World Mary Frances • •• DIGEST Playboy Mansion Visit New York/JTA — One of the Jewish community's most storied charities is turning to the Playboy brand name to help raise funds. The Jewish National Fund sent out a mass e-mail announcing that it would be auctioning an all-expenses- paid trip to a VIP party at the leg- endary mansion of the magazine's founder, Hugh Heftier, in Holmby Hills, Calif. The bidding will take place Oct. 11 in Manhattan at what is being billed as the first "JNF Sports Bonanza." JNF's decision to include a Playboy prize package comes just months after Israel's tourism ministry launched an ad campaign featuring bikini-clad women and the Israeli Consulate in New York placed a sexy spread of female soldiers in the men's magazine Maxim. Some Israeli officials and Jewish feminists criticized the two ini- tiatives, arguing that they were demeaning to women. Deborah Meyer, the executive director of Moving Tradition, an organization that helps young women become bat mitzvah, ques- tioned the JNF's decision to embrace Playboy. "It seems like a bit of a lapse of judgment to offer as a prize a trip to the Playboy mansion," she said. "You have to wonder what they are thinking about who are the members of the Jewish community and what message they think they are send- ing not just to young women, but to men, about Jewish values and what is appropriate in the year 5768." JNF officials dismissed such criti- cism, noting that other charities have offered similar prizes in recent years. "If people don't want to bid on it, they won't," said Anita Jacobs, the director of the JNF's Greater New York branch, which is organizing the auction. "This is America." Asked if she thought Playboy objectifies women, Jacobs replied: "No, not at all." New Reform Prayers New York/JTA — In a groundbreak- ing move to recognize the experi- ences of transgender Jews, the Reform movement has published several prayers for sanctifying the sex-change process. The Union for Reform Judaism released the second edition of Kulanu (Hebrew for "all of us"), its 500-page resource manual for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender inclusion. The guide includes two blessings authored by Rabbi Elliot Kukla for transitioning genders. Kukla, who was known as Eliza when ordained in 2006 by the move- ment's New York seminary, originally wrote the blessings for a friend who wanted to mark each time he received testosterone therapy. Still, Kukla believes they are appropriate for multiple moments in the sex-change process, including moments of medical transitions:' Broad sections of the Jewish com- munity now accept gays and lesbians serving as rabbis and cantors, and many support rabbinic officiation at same-sex commitment ceremonies. But the Reform movement, the country's largest synagogue denomi- nation, had never gone as far as to say that it is kosher to recite a bless- ing for a sex change. • • Os S t. " shinnin.g new styles Fine Designer Furniture • Stunning Accessories Unique & Unusual Gifts 6644 Orchard Lake Road at Maple West Bloomfield • 248 855.1600 Temple-Era Tunnel Jerusalem/JTA — Archaeologists uncovered the remains of an escape route used by Jews in Jerusalem dur- ing the Roman occupation. Israel's Antiquities Authority unveiled the approximately half-mile- long tunnel discovered under the City of David, located in Jerusalem's Silwan Valley. According to the authority, the tun- nel was designed as drainage canal for winter rains that would flood Jerusalem in the Second Temple era. During the Roman siege of the walled city, Jews would also use it for shelter or to escape to the Judean Desert. Israeli Arab Numbers Jerusalem/JTA — Israeli Arabs are reproducing well above the rate of their Jewish compatriots. Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics said that the national population stands at 7.2 million. Jews comprise 75.8 percent of the population and Arabs nearly 20 per- cent. The rest are naturalized foreign workers or other religious minorities. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel's Jewish population is growing at a rate of 1.8 percent annu- ally. By contrast, the growth rate for Israeli Arabs is 2.6 percent. The rate is highest among Arab Muslims, who comprise the vast majority of Israeli Arabs —2.9 percent. Mon & Thur 10-9 • Tue-Wed-Fri-Sat 10-6 • Sun 11-4 COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAPPING 1306740 N the alternative for those who should no longer drive but still desire the independence of the open road. With Arrive! you'll avoid the risks and hazards of driving, losing your way, annoying car maintenance, costly insurance, being ticketed... and more ...without sacrificing your need to run errands, keep appointments, visit family, or simply to socialize. Go where and when you want, safely and securely... in style! Luxury Transportation Programs for Seniors Personal service day or night, seven days a week. 248 341 3419 www.arrivetransportation.com 1302130 JN September 20 • 2007 25