With our fall holidays now over, we turn to one that all Americans celebrate regardless of religion or ethnicity - Thanksgiving.
There will be many of us travelling to be with family and friends. With families spread all over the country it is nice when everyone has the time off to come together and celebrate as one.
Airports will be busy, the roads will be packed and we will wonder why are we enduring this ordeal, only to be reminded what is on the other side. There have been many movies made about the trials and tribulations of family reunions at Thanksgiving. In spite of the angst, hurt feelings, unsaid sentiments, hidden emotions and family tensions, most of those movies end happily with an understanding that we all do the best that we can and that we need to do our best to tolerate one another and work out unresolved issues.
Even if we have to wait until next Thanksgiving.
Safe travels, feast on that big juicy turkey (or facsimile), and enjoy your friends and family...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Visiting Israel
What a trip!
I have just recently returned from a Federation trip to Israel. What a joy to spend a week with fellow community members exploring and rediscovering the new and modern Israel while visiting newly uncovered archaelogical sites throughout the country.
With all of Israel's many security and social challenges, it is still remarkable to learn about the tremendous strides being made by this small country in the arts, culture, technology, and medicine.
We ate at amazing restaurants where the food was plentiful and delicious. Breakfasts are always a treat. Fresh fruit, vegetables served with a variety of breads and cheeses.
One of the most important elements of a successful mission is the guide.And we had an outstanding guide. Yona Lefetsh moved from the world of High Tech to the world of showing visitors all that Israel has to offer.
We were briefed on security issues, the social challenges that Israel faces and had a very enlightening explanation of the differences between our political system and Israel's. Prior to our visit to Israel's Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, we were priveleged to hear some personal recollections of a child of survivors who now works at Yad Vashem.
We spent the better part of a day in our sister communities of Afula/Gilboa and visited several programs that our Federation funds, and were hosted for dinner by friends from Afula/Gilboa.
We returned home excited and inspired with a much better understanding of Israel and the important role it plays in our Jewish identity and well being.
Join us in 2 years when we will going once again as a community to Israel...and ask our mission returnees to better understand how meaningful and important this trip was.
I have just recently returned from a Federation trip to Israel. What a joy to spend a week with fellow community members exploring and rediscovering the new and modern Israel while visiting newly uncovered archaelogical sites throughout the country.
With all of Israel's many security and social challenges, it is still remarkable to learn about the tremendous strides being made by this small country in the arts, culture, technology, and medicine.
We ate at amazing restaurants where the food was plentiful and delicious. Breakfasts are always a treat. Fresh fruit, vegetables served with a variety of breads and cheeses.
One of the most important elements of a successful mission is the guide.And we had an outstanding guide. Yona Lefetsh moved from the world of High Tech to the world of showing visitors all that Israel has to offer.
We were briefed on security issues, the social challenges that Israel faces and had a very enlightening explanation of the differences between our political system and Israel's. Prior to our visit to Israel's Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, we were priveleged to hear some personal recollections of a child of survivors who now works at Yad Vashem.
We spent the better part of a day in our sister communities of Afula/Gilboa and visited several programs that our Federation funds, and were hosted for dinner by friends from Afula/Gilboa.
We returned home excited and inspired with a much better understanding of Israel and the important role it plays in our Jewish identity and well being.
Join us in 2 years when we will going once again as a community to Israel...and ask our mission returnees to better understand how meaningful and important this trip was.
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Power of Women
Last Tuesday the Federation held its annual meeting. Natalie Rudolph was elected president. Natalie becomes the second woman president of the Federation. Nancy Leavitt, who now lives in Gloucester served as president from 1984-1987.
We cannot underestimate the role that women have played in the development of our community. It is indeed an honor to once again have a woman leading our community.
On our list of events on www.jewishcentral.org, you will note that a Federation woman's event is being held this Thursday Sept 22. This luncheon will feature Dr. Shira Sanders, who oversees the Womans Empowerment Center in Afula our sister community in Israel. This program is funded by our Federation.
Once again you will be able to see how the power of women makes a huge difference in the lives of so many.
We cannot underestimate the role that women have played in the development of our community. It is indeed an honor to once again have a woman leading our community.
On our list of events on www.jewishcentral.org, you will note that a Federation woman's event is being held this Thursday Sept 22. This luncheon will feature Dr. Shira Sanders, who oversees the Womans Empowerment Center in Afula our sister community in Israel. This program is funded by our Federation.
Once again you will be able to see how the power of women makes a huge difference in the lives of so many.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Here we go
Yikes! It's September. Where did the summer go?
Our last long weekend of the summer is upon us.
As the summer transitions to the fall, our level of activity grows exponentially. It seems that we are all awakened from a short nap, only to be refreshed and reinvigorated to start the rest of the day.
So many exciting things to look forward to and so many issues to debate and discuss.
New Rabbis at our congregations, Consul General of Israel to New England Shai Bazak speaking at the Federation annual meeting on Sept 13 a week before a vote on Palestinian statehood goes before the United Nations General Assembly, a mission to Israel from Oct 23-31, the final planning for a new community religious school to start operations in the fall of 2012, a new community wide adult educational program to be unveiled during the High Holidays, Torathon at a new location, Rabbi Daniel Gordis kicking off our Cotton Leadership program in November, a new community singing group, and so much more...
Take a deep breath...enjoy the end of the summer, and gear up for what promises to be an amazing fall and winter in our Jewish Community of Central Massachusetts.
Our last long weekend of the summer is upon us.
As the summer transitions to the fall, our level of activity grows exponentially. It seems that we are all awakened from a short nap, only to be refreshed and reinvigorated to start the rest of the day.
So many exciting things to look forward to and so many issues to debate and discuss.
New Rabbis at our congregations, Consul General of Israel to New England Shai Bazak speaking at the Federation annual meeting on Sept 13 a week before a vote on Palestinian statehood goes before the United Nations General Assembly, a mission to Israel from Oct 23-31, the final planning for a new community religious school to start operations in the fall of 2012, a new community wide adult educational program to be unveiled during the High Holidays, Torathon at a new location, Rabbi Daniel Gordis kicking off our Cotton Leadership program in November, a new community singing group, and so much more...
Take a deep breath...enjoy the end of the summer, and gear up for what promises to be an amazing fall and winter in our Jewish Community of Central Massachusetts.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Back from Israel
I have returned from an 8 week Sabbatical in Israel. I have shared some of my experiences with you in my weekly fedmail and will have a lengthy article in the upcoming September issue of our emagazine JewishCentral Voice.
Israel continues to be a fascinating country, where the beautiful Tel Aviv beaches compete with the beauty of the Negev desert and the Hills of Galilee. For a small country one wonders at the diversity of landscape and the geographical differences....beaches and desert, plains and mountainous regions, major metropolitan areas and communal villages.
One hears so much about this tiny country-its politics, its economy, its people. Yet so few have visited it to truly understand it.
Join us at the end of October as we experience Israel in all its many facets. For complete details check out our website www.jewishcentralmass.org
Israel continues to be a fascinating country, where the beautiful Tel Aviv beaches compete with the beauty of the Negev desert and the Hills of Galilee. For a small country one wonders at the diversity of landscape and the geographical differences....beaches and desert, plains and mountainous regions, major metropolitan areas and communal villages.
One hears so much about this tiny country-its politics, its economy, its people. Yet so few have visited it to truly understand it.
Join us at the end of October as we experience Israel in all its many facets. For complete details check out our website www.jewishcentralmass.org
Monday, August 1, 2011
Summertime in Israel
Summers in Israel are hot. The only way to escape the heat is to spend some time at the beach, preferably in the morning when the sun is not as scorching and there seems to be a nice breeze or relax in the cool air of an air conditioned apartment store or restaurant.
The beaches are packed with tourists and Sabras, especially on Fridays, when most Israelis don't work or on Shabbat when everyone is off.
This week, Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv is hosting the European sand volleyball championship which is bringing more people to the beach. The beaches in Tel Aviv while busy are clean, and beautiful. The 13 kilometer boardwalk that stretches from the old port in North Tel Aviv to Old Jaffa in the south is full of joggers, walkers, and cyclists, once again proving that in spite of the hot and humid weather, there are still some pretty strong resilient Israelis.
Several weeks ago while dining at a restaurant at one of the many Tel Aviv beaches, closer to Old Jaffa, we were surprised to see a group of Arab women in full regalia, from head to toe wading and completely dunking themselves in the Mediterranean Sea.
There husbands of course with no such dress restrictions were swimming separately in the water.
The beaches are packed with tourists and Sabras, especially on Fridays, when most Israelis don't work or on Shabbat when everyone is off.
This week, Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv is hosting the European sand volleyball championship which is bringing more people to the beach. The beaches in Tel Aviv while busy are clean, and beautiful. The 13 kilometer boardwalk that stretches from the old port in North Tel Aviv to Old Jaffa in the south is full of joggers, walkers, and cyclists, once again proving that in spite of the hot and humid weather, there are still some pretty strong resilient Israelis.
Several weeks ago while dining at a restaurant at one of the many Tel Aviv beaches, closer to Old Jaffa, we were surprised to see a group of Arab women in full regalia, from head to toe wading and completely dunking themselves in the Mediterranean Sea.
There husbands of course with no such dress restrictions were swimming separately in the water.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Youth Village and School, Kadoori
The youth village and school, Kadoori, located in the Lower Galilee was the institution that Yitzchak Rabin graduated from. In the lobby of the currently being renovated original building, the report card of the tragically assassinated prime minister was on display. I am happy to report that his behavior received an excellent grade.
There is much to describe about the school which world ORT has adopted and is being transformed into a "smart school" where technology is part and parcel of the interactive learning environment. But I want to talk about the 15 Eritrean refugees that have been rescued from detention centers and are now being taught and nurtured at Kadoori.
These youngsters escaped the war and bloodshed in Eritrea to seek refuge in a country that they had heard about that could become a safe haven for them and a place where they could find work in order to send money to their impoverished families in Eritrea. These refugees are not Jewish, and enter the country illegally. Along the way to Israel, they faced many hurdles, and near death incidents. They bribed their way across the border between Egypt and Israel and most are placed in detention centers until the government can figure out what to with them.
Here comes the magic of Israel. The director of Kadoori goes to these detention centers in the Negev and personally signs for a select number of these refugees and brings them to the school. Because they are personally guaranteed by the director, they are allowed to come under his tutelage and guardianship. They receive room, board and an education. Most of these young refugees want to travel to Tel Aviv to work in order to send money back to their families, but Hillel, the school director ' s philosophy is that providing real opportunities for these kids will be more important to them and their families in the long run. This refugee issue is one of the myriad of the many issues that Israel faces. How can a country as small and as besieged as Israel is, cope with illegal immigrants who are not Jewish, potentially flooding the country. Yet as a country founded to be a safe haven for Jews, how can it be insensitive to the needs of those in the world who are facing such intolerable circumstances in countries like Eritrea. I asked this group sitting around a table in an impromptu moment: Why Israel?
Their answer was swift and to the point. Israel is a good place, where people are treated well and where we can find jobs. In Egypt we would be killed.
Imagine that the only alternative these teenagers had was Israel.
I do not mean to diminish the ongoing issue that this illegal migration to Israel could cause. But in this one instance, the moral and ethical decision to rescue these Eritrean young men from detention is truly a remarkable glimpse of what the unofficial Israel is all about.
There is much to describe about the school which world ORT has adopted and is being transformed into a "smart school" where technology is part and parcel of the interactive learning environment. But I want to talk about the 15 Eritrean refugees that have been rescued from detention centers and are now being taught and nurtured at Kadoori.
These youngsters escaped the war and bloodshed in Eritrea to seek refuge in a country that they had heard about that could become a safe haven for them and a place where they could find work in order to send money to their impoverished families in Eritrea. These refugees are not Jewish, and enter the country illegally. Along the way to Israel, they faced many hurdles, and near death incidents. They bribed their way across the border between Egypt and Israel and most are placed in detention centers until the government can figure out what to with them.
Here comes the magic of Israel. The director of Kadoori goes to these detention centers in the Negev and personally signs for a select number of these refugees and brings them to the school. Because they are personally guaranteed by the director, they are allowed to come under his tutelage and guardianship. They receive room, board and an education. Most of these young refugees want to travel to Tel Aviv to work in order to send money back to their families, but Hillel, the school director ' s philosophy is that providing real opportunities for these kids will be more important to them and their families in the long run. This refugee issue is one of the myriad of the many issues that Israel faces. How can a country as small and as besieged as Israel is, cope with illegal immigrants who are not Jewish, potentially flooding the country. Yet as a country founded to be a safe haven for Jews, how can it be insensitive to the needs of those in the world who are facing such intolerable circumstances in countries like Eritrea. I asked this group sitting around a table in an impromptu moment: Why Israel?
Their answer was swift and to the point. Israel is a good place, where people are treated well and where we can find jobs. In Egypt we would be killed.
Imagine that the only alternative these teenagers had was Israel.
I do not mean to diminish the ongoing issue that this illegal migration to Israel could cause. But in this one instance, the moral and ethical decision to rescue these Eritrean young men from detention is truly a remarkable glimpse of what the unofficial Israel is all about.
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