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Shabbat In Space
From the Jewish News pages this week
10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years ago.
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Israel's first astronaut wants to represent the Jewish homeland and its people.
SUSAN TAWIL
Special to the Jewish News
R
www.rabbifinman.corn
Now in its fifth year, the hour-long variety show features
interviews with topical guests, news from Israel, Jewish
music, Chasidic stories and inspirational talks on the week-
ly Torah portion. Public service announcements for the
Jewish community are included.
Besides hosting, Rabbi Finman produces, directs and
edits the contents of the program. He "hustles the ads,"
writes them and does the voiceovers as well. Judging from
abbi Hershel Finman of Oak Park often inter-
views interesting personalities. But on Friday,
July 12, the host of "The Jewish Hour," a local
weekly radio program, will speak with a guest
who is destined to be truly out of this world.
Israeli Air Force Col. Ilan Ramon, 47, scheduled to
board the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) space shuttle July 19,
will be the first Israeli astronaut to go into
space. The Tel Aviv native will work as a pay-
load specialist on the international space shuttle
Columbia mission.
Ramon, a married father of four children, has
degrees in electronics and computer engineer-
ing. Since passing NASA's rigorous selection
process, he has spent the past two years - training
for the upcoming mission.
Although Israel has its own space program, it
consists mainly of sophisticated satellites; a
manned rocket has never been launched.
Col. Ramon's participation in the Columbia
mission is part of America's effort to build the
space station with astronaut teams that include
foreign allies. Twelve nations have participated
so far; now it is Israel's turn.
As the Jewish state's first man in space,
Col. Ilan Ramon and Rabbi Zvi Konikov
Ramon says he feels the responsibility that
comes with representing Israel and the Jewish
people. He plans to keep kosher and observe
his mail, the rabbi estimates that only one third of his
Shabbat aboard the flight. To do this, NASA agreed to
accommodate him and arranged for his kosher space meals. approximately 40,000 listeners are Jewish.
His guests include politicians, professors, Jewish artists,
A company in Illinois that produces kosher self-heating
musicians, authors and others.
food in sealed pouches for the U.S. Army and the penal
"I'm always looking for interesting interviews," he says.
system will provide the meals through the Aleph Institute.
He recently featured Lavana Kirschenbaum, a woman in
Shabbat in space, however, presents a different problem
New York City who organized the world's largest bake sale.
entirely. When exactly is Shabbat anyway? Orbiting the
She raised $500,000 to benefit Israeli victims of terrorism.
Earth every 90 minutes would bring Shabbat every 10'/2
In his upcoming interview with Col. Ramon, Rabbi
hours, barely long enough for the cholent to digest before
Finman plans to ask the astronaut about his feelings as a
it's time for another serving.
Jewish role model, what he looks forward to in space and
Col. Ramon posed the query to Lubavitch Rabbi Zvi
the message he would like to send to Jewish children.
Konikov, the "Space Coast" rabbi in Satellite Beach, Fla.,
Rabbi Finman and Florida Rabbi Konikov agree it is
where NASA's Cape Kennedy is located. Rabbi Konikov, in
wonderful that Col. Ramon wants to be overtly Jewish on
turn, sent the fascinating shaalah (question of Jewish law)
the space mission. Rabbi Konikov plans to give the astro-
for discussion by halachic experts in Israel and America.
naut a blessing on the day of the launch. He also will give
Although the jury is still out, the decision should be
Ramon a couple of dollars for tzedakah, shaliach mitzvah,.
coming soon, hopefully by the time of Rabbi Finman's July
which is money traditionally given to ensure a safe trip.
12 broadcast.
"Col. Ramon's sincerity and display of Jewish pride is
remarkable," says Rabbi Konikov. "The kiddush he wants
Judaism On The Air
to make on Shabbos will be the most unique in the world."
How Col. Ramon will keep his wine in the cup, despite
"The Jewish Hour" airs on WPON 1460-AM from 3-4
p.m. each Friday. It is simulcast on the World Wide Web at weightless conditions, remains to be seen. ❑
,
AT;
7/ 5
2002
32
Detroiter Todd S. Loren (originally
Stuart Shapiro), who created contro-
versial rock history comics, is found
murdered in his home in San Diego.
Phyllis and Albert Newman of
Birmingham have collected and
reconditioned 2,000 hearing aids to
send to Jerusalem.
Aintroww
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Nobel Laureate in Physics Dr. Isidor
Isaac Rabbi receives the Handleman
Prize at the Jewish Academy of Arts
and Sciences from Detroiter Joseph
Handleman.
The Afro-Asian Institute of the
Israel Histadrut Campaign honors
Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young.
1972
The Israel Maccabi soccer team will
play the V. F. B. Stuttgart of
Germany team at Hamtramck's
Keyworth Stadium.
Charles Zalev succeeds Gerald L.
Freed as president of the Windsor
Jewish Community Council.
A Jewish medical ethics authority
in New York cites cigarette smoking
as a violation of Jewish law.
The Maly and Samuel Cohn Branch
of the United Hebrew Schools at 7
Mile and Merriman in Livonia has a
groundbreaking ceremony.
Cantor Jacob H. SonenkLar celebrates
his 30th anniversary at Congregation
Sha2rey Zedek.
S\VN„
Gustav Ranis of Bethel, Conn.,
receives the first degree awarded by
Brandies University, Waltham,
Mass. Detroiter Leonard Simons is
named one of the university's first
Fellows.
V,
.,‘•
Detroiter Nate Shapero is named
president of the Chaim Weizmann
Chemical Research Foundation of
Rehovoth, Palestine.
— Compiled by Holly Teasdle,
archivist, the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin
Archives, Temple Beth El