UNDER THE RADAR Quiet Headlines Muting singing rabbis; special boot camp; business whizzes ... Marcy Oster Jewish Telegraphic Aency Jerusalem H ere are some recent stories out of Israel that you may have missed: • Disabled youth go to (boot) camp More than a dozen young Israeli men and women with disabilities graduat- ed from an Israeli army boot camp in a special program designed for them. The newly minted soldiers, who suf- fer from Down syndrome and devel- opmental and hearing disabilities, are exempt from compulsory military service. The one-week basic training at the Tzalmon base in northern Israel was the first time that disabled Israeli youth have participated in basic train- ing. The participants, mostly 18 and 19 years old, were incorporated as much as possible into the regular mis- sions, Ynet reported. A second group will arrive soon for training. "I wanted to make them feel that they are a part of the army and to give them a sort of basic military training': Maj. Ariel Almog, commander of the Home Front Command base in Ramle, told Ynet. Almog initiated the program and acquired the necessary approvals. "They experienced the true spirit of the military, with the symbols, the flag and the weapon:' he said. "They followed all the orders and were given help when it was needed." • Quit the chupah singing, rabbis told Israel's Chief Rabbinate has ordered rab- bis to stop singing under the marriage chupah, saying it "cheapens the rabbin- ate' YNet reported last month that the Council of the Chief Rabbinate agreed to strip rabbis of their authority to officiate at weddings if they incorporate song and • Top U.S. schools eye future busi- musical performance into the marriage ness leaders ceremony. Recruiters from top American A similar decision was announced a MBA programs visited Israel recently year ago, but with the recent decision to persuade Israeli students to attend the rule will be enforced more vigilantly, their institutions. according to Ynet. Officiating rabbis The U.S.-Israel Educational have filed complaints with the Chief Foundation, which is responsible for Rabbinate about the practice, claiming the administration of Israel's par- that they "degraded themselves" during . ticipation in the Fulbright Program, the ceremonies. organized the sixth annual master's of "We are aware of the fact that a business administration conference in younger generation has arisen that is far Tel Aviv for students and recruiters to from the tradition and is interested in such a chupah so that it is more accepted meet, the Israeli business daily Globes reported. by those attending": Rabbi Ratzon Arusi, Among the schools represented were chairman of the Rabbinate's Marriage Stanford, Yale, New York University, Committee, told YNet. Columbia University, the University of "However, everything must be in California-Berkeley and Harvard. accordance with Halachah [Jewish law]. More than 150 Israel students will If the rabbi is genteel and cordial, we study at U.S. MBA programs begin- have no opposition. On the contrary, ning this fall, according to Globes. he sanctifies the Heavens. But when he An Ethiopian-Israeli student for the sings and plays music, this is problem- atic." Quiet Headlines on page 30 "At Regent Street I have found lasting friendships, good service and have enjoyed cultural events that I never would have experienced in my own home" -Rose Bennett Visitors welcome! Call or stop by today. REGENT STREET c'g, OF WEST BLOOMFIELD(X ) ASSISTED LIVING Amerie Hous• 4460 Orchard Lake Rd. West Bloomfield, Ml 48323 Located next to Comerica Bank oftigno Created to care for our family, devoted to serving yours. - www.re-entotreetwestbloonifield.com .160Z190 August 5 • 2010 29