| Guide to the Perplexing |
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| Written by New Voices | |||||
| Tuesday, 18 May 2004 | |||||
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Mitzvah Tanks, Sabbath Credit, Digital Bashert  Progressive Zionists Join Forces for Campus Fray by Henny Admoni Many Jewish students feel they must either toe the line for Israel or be labeled anti-Zionist left-wingers—so says the new Union of Progressive Zionists, or UPZ for short. To be launched next fall by the progressive Zionist organizations Hashomer Hatzair, Habonim Dror, Meretz USA, and the Labor Zionist Alliance, the coalition seeks to provide the opportunity for students who are progressive—yet support Israel—to express their views. "The people we want to reach out to are afraid to be called Zionist because of what it’s come to mean," explains Meretz’s Moran Banai, a UPZ co-founder, referring to the rejection of peace negotiations and of Palestinian statehood often associated with pro-Israel advocacy. "We’re presenting a definition that’s relevant to them." UPZ will launch pilot chapters on campuses across the country, including Wesleyan University, NYU, and Brandeis. Most of these groups will be created from local progressive Zionist organizations, which will regroup under the new coalition’s national umbrella. UPZ will assist its chapters in securing funding and bringing speakers to campus. Programming, though, will be planned locally, allowing each group to tailor events to its own campus constituency. UPZ will be overseen by a national director—most likely a recent college graduate—to be hired shortly. "Through a more critical and nuanced vision of Israel we will take an active role for the country, rather than sitting on the sidelines," says Aaron Wolfe, national head of Hashomer Hatzair. UPZ supports a just and peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, with two states (Palestinian and Israeli) that recognize both peoples’ right to self-determination. To achieve that vision, UPZ advocates an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. But the group will also focus on internal Israeli issues, stumping for social and economic justice for all Israeli citizens regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, as well as recognition for all expressions of Judaism, including the secular and the cultural. "The time is more than ripe for this sort of thing," says Banai. "This voice has been missing from campuses since the beginning of the intifada." UPZ’s point of view is important, she insists: "You can be socially liberal and for a two-state solution and still be a good Zionist." Henny Admoni is looking forward to her first year at Wesleyan University this fall. She wants you to write for the New Voices WebWire. Insularity Contest by Miriam Felton-Dansky Wading through all those gentiles on Friendster can be a real hassle. Luckily, discerning Jewish web-surfers can now limit their inter-networking community to other members of the tribe—just log onto www.ChosenNet.com, a Jewish networking site that promises to "increase the connectivity of the entire Jewish community." ChosenNet takes Jewish geography into the digital age, allowing members to create profiles, then use criteria such as summer camps and youth groups to find long-lost friends from their pre-college past. The site boasts rave reviews from current members: "It’s great to expand my circles," writes one enthused user, "because…new friends don't know I got a hair piece!" Even so, ChosenNet leaves something to be desired on the dating front: a search for men aged 21-35 in the New York area produced only four specimens. If, then, you are serious about finding the proverbial lid to your pot, you’ll probably want to check out www.Frumster.com. Established before Friendster reared its digital head, Frumster helps Orthodox singles find their match in an inclusive, rabbi-sanctioned environment: "whether you are Modern Orthodox, Religious Zionist, Yeshivish, Haredi, or just plain shomer Mitzvot," the site claims, "Frumster is the place to find your match." The web site also offers helpful warnings for the frum fiance, such as, "Honesty is the only policy if you truly wish to find your Bashert." And, if it seems that your online buddy is "the one," Frumster strongly urges you to conduct a background check—a simple letter of recommendation from a rabbi will do. Tanks for the Memories by Miriam Felton-Dansky If you thought tanks were only for death and destruction, think again. As rabbinical students from Brooklyn’s Lubavitch community recently proved, tanks can also be deployed in service of Shabbat, Passover, and a range of other Mitzvot—Mitzvah Tanks, that is. On April 1, the Lubavitch overran Manhattan with a cavalcade of 54 Mitzvah Tanks—mobile homes decorated with signs announcing the Moshiach’s imminent arrival—which rumbled from Eastern Parkway over the Manhattan Bridge and up Sixth Avenue as part of the 30th annual Mitzvah Tank Parade. The parade, which this year commemorated the 102nd birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson–who some Lubavitchers believe to be the Messiah–is planned six months in advance and has a hefty budget of $75,000. Those involved intended to give away 100 pounds of shmurah matzah [special matzah whose baking process is scrupulously observed], 1,000 Shabbat candles, and 500 pairs of t’filin. After ignoring red lights from the Manhattan Bridge to 59th Street, the Mitzvah Tanks dispersed to posts around the city in hopes of spreading Mitzvot to New York Jews streaming by on lunch breaks and errands. Heading down to West 23rd Street, New Voices caught up with one Tank and its crew, who enthused about having already inundated 30 Jews with matzah. The Mitzvah-Tankers were also pleased to have involved unobservant Jews in Jewish ritual: "A 35-year-old man just wrapped t’filin for the first time," reported one crew member with immense satisfaction. A pre-Bar Mitzvah tanker leaned out of the vehicle to snare a reluctant passerby for the t’filin experience: "God gave you your whole life," he scolded. "The least you can do is give him a few minutes." Legend has it that Rabbi Schneerson gave the go-ahead to the very first parade with one wave of his holy hand, initiating a three-decade tradition. But, New Voices wondered, is Schneerson really returning to bring on the end of days? On this point, one of the Hasidim hedged: "We believe that Rabbi Schneerson was the Moshiach…of this generation." But another pressed photos of the rebbe into our palms. "Keep this in your pocket," he added hastily. "There are many miracles that can occur." Honor the Sabbath and Keep it Interest-Free by Miriam Felton-Dansky As any mall-hopping maven will attest, shopping can be a spiritual experience. But such notions get little credit from the Sabbath Rest Association, a new Israeli organization which is stepping up efforts to make holy-land consumers stay home on Saturdays. According to Ma’ariv, the group’s campaign for Shabbat will soon include the launch of a "Sabbath Observant" credit card. Aside from attending services, eating heartily, and taking afternoon naps, the pious plastic will offer discounts to cardholders at select participating stores—those which, of course, observe the day of rest. The Sabbath Rest Association, which held a founding conference in late March, grew out of observant Jews’ efforts to counter the increase in the number of Israeli stores and malls that stay open for business on Saturdays. Ma’ariv reports that merchants violating the day of rest have drawn protests for some time, but with few results. Now, the new shomer Shabbat credit card is giving stores good reasons to stay shut on Shabbat (besides the inherent joy of observing the Sabbath, which we at New Voices strongly feel should be enough). While not yet holding regular tishes for its members, the association is publishing a booklet which advertises participating stores, to which "Sabbath Observant" cardholders can refer. Establishments such as the Entertainment Center, the Fox store network, and Everything for a Dollar have already joined the Sabbath Rest minyan. And beyond its venture into the lending business, the association will support "Sabbath Observant" employees by providing legal assistance to those who suffer discrimination or layoffs as a result of observing Shabbat. Mazel Tov to the SRA. New Voices eagerly awaits the imminent launch of the glatt Kosher credit card, which refuses to validate purchases of dairy for three hours after the cardholder has bought meat.
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