Southern Jewish Life NEW ORLEANS EDITION
haspel
The family behind the original seersucker suit is making it hotter than ever. And it’s not just for summer anymore.
ROSH HASHANAH 5775 DRINK THIS: TEQUILA GADOLA NOLA SUPPORTS SOUTHERN ISRAEL GULFPORT CELEBRATES NEW ORLEANS AND BACK GREGORY KALLENBERG AND THE LOUISIANA FILM PRIZE 52businesses
NOW INSIDE:
September 2014 Volume 24 Issue 9
SouthernJewish JewishLife Life Southern 3747West WestEs[;anade, Esplanade,3rd 3rdFloor Floor 3747 Metairie,LA LA70002 70002 Metairie,
PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID IWS 33764
2
September 2014
Southern Jewish Life
shalom y’all shalom y’all
NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE. Cover Image: Courtesy Haspel As you have already noticed, there is a lot of new in Southern Jewish Life as we begin the Hebrew year 5775. Read SJL We have done a redesign of the magazine, adding some Anywhere new features and sections. Our digital Starting this month, the Jewish Federation of Greater editions are New Orleans’ monthly print newsletter is being inserted always available into the magazine. at sjlmag.com. While you are reading the New Orleans edition, we You may also Cover Image: Courtesy Haspel also have a Deep South edition. During the mailing list choose to go paperless and update, some of you who are accustomed to the Deep have each month’s Cover Image: Courtesy Haspel Read SJL South edition may now be receiving this edition instead. magazine delivered Anywhere If you want to read the Deep South version, simply to your inbox. Read SJL go to our website for the link to the online layout. We Our digital Anywhere editions are also offer the magazine by email to those who want to always available receive it that way, and the emails have links to both editions. Our digital at sjlmag.com. editions are Of course, for breaking news between print editions we have our website, sjlmag.com, You may also always available and our weekly e-news, This Week in Southern Jewish Life. If you are not receiving the choose to go at sjlmag.com. e-news, go ahead and join the thousands who do. Just email us at subscribe@sjlmag.com, paperless and You may also or go to our website. We also have our Twitter and Facebook feeds, follow and Like us today. have each choose to gomonth’s /sjlmag @sjlmag /southern /sjlmag magazineand delivered jewish As we prepare to begin our 25th year of publishing, not only does our publication look paperless life to your inbox. have each month’s far different from the early days, so does the publishing landscape.. We hope you enjoy the magazine delivered changes as we continue endeavoring to provide our small Southern Jewish communities to your inbox. with a big-community quality publication. Have a happy and healthy New Year!
sjlmag.com
sjlmag.com sjlmag.com
/sjlmag
Larry Brook EDITOR/PUBLISHER
EDITOR@SJLMAG.COM
/sjlmag
@sjlmag /southern /sjlmag jewish life @sjlmag /southern /sjlmag jewish life
Larry Brook EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Larry Brook
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
EDITOR@SJLMAG.COM
EDITOR@SJLMAG.COM
NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 3
commentary Why Germans Say “So-Called” Kristallnacht by Taylor Davis and Lindsey Fenton
rooms evoke a sadness that hangs in the air, heavy and stagnant. But most surprising was the This June, we participated in the Third Gen- eerie sense of serenity upon emerging from this eration Initiative trip to Berlin. We joined other horrific building. American Jews and non-Jewish Germans as we That night, the group gathered at the New attended Shabbat services, toured Berlin’s his- Synagogue, which was not damaged during toric Jewish sites and German parliament, vis- “Kristallnacht” but was by Allied bombing ited the Leadership Development and Civic Ed- during the war, to discuss our thoughts and feelucation Center of the German Armed Forces, ings about Sachsenhausen. After each member spoke at a local Berlin high school, and walked of the group shared initial thoughts, the floor through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of was opened to discussion. One of the AmerEurope. ican participants, who had shared the story of her grandfather’s escape from Berlin in 1938, asked the Germans about their family stories. Bravely, many German participants shared what they knew of their family’s actions during the war. One had a great uncle who joined the Waffen S.S. at 18 and died at 19 during combat; another had a grandmother whose family hid Jews. One had a grandmother who was so active in the Youth Nazi movement that her own parents were afraid of her, while his other grandmother snuck food to concentration camp prisoners. We learned that, whether out of a desire to re-build after the war, shame of standing by as Nazis tried to exterminate entire groups or even still holding The Third Generation group at the Bundestag Nazi beliefs, those that survived the war generally did not speak of it. As their The purpose of the trip was to experience children came of age in the late 1960s they bemodern Germany first-hand; learn about Ger- gan demanding answers from their parents and many’s response to the Shoah and World War grandparents, and the country began to have II; engage in dialogue with our German peers, a national conversation that continues today: diplomats and other civic leaders; and help fos- “How did we let this happen?” ter transatlantic relations. While there are neo-Nazis and Holocaust deOne of the most moving sites we visited was niers in Germany, they are in the minority. As a Sachsenhausen, a former concentration camp, country, Germany is making sure that the Howhich served as an experimentation center for locaust is never forgotten. That is why it is illegal various killing methods to be used at exter- to deny the Holocaust or fly a Nazi flag. Every mination camps. We toured each area of the high school curriculum includes a visit to a congrounds, including officers’ housing, prisoners’ centration camp and all religions are taught in barracks and the prison’s brothel, while learning schools by a leader of the specific religion. what life in the camp was like. It is why Germans say “so-called KristallThe tour ended just past the execution trench, nacht” instead of merely “Kristallnacht” — not in a building that housed a gas chamber, crema- to deny that it happened but because it was a torium, and room where unsuspecting prison- term developed by Nazis, and modern Germans ers were shot in the back of the neck through a do not want to adopt Nazi terminology. It is why hole in the wall. On one side of the building sits an Israeli diplomat who met the group stated a statue erected as a memorial to the victims, that Germany is Israel’s strongest ally in Europe. where our group stood by and lit Yahrzeit can- And it is why many Germans today are taking dles. We recited the Mourner’s Kaddish; then steps to atone for the Holocaust’s atrocities and those holding candles — both Americana and support the Jewish people around the world. Germans — gingerly placed the candles at the The authors are young professionals from Atbase of the memorial. The remnants of these lanta.
September 2014
Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com WEB EDITOR Eugene Walter Katz eugene@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITER Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 13 Office Park Circle #6 Birmingham, AL 35223 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/780.5615 TOLL-FREE 866/446.5894 FAX 866/392.7750 connect@sjlmag.com ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to Lee Green, 205/870.7889 or lee@sjlmag.com Media kit, rates available upon request SUBSCRIPTIONS It has always been our goal to provide a large-community quality publication to all communities of the South. To that end, our commitment includes mailing to every Jewish household in the region (AL, LA, MS, NW FL), without a subscription fee. Outside the area, subscriptions are $25/year, $40/two years. Subscribe via sjlmag.com, call 205/870.7889 or mail payment to the address above. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed in SJL are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff. SJL makes no claims as to the Kashrut of its advertisers, and retains the right to refuse any advertisement. Documenting this community, a community we are members of and active within, is our passion. We love what we do, and who we do it for.
We invite your feedback! Send your letters to editor@sjlmag.com, or mail to P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 NOLA
4 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events
Tzion Denashrad, who served in the Israel Defense Forces from 1979 to 1982, lights a memorial candle at an Aug. 15 ceremony at Chabad of Metairie. More, see page 11.
Touro Society honoring Harris Hyman III Harris Hyman III and Salvador Caputto will receive the 2014 Judah Touro Society Award from the Touro Infirmary Foundation. The award, voted upon by previous recipients, is given annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of Touro Infirmary. Hyman was appointed to Touro’s medical staff in 1961 and served as medical staff president from 1977 to1980. While Chief of Gastroenterology he developed and started the Endoscopy Unit at Touro and performed the first gastroscopy. He was the Silver Scope Physician of the Year in 1967, an inaugural member of the Judah Touro Society, and was a member of the Touro Governing Board. Hyman’s family has a long relationship with Touro dating back to the late 1800s. He has also served as president of Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans and on the boardof the Jewish Endowment Foundation, and is currently a clinical professor of medicine at Tulane.
The gala will be on Oct. 11 at the Mardi Gras World River Center complex. A patron’s cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and presentation at 7 p.m. and a Touro Tomorrow post-gala party at 9 p.m.
Rabbi Cohn: Temple Sinai’s Living Legend Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and current national president of the Urban League, will visit Temple Sinai in New Orleans on Oct. 17 to present Rabbi Edward Paul Cohn with the Living Legend award. The 6:15 p.m. service is open to the community. The awards were announced in late 2013 at a luncheon at Dooky Chase. The awards honor those who have “given back to their community by working to improve the city’s quality of life in a manner consistent with the mission of the National Urban League.” Also receiving a Living Legend award is Rev. J.C. Profit of Stronger Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Awards are given in four categories. The others are New Generation Leaders for a New Century, Distinguished Public Service and Champion of the Arts. Judge Robin Giarrusso of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court was among the public service recipients. Cohn has also been named a recipient of a 2014 Weiss Award by the New Orleans Council for Community and Justice. The award ceremony will be on Nov. 5 at the Hyatt New Orleans. He was also reappointed to the Advisory Committee on Human Relations by Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 5
agenda 92nd Street Y shows resume Oct. 14 Temple Sinai in New Orleans will continue to simulcast the Live from the 92nd Street Y series of lectures and events. On Oct. 14 at 7 p.m., the fall series will start with “When Your Life Is On Fire, What Would You Save?” Alan Alda, Jane Pauley and Fred Newman will show how that question provokes unique responses, and forces individuals to delve deeply into their personal lives, work and faith. Psychotherapist and pastor Erik Kolbell, the author of the book of the same title, asks the questions and prompts people to consider what it is that they value most in life. Future broadcasts feature General Wesley Clark on Nov. 20, and Dalia Rabin and Ambassador Dennis Ross on Dec. 4. This program is underwritten by Joan and Julian Feibelman.
Jewish Family Service launches suicide awareness initiative
Happy New Year to my friends and supporters in the Jewish community
Judge Candice Bates-Anderson Juvenile Court, Section C 6 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day and in response to several recent suicides in the area, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans launched an awareness initiative. Talora Gross, JFS senior program coordinator, contacted over 100 interfaith clergy and encouraged them to speak from their pulpits in the weeks around Sept. 10, to raise awareness about the warning signs of suicide and to empower their congregants to seek help if they are in crisis. Gross, who administers the JFS Teen Life Counts teen suicide prevention program in area public, private and parochial schools, explained the rationale for reaching beyond the classroom to leaders of the religious community. “The stigma associated with mental health prevents people from speaking up when they are suffering — out of shame or fear of judgment — and clergy have a unique opportunity to provide safe messaging to their congregation: to inform them how to get help, and to assure them that it is okay to ask for it” she said. The initiative is also in response to the recent suicide of Robin Williams. According to the agency, members of the mental health community have expressed concerns about “contagion,” a phenomenon better known as “copycat suicide.” Adolescents, in particular, are most at-risk for contagion following a high profile suicide or due to close relationships with individuals who take their lives. JFS Director of Clinical Services Rachel Eriksen explained “It is extremely important to raise awareness in the community — particularly following exposure to a suicide — to allow individuals to process, reflect and attend to their own self-care.” Suicide is the third leading cause of death in people ages 13 to 24, as well as the leading cause of death in college students. In an effort to reduce the incidence of suicide in the greater metro area, JFS offers Teen Life Counts free of charge to area schools in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes. For 30 years, the TLC curriculum has de-stigmatized mental health; promoting the importance of self-care, informing students about the warning signs of suicide; and providing resources for help including The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and the local Crisis Line, 211. NOLA
agenda
Upcoming Events
Shir Chadash plans Lassen roast Shir Chadash will present “The Divine Ms. L” as a roast and toast to honor retiring executive director Sandy Lassen on Nov. 16. Lassen has served as the congregation’s executive director for the last eight years. Before that she was president of Chevra Thilim before its merger with Tikvat Shalom produced Shir Chadash, and she also has been president of Shir Chadash. She is also women’s president of the Chevra Kadisha, the Jewish Burial Society of New Orleans. The event’s theme came from publicity chair Liz Yager, who referred to Lassen as “our own Bette Midler,” who is also known as “The Divine Ms. M.” The 7 p.m. gala, at the Audubon Tea Room, will include a patron cocktail reception, dinner, an open bar and musical entertainment. The guest emcee will be Rhonda Shear, a native of the New Orleans Jewish community. A former Miss Louisiana, Shear has been on numerous shows from “Happy Days” to “Married… With Children.” She hosted “USA Up All Night” on USA Network. In 2001 she and her husband started Rhonda Shear Intimates, designing the Ahh Bra, which is now the best-selling bra worldwide. The entire community is invited to the gala. Tickets are available from the Shir Chadash office.
Sunday, September 14 Rhythm and Soul Annual Gala Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Max Nathan, honoree Audubon Tea Room, 5 p.m. Try-A-Triathlon Uptown JCC, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, September 16 Jewish Federation Annual Meeting Uptown JCC, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17 Wine and Wonder Jewish Community Day School, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 20 Selichot
Staying healthy with Hadassah
Wednesday, September 24
On Aug. 3, New Orleans Hadassah held “A Taste of Health” with Chef Kristen Essig of Meaux Bar. The program is part of Hadassah’s national “Every Beat Counts” initiative. Jordan Berner (right), candidate for Master of Public Health in Nutrition at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, spoke about natural ways to manage cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Hadassah’s Heart Health program seeks to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and a woman is 10 times more likely to die of a heart attack than breast cancer. Also, 24 percent of men who have heart attacks die within a year, but 42 percent of women do. Women often experience symptoms that are not like what men feel — the chest pressure usually associated with a heart attack. Instead, symptoms include shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Thursday, September 25 First Day Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 26 Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 28 Jewish Children’s Regional Service Gift Wrap-A-Thon Jewish Community Campus, Metairie, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, October 2 JNOLA Rosh Hashanah Toast PubliQ House, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 3 Kol Nidre
Saturday, October 4 Yom Kippur
Saturday, October 11 Touro Society Gala Harris Hyman III, honoree Mardi Gras World, 6 p.m. Taste of Art and Jazz Northshore Jewish Congregation St. Tammany Association Art House, 7 p.m. NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 7
agenda Proud to be part of the New Orleans Jewish Community Nobody does local coverage like
Southern Jewish Life
8 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Caplan named new Gates of Prayer administrator Darrah Caplan has been hired as the new administrator of Gates of Prayer in Metairie. A member of the congregation, she will succeed Louis Geiger as of Sept. 15. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, Caplan majored in business and is in process of becoming a certified public accountant. She has worked for the Make It Right Foundation for the past five years. She and husband Ben Caplan have a son enrolled in the congregation’s preschool. President Michele Gelman said Caplan “understands our vision for the future with the need for change to move our congregation in a more modern direction.” Touro Synagogue will install Cantor David Mintz on Oct. 17 at the 6 p.m. Shabbat service. A Massachusetts native, Mintz was ordained as a cantor earlier this summer. Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl of Central Synagogue in New York will be visiting for the evening. She became senior cantor at Central Synagogue in 2006 and was named senior rabbi there this year. She is the first Asian-American to be ordained as a rabbi or cantor in North America, and was on the 2012 Newsweek list of “America’s 50 Most Influential Rabbis.” Northshore Jewish Congregation in Mandeville is partnering with the St. Tammany Art Association to present “A Taste of Art and Jazz,” a benefit for artists, the association and the congregation, on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Association’s Art House. The evening includes live jazz, a buffet catered by local chefs, a bar and live and silent auctions. There will be plenty of art, along with hotel stays, jewelry and restaurant gift certificates in the auction and raffle. Tickets are $45 at the door, $40 online. In response to congregational feedback, Gates of Prayer in Metairie is adjusting service times for Shabbat evening. As of Sept. 5, services will start at 7 p.m. The oneg and socializing will be before services, starting at 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Yeladim programs will be at 5:30 p.m. so Rabbi Robert Loewy and Cantorial Soloist Victoria May can participate. Jewish Community Day School in Metairie is introducing a three-part series, “Wine and Wonder: A Lively Evening of Jewish Conversation and Creativity.” The sessions will be led by the school’s artist in residence, Chris Clark, and Head of School Sharon Pollin. The first session, “Reflections and Revisions: Preparing for the New Year” will be at the school on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Future sessions will be for Chanukah on Dec. 11 and Purim on Feb. 24. The Anshe Sfard series of guest speakers will resume this month with Roger White, interim dean at Loyola, who will speak on “Maimonides and Spinoza on God: An Imaginary Dialogue” on Sept. 20. The talks follow the 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services, and Kiddush follows the talks. Also announced were “The Relationship Between Biblical Prophet and Roman Orator: The Limits of Preaching and Prudence” with Gary Remer on Nov. 15, and Ronna Burger addressing “In
the Wilderness of Sinai: Moses as Lawgiver and Founder of a People” on Jan. 24. Additional speakers will be announced. JNOLA, the young adults group of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, will have its Rosh Hashanah Toast on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at PubliQ House. Jewish Community Day School is looking for volunteers. Possible opportunities include reading to the students, helping with math, gardening or organizing in the library. Assistance is welcome on any schedule — once a week, once a month. The school especially is looking for a garden club helper, as it is one of the favorite after-school activities. Contact Sharon Pollin at the school for details. Gates of Prayer in Metairie will have a Jacobs Camp Shabbat on Sept. 19, with a camp-style Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. service. New Orleans City Councilman Jason Williams will be the guest speaker at Touro Synagogue’s Shabbat service on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. A graduate of Tulane Law School, he was elected to an at-large position earlier this year. Touro Synagogue will march in the annual NO/AIDS Task Force Walk, Sept. 21 on the Uptown route. On Sept. 26, Birthright and teen Israel travelers from Gates of Prayer will give their impressions of Israel at the 7 p.m. service. Speakers are Adam D’Angelo, Andrew Pancamo and David Beerman. Touro Synagogue is instituting Family Shabbat Dinners monthly at New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood, across the street from the synagogue. Families will order and pay for their own meals and then sit together with other families, starting around 4:45 p.m. Services at Touro begin at 6 p.m. The first evening was held Sept. 5. Upcoming dates are Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Jan. 9, March 13, April 17 and May 8. Beth Israel in Metairie will prepare for the Nov. 13 talk by Ari Shavit at the Uptown Jewish Community Center by discussing his book, “The Promised Land: The Tragedy and the Promise of Israel.” The book club will meet on Sept. 30, Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel. NOLA
agenda
Alexandria congregation celebrates National Historic Register listing Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria will celebrate its 155th anniversary and the addition of its building to the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation’s cemetery in Pineville has already been named to the register. A historic marker will be dedicated on Sept. 21 at 2 p.m., followed by an anniversary reception. The event is open to the community and tours will be conducted. The application was approved on Jan. 29 on the basis of it being an “outstanding example” of “Mid Century Modern” architecture. Numerous Alexandria buildings from just after World War II were heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. Gemiluth Chassodim is seen as perhaps the largest and most distinctive. The building was designed by former Temple member Max Heinberg of Barron, Heinberg and Brocato. The first phase of the construction included the current Social Hall, kitchen and Religious School wing in 1952. The current sanctuary was added in the early 1960s, with Temple member Barnet Brezner as the contractor in both phases. Gemiluth Chassodim’s first synagogue was completed in 1871 at Third and Fiske Streets. The second building, from 1908, burned in 1956, prompting the congregation to fully complete its move to the current location.
Isaacson, Broza headline expanded Jewish Culture month in NOLA The week-long Jewish Book Festival at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center is expanding into a Jewish Cultural Arts Month, sponsored by Cathy and Morris Bart. The new event will feature film, literature and music. The month begins on Nov. 9 with the screening of the French-German film “Run Boy Run,” the story of a nine-year-old who escaped from the Warsaw Ghetto and learns to survive on his own, until he is taken in by a farmer and given a new identity as a Christian war orphan. The film had its Southeast debut in January at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Ari Shavit will discuss his book “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” on Nov. 13. Children’s author Eric Kimmel, who has over 50 books to his credit, will speak on Nov. 23. Native New Orleanian Walter Isaacson returns on Dec. 1 to discuss his new book, “The Innovators.” In 2011 he appeared at the festival to present his previous book, a biography of Steve Jobs. Author Tova Mirvis, who recently published “Visible City,” her third novel, will speak on Dec. 11. Her best-selling book “The Ladies Auxiliary” was set in the Orthodox community of Memphis. One of Israel’s best-known singers, David Broza, will perform on Dec. 14 to conclude the month.
RAMAH DAROM IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Give your child the gift of camp this summer.
1 SJLad.indd
ramahdarom.org (404) 531-0801 September 2014 • Southern12/12/2012 Jewish Life 9 AM 11:22:58
agenda
MACHINE & CUTTING TOOLS Bringing The World Of Machine And Cutting Tool Technology To You
1-800-462-9519 H Quality Sales and Service Since 1917 H
JCRS thinking about Chanukah
MARY ROONEY INTERIOR DIMENSIONS 205.305.1915 www.maryrooneyinteriors.com
It may be time for the High Holy Days, but Jewish Children’s Regional Service is thinking about Chanukah. Each year, the agency sends out Chanukah gifts to a wide range of clients in their seven-state region, which includes Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. There will be a Gift Wrap Party on Sept. 28 at the Jewish Community Campus in Metairie, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to wrap thousands of gifts. Wrapping paper is provided, and pizza and refreshments will be available all day. Each recipient receives eight age-appropriate and gender-specific gifts, accompanied by Chanukah ritual items and hand-made cards. In client households with multiple children, sets of gifts are sent to each child. The agency is looking for families that may be in need of gift packages this year. Typically they may have special needs or may be new immigrants, may have experienced a natural disaster, or may be in residential care. Their families may be coping with unemployment or divorce; their parents may be absent, disabled, deployed, incarcerated or just struggling financially. To participate in the program or alert JCRS to a family in need, contact the agency for a Chanukah gift registration form, jcrs.org or (800) SAYJCRS.
conexx holding golf tournament conexx: America Israel Business Connector in Atlanta will have its inaugural golf tournament, Nov. 3 at the Standard Club, one of the most prestigious and historic private clubs in the city. Proceeds will go toward connex’s efforts to connect Americans and Israelis through business connections. “Clean on the Greens” will highlight Israel’s green technology industry. The scramble format tournament begins at 11:30 a.m., with an awards party at 5 p.m. Early bird registration for a limited number of foursomes is available through Oct. 3.
SJL Online: sjlmag.com 10 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Summer of activism As Gaza operation kept going, so did Southern communities
Jahan Berns, Dov Wilker, Margaret Duvdevani, Nate Salant and Daniel Odrezin discussed the situation in Gaza and life in Israel.
As the conflict in Gaza continued well into August, Jewish communities and Christian allies throughout the South continued to rally in support of Israel’s right to self-defense from Hamas missiles. For some, the fight was personal, as the Stein and Duvdevani families in Birmingham and Colman family in New Orleans had relatives fighting in Gaza. Birmingham and New Orleans had held large rallies in July, and activity continued there and in numerous other communities throughout August. Four members of the New Orleans Jewish community — Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Executive Director Michael Weil, JCRC Chair Brenda Brasher, Federation Past President Julie Wise Oreck and Temple Sinai Cantor Joel Colman — went on a solidarity mission to Israel from Aug. 18 to 21. Oreck was asked to co-chair the mission, and on Aug. 24 she spoke to the Hattiesburg and Gulfport communities about the trip. When she said she was going, people asked her if she was crazy. “I felt safer there than I do in downtown — name it. Were there sirens? Yes. Did we have to go to bomb shelters? Yes.” One such siren came in the middle of a presentation about the Stop the
Sirens fundraising campaign. She spoke of several people they interacted with, from Lone Soldiers who were wounded in Gaza and were in the Tel Hashomer hospital to family members of soldiers who were killed. Weil said they saw Zeev Rotstein, who was in New Orleans for the New Orleans-Israel Partnership on Emergency Response and Medicine. He told Weil about how they are treating both Israeli soldiers and wounded Palestinians. They visited the Mount Herzl military cemetery, “a difficult place to go on a normal day,” let alone during a military operation. Many people they met were being helped by programs that were in place before the Gaza operation, but made more important in light of needs from the conflict, Oreck said. “The common thread every place we went, from stores to Mount Herzl to the hospital” was “thank you for being there for us.” That is why Oreck feels it is so important to let the communities in the United States know how much their support means in Israel. The group was unable to visit Kibbutz Kfar Gaza, which is right by the border with Gaza. New Orleans has adopted that community, facilitated by partners in Partnership2Gether community Rosh Ha’Ayin. The New
®
SUPERMARKET
®
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 11
General Dentistry Cosmetic Restorative Implant
Timothy Delcambre, DDS, MHA 504.895.6657 3426 Coliseum Street New Orleans www.yourneworleansdentist.com
Invest in
ISRAEL
ANCIENT HERITAGE MODERN NATION
Orleans Federation earmarked funds raised at the July 29 Music Over Sirens event to build the kibbutz a new playground. Representatives of the kibbutz met the group for a presentation. Supporters of Israel, including the Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama, the Alabama-Israel Task Force and North Alabama Friends of Israel, held rallies at the “peace corner” of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive on Saturdays in August. After the first rally, the North Alabama Peace Network protested that it was their spot and attempted to secure permits with the city for all four corners of the intersection for the next six months. The network has held several anti-Israel demonstrations in recent years. After they were told that they could not reserve all four corners, they had counter-demonstrations on three corners while the pro-Israel rally went on at the fourth. As part of the effort in the region, North Alabama Friends of Israel did a Blue and White Ribbon Rally, urging people to display blue and white ribbons in solidarity with Israel. The Surprise Store in downtown Florence has the ribbons available. Several churches had a Support Israel Sunday on Aug. 24, complete with blue and white ribbons on their doors. On Aug. 10, about 300 attended a rally in downtown Pensacola’s Seville Square. Jerry Gordon and radio host Mike Bates co-hosted the rally, which included messages from several political and religious figures. Rabbi Steven Silberman of Ahavas Chesed in Mobile spoke, and Rabbi Joel Fleekop of Temple Beth-El in Pensacola gave the invocation. Bates said the rally was “to stand up for the good guys.” Rep. Mike Hill urged the crowd to “show the nation that Florida is leading the way in support for Israel.” He drew a rousing response when he said that the next day would bring a vote on a resolution standing with Israel at the state legislature.
HIGH HOLIDAYS 2014 · 5775 Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds 1100 Spring Street, Suite 720 ∙ Atlanta, GA 30309 atlanta@israelbonds.com ∙ 800.752.5649
ISRAELBONDS.COM
This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Member FINRA Photos: ©iStockphoto.com/gilya; ©iStockphoto.com/slidezero_com
12 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Plaque on bomb shelter by a day care in Ashkelon, from funds raised at a Christians United For Israel Night to Honor Israel in Pensacola.
NAGHI’S Diamonds Platinum 14&18k Gold Antiques Estate Judaica
633 Royal St. • (504) 586-8373 Michael Weil represented the New Orleans community in presenting a donation to Kibbutz Kfar Gaza from funds raised at a July 29 event Three people at the rally held Palestinian flags and signs accusing Israel of targeting civilians. Also on Aug. 10, a group of over 100 gathered in Jackson at the corner of Northside Drive and the Interstate 55 access road to show support for Israel. Several churches joined with Beth Israel members for the event. In Mobile, there was an interfaith gathering of over 100 at a mid-day rally downtown on Aug. 14. Among them were Joy and Shaul Antar of Fairhope, whose 21-year-old daughter Simcha had left for Israel two days earlier with plans to join the IDF. Rabbi Steven Silberman spoke of seeking shelter with Israelis when sirens sounded on his recent trip. “Now I understand much more what it means for Israelis who are isolated and have nowhere else to go,” he said. Robin Rowan, president of Church for Israel, said when she was speaking about the rockets from Gaza, there was a sudden noise from a three-car accident near the square. “I stopped and reassured them that it was just a car crash, but if we had been in Israel we would have all been diving for the bomb shelter.” The rally was organized by Pastor Fred Wolfe of Luke 4:18 Fellowship. Mayor Sandy Stimpson was among the speakers. Chabad of Metairie held a Shabbat dinner on Aug. 15, preceded by a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers. Several veterans of the IDF were in attendance and lit the memorial candles as Jill Halpern read the names of the 64 Israeli soldiers who had been killed in Gaza up to that point. Rabbi Yossie Nemes spoke about some of the fallen soldiers and recited psalms. As the conflict settled down, a forum was held at the Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham. While the event didn’t draw the overflow crowd of 500 that a rally in July attract-
At Magen David Adom, saving lives is what we do.
Whether the emergency is a rocket attack or a heart attack, the paramedics of Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical response and blood-banking agency, save lives in Israel every day. As we enter the new year hoping for peace, we must continue to prepare for routine and terror-related emergencies, replenishing supplies depleted during Operation Protective Edge. If you’re looking to make a difference for Israel and secure the nation’s health and safety for the coming year, there’s no better way than through a gift to MDA. Please give today. Shanah Tovah.
AFMDA Southeast Region 1900 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite W-310 Boca Raton, FL 33431 Toll-Free: 800.626.0046 • southeast@afmda.org www.afmda.org
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 13
L’Shana Tovah from VFI
Here’s your invitation…
Volunteer on a logistical Israel Defense Forces base… and be a part of Israel! Call Lucy (256) 698-4862 • clfisher@gmail.com or Fran (408) 230-8078 • franny1020@gmail.com Southern Regional Ambassadors
www.vfi-usa.org
ed, over 200 turned out for the panel discussion. Jahan Berns, Dov Wilker, Margaret Duvdevani, Nate Salant and Daniel Odrezin discussed the situation in Gaza, life in Israel and what they anticipate next. Sheryl Kimerling welcomed the crowd and recalled being in Israel when the fighting started. She was visiting her daughter in Tel Aviv and heard sirens. At first she was confused, thinking Israel doesn’t have tornadoes. A woman ushered them indoors, where “we heard all the booms, then we waited.” After realizing what they had been through, they waited 10 minutes, then in true Israeli fashion went out for dinner as if nothing had changed. Wilker of the American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta office said the conflict in Gaza needs to be seen in terms of the entire region, given the surge of influence by ISIS and Boko Haram. It is important for the community to know what is happening all over the world, he said. While Jews are obsessing over the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, Wilker said he wants to bring attention to huge challenges for Jews in many Latin America countries. He also said that it is a responsiblity of the Jewish community to advocate for Christian minorities under the threat of radical Islam. Salant said he was under rocket attack seven times when visiting Israel this summer. He made his way to Sderot, usually a bustling place but virtually a “ghost town” because of its proximity to Gaza and the missile launches. Dahan, who was raised Muslim in Uganda before converting to Christianity, said she gets upset “when people refuse to acknowledge that radical Islam is a danger to our way of life.” Odrezin remarked that Birmingham had
raised $500,000 in the Stop the Sirens emergency campaign, and nationally there had been $17 million allocated from the campaign. He noted that was an impressive proportion from such a small community. Duvdevani, a Birmingham native who has lived in a community near the Gaza border for 30 years, did not speak about the “so-called permanent cease-fire” in such decisive terms. “I’m just thankful there’s some quiet. Peace isn’t imminent but we welcome quiet as long as we can get it.” For years, their lives have been around the 15-second window between a missile launch and it reaching their village, during which they had to reach a shelter. “Every little decision was had to make was very difficult,” she said. Do you go to the grocery store? What time of day? When do you take a shower? She was asked about the tunnel network that Hamas dug under the border. The plan was for Hamas operatives, dressed in IDF uniforms, to emerge simultaneously in groups on Rosh Hashanah, then make their way to the nearest town and start killing. Duvdevani called the tunnels “a new dimension” in the war and noted that one infiltration of terrorists from a tunnel happened in the kibbutz across the road from them. She recalled that in 1980 their farm workers were from Gaza, and they would visit their homes in Gaza on Saturdays. “They knew us. They knew what Israelis are like.” But the new generation hasn’t had that experience, nor have they seen what a better life is like. Duvdevani concluded, now it is time to “sit tight and wait for the next round.”
Houston welcomes new Israeli Consul After serving as deputy consul general of Israel in St. Petersburg, Russia for three years, Daniel Agranov was ready for some warmer weather. On Aug. 14, he became the new consul for Israel in the Southwest United States. The Houston consulate includes Louisiana in its territory. Agranov moved to Israel from Russia with his family in 1990 at age 11. “I was raised in a Zionist family,” he said, and it was important for him to serve Israel. After being in the military for three years, “I felt it would be good to serve as a diplomat.” It isn’t an easy path. In his diplomatic class there were 35 selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants. He never thought he would be sent to Russia, but that is what happened. “Because I spoke Russian fluently, it helped the decision” to send him there. It was the first time he had been back in 20 years. After his time in Russia he had enough time 14 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
in so he could give input to where he wanted to serve next. “I wanted to change the weather,” he said. Also, for Israel, “it is very important to work in the U.S. because it is our main ally.” Only when you live somewhere can you understand it better, he added. He will soon start visiting the various states served by the Houston consulate, continuing to nurture connections with the Christian and Hispanic communities. While the summer brought the Gaza operation, Agranov said his focus will be more toward building relationships and “present the real Israel to the American public.” He will work on scientific and start-up business connections, and at a consulate in Texas the energy sphere is of tremendous importance. That has increased with the recent natural gas discoveries off Israel’s Mediterranean coast. “For us, it’s not only milk and honey, we also have gas now,” he said.
Courtesy Tobin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Rigs, like these in the Gulf of Mexico, will serve the Leviathan natural gas field off Israel’s Mediterranean coast
U.S.-Israel Energy Summit at Tulane The inaugural U.S.-Israel Energy Summit was held in New Orleans to highlight the benefits of partnership between Israel and the United States in energy research and development. Held at Tulane, the two-day summit starting Aug. 25 brought together 11 academic institutions for discussions on how university energy research can lead to new breakthroughs to solve technical, business and social challenges in the energy industry. It is also seen as a first step toward establishing a U.S.-Israel Energy Center to further collaboration. Participating were Tulane, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Louisiana State University, McNeese State University, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University, The Israel Institute, University of Haifa, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the University of Texas.
“This summit is a big step forward in our work to enhance the energy partnership between Israel and the United States,” said Senator Mary Landrieu. “Louisiana and Gulf Coast companies are in a unique position to use their unparalleled expertise in offshore oil and gas development to help one of the United States’ closest allies develop its newly discovered energy resources. We are poised to help Israel secure its energy independence and security for years to come and to boost economic opportunities along America’s working coast.” This year, Landrieu introduced the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill, to further the collaboration between the U.S. and Israel on energy development — including natural gas and alternative fuels — and seeks to bolster that relationship by encouraging cooperation in Courtesy Mary Landrieu Senate Office the academic, business, governmental and Landrieu Chairs Senate other sectors. She also organized oil and gas trade missions to Israel in 2011 and Energy Committee Hearing 2012. There has also been cooperation between Israel and Gulf Coast companies as Israel develops the recently discovered Leviathan natural gas fields off its Mediterranean coast. The field is being developed by Noble Energy of Houston. There was one public event during the summit, a lecture by Peter Evans, vice president of the Center for Global Enterprise. His research explores and explains he structural changes in the global energy industry that arise from new production technologies, increasingly dense transportation networks, and the surging adoption of information technology. Tulane President Michael Fitts said the summit “incorporates several of my long-term goals for Tulane: to promote interdisciplinary collaborations that address societal, economic and environmental challenges; to develop new areas of technological innovation where Tulane can make a real difference in the world; and to expand Tulane’s global impact.”
BIRMINGHAM THE SUMMIT | 209 SUMMIT BLVD. | BIRMINGHAM, AL | P: 205-970-9758
209 SUMMIT BLVD, STE 100 | 205.970.9758
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 15
Standing for Israel throughout the South
The Chabad and LJCC day camps in Birmingham held a joint Israel event in July
Happy New Year! Chloe Valdary, a student at the University of New Orleans, was a featured speaker at the Israel Festival in Memphis on June 8
Marvin Shemper, Phil Stotland and Julie Wise Oreck at a campaign briefing in Hattiesburg on Aug. 24
Rallies for Israel were held in Huntsville each weekend in August, much to the consternation of the area’s Peace Network, which usually demonstrates in that spot and has protested Israel in recent years (below)
Aunt Sally’s has a range of Pralines for your celebrations and parties Kosher (Dairy) Pralines • 100% Gluten Free
Visit us at 810 Decatur Street and 750 St. Charles Avenue Pralines Shipped Everywhere
1-800-642-7257
www.auntsallys.com
16 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Rally for Israel in downtown Mobile on Aug. 14
HERE IS SOMETHING TO
cherish Spotted in downtown Columbia, Tenn.
Rally in downtown Pensacola on Aug. 10
40 years of storybook weddings and events in the iconic French Quarter. • Elegant choices of our Grand Ballroom, the Fleur de Lis Suite overlooking the courtyard, or one of our intimate suites • Unique venues to host 5 to 500 guests • Dedicated event professionals to assist with your event • Luxurious guest rooms and suites including Bourbon Balcony Suites • Creative culinary team and Restaurant R’evolution-inspired menus
SPECIAL VALUES
AVAILABLE
Rallying in Jackson on Aug. 10
FOR SELECT DATES IN 2014 Please call Catering Sales at 504-553-2205 for information.
Blue and white ribbons proliferated in northwest Alabama
300 Bourbon Street | New Orleans, LA 504.586.0300 | Sonesta.com
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 17
Let us make your New Orleans vacation the best ever — for FREE!
New Orleans Discount Tours We can plan every aspect of your visit Transportation • Lodging Dining • Riverboat Cruises Discount Tours: City Tour, Swamp Tour, Airboats, Walking Tour, Plantation Tour, Ghost Tours
Jewish New Orleans Tours! $5 OFF any city, swamp or plantation tour for SJL readers
504-302-4961
NewOrleansDiscountTours.com Also on Facebook and Twitter
18 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
AVODAH recalls early days in New Orleans by honoring Jackie and Dan Silverman On June 1, the New Orleans chapter of Shelter, with help from the Jewish community. AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps revisited Baron and her sister kept volunteering at the its early history by honoring Jackie and Dan shelter, and Jackie Silverman told her about Silverman at their Partners in Justice Jazz attempts to start AVODAH in New Orleans. Brunch. The first AVODAH worker placement was at The event at Gates of Prayer drew about 150. the shelter. In 2008, New Orleans During that year “we had became the fourth host the fortune of being in a city for AVODAH. An city that was thriving with organization that has new thoughts and ideas, been recognized by the excited to bring them to Slingshot guide as a Jewish action, and eager to share it innovator, AVODAH all with us.” also has operations in Today Baron is a medical New York, Chicago and case manager for inmates Washington. Each year, a and ex-offenders in Boston new set of young Jewish and “my experience with Leslie Jacobs Presents Award AVODAH helped me build adults move into the communal AVODAH to Jackie and Dan Silverman the foundation for the life I house and commit to a year live today.” of working for a non-profit that promotes social Jessica Greenberg of Memphis, who was in justice and fights poverty. the past year’s AVODAH group, worked at the Each participant is matched with a social Ruth Fertel Tulane Community Clinic. She service agency, where they become a full-time recalled spending summers with family in New worker at no cost to the agency. Orleans, and five years at Tulane, then marveled Dani Levine, director of AVODAH in New how through AVODAH the city “could once Orleans, spoke about how the program has again become new to me.” created many Jewish leaders to fight the causes “AVODAH has given me the tools to make and effects of poverty, and many of them remain my own personal connection to Judaism and, in New Orleans. In the last six years, 22 local organizations through that, understand its relationship to the received $1.3 million in added capacity through work that I am doing and hope to continue,” the AVODAH workers, who served more than Greenberg said. Event co-chair Leslie Jacobs presented the 20,000 people, Levine noted. “There are many ways to fight poverty, from S i l v e r m a n s a changing policy, to direct service, to community with “AVODAH HAS organizing, to philanthropy,” she said. “But the watercolor of GIVEN ME THE the original most important thing you need is people.” Eliza Baron, a member of the first New New Orleans TOOLS TO MAKE MY Orleans year, spoke of her family’s connection W o m e n ’ s OWN PERSONAL with the Silvermans. She had been visiting New S h e l t e r CONNECTION TO Orleans when Katrina approached and managed b u i l d i n g , JUDAISM AND, painted by THROUGH THAT, to leave for New Jersey well in advance. That December, she and other family A V O D A H UNDERSTAND ITS members came to New Orleans with a group alumna Jordan RELATIONSHIP TO from their local Jewish Federation and “each of Aiken, whose THE WORK THAT I AM us, in our own way, knew we were far from done placement was DOING AND HOPE TO at the shelter. with New Orleans.” CONTINUE.” T h e Her family continued to visit New Orleans Jessica Greenberg “several times a year” and met the Silvermans S i l v e r m a n s in April 2006. They “continued to offer us their took on the invaluable insight and connections as we learned shelter despite not having had prior experience how their experience with Katrina opened their in running a shelter, but it became “a passion” eyes to their city in a way they never could have for the Silvermans, said Rabbi Robert Loewy. Jackie Silverman said “AVODAH is teaching imagined.” Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, the so much to us all if we would just stop and Silvermans began volunteering at a makeshift listen. Dan and I stopped and listened to the women’s shelter, and it was there they began needs of homeless women,” and they thanked their work of building the New Orleans Women’s the community for their support.
Southern Jewish Life
September 2014
19
Celebrating Our 30th Year Family Owned and Operated!!
Photos courtesy Barry Altmark
Cantor Jessica Roskin and the Bimingham Mass Choir Perform
L’Chayim event honors Jeffrey Bayer, warns of problems resurfacing in Europe 1629 Oxmoor Road • Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 871-7837 Join our “Performance Perks” Buying Club for special offers and discounts throughout the year!
YOUR ONE STEP TO ALL OF YOUR DANCING NEEDS! Visit us to stock up your dance bag for everything you need! Katie Wade Faught – owner
Groups like the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center strive to ensure through education that genocides like the Holocaust never occur again. The current resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe was an undercurrent of BHEC’s “L’Chayim” event. The L’Chayim event was also a celebration, as Jeffrey Bayer was honored for his support of the center. The center is housed in the Bayer Properties building on Southside. Bayer noted that his business partners, the Silverstein and Rotenstreich families, are part of that support of the group’s mission. The center, which is currently looking for its first executive director, coordinates teacher training, talks by survivors and educational exhibits in the region.
The August 24 event packed the sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El, raising over $155,000, up almost 50 percent from last year. While Bayer mentioned the threat of ISIS to civilization (see sidebar), the event featured “The Slippery Slope,” a dramatic presentation by The Seasoned Players and Hoover High School Theatre. Written by BHEC Development Vice President Deborah Layman, the piece was a recitation of anti-Semitic incidents in Europe just since 2012. Layman said the response to rising antiSemitism must be “education, building bridges, standing firm.” The Birmingham Community Mass Choir also joined Emanu-El Cantor Jessica Roskin for “Use Me,” and the Eric Essix Trio played contemporary jazz selections.
Why does Bayer Properties support BHEC? by Jeffrey Bayer Why have we provided a home for the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center for 10 years? While we listen to the press, and the world, focus on Israel and the Palestinians, we as members of the Jewish family focus on anti-Semitism and what it may lead to again. However, the news organizations are deafeningly silent as Christians are being slaughtered in the Middle East, and in Africa the Christian communities are being eliminated after living in peace for centuries. Jeffrey Bayer Muslims are killing Muslims. There seems to be evil everywhere. We, as people of morality, just don’t understand how others live this way. People have asked for decades why European Jews silently went to be slaughtered. Was it because they just could not comprehend that there were people in the world who believed in such a totality of evil? Yes, the Jewish people have a mission not to let the world forget, and to deliver a message that it will never happen again; but The Center has a much broader mission, in my opinion. We as free people cannot live quietly as zealots around the world state their mission, which is to destroy us. Hitler clearly told the world, and so many pretended that nothing was happening. Today ISIS is clearly articulating that same message — they are intent on destroying civilization as we know it. There will always be evil in the world, but the question is “What will all of us do about it?” That really is why we are all here today. People of many walks of life, coming together, to join hands, so the BHEC may deliver our joint message. We must not, we cannot let these atrocities continue to happen to any of us, not just to people of the Jewish faith. If we do not do our small part in making this a better, safer world, for the generations to come, who will? That is why our three families have made a commitment to The Center. We have a shared responsibility to turn the world from evil and not let history repeat itself. 20 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
the story of us • personality Come See Our New Bar and Expanded Dining Room Perfect for private parties and other simchas
Ellen DeGeneres has Erica; Erica has Dream Job Erica Barstein went from #EllenNeedsErica to #ProductionCoordinator on her #1 Talk Show by Lee J. Green It took a dream, much hard work, creativity and worldwide social media networking support to change a status from “Ellen Needs Erica” to “Ellen Has Erica.” But Birmingham native Erica Barstein earned a “dream job” just after graduating last year from the University of Arizona. Since then Barstein has been promoted twice and now is a Production Coordinator for the nation’s number one talk show, “The Ellen Degeneres Show.” Barstein was back home on hiatus from the show through July and recently went back to work on season 12. “It is for sure a dream come true,” said the TV and Film Production major. “The Ellen show has been my favorite show for years and I tried for four years just to get tickets to see it. Now I work on the show and love every day. I could not imagine anything better.” But her achievement came with hard work, ingenuity and a little help from her friends. She got a call from the show in December 2012 saying she got tickets to the Feb. 21 show. However, Barstein didn’t want to do just go to the show, she wanted to work on the show. She wanted to do something that could catch the attention of Ellen and her production team in a positive way instead of just sending a resume and then crossing her fingers. Barstein decided she would do a few-minute video each day from the day she found out about the tickets to the day she would be in the show audience. She posted them on her YouTube channel and Facebook page then tweeted it out. Each video was in the theme of “Ellen Needs Erica.” She said, “it started off small and the production value wasn’t great. But then I started having friends ask if they could help me and the videos became more elaborate, professional.” Still, it was quite a daunting task. “I think 90 percent of my day was spent working on each video. There were some times I called home to my mom and said I didn’t think I could do it. But if you want something, you go out there and try to achieve it. If you put yourself out there and work hard, you can achieve your goals and dreams,” said Barstein. Ironically what inspired her to keep moving on with the “Ellen Needs Erica” project was the many responses that came in through social media from across the world saying how Erica had inspired them. “That inspired me to keep going,” she said. Barstein heard back from the show right before she went to see it. They had become aware of the “Ellen Needs Erica” campaign and thought it was wonderful. However, they said there were no job openings at the time and to check back closer to graduation.
Enjoy the nice weather by dining on our patio! Shrimp and Grits Seafood Local Organic Produce and Meats Contact us for your catering needs!
Now Open on Mondays! Open for Lunch and Dinner Mon-Sat 11a-2p & 5-9p www.bistro-v.com
521 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 113 Vestavia Hills (205)
823-1505
“It’s like having your own personal chef ” Too busy to cook? Don’t want the hassle? Trying to eat more healthy?
Fresh gourmet meals delivered to your door (or UPS 1-day delivery anywhere in Alabama)
• Six-weekk Menu Rotations • 1200 or 1800 Calorie Meal Plans • Flexible: Single Meal to 84 Meals/4 Weeks plan • Meets Diabetic and Heart Patient Requirements
“Healthy Connections has completely changed my life and improved my health”
Call Today: (205) 822-3266 More Info or Order Online:
www.healthymealsbirmingham.com 2409 Acton Road
(Off I-459 between US 280 and I-65)
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 21
ExtErior DEsigns, inc.
By Beverly Katz
Landscape Planning and Design • Custom Carpentry Partyscape • Courtyards • Pool Designs Landscape Refurbishing After Storms
(504) 866-0276
www.exteriordesignsbev.com
L’Shana Tovah!
the story of us • personality After she came back from the show taping at Warner Brothers studios in Burbank, Erica did one more video to thank everyone for their support. She said she would not give up and encouraged everyone to continue to follow their dreams. Two weeks after she graduated in May 2013, she got a call from “The Ellen Degeneres Show” saying that they wanted to offer her a job as an intern. She made one more video — a celebration entitled “Ellen Has Erica.” Last September her hard work paid off and she became a full-time production assistant before being promoted to production coordinator a few months later. For the show, Barstein does everything from find content on social media for the show to answering fan mail to coordinating things with Ellen’s guests. That has put her face-to-face with many A-list stars. “Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Matthew McConaughey, these are some of my favorite actors and actresses, and I get to work with them when they come on the show,” she said. Of course the biggest star in Barstein’s world is Ellen. “It is amazing to be around someone so talented, smart, hilarious and driven. She makes me strive to want to be like her,” said Barstein. The daughter of Mark and Debbie Barstein, long-time members of Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El, Erica said the dream of being involved in television and film came at an early age. “When I was young I would put on skits that my family would film with the video camera. I had ‘The Erica Barstein Show.’ I would write and perform skits. I would do anything for a laugh. I have always been the kind of person who just wants to make others smile,” she said. When she was younger, she had to overcome dyslexia. “School was difficult but I found that I could communicate well and learn from TV and film. Whether it was in front of or behind the camera, I fell in love with broadcast,” said Barstein, who graduated from Mountain Brook High School. She said her career goals are to work up into higher levels of production management and do some work in front of the camera. But for now, she could not be happier where she is. “The Ellen Degeneres Show appeals to so many different demographics. It’s such a feel-good experience to watch the show and even better to be a part of it,” she said.
Jacobs Camp hires alumni
Holiday Chocolates Event Favors • Party Trays Kosher Chocolates 5707 Magazine Street • New Orleans www.bluefrogchocolates.com 504-269-5707
Shi Ava pping ilab le
22 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Anna Herman, the new director of Henry S. Jacobs Camp, announced two familiar faces will be taking on new roles at the camp. Sam Pailet of New Orleans has been named the camp’s assistant director, and Becci Jacobs of Jackson will be the new NFTY Southern regional advisor and the camp’s summer assistant director. “We are excited to have added two home grown Jacobs magicians to connect all of our generations. Together with Ellen Alexander, our Director of Development, and Sandy Doucet, our Business Manager, we will engage, connect and inspire our children, parents, alumni, and stakeholders,” Herman said. Pailet attended Jacobs Camp since his Olim summer, with eight years as a camper. After his NFTY in Israel trip in 2007, he returned to camp for the next seven summers and has served as a Machon, counselor, Cornerstone Fellow, sports department head and Olim unit head for the last two consecutive summers. Pailet is a 2014 graduate of Louisiana State University Ourso School of Business with a major in management and a minor in entrepreneurship. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He will live in Utica year-round, and Herman said his “business degree, service experience and relationships will add new dimensions to our future.” Jacobs spent eight years as a camper, then was on staff as a Machon, counselor, Cornerstone Fellow, and this past season as a member of the senior leadership team as the camper care associate. She was active in NFTY throughout high school, serving as regional president. At the University of Georgia she was on the executive board for Sigma Delta Tau sorority.
t
THE SEERSUCKER SUIT IS A COMMON SIGHT IN THE SOUTH DURING THE HOT AND HUMID DAYS OF SUMMER. NOW THE COMPANY THAT MADE IT FAMOUS IS BACK UNDER COMPLETE FAMILY CONTROL AND REPOSITIONING SEERSUCKER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION — AND FOR ALL SEASONS.
The Original
haspel seersucker
In early 20th century New Orleans, Joseph Haspel made summertime Seersucker popular now Laurie Haspel Aronson is making it a year-round success around the world
BIRMINGHAM 5287 Highway 280 205-995-9440 1615 Montgomery Hwy 205-824-0750 1608 Montclair Road 205-957-2111
OPEN 7 DAYS AND 6 NIGHTS
While most people think of the iconic blue and white stripe fabric as bring just for summer, Haspel is going year-round with a fall and winter collection that was introduced in August. Now based in Baton Rouge, Haspel has its roots in the Louisiana Jewish community. After a couple of decades of being owned by others, the company is back in the family with fourth-generation Laurie Haspel Aronson at the helm. Aronson’s great-grandfather launched Haspel in New Orleans in 1909. Joseph Haspel took seersucker, a puckered fabric that was in use in India under British rule, and felt it would be a good fit in the heat of a Southern summer because of its light weight and durability. He created overalls and launched the business.
MONTGOMERY 2759 Eastern Blvd. • 334-409-0901
HARVEY 1600 Westbank Expwy. • 504-362-8008
METAIRIE 3009 Veterans Mem. • 504-831-9944
MOBILE 300 E Azalea Road • 251-342-0003
BATON ROUGE, LA 9681 Airline Hwy • 225-927-1020 7054 Siegan Lane • 225-296-5522
MANDEVILLE 3371 Hwy 190 • 985-626-5950
GULFPORT, MS 15224 Crossroads Pkwy 228-539-4476
MOBILE (SPANISH FORT) 10200 Eastern Shore Blvd. 251-626-1617
ELMWOOD Elmwood Shopping Ctr 504-733-7599
HUNTSVILLE Valley Bend Shopping Ctr • 256-650-0707 Westside Center • 256-971-0111
SLIDELL 61119 Airport Road • 985-781-7273 KENNER 3424 Williams Blvd • 504-443-7622
FT. WALTON, FL 99 Eglin Pkwy • 850-243-2075
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 23
Four things Adrian’s Tree Service is proud of from 5754 (2013-14): • Formosan termite treatment in New Orleans Garden District: 250 trees in 75 city blocks of historic homes, with our “Pork’n’beans” mixed with 2 million gallons of water (Aug.-March) • Final tree treatment for Mountain Pine Beetle at Art Janklow’s Mystery Mountain Resort, Rapid City, S.D. and the collapse of the beetle epidemic in the Black Hills. (Oct.) • Planting 108 shade trees in memory of Art Janklow II at Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica., Miss. — a diversity of 25 species (Oct-Feb.) • First bottling of American Chestnut honey from Gerd Oppenheim’s farm in Norwood, La. (August). Chestnut honey usually has to be imported from Italy.
Abita Springs, LA
504-367-1160 • 504-259-2031 www.adrianstrees.com
24 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
the story of us: family Suits quickly followed, breaking the uncomfortable tradition of flannel in the hot weather, and they quickly caught on. By the 1920s, students in the Ivy League were wearing seersucker as its reputation continued to spread. Haspel made uniforms during World War II, including seersucker uniforms for nurses in military hospitals. In the 1950s, Joseph Haspel Jr. and his brother Leo took over the company. It was then that one of Haspel’s iconic events occurred. At a trade show in Florida, Joseph Haspel wore his suit into the ocean. Demonstrating its resilience, he let it Laurie Haspel Aronson dry and wore that same suit to dinner that night. “He probably just did it on a whim and thought it was funny,” Aronson figured, and that he was amused by all of the attention it got in a 1950s version of “going viral.” The brand continued as a cultural icon. Gregory Peck wore a Haspel suit in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and Cary Grant wore one in “Charade.” Every president since Calvin Coolidge has worn Haspel. In 1977 the family did not have a third generation that wanted to run the iconic New Orleans business, and they were approached by a company that wanted to buy them out. “It was the right price at the right time,” she noted. But under new — and then changing — ownership, the brand flagged. “It was really diluted and a lot of the appeal of having the family behind it… was not there.” The family bought the company back in the mid-1990s. Aronson already was busy with her father’s company, Lipsey’s, where she is now president and CEO, and wasn’t ready to take over all aspects of Haspel, which is from her mother’s side of the family. They decided instead to At a 1950s Florida trade show, Joseph Haspel wore his seersucker suit into the ocean and license the Haspel name. then to dinner to demonstrate its resilience Lipsey’s is now the nation’s leading wholesale firearms distributor, selling exclusively to Federally licensed dealers. In 1943, Joe Lipsey Sr. bought a hide and fur trading company from his uncle, Morris Steinberg. Steinberg’s expanded into a sporting goods department store that became iconic in Baton Rouge. Richard Lipsey, Aronson’s father, took over after his father died in 1973. The family bought S&S Wholesale Sporting Goods in 1977 and became an athletic distributorship, including the Converse tennis shoe brand. Aronson explained, “we went from being in retail to wholesale.” In the 1980s as big-box stores proliferated they got out of the athletic markets, closed the Steinberg stores and focused on the firearms distributorship. In late 2012 the licensing agreement for Haspel ended, and Aronson set out to rebuild Haspel by controlling the entire process in-house. Haspel now has its own team of designers and everything is made in the United States. Aronson noted the emphasis of family pride and the attention to detail in the line. While older consumers know the Haspel brand, the redesign was aimed at the younger consumer. They “changed the silhouettes and added more categories that we haven’t had in the past.”
You can relax…
From the Spring-Summer Haspel Lookbook Aronson brought in designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos to modernize the Haspel line. It’s much more than the traditional two-piece suit, as separates are encouraged and the collection contains much more sportswear. The redesign has “brought in more people who weren’t familiar with the brand because they weren’t around in its heyday.” As an illustration of that, Halmos told the Wall Street Journal that when he was approached by Aronson, he was “completely unfamiliar” with the brand — but his father “knew all about them.” The designers started with the classic blue and white, and added some new colors, such as tan and white, grey and white, “which people expect to see.” Responding to requests, they added some other colors — red and white, green and white, purple, “even orange… we got to experiment with some beautiful colors.” The Haspel line includes items in fabrics other than seersucker, but even those have a reminder of the company’s heritage. Suits and sport coats have seersucker trim, there is a loop of seersucker on the back of sport shirts and a seersucker pocket on T-shirts. Aronson said her favorite use isn’t even visible — seersucker lining in chino pants pockets, which the wearer can feel when putting something into his pocket. “We own seersucker. Seersucker belongs to us,” she said. For fall, the line includes a suit that has a dark stripe on dark fabric, which from a distance simply looks like a dark suit and does not seem like a summer suit, but it is still light-weight. “You can wear this suit nine months out of the year,” she said. In October 2013 Haspel hosted a press preview of the relaunch in New York. “We’re really excited that we’ve been able to relaunch it and refresh it properly,” Aronson said. At the launch they brought Louisiana coffee and pralines to give the fashion media a further taste of the region. On June 11, a Capitol Hill tradition returned, National Seersucker Day. Especially in the days before air conditioning, seersucker suits have been a common sight in Washington during the summer. In 1996, Mississippi Senator Trent Lott started Seersucker Day to kick off summer, which included House and Senate members doing a group photo at the start of the day. This year, Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy brought back the event, including a photo of 25 House members in seersucker suits. Aronson noted that at the bipartisan event “everyone for at least five minutes would agree on something.” Cassidy said “I am proud to have brought together dozens of members of Congress, of both parties, to celebrate what is now an American tradition manufactured by American workers.” Noting that Cassidy represents Louisiana, Lott said it was appropriate that Cassidy revived the day. Aronson said there was a great deal of publicity about the day, and drew a lot of buzz on social media. What’s up next for Haspel? Aronson wants to see a women’s line. “I have wanted to do it for 15 years but haven’t had the opportunity to do so.” While she wants to see it happen soon, she is taking “one thing at a time.” Haspel is available at select retailers, such as Nordstrom nationally, Perlis in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and Rubenstein Bros. in New Orleans.
Alscan’s new network-based security systems can be monitored and controlled from anywhere
Our Business is Minding YoursTM CCTV
ACCESS CONTROL Atlanta
PERIMETER PROTECTION Birmingham
www.alscaninc.com • 800-951-0051
Choose your path. Millsaps students choose their own paths, propelled by individual interests and goals. Whatever their major, they gain a common set of powerful, portable skills. Guided by teachers and mentors who know them well, they are elevated by countless opportunities to put ideas in motion. www.millsaps.edu
Delicious
Flickr
Delicious
Flickr DeliciousFacebook Twitter Flickr
Slash Dot Mixx MySpace StumbleUpon Facebook MySpace
MySpaceRetweet TwitterStumbleUpon
Digg
Skype StumbleUpon
Retweet
Digg Retweet
Digg Technorati
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 25
Slash Dot
Mixx Slash DotReddit Skype Mixx
FriendFeed Technorati Skype YouTube
LinkedIn Technorati
Support Israel…
community
by shopping Sabra Style! Gulfport’s Beth Israel Celebrates Five Years in its new Building
An Alabama company specializing in Israel-made products Jewelry • Art • Spa and Beauty • and more
Shop Online or bring our tent to your event! www.sabrastyle.com
$2 Off with this Ad*
*Discount valid on one adult show time admission with this ad. Not valid with any other discount.
Food | Fashion | Special Guests Health | Beauty | Lifestyle | Fun
October 2-5 Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Thursday 10am-7pm Friday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 11am-6pm
PROUD SPONSORS
www.SouthernWomensShow.com 26 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
800.849.0248 A Southern Shows Inc. Production
On the weekend before the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Beth Israel in Gulfport celebrated its fifth anniversary in its new, post-Katrina building. About 60 attended the Aug. 24 dinner, which featured Julie Wise Oreck of New Orleans, who spoke about her trip to Israel that past week as the Gaza operation wound down. Beth Israel, the only Conservative congregation in Mississippi, is one of two congregations that had to completely rebuild following Katrina. The other was Beth Israel in New Orleans, an Orthodox congregation which has since rebuilt in Metairie. Beth Israel President Milton Grishman commented that “it seems like yesterday when we celebrated and marched the Torahs” into the new building. For the fifth anniversary, he set off a chain of high-fives across the room. Richard Kline makes Richard Klein of North Carolina reppresentation to resented the Jewish Federations of North Milton Grishman America’s Network of small communities. Grishman pointed out that “when we had Katrina, Federation came through for us big-time. When there was no power and the city was dark and under curfew, Federation representatives came in and they brought us help.” Klein recalled being there for the new building’s groundbreaking. “I even got to use the shovel, and I treasure that photo.” The congregation’s first building was dedicated in Biloxi in 1958, two blocks from the beach. When Katrina came ashore in August 2005, a 22-foot storm surge inundated Biloxi, flattening structures well inland. While Beth Israel still stood, much of the brick façade was peeled away and water that flooded in made the building a moldy, unusable mess. Not far away, the surge had lifted a casino barge out of the Gulf and deposited it on top of U.S. Highway 90. Beth Israel took up residence at Beauvoir United Methodist Church while trying to figure out its rebuilding plans. The first High Holy Day services, a month after the storm, were held at Keesler Air Force Base. Assistance came from a wide range of groups and individuals across the country, from the Federation, United Synagogue, B’nai B’rith to individual families. The decision was made to move to a different site, several miles inland on the other side of Interstate 10 in Gulfport. When bids came back for the new building, they were two to three times what was expected. The congregation decided to modify a conventional house plan and make it code compliant, rather than go with commercial construction. As a result, the building opened mortgage-free, and with a surplus for a maintenance fund. Just before Shavuot in 2009, the congregation had a Torah procession from the church to the new building. As the anniversary dinner started, Debbie and Steve Goldin recited the Kiddush, and later building chair Martin Goldin offered a brief toast. Grishman said “a congregation is more than a building. A building is important but it is the people, the generous donors that we deeply appreciate.”
FA M I LY
10th Graders from Cesar Chavez Public Charter School work to rebuild
EYE
CENTER
community A mi A be l Epste in, O.D.
New Orleans and Back
Former Director of Contact Lens Services at UAB School of Optometry. Graduated #1 in her class of 1998.
Mississippian Jennifer Sonkin motivates D.C. students to take leadership roles
Large Selection of High-Quality, Fashion & Designer Eyewear
Hurricane Katrina may have been nine years ago, but there is still plenty of work to be done, and many groups continuing to volunteer in the area. One that comes every summer is New Orleans and Back, an initiative of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School in Washington. It started with Jennifer Sonkin, a Mississippi native who spent 13 summers at the Henry S. Jacobs Camp. While it appears that the project is an effort to help rebuild New Orleans, a “WHAT JACOBS major emphasis is taking lessons back to INSTILLED IN ME IS Washington and rebuilding community REALLY WHAT I AM where the students live. A teacher for 16 years, Sonkin has been IMPLEMENTING IN at Chavez for 10 years. While attending THIS PROGRAM.” Mississippi State she tried to spend a lot of her free time in New Orleans, and she also wanted to move there after graduation. “It didn’t end up happening,” she said, because her closeknit group of Jacobs friends decided to move to Washington instead. After seeing a story about housing issues in New Orleans after Katrina, she wanted to design a program for the 10th grade Capstone program at the school. She reached out to Andrea May, a New Orleanian who wound up in Washington after the storm, and they came up with this idea. Special Education teacher Michael Bolds said the students at Chavez come from the two poorest wards in Washington, which have the biggest issues with high school dropout rates and chronic poverty. Samuel Leonard, who became a chaperone early in the project, noted that “our students often tell us that they have never used a hammer, ridden a bike, learned to swim, or traveled outside their communities.” The group has traveled to New Orleans for seven summers. This past June, they worked at two sites in Gentilly, working on Opportunity Houses for the St. Bernard Project. The project buys blighted properties and brings them up to standard, then sell it at market rate for the neighborhood so not to spike rates in the area. The project works with first-time buyers and conditional subsidies are available. The goal is revitalization of neighborhoods by filling them with people who are committed to living there. During their visit they also spent time doing a writing workshop with Abram Himelstein at the Neighborhood Story Project, and heard firsthand experiences from residents in the area. Sonkin said she tries to infuse New Orleans and Back with ideals she learned at Jacobs Camp. In the leadership program, they had to lead and develop their own programs and create a strong community. “What Jacobs instilled in me is really what I am implementing in this program.” Sonkin said the older students lead younger students through the process, modeling leadership. They make art as a fundraiser, selling it at a Washington market. The students are committed to the program. “I get 50 kids out on a
- MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED -
NEW LOCATION
3125 Sunview Drive
(by the Cahaba Heights Post Office)
Birmingham, AL 35243 Phone 205-977-2777
L’Shanah Tovah
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 27
community Thursday and Saturday on a regular basis,” Sonkin said. “That is not normal.” The students work on fundraising and other committees in planning for the summer trip. Using social media, communicating with peers in New Orleans and a documentary group are all part of the program. The overriding message is “about being part of something bigger than them, being leaders and building community,” Sonkin said. Living together while in New Orleans also is a life lesson on cooperation and working together, and realizing that their actions reflect on the group as a whole. During the year, the students also write a lesson plan for a community service project, which they then implement with middle school students. This past year they were a service site for the National Global Youth Service Month and hope to present at the conference next year. A project the students did was “Globes of Inspiration,” ornaments to inspire patients at a children’s hospital. Student Anna DeLarosa said they would put something on the globe that inspires them, to let the patients “know that we
are thinking about them and care about them.” The students have to interview to go on the New Orleans trip and be a “model scholar.” They have to fundraise in their communities, making the case to their churches and communities for why they should take part in the trip. This year, there were 33 students and two alumni. For some it was the third year participating. The seniors are pretty much running the program, Sonkin noted. Xaviera Thomas made her second trip to New Orleans this summer. “The whole experience in New Orleans is life-changing for me,” she said. Last summer they got to meet the person who would later own the house they were working on and hearing their story “pushed me harder.” Thomas and DeLarosa said they compare experiences with peers in New Orleans, learning about housing and education issues. Sonkin noted that Washington used to have the most charter schools, now New Orleans is fully chartered. As the program continues to expand, Sonkin seeks additional funding resources. In 2012, she received the Mayor’s Arts Award for Arts Teaching in Washington.
Gamechanger A mitzvah in New Orleans wins JCCA’s “Shark Tank” competition
explore experience
excel At BSC, we prepare the professionals of tomorrow by giving our students every opportunity to apply what they learn to the real world.
Whether it’s an internship, study abroad, research partnership, or service, you’ll find your passion and learn from the very best.
That’s the pathway to success.
are you ready?
BSC
Birmingham-Southern College
28 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
A New Orleans initiative won the Jewish community, the possibility of replication in Community Centers Association’s “Shark Tank” other communities, and Helman-Darley’s competition for the Marcus JCC in Atlanta. presentation style and pitch. Modeled after the ABC television show by “We are thrilled that Amy’s was selected as a the same name, the competition was to reward project to incubate, as Amy impressed our panel innovation in Jewish teen engagement. The of judges with her project idea and pitch. Her competition took place at the JCCA biennial in idea will be a game changer for the engagement San Diego in May. of Jewish youth and teens,” Amy Helman-Darley, said Jodi Sperling, director MJCCA teen community of camping and the JCCA outreach director, will be Merrin Center for Teen receiving a $1500 microEngagement. grant of start-up funding to Helman-Darley said she incubate her idea. Through the plans to expand the service MJCCA’s Teen Community trip next year to engage more Service program, she led a teens and collaborate with trip to New Orleans in April other JCCs to plan a trip Courtesy MJCCA together. “Teaching teens the 2014, based on social justice Amy Helman-Darley (right) significance of Tikkun Olam and community service. with MJCCA teens David is very important and I am Five teens were selected to participate and they attended Hoffman, Jacqueline Weiss, lucky I get to do this through pre-trip learning sessions to Katie Goldstein, Ted Grant, the MJCCA Teen Community be educated on different social Sam Grant and Ross Brill on a Service program,“ she said. issues. While in New Orleans, The Shark Tank was part service trip in New Orleans. the teens had a packed of the concluding seminar itinerary, including volunteering at Sustain the for the 18-month Merrin Fellowship, a selective Nine where teens helped to build a house in continental training program that helps JCC the Lower 9th Ward, and two visits to NOLA professionals working directly with teens Grassroots where teens planted and harvested in develop their own leadership and management an urban garden. The teens were educated on the skills, enrich their Jewish literacy and that of history of New Orleans. their participants, and network and collaborate The project was selected because of the with teen professionals from JCCs and JCC creativity of concept, the impact for the local camps across North America.
New Orleans Garden District Colin Grussing, Jason Seidman and Maxwell Walters in front of BOB, the Business Operations Bus.
Located on the beautiful Garden District along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line
Business weeks Jason Seidman part of team creating new business each week for a year
Starting a business can seem like a daunting task. Jason Seidman, a third-generation New Orleans entrepreneur, is part of a team that is in the middle of launching 52 businesses — one a week for a year. Seidman was brought on board to 52businesses by Colin Grussing, a Lafayette native who got the idea from the movie “Julie and Julia,” about a woman who set out to do every recipe from Julia Child’s “The Joy of French Cooking” in one year. Grussing initially considered launching a business every day before settling on one per week. Grussing isn’t new to entrepreneurship — he developed RootSuit.com, which was on ABC’s “Shark Tank” but did not receive an offer. He also has a few other businesses, including bear coats and motorcycle sidecars. Seidman’s family was in the fabric industry in New Orleans, with his grandfather starting the largest wholesale fabric warehouse in the world, “servicing all 50 states and 33 countries,” also with retail stores in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. With the passing of his parents, Fabrixx is no more, but they were “huge advocates of trying to build the city up into what New Orleans is now becoming.” Since 52businesses began on March 17, the idea “has transformed tremendously,” Seidman said. Originally they planned to launch and spin off their own business ideas each week, but they pitched that idea “almost immediately” and started helping others start their own businesses. They aim to help entrepreneurs “realize what they are capable of doing in one short week.” After spending the first week launching 52businesses, they worked on Touracle, a tourism app for locals to tell visitors about the best parts of their cities. Next, they helped New Orleans Saints player Thomas Morstead launch a foundation, What You Give Will Grow. Some recent weeks include Apocalypse Camp, a two-day crash course and competition in unusual skills; CruiseAids, a clothing line to raise awareness about HIV transmission; Paeity, modeled on Airbnb but for festival parking; the Kiss Your Grits food truck and working with the Law, Culture and Innovation Initiative at Tulane. As 52businesses began, there were a few stories done by national media outlets, which brought a flurry of submissions from all over the world. “Very few are from New Orleans or even the state,” Seidman said. Regardless, the initiative is a New Orleans project. Some entrepreneurs who have been selected flew into town to undergo the intensive business crash course, while the team goes to wherever is convenient for local entrepreneurs. Those from out of town “are interested in trying out their concepts here” and then establishing the businesses in New Orleans.
* Special group rates for 10 rooms or more * Daily complimentary continental breakfast * Free parking * Free wireless Internet access * Daily complimentary tea and cheese reception * All rooms include microwaves and mini-refrigerators
3626 St. Charles Ave. • 504-899-9990
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 29
BUY ONE SANDWICH, GET ONE FREE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE Value With Coupon, Dine-In Only, Up To $6.95 SJ Coupon Good Through 9-15-14
NOW SERVING PIZZA EVERY WEDNESDAY Sushi Thursday • Fried Chicken Friday
Rosh Hashanah starts Wednesday night, Sept. 24 ls Let Us Cater Your Holiday Mea s
Cake Round Challahs • Honey • Honey Appetizers • Soups • Entrees
Catering Menu on koshercajun.com
30 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
ONE STOP KOSHER FOOD SHOPPING Eat In — Take Out — Catering -3pm Mon-Thu 10am-7pm • Fri & Sun 10am (Closed Saturday)
3519 Severn•(504) 888-2010 www.koshercajun.com
community One goal of the initiative is to show that “there are opportunities here in New Orleans” and that one does not need to spend a lot of money to launch a business. Much of the week is spent on determining whether an idea is viable. The week of “boot camp” provides a week’s worth of mentors, meetings, deliverables, and “homework” with everyone from accountants and lawyers to marketers and investors. Those in the network offer their services pro bono. Once the week is over, 52businesses may do additional work in the background, depending on the business and its needs. Some of the entrepreneurs continue to be involved with the program, but the week is designed to give the entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed. Though they have received far more submissions than they can respond to, they do not schedule companies more than four weeks in advance. Seidman explained, “if there is something that fits with what is currently going on, it helps us do our job because it is more relevant to the community” and has a greater chance of success. Seidman also is executive director of NOLATech Week, a “city-wide preplanned unconference.” Those planning to attend submit what they want to discuss, as long as it has something to do with technology, then host the event on that topic. In 2013, there were 40 events scheduled and over 1,000 people came from all over the world. The event runs on a shoestring, “Southern hospitality, and everyone’s willingness to get involved.” As with 52businesses, NOLATech Week demonstrates that “you can really put on an event for almost no money,” Seidman said. If 52businesses sounds like a reality television show, well, at least 10 production companies have approached them. “This is not supposed to be glamorous. It’s not fun to watch,” Seidman said. It’s “14-hour days plus homework for five days, and I don’t know how that would be interesting to watch. “This is all reality but there is no show,” he added. It isn’t just Hollywood that has come calling. They have also heard from three different cities that want to start a 52 Businesses program. “We’re trying to figure that out.” What will happen in Week 53? They are still trying to figure it out, but they know theirs is a sustainable model and with additional volunteers they can help even more budding entrepreneurs. Because he and Grussing have their safety nets and “we don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from,” they “can focus on helping others get to the same place.” He considers that freedom a continuing gift from his family.
community
J.C. has left the building Jacobs Camp says farewell to former director Native sons of Tupelo got together at the Henry S. Jacobs Camp on Aug. 9 as the camp community said farewell to Jonathan “J.C.” Cohen. Elvis Presley was on hand for the tribute. Cohen has headed the Reform movement’s camp in Utica since February 2000. Only the third director since the camp opened in 1970, he was the first who had attended the camp as a child. Growing up in Tupelo, he spent 13 summers there as a camper and counselor. His successor, Anna Herman, is also a former Jacobs camper from a small community. She grew up in Dothan and returned to the camp in July to become the new director. Cohen is moving to Massachusetts to be the first executive director of the jData Project at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. His wife, Rabbi Valerie Cohen, had been rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson since 2003. She became the rabbi at Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester, Mass. He noted that there will be a transition for him as he will no longer be able to wear shorts to work, but it also snows a lot up there. There were video presentations, including a slideshow of photos of Cohen from his camper days to the present, and one highlighting all of the physical changes that have occurred at the camp during his tenure. He said he was asked about the best improvement during his time, and he said it was the service road.
One of the biggest challenges was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many families found refuge at the camp, and the storm necessitated rebuilding the lake. Just after the storm, the camp found itself uniquely positioned to channel relief efforts from the Jewish world and opened Jacobs Ladder, a warehouse that distributed over 3 million pounds of goods to “forgotten” communities. That effort “rejuvenated our image within the region” and gave them a national visibility, he said. “It put us on the radar of the Grinspoon Foundation, which led to a transformation of our fundraising and our facility.” It also was a “turning point” for him. “While running camp was my job, being here when God called was my purpose,” he said. He called his time at the camp “an incredible journey for me and my family. In many ways I feel victorious – it was a great run. While my path now leads me to a colder climate, the journey of this institution will continue for many years to come.”
Covering The Gulf South... Whatever Your Real Estate Needs, You’ll Find It Here Within The LATTER & BLUM Family of Companies!
Since 1916
Behind the LATTER & BLUM, CJ BROWN, VAN EATON & ROMERO & NOLES FRYE signs, you’ll find a well-established, professional real estate firm that offers a wide range of residential, commercial, leasing, property management, mortgage and insurance services. You’ll also find knowledgeable people who take pride in their work and will exceed your expectations of service!
1-800-428-8294
www.Latter-Blum.com
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 31
ALL YOU NEED IS l’amour. A hidden gem, our romantic French Quarter hotel offers stylish banquet rooms to dazzle your guests, two newly refurbished garden and pool courtyards for your ceremony and simcha, exceptional catering, spacious guestrooms and Bourbon Street just outside the door.
Contact Vera Faucheux at 504-565-4566 vera.faucheux@hyattfrenchquarter.com 800 Iberville Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 70112 FRENCHQUARTER.HYATT.COM
28
September 2014
Southern Jewish Life
September 2014 • The Jewish Newsletter 1
2 The Jewish Newsletter • September 2014
From the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Gabriela Lehmann’s Jewish Legacy Gabriela Lehmann understood the meaning of “legacy.” Because she cared deeply about her Jewish community, she provided a legacy and some financial security for Greater New Orleans congregations. Before her death in 2010, she met with Sandy Levy, executive director of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, to discuss her desire to create a perpetual yahrzeit at Yom Kippur for her family, for herself when she passed away, and for her dear friends, the Helis family, as well for as any other Jews who have passed away and no longer have friends or family to remember them on Yom Kippur. Working with Gabriela and her attorney, Sandy Levy developed a plan to carry out that vision. The Kurt J., Molly S. and Gabriela Lehmann Yahrzeit Designated Fund was established at JEF. In her will, Gabby left the residuary of her estate to the fund she had set up at JEF to create this special annual tribute. She knew that when she was no longer here, her wishes would be carried out exactly as she wanted. The fund would be managed by JEF, benefit our Greater New Orleans congregations, and endure forever for future generations.
Each year funds are distributed to all of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogues in Greater New Orleans to fulfill Gabby’s wishes for Yom Kippur. Every year, each congregation’s memorial book has a special inscription in memory of Gabby, those she cherished, and those who had no one left to remember them. Although she never stepped into many of these synagogues, she has left a lasting gift for each of them. Creating your own Jewish legacy ensures that you will be remembered and that your work and your values will continue when you are no longer here. It also serves as an example to your loved ones that you believe it’s important to support the Jewish community. By leaving a legacy, you will ensure that the traditions and institutions that mean so much to you in your lifetime will exist for future generations. To learn more about how you can Create A Jewish Legacy, please call Sandy Levy or JEF’s Legacy Development Director, Patti Lengsfield, at 504-524-4559.
Save The Date
Aaron David Miller to speak at JEF Annual Event Aaron David Miller, the vice president for new initiatives and a Distinguished Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, will be the guest speaker at JEF’s Annual Event. Mr. Miller is a noted scholar with expertise in the fields of U.S. politics and foreign policy, the Middle East and North Africa, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. He is a historian, analyst, negotiator, and former advisor to both Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State on Arab-Israeli negotiations. Mr. Miller received his Ph.D. in American Diplomatic and Middle East History from the University of Michigan in 1977 and joined the State Department the following year. During 1982 and 1983, he was a Council of Foreign Relations fellow and a resident scholar at the Georgetown Center for Strategic and International Studies. In 1984 he served a temporary tour at the American Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Between 1998 and 2000, Mr. Miller served on the United States Holocaust
Memorial Council. After leaving the State Department, Mr. Miller served as president of Seeds of Peace from January 2003 until January 2006. JEF will also be honoring several outstanding community leaders at the Annual Event. The Tzedakah Award, which is given for unselfish, meaningful service to the community, especially to and through JEF, will be presented to Karen and Eddie Soll. Andi Lestelle will be honored with the Young Family Award for Professional Excellence, which is presented for demonstrating extraordinary concern for the needs of the New Orleans Jewish community through wise counsel. The JFNA Endowment Achievement Award, which recognizes a lay leader who has championed the cause of planned giving and endowments, will be presented to Federation president Morton Katz. JEF’s Annual Event will take place on Sunday, October 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the
Aaron David Miller Hilton Hotel Riverside. Invitations will be in the mail by the end of September. For more information, contact Ellen Abrams at JEF at 504-524-4559 or ellen@ jefno.org. September 2014 • The Jewish Newsletter 3
From the New Orleans Jewish Community Center Harriet Kugler Memorial Mah Jongg Tournament The New Orleans JCC’s fall mah jongg tournament features a delicious brunch and open seating. Additionally, Gregg Swain, author of “Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game,” will speak briefly during the brunch, describing the history of the game and the beautiful artwork on the tiles. Participants are encouraged to bring their game to the Uptown JCC on Sunday, October 19, where they will enjoy an afternoon of gameplay and compete for prizes. Tournament details and registration forms are available at www.nojcc.org.
Try-A-Triathlon The sixth annual JCC Super Sprint Triathlon will be held Sunday, September 14, at the Uptown JCC. Heats begin at 8:30 a.m. Triathlon participants will swim 17 laps (.25 miles) in the pool, cycle 6.2 miles on a stationary bike, and then run 2.2 miles down St. Charles Avenue. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Triathlon experience is not necessary. In fact, this is the perfect distance for novice triathletes! Registration is $40 for members and $60 for non-members. Individuals must sign up before September 10 to be eligible to compete.
Register for Classes and Sports Leagues Try something new this fall at the JCC. Between the adult basketball leagues, the children’s after-school activities and the new series of art classes featuring fun topics like Mosaics and Mimosas, there’s something for all interests and ages. Most classes are open to non-members. Visit www.nojcc.org for class details, call Uptown (897-0143) or Metairie (887-5158), or stop by to register today! ADULT CLASSES
SPORTS
Abstract Painting with Acrylics Creative Painting Knitting Basics Knitting Extras Mind Matters Mah Jongg Mosaics and Mimosas Printmaking without a Press Recycle Your Art Watercolor Painting
Adult Flag Football YABL (Young Adult Basketball League) 30-and-Over 3-on-3 Basketball League Sports Hour U6 Basketball U6, U9 and U13 Flag Football U9 and U13 Soccer U6 and U9
CHILDRENS CLASSES Art with Beth Romaguera Ballet Beginners Chess Bricks for Kidz Dramarama Fun Hour Junior Engineers Karate Kids’ Night Out Knitting for Kids Little Chefs Lunch Bunch Printmaking and Design Tae Kwon Do 4 The Jewish Newsletter • September 2014
WELLNESS Better Balance Body Blast Cycling 101 Guided Meditation Outdoor Boot Camp with Tori Shake Your Soul: The Yoga of Dance Sunrise TRX Boot Camp TRX Evening Boot Camp TRX for Men TRX Weight Loss Workout TRX Group Training Women on Weights Learn to Run
From Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Rhythm & Soul 2014 honors Max Nathan, Jr. JFS offers counseling services Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans will honor Max Nathan, Jr., a former president of JFS’s Board of Directors (1973–1974) at its 2014 Rhythm & Soul fundraiser on Sunday, September 14. The event will be held at the Audubon Tea Room and will include a Patron Reception from 5-6 p.m. followed by dinner from 6-8 p.m. Please plan to join us for this festive event and buy your tickets today! Visit our website http://www.jfsrhythmandsoul.org/donate.html or call 504-831-8475 for more information.
Staff Updates We are pleased to announce two recent staff appointments: Matthew Watson, NCC, CI, MFT-I, will officially become a JFS part time clinician on September 1. He has a certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as well as experience with Parenting, Play Therapy, Individual and Couples Therapy. Lindsie Cohen also joins the staff as a Lifeline Marketing Specialist. She received her BA in English Literature from Florida International University in Miami and has worked for over 10 years in real estate, hospitality and entertainment-field sales and marketing positions.
across the metro area
Counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups is one JFS’s core programs. Services are provided by licensed behavioral health professionals and fees are assessed on a sliding scale basis. We have expanded our counseling services at our Uptown offices as well as on the Northshore. Please call us to set up an appointment: (504) 831-8475, Metairie and Uptown; (985) 253-1619, Northshore.
Jewish Family Service to Release New Wireless Home Monitoring Technology Jewish Family Service has expanded its Lifeline personal emergency response system technology by introducing two new wireless models. The new wireless technology is available as a basic unit (HomeSafe Wireless), and as an advanced unit (HomeSafe Wireless with AutoAlert). The advanced unit can automatically call for help if a fall is detected and the user is unable to push the “Help” button. Both products allow JFS to provide options for homes without landlines. Call Lifeline at JFS for more information (504) 831-8475.
From Tulane Hillel Celebrating the High Holidays at Tulane Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are particularly special here at Tulane Hillel as they offer a beautiful opportunity for Jewish students, who may be otherwise religiously uninvolved, to come together and celebrate this important aspect of their heritage. For freshmen, this may be the first time they have been away from home and their families during the High Holidays, and the familiarity of the ageold services combined with the sense of community found among their peers provide comfort and peace. Each year, Tulane Hillel holds separate services for Reform and Conservative students, which take place at the Lavin-Bernick Center for Rosh Hashanah (September 24-26) and at the Mintz Center for Yom Kippur (October 3-4). Delicious kosher meals at Hillel’s Kitchen follow each service and contribute to the communal
feeling of the Holidays. In addition to the traditional Yom Kippur services, Tulane Hillel offers an alternative way for students to reflect on their lives and prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming year. For the second year, Ali Androw, a Tulane grad and member of the local Jewish community, will be leading a Hatha yoga session specially designed to incorporate the central motifs of this Day of Atonement. This yoga session is a wonderful addition to the weekly classes Ali offers at Tulane Hillel throughout the year. Shortly after Yom Kippur, Tulane Hillel celebrates the harvesting of crops in our very own Sukkah, generously sponsored
by the Ackerman Family of Jacksonville, Florida. Each year, students gather to eat and socialize under the stars during events such as “Shakshoukah in the Sukkah.” Meanwhile on campus, members of the Tulane School of Architecture take part in a friendly competition to design and build an original Sukkah while still fulfilling all of the commandments pertaining to its construction. September 2014 • The Jewish Newsletter 5
From Jewish Community Day School Some Enchanted Evening sure to delight! A Gala Evening to benefit the Jewish Community Day School will be held Sunday, October 19, 5 p.m. at Congregation Shir Chadash. This year’s gala, entitled Some Enchanted Evening, will pay tribute to the founding parents and community members who began the school more than 18 years ago, in 1996. Honorees are Carol Asher, Barri Bronston, Joel Brown, Heidi Vizelberg, Shula Fuchs, George and Laura Fuhrman, Bobby Garon, Edward Gothard, Linda Greenbaum, Cindy Isaacs, Hugo and Lis Kahn, Lee Kansas, Mark Kaplinsky, Richard Katz, Marilyn Kullman, Saundra Levy, Rabbi Bob and Lynn Loewy, Bill Norman, David Reiss, Stephen Sabludowsky, Madilyn Samuels, Dr. Mark and Charisse Sands, Carol Schiller, Eli Skora, Rabbi Geoffrey Spector, Lance Turkish, Carol Wise, Marcel Wisznia and, posthumously, Rosalie Cohen, Rosalie Levin and Patti Samuels. The event will also feature a live auction, raffle auction and musical entertainment from local singing trio Bon Operatit! Lauren Mouney Gisclair, the JCDS music instructor, is a member of the trio. Dinner will be catered by locally renowned Kosher Chef Andy Adelman who also provides hot luncheons five days a week for students at JCDS. The Annual Auction and Gala is co-chaired by Michele Hart and Shanee Holmes, leaders of the JCDS Parents Association. “To ensure that this year’s fundraiser will be a success, we
On August 13, Jewish Community Day School Board Member Rabbi Gabe Greenberg of Beth Israel Congregation officiated over the Mezuzah hanging ceremony at the JCDS Back to School event, while excited students looked on. JCDS, the Jewish community day school for the Greater New Orleans Area, welcomes families of all backgrounds and children from Pre-K through fifth grade. (Photo by Michael Maples) 6 The Jewish Newsletter • September 2014
are encouraging patron level contributions as well as asking for donations of items to the live or raffle auction,” Holmes said. “We invite all of our supporters and those interested in learning more about our terrific school to attend and enjoy this enchanted evening of fun, great entertainment and food.” To purchase a ticket or make a donation to the auctions, call 504.887.4091. All dollars raised will go to support the JCDS Student Scholarship Fund. Jewish Community Day School, an independent school for boys and girls in grades Pre-K through 5th grade, is the Jewish day school of Greater New Orleans. Its mission is to instill a strong ethical foundation rooted in Judaism and a love of learning, invigorated by academic excellence. JCDS welcomes families of all backgrounds and prepares children to be engaged, compassionate leaders.
Calling all Mommies and Babies under three! Join the JCDS Jewish Babies Club this year, one Friday each month at 11 a.m., for fun, educational Jewish activities you and your baby can experience together. Each activity is designed to build baby’s social and cognitive development. The first activity, Shabbat Shalom-a-long, a Shabbat Sing-a-long with Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, was held on Friday, August 29. The next activity will be Rosh Hashanah Art with Art Therapist Ms. Dixie, September 19 at 11 a.m. at the school. The cost is $5 to participate. Email Lungar@jcdsnola.org to join. For more information and future dates, visit jcdsnola.org early education page.
September 2014 • The Jewish Newsletter 7
the high holidays
Yom Kippur prompts last-minute change for Louisiana Film Prize Festival for independent filmmakers in Shreveport-Bossier City shifts to week later, community embraces the reason why Plans were rolling along for this year’s Louisiana Film Prize, a weekend festival in Shreveport, when the sister of executive director Gregory Kallenberg told him she would not be there this year. She would be at services. Yom Kippur services. Kallenberg quickly looked at the calendar and discovered that the Film prize was right on top of Yom Kippur. “There was this incredibly chilling effect that it had on me,” he said. At that point, the planning was mostly done for the weekend of Oct. 3 — theaters were booked, along with other venues and hotels, and filmmakers were making their plans. He called Rabbi Jana DeBenedetti of B’nai Zion in Shreveport. Kallenberg said she gave him “this incredible strength” to push for moving the Film Prize and “it was nice having someone behind me” who also was standing up for Yom Kippur. Still, “sitting in front of a group that had worked for seven months to nail down a date and tell them that… I was certainly nervous of the reaction.” The next day he sat down with his team and gave “a fairly impassioned speech about who I am,” and the response “was incredibly inspiring.” There wasn’t any grumbling and “an action plan was put in place immediately” to move the festival to the following weekend. Kallenberg said last year Yom Kippur was nowhere near the KALLENBERG GAVE “A FAIRLY festival, so it never occurred to IMPASSIONED SPEECH him that it might fall this late ABOUT WHO I AM,” AND THE in the year. They also were tryRESPONSE “WAS INCREDIBLY ing to time the Film Prize so it would occur during the opening INSPIRING.” weekend of the Red River Revel Arts Festival in Shreveport. “We just didn’t check the calendar like we should,” he said. Kallenberg said the Shreveport arts community “bent over backwards to change the date for us.” Now, the opening night party will be Oct. 9 in conjunction with the Music Prize. Films will be screened on Oct. 10 and 11, with the awards “bruncheon” on Oct. 12. The Film Prize is a contest for independent filmmakers with just one overriding rule — the film has to be shot in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Twenty finalists are chosen to show their films at the Film Prize weekend, and the winner receives $50,000, one of the largest short film cash prizes in the country. Each of the Top 20 finalists receives $500, and this year there will be a $1,000 Best Actor and Best Actress prize. The Top 5 finalists receive a distribution agreement with Shorts International and film festival slots in Dallas, New Orleans and Los Angeles.
SHE HOLDS THE HOUSE RECORD FOR “MOST STATE CAPITALS RECALLED IN FIVE MINUTES” AND “BIGGEST HOLE DUG IN THE BACKYARD FOR NO APPARENT REASON.” and at Children’s of Alabama we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine.
C H I L D R E N A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY
September is Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Month. For information and ways you can help, visit ChildrensAL.org/CommittedToACure. 1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org
We’re committed to a cure and you can be too.
SJL_COA_CancerHeadlineAd.indd 1
8/11/14 12:11 PM
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 33
the high holidays The Founders Circle committee also has the discretion to award a $3,000 grant toward shooting another short for next year’s Film Prize to a standout film that does not win the grand prize. The grand prize winner is selected by an official jury and audience vote. The jury is made up of artists, critics, writers, filmmakers and educators. The jury counts for half, the audience vote is the other half. Audience members receive a uniquely numbered festival badge, are allowed to vote once and must view all 20 films. Kallenberg said it is important for filmmakers to interact with audiences to help boost their films. The films, which are 5 to 15 minutes each, are shown in two sessions of 10 videos each. Each session occurs multiple times at four venues, and one’s pass is punched at the end of each session to enable voting. This year, there were over 100 entries, Kallenberg said. He describes the Film Prize as the “anti-Film Festival” because this is all about the filmmakers. In the first two years, the Film Prize is estimated to have brought $5 million to the local economy through film production, with about 1,000 cast and crew members involved. Kallenberg is originally from the area but “I swore I’d never come back.” He received a degree in film from the University of Texas and wrote for publications including Esquire, Texas Monthly and the New York Times. He first directed “Eating Levi,” about competitive eater Levi Oliver of Austin, the first World Tamale Eating Champion. His breakout film, “Haynesville: A Nation’s Hunt for an Energy Future” discussed the need for a balanced discussion about energy issues, the Rational Middle Energy Series, away from the “shrill extremes.” It focused on the Haynesville Shale, a region of northwest Louisiana, southwest Arkansas and east Texas which has one of the largest recoverable natural gas reserves in the country, and currently delivers almost 10 percent of all the gas produced in the United States. The film follows a single mom who is an environmental advocate, an African-American preacher trying to build a Christian school with a gas windfall, and a “country boy” weighing whether to sell his land to an oil company and become a millionaire. Kallenberg based himself in Shreveport during the filmmaking process and found “the people here are some of the kindest, most giving people I’ve ever dealt with,” and there is “a very sweet spiritual” sense in Louisiana. He has also found a home in Shreveport’s Jewish community, and while some friends in Austin wonder when he is going back to Texas, “I’ve kind of laid down in the poppies here.” While the community there is rather small and “we’re not always the most vocal religious group,” the smooth nature of the date change and that the greater community understood why the date was being changed “was very important to me.”
Bluff Park Art Show on Yom Kippur This Year Another major art show is on Yom Kippur this year. The Bluff Park Art Show, which has been on the first Saturday of October since its founding in 1964, will be on Yom Kippur this year. The Birmingham-area show usually draws a large crowd from the Jewish community, from attendees to “Which Came First - The Circle volunteers to exhibitors. or the Square” by Toby Klein Because of the schedule conflict, long-time exhibitor Toby Klein will not be in attendance this year. Last year, she won the top prize at the festival, the Permanent Collection Purchase Award. Toby, who is very well known for her Judaic art, will be featured in an exhibit at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover beginning in December. 34 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
the high holidays
The Beauty of a Worn Machzor by Richard Shavei Tzion
Editor’s note: The author will be leading High Holy Day services at Birmingham’s Knesseth Israel for the eighth year this month. The services are open to the community and no tickets are necessary. Those were days of awe. The Shul in Cape Town was packed with generations of families in their finery. The men, many topped with formal hats, wore dark suits and solid ties, the women resplendent in variations of the season’s fashionable colors, glittered with a sense of the occasion. The elders appeared stern faced, some leaning on carved walking sticks while the kids, shoes unusually I HAD DEVELOPED polished and ties slightly askew, strained on A STRANGE tip toes to get a glimpse of the solemn rabbi SENTIMENTALITY and executives, sitting upright in their solid TOWARD THIS oak “boxes” on either side of the Holy Ark. INANIMATE OBJECT Teenagers and adults carried machzors, the WHICH CONTAINED “Adlers” bound in black, the “Birnbaums” in red, all looking in mint condition. After all, SO MUCH VALUE they were removed from bookshelves for use AND MEANING just three days a year. BETWEEN ITS LINES It was the first night of the “High Holidays” in 1968 and I was a 13-year-old highpitched soprano choir boy. That evening represented the culmination of months of our preparation, learning the great pieces composed mainly in the 19th Century, for the imposing liturgy of Rosh Hashanah. Just a month before, the Shul president had presented me with a Birnbaum on the occasion of my bar mitzvah and I held it with pride and reverence. As evening fell, we found our places around our flustered choirmaster who fidgeted nervously, anxiously wondering if we were all focused and in good voice. Our instruction was to watch him at all times. But I could not help staring at the great cantor as he strode onto the bima to begin the service. Majestic in velvet white cloak and silk pom-pom hat, it seemed to us youngsters that his countenance was just like that of the Temple’s High Priest and I struggled to take my eyes off him. Then I looked down at the gold embroidered cloth covering the bima to peep at his machzor. Expecting a large, pristine, impressively bound volume befitting his high station I was astonished to see a tattered, hand-sized edition seemingly fit only for burial. The rough blue binding was almost detached and as he opened it I noticed that the worn, sepia tinted, well-thumbed pages were covered with scribbled markings and rough musical notes. Yet the cantor, whose dramatic tenor voice filled the large sanctuary, turned the brittle leaves with love and care as if this humble book, with old-fashioned, fading print was a rare treasure. Too intimidated to ask, I could only wonder why he was not in possession of a machzor in keeping with his status and responsibility. As I grew into adulthood I began to serve communities as their service leader during these days of prayer, feasting, fasting and repentance. I informally studied nussach, the special musical scales and modes which serve as settings to the deep, moving liturgy and I developed a personal set of markings as an aid to pronunciation and accenting, which I marked in my Birnbaum. I collected and occasionally composed lyric melodies, to complement the nussach. I penciled in musical notations including the composers’ names when known to me. Over the years the pages began to yellow from the imprint of my fin-
What would it be like to be an American Hebrew Academy student? Join us for a weekend to find out!
Prospective Student Weekend November 7-9, 2014 Reserve your space today. Student housing is limited. Experience classes, a campus tour, Shabbat and what it is like to be a part of the Academy community. Special programs for prosepctive students and parents will take place throughout the weekend. Registration Deadline: October 30 For schedule, hotel information and registration forms, please visit www.americanhebrewacademy.org/psw For additional information, contact a member of the Admissions Team.
American Hebrew Academy
An International Jewish College Prep Boarding School
4334 Hobbs (Tanger) Road Greensboro, North Carolina 27410 tel 336.217.7100 • toll-free 855.855.4334 • fax 336.217.7011 admissions@americanhebrewacademy.org www.americanhebrewacademy.org
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 35
the high holidays
We shop the World for Kosher-certified products so you can shop the Neighborhood…
but our Challah is made fresh, in-store every Friday
3916 Clairmont Avenue
in Birmingham’s Historic Forest Park 205/591-7000 • Fax 205/591-7033 www.vrichards.net • Mon-Sun 7am-8pm
Free wifi in cafe • we accept all major credit cards
36 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
gers perspiring with the physical and emotional effort entailed in reciting with meaning and feeling, the hallowed words on behalf of the congregation. The binding began to disintegrate and some of the print became almost illegible. New publications, “Rinat Yisrael,” “Art Scroll” and others, offered a selection of beautiful, modern machzors which made the old Birnbaum look worn, passé. So I contemplated copying all of my notations to a new volume. But how could I? I had developed a strange sentimentality towards this inanimate object which contained so much value and meaning between its lines. The aged compendium of prayers, composed and collected through millennia, had become a part of my life, serving me faithfully in the moments of my deepest spirituality. It had travelled across oceans and continents with me, the one item I would always carry on the plane, not entrusting it to the baggage hold, for were it to get lost, I would be lost. It fit my hand like a glove, accompanying me not just three days a year but through months of preparation and nervous, excited anticipation. I would pull it from the bookshelf each time a friend or colleague asked for musical ideas for Melech Elyon or Ata Bechartanu and it had become the signal to my wife and daughters that the season was at hand when they encountered its familiar presence at strategic points around our home. And so, 46 years later my beloved machzor grows old with me. It traces paths of my life and stories of my experiences, echoing the sounds of synagogues on three continents. It holds the memory of my dear teachers and continues to be an inspiration and guide to God’s gift of prayer. It is the source of so many life’s lessons and perspectives that linger through the year — “We are the dream that flies away and You are the King, the everlasting God” and the most beautiful of prose, “I remember your youthful devotion, the love of your bridal days, how you followed me through the wilderness, through an unsown land.” Over the past seven years I have been leading the services at Knesseth Israel in Birmingham, where a group of young boys has joined me at the bima, singing melodies in the Mussaf service. Last year, as is our custom, on the night before Rosh Hashanah we gathered for practice. Just as we were about to commence, one of the boys looked down at my machzor with a quizzical expression and asked, “Chazzan Richard, why is your machzor so old and broken?” I expect that one day he will understand.
Pensacola “Wine Down” at Jackson’s for Rosh Hashanah For the last few years, Chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse in Pensacola has offered a special Rosh Hashanah menu. This year, seatings begin at 5 p.m. for the Sept. 24 dinner, the first night of the holiday. In addition to the regular menu, there is a Rosh Hashanah menu that is $29 per person. It starts with challah, red and golden delicious apples along with orange blossom honey. The first course is sweet potato latkes with toasted pecans, fig preserves, sour cream and green onion, and the entrée is braised beef brisket with tomato and apricot, golden raisin kugel and cabbage with date syrup. Since it will be a Wednesday, the restaurant celebrates Wine Down Wednesday with all bottles of wine on the award-winning Governor’s list offered at half off. Maria Goldberg, marketing director for Jackson’s, said she is an Italian Catholic married to a northeastern Jew. She didn’t know much about making a traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner, so she spoke with Miller “about how we could create a meal and celebrate the holiday at Jackson’s. We put our heads together and made it happen.” The kugel recipe came from Miller’s mother “and is always a big hit,” Goldberg said.
the high holidays the high holidays
Shofar Shofar Factory Factory hits hits the the road road throughout throughout the the region region
This High Holiday season, Rabbi Levi This Highfrom Holiday season,ofRabbi Levi Weinbaum Chabad Alabama Weinbaum fromtheChabad of Alabama traveled around state presenting the traveled around theFactory. state presenting the interactive Shofar The Shofar interactive Shofar Factory. The Shofar Factory brings Rosh Hashanah alive for Factory Rosh Hashanah alive for childrenbrings showing them how a shofar is childrenand showing them howthe a shofar is made, teaching them signifimade, teaching them the significance ofand the shofar. cance of the safety shofar.goggles, the children Donning Donning safety therams children sand, saw, drill and goggles, shellac the horn sand, itsaw, drilljust andlike shellac the rams until looks the shofar theyhorn see until looks in just like the shofar they see beingitblown synagogue. being blownthe in synagogue. “Seeing excitement in the kids’ “Seeing the in just the made kids’ eyes when they excitement realize they’ve eyes when they realize they’ve something special and holy, andjust thatmade they something and holy, and that” they can blow itspecial themselves is amazing, said can blow it themselves is amazing, ” said Weinbaum. “The High Holidays become Rabbi Levi Weinbaum at the Weinbaum. “The High Holidays become Rabbi LeviJewish Weinbaum at the something more than just sitting in synN.E. Miles Day School something just sitting in synagogue for more hours,than it becomes something N.E. Miles Jewish Day School in Birmingham agogue for hours, it becomes something that they can relate to, and something in Birmingham that theyare canexcited relate about. to, and that they ” something that they are excited about. The Shofar Factory was presented at the N.E. Miles Jewish”Day School to Thestudents Shofar Factory presented at the N.E. Miles Jewish Dayclass. School to their and the was Levite Jewish Community Center’s Pre-K Oththeir students and the scheduled Levite Jewish Center’sand Pre-K class. Other presentations were for Community Auburn, Tuscaloosa Hunstville. er Weinbaum presentations were for Auburn, Tuscaloosa and Hunstville. said thescheduled Shofar Factory is going to be reaching close to 500 Weinbaum said the Shofar Factory is going to be reaching close to 500 children in the state this season. children theLouisiana state thisalso season. Chabadinof does the Shofar Factory as part of its Living Chabad of Louisiana the Shofar Factory as from part of its Living Legacy Series. The seriesalso hasdoes traveled to congregations Gulfport to Legacy Series. The series has traveled to congregations from Gulfport to Lafayette, and Rabbi Mendel Rivkin said this year is another “busy Shofar Lafayette, and Rabbi Mendel Rivkin said this year is another “busy Shofar Factory season.” Factory season. On Sept. 11 ”the Shofar Factory and a dinner will be held for young On Sept. 11 the Shofar Factory and astarting dinner atwill bep.m. held for young Jewish professionals, at Uptown Chabad 7:30 Jewish professionals, at Uptown Chabad starting at 7:30 p.m.
High High Holy Holy Days Days on on NOLA NOLA radio radio
High Holy Day services from Temple Sinai will Holy Day services Temple Sinai will beHigh broadcast in the New from Orleans area, thanks be broadcast the New OrleansFoundation, area, thanksa to the Ferber in Family of Houma to the Ferber Family of Houma Foundation, supporting foundation of the Jewish Endowmenta supporting foundation of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana. Foundation of Louisiana. The services will be on WRBH-FM (88.3) for The unable servicestowill be onservices. WRBH-FM for those attend These(88.3) services those unable to attend services. These services will also be streamed on the internet. To listen will alsogobe on the To link listen online, to streamed www.wrbh.org or internet. click on the at online, go to www.wrbh.org or click on the link at www.templesinai.org. www.templesinai.org. The broadcast services will be the evening of TheHashanah, broadcast services be the evening of Rosh Sept. 24 will at 7:30 p.m., and Kol Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m., and Kol Nidre on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Nidre onFerber Oct. 3 at 7:30 almost p.m. her entire life in spent Temple Sinai, Dora Dora Ferber spent almost herfriends entire inlife in Temple Sinai, Houma, but she had many New New Orleans Houma, but she had many close close friends in New New Orleans Orleans. She was a member of Temple Sinai Orleans. was a her member of Temple Sinai and always traveled from HoumaShe to be with synagogue community and the always traveled from During Houma her to belifetime, with hershe synagogue community for Jewish holidays. started funding the for thebroadcast Jewish holidays. During lifetime, sheTemple startedSinai, funding the radio of High Holy Dayher services from and the radio broadcast of High Holy Day services from Temple Sinai, and the foundation has been funding it since 1998. foundation has been funding it since 1998.
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 37
34
September 2014
Southern Jewish Life
culture art • books • apps • music • television • film • theatre
Rascal House, Sunny Isles, August 31, 1996 Photo Courtesy Albert Barg and Jeff Weisberg
MUSEUMS
Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish Many people’s first thoughts of Florida’s contribution to Jewish cuisine likely tend to visions of amber-encased Art Deco temples to deli meat. That’s fair, but there’s worlds more. Florida is home to the “King of Citrus,” with groves three times the size of Manhattan, sixth-generation Jewish dairy farmers, and James Beard Foundation Award-winning chefs like Michelle Bernstein. Isaac Bashevis Singer was having breakfast at Jewish-owned Sheldon’s Drugstore when he learned he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978. Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant is now in its 100th year, still owned and operated by the family of Joe and Jennie Weiss, the first Jews to settle on Miami Beach. And Burger King? Right. It was started by Ben Stein of Jacksonville in 1955. “Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish: A Gastronomic Look at Florida Jews in Food” at The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU in Miami Beach spans nearly 200 years of history, is comprised of more than 400 photographs and 60 artifacts, and includes information on over 250 Florida Jewish families and companies. The exhibit runs through October 5.
DATES
CALENDARS FOR 5775 The Jewish Museum Calendar 2015 Featuring 16 images of paintings, prints, sculptures and ceremonial objects from The Jewish Museum, New York
Jewish Celebrations 2015 Paintings by Malcah Zeldis Each month, a work by Malcah Zeldis drawing on her childhood memories and experiences of Jewish tradition
Hebrew Illuminations: L’Chaim - To Life! 2015 Calendar Jewish artist Adam Rhine’s Judaic paintings that combine modern styling with medieval illuminated manuscripts and lettering
APPS
DIGITALLY DE-BURDEN G-dcast’s eScapegoat app makes lighthearted atoning available on your phone. With no High Priests sacrificing one goat and placing the collective sins of the Israelites on another wildernessbound goat, it was probably only a matter of time before someone came up with the idea of taking the postcard out of PostSecret to expunge on a cute digital billy. eScapegoat keeps everything anonymous, and puts the ‘best’ entries on their website, e.g. “I missed work to watch all of Breaking Bad in a sleep-deprived four-day weekend.”
This year, they’re making available ‘Mini Goats’ for shuls, schools and other organizations via a customizable URL. The site advises that some rabbis chose to include (again, anonymous) eScapegoat sins into their Yom Kippur sermons to “encourage congregants to think more deeply about their own confessions.” g-dcast.com/goat
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 39
culture THEATRE
Biloxi Efforts to Restore Historic Saenger Originally operated by Julian and Abe Saenger, druggists from Shreveport who decided to get in the amusement business in a big way (at one time with over 100 theatres featuring their name), Biloxi’s Saenger Theatre, the “Gem of the Coast,” opened in 1930 with Paramount Pictures’ first full-talking movie and a Vitaphone feature with Eddie Cantor. Declared an official Mississippi Landmark by the state Department of Archives and History, the theater has been owned by the city of Biloxi since 1975 when it was purchased it for $1 Courtesy Brent Moore CC BY-NC 2.0 after a fire. FEMA allocated $191,000 to help fix the building after Katrina and more since, Biloxi’s Saenger but an additional funds need to be raised to seal the roof and stop water leaks. If the work isn’t completed soon — and the city of Biloxi has indicated it doesn’t have the funds in its budget — there is fear that FEMA will rescind its grant. A total of $3.5 million will be needed for a restoration. The building hosts regular performances, and last month there were almost 600 patrons who viewed the 1971 hurricane documentary, “A Lady Called Camille.” Broadway South Repertory has committed to put on at least three shows there each year. Volunteers plan to put on a fundraiser, “Celebration of Saenger,” in the fall. To help with renovations, contact Rafe O’Neal at rafeoneal@gmail.com.
MUSIC
And Another Song Will Rise: A Tribute to Debbie Friedman
Eleven artists (Julie Silver, Craig Taubman, David Broza, Peter Yarrow, Josh Nelson, Neshama Carlebach, Theo Bikel, Rick Recht, Michelle Citrin, Dan Nichols and Yaron Gershovsky) each perform one song in tribute of Debbie Friedman and her musical legacy. Rockbeat Records, 2014.
YOU ARE
UA
I reconnected with my faith by getting involved wtih Bama Hillel. “I applied to a bunch of schools around the South, but I felt comfortable at The University of Alabama. Coming from a public high school, I had lost some of my Jewish connection, but I was able to gain that connection back by going to Friday night Shabbat dinners and high holiday activities and becoming more active in Bama Hillel.” — Devin
36
GOBAMA.UA.EDU • 800-933-BAMA (2262) • 205-348-5666
September 2014
Southern Jewish Life
culture TELEVISION
Middle Feast
The newest season of “The Great Food Truck Race” is now showing on Food Network. One of the trucks, Middle Feast, is run by Israelis Tommy, his sister Hilla and friend Courtesy Food Network Arkadi. In June, the Jewish The Middle Feast community of Mobile came out to welcome them as the show stopped in the city for one of the race’s final competitions.
Courtesy Film Movement
FILM
The Jewish Cardinal
Dream weddings don’t just happen, they’re planned. Marriott Certified Wedding Planners are trained to help.
Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El will screen “The Jewish Cardinal,” the true story of Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, who maintained his cultural identity as a Jew even after converting, joining the priesthood and being appointed Archbishop of Paris. The film will be screened as part of the Selichot program on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. A dessert reception precedes the screening at 6:30 p.m.
The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film Every Tuesday in September, starting at 7 p.m., Turner Classic Movies will examine Hollywood’s relationship with the Jewish community with 22 films. Among the films scheduled are “The Jazz Singer,” “Judgment at Nuremberg,” “Exodus,” “The Way We Were” and “Avalon.”
Complimentary Hospitality Boardroom with sleeping room blocks (based on availability) Experienced with Kosher functions Mention this ad for 15% off market rate for sleeping rooms
ONLINE COURSES
Red Tsu Mir Yidish!
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with eTeacher, is offering its Online Learning Program in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic and Yiddish. Yiddish classes cost $1199, or $1599 for two college credits, and run for 30 weeks. The next session begins Sept. 29. languages.huji.ac.il
For sleeping room packages: Call Nicole Adams (205) 968-4509 For Catering and Banquet needs: Call Lauren Clowers (205) 968-4515 BIRMINGHAM
3590 Grandview Pkwy marriott.com/bhmmc September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 41
culture BOOKS
FDR AND THE JEWS Richard Breitman, Allan J. Lichtman (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press)
Why didn’t, or couldn’t, President Franklin Roosevelt do more to save European Jewry? What were the reasons behind his failing to open America’s borders to Jewish refugees, or deciding against bombing the gas chambers of Auschwitz and its transportation portals? The authors, Richard Breitman and Allan J. Lichtman, assert that there were four different, distinct phases Roosevelt went through regarding Jewish issues, and only by understanding the dilemmas of the day, such as the turning away of the USS St. Louis, could Roosevelt’s actions be best evaluated, and they assert that FDR did far more to assist Europe’s Jews than any other world leader of the time. While this book does go into the government’s considerations of resettling Jewish refugees to other parts of the world, look to Dan J. Puckett’s “In the Shadow of Hitler,” University of Alabama Press (reviewed in an earlier issue of SJL) for the experiences of Alabama’s Jews working to save European Jewry during that era, and of those who came to call Alabama home.
MOADEI HASHANAH, THE DAYS OF AWE Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus (Feldheim Publishers)
Moadei Hashanah Elul and Rosh Hashanah is based on lectures delivered by Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus on the importance of acquiring a relationship and closeness with Hashem, who should be put in the center of our lives, how every tefillah has an effect, and the deeper meaning and approach to these vital days. This is the seventh of his many Hebrew books to be made available to the English-speaking public. A world-renowned speaker, Rav Pincus educated and influenced audiences across the Jewish spectrum.
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
HERE IS THE WORLD by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal (Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York)
Beautifully illustrated, and written at an earlyelementary reading level, Jewish holidays and life-cycle events are written in rhyme which makes for fun reading. The book concludes with an easy craft or recipe for many holidays. “Here is the World” is a perfect Rosh Hashanah gift for young children.
The Garden of Time by Jill Hammer, illustrated by Zoë Cohen (Skinner House Books)
Author Rabbi Jill Hammer is the director of spiritual education at the Academy for Jewish Religion and a cofounder of the Kohenet Institute, a program in spiritual leadership for Jewish women. The book uses the style of the Story of Creation and the setting of the Garden of Eden to explain the entire Jewish year. 42 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
culture
culture
TELEVISION AUTHORS
Middle Feast Sally Rosenthal The newest season of
“The Great Foodhad Truck Sally Rosenthal her first book, “Matzo Race” ispublished now showing on It was picked Frogs,” this year. Food Network. One of up by PJ Library and published by New the trucks, Middle Feast, South Books in Montgomery. Rosenthal is best run by Israelis is known as Tommy, a documentarian who produced the his sister Hilla Food Network three-part 2013 and PBSfriend miniseries, “Superheroes:Courtesy A NeverArkadi. In June, the Jewish The Middle Feast Ending Battle,” the six-part PBS series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: community of Mobile came The Funny Business of America” in 2009 and the sixout to welcome as the The showAmerican stopped in the cityfor for part PBS series,them “Broadway: Musical,” one of the race’s final competitions. which she won the 2005 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. She says the Jewish American immigrant experience is an integral aspect of all three series.
Inline Lighting
“Matzo Frogs” is a charming children’s book about a team of frogs who help their unsuspecting neighbor after she accidentally spills the matzo ball soup she’s been cooking for her cousins.
INLINE
What was the experience of getting published for the first time with PJ Library and New South in Montgomery?
Huntsville, AL Pelham, AL Cullman, AL 256-533-2021 205-982-7511 256-734-5670 Montgomery, AL Auburn, AL 334-277-5705 334-821-9747
I heard that PJ Library was looking for a wide variety of books, so I contacted them with this story, and they connected me with New South in Montgomery. You can actually contact PJ Library directly — they have a book selection committee. A lot of times they takeCourtesy booksFilmthat Movement have already been printed and they have them reprinted FILM for their mailing list, but often they work with authors to get published. I can’t say enough good things about them.
InlineLighting.com
The Jewish Cardinal
This was our bedtime story one will night, and “The I asked my Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El screen Jewish five-year-old thought the ideaLustiger, of the story Cardinal,” thewhat true he story of Jean-Marie the was. He answered that if frogs can do this kind of mitzvah, son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, who maintained his just think what people can do. Is that the message you cultural identity as aout? Jew even after converting, joining were trying to get
Where you are the Rock Star!
the priesthood and being appointed Archbishop of Paris.
Oh, that makes me so happy. Yes, I wanted to convey the The film part of the Selichot program that idea that will if it be canscreened be fun toasdo nice things for somebody, 20 atreward. 7 p.m.And A dessert reception precedes themaking itonisSept. its own the frogs are having a blast the soup. Iatlike idea that they are working together to screening 6:30thep.m. do something, things they couldn’t do by themselves. They’re using creativity, teamwork, and all of it to help someone. It’s a universal idea. Mitzvot is a Jewish concept but it’s not something that is limited to Jewish people.
The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film
Every Tuesday in September, starting at 7 p.m., Turner Classic Movies will examine Hollywood’s relationship with the Jewish community with 22 films. Among the films scheduled are “The Jazz Singer,” “Judgment at Nuremberg,” “Exodus,” “The Way We Were” and “Avalon.”
WorkPlay’s unique vibe will make your event the talk of the town.
ONLINE COURSES
We can host anything — “just because” parties, birthdays, charity events, silent auctions, fundraisers, weddings, wedding receptions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, meetings, luncheons, dinners, art shows…
Red Tsu Mir Yidish!
PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Every month, they mail free, high-quality Jewishinbooks and music Hebrew University of Jerusalem, collaboration across the country to children from ages six months to early with eTeacher, is offering its Online Learning elementary.Program There are in 182Biblical subscribers in Birmingham, 285 inand Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic New Orleans, 61 in Pensacola, and 353cost in the rest ofor the$1599 region.for Yiddish. Yiddish classes $1199, According to PJ Library, almost one in 10 families in our two college credits, and run for 30 weeks.area The subscribe. Sign for PJ Library pjlibrary.org. nextup session beginsatSept. 29. languages.huji.ac.il
For Our Upcoming Concerts Calendar, Visit www.workplay.com events@workplay.com • (205) 879-4773 500 23rd Street South • Birmingham
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 43
culture INTERVIEW
AMY SAAB Amy, I know you’re an artist and you come from an artistic family. Let’s start with your great-grandfather, the renowned sculptor Louis Rosenthal. He lived in Baltimore, Maryland and was a famous artist. A lot of his pieces are Judaic. King George V changed the name of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters to the Royal Society of Miniature Painters and Sculptors to allow him, an American, membership. I never knew him but felt like I had because his pieces were in my family’s homes. Did you always know you were an artist? I was always surrounded by art, by my greatgrandfather’s sculpture, my grandmother’s paintings ... my father was a photographer and we had a darkroom in the house. When I was five he taught me how to take photographs. Art was always present. When I was about 10, my father told me I don’t see like other people see, because I’m blind in one eye, so I judge depth and distance in shadow and sizes and that made me hyper-aware of how I see differently than other people. That helped me understand lighting. You branched out into watercolor. When my first daughter was born, I could no longer go out and shoot photographs, so I decided to try to find another way to try to get the art out.
44 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
I tried every medium. I really enjoy realism because you paint light. Everything we see, the one common element is light. Light flows, and it bends, and it’s similar to water. Going from photography to watercolor is a perfect match. They complement each other. Everything I learned in photography can be transfered to watercolor because of the element of water. It’s magic for me. I learned that water bonds to itself and will follow my brush. If I give it a little bit of freedom and understand that I have to let it go, it will create some amazing things on its own. I was thinking about how so many people here know your art, and it’s probably from the paintings you did for Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El siddur. How did that come about? Robin Berger was familiar with my art, and when she asked me to do it, she didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know what to expect. But I photographed everything in the Temple. My favorite piece to do was a sculpture of Moses in the foyer. While I was painting him, I felt very connected to my great-grandfather, because I felt I was creating a three-dimensional image by bringing Moses to life in watercolor. There were 30 8x10s. I understand one of the meaningful aspects was that you got to work with your mom. Yes. It was an extraordinary gift that my mother Sculpture by Amy Saab’s and I were partnered in something that’s going to great-grandfather, last. We were partners on an epic scale. We learned Louis Rosenthal. Private collection. while we worked. She was the graphic designer. All the Hebrew that was done was checked and re-checked by Cantor Jessica Roskin. She practically moved into my mother’s house and was there all the time working on this book and they became such wonderful friends. The three of us became a family from this project.
Three of the artworks Amy Saab created for Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El
I teach art classes to children. They teach me so much. They taught me never to fear blank canvas, ever. When children paint, they are not interested with the final version of what they are creating, they enjoy getting lost in the process. It’s magical to watch.
What are you working on right now? I do a lot of family photography, mostly for holidays. Lately I’ve been doing something for 12- and 13-year old girls just on the cusp of becoming women, where they get dressed up and they can do their hair and makeup, with a friend, and they get silly and I take photographs of them. And I tell them, after they see how I see them, that being beautiful is like a hidden super-power that’s to be taken out on occasion. And just knowing they’re capable of turning into this powerhouse of beauty really gives them self-confidence. I have two daughters. When they began to worry about how they looked became somewhat paralyzed about what to wear, I took portraits of them, for fun. After seeing themselves, they started to feel a lot more confident in just being themselves.
What’s next for you and your art, and how can you be reached? I work by commission only. I like to do family treasures, architecture, pets. I really enjoy painting things that have deep spiritual or historical meaning to someone. It’s a very powerful thing to try to bring something to life that means so much to other people. I’d like to have other synagogues find treasures and ask me to reproduce them in my art. I’d also like to design stained glass. People find me on my blog. I post my photos and my art there; it’s 2me4art.com. I can also be contacted at asaabsfables@gmail.com.
Fly Through History at the Southern Museum of Flight
Flight Simulators and Scavenger Hunts Available
Iverson Anderson, Great Grandson to “Chief” Anderson, “The Father of Black Aviation” at the Southern Museum of Flight’s Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit. “Chief” Anderson is pictured with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt before their famous flight.
Admission: Adults $7, Seniors/Students $6. Three and under, Active Military FREE.
4343 73rd Street North • Birmingham Call 205.833.8226 to schedule a group tour or special event
southernmuseumofflight.org
“Supporting the South’s Future in Flight” Save $200 on facility rental with this ad.
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 45
46 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
automotive an SJL Special Section
Ford’s 50th Anniversary Mustang
Automotive Special Section
Retro-Cool Plus Modern Tech
control; more contoured, comfortable “zero gravity” seats; a computer that can change from “luxury” to sport mode while sensing changing road and traffic conditions and other standard amenities, as does the Lincoln MKZ mid-sized sedan. “It’s really a very exciting time at Ford and Lincoln. The automakers are always thinking so progressively and with the customers in mind,” said Mason.
Excitement about the 50th anniversary Mustang at Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln by Lee J. Green Late this month Ford gallops out its 50th anniversary Mustang special edition with even more horsepower and enhanced fuel economy. These vehicles, and many other fine ones produced by Ford and Lincoln, are featured at Long-Lewis in Hoover. “This 50th anniversary Mustang has been completely redesigned and Ford has been working on it for five years now. It is really something special to tribute an automotive legend,” said Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln New Vehicle Manager Gary Mason. Mason said the Mustang comes in four, six and eight-liter engines. Featuring Ford’s patented Ecoboost engine technology, the new Mustangs offer both greater horsepower and fuel efficiency. Demand has been high and one-third of the initial shipment to Long-Lewis has already been spoken for. The new Mustang convertible comes out in January 2015. “The body redesign for the 50th anniversary Mustang is retro-feel but with all of the technology it features, it is retro meets modernism,” added Mason. Thanks also to Ecoboost, the V6 engine Ford F-150 trucks outsold the V8 engine version for the past 12 months. Mason said the Ford F-150 truck has been the top selling vehicle of any kind for 23 years running and the top-selling truck for 37 years running. The F-150 has been redesigned for 2015 and now with a body made of aircraft aluminum, is 700 pounds lighter. This has enhanced its fuel economy, which is in the mid-20s, acceleration and braking. “It is sleeker and still offers the same great towing capacity. It offers the best of all worlds,” said Mason. The Ford Fiesta sedan gets 43 miles per gallon on the highway, but is only a three-cylinder vehicle with 128 horsepower. “Ecoboost adds torque and power. On the Fiesta, Ford has reduced the engine size but the RPMs stay down,” he said. Lincoln has redefined luxury by adding performance and enhancing fuel economy, said Mason. The Lincoln MKC small crossover vehicle gets 30 mpg on the highway while offering a comfortable, luxurious driving experience. It features hands-free voice communications and push-button
2015 Acura TLX
Acura introduces new 2015 TLX by Lee J. Green The new 2015 Acura TLX, now available at King Acura in the Birmingham area, combines sport and comfort. The TLX replaces the TL and TSX. The sedan allows drivers to adjust the suspension from “sport” mode to “comfort” mode. The vehicle gets 34 miles per gallon on the highway with a 290-horsepower engine. “It is such a quiet vehicle, especially considering all the power it has and it offers excellent fuel economy,” said King Acura GM Reed Lyles. “This is an Acura that can please everyone.” Lyles said similar to the MDX and RLX, the TLX comes standard with touch-screen control and Bluetooth control capability. For added safety, The TLX offers front, side and knee-level air bags. He said that King Acura is on pace for a record sales year. Its most popular vehicles have been the MDX (seven-passenger SUV) and RDX (five-passenger Crossover). “They were redesigned for 2014 and 2013 respectively and can get as high as 28 miles per gallon in the highway. To get the cargo room you need, you don’t have to sacrifice power or fuel economy,” said Lyles.
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 47
automotive automotive special section
2015 Honda Fit
Honda Enhances Fit, Adds HRV to its Fleet Honda Rearview Camera Standard on all U.S. Models by Lee J. Green The 2015 Honda Fit, out now at Brannon Honda, is in even better shape, and the manufacturer continues to lead the automotive world in re-sale value. Patrick Brannon, who co-owns Birmingham’s Brannon Honda with his brother Ben, said in addition to the new, improved Honda Fit, Honda has launched the new HRV. “The HRV will be widely available this fall. It is ‘sub-compact meets SUV.’ It is more spacious than the Fit and sits up a little higher” but still offers 33 miles per gallon on the highway with 145 horsepower, said Brannon. “Both the HRV and the Fit allow Honda to please everyone with everything they would want in their vehicle.” Brannon Salesman Rodney Thurman said that Fit offers a streamlined navigation system and comes Bluetooth-ready. It also features a back-up camera and its back seats fold down flat if extra storage is needed. “Honda has added more horsepower to the Fit, so it has more pick-up especially uphill,” said Thurman. “Plus it’s a great overall value” at just under $20,000. Brannon said Kelly Blue Book also named Honda Best Overall Value for Lifetime of Ownership in 2013. Brannon Honda’s service department also once again earned the top 5 percent service award among all Honda dealerships. “Service and offering value are two very important things to us,” he said. Honda also prides itself on its safety. All Honda vehicles now come equipped with Bluetooth as a safety feature. “Many other manufacturers consider Bluetooth a luxury feature and part of an add-on package. At Honda, our motto is ‘safety for everyone’,” said Brannon. In that vein, a backup camera is now standard on every U.S. Honda. In fact, Honda builds more top safety rated cars in America than any other brand. He said the Honda Accord, Civic and CRV, in that order, are the top selling vehicles at Brannon Honda. But the new Fit and HRV could give those vehicles a run for their money. KING ACURA - TLX AD -5.125x5.indd 1
48 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
8/13/14 7:56 PM
automotive automotive special section
The S-Class, with all-LED lighting, is the first car in modern history without a single lightbulb
Safety, Luxury and Innovation at Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans Mercedes Benz of New Orleans and the New Orleans Saints — who play in the Mercedes Benz Superdome — both can be aptly labeled winning teams. Mercedes Benz of New Orleans, owned by Saints owner Tom Benson, recorded a record sales year in 2013 and is on pace to eclipse that mark in 2014. General Sales Manager Christopher Stuben said the S Class higher-end sedan, redesigned and released for 2014 last fall, has been very popular. New for 2015 comes the C Class sedan, which arrived last month at the dealership. Referred to as the “Baby S Class” the new C Class Sedan offers much of what the S Class offers at lower price points. This month Mercedes Benz launches a brand new model — the GLA. “This is Mercedes Benz’ first foray into the SUV Crossover vehicle market,” he said. “It is considered an entry level SUV in the way the CLA is our entry-level sedan. It’s a very exciting, please-all vehicle and we’ve already pre-sold our share.” Base price on the new GLA will be $33,300, added Stuben. The vehicle gets more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Also new for 2015 and out in October will be the S Class Coupe, which replaces the Mercedes CL. “This is a two-door S Class, which is our high-end sedan,” said Stuben.
Mercedes has earned a stellar reputation for luxury, but in recent years, innovation has improved fuel economy significantly. Most Mercedes Benz vehicles come standard with Eco Start/Stop. It will be standard on all vehicles soon, added Stuben. With Eco Start/Stop, the vehicle shuts off the engine when one is stopped, then turns it back on when a driver first accelerates again. “This saves 18 percent of fuel costs,” he said. “Keeping miles per gallon numbers up is good for the customer and the environment.” A new safety feature added to the Mercedes Benz vehicles, called Collison Prevention Plus, can automatically, safely stop a Mercedes vehicle going 65 miles per hour or lower if there is a danger that the Mercedes driver could hit the vehicle in front that stops short or if the driver is trailing too close. “Most of the Mercedes vehicles also have Attention Assist. If it senses that a driver might be changing his or her driving pattern and could be falling asleep, the vehicle senses the deviation and immediately puts out an audible warning,” said Stuben. In 2013, Mercedes Benz of New Orleans was once again recognized as a Best of the Best Mercedes Benz dealership. This is awarded to the Top 50 dealers for performance in sales, service and customer satisfaction. Its service department offers a fleet of more than 100 loaner cars for those who have Mercedes vehicles being serviced.
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 49
automotive automotive special section
Happy New Year from…
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2015 Mazdas: Sport, Performance
Sunset on Magazine Tuesday-Friday, 4-7pm $5 Appetizers • $2 Beers Daily Cocktail Specials
Tu-Fr 11am-10pm • Sat 8am-10pm Saturday Breakfast 8am-12pm Sunday Brunch 8am-3pm
3100 Magazine St. at 8th St. 504-373-6579 • ggsneworleans.com
BRUCE DOWNS CPA
Mensch of Modern Accounting.
3349 Independence Dr. Suite 100 Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-8080 www.brucedownscpa.com
50 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
For those who want a sports car at a sporty price and for those who seek sportiness and performance along with plenty of cargo room, Mazda has it covered. The Mazda Miata sports car and CX9 larger crossover vehicle have been redesigned for 2015. The CX9 is out now and the Miata will be in by January 2015 at Med Center Mazda in the Birmingham area. “The CX9 is a seven-passenger vehicle but it gets some of the best fuel economy in its class and it handles like a sports car,” said Med Center Mazda sales leader Bobby Bloomston. Mazda has only seven vehicles — the Mazda 2, 3 and 6 sedans, the Mazda 5, CX-5 and CX-9 crossover SUVs, and the Miata. Because of that, Mazda can focus on making a smaller core even stronger with features that can please everyone, noted Bloomston. “Mazda continues to prove that you can have it all — space, fuel efficiency, handling, performance, friendly prices and high resale value,” he said. A few years ago, Mazda created its Skyactiv engine. This and lighter vehicle body weights while still making stronger, even-more-durable vehicles has allowed for some of the industry’s best miles per gallon numbers in class. The smaller sedan, the Mazda 3, is still the top seller at Med Center Mazda and gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The CX5, smaller crossover SUV, gets 35 mpg and is the number two seller at the Pelham dealership. Bloomston said the new Miata has a sleek new design and improved fuel economy. He said his customers tend to come to in having already researched much about the vehicle. “When they come in, the best way to sell them is to have them test drive and experience it for themselves,” he said.
Allstate’s Smart Star Driver System The cell phone, a device maligned for contributing to accidents as drivers text while driving, can now be employed to encourage teens to drive safely. Allstate recently launched a new system called Star Driver for drivers ages16 to 19 who are on their parents’ insurance. “These are the drivers with the least amount of experience and who are responsible for the highest percentage of accidents. This offers incentives to encourage safe driving that can offset for inexperience,” said Birmingham Allstate Agent Eyal Ron. The smart-phone based system allows parents of teen drivers on Allstate policies to set parameters the young drivers are asked to follow. The GPS-based technology features three categories. The first is curfew. Parents can set a time that teen drivers can be on the road until at night, whether as a driver or passenger. If the teen is out past that time, the parents will be sent a notification text. The second sets parameters on the distance teen drivers might be allowed to travel, and the third setting can be speed. In these instances, a text notification is sent if a teen goes outside boundaries. “These only go to the monitoring parent and it doesn’t affect the cost of the insurance,” said Ron. “But it encourages safe driving and teens being accountable. If they follow the rules, they earn points with which they can purchase some cool items.” In the fourth quarter of this year, Allstate will launch its usage-based rating for adult drivers. Policy holders can get Allstate software installed on their smart phone that tracks rates of acceleration and braking. Those who meet positive parameters can receive a 2 to 10 percent discount off of their policy. “It rewards safe driving but it will not cause rates to go up otherwise,” said Ron.
automotive automotive special section
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
Growth at Bryan Automotive by Lee J. Green For those seeking Chevrolet, Mitsubishi and Subaru vehicles in the New Orleans area, Bryan Automotive is just what the doctor ordered. Recently, music legend and New Orleans resident Dr. John bought a new Chevrolet from Bryan, which has been a New Orleans tradition since 1955. “He was just so nice to everyone and he said he was really happy with the service he got here,” said Bryan Marketing Director Morgan Lee. Jimmy Bryan started the Chevrolet dealership almost 60 years ago on the West Bank. A few years later he moved it to its current location on Airline Drive in Metairie. His son, Jay, took over the dealership in the mid-1980s and would add what was then the newer Japanese brands of Mitsubishi and Subaru. “Jay saw the immense growth with these newer brands and the chance to offer some great vehicles to the New Orleans area that were not as readily available before. These additions were good complements, not competition, to Chevrolet. This allows us to sell cars and trucks to people of all demographics and at all price points,” said Lee. Today, Bryan is one of the heaviest volume Chevy dealers in the New Orleans area and has won the automaker’s Mark of Excellence award many years running. Lee said that in 2014 the Silverado truck was redesigned and a “big hit; one of our top sellers.” It was named the 2014 North American Truck of the Year and the best trade-in value in its class. The Chevy Tahoe and Suburban trucks for 2015 are out and feature bold new redesigns. The trucks have increased towing capacity and fuel efficiency at the same time. Some new safety features include parking-assist, lane change alerts and seven airbags. The Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze sport sedans offer the highest fuel economy in the line, up to 36 miles per hour on the highway. Mitsubishi has made some enhancements to its popular Outlander Sport crossover SUV. It’s listed as a top safety pick and on the 10 most affordable SUVs list. It gets 32 mpg on the highway. The four-door, all-wheel-drive Lancer sedan gets 34 mpg and customers can choose from a few different body styles going from “traditional sedan-like up to something that looks more like a rally car,” said Lee. All Subarus have all-wheel drive, which helps with better handling during difficult conditions. “Most people consider the advantages of having all-wheel-drive when traveling on ice and snow or up mountains,” she said. “But in New Orleans, especially in the summer, we get our share of torrential downpours. There are also a lot of potholes. The all-wheel drive can help a driver to prevent hydroplaning and not lose control when hitting a pothole.” The Subaru Outback and Forester are most popular at Bryan, she said. The Outback and the Legacy are newly redesigned for 2015. The Legacy is Subaru’s mid-sized sedan and the Outback, which gets 33 mpg, is its four-door wagon. Of all of those vehicles sold in the past 10 years, approximately 95 percent are still on the road, added Lee. She said Bryan is proud to be the first sponsor of New Orleans Zephyrs Triple-A baseball and in October, for the third year in a row, they will drive the Camaro pace car wearing a bright pink wrap in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides with Breast Cancer walk in New Orleans. “We pride ourselves on giving back to the community… and giving our customers the best service,” said Lee.
This Week In
Southern Jewish Life
Weekly Newsletter local/regional national/international
the most comprehensive e-newsletter available
Sharp.Smart.Weekly Thousands receive our weekly e-newsletter, the most comprehensive source of local, regional, national, and international news. Each Friday, your inbox will receive interesting topics along with a community calendar, exclusive offers, and more. It’s a great way to keep up to date and in touch. Subscribe online at sjlmag.com or subscribe@sjlmag.com
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 51
sjlma
Closeout Pricing on the new Mazda 3 for 2014!
southern jewish scene
New Skyactiv engine delivers the best fuel economy in its class!
Bobby Bloomston SALES & LEASING
Member of the Mazda President’s Club and Selected to the Council of Automobile Sales Excellence for 10 Years
Med Center
80 Drivers Way • Pelham • Just off I-65 exit 246 • www.medcentermazda.com ALA TOLL FREE 1-800-749-0929 •
205-222-6444
Colonial Oaks Living Center Across from East Jefferson Hospital Emergency
Providing long-term care services in an atmosphere of caring and compassion
Summer crafts at the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica
The School for Jewish Living at Temple Beth-El in Pensacola held an end-of-year picnic at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze on June 1.
METAIRIE’S PREMIER SKILLED NURSING FACILITY
Medicare Skilled Planned Activities Tours Offered Daily Private Pay Social Worker On Staff Three Home-Cooked Meals Daily
4312 Ithaca Street • (504) 887-6414 Keeping You Covered In This New Year…
Home • Auto • Business • Life Jimmy Quinn
205-655-8040 800 Watterson Curve #206 • Trussville jimmy@centralalabamains.com www.centralalabamainsurance.com 52 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
New Orleanian Roselle Ungar, left, was one of the national chairs for Hadassah’s 97th annual national convention, held July 21 to 23 in Las Vegas. Above, the Southern Region takes part in the festivities, joining 800 members and associates at the convention.
southern jewish scene
On May 18, Achdut Israel in Panama City held a Lag B’Omer picnic and bonfire that included a first haircut ceremony for two three-year-olds.
Beth Israel in Gulfport held its annual International Food and Wine Tasting at the Island View Casino Resort in Biloxi on June 12.
Tuscaloosa’s Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood held its end-of-year lunch on May 4 at the University Club.
Chabad of Louisiana held Project Talmud Summer on Aug. 18. Below are Bill Norman, Rabbi Mendel Rivkin and Eli Shindler, the owner of GCP Labs in Gulfport, who underwrote the event
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 53
simchas: confirmation
donna matherne
For babies, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet Sixteens, Weddings, seniors and more, Face to Face Photography is your local photography studio for all of life’s photo memories.
event photography - weddings - bar/bat mitzvahs - sweet sixteens - debutante balls
school photography senior photography professional portraiture modeling portfolios and more!
Call today for pricing and more information!
a. 9029 jefferson hwy suite h, river ridge la 70123 p. 504.738.3008 e. f2ffoto@bellsouth.net w. face-to-face-photography.com
Join your fellow Yiddish enthusiasts for an exciting weekend celebration of Yiddish language, culture, and history
Boca Raton, Fla. • November 14-17, 2014 Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center
5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486 Presenters: Sarah Bunin Benor, Hasia Diner, Gennady Estraikh, Mikhail Krutikov, Heidi Estrin, Refoyl Finkel, Riva Ginsburg, Ruth Glasberg Gold, Ruth Fisher Goodman, Frank Handler, Marlis Humphrey, Genia Kutner, Dvoyre Dorothy Marden, Caren Neile, Hilda Rubin, Maxine Schackman, Eddie Shraybman, Harold Ticktin, Iosif Vaisman, Leon Weissberg, Barney Zumoff, and others Entertainers: Cookie Blattman, Alejandra Czarny, Naomi Miller, Jane Peppler, David and Shira Presler, Elizabeth Schwartz, Yale Strom
Scholarly Presentations by Prominent Speakers in Yiddish and English Live Yiddish Entertainment, Klezmer Music, Folk Dancing Workshops and Special Programs Vendor Area: Judaica, Books, Music Early registration deadline – July 31, 2014 For more information, call Genia Kutner, 561-498-5961 http://yiddishclubs.org • email: iayc2014@gmail.com 54 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Confirmation classes of 2014 around the region: Temple Beth-El, Birmingham (May 10) above: Molly Bloomston, Haley Lewis, Olivia Mannon, Jake Stein, Brian Weintraub, Eric Weintraub. Temple B’nai Sholom, Huntsville (May 2): Aaron Simon, Josh Hovanes, Ethan Smyth. Ahavas Chesed, Mobile (June 13): Rebecca Mulholland. Springhill Avenue Temple, Mobile (May 30): Madison Reid Friduss, Steven Richard Hirsch, Daniel Robert Kinsella. Temple Beth-El, Pensacola (June 3): Ada Ejikemeuwa, Amara Ejikemeuwa, Allan Tucker. Beth Shalom, Baton Rouge (June 3): Max Levy, Abby Rayner, Alyssa Winkler. Gates of Prayer, Metairie (June 3): Benjamin Cohen, Alex Dines, Marlee Michaels, Max Michaels, Georgia Plotkin, Samara Plotkin, Victoria Preston, Rebekah Renee, Megan Rittenberg, David Scharff, Avery Seelig, Bevin Zlatkiss. Temple Sinai, New Orleans (June 3) below: Adam Jordan Bressler, Anne Elise Cohen, Carin Angelica Entrekin, Haley Samantha Fried, Jeremy Philip Meyer, Nigel Aggio Duthuit Rizzo, Howard Matthew Weinstock, Miriam Lillian Zitler. Touro Synagogue, New Orleans (May 30): Alex Morais Abramson, Todd Jacob Hamilton, Samuel Evan Baum, Samuel Matthew Laufer, Samuel Axelrod Schaefer. Hebrew Union Congregation, Greenville (May 16): Gaines Lamensdorf Beth Israel, Jackson (May 9): David Crystal, Lily Katz, Benjamin Hearon, Jonathan Springer.
simchas In May, Jordan Braunig of Shreveport was ordained as a rabbi at Hebrew College in Massachusetts. He is now the director of the Initiative for Innovative Community Building at Tufts University Hillel, where he had been a Rabbinic Fellow. He will mentor and teach as part of the Initiative. Braunig attended college at New York University. He is the son of Helaine and Bill Braunig; his mother is the director of the religious school at B’nai Zion in Shreveport. On his rabbinical school application, he cited Judith Grunes, one of his teachers at B’nai Zion, as being an early influence on his Jewish curiosity. He also accompanied his grandfather, Neal Nierman, there for Torah study. Marisa Yammer of Birmingham was honored at the Rutgers University Hillel’s annual gala on June 17 as a member of the Israel Inspires Team from 2003. The 10 alumni received the Young Alumni Award. In April 2003, the students and two Hillel professionals got together to brainstorm a new approach to campus Israel activism, especially given that the International Palestine Solidarity Conference was to be held there in October 2003. Instead of defending Israel, they set out to counterprogram around the idea of what inspires them about Israel. On Oct. 9 they held an Israel Inspires rally that drew 7,000. Among the guest speakers was Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama. On Oct. 10 there was an Israel Block Party at the student center, drawing over 1,000. An Israel Inspires weekend, co-chaired by Yammer, was held Oct. 10 to 12, drawing 600 students from 68 universities across the country for an exploration of all aspects of Israel. A 9,000-square-foot sukkah was constructed atop the Hyatt Regency.
uate Award in Exercise Science. He was chosen as the banner bearer to represent his school and class at graduation, and entered the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Emma Buchthal, an alumna of Birmingham’s N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, was accepted to the Contemporary Chinese Studies program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Christine Clolinger, daughter of Debbie and Tom Clolinger, Mobile, was recently a delegate to the 2014 International Animal Rights Conference in Barcelona, Spain, as a representative of Florida State University, where she is a third-year law student. As classes began for the year at Indian Springs School near Birmingham, Eli Cohen began his term as mayor of the student body. The student body self-governs in a Town Hall format, with a mayor who provides leadership to the community and with commissioners who direct various aspects of student life. Class representatives represent their grades in student government meetings and organize class activities, and judiciary members rule on infractions of student rules and standards. Julia Fleisig was elected a commissioner of education, while Hannah Rezonzew is 12th grade class representative and Clark Thompson is an 11th grade class representative. The elections were held May 20-21. Lillian McClure, who completed fifth grade at Birmingham’s N.E. Miles Jewish Day School in May, won the Alabama Chemists Celebrate Earth Day competition. Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade submitted illustrated poems on the theme of “The Wonders of Water.” The contest is sponsored by the American Chemical Society.
CityBusiness in New Orleans named its 2014 class of Women of the Year on Aug. 28. Among the class are Mindy Brickman, Julie Wise Oreck and Dana Shepard. A luncheon honoring the women will be on Nov. 14 at the Hyatt Regency, and the Nov. 28 issue of CityBusiness will have an insert spotlighting all of the honorees. Bert Rosenbush of Demopolis, often referred to as the “last Jew in Marengo County,” was honored by the Greensboro Masons on Aug. 26 for his 60 years of membership. Matthew Mosow received the 2014 Taylor Medal in Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi, and received the Blackburn Undergrad-
Photo by Barry Altmark
The new board at Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El
3200 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa • We Deliver to Birmingham Wishing you the Ultimate Happy New Year
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 55
simchas: b’nai mitzvah
•
• FREE CONSULTATION Medicare Supplement And Long Term Care • What long-term care is, and why you and your loved ones are at high risk for needing care at home or in a facility
Find Out
• Why the limited benefits from Government (Medicare or Medicaid) are not a good choice for your long-term care needs
• At what age should you consider buying longterm care insurance. You will be surprised to know why and how buying at a younger age is better for you. • Compare different Medicare Plans and determine which is best for you • Find which company offers the most competitive rates for the plan you want.
Milton Goldstein, CLTC
Certified Long Term Care Specialist
Cell: (205) 907-0670 E-mail: miltgold@bellsouth.net Visit My Website www.goldsteinltc.com
•
Licensed in 11 States
56 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
•
Axel Elliot Strynar, son of Mark and Mary Strynar, at Beth Shalom, Fort Walton Beach, on May 3. Daniel Blokh, son of Rita Meikson and Alexander Blokh, at Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham, on May 10. Brenan Alan Kronenberg, son of Mark and Kirsh Kronenberg, at Touro Synagogue, New Orleans, on May 10. Sophia Rebecca Feldman, daughter of Rob and Gina Feldman, at Beth Shalom, Fort Walton Beach, on May 17. Joshua Brandon Hecker, son of David Hecker, Longview, Tex., at B’nai Zion, Shreveport, on May 24. Jessica Rachel Neal, daughter of Burt and Michelle Neal, at Touro Synagogue, New Orleans, on May 24. Mary Beth Muslow, daughter of Jason and Christina Muslow, and Amy and David Quinn, at B’nai Zion, Shreveport, on May 31. Lorraine Williams and Marc Dahlman celebrated their adult B’nai Mitzvah at Gates of Prayer, Metairie, on June 28. Asher Charles Altman, son of Judi and Kenneth Altman, at Springhill Avenue Temple, Mobile, on July 26. Joshua Lowentritt and Sarah Jane Lowentritt, at Temple Sinai, New Orleans, on July 26. Sydney Bouchner and Morgan Laviage, at Temple Shalom, Lafayette, on Aug. 2. Liv Komisar, daughter of Kim and Barry Komisar, at Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham, on Aug. 9. Sophie Saab, daughter of Amy and David Saab, at Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham, on Aug. 21. Jessica Michaela Campbell, daughter of Jamie and Chuck Campbell, at Temple B’nai Sholom, Huntsville, on Aug. 23. Daisy Kallenberg, daughter of Heidi and Gregory Kallenberg, at B’nai Zion, Shreveport, on Aug. 30. When the only other Jewish child in your entire county is your brother, it can be difficult to find community as your Bat Mitzvah approaches. For Abby Craig, that is where the Henry S. Jacobs Camp came into play. On May 24 she had her Bat Mitzvah at the place where she feels the most Jewish, according to her mother, Becci Craig. Becci and John Craig live in Brooksville, a little over 20 miles south of Columbus, with Abby and her brother Jacob. “My kids are second generation campers and have been at HSJ every summer since they were old enough to attend,” Becci Craig said. “The friendships and bonds that she has made are lifelong. They have become our extended family that we visit during the school year.” They decided that since out-of-town relatives were flying into Jackson they should have an all-inclusive destination for the weekend, and holding everything at camp would allow everyone to have more time together. Many camp friends also attended. They had outdoor services and camp activities, finishing the weekend with wish lanterns being released on Lake Gary. For a service project, she collected puzzle books for older patients at the Blair Batson Hospital in Jackson, the only children’s hospital in the state. During a stay there, she realized there wasn’t much for the patients to do to pass the time and was inspired to take on this project. At the end of the summer — after she got back from her regular camp session — she delivered the books.
Happy New Year
Day School welcomes three new faculty The Jewish Community Day School in Metairie started the year with three new faculty members. “Our Faculty and Staff are the heart of our school and we are delighted to have attracted such talented, caring and highly educated teachers to our faculty and staff,” said Head of School Sharon Pollin. Rabbi David Posternock will be responsible for teaching Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Along with his wife, Jessica, Rabbi Posternock relocated to the area in June 2008 to assume the role of synagogue administrator at Beth Israel. Originally from New Jersey, he came to Beth Israel from Wichita, Kans., where he served as a religious school principal, administrator and teacher at the Wichita Jewish Community School, a youth director, community rabbi, Bar/Bat mitzvah tutor, and Chazzan at Ahavat Achim/Hebrew Congregation, and a mashgiach for A.D. Rosenblatt meats. Rabbi Posternock earned a dual ordination in 2007; One from Toras Yisroel/Diaspora Yeshiva in Jerusalem and the other from the Institute of Kabbalistic Studies Rabbinical School in Wichita. Jessy Posternock earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from West Chester University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Holy Family University in her home state of Pennsylvania. She has taught at a variety of grade levels for several years and has also tutored students. She is returning to the classroom after having taken a break to have two children, Zoey and Benjamin. She will teach both third and fourth graders. “The entire family considers New Orleans to be our home,” Jessica said. “We look forward to a phenomenal year at JCDS and growing roots in this amazing and unique city with our adopted family and friends.” Deborah Mintz will be a specialist in studying the weekly Torah portion through text study and creative arts. Mintz grew up in New York City and earned degrees in Music and Religious Studies from the University of Michigan. Passionate about social justice and global change, Deborah spent time traveling and volunteering around the world, including spending a year working in Israel caring for Jewish and Arab children from abusive and dysfunctional families. Since returning to the states, she has been working in synagogues throughout New York City, teaching all ages of Hebrew and Jewish studies courses, leading teen trips to Israel and around the U.S., and working in a variety of musical leadership capacities. She recently spent a summer as an educator at the Brandeis Collegiate Institute, a pluralistic spirituality program geared towards young adults’ exploration of Jewish identity through text, the arts, and creative spiritual practice. Earlier this year she married Cantor David Mintz of Touro Synagogue. “I look forward to sharing my love for spiritual exploration with the children of JCDS and the entire Greater New Orleans community,” Deborah said. “My husband and I are very grateful to call the crescent city our new home.”
to my friends and supporters in the Jewish community R. Reid Falconer
St. Tammany Parish Council District 4
Home Cooking always pleases… Casual dining Specializing in Italian cuisine and seafood
OPEN
Monday-Friday 11am-9pm Saturday 4:30-9pm
NCJW presents gender and Judaism course The National Council of Jewish Women in New Orleans is presenting a three session mini-course on gender and Judaism, “Jewish: Female: Activist: What’s Gender Got to do with It?” The sessions will be Oct. 1, 15 and 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Anna Many Lounge at the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women, Tulane. The first session will be “Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Gender and Judaism,” with Brenda Brasher. The mini-course will provide an introduction to the key terms and theories of gender studies. Participants will explore the claims in various religious texts about women’s nature, how early physicians understood women’s bodies, controversies over women’s education, women’s suffrage, plus learn about the notable insights specialists in Judaism and gender have drawn from such research.
724 MARTIN BEHRMAN AVE METAIRIE • 504-834-5646 www.furysrestaurant.com
NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 57
Preparing for Bra-Veaux The second annual Bra-Veaux kicked off on Aug. 17 as several women decorated art bras for New Orleans Hadassah’s fall fundraiser. Held during breast cancer awareness month, this year’s event is called “Ordinary Women + Artists = Extraordinary Strides in Cancer Research.” It will be Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the newly restored and renovated Lakefront Airport Terminal. The event will feature a live auction of art brassieres and “uplifting” works of art by professional artists. The artists include Ally Burguieres, Hannah Chalew, Karen Edmunds, Jennifer Weinberg Graver, Aidi Kansas, Suzy Lazarus, George Long, Caren Nowak, Terrance Osborne, Josh Pailet, Andrew Jackson Pollack, Josephine Sacabo, Reda Scher, Beth Slater, Tim Trapolin, Casey Willems, Lynn Zakem and many more. The items will be auctioned off by Adam Lambert and Jonny Lake. Additionally, 25 pieces of art donated by Douglas Gitter of Gitter Galleries will also be auctioned off. There will also be a silent auction, with trips, jewelry, cosmetic items, tours and other distinctive items such as a collection of Edna Hibel plates. Messina’s Catering is providing kosher-style buffet house specialties, assorted passed hors d’oeuvres, smoked salmon presentation, chef ’s live pasta station and select wines, champagne, domestic light and regular beer, sodas and bottled water. The Siren Sisters are being brought back by popular demand. There will also be a showcase of decorative handmade bustiers, contributed by Ina Davis and Vivian Cahn. The evening will also honor the memory of Pearl Daube. Clockwise from top: “Good Health in Spades!” Tickets range from $85, for those under the age of 36, to by Fran Simon, “Bra-Allina” by Michelle Allen-Hart and Avery Hart, “My Cups Runneth $118 and $180. Patron level tickets start at $360. ReservaOver” by Patty Ungar and “Bra-Veaux Saints” tions are due by Oct. 6. All proceeds will be directed to the groundbreaking Breast by Barbara Pailet with “Ameri-Bra the Great” by Carrie Pailet. Photos by Michael Maples. Cancer research done at Hadassah Medical Organization.
Open Monday-Thursday 7 am-6 pm, Friday 7 am-5 pm and Saturday 8 am-3 pm. 58 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
NOLA
nosh
jewish deep south: bagels, biscuits, beignets
Courtesy Ron Almog cc-by-2.0
Sweet Shanah Tovah Gifts
hive stemless glasses from Mignon Faget, New Orleans, $45/set of four
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
LolliaWish shea butter handcreme from A Little Something, Birmingham, varies
Fashionista Blooms from Hoover Florist, varies by size
For a Good Year cards from Rudman’s Card and Party, Metairie, $2.43/ea set of 25
Creamy Pralinettes from Aunt Sally’s Pomegranate Plate from Adler’s, Pralines, New Orleans, $139 New Orleans, $12.99/box of 12 {High Holiday Cocktail}
Tequila Gadola
Combine 4 parts pomegranate juice with 1 part tequila. Add a few large ice cubes. Enjoy.
KOSHER
ORDER IN For the first time, this year Birmingham’s Chabad of Alabama (chabadofalabama. com) is offering a new year catering service. Metairie’s Kosher Cajun (koshercajun.com) is also offering a Rosh Hashanah catering menu, with traditional dishes plus other favorites like jambalaya and fried chicken. Order deadlines for both are Sept. 15. Deltans can place orders by Sept. 18 at Nosh-A-Rye Deli (thenoshmemphis.com), certified by Vaad Hakehilloth of Memphis,which won first place best chicken at August’s ASBEE World Kosher BBQ Championship.
COOKBOOK
THE GOURMET JEWISH COOKBOOK by Denise Phillips (Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin’s Press)
England native Denise Phillips, author of three other Jewish cookbooks, pens “The Gourmet Jewish Cookbook” with over 200 recipes. Not simply a compendium of refined kosher classics, the book includes dishes likely new to one’s repertoire. Recipes for guacamole and brownies should have been omitted to make room for more than the 16 color photographs included, but it’s especially nice that besides the usual milchig/pareve/fleishig categories, many recipes are also marked as gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. The sweet potato, pomegranate and pumpkin seed salad (vegetarian, gluten-free) makes a perfect new addition at Rosh Hashanah. NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 59
nosh KOSHER-STYLE RECIPE
GG’s Dine-O-Rama by Lee J. Green
GG’s Dine-o-Rama, located on the corner of Magazine and 8th Streets in Uptown New Orleans, describes its cuisine as refined comfort food. Owner and Head Chef Dave Gott focuses on homemade, fresh, unique and creative dishes, with as much organic and locally grown ingredients as possible. Everything is made inhouse at GG’s, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since switching from Gott Gourmet to GG’s Dine-o-Rama this past January, the restaurant went retro with the interior to celebrate the history of the area. Adorning the walls are images from that section of Magazine Street in the 1950s along with replicated old signs from area businesses that existed back then. On each table at GG’s is a different set of vintage salt and pepper shakers. Some of GG’s tasty kosher-style menu items include Gott Salad, Fell’s Point Wedge Fries, BBQ brisket platter, the Mac’N on Magazine fancy mac and cheese and the Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins with Blueberry Maple Butter.
GG’s Dine-O-Rama
3100 Magazine Street New Orleans 504/373.6579 ggsneworleans.com
Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins with Blueberry Maple Butter
1 cup liquid egg whites, whip to peaks
4 cups yellow cornmeal 4 cups all-purpose flour 4 tsp baking powder ½ cup sugar 6 tsp kosher salt Mix all ingredients in bowl and set aside. 1 white onion 4 fresh jalapenos, seeded and chopped 1 cup shredded cheddar Pulse onions and jalapenos in food processor until finely minced. Place in a bowl and add cheddar. 4-1/2 cups whole milk 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen 6 eggs, lightly beaten
Mix wet ingredients together and pour into dry ingredients. Add onion-pepper-cheese mixture as well. Fold together all ingredients lightly and carefully — do not over-mix. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pan spray three muffin pans. Fill muffin pans with mix, enough so it is above the pan line. Garnish with a thin slice of fresh jalapeno and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes and store.
Blueberry-Maple Butter 3 lbs. softened butter ¼ cup organic maple syrup 15 frozen blueberries 3 tsp blueberry puree Whip all ingredients in mixer. Store in fridge.
Sheriff Newell Normand Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
Flutter By! FOLLOW US ON:
423 Canal Street . U.S. Custom House Downtown New Orleans Open 10 am - 5 pm AudubonInstitute.org
60 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
Happy New Year to all of my supporters in the Jewish community It is my honor to serve the citizens of Jefferson Parish
1233 Westbank Expressway • Harvey, LA (504) 363-5500
NOLA
Continued from page 62
recommends doing so during the president’s fundraising plea. You’ve heard it all before, including the introductory joke. Some might say it’s appropriate to commemorate 18 years of this column so close to the Day of Atonement. With that in mind, this column asks the forgiveness of everyone who has never read it — it’s not their fault. They’re merely to blame. So, sip your chai in comfort. Despite court orders to the contrary, this octodecennial celebration is not an end, but a new beginning. May this column be inscribed in the Book of Life. Not only because that would mean finally appearing in multiple publications, but also because the columnist would have to live so long, too. Rest assured that if anything funny happens in the next 18 years, it’s possible that you’ll both read about it here first. Next tea in Jerusalem. Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who has continually baffled scientists by, since August 1996, aging even more than his jokes — impossible as that seems. For past columns, other writings, and more, visit http://brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook.com/ the.beholders.eye.
Jewish Community Day School’s Head of School Sharon Pollin wanted to do something meaningful to help soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force as the Gaza operation went on. She contacted her friend Avi Kagan, Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership Director for New Orleans’ sister city Rosh Ha’ayin, to see what she could do. They decided that the New Orleans community at large and JCDS students would reach out to the soldiers with letters and drawings of comfort and support, like the one shown above.
Happy New Year to my friends and supporters in the Jewish community
Judge Sidney H. Cates, IV Orleans Civil Court Division C NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 61
the beholder’s eye • doug brook
This is Your Chai
18
In the beginning, there was a question. It was a warm, sunny, summer Shabbat morning, when an unsuspecting woman was approached in a synagogue parking lot, and asked the question that would launch a thousand quips. “Do you think you know four rabbis who would prefer people sleeping through the sermon, rather than talking during it?” She said, “probably.” From that came the headline, “Rabbis prefer sleeping during sermon.” In that first fateful column, 18 years ago, her innocuous “probably” was the basis of the scientific assertion that four out of five rabbis prefer sleeping during a sermon. From where came the fifth rabbi? Simple: When was the last time five rabbis agreed on anything? Thus, four out of five. The journalistic integrity and investigative skills demonstrated there could have easily led to a prestigious career today in covering the Middle East for most major news outlets. But instead, this column labored every month (except for the ones that were missed), and sometimes twice monthly, to bring almost several laughs to its almost several readers. It rode the sound waves of The Southern Shofar though, despite contractual stipulation, never rode in the seat behind a Southern Chauffeur. It then spoke in its own Deep South Jewish Voice, before settling in to Southern Jewish Life‘s hind end — unless you read the magazine right to left, which does not make most of the news today make more, or less, sense. Over the years, this column presented the wisdom of the recentlydiscovered, long-lost Mishnah tractate Bava Gump which, among other things, teaches how shrimp can be kosher. The column retold the legendary adventures of the beloved young kabbalist, Harry Plotzer, and his adventures with The Sanhedrin’s Stone, through The Chamber of Shpielkis, and with The Prisoner of Ashkenaz and The Gabbai of Fire, though not yet getting to The Deadly Challahs. Occasionally there were guests, such as the recurring one due to a harebrained rabbinical typo, Ask the Rabbit, as well as Gurb the Caveman Rabbi, and the occasional special report from The Oynion. Explored were calendar anomalies and events, real and surreal, such as Thanksnukah, Mezuzapalooza, Kol Nidre the 13th, Purover, Chrisnukah, Yomtober, and the pirated Rosh Hashaarrrnah and Day of Aarrrtonement. The chorus of “Bubbe’s Been Run Over By a Reindeer” was sung, the Rebbe at the Bat got his bell rung, and the Grinch who hated Jew-ville had his hatred unstrung. In case it wasn’t apparent, this is the 18th anniversary of this space not being for rent. In honor of this Chai anniversary, it would seem appropriate to toast it with some chai tea. Except that chai tea has baffled rabbinic scholars for hundreds of seconds. (“Should we have seconds? Is one cup enough? Let’s drink on it.”) After all, chai is not pronounced like Chai, though a cup of chai makes it easier to pronounce Chai. And some say that chai has properties that help to extend one’s life, one’s Chai. And what is chai tea’s relationship to Thai Iced Tea? Is there such a thing as Thai Chai Tea? If there is, are its effects best described as tai chi for the digestive system? These are questions to ponder during this High Holy Day season, though perhaps not late afternoon on Yom Kippur. This column
continued on previous page 62 Southern Jewish Life • September 2014
NOLA
The Van Benthuysen
Elms Mansion
…one of the most sought-after private party venues in New Orleans
Wedding Receptions & Ceremonies Rehearsal Parties 3029 St. Charles Avenue
504.895.9200 • www.elmsmansion.com
NOLA
September 2014 • Southern Jewish Life 63