<HTML>As you know, today is observed in Israel as the Memorial Day for Yitzhak
Rabin (although the yahrzeit is tomorrow, it's a "mukdam" because
tomorrow's Friday)--with services in schools, government offices, etc.
Gesher (the organization to foster better relations between religious and
secular) runs it's annual series of events aimed at dialogue. Ha'aretz
ironically reported that at the event for youth in Tel Aviv--secular and
Dati-Leumi teenagers sitting around tables for 2 hours discussing "hot"
issues--no mention was made of the event that brought them all
together--i.e. the assassination, just 4 years ago.
The Israeli movement of Reform Judaism ("Yahadut Mitkademet") has
advertised widely a series of events to mark the day (lectures, shiurim,
ceremonies, etc.) all under the title Ta'anit Yitzhak--stating that the
Reform movement will mark the day with "fasting (!) and special programs."
What I do find interesting is that in the advertisements it states (in
Hebrew): "On this day the movement's rabbis will not perform weddings or
Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies ."
I'm curious, fellow Lookjed readers, what your response to this is, as
well as how (if at all) the anniversary of the assassination is marked or
mentioned in schools in the Diaspora. What educational messages (if any)
are any of you trying to convey on this day? Discuss.
________________________________________________
Rabbi Jeffrey Saks
Director, ATID--Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions
2 Menasheh Street, Jerusalem 93508 Israel
Tel. 02-673-8789 ** 053-214-884 ** e-mail:
saks@mandelschool.org.il</HTML>
