Happening

BIRTH
Were you an unwanted daughter? For a book, the author—herself an unwanted daughter—wants to interview by telephone women who feel they were not wanted by their mothers and or fathers. Questions: When did you know you were an unwanted daughter? How did this affect you, both as child and as an adult? How did it affect your own decisions about motherhood. and how do you think it affects your relationship with your children? What is your relationship with your parents like now? Confidentiality guaranteed. For more information on the Unwanted Daughters Project check out web page at http: //members.aol.com /endorpprod/ or contact Carol Page, 89 Massachusetts Ave. #187. Boston, MA 02115. e-mail endorpprod@aol.com

Personal stories about childbearing decisions can cut through political rhetoric and help people understand the need for full reproductive rights. Did you make a reproductive decision in which your faith played a role? Do you have a story of your mother? aunt? grandmother? Ever counseled another woman regarding unintended or unwanted pregnancies? Is there a piece of religious writing which grounds your pro-choice convictions? Include your name, address and religious affiliation if any (anonymous submissions should include state and any religious affiliation). Send to; Stories and Scripture, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. 1025 Vermont Ave., NW. #1130, Washington. DC 20005: fax (202)628-7716.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE
The Clothesline Project uses shirts hanging on a clothesline as a vehicle to bear witness to violence against women. Women are asked to create, bring or send shirts, blouses or tee shirts of durable material— white for women who have died of violence, yellow or beige for women who have been battered or assaulted, red, pink or orange for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted, blue or green for women survivors of incest or child sexual abuse, and purple or lavender for women attacked because of their sexual orientation. Since 1990 this project has grown to over 250 displays—nationally and internationally—with an estimated 30,000 shirts. Recent clotheslines have brought awareness to junior and senior high school students with a goal of stopping the assumption that violence against women and girls is acceptable. The clothesline installations are accompanied by an audiotape: a gong indicates that a woman is battered every 14 seconds; a whistle per minute indicates a rape; a bell rings for the 3-4 women killed by their partners every day in the U.S. The Clothesline Project National Network, Box 727, E. Deimis. MA 02641; (508)385- 7004: fax (508)385-7011.

Opening the door on elder abuse is the theme of the final issue of AGING Magazine, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The 137-page compendium (#367, 1996) features articles and resources on physical and emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation. While the supply lasts, you can request a free copy from Dept. G. Aging Magazine, Administration on Aging. 330 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201.

SCHOLARS
An award for scholarship in the psychology of Jewish women has been established by the family of Kayla Wiener to honor her work in the areas of Judaism, feminism and psychology. The $200 annual award will be judged by a committee of three members of the Jewish Women’s Caucus of the Association for Women in Psychology and will be announced at the annual American Psychological Association meeting. Send 4 copies of your theoretical or research paper or creative project and a self-addressed postcard by May 1 to Lillian Klempfner, 15720 Ventura Blvd., #606, Encino, CA 91436. Contributions to the fund may be sent to Jewish Women’s Caucus. c/o Julie Allender, 19 Berwyn Park, Lebanon, PA 17042.

Young Scholars in American Religion is a new and expanded program for scholars who have launched their careers within the last seven years. Seminars will take place from early 1997 through the summer of 1998. with four sessions each for historians (led by Deborah Dash Moore), religious studies scholars, sociologists, and seminary professors. Costs for transportation, lodging and meals will be covered. Submit your curriculum vita with three letters of reference and a statement of interest indicating research and teaching activities by September 1. 1996 to Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, Indiana University—Purdue University at Indianapolis, 425 University Blvd. #344, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140.

NEW MEDIA
Common Quest, The Magazine of Black/Jewish Relations is a joint publication of Howard University and the American Jewish Committee dedicated to “the pursuit of harmony and the discussion of concerns and differences between the African-American and Jewish communities.” The editorial advisory board includes Rabbi Rachel Cowan, Hasia Diner, Melissa Fay Greene, Paula Hyman, Nita Lowey, Martha Minow, Deborah Dash Moore, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Anna Deveare Smith and Cynthia Tucker. Subscriptions are free from Common Quest. Founders Library #314. Howard University, Washington, DC 20059.

Blue Jean Magazine For Teen Girls Who Dare “doesn’t emphasize how to find a date or get rid of pimples.” The premiere issue of this advertising-free publication (March /April 1996) focuses on sports; a column entitled “College Corner” recounts the met (or failed) expectations during freshman year. Freelance teen writers are sought and are paid for work that is accepted. Subscriptions are $39 for 6 bimonthly issues. Blue Jean Magazine. P.O. Box 90856. Rochester. NY 14609.

HOLOCAUST RELATED
Through the Eyes of a Friend: Fourteen actresses have been trained to play the role of Anne Frank’s best friend in a performance piece that includes archival filing Footage and audience interaction. Rachael and Michael McClinton originally created this production in 1992 and continue to arrange shows in schools and other settings throughout the U.S.A. Contact Living Voices. 915 E. Pine St. #405. Seattle, WA 98122; (206)328-0798: fax (206)328-4626.

A bereavement support group for child survivors of the Holocaust who recently experienced the loss of a spouse, sibling or elderly parent, meets at the Hidden Child Foundation, 823 UN Plaza in New York City. For information about participating— or to ask about starting one in your locale, contact Carla Leasing at (914)478-0525.

A time capsule of Shanghai refugee life can be found in Emigranten Adresshuch, a replica of a volume listing the names, addresses, previous occupations and countries of origin of thousands of German and Austrian Jews who escaped to Shanghai by 1939. $8 postpaid (SIO airmail) from Tess Johnston. 1375 Huaihai Zhong Lu, #14B, Shanghai 200031. PRC The Council of the Jewish Experience in Shanghai is saving documents and locating former Jewish refugees. Contact Ralph Hirsch, 3500 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-4925.

OUT IN THE WILD
“There is hope for a tree” (Job 14:7) quotes the English language newsletter of Neot Kedumim, the world’s only biblical landscape reserve. Located in central Israel, Neot Kedumim is dedicated to demonstrating and exploring the ties between the biblical tradition and Israel’s nature and agriculture—as expressed in prayers, holidays and symbols. Tread on slats to operate an antilya (irrigating waterwheel). a metaphor in rabbinic midrash for the ups and downs in life; seek out the new residents, a wild ass, ostrich or oryx—and their respective rabbinic references; eat a biblical breakfast; or stroll the annotated trails of the 625-acre reserve. English language publications available from American Friends of Neot Kedumim, Steinfeld Rd., Halcott Center. NY 12430; (914)254-5031; fax (914)254- 4458; or get details about visiting from Neot Kedumim 972-8-977-0770: fax 972-8-977-0775; or e-mail nkisrael@shani.net

A Jewish experience in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming—Each year during late June and July. Rabbi Harry and Robin Levin host Wyoming Jews—and other visitors traveling to nearby Yellowstone Park or the Grand Teton.s—who seek a Jewish community, Shabbat experience and kosher cooking. The Levins offer an insider’s excursion into the natural beauty and culture of the area—including hiking. fishing, and unusual opportunities to connect with Native Americans. Several programs accommodate families with children during the month of July and additional adventures can be arranged. Details from Robin Levin, Congregation Beth Elk, 288 North Fork Rd, Lander, WY 82520; (307)332-6363; levinh@sage.edu

In Portland, Oregon, unaffiliated Jews are welcomed to Jewish living and learning through the leadership, teaching and hospitality of Rabbis Laurie Rutenberg and Gary Schoenberg at Gesher, a nonprofit nondenominational organization devoted to outreach. Their recent Passover calendar included something for everyone; pre-holiday work/parties, a Hametz hunt. myriad seders (feminist, men’s, adults without children, adults with children over 7, adults with children under 7) and a maimuna (Moroccan) concluding celebration. Gesher’s newsletter included hints, texts and recipes for a seder at home. This program meets an important gap since 70% percent of U.S. Jews do not belong to a synagogue. To participate, or to find out how to bring this idea to your community, contact: Gesher, 10701 SW 25th Ave., Portland OR 97219: (503)246-5070.

SEASONS OF THE YEAR & SEASONS OF OUR LIVES
Make the new year sweet and safe. Rosh Hashana greeting cards—a fundraising project since 1986—can help support a volunteer advocate who will work with refugees returning as an organized community to Copan, Guatemala. (Funds are pooled with others in the Witness for Peace Program.) A set of 8 color cards is $ 10 from S. F. Jewish Sanctuary Coalition, P.O. Box 411391, San Francisco, CA 94141.

One LILITH reader created a weekday morning siddur on the occasion of her adult bat mitzvah. She is happy to share with others interested in preparing materials for similar celebrations. Send $2 to Jennifer Stein, 228 Spruce Tree RiL, Radnor. PA 19087. (Be sure to send us a copy of your sample for LILITH’s files, also.)

Say L’Chaim with a tree.
Decorative tree certificates from the Jewish National Fund can serve as invitations or place cards, or be given to each guest as a memento at a bat/bar mitzvah, wedding or other celebration. You can purchase 100 tree certificates at a special price of $750 while helping to repair the devastation from forest fires that destroyed 2 million trees in 1995. Contact the JNF Department of Education at (800)700-1312.

Have you ever created a new Jewish ritual? Send in your ritual along with reflections about how it was created and received—for a book to be written by Vanessa Ochs, c/o CLAL, 99 Park Ave., #300, New York, NY 10016-1599.