Kudos to Lilach Nissim

We want the community to know what a wonderful representative the State of Israel has in Lilach Nissim.

I asked Lilach to speak to the Brookridge Brownies Third Grade Troop 3491. They are learning about Israel and I thought who better than Lilach to enlighten them. Not only did she enlighten them with pictures, she shared “shakshuka” (an Israeli dish with eggs and tomato sauce and vegetables) with the girls and their parents.

She compared life in Israel to life in Kansas City, so it would be something the girls could understand. She had them “eating” out of her hand by the end of the afternoon. Both parents and Brownies truly enjoyed her enthusiastic and tasty presentation. The majority of girls were unfamiliar with Israel and she made a wonderful impression on them.

Todah Rabah from Brownie Troop 3491 — Brookridge Elementary School.

Debbie Adamous
Overland Park, Kan.

During the last presidential election my mother asked me the ultimate Jewish question: Which candidate was better for the Jews? That inquiry is the question of a people who have learned to live under unfriendly rule. I told her that such a question may have been pertinent in our native Brazil, where Jews live a far less secure life than in the USA. I proceeded to tell her that whoever would be the best president for America, would be the best choice for the Jews as well.

Although I can understand and relate to the feeling of insecurity and not belonging that pervades many Jewish communities worldwide, it is amazing to me that for Jews the whole world can be seen through a very narrow optic lens: is it good for the Jews?

During the past few weeks many have asked if what is going on in Egypt is good or bad for Israel. Even though I understand the many possible implications for Israel due to unrest in a neighboring country; thinking about what is going on in Egypt only in terms of how it affects Israel shows an extremely narrow focus. I would like to suggest that any event that happens worldwide that leads to freedom, transparency and the will of the people being heard is a good event, and thus it is ultimately good for the Jews. When tyrants are unseated, the hope for more overall freedom may become real; and that is a good thing for everyone. If something is good for the majority of Egyptians, then it must be good for the countries around Egypt as well, and it will be good for the Jews.

One of the major fears that I have heard expressed about a power transition in Egypt, is that the Muslim Brotherhood may gain power. Nothing brings disgrace to radical philosophies and ideas like being truly put to test. If in fact the people of Egypt choose and succeed in empowering the Muslim Brotherhood, Israel will also know how to deal with it and will have an easier time doing so than against an enemy that hides its true intentions of destroying Israel.

My personal impression about Egypt is based only on a short visit to that country almost 10 years ago as well as on what I hear and see on the news. The real problems that face that country have little to do with Israel. The real problem the average Egyptian young person faces is a dismal future. The economic possibilities are very bleak and hope for a better future is almost nonexistent. In the past, Arab leaders have used the Palestinian “problem” to divert the attention of the Arab masses away from their own problems. The events taking place in Egypt now are a sign that that strategy has stopped working. Hopefully the ousting of Hosni Mubarak will be followed by measures that will ensure a better economic future for all Egyptians. Only when Egyptians and other Arabs can have a better economic future, Israel will have a true chance for tranquility and peace.

At the same time that we hope and pray for peace not only for Israel and its neighbors, we should also be glad that the people of Egypt are freer now than they have ever been before, and that is good for the Jews.

QUESTION: My father died last year around this time. It is now the time of his first yahrzeit. He died on the 20th of Adar last winter or early spring. My synagogue has sent me two yahrzeit notices, one for the 20th of Adar I and one for the 20th of Adar II! What is this all about?

ANSWER: You have touched on one of the more complicated, but interesting topics in the Jewish calendar cycle.

Approximately every three years we have a Jewish leap year. In the Jewish leap year, there is an extra month not just an extra day like there is in the secular leap year. The reason for this extra month is that the Jewish year is a lunar year that contains approximately 354 days a year. That is over 11 days shorter than the 365 ¼ days in a secular solar year. Therefore, after just three years we are a month ahead of the secular year.

If we did not adjust our calendar an extra month approximately every three years, our holidays would fall completely out of line with the seasons. Pesach would be in the fall instead of the spring and Sukkot would be in the summer or the winter. A number of our holidays are tied and connected to seasons of the year. For example, Passover must be in the spring.

To keep our holidays in line with the seasons we need to “adjust” our calendar approximately every three years (actually a little more frequently than that) to keep our holidays in line with the appropriate seasons.

That extra month occurs during the month of Adar. So, instead of just having the plain month of Adar in the leap year (again approximately every three years), we have an Adar I and an Adar II. Since there is some debate among the rabbis of old as to which Adar is which with two of them, the tradition has developed in most synagogues and most legal circles that if one has a death in a plain year (a non-leap year) like last year when your dad, of blessed memory, died, then when the leap year comes around with the two months of Adar, the yahrzeit (to hedge our bets) is observed twice, once in each Adar on that appropriate day. So if someone has a loss on the 20th of Adar, in a leap it is observed on the 20th of Adar I AND the 20th of Adar II.

If one has a death in a leap year, where one’s relative is passing away in either Adar I or Adar II specifically, then in a future leap year that yahrzeit only occurs once in the appropriate month. Namely, if one has a loss in Adar I then the yahrzeit in future leap year months will always be in Adar I.

There are a few oddball things that occur as well. For example, if one loses a relative on the 30th of Adar I, when is the yahrzeit in future non-leap years? Since there is no 30th of Adar normally in a regular, non-leap year, that question requires a rather complicated answer that will be reserved for a future column.

This is a leap year, we are slowing things down. Last fall, Rosh Hashanah was only a couple of days from Labor Day. This year it will be almost in October. Starting from Purim through Pesach, etc., the holidays will be dramatically later than they were last year, bringing us back in line with the way the seasons should function. I hope this answers your question.

Parents empowered with Jewish wisdom

I have been eager to write in and share with the community a great class I am attending and enjoy very much. Edna Levy teaches Foundations of Jewish Family Living at the JCC, and I have to say, if you like to learn practical new things, appreciate Jewish traditions and like to share your opinions, this class is for you.

One of the best things about the class is that I am meeting a wonderful group of people from all over the spectrum of Jewish Kansas City, so the class discussion is interesting and lively, with opinions that can run the gamut. I want our community to be aware that this class can benefit those raising young children, older children or even grandchildren.

Some of the topics discussed thus far are: Words that Hurt (Lashon Ha’ra), and The Healing Process (bikur cholim). We learn from a few sources and the discussion begins. We have learned about when to visit people in the hospital, and about the challenges that come with visiting someone who is ill. We learned about when words hurt and when they can help.

We get together once weekly, there is no homework or grades, and Hebrew knowledge isn’t necessary as the text is all in English. I really like that it’s comfortable to ask questions, share experiences and ideas in a safe environment based on mutual respect, and that differences in attitude are welcome. We challenge each other, including the text, and the collaborative exploration makes for an enjoyable environment.

The idea of this class is to learn practical things that empower parents with wisdom from Jewish heritage and to actually affect our youngest population and bring the conversation home to our own families. Kol Hakavod. Edna and all those that signed on for this course. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules so that we can all learn together.

Cara Ernstein
Overland Park, Kan.

The Obama administration adopted a new foreign policy when it turned its back on a key ally, like Mubarak and started talking about “an orderly transition to lasting democracy.”As in Egypt, Palestinian society is struggling with a corrupt, undemocratic, authoritarian and divisive PA leadership with a long record of human rights violations and an economy which is artificially resuscitated by handouts from foreign donors.

Hence, Israel’s government should not agree to negotiate for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the strategic hills of the West Bank, until the Palestinian people first have a chance to cleanse its leadership and move toward lasting democracy as Obama has demanded from Egypt. Israel needs to know who will be the ultimate true representative of the Palestinian people before it gives its strategic assets away.

It is quite dangerous for Israel and hypocritical of Obama to ask the Jewish state to agree to the establishment of a state that eventually through free elections or a military coup may be taken over by the Islamic pro-Iranian terrorist organization. After all, Hamas’ stated goal is the destruction of the Jewish state and global Islamic rule.

Such possibility should not be a surprise to anyone looking at recent Palestinian history. In 2006, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian legislature in free elections conducted in Gaza and the West Bank by defeating the secular Fatah Party of the so called moderate leader Abbas. Hamas won with its claims of political corruption and undemocratic rule. In June 2007, Hamas forces took over Gaza from the U.S.-trained Palestinian Authority forces, establishing separate Islamic rule in Gaza. Since that time they have fired more than 6,000 rockets at Israeli towns and become a safe haven to terrorists.

As in Egypt, Israel must demand that the PA conduct new fair and free elections to choose its president and legislature. Mahmoud Abbas, who was the first leader Obama called after being elected, has stayed in power for the last two years without any elections. In 2005 he was elected for four years. In fact the last elections to the Palestinian legislature occurred in 2006, for four-year terms, but since then there have been no new elections. The problem is that the Palestinians are divided between Gaza and the West Bank and until they are reconciled or reunite, any new election would not reflect the true preference of the people.

Moreover, Israel must demand that the PA establish an independent judiciary and the rule of law, including toward opposition parties, as Obama has demanded from the Egyptians. The “Palestinian Papers” which were the cache of PA confidential documents concerning the peace talks leaked to al-Jazeera TV, revealed that the CIA and British intelligence were aware that hundreds of Hamas and other activists have been routinely detained without trial in recent years, and subjected to widely documented human rights abuses and torture. The PLO’s chief spokesman, Saeb Erekat, is recorded as telling senior U.S. official David Hale in 2009: “We have had to kill Palestinians to establish one authority … We have invested time and effort and killed our own people to maintain order and the rule of law.”

Moreover, the Palestinian Authority’s economy is not progressing as it appears. A new study by two economists, Ayal Ofer and Adam Roiter, revealed in January that 60 percent of the Palestinian Authority’s Gross National Product comes from donations by the United States, European Union, United Nations, World Bank and others countries. The Palestinian people receive the largest amount of donations worldwide, which amounts to an average of about $560 per family, per month.

According to the study, the facts on the ground indicate that the donations are used to preserve the ruling party rather than build an independent economy or business sector in contradiction to Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s claim of transparency which is intended to please international donors.

The funds are suspected of going into the pockets of bureaucratic echelons and to close associates of President Abbas and senior government officials who engage in embezzlement, land theft and fraud.

In November, Kieron Monks wrote in the UK-Guardian of the failure of international aid agencies to create economic development, saying “Palestine’ NGO sector become a byword for corruption, incompetence and meaningless job creation.” … “This has entrenched class divisions in Palestinian society where employment opportunities are limited to the educated elite class, narrower further by routine nepotism.”

In January, in a preemptive act after the Palestinian papers were published, the PA attorney general appointed a panel to investigate corruption of 80 senior officials, many of whom are ministers in the current PA government.

President Barack Obama said last week that a transition to democracy in Egypt “must begin now” and should lead to opposition participation in free and fair elections, adding that Mubarak “recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that change must take place.” Now, Israel should demand no less from Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.

Shoula Romano Horing was born and raised in Israel. She is an attorney in Kansas City, Mo., and a national speaker. You can read more of her writing on her blog, www.shoularomanohoring.com.

Last November I sat gazing out the window of our bus at the magnificent forests of the Carmel in northern Israel. I was traveling with a hundred pro-Israel AIPAC activists from Jerusalem to the Israeli naval base in Haifa. In Jerusalem we had met with senior government officials, policymakers and business leaders and even with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Most of us had worked with AIPAC for years to strengthen the political and strategic ties between Israel and America, and we thought we had heard it all. We thought we were tough realists. But on this trip, we were all shaken by what we learned of the threats to Israel’s survival — from remorseless Iranian progress toward nuclear weapons to the massive rearmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon; from the terrorist group Hamas’ control of Gaza to the new hostility of Turkey toward Israel; from the intransigence of a Palestinian Authority which refuses to directly negotiate for peace to the rabid worldwide delegitimization of Israel.

So the bus was quiet and our mood was grim. We climbed higher into the mountains and finally came to the youth village of Yemin Orde, where abandoned and troubled kids from Ethiopia and Russia and the streets of Tel Aviv are given a chance at a life worth living as proud Israelis. The kids were beautiful and their spirit was strong and they gave us hope again for the future.

But just two weeks later the road we had driven on was scalded asphalt, the forests were ash and Yemin Orde was a smoldering ruin. A massive fire had taken the lives of 44 Israelis and destroyed hundreds of homes and a million trees. Nevertheless, in defiance of this catastrophe, the response of Jews worldwide to help Israel plant and build again was immediate and massive and reaffirmed the Talmudic injunction that all Israel is responsible for one another. Though it will take time, the forests of the Carmel will bloom again, and the kids of Yemin Orde will have a school and a home and a future.

The burning of the north of Israel, which we have just witnessed, and the raising of new forests to replace those destroyed, recapitulates the history of Am Yisrael. Time and again the Jewish people has moved from annihilation to rebirth, from despair to hope, from darkness to light. In the span of just one lifetime, we have witnessed both the most murderous Holocaust in all human experience and the greatest miracle of modern times: the rebirth of the state of Israel. I believe it is the unique historical charge of our generation of American Jews to guard and protect this miracle for our children and for theirs. And that is why I was in Israel with AIPAC this November.

AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Israel and its most important ally, the United States of America. AIPAC works with Congress to strengthen America’s relationship with Israel to the benefit of both nations. Thanks to Congress’ support and AIPAC’s work, Israel has received billions of dollars in critical security assistance. AIPAC also ensures that America’s current and future leaders understand Israel’s security needs and its value to the United States. The work that AIPAC does is crucial to Israel’s security.

On Sunday, March 6, we can all help change the future for Israel by participating in the 3rd Annual AIPAC Israel Action Forum. The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Danny Gordis, internationally acclaimed author and vice president of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. Breakout sessions will be led by world class policy experts who will address the complex issues of the Middle East which impact Israel’s survival, including the new unrest in Egypt. In a show of solidarity with Israel, almost all of the Kansas Congressional delegation will be in attendance.

This week on the internet I saw a picture of bright yellow daffodils courageously pushing through the ash in the Carmel, a stubborn promise of life amid the devastation. It reminded me of the prayer we recite every Shabbat, in which we rejoice in the state of Israel as the first flower of our redemption. Our job is to tend it well.

Please join us at the Israel Action Forum at Kehilath Israel Synagogue.

The Kansas City Israel Action Forum, sponsored by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), will take place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. To register, visit www.aipac.org/kcforum2011 or contact Tali Jubelirer at (312) 253-8984.

Inspiring young adults

Congratulations to the Community Kollel of Kansas City.

We were privileged to host a “Shabbos Live” evening at our house on erev Shabbos on Jan. 21. This magical event brought over 60 young adults from all aspects of the community to celebrate Shabbos together. The harsh cold of the evening was kept outdoors while the inside of our house was warmed by the inspired singing, lively discussions and hot steaming food. We were concerned that the snowy winter weather would deter people from coming.

Instead it was a full house from the beginning of the celebration and throughout the evening. What brought so many talented, vivacious young people out that evening? The excitement that the Community Kollel rabbis bring to this Shabbos celebration is contagious. We appreciated the song, the food, the conversation and the special guest speaker, Joy Friedman, who spoke about her adventures in Uganda as a Jewish World service volunteer.

It was so much fun that we continued way past midnight. Rabbi and Gevorah Davis, Rabbi and Esther Sokoloff and Rabbi and Bracha Schulgasser have successfully created a special event that has inspired me and many young adults in our community. These young people are creating our future, a beautiful Jewish future for Kansas City.

Thank you to the generous families who donate the funds to continue this important event.

Jay Robinow
President, Community Kollel of Kansas City

I have had a fair amount of accomplishments in my rabbinical career, but none makes me prouder than the fact that I have already performed at almost 400 conversions. Most of these conversions have taken place abroad, but many have taken place in Kansas City. Some of these individuals have become close friends and participatory and engaged members of my and other congregations. Nothing gives me more joy than to participate in a Bet Din ( a jury of three rabbis) that sits to help and support a candidate for conversion. Converts enrich our community, they strengthen us, and they are a constant reminder of how proud we should be of our heritage. I understand that Albert Einstein once said that he wished he had been born a Gentile, so he could convert to Judaism to show how much he truly enjoyed and valued being Jewish.

The first person in our tradition to welcome converts was our forefather Abraham. In Genesis 12:5 we read that “Abraham took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they made in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” Our rabbis found the choice of words worthy of commentary: “And the people that they made in Haran.” Rabbi Elazar ben Zimra said the text should read “ ‘these are the converts that they converted.’ And if it is that they converted them, why does it say ‘make?’ Only to teach you that all those who bring a worshipper of stars (i.e. a pagan) close (to God) and converts him, it is as if (the one who converts the other) created (the one who converts).” (Genesis Rabbah 39:14)

I am not so arrogant to believe I am in fact responsible for creating anyone, but I know that for every conversion I have done, there will be a whole Jewish world that will follow from that person. In fact, there are many Jewish children today, who are Jewish because I converted their mother, father or sometimes both.

There is nothing I can do as a rabbi that is more far lasting and more impactful to perpetuate Jewish life than doing conversions. I am not advocating lower standards or quick conversions, but I am proud of being able to remove barriers. I was one of the pioneers for online teaching for conversion to Judaism. Unfortunately, I am still among the very few rabbis that do it. I came upon the idea because I would get many requests for help with initiating a process for conversion from people in parts of the world where there were no Jews or the local communities refused to help them. I recalled that I once read that Moshe Ben Maimon, the greatest sage of his time living in Spain, instructed Jewish communities around the world using the most modern means of communication of his day — the mail. Sometimes it took years for a correspondence exchange to take place.

However, his concepts were so innovative and had such a significant impact that the Yemenite Jewish community mode of prayer is based on his suggestions and ideas. In my case, I use the most modern and fast means of communication of our day: the Internet. From my home in Overland Park, I teach a weekly class on Judaism in Spanish on Thursday evenings that is attended by dozens of people in about eight countries. I am aware that Judaism is not only learning but community and practice as well. Some of the people I converted have joined and created their own synagogues in four countries so far. Congregation Brit Braja of Mexico City broadcasts their Shabbat morning service live. Their service is watched and enjoyed by many others around the world. Obviously these are not solutions that would work for Orthodox Jews, but they do help many people who tend to be more liberal in their Jewish practices to stay connected, to feel supported and to continue learning about Judaism.

I am not sure what the future of Judaism will look like, but I know it will not look like today. I am also convinced that bringing worthy and sincere proselytes to our fold only enriches us all.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City represents many things to our community. To some, it’s the local supporter and voice of Israel. To others, it’s the provider of scholarships — enabling children to receive a Jewish education. And then to others, it’s the community caretaker — providing assistance for the most basic needs and ensuring that no member of our Jewish Community lives without dignity.

If you live in this community, the Jewish Federation has touched you and/or your family’s life. Whether it’s been in, at or by one of Federation’s many partners: Hillel, BBYO, JCC, Birthright Israel, Melton Adult Jewish Education, Jewish Senior Network, Heritage Center, or Village Shalom, all of these important programs are funded by our Federation.

Whatever being Jewish means to you ... the Jewish Federation’s annual campaign makes it all possible.

Whatever being Jewish means to you ... chances are, the annual campaign makes much of what you care about happen.

Even though we are seeing the light at the end of this recession, the number of Jewish community members who rely on the Jewish Federation for help continues to rise. Your gift means we can help your friends and neighbors who need it now. And with the Helzberg Challenge Grant, any new or increased gifts will be automatically doubled, making your money go further.

Building community and helping to make the world a better place is what the Federation does every day. It’s a promise that social services and community organizations will remain strong and active for all of us … and for you.

This year’s annual Super Sunday is this Sunday, Jan. 30. It is the one day each year where thousands of Jewish Kansas Citians come together to proudly show their support of the Jewish Federation by making a pledge to the annual campaign. The money raised by you, our community members, supports an array of programs — locally, in Israel and around the world.

To guarantee a thriving, healthy Jewish community, the Federation teams with partner agencies to identify and solve problems locally and meet the needs in our community. Here’s a few examples of successful Federation partnerships that are helping people today:

Jewish Employment Services program, a joint program of Jewish Family Services and Jewish Vocational Service, helps more than 50 Jewish clients each month search for employment.

The PJ Library program, where 700 children, ages 6 months to 8 years, are Jewishly engaged in the comfort of their own homes with books and music.

Subsidies to Jewish Family Services to make counseling and consultation affordable for nearly 250 clients per year.

JET Express, another program of JFS, which enables nearly 50 Jewish senior households each month to continue to live independently through monthly transportation services.

JFS’ Help@Home, which enables Jewish seniors to remain in their homes by providing handyman services, general chores, computer assistance, nutritional assessments, and more.

As you can see, every gift makes a difference. Every donation you make and every hour you volunteer changes lives for the better.

What inspires you to make a difference? What do you care about? Poverty? Hunger? Jewish identity? Israel? Whatever it is, chances are the Jewish Federation has a program that will help you make the world a better place. Whether caring for those in need, rescuing those in danger or inspiring Jewish life and learning, your Jewish Federation is at the heart of the Jewish community.

Super Sunday is an opportunity to be a part of a caring community that gives back. It’s also an opportunity to foster and celebrate Jewish Identity for future generations. I ask you to get involved. Donate. Volunteer.

And most important, remember to pick up the phone on Sunday.

In Israel, every time that a forest burns down, we mourn as a country. (I wrote about the recent fire in Mount Carmel in my Dec. 31 column.) The green around us means a lot to us as Israelis.

Last week we celebrated Tu b’Shevat, the birthday for nature and trees. In Israel it has become a celebration of planting trees. It is an ancient holiday that comes from the times of Mishna (about 2,000 years ago).

One of Tu b’Shevat’s messages is the responsibility we, as human beings, have for nature around us. We work to take care of it, creating a better environment. In ancient times, Jews asked themselves what they could do in order to live in peace with the nature around us. Today, we need to ask ourselves “What is within our power to ruin nature less?”

This is probably one of the reasons Israel is rated as one of the top five green countries in the world. Israel is the home of a number of innovations in green technology, including:

• solar water heating technology
• drip irrigation systems
• the idea on how to make widespread electric car chargers available to encourage the use of electric cars
• a leader in the field of water desalinization
• thriving agriculture systems in the desert

I’m proud to say that Israel doesn’t export only advanced computer software or security systems. We also export technology that makes the world a better place.

So, as an ecological holiday, Tu b’Shevat’s relevance is more important today than ever. If we, as human beings, don’t take the destruction of the earth seriously, our children and grandchildren will pay the price.

I’m happy to say that Judaism cherishes nature and the animals around us. It begins with the Talmud saying that we have to give our animals food to eat before we eat. It continues in the new law recently passed in the Knesset that forbids the import of cosmetics that were tested on animals. In fact, the law forbids Israeli manufacturers to test cosmetics on animals as well.

As human beings, we were given a lot of strength. But along with any strength, there comes responsibility too. As the Jewish people, the “Chosen People,” we carry even more responsibility on our shoulders to understand our place in the world and to take care of it. We call that tikkun olam. Tu b’Shevat is the ultimate way to make an ecological tikkun olam. In Israel, the greatest ecological challenge right now is to regenerate the forested areas of Mount Carmel that burned in the fire. Which is why this past Tu b’Shevat, Israelis planted more trees than usual. We can do good deeds for nature anywhere around the globe and any day of the year. But like Earth Day in the United States, Tu b’Shevat is a great time to reflect on both why we do it, and how can we continue to give back to nature.

If you would like to learn more about Israeli life, contact me at (913) 327-8124 or on Facebook — Lilach Nissim Shlichah.