EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
An Unorthodox Response
Conservative movements are uniquely
've received some wonderful,
ill-equipped to do, despite their
unsolicited mail invitations from
protestations to the contrary.
area religious leaders in recent
The Orthodox do a much better
weeks. Too bad they're all from
job. In cities where I've lived —
Christians. And too bad the Jewish
Atlanta, Baltimore and Washington —
world, particularly the non-Orthodox
vibrant Kollel operations are
one, doesn't understand the
making an impact. They
significance of that.
usually have between half a
You see, the Christians —
dozen to 15 or more young
most of whom do not charge
graduates of yeshivot, such
for church membership —
as Ner Israel, who basically
reach out to anyone, any-
spend their days learning
where. My nearly eight years
together and their evenings
in Atlanta vividly displayed
teaching others.
this.
And they don't get paid
As an example, one Shab-
much.
And they don't seek
bat while walking home
recognition banquets.
NEIL RUBIN
from synagogue, a few mis-
Rather, they spread the
Senior Editor
sionaries canvassing the street
word of God as they under-
approached. Noting my
stand it. And thank God
funny little religious hat,
they do. They have turned on an
they tried to talk to me about Jesus.
increasing number of people in my
"Excuse me," I responded, "but I
generation — men and women —
must exercise my religious obligation
simply
by focusing on the effort.
and have a Sabbath meal with my
They
succeed with dynamic and
family."
realistic teachers, and by seeking the
"May we come back later?" they
growing chunk of under-40 Jews who
asked.
are open to exploring the depth and
"No," I responded, "But have a
breadth of Jewish living, assuming it's
wonderful day."
presented in a non-threatening, intelli-
That came back to me just before
gent way.
last Shabbat when opening the mail.
Mind you, in recent years the non-
You are invited to the Living Hope
Orthodox
movements have responded
Church," I read. Another flier
to the wave of what's loosely called
declared, "Easter should satisfy your
spirituality. This is primarily by taxing
soul. Not just your sweet tooth."
pulpit rabbis to offer more classes. So
Has anyone ever received such a
now is the time to create a new type
general note from a synagogue?
of Reform and Conservative rabbi —
That, my friends, is outreach. And
the Kollel one.
it is something that the Reform and
I
May God give them strength to
accomplish all, and we here in the
United States to do the same.
Sonia Pittman
Oak Park
Seeing Kosovo
In Our Schools
Watching the helpless ethnic Albani-
ans flee their homes and homeland
in desperation due to this recent
ethnic cleansing," my knowledge
can only connect this with the pic-
tures I have seen from the Holo-
caust.
As I see the mournful, frightened
faces of the refugees leaving Kosovo
on the news, another part of my- mind
also sees the Jewish families timidly
entering the trains to death camps.
it
Although, the ethnic Albanians are
escaping from the immediate danger,
looking into the future when will the
trauma diminish?
These people have to begin their
lives over — with new homes, and
in many cases, without their fami-
lies.
This question has been troubling
me throughout the crisis because, in a
sense, I feel obligated because of my
Jewish heritage. I was not alive, nor
were my parents, during the Holo-
caust, so I did not directly experience
the tragedy nor have the opportunity
to help my people. That makes me
feel helpless.
Currently, I'm aware that I can send
food or money to these victims, but I
still don't think that I can personally
make a difference by donating a cou-
ple of cans to my temple. This may
An Orthodox model?
Outside of Orthodoxy, Toronto has
a Reform Kollel. The Conservative
movement has nothing. And that's
why those two movements should
immediately team up to craft an array
of Kollel-type operations. The advan-
tages of such operations are abundant.
For starters, these young rabbis — less
bogged down by synagogue politics
and contract negotiations than their
established colleagues — are hungry
to go out and build Jews. Why spoil
them with board meetings and con-
gregational politics now?
Of course, money is critical. So
these young rabbis, many of whom
make a pact about the base salary
graduates from their class should
accept, need financial and spiritual
inducement. If presented well, I
believe they will jump at the chance to
creatively teach and mold the hearts
and souls of Jews of all ages. It will
only work if Reform and Conservative
rabbis have the courage to raise the
funds from their congregants and
push their rabbinical seminaries to
make such jobs attractive.
The time for such operations —
one that invites, but is not dictated by
Orthodox participation — has arrived.
Jewish souls are waiting for an appro-
priate rabbinical and financial
response. Li
help in recovery, but not at all in pre-
vention.
This concept of prevention really
sparks my attention because I have
heard on the television various anti-
Semites speaking of a second Holo-
caust. This atrocious thought seems
unbelievable to me, but I can see
where this hostility is beginning.
Recently at my school, I have seen
numerous fights breaking out between
different racial and ethnic groups.
Before witnessing this, the trouble in
Kosovo seemed so distant to me, but
looking down the school halls, I am
beginning to understand where this
hatred all begins.
I definitely will try my hardest to
send whatever provisions are needed
in Kosovo, but it is easier for our
youth to help by making changes and
breaking barriers locally.
I think that my school and others
should participate in a program that
builds tolerance and understanding
between all people, so this horrifying
concept of ethnic-cleansing would not
even be in existence.
As a high school student, I believe
it is imperative to start in our hallways
before they turn into battlefields.
Moira Kessler
Farmington Hills
Needed To Have
Exact Words
I am writing in regard to Alan Hit-
sky's Editor's Notebook of April 16,
"Myopia Extends Beyond The
Serbs." I agree with much of what
you discussed in your editorial.
4/23
1999
Detroit Jewish News
37