Volume xiX, Issue XXI | thejewishvoice.org Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
17 Tevet 5774 | December 20, 2013
Israel’S Blizzard of 2013
Snow, lack of power, threatened health and safety
LETTERS HOME DANIEL STIEGLITZ JERUSALEM – For the most part, I don’t check the weather in Israel. As it only rains in the winter, at least fifty percent of the year has a forecast of “warm and sunny.” Then the winter season comes and we literally pray for rain. As a desert country, we are very dependent on the winter rainfall. Every once in a while, IsSNOW | 14
Subsidizing Jewish preschool works By Steven B. Nasatir CHICAGO (JTA) – In response to the recent pledge by Jewish Federations of North America Chairman Michael Siegal to raise $1 billion to support tuition-free Jewish preschool, some have dismissed the idea as just another pie-in-the-sky fix to the continuity problem. I disagree. First, attending preschools (as well as day camps and overnight camps) are all normative experiences for American children, no matter their religion. Sending their children to preschool is what American parents do; that’s why nearly 100 percent of Jewish children attend preschool. Of those children, about 30 percent attend Jewish preschool. Were Jewish preschool free or significantly subsidized, it seems reasonable to expect that attendance at Jewish pre-
Jewish preschool offers many opportunities for children school would rise as high as 70percent or more, depending on the level of subsidy. Especially in light of the findings from the recent Pew Research Center survey of U.S. Jews, it seems imperative that we recognize the fact that American Jewish behaviors reflect normative American behaviors. In that vein, our chalPRESCHOOL | 6
State House Candle Lighting Ceremony By Elanah Chassen Hanukkah has always been my favorite Jewish holiday and no, not because of the presents, but because my family makes it a point to set aside time to be together each night. Singing
the Hanukkah blessings, lighting the menorah, and singing songs has always given me such joy. This joy comes from being with my family, but also stems from the awareness of people throughout the world sharing similar moments and feelings.
It’s a feeling of unity, with my family and those around the world lighting their menorahs. I was thankful to have the opportunity to light the menorah in various STATEHOUSE | 6