We’re not certain about future access to the intriguing panel discussion that took place last Thursday headlined Reframing Carlebach.
By GREER FAY CASHMANRabbi Shlomo Carlebach(photo credit: JERUSALEM REPORT ARCHIVES)
One of the frustrations of panel discussions, concerts and other events relayed on social media platforms is that in many cases, notification of the event comes only the day before. This means that people interested in the subject, but who had already registered for something else, have to either miss out or reorganize their plans. Some organizations and institutions videotape their events and then leave them on Facebook pages or websites for a few days or even a month, or post them on YouTube – but not all.We’re not certain about future access to the intriguing panel discussion that took place last Thursday headlined Reframing Carlebach.Neshama Carlebach, a performing musician in her own right, participated in the discussion, showing extraordinary courage and moral integrity in doing so, sent out the invitations on Wednesday evening Israel time.The introductory letter accompanying the invitation read: “It’s been more than three years since the #MeToo era began. Please join me along with beloved colleagues for an in-depth discussion about my father‘s legacy, my family’s music and our responsibility to create a world of respect, holiness and meaning, rooted in but not trapped by the past.“Sending love and strength to you all, far and wide,“We are in this together.”The text at the beginning of the invitation read: “How do we weigh the harm that may have been done by the beloved and world-renowned rabbi against what losing his legacy might cost us and our congregations?”Panelists listed in addition to Neshama Carlebach were Hazzan Joanna Dulkin of Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka, MN; Hazzan Gerald Cohen of Shaarei Tikva Congregation, Scardsdale, NY; Dr. Claire Sufrin, Assistant Director of Jewish Studies Northwestern University; and Dr. Michelle Friedman who holds the Sharon and Steven Lieberman Chair of Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Riverdale, NY.Although the word about Shlomo Carlebach’s wandering hands and sexual abuses had long been circulated in whispered conversations, the first public allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by Carlebach appeared in Lilith magazine a little over twenty years ago.Although an ordained Orthodox rabbi, Carlebach was known for championing women’s rights in Judaism and yet, was unable to refrain from sexual harassment and abuse. Stories of such behavior with young girls go back to as early as 1960. Following the initial revelations in Lilith, there was a groundswell of women in different age groups who came forward to say that they too had been molested by Carlebach when they were young.The charismatic Carlebach died in October, 1994 at age 69 and therefore could not defend himself against the accusations and allegations. It was a shadow that hung over his widow and two daughters.Two years ago, Neshama began addressing the subject publicly. It isn’t easy for her, particularly when gatherings include some of her father’s victims, but she feels it is important to give the victims some sort of closure by acknowledging their pain, and she also wants to make sure that the legacy of her father’s music continues to inspire despite his inability to control his sexual appetite. Even on a platonic level, Carlebach was a great hugger and kisser of men as well as women.■ SOON AFTER arriving in Israel in 2005, Rhoda Fischer immersed herself wholeheartedly into social welfare and cultural activities. During the eight years in which her husband, Stanley Fischer, served as Governor of the Bank of Israel, Rhoda Fischer was engaged in hands-on caring. One of the places closest to her heart was Aleh, the Israel network for children and adults with severe and complex disabilities.Very early in her life in Israel, Rhoda Fischer accepted an invitation to visit Aleh, and said afterwards: “The day I spent at ALEH, with the children who are nurtured, cared for and loved .was one of the most moving experiences of my life.”A couple of years later she became Honorary President of ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran, a position she held for five years until her return to America.Rhoda Fischer died last month, and at ALEH , while mourning her passing, the first thought that came to mind was to honor her memory.This will be done today, Sunday, July 5 with a virtual memorial ceremony and the dedication of a garden in her name. Rhoda Fischer loved flowers, which to her were the ultimate symbol of potential, given the proper care and attention. She viewed children the same way and dedicated much of her life to advancing the quality of life through inclusiveness of children with disabilities.The Rhoda Fischer garden will be tended by 26 special needs gardeners who will be paid a proper wage for their work and will receive a supportive social framework. Few things could be more symbolic of her vision.Speakers at the virtual event – accessed in Israel at 6 p.m., in New York at 11 a,m, and in San Francisco at 8 a.m. – will be ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran Chairman Maj. Gen. (Ret) Doron Almog, Stanley Fischer and his son David Fischer.■ TOWARD THE end of last month Prof. Ben Corn and his wife Dvora, who founded Gisha L’Chaim – Life’s Door, which helps terminally ill people cope with their conditions and be part of the decision-making process regarding their treatment, held a fund-raising event at their home in Caesarea. Corn is a radiation oncologist. His wife is both an occupational and family therapist who focuses on issues of loss and illness. Life’s Door is about enabling people to fulfill desires that are still within the realm of reality, while refraining from giving people false hopes.Speakers at the event were Ben Corn and Prof. Dan Arieli who kept guests riveted as they spoke about COVID-19 research, treatments and clinical trials in the global effort to find a preventive vaccine and a cure.Corn and Arieli are currently working on research that will bring hope to the sick in a time of crisis.“Hope is a great human need, even greater than love,” said Corn. “People can live without love, but they cannot live without hope.”Among the guests attending the event were businessman David Goldfarb, Leket Israel founder Joseph Gitler, former Azrieli CEO Yuval Bronstein, international business executive Eli Davidai and his wife Zohara who is chairwoman of the Friends of Poriya Medical Center, Moti and Sarah Teperberg, the owners of Teperberg Wineries, and fertility expert Dr. Arik Kahane.At 7 p.m. Israel time, tonight, Sunday, Corn and best-selling author Will Schwalbe will discuss reimagining hope and whether it can be learned, developed and cultivated.For access details, google: ReImagining Our Narrative of Hope.Photo credit: Richard Shavei Zion■ JUST A few days shy of a year ago, United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Eilon Lubiner – who was working on a farm for at-risk youth – had just finished milking the goats in the early morning, when there was a crackle from his communications device. There had been a serious car accident with multiple victims. Lubiner quickly jumped into his car arriving within five minutes at Good Samaritan junction where the accident occurred. He was the first responder at the scene, and on hearing a faint cry from the wreckage, went to investigate.The cry came from the sole survivor. Lubiner told the seriously injured young man that he was a medic and asked him to say what was hurting him. The young man replied that he felt a sharp pain in his arm from which he was bleeding profusely.Just as Lubiner was removing his Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) from his medical kit, a special rescue unit led by Lubiner’s father arrived. The senior Lubiner is an experienced officer in Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services.The crew rapidly cut away the side of the car and extracted the victim whose arm was all but severed.Together with another medic, Eilon Lubiner quickly applied the CAT, effectively staunching the blood flow.Seconds after an intensive care ambulance crew arrived, the victim lost consciousness and frantic efforts were made to stabilize his condition and to revive him. As soon as he regained consciousness the ambulance whisked him to the Hadassah Medical Center on Mount Scopus for emergency microsurgery.The following week, Lubiner contacted the patient’s parents and was pleased to learn that the surgery was successful and that doctors anticipated that the young man would regain full use of his arm.Meanwhile, United Hatzalah founder and President Eli Beer, received an email from his good friend Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld stating that he was at Mount Scopus with his grandson Elad, who had survived a horrible car accident that took the lives of two of his friends.Shortly afterward, Beer, together with Lubiner’s father who had led the extrication team, visited Elad in the hospital. A day or two later Elad was also visited by the younger Lubiner who had saved his life. It was an emotional visit between the two previous strangers who now felt a deep bond. Lubiner also met Elad’s grateful parents who, at a loss for words, simply embraced himThe young United Hatzalah volunteer kept tabs on Elad and visited him every couple of weeks and also got regular updates from his parents.Eleven months later, the family – in an expression of gratitude – donated a specialized ambucycle to United Hatzalah for the use of Eilon Lubiner. “The ambucycle is uniquely outfitted for the difficult terrain in the Judean desert where he lives and works,” the donation stated.For Lubiner, it was extremely moving to see Elad join his family at the presentation ceremony.Elad’s father, Ra’anan, said that even before the accident, he had scheduled to speak about United Hatzalah at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London on Yom Kippur.The rabbi, who also happens to be Elad’s maternal grandfather, urged him to tell the story of how Elad’s life was saved.The congregation responded accordingly, and that’s how Lubiner got his special ambucycle.greerfc@gmail.com
