Week of April 10

Looking for seder memories

 

I am working on a project that I hope eventually will become an anthology of stories people retell from their family seders.

I want to get stories about mishaps, surprises, discussions, humorous events and so on. I know whenever I get together with people at seders, we always talk about seders we have attended in the past, why we remember them and we exchange some very entertaining, vivid tales.

I was wondering if The CJN’s readers might like to contribute to my project. Their stories can be submitted anonymously if they prefer.

Please contact me by email: [email protected], or call 709-481-2043. 

Sheina Lerman

Rattling Brook, Nfld.

 

Thanks to WordSwap

 

My husband and I had the honour of hosting three of the eight WordSwap members for Shabbat dinner (“Israeli Arabs help to debunk apartheid myths,” cjnews.com, March 20). Rabea, Muhamed and Ortal volunteered to leave their very full and busy student lives to come to Canada and help our students stand up to the anti-Semitism and lies that they face on campus.

Druze, Jew, Bedouin – it doesn’t matter for this group of pro-Israel advocates. In fact, it’s their diversity that helps demonstrate to the ignorant hatemongers on campus how wrong they are about Israel.

I want to thank all the members of WordSwap for their enthusiasm and dedication to Israel (and our students). I trust that next year, StandWithUs will be able to obtain the fundraising required to bring this group back for a third year.

Sadly, there is much to do. Thankfully, we have WordSwap to help us.

Susan Kendall,

Thornhill, Ont.

 

Women saying Kaddish

 

I found myself in the midst of quite an emotional, empathetic reaction when reading Norma Baumel Joseph’s article about saying Kaddish (“Saying Kaddish again, but still invisible,” The CJN, March 20). As a contributor to the recent book, Kaddish, Women’s Voices, by Michal Smart and Barbara Ashkenas, which won the National Jewish Book Award, I have had mixed experiences on the “other side of the mechitzah” when saying Kaddish.

Though it has been many years since my parents died, my recitation of Kaddish, now at yahrzeits, depending on where it is said, has received “mixed reviews”.

It indeed both saddens and angers me that, as far as we have come in modern day Judaism, and with the knowledge that it is indeed perfectly acceptable for a woman to say Kaddish, there still remain people (of both genders) who see a need to demean and diminish not only women’s observance, but also their feelings, particularly of grief, when it comes to saying Kaddish in the presence of a minyan.

In knowing that there is indeed a lot of grey area where many have seen black and white, the minhagim (customs – and they are indeed customs and not necessarily Jewish law) surrounding Kaddish and mourning (and other practices) have become structured strictures instead of opportunities for growth and grieving. 

I suppose what struck me hardest was Joseph’s acknowledgement that she is  next. I share in that disconcerting feeling. I do truly hope that, in the example I set, my own children (I have two daughters, as well as a son) will find it somehow more comfortable to say Kaddish at the appropriate time.

May more and more women take the role of setting the example of grieving through the recitation of Kaddish and other practices, as there is indeed healing to be found there, so the women who come next might have it just a bit easier.

Joyce Solomon

Thornhill, Ont.

 

Bernie Madoff’s identity

 

When the Bernie Madoff story hit the news, everybody was aware of his identity as a Jew (“No betrayal: Madoff,” The CJN, March 27). When the people who were victimized by Madoff turned out disproportionately to be Jews, I said a silent thank you prayer, as did many Jews.

The anti-Semites would have shouted that the Jews were victimizing the gentiles again.

Murray Rubin

Toronto, Ont.