In service to America

Of the 15 posters designed to commemorate the anniversary of 350 years of Jewish life in America, one is devoted to "Service."

The poster lists a number of great moments and people in the history of American Jewish service, from the 1700s through today.

And there, somewhere between Louis D. Brandeis, the first Jew nominated to the Supreme Court, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish women nominated to that body, is Rabbi Bonnie Koppell, the first woman to serve as a Jewish military chaplain. The rabbi is in august company. And we know that she can hold her own.

Last week, Koppell tendered her resignation from Chandler's Temple Beth Sholom, where she had been spiritual leader for 18 years. For the short term, she's headed overseas, to serve the troops and her county. For the long term, it's unclear.

"We're hoping that she has a bright future," says Denise Lowell-Britt, secretary of the board at Temple Beth Sholom. "She's contributed a lot to our community and to the greater Jewish community for many years."

Koppell's future will doubtless continue bright and strong. She's an extraordinary leader, as committed to people as she is to principle. One can only hope that, for the sake of our community, her future lies here in the Valley.

Democracy demands action

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports that Jewish groups may be sitting back on some political issues so as not to raise the ire of the Bush administration. Hence, it seems, the dearth of raised Jewish voices in the debate about the much discussed "nuclear option" and the congressional filibuster.

Sammie Moshenberg, Washington director of the National Council for Jewish Women, says that she was prevented from bringing a motion about the nuclear option at the JCPA plenum last month because, leaders told her, the future of the JCPA depended on the organization remaining mum on the subject. The JCPA's explanation for its inaction is almost as pathetic as what Moshenberg says took place. A spokesman says the proposed resolution from the National Council of Jewish Women didn't go through "proper channels." Furthermore, the JCPA says that it has not taken a position on the filibuster because "a consensus has not been reached among the group's members."

Note the discouraging use of the passive voice. Democracy is not passive. The process demands that we remain involved and maintain a voice. And what we say should never be dictated by a desire for inclusion on the White House Chanukah party guest list.

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