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Indian Yoga Champ + Jewish Kids in Hungary = A summer of Jewish life, learning
A national yoga champion in her native India, Lebana is one of the 2,000 young Jews from all over the world participating at the Ronald S. Lauder/JDC International Jewish Summer Camp in Szarvas, Hungary. The camp is one of many JDC programs throughout the world which the United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ helps to support.
A counselor, Lebana both teaches and learns. She has captivated other campers by sharing Indian Jewish culture through teaching yoga and recreating customs like the intricate Jewish-Indian wedding ceremony where she dressed up groups of campers.
An elegant and energetic 30 year old, Lebana is awestruck by the combination of dancing, singing, sports, and study, a menu that did not exist in the camps she attended growing up in Bombay. The 5,000 Jews of India are unique in many ways. They have remained a tight-knit traditional community amidst a billion people who are mostly Hindus and Muslims.
She was raised in a kosher Jewish home and went to summer camps in the Bombay region, but they were quite different from Szarvas. “Our camps were extremely serious. We focused on text and Talmud. We didn’t have 19 year olds teaching and inspiring campers. Most activities were led top-down by the community rabbi.”
As a result of working with Israeli, American, and counselors from around the world, Lebana and the four other Indian counselors whom she supervises have gained self-confidence. “I’m going to bring back a lot of liberty to the youth in India so that they can begin to tap into their own power,” she declares.
Though Lebana wears a traditional sari, she is a very modern woman. She holds a master’s in English literature and taught at a local Indian university. Eventually, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Jewish studies. She also holds the title of National Yoga Champion of India.
Building on her classical Indian dance background, Lebana has perfected Israeli dance. She practices three-to- four hours a day and has befriended the Israeli dance teacher who created a library of CDs and videos for her to use in India. She hope “to provide Indian youth with more creative ways to express their Judaism” and looks forward to returning to India, via Israel where she will visit family.
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Kudos to UJC President Ellen Goldner
She attained the presidency after years of intensive volunteer work. As UJA campaign chair, she led efforts that resulted in record-breaking successes. She also served as UJC Women’s Department president and Women’s Campaign chair. Other positions she has held include a board member of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest and chair of the Rachel Coalition, a community organization to help battered women.
In addition to being honored by the community at the annual UJC meeting on May 25, Ellen has received many tributes from individuals, including:
Lori Klinghoffer, UJA Campaign chair: “Ellen has been an inspiration and motivator to so many people for so long. If not for Ellen, many would not be doing what we’re doing. That’s especially true for me. One day some years ago, Ellen said it was time for me to do something – and she was right! … Ellen is well loved and well respected by everyone, and as the first woman president, she’s taken a giant step for the community.”
Max L. Kleinman, UJC executive vice president: “Ellen is vivacious, engaging, and welcoming. She’s also focused, like a laser-beam. Accordingly, she gets things done, but with “everyone aboard.” This is a unique skill, which has endeared her to the community.”
Alan Goldner: “What is it like to be the president’s husband? It’s like being on fast forward on a video player. Ellen gets an incredible amount of stuff done in any given time period. E-mails, thank-you notes, telephone conversations, meetings, reports, speeches – and, of course, the obligatory Jewish worrying about the children, grandchildren, and all the people that Federation is responsible for.
“One of the changes in my life since she became president is I’ve been eating out a lot. Ellen will always find ways to keep busy, but after June 30, I’ll look forward to some home-cooked meals – and Ellen’s a terrific cook! But, on a serious note, I am so proud of what Ellen has achieved as president of the federation these past three years. She is a terrific leader and role model for so many women and men in our community. Her sense of integrity and passion for the job and perspective has been a gift to all who walk in her wake.”
Kenneth R. Heyman, incoming UJC president: “When Ellen followed Steve Klinghoffer as president, she mentioned what big shoes she had to fill. Well she has proven to be a more than able successor. Ellen is such a compassionate and caring person who wears her emotions on her sleeve and at the same time speaks her mind. She appreciates and reaches out to so many people and has the type of personality that serves as a magnet to draw people in to Federation. Ellen, congratulations on everything you have accomplished; you are indeed a model for me as I now follow in your footsteps.”
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“My family has always had strong ties to their Jewish community, their synagogue, Israel, and UJA,” says Rebecca Gold, who lives in Mountain Lakes with her husband, Mitchell, and their two sons, Jamie, 7, and Jonathan, 4. “My grandfather went door-to-door collecting for UJA, my parents went on several UJA missions, and my mother was involved as a volunteer.”
“While experiencing increasing anti-Semitism in grade school and middle school, I found that it was my Jewish friends and family that kept me centered and strong. It is definitely a calling for me to want to nurture that community.”
Rebecca’s first contact with United Jewish Communities (UJC) of MetroWest NJ came through a Women’s Department Branching Out event in 2002. She became increasingly involved and currently serves on the Women’s Department executive committee and campaign cabinet, as well as the National Young Leadership Division Cabinet. In addition, she has just been invited to serve on the UJC MetroWest board of trustees, for the term beginning July 1.
In January 2005, Rebecca went on the B’ahava Mission to Israel with 16 other women. “It was phenomenal – one of the most moving experiences of my life.
“I find it particularly compelling to make a gift in my own name,” declares Rebecca. “Every gift coming out of a household strengthens our voice to the community and the government.”
Her passion about the Jewish community and Jewish continuity is inspired not only by family tradition, but also by her two young children – the future generation.
“We’ve been so fortunate in this life. How else can I teach them that we’re so blessed – and that we have an obligation to help people – except by setting an example?”
Because commitment to the Jewish community is such an integral part of her life, Rebecca finds it upsetting that “there are only some 17,000 gifts [to United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest] from about 120,000 Jewish individuals in the community.” She is convinced that more people would give their support if they fully understood the safety net that UJA makes possible locally, in Israel, in Argentina, the former Soviet Union, and other Jewish communities worldwide.
“Outreach and education are critical to raising awareness,” Rebecca believes. “People take so much for granted. If all the programs and services UJC supports were to disappear, they would be sorely missed. It’s important that everyone give what they can – not just money, but also their ideas, energy and personal involvement.”
As a student at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Rebecca had ambitions to be an opera singer. Today, she “still sings whenever I’m asked,” but most of her time is taken up by family and community work, and that’s fine with her. She finds harmony in her life by “being true to myself and the Jewish community. I have no political, social or career agenda. I just feel compelled to do mitzvot through UJC and to work for Jewish continuity.”
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Top Ten Reasons to Close the UJA Campaign on June 30
10. A reason to celebrate July 4th besides the fireworks.
9. You're guaranteed to get mail this summer from at least someone.
8. No more calls from UJC ... for at least a few weeks.
7. Campaign Department staffers keep their jobs.
6. It’s harder to make financial decisions when the heat index reaches 100.
5. UJA computers will close the fiscal year on July 1.
4. What a relief to know that you’ve already made your gift!
3. It’s never too early to think about tax deductions.
2. Now you can really enjoy the summer.
1. Helping Jews locally, in Israel, and around the world – priceless!
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Young Leaders help Argentina Babies
Young Leadership is made up of men and women under the age of 45 who engage in a variety of social, educational, and social action programs, as well as fundraising events in support of the United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ.
The Tinok Baby Help Project originated this year because many young people in the community wanted to feel a more direct connection to the people they help through UJA. Due to the economic crisis in Argentina, many young Jewish families are unable to meet the basis needs of their children without assistance. The project gives donors the opportunity to direct $100 to the Baby Help program when they increase their gift to the 2005 UJA campaign by at least $100 or make a new gift of $100 or more.
Operating in 75 social centers throughout Argentina and serving almost 1,000 children and pregnant women, the Baby Help program enables parents to provide better care for their children and involves the families in Jewish life.
Young Leadership offers opportunities to acquire skills at leadership development programs, enjoy social and fundraising activities for couples, families and singles, network with business contacts, and participate in UJA missions to Israel or a Jewish community abroad. Some of this year’s highlights:
- Fellows in the Arthur Borinsky Young Leadership Development Program “speed-dated” several of the agencies in the MetroWest community to learn about their programs and services and later went on a mini-mission to visit several of the agencies.
- A Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament drew more than 160 men from throughout Essex and Morris Counties for an evening of fun and camaraderie.
- An 18-piece band put everyone in the mood to dance at Swing Dance, where many participants were introduced to UJC’s programs and community resources. A Jewish educator spoke about raising children who love to be Jewish, bringing Shabbat into family life, and stressing the importance of family time together.
- More than 30 families joined in mitzvah projects for children of all ages during Montclair Mitzvah Day, co-sponsored by Young Leadership, four area synagogues, and PATHWAYS, Outreach to the Intermarried.
Please join us! or call (973) 929-3027 for more information.
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Hillel transforms Jewish campus life
Hillel is experiencing the growing pains of success at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, while student participation is also rising at the smaller campus of Drew University, Madison. Each school’s Hillel receives funds from United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ.
As anti-Semitism and anti-Israel factions become more prevalent on campuses throughout the country, including New Jersey, many Jewish students are drawn to Hillel, where they can find the resources to combat bigotry, as well as a variety of rewarding social and educational activities.
At Rutgers, with about 5,000 Jewish students on campus, Hillel participation has grown from about 500 to over 2,000 a year. At Drew, there are approximately 130-150 Jewish students out of a population of about 1,500.
“We have outgrown our staff and budget,” Rutgers Hillel executive director Andrew Getraer observed. “For example, we offer a free Shabbat dinner every week. This is the key social and community event and a means of entrance for many people. Attendance has increased from 125 to over 300 a week. We can’t afford it anymore. We hired new staff, but now with all the new students participating, we’re understaffed.”
One of the challenges growth poses is the small leased building Hillel utilizes. “It’s haimish, but inadequate,” Getraer said. “We’re looking for a new property, working with the university and realtors in a very tight market.”
Israel education and advocacy have been the leading growth areas in Rutgers Hillel programming. Last October the “Israel Inspires” Rally drew more than 5,000 people in support for the state of Israel. The rally kicked off a yearlong series of pro-Israel programming and coalition building. “Israel Inspires” originated with Rutgers University Hillel students, in part, to battle anti-Semitism and anti-Israel hatred on campus. Rutgers University Hillel, Rutgers University Chabad, and Students United for Israel, presented the rally, with major funding by UJC of MetroWest and other New Jersey Jewish federations.
Community service is also an area of surging interest. Students help in local soup kitchens. One group went to Guatemala on spring break with American Jewish World Service to help a poor village. The Human Development Project, created as a joint effort with Muslim students, works to build bridges based on the shared value of helping the poor, aiding local charities.
Informal Jewish education ranges from classes to field trips to places of Jewish interest, such as the Eldridge Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side. Hundreds of students came to a special event, “From Baghdad to Bombay,” on the theme of Jewish weddings around the world. It included wedding costumes, ketubot, videos, food, Moroccan drummers and a Jewish female Yemenite dance troupe.
Arts programming includes a prize-winning a cappella group and a theater company that put on two sold-out shows. Rutgers Hillel also sponsors various social events, holiday observances, religious services, and trips to Washington, D.C., where students can lobby their Congressmen.
Drew University Hillel director Akiva D. Roth noted that personal contact distinguishes the smaller campus. “On our campus, every Jew knows who I am, and I get to know virtually every student. We don’t have a dedicated Hillel building, so there isn’t a push to ‘go to Hillel.’ We say, ‘we bring Hillel to you.’”
During the past few years, Roth said, “there’s been a rise in the number of students who are not affiliated. Many students from unaffiliated families become active…Students often come to Shabbat dinner not as a religious event, but as a cultural one. The term ‘religion’ is not popular on college campuses, among Jewish or non-Jewish students. However, many students are spiritually oriented.”
“Because we’re a smaller campus, the anti-Israel lobby is virtually non-existent,” Roth observed. “We can deal with it one-on-one.”
At both Rutgers and Drew, Hillel offers opportunities for Jewish connection and involvement that can have lifelong influence.
“This is the students’ world for four years, when they’re making big choices,” said Getraer. “We want them to realize that making a Jewish choice will be valuable to them.”
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