Page 32 - Jewish News_Oct2021

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32A October 2021 COMMENTARY
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Brief name change Iran’s domestic problems

By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, Community Chaplain do not affect its world goals
ears ago, I attended a Center- remember such as “Lotus on a Sunny
ing workshop sponsored by Day” or “Sky of Possibility.” Fortu- By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
Ythe National Training Labo- nately, we had nametags. hat is taking place within
ratories (NTL), a non-profit organiza- Apparently, I wore my name well. the confines of Iran? Prob-
tion founded in After only a short time, people began Wlems abound and worries
Bethel, Maine, by referring to me as Wes. To this day, grow, but does this really affect Iran’s
social psycholo- whenever I meet someone named Wes, long-term goals?
gist Kurt Lewin, I feel a kinship. First, a record surge of infec-
Spending 14 days in the same tions and deaths have been attributed
a pioneer in the house, interacting with 25 strangers as to Covid-19. Only about
study of group
O F A ME RI C A N JE W S dynamics and or- we examined our life challenges and 4.4% of the country’s pop-
OF AMERICAN JEWS
motivations while processing an array ulation has been vaccinated
ganizational de-
feel their communities are less safe than Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz velopment. of feelings, served as a valuable exer- because of the low number
of vaccines available to the
cise in personal exploration.
One of the
they were a decade ago.* most prominent providers of corporate Nonetheless, I did not think I could populace. The reason for
training today, NTL attracts individ- retain the name Weston when I left this low rate of inoculation
uals from across the globe for pro- Bethel. My real first name (of Hebrew is because Iran’s leader, Ali
In partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN), we are grams at various locations around the origin) given to me by my parents, and Khamenei, has banned all
dedicated to keeping our Jewish community safe. We provide:
country. For example, NTL has held harborer of my heritage and reputation, vaccines produced in the
• Safety and Security Training training opportunities for more than is too precious. I could never conceive United States and the Unit-
• Information Sharing three decades in nearby Safety Harbor, of trading it, at least beyond a fort- ed Kingdom.
• Security Advice and Consultation Florida. night. Second, protests are arising
• Security Website Platform NTL originated and continues to In Jewish tradition, names are throughout the country. The primary
utilize a training modality called the linked to the soul. The central letters reason is a lack of water, especially
T-(Training) Group that brings approx- of neshamah (soul) are shin and mem, in Khuzestan Province. High unem-
For detailed information and to sign-up for imately 12 people to spend extend- which spell shem, name. ployment has brought people into the
COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE security alerts, visit ed time together during the course of A midrash tells how, when our life streets, raising their voices with shouts
JFEDSRQ.org/SRQSafe several days. Though the group has a on earth comes to an end and we face of “death to the dictator,” “Khamenei,
heavenly judgment, we will be asked shame on you, leave Iran alone,” and
facilitator, he or she does not assume
a directing role. As there is no defined our name, i.e., did we live up to it? “no Gaza, no Lebanon, my life for
To report an incident, go to the web page listed above, then Bertha Pappenheim, an early Ger- Iran.”
click the red, “Click Here to Report an Incident” button. agenda, group members themselves
decide what they want to focus on and man feminist and social reformer, once The desire of the protestors is that
how. wrote profoundly, “You feel oppressed the government focus attention on
Over time, different roles played by your Judaism only as long as you solving the domestic problems of Iran.
in group exchanges are identified and do not take pride in it.” I feel the exact Many feel the country is suffering and,
discussed. While conflict often arises same way about one’s name. because of this vulnerability, attacks
*Anti-Defamation League survey of American Jews & perceptions of antisemitism concerning the group’s function and Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the may come from within and without.
management (something that is an ex- Community Chaplain and Director of The world sees these concerns and
pected part of the process), participants the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His many governments believe Iran will
Looking for appreciate the newfound self-aware- position is underwritten by The Jewish build. advocate.
Looking for
ness and insight derived from the ex-
Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.
perience.
another way which included 25 people of various Crossword Puzzle remember. support.
another way
Though the Centering workshop,
to advertise
to advertise ages living in a large house for two Solution to puzzle on page 17A Bridges
weeks, incorporated the T-Group as a
your business? significant component, two facilitators We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic groups to make
your business?
also undertook a wide range of art, mu-
sic, movement and creative writing ac-

*
y
,
or
uaranteed categ
With g
y exclusivit
With guaranteed category exclusivity,* tivities as well. presentations about Israel, antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement
(BDS). In addition, we send clergy and community members on missions to Israel to
When I arrived and checked in, I
s,
our twice weekly banner ad
our twice weekly banner ads, was instructed to only use a fictional experience and learn about the land while forging friendships that deepen

et
get YOUR message out! first name. What name did I choose? and continue back home in Sarasota-Manatee.
g
YOUR
message out!
*We limit ads to a maximum of Weston. Why? Because I wanted to
Federation Eblast interactive banner four per Eblast and only one per feel what it was like to be a WASP, at
least in name. I found it fascinating that
8,000
ads are delivered to 8,000 active business profession. everyone employed made-up names. A ^ Builds Bridges
subscribers each week for as low as few were rather involved and hard to Robert and Esther Heller
JFEDSRQ.org/Eblast_Advertising
JFEDSRQ.org/Eblast_Advertising
$75 per ad — that’s less than a less than a CRC ^ Advocates through Government Affairs
penny per recipient!
penny per recipient! FED COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust
we are
Also, our new Sunday
Also, our new Sund ay Outreach
E blast , sent a t the end of Fighting antisemitism is an ongoing battle. We have CRC
Eblast, sent at the end of
each month, is a sneak preview
each month, is a sneak pr e vie w Ambassadors ready and able to educate the community to
ALL

tion e
edera
ents in
v
F
of of ALL Federation events in Educating Jewish Minds
the upcoming month.
the upcoming month. better understand what antisemitism looks like and how
You can promote
Y ou can promote to fight it alongside the Jewish community.
your event for only
your event for only
$100 per month.
$100 per month.
our Federation is dedicated to educating Jewish minds — from Holocaust and civil rights HELLER CRC’S MISSION
Yeducation to Israeli history and advocacy through our Heller CRC, to reaching young children To build relationships within the
and their parents through PJ Library, to an array of adult education offerings. We also take great Jewish and non-Jewish communities
Interested? Contact Adam Kaplan at
Interested? Contact Adam Kaplan at pride in educating the interfaith community on Jewish history and antisemitism. and to advance common interests
akaplan@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6307
akaplan@jfed srq.org or 9 4 1.55 2. 6 307 jfedsrq.org • 941.371.4546 through education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC