I’ve got universities on the brain lately as my own Drew has recently intensified our so-far lackluster work on our “Strategic Plan.” So this event caught my eye.
The HC website lists these questions as up for discussion at the event:
How will colleges and universities meet the challenges of the shifting paradigms in higher education?
What should their roles be in developing the next generation of Jewish leadership?
Students who have experienced Birthright Israel are ready for more engagement with Israel and with Jewish life; are we ready for them?
What aspects of higher education should the Jewish community support?
The first, second and fourth questions sound great. The third one is giving me some trouble.
First of all, it acknowledges a premise that I reject: that the Birthright is the source of engaged young Jews in America. It’s part of the clod of notions that spring forth from the idea that young Jews, especially college Jews, are not engaged with Jewish life, and that the only way to engage them is through Israel.
Second of all, and even more narrow-sighted, is this problem: Do any of these college presidents think that the only source of engaged Jewish students at their institutions is Birthright? If they’re focused on “are we ready for them [Birthright alumni]?” how is that going to affect their readiness for Jewish students engaged with Jewish life in some other way? And what does it even mean that they need to be ready?
These questions are not meant as rhetorical, by the way. I’m looking for y’all’s ideas on this. So if anyone goes to this, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Aside from all the other amazing leaders and activists ( for those who care abut such things, quite a number of “Forward Fifty” amongst the panelists, including….
Jewschool’s founder Dan Sieradski in a panel (Monday) on using technology and social media to create social change)
This is the third of RHR-NA’s conferences, and they do not disappoint. Unlike many much- ballyhooed or better-known gatherings, RHR-NA’s biannual gatherings feature people who are actually out there doing work to make the world a better place for all, and doing it Jewishly.
Dec 5-7th
Human Rights Under Fire: A Jewish Call to Action
A Conference on Judaism & Human Rights, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America
WHO:
For Rabbis, Cantors, Activists, Students, Journalists, Congregants, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and people of conscience from all backgrounds or faith traditions
WHEN:
Sunday, December 5th through Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
WHERE:
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (257 West 88th Street, NYC)
& The Conference Center (130 East 59th Street at Lexington Avenue, NYC)
WHY:
To deepen our knowledge, promote discussion, strengthen our advocacy, and support human rights work in North America & Israel through Jewish visions of justice, freedom and equality
Uri L’Tzedek is accepting applications from rabbis and Jewish educators to go to Haiti for 4-5 day education missions. The educator will visit with the team of Israelis and American Jews doing community development to further their learning. Applicants should have strong experience teaching:
Dynamic Jewish learning through texts, spirituality, and ritual
Leadership development
Social justice education
The social justice educator will create their own lessons and then receive support and training from an Uri L’Tzedek leadership team. The education mission, in partnership with Tevel B’Tzedek, will cover accommodations, kosher food, and transportation in Haiti. Participants or participants’ organizations will be responsible for the cost of travel to Haiti, which is only about 2 hours off of Florida.
Interested applicants should send their resumes and a ½ page letter of interest to info – at- utzedek.org
A while back I wrote about Kabbalah Vodka. Made with ‘real Christian babies,’ each bottle featured a glass sculpture in the bottle. Odd, but at least creative.
Now comes L’Chaim Vodka. I’ve worked in the liquor industry, and this one leaves me scratching my head. Forget for a minute that unadulterated spirits don’t even need a hechsher…
“Nestled between Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, you will find Or Akiva. It is within these scenic hilled terraces and river channels that we draw our natural spring water and ingredients to produce the highest quality vodka product in all of Israel. We invite you to enjoy the taste and celebrate.”
There are quality Vodka products made in Israel? Huh. Is this for realz? Is it Jewsploitation? I can’t tell. Its website makes no attempt to extoll the virtues of the product, preferring instead to extoll the virtues of its creator. A true exploitative product would boast of multiple distillations using the grains of matzah meal, water sourced from the same pure rain as Mikvahs and being filtered 5 times through the beards of Gedolim…
“It’s pure ingredients and distillation process and recipe is based on a formula handed down through several generations of European and Russian Jews, resulting in a slightly spicy flavor profile with vanilla aromas., L’chaim sources its own spring water shunning any filtering and de-mineralization treatments.”
From what I know, vodka is not supposed to have a flavor profile… or an aroma… And the product is being made not by Russian Jews but a man named Mizraji… I’m not sure what to make of this- it might be truly great. At least it looks sorta sexy. The nightlife, that frosted bottle. Mmmm… But I’m not losing objectivity here.
I can say this for sure: we at Jewschool will not know for certain until we’ve tried it. At least twice. We will not rest until we get to the bottom… of a bottle… We call on the makers of LChaim Vodka to offer proof (100 proof to be exact) of their product’s quality and eagerly await a case for uh, critical purposes…
(The following is a condensed report of an Israeli and Palestinian delegation I was part of two weeks ago in Istanbul)
“The word ‘peace’ has become hollow.It has lost its meaning,” said one of the participants.“That may feel like the case,” said another, “but we cannot let the voice of despair and violence re-appropriate our language for the world we hope to build.”
This excerpt came from a recent gathering of Israelis and Palestinian peace builders meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.The gathering was billed as a “Consultation” of bi-communal field experts. Over the course of three days, twenty participants acted as a think-tank to envision the seemingly impossible – the reemergence of a cross-border peace movement in Israel / Palestine.
The host organization was a Massachusetts based NGO called the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding (KCP), which specialize in bi-communal trainings for grassroots peace-building practitioners all over the globe.Istanbul was chosen as a compromise for an off-site location close enough but far enough away from the conflict zone.Ten Israelis and ten Palestinians, from places that included Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jaffa, each with advanced level peace-building resumes, were invited.
The founder ofKaruna Center for Peacebuilding, Dr. Paula Green, organized this gathering with one goal in mind: to assess ‘what kind of bi-communal programming would be useful for this region.’In other words, what kinds of trainings or actions could bring Israelis and Palestinians together in joint cooperation under today’s reality? What could be helpful now, when the prospects for meaningful resolutions are not promising and the political will of the leaders are not inspiring.But this was not a gathering of politicians.The twenty men and women, ranging from their late twenties to their early sixties, were assembled in an effort to help make sure that grassroots collaboration projects between Israelis and Palestinians do not become extinct.
As irrelevant as co-existence work may often seem to a cynical person, this was a battle tested group of peace workers.More »
by Aryeh Cohen [➚] · Thursday, November 11th, 2010
War is evil. It is incumbent upon us always to remember the victims of the institution of war and our culpability in the very fact that wars are still fought.
These are the American soldiers who died since the beginning of the month. Their average age is 24 and a half years old. They are not heroes. They are dead. Today we should remember them-they fought and died because we sent them to fight.
Spc. Jonathan M. Curtis, 24, of Belmont, Mass. died Nov. 1 in Kandahar, Afghanista.
Pfc. Andrew N. Meari, 21, of Plainfield, Ill. died Nov. 1 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Todd M. Harris, 37, of Tucson, Ariz., died Nov. 3 in Badghis province, Afghanistan.
Spc. James C. Young, 25, of Rochester, Ill., died Nov. 3 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
1st Lt. James R. Zimmerman, 25, of Aroostook, Maine, died Nov. 2 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Spc. Blake D. Whipple, 21, of Williamsville, N.Y., died Nov. 5 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino, 22, of Middletown, R.I., died Nov. 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, Colo. died Nov. 4 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, Ariz. died Nov. 4 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Pfc. Shane M. Reifert, 23, of Cottrellville, Mich., died Nov. 6 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Jordan B. Emrick, 26, of Hoyleton, Ill., died Nov. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Nov. 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Aaron B. Cruttenden, 25, of Mesa, Ariz. died Nov. 7 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
Spc. Dale J. Kridlo, 33, Hughestown, Pa. died Nov. 7 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
Spc. Andrew L. Hutchins, 20, of New Portland, Maine, died Nov. 8 at Khost province, Afghanistan.
Spc. Anthony Vargas, 27, of Reading, Pa., died Nov. 8 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.
2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, 29, of Tallahassee, Fla., died Nov. 9 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Jason J. McCluskey, 26, of McAlester, Okla., died Nov. 4 at Zarghun Shahr, Mohammad Agha district, Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse, 19, of Greenwood, La., died Nov. 9 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Youth in Warsaw Protest Against Fascism in their Homeland during the commemoration of the anniversary of Poland’s assumption of independent statehood in 1918 after 123 years of partition by Russia, Prussia and Austria.
Down with imperialism and fascism in Jerusalem and New York, London and Johannesburg, Warsaw and Marrakesh.
Oh, this reminds me: Marcus Jastrow, the author of that indispensable Talmud dictionary, HUGE Polish nationalist.
Music brings us all together. So after a longer than expected hiatus from posting here on the wonderful Jewschool, I come sharing some music from the fantastic Not By Might - A Debbie Friedman Cover Band.
To explain the “big-deal-ness” of this to non-Jews: just mention that Vice President Biden spoke, and they raise their eyebrows, as if they are impressed, and then squint, saying, “Is he Jewish?”
To stay awake during a session: count the number of times you hear the word “Delegitimization”–you won’t fall asleep, ever.
To be hypocritical: pretend you are an “older” delegate and don’t directly answer any of the questions that students ask during the sessions or workshop.
[...]
To sound like everyone else: use the following catchphrases–”delegitimization,” “conflict,” “framing,” “giving,” “development,” “social media,” “nolaga,” “Israel advocacy,” “Jewish identity,” “generation,” “future.”
On Sunday, December 5th, 2010 Pursue New York City will join together to learn from and be energized by local Jewish change-makers and to celebrate the multitude of ways we are working to create a more just world. Inside the Activists’ Studio 2010 will kick-off with a panel of change-makers, followed by skill-share workshops, creative performances, a dinner reception, and Hanukah festivities.
We asked this years’ Inside the Activists’ Studio panelists (Lucas Shapiro, Annie Lewis, Karin Fleisch, Taylor Krauss): Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by my friends and loved ones, by community leaders and fellow organizers and by engaged thinkers and movement figures from struggles throughout history. A few examples:
My mom: she’s the only straight person on the Tucson LGBT commission. She’s a model ally–open to learning and committed to doing the work. Victor Jara: the Chilean leftist folk musician–murdered by Pinochet’s regime–reminds me of the power of gentleness and love to inspire those fighting for a better world.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: King is the most eloquent public figure to advocate a culture of solidarity and the importance of voicing moral indignation in the face of injustice.
I am inspired by June Jordan’s soul-shaking poetry and politics of liberation.
I am inspired by Suzan Lori Parks, a playwright who holds “theatre is an incubator for the creation of historical events” and the way she tells truths.
I am inspired by Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who put social justice on the map for the Conservative Movement in a serious way and the way she articulates commitments to ethical and ritual callings.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum inspires me with how she combines the political and the pastoral in her work towards LGBTQ liberation and a more just world.
The Book Covering, by Kenji Yoshino, law professor and poet, and his vision for the project of human flourishing.
Naomi Chazan, President of the New Israel Fund, for her commitment to building civil society for Israelis and Palestinians.
Passover – I am moved by the story of the Exodus and the model of the seder for memory and education.
My Great Aunt Ruth. At ninety-one and a half, she is trying new things, reading, building relationships, making art and so full of gratitude for every day.
Growing up, I was deeply inspired by Aaron Cometbus, Sassy magazine, Sonic Youth, the music video for Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, and various DIY projects, collectives, zines, scenes, and bands. These days, I draw inspiration from people I meet every day. Artists, film-makers, musicians, seniors, moms, kids, heros, survivors, my family, my friends, the natural world, teachers, people I meet on the subway, blank post-its…I find myself especially compelled by whistle-blowers and folks who articulate difficult, unpopular truths.
Taylor Krauss -Founder, Voices of Rwanda / Documentary filmmaker
Early risers, risk takers, explorers, photo makers.
Classical guitar players, dreamers, distance runners, long jumpers, deep lovers, huggers, and hand holders.
Quick email responders, own drum beaters. Rule breakers. Thunderstorms, optimists, outside-of-the-boxers, zero-policy inboxers.
The Chinese, Sichuan peppercorns, localvores, writers. Bridges, channel crossers, artifacts, fractals, tadpoles, cemeteries, dreams, train whistles, eclipses, Picassos, waterfalls, night owls, and redwoods.
There has been quite a bit of conversation both on this blog and in the Jewish press and blogosphere on both the tactics and content of the recent JVP action at the GA. I have to say I was really inspired to see the coverage and conversation generated by these protests. More than that, I am inspired by the statements behind them. Talking back to Bibi was a way of getting heard. The message, contained in their Young Jewish and Proud declaration, makes it clear why we should, in the words of Peter Beinart, “expect more of this.”
We are not apathetic. We know and name persecution when we see it. Occupation has constricted our throats and fattened our tongues. We are feeding each other new words. We have family, we build family, we are family. We re-negotiate. We atone. We re-draw the map every single day. We travel between worlds. This is not our birthright, it is our necessity.
Not only should we expect to hear this message getting louder and stronger, we should be prepared to listen. Jews, committed to their identities, histories, and traditions, are increasingly seeing how the ongoing occupation and human rights abuses, the loyalty oath, and the stunted discourse on Israel and Zionism within the OJC are making a perversion out of the lessons of Jewish history (which illustrate that oppression and othering can be a deadly mix), and of Jewish teachings (which, in Rabbi Sid Schwarz’s formulation, are “dedicated to expanding the boundaries of righteousness and justice in the world“).
I’ve recently been corresponding with one of the organizers about JVP’s choice of message and their tactics. In light of the all the debate around that action, I wanted to share some of that correspondence here. In talking with her it is clear that there were significant conversations within the group about both tactics and messaging. The first thing she emphasized was that the goal of this action was not the disruption itself. “Our original idea,” she told me, “was actually the opposite, that the disruption of Netanyahu’s speech would be silent and dignified.” More »
by Jew Guevara [➚] · Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
It was my first time at the GA, and I’m very glad I got to go. But then, I really like conferences. Here are some thoughts:
1. I knew quite a few people who were there, including one of the Jewish Voice for Peace protesters. This conflicts with my sense that politically and communally, I’m a marginal Jew. Conclusion: the mainstream, official, institutional Jewish world isn’t quite as narrow as one might imagine.
2. Two young women wearing Israeli army uniforms were mingling with folks at the conference. I asked one of them if I could take her picture, thinking it would be fun to share here on Jewschool. Right before the snap, she said – but you can’t post my picture anywhere. Let’s recap: this nice Israeli woman soldier was fine letting me photograph her for my PERSONAL collection. How creepy is that? Made me wonder if men asking to take her picture was something normal.
3. There’s a class of older guy in a suit and white shirt who wanders around talking to clones of each other and looking important. I have no idea what they are doing. They weren’t at any of the workshops I attended. Who are they? Anyone know?
4. After the JVP protest/disruption of Netanyahu’s speech, I heard folks say that there was a mismatch between the alleged tactic and the reasonable message of the youngsters. Why not a JVP booth next year? The way to win an argument with the mainstream is by dressing it in mainstream clothes. I fear that disruptive tactics that aren’t part of a constructive plan make ‘our’ side a bit weaker in the corridors of power. Then again, they sort of made headlines, right? So I’m torn. I also think Rae can do no wrong….
5. Secret plan uncovered: the ‘refuse to talk about Israel’ wing of the progressive Jewish world might be on to something. Pro-peace folks are unlikely to ‘win’ an argument about Israel’s importance or get leaders to admit they are wrong about knee-jerk supporting of the Israeli government. But they might make a case that a rising cohort of Jews who care more about universal values and less about tribal hallmarks of Jewish identity need more and better alternatives to a focus on Israel.
Actually, they’ve done it. The Social Justice Roundtable that includes JFSJ, Avodah, AJWS, Repair the World and others are proving to general satisfaction that they offer programs that work with young people. In a few years (I predict) we’ll have solid evidence that those programs represent the solid core of Jewish continuity work, performing better and costing less than Israel related programs.
Some day, at a meeting of those strange dudes in suits and white shirts will conclude that the whole Israel thing is coming at the expense of continuity work, at least as currently formulated. Will they choose what works by the numbers, or drive the Israel right or wrong agenda with a smaller and smaller audience?
6. Some public facing leaders of Jewish organizations have personas that ooze sincerity. Am I the only one who sees almost all of it as performance, leaving me cold to any emotional content they might have sought to impart? It’s the same trait I’ve noticed with many politicians and rabbis. Is it just me?
Interviewing him in Jerusalem, where he know lives, Dina Kraft finds Shyne, aka Moses Levi, at the Kotel wearing Hasidic chic, hurring to make a minyan with Ethiopians before Shabbat.
His adherence to strict halacha (Jewish law) appears to be his attonement for his well publicized youthful misadvaentrues which landed him a decade in prison. Shyne still is recording, however:
“Later, with Mr. Goldsmith in the rental car he uses to get around, Mr. Levi sampled tracks from two new albums, “Messiah” and “Gangland,” that are to be released in a joint venture with Def Jam Records. The deal suggests the clout he holds despite not having released an album since 2004. He put the volume on high as he drove through the traffic-clogged roads of an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood.
In songs like “Am I a Sinner?” he casts his spiritual quest as an escape from prison life and pain, with lyrics like, “Look in your soul and you will find vision that you can’t see through the eye.”
The interview continues over hummus and pita as Shyne prepares for Talmud study session with R. Jeff Siedel. Sounds like Shyne has found a home in the rigidity of Orthodoxy, if not Jerusalem.
His respect for law and Rabbis seem sincere. I’d like to know what these Rabbis feel about the hip-hop music that reflects this journey. And I’d like to hear it.
by Kung Fu Jew [➚] · Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Five young Jews interrupted Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech at the General Assembly (GA) of Jewish federations yesterday. You can read the first-hand accounts by lead protestor and Jewlicious and ROI alum Rae Abileah, LA Jewish Journal editor Rob Eshman, and JTA’s Fundermentalist Jacob Berkman, among many others.
I will echo the comments by LA’s Eshman when I note that these protestors spoke in a language of Israel’s self-interest, setting them apart from the Muslim protestors at UC-Irvine earlier this year. The media statements by the protestors demonstrate — despite their chosen allegiances or tactics — thoughtfulness and rootedness in Jewish ethical culture. As Eshman reported, ‘ “What were they against?” one Israeli journalist in the audience asked rhetorically. “The loyalty oath? The occupation? Gaza? Most Jews would agree with them.” ‘ I and many others on Jewschool have made the occupation and many Israeli policies the topic of our consistent, vocal and stringent calls for reform.
I admire dedicated, assertive, moral student activists. The 1969 student sit-in of the GA resulted in reform of Jewish student program funding. Ultimately, it led to the expansion of Hillel. Many of those young leaders now head Jewish organizations and I’m honored to have some of them as mentors. But New Voices’ editor Ben Sales compares that event with today’s stunt, saying, “Far from articulating a positive and productive vision for the Jewish community, all they did was yell vapid sound bytes during a public event.”
I may have little taste for these theatrics. But for every five protestors who resort to dramatic headline seeking, there are dozens more like me. More »
In Israeli parlance, ha-peripheria (the periphery) is akin to our American slang “the ghetto” and generally refers the areas outside the coastline-Jerusalem axes. Bespeckled with Negev “development towns,” Bedouin hovels and Arab towns of the north, these are Israel’s backwaters where the most disempowered and poorest Israeli citizens reside.
Now American Jews are extended a rare and unique opportunity — for the first time — to serve the Israel that is least like the glossy, prestine view from America. Since 2004, Israeli nonprofit Mercaz Maase has recruited young Israelis from the periphery to conduct AmeriCorps-like year-long public service, often as an alternative to military service. Through the New Israel Fund’s new partnership, Ma’ase Olam, approximately two dozen American Jews aged 21-28 will live communally and serve for 10 months alongside their Israeli peers in making Israel a more equal, just home. Unlike NIF’s preexisting five year-long fellowships working with social and human rights grantees, Ma’ase Olam offers a much larger cohort and does not require fully conversant Hebrew. (Amazing!)
Full deets here:
NIF/SHATIL Social Justice Fellowship
Applications are now available for the NIF/SHATIL Social Justice Fellowship 2011-2012 cohort. The fellowship sends 5 Americans and 1 individual from the UK to intern at an individually-selected Israeli NGO, active in areas including civil and human rights, and social, economic and environmental justice. Fellows receive training in leadership and community development and living expenses are covered by a modest stipend. Excellent Hebrew skills required. The Fellowship year runs from September 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012. Applications due January 22, 2011.
New Israel Fund announces new service program in Israel: Ma’ase Olam
Do you want to be part of the efforts to advance democracy, equality and justice in Israel? NIF–Ma’ase Olam (“Action in the World”), launching in September 2011, is a 10-month service program in communities in the social periphery of Israel. The application is open to Jewish young adults age 21-28 from North America. Hebrew is a plus but not required. The program includes 4-5 monthly seminars in the US prior to departure. The application process will begin in November 2010.
L'Chaim! Polish Limmud Participants Drink Their Own Damn Beer.
It kind of sounds like its out of the 19th century, but it actually just happened. In 2002, Prince Charles of Wales visited Poland and decided that he was gonna put up the funds to build an American-style JCC in Krakow, Poland. Now, I’m not sure why Welsh royalty came to Poland, or why he decided to establish a Jewish Community Center there. What I do know is that our brothers and sisters in Galicya are having one good damn time learning Jewish texts with their custom made beer labels. Awesome.
If you were interested in bidding on ponzi scheme-schmendrick Bernie Madoff’s intimate apparel…well, I have bad news for you.
Youth in Warsaw Protest Against Fascism in their Homeland during the commemoration of the anniversary of Poland’s assumption of independent statehood in 1918 after 123 years of partition by Russia, Prussia and Austria.
Here’s an excerpt from 
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