When you first meet Jack Stromfeld, he seems like every other nice, Jewish South Florida retiree. But once he starts to talk about his passion, the uniqueness of his commitment to a distant Israeli organization shines through.
At almost 91, this affable gentleman is the US director for the Pardess Hanna-based children's village, Neveh Michael. Despite working a full-time schedule, both night and day, that would tire out a much younger man, he has never wavered in his commitment to help sustain his beloved cause. He can usually be found in his retirement community, in the home he shares with Charlotte, his wife of almost 60 years, working almost round the clock, answering phone calls and at his "mail station" which is only for e-mails. He does not have a regular computer or know how to use the Internet.
Established to provide a safe haven for at-risk children who cannot live in their own homes, Neveh Michael provides several hundred children with education, food, shelter, clothing and loving attention. Some of them have been removed from their homes by social workers due to harsh home environments or abuse. Many arrive as young as five and some remain until they are 18. Neveh Michael is under the umbrella of Emunah, a religious women's organization.
In 1991, Stromfeld came here during the first Gulf War to lead a group of Volunteers for Israel. He had occasion to wander south from his Haifa assignment to Pardess Hanna, where a Florida neighbor had asked him to deliver a package for a child she was sponsoring at Neveh Michael.
Little did Stromfeld know that a favor for a friend would lead to an intense, 17-year volunteer commitment and an attachment to an organization with which he had no previous association.
Most people would have walked away. But when public relations director Esther Rubenstein showed him around and invited him to lunch with the 200 resident children and staff, he fell in love. When Rubenstein asked if he could try something that had not been previously done in America and go home to recruit sponsors and donations for the village, he was hooked.
"To tell the truth, it was very simple; like everything I've ever done," Stromfeld says. "While I was in Israel, I was very impressed with the many Israelis whom I met and the visit to Neveh Michael Children's Village capped it all off. Meeting such an exuberant person like Mrs. Esther Rubenstein inspired me, so I knew I had to try to help in some small way. My wife, Charlotte, agreed and I was off on another long project which started at age 74."
With a previous career in the dress business behind him, fund-raising was not a familiar activity and it was not going to be easy to raise significant money for Neveh Michael. But after having connections to Israeli charities for 40 years, his instincts directed him to first look to family and friends. After convincing family members to take individual sponsorships of $250 per child, he expanded to his doctors, accountants and other friends.
When dead ends began to appear, Stromfeld was not deterred. He literally took to the streets, establishing new relationships with local synagogues, organizations and schools and recruiting others to help him spread the word about Neveh Michael and sign up sponsors. He was tireless in his efforts.
Along the way, other angels offered up their help, inspired by Stromfeld's selflessness. Out of nowhere, a gentleman in South Carolina heard about Stromfeld's efforts and called to offer his assistance.
"This wonderful Jewish teacher, Mike Epstein, from a small town in South Carolina, population 2,000, called and asked why I didn't develop a Web site," says Stromfeld. "Since I was 'computer ignorant,' I asked, 'What's a Web site?' So he said he would develop something and put it on the Internet for free."
Even with the relatively crude, homemade site, hundreds more sponsors started rolling in from around the country. Today, Stromfeld has about 750 individual sponsors all over the US and even a few in Europe who help him raise about $300,000 annually to help support the children of Neveh Michael.
To other Jewish and Israeli organizations, this amount may not seem like much at all, but it has gone to very good use and often very distinct purposes. Stromfeld has also had some successes on additional projects to support his beloved children's village.
After being designated as a critical need following the Second Lebanon War, the Neveh Michael US Board of Directors decided it needed to raise additional money. Stromfeld approached the Jewish Federation of Broward County which allocated $52,000. A brand-new bomb shelter is under construction at Neveh Michael.
Additionally, after much prodding from some of his donors, Stromfeld took on another project raising extra money to provide English lessons for the children ages five through nine. To date he has raised an additional $20,000 toward bringing in English teachers.
His last and most recent interest was actually presented by the Israeli government which is interested in using Neveh Michael to establish the first crisis center exclusively for girls who have been on drugs or alcohol or are pregnant. The government said that if Neveh Michael would initiate the program, the government would fund it. To date, no funds have been earmarked for this project, but Stromfeld is already exploring options on how to help get the ball rolling.
At an age when most of his friends are enjoying their golden years, Stromfeld is finally thinking of retiring. But, this is not the first time he has considered a life of leisure. "I tried to retire three times. God told me I needed to work a little longer. Maybe this time will be different," he says.
Stromfeld knows that finding a replacement will not be easy and that most likely he will need to pay someone to take on his previously volunteer role. However, in today's world, finding someone to fill Jack Stromfeld's very large and loving shoes will not be an easy task at all.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
A Fighting Chance - May 2008
After spending a good part of my adult life in Israel, it took getting attuned to south Florida life, before I first experienced the world of Israeli self defense, Krav Maga.
Living in Jerusalem in the 1990’s, my husband, who has a background in Krav Maga, taught me to increase personal awareness of my surroundings, especially in the wake of the Baka knifing attacks in the early 90’s. But beyond that, I never worried or thought even remotely seriously about the need for any sort of self-defense training.
Then I got to Florida. In the eight years since we have been here, the increase in shootings, rapes, home invasions and an assortment of other crimes has only gone up. The papers are filled daily with horrific stories. Fortunately I have never personally experienced anything, but some of our friends have. One of those friends includes a woman who works as a local bank branch manager. Her bank was robbed during the day only a few weeks ago.
Just this past December, a brutal robbery and murder of a mother and her eight-year-old daughter took place in the parking lot of an upscale shopping mall in Boca Raton. Many, many people were horrified by this terrible crime. The police have yet to catch the perpetrator.
One person chose to do something about it.
A friend of mine, local radio talk-show hostess Joyce Kaufman, is an extremely vocal advocate for many causes, including some that generate much controversy. A gun-toting advocate of the American second amendment, she is also passionate about reigning in illegal immigration to this country and the lack of media responsibility to the viewing, reading and listening public. And those are just a few of her causes.
Joyce decided she needed to personally lower the statistics of rape and murder among Florida women. Working with her station, she arranged for a free women’s Krav Maga workshop for anyone wanting to attend. As Joyce said, it was going to be her Mother’s Day gift to anyone wanting to learn how to defend themselves. And as she said, hopefully she would be giving the gift of life to mothers and their daughters by helping to potentially reduce the horrific homicide statistics in our region.
I love when Joyce takes on new causes. So I signed up for the workshop and dragged my somewhat reluctant bank manager friend along too. Many of Joyce listeners had signed up to come and only about 30 had the guts to show up. The women ranged in age from older teens to grandmothers in their 60’s and 70’s. Those of us that did attend were in for a real treat.
Not quite knowing what to expect, all of us in attendance were fairly timid participants to start. But after watching some examples of the head instructor and his trainers and students (including Joyce), we were all pulled into warm ups and learning basic moves on getting out of some potentially sticky situations.
By the time the seminar finished, I don’t think there was a timid person left. Even the grannies were throwing well placed elbows to the trainers’ necks and kicks to their groins (Yes, making contact. No faking here!). I think just about everyone left with a newfound confidence. And while we only learned a smidgen of how to protect ourselves, we were definitely better “armed” compared to before the workshop.
When I got home, even my husband was impressed with my enthusiasm and how much I learned in such a short amount of time. And I am hoping to sign up for some more sessions to not only solidify the basics of what I have already been taught but also to learn more.
Florida living has some nice, laid back bits and pieces. But the growing crime statistics have been a real eye opener. I have also become a lot more accustomed to knowing people, like my friend Joyce, who believe firmly in the need to not only be trained physically in self-defense arts like Krav Maga, but also to be armed and ready to defend themselves in that way, should the need ever arise.
In his adult years in England, my husband owned a gun and regularly went target shooting. All the years we lived in Israel, I refused to let him bring a gun into our home. He also doesn’t own one here in Florida. But when he went back to target shooting recently with a friend who owns guns, I did give in and allow him to take our very interested 13 year-old-son with him. When I told one of my close friends in Israel, she was shocked. For good reason too. I was always a peace-loving, sort-of hippie. In the old days I would have never considered saying yes to something like that, especially if it involved my children.
Why did I change? Who knows. I guess all the reality surrounding me, finally kicked in. Here’s an ironic thought: perhaps I could be the perfect advocate encouraging misinformed Americans afraid to travel to Israel because of what they hear from the media. Maybe they should come hear about recent Florida living instead!
Living in Jerusalem in the 1990’s, my husband, who has a background in Krav Maga, taught me to increase personal awareness of my surroundings, especially in the wake of the Baka knifing attacks in the early 90’s. But beyond that, I never worried or thought even remotely seriously about the need for any sort of self-defense training.
Then I got to Florida. In the eight years since we have been here, the increase in shootings, rapes, home invasions and an assortment of other crimes has only gone up. The papers are filled daily with horrific stories. Fortunately I have never personally experienced anything, but some of our friends have. One of those friends includes a woman who works as a local bank branch manager. Her bank was robbed during the day only a few weeks ago.
Just this past December, a brutal robbery and murder of a mother and her eight-year-old daughter took place in the parking lot of an upscale shopping mall in Boca Raton. Many, many people were horrified by this terrible crime. The police have yet to catch the perpetrator.
One person chose to do something about it.
A friend of mine, local radio talk-show hostess Joyce Kaufman, is an extremely vocal advocate for many causes, including some that generate much controversy. A gun-toting advocate of the American second amendment, she is also passionate about reigning in illegal immigration to this country and the lack of media responsibility to the viewing, reading and listening public. And those are just a few of her causes.
Joyce decided she needed to personally lower the statistics of rape and murder among Florida women. Working with her station, she arranged for a free women’s Krav Maga workshop for anyone wanting to attend. As Joyce said, it was going to be her Mother’s Day gift to anyone wanting to learn how to defend themselves. And as she said, hopefully she would be giving the gift of life to mothers and their daughters by helping to potentially reduce the horrific homicide statistics in our region.
I love when Joyce takes on new causes. So I signed up for the workshop and dragged my somewhat reluctant bank manager friend along too. Many of Joyce listeners had signed up to come and only about 30 had the guts to show up. The women ranged in age from older teens to grandmothers in their 60’s and 70’s. Those of us that did attend were in for a real treat.
Not quite knowing what to expect, all of us in attendance were fairly timid participants to start. But after watching some examples of the head instructor and his trainers and students (including Joyce), we were all pulled into warm ups and learning basic moves on getting out of some potentially sticky situations.
By the time the seminar finished, I don’t think there was a timid person left. Even the grannies were throwing well placed elbows to the trainers’ necks and kicks to their groins (Yes, making contact. No faking here!). I think just about everyone left with a newfound confidence. And while we only learned a smidgen of how to protect ourselves, we were definitely better “armed” compared to before the workshop.
When I got home, even my husband was impressed with my enthusiasm and how much I learned in such a short amount of time. And I am hoping to sign up for some more sessions to not only solidify the basics of what I have already been taught but also to learn more.
Florida living has some nice, laid back bits and pieces. But the growing crime statistics have been a real eye opener. I have also become a lot more accustomed to knowing people, like my friend Joyce, who believe firmly in the need to not only be trained physically in self-defense arts like Krav Maga, but also to be armed and ready to defend themselves in that way, should the need ever arise.
In his adult years in England, my husband owned a gun and regularly went target shooting. All the years we lived in Israel, I refused to let him bring a gun into our home. He also doesn’t own one here in Florida. But when he went back to target shooting recently with a friend who owns guns, I did give in and allow him to take our very interested 13 year-old-son with him. When I told one of my close friends in Israel, she was shocked. For good reason too. I was always a peace-loving, sort-of hippie. In the old days I would have never considered saying yes to something like that, especially if it involved my children.
Why did I change? Who knows. I guess all the reality surrounding me, finally kicked in. Here’s an ironic thought: perhaps I could be the perfect advocate encouraging misinformed Americans afraid to travel to Israel because of what they hear from the media. Maybe they should come hear about recent Florida living instead!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Working in Concert, Together
I took my youngest daughter to a concert for her 9th birthday. Because we are both big fans of Israeli recording artist Din Din Aviv, we jumped at the opportunity to see her in person when she came to South Florida on her first American tour. Our local Jewish Federation (Broward) sponsored the event as part of the ongoing Israel at 60 celebrations around the county.
We had a great time at the concert, sat in the third row and sang our hearts out. Unfortunately we were only part of a handful of people who knew who Din Din Aviv was and were actually familiar with her music. There were very few other Israelis in the audience. There were very few people, period. The small auditorium was only partially filled with mostly an older Jewish group who are very loyal to events sponsored by the Federation.
When I first found out about the concert, from a local Hebrew weekly newspaper, I was so excited and expected the place to be packed – with young Israelis, but also young Jewish Americans too. I was also very impressed that the Federation had chosen Din Din Aviv, as their previous norm for such concerts is what I call the “Hallelujah” or “Oseh Shalom” kind of performers. To me this signaled a bold attempt to show the face of a more modern, younger Israel.
And as I said, the concert was great. I was only very sad about the low turnout and lack of Israeli representation. And I kept wondering, what went wrong?
Here’s one theory:
For the most part, I do believe the Federation did an ok job in advertising the event. However, ever since I moved here, I have felt distinct differences in how Israeli Jews and American Jews relate to each other, here in the United States.
And I am hazarding a wild guess that this may be the root of the problem.
The American side of me generally appreciates what my Federation does to help the local Jewish community. They are great when it comes to raising awareness about needy Jewish families, the elderly, hungry, etc.
But when it comes to Israel, I have always felt slightly uncomfortable, because I feel that they JUST DON”T GET IT. Most of our Jewish leaders are Americans, many have never lived in Israel other then spending limited time on a group mission, and their constituents within the community only ever see the mirrored image of Israel through the eyes of these leaders. Feeling a bit like a traitor, I have shared these thoughts with other Israelis who often agree.
In our first few years here, I loyally went to a couple of community wide, Israel events (i.e. Yom HaAtzmaut), but stopped after awhile. They were just so….American and, attended primarily by American Jews. I’d rather organize a mangal (BBQ) on the actual day of Yom HaAtzmaut with friends. Play some Israeli music and eat a lot. NO speeches or posturing by any community leaders.
It’s not their fault. The American Jewish organizers do what they are comfortable doing and present events that they feel will attract others to attend and give the attendees a sense of familiarity and a comfort level.
So, I often find that the Israelis stay with the Israelis. They enthusiastically go to Israeli sponsored events in droves. I don’t know exactly who organizes what, but based on the Idan Reichel concert we went to last year (packed…about 75% Israelis) and some of the other concerts and events I either went to or heard about, there is probably an Israeli organizer or organization somewhere behind the scenes.
There are small pockets of Israelis who faithfully turn up at Federation sponsored events again and again. Most of them seem to already have an affiliation with local Jewish organizations. But the vast majority of Israelis just don’t seem to show up.
Since we all live in the same community, it would be so nice if the Israeli and American Jews came together for more shared events. I believe that it will take more of an effort by the American Jewish side reaching out to the Israeli side to see what makes us (Israelis) tick. Israeli organizations need to included, so the word can be spread to a wider audience. I think, in the short run at least, that Israelis need to hear about these events, from other Israelis.
As for the American Jews who don’t show up at these events, I believe that many American Jews are ready and willing to learn about and celebrate Israel in ways that might be new, different and interesting to them. The key is probably through our kids. But getting them there (and their parents), is going to take some creativity which goes beyond the standard public relations methods currently used.
Conceptually, the Federation got it right when they decided to bring Din Din Aviv to our community. Especially for the younger Jewish generation who will not stick around for another round of “Hallelujah.” Now they just have to figure out how to work with their Israeli counterparts, so that younger generations on both sides will actually show up to pack concert halls together.
We had a great time at the concert, sat in the third row and sang our hearts out. Unfortunately we were only part of a handful of people who knew who Din Din Aviv was and were actually familiar with her music. There were very few other Israelis in the audience. There were very few people, period. The small auditorium was only partially filled with mostly an older Jewish group who are very loyal to events sponsored by the Federation.
When I first found out about the concert, from a local Hebrew weekly newspaper, I was so excited and expected the place to be packed – with young Israelis, but also young Jewish Americans too. I was also very impressed that the Federation had chosen Din Din Aviv, as their previous norm for such concerts is what I call the “Hallelujah” or “Oseh Shalom” kind of performers. To me this signaled a bold attempt to show the face of a more modern, younger Israel.
And as I said, the concert was great. I was only very sad about the low turnout and lack of Israeli representation. And I kept wondering, what went wrong?
Here’s one theory:
For the most part, I do believe the Federation did an ok job in advertising the event. However, ever since I moved here, I have felt distinct differences in how Israeli Jews and American Jews relate to each other, here in the United States.
And I am hazarding a wild guess that this may be the root of the problem.
The American side of me generally appreciates what my Federation does to help the local Jewish community. They are great when it comes to raising awareness about needy Jewish families, the elderly, hungry, etc.
But when it comes to Israel, I have always felt slightly uncomfortable, because I feel that they JUST DON”T GET IT. Most of our Jewish leaders are Americans, many have never lived in Israel other then spending limited time on a group mission, and their constituents within the community only ever see the mirrored image of Israel through the eyes of these leaders. Feeling a bit like a traitor, I have shared these thoughts with other Israelis who often agree.
In our first few years here, I loyally went to a couple of community wide, Israel events (i.e. Yom HaAtzmaut), but stopped after awhile. They were just so….American and, attended primarily by American Jews. I’d rather organize a mangal (BBQ) on the actual day of Yom HaAtzmaut with friends. Play some Israeli music and eat a lot. NO speeches or posturing by any community leaders.
It’s not their fault. The American Jewish organizers do what they are comfortable doing and present events that they feel will attract others to attend and give the attendees a sense of familiarity and a comfort level.
So, I often find that the Israelis stay with the Israelis. They enthusiastically go to Israeli sponsored events in droves. I don’t know exactly who organizes what, but based on the Idan Reichel concert we went to last year (packed…about 75% Israelis) and some of the other concerts and events I either went to or heard about, there is probably an Israeli organizer or organization somewhere behind the scenes.
There are small pockets of Israelis who faithfully turn up at Federation sponsored events again and again. Most of them seem to already have an affiliation with local Jewish organizations. But the vast majority of Israelis just don’t seem to show up.
Since we all live in the same community, it would be so nice if the Israeli and American Jews came together for more shared events. I believe that it will take more of an effort by the American Jewish side reaching out to the Israeli side to see what makes us (Israelis) tick. Israeli organizations need to included, so the word can be spread to a wider audience. I think, in the short run at least, that Israelis need to hear about these events, from other Israelis.
As for the American Jews who don’t show up at these events, I believe that many American Jews are ready and willing to learn about and celebrate Israel in ways that might be new, different and interesting to them. The key is probably through our kids. But getting them there (and their parents), is going to take some creativity which goes beyond the standard public relations methods currently used.
Conceptually, the Federation got it right when they decided to bring Din Din Aviv to our community. Especially for the younger Jewish generation who will not stick around for another round of “Hallelujah.” Now they just have to figure out how to work with their Israeli counterparts, so that younger generations on both sides will actually show up to pack concert halls together.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Going Solar in Florida
I have a bright, new shiny solar water panel on my roof and I love it. Every time I drive up to my house I get to look up and admire its beauty. And each time I see it, I wonder why there aren’t panels on all the roofs in my neighborhood, or for that matter, everywhere I go in Florida.
Ever since we arrived in south Florida after living with a “dood shemesh” in Israel, we could never figure out why all Floridians didn’t have solar water heating to harness the usual abundant sun and light. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since we bought a house in sunny Florida, but finances kept getting in our way.
After Hurricane Wilma two years ago when we lived without power and hot water for almost a week, I started following the stories in the local media about how the state of Florida was authorizing fantastic tax credits to residents who opted to go solar. I immediately called some of the state licensed solar merchants and signed up for information.
Two years later, we finally did it. After rebate and tax credit it will “only” cost us about $3000. Still more then we can afford, but we can’t afford NOT to go solar. With electric bills already over $400 monthly and two teenagers in the house, it was a no brainer! And next time we have a hurricane (Because we KNOW there will always be a “next time.”) we might not have electricity, but at least I won’t have to heat water on the grill!
For a number of reasons (especially after all last round of hurricanes in 2005), our electric bills started to go sky high and keep jumping in outrageous percentages every year. When the math was laid out in front of us by our new friend John at Advanced Pool Heating (Yes they even do solar heating for pools… not in our lifetime!), we quickly realized that we would immediately be saving money by putting in a solar panel. The savings estimate for our household of five people should be realized with a drop in our electric bills of somewhere between 30-40%.
During this never-ending presidential election year, Americans are being bombarded with many ideas and slogans. Some of the biggest debate and buzz words relate to the environment. “Green” or “Going Green,” are how are lives are supposed to be geared. I now carry canvas shopping bags, recycle most of my plastics, bottles, cans and newspapers. It reminds me of the days when I was always sad to throw those things out, when we lived in Jerusalem and didn’t have any recycling bins. Except of course, for those big ugly plastic bottle return cages found in some parts of our old Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Even our rabbi has given “environmentally friendly” sermons this past year. During Sukkot last year, he told us that we needed to be responsible to our earth and change certain behaviors such as such as replacing our old light bulbs with newer, high efficiency ones.
Now I can only dream of my next big “green” accomplishment…having a complete photovoltaic house! But not to the tune of the $60,000-$75,000 it costs to kit out the average American home. Guess I’ll have to wait a long, long time. Which is a shame. What a waste of electricity and money. With so many of my own dollars going to my FPL (Florida Power & Light) bills, I wish that it was the electric company buying back excess electricity from my own natural power source. I have been told that this is what happens when homes are powered by the sun and outside light.
Perhaps one day…
Ever since we arrived in south Florida after living with a “dood shemesh” in Israel, we could never figure out why all Floridians didn’t have solar water heating to harness the usual abundant sun and light. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since we bought a house in sunny Florida, but finances kept getting in our way.
After Hurricane Wilma two years ago when we lived without power and hot water for almost a week, I started following the stories in the local media about how the state of Florida was authorizing fantastic tax credits to residents who opted to go solar. I immediately called some of the state licensed solar merchants and signed up for information.
Two years later, we finally did it. After rebate and tax credit it will “only” cost us about $3000. Still more then we can afford, but we can’t afford NOT to go solar. With electric bills already over $400 monthly and two teenagers in the house, it was a no brainer! And next time we have a hurricane (Because we KNOW there will always be a “next time.”) we might not have electricity, but at least I won’t have to heat water on the grill!
For a number of reasons (especially after all last round of hurricanes in 2005), our electric bills started to go sky high and keep jumping in outrageous percentages every year. When the math was laid out in front of us by our new friend John at Advanced Pool Heating (Yes they even do solar heating for pools… not in our lifetime!), we quickly realized that we would immediately be saving money by putting in a solar panel. The savings estimate for our household of five people should be realized with a drop in our electric bills of somewhere between 30-40%.
During this never-ending presidential election year, Americans are being bombarded with many ideas and slogans. Some of the biggest debate and buzz words relate to the environment. “Green” or “Going Green,” are how are lives are supposed to be geared. I now carry canvas shopping bags, recycle most of my plastics, bottles, cans and newspapers. It reminds me of the days when I was always sad to throw those things out, when we lived in Jerusalem and didn’t have any recycling bins. Except of course, for those big ugly plastic bottle return cages found in some parts of our old Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Even our rabbi has given “environmentally friendly” sermons this past year. During Sukkot last year, he told us that we needed to be responsible to our earth and change certain behaviors such as such as replacing our old light bulbs with newer, high efficiency ones.
Now I can only dream of my next big “green” accomplishment…having a complete photovoltaic house! But not to the tune of the $60,000-$75,000 it costs to kit out the average American home. Guess I’ll have to wait a long, long time. Which is a shame. What a waste of electricity and money. With so many of my own dollars going to my FPL (Florida Power & Light) bills, I wish that it was the electric company buying back excess electricity from my own natural power source. I have been told that this is what happens when homes are powered by the sun and outside light.
Perhaps one day…
Monday, October 15, 2007
Why Ann Coulter Loves the Media
Ann Coulter loves the world she lives in. Her life revolves around the media and she has every reason to love the people who work for the media. Why? Because they have always let her say and do anything she wants. And in many cases she uses this opportunity to spew hate and offense to an audience of millions.
Generally speaking, I like hearing varied opinions from different people. And since opinions in this country seem to usually fall in either the conservative or liberal category, those are the pundits whose voices I most hear. I try to give both sides their due time, whether I like or believe in what they are saying, because I like to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas.
For all that I have seen and heard, Ann Coulter seems to be a relatively intelligent woman, but one who often offends people. Kind of like when she attacked 9/11 widows with the offensive words, “I’ve never seen people enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much.”
But Ann Coulter has now sunk to a new low.
Just this past week while being interviewed on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Coulter said that Jews need “to be perfected” and intimated that the American nation would be better off if everyone were Christian.
Donny Deutsch (who is Jewish), pushed her to retract her comments, but Coulter stuck to her guns, trying different ways to say she did not mean to offend, but that Christians have the “fast-track” program and that they consider themselves to be “perfected Jews.”
The following morning on NBC’s Today Show, Deutsch and Today host Meredith Viera discussed the exchange. While Deutsch defended Coulter’s right to appear in the media due to free speech, he did say that we (the media) are creating “these critters.” That until people like Coulter do something controversial, they don’t exist.
Deutsch went on to say that media is playing with “dangerous words in our society.” “There’s no accountability, there’s a glibness that we in the media kind of elevate,” Deutsch said.
Deutsch says he is tired of this glibness, thinks Americans are tired too and will start to tune out people like Coulter, ultimately rendering them obsolete.
But I am not so sure. And this is why Ann Coulter loves the media.
Deutsch says he is tired, but will he invite her again? Possibly. But I wouldn’t like to bet on it.
So how will the public start to tune Coulter out if she continues to appear on all the other numerous television networks? Maybe I’ll turn the TV off the next time I see her, but many others won’t.
Yes, I agree with Deutsch, on the theory behind Coulter’s right to appear. There IS the issue of free speech, but that doesn’t mean people who spew hateful rhetoric need to be given a public platform. They CAN talk. Just let them find their own private soapbox from which to rant.
The media should have learned its lesson with Don Imus, but it didn’t. Yes, the well-known radio shock-jock was fired from his CBS job last April after on-air racist and sexist comments about the Rutger’s University women’s basketball team. He was essentially persona non grata for many months. But guess what? I just read that he will be returning to the airwaves in December on WABC in New York.
Punishment over. Slap on the wrist. Welcome back!
Ann Coulter SHOULD love the media for they are her bread and butter. She is a savvy woman who knows her rights. Many other hateful people also know their rights too. Free speech is one thing, but how we respond to these kinds of free speech may need some further discussion.
I once heard a former NBC boss of mine describe the media’s responsibility as being akin to being a consumer advocate. The media is supposed to provide us with a service, give us information. True, it may not always give us what is accurate, happy or nice. We can sometimes almost forgive some of these transgressions. But as media consumers, we do have a right to expect our media providers to not reward hate with golden contracts or return appearances.
Maybe the time has come for political correctness to take a back seat to the correctness of defending what is right for our fellow man
Generally speaking, I like hearing varied opinions from different people. And since opinions in this country seem to usually fall in either the conservative or liberal category, those are the pundits whose voices I most hear. I try to give both sides their due time, whether I like or believe in what they are saying, because I like to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas.
For all that I have seen and heard, Ann Coulter seems to be a relatively intelligent woman, but one who often offends people. Kind of like when she attacked 9/11 widows with the offensive words, “I’ve never seen people enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much.”
But Ann Coulter has now sunk to a new low.
Just this past week while being interviewed on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Coulter said that Jews need “to be perfected” and intimated that the American nation would be better off if everyone were Christian.
Donny Deutsch (who is Jewish), pushed her to retract her comments, but Coulter stuck to her guns, trying different ways to say she did not mean to offend, but that Christians have the “fast-track” program and that they consider themselves to be “perfected Jews.”
The following morning on NBC’s Today Show, Deutsch and Today host Meredith Viera discussed the exchange. While Deutsch defended Coulter’s right to appear in the media due to free speech, he did say that we (the media) are creating “these critters.” That until people like Coulter do something controversial, they don’t exist.
Deutsch went on to say that media is playing with “dangerous words in our society.” “There’s no accountability, there’s a glibness that we in the media kind of elevate,” Deutsch said.
Deutsch says he is tired of this glibness, thinks Americans are tired too and will start to tune out people like Coulter, ultimately rendering them obsolete.
But I am not so sure. And this is why Ann Coulter loves the media.
Deutsch says he is tired, but will he invite her again? Possibly. But I wouldn’t like to bet on it.
So how will the public start to tune Coulter out if she continues to appear on all the other numerous television networks? Maybe I’ll turn the TV off the next time I see her, but many others won’t.
Yes, I agree with Deutsch, on the theory behind Coulter’s right to appear. There IS the issue of free speech, but that doesn’t mean people who spew hateful rhetoric need to be given a public platform. They CAN talk. Just let them find their own private soapbox from which to rant.
The media should have learned its lesson with Don Imus, but it didn’t. Yes, the well-known radio shock-jock was fired from his CBS job last April after on-air racist and sexist comments about the Rutger’s University women’s basketball team. He was essentially persona non grata for many months. But guess what? I just read that he will be returning to the airwaves in December on WABC in New York.
Punishment over. Slap on the wrist. Welcome back!
Ann Coulter SHOULD love the media for they are her bread and butter. She is a savvy woman who knows her rights. Many other hateful people also know their rights too. Free speech is one thing, but how we respond to these kinds of free speech may need some further discussion.
I once heard a former NBC boss of mine describe the media’s responsibility as being akin to being a consumer advocate. The media is supposed to provide us with a service, give us information. True, it may not always give us what is accurate, happy or nice. We can sometimes almost forgive some of these transgressions. But as media consumers, we do have a right to expect our media providers to not reward hate with golden contracts or return appearances.
Maybe the time has come for political correctness to take a back seat to the correctness of defending what is right for our fellow man
Friday, September 07, 2007
Tie-dyed Tallits in Paradise
We have just finished celebrating our son Arik's bar mitzva. Family and friends from the US, England and France joined us for what was a joyous, wonderful celebration.
Shabbat morning in shul was not only happy, but colorful. Arik was hard to miss as he stood up on the bima, leading us in the morning prayers wearing his brand new tallit, beautifully tie-dyed in shades of blue, purple and green. He was joined in joyful bursts of color by my husband, Charles, our rabbi and several other friends and family members also wearing their own tie-dye tallits, as well as the handful of Ethiopian or other bright prayer shawls.
Unusual or arty prayer items are nothing new in this day and age. But for some of us they have helped to create or add different meaning to what sometimes felt like formal, mundane ritual.
When Charles was growing up in England, traditional shul-wear was nothing less then being completely "suited up." In his first three weeks on the WUJS program in Israel, he adopted Israeli informality by first "dressing down" with a sports jacket. Then he lost the jacket, then the tie and the long-sleeved shirt. By the time a few years had passed, he was usually seen in shul in sandals, shirt and trousers - and, if it was a real scorcher, shorts. Aside from the shorts, he was really no different from most Israeli shul-goers, with the exception of those in the haredi communities.
In our last few years in Israel, Charles also began sporting more vibrant, tropical-colored shirts as well. And he was not alone in our community.
WHEN WE moved to Florida, we were hit full in the face again with the traditional formality of suits, jackets, stockings, etc. We were quick to notice that with this formal dress often came a less animated and less spiritual atmosphere. Almost as if the ties on the men were choking any spiritual joy out of their bodies.
So we maintained our casual Israeli approach to dress in our new American community. Given that in America he was wearing more formal weekday work clothes, Charles felt the need to distinguish even more between the Sabbath and the workday and continued wearing bright, colorful button-down shirts to shul.
And then came the tie-dyed tallit - after taking eight long years to finally fulfill the dream of finding someone who could actually create one!
Even though we have caused the occasional hard-line discussion at a board meeting, or received annoyed glances from some older members, for the most part we have been pleased to see a mellower attitude begin to grow over time. It didn't take long for some of the people who originally judged my husband by the colors on his shirt or tallit to realize that this same "bright" person showed up in shul every week, is actively involved, and was actually one of the more knowledgeable participants in the congregation.
Never judge a book by its cover… or, in this case, tie-dyed tallit! Because when it comes down to it, does how we dress affect our devotion to family, community or our religion?
Silly question. Of course it doesn't, or shouldn't.
But do others still think this is an important part of who we are, or who we should be?
For many people, the answer is unfortunately yes.
ONE OF my least favorite times in the Jewish calendar is attending services in America for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Not only do the once-a-year-goers invade, they are all dressed to the nines, with hair and nails freshly done, as if it were a fashion show. I breathe a sigh of relief once Succot rolls around and the regulars are back in place without the showy parade passing me by.
When it comes to modes of business attire, appropriate dress for school-age children and their teachers, there are certain standards that have been set over time. But what about appropriate clothing for houses of worship?
Especially on the American bar/bat mitzva circuit, too many of us have seen teenagers attend services in (non-Orthodox) synagogues wearing mini-skirts and tank tops. I don't think many people would disagree that such clothing is not appropriate for a religious service.
But does "appropriate" attire only mean suits, jackets, button-down shirts, ties, stockings, and so on? Does it say anywhere in the Torah that prayer should not be a happy and perhaps "colorful" experience?
Should formality for formality's sake be the norm if it turns what should be a joyous celebration into a rigid, staged event? The Maurice household votes no.
And after celebrating another wonderful, fun and meaningful religious experience, we hope that others will consider adding a bit of "color" to their own religious experiences.
Shabbat morning in shul was not only happy, but colorful. Arik was hard to miss as he stood up on the bima, leading us in the morning prayers wearing his brand new tallit, beautifully tie-dyed in shades of blue, purple and green. He was joined in joyful bursts of color by my husband, Charles, our rabbi and several other friends and family members also wearing their own tie-dye tallits, as well as the handful of Ethiopian or other bright prayer shawls.
Unusual or arty prayer items are nothing new in this day and age. But for some of us they have helped to create or add different meaning to what sometimes felt like formal, mundane ritual.
When Charles was growing up in England, traditional shul-wear was nothing less then being completely "suited up." In his first three weeks on the WUJS program in Israel, he adopted Israeli informality by first "dressing down" with a sports jacket. Then he lost the jacket, then the tie and the long-sleeved shirt. By the time a few years had passed, he was usually seen in shul in sandals, shirt and trousers - and, if it was a real scorcher, shorts. Aside from the shorts, he was really no different from most Israeli shul-goers, with the exception of those in the haredi communities.
In our last few years in Israel, Charles also began sporting more vibrant, tropical-colored shirts as well. And he was not alone in our community.
WHEN WE moved to Florida, we were hit full in the face again with the traditional formality of suits, jackets, stockings, etc. We were quick to notice that with this formal dress often came a less animated and less spiritual atmosphere. Almost as if the ties on the men were choking any spiritual joy out of their bodies.
So we maintained our casual Israeli approach to dress in our new American community. Given that in America he was wearing more formal weekday work clothes, Charles felt the need to distinguish even more between the Sabbath and the workday and continued wearing bright, colorful button-down shirts to shul.
And then came the tie-dyed tallit - after taking eight long years to finally fulfill the dream of finding someone who could actually create one!
Even though we have caused the occasional hard-line discussion at a board meeting, or received annoyed glances from some older members, for the most part we have been pleased to see a mellower attitude begin to grow over time. It didn't take long for some of the people who originally judged my husband by the colors on his shirt or tallit to realize that this same "bright" person showed up in shul every week, is actively involved, and was actually one of the more knowledgeable participants in the congregation.
Never judge a book by its cover… or, in this case, tie-dyed tallit! Because when it comes down to it, does how we dress affect our devotion to family, community or our religion?
Silly question. Of course it doesn't, or shouldn't.
But do others still think this is an important part of who we are, or who we should be?
For many people, the answer is unfortunately yes.
ONE OF my least favorite times in the Jewish calendar is attending services in America for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Not only do the once-a-year-goers invade, they are all dressed to the nines, with hair and nails freshly done, as if it were a fashion show. I breathe a sigh of relief once Succot rolls around and the regulars are back in place without the showy parade passing me by.
When it comes to modes of business attire, appropriate dress for school-age children and their teachers, there are certain standards that have been set over time. But what about appropriate clothing for houses of worship?
Especially on the American bar/bat mitzva circuit, too many of us have seen teenagers attend services in (non-Orthodox) synagogues wearing mini-skirts and tank tops. I don't think many people would disagree that such clothing is not appropriate for a religious service.
But does "appropriate" attire only mean suits, jackets, button-down shirts, ties, stockings, and so on? Does it say anywhere in the Torah that prayer should not be a happy and perhaps "colorful" experience?
Should formality for formality's sake be the norm if it turns what should be a joyous celebration into a rigid, staged event? The Maurice household votes no.
And after celebrating another wonderful, fun and meaningful religious experience, we hope that others will consider adding a bit of "color" to their own religious experiences.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Theatre of the Absurd - The War Over Jewish Education
There is a war raging in the usually quiet south Florida community that I live in. A war over education and it has Jews facing off against Jews.
A new charter school is opening this academic year in our neck of the woods, the Ben Gamla Charter School, touted as being the first Hebrew language charter school in the United States. Since then the controversy over the school’s opening has risen to a boiling point, with the quest to keep Ben Gamla’s doors shut mostly led by members of the Jewish community itself.
What I find completely flabbergasting, is that for all the accusations of possible Church vs. State infractions flying around, you would think that Ben Gamla was the first of its kind to ever appear in this country.
It’s not. A few quick examples…
Most recently, The Jerusalem Post published its ongoing installment of “The Road to the White House” series. In it, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico pointed out that his state has a public school opening under the auspices of a Catholic church. Is the Christian community up in arms over that school? I would hazard a guess they are not.
I also just saw a piece on morning TV about a new town being built in western Florida called “Ave Maria.” Literally, built around a cathedral-like chapel as it’s centerpiece. Like medieval times. The report even included how suggestions were being made to pharmacy owners to refrain from selling birth control, so as not to offend the community.
Aside from a Catholic university being built in Ave Maria, other schooling was not mentioned. A bit more research revealed that private religious grade school education was going to be available in the town and public schools are also being planned. The TV piece showed pictures of happy families unpacking and sound bites from mothers saying how happy they were to have nice Christian neighbors and the great possibility of a good catholic education for their children. Ya think those public schools will be 100% secular? Give me a break!
For the record, the ACLU is already all over this one (as well as on top of Ben Gamla).
Now, the Ben Gamla people swear up and down that there will be no religion infused into their curriculum. I believe them.
But I suppose the real question is, even if there was some religious content, in this day and age, with the massive failings of the public school system in the U.S., would it be so horrible to add some spiritual values? Even if there was a sliver of religious tinting, who cares? Would it really be so bad?
Florida schools are notoriously lacking in quality education. I can’t help wonder why any caring Jewish person would deny kids a chance to get some Hebrew/Jewish cultural education and potentially raise the standard of public school education?
With examples of other religious communities setting up or backing “cultural” charter schools without much fuss, why can’t the Jewish community back one as well?
The whole situation saddens and sickens me. What does this say about us, the Jewish community? That there are those of us who would deny any snippet of Jewish education to children who can’t afford the full blown day school route?
I have publicly stated that I support a solution for the problem of Universal Jewish Education. Without one in the offing, Ben Gamla is the only game in town.
What strikes me as the obvious question is why the Jewish Federation and others are wasting so much time trying to bring down Ben Gamla when they should be using its presence as the catalyst to focus efforts towards creating a solution. THIS should be their golden opportunity. Solve the day school dilemma and finally give us a REAL affordable option. You can bet that many of those Ben Gamla parents would be interested. Many do want the religious component, they just can’t afford it.
But no, instead community leaders have been plastered all over the local media, doing their best to stop Ben Gamla.
The Broward County school board has given what is hopefully the final OK for the school to proceed with the coming school year. Under watchful, regular monitoring, of course.
So guys, give it a rest. It appears that the school WILL exist and might even be successful. If your vision of day school education means anything to you at all, get moving towards a solution before the Jewish elite are the only ones stepping through the doors of your schools! You might get your business back.
I consulted with my rabbi. He informed me that while in his former Wisconsin pulpit, he was regularly sought after to teach bible classes in the public school system. And that one of the most successful public schools in his district was a public school, segregated on purpose, run by Baptist educators. No one complained because amidst the other horrendous failing public schools, this school exuded pride and quality education.
Rabbi Goldenholz summed it up better then I ever could.
“It is an oddity to have the Jewish community trying to convince the non-Jewish community that they are being too lenient with the Jews. It is a theatre of the absurd,” he said.
My husband says that should give this subject a rest before I get an ulcer. But I am drawn back to this “theatre of the absurd” over and over, trying to make sense of it and waiting for the final, happier last scene in the play.
A new charter school is opening this academic year in our neck of the woods, the Ben Gamla Charter School, touted as being the first Hebrew language charter school in the United States. Since then the controversy over the school’s opening has risen to a boiling point, with the quest to keep Ben Gamla’s doors shut mostly led by members of the Jewish community itself.
What I find completely flabbergasting, is that for all the accusations of possible Church vs. State infractions flying around, you would think that Ben Gamla was the first of its kind to ever appear in this country.
It’s not. A few quick examples…
Most recently, The Jerusalem Post published its ongoing installment of “The Road to the White House” series. In it, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico pointed out that his state has a public school opening under the auspices of a Catholic church. Is the Christian community up in arms over that school? I would hazard a guess they are not.
I also just saw a piece on morning TV about a new town being built in western Florida called “Ave Maria.” Literally, built around a cathedral-like chapel as it’s centerpiece. Like medieval times. The report even included how suggestions were being made to pharmacy owners to refrain from selling birth control, so as not to offend the community.
Aside from a Catholic university being built in Ave Maria, other schooling was not mentioned. A bit more research revealed that private religious grade school education was going to be available in the town and public schools are also being planned. The TV piece showed pictures of happy families unpacking and sound bites from mothers saying how happy they were to have nice Christian neighbors and the great possibility of a good catholic education for their children. Ya think those public schools will be 100% secular? Give me a break!
For the record, the ACLU is already all over this one (as well as on top of Ben Gamla).
Now, the Ben Gamla people swear up and down that there will be no religion infused into their curriculum. I believe them.
But I suppose the real question is, even if there was some religious content, in this day and age, with the massive failings of the public school system in the U.S., would it be so horrible to add some spiritual values? Even if there was a sliver of religious tinting, who cares? Would it really be so bad?
Florida schools are notoriously lacking in quality education. I can’t help wonder why any caring Jewish person would deny kids a chance to get some Hebrew/Jewish cultural education and potentially raise the standard of public school education?
With examples of other religious communities setting up or backing “cultural” charter schools without much fuss, why can’t the Jewish community back one as well?
The whole situation saddens and sickens me. What does this say about us, the Jewish community? That there are those of us who would deny any snippet of Jewish education to children who can’t afford the full blown day school route?
I have publicly stated that I support a solution for the problem of Universal Jewish Education. Without one in the offing, Ben Gamla is the only game in town.
What strikes me as the obvious question is why the Jewish Federation and others are wasting so much time trying to bring down Ben Gamla when they should be using its presence as the catalyst to focus efforts towards creating a solution. THIS should be their golden opportunity. Solve the day school dilemma and finally give us a REAL affordable option. You can bet that many of those Ben Gamla parents would be interested. Many do want the religious component, they just can’t afford it.
But no, instead community leaders have been plastered all over the local media, doing their best to stop Ben Gamla.
The Broward County school board has given what is hopefully the final OK for the school to proceed with the coming school year. Under watchful, regular monitoring, of course.
So guys, give it a rest. It appears that the school WILL exist and might even be successful. If your vision of day school education means anything to you at all, get moving towards a solution before the Jewish elite are the only ones stepping through the doors of your schools! You might get your business back.
I consulted with my rabbi. He informed me that while in his former Wisconsin pulpit, he was regularly sought after to teach bible classes in the public school system. And that one of the most successful public schools in his district was a public school, segregated on purpose, run by Baptist educators. No one complained because amidst the other horrendous failing public schools, this school exuded pride and quality education.
Rabbi Goldenholz summed it up better then I ever could.
“It is an oddity to have the Jewish community trying to convince the non-Jewish community that they are being too lenient with the Jews. It is a theatre of the absurd,” he said.
My husband says that should give this subject a rest before I get an ulcer. But I am drawn back to this “theatre of the absurd” over and over, trying to make sense of it and waiting for the final, happier last scene in the play.
Monday, July 09, 2007
The Land of Crocs and Honey
My family has just returned from a few weeks' visit to Israel. We had a wonderful time seeing friends, taking the children to places they had never been to before, shopping and running a few errands.
All in all, we were happy to "be home" again after a two-year gap. We try to get back to visit as often as possible. Or, I should say, as often as my husband, Charles, racks up enough business travel miles affording us the ability to visit.
As we traipsed around the country taking in the sights, we of course listened to the news. I followed the situation in Gaza, the first Katyusha attack on Kiryat Shmona in a year, and the presidential sex scandal that nauseated me with its implications for women's rights and status in the country.
ON THE more positive side, I was struck by the plethora of large building cranes almost everywhere we went, especially in Jerusalem, where we were staying in a friend's apartment. Central Jerusalem seems to have very few green spaces left, and since the city can't build sideways it is building upwards - on top of old existing buildings, anywhere it seems can be extended toward the sky.
Building boom and sex scandals aside, I think one of my weirdest lasting impressions of this visit will be the mind game I played with the latest Israeli fashion craze: Crocs.
During our last visit two years ago, I don't think I saw even one pair of Crocs, anywhere. I don't know exactly when this latest craze started, but it certainly is the biggest trend now.
Everywhere I looked there were racks and racks of Crocs for sale in stores. And practically everywhere I looked they were on the feet of Israelis, of all different shapes and sizes.
Expensive too. In the States one pays about $30 for a pair. In Israel the going rate seems to be about $50.
Now, I must admit that we do wear the big, ugly, comfortable rubber shoes in my family. Everyone has them except for my eldest, teenage daughter who thinks they are hideous. But they kind of make more sense for Florida, where we wear them on boats to go fishing and when we need quick-drying waterproof shoes with traction for managing the inches of water that can suddenly pour from the heavens at a moments notice.
And so we have a tradition: Almost the very first second after we arrive in Israel, I take my kids to get their new Israeli sandals. Good old Naots or Nimrods. And I usually get great end-of-season deals in June at the mall.
BUT MY children seemed to be in the minority this year. It was actually kind of hard to find the average Israeli child wearing "regular" sandals. I got nostalgic when I finally spotted one girl wearing old-fashioned leather, strappy sandals.
So I began to play a bit of a game called "Spot-the-Crocs." It was kind of fun trying to spy the most eclectic combination of person and shoe.
There was the trendy Ethiopian girl with purple Crocs.
The young, swarthy man near the main Jerusalem bus station with blue ones.
Modern Orthodox woman with red.
The tiny girl with the tiny pink Crocs.
But there was one combination in particular that I thought won the prize.
When I took the kids to the Western Wall, we brought along the accumulated tzedaka (charity collection) from my youngest daughter's Hebrew class. We tried to distribute it evenly, some going to the permanent boxes for the upkeep of the Kotel, the rest to the various old women and men milling around asking for charity and giving out red strings.
In the women's section we found a kindly looking, elderly religious lady. When we gave her a few dollars she beckoned us closer and asked us to bow our heads to receive a blessing. As she blessed us I looked down at the ground. And on her feet were a pair of beige Crocs.
On the way back to the States, we stopped for a quick visit with family in London. In the Heathrow departure lounge, waiting for our plane back to Miami, I walked past a young girl wearing bright orange Crocs and munching on a bag of Bissli. Seeing her gave me a nice warm feeling. A reminder of home, in Israel.
All in all, we were happy to "be home" again after a two-year gap. We try to get back to visit as often as possible. Or, I should say, as often as my husband, Charles, racks up enough business travel miles affording us the ability to visit.
As we traipsed around the country taking in the sights, we of course listened to the news. I followed the situation in Gaza, the first Katyusha attack on Kiryat Shmona in a year, and the presidential sex scandal that nauseated me with its implications for women's rights and status in the country.
ON THE more positive side, I was struck by the plethora of large building cranes almost everywhere we went, especially in Jerusalem, where we were staying in a friend's apartment. Central Jerusalem seems to have very few green spaces left, and since the city can't build sideways it is building upwards - on top of old existing buildings, anywhere it seems can be extended toward the sky.
Building boom and sex scandals aside, I think one of my weirdest lasting impressions of this visit will be the mind game I played with the latest Israeli fashion craze: Crocs.
During our last visit two years ago, I don't think I saw even one pair of Crocs, anywhere. I don't know exactly when this latest craze started, but it certainly is the biggest trend now.
Everywhere I looked there were racks and racks of Crocs for sale in stores. And practically everywhere I looked they were on the feet of Israelis, of all different shapes and sizes.
Expensive too. In the States one pays about $30 for a pair. In Israel the going rate seems to be about $50.
Now, I must admit that we do wear the big, ugly, comfortable rubber shoes in my family. Everyone has them except for my eldest, teenage daughter who thinks they are hideous. But they kind of make more sense for Florida, where we wear them on boats to go fishing and when we need quick-drying waterproof shoes with traction for managing the inches of water that can suddenly pour from the heavens at a moments notice.
And so we have a tradition: Almost the very first second after we arrive in Israel, I take my kids to get their new Israeli sandals. Good old Naots or Nimrods. And I usually get great end-of-season deals in June at the mall.
BUT MY children seemed to be in the minority this year. It was actually kind of hard to find the average Israeli child wearing "regular" sandals. I got nostalgic when I finally spotted one girl wearing old-fashioned leather, strappy sandals.
So I began to play a bit of a game called "Spot-the-Crocs." It was kind of fun trying to spy the most eclectic combination of person and shoe.
There was the trendy Ethiopian girl with purple Crocs.
The young, swarthy man near the main Jerusalem bus station with blue ones.
Modern Orthodox woman with red.
The tiny girl with the tiny pink Crocs.
But there was one combination in particular that I thought won the prize.
When I took the kids to the Western Wall, we brought along the accumulated tzedaka (charity collection) from my youngest daughter's Hebrew class. We tried to distribute it evenly, some going to the permanent boxes for the upkeep of the Kotel, the rest to the various old women and men milling around asking for charity and giving out red strings.
In the women's section we found a kindly looking, elderly religious lady. When we gave her a few dollars she beckoned us closer and asked us to bow our heads to receive a blessing. As she blessed us I looked down at the ground. And on her feet were a pair of beige Crocs.
On the way back to the States, we stopped for a quick visit with family in London. In the Heathrow departure lounge, waiting for our plane back to Miami, I walked past a young girl wearing bright orange Crocs and munching on a bag of Bissli. Seeing her gave me a nice warm feeling. A reminder of home, in Israel.
The New Face of Jewish Education
Some friends of mine lost their jobs recently. They were not only friends, but a few of them have also been my children's teachers. Good people, wonderful teachers who helped impart important Jewish and secular values at our Hebrew day school.
As far as I am aware, no one lost their job due to incompetence or other negative reasons. What I have been told is that the school is facing a drop in enrollment, and therefore budgetary concerns are forcing cuts across the board.
I don't need to ask for an explanation about why my children's school is facing an enrollment decrease. I know.
For many, the main reason is the yearly, growing cost of a Jewish day school education. Some American Jewish communities have raised money for endowments or reduced tuition programs where families pay reasonable percentages of their income toward Jewish education.
Unfortunately this has, of yet, not happened in our area of Florida.
The cost of our son's kindergarten tuition at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School in August 2000 was around $6,000.
Parents of incoming kindergartners this coming fall will pay nearly double that amount. Add several other children into the picture and many families sadly opt out of such an expensive educational scenario. Sometimes they make an almost equally difficult decision and have to choose which of their children they can afford to send, and which they cannot.
There are many Jewish families in south Florida with broken hearts. Our local Jewish community and Federation are failing in what should be their mission to help raise money to support Jewish day school education.
TO GIVE THEM a bit of credit, I know that their failure isn't completely due to lack of effort. They try, but a lot of the blame falls on the community who just don't give.
I have debated this problem with knowledgeable friends, who say that the giving mentality has deteriorated with younger Jewish generations. Those that could afford to help, just don't give like their parents once did. There are of course caring Jewish souls who open their wallets and hearts, but they are obviously in the minority.
Another reason students are being pulled not only out of our day school, but also other local schools, is because of a new public charter school, slated to open in August, which is being touted as "America's First English-Hebrew Charter School."
On the Ben Gamla Charter School (BGCS) Web site, the school is described as intending to "provide a strong academic program in a warm and nurturing environment. In addition to the traditional curriculum of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, BGCS will provide specials classes in physical education, Hebrew language, art and music."
For free.
And guess what? Since opening their enrollment in mid-May, the response has been overwhelming. Eight hundred people have attempted to register their children. For its first year in existence Ben Gamla was supposed to be kindergarten through third grade. Now they are trying to extend through eighth grade. Existing day schools certainly have a right to be nervous.
An American public school education is required to have a distinct separation of church and state. While BGCS is touting itself as a secular entity, teaching Hebrew as well as Jewish history and culture, the school claims it will not include religious studies. In deference to its status as a public school, Torah and prayer will not be taught, but students will supposedly be allowed to form their own minyans.
DEBATE IS RAGING in our community and over charter schools in general. Among those I have talked to, opinion is divided.
On the pro side, many people think that it is wonderful for some sort of free, Jewish education to be provided. I compare it to the state education system in Israel.
On the con side, people worry that this will set the stage for extremists from all religious spectrums to set up institutions with potential radical elements taught in the guise of a public school entity.
Some say that such things are already are in existence, so why debate? Why shouldn't Jewish kids get some sort of free Hebrew (whisper "Jewish") education?
I understand that a meeting recently took place that included heads of local (and competing) day schools, yeshivas, Jewish federation bigwigs and other community leaders. Presumably they debated their own futures in light of this new charter school. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that room.
If Ben Gamla turns out to be successful, then the American Jewish community has no right to complain. On the contrary, concerned American Jews should feel ashamed that they never came up with a viable solution first, offering an affordable educational option to anyone interested.
I, for one, say kol hakavod to the Ben Gamla people. And I will be watching carefully to see if it might be an option for my own children. I am certainly not sure if it is the ideal answer to the problem of Universal Jewish Education. But at least it might be an answer. And for right now, the only answer.
As far as I am aware, no one lost their job due to incompetence or other negative reasons. What I have been told is that the school is facing a drop in enrollment, and therefore budgetary concerns are forcing cuts across the board.
I don't need to ask for an explanation about why my children's school is facing an enrollment decrease. I know.
For many, the main reason is the yearly, growing cost of a Jewish day school education. Some American Jewish communities have raised money for endowments or reduced tuition programs where families pay reasonable percentages of their income toward Jewish education.
Unfortunately this has, of yet, not happened in our area of Florida.
The cost of our son's kindergarten tuition at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School in August 2000 was around $6,000.
Parents of incoming kindergartners this coming fall will pay nearly double that amount. Add several other children into the picture and many families sadly opt out of such an expensive educational scenario. Sometimes they make an almost equally difficult decision and have to choose which of their children they can afford to send, and which they cannot.
There are many Jewish families in south Florida with broken hearts. Our local Jewish community and Federation are failing in what should be their mission to help raise money to support Jewish day school education.
TO GIVE THEM a bit of credit, I know that their failure isn't completely due to lack of effort. They try, but a lot of the blame falls on the community who just don't give.
I have debated this problem with knowledgeable friends, who say that the giving mentality has deteriorated with younger Jewish generations. Those that could afford to help, just don't give like their parents once did. There are of course caring Jewish souls who open their wallets and hearts, but they are obviously in the minority.
Another reason students are being pulled not only out of our day school, but also other local schools, is because of a new public charter school, slated to open in August, which is being touted as "America's First English-Hebrew Charter School."
On the Ben Gamla Charter School (BGCS) Web site, the school is described as intending to "provide a strong academic program in a warm and nurturing environment. In addition to the traditional curriculum of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, BGCS will provide specials classes in physical education, Hebrew language, art and music."
For free.
And guess what? Since opening their enrollment in mid-May, the response has been overwhelming. Eight hundred people have attempted to register their children. For its first year in existence Ben Gamla was supposed to be kindergarten through third grade. Now they are trying to extend through eighth grade. Existing day schools certainly have a right to be nervous.
An American public school education is required to have a distinct separation of church and state. While BGCS is touting itself as a secular entity, teaching Hebrew as well as Jewish history and culture, the school claims it will not include religious studies. In deference to its status as a public school, Torah and prayer will not be taught, but students will supposedly be allowed to form their own minyans.
DEBATE IS RAGING in our community and over charter schools in general. Among those I have talked to, opinion is divided.
On the pro side, many people think that it is wonderful for some sort of free, Jewish education to be provided. I compare it to the state education system in Israel.
On the con side, people worry that this will set the stage for extremists from all religious spectrums to set up institutions with potential radical elements taught in the guise of a public school entity.
Some say that such things are already are in existence, so why debate? Why shouldn't Jewish kids get some sort of free Hebrew (whisper "Jewish") education?
I understand that a meeting recently took place that included heads of local (and competing) day schools, yeshivas, Jewish federation bigwigs and other community leaders. Presumably they debated their own futures in light of this new charter school. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that room.
If Ben Gamla turns out to be successful, then the American Jewish community has no right to complain. On the contrary, concerned American Jews should feel ashamed that they never came up with a viable solution first, offering an affordable educational option to anyone interested.
I, for one, say kol hakavod to the Ben Gamla people. And I will be watching carefully to see if it might be an option for my own children. I am certainly not sure if it is the ideal answer to the problem of Universal Jewish Education. But at least it might be an answer. And for right now, the only answer.
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