Mail.Liberal-Judaism

• Amy O Miller <103046.302@compuserve.com>
• Stephen Weisman <sweisman@s850.mwc.edu>

• Amy L. Ward <alward@one.net>

• Elie Levine <elielev@ibm.net>

• Michael Fessler <mef@netaxs.com>

• Ira Wise <Ijwise@aol.com>

• ravdav@xs4all.nl (Rabbijn David Lilienthal)
• Mark Frydenberg <mfrydenberg@bentley.edu>

• Rabbi Morris A. Kipper <RebKip@aol.com>

• Johanne Blank <jblank@indiana.edu>

From: Amy O Miller <103046.302@compuserve.com>
Date: 28 Mar 96 09:32:15 EST
Subject: Re:  Appropriate Titles for Jewish Spiritual Leadership

In v5n136 Sherryll S. Mleynek wrote

> I'd like to start a brief discussion about appropriate titles for Jewish
> spiritual leadership for those who have skills and experience in rabbinic
> and cantorial leadership.  And, if there exists any ordination for
> practicing leadership in this situation, which does not require extensive
> travel and study, please share with us this information.

Since I am a  member of the American Conference of Cantors, I can address only
the part of your question that concerns cantors.  However, these are my own
observations and not the official policies of the ACC, which you may acquire
from Cantor Howard Stahl at HMSACC@aol.com.

While it is true that historically cantors were appointed to congregations
after a lengthy apprenticeship, this is rare today.  (Rabbis were hired for an
entire community while a cantor served a specific shul).  Cantors are educated
today in graduate schools, earning a Masters in Sacred Music and a diploma as
a Certified Cantor.  HUC and the ACC also offer a course of study leading to
the diploma as a Certified Cantor *only* without matriculating at the college.
However, this takes about 5 years and the exams are difficult--I know, because
I earned my diploma that way!  Cantors who graduate from HUC are invested;
cantors who do it the harder way (like me) are certified.  This has set the
standard for the professional Reform cantorate.

However, because of the nature of Reform Jewish worship, where many of the
prayers are read and not chanted, a congregation may not be able to afford to
hire a professional cantor and instead must find someone else to lead the
singing.  The ACC and its affiliate, the Guild of Temple Musicians, have
agreed that such persons should be called Temple Soloists. The problem lies
with a title.  The soloist is the "cantor" of that particular temple, but s/he
is not a Cantor.  There are many people with extensive Jewish educations who
lead congregations in prayer, yet they would never be called "rabbi" because
they would not have been ordained. Yet there are people who simply because of
the ability to read music and sing nicely are called "cantor" even though they
have had no formal training in chazzanut and nusach.

I have been both a soloist and a cantor.  Since my certification I have become
a member of the clergy, while a soloist is not.  This is a very sore subject
with many cantors and soloists--we have been around and around with this for
years!  If there were another title for those who are soloists, I think that
many hurt feelings and misunderstandings could be avoided.  Some of their
temples call these people "Cantor," but if and when s/he left that temple, the
title would be questioned.

As to your question about length of time for study, I'm afraid it takes a
while.  If one wants to go the certification route, one must first apply and
take the first set of exams.  If these are passed, the person becomes a
cantorial associate.  S/he then has five years in which to complete the course
of study and pass the final exam leading to the diploma.  I wish I had simply
gone to cantorial school!

Hope this helps :-)

Cantor Amy O. Miller
Temple Sinai
Newington, CT

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From: Stephen Weisman <sweisman@s850.mwc.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 15:59:08 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Appropriate Titles for Jewish Spiritual Leadership

Sherryl Mleynek has raised the question of appropriate nomenclature and
references for lay leaders in spiritual leadership positions.  Without meaning
any disrespect to her, or to such lay leaders, the responses are fairly
limited:

Ordination is the ritual by which one become recognized by the title "Rabbi."
Investiture is the parallel ritual for the title of "Cantor" or "Chazzan." (It
is interesting that one of the technical terms has transcended translation,
but not the other!)  Each of these rituals follow a significant body of study
and preparation, in anticipation of assuming the sometimes overwhelming
responsibilities of formal leadership of the Jewish community.

As a result, those of us who have earned such titles are frequently highly
protective of their proper usage, and tend to look askance at those who would
throw them around to apply to those who have not fulfilled such a preparatory
regimen.  That is not to say that we do not, from time to time, use them
"unofficially" in certain circumstances, particularly when honor is intended
by their usage.

That having been said, there is also a significant difference between private
usage and public, "formal" usage.  For example, when I speak with my Temple
president one-on-one, he almost always calls me by name, yet, in front of the
congregation, or to visitors to the congregation, he always calls me Rabbi
(which is how it should be!).  We do not have the services of an invested
cantor, but of an incredibly talented, knowledgeable, and giving lay
volunteer.  In public, he is the "cantorial soloist" or "soloist" or "music
director" -- in private, I frequently call him our "Chazzan" (especially since
he fills that role quite admirably for our traditional Shabbat morning
service), out of respect for his talent and dedication, and, also, in the hope
that eventually, it may open up for him the idea of studying to fulfill that
title.  I NEVER refer to him as "Chazzan" in public, or any other formal
setting, both out of respect to the title and those who have appropriately
earned it, and out of respect to him, because he is well aware he has not
(yet) earned it (and that is the way he would want it!).

"(Cantorial) Soloist" is the obvious, available, and appropriate choice for
those on that side of the pulpit.  "Lay service leader," while a mouthful, is
how we acknowledge and thank those who fill in for me when I am away.  IMHO,
"Shaliach Tzibur," (lit. "the guide of the community") may be appropriate for
either function, in that I don't read it in traditional texts as denoting
anything but the role which Rabbis, Cantors, and lay leaders all fulfill in
conducting services.  However, I suspect that there may be an opposing
viewpoint on that one.

I hope this helps to promote this discussion.  I am particularly curious to
see lay responses to this question.

B'shalom

(Rabbi)  Steve Weisman
Fredericksburg VA

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From: Amy L. Ward <alward@one.net>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 04:54:47 -0800
Subject: Conversion

I have recently decided to convert from (mostly) nothing to Judaism.  Are 
there any other fellow converts out there?  I'd love to hear about your 
experiences.

Amy L. Ward				The Internet Help Desk
Internet Development			http://w3.one.net/~alward
American Computer Solutions
alward@one.net

Confidence is the feeling you have right before you -really- 
understand the problem.

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From: Elie Levine <elielev@ibm.net>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 13:07:49 -0800
Subject: Israel: An Attitude About Jewish Rights and Peace

An answer to a letter published on the 22 Mar 1966 by mr. Jerry Blaz that
quoted Haim Ramon about concern to liberal Jews and the Lebanon war.

        My personal opinion is that it is very important that the State of
Israel will find ways to the majority of the jewish community in the states
which belongs to what you define as "Liberal Jews" and we define as
"Conservative or Reform Jews".  but in my opinion the "LIBERAL JEWS" are also
responsible for the fact that the ORTODOX judaism is the only one recognized
by law in Israel .  The liberal Jews did not take part in creating the new
Israeli Society and left this job to the new immigrants from east Europe,
Middle East and North Africa.  These immigrants did not know nothing about the
"liberals" and the only religion accepted by them was the Ortodox.  Numbers of
Olim (immigrants) from the states were limited and also they prefered not to
mingle and to keep the english language. (may be it gave them some feeling of
superiority) As far as I know, The claim of Haim Ramon was not tested
academicly, but the facts are that the HISTORIC ALLIANCE between the zionist
religious party and the Labour Party that lasted for quite a long period
ceased to exist. All relious groups, includig the Super Ortodox groups support
now the right Likud Party and are against the Oslo Pacts.  Ramon prioritized
the interests of the state of Israel and claimed that the problem of "life and
Death", like the Lebaneese war in 1982 and the Peace process are more
important that the concerns about Liberal marriage ceremonies.  I am sorry to
say, but the assumption of mr. Blaz that four victims of the terrorist attacks
in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv gives proof about the participation of NON-Ortodox
Jews is FALSE. The killing of four american tourist did not change the
evidence of non-participation of the American Liberal Jews in the Israeli
society.

 With all the sadness, the bomb did not segragete between arabs, (passengers
and not the terrorist) ortodox jews, "rodfey shalom or six romenian workers.
(Nobody will say that the killing of the romenian workers gives some rights to
Romania to express opinions about the future of Israel).  I am very glad to
find out that the Liberal Jewish circles are chasing peace, or as you defined
them: "Rodfey Shalom", but the majority of the recent american OLIM are not
from this circles. Most of them are from the second group- the ones that you
defined as "calling the Peace Makers "traitors". The are filling the ranks of
"ZO ARTZENU" that made so many illigal demonstrations before the assasination
of Rabin and the "Women in Green". The language spoken in this group is
english with an american accent.  It is naive to claim that the Ortodox
groups, as Aguda or DEGEL HATORA decision about joining the anti- Labour party
and anti Peace process after the election are based on the steps done by
Labour concern for Liberal Jews, but it is not surprising that practical
politicians search the reason the rift between the religious groups and the
Labour party.

CHAG SAMEACH                          

REGARDS
ELIE LEVINE    elielev@ibm.net
3-C Kashani str.   TEL-AVIV 69499    ISRAEL
Tel: 972-3-6428997

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From: Michael Fessler <mef@netaxs.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 10:47:07 -0500
Subject: Re: Midrash stories on the flood

>I interpreted this as an ecological admonition from an era when the
>concepts of preservation and ecology barely existed.  I wished some
>ecological organization would use the Midrash.

There are actually a couple of environmental organizations that do this. One
of these is Shomrei Adamah ("Keepers of the Earth"), whose stated mission is
"to inspire environmental awareness and practice among Jews by unlocking the
treasure of ancient Jewish ecological wisdom". They have published a book
called "A Garden of Choice Fruit" (ISBN 0-9632848-0-0) which is a collection
of biblical and rabbinic material around environmental themes. Great stuff!

Another, larger organization is COEJL (Coalition On the Environment and
Jewish Life" which puts out a whole bunch of educational materials, resource
packets, etc. It draws from the entire spectrum of Jewish life, from all
four movements as well as Federation, Hillel, etc. They've put out an
excellent teaching packet, "To Till and to Tend", which has a great deal of
good information and teaching suggestions. I remember particularly that they
distributed a wonderful set of materials around Tu Bishvat this year. They
can be contacted at 212-684-6950.

Michael Fessler

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From: Ira Wise <Ijwise@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 12:38:37 -0500
Subject: Reform in Israel

Re: Paul Shaviv's comments:

1. Soloveitchik-- I apologize, I should have written Rav Kook. I transposed a
   different conversation subject.

2. > Exemption of Yeshiva students from Military Service has nothing to do
   > with the Chief Rabbinate, either - it was and is a purely political
   > decision. 

   Regardless of the opinion of current chief rabbis, it exists, and is a
   result of an arrangement made by Kook and Ben Gurion. (I suspect Rav Kook
   saw himself repeating Ben Zakkai's request for the scholars and Yavneh.)

3. > Some of the Kashrut 'cause celebres' that Ira refers to are in fact the
   > responsibility of local Moetzot Dat (Religious Councils) and/or local
   > Rabbinates, not the Chief Rabbinate.

   Mea culpa. However the power of the local religious councils vests from the
   CR. 

4. > The Chief Rabbinate has nothing whatever to do with the curriculum of
   > either Mamlachti or Mamlachti dati schools, both of which are determined
   > by the Ministry of Education.

   Until the current government, the CR, through various religious parties has
   controlled the Ministry of Education. Ramon's statement indicates a tight
   election could return Israel to that situation.

6. > The reference to the 'Jewish Government of the Lodz Ghetto' is not at all
   > "apt", and is both ignorant and offensive -- in fact, very highly
   > offensive.

   I apologize again --as I did in my original post--for any offence this
   inference may have caused. It would have been better unsaid. I wish to
   atone.

Ira J. Wise, RJE
Congregation B'nai Israel
2710 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 336-1858
Ijwise@aol.com

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From: ravdav@xs4all.nl (Rabbijn David Lilienthal)
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 1996 00:12:30 +0100
Subject: Re: Shabbat siddur on diskette

[Daniel, I resent this with a different Subjectline, since I forgot to change
it the first time. Hope you can use this as submission instead and that it is
not too much of a commercial. If it is, please feel free to edit as you wish
or to leave it out altogether. Just for that case, I sent a copy directly to
Brad Fields. But I thought that the information - or appropriate parts of it -
could be of help to other also. Actually, I am doing a full new siddur, a
"kol-bo", using these means.  Chag sameach. David].

Brad Fields at TorahCJC@aol.com asked for help:

>Our congregation's Saturday morning Chavurah of Columbia Jewish Congregation,
>is currently re-creating our Sabbath morning prayerbook.  After keying in
>about 200 pages of Hebrew and English, a virus attacked the file; and of
>course there are no backups.
>
>If anyone knows of where we could find Shabbat morning siddur on diskette,
>please let us know.

Try the Davka Corporation's diskettes. They have by now almost all the
traditional liturgy for use with the Israeli Dagesh2 or Accent2 programs.  The
Complete Siddur sells for $39.95, and the machzor and the haggadah for even
less. You will need a Dagesh2 program, though, but that is not expensive
either, $49.95 for the small edition and $199 for the full one.  (No, I am not
an agent, nor do I get commission for advertizing, but I do use the programs
for all liturgical productions we make here).

Two warnings, though. 

1. While you get the Hebrew text typed and vocalized, you have to check it
   carefully. I think it is about 95% correct, but many of the remaining 5%
   can be disturbing (and sometimes a cause for a smile).

2. As a Wordprocessor Dagesh is limited in what it can do. It is the
   brother/sister of Accent, which is a fully fledged multilingual
   wordprocessor. This means that all the effort went into the multilingual
   functions, which are very good, but much less into the lay-out
   possibilities. Still, with practice, you can come close to what you want to
   do. if you get stuck, e-mail me and I will share experiences.

You could also use the Davka diskettes with the Hebrew version of Word6, but
that requires the Hebrew/English version of Windows 3.11, and you cannot have
that on the same machine as your normal Windows (believe me, trying cause no
end of trouble). Apart from that, Dagesh puts the vowelsigns very nicely
exactly where they belong, whereas Word6 in several instances put them just
next to where you would expect them. Therefore we chose Dagesh instead, in
spite of the vastly superior lay-out-possibilities of Word6.

Davka can be reached at 1-800-621-8227 (in Illinois (312) 465-4070 or by fax
(312) 262-9298, or by e-mail <Davkacorp@aol.com> or on Compuserve <72103,55>
or via <http://www.davka.com>.

Hope this helps.

Chag sameach,

David Lilienthal, Amsterdam, Holland
ravdav@xs4all.nl

The decrees of the Everpresent are enduring,
making wise the simple ...

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From: Mark Frydenberg <mfrydenberg@bentley.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 08:49:27 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Shabbat siddur on diskette

Brad Fields wrote:

>After keying in about 200 pages of Hebrew and English, a virus attacked the
>file; and of course there are no backups.

Oy!

>If anyone knows of where we could find Shabbat morning siddur on diskette,
>please let us know.

Davka Corp. sells a siddur on diskette which contains traditional hebrew texts
for weekdays, shabbat, and holidays. Shabbat morning is on there.  The files
work with Dagesh, Dagesh Lite, or Accent word processors.  Dagesh Lite is not
compatible with Windows 95. A similar (but somewhat better) product, Accent
Express, is though. Accent Express is $69.95. Call 1-800-621-8227 to order.  I
think Siddur on Disk is $39.95.

I've used Accent with the Siddur on Disk, as my havurah is working on a
similar siddur project.  Brad, contact me privately - I"d like to hear about
your group's efforts with the Shabbat morning siddur.

Mark

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From: Rabbi Morris A. Kipper <RebKip@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 08:51:53 -0500
Subject: Re: Temple Software Info needed!

Re temple tracker substitutes, call Parsons Technology who was bought out by
Intuit. Parsons has very inexpensive software for Churches and very advanced.
The only item it does not have is a kaddish list using the lunar calendar, but
then one can easily design a seperate program with our jewish calendars.  So
instead of spending thousands, a few hundred can get you a complete excellent
program from Parsons.

Morrie Kipper, (rebkip@aol.com)

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From: Johanne Blank <jblank@indiana.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 10:22:12 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Information Request: Boston Judaism

A request for information and advice

Shalom!  I know this is not a usual request for this list, but here goes (and
perhaps our gracious moderator will permit it through...):

I'm moving this summer from Spokane, Washington, to the greater Boston area to
begin Ph.D. studies at Brandeis University.  I'd love to hear from people in
the northern/northwestern Greater Boston area about the following topics, so
that I can have a bit more information when I arrive there and begin
frantically trying to find a place to live (since I can't afford trip out to
hunt housing, then another trip to move):

	- congregations (esp. Conservative)
	- reasonably safe, reasonably affordable neighborhoods in which
		I could look for housing
	- Jewish community centers/services 
	- Jewish women's groups for prayer/study

I'm particularly looking at the areas between Cambridge/Somerville and Waltham
(where Brandeis is) -- Newton, Chestnut Hill, and so forth -- in an effor to
make my commute a little more reasonable.  I'd love your input and aid, and
any information/advice/gossip/offers of rent-free apartments (just kidding!)
may be sent to me at:

		jblank@othello.ucs.indiana.edu

Thanks so much for your help!

Johanne Blank
jblank@othello.ucs.indiana.edu

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"It is not our task as liberal Jews to complain about the Orthodox attitude or to be bullied by it, but rather to choose our legitimate path according to the inner logic and development of liberal Judaism" (Rabbi Walter Jacob)

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