milwaukee
$4.95 Spring 2009
J E W I S H SPIRIT
M a g a z i n e o f O h r H a To r a h - J e w i s h H e r i t a g e C e n t e r
JSU/Jewish Student Union Building Jewish Identity in Milwaukee
Ohr HaTorah/Chai Lifeline Connection
Going Home for Passover?
Forge a Chain of Love After 28 28 Years, Years, After Your Moment Moment Your in the the Sun Sun in
a letter from our advisory chair
2
Dear Friends, In this time of economic turbulence, there is calm within the storm. It is Ohr Ha Torah – Jewish Heritage Center, an oasis and resource where you can discover the essence of Judaism. It is our responsibility as Jews to cultivate this oasis so it can continue to provide nourishment to our community. It has been a year of growth and discovery for Ohr HaTorah. We now have a permanent home on Green Bay Road in Glendale. This serves as a place to study, learn and grow as a Jew. Ohr HaTorah contributes immeasurably to our Jewish future with its myriad of unique educational initiatives. My wife and I have contributed and intend to continue to support the work Rabbis Freilich and Zaitschek who give of themselves selflessly to teach and spread the treasures of Jewish learning. One investment that is not vulnerable to this recessionary economy is the Tzedakah you give to support such a worthy cause. Your investment will bring you great merit. We ask that you find it in your heart to assist us in continuing our mission and commit to our goal to reach out to our community and provide the needed services for our Jewish youth and adults. Thank you for your continued support of Ohr Ha Torah, Sincerely, Cary and Susan Silverstein
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
PLEASE USE THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TO SEND IN YOUR TAX DEDUCTABLE CONTRIBUTION
About Us: Ohr HaTorah - Jewish Heritage Center
Rabbi Akiva Freilich Director
Rabbi Avi Zaitschek Director of Special Projects
Our Mission:
Ohr HaTorah seeks to improve the life of our JewOhr HaTorah is a premier organization dedicated ish youth, families, and community. to connect, inspire and empower Jewish youth Ohr HaTorah believes Jewish Literacy is a fundaand adults of Wisconsin to be involved in a living, vibrant and passionate Judaism through Torah and mental part of our Jewish future Tradition. Ohr HaTorah believes Jews should explore their heritage at their own pace, and do so from a soOur Values: cial, educational, and spiritual perspective. Ohr HaTorah believes that strong Jewish Identity for Jewish Youth is of paramount importance.
What’s Happening at
Ohr HaTorah
3
Jeff & Jodi Warren at Ohr HaTorah Chanukah Party
Jewish Ethics Class At Godfrey & Kahn
L-R: Mike Tabilson, Bryan Edgar, Rabbi Freilich, Nathaniel Hoffman, Keith Lindenbaum
Sukkah Buiding Team Back: Yisroel Freilich, Howard Fay & Larry Eckert Front: Shmuel & Heschel Freilich
Enjoying Crafts At Ohr Chanukah Party
Sunday Hebrew Class
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
Craig Abrams and Kids at Ohr HaTorah’s JCC Booth
6 TOY DRIVE FOR CHAI LIFELINE OHR HATORAH’S
C
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
hanukah at Ohr HaTorah took on a very special flavor as we dedicated our Annual Chanukah gathering to serve as a Toy Drive for Chai
Lifeline. What is Chai Lifeline all about? When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the family moves from “normal” to “crisis mode.” Parents can feel bewildered, wondering whether they are asking the right questions, consulting the right doctors, making the right decisions not only for the sick child, but for siblings left at home. For many, the dominant emotions in their lives are worry and anxiety. For these families, Chai Lifeline is often the one constant in their lives. Chai Lifeline’s hot meals for hospitalized children and caregivers, hospital visits, insurance support services, information, advocacy, and emotional support bring Larry Ekert and Mark Maimon behind 100’s of Toys before sending down to Chicago immediate relief and comfort. Big Brothers and Sisters Chai Lifeline’s goal is to bring joy and hope to families, and recreational activities for sick children, siblings, and families allowing them to function as cohesive units while fighting illness. offer additional support as families return to their daily living Every program and service is free of charge, alleviating the burden activities. Tutoring enables hospitalized and recuperating children of finding funds to pay for desperately needed support. to retain their connection to school and friends. And of course, “Chai Lifeline is there for its families in the bad times and Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, the only kosher camps the good times,” explained Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice for seriously ill children bring joy to lives devastated by pediatric president, Chai Lifeline. “Our worldwide Chanukah celebrations disease. make the good times a little sweeter, offering a stress-free way for our families to enjoy the holiday. We’ve reached more families than ever before this Chanukah, with events across the country and around the world that replaced anxiety and worry with friendship and celebration.” Ohr HaTorah’s Toy Drive was a grand success. 100’s of Toys were brought to the party, wrapped and then subsequently delivered to the Midwest Regional Office of Chai Lifeline in Chicago. Rabbi Shlomo Crandall the Midwest Director expressed his appreciation for our efforts. Dr. Kevin Packman and son Jonah wrapping gifts
JSU – Jewish Student Union 7
Building Jewish Identity in Milwaukee
Students Enjoying a JSU Club Discussion
specifically, JSU seeks to enhance Jewish identity and pride, nurture a connection to the State of Israel, provide a portal for deeper involvement with the Jewish community and inspire an enduring relationship with the Jewish People. Its success at achieving this mission, both anecdotally and statistically, over the last seven years has been undeniable. Founded in 2002 with four clubs in Los Angeles, JSU has grown rapidly and currently boasts almost 200 clubs in 23 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. JSU club advisors interact with almost 6000 teens annually in weekly club programs. Many of these teens have no other Jewish affiliation. As a result of their JSU involvement, many get involved with other Jewish activities and eventually seek out Jewish connection on their college campuses. Rabbi Akiva Freilich and Rabbi Avi Zaitschek of Ohr HaTorah were successful in winning the support of the Nicolet High School Administration and a significant group of students who wanted to see an active JSU club in Glendale. Michal Ish-Shalom a Junior in Nicolet who agreed to be the clubs president is really enthused about the clubs progress. “It’s a great way to meet new people, learn about different customs and broaden you horizons. The program is about what we the students are interested in. JSU is the most organized Jewish group on the school campus with students actively participating and really enjoying it” Ari Rothenberg, a sophomore says”
Dr. Sheldon Wasserman and JSU Club Members in Nicolet High School
The JSU club is a really great Jewish social atmosphere and an opportunity to increase your knowledge of Jewish culture” At a recent JSU meeting in Nicolet, the students were privileged to host former State Representative Dr. Sheldon Wasserman. In an inspiring talk, Dr. Wasserman recounted his experiences on the campaign trail and in state government in which his Jewishness was a focus of attention. He said that he always “stands tall and proud of his Jewish heritage”, and found that non-Jews appreciate us much more when they sense that pride in us. To support a separation between Church and State is critical if Jews are to survive and thrive in the American Diaspora. Equally important, however, in the struggle for vibrant Jewish life in North America is our support for extracurricular Jewish activities in the public sphere. America, with God’s name on its currency, has never pretended to be a secular country, only a country where no particular national religion is endorsed or enforced. Therefore, given the U.S.’s national paradigm and accompanying continued on page 55
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
N
icolet High School in Glendale has now joined with over 200 public schools nationwide that are hosting a phenomenal new club called JSU (Jewish Student Union). This new venture was initiated in an effort to instill a sense of Jewish pride and increase Jewish affiliation. Unlike traditional outreach or Jewish community-based programs, JSU clubs operate on school grounds, during school hours thereby creating a maximally convenient venue for unaffiliated and under-affiliated teens to connect Jewishly. Funded by private philanthropists across the country, each club is sanctioned by its host school and supervised by a school faculty member. JSU provides an additional club advisor who supplies free pizza or other kosher refreshments, delivers a teen-savvy educational program, and bonds with the teens serving as their link to the organized Jewish community. The mission of JSU is to get Jewish teens to do something Jewish and to connect to the Jewish community on whatever level they feel comfortable. More
Capturing apturing Rav Noach by Rabbi Ephraim Shore
Note: Rabbi Noah Weinberg of blessed memory was a person who is responsible for impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide. Although I was not a personal student of his, his teachings and inspiration where a driving force in much that Ohr HaTorah stands for and strives to accomplish. As a tribute we are presenting a commemoration written by one of his close students Rabbi Efraim Shore and an article written by Rabbi Weinberg himself. Rabbi Akiva Freilich
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
W
hat was the essence of his greatness? Ever seen a grown man cry? Ever seen a thousand grown men cry? If you had been at the funeral of Rav Noach, you would have. Not to mention the thousands of women joining in the vast outpouring of tears, together with thousands more listening online. What was it about this man that so deeply touched the lives of tens of thousands of people from all over the world, no matter their age, gender or religious background? How can we capture his essence? Rav Noach was great in so many areas of life. He had seemingly superhuman wisdom; he had an uncanny way of knowing the answer to every life question. He cared about every person in a way they instantly understood they were in the presence of a man uniquely full of love and compassion. His joy for life was massive and contagious. He was a visionary like few others. He truly believed that we all can and must solve the world’s problems - and he set his life course to do just that. And he demanded the same of all those around him. He was a master communicator and a serial entrepreneur. He was a disciplined strategist, thoughtfully searching for solutions to break new ground. He was a once-in-a-generation leader, inspiring thousands to devote their lives to a noble cause while giving them the space to achieve their individual aspirations and even to make their own mistakes. If we regular folk would achieve greatness in even one of these spheres, we would surely be famous just for that. But he, somehow, acquired them all. How does that happen? How is it possible? Did he, as some venerable rabbis implied at his eulogy, truly belong to an earlier, higher generation? I’m sure Rav Noach would protest. To him, his accomplishments were not fantastic. And his proof? He did them! What he found unbelievable was that we weren’t accomplishing the same. He understood the power of free will. He had integrated what our
heritage teaches that God created man just less than Himself. And therein lies the essence of his multi-dimensional greatness. He listened to God. He believed in God and he believed the words of His Torah. Sure, we all believe. He believed with a capital, highlighted B. He was fond of relating the Medrash about the leading rabbis of one generation reaching the grand study hall in Heaven. To their surprise, there in the front row with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and God Himself, on the first row bench, was none other than Shlomo the butcher! They, from their bleacher seats, object and demand an explanation. The answer soon comes: “He listened to God.” NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH “Clarity or death!” was his battle cry. Truth was all that mattered and it inspired a generation of students to search for truth and to be willing to make painful choices for the truth they discovered. But of course, the truth never really hurts. Truth and reality are always more pleasurable than illusion. One saw that in his face and it made it easier to follow that path. If the truth is that God gave us a Torah -- the ultimate instruction manual full of the Creator’s wisdom for how to live life to the fullest, then how could Rav Noach do anything but study it all day, fighting off sleep except for three hours a day -- for years? And if the truth is that there are Six Constant Mitzvot that define the ultimate goal of existence, how could that no be a central element of our daily lives - even if the rest of the world was ignoring them? And if Radical Islam threatens to destroy the Western World, how can we not be called to action. How can we turn on the TV or open a book and pretend it’s not happening? And if, as he wrote in a communication to his students, there exists in our time “a terrible profanation of God’s name in the fact that a majority of the Jewish People deny the validity of Judaism and our charge of being a light to the world”, how can that not become the overriding mission of each of our lives? He was moved to action not because he was looking for excitement or because he had talents for outreach work. He was moved by only one thing: God’s will. Assimilation was, and is, the emergency of our generation. continued on page 54
50
51
The Secret of
Happiness
HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND People often think happiness is based on what you achieve and acquire. My whole life would improve if I had a new car... I just need a better job and then I can relax and be happy... If only I met the right girl... You get the car and what happens? For a whole week you’re walking on air.Then you go right back to being unhappy. Happiness is not a happening; it’s a state of mind.You can have everything in the world and still be miserable. Or you can have relatively little and feel unbounded joy. As the Talmud says,“Who is rich? The one who appreciates what he has” (Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1). That’s why the morning prayers begin with a series of blessings thanking God for the simple and obvious: Thank you, God, for giving me life Thank God I can see, that I can use my hands and feet, that I can think. Happiness comes from mastering the art of appreciating and consciously enjoying what you already have.
ON THE LEDGE Imagine you are standing on the 70th floor of the Empire
State Building, gazing at the cityscape. Suddenly a rather large man brusquely pushes past you, wrenches the window open and announces his intention to jump. You yell out,“Stop! Don’t do it!” The six-foot-five figure turns to you and menacingly says,“Try to stop me and I’ll take you with me!” “Umm... No problem, sir. Have a safe trip. Any last words?” “Let me tell you my troubles,” he says.“My wife left me, my kids won’t talk to me, I lost my job and my pet turtle died. So why should I go on living?” Suddenly you have a flash of inspiration. “Sir, close your eyes for a minute and imagine that you are blind. No colors, no sights of children playing, no fields of flowers, no sunset. Now imagine that suddenly there’s a miracle.You open your eyes and your vision is restored! Are you going to jump? Or will you stick around for a week to enjoy the sights?” “I’ll stay for a week.” “But what happened to all the troubles?” “I guess they’re not so bad. I can see!” “Well your eyesight is worth at least five million dollars. You’re a rich man!” If you really appreciate your eyesight, the other pains are insignificant. But if you take it all for granted, then nothing in life will ever truly give you joy.
MISCONCEPTIONS ON THE ROAD TO HAPPINESS Misconception #1:“Once I know the tools for being happy, then it will work like magic.” Don’t expect the results to come automatically. It is possible to understand how to attain happiness, yet not put it into practice. In fact, many people actually prefer to be comfortable and unhappy, rather than endure the discomfort of changing their habits. continued on page 55
Shalem Healing Natural Medicine
from a Nutritional Science and Chinese Medical Perspective
Treating children and adults from 2yrs and up
414.640.5433
800 E. Locust St. Milwaukee, WI
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
T
he key to happiness is to appreciate what you have. If it’s so simple, why are so many people unhappy? A young man with an unusually happy disposition once came to meet me in Jerusalem. I asked him,“What’s your secret?” He told me, “When I was 11 years old, God gave me a gift of happiness. I was riding my bicycle when a strong gust of wind blew me onto the ground into the path of an oncoming truck.The truck ran over me and cut off my leg. “As I lay there bleeding, I realized that I might have to live the rest of my life without a leg. How depressing! But then I realized that being depressed won’t get my leg back. So I decided right then and there not to waste my life despairing. “When my parents arrived at the hospital they were shocked and grieving. I told them, ‘I’ve already adapted. Now you also have to get used to this.’ “Ever since then, I see my friends getting upset over little things: their bus came late, they got a bad grade on a test, somebody insulted them. But I just enjoy life.” At age 11, this young man attained the clarity that it is a waste of energy to focus on what you are missing, and that the key to happiness is to take pleasure in what you have. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? So why are so many people unhappy?
by Rabbi Noah Weinberg
continued from page 50
That simple willingness to listen to God and truly hear Him was Rav Noach’s fundamental greatness. He wasn’t distracted by social pressure, ridicule or superficialities. He never cared if a student wore black and white or red and green. But he always cared about whether that student was pushing to reach his or her potential. And he wasn’t deterred by concerns about his own adequacy. Where many might lament “How can I, one person, make a difference?”, he would challenge, “If the Almighty wants you to succeed in changing the world, could you?” Torah obligates us to take action because we cannot fail if we truly try. Once when he returned from a fundraising trip I asked him if it was successful. He retorted “Every trip is a success. Some bring more money than others. When you are fighting for God’s people, every effort is success.” Each morning he would thank God for giving him the clarity and the merit to fight the battle to bring back the Jewish People. The pleasure of being in that struggle was greater than any other. We quickly grasped the obvious: it’s better to be striving to teach Torah to those unfamiliar with its wisdom, than to be Bill Gates. No competition. In Rav Noach’s presence, the reality of God was almost tangible. You only had to see him pray once to change your whole approach to prayer. It was like he was speaking with his old friend, his partner. He was really talking to God! And being real means keeping your eye on the ball. I once asked him about whether I should observe a particular stringency in Jewish law. He zapped back, “Ephraim, if you’re looking for stringencies, first be stringent in the mitzvah of Loving God, or Love your Neighbor.” He’d often state that you don’t start living until you know what you’re willing to die for. And once you decide what you’ll die for, be sure to live for it. He would exhort us to spend 10 minutes a day contemplating what we are living for, to help us shake ourselves out of nonsense and into the higher meaning and pleasure of life. Proverbs teaches that “The beginning of wisdom is fear of God”. In Hebrew ‘to fear’ is the same root as ‘to see’. Seeing God means you embrace the beauty of reality, instead of running from the fear of responsibility that comes with it. And only then can you begin to absorb wisdom. SELFLESS LOVE Rav Noach saw Godliness and infinite potential reflected in every human being and that gave him intense love and compassion for all. Perhaps that uniquely altruistic caring is what we’ll miss most. It was a purity of selfless love that one rarely knows except with parents. No one forgets their first conversation with Rav Noach. His passion, his love of life was beyond the conventions of this world. His love affair with reality
54
meant that he intensely felt what we all know we should be feeling too: he would experience joy at the birth of a child as if it were his own grandchild, he would feel deeply the suffering of his people, and he would be outraged if the government allowed bombs to fall on civilians without responding - as if the bombs were falling on his own house. The Jewish people’s problems were his personal problems. He was, in short, a living model of what a Torah-true Jew is. The world is a smaller place today without Rav Noach. We’ve lost someone who showed us the greatness that is available for a human who listens to God and His Torah -- and the greatness attainable to us all. But if nothing else, Rav Noach taught us that we can get the job done. We feel the pain of his loss, but that loss has deepened in his students and admirers our determination to achieve what we know we can achieve, if we mean it.
K
Wisconsin’s only strictly Kosher restaurant Dine-in • Carryout • Catering 333 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee 414-351-9660 www.cafeosher.com Sharon Siegel Langer, Proprietor
e On
g pin p o Sh p Sto
Eve ryth ing in
Kos her
4731 West Burleigh Street Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-449-5980 414-449-5985 fax Fresh Meats, all Glatt Fresh Poultry Cut Daily Bakery Frozen Foods Complete Line of Wine & Liquor
Groceries / Fish / Meat Deli Pick-up Home Catering Complete Passover Shopping Lazy Susan Trays
Deli: Eat-in or Take-out Emes Kosher Catering 414-331-3030 Under Strict Rabbinical Supervision
continued from page 7
Just as learning any new your children, your cat. skill requires effort, you Set aside a few minutes each day have to be willing to invest to contemplate these pleasures and feel serious effort to achieve real gratitude for them. happiness. To really drive this home, sit down Misconception #2: “If I become with your spouse or friend every evening content and satisfied with what I have, I’ll and discuss one pleasure that each of you lose my motivation to achieve more.” had that day. At the very least, you’ll have Happiness doesn’t drain your energy. a happier spouse or roommate! You can It adds more! incorporate this into your family routine Ask a happy person:“I have a boat. Do so that your children will also learn to you want to go fishing?” appreciate their daily pleasures. “Great! Let’s go!” b. One-Hour Blessing-Fest Now ask someone who is depressed, The next exercise is more “C’mon, let’s go fishing!” challenging. “I’m tired. Maybe tomorrow. And Spend one hour writing down anyway, it might rain...” everything for which you are grateful. Happy people are energetic and Most people fly through the first 15 ambitious. There’s never enough time to minutes. The next 15 minutes the pen do everything they want to do. moves more slowly. The next 15 minutes Misconception #3: If I want to be get even tougher, but you can pull through depressed, that’s my own prerogative. if you include your eyebrows and socks... A beautiful Sunday afternoon. You’re The last 15 minutes are excruciating. in the park having a picnic with friends. Once the list is compiled, add one Suddenly the air is pierced by one person new blessing each day. complaining: “Who forgot the forks? It’s The power of this exercise is clear:You too hot for volleyball. I want to go home must be conscious of all your blessings already.” in order to appreciate whatever new When our mood negatively affects blessings come your way. others, we recognize we have an obligation c. Prioritize Your Blessings to be happy and not spoil the fun. That’s To become a real expert at appreciation, why we try to put on a happy face when prioritize your list.Which is more valuable: we’re at a party. your hands or your feet? Eyes or ears? But what about when we’re at home Sense of taste or your sense of touch? with our spouse and kids? Or when Comparing pleasures forces you to we trudge into the office on Monday articulate the subtle aspects of each one. morning? Like an open pit in the middle of the road, a sourpuss is a public menace. Being happy is part of being considerate to the people around us.
HAPPINESS EXERCISES These exercises will increase your gratitude and help you build a solid foundation for a lifetime of happiness: a. The Daily Pleasure Count To increase your appreciation of life, pinpoint some things you are extremely grateful for and count them every morning for one month, e.g.: your eyes, your hands,
Ohr HaTorah would like to thank The Helen Bader Foundation for their assistance in making this publication possible and their support of our program The Milwaukee Institute For Jewish Ethics
laws, it is unlikely that the thousands of Christian missionary clubs which operate on or near public high schools will cease to exist. These clubs regularly and successfully reach out to Jewish teens with friendly staff members and free pizza. We must fight pizza with pizza, creating our own opportunities – through JSU culture clubs – for students to encounter Judaism and friendly, informed Jews. Not to do so is to behave like the proverbial ostrich with our heads in the sand. Synagogue-based youth groups, Jewish Community Centers and other communal institutions do an excellent job of programming for their members and teens should be encouraged to seek out such programs. However, research indicates that we are raising a generation of “non-joiners.” Thus, Jewish professionals must adapt our membership models. Jewish culture clubs, with their low barriers to entry, can play an increasingly important role in the quest to inspire passionate Judaism. Ideally, JSU clubs should serve as feeder programs for the traditional, institution-based, teen programs with JSU staff members and institutional professionals working together to mutually reinforce each others programs. Recently, in the office of one of the National JSU directors a JSU club president visited. This director reported, “We had a long discussion about her plans for the future, her desire to travel to Israel, the importance of selecting a college with a strong Hillel and her internal conflict about breaking up with her non-Jewish boyfriend. Without JSU, this student might have become another NJPS statistic. With JSU as a catalyst, she now has many Jewish options before her. For the sake of this teen, and 350,000 like her, we must support the formation of Jewish culture clubs in public high schools. There is too much at stake not to” Ohr HaTorah is proud of their role in Milwaukee JSU and looks forward to new clubs being formed next school year in other local and regional High Schools.
Spring 2009 | www.ajspirit.com
55
continued from page 51
MILWAUKEE JUDAIC A Jewish Books and Gifts For All Occasions Ritual Items
Rabbi Akiva Freilich - Director Rabbi Avi Zaitschek - Director of Special Projects Mrs. Rachel Rudman - Administrator Published by: Ohr HaTorah - Jewish Heritage Center Phone: 414 228 8930 Fax: 414 228 8933 E mail:
[email protected]
Ohr HaTorah - Jewish Heritage Center 7020 N. Green Bay Ave. Glendale, WI 53209
Chanukah Gifts
7020 N. Green Bay Avenue All Major Credit Cards Accepted WE SHIP WORLDWIDE
Contact Us At: 414-228-8930 Bar/Bat
[email protected] Mitzvah & Wedding Gifts Jewish Books