Front Lines
NOTE DU 0 K
JNenllne
Uncharted Spiritual Waters
Former. Detroiter Dina Najman-Licht made the Forward 50, the New
York-based ForWard newspaper's annual list of people who, because
of what they are doing or saying, "are making a difference in the way
that American Jews, for better or worse, view the world and them-
selves!'
In September, Najman-Licht became spiritual leader of New York's
Congregation Kehilat Orach Eliezer, an independent minyan whose
observance of halachic Judaism is closest to Modern Orthodoxy. The
wife and mother of three is the first woman known to hold that post
in an Orthodox congregation anywhere. The minyan isn't calling her a
rabbi, but rather a rosh kehillah, or community head. "Nonetheless,
the boldness of the step was undeniable the Forward said in its list-
ing, released Nov. 17.
The 14-year-old minyan's founding rabbi, David Weiss Halivni,
retired last year.
Najman-Licht, 38, is an authority on Jewish bioethics, medical
humanities, environmental law and Halachah (Jewish law). She
is a graduate of Yeshiva Akiva in Southfield, an alumna of Hillel
Day School of Metropolitan Detroit and the daughter of Dr. Sherrell
and Cantor Chaim Najman, formerly of Oakland County-based
Congregation Shaarey Zedek. She holds a degree from Yeshiva
University in New York. She is on the executive board of the Halachic
This Week
Organ Donor Society and is educa-
tion committee chair -for the Agunah
Commission.
According to the Forward, "Najman-
Licht is a product of several relatively
new academies — including New
York's Drisha Institute and Nishmat
in Jerusalem — that are specifically
designed to train women in rabbinic
law, part of a recent wave of incremen-
tal advances for women in Modern
Orthodoxy," the Forward said.
Dina Najman-Licht
Kehilat Orach Eliezer Co-President
Robert Sacks told the Forward that
Najman-Licht was chosen because she was the most qualified among
candidates, who included men, not necessarily to break new ground.
Sacks anticipates the new rosh kehillah raising the level of Jewish
education, upholding and explaining community halachic standards,
and helping congregants. "We hope these actions will help the corn-
munity membership grow spiritually and numerically:' Sacks told the
JN.
-Robert A. Sklar, editor
•
Finding A Good Book
Why Judaism Survives
Want to know what books might make great gifts this Chanukah? Or
what seasonal books you can find in local libraries? Check out the
annual list from the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the
Association of Jewish Libraries.
The list includes brief summaries and age
guidelines for 27 children's books. A section
lists seven by Eric A. Kimmel, who won the
Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award in 2004.
"Many of these titles have received recogni-
tion from the committee over the years:' said
committee chair Rachel Kamin, director of
the Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center in
West Bloomfield. Some are award-winners and
others are so new they haven't had a chance to
win awards yet.
Look for such titles as Hanukkah, Shmanukkah! by Esme Raji
Codell, Chanukah on the Prairie by Bert E. Schuman and The
Chanukah Guest by Kimmel.
The book list is available online at www.jewishlibraries.org, click on
"Great Hanukkah Books for Kids" under News & Announcements.
The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to the best
in Jewish children's literature by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Read more about the award (and non-Chanukah books that have won
medals) at www.SydneyTaylorBoolcAward.org .
As a former professor of mathematical logic at Maryland-based Johns
Hopkins University, Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb certainly knows how to ana-
lyze a problem. He did just that at a lunch and learn Nov. 20, methodi-
cally examining the issue of Jewish survival in a manner described by
participant Dr. Marc Meissner of Southfield
as "seamless!'
The lecture, held at the Max M. Fisher
Jewish Federation Building in Bloomfield
Township, was sponsored by Ohr Somayach
Detroit, an organization promoting adult
Jewish education. Rabbi Gottlieb has a
doctorate in philosophy and is an author
and a senior lecturer at Ohr Somayach in
Jerusalem, where he now lives.
In his talk, "Jewish Survival — the Fact
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb
and Its Implications," Rabbi Gottlieb com-
pared the historical experience of the Jews
with those of other peoples, both ancient and modern, and concluded
that Judaism has a kind of "off the chart" uniqueness. The concept of
monotheism (worship of one God) in the ancient world was unheard
of. So was the idea of a God without physical form — who is, more-
over, morally perfect (in contrast to, for instance, the foibles of the
Greek gods).
Living at the "crossroads of three continents:' Jews retained their
belief systeni over the centuries. Every attempt at acculturation to the
prevailing society eventually died off, while Judaism survived. Rabbi
Gottlieb examined various explanations of the Jewish "talent for sur-
vival," and, with logical precision, rejected them all.
The issue, said the rabbi, is that the Jewish people have survived
under conditions in which they should have been destroyed" (perse-
cution, dispersion, lack of power, etc.). His conclusion is that the Jews
have survived because the Torah says they will. "It can't be explained
naturally:' said Rabbi Gottlieb. "It's an open miracle of Divine
Providence."
For information on Ohr Somayach lectures and programs, contact
Rabbi David Shapero, (248) 352-4870.
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
Nominations Sought
The Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit is seeking
nominees for the 2007 Activist of the Year Award, for a local volunteer
who works to secure the Jewish future by championing Israel's cause,
reaching out to diverse neighbors or advocating Jewish interests.
Nominees need not have an affiliation with Council. (Council past
presidents, current officers and congregational clergy are not eligible.)
To nominate a candidate by Jan. 31, call (248) 642-5393, ext. 0, or e-
mail council@jfmd.org .
10 November 30 2006
((
- Susan Taw'', special writer,
JBlog
Jeff Klein offers his
Perspectives on everything
from dating to friendship.
Always thoughtful, often
provocative. This week he
explores the real meaning of
"Beauty is only skin deep."
Or perhaps you'd rather
read about the adventures
of Laurie Freeman's China
Punim, 4-year-old Amanda?
Only at JNonline.us. Just
click on JI3log on the menu
on the left.
Latest From Israel
Want the most current news
from Israel? Check our
streaming news from
Ynetnews.corn for con-
tinuous updates and longer
news, opinion and feature
stories.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on a scrolling story on
the left.
Winning Essays
More than 130 local students
entered the Jewish Book
Fair's high school essay con-
test tied to a kick-off speech
by author Elie VViesel. The
topic: Why is Elie Wiesel's
book Night relevant today?
Read the winning essays.
Just click on Web Extras on
the menu on the left.
Last week's poll results:
Are you offended when you
see nativity scenes on pub-
lic-owned property?
Yes 30%
No 70%
This week's poll question:
Will Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmerts latest conces-
sions to the Palestinians of
fewer checkpoints, prisoner
releases, more troop with-
drawals and realease of with-
held taxes and duties lead to
meaningful peace talks?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage to cast your vote.