Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Go back to Auschwitz!... Were coming for you!... Are you scared yet?!

I am just back from a short trip to the United States, and the above remarks are just a sample of the threats and insults directed at Jews in Teaneck, New Jersey, by rampaging anti-Israel, antisemitic protests this past week.

Teaneck is one of Americas premier Jewish communities, and so it has been targeted by these clueless/racist pro-Hamas gangs. Supplied with keffiyehs, Palestinian flags, and Arafat-style PLO scarves paid for by the organizers who regularly orchestrate these demonstrations the mindless mobs ominously surround Jewish institutions and activities. They attacked an exposition featuring the sale of homes in Israel stolen land according to the Hamasniks as well as a benefit for ZAKA, waving signs that read ZAKA Lies Equal Genocide.

These latest incidents come after a recent infamous walkout of students at Teaneck High School that began on school grounds, a direct violation of the school rules. School board members, intimidated by the students and their parents, allowed the walkout to be held and the students reinstated to their classes.

To its credit, the Teaneck Jewish community is battling back. Though its members have been urged to avoid direct confrontation or to exchange acrimonious debate with the protesters, they are holding anti-protest protests and weekly vigils in order to bolster Jewish solidarity and show their determination to respond to the evil.

It was stunning to hear one of Teanecks leading rabbis and pro-Israel activists, Elliot Schrier, encouraging his congregation to come out in force, while briefing them on increased security measures to be added to the police patrols that already guard the synagogue on Shabbat and holidays.

While listening to him speak, I was transported back to the Poland of 1938, where Jewish stores and places of worship were targeted by the Nazis, with Juden painted on the windows, and locals yelling curses and insults at the fearful and helpless Jews. There was nothing they could do in the face of these affronts; the courts had already been contained and contaminated, the laws bent to favor antisemitic behavior.

Sadly, this situation is now being duplicated in America and elsewhere, as police turn a blind eye to hate speech and refuse to jail the offenders. Indeed, as hate crimes proliferate in New York City ground zero for the haters, who literally took over Times Square this past week even those rare few who are taken into custody for physically attacking Jews are invariably freed the same day, their overnight retention being labeled a racist act.

Even as we in Israel confront Hamas on the ground, another kind of war is being waged around the world. In virtually every place where Jews live and even in countries that are judenrein the backers of Hamas are gathering to demonize, defame, and delegitimize Israel, Judaism, and democracy as a whole. In a systematic assault on the values we hold dear, there is virtually no place that has been left untargeted.

Once, Australia had the allure of being the end of the world, free of distraction and the angst and anxiety of the rest of the planet. Nevil Shutes post-apocalyptic novel On the Beach painted a picture of an Australia that was the last place on Earth to face nuclear disaster. Well, disaster has come Down Under as well; attacks on Jews there are no longer an oddity.

When the Second Temple was destroyed, Jews were dispersed and found refuge throughout the Mediterranean. When the Jewish communities of Spain and Portugal were ravaged by the Inquisition, Jews fled to Italy, Greece, or France. When the tsar was assassinated and life in Russia became unbearable, Jews left for America or Israel. But where will they go now, when they are assaulted?

Throughout the entire world, Jews are being called out and confronted. Concerts and comic performances by Jews are being boycotted and their venues denied them on the pretense of security issues. Jewish schools are targeted; after all, they promote the genocidal State of Israel and the racist tenets of the Jewish faith. It is already old hat that pro-Israel speakers are banned from delivering their messages on campus; only ignorant comments by self-hating Jews like Jonathan Glazer who pompously refute their Jewishness are allowed to pass, and even receive standing ovations.

More and more Jews are putting their kippot in their pockets and tucking their Magen David pendants under their blouses when they walk the streets of North America and Europe.

Sad to say, it will only get worse, especially if the war against terrorism continues, as it must. The raging protests, until now obscenely vocal but still held somewhat at bay, will invariably break their boundaries and become violent. Jewish day schools, Jewish neighborhoods, kosher establishments, and any Jew who does not defect to Muslim/woke ideologies will become fair game. Shaming and bullying, already at frightful levels, will become not just the norm but the required response of anyone meeting a Jew, demanding to know where he or she stands. TikTok, Twitter, and social media in general will fuel the fire, attracting and activating masses of young people to join the hate parade. Safe spaces will be increasingly hard to find.

WHAT WILL be the response?

Of course, we here in Israel would encourage our fellow Jews to join us, to at least purchase a foothold in the Jewish state if not move here altogether.

But Jewish immigration from the West, never more than a trickle, is still a far-off dream, as too many people consider aliyah especially at this critical time as jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

And so, the only alternatives left are to lower ones profile and steer clear of the streets; join the haters; or stand and fight. Fight, that is, on all fronts: speaking out, despite the pressure; holding fast to what we know is right and true; refusing to accept unfair, discriminatory practices; and physically defending homes and synagogues from attack.

In a sense, all of us are now living in the Garden of the Finzi-Continis. No matter how high the walls may be, we wont we cant avoid reality forever.

The writer is director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Raanana. jocmtv@netvision.net.il

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The antisemitic war on Judaism, Israel is only getting worse - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Understanding Zionism: Historyand Perspectives By Anne Perez Fortress

What exactly does it mean to identify oneself as a Zionist or to call someone else one? Its a more complicated question than I imagined. Anne Perez, a historian of modern Jewish and Israeli history, believes Christians are obligated to have basic familiarity with the long history and multiple perspectives of the Zionist movement, especially because Christian antisemitism contributed to its formation. Her accessible primer to this enormously complex topic, from its foundations to its possible future directions, maintains balanced commentary while offering valuable historical context. I came away with a clearer understanding of the multiple streams of Zionism and its oppositioninside and outside of Judaismand a working knowledge of key historical figures, concepts, and events, all of which prepared me to read more deeply on the subject. This would be a great choice for a church reading group or a book club. I was glad I started here before diving into more specialized books on the topic.

Who Are the Jewsand Who Can We Become? By Donniel Hartman University of Nebraska Press

Donniel Hartman suggests a way forward for contemporary Jews by looking back to the foundational stories of Judaism. In the Genesis story, the Modern Orthodox rabbi explains, Jews are Jews by inheritance, not belief. In the Exodus story, Jewishness is aspirational, based on a choice to follow the lawthe whole of which is to love thy neighbor as thyself. Throughout history, these Genesis and Exodus narratives have intertwined to constitute the warp and woof of Jewish identity, but when one is emphasized more than the other, that collective identity becomes distorted and starts to unravel.

In the second half of the book, Hartman applies this Genesis-Exodus metanarrative to the challenges facing contemporary Jews in Israel and the diaspora. Genesis Zionism, he says, is grounded in the Jewish right to a Jewish home in the Jewish homeland. But Exodus Zionism teaches that it will not be a Jewish home as long as the Palestinians do not have their own home as well. As a liberal Zionist, Hartman emphasizes that the Exodus covenant requires that Jews continue to seek peace as a concrete objective even when it does not seem possible: the challenge of Exodus is to regroup and try again. And again. And again. In the 21st century, he asks, which story will Jews choose to tell about themselves?

The Land of Hope and Fear: Israels Battle for Its Inner Soul By Isabel Kershner Knopf

This collection of meticulously reported stories of life in Israel by Isabel Kershner, a New York Times correspondent in Jerusalem, is exquisite. Kershner immerses herself in the lives and conflicts of people who live side by side and across great ideological divides. Her depth of knowledge of the politics that have shaped their lives is apparent in her analysis, but she doesnt condemn or praise. Each essay stands alone as a compelling journalistic profile, but together they offer a kaleidoscopic perspective of the ongoing conflict and its human costs. We begin to detect how deeply interconnected these stories are and how difficult it would be to disentangle them. And yet Kershner manages to convey hope for the future. It is not quite right to say that this book is a pleasure to read. It is often devastating. But it is unforgettable.

The Necessity of Exile: Essays from a Distance By Shaul Magid Ayin Press

Leading Jewish studies scholar Shaul Magid writes succinctly about the conflict at the heart of imperiled liberal Zionism: How do you reconcile being right on Israel, and left on everything else? You cant, he says, and as the state of Israel has become ever more aggressive and chauvinistic, he has had to come to terms with his own counter-Zionism. Magid builds on the work of Hannah Arendt, Judith Butler, Martin Buber, and others to explain why Zionism, however necessary it seemed to traumatized Jews after World War II, is now doing more harm than good. Magid thinks its time to stop trying to resolve the cognitive dissonance that inevitably arises from trying to uphold liberal values while supporting an increasingly right-wing nationalist state. (A Deadhead who came of age in the 60s and 70s counterculture, Magid compares this to seeing a Grateful Dead sticker on a Cadillac.) He insists that being a counter-Zionist doesnt mean being anti-Israel, and he calls for a new ideological framework that embraces that exilic character of Jewish life. Magids essays are provocative and often idealistic, though he is certainly not naive. He anticipates those who would object to Israeli peace efforts with the oft-repeated phrase, Palestinians are no partner for peace. Magid, like Hartman, says this is immaterial to the moral imperative that Israel keep trying.

Israel: A Christian Grammar Paul J. Griffiths Fortress

Paul Griffiths says that this book is not intended as an encyclopedia or a survey but a sketchbook from a Christian theologian trying to think Israel through. What he thinks is that Israel (as a theological concept, not a nation-state) is made up of both Christians and Jews, the church and the synagogue. If we share a lineage, worship the same God, and have the same purpose, then we should understand that we share a form of life, and that form is Israel.

More provocatively, he says Christians should assume that Jews, as Gods first beloved, are more intimate with God than we are, held closer and more lovingly. Since the church has seriously and systematically damaged the Synagogue, this should inform all of our interactions, which should be penitential and sacrificially loving. (In one of the three excurses at the end of the book, Griffiths says we should all be philosemites.) He issues an especially strong warning against the impulse Christians may have to proselytize Jews. In one of my favorite passages of this dense, exacting, and occasionally beautiful theological reflection, Griffiths writes that the church has abrogated her standing to proselytize Jews, and has done so because of her sin, having been as an abusive spouse with the synagogue the abused.

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Trending topics Israel and Jewish identity: A review of Understanding Zionism, Who Are the Jewsand Who Can We ... - The Christian Century

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Introduction: In the Jewish tradition, childbirth is regarded as a sacred experience, marked by rituals and offerings that signify gratitude, devotion, and purification. However, when we explore historical practices beyond Jewish tradition, we encounter a stark and troubling reality: the widespread prevalence of infanticide.

Through understanding and embracing the ethical principles of Judaism, we can strive to build a more compassionate and just world, where every life is cherished and protected.

The featured video is from Ken Spiro who talks about his book WorldPerfect which explores 4,000 years of world history and gives fascinating insight into the profound impact the Jewish people have had on the collective conscience of humanity. This book will completely transform your understanding of Judaism and the mission of the Jews as a Light to the nations.

Childbirth in Jewish Tradition: Parsha Tazria, a portion of the Hebrew Bible, outlines the rituals and offerings associated with childbirth in ancient Jewish tradition for both boys and girls. Until today for boys, Circumcision, signifies the covenant between God and the Jewish people. This tradition underscores the sacredness of childbirth and the importance of expressing gratitude and devotion to God for the gift of life.

Comparison with Infanticide Practices: In contrast to the reverence for life inherent in Jewish tradition, ancient societies such as the Greeks and Romans practiced infanticide, particularly targeting female infants. This stark disparity highlights the ethical chasm between Jewish values and the cultural norms of other civilizations.

The Shocking Reality of Infanticide: Infanticide, the act of killing an infant shortly after birth, was disturbingly widespread in ancient times. Influenced by factors such as poverty, gender bias, and cultural beliefs, societies across various regions engaged in this heinous practice, perpetuating cycles of violence and suffering.

Here are some examples of historical and cultural contexts in which infanticide has occurred:

Ancient Civilizations: In some ancient societies, particularly those with limited resources or where certain children were considered undesirable due to disabilities, gender, or other factors, infanticide was practiced. For example, in ancient Rome, it was legal for a father to kill an infant by exposing them to the elements if he deemed the child undesirable or if the family couldnt support another child.

Female Infanticide: In cultures where male children were preferred for various reasons such as inheritance, labor, or social status, female infanticide occurred. This has been documented in various parts of the world, including parts of Asia where male heirs were traditionally valued more than female offspring.

Poverty and Desperation: In societies facing extreme poverty, famine, or other hardships, parents may resort to infanticide due to their inability to provide for the childs basic needs. This could be seen as a tragic last resort rather than a deliberate act of cruelty.

Social Stigma and Discrimination: Infants born with disabilities or congenital conditions have sometimes been subject to infanticide due to societal stigma, discrimination, or a belief that such children were incapable of contributing to society or were a burden on their families.

Cultural Practices: In some cultures, particularly those with strong beliefs in spiritual or religious traditions, infanticide may have been justified or even ritualized in certain circumstances, although such practices are generally condemned in modern times.

Uncovering the Truth:

Despite the tendency to romanticize ancient civilizations, it is imperative to acknowledge the dark realities of their practices, including infanticide. The revelation of this historical truth serves as a sobering reminder of the moral complexities of human history.

Some examples:

Ancient Rome: Infanticide, particularly the exposure of unwanted infants, was practiced in ancient Rome. Fathers had the legal right to expose infants, leaving them to die of exposure to the elements if they deemed the child undesirable or if the family couldnt support another child.

China: Throughout its history, China has had instances of infanticide, particularly female infanticide due to a preference for male heirs. Factors such as the one-child policy, which was implemented in China from 1979 to 2015, also contributed to instances of infanticide as families sought to ensure that their one allowable child was male.

India: Female infanticide has been a significant issue in parts of India, driven by cultural preferences for male offspring, dowry practices, and gender inequality. Despite legal prohibitions, cases of female infanticide and sex-selective abortions have been reported in some regions.

Various Indigenous Societies: Historically, some indigenous societies have practiced infanticide for various reasons, including population control, resource scarcity, or cultural beliefs. Examples include certain tribes in the Americas and Pacific Islands.

Europe and North America: While infanticide is not as prevalent in contemporary Western societies, historical records indicate instances of infanticide, particularly during times of poverty, social upheaval, or when children were born out of wedlock and considered illegitimate.

Ancient Greece: Similar to ancient Rome, infanticide was practiced in ancient Greece, although historical accounts suggest that it was less common than in Rome.

Jewish Wisdom and Civilization:

In the face of challenges and attacks against Israel and Jewish communities, it is essential to recognize the enduring impact of Jewish wisdom on civilization. The condemnation of infanticide in Jewish tradition reflects a profound commitment to the sanctity of life and the pursuit of justice and compassion.

The comparison between the Jewish approach and the practice of infanticide underscores fundamental differences in ethical perspectives and values:

Jewish Approach:

Infanticide:

In summary, the Jewish approach to childbirth and infant care emphasizes the sanctity of life, ethical responsibility, and the protection of the vulnerable. In contrast, the practice of infanticide reflects a disregard for these principles and represents a violation of human rights and ethical norms. Through this comparison, we see how cultural, religious, and ethical perspectives shape attitudes and behaviours towards infants and childbirth.

The situation today

Linking Child Rights and the SDGs Learning from Infanticide

One would have to think that the world today is more moral, more caring, and especially when one reads the noble aspirations of todays Ten Commandments, which is the United Nations SDGs. And its a pity that more people are not familiar with these United Nations SDGs.

I have many chapters explaining and delving into the SDGs in my book, Upgrading ESG, which can be bought on Amazon, and you can buy through the following link.

https://www.upgradingesg.com/book

Here I am sharing the featured headline from https://www.unicef.org/documents/linking-child-rights-and-sdgs

Presently, we stand at a crossroads and particularly important moment in time for the worlds children. Against the backdrop of children, adolescents and youth around the world demanding to be heard and taking action for their future through climate strikes in over 170 countries, it is fitting that 2019 was also the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)1 the most widely ratified human rights treaty in existence which guarantees every child the right to a healthy, safe and sustainable future as well as the right to be heard on issues and decisions that will affect that future. At the same time, the year 2020 marks 10 years until the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)2 are set to be reached. The SDGs which call for inclusive economic, social and environmental progress for all people and the planet are the blueprint for creating the world that all of us need, and that children are demanding

Again an empty set of words with no real meaning or action.

Babies and Children are vulnerable. Parenting and raising Children is not easy. Unfortunately, even in our age Children suffer the impacts of poverty, violence, inequality and exclusion disproportionately, due to their sensitive phase of life and development.

However, it does not end here. When we look at the debates gender is gets confusing.

When writing this blog, I was browsing on my favourite website, the BBC, to see what anti-Israel bias there was today, and up popped this article on gender, and children have been let down. Basically, were talking about the phenomenon today of trans, pronouns etc. The system in many countries (including Israel) enables the ability to easily transform male to female to female to male. Now, this is something that is interesting, because on the one hand, we believe in the Bible and God and the way that we were born, and basically, the idea of trans goes against the traditional values, and is not easy for parents. I myself have a child who is trans, and Im amazed at the easiness and the support that enables children or young adults to be trans, and were living in an emotional up-to-down world, and one cant suppress these feelings.

But, again, this is, when were talking about child rights, and protection of the child, where do you draw the line?

And this is an extracted article from the BBC.

Children have been let down by a lack of research and remarkably weak evidence on medical interventions in gender care, a landmark review says.

The Cass Review, published on Wednesday by padiatrician Dr Hilary Cass, calls for gender services for young people to match the standards of other NHS care.

She says the toxicity of the debate around gender meant professionals were afraid to openly discuss their views.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-68770641

Making the case for moral world

As a Jew, as an Israeli, I feel theres a revision of history that is trying to accompany this so-called evil, this axis of evil, by so many countries, people around the world. And Im implored to stand up and make the case for the Jewish impact on civilization. And theres no doubt that when one looks at the way children were treated in civilization, in contrast to the Jewish approach, we have a lot to learn from our Jewish heritage.

This Blog was inspired by the Book: WorldPerfect the Jewish Impact on civilization by Ken Spiro

World Perfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization (Book)

He asks:

What would the world be like without Judaism and the Jewish People?

His book WorldPerfect explores 4,000 years of world history and gives fascinating insight into the profound impact the Jewish people have had on the collective conscience of humanity. This book will completely transform your understanding of Judaism and the mission of the Jews as a Light to the nations.

Featured Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8883H2mJ6s

Conclusion: We are confronted with the stark dichotomy between the reverence for life upheld by Judaism and the prevalence of infanticide in ancient societies. This sobering comparison underscores the timeless relevance of Jewish values and the imperative to uphold the sanctity of life in all its forms.

Through understanding and embracing the ethical principles of Judaism, we can strive to build a more compassionate and just world, where every life is cherished and protected.

Credits:

Chat GPT helped in writing this blog.

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The Rights of Children: Infanticide Vs Jewish Tradition - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Aaron Nielsenshultz, the director of religious school and bnai mitzvah training at Beth Or, discusses Israel with high school students. Photo by Allison Levin

Leslie Feldman

Aaron Nielsenshultz, the director of religious school and bnai mitzvah training at Beth Or in Maple Glen, strongly believes in connecting teens to their Jewish background to offer them a sense of identity, belonging and cultural richness.

After the COVID-19 lockdown ended in the fall of 2021, Nielsenshultz was looking to re-engage with teens because they had not been active in the synagogues online pandemic programming.

I wanted to re-open those connections, so I reached out to a teacher who supports the Jewish Student Union at Upper Dublin High School. She was eager to work with me, and I started visiting every month, he said. Our meetings involve Jewish holidays and culture, and I aim to create hands-on, active events.

What started out at one high school, has now grown to five.

After the terrible attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, I heard from three more schools whose faculty wanted more support for Jewish students, he said.

Along with Upper Dublin, the others in the program are Central Bucks South, Wissahickon, Central Bucks West and Cheltenham high schools.

At first, Nielsenshultz was trying to address a need among teens for meaningful Jewish information and knowledge.

Some teens in the schools I go to are not affiliated, and among those whose families belong to local synagogues, my colleagues and I have all seen a drop-off in teen participation in our programs. I wanted to make sure that teens still had some connection to Judaism outside of their families, he said. As well, there has been such a distressing rise in antisemitic episodes that our teens of late have needed reassurance, information and a sense of support.

For one Cheltenham high school student, participation means being offered the possibility for an output of action and a community of people with some similarities to comfort social pressures which may be felt through antisemitism and other means.

Depending on the school, between 15 and 50 students participate. Discussions include understanding the situation in Israel; Simchat Torah: surrounding ourselves with Torah; spreading joy; being mensches; and the happiness of Chanukah.

Nielsenshultz is pleased that students of all religious and cultural backgrounds attend. It is true that most of the students are Jewish, but there are other cultures and religions represented at each meeting, including students who have told me that they identify as atheists, he said. While my content is very much designed to support Jewish students, I try to make sure that there is enough information available about our topic so that anyone can join in.

Max Sawyer, the Jewish Student Union schmooze and schmear leader at Central Bucks West High School, said the program offers him a large community that he can turn to whenever he needs to because he knows they will have his back.

It has helped me create relationships with people I never would have before, and has led to friendships I wont forget, he said.

Nielsenshultz believes programming benefits students because it provides them with information, knowledge, support and connection in an increasingly tough time.

I give students a place where they can speak openly and freely about what theyre experiencing in their daily lives, or where they can just engage in some Yiddishkeit that feeds their souls and fuels their connection to Judaism, he said. Schools benefit from the robust programming and the creation of a space for Jewish students and those who want to learn about Judaism. Beth Or benefits by connecting local Jewish teens with a Judaism that they can identify with.

The synagogue plans to continue the program and hopes to get more high schools involved.

This program is so easily available. Students dont have to go anywhere else the program takes place right at the end of the school day. I try to mix fun and meaning at the same time and by creating a very low barrier to entry, Nielsenshultz said. Students have learned that Im not there to try to talk them into going to shul or to make them feel guilty about not attending synagogue programs. Instead, we learn, we act, we eat and I can recharge their Jewish batteries.

Leslie Feldman is a Philadelphia-area freelance writer.

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Beth Or Enhances the Teen Connection - Jewish Exponent

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Dr Ed Kessler MBE, the Chair of the Progressive Judaism Advisory Board, appeared on The Rest is Politics to discuss the war in Israel and Gaza and what happens next both there and for interfaith work in the UK.

Ed is Founder President of the Woolf Institute and a leading thinker in interfaith relations. He told Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, who host the award-winning podcast, that he remains optimistic, despite the very difficult situation.

Ed said: Im an optimist. All war comes to an end. There will be a resolution at some point. So we need to start thinking about the day after. We have to deal with our differences and start a dialogue about what we have in common.

A lot of good interfaith work is still happening. But we must rebuild the trust that is missing right now. We must continue to work to build bridges.

Listen to the full conversationhere.

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Advisory Board Chair on continuing our work to build bridges - The Movement for Reform Judaism

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

By Alan Jay Gerber

With the onset of Pesach, I find the study of the historical and philosophical side of our religious tradition to be of great inspiration in getting myself into the holiday mood. Thus, this weeks essay will focus on two works by Rabbi Dov Lipman that should help assist many in getting into this holiday mood.

The spiritual quest that Rabbi Lipman focuses on in his works, Discover (Feldheim, 2006) and Seder Savvy: Insights for Meaningful Family Discussions (Targum Press, 2010) describe in eloquent and intelligent terms the basic elements that make up the beliefs of our sacred tradition.

Discover goes to the heart of our tradition by dealing, in great detail, with such topics as Torah MiSinai, Torah Shebaal Peh, the purpose of Creation, and the role of prayer and study. Some profound and heartfelt teachings are found in his essays on Women in Judaism, Suffering and Tragedies, Death, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the coming of Moshiach.

In his personal approbation to this work, Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, wrote the following:

The Torah and Judaism proclaim that man is successful if he accepts the dominion of G-d and makes his life an expression of His will. This stands in stark contrast to much of modern culture whose premise is that human autonomy is the ultimate good and that mans success lies in the fulfillment of his fantasies of power and pleasure.

A student in a modern day yeshiva high school is constantly consciously or sub-consciously faced with this conflict of view. He needs to understand why he should accept upon himself the way of the Torah and why it is superior to the lifestyle he sees in the world around him.

Rabbi Dov Lipman, who has spent many years teaching these students, has produced a modern Guide for the Perplexed for them. He explains why Jews must believe in Torah, and skillfully addresses many of the issues confronting a modern student.

Rabbi Lipman notes the valued role that his Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg, ztl, played in influencing his teachings and writings.

The Rosh Yeshivas approach to learning, thinking and looking at the world impacted me greatly. His advice and answers to my many questions gave me direction in life. The Rosh Yeshiva taught me not only that we should ask questions, but also that there are answers to these questions and that these answers can be found in the Torah. I have also gained approaches and answers to many questions from the works of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, ztl, and Rabbi Yitzchak Kirzner, ztl.

In the chapter titled Torah Study, Rabbi Lipman, cites the influence of Rabbi Feldman:

Most mitzvos are performed using our bodies. In the process, we elevate our bodies to a higher plane. Torah study is the mitzvah which elevates our minds. In fact, our minds need a mitzvah even more than our bodies since our minds are constantly working. Aside from the elevation, the way to simply insure that our minds are constantly in subordination to G-d is by occupying our minds with what G-d wants us to do which is Torah study and thought.

In the footnote to this teaching, Rabbi Lipman informs us of the following:

My thanks to Rabbi Aharon Feldman, shlita, for teaching me this concept and for pointing out that Rabbeinyu Yonah explains that this is why the mitzvah to study Torah is found in the first paragraph of Shema, which deals with accepting the yoke of serving G-d. As a mitzvah of the mind it plays a central role in our accepting G-ds authority and his mitzvos.

Rabbi Lipmans commentary on the Haggadah, Seder Savvy, (Targum, 2010) deserves a rightful place at your seder table to help enrich the repertoire of Torah teachings to supplement the Haggada texts. In his introduction, Rabbi Lipman writes:

When we educate our children regarding Torah and Judaism, we should use the same care used to build a tower, whose endurance depends completely on the strength of its foundation. It is my hope that this work will enable seder night to serve as the foundation for a lifetime of spiritual growth for ourselves and our children, while providing a solid basis for spiritual dialogue and spiritual relationship between grandparents, parents, and children.

I conclude this weeks essay with the following words of tribute by one of our communitys leading singers and music composers, Rabbi Yitzy Bald of Bayswater, who wrote the following:

I have fond memories of Rabbi Dov Lipman from our time together at Mercaz Hatorah, Talpiot Yerushalayim, 198990. It was an amazing year. First and foremost, he was a Ben Torah with impeccable midos. He was learned and fun loving at the same time a very well rounded and balanced attitude both in ruchniyus and gashmiyus.

This observation, in essence, reflects the quality of the man and of his teachings for all of us to benefit from.

Originally published in 2015.

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As Pesach nears, discovering our tradition anew - The Jewish Star

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

In his book Mateh Dan published in 1714, Rabbi David Nieto of Bevis Marks Synagogue incorporated science to explain Jewish belief. He was the first in a line of prominent British rabbinic scholars, which would include Hertz, Jacobs and Sacks, who have demonstrated that there is no rupture between Judaism and the modern world. Raphael Zarum, the Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, formerly Jews College, is now stepping into that line.

Questioning Belief is not a work of apologetics. It does not try to persuade its readers that Judaism was right all along. Rather it responds to the deep and difficult questions that Zarum hears as a lecturer and rabbi, questions that come from an honest desire to better appreciate our religious tradition. It does so in a personal way: we get the sense throughout that it is the author who is the questioner.

He offers responses rather than answers. There is a difference. Answers are rigid, they fossilise, their relevance changes with the circumstances. The answers to questions raised by the creation chapters in Genesis are not the same today as 200 years ago. Responses remain open, they encourage further discussion, new ways of thinking.

The 12 chapters of the book are divided into three sections, on origins, ethics and belief. Each section contains four chapters, one question per chapter, all structured similarly; the question is explored in depth before responses are offered. There is a biblical symmetry to the book that passes without remark. All that is lacking are paragraphs of 70 words apiece.

The section on origins was probably the easiest to deal with, for alongside his depth of Jewish learning Zarum has a doctorate in theoretical physics. He harnesses evolution, archaeology, astronomy, genetics and more to respond to questions about creation, evolution, the Flood and the Exodus. This sounds heavy but it is not at all. He is a consummate communicator, and tackles medieval thinkers with the same light touch as when he explains why, as a child, he became disillusioned with Superman.

Questions about ethics are more challenging. The Torahs approval of slavery jars with modern sensibilities. Zarum follows Maimonides in showing that the Torah aims to regulate practices that were widespread throughout the ancient world, pointing out that the overall thrust is to oblige slave owners to exercise compassion. He quotes Sacks that the legislation is part of a process to make people realise that slavery is wrong. But these days we know slavery is wrong; why do we need to read regulations designed to apply in antiquity?

However, and this is the genius of Questioning Belief, we are reading responses, not answers. They lead us down new avenues to consider for example the evils of modern slavery and to recognise the role we can play in its eradication. The first question he tackles in the belief section is not, as one might imagine:"Is there a God? It is: What does it mean to believe in God? It is a more profound question, focusing on the nature of belief rather than personal conviction. In a sense the framing of this question epitomises the value of the book as a guide for people struggling with serious questions, those not fortunate enough to have experienced an epiphany, or who do not accept everything they are told.

It would have been useful to have had a bibliography or guide for further reading, and an index too. But we cant have everything. Questioning Belief is an essential book for those on the quest to integrate Judaism with modernity. The quest that links Raphael Zarum with his scholarly British, rabbinic predecessors.

Questioning Beliefby Raphael Zarum,22.99,Koren Publishers/The Toby Press

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Questioning Belief, by Raphael Zarum review: An essential resource that helps integrate Judaism with modernity - The Jewish Chronicle

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

As I write this, in early April 2024, the war is raging in Gaza. Hence, our main focus must be on the devastation of Hamas, bringing all the hostages home safely, and reducing antisemitism. However, we should also address climate threats since they are an existential threat to the US, Israel, and the entire world.

March was declared the hottest March in recorded history, making it the tenth consecutive month to break a temperature record. The last nine years were the hottest since temperature records were widely recorded. This has resulted in a substantial increase in the frequency and severity of heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms, and floods. Climate experts are issuing increasingly dire warnings, indicating that an irreversible tipping point may soon be reached when the climate spins out of control, with disastrous consequences.

Israel is especially threatened by climate change because the hotter, drier Middle East projected by climate experts makes instability, terrorism, and war more likely. Also, a rising Mediterranean Sea could inundate the coastal plain that includes much of Israels population and infrastructure.

Hence, everything possible must be done to avert a global climate catastrophe. The most essential change is a shift away from animal-based diets, for two very important reasons. First, cows and other ruminants emit methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times as potent as CO2 per unit weight during the 10-15 years it is in the atmosphere.

Second, forests are being destroyed to create land for grazing and growing feed crops for animals, adding to the 43 percent of the worlds ice-free land already being used for these purposes. If much of that land were reforested, much atmospheric CO2 would be sequestered, reducing it from its current very dangerous level to a much safer one. This would help leave a habitable, healthy, environmentally sustainable world for future generations.

Many Jews commendably spend many hours getting rid of chometz before Passover. Then they partake in the seder and other meals containing much meat and other animal products, contributing substantially to climate threats. If G-d is concerned about us getting rid of every speck of chometz, G-d surely must want our diets to avoid harming our health, inflicting suffering and violence on animals, damaging the environment, and depleting our natural resources.

It is time to apply Judaisms important teachings to our diets, demonstrating their relevance to current problems and helping shift our precious but imperiled planet onto a sustainable path.

Passover, the holiday of freedom, presents a wonderful opportunity to free ourselves from personally and globally harmful and destructive eating habits.Jewish teachings advocate protecting our health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, reducing hunger, and pursuing peace.It is easy to shift to plant-based diets today because in addition to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, there are now many plant-based substitutes with appearances, textures, and tastes very similar to those for meat and other animal products.

Our well-being and survival depend on this. There is no Planet B or effective Plan B.

Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D., is the author of Judaism and Vegetarianism, Judaism and Global Survival, Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal our Imperiled Planet, and Mathematics and Global Survival, and over 200 articles and 25 podcasts at JewishVeg.com/schwartz. He is President Emeritus of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) and President of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV). He is associate producer of the 2007 documentary A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World. He is also a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the College of Staten Island, which is part of the City University of New York.

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Celebrating Passover As If Global Survival Matters | Richard H. Schwartz | The Blogs - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

By Rabbis Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky Co-Leads of Progressive Judaism

In October of last year, together with other communal leaders, we produced a set of principles about how to respond to the emerging crisis in Israel and Gaza. It was called Our Jewish Valuesand spoke for many in our communities who were searching for the words to respond, evidenced by thousands of people from across the spectrum of the Jewish community, including over 100 rabbis, who chose to add their names to the online document.

Six months on, revisiting the words, they still resonate. More powerful is the heart-breaking realisation that so many of the challenges it articulates are unresolved.

We began with our clear commitment to Israel and Zionism. As time has passed, not only has this commitment been reaffirmed, it has been strengthened. We mourn all those who were lost on October 7, we grieve for families displaced, fear for those sheltering from rockets and call for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas. We have witnessed the depth of loss that Israelis have experienced, and know how connected to this pain and fear many Jews in the UK are, too. We recognise the existential threat that Hamas pose as well as Hezbollah, the Houthis and others and that Israel has a right to defend itself.

Nor has the last six months lessened our belief in Palestinian self-determination. We refuse to give up on the idea of a two-state solution, however hard this might be. This is the only possible pathway to an enduring peace.

In that document six months ago, we together expressed a fear not only about what was happening, but about what was to come: the humanitarian situation that was unfolding and the loss of life of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This has only grown more troubling. A war can be just and yet carried out in ways that go beyond what is acceptable, in international and Jewish law. The shocking number of non-combatant civilian deaths, together with the starvation and disease, demands our response. As does the violence in the West Bank that has been allowed, even encouraged by extreme voices in the Israeli government, to grow.

The Zionism that we aspire to is a religious Zionism, one that comes from within our religious worldview. Our Zionism is not just about Israels borders but its behaviours. Israel, as a Jewish state, reflects on all the worlds Jews and Judaism itself, so it must seek to be a Kiddush HaShem, to sanctify the name of God, through its actions. Israel should aspire to be a light unto the nations, even though in so doing it might feel we are asking it to live up to higher standards than other countries. We must acknowledge that Israel under its current leadership has failed to live up to these obligations.

Over the last six months, the impact on society has stretched far beyond Israel and Palestine. In Israel, there has been a major impact on the work of human rights and coexistence organisations. Our Zionism is strengthened by the knowledge that so many of our colleagues are, even now, directly involved in protest and action to work for a better Israel, campaigning for a new Government and a different way forward.

Here, there has been a dramatic rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, challenging the quantity and nature of interfaith work, and making it harder for diverse groups to speak to each other. Yet, in order to live together, we must step into the pain of the other, to see them and to hear them. There is not a hierarchy of suffering, nor is this a zero-sum game which prevents us from both holding our own pain and suffering and still giving voice to that of another. This is not only about Jews and Muslims: the crisis in Israel and Palestine has been polarising and is being used by those with malignant agendas to divide and stir up fear.

For the last six months we have tried to speak with complexity and nuance. We have sat in spaces that have been difficult and listened to words which have been uncomfortable to hear. We have added layers to conversations which required our voice and repeatedly refused to speak in slogans, or to make declarations that might make us feel better but do not make a tangible difference. We have sought to repair wherever we can and not further fracture, to seek dialogue and allyship not enmity. Our relationships in this country require us all to make this commitment.

It is six months on. It is devastating that the principles found in Our Jewish Values are now even more needed than before. We call on the Jewish world and beyond to revisit them.

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A reflection six months on from 7 October - The Movement for Reform Judaism

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Posted By admin on March 30, 2024

When Barak Herscowitz joined TikTok two years ago in the companys Tel Aviv office, his role was to recruit Israeli government agencies and other public-sector groups to join the video service and take advantage of its popularity. His pitch: TikTok was a powerful communication tool and getting more influential in the country by the day.

But Mr. Herscowitz, 38, an Israeli who had worked for the countrys conservative former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, and has at times criticized Palestinians on the social network X, grew disenchanted with the company after the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

His frustrations stemmed from seeing some employees express anti-Israel views in an internal group chat, and what he perceived to be a double standard in how the company approved ads that referred to the war, he said in an interview. And he was not satisfied with the response from the company when he raised those concerns.

By the end of January, he quit.

TikTok has been dogged for months by accusations that its app has shown a disproportionate amount of pro-Palestinian and antisemitic content to users of its hugely popular video platform. TikTok has strongly rejected those arguments, and its executives have met multiple times with Jewish groups to discuss those concerns. But the claims of bias have nevertheless helped fuel the debate over a House bill passed this month that would force TikToks Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or have it face a ban.

Mr. Herscowitzs experience, as well as interviews with four current employees at TikTok and dozens of screenshots of internal conversations, points to how some of those same currents of discontent have roiled TikTok internally. Mr. Herscowitz alluded to some of those concerns in a post on X right after he left, and his departure was brought up that week in a Senate hearing with social media executives, including TikToks chief executive, Shou Chew.

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How the Israel-Hamas War Has Roiled TikTok Internally - The New York Times

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