eyes.

In his reading of this parsha, the Malbim articulates the process of self-creation that occurs through clothes in a slightly different way. He writes:

Behold, the garments that God commanded to make were ostensibly outer garments, such that their makeup is discussedhow the craftsmen are to make them with their work. But they really indicate inner clothes that the priests of God should maketo clothe their souls with thoughts and traits and proper tendencies, which are the clothes of the soul; and the craftsmen did not make those garments.

For the Malbim, the process of creating and donning these clothes is an outer reflection of the internal process of becoming a priest. The clothes both reflect and create himthe craftspeople make the clothes that make his body into a priest, but Aaron makes his soul into the soul of a priest.

Reading the Malbim together with queer theory, I see a cycle of self-creation where the self, the soul, and the garments are infinitely informing and creating one another, blurring the lines around what is a natural or inherent identity. Is Aaron born to be a priest, or does he make himself into one? The answer: a little bit of both.

Today, we live in a time without priests, without a temple, and without the vestments of service that the Torah outlines for Aaron. Our identities and roles in the world are no longer handed down from God. For me, creating myself in the image of myselfconstructing a costume to wear in the worldwas my own ritual or priestly ordination. Though I didnt land on the flamboyant and jewel-filled aesthetic that God hands to Aaron, I too found a uniform that enabled me to embody my role in the world, I too experienced the magic that a well-fitting jacket could bring out.

The final piece of clothing outlined for Aaron is a headpiece, fashioned with a gold plate that hangs on the forehead and reads (Holy for God).

When I get dressed, and look in the mirror and feel whole, and feel like perhaps Ill be legible to the world around me, I sometimes channel this headpiece. How powerful Aaron must have felt when he donned this final flourish, transforming his outsides to match his priestly insides. Or maybe he was leaning into the ritual act of getting dressed to help him feel priestly. Or maybe he didnt know he was priestly until he put on the headpiece and it felt natural. But, the sentiment that God outlines at the beginning, dignity and adornment, culminates in the holiness Aaron wears on his forehead, and I channel in the mirror: when I am able to embody dignity, to adorn myself such that I feel like myself, I become holy.

Dignity and adornment need not be found just in clotheshonor and beauty can manifest in so many different ways in our lives. But feeling beautiful, feeling dignified and feeling like the word can see thatthat is holy. May we all find sources of kavod and tiferet in our lives, and carry them with such ease that they appear natural. And may we all know the feeling of holiness inscribed on foreheads, imagine it engraved in gold, legible beyond any doubt.

Frankie Sandmel (they, them, their) is a student at theRabbinical School of Hebrew Collegein Newton Centre, MA.

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On February 10, Prince Charles will unveil a bronze statue of Licoricia of Winchester, one of the most influential women in medieval England, near her home in the towns 13thcentury Jewish quarter. Renowned artist Ian Rank-Broadley modeled the figures of Licoricia and her son after his own Jewish daughter and grandson. The inscription, in both English and Hebrew, quotes Leviticus: Love thy neighbor as yourself.

Its been over 700 years since King Edward I signed the Edict of Expulsion in 1290, forcing Jewish residents of England back into France, Spain, Portugal and North Africa, where many had migrated from only two centuries earlier in search of economic opportunities.

Much of Englands Jewish history was lost, but we know about at least one remarkable woman who lived in those increasingly oppressive years leading up to the expulsion.

As a young widow (twice over) and mother of four boys, Licoricia took over her late husbands thriving business with a new baby, Asher, in tow. Though she was probably in her 30s at most, she never married again. Instead, she raised her sons alone and maneuvered a complicated, dangerous moneylending operation one of the few professions open to Jewish people.

At the time, Jews lived in a strange limbo. They were not considered citizens or subjects in the feudal system, but direct property of the King. As such, he could confiscate assets and money on a whim, outside any existing law. Jews were also required to wear a piece of cloth shaped like the Ten Commandments, subjected to heavy taxes and were limited to certain jobs and living spaces. The well-off, like Licoricia, could pay to avoid wearing the badge.

Unfortunately, her wealth was a double-edged sword.

When her second husband, David, died, Licoricia was imprisoned while a large chunk of his estate was seized to finance construction at Westminster Abbey. It wasnt the first time King Henry had used her husbands money, either; David had also contributed nearly half the money required for Henrys sister to marry the King of Scotland.

But Henry had come through for them before, too. Scandalously, David was already married when he met Licoricia. A bet din (rabbinical court) denied his request for a divorce. King Henry intervened and granted the separation. Whether he did this as a friendly favor or a shrewd political move to undermine Jewish autonomy is unclear. (Perhaps both?)

Licoricia had already taken over her first husbands financial affairs and she did the same when David died. Her clients included royals, nobles, landowners and high-ranking church officials. Those relationships enabled her to advocate for the community on many occasions. She was so successful that her sons referred to themselves as Son of Licoricia rather than of their father. They did pretty well for themselves, too. Her son Benedict became the only Jewish guildsman in England.

Whatever protections shed managed to secure died with King Henry, though. When King Edward I took the throne in 1272, things got steadily worse for Licoricia and the entire Jewish community at large. Restrictions and attacks, though always a threat, increased.

In 1277 Licoricia and her maid were found murdered in their home. The perpetrator had stolen approximately 10,000, an astounding sum for the time. Three men were charged but later acquitted. Her sons fought to bring a new case, to no avail. The familys influence was fading.

A year after her death, Benedict was accused of coin clipping and found guilty alongside 300 other Jewish men. All were executed and their assets seized.

In 1287 Asher was imprisoned as well. He wrote in Hebrew on the wall of Winchester Castle: On Friday, eve of the Sabbath in which the portion Emor is read, all the Jews of the land of the isle were imprisoned. I, Asher, inscribed this.

A few years later, Asher and the rest of Licoricias living children and grandchildren were forced to leave England for good.

Now their legacy will live on through Winchesters new memorial. The Licoricia Project hopes the statue will serve to educate the public about Winchesters medieval Jewish community, its role in society and its royal connections, and to promote religious tolerance and understanding. It will be a testament to Licoricia, her family and the rest of the once-bustling community that disappeared from Jewry Street. And a reminder of the amazing impact of one powerful Jewish mother.

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Take a look outside for name inspiration, from the natural world around you with these nature-inspired baby names, such as Anise, Juniper and Fleur.

The great outdoors can be a fantastic source of inspiration for a baby name and while cute baby names top themost popular baby name lists as dothe bestunisex baby names theyve shown such popularity over the years. And now parents are finding inspiration within nature for baby names.

Baby name inspiration can spring from a variety of sources, including plants and animals, said Andrew Coplestone, founder of Play Like Mum, who recently commissioned a survey on nature-inspired baby names.

This is especially true following the pandemic that made us appreciate the value of nature. A lot of the more popular names of this list, including River, Forrest, Ocean and Cliff may feed into escapist desires to want to be united with nature. These names are a reminder to stay resilient in the present and signify a sense of hope for a better future.

If you want some natural inspiration, take a look at these great nature baby names for boys and girls.

AcaciaOrigin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: A-kay-shuhMeaning: The Acacia is a tree or bush, which grown in warm climates, and contains clusters of yellow or white flowers with thorns, hence this pretty sounding name has a prickly meaning thorny!

AmaranthOrigin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Am-uh-ranthMeaning: Amaranth is a seed, a bit like quinoa. It was revered by the Aztecs and Incas, who believed that it had supernatural powers.

AniseOrigin: French, Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: A-nissMeaning: This pretty name comes from the name of the aniseed plant.

AntheaOrigin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: An-thee-ahMeaning: Antheas are pale yellow flowers that are known to attract butterflies, so its no surprise that this pretty name means flowery.

AppleOrigin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: App-elMeaning: Gwyneth Paltrow rocketed this fruity name into the popularity charts when she chose it for her daughter. A sweet nature-inspired name for the apple of your eye.

AutumnOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Aw-tumMeaning: Jennifer Love Hewitt chose this seasonal name for her daughter Autumn James. A pretty name thats perfect for any babies born in the season.

AylaOrigin: Hebrew, Turkish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: A-laMeaning: A great alternative to Ava or Isla, this nature-inspired girls name means oak tree, halo or moonlight.

AzealiaOrigin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: A-zil-liyahMeaning: A super cool name thanks to rapper Azaelia Banks, its also a flower (part of the Rhododendron family) and means flowery.

BlossomOrigin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Blos-somMeaning: A cute name that means to bloom, Blossom was hugely popular in the 1920s, which gives it a great vintage feel.

BluebellOrigin: Greek | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Bloo-bellMeaning: Chosen by Geri Horner for her daughter, this pretty woodland flower makes an equally pretty and distinctive name for your baby girl.

BriarOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Brye-urMeaning: Actors Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen named their daughter Briar Rose, which very much has fairytale connotations, however this sweet nature-inspired name is also becoming popular for boys. It means thorny patch.

BronteOrigin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Bron-tayA simple and sweet nature-inspired name that also has great literary connections, Bronte means the sound of the thunder.

BrookeOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: B-rookMeaning: Coming from the word brook or a tiny stream, this name saw a surge in popularity in the 1980s thanks to the rise of child star Brooke Shields.

CallaOrigin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Kal-lahMeaning: The perfect name for your beautiful new born girl, it means most beautiful. Its also the name of a flower the Calla Lilly.

CamelliaOrigin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Ka-meel-yah.Meaning: Known as the queen of the winter flower, Camellias are evergreen shrubs that produce beautiful blooms. This nature-inspired name means either helper to the priest or Kamels flower.

CassiaOrigin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Cass-ee-aMeaning: The cassia tree, produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon, giving this nature name a spicy feel! Its also thought to be the feminine version of Casius, an ancient Roman name that means hollow.

ChloeOrigin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Klow-eeMeaning: A lovely spring-time name, Chlose means young green shoot. Chloe was also an important figure in Greek mythology it was the alternative name for the goddess of agriculture and fertility, Demeter.

CicelyOrigin: Irish | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Siss-a-leeMeaning: A name that was popular at the turn of the century, it means blind. Sweet Cicely is also a herbaceous plant that is sometimes used for medicinal purposes.

ClodaghOrigin: Irish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Klo-dahMeaning: A name that comes from the River Clodagh in County Waterford.

CloverOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Klo-verMeaning: Clover is a sweet-smelling flower and is also a traditional symbol of comfort, luck, and wealth. It comes from an old English word that means key.

CoralOrigin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Kor-alMeaning: As well as being a form of sealife, Coral also refers to the pretty pinkish/orange colour.

CordeliaOrigin: Latin, Celtic | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Cor-de-lee-ahMeaning: Cordelia was one of King Lears daughters and has a lovely vintage feel to it. It means heart (which comes from the Latin word cor) or daughter of the sea.

DahliaOrigin: Swedish | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Day-lia or Dah-liaMeaning: A vintage name showing a resurgence in popularity and its easy to see why as it means flower or valley. In the language of flowers, the Dahlia denotes elegance and dignity so a great name to bestow on your own little flower.

DaisyOrigin: English | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Day-zeeMeaning: Originally a nickname for Margaret the French Marguerite is the word for the flower the flower daisy symbolises innocence and purity. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom recently named their daughter Daisy Dove.

DaphneOrigin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Daf-neeMeaning: Daphne was the daughter of Peneus, the god of rivers, however this pretty name has less of watery meaning a laurel or bay tree. A vintage-name, its seen a huge rise in popularity in the last year thanks to the lead heroine in Bridgerton bearing the name.

DawnOrigin: English | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: DawnMeaning: A word name that means the first appearance of light or daybreak, Dawn was first used back in the 1920s.

DooneOrigin: Scottish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: DoonMeaning: Originally a Scottish surname, this nature-inspired name means hill or mountain.

DustyOrigin: German | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Dust-eeMeaning: Dusty first became popular as a girls name thanks to 1960s singer Dusty Springfield. The name, which means brave warrior or dusted area, can be used for both girls and boys.

EdenOrigin: Hebrew | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Ee-denMeaning: A popular biblical name for both boys and girls, Eden is the garden of paradise where Adam and Eve lived and means place of pleasure.

EnyaOrigin: Irish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Enn-yahMeaning: The Anglicised spelling of the more traditionally Irish name, Eithne, it was made famous in the UK and USA by singer Enya. It means nut kernel.

ElowenOrigin: Cornish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Eh-low-enMeaning: This unique name is Cornish for elm tree; a tree which said to symbolise strength. Just prepare yourself for those teen battles

EmberOrigin: English, French | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Em-burMeaning: Yes, its what you call the smouldering remains of a fire, but it also makes a really pretty girls name. Some say its also the French derivative of Amber.

EiraOrigin: Welsh | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: I-raMeaning: A great name to give your little one if they were born in the winter months, this Welsh name means snow.

EstelleOrigin: Latin, French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Eh-stelMeaning: Once an old lady name, Estelle has become more popular in recent years thanks to the resurgence in names ending in -elle. The fact theres a UK rapper who shares the name doesnt hurt its hip credentials either! It simply means star.

FarleyOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Far-leeMeaning: A unisex name that simply means a fern clearing.

FernOrigin: Scottish | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: FernMeaning: A popular name in the early 1900s, this nature-inspired name comes from the shade-loving plant. It can also be spelt Fearne as in presenter and writer, Fearne Cotton.

FiadhOrigin: Irish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Fee-aMeaning: Pronounced as Fia, this ancient Irish name means wild.

FleurOrigin: French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Fl-urMeaning: The French for flower, this pretty nature name first jumped into popularity when John Galsworthy named one of his characters it in his celebrated collection of books, which began with The Forsyte Saga.

HadleyOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Had-leeMeaning: A rare nature-inspired baby name that means heather field. It was also the name of novellist Ernest Hemingways first wife.

HazelOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Ha-zulMeaning: Chosen by celebrity parents Emily Blunt and John Krasinski for their first born, Hazel comes form the old English hsel, which means hazelnut tree.

HeatherOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Heh-thuhMeaning: A name that was huge in the 70s and 80s, this nature-inspired baby names come from the name of the evergreen shrub with pink or white flowers that thrives on peaty, barren lands.

HollisOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Hol-lisMeaning: A funkier version of Holly and also suitable for the boys Hollis means dweller at the holly trees.

HoneyOrigin: Danish, Swedish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Hun-eeMeaning: This sweet name means nectar. Presenter and writerFearne Cotton gave her daughter this sweet-sounding name.

GaiaOrigin: Greek | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Guy-ahMeaning: In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of the Earth, so this beautiful nature name means earth mother. Chosen by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise for their daughter.

IlanaOrigin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: I-laan-ahMeaning: This pretty nature name means oak tree and is often chosen in Israel for girls born on the holiday of TuBShevat, the New Year of the Trees.

IndiraOrigin: Sanskrit | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: In-dih-ruhMeaning: In Hindu mythology, Indira is the wife of Vishnu and was also the goddess of rain and the sky, so its no surprise that this pretty name means possessing drops of rain.

IrisOrigin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: I-rishMeaning: In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, which is a pretty meaning for a pretty name. Its also the name of a pretty purple flower that blooms in late spring/early summer so perfect for babies born around then.

IslaOrigin: Spanish, Scottish | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Eye-laMeaning: Isla is the Spanish word for island. Actress Isla Fisher has helped boost the popularity of the name in recent years.

JessamineOrigin: French, Persian | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Jess-ah-minMeaning: a truly unique name, Jessamine means jasmine flower. It can also be spelt Jessamyn.

JuniperOrigin: Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: June-i-perMeaning: A juniper is a small evergreen shrub, but this unisex nature name has roots that go far back to biblical times. There was a male Saint Juniper, who was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi.

LakeOrigin: British | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: L-ai-kMeaning: Originally, a surname, lake is the geographical term for an inland body of water. American actress Lake Bell has popularised it as a first name in the last few years, although it can be used for both genders.

LaurelOrigin: Latin | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Lor-ulMeaning: A Latin name that means laurel plant. Traditionally used to weave wreaths and crows, the laurel is synonymous with achievement.

LavenderOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Lav-en-darMeaning: A pretty floral and colour name, perfect for any nature-loving parents. Lavender flowers are though to represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness.

LilacOrigin: English, Persian | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Lie-lacMeaning: The sweet perfumed purple flower makes a great name for a sweet baby girl! Lilacs symbolise spring and renewal because they are early bloomers. In Russia, holding a sprig of lilac over a newborn was thought to bring wisdom.

LulaniOrigin: Hawaiian | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Lu-laniMeaning: Want something a little bit different to Sky? Then choose the this Hawaiian name that also means sky.

LumiOrigin: Finnish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Loo-meeMeaning: A cute name for snow, this wintry name is perfect for both boys and girls.

LunaOrigin: Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Loo-naMeaning: The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon.

MarenOrigin: Latin | Style: Moden | Pronunciation: Mar-inMeaning: A much cooler take on Mary, this nature name means sea or star of the sea.

MarinaOrigin: Latin | Style: Moden | Pronunciation: Ma-reen-aMeaning: Derived from the Latin word marinus, Marina means from the sea. The name became hugely popular in the mid-30s thanks to the marriage of Princess Marina of Greece to Prince George, Duke of Kent.

MeadowOrigin: Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Med-ohMeaning: This pretty, summery name literally means a field of grass.

MimosaOrigin: Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Mi-moh-zuhMeaning: The mimosa is a tree with sweetly scented, bright yellow blossoms and makes an unusual girls name.

MistyOrigin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Mis-teeMeaning: A cute nature name, which means mist. Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for the American Ballet Theatre.

MyrtleOrigin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Muh-tlMeaning: Myrtle comes from the plant name Myrtus. Popular during the Victorian era, the plant was often associated with Venus, the greek goddess of love.

OceanaOrigin: Greek | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Oh-see-anaMeaning: Oceana is the female form of Oceanus, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. It obviously means ocean and is a unique name choice for any sea-loving parents!

OliveOrigin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Ol-livMeaning: A favourite with the A-listers both Isla Fisher and Drew Barrymore chose this name Olive has positive associations with an olive branch, which symbolises peace.

OrianeOrigin: Latin, French | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: O-ri-anMeaning: A beautiful name that simply means sunrise.

PeonyOrigin: Latin | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Pee-oh-neeMeaning: The peony is a beautiful flower, which symbolise love, happiness, romance and beauty so the perfect name to bestow on your little girl. The actual name means healing or praise giving.

PetalOrigin: Latin, English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Pet-alMeaning: Cant decide on a specific floral name? Then choose this flower-related moniker, which was certainly good enough for Jamie Oliver, who named his daughter Petal Blossom Rainbow in 2009!

PetraOrigin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Pet-raMeaning: A sweet-sounding name with a strong, solid meaning rock Petra is a feminine variation on Peter.

PoppyOrigin: Latin, English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Pop-eeMeaning: Poppy means red flower and as the official flower of Remembrance Day, which takes place in November, its a popular choice for babies born in that month.

PoseyOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Poe-seeMeaning: One for parents who are looking for flower baby names, Posy literally means a small bunch of flowers. Can also be spelt Posy or Posie.

PlumOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: PlumMeaning. This sweet fruit name is an alternative choice to fruity names such as Apple or Peaches.

PrimroseOrigin: English | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Prim-rowzMeaning: The name of a flower that comes from Latin prima rose meaning first rose, as primroses are one of the first flowers to appear at springtime.

RevaOrigin: Hindi | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Ray-vahMeaning: Referring to one of the seven sacred rivers of India, this pretty nature name means rain. Reva is also the alternative name of Rati, the Hindu goddess of love.

RheaOrigin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Ray-uhOrigin: A Greek goddess known as the mother of Gods, this nature name means flowing stream.

RoisinOrigin: Irish | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Ro-sheenMeaning: A popular name in Ireland since the 16th Century, this pretty Irish name means little rose.

RosemaryOrigin: Latin, English | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: Rowz-mare-eeMeaning: This herby name comes from Latin words Ros meaning dew, and Marinus meaning of the sea. The herb has become a universal symbol of remembrance.

SaffronOrigin: Persian, Arabic | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Saff-ronMeaning: Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, comes from the saffron crocus. The name has Persian and Arabic origins.

SavannahOrigin: Spanish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Sa-van-nahMeaning: Savannah means flat tropical grassland.

SelenaOrigin: Latin, Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Suh-lee-nuhMeaning: The Latin version of the Greek name, Selene, means moon goddess or simply moon.

SierraOrigin: Spanish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: See-euh-ruhMeaning: A pretty choice with a strong meaning, this Spanish name means saw or mountain range.

SylvieOrigin: French, Latin | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Sil-veeMeaning: This French variation of Sylvia, means from the forest.

SoleilOrigin: French, Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: So-layMeaning: The French word for sun, Soleil is a beautiful nature name for the light of your life.

StellaOrigin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Stel-ahMeaning: The perfect name for your little star as it literally means star!

SunnivaOrigin: Scandinavian | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Soon-evaMeaning: Sunniva, who is the patron saint of western Norway, means sun gift. Sunny would make a bright and shiny nickname for this pretty nature name.

SuviOrigin: Finnish | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Soo-veeMeaning: A really unique nature name, Suvi is Finnish for summer so a brilliant name for a little girl born in that season.

SuzetteOrigin: Hebrew, French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: Soo-zettMeaning: Susan gets a French makeover oo, la, la! A retro-sounding name, it means lily flower.

TaliaOrigin: Hebrew, Aboriginal | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Tali-ahMeaning: This is a double whammy of a nature name! The Hebrew meaning is morning dew, while the Aboriginal meaning is near water.

TamarOrigin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Tay-marMeaning: A name that means date palm tree, its often given to girls born on the holiday of Sukkoth, as palm branches were used to make the roof of the sukkah. Its also the name of a river the River Tamar, which forms the boundary between Devon and Cornwall.

TempestOrigin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: Tem-pestMeaning: An unusual unisex name, tempest means turbulent or stormy. Its also the name of a William Shakespeare play, set on a remote island somewhere near Italy.

TerraOrigin: Latin | Style: Boho | Pronunciation: Ter-uhMeaning: Terra is the Roman earth goddess and equivalent to the Greek Gaia, which explains why this nature name means earth.

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Nature baby names: 200 names for boys and girls inspired by the great outdoors - goodtoknow

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

In the years following 67, the Palestinian cause steadily gained ground on the world stage. Still, young boomers, Gen-Xers and even those of us born in the 1980s, who have charmingly been labeled geriatric millennials, grew up with an optimistic view of the peace process, particularly since, as Jews, we typically viewed it through an Israeli lens. There was peace with Egypt, and then with Jordan. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin shook hands with the Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat, on the White House lawn in 1993, before his martyrdom. (Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli Jew two years later.) When the Israel-Palestine agreement, the Oslo Accords, failed to lead to peace and Palestinian suicide bombers killed hundreds of Israeli civilians in buses and cafes during the Second Intifada of the early 2000s, the specter of terrorism first anticipated and then was wrapped into 9/11, casting Israelis as righteous victims. This story was incomplete, of course, but it provided narrative coherence to young minds eager for it.

By contrast, if you are 26 years old, you were not yet born when Oslo was signed and do not more than faintly remember the height of the Second Intifada. Your impression of Israel could well be of an occupying power and a fortress protected by militarized barriers and the U.S.-funded Iron Dome missile-defense system a powerful country that, during a 2014 war in Gaza, responded to Hamass killing of three Israeli teenagers and the firing of rockets at Israeli towns with airstrikes and ground incursions that killed more than 2,000 Palestinians, including many noncombatants. Israel to you is personified not by Rabin, or the senior statesman Shimon Peres, or even the reformed hawk Ariel Sharon, but by Netanyahu, who not only presided over more settlement construction in the West Bank but sided with the ultra-Orthodox rabbinate on matters both religious and civil, attempted to hamstring liberal NGOs, engaged in racial demagogy against Palestinians and made common cause with Republicans, including and especially Donald J. Trump.

This 26-year-old would have seen Republicans use a dogmatic pro-Israel stance as a political cudgel, while the Democratic center of gravity on the subject, while still strongly pro-Israel, had moved leftward. Our 26-year-old has also seen Israels government explicitly embrace right-wing American evangelicals, who are devoted Zionists, while disdaining American Jews. This May, Ron Dermer, a longtime Netanyahu adviser and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., dismissed American Jews as disproportionately among our critics.

Several academic studies over the past decade have gone looking for disengagement with Israel among young Jews. Instead, some have found passionate involvement, but on politically different terms than the establishment might prefer. Dov Waxman, a professor of Israel studies at U.C.L.A., relied on Pew data in a 2017 paper that found that millennial Jews engage with Israel, even when young, as much as previous generations did they were just more likely to question its actions and policies. In the past, support was really unconditional, unequivocal, Waxman told me. Most American Jews today believe its entirely possible to be pro-Israel and at the same time critical of many Israeli government policies, especially policies toward the Palestinians.

The Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center is a bucolic combination kibbutz and summer camp situated in the hills of northwestern Connecticut, in a town appropriately called Canaan. One afternoon in August, Leah Nussbaum, who signed the letter in the spring and is now in their fifth and final year at H.U.C.s campus in New York, took a break from farming and met me on a gravel road. Nussbaum, who is 28, was one of 10 fellows at the centers farm last summer. The fellows woke early every morning for prayer and meditation at 6, did chores, took classes on farming and Judaism and tended to the land throughout the day. They grew leeks, tartly sweet blueberries and juicy Sungold cherry tomatoes, all pollinated by bees they kept. On Saturdays, they rested though they still milked the goats, to alleviate the goats discomfort, and then gave the milk to neighbors who do not observe Shabbat. The ordinarily vegetarian Nussbaum had eaten a farm-raised chicken the night before I met them, after watching the bird ritually killed in the kosher manner by a shochet. Theres a lot of intentionality, Nussbaum said, and that feels Jewish thinking deliberately about what youre doing.

After we weeded the potato plants and toured the center, which hosts holiday events and retreats for the Jewish institutional world, Nussbaum and I sat in Adirondack chairs under a tent and talked a while. Growing up, Nussbaum was ensconced in a welcoming Jewish community, a Reform congregation in the Boston area that was a haven from the homophobia they experienced in public school, and supported their interest in interfaith work. H.U.C., too, was agreeable; in particular, Nussbaum praised its year-in-Israel program for exposing them to all kinds of Israelis and Palestinians.

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Inside the Unraveling of American Zionism - The New York Times

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

I have always grown up in a Jewish household. My entire family and extended family is Jewish. Growing up in So Paulo, Brazil while being Jewish is an interesting experience. The tight knit So Paulo Jewish community made it feel like I knew everyone. My pediatrician was the son of my dads pediatrician. The owner of the butcher shop where everyone bought meat was the dad of one of my dads best friends. Every name sounded familiar. Jewish Geography was taken to a whole other level. All of that changed when I moved to America.

I was 8 years old and spoke a very broken but fairly sufficient English when I moved to Florida. I enrolled in a secular private school. My class had 3 other Jewish students. My school placed Hanukkah decorations during the holiday season. I felt included. My parents placed me in Hebrew school, where I was surrounded by other Jews. My Jewish identity had always been there. My family lit Shabbat candles every week. We went to temple on the High Holy days. My house was filled to the brim with Judaica. I even attended Ramah sleep away camp in the summer. But being Jewish was just one thing about me. It had about the same weight as me being Brazilian or me liking Star Wars. I traveled to Israel in 2018 and had my Bar Mitzvah. Considering I am half-Israeli, Israel had always been a topic in my house, but I had never thought too much about it. The Jewish community in America is much larger and consequently, not as tight knit. Despite this, however, I always had a community.

My Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel in 2018. (Luiz Gandelman)

Everything changed in 2020. Not just for me, but for the entire world. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I expected 2 weeks off of school. 2 weeks turned into 4. 4 weeks turned into a year. My parents were very cautious with Covid, so I spent almost all of my time in my house. With the stress of the pandemic and remote learning, I seeked shelter in my room. I binged Star Wars among other shows. Played geography quizzes online. The few times I left my room were to go on a bike ride or eat lunch or dinner. I barely spoke to anyone, let alone my friends. This monotonous and deadbeat routine brought out mental health challenges I never knew existed. I easily described it as the worst period of my life. My grandmas and cousins were all thousands of miles away in Brazil. My friends unable to see me due to Covid. When the election rolled around, I began hyper-fixating on politics. It was a breath of fresh air from the monotony of my daily routine.

Going to a private school in Florida means a large conservative population around me. My dad had always raised me with the idea of Tikkun Olam. He heavily critiqued ignorance and bigotry, and taught me about civil rights and equality. These views led to me being heavily opposed to Donald Trump and his ideals. I spent hours each day debating classmates over text about politics. I still debate people online to this day. Ive been told to go back to Auschwitz over anonymous messages. Ive been cursed out in school hallways. People resorted to anything but a political rebuttal. I debated in support of fighting climate change and allowing abortion, and equality and masks. One thing was missing: Israel.

I am a climate activist and was one even before Covid. As I grew my political Identity, I found Israel to slowly inch towards the center of it. Judaism was slowly pushing its way to the center of my life. It all started with Jewish Student Union (JSU). When JSU (NCSYs public and secular private school branch) reached out to me to start a club at my school, I expected very little. What ensued quite literally changed my life.

I am someone who struggles with Depression and anxiety. These challenges were exacerbated tremendously by the Covid pandemic. Although the worst period of my life was not 2020 as I previously thought; it was 2021.

May 2021 can be clearly characterized by a wide variety of things. The first that comes to mind was Operation Guardian of the Walls. I watched in horror as Israel was bombarded by thousands of rockets. I will never forget the air raid sirens while on FaceTime with my friend in Israel, or the constant buzzing from the red alert app as I ate dinner with my friends. The worst, however, was social media. I unfollowed nearly 300 people on Instagram, ranging from celebrities to politicians, to former friends and even activism accounts. I spent close to 6 hours daily typing and debating and posting stories on instagram. I was doing next to nothing, especially when compared to the IDF soldiers (Some of who are friends of mine) who were deployed to the border and ready for combat.

It still felt like I was fighting a Goliath. I managed to talk most people out of anti-zionism but it was still painfully difficult. It hurt to see tons of friends posting false infographics demonizing Israel and some even demonizing Judaism. I was appalled as I saw both my best friend and ex-girlfriend posting anti-Israel infographics. I explained the situation to both of them, and my best friend apologized and began looking into the situation on a deeper level, leading to her even becoming a supporter of Israel. My ex-girlfriend along with countless friends remained silent or continued vilifying my nation. I still talk to some of them, but it is difficult to see them in the same light.

Summer felt like freedom. I traveled and went to camp for the first time in two years. I got to see friends I missed and made new ones. My life was finally looking up. When school started, however, it all came crashing down.

School stress and antisemitism I faced in school caused my depression and anxiety to consume me. Every day felt like a burden. I felt like a burden. My grades dropped and I had a hard time maintaining friends. Life was difficult. My JSU director began multiple different initiatives which she wanted me to be a part of. I became regional president, a Holocaust educator, Israel advocate, and even did outdoor community service, all through JSU. I noticed that this made me happy. I met some of my best friends through JSU. All of the JSU advisors and staff I interacted with impacted me in the best way possible. I noticed that being in a Jewish space helped me feel complete. I felt at home surrounded by people who share this one common thing with me. This motivated me to join BBYO, begin attending Religious school at my temple, Join AJC Leaders for Tomorrow, and NCSY among others. No experience was perfect, but I love every Jewish group Ive gotten involved in. And while secular organizations like the Youth council of my village and the local Youth Climate Summit had beyond surreal positive impacts on me, nothing felt the same as Jewish groups.

With other leaders from Florida at a JSU Conference in October 2021. (Luiz Gandelman)

I began praying Shacharit every morning, which always helped me start my day positively. This led to me praying three times daily and becoming what some of my friends jokingly call obnoxiously Jewish. Becoming so involved in Judaism strengthened my Zionist activism and identity, which lead to Zionism being one of the main topics of my activism. I also faced antisemitism on a regular level, both at school, online, and in public. This only made me more proud to be Jewish. Prayer made my heart feel good. Jewish youth groups and activities kept me busy and made me feel proud and productive. Finding people that are like family to me made me feel like I wasnt so alone after all. My parents supported me thoroughly. This only drove me forward.

Praying Mincha in Mal, Maldives over winter break. (Luiz Gandelman)

On New Years eve of 2021, a little moment changed my life. I was flying back home from spending winter break in Dubai. The UAE only recently became a place that we could travel to. I prayed multiple times in public during my stay in Dubai and to my grateful shock, did not have any negative experiences. That was until New Years eve. I was praying Kabbalat Shabbat at a small corner in Dubais international airport. My dad, concerned for my safety, watched from a distance. About halfway through my prayer, a man began pointing to me and yelling in Arabic. My dad watched and went to warn me. Before the man came near, Dubai airport police and Staff held him back and calmed him down. He continued yelling and motioning for another 5 minutes as I finished praying and stared me down as I walked past him to leave. This made me consider whether I should continue praying in public. It had the complete opposite effect. I decided to wear a Kippah full time. I wore one in public in America and did not encounter any issues. The closest thing to an issue was a homeless man shouting Shalomie homie as I walked by in the street.

In November of 2021 I made a decision that changed my life. I decided to go on Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (TRY). A friend who went to said program told me it was the best experience of her life. TRY is a Ramah program to do a semester of High School in Israel. I jumped at the idea of studying abroad in my homeland and getting to experience living there with other Jewish teens. The program is far from over at the time of writing this, but I am having a beyond amazing time so far. I instantly clicked with my counselors and classmates and I feel at home here in Jerusalem. Leaving my entire life behind to come study abroad in Jerusalem has been wild and exciting, but I wouldnt change it. When I return home, I know everything is gonna look very different. Despite that, I am ready to return to my extracurriculars and my Jewish community and for the first time in years, have found my purpose. That purpose is Zionism and Judaism.

What lifted me from my lowest point and helped me finally find a sense of purpose and belonging was my Judaism and Zionism. My faith in Hashem and my love for my religion and my nation led to me becoming more involved and feeling accomplished. My Israeli passport and my Kippah can often put me in danger, but theyre a large part of my identity. I still deal with depression and anxiety and often times I still feel down, but I no longer feel alone. I found a huge Kehilah, or multiple to be exact. I now have hundreds of friends all around the world who have this one big thing in common with me: being Jewish. My advice to any Jewish teen who is struggling with their faith, or feeling disconnected from the community, would be to get more involved. Join youth groups like BBYO or NCSY or USY and countless others. Become more involved with your Shul. Look into volunteering and Tikkun Olam. Judaism and the Jewish community not only changed my life, but actually saved it. I can proudly say that being Jewish and Israeli is what helped me find that inner purpose and finally feel like I have found myself.

I am a 16 year old student originally from So Paulo, Brazil, but I now live in Miami, Florida. I am currently taking part in Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim. I'm involved with multiple Jewish and secular youth groups and political organizations. I am a big basketball and Star Wars fan and an avid scuba diver. I am also a fan of geography, politics, history, and anything of the sort. Most importantly, I am a proud Jew.

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How Judaism and Zionism Helped Me Find Myself - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Ukraine has been in a state of frozen conflict for eight years. The incredible trauma many went through in 2014, the fear of further incursions, the displacement of a million people westwards, meant that all parts of Ukraine felt the brunt, either physically or psychologically. And that psychological fear hasnt really left.

For older Ukrainians who remember the Soviet Union and closeness between Moscow and Kyiv, the breakdown of that relationship has been very difficult. Many in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Jewish community, would be Russian speakers, as opposed to Ukrainian speakers. They may have had family in Russia, or personal allegiance to Moscow, so the trauma of the conflict is deep and complex.

Speaking to our partners in Ukraine, it can seem as if theres more worry and panic from outside Ukraine than inside. Theres a resigned sense that weve always been in conflict, the Russian military is always on our border and now is no different.

There were recent public service announcements saying, Dont panic but have a bag packed and know where the bomb shelters are. That increases the level of worry.

Many of our Jewish clients are housebound, isolated, alone, living on the margin, with no family network. The community centres are closed because of Covid so their social support has changed. Many end up watching pro-Ukraine or pro-Russia TV filled with propaganda and misinformation, which creates great uncertainty. The constancy of our support is as worrying for them as any security concern.

Our clients are amazing. Theyve lived through the Holocaust, communism, unbearable winters, poverty, yet they live with pride and resilience that is indescribable. When Im jumping up and down, worrying about what might happen, theyre the calming influence.

There are very sizeable Jewish communities in Kharkiv, Odesa, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, many big urban centres. Theyre Russian-speaking and well-established. Theres no reason to suspect that Jewish Ukrainians would be any more at risk than non-Jewish Ukrainians.

Kharkiv, which is 70km (43 miles) from the Russian border, hosts a very significant Jewish community, with a large Jewish community centre that we helped build.

The stakes are incredibly high. In 2014 we saw a mass displacement from the east, including members of the Jewish community who left Donetsk, Luhansk and Simferopol in Crimea. We helped to accommodate them. Theyd left their homes and jobs. We helped them to survive and rebuild for the future in new locations.

Whatever happens, we need to continue to find a way to provide a range of support services to our Jewish client group wherever they are. That might mean engaging with existing authorities or different ones. It may be a different context.

We cant be alarmist or partisan because I dont want to compromise our access to anyone.

Paul Anticoni is the Chief Executive, World Jewish Relief

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A view from the ground in Ukraine | Paul Anticoni | The Blogs - Jewish News

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Im excited by the publication of Sylvain Cypels book The State of Israel Vs. the Jews (Other Press) because it bluntly states a heresy: Israel is endangering American Jews. By insisting on blindfold-ed western Jewish support for an ethnonationalist segregationist state that borrows the worst of white supremacist ideas, Israel is destroying Jewish traditions and putting American Jews at risk, Cypel says.

Not to mention Israels destruction of the Palestinian past, present and future (the part of the story Cypel tends to gloss).

I am exhausted by Israel, Cypel says. Israel has become a terrible burden dragging Jews into an ethnocentric past.

Thats why were co-sponsoring a talk between Cypel and Robert Herbst next Tuesday at noon. ICAHD the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions is another cosponsor. A civil rights lawyer, Herbst is co-chair of the board of ICAHD-USAand member of Jewish Voice for Peace. Heres the link to register for the Zoom.

Cypel urges western Jews to wake up to the thug nation.

Will diaspora Jews gradually emancipate themselves from a thug nation that claims that it alone can speak in the name of Judaism?

Cypel is hopeful about the growth of anti-Zionism.

More and more American Jews are awakening to the idea that [Israels] political rightward drift is a calamity, and that the consequences for them could be disastrous. And that explains the anger of those among them who turn their back on Israel.

Obviously these are parochial concerns, but I regard them as larger social questions because people are tribal, because Zionism is a Jewish ideology, and the Israel lobby is such a powerful force in U.S. foreign policy making, and in the U.S. discourse too. Just google Cypels book, and you will see that for all the power of its ideas it is getting very little attention in the American press. The New York Review of Books has published a great essay about the book by David Shulman focused on Cypels own transformation from Zionist to anti-Zionist, a road that many Jews are now walking. And no surprise, the Washington Post has slammed the book as a one-sided condemnation of Israels contempt for international law.' While we have run laudatory reviews by Robert Herbst and Joshua Gold

But where are NPR and the New York Times for such an important event? Cypel is of the elite; he worked for many years for Le Monde.

Herbst is sure to ask Cypel about his own journey out of the Zionist fold, and his use of withering epithets in the book: Israel is a belligerent, intolerant faith-driven ethno state, Israel seeks salvation in the application of force and if that doesnt do the job, it applies more force, Israel is a racist, bullying little superpower. (I like these phrases because I think they meet the highest standard for speech, accuracy).

Cypel is sure to ask Herbst about the lawsuit he filed last month on behalf of Jesse Sander, the teacher who was fired by Westchester Reform Temple in 2021 for her anti-Zionist post.

The call will go 90 minutes so there will be lots of time for listeners to ask Cypel questions. I am sure that one theme will be the reflexive effort by Israel lobbyists to defend Israel by hurling the antisemitism charge at critics, and the ways that this strategy actually fosters antisemitism. The newest definition of antisemitism (IHRA) equates intolerable racism to a criticism, however radical, of Israel and its policy, and thereby equates all Jews to the latters misdeeds, a French human rights leader tells Cypel.

Cypel says that this identification is a dangerous one: Israelis are trying to drag the worlds Jewish communities on to the path of radical Islamophobia while promoting the fraudulent use of the accusation of anti-Semitism and the assimilation of anti-Zionism as the embodiment of modern anti-Semitism. They are turning these communities into weapons to defend the worse policies.

The historian Daniel Boyarin is quoted saying that if Christianity died for many Christians at Auschwitz, Treblinka and Sobibor, my Judaism may be dying at Nablus, Dheisheh, Betein [Beit El] or El Kahlil.

While the sociologist Eva Illouz says what I believe, that Israel is going to lose the battle among American Jews over anti-Zionism. For Jews the choice now is between clinging to an ethno-tribalism that rejects modern Judaisms tradition , or joining a Judaism embodied by a group that is renewing it.

Years ago, Jewish leaders resolved that no Jewish culture could develop in the diaspora without a connection with Israel, Cypel writes. The French writer is now a leader in what my friends in Palestine would call a thawra or revolution.

So where are the Palestinian voices in mainstream media?

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'I am exhausted by Israel' hear Sylvain Cypel on the risk to Jews of supporting the 'thug nation' - Mondoweiss

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