91快活林

The Sanctity of the Schoolroom

Feb 25, 2022 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Shabbat Shekalim | Vayak-hel

In the Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard (1884鈥�1962) highlights the importance of the home for each of us: 鈥淭he house, even more than the landscape, is a “psychic state,” and even when reproduced as it appears from the outside, it bespeaks intimacy鈥� (72). This week鈥檚 parashah speaks about building a home鈥攁 home for God. Reading the description of this process underscores for me, an educator and a scholar of the arts, the importance of aesthetics and beauty in what we study, the manner in which we study, and above all, the spaces where we study.

The Masks that We Wear

Feb 26, 2021 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Tetzavveh | Purim

Growing up in Israel, Purim was a wonderful experience, full of fun and games. Dressing up, putting on masks, going to parties, and attending the Purim Parade in Tel Aviv鈥攖he Adloyada. This name is derived from a rabbinic saying in the Talmud that one should revel on Purim by drinking 鈥渦ntil one no longer knows [how to distinguish between 鈥榗ursed is Haman鈥� and 鈥榖lessed is Mordecai鈥橾鈥� (BT Megillah 7b). Attending the parade was great fun, but also had a mysterious aspect. Who are the people hiding behind the masks? What are they concealing and what are they trying to reveal? It was all very colorful and happy but, in equal measure, scary and confusing.

The Poetics of Loss

Sep 25, 2020 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Ha'azinu

Growing up, books were always present in our house, arranged by topic in large bookshelves. Arieli Press, an Israeli fine arts publishing company, was founded in 1922 by my grandfather, Yosef Arieli (锄鈥漧), a master printer and an author. My father, Ariel Arieli (锄鈥漧), and extended family were all involved in the printing business in some capacity. Printing has been regarded as a way to disseminate knowledge in a democratic way and it has been especially precious to the Jewish people who believed that spreading knowledge is Avodat Kodesh鈥攈oly work, akin to Moshe teaching Torah on Har Sinai.

A Sukkah Remembers

Oct 4, 2017 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Sukkot

In his poem 鈥淭he Jews,鈥� Yehuda Amichai (1924鈥�2000) bestows on us a full typology of the Jewish people鈥攆rom the standpoints of both Jews themselves and outsiders. Some of those images remain with us: the Jew wearing a Turkish turban in a Rembrandt painting, the Chagall Jew holding a violin as he flies over rooftops, and other vivid images. In the middle of the poem, Amichai mentions a sukkah鈥攈is grandfather鈥檚 sukkah, in particular. Amichai turns the memory of the Israelites鈥� wanderings in the desert that the sukkah usually evokes on its head, and describes the sukkah as an object that itself remembers and reflects back to us the history of the Jews.

The Freshest Grain

Mar 31, 2017 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Vayikra | Shavuot

In a long narrative dedicated to sacrifices we find one hidden command to offer only the freshest and best grains, mixed with oils and scents. Through a multi sensory description the reader can sense the heavy kernels of grains, smell the scents, and vicariously participate in the powerful event of giving thanks to God with the offering of the first fruit.

Teaching Jewish History and Teaching Israel: The 鈥淥ther鈥� is Within 鈥淥ur鈥� Subject Matters

Feb 13, 2017 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Public Event video

Ofra Backenroth and Alex Sinclair: 鈥溾�楶resent Absentees鈥�: On the Place of Non-Jewish Israeli Narratives in Israel Education鈥�

Meredith Katz and Jeffrey Kress: 鈥淢iddle School Students and 鈥楾he Other鈥� in an Online Jewish History Simulation Activity鈥�

Making Space for New Grain

Jun 4, 2016 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Behukkotai

Naomi Shemer, one of the most famous songwriters and performers in Israel, is known for her thoughtful songs that touch upon universal themes. In this song, she speaks about the need for rejuvenation. Every morning is an opportunity for a new experience. As successful as our days might be, there is always a need to go back to the beginning and start again.

Roads to Nonviolence

Aug 7, 2013 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Shofetim

Is there a way to wage war in a humane way?

Tip Toe Through Ki Tavo

Sep 8, 2012 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Ki Tavo

This week’s Torah parashah is concerned with the Israelites’ entrance into the Promised Land. The parashah emphasizes that the Israelites should obey God’s commandments faithfully, with all their heart and soul. Since the Covenant between God and Israel establishes mutually binding obligations for both God and the Israelites, God’s commitments are also reaffirmed: the promise to make Israel a holy people.

Entering the Promised Land

Oct 1, 2011 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Ha'azinu

What does it mean to be a leader who, for 40 long years, led the people of Israel in the desert, providing for all their needs, and, in the end, was forbidden to enter the Promised Land?