My Experience at Limmud- To Learn

My Experience with Limmud- To Learn

Limmud is an international movement of study and friendship, of Jewish identity and identification. It literally means- “ to learn” and was founded 30 years ago by four educators in l980 as a retreat attended by 70 participants. In 2012, it drew over 2600 Jews from all over the world, the longest Limmud experience, but one of 60 communities in more than 25 countries. All Limmud groups are committed to learning, diversity and volunteers. The success of Limmud is mainly due to the open mindedness and inclusiveness that is sorely needed in our world and in our Jewish organizations.  I had the privilege of participating in Limmud UK at the University of Warwick in February, teaching 6 workshops from Jewish huck embroidery to Cantorial Music for the 21^st Century.  Parodies, Gems of My Grandfather’s Music, Beloved Shabbat Melodies, and Voices from our Side of the Curtain were included. I loved meeting Jews from so many different countries, everyone eager to learn and soak up the incredible energy of Limmud UK. For most people it is transformative and it was common to meet people who had attended for many years- it is something you don’t want to miss once you experience it! It is rare to sit in a class where the teacher is head of  Jewish school, senior instructors at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, members of the Israeli Bar, Knesset, leaders in AIPAC, Hillel, a former Mossad agent! All of this could occur in one day at Limmud. 

My husband Scott attended Limmud as well, and took part in every moment possible. Our most interesting moment happened at breakfast one day. After speaking with a Russian woman, a sociologist who gave a lecture about the Jewish community in Russia today, we noticed an elderly man sitting quietly across from us . After about 20 minutes I introduced myself, feeling awkward about not including him in the conversation. He said he was a lawyer from London who moved to Israel to find legal work many years ago. He then said, he worked in military intelligence. I asked him, “ You mean, the MOSSAD?”. He said, “yes, my work has just been declassified so I can speak about it.”  What followed was amazing- this unassuming man was in charge of the technical aspects of rescuing 900 Ethiopians in Operation Solomon, getting them to Israel from the Sudan. He then told us he was one month away from bringing the infamous Dr. Mengele from Argentina to Israel. They had his location and were planning to take him, but he passed away one month before the mission was finalized.

That afternoon I heard a lecture from a brilliant senior Pardes Bible scholar who examined the abuses of power in Biblical times and in modern times. She ended her talk with a reference to sexual abuse issues in clergy leadership, which I have become active in through Jewish Women International and our local Danbury Women’s Center. She herself was a victim of a rabbi growing up. The interest was so strong, she gave a lecture on it the next day.  Judy Klitsner, also was on the panel “ Voices from Our Side of The Curtain” I was fortunate to share with her. As an orthodox woman scholar, she was clearly a scholar and rabbinical in her own way.  Later that day we heard a senior leader from AIPAC  talk about what it takes to be a strategic ally of the USA. It was interesting to hear the perception of America from so many different countries. We all understood why Israel is so important to America and to the civilized world.

Choosing from dozens of lectures at any given time slot was challenging, and rewarding. There were programs for children, young families, and everyone else. Lighting the menorah each night of Hanukkah was special, and I was delighted to lead the candlelighting one of those nights with children singing songs I had taught them that day. We are all connected- we share so many common bonds, and Limmud helps strengthen them.

I encourage you to look at the www.limmud.org website. Find a Limmud program and attend! The Jerusalem Post says, “ Limmud may be a new sociological phenomenon”.  May we all rekindle our love of Judaism through study and sharing in the Limmud experience.

Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray

Domestic Violence and Dina

D’var Torah  Clergy Task Force  Jewish Women International

Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray  Temple Shearith Israel Ridgefield,CT

When I was asked to give a d’var Torah for the Clergy Task Force, I hoped I would have something relevant to share given our focus on domestic violence. Looking at the Torah portion last week, Vayishlach,

 the story of Jacob transitioning to the story of Israel and the rape of Dinah and subsequent  slaughter of the city of Shechem, I knew there was more than enough to delve into.

In the story of Dinah, I find much of it terribly disturbing-

Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter “ goes out ( vatetze) to see the daughers of the land” and is raped. In those times, if a woman went out they could be taken into captivity and / or raped. Shechem,, prince of the Hivites, sees Dina and “takes her” and lays with her. However, the text also says Shechem loves Dinah, his soul cleaves to her ( vatikbak nafsho_) Shechem wanted to marry Dina, but her brothers demanded that all the men of Shechem get circumcised, when they do, Simeon and Levi Dina’s brothers killed them.  Rashi believes Shechem and his father Hamor wanted the Jews’ cattle and property and wished through assimilation, to incorporate it all. Phyllis Chesler thinks Rashi has a good point- She says, “ few rapists fall in love with their victoms, unless they see further gain for themselves. It is rare for a kidnapper-rapist to hold a beloved hostage while he negotiates with a potential father in law for her hand in marriage. “

 Simeon and Levi rescued their sister Dina from the house of Shechem, but then kill all the men in the family.  Ellen Frankel, in her commentary on the Torah, says that the brothers recognized that honor stolen can never be recouped. Hamor, the father of Shechem proposed a payment which may have turned the rape into prostitution.

Survivors of rape, torture or genocide say the most lasting harm occurs when the victim is blamed, and the pain minimized or mocked.

I wish that Dina’s brothers had chosen to confront Shechem, and deal just with him.

I believe killing all of Shechem’s male relatives and taking the women and children into captivity was cruel and created more suffering.

The Torah does not tell us what became of Dina. In fact, it tells us nothing about Dina's thoughts or feelings. On his deathbed, Jacob blesses his sons, the future tribes of Israel. He never mentions Dina. In recent years feminist interpreters of the Torah have provided Dina with a voice in imaginative retellings of her story. When the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325, its members made a commitment to work towards a world in which women's voices would always be heard.

In a searing commentary, Phyllis Chesler, a feminist psychologist, dissects the reactions to the rape of Dina. Her brothers take revenge by killing Shechem and all the men of his community. Their father, Jacob, reprimands them for their overreaction. Yes, it is an overreaction, writes Chesler, but we can also learn something from it. The brothers treat the rape as a capital crime and rescue their sister from her tormentor. Their outrage and sense of urgency are unusual and admirable.

There is a lesson here for us. It is important to act in the face of injustice.   My teacher and mentor, Elie Wiesel, says we must act quickly when faced with injustice and hate.   Each of us can do something about domestic violence, and being part of this task force is an important step along the way to insure that we are prepared when faced with the injustice of domestic violence to act quickly, support the victims and work towards justice. One final thought, my dear cousin, Cantor Leopold Szneer , a Holocaust survivor and mentor to 8 rabbis in his long 55 year career, taught me: There are blessings for everything in Judaism, except for giving tzedakah. It is more important to act and do act of tzedakah, of justice, then to take the time to say a prayer. Our actions speak louder than words-

Dina, as a victim, had no voice- Let us take action by helping victims find their voices.

May we continue to work for safety, healing and justice, and may our actions be a blessing and a prayer for a better world.