March 2008
Adar I/Adar II 5768
SHIR HAYAM EVENTS
or call 206-855-7924 for event details.
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MISHEBARACH
Our blessings and wishes for continued healing to Sheryl McCloud
MAZEL TOV
Yashir Koach to our always-inspiring Joan Cowan on the wonderful occasion of her 90th birthday. Chavurat Shir Hayam Ruach Fund received a donation in honor of Joan Cowan’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Joan!
Their family is happy to announce the wedding of Rick Golden to Cathy Sherris February 9th, 2008. This beautiful event blessed Dick and Linda Golden with a beautiful daughter-in-law and two new grandsons Dawson 11, Noah 8. Rick and Cathy have a full house on Bainbridge Island with Henry 7, Noah 8, Charlie 10 and Dawson 11. Our hearts sing!
HEALTH CARE STUDY CIRCLE PROGRAM
Kicks off with MOVIE NIGHT showing of Michael Moore’s SICKO
Saturday, March 15 at 7:00 – See member’s calendar
After the movie, there will be time for discussion and an opportunity to sign-up for the new Health Care Study Circle Program. The study circle curriculum, developed by Cedars Unitarian Fellowship consists of six, two-hour sessions and a framework in which we can learn about the issues surrounding our health care crisis. Nina Rogozen and Robin Simons have graciously volunteered to co-facilitate our meetings. Once Island congregations and other community groups have completed the study circle program, we envision a community forum in which invited legislators and study circle graduates can exchange ideas and engage in a constructive dialogue to bring about the changes that we want for a just, effective and affordable health care system. Please call 842-8729 for more information.
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
SHIR HAYAM MEETING ON MARCH 2, 2008 REGARDING THE ANTI-SEMITIC GRAFFTI AT BLAKELY SCHOOL ON BI
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON MARCH 23 AT 4 P.M. – LOCATION TBA
RECAP INFO THAT WE DIDN’T KNOW As the Blakely art teacher, Robin Hruska filled us in on details that we didn’t know.The defacement occurred late at night or during the early morning before teachers arrived at 8:30. By the time students arrived at 9:30, the janitorial staff had covered up the graffiti. Both boys who did this live across the street from the school. Boy A had committed three acts of vandalism at the school starting last September, but had not been caught until now. Because of the anti-Semitic nature of some of the graffiti, this is considered a hate crime, but Robin does not know if the boys have been charged with a hate crime. While crude things were spray-painted about Jeremy Rothbaum, the anti-Semitic graffiti was located in a different part of the school than Jeremy’s classroom.
Blakely’s principal has characterized the crime as anti-Semitic to the staff. Robin has had conversation with the principal, helping him to understand the impact on Jews of such a crime; the faculty, however, is not talking about this amongst themselves. Both boys, now eighth graders, attended Blakely. Boy B’s mother has been very proactive in dealing with this, her son is in counseling, he has written a letter of apology to all the Blakely staff, and they have met with Jeremy. Boy A is from a family that’s experienced difficulties, he was a very introverted, unreachable child while in Robin’s class, and so far, he and his family have not responded in a manner similar to Boy B. Boy A and his father were to meet with Jeremy this week.
CONCERNS RAISED AT THE MEETING —Some of the messages in the graffiti, specifically “Jesus Hates Jews,” could possibly come from some of the more extreme churches on the island, and possibly isn’t too far even from the theology of some of the more mainstream churches. —Antisemitism is alive and well abroad and we should be aware of this even when most islanders prefer to think of this as simply an aberration that doesn’t concern them. —These types of crimes have been occurring in our community quite regularly, and it really should not be a surprise to the school district and its faculties, the police, or our community. We should have a prepared, coordinated response whenever this happens to any minority group. —The Holocaust is taught at the high school level. What’s the nature of multicultural education in the schools earlier than that? How effective is it at all levels? – -Would the label “hate crime” make the sentencing of the two boys disproportionately severe? If so, (as we find out more about the boys) should we question whether to push for this incident to be labeled a hate crime?SUGGESTIONS MADE AT THE MEETING
A variety of suggestions were made at the meeting:
—Fortunately for Shir Hayam, both Jon Garfunkel and Robin Hruska are on the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC) to the School District. Jon told us that the school didn’t have a plan in place for when this type of thing happens, and that MAC would like to develop a protocol to help lead the district in these
instances.
—The Review could be encouraged to publish suggestions and guidelines about how parents could talk to their children when this type of thing occurs.
—It would be very useful to have a meeting with representatives from the Jewish communities, MAC, the school district, the IFC (Interfaith Council),
Common Threads, Kitsap County Human Rights Council, NAACP, ADL, the Fil- Am community, and the Tribes so that we are all on the same page and make a coordinated, swift response when hate crimes, not vandalism, occur targeting any minority community.
—It was suggested that Shir Hayam support solutions that foster healing versus punishment alone.
—We could offer several of our Chavurah members as part of a Diversionary Process in which perpetrators come before a community panel that recommends restitution.
—Encourage teacher training to help bring home how deeply this affects individuals and minority communities.
-Plenty of experienced talented people and resources are already here in the community to help develop responses and solutions, and there is no need to bring in outside trainers/leaders.
—Shir Hayam could write to Blakely’s principal and janitorial staff for their quick and thoughtful responses at the school.
—Shir Hayam and Kol Shalom need to be in touch with each other in these instances, and work together when our suggestions, solutions, etc. are congruent.
—Shir Hayam could support the teachers and families affected by the Anti-Semitic graffiti, and JLC could support our children to process their emotions and to respond appropriately and compassionately to all kinds of bullying and prejudice whether directed against Jews or others.
ACTION PLAN —Jon and Robin will inform us of MAC’s most recent meeting to develop a protocol for this kind of occurrence. —Sharon Rutzick will write a letter to the police so they will know about our presence on the island and have contact numbers for some community members for when similar situations arise. —Zann Jacobrown will inquire about how and when a diversionary process is used and when psychological counseling is required for people who commit hate crimes. —Jon and Cay Vandervelde will draft a letter for the Coordinating Committee to the Blakely principal and janitors, thanking them for their immediate responses. —An update of MAC’s protocol will be given to Kol Shalom.
OUR NEXT MEETING: We will meet again on March 23 at 4 p.m. to receive updates on our action plans, as well as consider A) What will our internal response be; B) What are our desires for our relationship with the broader community; C) What further action plans, if any, should we undertake; D) What other concerns about this issue do members have?_ _
ADULT BOOK GROUP
CELEBRATE YOUR MOTHER!
Earth Day, Saturday, April 19, at Pritchard Park, 10 am to 2 pm
Free t-shirts to first participants who walk, paddle, or bike to the park AND weed!
Service hours credit for students (8 max).
This weed removal (mostly ivy) event is co-sponsored by the Weed Warriors, the Watershed Council, the BI Japanese American Community, The BI High School Honor Society, the BI High Earth Service Corps, the Interfaith Council, Associated Bainbridge Communities, the BI Parks Department, Friends of
Pritchard Park and Ron’s Walkers.
Directions: from Winslow, go west on Wyatt Way (via Madison) and curve around Eagle Harbor. Keep going on Eagle Harbor Drive until just past Taylor (3 miles), where there will be signs for parking.
Bring: work gloves, garden tools, rain gear, drinking water, good cheer, and we’ll provide some lunch, thanks to T & C and Safeway!
For more info: Len Beil 780-2111 lenbeil3@msn.com
2008 theme: the Bainbridge Weed Warriors and the Watershed Council are striving jointly to increase understanding of the interconnectiveness of the watersheds, the shorelines, the salmon streams, native plants, and invasive plants—they are all connected to the web of life.
INVITATION FROM KOL SHALOM
Israeli Dance Night!
Israeli dance is back at CKS! It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s a great workout! Beginners welcome. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. DATE: Sunday evening, March 16 TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM
TIKKUN OLAM CORNER
If you have a favorite charity that you would like to profile here – please let me know.
It’s our single most bountiful resource. Yet, water is a daily privilege millions take for granted. The little known truth is that lack of clean and accessible drinking water is the second largest worldwide killer of children under five.
To address this situation, a nationwide effort is launching during World Water Week called the Tap Project, a campaign that celebrates the clean and accessible tap water available as an every day privilege to millions, while helping UNICEF provide safe drinking water to children around the world.
Beginning Sunday, March 16 through Saturday, March 22, restaurants will invite their customers to donate a minimum of $1 for the tap water they would normally get for free. For every dollar raised, a child will have clean drinking water for 40 days.
As the world’s leading children’s organization, UNICEF understands the critical role water plays in a child’s survival. Currently, UNICEF provides access to safe water and sanitation facilities while promoting safe hygiene practices in more than 90 countries. By 2015, UNICEF’s goal is to reduce the number of people without safe water and basic sanitation by 50 percent.
You can make a donation, register your restaurant and see which area restaurants are participating and learn more about The Tap Project at their website: http://www.tapproject.org/
RELAY FOR LIFE
The Eitz Or and Shir Hayam teens are teaming up again to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Greenlake on May 31-June 1, 2008. It was a fun and very powerful way for us to help out in our community, and we’re looking forward to your support and making it an even greater success this year! More details will be forthcoming, as the event gets closer. If you would like to make a donation now, here is the link: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeGreatWestDivision?team_id=200463&pg=team&fr_id=5725_.
HAPPENING IN SEATTLE
NEXTBOOK Series March Events Nextbook
Jody Rosen
March 13 2008, 07:30 PM
Downstairs at Town Hall
Jewface
Much has been made of the Jewish affinity for blackface minstrelsy, but what about Jews who wore “Jewface”? Music historian Jody Rosen explores Jewish dialect songs and novelty hits performed by vaudeville’s “Hebrew comedians.” Why did Jewish audiences thrill to songs that seemed to slander them? What hidden history links Over the Rainbow and God Bless America to Yonkle, the Cowboy Jew and When Mose with His Nose Leads the Band? Jody Rosen is the music critic for Slate, the author of White Christmas: The Story of an American Song, and the producer of the CD Jewface.
Amy Bloom
March 26 2008, 07:30 PM
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
In Amy Bloom’s new novel, Away, 22-year-old Lillian Leyb comes to New York alone, survivor of a Russian pogrom. Upon learning that her daughter might be alive, Lillian embarks on a perilous journey across the continent, up through the Yukon toward Siberia. Both a classic tale of immigrant self-invention and an epic adventure, Bloom’s novel is a riveting story of love and survival. A former psychotherapist, Bloom is also the author of the National Book Award finalist Come to Me and A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You.
JEWISH SUMMER CAMP
Is your child a 6th to 8th grader?
Has s/he never gone to an overnight Jewish camp for 3 weeks or longer? Is your child NOT attending a Jewish Day School?
If your child is between 6th and 8th grades, doesn’t attend Jewish Day School, and has never been to a Jewish sleep-away camp for more than 3 weeks, s/he may be eligible for $1800 towards a Jewish camp’s tuition. The Foundation for Jewish Camping is sponsoring these scholarships. They are available for any Jewish camp in the US, and there is also a list of Jewish camping possibilities on the West Coast. If you are interested in more info about these scholarships for your child or children now or in the future, you can access their website at www.onehappycamper.org
Do you know or are you a Jewish student in financial need who is attending or planning to attend the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON? If so, applications for the BEROL-SHINDELL SCHOLARSHIP are available from Hillel at the University of Washington or at your counselor’s office. The deadline for this scholarship’s application is May 3, 2008. Hillel Foundation for jewish Life at the university of Washington 206.527.1997 www.hilleluw.org
FROM THE IFC:
3/22/08 (Saturday): *Romancing the Buddha: IFC member Michael Lisagor will perform a one-man play, Romancing the Buddha, on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Performing Arts theater. It is based on his thought provoking book. Michael uses humor, honesty and a Buddhist perspective to share how he has dealt with the impact of his wife’s chronic illness, his own inner demons and raising a family while finding happiness and hope in our turbulent society. Adapted for the stage and directed by BPA artistic director Steven Fogell, Romancing the Buddha is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $15. Profits from this performance will be donated to the second annual Bainbridge Island Walk MS, held on April 12. Information: (206) 842-5332.
4/12/08 (Saturday): *‘Seeds of Compassion’ Event with an intergenerational choir: A ‘Seeds of Compassion’ intergenerational choir that will sing during the Dalai Lama event on Saturday, April 12. For information about practices in Seattle (Tues/ Thurs/ Fri. nights) contact Janette sourcebalancing@aol.com, 206 300 9062. If we have a group, Mary K who is directing this may be able to come to Bainbridge once.
Join His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other luminaries at Qwest Field from 1:30-3 p.m. for a celebration of Compassion in Action. During the event, programs and organizations from throughout the Northwest will have booths on the Qwest Field concourse to show how you can learn more about compassion, and how you can bring your passion and energy to your community. For more information on the Seeds of Compassion event see http://www.seedsofcompassion.org/event/.
4/19/08 (Saturday):
*Earth Day Service Event: The Interfaith Council will sponsor an Earth Day service event on Saturday, April 19th at Pritchard Park. See details above.
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