Israel vows big investment in world Jewry p. 11 July 2014 Tammuz/Av 5774 Vol. 18, No. 11
Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • Online at JewishDayton.org Marshall Weiss
Interview with new Federation president
The Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial, designed by Daniel Libeskind, on the lawn of the Statehouse, dedicated June 2
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DAYTON
Interim rabbi to lead Temple Israel for year after Sofian retirement in ‘15
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Temple Israel President Lisa Pierce year while the search committee considannounced that the congregation will ered its course of action. hire an interim rabbi for a year followPierce added that Rabbi Karen Boding the retirement of its senior ney-Halasz, who serves as rabbi, David M. Sofian, on June rabbi and director of edu30, 2015. cation for Temple Israel, “After much deliberation, and has “indicated a desire based on the recommendation of to be an applicant for the CCAR (the Central Conference senior rabbi position and of American Rabbis), who is in the board wants to give charge of rabbinic placement, we her the opportunity to will be hiring a trained interim be a candidate,” as the rabbi who will be with us for a temple takes a step back year and guide us in the choice of and evaluates its options. our next senior rabbi,” Pierce said “My goal is to have during her remarks at the Reform us in the best position to temple’s annual meeting on May Rabbi David M. Sofian welcome our next senior 28. rabbi so we will have at Prior to Temple Israel’s selection of least as long of a relationship as we have Sofian as its senior rabbi in 2003, the had with Rabbi Sofian,” Pierce said. congregation hired an interim rabbi for a — Marshall Weiss Left: On May 23 and 25, members of Jewish War Veterans, Scouts, and community volunteers placed flags on the graves of veterans at the Dayton area’s Jewish cemeteries. Shown here, Aaron Guggenheimer places a flag at the grave of World War II veteran Harold Rosenberg at Beth Abraham Cemetery while father Joel and grandfather Henry, a Korean War veteran, look on.
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Right: Jake Lillenstein (L) and Mike Dowlar won this year’s Chabad Kosher BBQ Cook-Off, held on May 18, Lag B’Omer. Four teams signed on to prepare their best barbecued chicken. Community members sampled the offerings and cast their votes. Mendy Fedotowsky
Wednesday, July 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Activities To Encourage Engagement We meet the third Wednesday of each month in our conference room near the Coffee House. Please enter at Door 18. For more information, call Pam Hall, 837-5581 ext. 1269.
It’s never difficult recruiting volunteers to help at the craft beer booth for Temple Israel’s Jewish Cultural Festival. Shown here on June 8 enjoying samples of Jewishthemed kosher beer along with pretzels from Rinaldo’s Bake Shoppe are (L to R): Rich Cohen, Steve Sommer, Scott Miller, Michael Miller, and Mike Goldstein.
Join our Diabetic Support Group Tuesday, July 8, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. (2nd Tuesday each mo.) with Gem City Home Care Certified Diabetes Educator Mara Lamb. Friendship Village For more information call Pam Hall, 837-5581 ext. 1269. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located directly inside the Atrium entrance. Stop in & join us for a cup of coffee & Friendship Village Hospitality.
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Kve l l i n g Co r n e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 8
Calendar of Events....................17
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Dayton...............................2
O b i t u a r i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Fa m i l y Ed u ca t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Religion...........................21
I nte r n et. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
W o r l d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
THE REGION
Kasich dedicates Ohio Holocaust & Liberators Memorial at Statehouse
At the dedication of the Ohio Holocaust & Liberators Memorial on June 2 — held at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus — the audience saw a video of Ohio Gov. John Kasich (L) and architect Daniel Libeskind unveiling the monument, across the street on the Statehouse grounds, earlier on the rainy day
Photos and Story by Marshall Weiss, The Observer COLUMBUS — Visibly moved by the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, Ohio Gov. John Kasich called for a monument at the Ohio Statehouse during the annual Governor’s Holocaust Commemoration three years ago. “Let’s construct something that can teach people about man’s inhumanity to man, best exemplified by what happened in the Holocaust,” Kasich said
at the May 4, 2011 ceremony during his first year in office. On June 2, the governor presided over the dedication of the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial, designed by noted architect Daniel Libeskind, at a noon ceremony at the ornate Ohio Theatre, across the street from the monument. “The purpose of this monument is to honor those who perished but the additional purpose is for people to look, to reflect, to meditate, and to
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ask themselves, ‘What can I do? What can I possibly do to fight evil when I see it,’” the governor told the approximately 1,500 attendees. “We are capable, when life gets uncomfortable, to stand for the goodness, for our creator, for others made in the image of God.” In a phone interview with The Observer a few days before the dedication, Kasich said the notion of a memorial at the statehouse came to him during Continued on Page 20
From the editor’s desk
This June might go in the books as Ohio-Israel month. Each has evinced strong displays of support for the other over the past weeks. At the June 2 dedication of the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial Marshall at the Statehouse, Israeli Consul Weiss General to the Mid-Atlantic Region Yaron Sideman lauded the state for its “profound vision” to construct the monument. The same day, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel purchased $47.8 million in State of Israel Bonds for Ohio — the largest single government purchase of Israel Bonds in U.S. history. Ohio now holds the highest amount of Israel Bonds of any state in the U.S., at $105 million. And as of press time on June 17, Sideman was scheduled to return to Columbus today to sign an Ohio-Israel trade memo of understanding with Ohio Department of Development Services Director David Goodman. The aim of the MOU is to expand cooperative economic development between the Buckeye State and the Jewish State.
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DAYTON
Rabbis’ panel attempts to put beliefs to test Marshall Weiss
Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Contributors Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin Claire Gaglione Rachel Haug Gilbert Martin Gottlieb Candace R. Kwiatek Mark Mietkiewicz Rabbi David Sofian Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com
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Joel Shapiro asks questions of local rabbis (L to R) Judy Chessin of Temple Beth Or, Joshua Ginsberg of Beth Abraham, Nochum Mangel of Chabad, and David Sofian of Temple Israel during Beth Abraham’s panel discussion Philosophical and Theological Underpinnings of Judaism, May 27
By Claire Gaglione, Special To The Observer Raising questions both personal and theological, Beth Abraham Synagogue Adult Education Chair Joel Shapiro organized and hosted a panel discussion with local rabbis on May 27. During the program, Philosophical and Theological Underpinnings of Judaism, rabbis Judy Chessin, Joshua Ginsberg, Nochum Mangel, and David Sofian offered insights on topics from the problem of evil to their faith in God. Shapiro said the panel provided an occasion for people from across the Jewish community to come together and allowed “social intermingling between members of different synagogues.” Nearly 100 people came out for the session. He noted that several Christians attended the panel to learn about the Jewish roots of their faith. As for his role as moderator, Shapiro, a lawyer, said his questions “were a product of my fertile imagination,” and came from two decades of studying Judaism with area rabbis, including time he’s spent with each of the panelists. Shapiro posed questions to each rabbi to “challenge their denomination and position as Conservative, Reform or Chasidic,” and to “maximize the educational value of the discussion.” He asked the rabbis about how God interacts with people. Sofian, the senior rabbi at Temple Israel, argued that God acts “through inspiration and through empowerment of us, as opposed to the direct manipulation of nature or history.” Sofian described the nature of God’s effect on the individual as empowering “all of us to act in a godly way in the world, and thereby impact the world.” In response, Shapiro asked, “Why should we bother with Him, then?” Sofian asserted that God is always present, and we always derive benefit, even if that benefit is intangible. The evening’s discussion consisted of questions Shapiro posed, without input from the audience. “Moderation is a necessity,” Shapiro said. “Without it, you risk questions that lead the discussion off point or people challenging the panelists in uncomplimentary ways.” Audience members were able to engage with panelists after the event, when the rabbis answered individuals’ questions. One of the liveliest exchanges during the panel occurred when Shapiro asked Mangel of Chabad why we would accept God as “the supreme moral Continued on Page 21
Billing Jeffrey Hollowell, JHollowell@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Judy Abromowitz President David Pierce President Elect Melinda Doner Vice Pres. Mary Rita Weissman Vice Pres. Bruce Feldman Vice Pres. Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 18, No. 11. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by guest columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dayton Jewish Observer, The Dayton Jewish Observer Policy Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or the underwriters of any columns. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut. The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests. Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication. • To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community. • To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines. • To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation departments, United Jewish Campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs. • To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.
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‘We might be smaller, but we’ve got to be mightier’ By Marshall Weiss The Observer Columbus native Judy Abromowitz began volunteering at her mother’s side. “I remember even as a kid helping stuff envelopes for Hadassah bills or sisterhood bills,” the Jewish Federation’s new president says. “I grew up as a volunteer because I was in Girl Scouts. Then I was in USY (United Synagogue Youth). I saw my Mom with the PTA and the Girl Scouts. She did all the cookies for the whole area out of our garage. And Hadassah was her life. She was president of the Columbus chapter.” Judy and her husband, Howard, were married at Tifereth Israel in Columbus in 1977, the same year she graduated from Ohio State. Rabbi Shelly Switkin, pulpit rabbi at Tifereth Israel at the time, married them; Switkin would later become director of Dayton’s Jewish Family Services. In 1978, Judy and Howard arrived for a six-year stay in Dayton, when Howard attended medical school at Wright State and for two years of general surgery residency. During that time, Judy worked in budgeting for Dayton Power & Light by day and went to Wright State at night for her MBA, which she earned in 1982. They moved to Pittsburgh for four years for Howard’s urology residency, and Judy worked for Duquesne Power and Light. When they returned to Dayton, Judy was pregnant with their fourth child. She began helping out at the JCC Preschool, directed by the late Lynda A. Cohen. “We always appreciated the quality and scope of the JCC’s early childhood services,” Judy says. They had only returned to Dayton for a few months when the Federation’s campaign director, the late Carol Pavlofsky, assigned Judy to co-chair the opening event for Young Women’s Division. “It turns out I co-chaired that event with my future machatenista (her daughter Jill’s mother-in-law), Bev Gutmann. One thing led to another. Under Carol, you started doing this,
An interview with the Jewish Federation’s new president, Judy Abromowitz
“You know, the best thing you started doing that, and then you became officer of the Young I’ve ever seen was last week when I was at Heath and Rachel Women’s Division Board, Gilbert’s son’s bris,” she says. then co-chair and then chair. I “It’s all the little kids remember when and the pregnant (retired Federawomen. It’s so cool. tion executive vice We’ve got kids to president) Peter worry about. And we Wells called me have an aging comup to meet with munity and we do a lot him to work with of good things for our Norm Weissman elderly. I had my Mom as co-chair for the here. This community campaign. That’s has been good to us. how it started. And It’s been good to our going to Israel rechildren. It’s been good ally helps too.” to my mother. We try Judy also Federation’s President to give back.” jumped into volJudy Abromowitz Judy says her goals unteering in the as Federation president are “to general community: as a room make everybody aware of the mother, a Girl Scout and Cub good things we do in the Jewish Scout leader, and was elected Federation,” and to cultivate a to the board and ultimately as president of the Vandalia-Butler new generation of strong leaders. School District. “We have an amazing pre“I had kids in three differschool, Jewish Family Services, ent buildings,” she says. “I got our Community Relations involved, listened to things. I started thinking: I’ve got a busi- Council is so important and so is campaign. We need to ness background. I can do this. remember that our commuSo I went door to door when I nity is really blessed to have first ran. I learned a lot for 12 the Federation. If you need us, years, three terms. I served as we’re here. And it’s not just if president for two years; I was you yourself need us, but when vice president for six years.” Jews need us. We need to get Now, with their four children grown up, Judy says what back to a sense of obligation about why we do what we do, drives her to volunteer for the to remember that tzedakah is an Federation is her five grandobligation. We might be smaller, children, who are “all over the but we’ve got to be mightier.” world.”
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THE REGION
Region’s only Jewish recovery center now has a home
Don’t miss this special, family friendly event!
Sunday, July 13th
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from addiction. This recovery of mine By Marshall Weiss, The Observer has been amazing.” CINCINNATI — Six years into his Margi now serves on JEEP’s board. work as founder and executive director “I’ve also experienced some very speof Jewish Education for Every Person, Rabbi Yaakov Karp began providing ad- cial friends,” she said. “You can never have enough friends in life, as I realize diction recovery programs and services as I get older.” to Jews in southwest Ohio. Among the speakers at the dedicaOn June 8, four years after launching the recovery initiative, Karp and JEEP’s tion was Dr. David Novick of Dayton, a board, clients and supporters dedicated gastroenterologist who has specialized in substance abuse. the Arthur Schreiber Jewish Education “We’ve known Rabbi Karp for many Center at 1995 Section Road in Golf years and we realized he was doing Manor. “We are trying to bring a little Marshall Weiss bit of light to a dark place,” Karp, a Chabad-Lubavitch ordained rabbi and Jewish educator, said during the ceremony. “Many people have lives which have certain elements of darkness in them. And our mission is to bring light into those lives.” The Schreiber Center is home to the only Jewish recovery facility in the region. “This is for Jewish people who are alcoholics, addicts, people with related problems,” Karp said before the dedication. “It’s a place to come to build a community, have mutual support for each other, and learn Jewish spiritual tools with which they can better Jewish Education For Every Person Executive strengthen their recovery.” Director Rabbi Yaakov Karp at the dedication of the Arthur Schreiber Jewish Education Center, June 8 Before the center’s opening, Karp said he ran JEEP from an something that no one else was doing, office in a warehouse. “Most of our and is very important,” Novick said. work is in the field,” he said. “We visit “Also, it hits two areas for us perhospitals and nursing homes. We visit sonally,” added Novick’s wife, Jane, people who are unable to come out of a lawyer who specializes in the rights their homes.” of those with disabilities. “Substance JEEP serves more than 1,000 clients abuse, which is David’s field, and then each year. “We work with children and disabilities. We have a daughter with a youth who have special challenges, as well as adults with disabilities, and with disability. And of course with my legal work, this exactly ties in with what is so all of them, they’re people who have a difficult time accessing Jewish education near and dear to us.” In his remarks, Novick said that because of their special challenges. We relatively few organizations provide help them do that so they can succeed services to people with addiction or disbetter and be happier.” abilities despite the overwhelming need. As part of the dedication, Karp “For this reason, the value of the invited an adult client, Margi, to talk Schreiber Center and its dedicated staff about JEEP’s impact on her life. is beyond calculation,” he said. “A friend of mine kept saying, ‘come Novick stressed the importance of to the Karp’s house,’” she said. “And for numerous reasons I had been out of the counseling as part of addiction treatment. Jewish community for decades, sadly “Thinking of addiction as a disease and longingly, and I didn’t realize it.” can be therapeutic for patients who have A year ago, Margi began attending a this problem,” he said. “One can say to JEEP recovery group each Thursday. an individual something like this: ‘You “It’s based on the AA principles, but what we have here is it’s rooted in Juda- have a disease, you did not ask for it, but you do have a responsibility to treat ism throughout,” she said. “We study it. It is a disease, not a moral failure parshah (the Torah portion) each week, or a lack of willpower.’ This approach we have discussions. “What is so beautiful is that everyone reduces the stigma that many patients perceive and that impedes their willingis welcome. We all come with an array ness to accept treatment.” of disabilities, and it’s not just alcohol and drugs. Anything that interferes with For more information about JEEP, go to your life, you are welcome to recover jewisheducate.org. from, although most of us do suffer THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
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Netanyahu to Likud’s Reuven Ohio breaks its nation: Finding Rivlin is elected own mark for president of Israel teens will take time Israel Bonds buy JERUSALEM — Reuven Rivlin of the Likud party was elected president of Israel in a campaign fraught with scandal, on the second round of Knesset balloting on June 10, defeating Meir Sheetrit of Hatnua in a 63-53 runoff vote. The former Knesset speaker becomes Israel’s 10th president and succeeds Shimon Peres. Considered a Likud elder statesman, Rivlin was one of five candidates running for the largely ceremonial post chosen by the parliament every seven years. He will be sworn in on July 24. Eliminated in the first round of voting were former Supreme Court judge Dalia Dorner, Nobel Prize-winning Israeli Pres.-Elect chemist Dan Reuven Rivlin Shechtman and ex-Knesset speaker Dalia Itzik. Labor party lawmaker Binyamin Ben-Eliezer pulled out of the race over the weekend before the elections, following accusations that he illegally received millions of shekels from private sources and used the money to buy a luxury apartment in Jaffa. In May, Energy Minister Silvan Shalom ended his bid for the presidency after allegations of sexual impropriety surfaced; the allegations were never substantiated. Rivlin was first elected to the Knesset in 1988 and twice served as its speaker. A selfidentified disciple of Revisionist Zionism founder Zeev Jabotinsky, Rivlin opposes territorial concessions to the Palestinians and wants Israel to retain the West Bank. He has said that he supports giving Israeli citizenship to West Bank Palestinians. Rivlin drew criticism from Reform and Conservative rabbis for past negative statements about Reform Judaism. He called Reform Judaism “idol worship” in 1989 and in 2007, in a run for president, would not say whether he would refer to Reform rabbis by their title if he were elected. “I respect any person chosen to lead his or her community, and God forbid I invalidate him because he is from one stream or another,” Rivlin told The Jerusalem Post in a June 6 interview.
JERUSALEM — Finding the three kidnapped teenagers will take more time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to the nation. “We are in the middle of a complex operation. We need to be prepared for the fact that it may take more time,” Netanyahu said June 16. “It is a serious incident and will have grave consequences.” The teens, including one dual Israeli-American citizen, have been missing since the night of June 12. They were last seen trying to get rides home from a yeshiva high school in Gush Etzion, a bloc of settlements located south of Jerusalem. Netanyahu urged the international community to decry the kidnapping, which he blames on Hamas. He said he spoke June 16 with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and thanked him for condemning the abduction. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon assured the public that Israel would find the terrorists that kidnapped the teens — Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar, both 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19. “This abduction will not pass without Hamas paying a big price” as a result of the current Israel Defense Forces operation, he said. Netanyahu told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on June 16 that he expected his assistance in the return of three teens believed to have been kidnapped. The conversation was the first between the two leaders in more than a year. Abbas later released a statement condemning the kidnapping — his first such statement, according to Haaretz. “I expect you to assist in returning the abducted youths and in apprehending the kidnappers,” Netanyahu told Abbas, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office. “The Hamas kidnappers came from territory under Palestinian Authority control and returned to territory under Palestinian Authority control. In a statement given to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, Abbas “condemned the latest escalations in the West Bank, including the kidnapping of three Israeli settlers and the ongoing series of violations, by Israeli soldiers and settlers, against innocent Palestinian civilians and against prisoners, held in Israeli jails.”
Ohio bought $47.8 million in State of Israel Bonds, breaking its record for the largest single government purchase of Israel Bonds in U.S. history. The purchase made in June by the state’s Jewish treasurer, Josh Mandel, surpassed the mark of $42 million from 2013, the Cleveland Jewish News reported. In addition to making the largest single purchase of Israel Bonds, Ohio also holds the record for the highest amount of Israel Bonds held by a state treasury at $105 million, according to the weekly, which noted the buy had bipartisan support in the state legislature. “It shows the commitment the state of Ohio has made toward the state of Israel under Treasurer Mandel’s leadership, and it’s a solid investment for the state’s portfolio,” Alan Gottlieb, chairman of Israel Bonds for Greater Cleveland, told the Cleveland Jewish News. “We are fortunate that since the Ohio Revised Code was amended in 1993 to allow the state to invest in foreign bonds, every Ohio treasurer, whether Democrat or Republican, has invested in Israel bonds,” said Jay Schottenstein, chairman of Central Ohio State of Israel Bonds.
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OPINION
Doubts cloud Israel’s Diaspora push Practical, ideological questions hover over big-money project to fortify Jewish identity By Gary Rosenblatt The New York Jewish Week The Israeli government is about to finalize a major initiative intended to inspire, engage and empower Jews around the world. At a cost of up to several hundred million dollars annually over the next six or seven years, it seeks to promote Jewish identity throughout the Diaspora, particularly among young people. The move marks a new level of the paradigm shift in the Israel-Diaspora relationship, a dramatic transition from one that saw the Diaspora giving (money) to now receiving (Jewish connections), and to Israel taking on the role of benefactor rather than schnorrer. So why are American Jewish communal and professional leaders greeting the news with more skepticism than enthusiasm? Most likely because the project, formally known as The Joint Initiative of the Government of Israel and World Jewry, is still more of a concept than a reality. And there are still major issues to be resolved, like, for starters, where will the money come from, who will decide how it’s spent and what exactly will it be funding? “Most successful projects begin with a Big Idea,” one veteran Jewish communal professional told me the other day, “and then you go out and convince organizations and philanthropists to fund it. This is the opposite.” He said that the PMI plan calls for raising large sums of money — one-third from the Israeli government, one-third from Jewish federations and philanthropists and one-third from fees for service — and then convening an array of Diaspora and Israeli leaders to decide what to do with it. In truth the initiative has been public since last summer when an impressive group of Israeli and Diaspora leaders, experts and funders met to discuss how to translate an idea — strengthening the connection between Israeli and Diaspora Jews — into reality. The consensus was to focus on “transformative and immersive” programs like Jewish teen summers in Israel; educators to personally engage Jewish students on campus; and opportunities for post-college young adults to connect with each other and the community. Led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, the initiative formed seven “content teams” that produced a document to define a PAGE 8
strategy. It sets the stage for serious collaboration between Israeli and Diaspora partners. A series of consultations in recent months deepened the dialogue and engaged more than 2,000 Jews from around the world who shared ideas through online discussion. This attempt seems both grander and more serious than previous ones along these lines because it is being driven by an Israeli government prepared to open its coffers, not some outside think tank. Some say Jerusalem’s motive is based on a sense of responsibility to preserve and sustain Jewish peoplehood around the world. Others, more cynical, say it is an act of self-interest, pointing out that a shrinking Diaspora with fewer committed Jews weakens Israel’s clout in Washington and elsewhere. I suspect the purpose for the initiative is a combination of both.
Not surprisingly, there are those in Israel who argue that it is misguided, if not unethical, for Israel to put aside serious funding for the Diaspora when it has chronic social welfare needs and a declining educational system at home. And some American Jewish leaders question the Joint Initiative on ideological and/or practical grounds. Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, opposes the idea of Jerusalem dictating Diaspora identity. He wrote on The Times Of Israel website that “the multimilliondollar plan uses the guise of an altruistic and philanthropic effort to essentially obliterate the self-defined and idiosyncratic identity of American Jewry, and to replace it with a version better aligned to (Israel’s) own self-interest.” Kurtzer and others also question whether the Jerusalem government and Jewish Agency, neither of which is known for its organizational skills, should be driving the project. Not to mention the serious issue raised over where “new” money for major projects will come from — given that the federation system is struggling to meet financial goals for existing programs at home and abroad.
selves,” he said. “We will start with pilot programs” and expand from there, involving funders on a “pay-to-play” basis, with decision-making based in part on levels of commitment. It’s easy to see why veterans in the Jewish communal world have their doubts about this much-lauded initiative, given the “fuzziness” of it at this point, in the words of one professional. “Everything depends on what they end up doing,” says a major federation exec, though there is a kind of circular logic at play here; the Joint Initiative advocates insist that more participation will lead to more creativity and success.
Jewish and democratic
Aside from the fact that the initiative is geared only to young people at this point, there also seems to be lag in addressing a growing concern among young Diaspora Jews: Is Israel living up ‘The next big Jewish to its mandate to be a Jewish and demoworld start-up’ cratic state? Bennett, who serves not only as A new report from the Jewish People minister of Diaspora affairs but also Policy Institute, an Israel-Diaspora think as minister of the economy, is direct in tank, finds wide agreement among Jews describing the problem as he sees it. here and in Israel that being both Jewish “We’re at an inflection point,” he told and democratic is desirable and possible me in an exclusive phone interview a for Jerusalem. few days ago. “What But the report, Jewish and Democratic: This attempt seems ‘Don’t sit on has worked for years Perspectives from World Jewry, also notes (in engaging Diaspora both grander and that there is a strong connection between the sidelines’ Jews) is not working the feelings of young Jews about JudaNaftali Bennett more serious anymore, especially ism and their feelings about Israel. remains upbeat. He among younger people. than previous “Their growing assertiveness in acknowledges that We see a drifting away, expressing criticism of Israel was con“we will face political with some losing their ones along these spicuous,” the report says, “particularly problems” in providdesire to have a strong lines because it is ing funds for the Dias- on subjects related to Israel’s Jewish Jewish identity. So we identity.” pora, but insists, “we being driven by an see this strategic initiaThat would include dissatisfaction will get this done.” tive as the next big Jew- Israeli government with the Orthodox monopoly over JewHe said that the ish world start-up.” ish life, and frustration over the conof the project prepared to open its beauty He said that he and is “you get a threefold tinuing occupation as inconsistent with coffers, not some other Israeli leaders values of democracy and human rights. return on your monapproach this project Diaspora Jews want a voice ey,” with the matchoutside think tank. ing funding from the in Further, “very humbly — we these matters, in part because “Isradon’t have the answers el’s policy and its world image have an government, funders as to what needs to be done. It has to be and service fees. He asserted that the impact on Diaspora Jews’ security and a partnership, not with Israel dictating. Joint Initiative will be a true partnership wellbeing,” according to the report. We have to put our money where our The Prime Ministers Initiative is and that it will be driven by “a lean, enmouth is.” ergetic and flexible leadership,” yet to be significant, and potentially historic, in This is a marked change in Israeli determined, and “operating at high-tech that it seeks to be a true partnership in thinking, he acknowledged, given that expanding and creating programs to speed, not government speed.” “many Israelis see the Diaspora, and educate Diaspora Jews about Jewish His overall response to skeptics was especially American Jews, as either a identity and strengthening the ties of “join us, don’t sit on the sidelines. I source of aliyah (immigration to Israel) don’t have all the answers, but together, Jewish peoplehood worldwide. or a wallet (for financial support).” But as the JPPI report indicates, the with creative energy and investment, Noting that a goal of the Joint Iniinitiative needs to define partnership big things can happen.” tiative is “to strengthen connections beyond dollars and programming. Filling in some of the details, Hagay between Diaspora and Israeli Jews,” The more Israeli society reflects and Elitzur, who serves as the day-to-day he said that a key element is “getting a responds to the democratic impulses of point person on the Israeli team, said gradual buy-in from Israelis.” young Diaspora Jews — while educatthat the idea is to start small and build At a time when Israel has incurred the out; experiment and see what works. ing them about the reality of life in the biggest budget cut in its history, Bennett Funds would also go to existing proMideast and the limits it creates — the said, it is a sign of true commitment that grams that are successful, like Birthright more hope there is for strengthening the the state is prepared to “invest for the Israel-Diaspora bonds that have become Israel and Masa, which offer short and future of the Jewish people around the frayed. long-term stays in Israel for young world…which means that taxpayers in adults, as well as Hillel efforts on camTel Aviv and Haifa” will be contributing pus. Gary Rosenblatt is editor and publisher of to this effort. The New York Jewish Week. “We know we have to prove ourTHE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
OPINION
Ten Commandments of recovery By Jourdan Stein A few weeks ago, the Jewish world celebrated Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. It is customarily observed by participating in a night of learning. I recently relapsed and went back to residential treatment for anorexia for the second time since January. This took a great deal of courage and taught me a lesson in humility. Shavuot teaches us that there is always more to learn. This lesson helps me realize that it’s OK that I had to go back to treatment; it doesn’t show weakness, it shows strength. It shows I have a willingness to keep learning and improving myself. Shavuot gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I have learned this past year while in treatment. Connecting experiences to my Judaism has always helped me put things into perspective, so in honor of Shavuot and the giving of the Ten Commandments, I decided to make the Ten Commandments of Recovery. 1. Never stop fighting. Jews are famous for their determination. Many of our holidays teach us that triumph, despite the odds being against us, is possible. I often feel as if I will never beat this disease. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. This is a statistic that I fight every day not to add to. The world was not designed to accommodate people with eating disorders — people will always talk about food and make comments about weight, the media will always be filled with Photoshopped stick-thin models setting an unattainable standard of beauty, and I will always have an eating disorder. I have learned though that the only way to beat anorexia is to fight despite these hard truths. 2. I always have a choice. I remember learning at my Solomon Schechter Day School that the reason God doesn’t intervene when bad things like wars or murder happen is because he gave humans the gift of choice, and, like most things, this gift has its positives and negatives. Three times a day, I have the choice of eating or not eating. I make the choice to take each bite. Nobody makes me. I make the choice to recover. 3. Perfection doesn’t exist. Judaism teaches us that a person should never stop learning and growing. Since we are meant to always be improving ourselves, we can never reach the point of perfection. Perfection should not be a goal or even an ideal. Being a work in progress will always be more admirable than perfection. 4. It’s not about the food. As much as we joke about it, Jewish holidays aren’t about the food, they are about the lessons, the triumphs, and the community. Anorexia is also not about the food.
Food is the part of the disorder people see. Food, or lack of it, hides the stress, insecurity, and feelings that anorexia is truly about. 5. Use your community. My Jewish community has always been a big part of my life, but the support it has shown me these past few months is beyond words. Its support lets me know that I don’t have to fight this on my own. I have a whole community of people rooting for me to succeed. A community of people willing to go grocery shopping with me, teach me how to cook, and have meals with me. A community of people who wrote me and visited me in treatment. A community of people who accept me for who I am, anorexia and all. 6. Enjoy the simple things in life. In residential treatment there are no cellphones and very limited television and computer time. This taught me how to really value the small things like sunshine, a good book, and music. I learned that valuing small things makes one appreciate life more. Part of recovering is choosing life every day. The more things I value in life, the more reasons I have to recover and therefore to live. 7. I accept the love I think I deserve. If I expect to be treated with respect, I have to show others that we have respect for ourselves. The problem with anorexia is that most anorexics have very low self-esteem. I want to have relationships in life where I am treated with love and respect. The only way this will happen is to learn to love myself so that I can set an example for others of how I expect to be treated. 8. Take time at least one day a week to rest and reflect. Shabbat has taken on a whole new meaning for me. It has become a day of rejuvenation, a day were I get to be with friends and soak in my community. It’s a weekly reminder that I deserve a break. Shabbat gives me the chance to reflect on my successes and learn from my failures. 9. Watch out for lashon hora, or evil speech. You never know how what you say can affect a person. I never truly realized this until I was sitting in treatment listening to people describe how other people’s comments about their bodies contributed to their eating disorders. It’s important to realize that words have power. 10. I was created in the image of God. This means I have value. I was put on this earth for more than starving. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to feel love. I deserve to have my needs met. I deserve to feel beautiful. I deserve to be comfortable in my body. I deserve to take up space, and I deserve recovery. Jourdan Stein is a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. This piece was originally published at newvoices.org, the national magazine written and published by and for Jewish college students.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Adelson not immune to criticism
A letter in the most recent Observer criticizes the “Jewish media” and “liberal” Jews who proclaim the “Jewish liberal mantra” and feel threatened by Sheldon Adelson. Adelson, who has made, lost and made several fortunes, is currently one of the wealthiest men in the world. How did he make that fortune? He built a gambling empire that stretches across the world. He is in the midst of trying to become the Rupert Murdoch of Israel, buying newspapers so the Israeli press will be limited in its ability to criticize him. Lawsuits of all kinds have been brought against him. Sticking only to the reason why liberals of any political persuasion would be critical of Adelson, to begin with, Adelson and his wife each donated $250,000 to pay for the second inauguration of President Bush in 2005. Adelson provided about $30 million to oppose Democratic candidates in the 2008 election. Adelson, who seems to believe that only Republicans support Israel, decided that only Newt Gingrich as president would guarantee American support for Israel and provided about $1 million to Gingrich in 2010. Adelson outdid himself in the presidential election of 2012. While providing another $13.5 million to Gingrich, he may have spent some $92 million in all to support Republican candidates, and every one lost in 2012! He is currently devoting his resources to oppose online gambling, perceived as a threat to his gambling empire. Is Adelson really a role model for the Jewish community and for Jewish philanthropy? — Dr. Allan Spetter, Oakwood
I read with both interest and dismay Dr. Robert and Julie Bloom’s letter to the editor regarding Sheldon Adelson (June Observer). There are plenty of reasons one might choose to criticize Mr. Adelson, but let’s agree that his support of Jewish causes isn’t one of them (and, if he chooses to view the likes of Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney as “Jewish causes,” well, that’s his prerogative). Sheldon Adelson is a prominent public figure and is using his considerable wealth to further not only his philanthropic agenda, but his political and business interests as well. This is his right, but that same wealth can’t buy him a free pass when it comes to criticism. Would Dr. and Mrs. Bloom really have us bite our tongues just because Mr. Adelson is Jewish and gives generously to Jewish causes (follow a program like that to its logical conclusion and see where it gets you)? Do they really mean us to understand that Jews that give to causes and institutions that they support are beyond our criticism while Jews that don’t are somehow brainwashed by “Jewish liberal mantra” and the “Jewish media”? Perhaps your readers should be given a little more credit than that. Soliciting greater support among American Jews for Jewish causes is a laudable goal. Suggesting that Sheldon Adelson is some kind of victim, deserving by virtue of his generosity, not only our respect, but indeed our silence, is another thing entirely. — Glen Cebulash, Oakwood
Lawyers Without Rights exhibit
On a continuum of planning events, the distance between success and failure is very small. Realizing this, the planning for bringing the exhibit Lawyers Without Rights to Dayton was done very meticulously, after agreements had been reached with the American Bar Association, Washington, D.C. Now that the exhibit has been dismantled after being viewed by hundreds of people during the Jewish Cultural Festival at Temple Israel, it is time to thank the many persons and organizations contributing to the success of this one-ofa-kind project which shed light on the lawlessness of the Nazi regime and what happened to Jewish jurists during that period. Thanks go to the sponsors, namely the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and its Jewish Community Relations Council and staff. Praiseworthy are Beth Adelman and Jodi Phares. Next, Temple Israel for graciously providing exhibit space for a period of four weeks, and use of the sanctuary for the opening gala and the continuing legal education day. Thanks to the Temple Israel Foundation, Lexis Nexis of Dayton, the Ruchman Family Philanthropic Fund, the Dayton Bar Association, the University of Dayton Law School, and The Flower Shoppe for their financial and in-kind contributions. Special thanks to my committee: Joe Bettman, Paul McGreal, Walter Ohlmann, Bonnie Beaman Rice, Richard Saphire, William Wheeler and Teresa Wyman for their invaluable work and dedication. Also assisting, with special thanks, were Charles Fox, Irv Zipperstein, Ron Gilbert, James Cooper, Felix Garfunkel, Mike Goldstein, and Robert Feist. — Bob Kahn, Dayton
So, what do you think? Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive Dayton, OH 45459 • MWeiss@jfgd.net
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
PAGE 9
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37th Annual Friendship Dinner Sinclair Community College, The Ponitz Center Monday, October 27, 2014 Reception – 5:30 p.m. • Dinner – 6:30 p.m.
During the Annual Friendship Dinner, The National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ) will honor individuals and one area corporation for their personal and professional commitment to promoting understanding and respect among people of all races, religions and cultural backgrounds. ‘The Annual Friendship Dinner is an important vehicle to not only support NCCJ’s mission but also to educate the community about our important and inspirational work.’
2014 Dinner Chairs
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Dinner Committee Beth Adelman, Coldwell Banker Heritage Karen Basista, Miller-Valentine GEM Marieta Bingatati, WilmerHale Dominique N. Davis, RP, LifePlan Financial Group, Inc. Steve Davis, Thompson Hine LLP Michael Houser, Houser Asphalt & Concrete Beverly Louis, Community Volunteer Kermit F. Lowery, LexisNexis Gayle Moscowitz, Community Volunteer Stefanie Nemitz, Dayton Children’s Hospital Belinda Matthews Stenson, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Michael Roediger, The Dayton Art Institute, Ex Officio Yu Chen Yu, PNC Bank Mary E. Tyler. The National Conference for Community and Justice Are you reading this? So is the entire Jewish community. Contact Patty Caruso at plhc69@gmail.com to advertise in The Observer. PAGE 10
THE WORLD
At Herzliya Conference, a split on importance of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in passing by military officials, By Ben Sales, JTA who focused instead on threats HERZLIYA, Israel — Naftali emanating from Iran, Syria, Bennett and Tzipi Livni don’t Lebanon and elsewhere. agree on much. “We’re in a Middle East Bennett, Israel’s economy that’s undergoing a jolt,” Israel minister, sees the West Bank Defense Forces Chief of Staff as an inseparable part of the Jewish state and wants Israel to Benny Gantz said in a speech June 9 that focused mainly on annex its settlements there. tensions on Israel’s borders. Livni, the justice minister, “Dramatic instability is a says Israel can remain a Jewish constant in this region and we democracy only by evacuating need to be ready.” settlements. While the military officials But on one thing they agree: Israel must break its status quo were focused on missiles, strategic threats and regional with the Palestinians. alliances, the politicians were Bennett and Livni were two concerned mainly with Zionist of the five politicians who prevalues, domestic politics and sented a range of responses to international legitimacy. the Israeli-Palestinian conflict One after another, the leadJune 8 at the annual Herzliya ers of five major Israeli parties Conference, an elite gathering put forward of Israeli politiwidely divercians, military The leaders of five gent proposals officials and for how Israel security experts Israeli parties put should proweighing in forward widely ceed following on the central divergent proposals the failure of issues facing peace negotiaIsrael. for how Israel tions. Their debate should proceed Bennett sugexposes the gested partial cracks in following the annexation Israel’s diverse failure of peace of the West governing coBank. Finance alition. But the negotiations. Minister Yair biggest diviLapid advosion in Hercated staged withdrawal. Livni zliya wasn’t between hawks and Labor party Chairman and doves; it was between the Isaac Herzog called for a more politicians who prioritized adaggressive approach to negodressing the Israeli-Palestinian tiations. conflict and the military ofEach speaker criticized the ficials who all but ignored it. others. Lapid and Bennett, The assessment of the milionce political allies, called each tary leadership differed little other’s proposals “delusional.” from last year’s conference, “The era of Oslo has ended,” despite the recent collapse of Bennett said. “Now the time Israeli-Palestinian peace talks has come to admit that it and the subsequent unity simply didn’t work. We need agreement between the Fatah to think in a different way to faction of Palestinian Authorcreate a better reality.” ity President Mahmoud Abbas Lapid said the absence of and Hamas, which is regarded a two-state solution to the as a terrorist group by most of conflict could lead to Israel’s the West. destruction and called for Israel Those developments, which to present a map of proposed the politicians treated as major borders ahead of resumed changes, were mentioned only
So, what do you think? Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to The Dayton Jewish Observer 525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, OH 45459 MWeiss@jfgd.net
Gideon Markowicz/FLASH90
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett speaking at the Herzliya Conference, June 8
negotiations. “There’s no reason to have settlements that won’t be in the territory of Israel in any final agreement, or to invest millions of shekels in areas that will be part of the Palestinian state,” Lapid said. The only politicians who weren’t especially bothered by the current state of IsraeliPalestinian affairs were Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and Interior Minister Gideon Saar, both of the ruling Likud party. Both dismissed the idea of territorial compromise and blamed the failure of the talks on the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. “I think we made a mistake with land for peace,” Yaalon said. “The conflict is not about the establishment of a Palestinian state. It’s about the existence of a Jewish national home.” One issue of broad consensus among conference speakers was the need to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Speakers were skeptical that negotiations between Iran and world powers to scale back Iran’s nuclear program would succeed. “It’s clear to us that this regime has not given up the option of a nuclear military capability and is striving toward it,” Yaalon said. “And it thinks it will succeed in this through negotiations with the West and a charm offensive.” Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz, a Likud member, said a nuclear-armed Iran constitutes a far greater danger than the stalemate with the Palestinians. “If a difficult scenario comes to be 10 years from now, with Iran holding tens of weapons, all peace plans will be a total failure,” Steinitz said. “With a nuclear Iran, even (Israeli President) Shimon Peres will need to store away the peace plans.”
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
THE WORLD
Israel vows big investment in world Jewry project, though details remain unclear By Ben Sales, JTA JERUSALEM — Its leaders call it a “historic development,” a “paradigm shift” and a “change in the relationship” between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. But when it comes to the details of the Joint Initiative of the Government of Israel and World Jewry, key questions have yet to be answered — including what it will do and who will fund it. Conceived last year as a partnership between the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency for Israel and major Diaspora Jewish bodies, the initiative aims to strengthen Diaspora Jewish identity and connections between Israel and Jews worldwide. On June 1, Israel’s Cabinet voted to invest upward of $50 million on the initiative through 2017. The government intends to increase the sum to $100 million annually by 2022. The government wants
Diaspora sources — federations, philanthropic foundations and individual donors — to contribute double those sums for two-thirds of the initiative’s total budget. The funding will go both toward expanding existing programs for young adults and creating new ones. “It’s a historic development that the Israeli government has decided to take more responsibility for strengthening the identity of Jewish communities,” the Jewish Agency’s chairman, Natan Sharansky, told JTA. “We’re talking about Jewish identity built on a connection to Israel.” Given the success of Birthright Israel, a free, 10-day trip to Israel for Jewish young adults, the initiative will focus on immersive experiences in Israel, college campus programs, Jewish summer camps and experiential learning, Sharansky said. But though the Israeli gov-
Miriam Alster/Flash90
ernment has set aside money for the initiative, it has neither lined up the matching grants from Diaspora foundations nor has it outlined the specific programs that would receive the funding. A planning meeting for the initiative in November 2013 drew a virtual who’s Jewish Agency for Israel Chair Natan Sharansky who of major Jewish organizations and foundations. tions will be answered. We’re But Sharansky mentioned not at the finish line. We’re at only Jewish Federations of the 30-yard line. We feel confiNorth America as a potential dent we’ll get to the finish line initial source of funding from together on this.” the United States, saying he Silverman said that the didn’t want to single others out Jewish Federations had yet to before a plan had been set. decide on an initial sum to con“There are many unanswered tribute to the initiative and that questions at this point,” the Jew- his network was not involved in ish Federations’ CEO, Jerry Silsetting the budget passed by the verman, told JTA. “Six months Israeli Cabinet. from now many of those quesSharansky set a timetable of
one to two months for program proposals to be drawn up. Following the initiative’s lengthy planning process thus far, which has included conferences and an online forum for young Jews worldwide to suggest programs, Sharansky said that “coming to practical decisions comes very quickly.” Dvir Kahana, the directorgeneral of Israel’s Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Ministry, said the initiative still requires strategic planning in addition to practical steps. The Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Ministry, as well as the Finance Ministry, will provide Israeli government funding for the initiative. It will be run by a body including representatives from the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency and Diaspora funders. “We’re going to have a strategic plan for the next 25 years,” he said. “Not what we know to do now but what we should Continued on Page 24
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
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J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N o f G R E AT E R DAY TO N
2 0 1 4 Annual Meeting
Row 1, left to right: Incoming Federation President Judy Abromowitz starts the festivities at the 2014 Annual Meeting, and Outgoing Federation President Gary Youra addresses the community. Sis Litvin (JCC), Ron Nelson (JCC), Bob Heuman (JFGD) are recognized as outgoing board members. JCC Board Chair Shirlee Gilbert awards Sylvia Linsker JCC Volunteer of the Year, JFS Board Chair Helene Gordon awards Audrey Tuck JFS Volunteer of the Year. Row 2, left to right: Federation CEO Cathy Gardner recognizes staff members Melissa Flaim (5 years), Delores Barrett (5 years), Cindy Reisenbuchler (5 years), Jodi Phares (10 years), Sheila Meyers (15 years), and Janice Kohn (35 years) for their service for the Federation. Meredith Moss Levinson and Amy Bloom present Kathy Mecoli the Jack Moss Creativity Award. Meredith Moss Levinson and Carol Finley present Rabbi David Sofian the Jack Moss Creativity Award. PHOTO CREDIT: MARSHALL WEISS WITH OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO THE LEVIN FAMILY FOUNDATION FOR THEIR GENEROUS GRANT SUPPORTING THE 2014 JFGD JOINT ANNUAL MEETING . SPECIAL THANKS TO GABRIELE LEVENTHAL AND BARBARA DAVIS WEPRIN FOR BRINGING THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK OF THE JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE TO THE FOREFRONT. PAGE 12
Above, left to right: Federation Past President Ralph Heyman presents Bob Heuman with the Past Presidents’ Award. Keynote speaker Micha Feldman presents Karen Levin with a gift from Israel that has Ethiopian ties.
» JEWISHDAYTON.ORG THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
TIKKUN OLAM: In Dayton, healing the world is never out of reach.
Jewish Federation of GREATER DAYTON July 11, 12, 13 › YAD @ Bunbury Music Festival Sawyer Point/Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati 45202 Join YAD members as they venture to Cincinnati for a three-day, six stage music festival, featuring The Flaming Lips, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and more! YAD exclusive one day pricing: $30. For more details contact Hilary Zappin at hzappin@jfgd.net. Sunday, July 20 › YAD Volunteers w/Five Rivers MetroPark @ 10AM12PM at 111 E. Monument Ave, Dayton 45402 Get your hands dirty as YAD works on a beautification project along the Great Miami River, with lunch at Brixx Ice Company afterwards (cost on your own). To RSVP, contact Hilary Zappin by July 18 hzappin@jfgd.net.
Tikkun olam, repairing the world, is a big task. It was Rabbi Tarfon who said, “The day is short, the work is great.” The ancient sage also said, “You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.” I heard both of these expressions from Ethics of the Fathers mentioned at the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial dedication on June 2 in Columbus. When I left this moving ceremony at the Ohio Theatre, I sat down to contemplate our obligations to the Jewish community in Dayton. Though I am new to the area, I know that our Dayton Jewish community has a rich legacy of providing for Jews in need for more than a century. Our overseas allocations support the efforts of the Joint Distribution Committee in more than 70 nations across the world.
Here in Dayton, we have so many stories to tell of the impact local Jewish individuals and families have had in far-flung places and here in our backyard. You’ll see stories of how your contributions help repair the world in upcoming issues. One of the first to come to mind in the days after the state Holocaust Memorial dedication is the tireless work of Renate Frydman, chair of Dayton’s Holocaust Committee and curator of Prejudice and Memory: A Holocaust Exhibit, on permanent
September 7-10 › International Lion of Judah Conference New York City Get ready to ROAR with pride at the International Lion of Judah Conference as we honor Mary Rita Weissman, who has been selected as a 2014 KipnisWilson/Friedland Award recipient. November 9-11 › Annual General Assembly Washington D.C.
PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
tions. This new full-time position encompasses directing the efforts of our Community Relations Council, Partnership2Gether with Israel, Yom Hashoah, Innovation Grants, overseas missions, adult education, and volunteer initiatives. In the meantime, since Cheryl is moving over from her work as the Federation’s chief development officer, I’ll handle that portfolio while our development committee crafts a strategic plan to maximize our fund-raising as we move forward. Our thanks go to Beth Adelman, who served as our part-time JCRC director, for her dedication and professionalism over the past two years.
Cathy L. Gardner CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
“It was the Trip of a Lifetime”
SAVE THE DATE
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free.
display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force since 1999. More than 1 million visitors pass through the Air Force Museum each year, and among these are students, who learn the lessons of the Holocaust from Renate and other volunteer docents. The exhibit focuses on the stories of survivors, liberators and Righteous Gentiles who made the Dayton area their home following World War II. As Renate is apt to remind visitors to the exhibit, “They are your neighbors.” I was also blown away when I first saw this incredible installation, with Renate as my guide. So many new challenges face the Jews of Dayton, Israel, and around the world. Because of this, our Federation’s leadership has made it a priority to expand our involvement locally and globally. To accomplish this, we have asked Cheryl Carne to serve as our director of external rela-
ABOVE: Community member Caryl Segalewitz helps a special needs student with his glass art activity while on her trip to Israel.
“I left on May 7 for the 2014 AIR (Artist in Residence) Partnership2Gether Program, an exploration of the arts and life of Jews living in the Western Galilee. Not sure what to expect, I landed at Ben Gurion International Airport and was transported to my new neighborhood of Nahariya. There I would meet and make new friends, friends I know I will have for life. Artists from all over the US converged and learned about the culture and the people. We came to teach our artistic skills, but took home with us a love of our Judaism and a renewed love of our homeland, Yisrael. Whether it was the young adults with special needs I introduced fused glass to and worked with, or the fabulous dinners with community members, touring through Rosh Hanikra or attending dinner at a group home for disabled young adults— I felt as if my presence really had meaning. I know this was a trip of a lifetime that will stay with me forever. I cannot wait to return.” Caryl Segalewitz
COMMUNITY MEMBER
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2014
Jewish Community Center of GREATER DAYTON Sunday, July 13 › Lynda A. Cohen Yiddish Club @ 1:30PM at Oakwood Starbucks (2424 Far Hills Ave.). Poet Aleksander Shpiglblat. Contact Judy Woll at 470-0113. Wednesday, July 23 › Cox Arboretum & Dine Around @ 11AM at Cox Arboretum (6733 N. Springboro Pike, Dayton) and Olive Garden (2789 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton) Enjoy an open air tram ride through Cox Arboretum, featuring a visit to the butterfly house, a living showcase of native southwest Ohio butterflies. Lunch to follow. Attend either or both. Cox Arboretum/no charge, Dine Around/on your own. RSVP by July 16. Sunday, July 27 › Old Case Files at the Old Courthouse @ 3PM at Old Courthouse (7 N. Main St., Dayton) Step back in time to witness a historical reenactment of the Dayton murder trial of Harry Crooks from 1908. $12 Dayton History members/$15 non-members. Purchase tickets through Dayton History, 293-2841
JCC Early Childhood Care & Education Fall Registration: Select spots still available. Contact Audrey MacKenzie at amackenzie@jfgd.net or 853-0373 for more information. RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
TOP: Preschool and Upper Camp Shalom campers put their best funny faces forward as the first week of summer fun starts at the Boonshoft CJCE. PHOTO CREDIT: KATIE LAGASSE BOTTOM: Community member Lita Saul and Upper Camp Shalom camper Ava Wright twist up a delicious loaf of challah bread at Covenant Manor. PHOTO CREDIT: JANICE KOHN
ABOVE: Dr. Scott MacDonald, DVM, helps Jaclyn Nyikon listen to a dog’s heartbeat after practicing wrap bandages in the JCC’s Early Childhood classroom, Chaverim class. PHOTO CREDIT: PAT JONES
BBYO LEADERSHIP:
2014 September to January Weprin-Kadima (Boys) and Hatikvah (Girls) Leadership Boards
›Mamaloshen
President: Aaron Cohen and Andrea Liberman
A little bit of Yiddish to share with friends, courtesy
Membership: Adam Guadalupe and Deborah Liberman
Programming: Jason Guadalupe and Zoe Waldman
of the JCC Yiddish Club, in memory of Lynda A. Cohen.
Social Action: Daveed Abrams and Julia Caruso
Drukn: \DRUK-en\ Verb \ Past Participle: Gedrukt
Treasurer: Jeremy Bettman and Mackenzie Rocquemore
To print. Note: This word is very closely related to, and really a specific applica-
Communications: Noah Gruenberg and Sarah Abrams
tion of, drikn - to press, squeeze, oppress. Expressions with drukn/drikn:
1. A guter oysdruk makht a gutn ayndruk - A fitting expression makes a good impression.
2. Keyner veyst nisht vu der shukh drikt - You never know the other fellow’s troubles (lit., No one knows where the [other person’s] shoe pinches).
3. Voyltog drikt a mol oykh dos harts op - Pleasure sometimes also causes pain.
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2014
L’Chaim,
To Life! R E I N V E N T I N G O U R S E LV E S T H R O U G H E N R I C H M E N T, E N G AG E M E N T, & E D U C AT I O N
Jewish Family Services will be sponsoring the first L’Chaim, to Life! Fair. This exciting event will take place on July 10, from 10AM- 2PM at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton.
Keep Cool While the Temperature is Running Hot As the temperature rises, so should your knowledge of how to stay safe from the heat. When the weather gets too hot, it is important to know how to stay safe and keep yourself cool. When the temperature gets too hot, the body has a harder time cooling itself. Also, with a lot of sweating, the body loses fluid and becomes dehydrated, which can lead to heat related sicknesses. There are three levels of heat related illness; heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Some symptoms for these illnesses include dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, cramps, weakness, altered mental state, fainting, and even death with heat stroke. It is important to recognize when you are starting to feel the heat. If you feel light headed, weak, are very thirsty, you need to find some shade or someplace with air con-
Meredith Moss, Dayton Daily News columnist, will be the keynote speaker at Noon, moderating a panel discussion highlighting reinvention stories. The Dorothy Lane Market Culinary School will sponsor a presentation at 10:30AM on preparing nutritious budget friendly meals for one or two.
Please bring a canned good or staples for the Federation Food Pantry. A box lunch will be provided with reservation. Reservations are mandatory by July 3. Please call Karen Steiger at 937-610-1555.
Experience the three Es up close and personal! Become enriched, engaged and educated as you peruse the vendor tables that showcase the many volunteer and learning opportunities in our community.
July 10
Thursday
May Their Memory be a Blessing Are you dealing with grief and need to talk about it and begin to live your life once again? Jewish Family Services recently completed a six-week program for those who needed a place to grieve. Those who attended did not want the group to end and hope to continue meeting to talk and share emotions with others who will listen and offer support. Each of the members came to realize that you cannot walk around the outer edge of your loss and have a meaningful life because you will only walk in circles. If possible, you need to walk through the center of the grief core so that you can continue living Your life in a meaningful way. Members began to recognize their lives have changed. Life will be different. The certainty is that you have the choice of how to live, healthy or unhealthy. No one expects another to be perfect, only that we can be “gentle” with ourselves and allow ourselves to “go with the flow”… and not to expect any immediate resolution. Each member of the group grieves and mourns at their own pace. Each person does the very best that they can. We learned that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. There is no set time when you suddenly begin to feel better. However, what became paramount is the more isolated that you have become, the more difficult it can be for you to heal. You will only start to heal by expressing and processing your experience with others. Talk, talk, talk!
Mary Ann Hemmert
DIRECTOR Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton
ditioning and sip water. It is also important to let others know that you are feeling sick and need to find shelter. The condition will only worsen if you do not properly cool and hydrate yourself. Older adults are more prone to the effects of heat because of chronic illness, medications, and the body becomes less adjustable to extreme weather. According to the National Weather Service, there are several things you can do to keep yourself safe. Do not over exert yourself. If you must be outside, try to schedule things for the coolest part of the day. Dress appropriately
Jewish Family Services of GREATER DAYTON Tuesday, July 1 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor A Historical look at Arlington Cemetery, Including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier presented by Al Bailey, Honor Flight Tuesday, July 8 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Utilizing RTA and Project Mobility presented by Scott Meece, RTA Transportation Consultant Friday, July 11 NOON @ Covenant Manor Fresh Friday delicious home cooked meal. Prepared by Bernstein’s Fine Catering. Tuesday, July 15 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Musical entertainment with Don Simones Tuesday, July 22 NOON@ Covenant Manor Afternoon at the Movies Friday, July 25 NOON @ Covenant Manon Fresh Friday delicious home cooked meal. Prepared by Bernstein’s Fine Catering. 12:30PM Bingo Tuesday, July 29 12:30PM Better Hearing Health presented by Sharon Kuntz, Practice Representative for Hearing Professionals
in light weight, light colored items. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Stay away from alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. Go to places that have air conditioning to cool down. If you do not have air conditioning, go to a public place such as a library. When going outside, wear sunblock to help your body repulse the heat.
Jessica Leach
MSW INTERN Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton
The Chaverim preschool class had a busy and fun filled morning when they toured the food pantry at Covenant Manor. The children decorated grocery bags and packed them full of nutritious food items to help families in need. PHOTO CREDIT: PAT JONES
PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL BENSON REGARDING ALL COVENANT MANOR EVENTS : 854-6319
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2014
ENDOWMENTS: Local “pride” keeps Campaign shining bright
Jewish Foundation of GREATER DAYTON Share Your Story & Inspire Others » If you or your family has
established an endowment, we invite you to participate in the Foundation’s Book of Life. Stories in the Book of Life are meant to beautifully convey the generosity and rich history of the Dayton Jewish community, as well as inspire future generations to create a legacy of their own. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful project, please contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net or 937-610-1796.
In 1972, Norma Kipnis-Wilson and the late Toby Friedland (z’l) of Miami, Florida wanted to create a program that would represent unity and serve as a symbol of a woman’s commitment to the worldwide Jewish community. It was through this vision that the Lion of Judah program was born. When a woman makes a yearly contribution of $5,000 or more to her local federation campaign, she joins a pride of women from many walks of life and plays an essential role in creating social justice, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity. The Lion of Judah program has grown from 16 participants in its first year to more than 17,500 strong today, 33 of which are from the Dayton Jewish community. Lions of Judah can be seen throughout the community wearing a beautiful pin that serves a symbol of their tzedakah and commitment to Tikkun Olam. A Lion of Judah’s generosity does not have to end at the time of their death. Through a Lion of Judah Endowment, a woman’s legacy
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION CAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF › Abraham Tobiansky Gene and Charles Walker LINDA RUCHMAN FUND IN HONOR OF › 80th birthday of Jim Duberstein › 60th wedding anniversary of Elaine and Joe Bettman Judy and Marshall Ruchman IN MEMORY OF › Bob Emoff › Arthur Field › Lou Jaffe Diane and Jim Duberstein › Marilyn Barnett Julie Ruchman Todd Ruchman HOLOCAUST PROGRAMMING FUND IN HONOR OF › Helene Gordon receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award Beth Adelman Shirlee and Dr. Ron Gilbert Sally and Lance Litvak Kathy and Mark Gordon Ernestine Levine Bernice and Jack Bomstein Ellin Oppenheimer › Melinda Doner receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award Bernice and Jack Bomstein IN MEMORY OF › Phyllis Heider Jennifer and Eric Simpson Rivka and Jack Rubinfeld Natalie and Larry Katz
OBSERVER ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF › Joan Knoll’s speedy recovery Cathy Gardner Beth Adelman JEWISH FEDERATION BOARD DISCRETIONARY FUND IN HONOR OF › Melinda Doner receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Helene Gordon receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Susie Katz receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Harriet Klass receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Ellen Leffak receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Gayle Moscowitz receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Patti Schear receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award Cathy Gardner IN MEMORY OF › Carol Pavlofsky Cathy Gardner › Amy Steinberg Lisa and Gary Pavlofsky & Family S.K.I.P. FUND IN MEMORY OF › In Yahrzeit memory of Charles Abramovitz Dr. Eric Friedland TALA ARNOVITZ SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN HONOR OF › Melinda Doner receiving the Beth
Community member and endowed Lion of Judah, Debby Goldenberg.
can live on and resonate in the Dayton Jewish community for endless generations. Debby Goldenberg endowed her Lion of Judah gift as a way to help ensure the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton can continue to
Abraham Women of Valor Award › Susie Katz receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › New great-grandchild of Esther and DeNeal Feldman Beverly Saeks IN MEMORY OF › Carol Pavlofsky › Raymond Smith › Marvin Felman Beverly Saeks JCC JOAN AND PETER WELLS FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND IN HONOR OF › Birth of son Zeke, to Rachel and Dr. Heath Gilbert Cathy Gardner FELDMAN FAMILY (BBYO) FUND IN HONOR OF › Debbie Feldman receiving an honorary Doctorate from Wright State University Cathy Gardner IN MEMORY OF › Kari Friedman Cathy Gardner HARRY AND FRANK WEPRIN BBYO SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF › Charles Weprin Cathy Gardner ACTIVE ADULTS FUND IN HONOR OF › Harriet Klass receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JULY 2014
provide its programs and services. “As many of you know the Federation has been a major force in my life. Because I want to continue giving at the Lion of Judah level after my death, I have endowed my gift in perpetuity. It is my hope that this will enable the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton to continue providing cutting edge services to future generations, and to ensure a viable and healthy Jewish community for many years to come”. There are numerous options available to establish a Lion of Judah Endowment. An outright cash gift, a bequest in a will or trust, or naming the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy are just a few ways to create an endowment. We encourage women considering establishing a Lion of Judah Endowment to speak with an estate planner for a full list of options. If you are a Lion of Judah and would like to learn more about endowing your gift, or would like additional information about campaign and endowments, please contact Cathy Gardner, CEO, at 937-610-1555.
Shirlee and Dr. Ron Gilbert › New grandson of Shirlee and Dr. Ron Gilbert Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND IN HONOR OF › Birth of son Zeke, to Rachel and Dr. Heath Gilbert Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein BEN AND DOROTHY HARLAN CHILDREN’S FUND IN MEMORY OF › Charles Weprin Marla and Dr. Stephen Harlan BOOK FAIR/ CULTURAL ARTS FUND IN HONOR OF › New grandson to Sue Nelson Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein FAMILY SERVICES SENIOR SERVICES IN HONOR OF › Joyce Anderson › Helen Halcomb Rosalyn Mosrow SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE IN HONOR OF › Special birthday of Shirlee Gilbert › Helene Gordon receiving the Beth Abraham Women of Valor Award › Special birthday of Hy Blum › The birth of son Ethan, to Karen Bodney-Halasz and Scott Halasz › Speedy recovery to Rachel Weiskind ›The kindness Larry Glickler shows to the community › Good health to Adam Weiskind Hyla and Dr. Raymond Weiskind
› 85th birthday of Lois Unger Marilyn Scher IN MEMORY OF › Charles Weprin › Dennis Jenkins › Mark Gershon › Linda November Hyla and Dr. Raymond Weiskind › Charles Weprin Andi Rabiner Marilyn Scher SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONOR OF › Special birthday of Stevie Schriber › Special birthday of Joan Holzinger Susan and Jonas Gruenberg FOUNDATION JEREMY BETTMAN B’NAI TZEDEK YOUTH PHILANTHROPY FUND IN MEMORY OF › Bob Emoff › Phyllis Heider Jean and Todd Bettman › Bob Emoff › Joseph Braunstine › Marvin Felman Elaine and Joe Bettman JACK FUSCHSMAN B’NAI TZEDEK YOUTH PHILANTHROPY FUND IN HONOR OF › 60th Wedding anniversary of Elaine and Joe Bettman › 85th birthday of Joe Bettman › Alex Fuchsman graduating from Virginia Tech Dorothy Fuchsman
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Classes
Rachel Wilson, 853-0372.
Temple Beth Or Classes: Sundays, 10:30 a.m.: Tanach w. Rabbi Chessin. Sundays, 1 p.m.: Adult Hebrew w. Rabbi Chessin. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.: Israeli Folk Dancing w. Janifer Tsou. Wed., July 9, 7 p.m.: Spirituality w. Rabbi Burstein. Thurs., July 10, 1 p.m. Socrates Café. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. Temple Israel Classes: Mondays, 1:15 p.m.: Knitting & Crocheting. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Lattes & Legends, Dorothy Lane Mkt., 6177 Far Hills Ave. Wednesdays, noon: Talmud study. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.: Torah study. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Discussions
Chabad Camp Gan Izzy: July 21Aug. 15. Ages 4-11. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 643-0770.
YAD Volunteers w. FiveRivers MetroParks: Sun., July 20, 10 a.m.-noon. 111 E. Monument Ave. R.S.V.P. to Hilary Zappin, 6101555.
Young Adults
Seniors
YAD at Bunbury Music Festival: July 11-13. Sawyer Point/ Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati. One-day price $30. R.S.V.P. to Hilary Zappin, 610-1555.
Jewish Family Services Events: See Federation newsletter in center spread. JFS L’Chaim, To Life Fair: Thurs., July 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At Temple
Israel, 130 Riverside, Dr. Free. Includes box lunch. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555. JCC Lynda A. Cohen Yiddish Club: Sun., July 13, 1:30 p.m. Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. to Judy Woll, 470-0113. JCC Active Adults at Cox Arboretum & Dine Around: Wed., July 23, 11 a.m. Beginning at Cox
Arboretum, 6733 N. Springboro Pike, followed by lunch at Olive Garden, 2789 MiamisburgCenterville Rd. R.S.V.P. by July 16 to Karen Steiger, 853-0372. JCC Active Adults at Old Case Files at Old Courthouse: Sun., July 27, 3 p.m. 7 N. Main St., Dayton. $15 ($12 for Dayton History members). Purchase tickets from Dayton History, 2932841.
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Temple Beth Or Men’s Circle: Wed., July 2, 7 p.m. w. Rabbi Burstein. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400.
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Beth Abraham Synagogue Tales from the Talmud: Saturdays following noon kiddush lunch w. Rabbi Ginsberg. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520.
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Temple Beth Or Fusion Families: Sun., July 13, 3:30 p.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 4353400.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
PAGE 17
KVELLING CORNER Rachel Haug Gilbert Dr. David Novick’s company, Digestive Specialists, received a 2014 Better Business Bureau Eclipse Integrity Award for
companies with 75 or more employees, at the Sinclair Ponitz Center on May 13. The Eclipse Integrity Awards are presented to businesses “demonstrating significant, unique and continuous commitment to exceptional customer service, trust and fair play in the marketplace and day-to-day living.” So far
this year, Digestive Specialists has committed to more than 35 health fairs, expos and presentations. It also serves on the American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Task Force, supports The Greene Goes Red for the American Heart Association and is a member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Beth Guttman, daughter of Dottie Englehardt, has been named president of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. She will be installed in October.
mother of Josh and Noah, the wife of Garrison Harris, and the daughter of Lisa Jennings.
Ethan Zappin was the youngest competitor at the Midwest Franklin T. Cohn won a bronze Junior Rowing Championships at East Fork Lake, held May medal in tennis singles at 16-18. His team placed third the 2014 Senior Olympics in against 32 teams from 28 Cincinnati. cities in nine states. Ethan was seated bowman as his novice Natalie Carne graduated from quad placed sixth out of 13 The University of Michigan on boats in a varsity race. Ethan May 2 with her MBA. She is just graduated sixth grade currently employed at Johnson from Hillel Academy and will & Johnson as an associate marketing manager. Her parents attend Oakwood Junior High. Cheering him on are greatare Rick and Cheryl Carne. grandmother Hannah “Sugar” Zappin and parents Hilary Staci Harris received her Zappin and Jamy Holliday. master’s degree in nursing from Wright State on May 3. Send your Kvelling items to Rachel She specialized as a pediatric at kvellingcorner@gmail.com or to primary care nurse practitioner Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton and will take her certification Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive, test in a few months. Staci is the Centerville, OH 45459.
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this week’s Jewish news with Radio Reading Service Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley Radio Reading Service provides audio access to newspapers, magazines and other print media for those unable to read on their own. Listeners tune in with special radio receivers to programs including The Jewish News Hour.
If you know someone who might qualify to receive a Reading Service radio, call 528-6525 THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
LIFECYCLES Sara Dowlar/Ahava Photography
Hillel Academy Sixth Grade Graduation On May 28, Hillel Academy, Dayton’s Jewish day school, held its first sixthgrade graduation since moving to Sugar Camp in Oakwood. Front (L to R): Rikki Mangel, Nina Jacobs, Jordan Vandersluis, Edin German, Sammy Caruso. Back: Jackson Bounds and Ethan Zappin.
Zeke Solomon Gilbert On May 13, Heath and Rachel Gilbert, big brother Avi and big sister Chava welcomed the newest member of their family into the world. Zeke Solomon weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz. and measured 22 inches in length. His middle name is for Rachel’s grandmother, Sadye Nelson. The kvelling grandparents are Ron and Shirlee Gilbert, Gary Haug and Vera Warner, and Sue and Ron Nelson. Send lifecycles to: The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville, OH 45459. Email: MWeiss@jfgd.net. There is a $10 charge to run a photo; please make checks payable to The Observer.
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PAGE 19
Ohio Holocaust & Liberators Memorial Continued from Page Three the 2011 observance. “I did not go into that ceremony with anything in mind,” he said. “But you know, I had a chance to sit there and reflect and I’ve also been deeply moved by the tragedy, the calamity of the Holocaust.” In 2012, the governor signed legislation authorizing the creation of the memorial, to be overseen by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, and the Ohio Arts Council. The governor’s proposal for a memorial was met with opposition from former State Sen. Richard Finan, chair of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, for not following proper procedure. Finan also said in an interview, “I don’t think a Holocaust memorial fits with the historical markers (at the Statehouse).” Finan ultimately resigned from the advisory board last year after serving as its chair for two decades. When asked during his interview with The Observer how he responds to Finan’s criticisms, Kasich said, “That’s beyond this. I’m just excited about what’s going to happen on Monday (the day of the dedication). And you will be too when you’re there.” With the June 2 ceremony, Ohio became the second state in the nation to commemorate the Shoah with a monument; Iowa dedicated its Holocaust Memorial at the state Capitol grounds in Des Moines on Oct. 23. Ohio’s memorial is the first new monument on the Statehouse grounds since the dedication of Ohio’s Veterans Plaza in 1998. During his interview with The Observer, Kasich said the new memorial is important to him on a personal level. “It’s extremely meaningful to me because I hope it will be meaningful to others,” he said. “This memorial has nothing to do with me, it has to do with the message that it sends.” The personal connection came through during the ceremony, when one of Kasich’s twin teenage daughters, Reese, read an excerpt from Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. The governor’s wife, Karen, was among 12 honorees to light candles in memory of the 12 million people who perished during the Holocaust, to the strains of a string ensemble from The Cleveland Orchestra. Among the candle lighters were Barbara Turkeltaub of Canton, the Holocaust survivor whose talk three
Ohio Gov. John Kasich delivers remarks during the dedication of the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial, June 2 at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus
years ago inspired the governor to call for the monument; U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director Sara Bloomfield; Emory University Prof. of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies Deborah Lipstadt; and memorial designer Daniel Libeskind, who also designed the Jewish Museum of Berlin and the master plan for the World Trade Center redevelopment. “I didn’t go to the library to research the Holocaust,” said Libeskind, who grew up in Communist Poland after World War II. “I live in the shadow of the Holocaust because my parents were survivors.” When he began to conceive of the memorial, he asked himself, “Where is the light, where is the hope,” he told the audience. Libeskind decided he would represent light in the monument with a crack forming a Star of David that leads up to the Ohio sky. “I recall it was my father who passed away at the age of 91 who said, ‘You know, if people in America only knew where they were, they would kiss the ground on which they walk. They take it for granted: the liberty, the freedom, the tolerance,’” Libeskind said. “I would like to create that light through that star. Through the crack there is a light — the light of Ohio. The light of the sky, the light that comes to us from elsewhere to look at the world in a way that changes us, that commits us to all the values we deeply share, which are not only material values but spiritual values upon which this incredible nation is founded.” The 1,029 square-foot memorial at once fits in with other Statehouse monuments and disrupts the south lawn’s landscape. Libeskind incorporates a granite plaza, low walls of Ohio limestone, and bronze for the monument, in keeping with materials used for most Statehouse memorials. Libeskind’s 18-foot-high monument, the ruptured Star of David, is engraved with the narrative of cousins who survived Auschwitz. The architect selected the passage himself. Private donors from across the state funded the $2.15 million memorial. Its main inscription reads, “Inspired by the Ohio soldiers who were part of the American liberation and survivors who made Ohio their home.” The dedication took place four days before the 70th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy. “The inspiration for this Architect Daniel Libeskind and Emory University Prof. Deborah Lipstadt light a memorial memorial was rightly drawn candle while members of The Cleveland Orchestra play during the dedication of the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial, June 2 at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus from America’s soldiers, PAGE 20
officers, and chaplains of America’s armed forces in the final days of World War II,” said Yaron Sideman, consul general of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S., reading remarks on behalf of Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. “All of the liberators of every nationality and ethnic origin deserve our gratitude.” Lipstadt — a Holocaust scholar who won a landmark libel suit in England against notorious Holocaust denier David Irving in 2000 — urged Ohioans to continue the work of eradicating prejudice and hatred. She referred to a middle school in Rialto, Calif. that in May assigned its students to write an essay about whether or not the Holocaust happened. “But the Holocaust isn’t a position,” she said. “These naive teachers believe Holocaust denial is another side of the argument, and the Holocaust is something to be debated. The Holocaust must be taught as historical fact.” She described Ohio’s memorial as a “weigh station in the process of trying to change Never Again from comfortable aphorism that easily flows from our mouths, into a reality.” During the dedication, the governor himself took on the role of teacher — as well as preacher — after a veiled reference to Finan’s criticism. Kasich mentioned a longtime friend who told him, “John, we were worried about you. All the critics, the opposition, the roadblocks.” The governor shared his reply to his friend: “There’s nothing to worry about. You do things you think are going to lift people. You don’t worry.” Kasich added that when people ask him why he wanted a Holocaust memorial for Ohio, he reflects on those who have inspired him, including William Wilberforce, Natan Sharansky, Elie Wiesel, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “What all of them were about was the dignity of the human being,” he said. “What do I believe? I believe that each and everyone in this auditorium and everyone that walks the earth is made in the image of God. And you see, when we recognize that fact, when we know that we were made special for a purpose, we can treat other human beings with compassion, with respect, with love, because we’re all part of the same team.” Kasich, a Republican who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2001 and chaired the House Budget Committee beginning in 1995, went on to host programs for Fox News before becoming Ohio’s governor. His 2010 book, Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith and Friendship, bears a testimonial from Elie Wiesel, whom he had hoped would attend the June 2 dedication. “He couldn’t make it,” the governor said in his interview with The Observer. “You know, he’s older now, and it’s difficult for him to travel. But I’m sure at some point he will come.” Following the dedication, Kasich and Libeskind greeted and took photos with attendees in front of the memorial. When asked during an interview with The Observer how he would respond to those who might suggest the Star of David imagery crosses the line separating church and state, Libeskind said, “It doesn’t, because first of all it’s a gap of light. And of course we know that the Holocaust was perpetrated by putting that star to mark victims for murder. Also triangles, we have six triangles, they were there to identify gypsies, political prisoners, mentally and emotionally impaired people. So those were not religious symbols. They were indications of mass extermination.” The new memorial at the statehouse is the second Holocaust-related memorial dedicated under the auspices of an Ohio governor. In 1983, Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste and his then-wife, Dagmar, dedicated the statue To Life by Ohio artist and Holocaust survivor Alfred Tibor in the garden of the Governor’s Residence, in memory “of the children who died in the Holocaust so that all children will remember.” THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
CONGREGATIONS
RELIGION
Rabbis’ panel Continued from Page Four authority in the universe, when empirically He doesn’t lift an anthropomorphic finger to save anyone?” Mangel asked Shapiro, “So, what would you like God to do? You have this antisemite walking into this Jewish museum in Brussels with a gun and he starts shooting. What would you like God to do? Should God zap him with a bolt of lightning? Should he trip? Should the gun jam? What would you like God to do, when Al Qaeda or Hamas throws a missile? Would you like God to grab it, throw it back? How exactly do you envision God’s getting the bomb?” “Would it have hurt if he moved the bullet that killed JFK slightly to the right?” Shapiro replied. “So then God would have to do this all the time?” Mangel said. “So then none of us have freedom of choice. So then we’re a bunch of seals in Sea World, that every time we do something good we get a herring, when we do something bad, we get zapped. God wanted to create a world of human beings and God said, ‘Here I am going to give you the laws and I’m going to give you life and death, goodness and blessing, you’ve got to choose and I hope that you choose what is right.’”
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Required summer reading By Rabbi David M. Sofian Temple Israel As you are reading this, once again I am studying in a program designed especially for rabbis, at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. This is an opportunity that I greatly look forward to every summer because it not only gives me the occasion to be stimulated by amazing teachers who help me broaden and
Perspectives deepen my Jewish knowledge, but to do it in the Jewish laboratory of Jerusalem. Furthermore, as much as I learn from these wonderful teachers I learn even more from my rabbi peers while discussing the day’s texts and lessons in small hevruta, study groups. I have been privileged to study with truly insightful and talented colleagues over the last several summers. Among all the great scholars that present every seminar, last year I had the opportunity to study with Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Like Dreamers, winner of the 2013 National Jewish Book Award. He is a fellow at the institute. Frankly, given that I have often disagreed with him about his politics, I hesitated before signing up for this elective course based on his book. My doubt was over whether or not I wanted to be subjected to his politics (which I was sure would dominate the class) over several days. I am truly grateful that I overcame that concern because contemporary politics did not dominate the course. Rather he and his book introduced
me to aspects of Israeli hismon, who not only favored tory I didn’t already know and Israel’s unilateral withdrawal furthermore helped me underfrom Gaza in 2005 but became stand developments in Israel an important Israeli capitalist. that I had been strugAshmon was chief gling to comprehend. of intelligence for the Primarily that 55th. From the same meant helping me unit we get to know understand who Yoel Bin-Nun, who the religious Zionwas at the forefront ist settlers that built of the settler movethe early West Bank ment. settlements were/are Again, from the and how exactly their same unit we meet movement develAvital Geva, a welloped. known artist and If you are interRabbi David M. Sofian Peace Now activist ested in understandwho defended kibing the reality of Israel today, I butz socialism. can’t recommend this book to From the same brigade, there you more vigorously. I believe are other important figures as all lovers of Israel should read well, who hold widely difthis book. fering views as to what the It is not a polemic arguing a modern state of Israel is and political point of view. Rather should be. in it you will learn things you If you are a novice regarddidn’t know about the kibing Israel, this book can be a butz movement, the nature great introduction. If you are of Israel’s peace a seasoned follower already, movement, and, as this book will help you deepen I said above, for me your grasp. More than that, it most importantly, is brilliantly written and fun who the first settlers to read. At the risk of being were. too direct — get it, read it, you You can even won’t regret it. learn about the right-wing zealot (or should I say crazy person) who was arrested in the plot to blow up the Dome of Rock and a radical leftist who served 12 years in prison for his connections to an anti-Zionist terror underground in Damascus. Halevi accomplishes all this in a single book by focusing on the 55th Paratrooper Brigade that took the Old City of Jerusalem in June 1967. The brigade also played a key role in turning the tide to Israel’s favor in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Halevi follows Arik Ash-
I believe all lovers of Israel should read this book.
Shabbat Candle Lightings July 4 8:50 p.m. July 11 8:48 p.m. July 18 8:44 p.m. July 25 8:39 p.m.
July
Tammuz/Av
Torah Portions
Fast of the 17th of Tammuz July 15 Commemorating numerous calamities that fell on the Jewish people on this day, this fast is observed from dawn until dusk. Among the calamities were the breech of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. and by the Romans in 70 C.E. The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of the Three Weeks, a period of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
July 5/7 Tammuz Balak (Num. 22:2-25:9) July 12/14 Tammuz Pinchas (Num. 25:10-30:1) July 19/21 Tammuz Mattot (Num. 30:2-32:42) July 26/28 Tammuz Masei (Num. 33:1-36:13)
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Monday through Friday 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional Mornings: Sun., Mon., Thurs., 7 a.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m. Evenings: Sun. through Fri. 7 p.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 274-2149. BethJacobCong.org Temple Anshe Emeth Reform 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Call Eileen Litchfield, 937-5470092, elitchfield@woh.rr.com. Correspondence address: 3808 Beanblossom Rd., Greenville, OH 45331. ansheemeth.org Temple Beth Or Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator David Burstein July & August layled services Fridays 6:30 p.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Washington Twp. 435-3400. templebethor.com Temple Beth Sholom Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz See Web site for schedule. 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. thetemplebethsholom.com Temple Israel Reform Rabbi David M. Sofian Rabbi/Educator Karen Bodney-Halasz 1st & 2nd Fri., 6 p.m. Other Fri., 7:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat 4th Fri., 6 p.m. Sat., 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Fridays 6 p.m. 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays 9 a.m. adults, 10 a.m children. Sundays 9 a.m. Tuesdays & Wednesdays. 6:45 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 643-0770. www.chabaddayton.com Yellow Springs Havurah Independent Services 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10-noon. Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Cheryl Levine, 937-767-9293.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
Mishpacha & Menschlichkeit The Jewish Family Identity Forum
Ever after
Myths and misconceptions The hereafter has become a hot topic in recent years. The closing scenes of the blockbuster film Gladiator feature the hero carried off to Elysium where he is reunited with his family. Television shows including Dead Like Me and Afterlife, NPR’s series What Comes Next? Conversations on the Afterlife, and the radio weekly
Candace R. Kwiatek Spirit Connections highlight the fascination with the transcendental. A four-year-old who experienced the afterlife spurred the books-and-movie Heaven is for Real phenomenon. For billions, the afterlife isn’t fiction. In a widely publicized address, Pope Francis recently warned the mafia that they would go to Hell if they do not repent their “dirty businesses and crimes.” Christian missionary efforts are directed toward saving nonbelievers’ souls. Muslim terrorists believe jihad is a pathway to Heaven. Scientific research suggests that across nations, belief in punishment in the afterlife is a predictor of ethical behavior (Azim Shariff, Belief in Hell Lowers Crime). While modern secularists and intellectuals have often dismissed such sentiments as primitive, a crutch or a sham,
there is a growing belief that the reality of some kind of afterlife may not be so farfetched. One area of research is exemplified by physician Jeffrey Long, who documents his discoveries in Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of NearDeath Experiences. Quantum physicists and astronomers are also finding scientific support for the reality of other realms beyond the visible and physical. From atoms to quarks to black holes, the trajectory of science continues to discover worlds beyond our immediate and physical experience. Unlike most religious traditions, both ancient and modern, Judaism rarely addresses the hereafter. In fact, it focuses so heavily on this world that many erroneously believe Jewish theology does not include a concept of the afterlife. Others conclude that, since Christians have Heaven and Hell, Jews don’t. Quite the contrary: the belief in an afterlife has always been part of Jewish thought. The Bible implies a familiarity with some form of survival after death. Abraham, Jacob, and Aaron are each described as being “gathered to his people.” The biblical Sheol, mentioned as early as Genesis and throughout Prophets and Writings, is a nebulous place where the dead are gathered. The prophet Elijah is variously described as recording the deeds of each human, directing souls to their proper places in the afterlife, and even traveling between heaven and
earth to reward the righteous, fiery child sacrifices. connecting reward and punishWith its emphasis on the ment with the hereafter. present world, why has the Even resurrection is an afterlife been part of Jewish early concept: “And many of theology? them that sleep in the dust of According to Rabbi Joseph the earth shall awake, some Telushkin in Jewish Literacy, “In to everlasting life, and some Judaism the belief in afterlife to reproaches and everlasting is less a leap of faith than a abhorrence (Daniel 12:2).” logical outgrowth of other JewDuring the Talmudic era, the ish beliefs. If one believes in a eternal nature of the soul and God who is all-powerful and resurrection of the body in the all-just, one cannot believe that messianic era become part of this world, in which evil far basic Jewish beliefs, although too often triumphs, is the only the details are heavily debated arena in which human life exin the literature. ists. For if this existence is the As Greek philosophy final word, and God permits influences medieval rabbinic evil to win, then it cannot be thought, immortality of the inthat God is good.” tellect is added So what does to the mix. Judaism focuses the afterlife Enter Kabalah, have to do with Jewish mystical so heavily on menschlichbeliefs arising in this world that keit? Stories the 12th cenoffer the many erroneously often tury, in which best answers. the reincarnaThe great believe Jewish tion of the soul Talmudic theology does not Rabbi Rava is discussed extensively by include a concept once taught Nachmanides that a person and the Zohar. of the afterlife. will be judged Various texts in the afterlife through the ages refer to Gan according to the following Eden and Pardes, a gardencriteria: Did you conduct your like heaven or paradise; Olam affairs with integrity? Set aside haBa, a spiritual afterlife or fixed times for study? Dedicate messianic age of a perfected yourself to family? Live with World-to-Come; and Geihinom hope? Seek wisdom and use it and Tophet, a tormented pit of for good purposes? destruction named after the Rabbi Judah haNasi told the Jerusalem ravine of Canaanite following parable about the
Family Discussion: In the feature film Gladiator, the Roman general Maximus exhorts his troops, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” How does his statement capture the essence of Jewish views about the afterlife?
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Literature to share The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought by Neil Gillman. An award winner in secular and Jewish literary circles, The Death of Death traces the development of Jewish views about the afterlife, the soul and bodily resurrection. Gillman skillfully weaves the influences of biblical text, Pharisaic tradition, Greek philosophy, Zoroastrianism, Maimonides, and mysticism into the story of the ongoing transformation of Jewish thoughts about what happens after death. Fascinating and well presented. Deadly by Julie Chibbaro. Packaged as a science thriller, Deadly is historical fiction for the young teen at its best. Leaving finishing school to work in a laboratory, the protagonist joins the investigation of a deadly fever that results in the discovery of Typhoid Mary. Told through journal entries, the story is fast-paced, realistic, and totally engaging.
relationship between body and soul: A king cleverly hired two men, one lame and one blind, to guard his orchard. However, the blind one shouldered the lame one so he could pick the fruit. When brought to trial, each protested that he was unable to do the crime because of his limitations, but the king put the lame man on the shoulders of the blind man and condemned them as one. Why Jewish tradition and literature are not preoccupied with the afterlife may simply be a result of history, a desire to reject the death-oriented focus of Egypt reflected in its pyramids and Book of the Dead. Or it may reflect the philosophy that the next life is dependent upon what we do in this one. While Jewish theology addresses life after death, there is little dogma, leaving the mystery of the afterlife in the hands of the individual. What is clear, however, is that menschlichkeit is consequential today and ever after, and a good policy for both the believer and the skeptic.
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PAGE 23
Investment in world Jewry Continued from Page 11 and should not do. From that strategic perspective, with key people, we’ll make decisions both regarding existing programs and programs we need to create. We’re not set on any specific program.” According to the text of the resolution passed by Israel’s Cabinet, a key portion of the initiative is strengthening the relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. The first stage of the initiative will focus both on bringing young Diaspora Jews to Israel and on Israel education in Diaspora communities. There hasn’t been a decision whether the project’s initial stage will also educate Israeli Jews about world Jewry, Sharansky said. The Jewish Agency, historically focused on promoting immigration to Israel, has in recent years taken up a new mission of strengthening Jewish identity in the Diaspora and peoplehood. It now offers Diaspora Jews long-term experiences in Israel without a commitment to immigrate. Sharansky said that while Orthodox Jews can count on ritual observance to keep them engaged in the Jewish community, Israel is the only proven anchor to ensure Jewish identity for non-Orthodox Jews. “In the non-Orthodox world nothing stops assimilation except connection to Israel,” he said.
OBITUARIES Gloria R. Albert, age 89 of Dayton, formerly of Cleveland, passed away after a brief illness, on June 5. Mrs. Albert was born in Cleveland on Dec. 3, 1924 to Jack Sogg and Atha (Minsky). She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Shirley Berger. She loved to play bridge, cook, knit and was an avid reader. She is survived by her son Jeffrey (Linda) Albert of Dayton; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Lewis) Sanderow of Columbus, Lori (Jeff) Bennett of Columbus, and David Albert of San Francisco; as well as three great-grandchildren, Mara, Gabrielle and Emma Sanderow of Columbus. She is also survived by her brother, Alan (Judith) Sogg of San Francisco and numerous close and caring friends at Friendship Village. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Janice Bernstein passed away on May 28. She is survived by her children, Susan (Dr. Jeffrey) Mikutis and Judy Bernstein; and three grandchildren, Joshua and Amanda Mikutis and Hannah Hyman. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Sue Biales, age 100, passed away on June 5 in Needham, Mass. She was born Jan. 28,
1914 in Terre Haute, Ind. and was the first of her siblings born in the United States after the family moved from Medzhybizh in the Ukraine. After graduating from high school and secretarial school, she traveled to Cleveland where she met her future husband, Karl Biales. They married in 1942 and moved to the Dayton area when Mr. Biales was stationed at WrightPatterson Air Force Base. When her husband went into business for himself as a manufacturer’s representative in 1960, Mrs. Biales was secretary-treasurer of the company until they both retired in 1987. Mrs. Biales was also a lifelong volunteer, serving as Cub Scout leader and school volunteer when her children were young. She helped start a local chapter of the League of Women Voters and served as president; one of her proud moments was meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt. A member of Temple Israel since the 1950s, she was active for years in Hadassah. In later years, she volunteered at the Dayton Art Institute, the Good Samaritan Hospital thrift shop, and the kindergarten at Beth Jacob Synagogue. She also had an appreciation of theatre, music, art, and gardens. Mrs. Biales lived in the Dayton area from 1943 until 2007, when she moved to Massachusetts to be near her sons. She was always a kind and generous person
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with an impish and sometimes wry sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her sons, Bernard of Jamaica Plain, Mass. and Michael and his wife, Sarah, of Acton, Mass., and by two grandsons, Adam and Daniel. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Jack Fox passed away on May 23. He was the beloved husband of Eleanor (nee Citro); loving father of Michael (Marilyn Chow) Fox, Susan (Martin) Schear; adored grandfather of Jennifer (Jared), Todd, Jordan (Evelyn), Jacob and Sarah; adored greatgrandfather of Charlotte and Liv. Contributions in his memory may be made to Ann’s Choice Benevolent Fund or Beth Abraham Synagogue. Aaron M. “Rick” Harris age 91 of Dayton, passed away June 2 at Hospice of Dayton. Mr. Harris was born in Brooklyn but spent most of his life in Dayton. He interrupted his college career to serve his country as a combat veteran flying 30-plus missions as a B-24 bomber pilot in World War II. After the war, he completed a mechanical engineering degree from City College of New York and a master’s of science degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. He worked for United Aircraft Company before co-founding Rixan Associates Inc. in 1959, where he worked until retirement. Mr. Harris was an avid golfer and was rarely seen without an unlit green candela wrapped cigar. He was
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a member of Temple Israel and Meadowbrook Country Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Dora Harris, and sister Evelyn (Len) Krisel. Mr. Harris is survived by his wonderful wife of 64 years, Beatrice, his son Stephen (Deborah) Harris of Dayton, and daughter Joan (Steve) Steinberg of Augusta, Ga.; grandchildren, Amanda Harris, Alexander Harris and Andrew (Ann) Steinberg. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Esther F. Teplitz passed away June 5 in Scottsdale at the age of 93. Her husband of 56 years, Harvey, preceded her in death in 2000. She is survived by her daughters Phyllis Korogodsky and Marilyn Teplitz Miller and husband Lindsay Miller, all of Scottsdale, and three grandchildren, Alicia Miller of New York, Karen Shuman Lysen and husband David Lysen of Huntley, Ill., and Michael Shuman and wife Nicole of Davie, Fla., and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Teplitz was born Esther Frances Rudin in Boston in 1920 of Russian immigrants. She married Harvey Teplitz in 1944 in New York on Harvey’s three-day pass while serving in World War II. They moved to Dayton in 1954. Mrs. Teplitz moved to Scottsdale in 2002 to be near her daughters. In addition to being a partner in her husband’s company, Mrs. Teplitz was a legal secretary and retired from Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling in Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Teplitz were active in the Dayton Dog Training Club, where Mrs. Teplitz served as trophy chairperson. She sang soprano in the choir at Temple Israel in Dayton for six years and was involved in a variety of charitable organizations, including financial secretary, secretary and publicity chair for the Dayton chapter of ORT. Mrs. Teplitz served as secretary of her local HOA in Scottsdale and as resident advisor at Andara Senior Living. Donations can be made to Temple Solel, Paradise Valley http://bit.ly/1hslr8J or Hospice of the Valley www. hov.org/donate.
North Main Chapel 1706 N. Main Street Huber Heights Chapel 5844 Old Troy Pike
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Arts&Culture
Embraced as one of our own We Called Him Rabbi Abraham: Lincoln and American Jewry, a Documentary History by Gary Phillip Zola • Southern Illinois University Press • 528 Pages • $49.50 Book Review By Martin Gottlieb Special To The Observer To what degree was Abe Lincoln Jewish? That’s the basic question raised by We Called Him Rabbi Abraham, a new book by scholar Dr. Gary Phillip Zola that comes complete with two subtitles: Lincoln and American Jewry and A Documentary History. Completeness is a hallmark of the book. But don’t expect a thorough analysis of Lincoln’s DNA or his family history. We are talking here mainly about being Jewish in some sense larger than biology and religious identification. Zola, besides being a professor at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion, is executive director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati. This book is the work of an archivist. Zola does the editing and introductions. There are letters, speeches, articles, resolution, sermons. And, while much of the book is about Lincoln and the Jews he knew, the real impact has to do with Lincoln’s earthly afterlife: that is, with the way he has been seen — and embraced — by post-assassination generations of Jews. First, his actual life: Lincoln knew a surprising number of Jews, given that Jews were less than half of one percent of the national population in 1850, at 50,000 to 100,000. Every town in Illinois seemed to have a Jewish merchant who claimed to know Lincoln. Once, in greeting a delegation of Jews, Lincoln was quick to note that his chiropodist was Jewish. But even if that line resonates of “some of my best friends,” in context, it doesn’t seem to be a defense against prejudice. Three specific Jewish issues arose during Lincoln’s presidency. One was whether a Jew could be chaplain in the army, given that some units were heavily Jewish. He was for that. Dayton area Congressman Clement Vallandigham played a role in the debate. When a law was passed limiting chaplain positions to Christians, Vallandigham — a Democrat and bitter critic of Lincoln — was the first to complain on the floor of the House. But when the matter came to Lincoln’s
attention, he immediately favored changing the law, and it was changed. Second, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant banned Jews “as a class” from all territory he controlled. He was concerned about traders bringing materials into the South that Grant didn’t want the Confederacy to have, and about traders buying Southern products (especially cotton) for resale elsewhere, thus giving the South money Grant didn’t want it to have. Lincoln overturned the order immediately upon hearing about it and Grant was contrite, saying it didn’t really represent his views. His wife was horrified by it. Third, the war years saw a movement to add Christianity to the Constitution, making the country officially Christian. Lincoln didn’t take a concrete position, presumably because he wanted to stay as focused as possible on the war. He wasn’t looking for issues that would divide Northerners. Jews were not a solid Republican bloc. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the Cincinnatian sometimes called the father of the Reform movement in this country, was with many other Jews, a Democrat and Lincoln critic. He figures prominently in the book. Meanwhile, most Jews living in the South were loyal to the Confederacy. It was really after the assassination that Lincoln came to be an icon to Jews as a class. In other words, Jews were pretty much like Christians in that regard. And yet Zola argues convincingly that something about Jewish adulation of Lincoln is worth pausing over: the religious thing. It’s not just the name Abraham, though that alone has set many Jewish minds to work. Here we have in Lincoln a man who, though obviously an intense believer at least at some stages of life, never embraced a specific Christian church or denomination. Harold Holzer, the renowned Lincoln scholar, is quoted
by Zola: “The fact is Lincoln believed deeply in God the Father, but from early adulthood on, notwithstanding 20 years of Sundays in Baptist churches with his family, he seldom mentioned the Son or the Holy Ghost. He did not embrace Jesus as messiah or savior.” But there’s more. There is, basically, the whole Lincoln persona. Has there ever been in public life — that is, setting aside your favorite zayde — a more archetypal mensch? Gentle, yet firm; self-effacing; determined to stay focused on the big picture, as opposed to petty jealousies; determinedly moral in his understanding of the big picture. And, after all, his role on slavery made it inevitable that he would be called the American Moses. Here’s an American rabbi in 1909, the Lincoln centennial: “Lincoln’s religion was devoid of formalism and ritualism; it was free from soul-cramping
dogmatism; it was untainted by bigotry. It was a high expression of those fundamental virtues, those basic qualities that mark the highest manhood. ...Like a Moses....” From another centennial address: “(I)f there is any congeniality between the soul of a people and the character of a person, it is the striking similarity between the ideals and aspirations of the Jewish people and those of Abraham Lincoln...Liberty and human dignity are the only ideals which have filled our soul, the only traits which have marked our character, the only motives which have made our history, the only features which have
characterized our religion... ” Zola’s book is repetitive because in making the case that certain kinds of statements about Lincoln were common among Jews, he feels he has to document the point. His lucid introductions to various collections of documents may be enough to satisfy many readers. The aforementioned Wise insisted after the assassination that Lincoln told him that he thought he was of Jewish descent. Zola doesn’t give that much weight, because Lincoln is not known to have said that to others. Clearly, though, Wise came to sense a certain something about Lincoln. So did others.
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UPPER CAMP
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LESHON IMA - MOTHER TONGUE
THE JEWISH FOOD INTERNET
Chofesh: freedom or vacation Summer camp nostalgia Summertime conjures the word vacation. It’s hot and humid and the pace of life slows down. Kids enjoy their summer breaks and some of us take family trips.
Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin As we enjoy the break, let us examine the Hebrew word for vacation, namely chofesh, a word which also means freedom and liberty. The Hebrew root chpsh, meaning to be free or set at liberty, is related to the ancient Ugaritic word hps where it means free man or soldier. Interestingly, this root ap-
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pears only twice in the Bible as a verb in reference to a female slave who was redeemed or freed (Lev. 19:20), and only once as a noun with an unclear meaning (Ez. 27:20). However as an adjective meaning freed or liberated, chofshi is used 17 times in the Bible and usually in reference to freed slaves (Ex. 21:2; Deut. 15:12 and more). There are a few cases in which the adjective chofshi describes people who are not enslaved yet free (Is. 58:6), as well as animals that roam freely (Job 39:5). An interesting case is the phrase chofshi beIsrael translated as free in Israel, and referring to a person exempt from royal levies (I Sam. 17:25). It is only later, in the time of the Second Temple, that chofesh was used as a noun and meant freedom (Ben Sira 7:20). And in the Middle Ages the verb was more widely used to mean liberated or released. Many phrases have been coined in Modern Hebrew in which the noun chofesh or the adjective chofshi are at the center. We will mention but a few, starting with hachofesh hagadol, the big vacation, which refers to the break from school that children enjoy during the sum-
mer. A commonly used phrase in Israel is chofesh hadibur, meaning free speech (the verb daber means speak). Yet another is chofesh p’ulah meaning freedom to act, carte blanche, (the verb paal means act). As an adjective, we should mention the phrase chofshi mideahgah meaning free from worry, (deagah means worry) and also ahavah chofshit meaning free love (ahavah means love) and, last but not least, bechirah chofshit, meaning free choice (bachar means choose). We conclude our short survey with the well-known line from the Israeli national hymn: Lihyot am chofshi beartzeynu, which literally expresses the hope to be a free people in our land. I wish all our readers a lovely summer. I hope all will have the opportunity to enjoy a chofesh naim, a pleasant vacation. May you have the chofesh, the liberty, to spend the time in the company of those you love and may your break be chofshi mideahga, care free. Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a professor of biblical literature at Spertus College in Chicago and an adjunct professor of Bible and Hebrew at New College of Florida.
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Whether you grew up at Camp Wise, Camp Ramah or Allan Sherman’s fabled Camp Granada (http://bit.ly/ jcamp01), nothing can compare to those long summer days and bug-filled nights. If you ever spent a summer at camp and want to relive those long ago joys (and traumas) then don’t miss The Girls of Summer by Geraldine Sherman. Sherman was a camper at Camp Kawagama in the 1950s in northern Ontario. Her story begins as she and her childhood friends attend the funeral
Mark Mietkiewicz of their beloved camp director. With the help of the Girls of Cabin 22, she looks at how a summer camp almost half a century away molded who they became. Even the picture on the website of Sherman and the Kawagamite girls in their plaid shirts and broad grins will bring smiles and a touch of melancholy to anyone who’s been there and done that. (http://bit.ly/jcamp03). Camp is not only a special time for kids but also for the parents they left stranded back in the city as we learn from Sarah Moore’s Parents do the Darndest Things. Let’s just say that this story hits a bit too close to home: “To his profound embarrassment, one 12-yearold camper opened his trunk and discovered his mom had packed all his clothes in 14 separate zip-top bags. As he was to be at camp for two weeks, there were 14 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of underwear, 14 T-shirts — one complete outfit per bag (http:// bit.ly/jcamp05).” Once the kids are off, parents fret until they get mail. Then they may fret even more. Eileen Goltz accumulated some choice letters from campers. After two weeks at camp, one postcard home started with, “My counselor is a witch. I hate everyone in the cabin. But other than that, I’m having a great time (http://bit.ly/jcamp06).” Allan Sherman has nothing on Joshua Hammerman. The rabbi pulled out some of his own camp letters from when he was 10. Here’s one: “Dear Folks, I REALLY am sad now.
I need more food because I haven’t had anything to eat. My swimming teacher is making me jump into the water but I don’t want to. I’m scared of putting my clothes into the laundry because I’ll lose them and they’ll come back different colors. Send ear plugs.” But then he continues, “What’s funny is that I actually loved camp — even that first year — because I discovered there what children have been discovering about summer camp for decades, and what Jews have known for millennia: When you leave home, you can reinvent yourself (http://bit.ly/ jcamp11).” A few summers ago, Contact, The Journal of Jewish Life Network, devoted an entire issue to Jewish Summer Camps: Our Precious Resource. If you love camp or want to understand more about it, do yourself a favor and download this lovely 16-page magazine (http://bit.ly/ jcamp19). As a half-Israeli growing up in the U.S., Adam Davidson really felt the challenge when he found himself at a teen army camp in Israel. “What was tough about this was that I was really a nobody there...I mean, we were always, for no apparent reason, running like crazy from one tree to another tree, or up some mountain. Every few minutes there was something you could be the best at. And I was never the best.” However, thanks to some quick thinking, Adam’s selfdescribed “geek status” was transformed one evening. Listen to his lovely adventure. And then listen to the accompanying radio documentaries, Notes on Camp (http://bit.ly/ jcamp13). For Rebecca Ets-Hokin, recollections of camp include not-so-delicious summer camp meals. “My dining hall memories include rubbery scrambled eggs, warm Kool-Aid and unappetizing stews.” Although the food has improved considerably since then, its seems Ets-Hokin feels no generation should be deprived of the classics. So she collected recipes for campers’ favorites like Max’s Meat Loaf, Tomato Sauce and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (http:// bit.ly/jcamp14). Mark Mietkiewicz may be reached at highway@rogers.com.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JULY 2014
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