From the Desk of the Adirondacker
Winter 2011/2012

It is winter. The snows have fallen and the Adirondacks are covered with a mantle of white. It is breathtakingly beautiful. (In fact, I am writing this in mid-December, on a warm and rainy night, and we can all dream.) Life goes on and the pressures of daily life keep us moving on our hectic schedules. The holiday season makes demands of us to be with family. The snow at Whiteface beckons bewitchingly to us. Some even like ice fishing. This mountain wonderland is ours to enjoy.

At least once a month there is an opportunity to take a break from the real world and turn to our inner selves for a small moment of reflection. Our monthly occasions are the life-breath of Judaism in the Adirondacks. On these predetermined Friday nights, the third of each winter month we have planned a service. The Rabbi is in the synagogue, the heat is on, and the lights are on. There is an air of great expectancy. Will there be a congregation tonight - maybe even a minyan.

In Roman times a certain rabbi was being persecuted by a general. He was asked numerous questions which he managed to answer, and thus preserve his community and his life. One day the Roman general thought up a new question which he asked the rabbi. "Rabbi, I have a dove in my hands which are behind my back. Is the dove alive or dead." The rabbi thought quickly. If he said the dove was alive all the general had to do was wring the neck of the dove and it would be dead. If he said it was dead all the general had to do was bring the dove out from behind his back and show it alive. Either way the answer would be wrong. So the rabbi replied:
                                          
                                             "The answer is in your hands."


With best wishes,
Peace and health!
Alec H. Friedmann
Rabbi
adk-reb@ix.netcom.com