WWW.CLAL.ORG

eCLAL: CLAL's Online Magazine

Published by CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning & Leadership
   
July 4, 2008 (24 Sivan 5768)
 Welcome

CLAL Highlights:

          For MORE FROM CLAL, please click here.

As always, each week we will bring you commentaries by the CLAL faculty on the week's Torah and Haftorah portions, beginning with this week's portion for Chukat. Also be sure to check out CLAL Across America, CLAL's updated calendar for the month of July, to find out where you can catch the CLAL faculty in your area. 

Shabbat shalom!


We hope you will think of CLAL when making your charitable gifts this year. For more information, please contact Dale Brown at 212-779-3300 Ext. 105, or please email her at dbrown@clal.org. To make your tax deductible contribution online, by credit card, click here to access CLAL's secure transaction server. Or, if you prefer, click here to complete and print out a copy of the "contribute by mail" form. Please send your contribution to CLAL, 440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. Thanks so much for contributing to our important work!


MORE FROM CLAL         TORAH TODAY         News from CLAL Archive        CLAL in the News Archive       Photo Gallery           
 

 

CLAL CALENDAR
CLAL Across America: Where CLAL Faculty will be this Month
 
Keep abreast of where the CLAL faculty are this month across America and around the world.  

 MORE FROM CLAL

  Hirschfield & Kula: Intelligent Talk Radio -
What does American consumerism say about us? From alcohol to the size of our mortgages, are we out of control or just expressing our freedom
?  New
Listen to Brad Hirschfield and Irwin Kula on KXL’s Hirschfield and Kula: Intelligent Talk Radio broadcast in Portland on two topics.
From Hirschfield & Kula: Intelligent Talk Radio.com
June 29, 2008

"Brad Hirschfield on the Pew Study -"Thank God for the Athiests"  New
"According to a new Pew survey, 21% of American atheists believe in God or a universal spirit, 12% believe in heaven and 10% pray at least once a week. What do you make of this?
...” Read Rabbi Hirschfield's Thank God for the Athiests response...
By Brad Hirschfield from Newsweek/Washington Post “On Faith” Blog
July 2, 2008

  From the Windows & Doors daily blog--
"Who's A Terrorist"  
New
 
“Something is really off when everyone from CNN (scroll to the World section) to the news on the AOL homepage (see the Top News) describes the attack on public buses in Jerusalem as the work of a "terrorist," using quotes because of their apparent discomfort with calling this an act of terror and labeling this murderer, a terrorist. If that is not terror, what is?..."  Read more...
By Brad Hirschfield from Beliefnet.com's Windows & Doors Daily Blog
July 2, 2008

  Can tolerating the natural chaos of life free you to be more creative and happier?   
Check out July’s issue of Self magazine where Irwin Kula is quoted in an article by Marjorie Ingall entitled “More Mess, Less Stress.”
By Marjorie Ingall from Self
July 2008
 

  Spotlight: CLAL President Brad Hirschfield Joins Beliefnet.com with Daily Blog -- WINDOWS & DOORS: New Online Site Where Politics and Pop Culture Meet 3,000 Years of Jewish Wisdom 
"Scheduled for June 25, Brad Hirschfield will begin a new daily blog on Beliefnet.com, the net’s largest online site for spirituality and inspiration... Described as a living laboratory where ideas and practices that can better our lives will be explored and tested against the daily chaos of modern life, WINDOWS & DOORS will examine how faith can overcome fear and lead to genuine spiritual openness. Informed by Jewish wisdom but accessible to anyone, the blog will re-frame the issues, delivering new insights for thoughtful debate...." Read more...
By Judy Epstein from CLAL
June 18, 2008

  How can a Jewish Family Service agency make tradition relevant?   
“LOCAL VOICES: Giving Tradition Relevance” -- “…I found resonance in [Rabbi Kula’s] contention that the only reason to practice Judaism is because it makes us more ethically, spiritually, engaged human beings. ‘The goal,’ he said, ‘is not to be Jewish. It is to be a developed, involved, flourishing human being. Judaism is a technology to achieve that.’…” Read more...
By Robert Sklar from The Detroit Jewish News
June 17, 2008

 

  Irwin Kula is Profiled on Voice of America   
Author, Lecturer, Peace Activist Rabbi Irwin Kula Offers Jewish Wisdom for All. "...an eighth-generation rabbi ...[He] is now a leading voice for religious pluralism, and a Jewish ambassador to the world's other religions.…”  Read more... To hear the interview, click here.
By Adam Phillips from Voice of America Radio
June 11, 2008

  Hirschfield & Kula: Intelligent Talk Radio Moves to a New Time 
Starting on June 21, Portland, Oregon listeners can hear hosts Brad Hirschfield and Irwin Kula from 5-6:00 pm on Saturdays on KXL Newsradio 750. The new time slot will allow more people access to the incisive talk, featuring the best commentators and experts on radio. Discussing all of the hot button issues, from politics and social issues to culture and spirituality, Hirschfield and Kula delves into the news of the day, challenging listeners to rethink their views. And for those not in the Portland area, Hirschfield and Kula is available online. Go to www.intelligenttalkradio.com, and tune in to past shows, Irwin and Brad’s blogs, and other information on what they are up to as they travel around the country. Stay tuned!

You Don't Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism 
How can we create a world with less violence and division? Rabbi Hirschfield's new book explores this and other questions, offering hope and anew perspective to the American spiritual, social and political landscape. For more, click here or go to www.bradhirschfield.com. Book tour media coverage includes:
● CNN Radio, “The Paula Gordon Show,” 6/21/08
● WASN (Cleveland), “Louis B. Free Show,” 5/22/08
● KPBS (San Diego), “These Days,” 5/22/08
● WORT-FM (Madison), “A Public Affair,” 5/8/08
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs April 2008 
● WRPI-FM (Albany), “In the Spirit,” 4/24/08
The Morning Show (Wisconsin Public Radio), 4/15/08
The Jewish News (New Orleans), 4/11/08
The Norman Transcript (Oklahoma), 4/4/08

● KREF AM (Norman, OK), “Religious Talk,” 4/6/08
June 18, 2008

Leaving Hebron: In his memoir on faith and fanaticism, Rabbi Bradley Hirschfield recalls his spiritual journey from JDL militant to JTS rabbi. 
"Rabbi Brad Hirschfield’s Judaism is one of inclusion and pluralism, tolerance and respect; his is a Judaism that looks to the core, not the borders. He’s an Orthodox rabbi building as many bridges as he can...." Read more...
By Sandee Brawarsky from The Jewish Week
June 12, 2008

  "A Daughter of Holocaust Survivors Remembers"   
“…'My father has taught me that love is stronger than death.' It’s a remarkable assertion by one whose parents both survived the Holocaust….” Janet R. Kirchheimer spoke about her book, How to Spot One of Us, to 70 people at the YMCA Y’s Men of Meriden, CT, on June 3, 2008. Read more...
From Y's Men of Meriden.com
June 2008

"The Incompleteness in Each of Us" 
“I just returned from what I think may have been my thirty-fifth visit to Israel.  My wife, youngest daughter, and I spent nine days there -- six nights hanging out in Tel Aviv enjoying its culture, art, an nightlife and then three days dealing with the burden, heaviness, and over-determined meaning of Jerusalem.  Despite the huge difference between the sacred secularity and normalcy of Tel Aviv and the less-than-holy religiosity and abnormality of Jerusalem, one question repeated arose:  What about the matzav (situation) with the Palestinians.…” Read more...
By Irwin Kula from Tikkun
May/June 2008

  Celebrating Passover in Bhutan
In May of 2008, Irwin Kula led an interfaith journey to Bhutan where participants explored the history and importance of tradition for a country, its culture, and its people.  Along with exploring Buddhist rituals, the group took part in a traditional Passover Seder led by Rabbi Kula.  They experienced the transformative power of the Seder, moving from suffering to freedom.
For photos... 
June 4, 2008

Irwin Kula speaks about his trip to Bhutan and Yearnings on WRPI-FM 
"In the Spirit," WRPI-FM (Albany),  6/5/08.
June 4, 2008

  Irwin Kula participates in launch of Tony Blair Faith Foundation 
On May 30, 2008, Irwin Kula participated in the event marking the start of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.  The launch called for "the creation of a new coalition to harness the moral leadership of people of faith to do good and to show the relevance of faith to the challenges of the modern world...." For photos, click here.
Tony Blair Faith Foundation
June 4, 2008

"Obama Served Up a Zionist Version of Mom and Apple Pie at AIPAC Conference" 
"Not, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact ... I loved everything he had to say. But it did strike me as funny that Obama hit every base in the Jewish game without offering very much in the way of details about how to achieve a set of goals which I personally support.…" Read more...
By Brad Hirschfield from Beliefnet's Casting Stones
June 5, 2008

  US Troops in Iraq host Days of Remembrance Ceremony featuring
CLAL's Janet R. Kirchheimer's Poetry

"As part of a Days of Remembrance memorial service, Janet R. Kirchheimer’s poems “Town Hall” and “Breaking Laws” were read at a Multi National Forces service May 2, at U.S. Army Camp Victory in Bagdad, Iraq.…"  Read more...To view the poetry reading, click here. (REAL VIDEO)
June 4, 2008
 

 


An interview with Ms. Kirchheimer appears in The Connecticut Jewish Ledger.
Read more...
April 23, 2008
A review of Ms. Kirchheimer's book How to Spot One of Us appears on the JUF News of The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Read more
...
May 1, 2008
Poems from How to Spot One of Us were published in The New Jersey Jewish News in honor of Yom Hashoah.
May 1, 2008

  Spotlight: Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today (Season II) Now available as a 3 DVD Set
Acclaimed TV Series with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield Looks at the Issues Dividing Our Faiths and Our Country
 

"... Bringing together religious leaders from the major traditions to grapple with the issues spitting religious communities and our country, the series looks at where we are similar, where we are different, and how to build a new level of understanding in a time of suspicion and uncertainty. 'Moving beyond the typical sound bites...'" Read more...  To order, click here. To view photos, click here.
By Judy Epstein from CLAL
May 29, 2008

Does religion meet the needs of contemporary life? 
Do our wisdom traditions speak to a wide audience, or do they only address the concerns of a particular community? How does ritual play a part in our spiritual life? Listen to Irwin Kula speak with Chuck Freeman, Minister of Spiritual Life on Soul Talk Radio. To hear... Aired 4/18/08. (REAL AUDIO)May 12, 2008

  PBS TV: The Jewish People: A Story of Survival 
From slavery to the loss of a homeland; from exile to anti-Semitism; from pogroms to near annihilation in the Holocaust, how did the Jews endure while so many other communities vanished? The Jewish People: A Story of Survival, an original one-hour film explores these themes of resilience, fortitude and achievement of the Jewish people, moving chronologically over four millennia. Featuring Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, it is hosted by Martha Teichner, Senior Correspondent for “CBS News/Sunday Morning.”
 

Following are some broadcasts, please check local listings for times:
● Wednesday, May 7, 9:00 pm, WLIW/Channel 21, New York City Area
● Sunday, June 1st WETA, Washington, DC
● Monday, June 2nd WHYY, Philadelphia, PA
● Wednesday, June 4th KOCE, Los Angeles, CA
● Thursday, June 5th WTTW, Chicago

May 7, 2008

  Learn about the laws of God and people from the perspective of the three Abrahamic faiths 
Watch a Rabbi, an Imam, and a Christian Theologian talk about issues of the day on Season I of Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield. You can view "Hopes and Dreams" as well as other episodes on the CLAL website by clicking here. (REAL VIDEO) 
May 7, 2008

CLAL Listed in Newsweek's “Top 50 Influential Rabbis in America” for 2nd Year 
"Naming the top 50 most influential rabbis in America, Newsweek magazine listed a virtual “Who’s Who” in its Periscope section this week. Rabbi Irwin Kula was ranked no. 7, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, no. 39, and CLAL Senior Associate Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, no. 21. A complete list is available in Newsweek’s online edition: http://www.newsweek.com/id/131600...In addition, a list was created for the “Top 25 Pulpit Rabbis in America.” Of the 25, CLAL is proud to note that many of the rabbis listed were participants in CLAL programs throughout the years. They include: Jack Moline, Yosef Kanefsky, Brant Rosen, Asher Lopatin, David Stern, Amy Schwartzman, Terry Bookman, Mordechai Finley, Janet Marder, Rick Block, and Ed Feinstein. (For a complete list, go to http://www.newsweek.com/id/131598?tid=relatedcl)...." Read more...
Spotlight by Judy Epstein from CLAL
April 11
, 2008

Receive eCLAL: CLAL's Weekly Online Magazine emailed to you each week!
 
HTML Text AOL                                                    

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
To subscribe, send an email to clal_weekly_update-subscribe@topica.email-publisher.com
To unsubscribe send an email to clal_weekly_update-unsubscribe@topica.email-publisher.com

 

Explore CLAL on the Web
Support CLAL |About CLAL | CLAL Courses | Jewish Toolbox | CLAL Store | Faculty | Links | Contact Us

Explore eCLAL's Archives
Special Features | Spirit and Story | Community and Society | CLAL on Culture | Politics and Policy | Jewish Public Forum | Face to Face | CLAL Torah This Week | CLAL Haftorah This Week | At First Glance | This Ritual Life | Encore | Spotlight on CLAL |
CLAL Holy Days

CLAL Contact Info: Telephone 212-779-3300; FAX 212-779-1009
Mail: CLAL, 440 Park Avenue South, 4th floor, New York, NY 10016-8012


Copyright ©2008 CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
All rights reserved.


 

  Be sure to visit
Brad Hirschfield's
new daily blog on
Beliefnet.com!

To read daily blog, click here.

 

Brad Hirschfield's
New book

For more information or
to order, click here.

 

 Irwin Kula's
Award Winning Book

For more information or
to order, click here.

 

Remember for Life:
Holocaust Survivors’ Stories of Faith and Hope

Edited by
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield
 


Click here to order.
For Remember For Life Reading Guide, click here.

 

HOW TO SPOT ONE OF US
A Collection of Poetry
by Janet R. Kirchheimer

 


Click here to order.

 

 
Hirschfield and Kula:
Intelligent Talk Radio


Bringing the best of KXL’s popular show to the web
 
www.hirschfieldandkula.com


Be sure to read Irwin's & Brad's blogs on issues of the day

 



Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today
with
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

To view an episode from Season I, click here.

 

 


FOR MORE CLAL RESOURCES
See our growing collection of books, videos and tapes.

Purchase Online Easily & Securely

 Torah Today
CLAL Torah This Week
Elcott on Chukat
Archive

CLAL Haftorah This Week
Umansky on Chukat
Archive

This Ritual Life  
Guiding Our Growing Children Toward Independence…
Archive

CLAL Holy Days   
Weisberg on Tisha B'av 

Archive

CLAL Holiday Card 
July 4th: What are we celebrating? 

Archive

  News from CLAL        Archive

CLAL Across America  
Click here to keep abreast of where the CLAL faculty are this month across America and around the world.

CLAL Update, Spring 2008 

Learn about the laws of God and people from the perspective of the three Abrahamic faiths
Watch a Rabbi, an Imam, and a Christian Theologian talk about issues of the day on Season I of
Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield. 
(REAL VIDEO)
|more|

  CLAL in the News         Archive

“Why is it so difficult for us to forgive people?” WTTW/"30 Good Minutes" (2 Watch Irwin Kula on “30 Good Minutes” broadcast on WTTW/Channel 11 (PBS) in Chicago Feb. 10, 2008. Click here to view.  (REAL VIDEO)