Ahead of Passover, thoughts on oppression, identity and community

In a little less than two weeks Jews around the world will gather with friends, family and guests to recall a central episode in the Torah and in the history of our people, as we remember the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The holiday of Passover is rich with symbolism, tradition and memory at every level, from the familiar items that we find on the Seder plate each year to the recitation of the 4 questions by the youngest child at the table to that first taste of Matzah and the sinus-clearing rush of horse radish.


There are many important themes that characterize this holiday, most prominently the idea of a journey from slavery and oppression to freedom. This struggle to break free from the heavy hand of Pharaoh is at the heart of the Passover Hagadah, chronicling not only the tyranny of the oppressor but both the timidity and the courage of those who would seek to free themselves. Our teachers thought that this idea was so important that they put it at the center of our observance of the exodus frrom Egypt, for just as it is incumbent upon us to hear the sound of the Shofar each year during the Hgh Holidays, so too must we place ourselves in the sandals of our ancestors and  say that Gd took us our of Egypt.

While I like the idea that Gd took "us" out of Egypt as a way of  asking the Jewish people to identify with our ancestors and the difficult path they trod from Egypt to the Land of Israel (with plenty of souris along the way) I think that we should also see the "us" part as an explicit reminder that community and being in community is intrinsic to Jewish identity and expression. This theme of communal connection runs  throughout   the Haggadah, from Moses's decision (with a little help from the Almighty) to return to Egypt  and the israelites after he flees, to the mass movement of all of the Israelites out of Egypt towward the end of the narrative. And the seder itself is inherently communal - a ritual meal, centered around an ancient narrative with the idea that "all who are hungry should come and eat."

Looking at the Haggadah from this angle I am reminded once again that just as the idea of community was central to the eventual success of Moses and the Israelites escape from bondage in Egypt, we also need community today - not to escape slavery (although there are of course still slaves and people oppressed today) but to continue to thrive and grow as a people, to keep Judaism alive and well in a post-modern world, and to speak out against injustice, unified in our  belief that as a people who escaped oppression together that we have a responsibility to use our collective voice on behalf of others.

Wherever you are celebrating Passover this year, be it in New Hampshire, Israel or elsewhere, I wish everyone a very happy (and meaningful) holiday.

Jewish life on the big screen - coming to New Hampshire this March

One of the things I soon learned when I became director of JFNH was that the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is a much-loved program that draws audiences across the state, from Keene to Portsmouth. With a dedicated cadre of volunteers and experienced co-chairs, the festival has grown to become a signature of JFNH. In truth, I'm not surprised that this initiative has proven so popular - in the last century film has been a marvelous medium for telling all kinds of Jewish stories, from the comic and joyful to those tinged with darkness or sorrow. This year our tireless film festival screening committee has chosen a slate of films which reflects the diversity and range of Jewish experience, and I for one can't wait to join audiences across New Hampshire to enjoy these great movies.

When I think about Jewish films which have influenced me in my own life there are a number of movies which come to mind, including a classic of Italian cinema, The Garden of the Finzi Continis, based on the book of the same name. I first encountered this film when I was the Director of Public Affairs at the Israeli Consulate in Boston, and was involved in the planning of the annual Italian Holocaust Memorial Day event co-sponsored by the Italian consulate, Boston University, the Israeli consulate and the New England office of the American Jewish Committee.

I liked this film for a number of reasons, not least of which that it dealt with the Shoah from a different angle than most other holocaust films. This is in part to be expected, since the experience of Italian Jewry was different than that of other Jewish communities in Europe, and so the author of the book and the filmmaker were starting off with different historical material with which to work. Even so, the ways in which the film deals with subtle forms of anti-semitism pushed to the surface by the pressures of fascism, offer an important window into the ways in which dangerous levels of prejudice can lay dormant within a community, reemerging with a vengeance when civil society reaches a breaking point.

Like any great work of art, this  film has stayed with me not only because the message it conveyed was powerfully resonant, but because the vehicle itself was well-crafted. Having seen a few of the films that make up the roster for this year's festival, I can tell you that the committee has made sellections that are also quite powerful - each one conveys its own message or story, but taken together they represent a range of Jewish experience across time and around the world. We could not present this program without the work of our staff and volunteers, the support of our co-sponsors and friends of the festival, and of course none if this would be possible without the enthusiastic audiences that fill the seats of the theaters with which we partner. From our opening gala on March 29 until our closing event a week later there will be many opportunities to laugh, cry and reflect through the prism of film - I hope you will join us.

For more information on the festival please click here.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2014.

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.