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AGENCY FOR JEWISH EDUCATION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26-SUNDAY, OCT. 5 LYRIC OPERA'S CANDIDE
GUEST COLUMN
Down Syndrome: Advice for Sarah Palin
By Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith
 JERUSALEM—From one parent of a child with Down syndrome to another.
Dear Governor Palin,
I'm sure you're pretty busy juggling your home and new baby, the state of Alaska and running for vice president. But I thought a few words of advice are in order, from one parent of a child with Down syndrome to another. This is one area in which I've got four years more experience than you.
1. First of all, a belated mazel tov! You and your family will get tons of joy and nachas from Trig. Of the cases of Down syndrome diagnosed by prenatal testing each year, about 90% are eliminated by abortion. I bet most of those parents would choose otherwise if they knew the tremendous blessing entailed in raising such a child.
Enjoy all of his the triumphs, big and small. Our son Yehuda just started kindergarten; he is included in a regular class in one of Jerusalem's best schools. He speaks two languages, is learning the Hebrew alphabet, and is excited to be going to the same school as his two older brothers.
2. Realize that Trig is not defined by his disability; he is first and foremost a person like anyone else. Every person has a unique mission and purpose in this world. Trig does too, and your job as his mother is to help him bring out his full potential, whatever that may be.
3. Don't put a limit on Trig's potential and sell him short. Expect the most. As his best advocate, inculcate in him and in those around you the belief that with hard work and determination, Trig can do anything, until proven otherwise. Don't confuse accepting him as he is with resignation.
4. Don't feel sorry for him because he has a disability. Treat him like your other children, setting limits, giving discipline and lots of love.
5. Trig needs loads of early intervention that will strengthen his muscles and work his brain. Get started on this immediately. Too busy campaigning? Make sure Todd or some primary caregiver is spending hours a day working with him. Everything you do now pays off in the end.
6. Trig is going to have greater needs than everyone else in your family. But be sure not to neglect your husband and other kids (good advice for anyone running for vice president). Making sure your marriage stays strong and vibrant is your top priority.
7. Appreciate his strengths—chances are he'll have an awareness of people's feelings and a compassion streak far greater than other kids his age. But don't overcompensate and turn Trig into some kind of saint. He's just a boy, with strengths and weaknesses like everyone else.
8. Things go a lot slower for a kid who has Downs. In order to enter Trig's world you're going to need an abundance of patience and force yourself to slow down. If you don't have that trait now, start developing it. God doesn't make mistakes; He gives us the specific challenges we need to bring out our own potential. You need Trig as much as he needs you. His birth can be a catalyst for personal growth for you and your entire family.
Your nomination has already challenged people's perception of Down syndrome. Whether you win or lose, we look forward to great strides in the advancement of benefits for the disabled everywhere.
With thanks to Gershon Lewis and Chaya Malka Abramson, two inspiring parents of children with Downs.
CATERING BY CHARLES RUBIN
NOW CATERING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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Danish Herring per lb., $10 ... Creamed Herring per lb, $10
Mock crayfish per lb., $10 ... Chopped Liver per lb., $10
Gefilte Fish each, $4 ... Perogen per dozen, $18
Brisket (tomato, mushroom sauce), $6.50 per person
Hawaiian or Roast Chicken, $4.75 per person ... Teriyaki Salmon, $6.50 per person
Potato or Lokshen Kugel ... Baby Roast Potatoes ... Assorted Grilled Vegetables
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$20 (10 servings); $35 (18 servings); $50 (30 servings)
L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu
CAMPAIGN 2008
Obama strongly supports Israel
By Howard Wayne
 SAN DIEGO—Some Republicans are trying to scare Jewish voters into giving the failed policies of George Bush a third term by misrepresenting Barack Obama on Israel. As supporters of Israel, we are fortunate that both parties and both presidential candidates are friends of Israel. By trying to divide the parties on Israel, these Republicans are doing a grave disservice to the security of Israel.
I cannot make this point strongly enough. For decades groups that support Israel, such as the American Israel Public Affairs Council (AIPAC), have worked for a bi-partisan consensus of support for the Jewish state. They realize that each party will, at times, govern America. If one party is successfully demonized as “anti-Israel” then, when that party comes to power, there will be a self-fulfilling prophesy and Israel will be put at risk. These misguided Republicans running a fear campaign should realize that they are putting Israel’s future at risk to elect McCain.
These Republican attacks begin by trying to discredit Senator Obama based on people he knows. Unfortunately, guilt by association has been a Republican tactic going back to Joe McCarthy. It is shameful they are employing it again.
In a presidential campaign thousands of citizens associate themselves with candidates. Some partisans try to find dirt on these supporters and then declare their opinions must reflect the views of the candidate.
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If Democrats were to employ these techniques they could point out that John McCain has declared he would appoint former Secretary of State James Baker (notorious for his “F**k the Jews” comment) as his Middle East envoy and use Zbigniew Brzezinski as one of his foreign policy advisors. McCain’s national finance co-chair, Fred Malek, is the operative Nixon tasked with seeking out the Jews in the Bureau of Labor Statistics so they could be fired. But these associations do not make Senator McCain an enemy of Israel and the Jews. And, of course, similar charges do not indict Obama.
Rather, we should be fair and look at a candidate’s public record:
Barack Obama’s Pro-Israel Voting Record—Obama has voted in favor of foreign aid to Israel every time. Obama co-sponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. Obama introduced an Iran disinvestment bill in Congress (Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007). As a State Senator, Barack Obama co-sponsored a bill to authorize the State of Illinois to invest in Israel bonds
Barack Obama Holds Israel’s Security as Paramount— Senator Obama said, “Israel’s security is sacrosanct . . . . I will also carry with me an unshakable commitment to the security of Israel and the friendship between the United States and Israel.” (New York Sun, 2/25/08).
Obama told the National Jewish Democratic Council: “When I am President, the United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel in search of this peace and in defense against those who seek its destruction.” (Philadelphia Jewish Voice, July 2007)
Barack Obama Opposes Those Who Would Destroy Israel— Obama joined a letter calling on the European Union to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist groups. Obama said: “My approach to Iran will be aggressive diplomacy. I will not take any military options off the table.” Obama declared: “There is a hard core of jihadist fundamentalists who we can’t negotiate with. We have to hunt them down and knock them out.” (New York Sun, 2/25/08) The New York Times reported that Obama had again called Hamas a terrorist group and said that “we should not talk to them unless they recognize Israel, renounce violence and are willing to abide by the previous accords’ that Israel has negotiated with its neighbors.” (5/16/08)
In his hometown of Chicago Lester Crown, a well-known Jewish philanthropist said “Obama’s stellar record on Israel gives me great comfort that, as President, he will be the friend to Israel that we all want to see in the White House – stalwart in his defense of Israel’s security and committed to helping Israel achieve peace with its neighbors.”
Even those who do not support Senator Obama acknowledge that he is a supporter of Israel. When asked whether he trusts Obama’s commitment to Israel, Senator Joe Lieberman said, “I have no doubt of that.” (CNN 5/9/08) The executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition said, “Obama’s voting record on issues related to Israel has been fine during his three years in the Senate.” (Palm Beach Post, 4/26/08) Even the editor of the conservative Weekly Standard said, “Obama and McCain don’t actually differ [on the Middle East], even on Iran.”
So as supporters of Israel, we should be pleased that AIPAC declared that both John McCain and Barack Obama are pro-Israel and, that regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, a supporter of Israel will become President.
However Jewish voters should be concerned about how Senator McCain views the position of Jews in the United States. He has said that the “Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation” and “that is hardly a controversial claim.” (CNN, 10/1/07). McCain also said that a candidate’s Christian faith is “an important part of our qualification to lead.” (AP, 9/29/07) These beliefs, along with McCain’s opposition to reproductive rights, his position that “intelligent design” should be taught in public schools, and his confessed lack of knowledge of economics in these financially perilous times should be weighed in deciding for whom to vote.
TEMPLE SOLEL High Holiday Greetings
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
Ariel University Center's U.S. fundraising
chief had had colorful career path
By Donald H. Harrison
  SAN DIEGO—When Avery Ellisman (right) was working in Israel as the director of a partnership between General Motors and Universal Motors of Israel in seeking new technologies, he had no idea how much the search for a better welding wire would lead to changes in his life—which had gone through quite a few changes already.
A professor from the former Soviet Union, Michael Zinigrad, developed a mathematical model for a flux core welding wire. Understanding the need in automobile construction to weld unbreakable bonds between materials, Zinigrad considered the properties of various chemicals before deciding what combination could be placed inside a hollow wire to enhance the quality of the weld.
Ellisman, who recommended research grants in behalf of the GM-UMI partnership, won approval for $60,000 for Zinigrad’s work over a two-year period. The professor served on the faculty of the relatively unknown College of Judea and Samaria in the city of Ariel.
Zinigrad impressed Ellisman because he completed his work on time, providing not only a mathematical model but also a product worthy of larger scale testing in the United States. When the professor asked for another grant from GM, this time to sponsor an international conference on materials at the college, Ellisman was pleased to make the recommendation. He had no way to know that months later the Al Aqsa Intifada was about to begin.
In the super-heated political atmosphere of the intifada, Ellisman’s grant to the college was seized upon as a political issue. Ariel, today a city of about 20,000, is located “beyond the Green Line” in West Bank territories won by Israel in the 1967 War. Arab critics said that by granting money for a conference at the small college, General Motors was supporting the settler movement of a Greater Israel and helping to strip Palestinians of their rightful land. There were threats of a pan-Arab boycott of General Motors.
The grant had already been spent, but to tamp down the controversy, Ellisman decided not to make a speech to the delegates about GM’s two roles in supporting science in Israel. On its profit making side, the GM-UMI collaboration sought to obtain rights to the technology in which it had invested during the R&D stage. On the other hand, the GM Foundation made contributions to various non-profit agencies in Israel, including a science museum in Haifa.
The ten years that Ellisman spent with GM-UMI, first as assistant director and then as director, provided him the opportunity to get to know almost all the university and college campuses in Israel, particularly those where engineering research was conducted. He decided to change job in 2001 for a variety of reasons.
First, he said, the head of UMI, Avihu Ben-Nun, had someone he wanted Ellisman to train to eventually take over the directorship, so the handwriting was on the wall. Second, he and his British-born wife Madeleine recently had a daughter, Shira, today 8, and Ellisman didn’t want her to grow up without knowing his aging parents in California. Third, as a man whose career had included a job as a tractor driver on Kibbutz Ein Shemer; a practice in family counseling in Escondido, California; frequent concert gigs as a blue-grass fiddler; operating a violin-repair business in Israel, and a stint as director of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel, Ellisman never was daunted by the process of finding a new field of work.
Before he returned to California, where he owned a small home in Encinitas which he had been renting out, Ellisman received a telephone call from Zinigrad’s son, Alex. The development director of the College of Judea and Samaria (today known as Ariel University Center) was on a trip abroad, Alex said, and an executive of a Cleveland steel company was planning on visiting the college to learn its capabilities. They needed someone to pinch hit who spoke English and understood the metals field. Would he mind coming out to the college? Ellisman agreed, and helped in the presentation.
Thereafter, administrators of the college approached him with another proposition. Would he be willing to serve as the college’s representative in the United States? Again Ellisman agreed. For two years, he accepted American assignments from the college, but after the formation of a U.S-registered non-profit organization—American Friends of the College of Judea and Samaria— he became its executive director. He has held the position for five years.
While one might think that a development director for an Israeli institution of higher learning would be located in a big city, Ellisman said with telephone, internet and email permitting instant communications, he prefers to work from the comfort of his Encinitas home. His family has grown; besides Shira, he and his wife are the parents of Ada, 6, and Ezra, 3.
The Milken Foundation of Santa Monica has made sizeable contributions to the college, and the Irving Moskowitz Foundation helped to establish the college’s center for mass communications. To date, no San Diego County residents have given major gifts to the college, Ellison said.
While some San Diegans have made small, private gifts, none have donated the kind of money—from $500,000 to $2.5 million—that would entitle them to name a floor or an entire building on the campus. While this may sound like a lot of money, compared to what other university fundraising campaigns are asking for similar privileges, Ariel University Center “offers more cluck for the buck” as well as an opportunity to be involved from the ground up, according to Ellison.
I asked what is the profile of the most likely contributors to the college. He replied that first and foremost, they are people who care about education, because the students there come from all parts of Israel, not just the West Bank. Second, he said, they are people who favor Jewish settlement on the West Bank and believe that the college can provide economic benefit to the surrounding Palestinian areas. He said mayors of nearby Palestinian towns have quietly expressed to school officials their hope that once there is a formal agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority about borders, the school will provide both education and jobs for Palestinian neighbors.
Ariel is located about 16 miles east of the northern boundary of Petach Tikvah, which is part of the greater Tel Aviv area. It is a straight ride east on Israel’s Highway 5, Ellison said. Before getting to the college, which is situated atop a hill, one first passes through the city of Ariel. He said the highway is a secure one—meaning it is paralleled by high fences—and that there are roadblocks near the beginning of the route and near Ariel. However, he said, by Israeli standards, this security is no more intrusive than in other parts of the country. Similarly, he said, the security one must pass through to go onto the campus seems no more stringent than that at other universities in Israel.
Currently about 3 percent of the school’s population are Arabs whose homes are within Israel, Ellisman said. A large percentage of the students are immigrants, especially from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. They, along with native-born Jewish Israelis, are attracted by the quality of education there, as well as by lower fees and lower housing costs.
Approximately 11,000 students attend the college, which a year ago was renamed the Ariel University Center as a step on the road to becoming a full-fledged university offering graduate degrees in numerous fields. Ellison said 9,000 students are pursuing either a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and the other 2,000 are engaged in technical studies leading to a 2-year-degree. Master’s degrees now are offered in such subjects as electrical engineering, economics, business management, social work, and behavioral sciences.
The 150-acre campus has mostly classrooms on its lower portion, whereas on the upper campus there is the administration building and laboratories, Ellison said.
The budding university began by offering adult education courses in 1982, and later affiliated with Bar-Ilan University, with degrees granted under the Bar-Ilan name. After considerable back-and-forth discussion, the two institutions parted amicably, Ellison said. He said he foresees a day when Ariel University will be as known and as respected as such Israeli sisters as Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, Ben Gurion University and the Technion.
TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
RHODES MARKETING GROUP
KULANU
Impressions of an Ethiopian American tourist on his first trip to Israel
By Kassahun Teffera
 ROCKVILLE, Maryland—My wife Melke Mengiste and I were able to achieve the dreams of our forefathers and mothers – visiting the Holy City of Jerusalem— last year. My grandfather and Melke’s father wished to be buried in Jerusalem; we are lucky to be able to visit the Promised Land alive. We visited the old and new Jerusalem and we were thrilled to be able to see the center of historical, political and religious gravity of the old world. The layers of the buildings – built, destroyed and rebuilt and then destroyed so many times by the various invaders were mirrors of the lives of the Jews -- the unbelievable perseverance, persistence, hope and survival. We found the Holocaust museums a jarring reminder of the harsh realities. We also visited Masada and the Dead Sea. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, helpful and humorous.
In general, we were impressed with the giant economic strides Israel has made in a half century, converting the semi-desert land into an economic miracle and building the superior military power in the region. This was accomplished with only one natural resource – human talent – and was achieved despite constant attacks by its belligerent neighbors. Developing countries have a lot to learn from the experience of Israel.
The highlight of our trip was our visit to the Ethiopian synagogue in Yod. That was made possible with the great efforts of Diane Zeller, who now resides in Jerusalem, the assistance of Martin Kessel, and the willingness and kindness of his daughter, Dalit Avrahamoff, who took her time to arrange and take us to the Ethiopian synagogue.
During our stay in Israel we had talks with many Ethiopian Jews from various walks of life, including the owners of the Ethio-Israel restaurant where we had dinner the first night we arrived in Jerusalem, thanks to Diane. We have talked to military officers, security guards, hotel employees, accountants, and engineers. Many say they have difficulty mastering the Hebrew language. Others say even those who graduated from college cannot get productive jobs because they lack the networking. Few say if one works hard there is always a window of opportunity. Asked about racism, they say it is a reality everywhere, including in the United States. Those few who have succeeded say the focus should be on hard work.
But our visit to the synagogue was inspiring and educational. Kes Yemanu Temeyet and I had a lovely discussion. Kes Yemanu spoke of the experiences of the Jews in Ethiopia with the emphasis on the 19th century. During the time of Emperor Theodoros, whose mother was rumored to be Jewish, the Ethiopian Jews expected something helpful, but for various political reasons it did not happen. So in 1863 the Ethiopian Jews started their journey to Jerusalem, hoping to cross the Red Sea as Moses did over 30 centuries before. On their way, they perished due to hostile environment and disease.
Emperor Yohannes, who was a religious fanatic, succeeded Theodros. He gave an edict that everyone was to be converted to Coptic Christianity or face death and/or physical torture. This resulted in the maiming of thousands of Jews. However, a great number of Jews remained adamant and expressed their willingness to die rather than to convert. Surprised by their defiance and determination to boldly choose death, Emperor Yohannes asked the leaders why they preferred death to accepting the Bible. Their spokesperson replied that, “We the Jews believe in the Orit (original and old) Bible, what you call the Old Testament, which you Christians believe in and on which you based the New Testament. We are truly the firm believers in the Bible and we should not be
treated as pagans.” The Emperor listened and responded, “If there were judges you could win.” But the forceful conversion and brutal death continued.
The Kes said, “When God willed, we came here and have our synagogue built in the design of the synagogue we have had at Ambo Ber in Ethiopia.” He said it took them longer to build the synagogue according to the Ethiopian traditional way. At last, that was done and he was happy and grateful. The synagogue is a symbol of recognition and a link to the past.
He also talked about the challenge the Ethiopian Jews face. The old generation is uneducated and has difficulties adjusting to the new environment. The young ones are in a tug of war between the Ethiopian tradition and the metropolitan culture they have to cope with. He believes the young people need guidance and assistance. They cannot get assistance from their parents and yet have to compete with those young people whose parents tutor and guide them. That has created a challenge, he said. But he is hopeful that things will change over time. He said the government is trying to mitigate the pain of the transition in every way possible, though in a small way. Kes Yemanu is very grateful for all the material and moral support given to the synagogue by many individuals and institutions/organizations.
The Almaz Project, which started in 1993, trains and employs Ethiopian Jewish women in modern sewing techniques to produce a variety of items, including Judaica, tablecloths, wall hangings, and clothing. The project is housed in the synagogue and has outlets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It was uplifting to see the women being given a chance to work outside the home and earn income. The project needs more help in marketing the products at home and abroad.
At the end of the trip we were given the Jewish Bible translated into the Amharic language. We are grateful to Isiayas Chane, who welcomed us and kindly briefed us about the synagogue, and at the end he gave us the Amharic Bible, which is being distributed freely.
We wish we could have stayed longer to learn more.
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ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Temple Beth Israel
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 27, 1950, page 8
The Temple Beth Israel held its Annual Meeting Thursday, January 19th at the Temple Center. Business of the evening consisted of election of officers to the board of directors, ratification of the By-Laws and discussion of past and future plans.
President Nathan Schiller presented a very complete and comprehensive report on the past activities and accomplishments of the year and suggested various recommendations for the coming year. Among them were the following: Completion of the Bergman Altar Campaign, expanding the program to include redecorating and painting of the interior and vestibule of the Temple proper, and recarpeting : improvements of Religious School classrooms; repainting of the Library; a series of evening social activities within the Congregation, outside of the Friday night services; the enlargement of the volunteer Choir and Usher Staff.
New By-Laws were presented and after much discussion and deliberation they were given preliminary ratification by the Congregation. The By-Laws will go into effect after being passed at a Congregation meeting at least thirty days hence.
The following members were elected to the Board of Directors to serve a three-year term expiring in January of 1953: Nathan Baranov, Morris douglas, Ben Harris, Leon Heiman, Nate Ratner and Nathan Schiller.
Sabbath Services—Rabbi Morton Cohn announces that the sermon for Friday, January 27th will be the third in his series These Things WE Believe. It is entitled “Torah, Israel’s Textbook on God.”
Rabbi Morton J. Cohn is leaving Sunday, January 29th, for San Francisco to attend the Annuyal west Coast Conference of Jewish Army-Navy and Veterans Administration Chaplains sponsored by the Division of Religious Activities of the National Jewish Welfare Board.
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 27, 1950, page 8
Tifereth Israel Synagogue was host to the convention of the Rabbinical Assembly of America West Coast Region, January 23, 24 and 25.
On Monday vening a superb dinner was served by the daughters of Israel to the fifteen visiting Rabbis, representing Conservative Congregations of Southern California. Rabbi Jacob Kohn of Temple Sinai, Los Angeles, opened the meeting.
The main address of the opening meeting was delivered by Dr. David Aronson, National President of the Rabbinical Assembly of America and Professor at the University of Judaism.
Rabbi Aronson stated that secular Judaism was on its way out. He also stated that in order for Judaism to survive it would be necessary for the members of congregations to actively participate in Synagogue life. He underscored attendance at Sabbath services, preservation of the Jewish home and the study of Torah.
The Rabbinical Assembly of America is a national association of Conservative Rabbis, and is associated with the United Synagogue of America, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and its West Coast Branch, the University of Judaism.
Rabbi Monroe Levens, spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue stated that the convention honored San Diego in meeting here for the first time. The results of the meeting will be felt in synagogue Congregations along the West Coast for many years to come.
Sabbath Services—Regular Friday evening services on January 27th at 8:15 p.m. will be conducted by David Levens, in honor of his Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi Levens will deliver the sermon.
Men’s Club – the next meeting of the Tifereth Israel Men’s Club will take place Tuesday, February 7th at 8:00 p.m. Important business of the evening will be the electon of Officers and Board Members. Refreshments will follow the meeting.
Tifereth Israel Sisterhood – The February meeting of the Tifereth Israel Sisterhood will be on Thursday, February 2nd, at 8:00 p.m. Election of officers will be the business of the day. A social hour will follow the meeting.
Beth Jacob
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 27, 1950, page 8
For the benefit of the Beth Jacob Building Fund, Zena Frommer, well known piano teacher, will be hostess at the home cooked, delicious luncheon and social, to be held Tuesday, February 7th, at 12 noon.
Please come and bring your friends to the Beth Jacob Center on that day. A fine afternoon is promised.
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UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
REFLECTIONS
Why and how I observe the Shabbat
By Sheila Orysiek
 SAN DIEGO—Some of the most profound questions are often the shortest in length. Looking out over the Temple Emanu-El congregation Rabbi Martin S. Lawson asked such a question during Sabbath services: “Why do you come to celebrate Shabbat?”
Why indeed? Though it seems at first a rhetorical question, it is also a deeply personal one. I suppose each person who heard it had a unique answer which probably germinated in different soil. Mine started with a mile long walk I take twice a day.
As my dancing career wound down I sought other means to exercise and other structures for my day. For a while riding my bike around a lake took care of the necessity for exercise, and volunteer activities helped with structure. Eventually walking made more sense to an aging body than the adventures which accompany riding a bike.
It’s a boring walk on residential streets, passing the same houses, hearing the same dogs bark, but it includes a neighborhood church. Some buildings exude a personality. A towering stone church seems to be fending off the world. But this church that I pass twice a day has a quite different feeling; it’s (forgive me) “hamish.” It’s inviting. On a warm day the side doors are open and on my early walk I can hear the choir rehearsing while later in the day I hear the congregation singing. I found myself envying their sense of community - belonging. I wanted to belong. But where did I belong?
The church didn’t tempt me at all - however, it reminded me that I, too, am part of a community. Two previous attempts to join a structured Jewish congregation were not happy experiences. In one instance the pews were more important than the people and in the second instance the atmosphere seemed fraught with tension. However, the pull of wanting to reclaim my proud and ancient heritage overcame those two unfortunate experiences and I tried again and this time I got lucky. I found a community that was welcoming; a spiritual homecoming.
I also found that some of my conceptions of Judaism were simplistic and/or incomplete. I thought that simply believing in one G-D was sufficient to fulfill the identity of being a Jew. However, at a Coffee with the Rabbi, I quickly learned otherwise. Judaism, the Rabbi informed me, takes place within a community. Monotheistic belief is not sufficient; it has to be accompanied by affirmative actions - Mitzvot.
Next I learned there are 613 Mitzvot dealing with repairing and preparing my soul as well as repairing the world. Though I chose three Mitzvot projects as a means to add my tiny contribution to repairing the world, the chances of fulfilling 613 are realistically remote. So, I decided to work on the Big Ten: the Commandments. Thus, in answer to the Rabbi’s question, my first reason for attending Sabbath Services is because it is a Commandment. Commandments, however, are just the planting soil for further growth.
For six days a week I am busy with life and though I try to pause each day to see beyond the human aspect of the world and truly see and remember Who made the world, it is not the same as dedicating a seventh day for this purpose. Resting on the seventh day, as we are commanded, is not a passive thing. Resting gives time for contemplation not only of creation but our place within that creation.
The Sabbath also lends perspective to the preceding week. Incidents that seemed large at the time, in comparison to the wonder of the world around me, begin to assume their true size and insignificance within that scheme. And it also gives me a “time out” to assess my response to both the good and less than good which occupied my attention and time.
I soon discovered that fulfilling the Commandment to rest can become a slippery slope which threatens to be all consuming to include such things as not answering the phone or turning on a light. I don’t think that’s what the Commandment means. And I don’t think it means using technology to circumvent “work” such as timers on electrical appliances. It’s not a contest to outwit the Commandment. I also think that were I to do nothing - just recline on an easy chair - I would soon find myself wishing the day were over instead of celebrating it. A happy medium seemed the best solution.
The problem also becomes one of deciding what constitutes work? If I enjoy knitting, is that work? If I knit as part of a Mitzvah project (Linus blankets) is that still work? Is work only something which we don’t enjoy doing? If the activity is something we enjoy doing is it then not work - though labor is involved? What is work to some is enjoyment to another. I didn’t want the whole thing to become a maze of minutia. My solution to fulfill the requirement to “rest” was to specify certain activities as “work” such as housework (dusting/cleaning) or yard work (weeding/planting).
The important thing is to make the Seventh Day different from the other six. As the week goes by I find myself looking forward to the “different-ness” of the Sabbath. I also know on that day I will have to contemplate my actions and the words I spoke the preceding six days and thus (hopefully) I tread a bit more carefully as my path encounters the paths of others.
Why come to a synagogue to celebrate the Sabbath - why not simply light the candles, say a prayer or two, recite the Sh’ma, sing a song and declare it the Sabbath? Because the Sabbath is not a litany of formulaic recitations, but the result of “we will do and we will listen.” The Covenant was with a community and the answer was in the plural.
Though I am certainly not a scholar of other religions, cultures and folkways, it has always struck me as rather unique to have a major holiday (sacred day) as often as once a week. It also seems to go counter to the more normal course of events by enjoining the people “not” to do something. Most of the time people are asked to “do” something to please whatever deity they are striving to obey. It seems more likely one would be asked to spend the seventh day working for the deity, rather than resting to emulate the action of a deity. Hence, the difficulty of defining and fulfilling the requirement of that particular Commandment.
One might also wonder how it could be that G-D - being omnipotent - would get tired. Maybe He wasn’t tired - but needed a pause to look at and enjoy what He had made. And in order for us to really look at and enjoy, we too, need a pause.
The best explanation for celebrating the Sabbath appears as a footnote in our prayer book which cites a quote by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel - and I roughly paraphrase - “on the Sabbath we leave the reality of Creation and enter the mystery of the Creation.”
I come to Shabbat services to fulfill a Commandment and stay to celebrate the mystery of Creation. But more than that, I celebrate within a community, all of whom are like images of the Creator. I see myself mirrored in those around me. They reinforce my experiences, my aliveness. When they respond they affirm the Creation of which I am a part.
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
INTERNATIONAL
U.S. politicians should unite against Iran by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
JUDAISM
Blessings of the city and the country by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in San Diego
The Chasid's mistake maybe wasn't one by Rabbi Baruch Lederman in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—January 27, 1950: Inside A.Z.A. by Leonard Naiman
—January 27, 1950: San Diego Bay City Bnai Brith
—January 27, 1950: Junior Matrons
—January 27, 1950: Judy Yukon Joins Quiz Kids
—January 27, 1950: Swing Your Partner
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
—Thalheimer flip flopped; Hillel threatens neighborhood from Alice Goldfarb Marquis, Ph.D, in La Jolla
—Thalheimer article informative; will help voters from Gail Forman in San Diego
ARTS
A Jew's admiration for a Catholic songwriter produced superb show by Carol Davis in Solana Beach, California
SPORTS
A Bissel Sports Trivia With Bruce Lowitt in Oldsmar, Florida
NEWS FROM ADVERTISERS
Lawrence Family JCC: An invitation to 'meet' Pocohantas at the Lawrence Family JCC
San Diego Jewish Academy: SDJA's Ali Tradonsky semifinalist in U.S. Middle School Science competition
Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Children’s author Ian Cameron reads at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
INTERNATIONAL
Chance meeting in San Diego topic of amazement in Kibbutz Kfar Aza by Ulla Hadar in Kfar Aza, Israel
SAN DIEGO/ CAMPAIGN 2008
Jewish advocate for Mt. Soledad Cross seeks community votes in council race by Donald H. Harrison
JUDAISM
Archeologists debate Tanakh's accuracy by Fred Reiss in Winchester, California
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO HISTORY
January 27, 1950: Jewish Labor Committee
January 27, 1950: Birdie Stodel Bnai Brith. Chapt. No. 92
January 27, 1950: Jewish War Veterans San Diego Post 185 Auxiliary
January 27, 1950: Hadassah
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
—Temple of Dreams poem wins praise, from Susan D. Rhea in San Diego
—White Privilege' essay delights Obama supporter, from Fran Sesti in Carlsbad, California
NEWS FROM ADVERTISERS
Jewish Community Center: JCC Holiday Hours Reminder
Jewish Community Foundation: Ways that you may contribute for the relief of Hurricane Ike victims
Thursday, September 18, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 225)
NATIONAL/CAMPAIGN 2008
‘White Privilege’ in the United States by Tim Wise in Topeka, Kansas
JUDAISM
The Akedah and my gay life decision by David Benkof in New York
SAN DIEGO
Children begin tiling Seacrest's Viterbi Wall at intergenerational barbecue by Gerry Greber in Encinitas, California
ARTS
Dreamgirls soars in S.D. Musical Theatre Co. production at the San Diego Rep by Carol Davis in San Diego
Thursdays With the Songs of Hal Wingard:
—#19, Young Hawks
—#227, Love Can Grow
—#325, Oh, oh, Love
ADVENTURES IN AN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—January 27, 1950: Jewish War Veterans
—January 27, 1950: S.D. Hebrew Home For the Aged
—January 27, 1950: Cottage of Israel
—January 27, 1950: Paole Zion
INTERNATIONAL
JAFI is revitalizing the Zionist Dream by Zeev Bielski in Jerusalem
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Australian Jewish News by Garry Fabian in Melbourne:
—Roozendaal sworn in as NSW Treasurer
—Younger Australians have less favoured view of Israel
—Australian Jewish News wins national award
—Jewish Business Tribunal comes closer to reality
—National community survey launched
—The Tax Man at the Shabbat Table
—Adelaide congregation marks 160th anniversary
—Jewish Farewell for Governor-General
—Calling all Genealogists
—Appeal for Assault Victim
—A Guiding Light in Beijing
—Something in a Lighter Vein
NATIONAL/ CAMPAIGN 2008
Why I won't vote for Barack Obama, commentary by Isaac Yetiv in La Jolla, California
ARTS
Students, celebrities decorate ceramic butterflies for SDJA's Holocaust project by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—January 27, 1950: Who’s New? (Maybe They Came From Your Home Town)
— January 27, 1950: Morgenthau To Make ‘Report to Nation’ On Coast to Coast Telephone Hookup, Jan. 31st
— January 27, 1950: Jewish Community Center by Lou Mogy
—January27, 1950: Pioneer Women (Negba) Club
NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Reserve Now for Seacrest Village Retirement Community Anniversary Gala
NATIONAL
A conversation with Andrew Viterbi, National Medal of Science laureate by Donald H. Harrison in La Jolla, California
LETTERS
Parents urge "No on 8 Vote" to protect same-gender marriages in California from Carl & Marilyn Hansen in San Diego
ARTS
Temple of Dreams, a poem by Sara Appel-Lennon inspired by last Sunday's dedication of Temple Emanu-El
Rescue of Yemenite Jews recounted in "The Prophecy of Elijah" by
Cantor Sheldon Merel in San Diego
Vagina Monologues playwright looks up to stomachs in The Good Body, now at Rep by Carol Davis in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—January 27, 1950: Have You Had Your Chest X-Rayed
—January 27, 1950: Letters to the Editor
—January 27, 1950: Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood
—January 27, 1950: J.C.R.A.
SAN DIEGO
Temple Emanu-El dedicates new sanctuary; congregants return to Del Cerro home by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
Jewish moments with 2 retired journalists by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
ARTS
Envisioning U.S.-Iran nuclear nightmare, book review by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—January 27, 1950: UJF Drive Date Set
—January 27, 1950: Where Does the Money Go {Editorial}
—January 27, 1950: United Jewish Fund
—January 27, 1950: Overseas News and Views by Maxwell Kaufman
NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Tifereth Israel Synagogue: Rabbi Rosenthal to lead trip to Israel for Tel Aviv's 100th birthday!
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