THE SHP
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7


EL


7 Omer 5767 20 Omer 5767 Aprill 10, 21007 April 23, 2007


Headline Headline Headline Headline Headline


BLACK'S GCT JEW BACK
Lewis Black at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
March 28 for Jewish Awareness Month. The event
was co-sponsored by ACCENT. See story, page 7.



Freedom Chant of

the Faithful
JosH KALLER Exodus: I hear the light incan-
tations of the great Rastafari Bob
Marley recounting the movement
I .-' of da' people. Thousands packed
Their kids, their camels, their cat-
tle and fled leaving fright in their
wake. Or did they? A recent New
York Times article by Michael
Slackman, "Did the Red Sea Part? No Evidence, Archae-
ologists say," says otherwise.
On a small mission trip to the land of sand and scarabs,
Mr. Slackman interviewed leading Egyptian archaeologists
about evidence of the biblical record being written some-
where in the sand. They checked the dirt, they checked the
dunes, they checked the hieroglyphics: nothing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3


LEO STEIN Jews have many identity prob-
S lems on this side of the world.
S^ One of the broadest divisions
is between Ashkenazi and Sep-
hardic Jews. On one side, are the
pasty, arrogant Ashkenazim (not
my words). These Jews originated
in Middle Age Germany.
On the other side, there are the darker, dumber Sep-
hardic Jews (says the Ashkenazim). They lived on the Ibe-
rian Peninsula until the Spanish Inquisition, when it was
no longer cool to be anything but Catholic.
The problem with these Jewish definitions I've just
provided is that they're pretty much inconsequential. To-
day, Ashkenazim and Sephardim carry far different la-
bels.
For example, plenty of Ashkenazi Jews don't come
from Germany and most Sephardic Jews are labeled for
their origins of Middle Eastern or North African descent
(without the Spanish connection). Eighty percent of Jews
in the world are Ashkenazim, and most of the rest are Sep-
hardim. Outside of the American and Israeli communities,
anthropologists have found genetic and ritual aspects of
Jewry in places like Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
and South India.
The actual differences between the labels are cultural


The SHPiEL and the City

GISELLEMAZUR The SHPiEL editors had an
as interesting time in New York City.
V From watching Lori the vegetar-
Sian devour the best damn corn beef
E Reuben in the city to having my
Spurs stolen right off my arm to
1 waiting in line for 20 minutes for
a cupcake, good times were had by
all.
SHPiEL Scene editor Lori Finkel and I attended the
36th Annual National Student Journalism and Writing
Seminar, hosted by the Jewish Student Press Service's
New Voices Magazine and the Azure Student Journals
Project, March 28-30.
Since 1971 the JSPS has brought together Jewish stu-
dents for the event, but this year's co-sponsorship with
Azure allowed students to "[build] a community of young
Jewish Americans engaged in the world of reading and


ones. When it comes to religion, both Ashkenazim and
Sephardim believe in practicing the writings of the Torah
and Talmud. For a Friday night service, one might stick to
Neo-Hasidic tunes from a "Singing Rabbi" (Ashkenazi),
while the other might do traditional chanting-style recita-
tions (Sephardic).Although the message is the same, there
are practically no synagogues in Israel that combine the
two divisions.
Culturally, it is best to recognize the sensitivity of
comparing the two. In the beginning of Israel's history,
many Sephardim hated or judged Ashkenazim in Israel for
their perceived prejudice and domination over the state's
resources.
Ashkenazim usually took the main seats in govern-
ment, and they did not provide Sephardim with job op-
portunities when they immigrated to Israel in the early
1950s. It is also common knowledge that the Ashkenazim
just can't cook. Maybe it's the Sephardic blood in me, but I
don't see how you can compare delicious dough that takes
half a day to make with Gefilte fish. A Sephardic friend
of mine has a grandmother who explicitly threatened him
with family ostracism if he had anything to do with a
white, Jewish girl.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3


writing," according to the New Voices Web site.
The event included a screening of clips from "Argu-
ing the World: The Legacy of the New York Intellectuals"
at the Center for Jewish History. I was surprised to find a
picture of my great grandfather in one of the exhibits.
The rest of the conference was comprised of panels
of professional Jewish
journalists, including
the first ombudsman
for National Public
Radio and the edi- .
tors from Forward, .
Azure and the New
York Times.

CONTINUED ON
PAGE 8


A cupcake from the Magnolia Bakery.
Photo courtesy of hungryhedonistblogspotcom.


* 0


E The Rabbi dies in
0 Florence

i Freedom rant and
Identity debate
*g continued...

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Moxie Medyl advises:
SYou better shop
around

SOrange and blue
goes green


Get krunk off
Klezmer Juice

A new Poison for
the Well


SSSSSSSSSS@Segeg


Sticky-fingered
rabbi lifts Louis
Vuitton neckties


Paying tribute
to Jewish
baseball player,
Lou Limmer


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Passover That Pot: Marijuana kosher for Passover?


JOSH FLEET There's been a flurry of talk'
about marijuana among religious
authorities, political activists, obser-
Svant Jews and defensive stoners in
Israel and the Diaspora.
SThe discussion centers on a re-
cent conclusion coming from the
Israeli pro-pot Green Leaf Party
that cannabis may not be kosher for
Passover.
The precautionary announcement cited marijuana's pos-
sible legumal status as the impetus for preclusion from the
short list of things that are OK to eat (or even legally posses)
on Passover.
Legumes are a group of dry fruits including peas, beans,
lentils, peanuts, and apparently, pot. In Jewish law and tradi-
tion, these foods fall under the category of"kitniyot" and are
prohibited for Ashkenazi Jews (those of Eastern European
descent) on the holiday of Passover.
In the old days, kitniyot were stored or grown in close
proximity to grains such as wheat and barley which are
classified as "chametz" and are prohibited on Passover.
Accordingly, Eastern European Jews developed a tradi-
tion (which over the years became a "minhag" or legally-
binding tradition) simultaneously prohibiting kitniyot from
consumption on Passover -just to be on the safe side.
But this stuff is usually smoked, not eaten. Do the rules
even apply?


The pot on Passover issue only highlights a greater de-
bate in Jewish circles of observance about the questionable
relevancy of the still-standing kitniyot ban.
Two opposing blogs, the Kitniyot Liberation Front and
Kitniyos Defense League, have sprouted up online with the
first seeking progressive revision and the latter opting for
defense of tradition.
Many pot-loving Jews would like to discard the ban be-
cause of its out-of-datedness but are reluctant to do so with-
out a decree from a prominent Jewish ruling body or leader.
The religious court out of Machon Shilo in Israel pro-
vided such a ruling on March 20, more than a week before
the Passover holiday began.
The claim is that Jews living in Israel today should nei-
ther be classified as Ashkenazi nor Sephardi (of Spanish,
Arabic and Persian descent), but rather as their own group.
With this in mind, the ruling says Jews of Israel are not sub-
ject to the ban of kitniyot for Passover.
Heated politics of the ultra-orthodox aside, this debate
presupposes the idea that marijuana is permitted throughout
the rest of the year.
And why shouldn't it? Cannabis is a naturally grown
plant. There is nothing in the Torah that disallows its con-
sumption or use, except perhaps the harm it may cause one's
body when smoked.
So, another question is brought to mind: is there anything
in Jewish tradition or writing that directly or implicitly men-
tions marijuana?


The most prominent example can be found in the Holiest
of Holies. There is a verse in the Torah from which many
believe the word "cannabis" actually originates.
Exodus 30:23 describes the various spices and plants
used to make the sacred anointing oil for the Temple and all
our peoples' anointing needs.
It reads, "HaShem spoke to Moses, saying, 'Now you,
take for yourself choice spices, of flowing myrrh five hun-
dred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half as much, two hun-
dred and fifty and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty.'"
In Hebrew, the phrase "keneh-bosem" is what has been
traditionally and vaguely translated as "fragrant cane." Many
view this phrase as subtle reference to the cannabis plant.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8


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PRESTON

ELECTRIC, INC.
Jay Linkenhelt
C ('130018-IH jyH piprestonlinkelectric com
4ll0) S.W. :t5lh Ten ace u.ined;I illk, FL -'S2 8
Voice 352-373-3516 Fax 3523-35-3836


The Only Student-Run Jewish Campus Newspaper in the Country, Right Here at the University of Florida


Editor-in-Chief
Kimberly Gouz
kimgouz@gmail.com
Scene Editor
Lori Finkel
lmfinkel@ufl.edu
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Giselle Mazur
gisellel@ufl.edu


Executive Advisor/Mentor
Rabbi Yonah Schiller
ravyonah@ufhillel.org
Director of Layout and Design
Tracy Flack
tracyll5@ufl.edu

Director of Photography
Jennifer Harnish
beezlenuts@yahoo.com


Chief Visionaries
Josh Kaller
pundit@ufl.edu
Josh Fleet
joshlf@ufl.edu
Layout Assistant
Jackie Jacob
jackiejacob@gmail.com


Israel Correspondent
Leo Stein
tintin@ufl.edu

Editorial Staff
Kimberly Gouz
Lori Finkel
Giselle Mazur
Josh Kaller
Josh Fleet
Rabbi Yonah Schiller


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~IE he remarked, pointing at the self-por-
trait. Feeling a mixture of devastation
and outrage, I managed to respond,
"What are you talking about?!" He
f. then explained by saying, "With all
of these drawings, you are basically
masturbating. You know exactly
what the outcome will be before
you begin, and you are making these
I died in Florence drawings only to make yourself feel
one time. good. With the self-portrait, you clearly do not know
I was studying in what you are doing. You are outside of what you kni ow,
art school in Florence, and the results are unpredictable and...interesting."
Italy, when an estab- I was rocked. It was good thing.
lished artist from Lon- From this point, my artwork evolved. I began to
don visited my studio clue in to what makes something worth doing. I re-
to provide critiques of student work. A number of us alized: we stick with what we know because it feels
came to the studio, portfolios in hand, and waited our warm and fuzzy. And we are risk adverse because we
turn to enter the room where the critiques were being worry the unknown may not feel so good.
held. The NY Times recently ran an article about the
Once inside, I proudly began to lay out my pieces ill-effects of constantly using positive reinforcement
around the room in a semi-circle. At that time, my work with children. For example, parents have a common
was a collection of tight renderings, accurate pen-and- tendency to tell their children, "You are so smart, great
ink drawings that were inarguably impressive. At the job!" The article goes on to point out that this type
last minute, I decided to include an oil painting I both of affirmation lowers self-esteem in general and ulti-
started and completed that morning. mately inhibits our ability to become dynamic people.
T... -. .. -- 1 -- :* ..- --1 .-.' T "T o _n f +ko 1 -h;l'l -roAtAn ;nrr tn r "Th-, 4 f
JEI.11.U 1%~f11O%'L'111 .1~I~'J


It was my Iirst oil paining a seli portrait. I re-
member having fun pushing around the new material
with which I had very little control. It was an experi-
ment, an exercise.
Once all of the pieces were neatly presented be-
fore the visiting artist, I sat back and waited for his in-
evitable praise. He briskly walked in front of my work
and then finally stopped in front of the oil painting, my
last-minute creation.
"Everything here is crap, but this is interesting,"


I don't need to put out effort." Expending effort be-
comes stigmatized, and children stop working to capi-
talize on their natural gifts.
It's so easy to go with the stick-with what-you-are
good-at approach. In my case, it created some predict-
able results and the painful death of the artist I used
to be.
Email Rabbi Yonah Schiller comments or future,
"Ask the Rabbi" questions to ravyonah@uTiillel.org.


The Throwdown: Sephardim vs. Ashkenazi


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Ashkenazim were also a bit racist. You have to
remember that when the Eastern-European Jews first came
to Israel, they were already exposed to modernist schools
of thought like communism and feminism. When they
heard of Moroccan Jews keeping their wives entrapped in
the home and how many North African Jews spoke Arabic
as their main language, the Ashkenazim quickly labeled
them "backward." Even today there are Ashkenazim that
consider themselves more beautiful and certainly smarter
than Sephardim, as they note their long line of Nobel Prize
winning scholars. And what the hell is that Eastern-inflect-
ed singing the Sephardim always do?
But all that tension ... well, it doesn't really apply as
much these days. Sure, Israeli Jews have their heritages,


but as an Israeli friend just told me, we're living in the
second generation of Israelis. From what Iunderstand, any
serious animosity between Ashkenazim and Sephardim is
practically disintegrated at this point. In fact, there are
strange couplings going on in Israel based on off stereo-
typical commonalities.
There is an understanding that Polish Israelis and
Moroccan Israelis are great partners because both share
overprotective, smothering mothers. German Israelis and
Yemenite Israelis are also famous because they're both
anal about their organization and known for intellectual
debate. This is a growing phenomenon in Israel.
The stereotypes and traditions will never die, but at
least we're biting our bullets and daringly introducing
each other to our respective grandmothers.


Too drunk off ignorance


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

There is no testimony of the devastation that ensued in
Egypt during a nation's great escape.
So what does that mean for us? Should we cancel next
year's seder plans?
Should we forego the matzah pizzas and matzo balls,
accepting that only science justifies the soul? Do we need
the evidence, the fact, the DNA to know what G-d hath
done for us?
The absence of this evidence brings us to acknowl-
edge and question our faith.
Do we need Egyptian mitochondrial DNA to be found
at the bottom of the sea in order to validate our holidays?
Perhaps the evidence was erased for a purpose. The
story that we experience at seder tables, onbreadless dish
days, and on matzo munchfests is one of sweet, savory
freedom born from slavery and suffering.
We Americans have a problem: we don't look at our
history. Not our American history, our European history or
our religious history.
We are drunk off ignorance, and we love it. Slavery is
not so far in our past. Equality just came into fruition thirty
years ago.
But we are all too ready to forget all the sacrifice and
hard work our forefathers invested in our happiness.
We need to remember civil wars, global tragedies, his-
torical triumphs and even the calamities.
The history of humanity belongs to everyone. But are
you invested in your inheritance? By allowing ourselves to
let history be forgotten, we squander our greatest gift.
We need to look back. It is in our ability to reflect
on the past to ensure that we will affect the world with
progress.
We have been given freedoms, and some of them have
recently been taken away from us. Does anyone remember
the Patriot Act?
This piece of parchment has stolen rights from indi-
viduals around the country.
Phones are tapped without judges' permission, people
are held in captivity indefinitely, and we simply sit. We
need to understand the extent of rights and gifts that were
privileged to us by Man's and heaven's precedent.
It is my duty, your duty, our duty to begin changing
this world again. We were granted freedom for a reason.
We all were. What do we choose to accomplish with our
freedom is the ultimate existential question.
I say dream. I say build. I say do. We are the next gen-
eration of freemen and freewomen. We have an obligation
to ensure the freedom and health of our children. We don't
need the writing in the sand to know that we were freed.
The proof is in the pudding.


@ i"C7 Tonya Blackman
TERRITORY MANAGER

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Schtupping in the Shtetl

You Better Shop Around
BY MOXIE MEYDL
p .' Wedding bands are so
the new UGG boots.
,It feels like every girl
around me is getting mar-
ried before graduating col-
,..1 J lege.
Can't you at least wait
until you graduate?
What is so urgent that
S you stomp the glass before
t you even have a Bachelor's
: ,degree?
If you're doing it for "re-
ligious reasons," look, it's
not like we don't know that you're having premarital sex.
You aren't fooling us, and you aren't fooling G-d, so why
opt for the title? Why are you so ready to give up your iden-
tity to become Mrs. Someone-else's-last-name?
People must be so insecure in their relationships they feel
they need to go the extra step to make sure their lover won't
be with anyone else, as if the ring was a shield.
Let me tell you bubeleh, it's not.
We all know the stories of your Prince Charming and his
midnight mistresses.
Now, I'm well-aware that 'young marriage is not a new
trend, but considering the advancements in women's rights,
it's a surprising one.
You'd think that with all our foremothers went through to
avoid marriage-enduring society's disapproval when they
divorced from the men they were pressured to marry at a
young age-that we wouldn't be so eager to tie the knot, seal
the deal and attach the ol' ball 'n' chain.
We no longer have to consult matchmakers (with the ex-
ception of J-Date), we aren't married off at 15 in exchange
for three goats, shotgun weddings are not a must and it's ac-
ceptable to develop a career before having a family.
In this country, we're allowed to date.
It's okay to see someone for a week and then chuck 'em
when they get clingy. Well, except for strict Orthodox Jews.
They don't date. They-have an interview to ask questions
about the potential spouse, and then the parents and the rabbi
decide if the couple can marry.
Can you imagine being married to the first person you had
a crush on?
I was certainly a poor judge of character the first time
around. My first boyfriend dropped out of high school and
popped so many pills that now he can barely remember his
own name, let alone yours.
Imagine, if you will, being bound to your first love 'til
death do you part, which in my case, may have come sooner
than expected
In a rare instance, a friend told me her parents married
straight out of high school and stayed married for 30 years.
SThey say the sex is great, but then again her mom and pop
were each other's "firsts." You know what they say, igno-
rance is bliss.
But you can't really know what "great" is unless you've
got something to compare it to.
Smokey Robinson put it best in his 1960 number one hit
when he advised, "Before you ask some guy for his hand
now/Keep your freedom for as long as you can now/My
mama.told me/You better shop around."

Hit up Moxie Medyl atmoxiemedyl@gmail.com with
questions or for advice on your sex life. Who knows?
She may even be able to enlighten you as to why your
having a hard time getting shtupped.


Green Gators Speak Out and Win

50-cent fee to be added to each UF credit hour


BY TRACY FLACK
SHPiEL Contributing Writer

The University of Florida can now proudly display its
colors: orange, blue and green.
Last month, students at UF went to the polls and de-
cided to go green, and a referendum was passed allowing a
50-cent fee to be added to every credit hour.
The Renewable Energy Fee, which will raise a total
of approximately $645,000 a year, will be used to fund
projects to increase the sustainability of the campus.
The bill was sponsored by Gators for a Sustainable
Campus, who pushed to get it on the ballot in the Spring
Student Government elections. At least 10 percent of the
student body needed to sign the petitionin order for the
referendum to be considered for the ballot. They obtained
nearly 600 signatures.
It passed with 78 percent of the vote.
The funds generated will facilitate a transition to re-
newable energy and better forms of energy conservation
on campus. The proposed changes include converting
vending machines to solar power and making dorms more
energy efficient, said Brendan Moore, president of Gators
for a Sustainable Campus.
The plan outlined other projects that include using
compact fluorescent light bulbs in the dorms to decrease
the amount of carbon dioxide released into the earth's at-
mosphere and installing solar panels on the roofs of park-
ing garages to generate energy from the sun, according to
the organization's Web site.
The underlying motivation for these projects is to
preserve enough energy and resources for future genera-
tions, said Dedee DeLongprd, director of the Office of.


Sustainability at
UF as well as the
faculty advisor oft -7
Gators for a Sus-
tainable Campu.s
"To be en-
ergy efficient P i
is to wean our-
selves from those
non-renewable
resources," De-.
Longpr6 said
"We're going to e; r
have to learn to
be much more ef-
ficient."
DeLongpre -
said whenever
students work
from within to rhor, t-,- Tra flaI.
create solutions. Brow.ard Dining Hall has tranitioned to Lumg
locaill gown products im their food Soon
it seems to be Bro..d anndother campus dining halb will
easier and more install methane po-'er generation unilt fuieled
effective. by the food waai e or. campus
This is why
she encourages students to.personally contribute to in-
creasing sustainability and energy efficiency on campus.
In addition to supporting the Renewable Energy Fee, De-
longpr6 listed different things students can do.
If we could get everyone to unplug their things over
[spring] break, DeLongpr6 said, we could save over
$100,000 worth of energy.


VISA Elects King & Queen of Cultural Kingdom


AMRITHAALLADI They rule a kingdom which

S language barriers.
SRyan Balmes and Robyn-Ann
I Vi Lawson walked away with crowns
1 f 6 Friday night as Mr. and Mrs.
VISA. The Volunteers for Interna-
tional Student Affairs held its 2007
"Beauty Undefined" pageant at the University of Florida
Auditorium as part of VISA month. Of the nine contestants
who participated Friday night, Balmes and Lawson won
the hearts of the judges.
"Winning has just been proof that this is a family ef-
fort," Balmes said, minutes after being crowned. "Every-
thing you saw on stage today was put together by Filipino
Student Association as a whole: the choreography, every-
thing."
His friends certainly encouraged him during and after
the show, hooting, hollering and whistling every time he
strutted across stage.
Rilwan Ajayi of African Student Union and Garilynn
Sincere of Club Creole won the runners-up positions.
The nine contestants included members of Club Cre-
ole, African Student Union, Caribbean Student Associa-
tion, Greek-American Student Association, Hispanic Stu-
dent Association, Filipino Student Association, and Arabic
Cultural Association. Each had to flaunt himself or her-
self in traditional clothing, casual wear, evening wear and


through a cultural talent.
During the question-answer portion of the pageant,
Balmes was asked about the importance of little pocket
communities such as China Town and Little Havana.
"These communities are important especially for
first-generation immigrants. It makes them feel at home,"
Balmes said.
Ajayi recognized personal qualities of each individu-
al. No race can be summed up in one word, he explained.
His talent, a recitation of his own original poem, clearly
emphasized this point.
"It's not the same person throughout a given race,"
he said. "We all have personalities and characteristics that
make us unique."
Despite individual uniqueness, students still feel the
need to be part of a group they can relate to. Lawson noted
the significance of VISA at UF. She said students often
feel very alone on such a large campus and VISA allows
minority groups to stick together as a family.
The contestants were able to showcase their cultures
and represent minority groups through their participation
in the pageant. By educating the public in this way, stereo-
types and racial prejudices can be dispelled, said Sean-Pat-
rick Prince of the Caribbean Student Association. Prince
said he is hopeful about America's future.
"I do believe America can be free of racial stereo-
types," he said, "but it will take the effort of all cultural
groups."


0Ir
.








news


Matzo for Easter: Ramblings from a Reader


SVINCENT MASSARO So...it's been a while. I know,
SI know-I should have called. But
let me just say, you look fantastic-
g no, I really mean it. Did you lose
weight? You look like you've lost
at least 20 pounds. Wait, what? No
Si bread or yeast products for an entire
Weekk! How did you do it? Can you
still feel your legs?
Anyway, in case you've been wondering what I, your
humble pagan writer of Jewish culture, have been up to these
days, I'll tell you.
Last week, I returned from a six-week sabbatical from
the Amazon (which may or may not include a half-naked
Vincent ordering area rugs from Amazon.com) to find that I
had been invited to attend my very first seder..
In case you forgot, I'm a recovering Catholic, not Jew-
ish. Easter was on Sunday. The bunnies and I had a blast.
But I thought the seder would be a great learning op-
portunity, so on April 3, I attended this highly unpassable
Passover Seder at the apartment of fellow SHPiELer, all-
around-do-gooder and superhero Josh Kaller. (Note: "un-
passable Passover" is a trademark of Joshua Kaller.)
I brought with me two bottles of Manischewitz and a
sofa cushion. I left the carton of eggs and the decorating kit


in the car.
The first thing I noticed at the seder was that everyone
was Jewish.
The second thing I noticed was the cat in the corer that
would awaken my allergies. I have never sneezed so much
in one evening. Lucky, I was saved by the handkerchief my
grandfather taught me to put in my pocket--even if I look
like a grandpa when I take it out. I wash it regularly, though.
I promise.
I found the company to be very welcoming and very
warm-literally, it had to be 110 degrees in there. More than
30 people crowded into Josh's living room. We opened the
windows, but water condensed on the air vent only to drip on
unsuspecting guests.
It was a hardship, but Josh reminded us that fleeing
Egypt and spending 40 years in the desert was probably a bit
more uncomfortable.
It was interesting for me as a Catholic because we're
taught the same stuff growing up. In the Old Testament, we
learn about the slavery in Egypt, Moses, the plagues, Pha-
raoh, the parting of the Red Sea and so on.
Back to the seder at hand, everyone took turns read-
ing aloud from the Haggadah (brought to you by the Max-
well House family of coffees) and singing in Hebrew. I
tried to follow along with the phonetic English version, but I


couldn't find the right page.
What really struck me, though, was the sense of family.
It's tough for the non-Christian religions to celebrate their
-holidays without the intrusion of work or school.
Everyone that night was away from their family, away
from their home. But together, it was like a new family had
emerged.
Even though everybody's explanations and little tra-
ditions varied slightly, all were gathered to celebrate their
common heritage.
Above all, the food was outstanding even though, at
times, I wasn't sure what I was eating. The charoset was my
favorite, I think.
Everyone helped explain things to me, even with my
chronic sneezing. And I even enjoyed the Manischewitz, es-
pecially after someone told me it was a mitzvah, or good
deed, to drink the wine at the seder table.
Later in the evening, a man named Alfie Coleman went
missing, and we had to find him. He's this elderly Jewish
gentleman (a survivor, I think), but he gets disoriented now
and again, and all the pillows made it very easy to get lost. We
found him underneath some furniture, and he's OK now.
After I went home, I sold all my chametz (leavened
bread products) to my neighbor. Next year, I'll see you in
Israel.


. .. ..N
-n,


Dr. David Cook Joe Torre
Professional Athletic Manager of the
Motivational Coach New York Yankees

For more information about our organization
and details about the speakers, check us out at
www.nationspeakerxchange.com
-------------------------------
National Speakers Exchange

3307 Taney Road, Baltimore, MD, 21215
(443) 904 6025
info@nationalspeakersxchange.com


Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote to the Polish prime minister requesting that
his country enact a restitution law for property confiscated during the Nazi and
communist eras. Also signing the letter to Jaroslaw Kaczynski were members of
the Helsinki Commission. Clinton and the commission want the Polish govern-
ment to ensure that properties obtained illegally will be returned or the owners
will be properly compensated.
Israel's state comptroller is expected to release reports soon on alleged financial
improprieties by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The improprieties, labeled "grave"
by comptroller officials, concern the Trade Ministry's Investment Center and the
purchase of Olmert's home in Jerusalem, Ha'aretz reported.

Azmi Bishara, chairman of Israel's Arab Balad Party, will resign in the coming
da) s. The Jerusalem Post, citing a report Sunday in the Nazareth-based A-Sinara
newspaper, said Bishara will resign over "very serious" allegations. However, a
gag order prevented releasing further details.
One elephant trampled another to death at an Israeli nature park. Yossi, a 33-year-
old, se\ en-ton bull elephant, charged and killed his herd's matriarch Monday,
a 46-year-old female named Atari, as visitors at the Safari Park near Tel Aviv
watched in horror, according to Ha'aretz. "What happened to Yossi, who grew up
all his life with Atari, and they always got along?" YigalHorowitz, a veterinarian
at the park, said to Israel Radio. "Here and there were small fights, but they never
had fight like this one."

P.- pe Benedict XVI in his annual Easter message noted some "signs of hope
in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority" while lamenting
the "continual slaughter" in Iraq. Also citing unrest in Afghanistan, the pontiff
denounced terrorism and kidnapping, and "the thousand faces of violence which
some people attempt to justify in the name of religion," as well as human rights
violations. He also had harsh words about the "underestimated humanitarian situ-
ation" in Darfur as well as other African places of suffering.


7/ /nU/ K U~~~/ / /l'~n UV /


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strange



LORI FINKEL
soWP-9


strange'


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strange -weird


Give Me Some of that Klezmer Juice


Opening for radio
breakout Ben Harper wasn't
the first thing Klezmer Juice's
Gustavo Bulgach mentioned in
the interview.
It wasn't even the second.


Itwasmore like anafterthought
just before he hung up the phone.
Bulgach wasn't sure how he got
the gig at the upcoming Claremont
Folk Festival in Claremont, Calif.
He said it came through the friend
of a friend.
The contact told Bulgach to
drop off a copy of his album at some
obscure record shop in California.
There would be two guys waiting
for him.
The guys called him back,
blasting Klezmer Juice in the
background, Bulgach said. They
asked him if he wanted to play at
a music festival where Harper was


It doesn't hurt that his friends happen to be rock
'n roll artist Little Richard, DJ So-Called and drummer
Nicole Falzone, who Bulgach said is amazing.
Bulgach was offered a spot with the house band at
the House of Blues in Hollywood, but he turned it down.
"I don't want to be a rock star," Bulgach said. "I


I don't want to be
a rock star. I never
wanted to be a
rock star.


-Gustavo Bulgach


headlining.
Bulgach said he would play under one condition-
if he was scheduled on the same day as Harper.
The 41-year-old clarinet player is the only consistent
member of Klezmer Juice. He'll ask his musician friends
to back him with other instruments when he sets up a
gig.


at 10 a.m. General ahrission is $20, $10 for students and
$50 for a family of foar. Tickets can be purchased online
at http://claremontfolkfestival.org.


never wanted to be a rock star."
Bulgach just wants to revive
the klezmer sound, a style of music
associated with secular Ashkenazi
Judaism and the Yiddish language.
But the festival is not the only
attention he's received.
Country Music Heritage
Records asked Bulgach to make
a tribute album to reggae artist
Matisyahu. Like the Claremont Folk
Festival gig, Bulgach said he wasn't
sure how the company found him
but made the album anyway.
He transcribed Matisyahu's
music and studied the songs.
Bulgach's ability to cover a modern


Jewish artist in a klezmer style has created a link to Old
World Judaism through contemporary music.
However, Bulgach said his music isn't just for Jews.
"When I play for a non-Jewish audience I hear, 'I felt
Jewish today,'" Bulgach said.
Klezmer Juice will be playing at the 27th Annual
Claremont Folk Festival in Claremont, Calif. on May 5


Poison the Well, A New Version


BY BOBBY RICHARDSON
Coatribiting Wrter

In the opening lines of Poison the Well's new CD
"Versions," released April 2, front-man Jeffrey Moriera
proclaims, "Tell me you doubt I'm ordinary." His band's
new album is anything but.
Moriera and his band mates, drummer Chris
Hombrook and guitarist Ryan Primack, just released their
fourth full-length album. The first record on the band's
new label Ferret Records, "Versions" fortifies everything
fans love about PTW and creates what is (so far at least)
the most cohesive
and brilliant
Poison the Well: album of 2007.
"Versio PTW has
Versionsalways differed
from its metalcore
Album rating: A peers-the band
understands how
heavy music can
have melody and
still maintain its edge. Many of the songs on this release
have less of Moriera's screaming than previous albums.
"Versions" reinforces what most PTW fans already know:
how incredible Moriera's voice actually is.
Songs like the "Nagaina" and Slow Good Morning"
display the beauty of Moriera's slow croon and bring
back memories of early Quicksand. But make no mistake,
the album still brings the noise. From the opening fury of


"Letter Things" to the ending screams of "The First Day
of My Second Life," they still rock harder than anything
you'll hear on the radio and most bands that you won't.
The perfect blend of intensity and passion, "Versions"
makes bands like Hinder and Disturbed wonder why they
can't even fake this kind of sincerity. It manages to capture
all the power and energy of aPTW show and turn it into an
album that won't be leaving your CD player anytime soon.
If you like Thursday, From Autumn to Ashes, Atreyu or
just good music in general, this album is a must-have.


OFFICE SOLUTIONS
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DOUGLAS SHARF


Black Backs Jews for JAM


SJewish comedian L.e' i,
Black performed at the Stephen C
SO'Connell Center on Maich 28 in
a joint production b. ACCENT and
Jewish Awareness Month.
The show began at 8. 15 p.nm.
with introductions by Andrew Brown, Chairmann of ACCI EN T.
and Lander Gold, Chairman of JAM.
"Lewis Black is here for Jewish Awarene.ss Month in an
attempt to show Judaism in lights that ha\ e nex er beern '.een
before," said Gold.
According to ACCENT security stallT about si\ thousand
were in attendance.
John Bowman, on tour with Black, kicked off the night.
Bowman's credits include "Seinfeld," the "To.night Sho'\ \\ ith
Johnny Carson" and spots on MTV andA& E
His act was well-received by the audience and was
marked by his reaction to the next JAM e\ent. Slain Poetri
JAM. After mentioning the event, he had to step a\\ a. froni
the microphone to recollect himself from his' g uffl at the idea
of Jews reading slam poetry. At the end of his hal f-hour shtick.
Bowman introduced Black.
Black took the stage and the audience roared \with
applause. His opening bit included an attempt to comment on
ho\\ there is no greater feeling than walking g on stage as the
audience cheers. How\e\er. e\er time he would d rn to sa\ the
line. a man in the cro\\d wouldd lell. and Black would d chide
him for ruining the moment
Black's temper and his tendencN to become easiil riled
characterized his act. He also peppered his performance \ ith
randomlN placed F-bombs and his signature inde\-fiinger
sagging.
His routine touched on losing \irginit\. Christmas.
dreidels and weather among other topics. Black e\en targeted
JAN M.
S "Wh\ the f**k would d \ou need a Jewish .Awareness
SMonth in Florida? E\erx fourth person is an elderly Je\I!"
The J.AI slogan is. "If not us. \\ho?' If not no\%. %hem?"
Black certainlI did not let that one fl\ without knocking
it and said. "Ve'll open [the JAM.N slogan] up for discussion: I
don't e\en kno\\ what the F*K it means!"
Black received his Master of Fine Arts degree in drama
from Yale and began his career as a pla\\1right. He \%rote
more than 40 plaN s. but his stand up led him to HBO comedy\
Specials. a position as correspondent on the Dail Sho\\ \ith
Jon Ste%%art. several film roles and the 200' Gramnm A\\ard
for Best Comed\ Album.


Black \" lapped up his act ithl inspirational
\is'dom. telling his student-based audience to
foIllo their dreams He v. as ie\.arded % ith an
instant standing o\ation
I w\as able to catch Black on his \vai\ doi n
the hall after the shin. escorted b\ security,. I had


been thinking .t a question t.o ask him all night in
case iust such an opportunity arose I blurted out mN
question.
His answer. "I'd be a dog .\ small one One
that '\oI can cam around and don't ha'e to do a lot
of dhit for"


Wlo


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f4' -
,~-'..,"" .


Should I stay or should I go


Toilet paper draped Univer-
sity Avenue and countless coeds
loomed over the streets from light
poles and palm trees. It felt like a
scene out of "Groundhog Day."
The same thing keeps happening
over and over again, national title
after national title.


Before coming to college, all I wanted was to take
part in a National Championship while at school. Never in
my wildest dreams did I imagine what was to come.
As the clock counted down, my thoughts of a Na-
tional Championship were overshadowed by sadness. Not
because basketball season was over-depressing enough


Pot for Passover

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Yoseph Lieb, a periodic contributor and-member of
the Jewschool community, has his own blog "Cannabis
Chassidis" for which he uses this verse and other teachings
to delve deep into the question of drug use in a religious
Jewish context.
In one .post, Lieb claims, "In some modem Halachic
opinions...marijuana is the most Mehudar (wonderful)
spice to use for Havdalah, the separation ritual after the
Sabbath."
Unfortunately, any further reference to cannabis in
biblical or even rabbinic Jewish text and debate has either
been lost, suppressed or simply doesn't exist.
While I'd love to further justify nightly couch sessions
and Waffle House runs as -necessary for personal Jewish
enrichment, this seems a bit of hopeful stretch.
The recent debate regarding cannabis and relevant
Passover restrictions presume that it is in fact kosher dur-
ing the non-Pesach part of the year. Until an official ruling
is made though, use of cannabis in a Jewish context will
remain a matter of personal choice.
And to that, let us say: Amen.

Note: Opinions expressed do notnecessarily reflect those
of The SIPiEL. The SIIPiEL does not endorse the use of
drugs. Please, don't drink and drive, and always, always,
wear a seat belt.

This has been a public sern ice announcement brought to
you by The SHPiEL.


DEREK BERNSTEIN


. -

1,.r--A&--,., ++


The city's SHPiEL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

On Friday, Lori and I had the opportunity to
tour the New York Times and experience the "
magic of one of the most trusted newspapers in
the world first-hand. We visited the news room,
the editorial board room and the Wall of Fame, -.
where exceptional journalists were honored for
their achievements.
In our spare time, the "Double Mint Twins"
as Lori and I were so delightfully dubbed for the
weekend, made it a point to get a real feel for the
city.
We ate Reuben sandwiches at Katz's-the
mecca of Jewish deli food and the place where
Meg Ryan vocalized her, um, pleasure in "When Ths is
Harry Met Sally." Lori Fin
And yes, even Lori, a staunch vegetarian, rev- Jourrsl
eled in the corn-beefy goodness.
I had documentation of this earth-shattering event, but
after Katz's we went shopping around the West Village
where my purse, which contained my camera with all of
the pictures from the trip, was stolen right off my arm.
It wasn't at all like the movies. A guy in a black ski
mask didn't yank the purse and jet down the street as I
screamed for help. In fact, I didn't even realize it was gone
for 10 minutes. Words of caution: wear a purse with thick
straps that can't easily be cut with a razor. The police of-
ficers who responded to the call also advised me to avoid
backpacks because the bottoms can be easily slit, and your
fallen belongings will be taken hostage before you realize


as it is-but because one of the greatest college teams ever
created will soon be no more. The allure of guaranteed,
first-round money was enough to draw four of UF's star
Junior players.
Al Horford, a 6"10'monster, is touted by scouts as
the most NBA-ready of the Orange and Blue. In his junior
season, Horford continued to show defensive presence as
a shot blocker as well as a force on the offensive and de-
fensive boards. But he showed the most improvement is
his offensive game. Hartford's post-game also improved
and his mid-range jump will probably impress the scouts.
I'm predicting "The Godfather" can look forward to being
around pick 5-10.
Joakim Noah's lack of improvement was one of the
Si- ? I" ~ most disappointing aspects of the
S2007 season. He would have been
Sthe number one pick last year if he
Declared, but with no developments
in his shooting and a lack of defen-
sive ability against a big player like
Greg Oden, Noah's stock is drop-
ping. Knowing all this, he is still
6"11 and can run the court like a
Gazelle. I see him ranging from a
top five pick all the way to a top
12.
Corey Brewer has the big-
gest upside of any Gator. At 6"9,
he can shoot threes and go up for
rebounds and windmills. He has
Defense covered with lanky arms


" replica of the Reuben sandwich SHPiELer and staunch %egitarian
kel ate while in Ne'w Y\rk Cit; for ihe 36th Annual National Student
,m and V riding Seminar.
what's up.
Sadly, we did not get to experience the famed sexy
NYC nightlife because neither of us are 21. But for our
last night, we managed to get cupcakes from the Magnolia
Cafe, which was featured on "Sex and the City."
The line just to get in was wrapped around the block,
and we had to wait for 30 minutes to get a cupcake arid
get out.
It was like trying to get into an exclusive club, but let me
just say, Magnolia Caf6 was better than any bar. Despite
getting my purse stolen, being locked out of my apartment
and having to deal with the police, I would go back to
NYC just for that amazing whipped frosting.


and a quick first step, and his steals during the season were
momentum-stoppers for many opposing teams. Unlike
Noah, Brewer's stock is on the rise, and I see him as a top
eight pick.
STaureen Green is quick off the dribble but lacks the
driving ability that great NBA point guards need. Even
so, he is an exceptional shooter and a great general floor
player. Projection: early second round.
So where does that leave the Orange and Blue for next
year? I'm guessing a repeat SEC championship. Florida
returns a group of young talent that will only get better
with recruiting help. Led by the underrated Walter Hodge,
the Gators will still pose a great threat in the coming sea-
son.
I look forward to coming-out parties for 6"11, 250-
pound Marreese Speights and a versatile Dan Werner. With
a nucleus of good players and maybe somp more "Billy
ball," who knows what's in store for next year's Gators?
Remember, it was all just a dream four years ago when the
Gators were projected to finish fourth in the SEC East.
We all know how that ended up.


news 0 s


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'A I.
1EC


APRIL


-12


15
Yom Hashoah:
Holocaust Memorial
Day

Come to the Gator
Smiles 5K at 7:30
p.m. beginning in
Turlington Plaza.

It's a free Flam-
ing Lips show with
The Rapture and
Stardeath and White
Dwarfs at 5 p:m. on
Flavet Field.


Passover ends tonight
at sundown
Break Passover with
friends from JSU at
Mellow Mushroom
for "Got Bread?" at
8:30 p.m.

10


ACCENT presents
Mia Farrow at the
Phillips Center at
8 p.m.


Tao of Judaism, 6 p.m.


Knitting Circle,
8:30 p.m.


Come by Hillel to
see the documentary
"Strong Enough to
Break" from 7 to
10:30 p.m.

Be there for the bak-
ing of challah with
KOACH at Hillel at
5:30 p.m.

12


l I l fl a g I


16
ACCENT and SGP
present a Stop Global
Warming tour featur-
ing Sheryl Crow,
Grammy Award
winning singer and
producer/activist
Laurie David in the
O'Dome at 7 p.m.


17
Kesher-elections are
being held at 7 p.m.
at Hillel, followed by
a Blockbuster movie
night. .


18
It's GFI Israeli
Trivia night at Mellow
Mushroom at 8 p.m.


19
RUB is hosting the
Local Brew Series
from 6 p.m. to mid-
night at the Orange
and Brew. Go out to
see local musicians
perform.


Extreme Dance
Company is peform-
ing at Lincoln Middle
School at 7:30 p.m.

Come by the Reitz
North Lawn at 7:30
p.m. for a family
concert with the Big
Band Idea.

Time to cheer on. the
Gators again! The Or-
ange & Blue pep rally
is at 9 p.m. on the
Reitz North Lawn.
13


Shabbat dinner and
services, 7:30 p.m..


20
There will BBQ with
Bennie at Hillel at
noon.

It's a free Flam-
ing Lips show with
The Rapture and
Stardeath and White
Dwarfs at 5 p.m. on
Flavet Field.


Chow down on
BBQ in front of the
Swamp stadium for
more Orange & Blue
festivities. Buy your
tickets at the UFAA
Web site.
At noon there is a co-
ed flag football game
in the Swamp.
Get a glimpse of the
next Gator football
team at 1 p.m. in
the Swamp. Student
tickets are free!


rree onaobat lune-,
12:30 p.m.
Mincha afternoon ser-
vices & class, 2 p.mt.
Parshat HaShavuah,
a class on that day's
Torah portion, 3 p.m.


21
JSU is holding am
Adopt-a-street clean at
12:30 p.m. at Hillel.
Contact evp@ufjsu.
org for more info.

It's a free Flam-
ing Lips show with
The Rapture and
Stardeath and White
Dwarfs at 5 p.m. on
Flavet Field.


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afterthoughts haendings


Lou Limmer, who played a role in Jewish baseball history, dies


BY MARTIN ABRAMOWITZ

BOSTON (JTA) Lou Limmer, part of a little-known
bit of Jewish baseball trivia, passed away April 1 at age 82
in Boca Raton, Fla.
'"The Philadelphia A's first-baseman appeared in a total
of 209 games in 1951 and 1954, batting .202 with 19 hom-
ers, 62 RBIs and three stolen bases.
Notwithstanding those modest numbers, fans with a
particular interest in Jews in baseball and the history of
baseball in Philadelphia remember Limmer fondly for four
reasons: his membership in a small group of Jewish play-
ers whose careers spanned the years between the Hank
Greenberg and Sandy Koufax eras; his central role in a
"historic baseball encounter"; his place in Philadelphia
Athletics history; and his unique contribution to "the Jew-
ish angle" among all Jewish players.
Hank Greenberg retired after spending the 1947 sea-
son with Pittsburgh, and Sandy Koufax made his "bonus
baby" debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the summer of
1955.
During the intervening seven seasons, a dozen Jewish
players played or were called up to the major leagues.
In their ranks were three prominent players, three
journeymen and a half-dozen players who came up from
the minors only briefly.
Although the word is often overused, these players
formed a kind of community. In varying and interlocking
combinations they knew each other, socialized, played


winter ball together and, on at least one occasion, did a
Passover seder together.
The prominent players were New York Giants and
Boston Braves slugger-outfielder Sid Gordon; 1951 Amer-
ican League ERA-leader Saul Rogovin, and 1953 AL MVP
Al Rosen, who almost won the Ttriple Crown.
The journeymen were catcher Myron (later "Joe")
Ginsberg, outfielder Cal Abrams, and Bronx- born Louie
Limmer, who was one of 12 children from an Orthodox
household.
It was Limmer who told the story of three Jewish play-
ers and one Italian-American umpire. It happened May 2,
1951, and remains the only known time that a Jewish bat-
ter faced a Jewish pitcher with a Jewish catcher behind
the plate.
In Limmer's words: "I got along with most of the um-
pires. There was this one, Joe Paparella, he was a nice guy.
We had a game in Detroit and Saul Rogovin was pitching
and Joe Ginsberg was catching. I came up to pinch hit.
So Paparella comes from behind home plate and he
dusts it off and he says. 'Boy, now I've got the three Hee-
bs. I wonder who's going to win the battle?' and Rogovin
throws the first pitch and I hit it into the stands, and Papa-
rella says, 'I guess you're the winner, Lou.'
It so happens I wasn't the winner because Joe Gins-
berg stayed with Detroit, and Saul Rogovin went to the
White Sox that year and he led the league in ERA and poor
Lou Limmer, he got shipped to the minors."
Limmer's minor-league career; both before and af-


ter his major-league stint, reads like a railroad signboard:
Omaha, Lincoln, Louisville, St. Paul, Buffalo, Toronto,
Columbus, Birminhgam.
Virtually wherever he played, Limmer recalled, Jews
reached out to him -- the dairy owner in Lincoln, the car
dealers in Omaha and Toronto.
He also recalled anti-Jewish, anti-Black road signs in
the South, and hanging out with Jackie Robinson in Flor-
ida in spring training towns where neither of them were
welcome.
A frequent participant in gatherings of the Philadel-
phia A's Historical Society, Limmer was proud to relate
that, at the end of the 1954 season, just before the A's
moved to Kansas City, he had the last homer and the last
base-hit in franchise history.
Limmer also was the first Jewish ball-player to serve
as president of his synagogue, at Castle Hill Jewish Com-
munity Center in his native and beloved Bronx. He served
a five-year term.
Lou Limmer was a great-story teller, a reminder of
a unique between-the-superstars era of Jew in Baseball...
and a mensch.
Martin Abramowitz produces Jewish baseball cards
and lectures on Jew in baseball as president of Jewish
Major Leaguers, Inc., on the web at www.jewishmajor-
leaguers.org. This appreciation is based in large measure
on a Jewish Major Leaguers oral history interview of Lou
Limmer conducted in November 2005 by journalist Marc
Katz.


//UN///NUn~'d~'U////n/u/n~'///~v/u~///u/