Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Finding Faith in Israel

 Earl Shugerman brings every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

Finding Faith: Abraham risked all for the Promised Land

Many Israelis follow the age old tradition of the Friday night dinner and prayers to honour the beginning of the Sabbath. Friends and family meet to share companionship and pray together. This Friday I celebrated the start of the Sabbath with my friend Zehava and her family.

Zehava and her husband Leon are French born, old timers in Israel. They immigrated to Israel in 1980. They have two teenage sons and a six year old daughter Shira who is the “Apple of My Eye.” They also invited their American cousin Linda to join us.

Linda is a fifty’s year old single female with a 16 year old daughter. Linda was born, in France, but lived in California most of her life. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and then went to sit on the veranda to drink coffee and chat.

Linda was married to a “wonderful Christian man for 14 years.” “We respected the differences in our spiritual backgrounds and praised our daughter for exploring faiths independently”, added Linda. ” I belonged to a Reformed [Jewish] Congregation when we married and my spouse was a self proclaimed agnostic”.

“However, in the course of time I found that I needed to be more in touch with my Jewish roots. I took classes in the Talmud and Torah through Chabad House and found [the] spirituality that I had been missing in life. My husband explored his Catholic heritage. I found myself, after a two-year process, even considering a life in Israel. I lived in a beautiful home, had a great job, and a fine partner but decided to risk it all to try life in Israel”.

“My husband insisted on staying in the States. We agreed to a one-year trial separation period to see how we did on our own.  [This would] allow me to taste the life in Israel”.

“Three years later, I am still in Israel, employed as a clerk in a Tel Aviv bank. We decided to end our marriage and allow our daughter to spend the school year in Tel Aviv. She stays in California during her vacations. She sees this as a great adventure, and loves learning about new cultures and languages. Arabic is her second language in school”.

“ Did I make a mistake?” I ask myself that question many times a day. “Time will tell”. “Life here has many challenges”. “We need to learn a new language, a new culture, face a less luxurious lifestyle and there is still the struggle for peace”.

It is impossible to understand the invisible Hand that shapes our destiny. However, many Jews have felt the magnetic allure of Israel. The patriarch Abraham was the first. He left the comfortable trappings of ancient Babylonia to undertake an arduous emigration to the “ land that G-d would show him”. Evidently this demanded a great deal of faith. To mere mortals of the modern age, doubts can always surface to challenge our thinking.

 Although Israel is not a Utopian society where the streets are paved with gold, it is an integral part of Jewish heritage. Today record numbers of Global Jewry are returning to their ancestral homeland. They are undeterred by the challenges that face them. The obstacles are merely there to be overcome. And after 60 years in the remaking, Israel continues to thrive thanks to the new found faith of Linda and many others.

About the author: Earl Shugerman is a retired American Government public relations specialist,  currently spokesperson in Haifa for The Jewish Agency and a writer specializing in interfaith relations. He has worked together with the Catholic and Southern Baptist Movements, the Reformed Jewish Movement and Muslim groups in interfaith activities.

Did You Ask A Good Question Today?

Judaism is a religion of questions.

by Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth

Isidore Isaac Rabi, winner of a Nobel Prize for physics, was once asked why he became a scientist. He replied: “My mother made me a scientist without ever knowing it. Every other child would come back from school and be asked, ‘What did you learn today?’ But my mother used to say, ‘Izzy, did you ask a good question today?’ That made the difference. Asking good questions made me into a scientist.”

Judaism is a religion of questions. The greatest prophets asked questions of God. The Book of Job, the most searching of all explorations of human suffering, is a book of questions asked by man, to which God replies with a string of questions of His own.

The earliest sermons usually began with a question asked of the rabbi by a member of the congregation. Most famously, the Passover Seder begins with four questions asked by the youngest child.

So I can identify with Rabi’s childhood memories. When I left university and went to Israel to study in a rabbinical seminary, I was stunned by the sheer intensity with which the students grappled with texts. Once in a while the teacher’s face would light up at a comment from the class. “Du fregst a gutte kashe,” he would say (you raise a good objection). This was his highest form of praise.

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski tells of how, when he was young, his instructor would relish challenges to his arguments. In his broken English he would say: “You right! You a hundred prozent right! Now I show you where you wrong.”

Religious faith has suffered hugely in the modern world by being cast as naive, blind, unquestioning.

The scientist asks, the believer just believes. Critical inquiry, so the stereotype runs, is what makes the difference between the pursuit of knowledge and the certainties of faith. One who believes in the fundamentals of a creed is derided as a fundamentalist. The word fundamentalist itself comes to mean a simplistic approach to complex issues. Religious belief is often seen as the suspension of critical intelligence.

As Wilson Mizner once put it: “I respect faith. But doubt is what gets you an education.” To me, this is a caricature of faith, not faith itself.

Questions testify to faith – the universe is not impervious to our understanding, life is not chance.

What is the asking of a question if not itself a profound expression of faith in the intelligibility of the universe and the meaningfulness of human life? To ask is to believe that somewhere there is an answer. The fact that throughout history people have devoted their lives to extending the frontiers of knowledge is a moving demonstration of the restlessness of the human spirit and its constant desire to transcend, to climb. Far from faith excluding questions, questions testify to faith – that the world is not random, the universe is not impervious to our understanding, life is not chance.

That, I suspect, is why Judaism encourages questions. On the phrase: “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,” Rashi, the 11th-century biblical commentator, says: “This means, with the power to understand and to discern.”

Critical intelligence is the gift God gave humanity. To use it in the cause of human dignity and insight is one of the great ways of serving God. When faith suppresses questions, it dies. When it accepts superficial answers, it withers.

Faith is not opposed to doubt. What it is opposed to is the shallow certainty that what we understand is all there is.

Reprinted with kindly permission of Aish HaTorah International.

Alan Poseners Kolumne: Henryk M. Broders belangloser PR-Coup

Der britisch-deutsche Journalist Alan Posener kommentiert wöchentlich das Zeitgeschehen in Politik, Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Kultur für HIRAM7 REVIEW.

Von Alan Posener
Die Welt / Welt am Sonntag  / HIRAM7 REVIEW

Es ist schon erstaunlich: Wenn man in Deutschland eine Stellungnahme zum Holocaust braucht, ruft man die Agentur Rent-a-Jew an und bekommt je nach politischer Präferenz einen Juden zugeteilt, obwohl der Holocaust die Juden nicht mehr angeht als die Arier; weniger sogar, denn das Klärungsbedürftige am Holocaust liegt nicht auf der Opfer-, sondern auf der Täterseite.

Wenn es aber um Henryk M. Broders Kandidatur für den Posten des Präsidenten des Zentralrats der Juden gibt, dann haben plötzlich alle Gojim selbst eine Meinung, obwohl der Zentralrat eigentlich nur die Juden etwas angeht.

Und diese Meinung lautet: Gut, dass der Kerl den Zentralrat aufmischt.
Das sollte einen stutzig machen.

Wenn der Zentralrat, wie Henryk meint, so ungefährlich und gestrig ist, warum sind alle Gojim so froh, dass Broder ihm zeigen will, wo der Hammer hängt?

Überhaupt: Warum tun alle so, als habe Henryks Kandidatur etwas zu tun mit einer Krise des Zentralrats, wo sie doch nur etwas zu tun hat mit einer Lebenskrise Henryk M. Broders?

Ich habe mit dem Zentralrat genauso wenig zu tun wie Henryk. Weniger, denn pro forma könnte er etwas damit zu tun haben, wenn er wollte, was er aber nicht will. Ich nicht.

Ich stelle nur eine Frage: Im Spiegel hat Henryk seine Selbsteinschätzung wiederholt, er sei der „Pausenclown“ der Deutschen. Das stimmt, und diese Rolle hat er sich hart erarbeitet.

Soll der Sprecher der Juden in Deutschland ein Clown sein? Wer könnte das wollen? Wem würde das nutzen? Außer Henryk, meine ich.

Die in HIRAM7 REVIEW veröffentlichten Essays und Kommentare geben nicht grundsätzlich den Standpunkt der Redaktion wieder.

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Life’s little pleasures in Israel

 Earl Shugerman brings every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

Yesterday, a group of my Anglo friends and I were sitting at Lias Books sharing ideas about entertainment for the weekend. Israelis are avid readers and my favorite pastime is reading detective novels and attending book clubs. I am a particular fan of James Patterson.

Israelis also love movies. Haifa, my hometown has 22 theaters that show movies in most major languages and for all ages. Popcorn, hot dogs and cokes are usually available, but often at inflated prices. The ticket costs are comparable to those in America. Most movie theaters are located in malls, and allow the audiences to enjoy cafes, window shopping, and other mall amenities. Many cafes have outdoor terraces due to the balmy climate.

The Cinemall at Lev Hamifratz, Haifa boasts a spectacular 23 screens.

Very sadly, the revered American pastime of the Sunday afternoon drive is not part of Israeli entertainment. Driving in Israel is at best a rugged adventure. Israeli drivers are not known for their patience and in many parts of the country parking is a real nightmare. By contrast, the public transportation in the country is wonderful. In many places, bus and train services are readily available and inexpensive.

The entertainment of Haifa surely showcases a wide range of fascinating things you can do here, and in many cities in Israel. Among the large number of things to do in Haifa, you would probably first look for some eating joints in the city. Dining is one of the best forms of Haifa entertainment, with a large number of places offering everything from French, Italian, Chinese, Continental and the traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Located in some of the most convenient spots and serving delicious dishes, the popular restaurants in Haifa are surely a must try. The joy of international dining in Israel is enhanced by the number of nationalities and languages spoken by diners and staff in most houses of cuisine. One Saturday night, my American companion, Linda and I counted seven languages while dining at our favorite cafe. We strolled along the Haifa beachfront after dinner.

After a wholesome meal at the restaurants you can also check out the scintillating nightlife of Haifa. Wonderful ambiance and great music, combined with the liquor of your choice will surely give you an excuse to party the night away. Shopping in Haifa is great. You can buy fashionable clothes, hand-blown glass, silver, enamel, pottery and also gold jewelry. Entertainment in Haifa thus includes the major shopping zones of the city on Masada Streets and also the Panorama Center. Many American products are sold in major malls.

The theaters in Haifa are popularly endorsed by both indigenous folk and tourists. They showcase the best of the local culture and traditions. Thus the major places of interest in Haifa also include the performance halls like the Haifa Auditorium and the Haifa Municipal Theater. Other than live theater, they are also known for hosting dance recitals, musical performances, orchestra and many more.

For the family, entertainment in Haifa is not complete without Sports and Recreation. Full of fun and pleasure, the activities like tennis, bowling, basketball, skating, football, fencing, diving hiking, biking, swimming will provide you with a lot to indulge yourself in.

Israel is a small country about the size of New Jersey.  The three major cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa are relatively close. A road trip running north to south can embrace them all in an hour and one half. My friend Helen commented yesterday that; “it is still amazing to me that I can visit the holy sites in Jerusalem, take a short swim in the Sea of Galilee, and dine in Tel Aviv in the same day!”

Israelis watch more television and play more video games per- capita than any nation in the world. I am writing this article at the University of Haifa. My computer neighbors asked me to join them in a few hands of video poker! “This is my favorite pastime”, exclaimed David, a young American Oleh! “What about your work?”, I joked. He laughed in a good natured manner and drew a losing hand.

Welcome to modern Israel!

About the author: Earl Shugerman is a retired American Government public relations specialist,  currently spokesperson in Haifa for The Jewish Agency and a writer specializing in interfaith relations. He has worked together with the Catholic and Southern Baptist Movements, the Reformed Jewish Movement and Muslim groups in interfaith activities.

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Hannah’s Aliyah to Israel

Earl Shugerman brings every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

Aliyah is the word that describes the return of the Jewish People from the exile in the Diaspora back to the Land of Israel. The word Aliyah is derived from the verb “laalot” which means “to go up”, or “to ascend” in a positive spiritual sense. A person who makes Aliyah is called an Oleh, meaning “one who goes up”. Making Aliyah heralds a new dawn. People redefine their aspirations and focus on a positive future. Finding a meaningful and loving relationship is an inherent feature of Israeli culture. As Hannah discovered, help was close at hand.

When I came to Haifa for a family Seder in 2006, I decided I could retire here.  I had wanted to retire for some time but didn’t know where.  I had lived in Massachusetts for 28 years but couldn’t imagine spending my winters there as a retiree.  When I got to Haifa, a very big light bulb came on!

I had a very good life in the States but there was one goal I hadn’t been able to reach.  I wanted to meet a kind, intelligent, sexy, fun Jewish male around my age and for years I put this goal on my “top goals list” but never reached it.

When I got to Haifa, one of the first things I did was to attend services at Or Hadash, a reform synagogue in my neighbourhood.  I met a very kind Israeli woman called Pnina there and she made me feel very welcome and introduced me to many members of the congregation. I immediately felt very comfortable and “at home” and Or Hadash became my shul.

One day Pnina and I were looking over at the male congregation and every man I asked about was married. She asked me if I wanted to meet someone and I said yes.  She arranged for me to meet the father of one of her friends – an Australian widower, a year older than me. We had a blind date and continued seeing each other on an irregular basis. After seven months of getting to know each other, we began a more serious relationship and now, just over a year later, we are very happy doing many things together. He has introduced me to his children and grandchildren and has met my mother, sister, brother-in-law and various friends. In October we are planning to travel to Australia together to welcome his son’s first child there.

I was already enjoying my Aliyah here and meeting Shmuel was the “icing on the cake.” 

Alan Poseners Kolumne: Der Untergang der doitschen Sozialdemokratie

Der britisch-deutsche Journalist Alan Posener kommentiert wöchentlich das Zeitgeschehen in Politik, Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Kultur für HIRAM7 REVIEW.

Von Alan Posener
Die Welt / Welt am Sonntag  / HIRAM7 REVIEW

Unter den vielen Wrackteilen, die der Untergang des Tankers SPD an die Oberfläche spült, fand ich folgende Bemerkung von Wolfgang Thierse interessant: „Wir sind keine Wendehälse“, sagte er nach der Wahl des Verlierers Steinmeier zum vorläufigen Fraktionsvorsitzenden, „die heute ‚Hosianna!’ rufen und morgen ‚Kreuziget ihn!’“

Thierse spielt auf das Evangelium des Johannes an, dem zufolge (Joh. 12,12-19) „die Volksmenge“ Jesus von Nazareth beim Einzug in Jerusalem mit dem ruf „Hosanna!“ begrüßt hätten, und auf das Evangelium des Matthäus (Mat. 27,11-26), demzufolge „das Volk“, „die Menge“, das „ganze Volk“ wenige Tage später vom römischen Statthalter forderte: „Ans Kreuz mit ihm!“ Es folgt bei Matthäus jene berüchtigte Stelle, in der „das ganze Volk“ ruft: „Sein Blut komme über uns und unsere Kinder!“ Was sich die Christen nicht zweimal sagen ließen, sooft sie die Gelegenheit dazu hatten.

Nur nebenbei sei erwähnt, dass – vermutlich wahrheitsgemäß – bei Markus, Matthäus und Lukas durchscheint, nur die Jünger beim Einzug Jesu in Jerusalem „Hosianna!“ gerufen haben (vgl. Mat. 19,28-40); und dass die Geschichte von Pilatus, der seine Hände in Unschuld wächst, während die blutdürstigen Juden nach dem Tod des Messias rufen, mit an Sicherheit grenzender Wahrscheinlichkeit apokryph ist, eine Anbiederung der frühen Christen an die Besatzungsmacht, die den Wanderprediger aus dem Hause David hingerichtet haben, weil er den Anspruch erhob, „König der Juden“ zu sein. So schrieben sie es ja ans Kreuz, und es blieb den Christen vorbehalten, diesen Sachverhalt umzudeuten und zu behaupten, die Römer hätten den „Hohenpriestern“ die Drecksarbeit abgenommen, die Jesus wegen Blasphemie hingerichtet haben wollten.

Dass die jüdischen religiösen Autoritäten keine Probleme damit hatten, dieses dreckige und barbarische Geschäft selbst vollziehen zu lassen, zeigt sich an der Steinigung des Stephanus (Apostelgeschichte 7,54-8,1a), bei der ein gewisser Rabbiner namens Saul aus Tarsus teilnahm, und an der Hinrichtung von Jakobus, des Bruders Jesu, einige Jahrzehnte später, von dem uns Josephus Flavius berichtet.

Nun gut, aber was sagt der Katholik Wolfgang Thierse? 1943 geboren als Sohn eines Rechtsanwalts („Rechts“anwalts, sollte man zu allen sagen, die in jener Zeit „Recht“ sprachen), sagt der Mann, der als Literaturwissenschaftler in der DDR tätig war (Literatur„wissenschaftler“): wir SPDler sind nicht wie „die Juden“. Wir praktizieren doitsche Treue.

Dass in einem Volk, das 1933 dem Führer zujubelte und 1945 plötzlich entdeckte, das es immer schon antifaschistisch war, oder das am 1. Mai 40 Jahre lang brav mitjubelte, um dann 1989 zu entdecken, dass es immer schon antikommunistisch war (aber nach wie vor gern die SED wählt) – dass ausgerechnet in einem solchen Volk ein Politiker zur Illustration von Prinzipienlosigkeit, Verrat und Blindheit auf die Juden zurückgreifen muss, wäre ein Skandal, wenn es nicht das Erwartbare wäre.

Die in HIRAM7 REVIEW veröffentlichten Essays und Kommentare geben nicht grundsätzlich den Standpunkt der Redaktion wieder.

Rosh Hashana 5770 – Neujahrsgrüße an die Diasporagemeinden

Israels Präsident Shimon Peres hat zum jüdischen Neujahr 5770 ein Grußwort an die jüdischen Gemeinden in der Diaspora gerichtet:

„Das herannahende neue Jahr wird hoffentlich von der Verwirklichung unserer Ziele gekennzeichnet sein: dem Erreichen von Frieden, der Erhöhung der Sicherheit, der Förderung wirtschaftlichen Wachstums sowie der Gewährleistung der Zukunft des jüdischen Volkes und der Stärkung der Beziehungen zwischen Israel und unseren jüdischen Brüdern in der Diaspora.

Die Gelegenheit zum Frieden winkt, und sie muss selbst zum Preis schmerzlicher Zugeständnisse ergriffen werden. Die hartnäckige Position der arabischen Welt, „Nein“ zu Verhandlungen, „Nein“ zur Anerkennung Israels und „Nein“ zum Frieden zu sagen, ist heute dem dreifachen „Ja“ zur saudischen Initiative gewichen. Die internationale Gemeinschaft ist sehr daran interessiert, die Bemühungen um den Friedensprozess zu unterstützen, und ich bin zuversichtlich, dass die Vision eines umfassenden Friedens mit konzertierter Anstrengung realisiert werden kann. Dies wird unseren Kindern und ihren Kindern nach ihnen Stabilität, Ruhe, Sicherheit und Wohlstand bescheren.

Atomwaffen in den Händen eines extremistischen Fundamentalisten stellen eine Gefahr für die gesamte Menschheit und nicht nur für Israel dar. Ein breites und vereinigtes Eintreten der internationalen Gemeinschaft gegen den Iran ist vonnöten. Ich bete dafür, dass die gesamte Menschheit von dieser schrecklichen Bedrohung befreit und die Welt eine neue Ära von Frieden und Sicherheit genießen wird.

Israels Wirtschaft zeigt erste Anzeichen der Erholung von der globalen Wirtschaftskrise. Die makroökonomischen Signale sind vielversprechend, und diese Indikatoren spiegeln sich im wachsenden Umfang von Investitionen wider; die Hightech-Industrie lebt wieder auf, und Startup-Unternehmen sprießen von neuem aus dem Boden. Es ist Zeit, die Gelegenheit zu nutzen. Es ist Zeit, in Bereichen wie alternativer Energie, Wasserproduktion, Heimatschutz-Infrastruktur, Erziehungs- und Lernprogrammen und Stammzellenforschung in Israel zu investieren. Darin liegt unsere Zukunft, und wir haben sie in den Händen.

Es ist unabdingbar, mit unseren Brüdern in der Diaspora Beziehungen aufzubauen, die auf den soliden Grundlagen von Partnerschaft und Erziehung stehen. Tatsächlich kann die Rolle der jüdischen Erziehung in der Diaspora nicht überbewertet werden. Sie liefert die Bausteine der Brücken, die die jüdischen Gemeinden im Ausland und in Israel miteinander verbinden. Sie bietet die  Bedingungen des Engagements zwischen der jungen Generation von Juden und unserer Nation und die Sprungbretter für ein größeres Bewusstsein für die Bedeutung der Beziehungen zwischen Israel und der Diaspora.  Sie wird dazu dienen, unser Erbe und unsere Tradition in ihrem ganzen Reichtum zu bewahren.

Der Geist der Partnerschaft muss in jedem Bereich der Beziehungen zwischen Israel und der Diaspora verstärkt werden. Vor uns stehen dramatische Herausforderungen, die abermals die Notwendigkeit unterstreichen, in Augenblicken der Prüfung zusammenzustehen, der eine für den anderen verantwortlich, wie es die Propheten bestimmt haben. In der Tat ist eine Bedrohung für das Wohlergehen der jüdischen Gemeinden auf der Welt gleich einer Bedrohung für Israel selbst, und das Schicksal des Diasporajudentums liegt im Herzinnersten Israels.

Liebe Freunde, da wir uns nun ins neue Jahr aufmachen, möchte ich dem ganzen jüdischen Volk in der Diaspora von Herzen meine guten Wünsche übermitteln, in der Hoffnung, dass dies allen ein Jahr der Freude und des Glücks sein wird.

Und lasst uns für die sichere Rückkehr der Geiseln und vermissten Soldaten beten.

Shana tova umetuka.“

Israels Ministerpräsident Binyamin Netanyahu lässt das folgende Grußwort an die Diasporagemeinden übermitteln:

„Liebe Freunde,

da die jüdischen Gemeinden auf der ganzen Welt Rosh Hashana 5770 feiern, möchte ich Ihnen allen ein Shana Tova aus Jerusalem wünschen, der ewigen ungeteilten Hauptstadt des Staates Israel und des jüdischen Volkes.

Rosh Hashana ist für uns alle eine Gelegenheit, nicht nur eine Bilanz des vergangenen Jahres zu ziehen, sondern auch unsere Hoffnungen und Gebete auf das vor uns voraus liegende Jahr zu konzentrieren.

Viel hat sich im vergangenen Jahr verändert. Letztes Jahr sind israelische Städte unerbittlich von iranisch unterstützten Hamas-Terroristen mit Raketen beschossen worden, und unsere Wirtschaft, wie vie viele auf der Welt, steuerte in eine ernste Rezession hinein. Heute genießen die Bewohner des Südens eine Zeit der Ruhe, wie sie sie seit vielen Jahren nicht erlebt haben, und die Wirtschaft zeigt erste Anzeichen einer Erholung.

Obgleich erst fünf Monate im Amt, hat unsere Regierung der nationalen Einheit bereits eine breite wirtschaftliche Koalition aus Regierung, Handel und Arbeit geschmiedet, um einen beispiellosen Zweijahreshaushalt und eine historische Landreform zu verabschieden, was das Wirtschaftswachstum für die kommenden Jahre erheblich ankurbeln wird.

Aber viel Arbeit bleibt noch zu tun. Wir müssen weiter unsere nationale Sicherheit gegen beträchtliche Bedrohungen gewährleisten. Wir müssen ein robustes Wirtschaftswachstum schaffen, die Erziehung in unseren Schulen verbessern und der Kriminalität auf unseren Straßen Einhalt gebieten. Und wir müssen einen verantwortungsbewussten Friedensprozess voranbringen, mit dem Ziel, einen historischen Frieden mit unseren Nachbarn zu schaffen.

Vor allem müssen wir vereint bleiben. Unsere nationale Einheitsregierung hat dem breiten Konsens, der in diesem Land existiert, Ausdruck verliehen. Nationale Einheit ist stets ein wichtiges Gut, aber in Zeiten der Herausforderung ist es unverzichtbar. Daher werde ich, während wir in den kommenden Jahren auf das Erreichen unserer ambitionierten Ziele hinarbeiten, alles in meiner Macht stehende tun, um unser Volk zu einen.

Diese Einigkeit ist sowohl innerhalb als auch außerhalb Israels notwendig. Die Bande zwischen Israel und den jüdischen Diasporagemeinden auf der ganzen Welt sind eine ungeheuerliche Quelle der Stärke, und ich werde in den kommenden Jahren an der Stärkung dieser Bande arbeiten.

Mögen Sie alle in das Buch des Lebens eingeschrieben werden, und möge unser Volk ein Jahr der Sicherheit, des Wohlstands und des Friedens genießen.“

HIRAM7 REVIEW Wishes You Happy New Year 5770

Guest Editorial by Rabbi Benjamin Blech: Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life – The film’s powerful Rosh Hashana message

by Rabbi Benjamin Blech

It’s a wonderful life.

At least that’s what a movie by that title, considered a classic of American cinema, wants us to believe. George Bailey, the hero of the film powerfully acted by James Stewart, finally decides upon suicide as his only recourse to solve his financial problems. Because he has a $15,000 life insurance policy he feels he’s worth more dead than alive. Acting on his desire to help his family he’s ready to jump off a bridge when the angel Clarence intercedes not only to save his life but to make him realize that it is really worth living.

The way the angel accomplishes this incredible transformation from a man anxiously seeking his own annihilation to a person perceiving the true value of his existence and the ultimate meaning of his life contains a powerful Rosh Hashana message.

How should we fulfill our obligation to better ourselves as we reach the 10 days of repentance on the Hebrew calendar? Many of us emphasize focusing on our sinfulness. It is a time to seek out our flaws, to seriously consider our failings. And of course that must be part of our personal stock taking.

First become aware of the positives in your life.

But that cannot be the whole story. If we spend our time only in self-condemnation we stand in danger of losing sight of the ways in which we have been successful. If we stress only the ways we’ve gone wrong we won’t ever be able to notice our accomplishments. We need to first become aware of the positives in our lives.

This point explains the sequence of the days book-ending our spiritual journey from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur we fast. We beat our breasts in confession of all of our sins. We cry out to God, “Who are we? What is our lives? We come from the dust of the earth and we return to the dust of the earth.” It is a recognition of how much we have failed, how far we have come from reaching our fullest potential. Yom Kippur is a necessary restraint to our egos. Before we can feel fully reconciled with God it is essential for us to demonstrate our understanding of our imperfection.

But it is not Yom Kippur that begins the process of our purification. The 10 days of repentance start with Rosh Hashana for good reason. Rosh Hashana doesn’t mark the first day of creation, but rather the last — the day on which the first human beings were created. Just as a host fully prepares for his guests before they enter his home, so too, the Midrash explains, God filled the earth on the first five days of creation with everything people might need before He brought them into being. Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day to endow them with a sense of their uniqueness and spiritual stature. It is we who were created in the image of God. Realizing this is a necessary prelude to leading a life worthy of our divine origin and our sacred nobility.

So on Rosh Hashana we begin getting closer to God by reminding ourselves that we are Godly, that we have a pure soul. On Yom Kippur we conclude the journey by acknowledging that we have not yet achieved all that of which we are capable.

Rosh Hashana asks us to remember how much we are worth to God, to our families, to our friends, and to the world. We feast as an expression of the joy we find in our life. And that understanding must precede the Yom Kippur emphasis on our failings that prompt us to fast and to cry over our imperfections.

To lead our lives only from a Yom Kippur perspective is to insure discontent and despondency. To be overwhelmed by a constant feeling that we are failures is to invite the pernicious desire to end it all. Why bother going on if we can never do anything right, why continue the struggle if we are doomed to always losing the battle? Suicide is the response chosen by those weighed down by a devastating sense that they accomplished nothing in their lives. It goes against God who as the ultimate giver of life decided that we still have a positive role to play here on earth.

In the film, after suffering a financial setback of $8,000 that puts his small saving and loans bank at risk, George feels his life is worthless. Despite the serious consequences this entails, if George would have framed his life as a balance sheet of accumulated good versus the mistakes and bad things he has done, he would have been able to put events in a more balanced perspective and not judge himself so harshly.

In the cosmic balance sheet of one’s life, sin does not wipe out the positive gains.

In business, your losses can wipe out your balance sheet. But in the cosmic balance sheet of one’s life, sin does not wipe out the positive gains. You are not your business or profession.

When George bitterly wept that he wished he would never have been born, Clarence, with his angelic power, showed him what the world would have been like if his wish really came true. He showed him his life’s balance sheet. George never realized how many people he had affected during his lifetime. He had no idea how different his community, his family, his friends, his neighbors, and indeed the world would have looked had he never been on earth.

When George comes to realize how many lives he has touched and how much of an impact he has had on so many others, he can at last acknowledge the truth of his brother’s toast that he is “the richest man in town.”

There are countless “Georges” among us. There are all too many who deserve to be recognized as successes when we consider the ripple effects of their deeds translated into the achievements of others. And perhaps most relevant of all, in the time of our own introspection, as we feel ourselves burdened by the sins of our failures, we ought to make room for the contentment and peace of mind that comes from knowing that God also weighs the good we inspire in all those around us.

Perhaps the most powerful irony associated with “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is the message implicit in its reception when it was released in 1946. The movie was a box office failure leading critics to say that Frank Capra, producer and director, was past his prime and no longer capable of producing a major motion picture. What an incredibly mistaken evaluation for a film that today is ranked by the American film industry as one of the top 10 classic movies in its genre ever made. What appeared at first glance to have been a failure is in retrospect one of the most outstanding successes. Isn’t that the whole point of the film itself?

As we reflect upon the meaning of our earthly existence before the High Holy days, keep in mind that sometimes it takes years for the beauty of our own lives and its significance to be fully recognized.

***

About the author: Rabbi Benjamin Blech,  is the author of 12 highly acclaimed books, including Understanding Judaism: The basics of Deed and Creed. He is a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Emeritus of Young Israel of Oceanside (California) which he served for 37 years and from which he retired to pursue his interests in writing and lecturing around the globe. He is also the author of If God Is Good, Why Is The World So Bad?

Reprinted with kindly permission of Aish HaTorah International.

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Unsung Heroes of Israel

Earl Shugerman brings every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

In western society, people tend to regale in the exploits of illustrious forebears. In a recent survey, Winston Churchill was identified as the most famous Briton. William Shakespeare finished a close second.

During its brief history, Israel has embraced people with a modest perspective. They contribute to the welfare of the state as a whole. To them, fame and avarice are entirely secondary. Israel’s existence has been the enduring hope of a long and painful exile.

The following is a précis of everyday folk, who put the country first and foremost.

Bobbi and Gershon Lichtenberg made Aliyah from the affluent surroundings of the USA. After nine months, Gershon opined:

Are there challenges in our daily lives? Absolutely. One thing that I read before Aliyah said that the mistake that the author had made was to expect to bring a mid-western (Chicago) lifestyle to Israel. We did not expect that. We were ready for change and challenge, to live an economically conservative lifestyle, not a middle class one, and to expand our lifestyle only if our economics and desires allowed. As my wife said before we made Aliyah, “We still live like hippies.” Could we have more? Yes, but we are also cautioned by the old joke, How do you get a small fortune in Israel? Come with a large one.

To us it is important to be contributors to the state of Israel, not just a drain on the support system. We want to work and pay in to the tax system. This is our way of handling things. If we were a little older and living on retirement funds, our contribution would occur every time we bought something in a store, paid Arnona (property tax paid even by renters), or took a bus or cab. Doing volunteer work if we did not have jobs would be another way to contribute. There are many opportunities to do more than just sit or sightsee.

So what is our life like here? I work as an echo cardiographer (doing echocardiograms) at Rambam Healthcare Campus, a 1000+ bed hospital here in Haifa. How did I get this job? This is what I have done for most of my adult life, starting 3 decades ago. In the late 1980’s, I was lucky enough to work in Rochester, NY with Dr. Shimon Reisner, an Israeli cardiologist. He has always said he would get me a job here and, after 20 years, I was still able to take him up on his offer. This is referred to as ‘protekzia,’ which always sounds to me like something involved in a criminal activity. But having someone help you is a normal way of doing things here and there is nothing wrong with it. It simply means that people are happy to help open doors for you but it is up to you to walk in and put in the effort to succeed. I happen to have a skill that is useful here but, on the other side, the pay for it is only a tiny fraction of what I can make in the U.S. The cost of our lives here is also much lower.

After 1948, it became evident that the fledgling state would need to enhance its defensive capability. This point was not lost on Charles Winters, a businessman from Miami. Charles Winters was not Jewish, but sympathised with the country’s plight. In direct contravention of US neutrality, he contributed two converted B17 bombers (known as the Flying Fortress) to the Israeli Air Force. In an effort to preserve Israel’s independence he surrendered his own. He was incarcerated for a number of years. It was only during the presidency of George Walker Bush that a posthumous pardon was granted.

Presidential pardon: (inset) Unsung hero Charles Winters

As an exponent of liberty, Israel encapsulates many divergent religious beliefs. Israel has the mantle of being the only democracy in the Middle East. This is very much the cornerstone of its existence. The last unsung hero deserving of homage therefore is society as a whole. American immigrant Yael explains:

My family and I attended Or Chadash [Synagogue in Haifa] for Yom Kippur services this year. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It is a day of both atonement and reconciliation. Jews throughout the world seek forgiveness for previous transgressions and vow to make the coming year more observant of Jewish law and ideology.

This is our first year in Israel and we were stunned at the sight we saw at Hovev on the way to pray. There were thousands of people gathered at the mall at 5:30 pm, just when the mall closed for the holiday. The men and women wore designer clothes, blue jeans and t-shirts or in some cases traditional Orthodox garb. Thousands of kids were riding bicycles or on skateboards. Many of the families had their family dogs, which were howling and jumping, which added to an already energized environment. Everybody was waiting for the streets to close at 6:30pm to begin Haifa’s annual Yom Kippur race for kids.

My family and I went to pray until about eight. The temple was packed with people participating in this five thousand year old observance.

We returned to Horev to see thousands of kids racing down the hill trying to reach downtown first, a trip of about five miles. I saw two of my friends from high school, Norit and Noga. They were just observing the fun. “What’s this all about?” I asked. Noga answered with a big smile “This is Haifa’s biggest annual social event. My parents participated twenty five years ago!”

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement for Jews throughout the world, yet in Haifa and in other parts of Israel there are celebrations. Many Jews in Israel observe the traditional Yom Kippur fast and solemnity, while others seek joy. This is one of the most fascinating components of life in Israel to me as an American immigrant. Seventy percent of Israelis classify themselves as Hilonim or non-religious; yet live and sadly at times die to keep this small nation a Jewish state. To quote my friend Noga, the greatest blessing of life in Israel is that we can choose how to live our lives both as Jews, and individuals.

“Next year I will be there with my skateboard,” I said to myself.

Yom Kippur: Contrasting Ideals

Alan Poseners Kolumne: SteinbergRecherche – dumm, borniert, undifferenziert, antisemitisch

Der britisch-deutsche Journalist Alan Posener kommentiert wöchentlich das Zeitgeschehen in Politik, Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Kultur für HIRAM7 REVIEW.

Von Alan Posener
Die Welt / Welt am Sonntag  / HIRAM7 REVIEW

Tilman Tarach, dessen Buch über Israel ich jedem wärmstens empfehlen kann hat mich darauf hingewiesen, dass „Steinbergrecherche“ mich als herausragendes Beispiel für die Spezies „Kriegsjude“ anführt:

Zunächst einmal muss man festhalten, dass Herr Steinberg zu jenen Leuten gehört, die man – wie etwa Gudi „die Ziege“ Eussner – unter „Who the fuck is…?“ ablegen muss.

Doch just for the record: Ich bin nicht Jude, schon gar nicht ein „bekennender“ Jude. Wäre Herr Steinberg nicht der strohdoofe Antisemit, der er offenbar ist, wüsste er das auch. Und dass Juden nichts „bekennen“, im Gegensatz zu Christen – einschließlich jener christlichen Häretiker, die man „Muslime” nennt: das müsste sich eigentlich herumgesprochen haben. Aber über Juden schreiben mit Vorliebe Leute, die von Juden und vom Judentum gar keine Ahnung haben: siehe auf der anderen Seite des Neurosenspektrums Clemens „der antideutsche Antisemitenschnüffler“ Heni.

Obwohl ich mich also wegen meiner englisch-schottischen Mutter nicht zum auserwählten Volk zählen darf (wohl hätte zu Zeiten von Kraft durch Freude wegen meines jüdischen Vaters einen Freifahrtschein nach Auschwitz bekommen können, und auch deshalb hätte ich bei Einwanderung in Israel ein Anrecht auf die israelische Staatsbürgerschaft) und mich als getaufter Anglikaner fröhlich zu meinem Atheismus bekenne, habe ich beschlossen, die Bezeichnung „Kriegsjude“ als Auszeichnung zu betrachten. Ich wünschte nur, ich hätte mehr getan, um sie zu verdienen.

And now for something completely different: Mein Buch über Papst Benedikt ist erschienen: Kauft massenhaft!

Die in HIRAM7 REVIEW veröffentlichten Essays und Kommentare geben nicht grundsätzlich den Standpunkt der Redaktion wieder.

Alan Posener’s Column: In response to David Gelernter’s criticism of Old Europe

In his contribution to the symposion on Why are Jews Liberals hosted this month by Commentary Magazine, American neoconservative author David Gelernter charged that Old Europe has nothing to offer to mankind in terms of culture and spirituality. Now Alan Posener fires back in the following op-ed.

David Gelernter’s Piece of Bullshit on Old Europe

An op-ed by Alan Posener
Die Welt / Welt am Sonntag  / HIRAM7 REVIEW

David Gelernter’s contribution to the Commentary Magazine’s Symposion on Why (American) Jews are Liberals was one of the most amazing pieces of bullshit I have ever read. And my job as a journalist forces me to read a lot of bullshit.

In his criticism of Europe – a kind of mirror-image of the typical French intellectual’s criticism of the USA and just as fact-free – Gelernter makes a number of astounding observations.

Gelernter writes: “The peoples of Western Europe have mostly lacked the religious intensity and genius of the Jews.” I realize that you don’t need to know anything about culture in order to become a computer scientist, but maybe Mr. Gelernter should take time out from studying bits and bytes (and raving) in order to visit a Gothic cathedral or to listen to one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s religious works – the Christmas Oratorio is quite accessible. So much for religious genius. And as for religious intensity, maybe Mr. Gelernter should study the history of the European religious wars, which led us to conclude that keeping religion out of government was a key to peace – a lesson enshrined in the US Constitution.

Gelernter writes: “America has a habit of despising intellectuals” (this is meant as a compliment), “while Europe worships and obeys them”. One would be hard put to find a single example of Europeans “worshipping and obeying” an intellectual. However, there are many instances of hatred for the intellectual – Nazi Germany, where “intellectual” was virtually synonymous with “Jewish”, and the Communist bloc, where “intellectual” was virtually synonymous with “petit-bourgeois class enemy” being two of the more recent examples.

Gelernter writes: “European sex seems to have developed the moral significance of an ATM transaction on a street corner.” I’ve no idea where Gelernter gets his data on European sex. I would like to point out, though, that, like the ATM machine, casual sex is an American import, via Hollywood movies and rock’n'roll. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Woodstock is a village in the State of New York. As it happens, I’m a great fan of Hollywood, rock’n'roll and ATM machines, unlike the cultural conservatives who tell us that these inventions of the decadent Americans are sapping Europe’s moral fibre in order to deliver us into the hands of American capitalism (i.e. Jewry). But I must say I find it rich that Gelernter should simply turn the argument around. Nice joke. But bullshit.

Gelernter says that Europe has “a love affair with death”. A strange comment from someone who lives in a country where infant mortality rates are higher and life expectancy is lower than in Western Europe. (Of course, the bullshitter then turns around and says wimpy Europeans are afraid of death, which is why they want to cut and run in Afghanistan.) As proof for his assertion, Gelernter cites low birth-rates and high immigration levels. To start with the second aspect: until very recently, European conservatives criticized the USA for being a “mongrel culture” due to ist high levels of immigration. Again, Gelernter seems to have imbibed these European ideas and now switches into “Yah, boo, same to you”-mode. Cute, but bullshit. People come to Europe, as they do to America, because it is a damn good place to live. The idea that Europe’s “nations will be gone within a few generations” (Gelernter) can only occur to someone who doesn’t actually bother to do a reality check before sounding off. All studies show that immigrants to Europe are fast adopting European mores. Their birth-rate is declining, too. There is no reason to believe that a Muslim French woman should be less patriotic than a Jewish American.

David Gelernter writes: “Mulling German history in particular, one wonders whether the Germans were ever more than half-Christianized, whether paganism hasn’t always appealed to the lofty German Geist.” As we’ve seen, Gelernter doesn’t really “mull” history at all, or if he does, he only mulls his own preconceptions of history, not bothering with actual facts. The idea that the nation that brought forth Martin Luther – no name but one exemplar of the “lofty German Geist” – was only “half-Christianized” is absurd. But it does serve to obfuscate one fact that none of the contributors to the symposion reflect: the millions of Germans who voted for Hitler and served him till the last, the hundreds of thousands who worked on the “Final Solution” were not “half-Christianized” pagans. They were – often devout – Catholics and Protestants. This is an uncomfortable truth, a truth that the current Pope (a former Hitler Youth member) tries to deny, but a truth nevertheless.

It is for this reason that Jews in Europe and America would do well not to rely too heavily on Christian goodwill. Just because many Christians are more afraid of the Muslims at the moment does not mean that they are natural allies of the Jews. Antijudaism is enscribed into Christian teaching. I imagine that Gelernter, who apparently knows nothing about the history of Europe, hasn’t actually got round to reading the “New” Testament or the teachings of the Church Fathers, or the Acts of the Spanish Inquisition, or the Anti-Semitic rantings of Martin Luther. (But maybe he remembers Father Coughlin?)

I’m no friend of reactionary liberalism. But throwing yourself into the arms of reactionary conservativism isn’t the answer. Thinking for yourself is.

Alan Poseners Kolumne: Papst Benedikt und die deutsche Anti-Israel Lobby

Der britisch-deutsche Journalist Alan Posener kommentiert wöchentlich das Zeitgeschehen in Politik, Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Kultur für HIRAM7 REVIEW.

Von Alan Posener
Die Welt / Welt am Sonntag  / HIRAM7 REVIEW

Robert Spaemann ist nicht irgendjemand. Der Philosoph ist Vordenker und Nachbeter des gegenwärtigen Papstes. Wenn sich also Spaemann zu Israel äußert, sollte man genau hinhören. Am 25. Juli 2009 veröffentlichte Spaemann einen Beitrag in der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung (FAZ): „Schutz und Gehorsam“. Schon am nächsten Tag war er auf der Website der Deutsch-Arabischen Gesellschaft, der wichtigsten Organisation der deutschen Anti-Israel-Lobby,  nachzulesen.

Robert Spaemann beginnt mit der Feststellung: „Dem Staat Israel ist es in dem mehr als einen halben Jahrhundert seiner Existenz nicht gelungen, als bereichernder, selbstregulierender Teil der Region anerkannt zu werden.“

Das ist zweifellos richtig, und dafür gibt es Gründe, vornehmlich die Tatsache, dass die arabischen Führer kein Interesse an der Art Modernität haben, die Israel der Region seit seiner Gründung vorlebt. Demokratie, Rechtsstaatlichkeit, individuelle Freiheit, intellektuelle Lebendigkeit. (Das Interesse des Vatikans an diesen Errungenschaften der Moderne ist übrigens auch nicht stark ausgeprägt, aber das nur nebenbei.)  Spaemann macht aber Israel dafür verantwortlich, dass die meisten arabischen Staaten bis heute sein Existenzrecht nicht anerkennen: „(Israel) ist immer als Herr aufgetreten.“

Sagen wir es so: eine solche Schuldzuweisung ist zumindest einseitig.

Spaemann geht aber weiter: Israel habe sich nur deshalb ständig als Herr aufspielen können, weil es von den USA eine Schutzgarantie besitze. Wer auch nur elementare Kenntnisse der Geschichte des Nahostkonflikts besitzt, weiß zwar, das dies bis nach dem Sechstagekrieg 1967 keineswegs der Fall war; und dass die Schutzgarantie, die etwa die Bundesrepublik dank Besatzungsstatut und Nato genoss und genießt, viel stärker ist als die völkerrechtlich und militärisch unverbindlichen Erklärungen amerikanischer Präsidenten gegenüber Israel. Aber egal.

Aus dieser angeblichen Schutzfunktion der USA lautet Spaemann eine „Gehorsamspflicht“ Israels ab. Es sei nun einmal ein „Grundgesetz des politischen Lebens“: „Wer Schutz gewährt, muss die Bedingungen diktieren können.“ Und das täten die USA nicht, so dass sich Israel beständig „wie ein Halbwüchsiger handeln“ könne, der „nie die Suppe auslöffeln“ müsse, die er sich eingebrockt hat, weil „Papa es schon richten wird.“

Unsereiner dachte naiverweise, zum „Grundgesetz“ des Westens gehöre die Souveränität der Staaten, anders als im Ostblock unseligen Angedenkens. Wir dachten, über Israels Außenpolitik hätten Israels Regierungen zu entscheiden, und über Israels Regierungen die Wähler. Wir dachten, der „Zusammenhang von Schutz und Gehorsam“ sei mit dem Mittelalter verschwunden; und wir fragen uns, ob der Vatikan wirklich jemals bereit gewesen wäre, den Schutz, den ihm Italien und die Nato – also letztlich auch die USA – während des ganzen Kalten Kriegs gewährt haben, mit irgendeiner Form des „Gehorsams“ zu beantworten. Das war zwar der beständige Vorwurf der Kommunisten, die im Papst lediglich eine Propagandapuppe des US-Imperialismus sahen, aber gegen solche Anwürfe hat unsereiner die Päpste stets in Schutz genommen.

Und es ließe sich ohne weiteres nachweisen, dass der Vatikan seine Politik nie von den Interessen Italiens, der Nato oder des Westens diktieren ließ. Aber quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi, so mag Spaemann denken: natürlich gelten „politische Grundgesetze“ nicht für den Stellvertreter Gottes auf Erden. Sondern allenfalls für jene, die durch ihre bloße Existenz jenen Anspruch des Papstes, Gottes Stellvertreter und alleinbevollmächtigter Ausleger seines Willens zu sein, in Frage stellen: sein Volk – die Juden.

Was soll also Washington als Schutzmacht von seinem Mündel Israel laut Spaemann verlangen? Nun, zuerst die übliche Litanei einseitiger Vorleistungen: Stopp des Siedlungsbaus und dann „Beseitigung“ aller bisher gebauten Siedlungen und Beendigung der „Besatzung fremden Territoriums“. Gut, über die Sinnfälligkeit und die Erfolgsaussicht solcher Maßnahmen kann man rational unter Israelfreunden diskutieren.

Aber Spaemann verlangt viel mehr, und gilt es, aufzuhorchen: „Ferner: Israel verzichtet auf die ethnische Selbstdefinition, die jeden Nichtjuden in diesem Staat zum Fremden macht.“ Anders gesagt. Der Judenstaat verschwindet. Besser könnte es die Hamas auch nicht formulieren.

Es ist schon bemerkenswert, was herauskommt, wenn „es“ aus führenden Katholiken wieder einmal spricht. Von Papst Benedikt wäre – gemäß dem „Grundgesetz von Schutz und Gehorsam“ eine klare Zurückweisung solcher Gedankenspiele zu verlangen.

Schließlich kann sich Robert Spaemann solche Kindereien in einer großen Zeitung nur leisten, weil man – zu Recht – davon ausgeht, aus seinem Munde das zu hören, was Benedikt klammheimlich denkt.

Links

Alan Poseners Filmkritik über Inglourious Basterds

Alan Poseners neues Buch: Benedikts Kreuzzug – Der Angriff des Vatikans auf die moderne Gesellschaft

Die in HIRAM7 REVIEW veröffentlichten Essays und Kommentare geben nicht grundsätzlich den Standpunkt der Redaktion wieder.

Why Are Jews Liberals?

In a new book out this month, columnist Norman Podhoretz addresses the question he says he is asked more frequently than any other:  “Why Are Jews Liberals?”

Bill Clinton – U.S. Democratic Party Icon

Six notable American Jewish thinkers, Rabbi David J. Wolpe, Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna,  Michael Medved, William Kristol, Jeff Jacoby, and David Gelernter, reflect on his argument in a Commentary Magazine Symposium.

Read full story.

American Patriot, Jew and Freemason Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977)

American Patriot , Jew and Freemason Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977)FREEMASONRY: BEYOND LEFT AND RIGHT – BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL

32 years ago today, on August 16, 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley, the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, died in his Memphis mansion Graceland at the age of 42. Long live the King!

You know, Bush is always comparing me to Elvis in sort of unflattering ways. I don’t think Bush would have liked Elvis very much, and that’s just another thing that’s wrong with him. (Bill Clinton)

When I was a child, ladies and gentleman, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times…I learned very early in life that: “Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain’t got a friend; without a song, the road would never bed – without a song.” So I keep singing my song. (Elvis Aaron Presley)

I believe in the Bible. I believe that all good things come from God. I don’t believe I’d sing the way I do if God hadn’t wanted me to. (Elvis Aaron Presley)

Fuck those people of the Scientology Church! There’s no way I’ll ever get involved with that son-of-a-bitchin’ group. All they want is my name and my money. (Elvis Aaron Presley)

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Welcome to Israel!

Earl Shugerman, will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

English speaking Olim have a myriad of organisations and groups to support their new life in Israel. The largest private organisation that supports all English speaking Olim is the AACI (Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel). It has offices throughout Israel.

The author of this article is especially appreciative of the AACI’s sterling work. The efforts of Yanina proved invaluable during my acclimation.

AACI, a voluntary, non-profit organization, was established in 1951 to help North American immigrants acclimate to Israeli society and to build strong ties between North American Jewish communities and Israel. AACI is governed by a lay board and administered by a professional staff. Its many activities are financed through the support of foundations, annual membership dues, an annual fundraising drive and private donations.

AACI provides a wealth of services and programs to cater for its membership:

• Professional counseling on Aliyah and Klitah (absorption)

• Employment Resource Center

• Emergency, mortgage and small business loans

• Support groups

• Advice Sessions: tax, banking, translation and more

• Legal consultations

• Blood bank privileges

• The AACI Cohen Library for the Visually Impaired

• Senior Outreach

AACI Acts can move mountains when its members’ welfare is at stake.

AACI Acts:

• Lobbied successfully to modify the effect of new Israeli tax laws on immigrants;

• Produced and distributed a free Emergency Handbook and held gas mask demonstrations prior to and during the Gulf War;

• Confronted the social, economic and psychological pressures affecting its membership through the Seniors Outreach Project.

AACI Build Community offers a warm and welcoming environment, with special programs targeting families, young adults, mid-lifers and seniors. Members participate in:

• Welcome Home events for new olim (immigrants)

• Home Hospitality

• 4th of July/Canada Day & Thanksgiving Celebrations

• AACI Travel Experience & Study Vacations

• Social and Cultural Programs,

• Lectures and more

Our regional representative, Yanina, is an American immigrant herself. For a number of years, she has assisted new Olim in overcoming all the obstacles. Her force is a calm disposition, which comes with years of experience. Yanina is supported by a group of volunteers including Laurie Rubin.

Laurie recalls her own Aliyah:

I met then-boyfriend, Miles, in San Francisco in 1981 and soon into our dating, he was clear about wanting to move to Israel. Our relationship developed and so did our plans to eventually marry and move to Israel.

We lived for 9 months at the Merkaz Klita in Kiryat Yam, which was difficult for me. I went to ulpan there (didn’t know one word of Hebrew) while Miles started his job at Technion. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any family or friends in Israel at that time and felt quite lonely.

It was AACI that helped me greatly in making me feel more “settled”. A wonderful volunteer visited me in Kiryat Yam, I attended classes at the moadon in Haifa, met people, volunteered and before I knew it, I had my “anchor”.

Since then, things have only gotten better. Moved to our own apartment, had 2 children, met lots more people, got various jobs…It’s still extremely difficult not having family around (I’m lucky to be able to visit them twice a year), but friends have become like family. I’m very active as a volunteer for AACI (Friendly Caller to new people), participate with the Haifa English Theatre, work as a teacher of Business English in hi-tech and go to the gym frequently among other activities.

Today Laurie is one of Haifa’s biggest promoters.

For those of you would like to learn more, you can read Lauries article here.

***

Our next article will be a tour of Israels holiest city, Jerusalem, with my cousin Naomi and her 3 years old son Elchanan who is our favourite Israeli citizen.

About the author: Earl Shugerman is a retired American Government public relations specialist,  currently spokesperson in Haifa for The Jewish Agency and a writer specializing in interfaith relations. He has worked together with the Catholic and Southern Baptist Movements, the Reformed Jewish Movement and Muslim groups in interfaith activities.

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: The Focolare Movement

Earl Shugerman will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

I feel that this is the most important article that anyone could write about life in Israel. Israel is a multi-cultural nation of roughly seven million citizens. Israel is the Jewish homeland but not a Jewish Country.

Roughly one fourth of Israel’s citizens are Muslims, Christians, and Druze. We all manage to live together in a fairly democratic society that is going through its’ share of “growing pains”. The majority of Israelis participate in activities to build an even more democratic society.

I want to thank my friends at The Focolare, The Ahmadiyya, and my mentor Rabbi Edgar Nof for inviting me to share in these inspirational efforts. Rabbi Edgar is the spiritual leader of Or Hadash synagogue in Haifa and a community leader in interfaith activities. He and his wife Devorah are American “olim”.
 
The author of this column had the privilege of participating in the first activity of its kind {to our knowledge} in Israel. I attended this years annual Focolare convention from July 30th until August 2nd, 2009.

The venue of choice was Nes Ammim, a Christian Kibbutz and Interfaith peace Center. Jews, Muslims and various Christian denominations attended from Israel and Western Europe. This was the first time that these groups participated together in this annual event.  
 
This 4 day convention was based on the central tenet of The Focolare – Unity for all mankind. This organisation, which operates in 183 countries worldwide, advocates the Golden Rule.
 
The Focolare Movement crystallised during World War II. In the face of abject misery and darkness, Chiara Lubich was imbued with renewed hope. The light of religion smiled upon her. As her home of Trente was gripped in conflict, she found comfort in the teachings of the Gospel. Love and the Divine were the twin bastions for unifying a disparate and belligerent world. Focolare literally means Fire. It’s warmth and illumination were born out of the last embers of humanities darkest hour.

Focolare Founder: Chiara Lubich

In 1948, the State of Israel was established. After the wanton genocide perpetrated against the Jewish People, it was a cause celebrate. Following two millennia in the Diaspora, the descendants of Judea Capta could return to their ancestral roots. However, the country was relatively impoverished and large tracts were denuded of forestry. Furthermore, bellicose neighbours threatened the fledgling entity and disrupted the lives of all its citizens.

Nes Ammim

In a demonstration of affinity for the new country, European Christians settled in Northern Israel and embarked upon the construction of Nes Ammim. The eponym means “banner of nations“ (Isaiah 11:10). It was indicative of the diverse Christian population, who were major proponents of the Jewish State.
 
In a series of dialogues, we discussed The Focolare’s affiliates and activities. We encouraged everyone to become acquainted and sought ways to find common ground. Furthermore, those present entertained an informal discussion about spirituality.

I left the dialogues having benefited as an individual. I came to understand that true spirituality starts from within, but is greatly enhanced by sharing with others.
 
The highlight was a Christian group of German teenagers singing “We will Overcome“ in English and German. Children from other organisations sang spiritually uplifting tunes in Hebrew, English and Arabic. More than anything, watching the enthusiastic kids made the seminar a wonderful experience.
 
The old adage of “a small world“ springs to mind. One German youth had toured the US. Whilst there, he indulged in the delectable dishes of my favourite restaurant in Houston. Evidently, neither of us claim a Texan heritage. What were the odds on both of us having been there? As stated in my previous article, “ Food is the great universal unifier”.
 
The unsilent majority of Israel consistently promotes the notion of unity or “Ichud”. The domestic and international press seriously neglects this newsworthy item.
 
Our next column discusses the interfaith activities that American immigrants and I have been blessed to enjoy while building our lives in The Land of Canaan.

Earl Shugerman

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Israeli Food

Earl Shugerman will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

Food – Glorious Food!

Food is the universal peace-maker. Bagel is a household name and in this day and age, most Americans find that Bagel and cream cheese is almost as common as mum and apple pie. Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King and Dominos are an integral part of Israeli society.

While recently planning a trip to Jordan, I worried about eating properly. However, I was reassured following a query on the internet. There were four pizza huts alone in downtown Amman. Yesterday, I went to the University bookstore, which has the best reading variety in town. The University has a wide array of. On the way out of the bookstore, I noticed three children and their mother conversing in Arabic. Each happened to be holding a box of my favorite American delicacy – Oreos. I inquired gently as to where they had purchased them. They responded by stating that they were readily available at the bookstore!

I abruptly returned to the cashier, where I hoped to find the treasured food. As Murphy’s Law would have it, I was piped to the post. The customer in front of me, stole my thunder and ferreted away the very last box.

The three young children watched with a sympathetic glance. They offered to share their snacks with me. Their mother watched with a smile. I responded with a Todah they in turn acknowledged with Shalom Alechem (Peace unto you) and G-d Bless America in perfect English!

One of the wonderful things about living in a multi-cultural society like Israel is that there are many distinctive menus on offer. It is common to sit at an eatery and to share dinner and conversation with people from a myriad of backgrounds.

I would like to thank my friend Albert for helping me to write this very important article about food in Israel.

The Israeli diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, salads, and dairy products. The staples of the Israeli diet are humus, falafel, and Israeli salad. Humus and Falafel are chickpea products. Humus is a paste like form of chickpea usually eaten with pita bread. Falafel is chickpea formed into small balls, fried, and eaten in pita bread as a sandwich. Both Hummus and Falafel are eaten with or without vegetables and several possible sauces. Israeli salad is a combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley, served with Israeli salad dressing, a combination of salt, lemon and olive oil.

Israelis enjoy a barbecue at least once a month. Lamb kebab, chicken breasts, beef flanks, and shwarma or roasted lamb are the favorite meat choices. Yes! Israelis like a cold beer, a glass of wine and even Jack Daniels.

Haifa has a wide variety of dining places that include corner falafel stands, high quality multi-national restaurants, and American fast food restaurants. For those of us who can’t live without a Big Mac or Pizza Hut, don’t worry-be happy! Whilst Hebrew language may date back five thousand years, the most universal words are Shalom and Pizza please!

Outdoor cafes are both a source of nutrition and social activity, serving light meals, several varieties of coffee, and a wonderful array of baked goods. Like the rest of Israel, Haifa has a wonderful range of finer restaurants that include foods from all over the world.

Many of Israel’s other sea front communities offer you the choice of dining in modern western style malls, or traditional inner city spots, or dining on the seashore with the Mediterranean as an aesthetic backdrop. Due to the nature of the Israeli diet, food costs are usually lower than in the United States.  American style grocery stores abound in Israel, as do small local shops and the shuks or outdoor markets.

The larger grocery stores do carry American canned and packaged products such as Oreos and Campbell’s soup. They also offer non-grocery items such as healthcare products, beauty aids and clothing. Most stores and restaurants in Israel accept major credit cards although some accept only those issued in Israel. Most Tourist Bureaus offer a comprehensive list of local dining.

As always,

Shalom and Salam.

Earl Shugerman and Harvey Miller

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite gospel song

In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King (1929-1968)

Take My Hand, Precious Lord – sung by Elvis Aaron Presley

Lyrics

Written August 1932 by Reverend Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993), melody by George N. Allen (1812-1877)

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Holiday in Jordan

 Earl Shugerman will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel. 

Originally from the UK, Harvey Miller emigrated to Israel in 2008. Here he recounts a recent holiday to Jordan.

Jordan

by Harvey Miller

Only six months ago, I took a heavily measured and calculated step. I determined upon a life changing course – I made Aliyah.

The concept is deeply rooted in Jewish History. For two thousand years, communities living in the Diaspora yearned for a return to their ancestral homeland. This crystallized in 1948 with the Birth of the State of Israel. Following the insidious horrors of the Holocaust, the requirement for a refuge was underscored. In the sixty years since the declaration of Independence, the scattered tribes have been regathered from the four corners of the earth.

Since arriving in Israel, the travel bug has all but consumed me. As a PhD Student in Biblical Studies, the region of the Levant is particularly fascinating. Last week, I journeyed to Israel’s neighbour – Jordan. In the past, the two countries have experienced a fractious relationship. It was only in 1994 that a rapprochement was reached. Subsequently, Jordan opened its borders to Israeli tourists. They have been flocking to the Hashemite Kingdom ever since.

The Arava Crossing is in one respect Israel’s last bastion of bureaucracy. As I discovered, a temporary travel document is normally vital to crossing into Jordan. Unfortunately, I was not savvy on this point. I was under the impression that my British passport would suffice for the short sojourn. I was sorely mistaken. Despite the faux pas, the desk clerks approved my entry. I was told adamantly that future excursions Chutz La aretz (outside Israel) would only bare fruit with the aforementioned pass.

Having negotiated this minefield, I was received by the Jordanians. A photo of the incumbent monarch Abdullah greeted me. The king is highly popular amongst his subjects. There is a resonating warmth about him, which has been imbued amongst Jordanians. Other photos I encountered later displayed him in a more familial role: Embracing his son, or sharing a jovial moment with Queen Noia.

The first literal port of call was Aqaba. It is situated in close proximity to three countries – Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt. Each can be observed from the Red Sea coast. Aqaba is host to several exclusive hotels such as the Intercontinental and Kapinski. However, vis-à-vis Israel, their rates are extremely reasonable. A network of interconnecting streets betray a more traditional city plan. Shop traders push their wares. A series of men’s wear stores advocate contrasting styles and prices. Bargain is the watchword on these streets.

Beyond the environs of the city centre lies some remarkable landscapes. They are quite distinctive from the Holy Land. Sandstorms and the vagaries of time have moulded rock formations. The colours are vibrant: One cannot help but hum the tune to David Leans seminal masterpiece “ Laurence of Arabia “.

Eventually, one can discern the port itself. Large storage containers from the world over are stacked together. The overall effect is akin either to a Rubik’s cube or a multicoloured Lego structure. In some ways it is reminiscent of Haifa.

The South Beach lies at Aqabas extremities. It is here that some of the finest coral reefs in the region can be observed. This is nirvana for scuba divers.

No journey to Jordan is complete without visiting Petra. Two thousand years ago, the Nabateans were faced with the logistical nightmare of building a capital. Rather than quarrying and relocating material, they decided to construct a major metropolis straight at the source. The result is an engineering marvel, even by modern standards.

The fact was not lost on George Lucas when he decided to film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade here.

The Red rose city, half as old as time, is fairly expansive. An entry ticket, valid for three days, can be purchased. After some six hours, I perhaps traversed half of the site. Even then I failed to do justice to its majestic splendour. The coup de grace is the House of Treasures and the photo below demonstrates its unrivalled beauty:

Before returning to Israel, I spent a night in the desert under a canopy of stars. Wadi Rum is pivotal to the legend of Laurence of Arabia. During the First World War, El Laurence led his combined Arabic forces through this area. His eye caught a mountain. Realising that seven constituent forms were palpable, he donned it the “ Seven Pillars of Wisdom “. A well also bearing his epithet, is situated nearby.

On reflection, a holiday in Jordan is a worthy investment. The people are warm and amenable. Food and general trinkets are reasonably priced. I would have no reservations in recommending Jordan to the discerning traveller.

Israel – a Jewish State

The following facts show that the modern State of Israel was created in Palestine because of the historic connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, and not in response to the Holocaust, as many Holocaust deniers and Antisemits falsely argue.

Fact 1: The Jewish people have had a continuous presence in the Land of Israel for nearly 3500 years.

• Circa 1400 B.C.E. – Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan.
• 866 B.C.E. – King David declares Jerusalem capital of Israel.
• 825 B.C.E. – King Solomon builds the First Temple in Jerusalem.
• 423 B.C.E. – Destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians.
• 325 B.C.E. – The Second Temple is built in Jerusalem.
• 70 C.E. – Fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Second Temple.
• 135 C.E. – Defeat of Bar Kochba by the Romans.
• 231-254 C.E. – Early Church Father and theologian Origen “visited Erez Israel a number of times and came into contact with leading Jewish scholars there.”1
•  614 C.E. – “The Persian army of Chosroes II approached Jerusalem in 614 and besieged it with the help of its Jewish allies.”2
• 670-740 C.E. – “During the first century after the Arab conquest, the caliph and governors of Syria and the Land [Palestine] ruled entirely over Christian and Jewish subjects.”3
• 985 C.E. – The Arab writer Muqaddasi states that “The mosque is empty of worshippers…The Jews constitute the majority of Jerusalem’s population.”4
• 1099 C.E. – A synagogue is burned during the Crusader conquest of Jerusalem. Jewish correspondence following the destruction of Jerusalem marks “the earliest account on the conquest in any language.”5
• 1267 C.E. – Ramban moves to Jerusalem.
• 1492 C.E. – Mass immigration of Jews to Palestine following the Spanish expulsion.
• 1884 C.E. – Beginning of the First Aliya.

Fact 2: Throughout the ages the Jewish people have kept Jerusalem and Zion foremost in their prayers. 

Preceding the Shema Israel

Bring us in peacefulness from the four corners of the earth and lead us with upright pride to our land.

SHEMA ISRAEL

In the Amidah

Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather our exiles and gather us together from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are you, God, who gathers in the dispersed of the people of Israel.

And to Jerusalem your city, may You return in compassion, and may You rest within it, as You have spoken. May You rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure, and may You speedily establish the throne of David with in. Blessed are You, God, the builder of Jerusalem.

Psalm 126:

A song of ascents. When God will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Then our mouth will be filled with laughter and our tongue glad with song. Then they will declare among the nations, ‘God has done greatly with these.’ God has done greatly with us, we were gladdened. O God – return our captivity like springs in the desert. Those who tearfully sow will reap glad song. He who bears the measure of seeds walks along weeping, but will return in exultation, a bearer of his shaves.

Psalm 137:

By the rivers of Babylon – there we sat and also wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows within it we hung our lyres. There our captors requested words of song from us, with our lyres playing joyous music, ‘Sing for us from Zion’s song!’ ‘How can we sing the song of God upon the alien’s soil?’ If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Let my tongue adhere to my palate if I fail to recall you, if I fail to elevate Jerusalem above my foremost joy. Remember, God, for the offspring of Edom, the day of Jerusalem – for those who say Destroy! Destroy! To its very foundation.

Musaf for the High Holidays, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot:

Draw our scattered ones near, from among the nations, and bring in our dispersions from the ends of the earth. And bring us to Zion, Your City, in glad song, and to Jerusalem, home of Your Sanctuary, in eternal joy.

Fact 3: As the First Aliyah brought large groups of European Jews to Palestine, the leadership of the Zionist movement expressed their claim to a Jewish state in their ancestral homeland.

“Zionism seeks for the Jewish people a publicly recognized legally secured homeland in Palestine.” (From the program of the First Zionist Congress, Basel, Switzerland 1897.)

“My plan is simple enough. We must obtain the sovereignty of Palestine – our never-to-be-forgotten, historical home.” (Theodor Herzl, quoted in The New York Times, August 31, 1897.)

“That the Zionist Congress firmly maintains the principle for the foundation of the colony in the Jewish-father-land, Palestine, or in that vicinity. The congress thanks Great Britain for the offer of African territory, the consideration of which, however, is terminated…” (Resolution adopted by the Seventh Zionist Congress, July 1905.)

Fact 4: Following World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the victorious nations began the re-division of Ottoman territory. Recognizing the historic connection between the Jewish people and Palestine, they committed to establishing a Jewish state therein.

“When it is asked what is meant by the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, it may be answered that it is not the imposition of a Jewish nationality upon the inhabitants of Palestine as a whole, but the further development of the existing Jewish community, with the assistance of Jews in other parts of the world, in order that it may become a centre in which the Jewish people as a whole may take, on grounds of religion and race, an interest and a pride. But in order that this community should have the best prospect of free development and provide a full opportunity for the Jewish people to display its capacities, it is essential that it should know that it is in Palestine as of right and not on the sufferance. That is the reason why it is necessary that the existence of a Jewish National Home in Palestine should be internationally guaranteed, and that it should be formally recognized to rest upon ancient historic connection. (British White Paper of 1922)

“Whereas the Principal Allied Powers have also agreed that the Mandatory should be responsible for putting into effect the declaration [the Balfour Declaration] originally made on November 2nd, 1917, by the Government of His Britannic Majesty, and adopted by the said Powers, in favour of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people…

Whereas recognition has thereby been given to the historical connexion of the Jewish people with Palestine and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country.” (Conference of the Principle Allied Powers at San Remo – July 24, 1922.)

Fact 5: Even before the wave of Jewish immigration to Palestine as part of the First Aliyah, a Jewish majority has existed in Jerusalem.

***

Notes:

1 Encyclopedia Judaica. Jerusalem, Israel: Keter Publishing House, 1971, Page 1467.

2 Encyclopedia Judaica. Jerusalem, Israel: Keter Publishing House, 1971, Page 1971.

3 Parker, James. Whose Land? A History of the Peoples of Palestine. Great Britain: Harmondsworth, 1970, Page 66.

4 Kahler, Erich. The Jews among the Nations. New York City, NY: F. Ungar, 1967, Page 144.

5 Kedar, Benjamin Z. “The Jerusalem Massacre of July 1099 in the Western Historiography of the Crusades.” The Crusades. Vol. 3. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishing, 2004, Page 63.

6 Tal, Eliyahu. Whose Jerusalem. Tel Aviv, Israel: International Forum for a United Jerusalem, 1994, Page 94

Earl Shugerman’s Corner: Life in Israel

Earl Shugerman will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel. The following story was written at a summer camp during Tisha B’Av (Jewish Fast).

A Nation of Remembrance 

by Earl Shugerman

Understanding the culture of Israel is a great challenge to many new olim. Israel is a nation where the Jewish faith and history are very much a part of daily life.

Yesterday was Tisha B’Av, a day of evel or mourning in Israel. This day mourns the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and all suffering endured by the people of the Book. It is a day of fasting and other acts of observance. Businesses and schools may be open depending on the type of service or affiliation.

A Fusion of Past and Present: Worshippers attend the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Temple complex.

Forty kids aged six to ten enjoyed various summer activities including volleyball, soccer, and dodge ball. The director, Jaffa, also gave a one hour presentation describing the building and destruction of both Temples. We also discussed the holocaust and Israel’s memorial day. More than twenty thousand Israelis have died in open conflicts or by acts of terrorism since 1948. The Holocaust is almost always in the minds and hearts of Israeli Jews. We must never forget the murders of millions whose only sin was being born Jewish or having Jewish ancestors.

We had a short question and answer period after the presentation. I was surprised that none of the kids asked why we talked about these topics during summer fun time or complained. I asked my two English speaking “friends” in the group Naomi (8) and Shachar (7) to explain everyone’s cooperation. Naomi spent two years in Boston and answered in wonderful English; “most Israeli kids understand that remembering the past protects us in the present and future”. Shachar an American olah agreed and showed great pride in her new Israeli citizenship.

Today we had a group of visitors from Boston come to visit the Synagogue. The group was composed of roughly one hundred adults and kids from a sister congregation. We enjoyed dinner together and then went on a tour of the Temple’s bomb shelter. The shelter is an area of three hundred square feet that also includes a separate bathroom, shower, and first aid room. During the second war with Lebanon the twenty kids from our day school and fifty local children spent their days alternating between the shelter and our school facility. Each time a siren wailed the kids and staff ran down the three floors from the classroom to safety. Our previous past congregation president Jesse led the tour and explained to us that many Haifa residents left the city during the fighting but many chose to stay.

Jesse who is a physician and American born mentioned to me that my friend Naomi and her family chose to stay.

About the author: Earl Shugerman is a retired American Government public relations specialist, who specialised in promoting programs for people with disabilities. Earl Shugerman is currently spokesperson in Haifa for The Jewish Agency and a writer specializing in interfaith relations. He has worked together with the Catholic and Southern Baptist Movements, the Reformed Jewish Movement and Muslim groups in interfaith activities.

China’s public relations strategy

Thousands of Chinese military forces have been deployed into Urumqi, Xinjiang’s regional capital, in an attempt to control turmoil that has led to over 150 deaths in recent days.

A BBC correspondent in Urumqi says the situation “feels like martial law in everything but name.” The troop deployment comes after disorder yesterday when thousands of angry ethnic Han Chinese wielding improvised weapons engaged in sporadic revenge attacks against Uighurs after deadly riots Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Hu Jintao left the G8 summit in Italy and returned to Beijing to deal with the violence. The Wall Street Journal says Hu’s departure from the G8 summit underlines the severity of the challenge the Xinjiang violence presents to China’s leadership.

Newsweek looks at the evolution of China’s public relations strategy, as evidenced in the latest crisis.

Read full story.

Terrorist Plot in New York against Synagogues

Four New York residents have been arrested for an alleged plot to attack two synagogues in the Bronx and to shoot down planes at a military base in Newburgh, New York.

The men, who were fuelled by their hatred of America and the Jews, reportedly began surveillance of several synagogues and a Jewish Community Center in the Bronx in April. The plot is one of several terrorist plots in the U.S. in recent years motivated by anti-Semitism and radical interpretations of Islam.

Several terrorist plots in New York were also motivated by a hatred of Jews or Israel.  These include:

• A group of men plotted to attack New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in 2007, in part because they wanted to take revenge on the U.S. for its diplomatic relationship with Israel.
• James Elshafay and Shawar Matin Siraj plotted to bomb New York’s Herald Square subway station in 2004 to show solidarity with the Palestinians because of their hatred of the “Zionists.”
• In July 1997, Gazi Ibrahim Abu Mezer plotted to blow up a subway station in Brooklyn in order to “kill as many Jews as possible.”  He testified that he chose the Atlantic Avenue station as a target because there are “a lot of Jews who ride that train.”
• Ali Abu Kamal, a Palestinian man who went on a shooting spree atop the Empire State Building in 1997, carried a note in his pocket indicating the attack was meant to vent his anger at the U.S. for using Israel as an “instrument” against the Palestinian people.
• In 1993, five Islamic extremists detonated a car bomb below Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing 6 people and wounding more than 1,000 others. Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the attack, first planned to bomb Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but settled on the World Trade Center because “the majority of people who work in the World Trade Center are Jews,” according to Abdul Rahman Yasin, a co-conspirator in the attack.
• Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, an Egyptian cleric and alleged leader of the terrorist group Gama’a al-Islamiyya, plotted to bomb five major landmarks in New York in 1993, including the United Nations Headquarters, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the George Washington Bridge and the FBI office in New York.  In addition, he plotted to attack New York’s diamond district, an area largely populated by Jews, which according to one of his co-defendants would be like “hitting Israel itself.”
• In 1973, Khalid Al-Jawary plotted to blow up cars parked out of three Israeli targets in Manhattan to coincide with a scheduled visit to New York by then-Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.  The targets included El Al air terminal at John F. Kennedy International airport, the First Israel Bank and Trust Company, and the Israel Discount Bank in New York City.

Read full story.

Austrian Jewish community concerned over anti-Semitic rhetoric of Jörg Haider’s followers

The head of the Austrian Jewish community, Ariel Muzicant, has accused extreme-right politicians in his country of stoking hate in the run up to elections for the European Parliament in June 2009. Muzicant said in an interview that the tone of the campaign by the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) was directly responsible for a recent series of anti-Semitic incidents in the country.

The FPÖ encouraged “right-wing extremism in their own ranks and systematically want to make it socially respectable,” Muzicant said. He also likened the agitation of the party’s general secretary, Herbert Kickl, to those of Nazi Germany’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer demanded in a statement released Saturday that Austrian president Heinz Fischer and Parliament speaker Barbara Prammer condemn Muzicant’s words, but there has been no official response.

While most Austrians are likely to support the governing Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) in the elections, far-right parties won nearly 29 percent of the vote in last year’s national elections. Recent incidents in Austria include an attack by four right-wing youth on Holocaust survivors in the town of Ebensee; anti-Semitic statements made by Austrian students visiting the Auschwitz memorial; the refusal of a hotel in Tyrol to accept Jewish guests; and an Austrian far-right columnist blaming Jews for the current world financial crisis. An FPÖ campaign ad suggested that not only Turkey but also Israel, which is not a candidate for accession, should be prevented from joining the European Union.

Meanwhile, the Simon Wiesenthal Center warned that voter indifference across Europe could empower anti-Semitic parties in the upcoming European Parliament elections. “In the past, low voter turnout has played into the hands” of European parties and their allies which “are openly anti-Semitic and some include convicted Holocaust deniers,” said a statement released by the center. The Wiesenthal Center is arguing that votes can influence the Israel-Europe relationship and Jewish life in Europe because the EU Parliament will address issues such as anti-Semitism, the Iranian nuclear threat, dialogue with Hamas and Hezbollah, and trade agreements with Israel. Some 736 members of the European Parliament will be elected by proportional representation to represent 500 million Europeans in the 27 member states.

Jüdisch-arabischer Fußballverein zu Gast in Berlin

Pressemitteilung des Zentralrats der Juden in Deutschland

Berlin, 20. Mai 2009 – Nächste Woche kommt die Jugendmannschaft des israelischen Fußballvereins FC Hapo”el Abu Gosch – Mevasseret Zion nach Berlin.

Auf Einladung des Zentralrats der Juden in Deutschland hält sich die Jugendmannschaft des israelischen Fußballvereins FC Hapoel Abu Gosch – Mevasseret Zion vom 25.-28. Mai 2009 in Berlin auf. Mit der Einladung würdigt der Zentralrat das Engagement des Vereins für die Koexistenz jüdischer und arabischer Israelis und möchte das von den Spielern und Amtsträgern des Vereins vorgelebte Erfolgsmodell des gutnachbarlichen Zusammenlebens auch in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland vorstellen.

FC Hapoel Abu Gosch – Mevasseret Zion ist der einzige jüdisch-arabische Fußballverein Israels. Selbstverständlich spielen jüdische und arabische Fußballer in vielen anderen israelischen Teams zusammen, doch hat sich FC Hapoel Abu Gosch – Mevasseret Zion nicht nur sportliche Erfolge, sondern auch die Förderung der Koexistenz beider Volksgruppen ausdrücklich als Ziel gesetzt. Der Verein stellt eine volle und paritätische Partnerschaft zwischen den beiden westlich von Jerusalem gelegenen Ortschaften, dem jüdischen Mevasseret Zion und dem arabischen Abu Gosch dar. Der sechsköpfige Vorstand besteht aus drei Arabern und drei Juden.

Zum Turnier zwischen FC Hapoel Abu Gosch – Mevasseret Zion, Hertha BSC und der Axel-Springer-Journalistenschule sowie zum Freundschaftsspiel zwischen der israelischen Mannschaft und Makkabi Berlin sind Medienvertreter herzlich willkommen.

Das Turnier findet am 26.05.2009 im Amateurstadion Hertha BSC, Hanns-Braun-Straße, am Olympiastadion statt. Der Anpfiff ist für 17.30 Uhr geplant.

Das Spiel gegen Makkabi Berlin findet am 27.05.2009, Julius-Hirsch-Sportplatz, Harbigstraße 40, Berlin-Charlottenburg statt. Spielbeginn: 18.30 Uhr

Eine Akkreditierung ist nicht erforderlich.

Ansprechpartner vor Ort ist Herr Wladimir Struminski, Tel: 00972-522 576 865.

Guest Editorial by Rabbi Benjamin Blech on Pope’s Visit to Israel

Our beloved friend and colleague Rabbi Benjamin Blech took time to serve as guest editor, commenting the Pope’s visit in Israel. In January 2005, Rabbi Blech became one of the first rabbis in history known to confer the priestly blessing on a Pope, when he visited the Pope John Paul II  in the Apostolic Palace.

My Encounter with the Pope

by Rabbi Benjamin Blech

New York, May 17, 2009

Was I wrong at that moment to believe it’s at last possible to cast off centuries of mistrust, misunderstanding and religious intolerance?

How does a rabbi feel when he meets the pope?

As a 10th-generation rabbi who has spent a lifetime teaching Torah to Jews, that’s something I thought was about as likely to happen to me as winning a gold medal at the Olympics. My world is the ivory tower of Jewish academia, not the Vatican. The people I’m used to seeing with yarmulkes on their heads are congregants, not cardinals. The holy city I most often visit isn’t Rome but Jerusalem.

But sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and Divine providence put me together not just with one pope but with two.

Before I share with you the circumstances of these remarkable meetings, a little personal background is important. My parents came from Poland, and when I was a child they would tell me about their early lives there. On Christmas and Easter they knew they could not dare be out in the street. Their church-going neighbors would search for any of the Jewish “Christ killers” who their priest had impressed upon them in his sermon were guilty of killing their Lord. Anti-Semitic attacks were almost everyday occurrences, the expected price that Jews understood they had to pay for residence in a non-Jewish land. It’s sad to say but for Jews, Christians were the villains – because we were constantly victims.

If my parents ever wondered whether a time might come when this would all change, the Holocaust put an end to whatever optimism they dared to allow themselves. No, they concluded, and constantly reinforced in their admonitions to my siblings and to me. The rift between us and “them,” as they saw it, was unbridgeable. Only a fool, they never failed to tell us, would deny the lesson of so many centuries.

So in my mind, the pope became the general of an opposing army. Nothing personal, mind you, but surely sufficient to make me suspicious of any gesture on his part to improve our relationship.

It was with this mindset that I fortuitously became involved with a gentleman who had connections with the Vatican and offered to help when I informed him that there were many precious Jewish items in the hands of the church that we would love to bring back to their original owners. With his assistance and unbelievable good fortune we were invited to the Vatican Library to view some extremely precious manuscripts and initiate plans to bring some of them out on exhibit in Israel.

And then there was one more remarkable thing that happened. It explains what a nice Jewish septuagenarian like me was doing in the Apostolic Palace standing before the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics in the week before what proved to be his final illness.

Pope John Paul II was a different kind of pope. With all of my mistrust ingrained since my youth I had to attach significant meaning to the things I learnt about this spiritual leader of others who ironically enough was born in Poland, not far from my ancestors. I discovered that he was someone sensitive enough when he assumed the papacy to make one of his very first acts a visit to Auschwitz to in order express remorse at the fate of the 6 million victims.

More, he became the first pope since Saint Peter to visit a synagogue. He journeyed to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and left an inscribed message within one of its crevices asking for forgiveness for the sins Christianity committed against the Jews throughout the centuries. He denounced anti-Semitism as a “sin against God and humanity.” He normalized diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. He epitomized love, reconciliation and the healing of ancient wounds.

And because he had a profound feeling of affection for Jews, he made an amazing decision. Realizing his advanced age he made a personal and private request that was relayed to me. Pope John Paul II indicated that he would like to receive a blessing – a blessing from the spiritual leaders of the people who had for so long been the victims of its misplaced, virulent hatred. That is how I came to be a part of 150 rabbis and cantors who went to meet with the pope and fulfill his request.

At this historic moment three of us stepped forward to personally recite a blessing. It was then that I uttered the words recorded in the Talmud for a time when a Jew meets a great leader of the nations of the world: “We bless You O Lord for having granted of Your glory to Your creations.”

Was I wrong at that moment to believe it’s at last possible to cast off centuries of mistrust, misunderstanding and religious intolerance?

What went through my mind?

I heard the past speaking to me. I don’t know how it was possible for time to become so compressed that in those few moments, I could clearly make out so many conversations in my mind, all of them vying for my attention, all of them claiming my conviction. Some were filled with anger. Some were disbelieving. Some advised caution. Some were overcome with joyous emotion. All were battling for my agreement. It was simply too difficult for me to decide, too momentous a moment for me to come to any conclusion.

But with all the voices fighting to be heard within me one seemed most recognizable. I could swear that in the Vatican itself I heard my father, of blessed memory, whisper in my ear,” Perhaps. Perhaps.”

Not too long after that I was invited to be a member of the group that accompanied Pope Benedict, newly appointed after the death of John Paul II, when as one of the first acts of his papacy he too went to Auschwitz to pray, to request forgiveness, and to vow that civilized mankind would never again permit an atrocity of this horrendous magnitude to every again occur. I know that this pope is a German whose biography leaves us with some unanswered questions. I know that he has committed some serious errors of judgment in his response to Holocaust deniers within his own faith. And yet I saw him at Auschwitz. I heard his words. I spoke with him. I know that he, too, in his visit to New York last year chose to go to a synagogue to make clear his warm feelings towards Jews.

Pope Benedict was in Israel last week. He too has placed a prayer in the wall. He too has gone to the memorial for those who perished during the Holocaust. For some he didn’t say enough and he didn’t do enough. For others there is still the lingering and strong suspicion that he is the head of an organization that forever stands in opposition to our survival, at the very least theologically.

Only time will tell whether we may place our trust in the sincerity of these new gestures of friendship. But I would like to believe, seeing things with my own eyes that I know my parents and grandparents would never have deemed possible, that it is not too far-fetched and too naive to respond to these apparent attempts at reconciliation, with one word: “Perhaps. Perhaps.”

About the author: Rabbi Benjamin Blech,  is the author of 12 highly acclaimed books, including Understanding Judaism: The basics of Deed and Creed. He is a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Emeritus of Young Israel of Oceanside (California) which he served for 37 years and from which he retired to pursue his interests in writing and lecturing around the globe. He is also the author of If God Is Good, Why Is The World So Bad?

Reprinted with kindly permission of Aish HaTorah International.