Odds & Ends

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.June 14, 2011Chaverim,This is a moment of great change within our community.The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has taken the next step in the aggressive implementation of our new strategic plan, an exciting and dynamic initiative intended to create the framework for a new United Synagogue and to build a more vibrant Conservative movement.Conservative Judaism in North America is at a crossroads. As we move forward into uncharted territory, the vital religious center must become stronger and more vibrant. As Conservative Jews, we represent that center.  We accept the challenge. We are committed to helping our kehillot – sacred communities – transform themselves into places of ever-increasing spirituality and meaning.The strategic plan, developed by a group of United Synagogue board members and…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.Unless they respond to outside pressure and reverse course, Yale University is shutting down the Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism <http://www.yale.edu/yiisa/>.Besides the following, we also recommend visiting "Save YIISA, Yale's Initiative for the Study of Antisemitism" on Facebook; reading "Antisemitism in America - Yale Kills YIISA," by Clemens Heni, published in SPME (Scholars for Peace in the Middle East) Faculty Voices at <http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?ID=8101>; and reading "Yale, Jews and double-standards," by Caroline B. Glick, published in the Jerusalem Post at <http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=224374>.For your information, we include:1. A letter to be presented to Yale President Richard Levin at a meeting next week. Please add your signature to the letter by contacting Katalin Baltimore at <kr.baltimore@gmail.com> and giving her your title, name, address,…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.By Shmuel Sackett, International Director, Manhigut Yehudit1 Iyar 5771 (May 5, 2011)One thing made Osama bin Laden public enemy #1. One thing made him a target for America's hit squad. One thing – and only one thing – made his assassination justified and praised by world leaders. He didn't just kill Jews. Had he limited his terrorism to Jews only, he would not have been targeted. The same world leaders who today take great pride in his death would have celebrated his life. He would not have been killed by President Obama; he would have dined with him. He would have been invited to the United Nations. He would have had a worldwide speaking tour. He would have won the Nobel peace…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom. After covering the Eichmann trial, which opened in 1961 in Jerusalem, Naphtali Lavie, at the time a correspondent for Haaretz, wrote three articles in which he criticized the Zionist leadership for its failure to rescue European Jewry. But the articles were shelved: Lavie feared they would be damaging to many people who were still alive. To mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, which corresponds this year with the 50th anniversary of the Eichmann trial, Haaretz is publishing them for the first time. By Naphtali Lavie - Haaretz.com - Published 11:13 29.04.11The trial of Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann opened in the auditorium of Beit Ha'am in Jerusalem on April 11, 1961. Naphtali Lavie, at the time a reporter for Haaretz and himself a Holocaust…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom. Forty-three of us came back from Cuba with impressions about their society, their economy and their way of life. Before we left, Rabbi Scolnic wrote "Think about the relationship between the United States and Cuba, and how it is changing at this very minute. Think about how we are going to Cuba at a fascinating moment in history. But then consider what the effects of the past policies of our government have been. To ask a hard question: If the U.S. has strong alliances with Arab dictators and monarchs, is it inconsistent that the U.S. has sought to isolate Cuba? I’m asking a question, not offering an opinion, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about."This morning NPR had the story Real…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom. By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff February 11, 2004 Jerusalem (jnewswire.com) - An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale rocked Israel and surrounding states Wednesday morning, sending frightened people streaming into streets throughout the country, but causing only one indirect injury and little damage. Israel Radio reported the quake left a crack in the ceiling of the Knesset plenum, Israel's parliament, just minutes before lawmakers were scheduled to take their seats for the day's debates. Channel 2 TV reported that Israeli geologists believe a major earthquake could strike Israel without notice, and based on research predict the arrival of "the big one" in the next 50 years. And Channel 1, screening a map highlighting areas of the capital believed to be…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.ShopRite stores go through Wakefern Food Corp. to sell their chametz.  Wakefern facilitates the sale through Rabbi Elazar Teitz of the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, NJ. (Rhea Coblentz, Lifestage Category Manager -- Kosher)Considering that ShopRite's Kosher meats are consistently less expensive than Stop&Shop's, would it not follow that one should patronize ShopRite and use there the TBS food certificates that all of our members should be buying?George Alexander

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.It’s a Miracle! By George Alexander, Webmaster For the first time in the 97-year history of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), YOU, a Conservative Jew, an individual layperson, is being asked to intellectually contribute to the future of the NEW USCJ. There is a general misunderstanding that the USCJ is the Conservative Movement. Actually, the Movement is a collaboration of about 24 independent organizations that more or less have the same religious beliefs and practices. That is why the Movement is called a “Big Tent.” Thus, many define by exception, those who reside under the Big Tent as neither Orthodox nor Reform Jews. You are probably familiar with a few of these organizations: Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Federation of…

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom.It is interesting to compare the Draft Strategic Plan for the NEW USCJ with the recently completed2010 Greater New Haven Jewish Community Population StudyClick the above links to read the documents, consider the implications for Temple Beth Sholom and ponder what, if any, steps should be taken to benefit TBS.Webmaster

The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of Temple Beth Sholom. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism - Hayom Strategic Planning Commission releases a Draft Strategic Plan for the New USCJ. Click to read the Plan. Will open with Adobe Reader or equal.See how applicable the plan is to our community in the 2010 Greater New Haven Jewish Population Study.Now you can add your own 2-cents worth. Click to read It's a Miracle!.