It's cold out there ....

While many of us have enough food, a safe place to live and are fortunate enough to be able to stay inside when the temperatures drop below freezing, this is certainly not the case for everyone in New Hampshire. While here in the Granite State there are a range of government agencies, non-profit organizations and others who do their best to assist those in need, that need is great.

I am proud to be able to say that the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire is among that group, providing what limited financial aide we can to those who have fallen on hard times, and are looking for a little help putting food on the table or finding a warm coat to get them through the frigid New England winter.

For some people, these small gestures of aid are enough to get them through a rough spot while they work on finding a job or securing housing, while for others we do our best to connect them with agencies better equipped to provide the support they may need in confronting chronic issues relating to homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, family strife or health issues. In each case, JFNH does it's best to help people however we can, but we know that whatever assistance we do provide, that there are many more people out there who are in need.

As I sit and write this blog post the air outside is frigid once again, and I'm fairly certain that from Portsmouth to Coos County to Keene to Nashua, there are individuals and families worrying about where they will sleep tonight and desperate to figure out their next move. With this in mind I would suggest that the next time you need a new winter coat or are thinking of getting rid of furniture, or maybe volunteering somewhere to help those in need, that you consider one of the many great organizations in Manchester and beyond which help to feed the hungry and provide them with the things that are so simple, yet so important, for everyday life, such as a warm meal or a pair of mittens.

Jewish tradition teaches us that it is incumbent upon us to engage in both Tzedakah (Charity) and Chesed (acts of kindness). When we give something of ourselves, we are not only embodying these Jewish principles, but reaffirming our commitment to democracy and our participation in civil society. As our great sage and teacher Hillel once proclaimed, ""If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?" 

On cold winter days like today, these words resonate with me, reminding me that that however we choose to engage in Tzedakah or Chesed, that with each act, in some small way, we are making the world a better place and fulfilling Hillel's dictum.  I hope they will resonate with you too.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2014.

A statement from JFNA on the death of former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon

Some of you may already be aware that former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel 

Sharon passed away during Shabbat. In light of the death of this historic

figure and jewish leader, I wanted to  I wanted to share the following 

statement issued by the Jewish Federations of North America. -Daniel E. Levenson

_________________________________________________________________

The Jewish Federations of North America mourn the death of Israel's former Prime
Minister, Ariel Sharon, who passed away today at the age of 85 following medical
complications.

JFNA Board of Trustees Chair Michael Siegal and JFNA President and CEO Jerry
Silverman issued a joint statement lamenting Sharon's passing. "Today, Jewish
Federations mourn the loss of a great Israeli leader. Ariel Sharon was a highly
regarded military leader, but he was also a peacemaker. One of the country's most
daring and celebrated generals, he was also a man who was able to take bold steps

in the hopes of achieving peace.

"Sharon worked his entire life for the unity of the Jewish People. He was closely
connected with Jewish communities around the world, and acutely aware of their needs
and aspirations. In all his leadership roles, and especially as prime minister of
the Jewish state, Sharon engaged with Jewish communities across the Diaspora. 

He was a regular speaker at Jewish Federation events and is warmly remembered for

 welcoming countless Federation groups to his private home in the Negev.

"Today it is not only the State of Israel that has lost one of its most celebrated
figures, but the Jewish people as a whole. Arik Sharon was not just the prime
minister of the Jewish state, but a determined and inspirational leader of the
entire Jewish world. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his sons Omri and Gilad, 

to the entire Sharon family, and to all the people of Israel."

Jewish Federation leadership is sending official condolences to the Sharon family
and to the Israeli government, and will be represented at the late prime minister's
funeral.

For the sake of peace, a bi-partisan effort in the US Senate

A current survey of the state of affairs in most of the Middle East would likely produce some fairly dismal results - aside from the tiny island of democracy and innovation represented by Israel, it's not hard to see that conflict is the norm. From the open, brutal civil war raging in Syria to the bloody chaos gripping Iraq once again, to quieter, more shadowy conflicts between warring Sunni and Shia factions, there is no shortage of danger and disruption. Amid all of these headline-grabbing battles, though,  looms another threat to Israel, the United States and regional stability, and that threat is the one posed by a nuclear Iran.

Although I would personally be thrilled beyond words if the Iranian regime actually gave up their entire nuclear program of their own accord, this seems like an incredibly remote possibility at present. In my mind, diplomacy and sanctions are the key to convincing Tehran to drop its pursuit nuclear weapons, and one cannot work without the other. I also believe firmly that the issue of Iran (and national security in general) should be truly nonpartisan,  something which is reflected in a recent legislative effort by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New jersey and Republican Senator  Mark Kirk of Illinois. Working across party lines, these two senators have drafted a bill under consideration in the US Senate  which is designed to back with the force of law president Obama's assertion that if a final agreement cannot be reached with Iran, new sanctions would be put in place. The bill has attracted impressive support from senators of both parties, including New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte (as of this writing, Senator Shaheen has not signed on yet).

If you are interested in finding out more about this important legislative effort, I would recommend reading these statements from  The American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League which highlight the important impact this bill could have. There is also a summary of the bill available online from AIPAC, in PDF form and articles from the Washington Post and The New York Times covering the issue.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2013.
 

A new year, and new opportunities to build Jewish life in New Hampshire

Over the past 6 months I've had many wonderful opportunities to visit Jewish communities across the state where I've been lucky enough to share holiday celebrations, Shabbat dinners and informal conversations with many committed community leaders who are clearly dedicated to strengthening Jewish life in the Granite State. In these visits and conversations I have seen firsthand the programming and services they provide to Jews of all ages, providing not only on religious services, but using art, culture, education and history to offer meaningful points of connection to Judiasm.

I have also been delighted to hear some suggestions about ways in which individual communities and the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire can work together, to leverage the resources and connections that JFNH has as a state-wide organization.

With this in mind I wanted to share some news about upcoming  programs planned for the state in 2014, starting off with a program at our offices in Manchester on January 14, when we will welcome  the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College. On the 14th staff from the Center will join us for an evening program called "Meet the Cohen Center,"  which will provide a great opportunity to learn about this unique academic center and the impact their work is having in the fields of genocide studies, Holocaust education and within larger society.

Another program I am very excited about is our annual JFNH New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival, which will be coming to theaters in many cities and towns across New Hampshire this spring. This fun and engaging program is made possible each year by the participation of dedicated volunteers, staff and financial supporters who have a love for film and an interest in exploring Jewish life and history through cinema. With a beautiful opening event planned, lots of great films on the roster and a fun closing event at the end, I would definitely encourage everyone to check out future email from the JFNH office for updates for events and film schedules.

We are also very happy to be partnering again with the Boston Jewish Music Festival, at Temple Beth Abraham in Nashua featuring an evening of Latin and Jewish music with a Visit from Malachei Mambo (The Angels of Mambo) on the evening of March 8. This should be a great evening of music, entertainment and culture for all music lovers.

These are just a few examples of the exciting things that JFNH is bringing to the Jewish community of New Hampshire in 2014, with much more in store. I hope that however you connect to Judaism or the Jewish community, that you will find something that speaks to you in our work, and please be sure to check our website frequently for information on upcoming programs and events.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2014.

Reminders of a sad reality

When I lived in Jerusalem in 2009 I would often walk past restaurants and shops with armed guards posted at the doors. In fact, almost every restaurant I ate in had a guard at the door, which served not only to reassure customers that the proprietor took security seriously, but as a very real mechanism of last resort in the event that a suicide bomber tried to force their way inside.

When I was in Jerusalem this past November I was particularly struck by the general absence of armed guards at the entrances to restaurants and cafés in the city. While in 2009 the vast majority of restaurants in the city had gaurds posted outside, in 2013 the opposite now seemed to be true. When I remarked to friends who live in Jerusalem that this seemed like a significant reversal, they all cited the presence of the security fence and the attendant decrease in attempted bombings, as the reason for this change. I have to admit that although I know they were right, and the number of bombings has been vastly reduced, that it still felt a little strange to sit in a cafe on Emrk Refaim, one of the busiest streets in Jerusalem, with no gaurds sitting out front.

By and large Israel is a very safe country with top notch police and security forces that do a remarkably good job protecting citizens and visitors alike. The fact that restaurant owners in town no longer feel a need to post a guard outside of every establishment is certainly a testament to the dedication and diligence of these professionals. That being said, there were several reminders in the past two weeks that there are those who have nothing in their hearts but contempt for the only democracy in the Middle East, and think nothing of  murdering innocent civilians to express the hatred. Since the middle of December we have seen an Israeli civilian working near Gaza killed by a terrorist sniper, an officer with the border police stabbed, some quick thinking by passengers and a driver who narrowly averted disaster when they discovered a bomb left on a passenger bus and most recently rocket striking both northern and central Israel.

Israel is still an incredibly safe country, one of the few places where I never hesitate to walk somewhere late at night, or to travel by myself. As I read the news about this latest violence, though, I couldn't help but think about the need for the Jewish community to remain aware of the existential danger posed to Israel by its enemies. Israel is not, and never should be, defined solely by the conflict with the Palestinians (or any other group), but until peace is achieved (and I fervently believe such a day cannot come soon enough) we cannot ignore the reality that in the last week alone, terrorists managed to shoot one Israeli, stab another, very nearly blow up a bus filled with passengers and terrorize innocent men, women and children with rockets.

Here in New Hampshire we have many people from across the political spectrum who care about Israel and the conversation can become heated, even when people of goodwill disagree. I would  suggest that during this period when we have had such terrible reminders of the threats still facing Israel, that regardless of where we might stand politically,  that a real and lasting peace is in everyone's best interest. In the meantime perhaps all we can do is hope and pray that Israel's enemies will realize that such attacks will never gain them what they hope to achieve, and that the rockets, bullets and bombs will stop.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2013.

Making the Israel Connection

One of the roles that Jewish Federations and Jewish Community Relations Councils play across the country is to provide a point of connection between elected officials at all levels, and the Jewish community. These are relationships which are important when it comes to making sure that the voice of the Jewish community is heard on a range of topics, including Israel advocacy and matters of social justice. In New Hampshire we are lucky to have many elected officials who are aware of the social justice concerns of our community as well as the level of commitment and interest when it comes to Israel. For these reasons we were delighted to host Congresswoman Ann McClane Kuster (D) at the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire building in Manchester at the end of November.

During her talk Congresswoman Kuster discussed her visit to Israel this past summer and some of the insights she gained during meetings and conversations with government officials, community leaders and average Israelis on the street.  There are many organizations that provide opportunities for elected officials to visit Israel and learn about Israeli society at all levels - personally I think these programs are important not only because they help bolster connections between the US and Israel (the only democracy in the Middle East and a close US ally) but because they offer our leaders a chance to become immersed in Jewish culture and history, something which can only foster greater understanding. It is commendable that Congresswoman Kuster took the time to go to Israel to see firsthand some of the realities, challenges and triumphs that are part of daily life there, and equally as laudable, I would argue, that she took time upon her return to reach out to the Jewish community and share some of her insights.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2013.

Reflecting on the value of Hillel, post Pew

While the results of the Pew survey have been dismaying to those of us who care about the future of Jewish life in America, I firmly believe that all is not lost and that there are certainly things we can do to address the challenges highlighted in the report.  In order to do this we need to bolster foundational programs and institutions to help ensure that future generations will feel connected to Judaism. One area where I firmly believe that our support and attention is likely to pay significant dividends  is on college campuses in the state.

Here in New Hampshire there are many Jewish students attending schools from UNH and Southern New Hampshire University in the east to Dartmouth College in the west. There are also places where people are working to create Jewish community, such as at Keene State College, where I had the pleasure of meeting with two students who are doing just this: building a Jewish community designed to not only meet the needs and interests of current students, but to create something that will be there to welcome future Jewish students as well.

With some financial and faculty support from the college these students have begun to establish a presence on campus and have already held several events, including a sushi Shabbat dinner and a Hanukkah party.  When we spoke I told them that I would share the news of what they are doing with others in the NH Jewish Community and also think about ways that the Federation might be able to offer support and guidance. I think the administration of Keene State should also be applauded for their support of this student initiative, since having visible, vibrant Jewish life on campus benefits not only Jewish students, but all students, providing an opportunity for everyone in the college community to learn about Jewish life, culture and traditions.

Of course when it comes to Hillel I'm not really objective, since when I was a graduate student Harvard Hillel played a vital role in my life, both personally and professionally, providing resources and opportunities to connect with Judaism in new and creative ways, to learn firsthand about Israel and  offering countless lessons in leadership and community building. During my time on the graduate student steering committee at Hillel we had many successes (and some failures) as we worked with the different minyanim, Hillel staff and undergraduates to create programs that we thought would improve Jewish life on campus.

 This was one of the places where I learned about the challenges (and the wonderful rewards) to be found in working within a pluralistic Jewish environment, something which certainly has resonance for me today as I visit different Jewish communities across New Hampshire. Although I would say I grew up with exposure to different ways of being Jewish, it was at Harvard Hillel that I learned to work across denominational lines, working with other Jewish young adults from across  the country who found their own connections to Judaism in diverse and myriad ways. The lessons I learned through my involvement with Hillel have proven invaluable, so the prospect of being able to help college students in New Hampshire enjoy some of the same benefits I got from Hillel is particulary exciting for me, and I am very much looking forward to continuing the dialogue with them.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the towering figure whose name adorns countless Jewish student centers across the US:  Hillel himself. His dictum that we must not only act for ourselves, nor must we delay action, has been a guiding principle in my own life and one that the Jewish people have held dear for centuries. Perhaps as we think about the sobering results of the Pew survey we would do well to think about Hillel, both his call to action, and the modern institution which bears his name. Both represent, each in their own way, important tools we have for ensuring Jewish continuity in New Hampshire and throughout North America.