World's Oldest Torah Scroll Found in Italy

From BBCNews
 

The University of Bologna in Italy has found what it says may be the oldest complete scroll of Judaism's most important text, the Torah.

The scroll was in the university library but had been mislabelled, a professor at the university says.It was previously thought the scroll was no more that a few hundred years old.

However, after carbon dating tests, the university has said the text may have been written more than 850 years ago.

The university's Professor of Hebrew Mauro Perani says this would make it the oldest complete text of the Torah known to exist, and an object of extraordinary worth.

The university says that in 1889 one of its librarians, Leonello Modona, had examined the scroll and dated it to the 17th Century.

However, when Prof Perani recently re-examined the scroll, he realised the script used was that of the oriental Babylonian tradition, meaning that the scroll must be extremely old.

Another reason for the dating is that the text has many features forbidden in later copies under rules laid down by the scholar Maimonides in the 12th Century, the university says.

JFNA Support Grows for Victims of Oklahoma Tornado

The Jewish Federations of North America has collected more than $100,000 in online donations for the Oklahoma City Tornado Relief Fund it established three days ago, while checks are continuing to come in by mail.

Last night, a Jewish Federation community in New Jersey hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy voted to contribute $5,000 to the JFNA fund because of the help its members received after the disaster last fall. "The Board’s feeling is that although we are not fully back on our feet, the community has a moral responsibility to participate in this small way… to acknowledge the support we received when the Jewish Community of Ocean County was in need," wrote Danny Goldberg, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, N.J., on behalf of the board.

The tornado killed 24 people, damaged 13,000 homes and obliterated entire neighborhoods, and days later, Edie Roodman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, was still emotional in the face of what she described as an "overwhelming" situation. Roodman lives 12 minutes from Moore, the suburb that bore the brunt of the tornado’s wrath. She was spared, as was the Jewish community, which suffered no serious damage.

Nonetheless, Roodman, who has heard from at least four dozen Federations, has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, sympathy and offers of help from the community. "It is what keeps you going when you see such devastation around you. We have an incredible network of support that we take for granted,” she said.

"We rise up and help because it’s the right thing to do, and not one Jew has to be involved," Roodman continued. "It’s the Jewish sense of responsibility. That is the driving force for me."

Roodman hailed the spirit of collaboration and interdependence in Greater Oklahoma City, where Jews number 2,300. "If we were all we had, where would we be?" she asked, rhetorically. She will be working on relief efforts with longtime partners, including Habitat for Humanity, Oklahoma Regional Food Bank and Oklahoma City Beautiful, among others.

Roodman said the city is still reeling from the disaster and is in the earliest stages of assessing and prioritizing needs. She cautioned that, while the impulse is appreciated, it is too soon to send groups of volunteers because there is no infrastructure to support and direct them. She said the help most needed now is in the form of donations and $25 gift cards to national stores.

At the same time, Roodman is exploring ways the JFNA Emergency Committee may be of assistance, including providing counseling and support for responders and members of the media, as well as more direct trauma sufferers.

"The JFNA Emergency Committee remains in constant contact with the Federation in Oklahoma City," said Cheryl Fishbein, chair of the committee. "We will be with them every step of the way as they reach out to help respond to those in the greater community affected by this devastating storm."

As for the New Jersey victims of Hurricane Sandy, they are trying to turn the tragic tornado into a lesson. "The JFOC Board sees this as a teachable moment for our community," read the Ocean County Federation letter. Shining a spotlight on this contribution "will highlight the Federation system as the modern Jewish mechanism which allows Jews to continue our longstanding tradition of responsibility for one another in times of crisis."

In addition to JFNA’s fund, 100 percent of which will go to the Oklahoma City Federation relief effort, Oklahoma City’s Federation has its own relief fund, as do several other Federations across the country. 

 

 

 

   

Extraordinary Volunteer Susan Brooks Wins Phone-A-Thon $200 Gift Card!

Sixteen volunteers joined Federation staff for Tuesday evening’s phone-a-thon and raised $25,487 for our 2013 annual campaign. These fabulous, energetic volunteers reached out to community members and asked them to be involved in our efforts to strengthen our San Diego community, connecting with Israel, while helping those in need in our community as well as in Israel and in 70 countries around the globe. “I feel so good making these calls and asking other people to help out”, said a first time volunteer who also said “it is so important that our community is there for one another. That says a great deal about our Jewish community.” Another volunteer stated, “We should do this every week. We did a mitzvah and also had fun at the same time!” The evening included dinner, drinks and an opportunity drawing for a $200 Apple gift card. Mazel tov to extraordinary volunteer Susan Brooks for winning!

Mandy Danzan, Director of Development, was pleased with the results of the evening and particularly with the turnout of community volunteers. “They were so enthusiastic and immediately got on the phones after enjoying an Israeli falafel dinner. Every person they connected with and every dollar raised is so important in helping Jews in need here in San Diego, in Israel, and around the world.” 

 

More evenings like this one will be planned in June, so stay tuned for more information and YOUR chance to win a $200 Apple gift card!  For more information on upcoming events like this, contact Phyllis Freeman, Executive Assistant for Development, at (858) 737-7148.

Haven't made your 2013 gift yet? Don't you daaga! Click below to make your donation today!

 

 

 

Your Dollars at Work: JFNA Urges Passage of New Legislation to Support Holocaust Survivors

The Jewish Federations of North America hailed legislation that was introduced today in both the House and the Senate that will help Holocaust survivors age in place. The sponsors of the initiative, called the RUSH Act (Responding to the Urgent needs of Survivors of the Holocaust), worked with members of the JFNA Washington office to craft the legislation, calling upon their expertise on this vulnerable community.

“It is critically important that we meet the needs of aging Holocaust survivors,” said Michael Siegal, chair of the JFNA Board of Trustees. “Jewish Federations and their partner agencies across the continent work toward this goal every day and it is gratifying to have the support of members of Congress.”

JFNA applauds the legislators who introduced the bipartisan bill: Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), as well as Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). Other original co-sponsors include Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), as well as Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

If passed, the RUSH Act would amend the Older Americans Act by adding Holocaust survivors to the designation of those with the ‘greatest social need’ to receive services to age in place. Services under the Older Americans Act include meals, transportation, case management and caregiver support. Additionally, the RUSH Act seeks to allow funding for congregate and home-delivered meals that may cost more due to a religious or cultural dietary requirement.

Aging Holocaust survivors have needs similar to those of other older Americans, but they have different responses to aspects of institutionalized care because of their distinct histories. The loss of privacy, autonomy, and control combined with certain sights, sounds, smells or practices, such as showers, can trigger residual psychological effects from experiences during the Holocaust. The RUSH Act can help survivors remain in their homes

for as long as possible.

“Enabling Holocaust survivors to age in place is vital for health, comfort and security and brings dignity to this vulnerable population,” said William Daroff, JFNA’s vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office. “Today the Congress took a needed step toward reaching this important goal.”

Of the approximately 120,000 Holocaust survivors living in the United States today, three-quarters are over the age of 75 and about two-thirds live alone. Many of these survivors struggle to afford adequate food and health care; about half of the survivors who arrived in the United States after 1965 from the former Soviet Union fall beneath the poverty line. The fact that atrocities during the Holocaust have caused so many to survive alone, with little family to depend upon, compounds the problem.

“Autonomy and choice in living arrangements and care are extremely important to the Holocaust survivor population,” said Andrew S. Hochberg, JUF/JF Chicago Government Affairs Committee Chair. “Additionally, the negative effects of isolation can be devastating for survivors who also face financial challenges and fewer family members to help care for them.”

The JFNA is dedicated to working with Congress, the Administration and nonprofit organizations to ensure that Holocaust survivors get the support and care they need to live in their communities with comfort and security. The RUSH Act builds on the goals outlined in a Congressional resolution that passed unanimously in the House of Representatives in 2010.

Federation Launches Fund for Tornado Victims

Your Federation is gathering aid for the victims of the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City area last night, killing and injuring many people and leaving a wide path of destruction.

One hundred percent of funds donated will go to relief efforts on the ground.

You can make a difference.




 

Mazel Tov to the Winners - Free Tickets to Israel!

Congratulations to Stephanie Hanlon and Larry Herring, San Diego Celebrates Israel – Yom Ha'atzmaut Festival attendees and the 2013 winners of the opportunity drawing for a free round trip ticket to Israel, courtesy of El Al Airlines. These lucky recipients completed the festival survey and were entered into an opportunity drawing, catapulting them to festival fame by having their names called from the stage!

Stephanie Hanlon was invited to the festival by a now-envious friend. She has never been able to visit Israel, despite a strong desire and several attempts over the past few years. Unfortunate events forced her to cancel travel plans to Israel twice before, including just one month prior to the festival! Now it seems she has been divinely rewarded for her patience and nothing can keep her from her dream of visiting Israel now. She wishes to experience Israel’s beauty and culture, as well as visit family in Haifa. Congratulations, Stephanie!

Larry Herring, an active member of the San Diego Jewish community, has both worked and lived in Israel, his favorite place in the world! He plans to use his free ticket to visit family, especially his daughter, who currently lives in Israel attending seminary and working at a residential facility for adults with special needs. This will be his seventh time visiting Israel, and he is thrilled to be flying El Al, his preferred airline for the journey. We hope this trip is the best yet!

 

Our sincerest thanks goes to El Al Airlines, a valued partner and event underwriter for supporting San Diego’s largest Jewish community celebration – San Diego Celebrates Israel.

Attention North County - Congregation B'nai Tikvah has Moved!

 

From Congregation B'Nai Tikvah:

 

Congregation B'nai Tikvah has moved closer to the center of North County’s Jewish Community. Our new address is 2510 Gateway Rd Carlsbad, CA 92009 or www.bnaitikvahsd.com.

We are a small, warm welcoming congregation with Friday at 6:30 pm and 9:30 am Saturday Shabbat services. Whether you consider yourself Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Eclectic or unaffiliated, you will feel right at home. We offer a one day a week Hebrew School, Shabbat services, a variety of social events as well as full High Holy Days celebrations.

We celebrated our new HOME with the blessing of our mezuzah by Rabbi Ben Leinow and our Cantor, Larry Kornit , members of the board of B’nai Tikvah and our members. There were light fruit sodas followed by our 6:30 PM Shabbat Service and a Oneg Shabbat of lox, bagels, cream cheese, capers, and red onion to celebrate!