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Remarks at the MHA Annual Meeting - August 2016

The following is Rabbi Owen’s speech from the MHA Annual Meeting.

This week’s parasha recounts the incident of Zimri – a leader of the tribe of Shimon – and Cosbi – the daughter of a Midianite prince. Pinchas sees Zimri and Cosbi in flagrante delicto – in an immoral act in public – and executes them both on the spot. For his zealotry in defense of the integrity of the Torah community, Hashem rewards Pinchas with a covenant of peace and the Priesthood.

The Torah then outlines a mitzvah that only relates to the nation of Midian - be hostile to the Midianites and strike them. Normally, the Torah demands b'nei Yisrael to offer peace to an enemy that you are about to go to war with. Midian – no. The Torah commands us here to be hostile to the Midianim. Normally, when besieging an enemy, we are commanded to allow an escape path. Regarding Midian – no - besiege them on all four sides and strike all of them.

Why Midian? What did they do to deserve this hostile treatment?

Malbim explains that the answer emerges from a close reading of this and last week’s parasha. Cosbi, princess of Midian, was caught with Zimri the Shimonite leader. How did they get themselves into this situation? Malbim explains that there was a context to this entire episode. Bilam had unsuccessfully tried to curse the Jewish people. He knew that the Jewish people could only be cursed if they strayed from Hashem. He tried to convince Moav to entice the Jewish people to stray from Hashem. Moav was not interested in this plan. Bilam returned home. On his way home he travelled through Midian and shared with them his idea of how to successfully curse the Jewish people. With this knowledge, the king of Midian hatched a plan. Use his daughter, Cosbi, to lure Zimri, the leader of Shimon, into an immoral act and bring down the Jewish People through the spreading of immorality.

Returning to the question: Why Midian? What did they do to deserve this hostile treatment?

One measure of a society is its philosophy. At the core of America’s philosophy is the primacy of the individual and the natural rights of each human being. The Jewish People are at a permanent state of war with Amalek because it glorifies a human-centered and violent philosophy. Canaan and the other six nations exemplified the philosophy of idolatry.

Another measure of a society is the value that it places in its children and in the diligence that it exercises in securing their well-being. The Torah commands us to educate our children to become Jewish adults. In most cases, we even prioritize our children’s learning over our own learning. We are responsible for our children like a lender is responsible to safeguard a pledged object.

In Midian, children were possessions. The King of Midian viewed his daughter as a pawn – an object through which to destroy the Jewish People, he offered his daughter as a tool to entrap the Jewish People. In this type of society, all tactics will be used. The society will even destroy its most prized possessions to beat the object of its hatred. Dealing with this type of society requires a high level of hostility. Therefore, the Torah commands us to be hostile to Midian and to strike them.


One of the unique qualities that defines MHA-FYOS and the Memphis Jewish Community is the emphasis that we place on the welfare of our children and our children’s Jewish education. We understand that our children are not tools but are future leaders. This community emphasizes these priorities over almost all other priorities and understands that the future of this community lies in our children. It is wonderful to live and to teach in a community that understands and lives these truths.
First and foremost, I want to thank you for supporting me through a wonderful first year and to specifically thank:

  • Mrs. Kutliroff for her dedication to the school and for her support in my transition.
  • My administrative team, staff and all of our outstanding Rabbeim, Morot and instructors
  • The MHA families - parents and students
  • The members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee
I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Joel Siegel for his partnership in leading the school. Joel exemplifies two qualities that do not usually coexist in one person:
  • Optimism and positivity
  • Dedication to excellence
I have met many people who are optimistic and positive but do not maintain high standards out of their sincere desire to spread good will. I have also met many people who are dedicated to excellence but sincerely feel that their dedication restricts them from maintaining a positive demeanor. Joel is unique in that he successfully weds a wonderful demeanor with an allegiance to high standards. Joel, I have grown from working with you.

Thank you, also, to David Katz - our incoming president. I welcome the opportunity to work with you in the coming year.

At the beginning of the year, I outlined four areas of focus for the year. In each board report, I reviewed the most significant events from the previous month from the perspective of these areas of focus.

  • Mission-driven
  • Build a Community of Authentic Learning
  • Engage in Effective Communication
  • Striving to be Our Best Selves
One of the most significant aspect of change in the coming year will be the realignment of our 1-12 grades into two divisions 1-8 and 9-12 and the welcoming of new members of our administrative team. We have hired two individuals to lead the Elementary School - Rabbi Yosef Hauser - Torah Studies - and Mrs. Becky Nissani - General Studies. Welcome to Memphis. Additionally, I am excited that other members of our faculty will be assuming greater responsibility in the coming school year. I am looking forward to working with this team.

Coupled with the exciting faculty hires that we have made, MHA-FYOS is in store for unbelievable changes that are happening in the gymnasium and kitchen. We are so thankful to the Cooper Family and to the Wruble Family for their generosity and leadership in making this remodel a reality. We are also so thankful to the Cooper Family for it pioneering matching gift towards our Capital Campaign.

We are truly in store for an outstanding 2016-2017 school year!

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