Rabbi Bruce's Blog

A Place Could Make You Cry Part I--Reflections on Seeing the Film Unsettled

2011-12-01T00:14:00.000-05:00

To paraphrase Groucho Marx: before I start writing, I would like to write a few words.

The title of this blog post is a take-off on a book title by a senior rabbinic colleague, Rabbi Daniel Gordis, an American Jewish leader who made aliyah in the late 90's and started writing emails about his families experiences in an Israel at war. He collected a number of the emails into a book, If a Place Could Make You Cry--Dispatches from an Anxious State. It has been a while since I read the book, but the title has stayed with me. Now that you know the literary allusion, I will skip to the incidents that provoked this post.

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This week is Israel Peace Week at Amherst College. This ambitious program was created by Amherst Israel Alliance--a new Israel-oriented student organization which was created this fall (the last group, Amherst Friends of Israel, stopped functioning when most of its leaders graduated in '10). I have had only limited input in the programming, which was organized by student leaders and Amherst's CJP IACT Fellow, Kylie Fisher.

Even though the week is only half over, yasher koach on a great first program.

The first night brought the Consul General of Israel to New England to campus for a reception with student leaders and an informal talk. It had a good turn-out and feedback seemed positive.n

The second night was a showing of the film, Unsettled, and a talk by its director, Adam Hootnick. I had not seen the film but read a few positive reviews about it. Interestingly, the film did not make it past the first step of selections for this year's Pioneer Valley Film Festival.

Watching the film prompted me to write this post.

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I don't often cry at films, which sometimes upsets my wife. Even if I get emotional, it usually has to be a very sad movie for me to openly cry. Last night, while watching Unsettled, I got very emotional at a few points. I arrived a few minutes late and sat in the back row. I didn't realize it at first but I sat next to the filmmaker, Adam Hootnick. The film chronicles a group of charismatic young Israelis involved in different ways in Israel'

s disengagement (pull-out) of Gaza in 2006. Through these Israelis and their experiences (as religious and secular settlers removed from their homes, peace activists, and soldiers who worked the disengagement, we are exposed to a nation at war with itself. While I have often thought of the individual Israeli families who were uprooted from their homes in Sinai ( for me, through Safam's powerful song Yamit), this film brings you into the living rooms and cars of those involved. It is full of powerful, and sometimes disturbing, human moments in the midst of a historical drama that has been all but forgotten in the West--a country using 55000 soldiers and police forces to uproot a few thousand settlers that were encouraged by their country to settle in Gaza.

One scene that I spoke about during the Q&A was filmed inside the living room of one of the character's family as the soldiers come to evict them. In contrast to some of the houses which were packed up and even partially dismantled--this home looked like a normal home. A major and a soldier calmly knock on the door and are admitted with every courtesy. They sit at the dining room table and talk about what is happening. The father of the household--like all Israeli males a veteran of the IDF--tries to tell them that they could disobey orders. When it is clear that they are there to do their job, they talk a little bit more and share the emotions of the moment. It is clear that each side is not going to back down but they explain why they believe and act the way they do. The soldiers demonstrate empathy and try to express that they realize how difficult it is for the family. An elderly man sitting on a couch explains that none of them will fight or harm Israeli soldiers in any way but that they will need to be physically carried out by soldiers. Around when it is time for the family to be removed, coffee is placed in front of the soldier and the officer. The young soldier starts to get up to do his duty and the officer stops him by saying, "Drink first." In the Middle East, it is very rude to refuse food or drink offered to you by a host. This is one of the times that I cried. Here they are about to carry a family out of their home, place them on a bus, and take them over the line out of Gaza for the last time. At least one day before, their presence in Gaza was no longer legal. The older officer is teaching his soldier a powerful lesson in manners--you don't forgot how to be a guest even in the middle of taking the family out of their own house. This is one of the times that made me say out loud (before I knew who I was sitting next to): they are all kids. (The film does a great job at showing parts of the careful training that was given to the selected non-combat soldiers who were in the inner circle of disengagement. A powerful part of this is when they were repeatedly warned to not look happy in any way while they were doing their job--even if they were successful at clearing a house).

For now, I will put this blog post up since I am getting tired but their will be more to come tomorrow.

Shalom,

Rabbi Bruce

Dvar Torah at My Niece's Bat Mitzvah

2011-11-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

My niece recently celebrated becoming at Bat Mitzvah.
I was honored with offering a dvar Torah at shul Saturday morning.
Here is the text as written:

Shabbat Shalom

Earlier in her dvar Torah, Aliza mentioned the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim –welcoming guests--performed by Avraham and Sarah in this week's parashah. The first eight verses of Chapter 18 describe how they welcomed three guests. This is seen as the paradigm of hachnasat orchim.

The first few verses contain Avraham’s extension of hospitality. Avraham could have simply said: “My lords, please, stop to rest and refresh your selves.” Instead, the Torah says: “As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, he said, "My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree. And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then go on—seeing that you have come your servant's way."

In the next verses, we learn how Avraham involves the household in preparing bread, meat, and other refreshments for the guests. Instead of just telling us this information, the Torah specifies what Avraham asked Sarah to bake, how he selected a calf and then how Avraham and a servant prepared the rest of the food.

Nechama Leibowitz taught that the Torah does not normally provide details of everyday incidents in a particular narrative. Therefore, when the Torah offers us such detail, the added information is instructional and not just to enhance the narrative. We learn two types of details about the mitzvah of welcoming guests. The first type concerns the offer of hospitality and the actions involved. These demonstrate taking care of the physical and emotional needs of the travelers by breaking down the offer and actions into many parts: stopping to rest, bathing feet, reclining, eating bread to refresh themselves, and the preparation of food.

The second type of details concern the way in which the household of Avraham and Sarah performed these actions. One example highlights their eagerness to care for others. The verses containing the offer of hospitality and food preparation include five forms of the words “hasten” or “run”. Their actions are the paradigm of hachnasat orchim not just because they teach us the particular actions involved but because of the way in which they were approached.

Aliza, you are no stranger to hachnasat orchim. Your house is always filled with countless family, friends, USYers, and so many others that it would be hard to keep track without a guestbook. You are not a passive observer to welcoming guest, but you help perform the many types of actions involved. When we show up, you often imitate Avraham and run to help us with our bags, take your cousins out of the way, and get us situated. Although I am not there to see you welcome others, I imagine you do it in the same way.

The three guests are understood to be angels, but this is not explicit in the text which describes them as men. This raises a question about the motivations for parts of Avraham’s actions: does he know that they are angels or especially important people or does he treat everyone that way? Commentators differ in their view of some of the particular actions Avraham engages in when welcoming the guests. Abravanel believes that Avraham knew they were not ordinary people since the text describes them far away and then immediately in front of him. He perceived their special status and therefore went to them rather than calling to them from afar. The Sifre teaches that Avraham acted no differently than normal since he did not learn about the special nature of the guests until after he welcomed them.

I found the Sifre’s approach that Avraham treats everybody the same to be more convincing then Abravanel’s view that he treated the guests in a special manner. I even asked Aliza about it yesterday afternoon and she confirmed that all people should be treated equally in general but appropriate to their individual needs. At first I was troubled by going against Abravanel at a family simchah since he is one of Aliza’s ancestors. Luckily, Aliza in her dvar torah came to Abravanel’s rescue and reconciled the two approaches. Aliza taught us to pay attention to the miracles around us. Looking at the world through Aliza-colored lenses and seeing everyone as a potential miracle allows us to perform hachnasat orchim in the same way as Avraham and Sarah do. Every guest, indeed everyone we meet, is as special as the angels visiting Avraham and Sarah’s tent and must be treated accsordingly. Aliza, I hope you continue to view the world through your miracle glasses and treat everyone as a treasured guest.

Dodo (what our nieces and nephews call Deborah) and your cousins, join me in wishing you and your family mazal tov.

My Dvar Torah at Zev's Bar Mitzvah

2011-09-08T11:12:00.003-05:00

This is the Dvar Torah I offered at Zev's Bar Mitzvah--Parshat Shoftim, September 3rd, 2011.

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Shabbat Shalom and yasher koach zev,

The Sefer Ha-Chinukh, written in 13th century Spain, outlines each of the Mitzvot in the Torah, portion by portion. According to it, the Torah reading you leyned this morning, Parshat Shoftim, contains 14 positive and 27 negative mitzvot. That is almost 7% of the mitzvot in the Torah. Knowing that you already taught us about one mitzvah in your drasha earlier, I figured I should take a different approach and examine the Parashah as a whole. As you mentioned, these 41 mitzvot cover broad swaths of Jewish law and ethics. Parshat shoftim explains how to create just courts, how leaders such as as prophets, priests, and kings relate to the community. And, It also presents the laws for waging war--one of which is the mitzvah of Baal Tashchit that you taught us about earlier.

When I examined these disparate laws together, one aspect jumped out at me--they all revolve around responsibility. The responsibility of a judge or witness to insure justice, the responsibilities and requirements on leaders due to their leadership roles, the responsibility of an army towards its own people and its enemies during war, and in your maftir aliyah--the responsibility that a community holds to take care of a dead body. Each of these mitzvot describes a responsibility the Torah places on individuals or groups in relation to the community.

As we studied together, many of these mitzvot are contingent--they do not apply until and unless you find yourself in particular circumstances. That they are contingent means that many--if not most of the mitzvot--will not happen to any one person in their lifetime. Yet, they remain part of the Torah and the Jewish tradition. You are responsible for observing them if and when they apply. I don’t think you should get your hopes up about being king any time soon--despite the fact that your ancestor Abravanel was a descendant of King David.

When you turned thirteen earlier this summer, you assumed the responsibilities to fulfill the mitzvot--the how’s of why’s Jewish life. Today, by publicly reading Torah, haftarah, davening and teaching us, you demonstrate that you are developing the skills to do so--to make them a part of your daily life.

Until this age, our tradition views that you need to learn how to observe but are not responsible for observing. Over the last few years, you have demonstrated this process of learning in order to be able to do. Let me offer a few examples of this: at eight or nine, you started fasting the whole day on Yom Kippur, you get yourself to shul on time Shabbat morning even if it means leaving on your own, and you are adamant in your desire to continue your Jewish education after you graduated LGA Schechter. Ima and I have very proud of you for the actions you took on yourself.

While in the past you had the obligation to learn and chose to act, you now have the obligation to act. As an adult member of the community, you now have new responsibilities to fulfill the mitzvot. These place requirements on you that are not always optional. If you walk into a room where nine are trying to make a minyan, you have to stay to make the required ten. You have a responsibility to be counted.

Up to this point, since you did not have the general responsibility to fulfill all of the mitzvot, the responsibility for your actions were on me. Now, you count and are responsible for your own actions. Ima and I will continue to guide you on your way and help you with your procrastinating but you are your own person and you have the responsibility to step up and take part in Jewish life. To mark this, I recited a short bracha after you finished your aliyah--baruch she’patrani m’onsho shel ze.

Everyone is here today to celebrate with you on this special day. We are all proud of you. Your grandparents, siblings, other relatives, friends, and especially Ima and I are all glad we could be here. On your birth announcements, we quoted from a Hebrew song that describes the blessings of an angel to a boy. In echoing that song, I wish you a shining smile, eyes open to the beauty of our world and all that inhabit it so you fill your heart and soul with wonder, meaning, and happiness. Mazal tov.

Will it Ever Go Away: Galliano and Assange Make Anti-Semitic Remarks

2011-03-02T09:51:00.003-05:00

I don't often post (or even talk) much about anti-Semitism. In my life, I have only experienced it a few times (two of the incidents occurred while I attended college). Still, when I see two media darlings make anti-Semitic at the same time, it is worth noticing.

John Galliano, the just-fired designer for the House of Dior who is famous for his outlandish behavior, was accused of making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris bar. This type of speech is a crime in France. A few days later, a British paper posted a video of similar remarks made at the same bar months ago. According to the NY Times, he has been fired from his job. Natalie Portman, perhaps the most Jewishly involved A-list star and the spokesperson for Miss Dior Cherie perfume denounced him immediately, which the NY Times thinks sealed his fate.

This morning, I saw an article in the NY Times about anti-Semitic comments supposedly made by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in an interview. The account, which is disputed and is less disturbing even if true, is based on the well-known anti-Semitic staple of a Jewish media conspiracy. Assange has longed blamed his prosecution on rape charges and other legal issues to international conspiracies (some of which may be true as his organization has upset many governments). The move from general conspiracies to anti-Semitism is common. The most notorious example in my mind is the prominent role Israel plays in 9-11 conspiracy theories.

This semester, I am teaching a class about Diaspora Jewish cultures throughout history atWestern New England College. Many of the students commented that they were unaware of the history of anti-Semitism and the historic connections between Christianity and anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism is known as the "Scourge that won't go away."

It is far beyond my time or abilities to explain why anti-Semitism won't go away. It is just important to note that exists. In many parts of the world (especially Europe and countries withArab and/or Muslim majorities, it is rampant. Even in the US, it increased with the economic downturn (which is a typical pattern as it is easier to blame others for problems than to face up to our own responsibility) although it is lower than it once was and is currently much lower than anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry (which is not anti-Semitism even though Arabs are Semites).

On college campuses, most anti-Semitism is connected with anti-Israel sentiment and activism. See my previous blog post about it to learn more of my opinion about it.

I will restate a few things which may not have been clear when I said them before: not all anti-Israel sentiment or activism is anti-Semitic. Even when anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitic, it may not be intentional. Anti-Israel rhetoric regularly published in Arab media uses recognized anti-Semitic stereotypes, images, Holocaust denial and more. In a few cases, I have heard students and faculty who grew up in the Middle East use similar stereotypes and images without understanding their meaning or how they are viewed in the US. When I have confronted them about it, they are usually surprised and have always sincerely apologized. I am willing to attribute some of the anti-Semitic stereotypes and imagery in anti-Israel activism to similar lack of understanding (it is possibly more common in non-Arab students involved in activism who follow others' lead).

I do want to reiterate that picking on Israel alone (or disproportionately) for its evils while ignoring similar issues elsewhere in the world is anti-Semitism. Those who do it (including many of the people involved in BDS) don't like it when I say that but that doesn't make it any less true.

The only cure (and I hesitate to use the world since history suggests it can not and will not be cured) is education and open communication. Let this post be part of your education.

As always, I welcome your thoughtful and respectful comments and responses (either publicly or privately).

Rabbi Bruce

Personal Content Update: I was asked by a college friends what the incidents were in college. One Shabbat morning we arrived to services at the Conservative synagogue to find a large swastika painted on the door (it was the second time that happened). One night while joining Lancaster Theological Seminary Students at a bar-b-q (during the two years I lived there), a white van with no license plates drove the wrong way through the complex. Both the driver and passenger were wearing full Klan Regalia. In retrospect, it was more bigotry than Anti-Semitism. Two incidents happened after I started wearing my Kippah all of the time. In the first, a group of teens yelled at me out of a car while I was crossing the street. Another time, I drove with James to a farmer's market some ways outside of town. While we were shopping at a stall, the proprietor started sharpening a very long knife and saying: "I know about you people." We quickly walked to our car and drove away!

General Content Update:

This arrive in today's email to members of the New York Board of Rabbis:

Although the Academy Awards have already been given, I would like to suggest that two more be announced to the public. The first I would call the Best Condemnation by an Actress in a Leading Role, and the winner is Natalie Portman for her powerful statement protesting the anti-Semitic diatribe of former-Christian Dior head designer John Galliano. Her remarks reflected her great pride in her people. In an official statement, Ms. Portman said:

“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful.”

The second award would be the Best Action Taken by a Leading Corporation, and the winner is The House of Dior which quickly terminated the employment of John Galliano. We didn’t hear the usual weary defense that the remarks were taken out of context and misinterpreted. The House’s chief executive, Sidney Toledano, who is also Jewish, made the following statement at the beginning of today’s runway show in Paris:

“Since its founding by Monsieur Dior, the House of Christian Dior has lived an extraordinary and wonderful story and has had the honor of embodying France’s image, and its values, all around the world. What has happened over the last week has been a terrible and wrenching ordeal to us all. It has been deeply painful to see the Dior name associated with the disgraceful statements attributed to its designer, however brilliant he may be. Such statements are intolerable because of our collective duty to never forget the Holocaust and its victims, and because of the respect for human dignity that is owed to each person and to all peoples. These statements have deeply shocked and saddened all at Dior who give body and soul to their work, and it is particularly painful that they came from someone so admired for his remarkable creative talent.”

Rabbi Charles Klein told me of two expressions often used in the Torah, B’inai Yisrael and Bayt Yisrael. At the beginning of the Exodus, we would read of the Jews as individuals (B’nai Yisrael), but as they formed a bond with their people, they were transformed into the House of Israel (Bayt Yisrael).

It is most heartening to see people who identify with Bayt Yisrael not just on a screen or a runway but in real life.

Shabbat Shalom,

8 + Songs for Chanukah

2010-12-02T10:39:00.003-05:00

Like everyone else I know, I didn't figure out everything that needed to happen for Hanukah until getting back from Thanksgiving Break (which for Amherst was quite long).

Since I think these songs are fun, and given the lack of time, it made sense to link to last year's post.

Hag Urim Sameach! Have a great festival of lights.

Rabbi Bruce

Israel Advocacy in a Complicated Time

2010-08-30T07:48:00.010-05:00

In June, an interesting and controversial essay appeared in the New York Review of Books. Peter Beinart, a professor of Journalism and Political Science at CUNY. It examined trends in Zionism and the American Jewish community in frank language that opened the eyes of the community to trends and issues that have been brought up internally and rarely externally.

The essay starts with the clear divides based on generations (older and younger Jews) and affiliation (Orthodox) in regards to support (or even caring) about Israel. Basically, American Jews in each younger age group have less interest in Israel than the generations that proceed them. The article starts with a description of research conducted by prominent Republican pollster Frank Luntz (whose framing of politics and culture have informed debate in the US for the last two decades). In the groupings of young Jews, Israel often did not come up until it was specifically asked about, with language of "they" instead of "us." Beinart views this divide as having a number of causes: the liberal values American Jews raised their children on, the less liberal stances (especially regarding Israel) of the American Jewish establishment, and the divisions in Israeli society which have led to resurgence of right-wing parties. (I did not do it justice, please read the article and see the response between Beinart and the ADL's Foxman that followed in the next issue. See also this article in Commentary and this one in New Republic). Here is a report of the latest views of American Jews on Israel.

The last few years have seen anti-Israel activism reach levels rarely seen in my lifetime. I started college during the First Intifada (1987-1993) but anti-Israel sentiment at the time was not that bad (or at least not in retrospect). My first full-time job on campus coincided with the Second Intifada (2000-2005). I worked at Duke at the time, where we faced anti-Israel activists. I remember clearly Ronit, a pro-Israel student, coming to talk to me after the first few anti-Israel protests in September. She was a progressive student leader on campus, involved in all of the issues of that community. Now, her fellow progressive students were standing across from her with hateful, anti-Israel signs. Since Israel was a strong part of Ronit's identity, she read the signs as being anti-Ronit. This personifies some of what Beinart writes about. We also faced a Palestinian leadership that was better organized and more aggressive than anything seen on campus before (An interesting aside appears below)

The past few years, anti-Israel sentiment on campus has been much more pronounced than anything I faced as a student or in my first few years as a professional.

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanction movement does not mince words and is well-organized, web savvy, and compelling. This article from Hillel describes the training and approach Israel's campus advocates are taking to face the new threats.

While I despise the language, approach, and message of the BDS movement--which is based on antisemitic ideas even though many of its proponents deny it--I fear that Beinart is correct in describing the generational disillusionment with Israel even if his analysis is flawed. I wonder what the new school year will bring. While I hope for peace, I doubt that we will see much progress this fall on the political front. I hope we can at least advance talks between the two sides on campus.

Rabbi Bruce

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The aside I mentioned above: The leader of the Palestinian student group is the son of Sami Al-Arian who was prosecuted for support of terrorism in a notorious case. Al-Arian pleaded guilty after he was acquitted on 9 charges and deadlocked on the other 8. The Wikipedia article about Al-Arian case demonstrates the complexities of anything on the web about Palestine and Israel. See the talk section for details about the case and the Wikipedia entry. I often tell students about a conversation I had with his son Abdullah Al-Arian in which he demonstrated familiarity with any pro-Israel source I had studied. I had far less familarity with the Palestinian sources he mentioned.)

High Holiday Preparation

2010-08-29T18:45:00.003-05:00

Orientation for Amherst Class of '14 started today and I have been at Amherst for the last few hours. Welcome to the Pioneer Valley and Amherst College.

I attended a few events and will shortly attend the first Religious Life Event (in Chapin at 8:30pm).

Tomorrow night, we have our first Hillel event: Schmooze with the Jews. Other events include Shabbat services and dinner, Sunday Brunch, and fifty or so hours after classes begin Rosh Hashanah services and meals. It will be a busy few weeks.

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As I meet new students and welcome back old students, I am getting ready for High Holidays by preparing services and organizing meals.

I offer the following link to a great series of articles that are helping me think about Tshuvah (the concept of return/repentence that is at the center of the High Holidays). Kathryn Schulz wrote a book that I have been reading (Being Wrong--Adventures on the Margins of Error). The book has been followed by a series of interviews about error and being wrong in diverse fields and their lives. This is the description at the bottom of the blog: "This blog features Q and As in which notable people discuss their relationship to being wrong. You can read past interviews with NASA astronaut-turned-medical-error-guruJames Bagian, hedge-fund manager Victor Niederhoffer, mountaineer Ed Viesturs, This American Life host Ira Glass, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, Sports Illustrated senior writer Joe Posnanski, education scholar and activist Diane Ravitch, and criminal defense lawyer and pundit Alan Dershowitz." (As it appears August 29th, 2010 at 7:54pm)

Please read them and let me know what you think. Comments are appreciated.

Have a great year,

Rabbi Bruce

Park 51, the Pentagon, and Islamophobia

2010-08-26T21:12:00.003-05:00

The Park51 Community Center (often referred to as a Mosque although that will be an independent non-profit located in the building) is being built in lower Manhattan.

It has been approved by the appropriate New York City institutions and has significant support from local leaders (see the Park 51 website FAQ's for a list and other important clarifying information).

In the last few weeks, there has been a lot of inappropriate opposition to the Mosque, anti-Muslim demonstrations and violence, and a lot of discussion. At first, I didn't see the point of the commotion. It is legal, appropriate, and in no way connected to Ground Zero. When the section of the Pentagon was rebuilt after the 9-11 attack, a non-denominational prayer room was constructed as a memorial to those who died. According to Abc News, it is used for Muslim prayers without any question raised about the appropriateness of that use. Factcheck.org confirms that the room is non-denominational, built at the crash site, and used for Muslim prayers among many others.

Why is it OK for the United States Government (especially the military) but not OK for Lower Manhattan (even when Community Board approves of it)? Is their any difference except for degree? I think there is a clear symbolic difference due to the number of deaths. For the vast majority of people, 9-11 = World Trade Center and not all three crash sites. I have heard people make a claim that the Pentagon was closest to an actual target (indeed, I raised a similar issue regarding Hamas rockets--the terrorism aspect is the targeting of civilians. If they targeted military bases, it would be a different legal and moral issue). In any case, I do not see any moral issue with building a Muslim community center and Mosque near Ground Zero. If it were at Ground Zero, than it is inappropriate to build a one-religion only prayer location; however, I believe Ground Zero is an excellent location to build an interfaith center or multi-faith chapel (like at the Pentagon). Park51 is not in view of Ground Zero or Ground Zero in view from Park 51 (I take them at their word--again see the organization's website). The response to 9-11 must be increased tolerance and understanding, not increased vitriol and Islamophobia (see an interesting take on the role of Islamophobia in the Jewish community by my teacher Shaul Magid in Zeek. This article is worthy of reading, reflection, and discussion. I hope to write about it at length).

I applaud Amherst alum and former Hillel leader Joshua Stanton for his leadership of Religious Freedom USA which is taking a lead in publicizing the challenges to everyone's religious freedom which accompanies oppositions to Park51.

In the end, the protests seem to come from politicians and the media rather than from the families of the victims (although 9-11 qualifies as a national tragedy to which we are all connected). To me, it is clear that it is an attempt to leverage the continued, mistaken view that President Obama is Muslim to drive votes away from the Democrats. I find it fascinating that the same right-wing groups that made a big deal about his connections with Reverend Jeremiah Wright during the election now try to make him out to be Muslim (full disclosure, there are pictures of me with Reverend Wright when he spoke at Amherst MLK Multifaith Service the day before Obama declared his candidacy for President. He was a masterful speaker).

I look forward to your reactions and comments. Please remember to be civil.

Rabbi Bruce

Tzelofhad's Daughters - for Anat (Women of the Wall Chair Anat Hoffman arrested at Western Wall) by Abby Caplin

2010-07-12T16:04:00.004-05:00

Tzelofhad's Daughters
for Anat

The five daughters of Tzelofhad,
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, Tirtzah
Strong Bible women, sisters,
Stood together, sand between toes,
Toe to toe with their male elders,
Just in sight of the Promised Land.

Our father died and left no sons.
Give us our inheritance! they insisted.
Moses, confused, did not know what to do,
Except to simply ask
God, who said,
The plea is just!
Give them their share!
And it was made so.
In the Torah, it is written.

Now the great great-granddaughters of centuries of
Daughters of Tzelofhad, grown women with daughters,
And granddaughters of their own
Stand before the stones of
The Western Wall, what remains of the great Temple.
These are Women of the Wall.
They tender prayers to God
And plead their case.
Give us our share, our place before the Wall,
To pray freely, as full Jews,
This is our inheritance!

But those who rule do not ask God what is just,
Will not think to listen for
God's answer, instead
Allow the pitch of chairs,
Prayer books ripped from mothers' hands,
Allow the din of curses raining down
Upon the daughters of the hot desert sands.

Abby Caplin

Here's also a link to the "Silver Thread Ritual," which got posted on Ritualwell.org: http://www.ritualwell.org/shabbat/shabbatlife/PrimaryObject.2010-05-12.4923

Abby Caplin MD, MA
Mind-Body Medicine and Counseling
415-255-9981
San Francisco, CA

On A Lighter Note: Few Companies Make Rapping Monkey Songs to Announce Their Purchase--Woot Did

2010-07-01T08:54:00.002-05:00

I have never used Woot but I did look at the site once.

On this mornings electronic read of the NYTimes, I saw a brief article about Amazon buying Woot.

Amazon keeps purchasing eclectic e-commerce experiments.

Woot has an interesting corporate culture, so in addition to a funny Q&A by the CEO, they released this video.

Does Opinion Conflict With Fact or is Economic Development the Future of Peace?

2010-06-30T11:35:00.003-05:00

During the summer, I have been keeping up with the world by reading the Electronic Digest of the NY Times. Although it doesn't have the entire paper, it is a good start and works reasonably well on my Android-powered Droid.

First the bad news:

This morning, I saw a brief article about a statement made by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (I don't write that too often since those words are in themselves quite depressing).

While holding a joint news conference with Russia's foreign minister in Jerusalem, the Foreign Minister (less depressing to write it that way) said that he can't imagine a Palestinian state by the end of 2012: "I’m an optimistic person, but there is absolutely no chance of reaching a Palestinian state by 2012,” said the minister, Avigdor Lieberman. 'One can dream and imagine, but we are far from reaching understandings and an agreement.'"

On the surface, this is quite depressing but not surprising. Although the Israeli people did not directly elect Netanyahu or his coalition, they knew what they were getting and haven't pressured for a vote-of-no-confidence. It is interesting that this immigrant to Israel from the former Soviet Union whose electoral base are Soviet-born Jews made this statement with his Russian counterpart. To me, this shows the distance between Netanyahu and Lieberman's policies and those of the Obama administration.

Now for the good news:

In his column in the opinion section titled "The Real Palestinian Revolution," Thomas Friedman writes about the growth in the Palestinian economy and the success of the institution and economy-building efforts of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. While I am not a fan of the economic boycott component of his work, I think Fayyad is taking a page from Israel's success--the Yishuv built up political and economic institutions of a state before they were given political authority.

It seems that the Palestinian stock market index is the best performing one in the Arab world. More companies have been added recently and the economy is growing. According to Friedman (and he has a lot more contacts and experience about this than I do), previous Palestinian leaders did not want to build an economy or central institutions for fear of aiding the occupation. I am not sure it is only a result of this policy since apart from the Emirates, most of the Arab world has either wasted its oil wealth (GDP is stagnant or fallen over time, unemployment is very high and they have created unsustainable welfare states) or given the vast majority to the ruling elites.*

Are these conflicting statements? On one hand, they are but Thomas Friedman does not deny the lack of political progress. He just highlights the success of the Palestinian Authority on building the economy and creating a safe environment for business (their US and European-trained security forces are keeping the piece and encouraging business to open (a few Sundays ago there was a feature on Jericho in the NY Times travel section that provides color to Friedman's opinion).

Maybe the buck is supreme and peace will come through the economy. The one problem (which I learned this in an earlier column by Friedman that I can't locate) is that Israel's economy is also improving which decreases their need to make the concessions required for peace.

Hopefully, the political track will catch up to the economic track. If Friedman is right, the new jobs for Palestinians, competent national institutions, and success of the Palestinian Authority will allow Palestinians to believe that they have a real future for an independent state so they stop supporting Hamas. At the same time, the reduction in terrorism and increase in trade will strengthen Israel's center (does it even have a left any more?) and allow Israel's to elect a government that will bring it a secure and lasting peace.

Have a great summer. Keep reading and learning.

____________________________________________________________________

* I only found a few sources to back up these claims. In 2002, only two Arab countries had GDP per capita in the top 20 (above Israel): Qatar and UAE. Malta and Slovenia appear before the next Arab country Saudi Arabia. Additional sources include this piece from WRMEA (probably a pro-Israel think-tank), wiseGeek, and check out these economic fact sheets on Israel and Saudi Arabia as examples.

New Local Jewish Blog: A Jew Grows in Noho

2010-05-03T14:38:00.004-05:00

Our friend, Bil Zarch, just started writing a blog about Jewish life in the Pioneer Valley.

http://ajewgrowsinnoho.blogspot.com/

I know of one other local Jewish blog (beyond my own which has focused on my work as a Campus Rabbi). I will do some research and update the blog with what I find.

B'vracha,

Bruce

Student Q: Can I use Lactaid on Passover?

2010-03-15T16:16:00.003-05:00

Here is a question about using Lactaid milk/pills on Passover. My answers includes a lot of information about why we can eat some foods without Kosher-for-Passover symbols as long as they are Kosher and bought before Passover.

Since many students have medical issues, are lactose intolerant, or are not that familiar with the rules of Passover, I was given permission to share this with you.

Rabbi Bruce,

So I have a few questions regarding food that is kosher for Passover. I've become lactose-intolerant and soy-intolerant in the last year, and know that soy milk isn't kosher for Passover which is fine. I've been trying to research what is kosher and what isn't, but want to get a Conservative rabbi's view on the matter. The Orthodox Union says that lactaid milk is kosher as long as it is bought before Passover, do you think ___ stash of lactaid milk would have been bought beforehand? Is this a stringency or something you would hold to? Are lactaid pills kosher for Passover? The OU said that chewable pills aren't, but are the non-chewable ones? I've never been too stringent about this, but am trying to be more stringent. Thanks for your help!
Sincerely, R

R,
Thanks for writing. First, the only dairy meals we will have will be
student-cooked breakfasts in Dawes Kosher K. There will also be some
dairy products out at breakfast in Cutter-Ziskind.
Do you mind me posting your question and my answer on my blog (w/o
your name)? it may interest other students.
RB

I will start with my answer and then give you an explanation (that has
to be fairly long).
If you buy Lactaid yourself, you should follow what the OU says. If I
buy Lactaid for use of Jewish students, I would do so as well. Smith
Kosher dining would do so if it bought milk for Passover (it may buy a
small amount but the meals are all meat/pareve). People often forget
that Smith is not Jewish and the campus is not a Jewish home (although
your room and the Kosher K are considered to be Jewish spaces).
Unless you have reason to believe that Lactaid has Chametz (and not
potential or accidental Chametz--see below) as an ingredient, then it
should be fine for you to drink. I will see what we can do to have
enough in advance.
Pills often contain non-listed ingredients used to make the shape,
capsule, etc. If a pill is important, necessary, etc., I take it on
Passover regardless of the ingredient. I would not advise taking
vitamins, minerals, unless you have a serious issue that requires it
daily. lactaid pills are complicated. If you don't eat dairy, you
don't need to have them. Even at most dairy meals, you can avoid it
by eating other foods.
Do you eat meat, chicken, fish? If not, I can see where you would
need dairy for protein. If that is the case, let me know.

Let me explain to you why the OU said what they said about Lactaid.
First the basics and then the Passover differences. Regarding
year-round (ie. non Passover) Kosher items, there is a difference
between accidental and intentional mixing of kosher and un-kosher
items (kosher meat and pork) or kosher items that are not permitted to
mix (such as milk and meat).
Any intentional mixing is not permitted. For unintentional mixing,
you have to remove anything visible (ie. a visible piece of shrimp in
a fish stew) but can use the rest as long as the forbidden is 1/60 or
less (remember that in the ancient world they counted in 60ths--we
still do for time).
We are not allowed to eat, cook, or derive benefit of mixtures of milk
and meat. We are allowed to possess it.

Regarding Chametz on Passover, the Torah uses the language of removing
Chametz from your possession: " by the first day all chametz shall
have been removed from your home." This adds a few stringencies to
Chametz which does not exist with other non-Kosher foods: in addition
to the three prohibitions above, we can not possess it. To accomplish
that, one searches for chametz, donates or uses it, puts aside
anything not being donated, and then sells the rest to no longer have
ownership. In many haggadot, there is a prayer to say during the
search for chametz and a different version during the burning. This
nullifies any chametz you do not know about, missed, etc. It does not
apply to actual chametz you might eat (you can't do this and then have
a bagel on Passover) but it applies to non-listed Chametz in items
such as milk, sugar, pure juice, etc. If you buy something before
Passover and nullify the Chametz (which I usually do for Smith's
Jewish community), those items are fine for Passover since any
accidental crumbs or unlisted ingredients are nullified. Once
Passover begins, we can no longer nullify such items. The sources say
Chametz found on Passover is Chametz even to the smallest possible
amount imaginable.

Rabbi Bruce

First 31 Days, 31 Ideas; Now 28 Days, 28 Ideas

2010-02-01T15:25:00.003-05:00

Daniel Sieradsky is an interdisciplinary artist and documentarian investigating post-normative forms of Jewish cultural expression. He is Director of Technology for Repair the World, former Director of Digital Media for JTA News and founding publisher of the pioneering blog Jewschool.
For January of 2010, he blogged a daily idea for how technology could help the Jewish people in a series 31 Days, 31 Ideas. It is fascinating reading and I hope to see many of those ideas. Now, he is back as part of a February series (this time with partners JTA & The Fundermentalist, the Forward and its Sisterhood Blog, eJewish Philanthropy, Jewcy, Jewschool, the Jewish Federations of North America and 31 Days, 31 Ideas, a project of Daniel Sieradski) will together publish 28 ideas from 28 Jewish thinkers. I can't wait to see what they come up with. The first idea is for Jewish media to cooperate and cross-link, creating Jewish media mashups.

I challenge any of the students (or campus professionals) reading this to try the same thing: come up with a new idea for campus Jewish life each day. If you do, let me know.

Music for Eight Nights of Chanukah-David Brooks

2009-12-09T13:37:00.006-05:00

Chanukah Parties:
Smith, Thursday Dec. 10th 7pm in Campus Center Carroll Room (Klezamir, Noteables, homemade latkes, jelly donuts and more). Sorry if you missed it.
Amherst Friday, Dec 11, 6:30 pm in the Cadigan Center for Religious Life.

One of my plans for this snowy afternoon was to write a post about Chanukah traditions, songs, etc.
The most recent issue of the Western Mass. Jewish Ledger arrived today, so I read through it.
Luckily for me (and you because I wouldn't have found some of these sites), there was an article by Mark Mietkiewicz about Chanukah music ("8 Music Sites for 8 Chanukah Nights"). I will be using some of his sites. I hope you enjoy these. Please post links to other interesting songs in the comment section.

Happy Chanukah! Hag Urim Sameach!

1. For the first candle or if someone asks you: "How do you spell Chanukah." The LeeVees.
One of the best Chanukah CD's (at least for the 15-45 age group) is the debut CD of the LeeVees. Led by Adam Gardner from Guster and Dave Schneider from the Zambonis (if you have to ask about these groups, you may not be the intended demographic), these songs are fun, entertaining, and demonstrate Jewish knowledge. The first year, songs from the CD were used on Gray's Anatomy and in an NPR segment. Dave is also part of a new Jewish band, the Macaroons. Check the LeeVees website for links to download their music and connect to their other group sites.

2. First Matisyahu, Now Reggae Chanukah. If you are going to talk of Zion anyway, you might as well sing Jewish reggae music!

3. An Folk Classic: Peter, Paul, & Mary's "Light One Candle." Here is Peter Yarrow singing it with the lyrics and background information.

4. BareNaked Ladies (sorry-it is not the best video)

5. He's Not Sasha But He is Close: Erran Baron Cohen, Sasha's brother, released a great Chanukah compilation. Here is a link to an NPR interview and an article from Ha'aretz.

6. Instuments Not Required: There are lots of Jewish a capella groups (mainly on college campuses). Here is a list with links to 67 groups (I don't guarantee they all work). They should all have Chanukah songs. For Jewish a capella in the Five Colleges, check out Kolot (based at UMASS but including students from 4 of the Five Colleges)

7. Tom Lehrer: Zev's class is singing this song by the classic comedic musician, Tom Lehrer. You can also hear an Aca Pella version from JFA at Brandeis.

8. A Chanukah song written by Sen Orrin Hatch! Yes, the Morman Senator from Utah!

Since it is a Modern Classic, I am not listing Adam Sandler's Chanukah Song as part of the 8. There are lots additional versions. Here is Part 3. For a listing of the celebrities in version and other links, check out wikipedia.

Bonus: Harold & Kumar Chanukah memories (sort of).

--------------------------
Additional Items: Check out David Brooks on Chanukah in today's NYTIMES.

Jews Come in All Colors

2009-11-30T09:12:00.003-05:00

I just received the newsletter of a great organization--Be'chol Lashon--that promotes awareness of racial and ethnic diversity in the Jewish community. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Why My Zionism Isn't Racism

2009-10-30T10:25:00.002-05:00

A Smith student group publicized an event with a flier that includes a photo with graffiti that reads "Zionism is Racism." While students can argue about the group's name, its events, and its advertising, I want to examine the claim that "Zionism is Racism." It didn't say "Zionism may be racism" or "Zionists may be racists" but equated the two. Those espousing these views are stating that all Zionists are racists. It is no wonder that Jews and supporters of Israel on campus get upset at this claim--a student group just labeled them racists.

Zionism is a widely held belief in America which is not limited to Jews. I will not for a moment claim that there might not be Zionists who are racists--it is possible to find racists in any group. The claim of racism is often tied to resistance to Israeli settlement and occupation of Palestinian territory. I would like to examine the definition of Zionism to see if the claim of racism is appropriate. Since it is available to all readers, I suggest looking at the Wikipedia definition of Zionism. (I know that Wikipedia is not a scholarly source acceptable in academia, but it is a great start for a philosophical discussion). For accuracy, I will offer the sources for its basic definition of Zionism instead of quoting Wikipedia itself:
"An international movement originally for the establishment of a Jewish national or religious community in Palestine and later for the support of modern Israel." ("Zionism," Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary). See also "Zionism", Encyclopedia Britannica, which describes it as a "Jewish nationalist movement that has had as its goal the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jews," and The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, which defines it as "A Jewish movement that arose in the late 19th century in response to growing anti-Semitism and sought to reestablish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Modern Zionism is concerned with the support and development of the state of Israel."

All of these quotes contain the same basic definition of Zionism--a Jewish form of nationalism to create a country on the historic Jewish homeland. Since Israel was created in 1948, the political philosophy has taken new forms (which American Heritage Dictionary defines as "concerned with the support and development of the state of Israel.") None of these definitions hint at racism. When most American Jews use the term Zionism it describes a belief that Jews should have their own land, that this land should be in the historic Jewish homeland, and that the continued existence of Israel is important sixty some years after the Holocaust wiped out half of Europe's Jews.

The idea that Jews deserve a homeland like any other nation is clearly different from racism--a belief that one race is inherently inferior than another. To adequately examine the racism part of the claim, it is necessary to look at the term's meaning. To be even-handed, I will quote the sources used by Wikipedia in its racism entry:
The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines racism as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular racial group, and that it is also the prejudice based on such a belief. The Macquarie Dictionary defines racism as: "the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others."

Many American Jews read a claim that "Zionism is racism," and think "Bruce is racist" (i.e., that they read themselves into the statement). Here is the thing: Bruce isn't racist and neither are many American Jews (whether they view themselves as Zionists or not). Regardless of what those who created the flier (or others who use the slogan) may believe, many Jews read the flier as describing themselves. They know they are not racists. If I am not a racist yet am a Zionist and many other Zionists are not racists, than Zionism can't equal racism. To equate the two unequivocally is to engage in stereotyping--an act that when done in the negative form often leads to hatred and bias.

Reading one definition next to another should be enough to explain why "Zionism isn't racism." One is a political movement and one a belief. One is general and the other particular. When racism is applied to Israel, I assume it to mean that the Israeli-Palestinian relationship is defined by racism. Palestinians have their own form of nationalism. A claim of one nationalism against another is politics. Another reason why Zionism isn't racism is that Palestinians aren't a race (and neither are Zionists). I would have less of a problem with a claim that "Zionism is discriminatory" but it does not have the same appeal and shock value.

Many want to equate the political movement of Zionism (which the Wikipedia entry shows has a number of philosophical forms) with particular policies taken by the Israeli government. To do so is to take a logical leap based on politics. Some forms of Zionism may believe in occupation or even racism but most don't. For me, occupation is insidious and violent, so Israeli occupation of Palestinians is insidious and violent. It has only gotten more so over time and given the expansion of Jewish settlements in the disputed lands. Many Zionists and Zionisms do not favor occupation or settlements created to make a Palestinian homeland unworkable (however, most Zionists and Israelis believe that Jerusalem and its neighboring settlement blocs should remain Israel through a land exchange).

From my knowledge of our community, the vast majority of Smithies and Pioneer Valley residents who call themselves Zionists do not favor occupation or expansion of settlements. The local Rabbinate are overwhelmingly supporters of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. On its website, RHR describes itself as follows: "Rabbis for Human Rights gives voice to a Jewish and Zionist tradition of concern for Human Rights. RHR sounds the shofar of alarm on issues of human rights in Israel and in territories for which Israel has taken responsibility." The group who will be presenting at the event on the flier which led to this essay (the Palestinesolidarityproject.org) has on top of its website a post about a joint effort to help a Palestinian family farm their lands. RHR is listed as a participant. Is RHR racist? It is self-described as Zionist. To call the form of Zionism practiced in this area racist is stereotyping based on misinformation.

While Israel is far from perfect, in terms of basic freedoms it is worlds apart from its neighbors. Israeli Arabs certainly face discrimination. Fighting this discrimination is part of the mission of Rabbis for Human Rights. Arab Israelis vote and form political parties which denounce Israeli policies or are avowedly anti-Israel (if you research the "Zionism is Racism" debate at the UN in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, you can read Israeli Ambassador Herzog's description of the inclusion of Arabs in Israeli society. If Israel were racist or practicing Apartheid (another claim that we often hear on campus), that wouldn't be the case.

Regardless of its intent, those who say "Zionism is Racism" place Zionism--and consequently Zionists, Israelis, and Israeli-supporters--into a corner of filled with hatred, fear, and violence. This is an attempt to stereotype Jews and supporters of Israel and stifle discussion. It is hard enough for students at Smith to have open, intellectual discussion about charged emotional issues without using this type of language. It antagonizes students who care about Israel and leads to a hardening of positions rather than dialogue.

I have been criticized on Facebook for encouraging students to protest the misleading name of the student organization who is advertising their event with the "Zionism is Racism" picture. An important part of dialogue is to leave labeling to an individual or group. If one wants to label oneself a Zionist, than that is fine but it is up to the individual to define Zionism. Most Zionists don't define Zionism with racism. Here is an idea: I will stop questioning the name of a student organization that professes Middle East peace but refused to sponsor an event last week about peace and coexistence if you stop trying to equate my people's age-old longing for Israel with Racism!

Notes: Thank you to the many readers who offered suggestions to the drafts. I have taken your advice but the work is my own. I am happy to talk about anything contained in this document with any member of the Smith community. I am hopeful that the response to a silent protest about the rhetoric on the poster (with signs reading "Don't post hate on campus" and a version of this map with "110 out of 136 countries agree Zionism Isn't Racism") will lead to dialogue about peace, coexistence, and/or creating a safe and respectful campus environment.

RH Info/Videos Not To Be Missed

2009-09-18T09:23:00.005-05:00

Smith College

Services led by Rabbi Bruce and Sarah Bolts, '08

Friday September 18th

Rosh Hashanah Evening Services - Helen Hills Hills Chapel, 6pm

Festive Dinner at 7:30pm in the Alumni House

Saturday September 19th

Rosh Hashanah Morning Services - Helen Hills Hills Chapel, 9:30-1pm

Picnic by the Boathouses (Rain location-Bodman Lounge)

Amherst College

Services led by Hebrew College Rabbinical Student Julia Appel

Friday September 18th

Rosh Hashanah Evening Services - Chapin Chapel, 6pm
Festive Dinner at 7:30pm in the Cadigan Center for Religious Life
Saturday September 19th
Rosh Hashanah Morning Services - Chapin Chapel 9:30-1pm
Lunch Following Services - Cadigan Center for Religious Life

שנה טובה ומתוקה
Shanah tova u'metukah!
Have a sweet and meaningful New Year,
Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer
Smith / Amherst Hillel

------------------------------------------------------
One Serious and Three Amusing Holiday Videos:
Holiday Greetings from President Barack Obama

Amusing Videos:
Shofar

Rosh Hashanah Girl

Shanah Tova- Sesame Street Style

Dancing to Matisyahu's Jerusalem at Smith College

2009-09-08T14:44:00.003-05:00

Slightly more than three weeks ago, my energetic and creative colleague Rabbi Shmuel Kravitsky of Chabad of the Four Colleges called me with a dream opportunity: his friend Matisyahu was coming up to spend Labor Day weekend with his family and would be able to perform for students Saturday night. Shmuel asked me if I wanted to sponsor a concert with him by finding a campus room. We started with Amherst College since they would be spending Shabbat there and due to its status as the mid-point among the Five Colleges. Amherst had a number of Orientation programs that night and didn't think an event of this magnitude could be worked out in three weeks.

The next phone call went to the head of Orientation at Smith College--Rae-Anne Buttera--who talked it over with her staff and agreed to let host the event if Public Events was fine with the program. After discussing it with Public Events and Public Safety we agreed to hold it in Sweeney Concert Hall (in Sage Hall) with advertising on campuses only. Community members would be allowed in but the emphasis would be on students. We created a Facebook event, posters, and went to work. It seemed quite possible to fill the 450 seats with just students.

The trouble happened when Matis Tweeted about performing at Smith College early last week. Then the local paper picked up the story and began publicizing the event (which led to concerned phone calls from the Events Staff and Public Safety). I still haven't figured out how they found out--neither Chabad nor my office submitted it. By the end of the week, I emailed everyone on my lists and the Facebook group to get in line early because we expected more people than the total.

I figured we would get 600 people and have to turn a few away. An additional complication: Shabbat ended around 8pm and the show was scheduled for 9pm. As soon as Shabbat ended, I was picked up at Look Park (where I was attending a Bar Mitzvah party) and rushed to Smith. The line in front of Sweeney snaked down College Lane as far as I could see. The students in front had been there since 5pm! I grabbed a few people who I promised seats to and brought them in the side door. After a quick sound-check, we decided to let in 400 people (Shmuel and Matis brought a number of people with them--counting those I let in, I figured we were already at 50 people). Student volunteers and Public Safety did a great job of counting and organizing the students and community members. I think we let in another 75-100 people after that to fill up empty seats, etc. Public Safety let us have an additional few dozen people for standing room. I figure at least 550 people made it in (probably more because there were a number of sitting on the side of the stage and on the floor up front). Still, it pained my heart to tell hundreds more that we didn't have space for them (it turns out that at least twenty-five listened through a window and that a few others--including Deborah who stayed at the Bar Mitzvah--made it in later).
The program started with an introduction by Shmuel, then Havdalah led by me, followed by a warm-up comedy set by Simcha Levenberg (who used to be a campus outreach person for Chabad before Shmuel). Finally, between 10:15 and 10:30, Matis took the stage with his two musicians for an hour-plus set of old and new music.
He concluded with his song Jerusalem and let audience members come on the stage to dance.
A video of this last song and an interview he gave in the Sage Hall Green Room are available here: http://vimeo.com/6462879 You can see me briefly dancing with Shmuel (and my daughter Hadas) towards the end of the video. At the end, Hadas' teacher Aaron Skogland takes over for Matis.
I wonder what people think about Matis' music? Some of the song lyrics are more Jewish than others. Jerusalem is Zionist, Messianic, and distinctively Jewish. Yet the audience--Jews and non-Jews alike--clearly gets into it. Most knew the words to the song (or at least the refrain).
It was a great event. A Smith faculty member called it a Kidush Ha-Shem (Sanctification of God's Name, ie. "Good for the Jews") since it was a feel-good, Jewish event for the broad campus community. I agree and think it is hands-down the best Orientation program I have participated in! What will we do next year? (If there is a next year!)

Welcome Students-Watch for a Big Announcement

2009-08-24T14:23:00.001-05:00

New students, welcome to Smith & Amherst.
Returning students, welcome back.

The Smith Office of the Jewish Chaplain is cosponsoring "An Evening of Comedy and Music" event Saturday night 9/5 with Chabad of the Four Colleges. Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall, Smith college. More information (including performer information to follow shortly).

Craig (of Craigs List) Joins Lendforpeace.org Advisory Board

2009-07-22T16:30:00.009-05:00

I have always believed that economics are a key part of politics. Economic security supports political stability/security (and vice versa). Obviously, the opposite is also true: economic insecurity is a barrier to political stability. Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu agrees. According to the JTA, he told US Jewish leaders to join Arabs in investing in the Palestinian economy. Economic prosperity for Palestinians is one of six conditions he outlined for lasting peace. To that end, Israel is working to facilitate commerce in the West Bank and stimulate the Palestinian economy. There is self-interest involved on the part of the Israeli government as the Palestinian and Israeli economies are closely linked (and since Israel controls shipping over land, air, and sea that will increase with economic stability). Last week, the NY Times had an article about stabilization of the Palestinian economy. An interesting way to support the Palestinian economy is to get involved in a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization that promotes microfinance. Craig Newmark, founder of Craigs List, just joined their board.
Here is an excert from the lendforpeace.org Press Release:

Craigslist founder, Craig Newmark, joins LendforPeace.org in support of Middle East entrepreneurship

San Francisco, CA – July 22, 2009 – Craig Newmark, Internet entrepreneur and founder of the classified advertising website Craigslist.org, has spent his career connecting people with complementary needs. Now, he is working to bring borrowers and lenders together to facilitate economic development in the Middle East.

Newmark announced today that he has joined the advisory board of a new microfinance website called LendforPeace.org. LendforPeace.org allows users to make loans to specific entrepreneurs in the West Bank, thus helping them build a sustainable livelihood through small business.

“I have modestly done my part over the years by getting involved in peace making efforts in this region,” said Newmark, “I believe that economic development is one of the ways that we can lay the groundwork for political stability in the Middle East. LendforPeace.org is helping to advance this cause.”

Newmark has already leant $5,000 to Palestinian micro-entrepreneurs through LendforPeace.org. Hajar Farukh, a 44-year-old mother of seven children, is one such individual. Her husband, a taxi driver, does the best he can to support his family, but only earns about $500 a month. Hajar dreams of being able to provide more for her family and so she opened a small grocery by her home to contribute to the household’s income. Working with a local microfinance partner, she requested a loan to buy more inventory for her shop. With the support of LendforPeace.org users like Newmark, Hajar’s small business will have the opportunity to grow, enabling her children to stay in school and her family to contribute positively to the community.

“We are honored to have Craig Newmark on LendforPeace.org’s advisory board,” says co-founder Allam Taj. “His dedication to the cause, entrepreneurial insight and experience make him an inspiration for our organization.”

About LendforPeace.org
Founded by two Jews and two Palestinians, LendforPeace.org is an innovative non-profit organization taking a grassroots approach to peace building. Through LendforPeace.org’s website, individuals can make small loans to specific entrepreneurs in the Middle East. By increasing cross-cultural exposure and collaboration, LendforPeace.org is striving to not only bring needed funds to the region but also to enhance interfaith dialogue between Jews and Palestinians.

About Craig Newmark
Craig Newmark is the founder of craigslist.org. He's also working with a wide range of groups using the Net to help each other out, like Donorschoose.org, the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, Kiva.org and Consumer Reports. Craig is also actively engaged with government workers on multiple levels to use the Net for superior public service, and with Sunlight Foundation for government accountability and transparency.

I encourage you to support this important organization. If you are a student, consider being a campus ambassador.

Nusach Carlebach 1 - Nusach Ramah 0

2009-07-08T11:12:00.010-05:00

I am trying to post at least once or twice a month. Here is something that has been percolating for the last two or three years:

According to scholars David Elezar and Rela Geffen, a uniquely Conservative movement prayer style developed at Camp Ramah. Referred to as Nusach Ramah, it is a variation of traditional Ashkenazi Nusach that spread from camps to Conservative synagogues, Havurot (at least in the earlier days), and elsewhere. As a whole, it is relatively traditional. Scholars (see below) note that the liturgical traditions learned at camps are often incorrect. An attempt to influence this is the appointment of Cantor-in-Residence at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin (this has spread to other camps).

I worked at Camp Ramah New England (CRNE or Ramah Palmer) during the early to late 90's (I still go for a month every summer but as a staff spouse and volunteer teacher/Safran). In '95 or '96, Shaul Magid was asked to lead Friday night davening during staff week. After Shlomo Carlebach's death in 1994 (which is how I picked 1995 or 1996 as the year above), his nusach for Kabbalat Shabbat became popular on college campuses and at many new minyanim. I joined a number of other counselors and staff in encouraging Shaul (who had lived on Moshav Mavo Modiin with Shlomo for a few years) to change the Friday night nusach. While many people enjoyed the staff week davening, the campers weren't included. The first Shabbat--I believe it was Shabbat Machon--they reverted to Nusach Ramah (to the disappointment of many staff). At the time, I did not understand the importance of Nusach Ramah as a unique American nusach. Towards the end of the 1990's, I was Rosh Tefilla at CRNE. At that time, the nusach for Kabbalat Shabbat was Nusach Ramah (sometimes with some modifications from Nusach Carlebach).

When we started returning to Ramah after moving to Northampton in 2002 (the first summer Deborah commuted so it makes it 2003), I was surprised to hear Nusach Carlebach at the first Kabbalat Shabbat. It was not upsetting--it is my personal favorite-- but something seemed to be missing. There are many benefits to using Nusach Carlebach. It is now favored on college campuses, at many traditional and liberal synagogues, and most independent Minyanim. Many campers and counselors are used to it. It is also full of energy and spirit (we rarely used to dance during Kabbalat Shabbat when using Nusach Ramah--now joyous dancing breaks out a few times). But I feel the loss of part of what made Ramah special--its own nusach that influenced generations of davenners who now live across the US and in Israel. It might even be considered educationally appropriate to have them daven the way they will at home (or at least what they will encounter on campus once they leave home).

Nusach is a musical, liturgical tradition that best reflects the character, make-up, and history of a community. One of the sad thing about the development of liberal Judaism in America has been its relative obliteration of regional variations in nusach (ie. Litvak vs. Ukrainian, Sefardic vs. Ashkenazic). A century ago, one could walk into a synagogue in America (or any Western European city) and easily tell where the davenners came from (putting aside the name which was often a give-away). Now, we Nusach Carlebach has taken over--its "taste" is so powerful that it has taken over the nusach melting pot. Nusach Ramah is part of what made the camps different. It represented their importance to contemporary Judaism. Does the loss of the distinct Kabbalat Shabbat part of Nusach Ramah reflect the deminished role of Conservative Judaism or just the rise of a powerful new force in nusach (or a force destroying nusach depending on view of the appropriateness of Nusach Carlebach).

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

Note: Many refer to Nusach Carlebach as Nusach Reb Shlomo.

Two asides related to the two nuscha'ot mentioned above: If you do a Google search for Nusach Carlebach you return many sites upset at its effect on traditional nusach. Even though nusach for Shabat Minchah was not the subject of my post, I learned (at CRNE) that the nusach is the same as that of the jingle for Post Crispy Critters cereal. During my research, I turned up a blog post on the Zemirot database that includes a link to the Crispy Critters commercial. The melody and even the rhythm are not the same! (I found an additonal site that uses Crispy Critters to teach Shabbat Minchah with what is perhaps a link to a different commercial.) Crispy Critters was a product spin-off from King Leonardo and His Short Subjects tv show from the 1960's. It was reissued by Post in the late 80's without the famous jingle.

Sources:

Observations on Practices of "Nusach" in America, Boaz Tarsi, Asian Music, Vol. 33, No. 2 (Spring - Summer, 2002), pp. 175-219 Published by: University of Texas Press

Here is more about Camp Ramah from the late Daniel Elazar (it mentions nusach a few times).

New Koren-Sachs Siddur Demonstrates How Women Can Be Part of Orthodox Judaism

2009-06-09T10:24:00.007-05:00

A new siddur edited by Chief Rabbi of England Jonathan Sachs and published by Koren in conjuction with the Orthodox Union has been getting great reviews (The review in the Hirhurim blog has links to a number of reviews).

Koren produces great texts that are readable, accurate, and aesthetically pleasing. I often use a Koren Humash/Siddur combination on Shabbat. The new siddur expands a previous siddur Rabbi Sachs released in Britain by adding numerous prayers.

Noteworthy is the Koren-Sachs's Siddur's approach to Jewish Women. JOFA (the Jewish Orthdox Feminist Alliance) has endorsed the siddur:
Until now there was only one widely used Hebrew/English-language siddur: ArtScroll, a siddur that doesn’t really include women as active participants in prayer.
Now you have a choice–a new siddur by Koren Publishers Jerusalem, with an introduction and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Martin Lockshin writes that the Koren Sacks Siddur “shows a laudable sensitivity to the fact that half of all Jews are women.” Prayers are included for the birth of a daughter, and for women to recite upon returning to synagogue after giving birth. It also acknowledges that three women may constitute a quorum for zimmun, and that, following the rules of Hebrew grammar, a woman would say Modah ani.
We strongly support the inspiring Koren Sacks Siddur for synagogue and personal use, and urge you to:
· Build awareness of the Koren Sacks Siddur in your community
· Purchase one as a bar or bat mitzvah present
· Purchase a set for a women’s tefillah group
· Lobby your shul or school to replace their ArtScroll siddurim with Koren Sacks siddurim
· Encourage your friends and family to purchase and promote the siddur as well.

The Koren-Sachs Siddur website crashed after JOFA sent out the email demonstrating the excitement at the release of a feminist-friendly Orthodox siddur!

I haven't seen a copy personally but will be ordering a few soon (if anyone wants to purchase any for Smith or Amherst, please let me know).

I will have more to say about the Siddur soon.

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

New Wiki for Learning & Teaching About Social Justice

2009-05-21T11:23:00.003-05:00

As I prepare to teach at CBI's Tikkun Leyl Shavuot on Heksher Tzedek/Magen Tzedek, I noticed an email from American Jewish World Service about a new wiki they created. On1foot.org is a searchable database of Jewish Social Justice texts. This is how AJWS described it in an email I received:

As we prepare to celebrate Shavuot, the holiday that marks the receiving of the Torah, AJWS is proud to present On1Foot (www.On1Foot.org), an educational resource that will help the Jewish community apply the Torah's wisdom to the pursuit of social justice.

On1Foot is an online, open source database of Jewish social justice texts. We invite you to visit www.On1Foot.org to explore this exciting new resource for Jewish social justice education.

On1Foot allows users to:
* Search and browse hundreds of biblical, rabbinic and contemporary Jewish texts about social justice
* Upload new texts
* Comment on existing texts
* Create custom source sheets using the texts and suggested discussion questions

We hope that On1Foot enriches your learning and teaching about Judaism and social justice and look forward to your active participation on the site!

On1Foot is a project of American Jewish World Service and is co-sponsored by AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Hazon, Tzedek, Mechon Hadar and Uri L'Tzedek.

After a short time of use, I am hooked. I offered a few suggestions and have already loaded three sources. Check it out!

More Thoughts on Divestment

2009-02-26T08:28:00.012-05:00

Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion about Divestment at the Five Colleges. An attempt at Hampshire College to get the school to divest from companies seen to aid the Israeli army failed (even though a student group tried to claim that it succeeded). At the other colleges, groups and individuals are trying to get the colleges endowments to divest as well (the farthest along is a vote next week at UMASS student government).

I posted a blog entry about Divestment before the Hampshire fiasco (featuring Alan Dershowitz in a public spat with the college until everyone understood what happened). A Smith student posted a comment which I only saw for the first time Tuesday evening.

Here is a quote from the comment: "You know that claiming that Divestment is anti-Semitic alienates yourself from dialogue and widens the rift between supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestine. I think you scare away those who disagree. It is an attempt to immediately delegitimize the actions of those who support divestment. No peace-loving individual enjoys being labeled as someone who hates Jewish people."

I reread my original post to see where I labeled proponents of Divestment Anti-Semitic. I still don't think I did, but will expand on my thoughts about Divestment to make it clearer. I am very concerned that something I write will be considered stifling of discussion or scare people away from interacting with me.

In order to examine these issues, it is necessary to define terms. To do so, I quote from a recent ADL publication (Fighting Back: A Handbook for Responding to Anti-Israel Campaigns on College and University Campuses):

Anti-Israel
Anti-Israel refers to extreme and/or illegitimate criticism of Israel that can take many forms, including the denial of Israel’s right to exist and/or holding Israel to different or higher standards than other countries. Anti-Israel sentiment should be distinguished from legitimate critiques or questioning of specific Israeli government policies, politicians, and so on.
Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism is prejudice and/or discrimination against Jews. Anti-Semitism can be based on hatred against Jews because of their religious beliefs, their group membership (ethnicity) and sometimes the erroneous belief that Jews are a race.
Anti-Zionism
Anti-Zionism is criticism or rejection of the right of Jews to have their own homeland.

According to these definitions, Divestment from Israel (or companies that profit from the Israeli Army) is Anti-Israel because it holds Israel to a different or higher standard and extends beyond legitimate discussion of Israel government policies and actions. To give one example, China has occupied Tibet since 1959: any group that Divests from Israel without bringing the action against China (or the many similar cases) is Anti-Israel. If it were a part of a broader campaign to Divest from all similar cases, it would not be Anti-Israel. I wrote that Divestment often uses Anti-Semitic rhetoric or assumptions. Remember, I wrote this before the Hampshire incident and without reading anything written by Students for Justice in Palestine at any of the Five Colleges. All that I have read about Divestment--including the web pages of national organizations that promote it are Anti-Zionist and Anti-Israel. Many do not cross the complicated line to Anti-Semitism, but some of its proponents do so. Focus on Israel and its policies when other similar cases are ignored is heir to centuries of Anti-Semitism. That doesn't mean that it is Anti-Semitism but that Anti-Israel sentiment draws on historical Anti-Semitic rhetoric and concepts. Those who doubt this must study the history of Anti-Semitism.

In case I was not clear in my previous post or any oral communication: questioning and criticism of Israel is opinion and political thought that is appropriate, even encouraged, in an academic setting (this happens all of the time in Israel and the American Jewish community--especially in the Pioneer Valley). If the questioning denies Israel's right to exist or holds it to a higher standard than other countries, it is Anti-Israel. Not all Divestment activists are Anti-Semitic. Some may claim to be narrowly focused and not Anti-Israel. But the movement itself to question Israel alone for its existence, policies, and actions is a modern incarnation of age-old hatred of Jews. The technical term for that type of bigotry is Anti-Semitism. The actions may not be Anti-Semitic but the premise of deligitimizing Israel (no one will be able to convince me that any form of Divestment is anything but an attempt to deligitimize Israel) is heir to centuries of Anti-Semitism. (Whenever this comes up, I hear people arguing that since Arabs are Semites they can not be Anti-Semitic. The term was coined to refer to hatred of Jews and that is its only technical meaning. This has two implications: bigotry/hatred of Arabs or Muslims is not Anti-Semitsm, Arabs and Muslims can be Anti-Semites.)

When a recent Anti-Israel rally included a speaker who said: "The Jew infested US Congress. . .", that was Anti-Semitism in the plainest form. It had little to do with any political point, transcended any legitimate criticism of Israel or its policies, and should not be tolerated in the Five Colleges. It draws on historical Anti-Semitic imagery of the Jews as parasite or vermin. That no student or faculty member at the event stopped the speaker is troubling to me to say the least. If I were ever at a Pro-Israel event on my campus and a speaker spoke similar hate speech about any group, I would stop the speaker and/or issue a statement distancing myself and the Jewish communities I represent from the hate. This has still not occurred. I have a few theories for why this may be the case but I will leave these to further posts.

To summarize, I do not believe that all Divestment activists are Anti-Semites. They may not even all consider themselves Anti-Israel. I am not convinced that a credible claim can be made that Divestment (even if narrowly defined to refer to Occupation or the military) can be anything but Anti-Israel. The only exception would be if Divestment was applied equally and with the same fervor to all similar situations.

I believe that peace starts here with us. If we promote investment in peace and coexistence, if we work to build understanding and dialogue, we will help bring peace. Deligitimizing Israel, using hateful rhetoric, and standing quiet while students rant Anti-Semitic statements does none of this. Questioning and criticising Israel when done respectfully and with a critical stance is part of the academic process. Rallies where negation, deligitimization, and hatred are used creates an environment where students do not feel safe to voice their beliefs. This infringes on the academic process.

At a later time, I will write about the historical and theological importance of Israel for Jews and Judaism. Lack of understanding about this is fundamental in understanding moves for Divestment and deligitimization of Israel as well as the reaction Jewish leaders take when they arise. More on this to come.

I have been working hard on the campuses of Smith and Amherst to maintain a level of dialogue and respect. I encourage responses in person, on the phone, or by email. Learning from each other is the primary task of academia.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

First Annual Jewish Disability Awareness Month

2009-02-04T10:33:00.003-05:00

I want to mention that February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month.
There is a post about it at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (known to most in the Jewish community simply as the RAC) with a number of resources.
If you know the Seltzer's well, you understand why I mention this.
I hope to have a more extensive post later in the month.
Rabbi Bruce

Divestment & Boycott Means You Don't Think Israel Should Exist

2009-02-03T10:49:00.007-05:00

The description to a vigil tonight at Smith contains language from the boycott and divestment movement. I want to state clearly that any discussion of Boycott and Divestment stems from denial of Israel's legitimacy. It is not possible to work towards a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict when using anti-Semitic rhetoric.
I am happy to provide more information about Boycott and Divestment movements and why they have failed in academia.

Those students and faculty at Smith that know me understand that I am deeply committed to peace and am greatly upset at the loss of all life. Still, I can't support any discussion of Boycott/Divestment or any vigils or events that raise these issues as a central element.
Rabbi Bruce

From the ADL:

There is no comparison between Israeli policy and apartheid South Africa: While the anti-Israel activists point to the divestment campaign against South African apartheid as an example of how such a campaign can achieve dramatic results, most recognize that the Israeli-Palestinian situation is distinctly different. First and foremost, pro-Palestinian advocates of divestment cannot offer the same moral clarity as the 80's anti-apartheid campaigners did. The treatment of Arabs by the State of Israel can in no way be compared to the treatment of the Blacks of South Africa under apartheid.

There is no Israeli ideology, policy or plan to segregate, persecute or mistreat its Israeli Arab citizens, nor Palestinian Arabs in the West Bank (Israel already unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip in August 2005). Apartheid South Africa was extraordinarily repressive, regulating every detail of the lives of its subjects – 90 percent of whom were non-white – on the basis of their skin color. By contrast, Israel is a democracy which encourages vibrant debate, which has a flourishing free press and which shares with other liberal democracies a core value: the equality of all its citizens before the law. Nor does Israel want to indefinitely rule over the Palestinian population of the West Bank. Israel's measures in the territories, such as the building of a security barrier, checkpoints and curfews on the Palestinians are driven not by a racist ideology. Rather, they are due to legitimate security concerns on Israel's part and are the consequence of a campaign of terror by Palestinian groups such as Hamas and the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, which, in deliberately targeting civilians, have claimed over 1,000 innocent Israeli lives.

The South African divestment campaign targeted companies who were exploiting black labor. In contrast, Israeli and Palestinian workers have both suffered enormously from the economic downturn brought about by the four years of violence and conflict. Moreover, while South African apartheid had no popular support here in America, according to public opinion polls Israel enjoys the support of the overwhelming majority of Americans and of the U.S. political leadership.

More: Israel and Apartheid: The Big Lie
Divestment advocates ignore the complexity of the conflict: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process is complex. With their rigidly one-sided view of the conflict, divestment advocates see a solution only through punitive action against Israel. The harsh rhetoric of proponents blindly ignores Israeli policies and efforts to promote negotiations and improve the situation on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These advocates also ignore Palestinian intransigence, terrorism and violence, as well as the new situation that has arisen following Hamas' success in the 2006 Palestinian Authority election. Instead, divestment campaigns singularly demonize Israel and designate Israel for pariah status. Such initiatives do not to seek creative and constructive efforts to promote dialogue, peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel is being unfairly singled out for human rights violations: These campaigns single out Israel and condemn its record on human rights without any reference to the myriad of human rights outrages going on in the world today including Sudan, Zimbabwe and others. In fact, Israel remains the lone democracy in the Middle East, with all of the institutions – a free press, a multitude of political parties, an independent judiciary and religious freedom — that are at the heart of true liberal democracies. The Middle East and indeed the world has many states that do not come close to living up to Israel's standards. Thus, the singling out of Israel for such punitive treatment is disingenuous and disproportionate.
How concerned individuals can help promote reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians: Individuals need to educate themselves on the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and promote positions that ensure peace and security for all. The well being of Israelis and Palestinians will best be advanced through policies that help to build a Palestinian society that rejects terror and is ready to accept Israel as the neighbor of a future Palestinian state. Peace will also require investment in programs that promote reconciliation and humanitarian assistance.

In A Democracy Some Are Guilty, but All Are Responsible: Executive Orders Start to Turn the Page On Torture & Detention

2009-01-26T11:14:00.008-05:00

As promised and expected, President Obama acted quickly to revoke some of the most egregious and morally reprehensible acts of the previous administration by issuing a number of Executive Orders on Thursday 1/22/09.

In three Executive Orders, President Obama reversed American policy on interrogation/torture, started a review of detention options and policy, and decided to close the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and review the cases of all individuals detained there.

US Policy on interrogations/torture put a stain on us all and the detentions at Gitmo undermined our Constitution and its rights. Together, these actions darkened the ideals of our country and lowered our status in the world.

At the RHR-NA Conference in December, experts on these issues remarked that it was not the members of the Bush Administration who did these acts. Since they have been public knowledge for four or more years and the policies were not stopped by the public or elected officials, we all did these actions. It is just as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught: in a democracy some are guilty but all are responsible.

With a sense that our nation may be starting to restore shlemut (wholeness),

Rabbi Bruce

PS. I sent a message to the White House to thank President Obama for these Executive Orders. You may want to do the same. The contact page had a nice comment about gifts: instead of sending items to the White House for the Obamas or Bidens, the White House encourages people to support local charitable organizations and needy individuals.

Opportunity for Jews to Send Blessings to President Obama

2009-01-21T18:19:00.006-05:00

I intended to post yesterday but haven't had time yet. Between sick kids, meetings about construction and watching news most of yesterday, I haven't done more than post status changes on Facebook.

This Shabbat, I am slated to offer the Dvar Torah at our synagogue, CBI. In honor of President Obama Inauguration, I will be talking about the history of Jewish prayers for the government (with a focus on those written for Americans). There is a lot of information about this topic and it is taking more time than I expected to arrange it.

--------------

For now, I want to alert you to an opportunity that ends this Friday to offer blessings to President Obama through judaism.com . They are creating a Megillat Brachot / Scroll of Blessing which will have inscribed on it individual blessings from members of the Jewish community.

I hope to add mine tonight.
Don't miss the deadline for this interesting opportunity.
RB

PS. A funny thing happened during dinner tonight. I mentioned President Barack Obama. At some point, Maayan started saying what we heard as "I Obama Baby" over and over. What she meant was that she has a Bamba baby toy. Once when I was attending at KosherFest (the largest Kosher food trade show), I won a plastic Bamba baby. Since then, it is a favorite in our household. She heard "Bamba Baby" and wanted to make sure we knew that she had one. I will try to get a picture of the doll up at some point. Until then, you can learn more about the Bamba baby at the company's web site and see a picture here. (I mentioned this as a status update on Facebook but this should be clearer).

Wildpeace by Yehuda Amichai

2009-01-09T14:52:00.002-05:00

I share this poem that I saw posted on Jewschool. I will be away the next week at an IJS retreat. Please do not take a lack of posts or Facebook response as ignoring the situation in Gaza.

Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Bruce

Wildpeace
Yehuda Amichai

Not the peace of a cease-fire
not even the vision of the wolf and the lamb,
but rather
as in the heart when the excitement is over
and you can talk only about a great weariness.
I know that I know how to kill, that makes me an adult.
And my son plays with a toy gun that knows
how to open and close its eyes and say Mama.
A peace
without the big noise of beating swords into ploughshares,
without words, without
the thud of the heavy rubber stamp: let it be
light, floating, like lazy white foam.
A little rest for the wounds - who speaks of healing?
(And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation
to the next, as in a relay race:
the baton never falls.)

Let it come
like wildflowers,
suddenly, because the field
must have it: wildpeace.

Translated by Chana Bloch

Peace to Those Near & Far - The More Things Change, the More Things Stay the Same

2009-01-06T23:23:00.005-05:00

For the past week and a half, I have watched the footage, read editorials and emails, and participated in conference calls with Israeli diplomats and Jewish leaders. I just started to write, 'Once again, Israel is at war with its neighbors.' That is not quite true. Once again, the world is noticing that Israel is at war with its neighbors and that the bloodshed--and therefore the news reports--are much higher than before.

During the summer of 2006, I visited Israel during its war with Lebanon. While most of the media focused on the fighting between Hezballah and Israel, the missiles raining down on the North, we also visited Sderot -- the town filled with poor and immigrant Israelis that abuts Gaza. For the last few years, there have been almost constant missile attacks on Southern Israel with limited Israel military response. Until it expired on December 19th, their were many fewer missile attacks. Still, a generation of Israeli children in the South have lived under the threat of constant, deliberate missile attack. I do not believe that Israel is without fault but international law and government responsibility to its citizens demands that it protect its citizens. Hamas' desired aim is to kill civilizians in terrorist attacks, it refuses to negotiate with or even recognize Israel. It takes no responsibility for controlling the arms in its terroritory (other than to take them away from rival Palestinian factions.

None of this means I do not care of the loss of Palestinian lives. But a few questions need to be asked: Israel has spent billions building shelters to protect its citizens. Why are Palestinian women in children dying and the Hamas leaders surviving? It is because the only shelters to have been built are for Hamas. I know it is a poor area under economic sanctions by much of the world. But Palestinian aid has disappeared to the tune of billions. What is a responsible government supposed to do when a declared enemy launches missiles at civilians populations, from dense populated areas?

Professor Alan Dershowitz--one of the foremost civil libertarians in the US wrote an editorial about the issues of proportionality and international law in the Wall Street Journal. I leave these issues to the experts but note that until the ground war, Egypt and Saudi Arabia joined many local, national, and international leaders in supporting Israel against Hamas.

One final note about Israel sovreign neighbors. While Israel has peace agreements with Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian authority, there are many inbalances in the long history of Arab-Israeli conflicts. Most of the residents of Sderot were expelled from the Arab lands they lived in for hundreds of years. They have been full citizens of Israel since arriving, were resettled, given homes, educations, job training, etc. Why haven't the Palestinians been treated the same by the Arab countries that have housed them since 1948 and 1967? Egypt has only half-heartedly stopped smuggling of weapons into Gaza from Sinai. Israel has destroyed more than fifty tunnels--including large, sophisticated tunnels reaching far into Egyptian territory. While they are quite happy keeping Palestians out of Egypt, can't they keep large, military missiles out a neighboring country? Now, Egypt is working with the EU, the US, and the UN to achieve a cease-fire. Where were they when bombs were falling for years?

I pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I spent my first year after college studying in Jerusalem. It was 1993-1994, the year Israel and the Palestinians signed the Oslo Accords. It saddens me that far from being better, the conditions for Palestinians and Israelis is worse than before. I still hope that I will see a democratic, Palestinian state living peacefully with Israel but despair that it won't be until my young children study in Israel in ten or more years!

Shalom, shalom to those near and far,
Rabbi Bruce

Here are some resources that will provide a variety of viewpoints. I have previously blogged about organizations that I support personally.
I suggest the excellent Israeli papers: Ha-Aretz (the New York Times of Israel--politically moderate) and Jeruslaem Post (an Engish daily that is more Conservative). The Israel on Campus Coalition represents a broad coalition of organizations that represent Israel on campus, and (since they are not part of ICC, groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights or Peace Now.

HP giveaway

2008-12-03T16:15:00.005-05:00

There is currently a large giveaway of HP equipment through 50 blogs.
This is my attempt to participate in the contest at one of the blogs, Moosh in indy.

This is what I would do with the HP equipment. First of all, I could not use all of the material myself. We have a new HP desktop and I have a work-owned notebook. I would use our current desktop for my children (10, 7, 5, 1 1/2) and my wife and I would use the new desktop. We would probably donate one of the laptops and an older desktop that my oldest son uses to my children's school--LGA Schechter (which could use newer computers). The Jewish Day School has a great facility and talented and enthusiastic faculty but could use more cutting edge technology versus old cast-off donations.

I use the internet in a few ways for more work as a Campus Rabbi/Hillel Director at Smith and Amherst Colleges. I have this blog and use Facebook as a means to reach out to students. The HP Mini would allow me to post more frequently and from more places. Also, the equipment would help me update the websites at both colleges. I started to use this blog a number of years ago and Facebook three summers ago to reach out to students in a non-intrusive way (versus emailing all students on my list about everything on my mind). I know from direct feedback that prospective students and even current students use the blog/Facebook to find out about Jewish life and concerns.

Please help me to do my work better and help my children's school at the same time.
Also, we took my son's class to see Kung Fu Panda! Great movie.
You may see more

Lift Every Voice and Sing--CNN Declares for Obama at 11:00pm!

2008-11-04T23:15:00.005-05:00

Minutes after CNN declared that Barack Obama will be our next President, CNN online showed a crowd gathered at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. This church, the pulpit of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was filled with many of the leaders of the African American community. After a prayer by the Pastor, they started to sing, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

If you asked me a few years ago, would people be singing this song (known as the African American anthem) as an African American is elected our next President.

Mazal Tov, President-Elect Barack H. Obama.

Uniting a Divided Country--Ruminations on Ending Sinat Chinam on Election Day

2008-11-04T13:28:00.009-05:00

This past Shabbat, Parshat Noah, I talked with Smith students about the causes of the flood.

In the Jewish understanding, cataclysmic destructions are proceeded by unraveling of society.

Whether it is the violence of the generation of the Flood or the hatred between Jews that led to the Destruction of the Temple. In the Babylonian Talmud (Gittin 55b - 56a), we learn:

There was a man – never identified in the story – who threw a party and intended to invite his good friend Kamtza. His servant, however, erred and mistakenly invited his enemy, Bar Kamtza. When the host realized the mistake he immediately and very publicly demanded that Bar Kamtza leave the party. Obviously embarrassed, Bar Kamtza made a series of offers – even, ultimately, offering to pay for the entire party – hoping to persuade the host to allow him to remain. Unmoved, the host callously throws him out of the party. The Gemara recounts that Bar Kamtza was so offended, not only by the host, but also by the silence of the guests – some of whom were great rabbis – that he slandered the Jewish people to the Caesar. One thing leads to another and the result of this sad story is, ultimately, the destruction of the Beit Ha-Mikdash (Gittin 55b-56a).

The Temple is destroyed because society had unraveled to the extent that problems with party invitations lead to complainsts against entire groups of people to the government.

While I don't believe we have reached this level in the US, I am alarmed by the negative tone of the campaign.I am cognizant that despite predictions of an Obama landslide (when Karl Rove predicts a Democratic landslide, you can take it to the bank), the country remains more divided than at any time I can remember. If it was not for the Electoral College, it would be little more than a statistical advantage for Obama.

We have to remember that hatred of someone for their ideas or membership in a minority group unravels the fabric of our society and threatens to lead us to chaos. Whether it is calling the Democratic candidate a terrorist or labeling those who vote for McCain as racists, this does nothing to solve the serious domestic and international problems facing our country.

I hope that we can come together after this divisive election, remembering to respect the divine image contained within the losers, and help our country reachieve its reputation for good in the world.

If you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for? As Hillel would say, if not now--when?

Rabbi Bruce

PS Tonight, after Barack Obama was declared President-Elect, Senator John McCain gave a great concession speach. He spoke of the historic nature of P-E Obama's candidacy and now Presidency. Unfortunately, his followers yelled "boo" every time he mentioned his opponent's name. To his credit, he tried to stop this.

Prayer for Voting by Rabbi David Seidenberg

2008-11-03T20:54:00.003-05:00

A Prayer For Voting

If you can't pray in a voting booth, where can you pray? And where would you need more to pray? Here is the 2008 text of the prayer:

With my vote today I am prepared and intending
to seek peace for this country, as it is written:

“Seek out the peace of the city where I cause you to roam
and pray for her sake to God YHVH*, for in her peace you all will have peace.” (Jer. 29:7)

May it be Your will that votes will be counted faithfully
and may You account my vote as if I had fulfilled this verse with all my power.

May it be good in Your eyes to give a wise heart
to whomever we elect today
and may You raise for us a government whose rule is for good and blessing
to bring justice and peace to all the inhabitants of the world and to Jerusalem,
for rulership is Yours!

Just as I participated in elections today
so may I merit to do good deeds and repair the world with all my actions,
and with the act of...[fill in your pledge]...which I pledge to do today
on behalf of all living creatures and in remembrance of the covenant of Noah’s waters
to protect and to not destroy the earth and her plenitude.

May You give to all the peoples of this country, the strength and will
to pursue righteousness and to seek peace as unified force
in order to cause to flourish, throughout the world, good life and peace
and may You fulfill for us the verse:

“May the pleasure of Adonai* our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands for us, may the work of our hands endure.” (Ps. 90:17)

Download a pdf with interlinear English and Hebrew (with vowels)

You can also download just the English, and both are available above in PDF and editable format. If you distribute a modified version, please keep the name neohasid.org and please keep it non-partisan.
* YHVH and Adonai are Hebrew names for God.
The first is usually translated as "The Lord" and is the source of the name "Jehovah", but it is actually derived from the verb "to be". It means something like "Source of Being". The second means "my Lord", and is the word we traditionally say when we read YHVH, which is considered too holy to pronounce. But Adonai is also a name of God in its own right.

Rabbinical Assembly Appoints First Female Rabbi to Head Rabbinical Organization

2008-10-29T19:53:00.004-05:00

Women Rabbis have arrived and change is in the air.

Rabbi Julie Schoenfeld was named the next Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Assembly today. She succeeds current EVP Rabbi Joel Meyers on July 1st. I am a member of the Rabbinical Assembly--an international organization of almost 1600 Conservative Rabbis.

Julie is an impressive rabbi and leader. I worked with over the past year organizing Conservative rabbis who work in Hillel and helping the Rabbinical Assembly serve their needs. Julie is a graduate of Yale University and was ordained by Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical School in 1997.

In the past, our organization has not fully understood or appreciated the work of non-pulpit members. When Julie (who has been working as Director of Rabbinic Development at the RA) was assigned to work with us, she took a great interest in us and our needs. She worked to understand how Hillel colleagues could benefit from RA programs and what the RA could do in the future for Hillel professionals of all backgrounds and affiliation. It was a different approach than previous encounters.

I am full of hope that Julie's vision and skills will help the RA reinvigorate the Conservative Movement in the US and around the world. I have already emailed her to offer my help in any way she needs.

Mazal Tov, Julie. May your new position help advance the cause of women leadership in the greater Jewish community.

Rabbi Bruce

Muslim Community Leader Dies During Rammadan

2008-09-10T15:04:00.004-05:00

Baruch Dayan Ha-Emet; Blessed is the Eternal Judge.

During the sacred month of Rammadan, the Muslim community in America lost a great spiritual leader.
At Duke, I was privileged to speak on a panel with Imam Mohammed and to meet him again when he later visited Smith.
For now, I am including an obituary by the Chicago Tribune, but will follow at a later time with personal reflections.
Rabbi Bruce

From the Chicago Tribune:
Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the rebellious son of the late Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad who broke from black nationalism and guided his followers toward mainstream Islam, died Tuesday, according to family members. He was 74.

As Muslims marked the holy month of Ramadan, Mohammed was scheduled to speak Tuesday in Chicago, but many grew concerned when he did not appear. His last speaking engagement was his regular monthly address delivered Sunday in Homewood, Ill., and aired to a live radio audience.

"He was a pioneer in the Muslim American community and was one of the first leaders to get Muslims to think about their faith in context of the larger society," said Rami Nashashibi, executive director of Inner-City Muslim Action Network in Chicago. "He was also a pioneer in getting Muslims to embrace their religious identity at a time when that wasn't very popular."

Mohammed succeeded his father in 1975 as leader of the Nation of Islam, a religious movement that melds black nationalism with the Islamic faith. He immediately tried to move its followers toward traditional Islam, eventually leading to a split between those who agreed with Mohammed's approach and those who joined a revived Nation of Islam under Minister Louis Farrakhan.

"He will be remembered as a person who brought the Nation of Islam carefully and consistently into mainline Islam," said Yvonne Haddad, a professor of the history of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations at Georgetown University. "Eventually, he'd start talking about American Muslims -- how we can be Muslim and American at the same time."

In the later years of his life, Mohammed's profile diminished somewhat. He focused more energy into his nonprofit ministry, the Mosque Cares. He also worked on building interfaith relations, meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1996.

Some saw his lessened visibility as the final steps in his efforts to restructure his organization into a loose group of organizations without a central charismatic figure.

Wallace D. Mohammed was born Oct. 30, 1933, in Detroit, the seventh of eight children of Elijah and Clara Muhammad. (He became known later as Imam Warithuddeen Mohammed.)

His father was a disciple of W.D. Fard, a door-to-door salesman who founded a small sect in that city known alternately as the Lost-Found Nation of Islam and the Allah Temple of Islam. Upon Fard's mysterious disappearance in 1934, Elijah Muhammad proclaimed Fard to be God, and he announced himself as his Messenger, a divinely inspired prophet.

W. Deen Mohammed was for many years an obedient son. He was the minister of the Nation of Islam's mosques in Chicago and Philadelphia in the 1950s. On his 28th birthday in 1961, Mohammed was sent to federal prison in Minnesota for refusing, on the basis of Nation of Islam teachings, induction into the U.S. military. While serving his prison sentence, Mohammed reevaluated his father's preaching.

Expelled from the Nation of Islam for criticizing his father's sometimes harsh doctrine, Mohammed supported his own family by driving a cab, doing welding, plucking chickens and working as a house painter and junkman.

Mohammed publicly begged his father's forgiveness. He was readmitted to the movement, only to be expelled several times again. He was finally restored to grace in 1974, only six months before his father's death.

Farrakhan was expected to succeed Elijah Muhammad. But a closed-door family council chose Mohammed to be the movement's chief imam. He began preaching a more universal religious message. He also cut back on the group's commercial empire, saying business ventures distracted the movement from its religious mission.

Mohammed's changes produced a backlash within the group, which he renamed the World Community of Al-Islam in the West. Subsequently, the name was changed several times again. Of all his innovations, the most costly in terms of lost followers was his rejection of black supremacy.

In 1978, Farrakhan broke with Mohammed and formed his own counter-movement. He revived the name Nation of Islam, saying he intended to follow the teaching of Elijah Muhammad.

Mohammed decentralized power within the movement, making each mosque autonomous. But he reacted impatiently when the other imams didn't more closely follow his path toward mainstream Islam.

"I have tried over the last 10 to 12 years to encourage them to get more religious education, but I have made no progress," Mohammed said upon resigning as head of the American Society of Muslims five years ago.

But most observers think the greater number of African American Muslims remained loyal to W. Deen Mohammed than to Farrakhan.

Despite their differences, Mohammed and Farrakhan reconciled in a series of joint appearances starting in 1999 and pledged to work together.

Mohammed also achieved several historic milestones for Muslim Americans. In 1992, he became the first Muslim to deliver an invocation to the U.S. Senate. In 1993 and 1997, he recited from the Koran at President Clinton's two inaugural interfaith Prayer Services.

From a Levaya to a Hatuna

2008-08-26T09:20:00.005-05:00

I left Northampton Thursday evening for Delaware and then New Jersey. You may ask what is so important about going on a late-August weekend trip?
First, my work on two college campuses make this a busy few weeks (Amherst students arrived Sunday and Smith students arrive today). Second, Maayan started school Monday morning at 8am (and we only arrived home at 1am). Third, my wife starts work this week and it is the last week before the children start school.

We had already planned on spending the weekend in the Yellow Spaces (of Monopoly) at our sister and brother's house in Margate and his synagogue in Ventnor. Aaron's sister Mimi was due to be married. In our family, life cycle events are often weekend affairs since many of us are Shomer Shabbat (Sabbath observant). What changed was the death of my Great-Aunt, Freda Evans.

After the death of her brother David in January, Aunt Freda was the last of my grandparents' generation to survive. While my wife still has one grandmother alive--Lilly Bromberg who is 101 should continue to have a long life--my last grandparent died a few years ago and now all of their siblings are dead as well. When my grandfather Max (my Pop-Pop) died soon after college, he was the last immigrant in my last family (all three of my other grandparents were born in this country--as was one of their parents). Still, my great-aunts and uncles were a link to my past--they were living embodiments of the myths that provide the back-stories to my family.

At the last minute, I was able to help perform the funeral service since the Cantor was new in the community. Since before my third birthday Aunt Freda was a widow. For as long as I can remember, my grandparents lived in her house with her (I think they moved in when I was five). She was a constant part of my life. One of the things that made me respect Aunt Freda the most was the way she survived the challenges of life. She outlived her son Bruce (who died of Lupus and after whom I am named). She outlived her husband Babe, who died at an early age of a heart attack. She outlived her son-in-law Ronnie, who died of cancer when I was in Junior High. Many people are brought down by such tragedy but Aunt Freda continued to love those around her and greeted life with a happy countenance. What I remember most about her is her laughter when I would visit her and my grandmother. We always sat in the kitchen because there was always something cooking (in case, as my cousin Michael said at the funeral, an army stopped by and needed a meal). They would tell the same jokes and laugh about life--two old yoles (as they often called themselves).

From a bittersweet funeral (after losing so many family members and outliving her siblings, it is hard to be sad when someone dies at 96), we drove to the Atlantic City area for a happier occasion. The wedding weekend also had heartache in the not-so-distant background since Aaron and Mimi's mother Faith died five weeks ago. Still, it is nice to celebrate a wedding of family members, to meet their friends and family, and to enjoy hopes for the future. My parents and brother Larry joined us as well, so we continued be with them (we only returned from our vacation in Nashville less than two weeks before).

It is hard not to think about the symbolism of moving from a funeral to a wedding. A funeral is a celebration of a person's past and a wedding is a celebration about the future. Sure, at a wedding you talk about their lives up to this point but the focus is on the better future that we they will have. In the Jewish wedding ceremony, Sheva Brachot/Seven Blessings, we move from Creation and the first Bride and Groom (Adam and Eve) to the future Redemption that could come from the bride and groom. We link the past to the future.

I wish that Aunt Freda (Fredyl bat Yosef v'Sarah) should be remembered for a blessing and that Mimi and Reuben Kantor have a life full of blessing.

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

PS--Welcome back to Smith and Amherst!

Great New Approach to Bnai Mitzvah Tutoring

2008-07-07T14:49:00.005-05:00

Recently graduated Amherst College student Justin Epner created www.connectorah.com--a live, online Bnai Mitzvah tutoring company. Check it out.
Justin is a talented and creative tutor.
RB

Ceasefire Between Hamas & Israel Started This Morning

2008-06-19T14:07:00.004-05:00

I applaud the almost half-day old cease fire between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt.
While I am doubtful that it will last six months (yet alone the years we need to restore trust and cooperation), it is a hopeful sign. Hamas is agreeing because it needs more than a few trucks of humanitarian aid to keep its people happy. In that sense, Israel's policy worked (although it took a lot longer than Israel expected). There have been reports about releasing Gilad Shalit (held captive by Hamas) or the two captives held in Lebanon (or elsewhere) by Hezbollah.

Still, I see some discouraging signs: 30 missiles were shot into Israel the day before the ceasefire. That d0es not bode well for the future--they had to know a ceasefire was coming. I actually never understood agreeing when to stop something when you could just stop something. (Once, an Israel roommate came to tell me he was having a party because he and his girlfriend decided to get engaged. Why didn't they just get engaged?) I understand that unilateral action has not worked well for Israel (ie. Lebanon and Gaza withdrawals and the resulting attacks on Israel from those areas that have led to the recent fighting) but if you are about to stop, stop and then say you stopped. Don't say we will stop and then stop.
I will probably not blog too much the next few months--I know that is not much of a change from the last few months but it is a realistic prediction. Peace or release of the hostages would obviously lead to some posting.
Visit me this month at Camp Ramah New England.
If you are coming to Smith or Amherst this fall as new students, Facebook me!
Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

A New Voice for Isael

2008-04-29T20:05:00.005-05:00

Recently, J Street and JStreetPAC opened for business. They offer a Pro-Peace and Pro-Security alternative to the monolithic pro-Israel voices heard up to now in America.

Only recently did I realize that the American Jewish community is ten years or more behind the Israeli community when it comes to Middle East politics.

This winter, the JCPA (the policy coalition of the American Jewish community) voted in favor of a two-state solution. Israel came to that realization in 1993 & 1994 when it committed itself to the Oslo Accords! Even then, the main Orthodox organizations involved in JCPA voted against a two-state solution--the acknowledged policy of the Israeli government.

It is time for the voices for a strong Israel in safe & secure borders to speak up.

Sign up for J Street. Support Peace & Security.

Apathy, protests, Heschel, and more

2008-04-24T15:13:00.006-05:00

Moadim L'simchah--I hope Passover has been (and will continue to be) a holiday of personal and communal liberation.

It has been a complicated few days. As part of the Beyond Genocide series, a Smith student led a play reading of Robert Skloot's, If the Whole Body Dies--Rafael Lemkin and the Treaty Against Genocide. In general, I have been disappointed in the student turnout to the BG events. No students attended the play reading who weren't involved in it or the BG program. I would have thought students would have been interested in these topics. The apathy was disappointing but was redeemed by what follows.

It was great to see a number of familiar Amherst faces at the Human Rights Coffee House held last night near Smith.

Here are the texts I taught:

Rabbi Hillel Said:

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If I am only for myself, what am I?

If not now, when?

-Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Ancestors)

I also taught a short quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel that I had just read:
“Acts are a challenge to the soul … How else can one learn the joy of loving-kindness if not by enacting it? .... We do not have faith in deeds; we attain faith through deeds …”

Today, I joined anti-war demonstrations at Smith. At the demonstration and at the coffee house, there was discussion about not using violent language (ie., 'fight the war'). To this end, I just saw this passage from a speech Heschel gave in 1938 entitled "Meaning of this Hour:"

We have failed to fight for right, for justice, for goodness as a result we must fight against wrong, against injustice, against evil. WE have failed to offer sacrifices on the altar of peace; thus we offered sacrifices on the altar of war. A tale is told of a band of mountain climbers. Without guides, they struck recklessly into the wilderness. Suddenly a rocky ledge gave way beneath their feet and they tumbled headlong into a dismal pit. In the darkness of the pit they recovered from their shock only to find themselves set up by a nest of angry snakes. For each snake the desperate ones slew, ten more seemed to lash out in its place. Strangely enough, one man stood aside from the fight. When the indignant voices of his struggling companions reproached him for not fighting, he called back: "If we remain here, we shall be dead before the snakes. I am searching for a way of escape from this pit, for all of us."

You can read the entire essay/speech at http://www.bj.org/selected_readings/meaning_of_this_hour.html.

The source showed up on a blog on the Barack Obama website!

There was one difficulty for me at the demonstration. As I was playing drums and chanting on the Smith green, the chant switched to one that started: "From Iraq to Palestine. . ." With barely a hesitation, I quickly walked off the green and away from the protest. I am never in favor of human suffering but you can't compare our war in Iraq and movements for Palestinian nationalism/liberation. If any of the readers were there, I would love to talk about this.
With peace,
Rabbi Bruce

Check out this movie being developed about Heschel. I hope to bring it to our campuses next year as part of the Jewish Film Festival.

Summer '08 Taglit-birthright israel Trips Now Open for Registration

2008-02-12T13:54:00.001-05:00

Our Five College trips are run by Oranim, you can sign up on their website or through the website of UMASS Hillel.

We have two sets of dates, one in June and one later in the summer.

Register now. Bring your friends.

Congressman Tom Lantos--Holocaust Survivor and Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs--Died 2/11/08

2008-02-12T13:51:00.000-05:00

Washington, DC, February 11, 2008 — Congressman Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo, San Francisco), 80, passed away this morning due to complications from cancer at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

Elected to office in 1980, Lantos was Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and one of the country's leading champions of human rights. His commitment to this issue was forged when, as a young man, he lost nearly his entire family in the Holocaust.

Today he was surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and many of his 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

After being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in late December, Lantos announced on January 2 that he would not seek reelection. He said at the time, "It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family, and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a Member of Congress. I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country."

The only survivor of the Shoah ever elected to Congress, Tom Lantos was in his 14th term. His Democratic colleagues elected him chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in January 2007. He was also a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Throughout his adult life Lantos sought to be a voice for human rights and civil liberties. He and Annette Lantos, his childhood sweetheart and wife of nearly 58 years were, as Lantos put it, "full partners both in Congress and in life," and they continued their work right up to his final days. Tom Lantos was the founding co-chairman of the 24-year-old Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which Annette directed as a volunteer since its inception. He also founded the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.

Annette said that her husband's life was "defined by courage, optimism, and unwavering dedication to his principles and to his family."

The date for a public memorial service has not yet been set.

Help Senate Pass Anti-Torture Legislation

2008-01-29T10:34:00.001-05:00

Anti-torture legislation is once again reaching the Senate floor. In the next few days, the Senate will be taking up the Intelligence Authorization Bill (H.R. 2082) which contains a provision (section 327) that would require all interrogations of detainees to conform to the guidelines set out in the Army Field Manual (those are the ones that Senator McCain fought for). You will recall that the CIA has been exempted from following these guidelines. This legislation is the product of a joint Congressional committee and is therefore in the very last stage of final passage.

The legislation is threatened by a filibuster on the Senate floor. It is important that you contact your Senator and indicate that you believe he or she should vote to end the filibuster. There are several Senators who are swing votes on this issue and whose views are critical, for instance, on the Democratic side, Senator Lieberman of Connecticut, and, on the Republican side, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. You can contact your Senators by calling the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 – much more effective than e-mail.

Liberal Sofrim Article Mentions Focuses on Rabbi Linda Motzkin

2008-01-23T23:45:00.002-05:00

Check out an article about Ruhi's mom and two-time Smith Hillel Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Linda Motzkin.

Also mentioned in the blog post, Florence resident (and CBI member) Rabbi Kevin Hale.

Rabbi Bruce

Compare Your Positions to the Candidates

2008-01-23T17:05:00.001-05:00

I just used a great web tool from Glassbooth that compares your positions to that of the candidates.
Since they did not interview the candidates directly, their grading of the candidates is subjective.
Still, it is a useful way to see where you stand in relation to them.

Not surprising, I was closest (86% and 85%) to Obama and Edwards--the two candidates I favor among the Democratic nominees. Hillary Clinton was a close third (although only a little more of a match than Kuccinich).

Welcome back students!
Rabbi Bruce

Jerusalem Diary - Sunday

2008-01-06T15:36:00.001-05:00

After a slow morning, I arrived at the Conservative Yeshiva at around 9:30. After I walked in, I saw Josh Kulp and went to give him a hug and catch up. A few of the other Kollel members and faculty came to say hello (Shlomo Zacharow who worked at Ramah and others). Also, I recognized a number of the students from dinner Friday and Kedem on Shabbat morning. After schmoozing with Josh, I started to go over the Talmud passage he would be teaching and then joined his shiur. They are studying a long section on muktzeh in the third chapter of Shabbat.

I left Josh's class at noon to meet with Clare Goldwater who was visiting the Yeshiva after I reached out to her. After time with Clare and Daniel Goldfarb (Director of the Yeshiva), I joined Clare for lunch at Masrik (great pasta). We talked about how I could return to Israel for a year with my family. Don't worry, it won't happen soon. Clare and I talked about some of my plans for Smith-Amherst Hillel (not ready for publication) and other developments. I always enjoy talking with her but can never get more than a few minutes at Hillel conferences.

I spent the afternoon shopping--getting nature material at SPNI for Deborah, a stamp book for Zev, gifts for the girls (they will remain surprises for them), and a few other items (also surprises but they come from Yirmiyahu's, Dahab, and a CD store). I then went to the Conservative Yeshiva for ma'ariv and some more schmoozing. At 7, I went to the apartment of a friend from Pardes (Craig Preston). Matt Berkowitz had been staying there and I said goodbye to him. Craig then took me to a great place for Israeli food--stekiat bibi in the industrial zone of Talpiot (near Pardes).

Craig drove me back to the apartment in Givat Mordechai to pack and post on the blog.

I walked a lot today, ate great food, learned some Talmud, and talked to amazing people--a typical day for me in Jerusalem. This will probably end my Jerusalem diaries as I meet the two Five College birthright Israel busses tomorrow afternoon and will have little computer access.

Tomorrow's plans: learning Talmud in the morning, dropping off my luggage at the hotel, meeting my group at the airport, and then heading back to Jerusalem for dinner and the start of their program.

Jerusalem Diary - Shabbat

2008-01-05T16:44:00.001-05:00

The last day was a great Shabbat in Jerusalem. Last night, I arrived at Aryeh Bernstein's in the afternoon before an early Shabbat (candle lighting was a little after 4 with shkiah closer to 5). We went to the Minyan Shivyoni Baka and then to a great dinner at a friend's apartment. In addition to people from the Conservative Yeshiva, Pardes, and foreign rabbinical students, there was a couple from the US with two small children. The man, Alex, went to Maimonides with Deborah (even though they haven't seen each other since high school). Also, one of the rabbinical students has a brother and sister-in-law in Northampton.

It was a great night of intelligent conversation with people from a variety of Jewish backrounds. All of Aryeh's friends are intellectual and tend to be on the traditional end of liberal Judaism (or the liberal end of traditional Judaism). After a long, leisurely dinner, we walked back to Aryeh's apartment. At his apartment, we talked about critical Talmud study and halakhah until his lights turned out.

This morning, I went to Minyan Kedem. It was nice, Ramah-style davening. It did not seem like too many people spoke Hebrew as a native language. They had a great kiddush. Noam Raucher met me there. Noam was a CIT at Ramah and was a student at Hofstra when I worked there. It was great to see him now that he is a mature Rabbinical Student (at the Ziegler School in CA). He is spending his year at Machon Schechter. A JTS student and two HUC students visiting for their break joined us for lunch. I brough the Marzipan rugelach--yum!

At 3:30, I walked to the home of Audrey and Harvey Scher. Audrey is an proud Smith alumna who is friends with Renee. She returns each time her class has a reunion and is also the chair of the Pardes board. I spent around two hours talking to them about Smith, Northampton, me, and we played a few rounds of Jewish geography. They know people living in Northampton and their daughter worked one summer at CRNE as mishlachat. I returned to Aryeh's apartment after havdalah. Aryeh was hosting a number of people visiting Jerusalem who had attended Yeshivat Maaleh Gilboa with him. We all davened Maariv together and I got to hear him teach a little.

Thanks to Aryeh for an amazing Shabbat in Baka/Talpiot. Even though I have been to Jerusalem a few times since we last lived here in 1998, a Shabbat like this makes me realize that there is no place like Jerusalem (and especially no place like Baka/Talpiot/German Colony). I have to get my family here for an extended period (Deborah, I hope you read this. Start planning for a year here before Zev's bar mitzvah)!

Motzei Shabbat, I met Devorah Schoenfeld and we walked around, had some schwarma, and did a little shopping.
More later.

Jerusalem Diary Erev Shabbat

2008-01-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

Woke up at 5am to go to the restroom and then spoke on the phone to Deborah.
Fell back asleep until after 9. Eventually made my way downtown. Went to Mahane Yehuda to buy rugulach at Marzipan Bakery. After fighting the crowds, I made my way to the midrehov to stop by Dahab to pick up necklaces from the girls. For those who joined late, Dahab is owned by my Beduin friends Issa and his brother. I need to come back Sunday.

Then, grabbed some pizza (the good schwarma place had already closed) before catching a bus to spend Shabbat with Aryeh Bernstein (friend from JTS, Israel, etc. and brother of my friend and colleague Eddie Bernstein). Aryeh agreed to host me last minute and even lined up dinner tonight. Tonight we will daven at Minyan Shivyoni Bakka and tomorrow I meet Noam Raucher (a Hofstra student from when I worked there who also worked at Ramah New England) at Kedem before lunch.

Now talking about Egalitarianism with Aryeh (who works for Mechon Hadar and also teaches Talmud at the Hartman high school).

Bye for now. Shabbat Shalom,
Bruce

Jerusalem Diaries-Day 3

2008-01-03T02:03:00.002-05:00

Part I - 9am
I joined Renee for the carride to Machon Schechter, hoping to see friends on the faculty and catch up with one or two students I know. The Rabbinical School doesn't have Thursday classes and instead I am spending an hour on the computer and waiting to see a few people when they arrive in their offices. Still looking for a place to stay for Shabbat but now I have a number of leads--watch me end up with two or more invites!

I may head over to the Israel Museum and then will meet my "new" cousin for lunch.

Part II - 10am-8pm
While at Machon Schechter I began to finalize plans for Shabbat and got to visit with my teacher, Professor Shamma Friedman. Shamma has been a mentor in academic study of Talmud and he encouraged me to submit my ongoing project to him for comment.

Then I headed over to Deborah's great-aunt Violet Resnikoff. Her daughter Diane was also visiting. It was great to catch up with her. Then, I joined Violet and Diane for a cab-ride to Kikar Tzion to meet Elaina. Elaina took me to a nice cafe, Dulce D'latte. By the time we finished a late lunch at 3:15pm, it was time to head to my next appointment. In the meantime, a friend returned my call with offers of a place to stay for Shabbat. Only meals remain.
I went to visit Aryeh Green at his new program, Media Central. It is just off Kikar Tzion in a new office building. Aryeh spoke at Amherst in last year and he invited me to see his new program. It is hard to describe, so please check out the link above. Aryeh makes his own wine and they aired an Israeli film for foreign journalists.

Then I took the 6 bus back to Givat Mordechai for some Big Apple pizza, tv, and getting ready for Shabbat. By then, I worked out meals for Shabbat and now I am set.

Jerusalem Diaries-Day 2

2008-01-02T08:18:00.001-05:00

Part I

Today, I had mostly free of plans. The only thing I arranged was to have lunch with my friend and former Hevruta, Rabbi Peretz Rodman. After a calm morning, I took the 6 bus downtown and had two hours before needing to meet Peretz for lunch. I took a slow tour of book stores in downtown and Meah Shearim before sitting down to read for the final half hour. I restrained myself from buying books but did enjoy two potatoe burekkas.

A few minutes after 1, Peretz joined me with his smiling face and heart-felt laughter. I accompanied him to the bank before we found a small place where I got a heaping plate of Schwarma, rice, beans and more. On the way, he introduced me to the director of Masorti Judaism and I introduced him to Cantor and Mrs. Ed Kulp. Cantor Kulp worked with my brother-in-law Aaron before his retirement. We had seen them over Thanksgiving weekend when we visited Ventnor-Margate.

Before parting, Peretz accompanied me to the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism. My colleague, Rabbi Jim Lebeau, the center's director gave me a tour and then a computer to use for this first part. I have a few more stops to make in the Center before heading back for a nap (I still have some jet lag).

Part II
I spent a while talking to the staff of the Yeshiva about a student applying, the program, how to support it. I connected them with some colleagues who are visiting Israel. Then I caught the 17 bus back to Givat Mordechai (the neighborhood I am staying in). Even though I stayed in the center of town, it was more walking than I do in the US (that is a great thing about Jerusalem--the hills don't hurt with getting exercise either).

I thought I would spend the night at Givat Mordechai when Matt Berkowitz called that he was going out to dinner with a mutual friend--Devora Schoenfeld. I joined them in the German Colony (a historic neighborhood home to great resteraunts and some cool shops). We walked around and looked at the variety of resteraunt types (cafes, meat and dairy, Italian, Japanese, etc.) and chose a small Asian resteraunt that had a few tables. The place, Soya, was a hole-in-the-wall but is located at the corner of Rahel Imeinu and Emek Refaim (the main drag in the German Colony). After a few hours, Matt and Devora went to sleep. I walked around for a while before catching a cab back to the Melammed's apartment.

Jerusalem Diary - Day 1

2008-01-01T11:34:00.001-05:00

I arrived in Israel early this morning. The last few times I have come, my time has not been my own since I was leading a group. This time, I have a week free in Jerusalem before my students arrive. . . so a diary of my time is in order.

Before leaving: Sunday, I officiated at the funeral of my great-aunt, Dr. Ethel Platt z"l. Aunt Ethel died on Shabbat at 91. She graduated medical school in 1941 and spent close to 50 years in practice with her husband, Dr. David Platt in a large family practice in Wilmington, DE. David was the brother of my grandmother, Francais Kramen z"l. It is sad to have to see family at a funeral but not so sad when someone lived an accomplished long life.

My parents always joke that we never spend more than 24 hours in Delaware. Since we didn't leave until after Shabbat, this time it was more like 20 hours. On the way home, Deborah dropped me at a hotel near the Newark airport. It was lucky that my pre-flight plans changed. My ticket was leaving from Newark and I had booked a flight from Hartford to JFK!

After meeting the Birthright group I was escorting to Israel, I made my way to the gate. There, a Levine cousin, Ronit Field called out to me. Of course, this wouldn't be the only chance meeting of the last two days . . . On the flight was my former professor from JTS, Dr. Ed Greenstein (who is cousins with AC student Josh Glasser) and his family. Ed's son is classmates with the son of the family I am staying with in Jersuaelm.

The Birthright group was heading to Jerusalem so I joined them to meet my host, my college Professor and friend, Dr. Renee Levine Mellamed. She told me she would call when she was able to meet me. It turns out the bus was in a great place for her to pick me up--between Gan Sacher and Wolfson towers. So I told the bus driver who told me to get in the middle of traffic with my bags! Typical Israeli bus driver. A few minutes later, Renee picked me up on the road to Hebrew University and the Israel museum.

After settling in to their apartment, having some breakfast, napping and showering, it was time to venture to the Center of Jerusalem. I took the 6 bus into the center and went to visit my beduin friends from Dahab off of Ben Yehuda. I met Issa and his brother two years ago when I came during the war. Rabbi David Small and I bought our wives jewelry and promised to return with groups. I did so last year and decided to say hello. They served me tea and we talked for almost an hour. They showed me the new stuff in their shop and I promised to return with my students.

I decided I needed some lunch and went to Pinati--the best humus place in the city. Pinati is a hole-in-the-wall store that I walked by many times until my friend Rabbi Matt Berkowitz showed it to me in 1993. They now have a glass enclosure at the top and I had a great seat to people watch. You never know who you will see! After a few minutes, I hear a knock on the window and a loud call of "Bruce!" Matt was here in Jerusalem. With the type of coincidence that occurs in our Holy City, he had a few minutes free and was wandering around. If I hadn't gone to Pinati and he hadn't had free time, we wouldn't have seen each other. After finishing, we went for a walk and caught up about families, work, and Matt's art. I took him to visit Dahab and then waited with him until he met a friend. We will get together again on Friday.
After a little shopping (2 cd's and 2 books), I took the bus back to Givat Mordechai for the evening.

My chapter in the new Hillel LGBTQ Resource Guide

2007-12-19T14:35:00.001-05:00

This week's Forward has an article about a new Hillel LGBTQ Resource Guide. I was the author of the chapter of Being an Ally (although I still believe that the whole Resource Guide is about being an ally). I think I am the only Rabbi who participated in the project who identifies as an ally.

The sources below are mentioned in my section but not included. I posted them during the Hillel Professional Staff Conference where I presented on my section.

Sources in ‘Being An Ally’ Section, The Hillel LGBTQ Resource Guide

Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer

Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5:

משנה. . . לפיכך נברא אדם יחידי, ללמדך שכל המאבד נפש אחת מישראל - מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו איבד עולם מלא, וכל המקיים נפש אחת מישראל - מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו קיים עולם מלא. ומפני שלום הבריות, שלא יאמר אדם לחבירו אבא גדול מאביך, ושלא יהו המינים אומרים: הרבה רשויות בשמים. ולהגיד גדולתו של הקדוש ברוך הוא, שאדם טובע כמה מטבעות בחותם אחד - כולן דומין זה לזה, ומלך מלכי המלכים הקדוש ברוך הוא טבע כל אדם בחותמו של אדם הראשון - ואין אחד מהן דומה לחבירו. לפיכך כל אחד ואחד חייב לומר: בשבילי נברא העולם.

For this reason was human created alone, to teach you that whoever destroys a single soul (of Israel), Scripture imputes [guilt] to him as though he had destroyed a complete world; and whoever preserves a single soul (of Israel), Scripture ascribes [merit] to him, as though he had preserved a complete world. Furthermore, [the first human was created alone—ie. singularly] for the sake of peace among people, that one might not say to another, ‘My father was greater than yours,’ . . . again, to proclaim the greatness of the Blessed-Holy One: for if a person strikes many coins from one mould; they all resemble one another, but the Supreme Sovreign of Sovreign, the Blessed-Holy One, fashioned every human in the stamp of the first human, and yet not one of them resembles another. Therefore every single person is obliged to say: ‘the world was created for my sake!’

Genesis 1:27

בראשית פרק א פסוק כז

ויברא אלהים את האדם בצלמו בצלם אלהים ברא אתו זכר ונקבה ברא אתם:

God created the first human in God’s image; God created it [the First Human] male and female.

Genesis 5:1

בראשית פרק ה פסוק א

זה ספר תולדת אדם ביום ברא אלהים אדם בדמות אלהים עשה אתו:

This is the book of the Generations of Adam on the day God created Adam; Adam was made in the image of God.

Genesis Rabbah 24,7

בראשית רבה (וילנא) פרשה כד

ר"ע אומר (ויקרא יט) ואהבת לרעך כמוך, זה כלל גדול בתורה, שלא תאמר הואיל ונתבזיתי יתבזה חבירי עמי הואיל ונתקללתי יתקלל חבירי עמי, א"ר תנחומא אם עשית כן דע למי אתה מבזה, בדמות אלהים עשה אותו.

Rabbi Akiva said: “Love your neighbor as your self,” this is a Great Rule of Torah: that [a person] should not say, ‘Since I was embarrassed, I will embarrass my friend with me;’ ‘since I was cursed, I will curse my friend with me. Rabbi Tanhuma said: “If one did this, know who you embarrassed—[one] made in the image of God.

Keeping Your Menorah (actually Hanukiah) Clean

2007-12-05T12:45:00.000-05:00

This came up last night at Smith's Hanukah party.

Hag Urim Sameach,
Have a joyous Festival of Lights,
RB

Join Kvod Habriot: Jewish Human Rights Network

2007-12-02T13:36:00.000-05:00

Help us build a national network that will make universal human rights a core commitment of the Jewish community.

We are rabbis, communities, and individuals dedicated to the human rights of all.

What are the goals of K'vod Habriot?

Build the first-ever, national network to mobilize Jewish commitment to human rights.
Strengthen Honor the Image of God: Stop Torture Now, A Jewish Campaign to End U.S.-Sponsored Torture.
Mobilize the Jewish community to address other human rights issues.

K'vod Habriot Statement of Principles:

"Every human being is created in the image of God" Bidmut Elohim asah oto: It is incumbent on each of us to act in a way that affirms the fundamental dignity of every human being. Respect for each human being is the foundation of Jewish ethics.
"[We must] do what is just and right." La'asot Tzedek U'Mishpat: For a nation to have legitimacy, it must enforce a system of law that is fair, equitable, and just.
"Do not oppress the stranger, orphan or widow." Ger, Yatom, V'Almananah Al Tonu: We have a duty to promote a society that cares for the economic well-being of all of its members, especially those who are most vulnerable.
We believe that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights flows from these Jewish values, as well as from our own historical experience, especially that of the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust. Therefore, it is incumbent on us, as Jews, to defend the human rights of all who are oppressed.

Communities that join the K'vod Habriot network commit to the Statement of Principles and to:

Advocate for human rights through K'vod Habriot action campaigns, beginning with the current Honor the Image of God: Stop Torture Now, A Jewish Campaign to End U.S.-Sponsored Torture;
Sign the Jewish Statement Against Torture, joining over 700 rabbis and 2,000 Jews who have already done so;
Celebrate International Human Rights Day on December 10;
Educate themselves on the core values of Judaism and human rights, and learn about current human rights concerns;
Integrate human rights concerns into Jewish rituals and holidays;

Rabbis for Human Rights-North America is committed to support communities engaged in this critical work by providing:

Regular K'vod Habriot action alerts on pressing human rights issues, beginning with the campaign against torture;
Inspiring educational and liturgical resources, including suggestions for Jewish text study, reflections, and prayers, curricula for different ages and settings, sermon suggestions, and discussion material;
Staff support for rabbis and community leaders.
Suggestions for community activities related to human rights such as lobbyig, speakers, film screenings, cultural presentations and opportunities for interfaith partnership and action.

You can Join the K'vod Habriot Network online or download the brochure and mail in the form.

Eight Days Healing the Earth

2007-12-02T13:34:00.000-05:00

On the first night of Hanukkah,
my true love said to me -
"Let's buy wind-power for
E-lec-tri-city"!

On the fourth night of Hanukkah,
my rabbi said to me -
"Car-pool tonight!
Give the Breath of Life
A chance to catch new breath
When we gather to chant of our delight!"

On the eighth night of Hanukkah,
My granddaughter said to me:
"Sit down and write!
Our Senators should know that I need to grow
And that means we should cut the CO2!"

The Eight Days of Hanukkah:
Eight Actions to Heal the Earth
through the Green Menorah Covenant

Please share this message with your friends, congregants, etc - and post the "eight-day actions" on your refrigerator door.

On Hanukkah, we are taught not only to light the menorah night by night, but to publicize the miracle, to turn our individual actions outward for the rest of the world to see and to be inspired by.
So we invite you to join, this Hanukkah, in The Shalom Center 's Green Menorah Covenant for taking action - personal, communal, and political - to heal the earth from the global climate crisis.
After lighting your menorah each evening, dedicate yourself to making the changes in your life that will allow our limited sources of energy to last for as long as they're needed, and with minimal impact on our climate.

No single action will solve the global climate crisis, just as no one of us alone can make enough of a difference. Yet, if we act on as many of the areas below as possible, and act together, a seemingly small group of people can overcome a seemingly intractable crisis. We can, as in days of old, turn this time of darkness into one of light.

Day 1: Personal/Household: Call your electric-power utility to switch to wind-powered electricity. (For each home, 100% wind-power reduces CO2 emissions the same as not driving 20,000 miles in one year.)

Day 2: Synagogue, Hillel, or JCC: Urge your congregation or community building to switch to wind-powered electricity.

Day 3. Your network of friends, IM buddies, and members of civic or professional groups you belong to: Connect with people like newspaper editors, real-estate developers, architects, bankers, etc. to urge them to strengthen the green factor in all their decisions, speeches, and actions.

Day 4 (which this year is Shabbat). Automobile: If possible, choose today or one other day a week to not use your car at all. Other days, lessen driving. Shop on-line. Cluster errands. Carpool. Don't idle engine beyond 20 seconds.

Day 5: Workplace or College: Urge the top officials to arrange an energy audit. Check with utility company about getting one free or at low-cost.

Day 6: Town/City: Urge town/city officials to require greening of buildings through ordinances and executive orders. Creating change is often easier on the local level!

Day 7: State: Urge state representatives to reduce subsidies for highways, increase them for mass transit.
Day 8: National: Urge your Senators to strengthen and pass the Lieberman-Warner "America's Climate Security Act." For easy addressing and a model letter to send them, go to --

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/602/t/4181/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=21544

Make our planet's Hanukkah a happy one!

New Social Network for Jews

2007-11-28T14:16:00.001-05:00

With Chosennet and Jewstar, I am not sure why they created a new one.

Most of the students I work would rather use Facebook.
Any thoughts?
Rabbi Bruce

Joining Original Jewish; see my first post

2007-11-26T17:20:00.000-05:00

I just joined with a diverse group of Jewish thinkers (most of whom have studied at the Conservative Yeshiva) who are forming a blog, Original Jewish.

Check out my first post. Depending on how it works, we will see what happens with this blog.

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

Wearwolf Bar Mitzvah?

2007-11-01T10:24:00.002-05:00

I am not sure what I think about this.
Tracy is funny but it goes on too long.

I can't wait to see how many videos get submitted.

Shabbat shalom,
RB

What is Conservative Judaism?

2007-10-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

An interesting answer to question often asked? What is Conservative Judaism? Also asked as: why are you a Conservative Jew?

I participated in an interesting conference call this week on the proliferation of Kiruv (Orthodox outreach organizations) on campus and the challenges/opportunities this development poses to Hillel.

It is clear that Jews on campus are looking for authentic representations of Judaism.
I believe Conservative Judaism (better called Masorti or Traditional Judaism) is more authentic
than ultra-Orthodox versions of Judaism brought by most Kiruv organizations. To quote Rav Schach (something I don't do very often): they practice religions very close to Judaism.

What do you believe?
Please post your responses.
Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bruce

Great Site for Jewish Culture

2007-10-24T15:01:00.000-05:00

Nextbook.org is a great organization. Here is how they describe themselves:

Created in 2003 as a locus for Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, Nextbook is a non-profit organization which commissions books on Jewish themes, sponsors public lectures, readings, and performances in cities around the country, and publishes an online magazine. The website, Nextbook.org, contains information on all of these projects and also maintains an annotated list of recommended books.

My friend, Jonathan Rosen, is the Editorial Director of their publishing arm.
He is a talented author (the novel Eve's Apple; The Talmud and the Internet: A Journey Between Worlds; and Joy Comes in the Morning. In 1990, Jonathan created the Arts & Letters section of the Forward, which he oversaw for ten years.

Check it out,
Rabbi Bruce

What I have on my Google Reader

2007-10-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

I started using Google Reader to manage RSS feeds.
At first I wasn't sure if it would be useful but after some trial-and-error I found what works for me. I now can keep track of important articles for work and life from a number of sites that I used to check frequently.

Here are some of the sites from which I get feeds:

Jewish News sites:
Forward Feed
Offers headlines from this week's Forward so I can keep up with Jewish culture and politics.

Hillel News Feed
Keeps me up-to-date on news from Hillel's Schusterman International Center.

Jewish Blogs:
Jewschool Feed
Jewschool is one of the more interesting Jewish blogs.

Jewlicious Feed
Jewlicious is a blog that formed out of the Jewlicious festival in CA.

JSPOT Feed
This is a blog about Judaism and social justice from Jewish Funds for Justice.

NeoHasid Feed
My colleague and new neighbor, Rabbi David Seidenberg, collects resources on Neohasidic approaches to Judaism and egalitarian liturgy.

Rejewvinate Feed
Another Jewish blog.

Myjewishlearning
Great site for divrei Torah and articles on Jewish topics.

Finance and Technology:
Berkshire Ruminations
This is a great site for Buffet-style value investing.

Cody Blog Feed
I enjoy Cody Willard's erudite and informational articles on investing, technology, and life. I will miss his writing as he will be a host on Fox's new business channel.

Morningstar Feed
This is one of the best financial sites I have found. I also subscribe to Realmoney from thestreet.com but found that it had too many feeds for my taste.

Official Palm Blog
I have used a Palm since 1999. I am hoping that a new Treo will be released for Verizon before I give up and buy an iPhone.

More to come as I continue to refine this tool.
Rabbi Bruce

Sweet New Year

2007-09-11T18:21:00.000-05:00

I was told I haven't been posting enough on my blog, so here is some New Year themed entertainment and learning. For info on Rosh Hashanah, check out Hillel's web site.

With wishes of a sweet New Year for you and your families. May the old year take its curses with it and the new year bring with it blessings.

לשנה טובה תכתיבו

May you be inscribed for a year of meaning & health.
May we merit to see peace speedily in our day!

Rabbi Bruce and Deborah Bromberg Seltzer
Zev, Hadas, Adeena, & Maayan

____________________________________________________________________

Rosh Hashanah Services & Dinner at Smith:
Wednesday night services and dinner
Thursday services and picnic/tashlich
____________________________________________________________________

Now for the fun:

A fun video made by students at Rutgers:
Rosh Hashanah Girl
(Inspired by "I Got a Crush...On Obama" starring Obama Girl Hot on the heels of YouTube sensation “Obama Girl”, “I Gotta’ Love You Rosh Hashanah” is the musical journey of a girl and her shofar as she welcomes the Jewish New Year! Follow Rosh Hashanah Girl as she sings and dances through the streets of New York — from Central Park to Times Square to the rooftops of Brooklyn, she’s got everyone singing “R to the O to the S to the H” ... and soon you will be too!).

Two Rosh Hashanah videos of Shabot 6000 (from a weekly series by Ben Baruch):
Tekiah
Head of the Year

Thanks to my college friend, Wendy Robin Stark, who emailed me two additional videos from YouTube (I believe I posted the second one last year):
This is a RH themed version of a classic Muppets bit. (How do you say Muppets in Hebrew?)

This is hard to describe.

Fun and Trembling: Playing Rosh Hashanah Blog Tag

2007-08-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

My friend and colleague Menachem has started a blog tag as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah.
Now that the new students have arrived at Smith & Amherst, I am reminded that relationships are often influenced by their beginnings. How/where one first meets someone and the impressions that are made influence human relationships. Still, it is possible to reset relationships--to bring them back to a balance. That is one of the main tasks of the Yamim Noraim.

Welcome to campus and good luck repairing your relationships and soul,

Rabbi Bruce

Farming for the Soul; Eating for Our Earth

2007-08-22T19:56:00.001-05:00

The New York Times has an article about religious involvement in Community Supported Agriculture (known as CSA's). The article, which discusses the growth of faith-based agriculture, is written by cook book author and Times columnist Joan Nathan. Hazon, an innovative organization promoting ecology and CSA, is at the forefront of the movement. Check out their blog.

I look forward to welcoming students back to campus. Stop by and say hello when you get in.

Remember that Rosh Hashanah begins September 12th at sunset! It is at the beginning of the second week of classes.

Rabbi Bruce

Rachel & Larry's Wedding

2007-07-30T16:18:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, Rachel Bromberg will marry Larry Leibowitz. Rachel is Deborah's younger sister and we are thrilled. I will be co-officiating with my brother-in-law Rabbi Aaron Gaber.
More posts to follow soon,
Rabbi Bruce

PS If you are an entering Smith or Amherst College student, let me know who you are!!

Historic Visit to Promote Peace

2007-07-25T07:59:00.001-05:00

This morning (Israel time), the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Jordan landed in Israel to formally offer Israel a peace plan on behalf of the Arab League.
Both Egypt and Jordan have signed Peace Agreements with Israel (more of a cold peace than a warm peace), but the Arab League as an organization has been hostile until recently.

According to the NY Times website:

'We are extending a hand of peace on behalf of the whole region to you, and we hope that we will be able to create the momentum needed to resume fruitful and productive negotiations'' between Israel and the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world, Jordan's foreign minister, Abdul-Ilah Khatib, said at a news conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the visit was historic.

''This is the first time that a delegation is coming here under the auspices of the Arab League,'' he said. ''In the past, the Arab League has opposed dialogue, normalization and any contact with Israel and this is the first time the Arab League has authorized a delegation to visit Israel.''

Now, they are offering a peace plan. Israel will not accept a plan that includes full withdrawal from East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City and large numbers of Jewish neighborhoods but also contains the bulk of the Arab population of the city) and the population centers of the West Bank. Still, Israel will be forced to respond and hopefully a real negotiation can resume.

I am hopeful that peace is one step closer than before. May it come speedily in our day!
Rabbi Bruce

Smith Jewish Life Blog

2007-06-18T11:26:00.001-05:00

I am trying out a centralized blog for Jewish life at Smith College.
Let me know what you think.
One for Amherst will be up soon.
RB

Immigration and Family History

2007-06-04T10:47:00.002-05:00

First an introduction:

Normally on Thursday afternoon, I learn Talmud with my friends and colleagues Rabbis David Dunn Bauer (Jewish Community of Amherst), Justin David (Congregation Bnai Israel in Northampton) and Eddie Feld (Rabbi-in-Residence at JTS Rabbinical School). We regularly meet at Eddie's house and it is a highlight of my week. The second day of Shavuot was a Thursday and our colleagues with pulpits were unavailable, but I told Eddie I would stop by to learn with him anyway.

I walked over with my three older children (Zev, Hadas, and Adeena) since Deborah had to take Maayan to the doctor. We had a great visit. One highlight was the t-shirt that Eddie was wearing. It had a famous picture of four Native Americans on horseback and an ironic caption: "Office of Homeland Security--Fighting Terrorism Since 1492."

I was thinking of Eddie's t-shirt when I read an informative blog article about the Immigration Bill on J-Spot.

Only one of my four grandparents, Max Seltzer z"l, was an immigrant to the US. Still, I believe that only one of my great-grandparents was born in the US. All the others are immigrants. One of the points of the blog and a secondary point of the shirt (at least to me) is that almost everyone in our country is the descendant of immigrants!

I have to run, but more on this soon.

Rabbi Bruce

Commencement & Shavuot

2007-05-17T14:32:00.001-05:00

Smith is gearing up for 2007 Commencement (the Baccalaureate Service is starting as I write this). Friday night, we will have Shabbat services and dinner at Neilson Browsing Room starting at 5:30pm.

This coming Tuesday night is Shavuot--the Jewish holiday commemorating Revelation at Sinai.
If you are in the Five College area, I suggest you check out JCA (features a panel between Smith's Joel Kaminsky and JTS's Eddie Feld) or CBI's (highlights include the start of a year of learning about Abraham Joshua Heschel) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot programs. If not, enjoy your learning and celebration in your city. Here is a great group of resources and the Shefa Shavuot Blog.

I plan to teach at CBI. Hopefully, more to come.

RB

New Take on the Holocaust

2007-05-08T16:03:00.001-05:00

This year, Grammy award winning Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari andIsraeli rap/hip-hop star Kobi "Subliminal" Shimoni have co-produced a hip-hop music video expressing their sentiments on the Shoah. It is called "God Almighty When Will it End."

It is non-traditional and--for many--disturbing. In Israel, CD/Video was distributed by the thousands to students in schools, by recommendation, approval and blessing of -- amongst others --Professor Yehuda Bauer (Israel's leading historian on the Holocaust) and Rabbi BennyLau (son of Holocaust survivor and former Israeli Chief Rabbi Yisrael M eirLau). As highly traditional people, they both praised this genuine effort to make the message of the Holocaust relevant to a disconnected younger generation.

As the generation of survivors pass away and new generations grow up without the personal contact to these truth-tellers, it is important to examine new ways to transmit the Holocaust. Even if this is not the way I would have chosen, it is worth examination. May we continue to grapple with the memory of the Six Million victims and its impact on our humanity.

Rabbi Bruce

Much of the above text comes from an email distributed by Rabbi Daniel Bouskila of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel (Los Angeles)

As usual, there has been a number of blog posts about this including two (here and here) on jewschool.

Two Articles of Interest

2007-05-03T13:25:00.000-05:00

JTA (the Jewish Telegraphic Agency--a press agency for the Jewish community) released an article on JTS Chancellor-Elect Arnold Eisen's talk to the RA.

Also, the NY Times had an article about religion on the campus. Since this was the subject of a breakout session I led on Monday, it came a few days too late. Still, it is useful and interesting.

I hope to add to the post after I have time to catch up,

Rabbi Bruce

Further Note from Cambridge

2007-05-02T18:10:00.000-05:00

I am sitting in a RA session honoring the work of Ruth Messinger and AJWS.
I commend everyone pay attention to this organization and get involved.

Rabbi Bruce

Thoughts from Cambridge--My Days at The RA Convention

2007-05-02T11:25:00.000-05:00

Since Sunday afternoon, I have been at the annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly (the international organizations of Conservative rabbis). We have been meeting in Cambridge.

Some of the highlights include staying with my friend Rabbi Allan Lehmann (currently the Rabbinic Director/Chaplain of Brandeis Hillel but soon to be a Dean at the Hebrew College Rabbinical School) and the amazing teachers we have been able to learn from (Chancellor-Elect Arnold Eisen of JTS/Stanford, Rabbi David Golinkin of Schechter Institute and Avivah Zornberg of Jerusalem, leaders in the field of leadership, and many others).

It is wonderful to catch up with colleagues who are old friends and meet new ones (who I often know only from internet conversations).

More reflections may follow,
Rabbi Bruce

Rav Shmuel's "Protocols of the Elders of Zion"

2007-04-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I heard a CD from Rav Shmuel. I put it aside as a Matisyahu copy-cat but now I am reconsidering. The Weekly Forward had an article about his hit, Protocols, which is popular on YouTube. The song has an interesting history--he wrote it in response to anti-Semitic heckling at a perfomance.
It examines stereotypes, misconceptions, and more using humorous lyrics and cartoon graphics.
The graphics help the song achieve its intended result of bursting stereotypes--so it might not work as well with just audio.
Check out Rav Shmuel's website and blog for more about him.
Let me know what you think.
Rabbi Bruce

Best Jewish Blog Vote

2007-04-24T14:51:00.000-05:00

Even though you won't find me there, I suggest you visit the Best Jewish and Israel Blog Awards.
The variety of blogs is amazing. You can learn a lot about the areas of Jewish community which have the most energy (at least among those on-line).

RB

Jews Against the War

2007-04-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

I recently signed this petition against the continued war in Iraq.
While my readers have many political viewpoints, few that I know are in favor of the war.
Still, how to stop it is a serious issue that perplexes leaders and citizens alike.
I would hate to be the father of the last American or British soldier to die in Iraq, or one of the last ten, or hundred.

I support the Democratic attempt to support the troops in the best way possible--to get them out of an ongoing civil war in a fractured country.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

Virginia Tech: Senseless Tragedy and Selfless Herorism

2007-04-18T08:42:00.001-05:00

The tragedy at Virginia Tech is almost beyond words. It shows the devastating consequences of complicated modern communication, ineffective gun control, and senseless violence.
My first thoughts were for Sue Kurtz, my Hillel colleague at Virginia Tech, and her family. Thankfully, they are safe--at least physically. I remember a conversation we had at a conference in November about how to bring Kosher food to their university located far from a Jewish community. Beyond her, my only connection to Virginia Tech is an alumna, Mara Seidel--a fellow Wilmingtonian and UMASS Hillel's JCSC Fellow.

Virginia Tech Hillel Director Sue Kurtz's speech at yesterday's Virginia Tech convocation.
Message from Hillel about Virginia Tech

Now, we are organizing a memorial vigil/service at Smith for this afternoon. For campuses around the country, it has brought disaster and crisis planning to its rightful place of attention (most campuses have been working on this because of an expected flu pandemic). At our Amherst staff meeting, we discussed how to balance the needs of Religious Advisors who only work at Amherst 1/3 time (and share the rest with Smith).

Below is the story of one courageous professor--survivor of the Holocaust and Soviet labor camp who lost his life after saving those of his students.
He demonstrates that the human capacity for evil (or sickness) allows for emergence of heroic acts of kindness. Let us follow Liviu Librescu's example and fill the world with acts of loving kindness.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the community of Virginia Tech (students, staff, faculty, parents, neighbors, alumnae, and more). May the memories of those whose lives were destroyed be for a blessing.

Rabbi Bruce

From the Times of London:
Liviu Librescu
One victim of the Virginia massacre left an incomparable legacy

The last person to see Professor Liviu Librescu alive appears to have been
Alec Calhoun, a student at Virginia Tech who turned as he prepared to leap
from a high classroom window to see the elderly academic holding shut the
classroom door. The student jumped, and lived. Minutes later, the professor
was shot dead.

There is no meaningful distinction between one relative's grief and
another's sorrow as the bereaved converge on Blacksburg from as near as
Roanoke and as far as India. But it is worth reflecting on the significance
of Professor Librescu's life of quiet heroism, which encompassed the
Holocaust, a career of internationally admired teaching and research, and a
final act of sacrifice that saved at least nine other lives.

The son of Romanian Jewish parents, he was sent to a Soviet labour camp as a
boy after his father was deported by the Nazis. He was repatriated to
communist Romania only to be forced out of academia there for his Israeli
sympathies. A personal intervention by Menachem Begin enabled him to
emigrate with his wife to Israel, from where he visited the US on a
sabbatical in 1986, and chose to stay. The appalling ironies of his murder
by a crazed student after a life of such fortitude and generosity will not
be lost on anyone who hears his story.

Yet neither should those who mourn him forget the role that America played
in his life. As for so many other survivors of the mid-20th century's
genocidal convulsions, the US was for this inspiring teacher both a beacon
of hope and a welcoming new home. Founded on the idea of liberty, it also
made, for him, a reality of that idea. Let those he saved now make the most
of it.

Changes to blog

2007-04-06T13:58:00.000-05:00

I have been updating my blog format over the last few weeks.
I added a chatterbox, a customized Google Search, switched the main language to English, and did a few other small tweaks.
Let me know what you think.
moadim l'simchah

Maayan Aviv Bromberg Seltzer Named at Beth Judah

2007-04-05T16:14:00.001-05:00

Tuesday morning, the first day of Pesach, Maayan Aviv Bromberg Seltzer received her name.
We were lucky to not have anyone to name her after and got to pick a name we like. Maayan --meaning a water spring--is appropriate given the many instances of water symbolism in the Exodus story and it was snowing that night. Born on the first day of Spring (the season Aviv) and Rosh Hodesh Nissan (the month containing Pesach-aka Hag Aviv).

She was named in the presence of all of her immediate family -- parents, siblings, grandparents, two uncles, two aunts, and a soon to be third uncle.

Dod Rabbi Aaron Gaber led the naming ceremony after I chanted the haftarah.

Today, Maayan went to visit her great-grandmother Lily Bromberg (whose 100 birthday on Monday was featured by Willard Scott on Wednesdays Today Show).

Moadim l'simchah,
Rabbi Bruce

A List of 50 Top American Rabbis

2007-03-29T08:34:00.002-05:00

Newsweek posted a list of the 50 Top American Rabbis

While I was under no delusion that I would be listed, the Jewish blog world has lit up with questions and comments about who is included (and excluded from the list).
I (and others) have noted a generational bias and a disproportionate amount of Orthodox rabbis. There is also a bias towards activism over scholarship. Both of these are caused in part by the creators of this list (media powerbrokers) and their methodology.

The list also demonstrates the complex nature of the American Jewish community. While there are a number of Rabbis with YU/REITS Smicha (only Rabbi Norman Lamm is actively affiliated there). This is telling for a school that has produced more rabbis than any other and has a large, well known faculty. Similarly for my alma mater, JTS. The rise of alternative centers in Orthodoxy (Chabad, Chovevei Torah) and Conservative Judaism (UJ soon to be known as the American Jewish University) and non-movement based organizations (National Jewish Outreach Program, CLAL, Panim, Shalom Center, etc.) is changing the known faces of Judaism.

Good luck Kashering for Pesach,
Rabbi Bruce

Food, Judaism, and Contemporary Issues Blog

2007-03-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

I just saw an interesting new blog.

Here is its description:

About The Jew & The Carrot

“There will come a day when a carrot, freshly observed, will spark a revolution.”– Paul Cezanne.

The Jew and the Carrot features the intersection between Jews, food and contemporary life.

The Jewish community has an amazingly complex relationship to food. As the rest of the world is waking up to the notion of sustainable agriculture, local foods, and healthy eating, so is the Jewish community in the States and in Israel.

We want to:

Raise the quality of discussion about contemporary food issues in the Jewish community.
Convey a sense of importance and joy around food.
Challenge and inspire participants to think deeply and broadly about their own food choices.

The Jew and the Carrot is a project of Hazon, an organization working to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community — as a step towards a healthier and more sustainable world for all.

Enjoy!

RB

PS  Today, I connected with a lot of my under 25 cousins through Facebook.

Targeted Divestment from Sudan

2007-03-23T14:07:00.000-05:00

American Jewish World Service has been a leading advocate for ending genocide in Darfur.

I have been interested in Socially Responsible Investing (a type of investing that looks at ethical and social implications of various investment choices). I believe SRI provides an additional way of using personal and communal resources to accomplish desired goals.

Just as people use charitable contributions to promote causes we are interested, choice of investments and participating in shareholder engagements allows an additional way to influence society. Personal investments, organization endowments, and even public holdings, are possible sources of influence.

Divestment--selling or boycotting certain investments which are seen to support a problematic group or activity--has a complicated history. Many experts view the campaign to divest from South Africa as a major factor in ending Apartheid. Money is power and the withholding of money is a lever that can move mountains.

In this case, AJWS is advocating targeted divestment as part of an ongoing campaign to put real and concerted pressure on the Sudanese government. This plan has support of the American Jewish Committee, ADL, JCPA, Jewish War Veterns, Jewish World Watch, Jewish Federations in Connecticut, Duchess County, NY; Fort Wayne, IN; Greater Indianapolis, IN; St. Joseph Valley, IN; and Western Massachusetts (the local Federation for this area of the country).

Here is a tool that screens mutual funds for Sudan investments.

Get involved in Stopping Genocide in Darfur.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bruce

This is a trial of a new blog editing program.

2007-03-22T15:36:00.001-05:00

More Pictures Up

2007-03-20T08:55:00.001-05:00

This morning, I drove the children to visit Deborah and baby at the hospital on the way to school.

Some pictures are now posted on a Google Webalbum.

RB

Newest Bromberg Seltzer

2007-03-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

At 9:47pm Monday 3/19, Deborah gave birth to a baby girl.
Baby and mom are fine after spending only 17 minutes in the delivery room (20 minutes in the hospital)!
Deborah and baby are staying at Cooley Dickinson hospital (http://www.cooley-dickinson.org/patandvisit/famandfriends.php)
I didn't catch the length but she is 7 pounds, 6 ounces (not so small after all of the concern).
I hope to have more pictures tomorrow.
Hopefully, the older brother and sisters will visit their newest sister in the morning before going to school.
Rabbi Bruce

Vegan Cartoon

2007-03-14T14:58:00.001-05:00

This cartoon is not intended to demonstrate that I find Vegans annoying--it is just funny.
RB

Click Drive to Fight Poverty

2007-03-14T14:48:00.002-05:00

This is a great example of a fairly simple way to give tzedakah online.

Oxfam America is an organization "committed to creating lasting solutions to global poverty, hunger and social injustice."

At Smith, Tzedec does an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet each year.

They are signing up colleges to compete to see who can raise the most money.
Neither Smith nor Amherst are currently signed up. If you are a student, please
rectify this by signing us up (and letting me know).

RB

Win a Trip with N. Kristof of the NYTIMES

2007-03-13T13:18:00.001-05:00

I have been very impressed with Nicholas Kristof's writing in the New York Times.
Now there is an essay contest for a chance to travel with him. One college student
and one educator will go with him.

I am jealous of the winners!

RB

Oscar Winning Movie to Be Shown at Smith

2007-03-01T17:52:00.002-05:00

Live Short Oscar-winner West Bank Story will be shown at Smith College as part of Hillel's Jewish Arts Month and the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival.

More to follow

Rabbi Bruce

Purim This Weekend

2007-03-01T17:49:00.001-05:00

The Five College Megillah Reading and Purim Celebration will occur Saturday night at Amherst College's Alumni House at 7:30pm.

In addition to Megillah reading in Hebrew, there will be Purim Shpiels (humorous skits about the Book of Esther), mask making, food, drink, song and the opportunity to make mishloach manot (portions of food given to friends on Purim).
Come in costume!
see you there,

Rabbi Bruce

Back in the Chapel Again--On Rabbinic Reorganization

2007-02-21T16:06:00.001-05:00

Some reflections on moving back into my Smith Chapel office:

Those who know me will find this quote that I have displayed in my office ironic:
"When I get a little money, I buy BOOKS; if any is left I buy food and clothes." (Desiderius Erasmus, 1466-1536)

I certainly don't lack for books, food, or clothes, but I buy books more frequently than the other two. Anytime these books are unavailable (and remember that our family probably has 800-1000 books at home and I keep hundreds more at Amherst), their absence weighs on me. It is hard for me to talk with students without pointing them to a book or author. . .
--

It is hard for a rabbi (especially me) to have one's library packet away. Since some of the book shelves (not to mention the books) were already in my office when I arrived, it is fun to set them up from scratch.

My files (also packed away for the last few weeks) are getting a once-over as well. At the same time, Smith asked us to examine files on the server's hard drive to save space. So they are being reorganized as well. (As I have been doing that, I realized that the web page I created for my writings is not yet up-to-date, so I have been adding things as I find them. Check it out.

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

PS. Those who did not get to attend Smith's Rally Day today (where I substituted with an invocation already posted on-line), missed 5 inspirational alumnae.
Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

First Batch of Birthright Pictures Up

2007-02-19T13:53:00.002-05:00

I posted the first third of my Birthright pictures.

More to follow.

Rabbi Bruce

Adam Sandler Rewrite the Song: Google's Sergei is Jewish

2007-02-19T13:49:00.001-05:00

Moment Magazine has an article about Sergei, his parents, their Russian & Jewish backgrounds.
By-the-way, Larry Page is Jewish as well but the article explains that he doesn't consider it a strong part of his identity.

Rabbi Bruce

A few Items

2007-02-02T16:19:00.000-05:00

A few quick items before Shabbat.
This summer I had the pleasure of getting to know Rabbi Danny Nevins when we roomed together on the RA Rabbinic Solidarity Mission to Israel. This week he was appointed the new dean of the JTS Rabbinical School (from which we were both ordained).

Mazal tov to Danny and JTS Chancellor-Elect Arnold Eisen for appointing a shining light of the Conservative Movement to this important post. Rabbi Nevins is one of the authors of the passing liberal tshuvah (rabbinic legal paper) on homosexuality that passed the CJLS this December. I encourage everyone to not pigeon-hole Danny into a one-dimensional person. He is a dynamic pulpit rabbi, teacher, and scholar.

Outgoing Dean William Leabeau is a personal mentor and a rabbi's-rabbi. I wish him luck as he starts to wind down his career at JTS (where he is also Vice-Chancellor for Rabbinic Developement).

Speaking of Prof Eisen, he is one of the contributors to On Faith, a blog on faith issues with a great list of contributors. It looks interesting.

This week is Shabbat Shirah--when we read the Song of the Sea. May the beautiful Song of the Sea inspire each of us to sing our own Jewish song, taking ownership of each of our unique Jewish destinies.

Shabbat Shirah Sameach,
A joyous song-filled Shabbat to all,
Rabbi Bruce

Bus 604

2007-01-26T13:17:00.001-05:00

לכבוד הקהילה מבוססת על כבוד ואהבה
In honor of a community organized on the basis of honor and affection:

I just returned from ten days in Israel with an amazing group of 36 Five College students, 7 Israeli soldiers, and a talented staff. Taglit-Birthright Israel is an amazing opportunity.
In addition to getting to know a great group of bright, energetic, and interesting students--I saw Israel from a new light--that of first-time visitors struggling with taking ownership of their Jewish identity.

More to follow.
To Bus 604: Even if we can't assemble in real-life, we can spend Shabbat together in spirit.

Shabbat Shalom,
RB

Taglit-bri Trip 1/15-1/26

2007-01-11T16:55:00.001-05:00

I will be staffing Five College Hillel's Taglit/birthright israel trip starting Monday 1/15.
I probably will not post until I get back.

Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce

JTS Survey on

2007-01-05T14:13:00.001-05:00

JTS has created a survey to ait its faculty and lay leaders to make a decision about admitting openly gay and lesbian students.

If you are interested, please complete the survey:
https://www.smcresearch.org/programs/Survey.asp?nSurvey=82

I leave for birthright israel with students a week from Monday. We don't return until the end of January. I don't expect to make many posts in the next few weeks.
Shabbat Shalom,
RB

Rabbi Bruce's Blog

A Place Could Make You Cry Part I--Reflections on Seeing the Film Unsettled

Dvar Torah at My Niece's Bat Mitzvah

My Dvar Torah at Zev's Bar Mitzvah

Will it Ever Go Away: Galliano and Assange Make Anti-Semitic Remarks

8 + Songs for Chanukah

Israel Advocacy in a Complicated Time

High Holiday Preparation

Park 51, the Pentagon, and Islamophobia

More Posts Coming Soon

Tzelofhad's Daughters - for Anat (Women of the Wall Chair Anat Hoffman arrested at Western Wall) by Abby Caplin

On A Lighter Note: Few Companies Make Rapping Monkey Songs to Announce Their Purchase--Woot Did

Does Opinion Conflict With Fact or is Economic Development the Future of Peace?

New Local Jewish Blog: A Jew Grows in Noho

Student Q: Can I use Lactaid on Passover?

First 31 Days, 31 Ideas; Now 28 Days, 28 Ideas

Music for Eight Nights of Chanukah-David Brooks

Jews Come in All Colors

Why My Zionism Isn't Racism

RH Info/Videos Not To Be Missed

Smith College

Services led by Rabbi Bruce and Sarah Bolts, '08

Friday September 18th

Rosh Hashanah Evening Services - Helen Hills Hills Chapel, 6pm

Festive Dinner at 7:30pm in the Alumni House

Rosh Hashanah Evening Services - Chapin Chapel, 6pm

Festive Dinner at 7:30pm in the Cadigan Center for Religious Life

Saturday September 19th

Dancing to Matisyahu's Jerusalem at Smith College

Welcome Students-Watch for a Big Announcement

Craig (of Craigs List) Joins Lendforpeace.org Advisory Board

Craigslist founder, Craig Newmark, joins LendforPeace.org in support of Middle East entrepreneurship

Nusach Carlebach 1 - Nusach Ramah 0

Observations on Practices of "Nusach" in America, Boaz Tarsi, Asian Music, Vol. 33, No. 2 (Spring - Summer, 2002), pp. 175-219 Published by: University of Texas Press

New Koren-Sachs Siddur Demonstrates How Women Can Be Part of Orthodox Judaism

New Wiki for Learning & Teaching About Social Justice

More Thoughts on Divestment

First Annual Jewish Disability Awareness Month

Divestment & Boycott Means You Don't Think Israel Should Exist

In A Democracy Some Are Guilty, but All Are Responsible: Executive Orders Start to Turn the Page On Torture & Detention

Opportunity for Jews to Send Blessings to President Obama

Wildpeace by Yehuda Amichai

Peace to Those Near & Far - The More Things Change, the More Things Stay the Same

HP giveaway

Lift Every Voice and Sing--CNN Declares for Obama at 11:00pm!

Uniting a Divided Country--Ruminations on Ending Sinat Chinam on Election Day

Prayer for Voting by Rabbi David Seidenberg

A Prayer For Voting

Rabbinical Assembly Appoints First Female Rabbi to Head Rabbinical Organization

Muslim Community Leader Dies During Rammadan

From a Levaya to a Hatuna

Great New Approach to Bnai Mitzvah Tutoring

Ceasefire Between Hamas & Israel Started This Morning

A New Voice for Isael

Apathy, protests, Heschel, and more

Summer '08 Taglit-birthright israel Trips Now Open for Registration

Congressman Tom Lantos--Holocaust Survivor and Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs--Died 2/11/08

Help Senate Pass Anti-Torture Legislation

Liberal Sofrim Article Mentions Focuses on Rabbi Linda Motzkin

Compare Your Positions to the Candidates

Jerusalem Diary - Sunday

Jerusalem Diary - Shabbat

Jerusalem Diary Erev Shabbat

Jerusalem Diaries-Day 3

Jerusalem Diaries-Day 2

Jerusalem Diary - Day 1

My chapter in the new Hillel LGBTQ Resource Guide

Keeping Your Menorah (actually Hanukiah) Clean

Join Kvod Habriot: Jewish Human Rights Network

Eight Days Healing the Earth

New Social Network for Jews

Joining Original Jewish; see my first post

Wearwolf Bar Mitzvah?

What is Conservative Judaism?

Great Site for Jewish Culture

What I have on my Google Reader

Sweet New Year

*Fun and Trembling: Playing Rosh Hashanah Blog Tag*

Farming for the Soul; Eating for Our Earth

Rachel & Larry's Wedding

Fun and Trembling: Playing Rosh Hashanah Blog Tag