Map Game

How well do you know the maps of the Middle East, North Africa, and the “Stans?”  Try your hand at this online map quiz called Rethinking Schools.

Summertime, Freedom and Captivity

Growing up in the United States, summertime equalled freedom. We were free from school, free to play, ride bikes, sit by the lake, free to spend much of our time in our imaginations. Celebration of America’s Independence Day on the 4th of July amplified the focus on freedom.

This year, more than the previous 2 years, my thoughts turned to Gilad Shalit as we celebrated American Independence Day. Gilad Shalit has not known freedom for 3 years. He sits in captivity, captured in a cross-boarder raid by Hamas. None of his family, friends or colleagues have heard from him in years. Hamas, the terrorist government of the Gazan Palestinian Authority does not allow even the Red Crescent, the Muslim version of the Red Cross to see him. This is in violation of international law and practice. (By the way, I wrote Gazan Palestinian Authority because the PA in Gaza does not get along with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank led by Fatah.) While he is not free, none of us are free.

Freedom is precious and cannot be taken for granted. I pray that Gilad will know freedom some day soon.

If you would like to learn more about Gilad Shalit, visit the website HaBanim.

Prayer Placed by Pope in Western Wall

(Quick follow-up to my last post on the Pope’s visit:)

Here is the text of the beautiful prayer he placed in the Western Wall (courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs). View the prayer as well as a photograph of its placement in the wall.

Written prayer by Pope Benedict XVI

God of all the ages,
on my visit to Jerusalem, the “City of Peace”,
spiritual home to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike,
I bring before you the joys, the hopes and the aspirations,
the trials, the suffering and the pain of all your people throughout the world.
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
hear the cry of the afflicted, the fearful, the bereft;
send your peace upon this Holy Land, upon the Middle East,
upon the entire human family;
stir the hearts of all who call upon your name,
to walk humbly in the path of justice and compassion.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him!” (Lam 3:25)

Pope’s Visit to Israel

Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage visit to Israel is creating quite a bit of press coverage. Unlike Pope John Paul II visit a few years ago, Benedict XVI seems to be on a personal/church/religious mission rather than on a mission of interfaith understanding, bridge building and politics.

Many interesting stories accompany his visit:
Trembling Before the Pope (the story of the Latin Patriarch, Fouad Twal, and his view of Catholics in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip)

A Muslim cleric and head of the Palestinian Sharia court, Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi, gave an unscheduled speech today at an interfaith gathering attended by the Pope.  Once the Pope heard a translation of the  Sheikh’s remarks he walked out, perhaps fulfilling one of Patriarch Twal’s concerns. Read another take on this story on CNN.

The Pope’s comments after visiting Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust musuem, instigated many comments.  Read a few in Ha’aretz, al-Jezeera, BBC, the Forward and YNet.

I hope that the Pope’s visit leads to greater respect, understanding and peace between peoples and a willingness of all to turn away from hate and intollerance.

UPDATE:  A Holocaust Survivor says that the criticism of the Pope is exagerated (YNet).

A Facebook Haggadah for Passover

Carl Elkin wrote a Facebook Haggadah – read the Facebook version of the Passover story.  [Hat tip to http://twitter.com/amygeek]

Passover Recipes

I love Passover.  I enjoy the story, the symbols, the rituals of the seder, the joy of celebrating with friends and family and the food.  Keeping Passover all week tethers me to our tradition and to the millions of Jews throughout the ages who have observed the restrictions of Passover.

One of the fun things is to find new recipes to try.  Our friend google just sent me to the following sites.  I look forward to searching them for vegetarian recipes to try myself.   I hope the links add to the joy of your Passover.

Jewish Recipes

Jewish Veg (a site with recipes and many resources about Judaism and vegetarianism)

Jewish Recipes on Recipe Link

Kosher Cooking Passover recipes

All Recipes - Passover Recipes

Recipe Zaar Passover Recipes

Jewish Food Recipe Archives

Have a zissen Pesach!

UPDATE:  Quinoa is kosher for Passover!!  Read about quinoa’s kosher status here.

An Old Passover Post, Revisited

A number of years ago I posted a list of Passover links to recipes, seders, kids sites, haggadot, lesson plans, and women’s seders.  Go here to get the list.

A late Purim post (Friending G-d on Facebook)

Yes, Purim was weeks ago. However, I just came across Rabbi Paul Kipnes’ blog post where he described friending G-d on Facebook.  (Thanks to the librarian’s blog at HUC called Needle in the Bookstacks).  Want to Friend G-d on Facebook?  Go here.

Israel21c Report for CNN on Coexistence Collaboration

Israel21c has been publishing news about Israel that often goes ignored for years. They do amazing work. Recently, two pieces by an Israel21c reporter were on CNN. One is about some inspiring coexistence work in Lod, a city with many struggles. Watch the report here.  The other is about how two scientists in Israel are making all of the world’s flowers more fragrant.

Watch and enjoy.

Politics in the Shul?

What is the place for politics in shul? Where should the line be drawn for rabbis, cantors and educators?

IRS regulations specify that a clergyperson may not preach a sermon supporting (or demonizing) a particular candidate if the house of worship wishes to have tax exempt status. This rule draws a clear line, but what about other communication? What about conversations at kiddush, oneg or in the parking lot? Is it okay for the rabbi to send emails to congregants about partisan political issues?

I ask this question at this time because of the presence of politics in Shul JewCrew where I attend. A rabbi of Shul JewCrew refrained from formal political pulpit sermons during last fall’s election season. The rabbi sends congregants negative, partisan emails, invitations to political events on Facebook (JewCrew city’s “tea party”), discussions at oneg, and during private conversations.

For months now, I have felt that my views are unwelcome. I worry that I have to either defend my views or plan to extricate myself from a conversation or not go to shul. Why should an uncomfortable political conversation from the rabbi keep me from feeling comfortable at shul? The thought that I am refraining from going to my current spiritual “home” because of the rabbi’s politics makes me mad. US politics is not the rabbi’s role (IMHO). This rabbi does not work for a political organization, does not see his/her job as primarily educating representatives….

When I feel denigrated by the rabbi for my political view, how can I feel comfortable going to the rabbi for much more difficult or sensitive issues in my personal life?

A rabbi in another city preached from the pulpit many times during last election season and made the congregants who did not agree with him/her so uncomfortable that they stopped going to shul – and they themselves are a rabbinic family!

Please know that while I personally have a political opinion, I have a problem with rabbis pushing their views on either side (in American politics) in their congregations. The examples above are of each – a partisan republican rabbi and a partisan democratic rabbi.

What do you think? Is this happening elsewhere or only in the two examples above?

Hag Purim Sameach!

Happy Purim. The traditions of Purim encourage us to celebrate, to feel joy, and to make fun of ourselves. During these diffcult days, days when rockets fall ok schools, homes, cars, and workplaces on Sderot #Israel – days filled with economic stress & uncertainty – it is especially important to find joy.

Haveil Havelim is up

Eric of The Israel Situation has posted Haveil Havelim.

Today in Religious School

Mem – kaf – bet – yod – - the first letters of the first four words of the prayer mi chamocha. Today our religious school principal helped our students made the connection between the letters and the Macabee family so integral to the Hanukkah story. Miracles in the past – the splitting of the sea, the choice of Jews to stand up for Judaism and the joys that Judaism adds to our lives, the survival of our people despite an Amalek in every generation, and the smaller miracles of the Jewish growth of young people (despite their desire to absent themsevles from religious school emotionally if not physically).

During these darkest days of the year (in the Northern hemisphere) I pray that we find light, hope and the daily miracles around us.

A Hero in the Midst of the Horror at the Chabad House

Sandra, the nanny of Moshe Holtzberg, shines as a bright spot (thanks to Aussie Dave for the expression) in the horrors of the Mumbai terror attack.  Read Aussue Dave’s blog Israellycool for more. Thanks Aussie Dave for sharing the interview with the blog world.

Update:

One of the Jewish women killed in the attack was planning to make aliyah tomorrow. So sad. (Information from JTA.)

Mumbai Terrorists Lived at the Chabad House

My saddness about the Mumbai terrorist attacks deepened a few minutes ago when I read on Israel Matzav’s blog that some of the Mumbai terrorists had rented spece at the Chabad house.  To live amongst and know the people whom they attacked and killed intensifies the horror of their actions.

More on the Horrors in Mumbai

Shabbat’s usual rest and joy was, of course, overshadowed by the tragedy of the horrific terrorism in Mumbai.  As of the writing of this email, at least 195 are dead and hundreds injured.  The mourners are only just beginning to be able to be aware that their loved one is (or horribly in some cases loved ones are) dead.

Latest News Includes:

NYTimes – India Faces Reckoning as Terror Toll Eclipses 170

Ha’aretz – 9 Dead in Mumbai Chabad House Attack

Poingnat & Heartbreaking

BBC Video of Rabbi Holtzberg z”l and his son Moshe two months before the attack.

The death, destruction and human devastation of these attacks weighs heavily on my heart and spirit as we begin this new week.

Post from Baka Diary

With thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the Mumbai attacks.

Update:

Ynet story on the Chabad attack with pictures (some a bit graphic).

Terrorism Tragedy in Mumbai

The news out of Mumbai, India, continues to be devastating.  Sustained two days of terror attacks on the diverse people living in & visiting Mumbai.  All accounts suggest that this terrorist attack has been long-planned and researched, resulting in the terrorists seeming to have the upper hand.  My thoughts and prayers all with all people impacted by this terror attack.

A few news reports on the attack:

BBC Main Site on the Attacks in Mumbai (sub-sites from many perspectives as well)

Ha’artez – India Declines Assistance from Israel

Ha’aretz – 5 Hostages & 2 Terrorists Dead in Chabad Jewish Center

Ha’aretz – Mumbai Attacks Send Shock Waves through Chabad Community

Ha’aretz – Analysis – Israel Cannot Defend Itself Against Such Attacks

Chabad main website, Chabad blog on the Mumbai tragedy

The Israel Situation blog on the attacks

Jerusalem Post – 4 Israelis Rescued from the Oberoi Hotel

May Shabbat bring an end to the attack and may all those searching for loved ones hear good news soon.

Updates:

Jerusalem Post – Background: Islamic Terrorism Helped Bring Together Israel and India

CNN site on the attacks

I’ve just heard on CNN that no one (except the youngest child of the Rabbi and his wife who escaped with his nanny earlier in the crisis) survived in the Chabad center.  Baruch dayan ha-emet.  May G-d care for their souls and be with their families.

New York Times (frequently updated) blog

Muslims Against Sharia Blog on the Mumbai Attacks

Remembering Rabin z”l

It is hard for me to believe that it has been 13 years since Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was brutally assassinated.  The irony of the context of the murder hits me every time I go to Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv. [He was killed at the end of an enormous peace rally, during which Rabin z"l sang "Shir L'shalom" a peace song from the 70s.]  News of the assassination shocked me as I tried to balance my own coping and serving my community.

Last week Rabin’s assasin (I am consciously choosing not to say his name) was back in the news when he managed to boost his ego by getting news interviews recorded against the rules of the prison.  Shameful. It shows me that he didn’t do this for the people or for the rabbis who told him to, but for his own ego.  Disgusting.

Tonight I join many in remembering Rabin the warrior, the leader, the hero, the peacemaker. May his courage, hope and strength be an example to all.

Voting is a Modern Mitzvah so Go Vote Today!

Voting is a privilege and a modern day mitzvah (commandment). I believe that it is incumbent on all Jews to vote in every country a or jurisdiction where we are permitted to vote.  How can we consider this a mitzvah? The Talmud teaches us din d’malchuta dina – the law of the land is the law. We must follow the laws of the country in which we live. While there isn’t a law which states that we must vote, the right is available to nearly all adults over the age of 18 regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality, socio-economic status, physical ability…. If we do not elect to vote, then we are not acting on the rights available to us under the law. Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Ancestors) teaches us lo alecha hamlacha ligmor, v’lo ata ben khoirn l’hibateil me’mena – you are not required to complete the work but neither may you desist from it. We must participate in the society and world around us, including voting.

Rabbi Deena Fox explicates the text in Talmud Arachin 17a on leadership, a discussion of whether leaders determine the characterisation of the generation or if the generation determins the leaders. Today in the United States citizens have the opportunity to help shape the character of this generation. Shape the next steps of our country – go vote!

Shanah Tovah U’metukah

Just a quick post to wish you and all those whom you love a wonderful, healthy, joyful, reflective New Year.  May 5769 be a year of promise, hope, success and peace.