Rabbi Joanna Samuels recently wrote a blog post for The Forward that highlighted something unexpected about one of JTS's upcoming events: they are planning an "evening of fashion and passion" that will be hosted by Israeli Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Esti Ginzburg. The event is being advertised as an opportunity for people to "get a sense of the incredible variety of Jewish engagement opportunities in New York -- and to party with hundreds of other professional, active, vibrant, young Jews." Definitely not par for course as far as JTS events are concerned, and Rabbi Samuels asks: Why is a swimsuit model headlining it? If anything, an institution that trains clergy should stay away from swimsuit models.

Esti will not be wearing a swimsuit during the event, which will be part fashion show, part learning session. First, models will walk the runway wearing the clothes of three Israeli fashion designers, and then people will be invited to learn more about the various Jewish organizations in attendance - what they do in the community and how people can get involved.

Commenters on Rabbi Samuels' post have had mixed reactions to this event. Some see nothing wrong with it, pointing out that Esti is a Jewish woman who just happens to model swimsuits for a living. "You are completely defining her by her job," remarked one commenter, "If she wants to get involved in Jewish life and use her celebrity power to attract other Jews to Jewish events then I think that is great." Others remarked that this event illustrates just how desperate Jewish education is to bring people into the fold.

As a JTS alum myself I was surprised by this combination of fashion and learning, but honestly, it doesn't bother me. Educators are always looking for ways to tap into interests people already have, all in the hopes of helping them connect with other Jews and with their heritage as a whole. If an Israeli fashion show sponsored by Jewish organizations brings people together and helps them learn about the great work being done in the community - why not?

What are your thoughts?

Image via Getty Images / Photo by Joe Kohen

Because I just can't resist sharing two humorous bits that crossed my path this week:

• Check out this YouTube video by Jewish doctor Mache Seibel, who raps about "Five Tips to Avoid H1N1 Flu." Doctors weren't this hip when I was in grade school. [via Tablet]
• For the men on your Chanukah shopping list, this Scandinavian Beard Cap might be just the thing for chilly winter outings. [via Jewlicious]

I know, I know. Neither of these are "serious" - but a little lightheartedness never hurts!

For the past 3 months the Jewish Community Heroes campaign has been highlighting the efforts of North American Jews who are committed to affecting their communities in positive ways - whether by encouraging people to volunteer, supporting children with special needs or helping Jewish immigrants. The campaign aims to celebrate the "selflessness and courage of those who put others before themselves" and after weeks of voting five finalists have been selected. The winner will be announced at the General Assembly that's taking place in Washington D.C. in a few days, where he or she will also receive $25,000 to fund their community projects. I love that this campaign is honoring everyday folks for devoting themselves to the greater good. Oh and another cool thing taking place at the GA? President Obama is speaking.

Update 11/09/09: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will address the GA on behalf of the Obama Administration

The five finalists are:

• Yonah Bookstein, who "is one of the reasons that thousands of Jews in the SoCal Area are proud to be Jewish on College Campuses, whether it be religiously, culturally, or politically."
• Ari Teman, who is the founder of JCorps and has inspired "thousands of young Jewish adults... into volunteering around the world."
• Devora Benjamin, who "dedicated her time and money to helping young Jewish people without parents or money have special and meaningful weddings."
• Shmuly Yanklowitz, who is the founder of the Orthodox social justice movement Uri L'Tzedek and has "helped lead the fight for greater transparency and ethical standards in the kosher food industry."
• Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who "together with his wife Bassie founded and run[s] the ever growing Friendship Circle, an International organization dedicated to Children with special needs and their families."

You can learn more about these finalists and also view videos about their projects by clicking on the links above. If you were choosing the winner, who would you pick?

In an effort to celebrate Halloween Hebrew style this year, Tablet Magazine asked comic book artist Mike Dubisch to create illustrations of the various beasts that appear in the Bible: Rahab, the sinister sea dragon; Samael, the dark archangel and demonic husband of Lilith; Melchiresa, a being so evil it is said to hang out with Satan himself; the mighty sea creature Leviathan; and the Nephilim, who were the children of human women and wayward angels. Dubisch's work is eye-catching and imaginative, proving that Dracula and Frankenstain have nothing on the monsters of biblical lore. You can view a slideshow of his work on Tablet's website, appropriately titled: Oy, There Be Monsters!. Each illustration is accompanied by a rundown of the mythical creature portrayed in the image, as well as citations for where it can be found in the Bible.

Last night The Daily Show with Jon Stewart aired part of an interview with Anna Baltzer, a Jewish pro-Palestinian human rights activist and author "Witness in Palestine," and Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian democratic leader and former candidate for the presidency of the Palestinian National Authority. The two say they represent a non-violent movement wherein Jews and Palestinians work together towards the common goal of peace, something which Barghouti related to the values of Martin Luther King Jr's struggles in America during the 1960's. "It's not an Arab issue, not a Muslim issue, it's a human issue," Barghouti stated, "Israelis will never be free unless Palestinians are also free."

During the interview one audience member was so perturbed by what Baltzer and Barghouti were saying that he felt compelled to shout "Liar!" after Barghouti said "Palestinians are struggling for liberty, we are struggling for justice. It's Palestinians who have been subjected to the longest occupation in history and a system of segregation that is totally unjust." Later on, shortly after Baltzer commented that Israel's treatment of Palestinians violates the principles of Judaism, the heckler could be heard shouting in the background - I suspect while he was being removed from the audience. (It's hard to say for sure, you can judge for yourself at the end of Part 1 of the interview.)

The entire interview can be seen on The Daily Show's website in two parts, which you can view here and here. What do you think about the interview? Do you agree or disagree with Baltzer and Barghouti? What do you think of the way Jon Stewart handled the interview?

This week I'd like to re-introduce you to Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, who previously answered questions from About.com readers and has agreed to continue doing so in our new "Ask the Rabbi" blog series. Rabbi Goldwasser is a Reform Rabbi from Massachusetts and one of two Reform rabbis on our Ask the Rabbi panel. Below he answers a question about whether a belief in Jesus as the messiah is compatible with being Jewish.

The reader who submitted this question requested both a Reform and a Conservative point of view, so next week Rabbi Hammerman will also weigh in. In the meantime, respectful responses are most welcome in the comments section.

Q: Rabbi, I have a question to ask you as I am on my 'journey of faith' as a Jew. I have been attending shul for the last eight years fairly regularly as opposed to the usual 'twice a year' crowd.

I have researched without prejudice nor influence of the christian community the question surrounding Jesus. I have come to the realization that he may in fact be the prophesied Mashiach but I maintain the right to worship as a practicing Jew and keep faithful all the precepts of the Tanach.

My question is: If I believe in my heart this to be true - that Jesus is the Mashiach - what's the big deal? I"m still a Jew and not talking to anyone at the synagogue about it... basically, it's between me and HaShem... one way or the other I'll find out the truth... we all will. If I am going to shul and keeping kosher and keeping the chaggim - basically being an upstanding Jew - what difference does it make if I also think Jesus is the Mashiach?

A: You ask a question that goes right to the heart of the beliefs that distinguish Judaism from Christianity.  You say that you are an observant Jew who has come to the conclusion that the Jesus of the Christian scriptures is the mashiach (messiah) prophesied in Jewish tradition.  You ask if it is possible to continue to worship in the Jewish community with such a belief and to consider yourself an observant Jew.

There is a stereotype that says that Judaism is a religion of "deed and not creed" - that Judaism is concerned only with the way a person acts and not with the things that a person believes.  Like many misconceptions, this one is based on a grain of truth.  It is true that Judaism does not have a strict, dogmatic approach to belief that demands compliance with a catechism of specific answers to theological questions.  There is a wide variety of acceptable beliefs within Judaism about the nature of God, the World to Come, the nature of our obligations to God, among other fundamental questions

However, Judaism is not a religion in which you can believe whatever you want.  Beliefs - not just actions - matter in Judaism.  There are limits to the variety of beliefs that are acceptable within Judaism.  Such limits are necessary.  After all, if Judaism permitted any and all beliefs, then Judaism would become meaningless - anything could be labeled as "Jewish."

Belief in messiah is central to Judaism.  Here, too, there is a wide variety of beliefs.  Some Jews believe in an actual human messiah who will come to rule the world and transform it into a literal kingdom of the universal God on earth.  Some believe that messiah should be understood as a metaphor for the ability of human beings with God to fulfill the hope of a world that was created by God to be "good."  One thing, though, is common to all Jewish messianic ideas: Messiah is a hope for the future, not an accomplished fact.

The central belief of Christianity - a belief that makes it distinct from and contradictory to Judaism - is the belief in a divine messiah who already has come to the world to absolve the sins of those who believe in him.  This is a type of messiah that is utterly foreign to Judaism, which has no conception of a divine messiah, a sin-absolving messiah, or a messiah who comes to this world and leaves it still broken and unredeemed.

A person who believes in Christianity's central teaching of Jesus as messiah, indeed, has stepped over the line that separates Judaism from Christianity.  Even a person who outwardly dresses in the clothes of Jewish practice, but who inwardly accepts the beliefs of Christianity, has left the world of Jewish belief.

For such a person to participate in a Jewish community, allowing others to think that he or she has accepted Judaism's teachings, has acted as a goneiv da'at - a deceiver - and has violated Jewish law.  I believe that the honest thing for you to do, given your belief in Jesus as messiah, would be to identify yourself as a Christian.  Of course, if you should decide that the teachings of Judaism are what you most hold dear - including Jewish messianic beliefs - you would be welcome into the Jewish community.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser

On October 27th a unique event will begin in Israel: the 2009 Desert Queen jeep expedition. Now in its second year, the expedition is jointly sponsored by the Jewish Agency for Israel and Geographical Tours. Its goal is to empower women while also encouraging them to connect with each other as they trek through some of the most exotic and challenging landscapes in the world. Participants work as teams and are put to the test through competitive outdoor challenges, 4WD driving, self-reflection and sleeping outdoors, among other things. Each team is led by experienced guides and has support from a team of specialists, including a full-time doctor.

The first Israeli Desert Queen expedition took place in 2008 in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary. However expeditions have been taking place outside of Israel since 1999, beginning with a joint Israeli-Jordanian expedition that hoped to share a message of peace with the world. Expeditions have also taken place in South Africa, Turkey, Ethiopia, Thailand and India. In 2008 twelve expeditions took place with 575 female participants.

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, 2008 Desert Queen Andrea Arbel, said of last year's Israel expedition:

"It was one of the most meaningful experiences I've ever had... the most amazing thing was that the Israeli women rediscovered their Zionism, falling in love with Israel all over again, looking through the eyes of overseas women... On the other hand, overseas women, even those that have been to Israel a million times, got to know Israel in a whole new way."

Next week's expedition will take place in the Negev and will run from October 27th - November 3rd. Good luck ladies!

On my other blog I sometimes ask readers what they would like to see more of, but I haven't yet posed this question to you, my About.com friends. So, as I go about planning articles for the next couple months I'd love to know what topics you are interested in learning about.

Already on the list is a series of baby-related articles detailing everything from how to plan a bris or baby naming to what a mohel is. I receive baby questions on a near daily basis and as an expectant mother myself I'm eager to share what I know with you on this topic. I also plan to create a series of profiles about figures from Jewish literature and lore - Elijah, Judith, the Bene Elohim and the like. Articles like these are separate from the blog, which mostly features current events in the Jewish community. Examples of past articles include "What Was the Great Revolt?" and "Does the Star of David Have Religious Significance in Judaism?"

Now it's your turn to share your thoughts: what would you like to learn more about? Please post your requests in the comments.

The chestnut tree that Anne Frank admired so often during her two years of hiding from Nazi soldiers in Amsterdam will soon find a home in 11 new places. Although the 150 year old tree is reaching the end of its life, its saplings will be planted in places dedicated to fighting intolerance. The sites were chosen by the Anne Frank Center USA in Lower Manhattan and include places like Little Rock Nine (the Arkansas high school where black students were first integrated in 1957) and Boston Common. A young girl researching her Bat Mitzvah project asked Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino to request the sapling. You can learn more about all the sites in this New York Times article.

Anne mentioned the chestnut tree several times in her diary, which was one of the few glimpses of the outside world available to her while she was in hiding. On February 23, 1944 she wrote of the tree:

"From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the sea gulls and other birds as they glide on the wind."

Later, six months before she was captured Anne wrote: "When I looked outside right into the depth of nature and God, then I was happy, really happy."

Anne died at age 15 from a bout of typhus while in the Bergen-Belgen concentration camp.

It has been a while since I shared an "Ask the Rabbi" post, so this week the series returns with a question about tattoos and converting to Judaism with a Reform Rabbi. Rabbi Marc Disick answers below:

Q. I have been speaking with a close friend recently, reading books and learning about Judaism.  I am interested in converting but I have many tattoos and would love to get more.  All of my tattoos have beautiful meanings of peace and family, as well as the tattoos I have planned for the future.  I'm worried that having as many tattoos as I do would be looked down upon by others of the Jewish faith, and I don't want the tattoos to be a  reason that I'm not accepted by others.  What do you think about this situation?

A: Becoming a Jew represents a major change for any adult.  First and foremost, I strongly recommend that you undertake the serious study of Judaism in a well established forum so that your decision to convert can be made from a larger and deeper context.  Reform Judaism does in fact offer Introduction to Judaism courses around the country precisely for people in your situation, see www.urj.org.

Now let me address your specific question.  Judaism regards the body and its form as sacred gifts.  For the most part, Judaism regards tattoos as an alteration of God's handiwork.  Yet many with tattoos see the artwork on their skin as an adornment of the human form with absolutely no disrespect meant to the Creator.

So here's what I suggest: While you are considering conversion, put a moratorium on your plans for new tattoos.  If your journey takes you through to conversion you may (or may not) think differently about getting additional tattoos.

What will Jews think about a Jewish person with tattoos?  I have absolutely no doubt that your tattoos will raise a few Jewish eyebrows.  So what.  We Jews have learned to accept women as rabbis, gays as cantors, and lesbians as synagogue presidents.  Ours is a faith which learns and relearns our responsibility to broaden attitudes which too often shut out folks who may not "be like us," whatever that may mean at a given moment.

But let's be real.  Folks with tattoos get tattoos not only for their eyes but for the eyes of others. Art very naturally attracts an audience.  And people always have opinions about art, especially when it's permanently embedded with dye under the skin of its owner.  If you convert I can guarantee you that you'll meet Jews and non-Jews with negative opinions about your tattoos.  But in fairness, that's a risk you assumed with each and every tattoo.  Like it or not, tattoos are fair game,

As for me, lots of people in my life have tattoos, some beautiful, some not so much.  Quite frankly, after a while I stop noticing the tattoos because they meld into my visual impression of the total person.

So in short, study Judaism seriously and see where it takes you.  If a Jewish person gives you some lip about your tattoos after you convert tell them the following:  The tattoos hidden by my clothing are far better than the ones you can see, but I learned in my conversion class that, regrettably, as much as I would like to, revealing them to you in the synagogue right now would give the rabbi a heart attack.

Shalom,
Rabbi Marc Disick