Spirituality

An Arkful Of Fun

New kids' Web site launches with ancestors of Noah's companions.

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Shells Liebman Dorfman

Senior Writer

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new feature on the Chabad.org
children's Web site features the
world of animals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians and the kid-favorite: the bug.
The Noah's Ark Web page has been
added to the Tzivos Hashem Kids! Internet
site. It highlights animals through descrip-
tions, vividly colorful images and video
showings, while slipping in some interest-
ing facts and lessons along the way.
The children's site already includes sec-
tions on Jewish holidays, activities and
online comic strips, books, music and the
"Itche Kadoozy" kids' video program.
Kids can learn that the giraffe's heart is
two feet long, but also that it can "inspire
us to have a big heart in another sense by
filling our heart with kindness and com-
passion," according to the site. The giraffe's
attributes of being "peaceful creatures that
don't attack unless under threat" and that
"don't discriminate against other giraffes
with different skin patterns" are lessons
that could be well taken by people and
nations.
The site notes the animal's extraordi-

Sticking
With What
Works

A group of
students hang
onto their host
and teacher
for 20 years.

A36

November 1 . 2007

nary height as a symbol of leadership,
adding that, "The Torah describes Saul, the
first Jewish king, as being taller than the
rest of the nation, physically and spiritu-
ally." The lesson is followed by the inspira-
tion that all children can be leaders "by
showing empathy to those less fortunate
than themselves, and by holding them-
selves to a higher standard."
Along with striking images of flamingos
is a memorable tale of how emperors in
ancient Rome served plates of flamingo
tongues at their banquets. The tongue is
then compared with the human tongue
in terms of speech, with the human being
expected to use this great Divine gift
wisely and carefully to speak only what is
true and kind."
Jewish connections to the featured
animals are included in lessons such as
how the product of something that is not
kosher, is also not kosher. But the site
includes a description of the anomaly that
the honey produced by a bee— which is a
non-kosher insect — is actually a kosher
food.
Noah's Ark's creator Rabbi Mendy
Elishevitz suggests that the site be the
start of a dialogue between children
and their parents about the relationship
between the Torah and the animal king-
dom.
For those who still want more, there
is the 'Ask Noah" component of the site,
where visitors can e-mail questions about

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of their young, Sorrie examples of birds ere parrots, penguins,
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Flamingos

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Ask Noah

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Animals?

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Does Judaism address
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What Rights Do
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issues like the Jewish view on hunting and
the reason God created animals who seem
to have no purpose, with answers posted
on the Web.
The hope for Noah's Ark is for visitors
to take their new knowledge with them to
the zoo where they will see many of the

or the last 20 years, Leibel Wiener has opened his
Oak Park home to host a Monday night shiur for
the study of the weekly Torah portion. And for
most of those evenings, Rabbi Hershel Zaklos of Oak Park
was there to lead the class. Students have come and gone
over the years, but Weiner and Rabbi Zaklos have been there
together throughout.
Weiner's dining room was the setting for most classes,
but sometimes the learning took place in his sukkah.
Weiner kept the class going whether or not he was there
and always provided refreshments for the group.
Ten years ago, the weekly shiur was celebrated at an anni-
versary dinner at Dr. David and Leah Ungar's home. Weiner
was so insistent that the class continue every non-holiday
Monday night that it even took place at a shul dinner. On the
few occasions when Rabbi Zaklos could not attend, Weiner
arranged for a substitute rabbi to teach. Inspired by the
Lubavitcher Rebbe's message to learn Torah, Weiner, who
had already been studying with Rabbi Zaklos, decided to
form a group to meet in his home. They even have telephone
hook-up for people who cannot attend.
On Oct. 15, the class specially honored Rabbi Zaklos and
Leibel Weiner. II

animals up close. And then to take the les-
sons learned from the animals much fur-
ther, by infusing them into their lives. I

To access Noah's Ark go to the Web
site at: www.chadbad.org/noahsark.

Human Rights Addressed

Rabbi Aril( Ascherman of Jerusalem, executive director of Rabbis for
Human Rights (RHR)-Israel, returns to Ann Arbor Thursday, Nov. 8, to
speak to the community on the subject "Jewish Values, Human Rights
and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." His talk is scheduled for 8 p.m. at
the Jewish Community Center in Ann Arbor.
Ascherman's day in Ann Arbor will include lunch and discussion with
University of Michigan Hillel students working to conduct dialogue on
the Middle East.
A dinner is scheduled at 6 p.m. to honor Rabbi Ascherman and the
work of RHR.
For information, contact Helene Tamarin, (734)
484-2133 or at htamarin@umich.edu.
Rabbi Robert Dobrusin of Beth Israel Congregation
and Rabbi Robert Levy of Temple Beth Emeth will
provide introductions and comments. They are mem-
bers of RHR-North America, an organization of rab-
bis representing all streams of Judaism dedicated to
expanding support for the mission and work of RHR
Rabbi
in
Israel.
Ascherman
Donations to RHR are encouraged.
For information, contact Ed Davidson at (734) 973-0751
or davidson@umich.edu or visit www.rhr-na.org or www.rhrisrael.net.

