Friday April 16, 2010
The Shabbat after Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is always a little bitter-sweet for me. The move from profound tragedy to a taste of the World To Come, as Shabbat is sometimes called is not so simple. How do we let go of the pain without letting go of the sensitivity and awareness it creates? How do allow ourselves to embrace the sweetness of Shabbat, looking to the future while remembering the past and yet not becoming imprisoned by those memories? Two things came across my desk this week, each of which really rises to that challenge.
The first is a rap called Never Again. It's by Remedy, an artist affiliated with Wu Tang Clan. Toward the end, you will hear the line, "the final solution is now retribution". When I first heard it, it frankly made my skin crawl. Is that the best we can do? Is our response to murder, getting even? What does it even mean to even that score? How would that be done, by murdering millions of innocent gentiles? Is that what Remedy's remedy?
But pay attention to the images which accompany that line and you will see that nothing could be further from the truth. The picture of "retribution" in this video is the smiling face of Anne Frank. That image is followed by lighting Shabbat candles. And finally, irony fully intended by me, we hear the words of the Sh'ma, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.
Retribution for Remedy lies in the smiles of a heroic young woman who dared to see beauty and insisted on hope when the world tried to make each impossible. Retribution for Remedy is found when people respond to darkness by lighting candles and bringing light into the world. Retribution for Remedy will be had when we insist that things to ultimately hang together as one and that we are always part of something larger than ourselves and the events in which we find ourselves.
For this Shabbat at least, Remedy will be my rabbi. But he is not alone in teaching these lessons.
In addition to Remedy's teaching, I received another gift yesterday. This one came in the form of an ad for JLI, the Jewish Learning Institute, a Chabad-sponsored international initiative for adult Jewish learning. The ad was for a new course entitled Beyond Never Again: How the Holocaust speaks to us today. While I cannot attest to the answers which the course will provide, I know that the emphasis on what they refer to as "big, bold questions", as opposed to the answers the course will provide is both powerful and refreshing.
In JLI's description of the course, they write:
The Holocaust forces us to grapple with the existence of evil and suffering. It challenges us to find faith and optimism in the face of devastation and despair. And it humbles us as we encounter heroes of the spirit who fought for truth and decency in the darkest of times.
Let's see, struggling with evil, discovering optimism and celebrating heroism. Is there a person among us not looking for that? Whether one finds what they are looking for in this particular program or not, the sponsors are to be congratulated for making that the focus of the course. Like Remedy, they know that the future is the focus.
Whether one leans toward the music of Remedy or the teaching of Chabad, each provides a way to find comfort, affirm life and build a better future. It's not always easy, but this is proof that each of us can. And that alone is source of comfort with which to sweeten this Shabbat.
In the Media |
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Naperville Sun Wednesday, Nov 3rd, 2010
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J-Wire Tuesday, Nov 2nd, 2010
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The News-Press, Southwest Florida Tuesday, Nov 2nd, 2010
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The Rice Thresher Monday, Nov 1st, 2010
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Jewishinstlouis.org Wednesday, Oct 27th, 2010
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NY Blueprint Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
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Winnipeg Jewish Review Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
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North South Brunswick Sentinel Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
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Vail Daily News Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
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Miami's Community Newspapers Monday, Oct 18th, 2010
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South African Jewish Report Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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St. Louis Jewish Light Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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Norwich Bulletin Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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Swampscott Reporter Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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J-Wire Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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Warwick Beacon Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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Jewish Ledger Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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Reston Connection Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
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TribLocal.com Tuesday, Sep 14th, 2010
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lubavitch.com Tuesday, Sep 14th, 2010
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Sparta Independent Friday, May 14th, 2010
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The Vancouver Sun Monday, May 10th, 2010
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Stockton Record Thursday, Apr 29th, 2010
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Skokie Review Thursday, Apr 29th, 2010
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Jewish Review Wednesday, Apr 28th, 2010
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Jewish Press of Tampa Wednesday, Apr 28th, 2010
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Roseville Press Tribune Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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Summit Daily News Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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Jewish Review Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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Lubavitch.com Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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Madison Eagle Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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SILive.com Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
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Boulder Jewish News Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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Santa Barbara News-Press Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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Daily Record Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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5 Towns Jewish Times Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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TheAlternativePress.com Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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SILive.com Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
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5 Towns Jewish Times Thursday, Apr 1st, 2010
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The Montreal Gazette Tuesday, Mar 16th, 2010
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Toledo Blade Monday, Feb 8th, 2010
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Hartford Courant Tuesday, Feb 2nd, 2010
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Norwich Bulletin Monday, Feb 1st, 2010
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Cincinnati.com Monday, Feb 1st, 2010
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Asheville Citizen-Times Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
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Westchester.com Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
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Vail Daily News Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
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Jewish Press of Pinellas County Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
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New Jersey Jewish Standard Tuesday, Jan 26th, 2010
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Madison Eagle Monday, Jan 25th, 2010
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NorthJersey.com Wednesday, Jan 20th, 2010
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Recorder Community Newspapers Tuesday, Jan 19th, 2010
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The Alternative Press Monday, Jan 18th, 2010
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Cincinnati.Com Wednesday, Jan 13th, 2010
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Florida Sun Sentinel Wednesday, Jan 13th, 2010
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Friday, Dec 18th, 2009
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Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Friday, Dec 11th, 2009
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Lubavitch.com Thursday, Dec 3rd, 2009
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Lower Hudson Journal news Wednesday, Dec 2nd, 2009
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Daily Breeze Monday, Nov 30th, 2009
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JackCentral - Flagstaff, AZ Thursday, Nov 19th, 2009
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Jewish Press - August 2009 Wednesday, Nov 18th, 2009
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Toledo Blade Monday, Nov 9th, 2009
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Charlotte Sun Thursday, Nov 5th, 2009
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The Westender - Brisbane's Urban Voice www.westender.com.au Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
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The Westender - Brisbane's Urban Voice www.westender.com.au Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
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Cincinnati.com Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
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YourNepean.com Wednesday, Oct 28th, 2009
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NJ.com Wednesday, Oct 28th, 2009
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Orlando Judaism Examiner Friday, Oct 23rd, 2009
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SILive.com Friday, Oct 23rd, 2009
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The Riverdale Press Thursday, Oct 22nd, 2009
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Asheville Citizen-Times Wednesday, Oct 21st, 2009
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The Billings Gazette Monday, Oct 19th, 2009
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The Swampscott Reporter Friday, Sep 25th, 2009
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The Westender Monday, Sep 14th, 2009
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Palm Beach Daily News Sunday, Sep 6th, 2009
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Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
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Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
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Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
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Five Towns Jewish Times Online Friday, May 8th, 2009
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www.hometownlife.com Monday, May 4th, 2009
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Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Monday, May 4th, 2009
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chicagojewishnews.com Friday, Feb 20th, 2009
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Vail Daily Monday, Feb 16th, 2009
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YourHub.com Monday, Feb 16th, 2009
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Calgary Herald Monday, Feb 9th, 2009
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The Stonington Times Thursday, Feb 5th, 2009
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NJ.com Somerset Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
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baltimoresun.com Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
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NJ.com Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
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Wednesday, Jan 28th, 2009
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silive.com Monday, Jan 26th, 2009
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Westender-Brisbane Monday, Jan 26th, 2009
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Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Wednesday, Jan 21st, 2009
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wickedLocal.com- Swamscott Tuesday, Jan 20th, 2009
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Chabad Jewish Learning Institute of Winnipeg Tuesday, Jan 20th, 2009
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silive.com Monday, Jan 19th, 2009
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Jewish Times-SJ Monday, Jan 19th, 2009
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Baltimore Jewish Times - November 7, 2008 Thursday, Jan 1st, 2009
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The Gazette (Montreal) Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Greater Media Newspapers Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Toledo Blade Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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jewishinstlouis.org Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Daily Pilot Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Singapore Outreach Program Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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The Westender Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Vail Daily News Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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The Tennessean Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Calgary Herald Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Cincinnati.com Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Canadian Jewish News Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Student Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
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Asheville Citizen-Times Tuesday, Nov 4th, 2008
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WESTENDER Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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News Press Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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Thousand Oaks Acorn Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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The Baltimore Sun Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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YourHub.com Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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Jewish Press Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
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Staten Island Advance Monday, Oct 27th, 2008
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Lubavitch.com Friday, Aug 22nd, 2008
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Calgary Herald Thursday, May 15th, 2008
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Voices Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
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5 Towns Jewish Times Monday, Mar 31st, 2008
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Hunterdon County Democrat Tuesday, Feb 5th, 2008
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Calgary Herald Saturday, Feb 2nd, 2008
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www.JewishTelegraph.com Wednesday, Jan 2nd, 2008
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Town-Crier Tuesday, Jan 1st, 2008
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www.lubavitch.com Monday, Dec 31st, 2007
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The Jewish Telegraph Monday, Dec 31st, 2007
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Calgary Herald Thursday, Nov 22nd, 2007
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Arutz Sheva (www.IsraelNationalNews.com) Wednesday, Nov 21st, 2007
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www.JewishTelegraph.com Friday, Nov 9th, 2007
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Northbrook Star Thursday, Nov 1st, 2007
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071027/NEWS/710270537/1001/NEWS0105 Saturday, Oct 27th, 2007
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Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
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Jewish Review (Portland, OR) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
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The Gazette (Colorado Springs) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
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The Tennessean (Nashville, TN) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
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CJN (Cleveland) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
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Jewish Exponent Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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JTA News Wire Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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Towne Crier Online (Wellington, FL) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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The Reporter (Broome County, NY) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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The Jewish Exponent (Philadelphia) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
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thestate.com Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
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The Atlanta Jewish Times Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
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Westchester.com Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
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The Jewish Review Sunday, Oct 7th, 2007
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The Jewish Review Sunday, Oct 7th, 2007
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Monday, Aug 20th, 2007
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Pocono Record Wednesday, Nov 8th, 2006
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Pocono Record Wednesday, Nov 8th, 2006
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Daily Camera Monday, Nov 6th, 2006
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Sun Sentinel Saturday, Sep 16th, 2006
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Washington Jewish Week Thursday, Mar 30th, 2006
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Tuesday, Mar 28th, 2006
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Wrangler News Sunday, Jan 29th, 2006
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Jewish Exponent Thursday, Dec 29th, 2005
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The Californian Wednesday, Nov 30th, 2005
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The Californian Wednesday, Nov 30th, 2005
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Newday Monday, Nov 28th, 2005
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Nassau Herald Monday, Nov 28th, 2005
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Monday, Nov 21st, 2005
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The Day Wednesday, Nov 2nd, 2005
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Thursday, Aug 11th, 2005
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Richmond Times-Dispatch - Dec 11, 2004 Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
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Jewish News - Dec 20, 2004 Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
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Jewish Learning Institute�s interactive course to apply ancient wisdom to modern issues Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
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Friday, Dec 17th, 2004
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University-level adult education program utilizes text analysis to probe major dramas in the Book of Genesis Sunday, Dec 5th, 2004
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The Newtown Gazette Thursday, Oct 21st, 2004
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The Newtown Gazette Thursday, Oct 21st, 2004
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Friday, Oct 15th, 2004
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Jewish Reflector - October issue Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
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Jewish News - Sept. Edition Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
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Richmond Times Dispatch, Sept. 18, 2004 Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
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