Summertime reading p. 20 August 2015 Av/Elul 5775 Vol. 19, No. 12
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Israeli-American band Moshav in outdoor concert at CJCE By Shelley A. Sackett Jewish Journal of Massachusetts Dayton’s JCC will present the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education’s first outdoor concert when the rock band Moshav performs there on Sunday, Aug. 9. In Hebrew, the word moshav means a cooperative community in Israel. It was indeed a moshav that brought the band together: Moshav Mevo Modi’im in central Israel, founded in 1976 Moshav will play the first outdoor concert at the Boonshoft CJCE by the late folksinger and songwriter Rabbi Moshav’s most recent album, ShabShlomo Carlebach. bat Vol. 1, pays homage to the many Yehuda Solomon (vocals, percussion) Sabbaths they spent with their beloved and Duvid Swirsky (vocals, guitar) met Reb Shlomo on the moshav, in the small as youngsters growing up four doors synagogue packed with family and apart on the moshav. friends dancing late into Friday nights. “My parents were living in a hip“This record brings us back to our pie commune in northern California childhood,” Solomon said. “We tried and they moved to the to give it a raw vibe, like moshav and never left,” Moshav’s most we’re all just hanging out said Solomon, who is and jamming on the recent album pays again in his late 30s and lives moshav.” in Los Angeles with his homage to the Swirsky added that wife and three children. the 2014 record feels like many Sabbaths Swirsky arrived at home. “Shabbat is music,” the moshav on a Shab- they spent with he said. “Shabbat is roots. bat when he was 10 is open. Shabbat is their beloved Reb Shabbat years old. “I rememno judgment.” Shlomo Carlebach ber Shlomo as a Santa Last year, Moshav also Claus-like character,” he released New Sun Rising, said of Carlebach. “Everybody danced with the single World on Fire featuring and sang, banging and screaming and Matisyahu; its music video has been jumping up and down. It was a very ac- viewed more than one million times. cepting and comfortable environment. A “We try to make music that we really lot of us kids from the moshav are singlove and connect to,” Solomon said. “We ers, spread out all over the world. We draw from our Jewish roots and herirun into a lot of them when we travel.” tage, but hopefully the result is univerHe also lives in Los Angeles with his sal, something that also sounds really wife and son. interesting and cool to someone who The duo was discovered by some isn’t Jewish.” visiting American students while Solomon and Swirsky were singing on their The JCC presents Moshav in concert, moshav; the students raised money to outdoor at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 bring them to the United States for a colVersailles Dr., Centerville on Sunday, lege concert tour in the 1990s. Moshav Aug. 9. Local entertainment begins the ensemble was born and relocated to and kosher food vendors will be Los Angeles, where Solomon and Swiravailable starting at 3:30 p.m., with sky recorded their first album in 1998. Moshav’s concert at 5 p.m. The event They’ve continued to tour the United is free and open to the public. For more States, Australia, Canada, and Europe information, call the JCC at 610-1555. and have released eight albums.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
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Liberal Jewish movements celebrate Supreme Court gay marriage ruling
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Shocking Statistics About Elderly Falls & Prevention Tips Clergy at the We Do Support Marriage Equality press conference on June 26 at Harmony Creek Church in Kettering (L to R): Temple Israel Senior Rabbi David M. Sofian, First Presbyterian Church Rev. Aaron Maurice Saari, Equality Ohio/Why Marriage Matters Ohio Lead Organizer Shawn Copeland, Tree of Life UnitarianUniversalist Fellowship Pastor Mary Reaman, Eternal Joy Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Joy Simpson, Harmony Creek Church Senior Pastor and Alliance of Baptists President The Rev. Dr. Mike Castle, and First Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Rod Kennedy
By Marshall Weiss The Observer Dayton’s three liberal Jewish congregations joined with 17 area churches to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling in support of gay marriage. Hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, We Do Support Marriage Equality — an interfaith coalition of clergy and congregations across the Miami Valley — held a press conference at Harmony Creek Church in Kettering.
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Among the congregations to support the coalition were Beth Abraham Synagogue, Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, and Reform congregations Temple Beth Or and Temple Israel. The coalition also placed a full-page color ad in the June 28 Dayton Daily News, championing marriage equality, and presented an interfaith celebration service at Harmony Creek on the evening of July 1. “Judaism survived in large part due to our classic rabbis
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figuring out how to re-center Judaism on the foundation of the family,” Temple Israel Senior Rabbi David Sofian said at the June 26 press conference, held two days before his retirement. “It is because meaningful Jewish life is built on the foundation of marriage that I believe it is crucial that all Jews, everyone regardless of sexual orientation, have the freedom to marry in this country,” Sofian said. “When asked, ‘But doesn’t Continued on Page Five
From the editor’s desk
The political writer and commentator who coined the term Dayton housewife — predecessor of the term soccer mom — has died. Polling research guru Ben Wattenberg, author of Marshall the seminal 1970 text The Real Weiss Majority, died on June 28 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 81. “He was the first to identify a demographic group on which elections would be decided, the Dayton housewife, he called her,” recalled veteran D.C. media and political consultant Steve Rabinowitz. “Understanding her views would be key to political victory, he wrote empirically. It’s been required reading for decades.” A speechwriter for Lyndon Johnson and an adviser to Hubert Humphrey, Wattenberg would become a staunch neoconservative. But his research into what he called psephology, the study of elections, continues to inform campaigns on both sides of the aisle.
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Behind Iron Dome with Israeli soldier Michigan native Daniel Ravitch, a soldier with the Israel Defense Forces, will talk about his experiences serving with the Iron Dome Missile Defense System, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education. His talk is sponsored by the JCC Speaker Series and Jewish Community Relations Council. Ravitch made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 2011 and joined the IDF two years later. The program is free and open to the community. For more information, call Cheryl Carne at 610-1555. Daniel Ravitch
Jewish Federation annual meeting The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and its agencies will host their annual meeting on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education. Along with the election and installation of officers and board members of the Federation, JCC, and JFS, the annual meeting will honor recent retirees Pat Jones and Hyla Weiskind. The Federation and its agencies will also present volunteer and staff recognition awards as part of the program. Following the meeting, attendees are welcome to stay for an outdoor concert at 3:30 p.m. with local entertainment and kosher food available for purchase, and a 5 p.m. performance featuring the Israeli-American band Moshav. The concert program is free and open to the public. For more information about the annual meeting or concert, call the Federation at 610-1555.
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Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Judy Abromowitz President David Pierce President Elect Melinda Doner Vice Pres. Mary Rita Weissman Vice Pres. Bruce Feldman Vice Pres. Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 19, No. 12. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by guest columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dayton Jewish Observer, The Dayton Jewish Observer Policy Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or the underwriters of any columns. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut.
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Liberal movements celebrate
thought, to examine all of the texts honestly and let members of Freedom, Freedom to Marry, decide for themselves how JewContinued from Page Three ish law informs their lives.” that has rung out across our biblical Judaism assume marEven so, she signed on to Land, let us continue to walk riage is between a man and the clergy initiative because, together with strength, coma woman?’ I respond, that is “no matter how one interprets true. However, with the further passion, passion, and love,” Jewish law, marriage equality Ginsberg said at the service. development of our tradition, Cantor Jenna Greenberg, also is also a civil rights issue. If we Judaism has matured beyond as Jews want equal rights and of Beth Abraham, sang as part many biblical assumptions.” protections under the law, then of the celebration. Sofian cited the Bible’s attiwe have to extend the same to Ginsberg told The Observer tude toward slavery as one that all people.” no modern Jew could condone. he didn’t encounter resistance In keeping with the Orthowhen he approached the Beth “Human dignity is not asdox Jewish belief that marriage Abraham board about signing signed based on gender, age is between a man and a woman, on to We Do Support Marriage or sexual orientation. All of us Rabbi Nochum Mangel, diEquality. have it and are therefore enrector of Chabad of Greater “It affirms that our synatitled to the human fulfillment Dayton, sent a statement to The gogue supports it religiously,” that only marriage and family Observer when asked to share Ginsberg said, “not just civic bring.” his view on the significance of equality but religious equality, Conservative and Reform the Supreme Court’s ruling: to show there are no religious Judaism formally support gay “History teaches us that the obstacles to gay marriage in our marriage; Orthodox Judaism full extent of the significance of congregation.” does not. a decision such as this is often Rabbi Judy Chessin of TemAccording to data compiled by the Public Religion Research ple Beth Or said she loved what not clearly seen until many years have passed. Jewish law Elyzabeth Holford of Equality Institute in 2014, 77 percent of Ohio had to say at the interfaith teaches us that the way that American Jews support samepeople respond to court rulings celebration service: “Justice is sex marriage. can be more important than JTA reported that 13 national not just us.” the rulings themselves. In this Chessin said Beth Or’s exJewish groups — including those connected with Conserva- ecutive committee unanimously country, in which the foundasupported joining the coalition. tion of its political thought was tive, Reform, and Reconstrucbuilt on the bedrock of Hebrew “I have not received any tionist religious movements negative feedback from signing Scripture and rabbinic teach— joined the Anti-Defamation my name to the We Do Support ings, this is likely to be true as League’s amicus brief it filed Gay Marriage clergy initiative,” well. for Obergefell v. Hodges, the “I pray that we will never landmark case in which the Su- Chessin said. “I know there is allow the sincere disagreetremendous support within preme Court ruled on June 26 ments people may have over Temple Beth Or for marriage that same-sex marriage is legal the issues of this case to lessen equality. I am also certain that across the United States. in any way America’s precisely there are members within all The Rev. Dr. Mike Castle, stated and long-cherished comof our congregations who are senior pastor of Harmony Creek Church, a United Church ambivalent about extending the mitment to religious freedom. Over the course of American parameters of the definition of of Christ congregation, said at history, there is nothing that has marriage.” the press conference that the meant more to us than the First Chessin noted there have Supreme Court ruling is a win Amendment freedoms, which been several expositions of for justice, equality, religious Jewish law on both sides of the have stood and must continue liberty, and, “a win for what is to stand as a beacon of hope issue. best about the United States of to all in the world who cherish “I feel my job as a rabbi is to America.” liberty.” be a teacher of Jewish law and “Someone once said that if your map doesn’t match the terrain, trust the terrain,” Castle said. “The honest, biblical response about marriage is to say that our ancient map — the Bible — doesn’t always match the terrain in front of us. So we trust the terrain. We trust the people we know and love Authentic Italian family recipes in front of us. 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Mont. Co. court tosses ousted Beth Jacob rabbi’s suit against previous congregation in Pittsburgh area Pa. temple and Martin Shorr also settle congregation’s countersuit against him By Marshall Weiss The Observer Rabbi Martin Shorr’s arrival and departure from Beth Jacob Congregation two years ago after little more than two weeks brought about two civil suits in Montgomery County that were only recently resolved. On June 15, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Dennis J. Adkins dismissed Shorr’s case against his previous employer, Temple Hadar Israel of New Castle, Pa., and Hadar Israel congregant Bruce Waldman. Shorr had sued them in September 2013 claiming “tortious interference” with his contractual relationship and employment with Dayton’s Beth Jacob. Temple Hadar Israel countersued Shorr in Montgomery County, claiming breach of his employment agreement with the temple, and for property damage to the congregationowned house provided to Shorr as a residence. Shorr and Hadar Israel have settled that case out
ship of our beloved synagogue of court. and for others to step forward Beth Jacob Congregation and assume the helm of our wasn’t named in either suit. congregation,” Abromowitz At the beginning of August wrote in his Oct. 23, 2013 letter 2013, following Beth Jacob to Beth Jacob members, with no board’s recommendation, congregants voted to hire Shorr for mention of Shorr. Since 2011, Beth Jacob has a one-year contract. But Shorr and Marshall Weiss had only one year with a full-time Beth Jacob never rabbi leading worcame to final terms ship services and of agreement for programs. his contract; it was Rabbi Hillel Fox never signed. took a one-year Shorr arrived to sabbatical from July begin his work at 2011 to 2012. At the Beth Jacob — with end of the sabhis wife, Stacy — batical, the board the week of Aug. 5, didn’t renew his 2013. By Aug. 22, he 10-year contract. was no longer asFox was followed sociated with Beth Rabbi Martin Shorr by Rabbi Martin Jacob. Applebaum, whose one-year He had come to Beth Jacob contract also wasn’t renewed. after seven years as rabbi of Since February, Rabbi Adam Temple Hadar Israel, a merged Conservative and Reform syna- Rosenthal of Cincinnati has served as rabbi in residence for gogue near Pittsburgh. one weekend each month at By October 2013, thenBeth Jacob, located in Harrison Beth Jacob President Herman Abromowitz announced that he Township. After the officers’ resignaand all of Beth Jacob’s officers would resign from the board en tions at the end of 2013, Beth Jacob congregant Joe Litvin masse at the end of the year. stepped up to serve a one-year “As your officers, it is our term as synagogue president shared opinion that it is now time for a change in the leader- for 2014. So far this year, no
consider. member of Beth Jacob’s board Vidal also stated in her has agreed to become president deposition that when Waldman of the Traditional synagogue. spoke to her via phone in AuShorr’s attorney for the lawsuits was Jason P. Matthews; gust 2013, he said of Shorr, “he Charles F. Shane of Bieser, Greer was argumentative, did not like to be controlled, was paranoid & Landis represented Temple about many things but always Hadar Israel and Waldman. blames others. During the seven Neither attorney would comyears and seven months of his ment for this article. time there (Hadar Israel), he In his suit against Temple constantly threatened litigation Hadar Israel and Waldman, and that he had warned people Shorr claimed that Waldto keep their hands off of his man — representing Hadar computer.” Israel — spoke to Beth Jacob’s In her deposition, Vidal said executive director by phone that Waldman told her he was and “intentionally made false unable to fix Shorr’s work and misleading negative statecomputer, so he brought it to a ments about Plaintiff’s job computer repair performance and place, and that the character.” Shorr and computer repair Adkins decided Beth Jacob person found there was insufon ficient evidence never came to pornography the computer. that Waldman’s Temple Hadar statements to final terms of Israel’s counterBeth Jacob’s then agreement for suit against Shorr executive direcclaimed that he tor, Chaya Vidal, his contract; breached his emcaused Shorr ployment agreeharm, and that it was never ment with the there was no evitemple when he dence of breach of signed. ceased performcontract because, ing his duties as rabbi there be“as Ms. Vidal testified, the fore the Dec. 31, 2013 expiration relationship between Plaintiff of his contract; that Shorr didn’t (Shorr) and Congregation Beth provide Hadar Israel with Jacob was already strained. advance notice of his move to Moreover, the contractual negotiations between Plaintiff and Ohio — only weeks prior to the High Holy Days — and that he Congregation Beth Jacob were caused property damage to his already tenuous due to Plaintemple-owned residence. tiff’s own actions, which were According to a 2013 article completely unrelated to the in Pittsburgh’s Jewish Chronicle, conversation between Defendant Waldman and Ms. Vidal.” Temple Hadar Israel’s leaderDuring her deposition, Vidal ship decided to downsize its rabbinic position from full-time agreed when asked to confirm to part-time because of budgetthat Shorr and Beth Jacob had ary challenges and declining never finalized a written conmembership. tract. Shorr had rejected Beth In June, The Chronicle reportJacob’s versions of a contract ed that Hadar Israel will sell its for his employment. He then building and lease space from drafted his own hand-printed the new owner. contract for the synagogue to
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
Temple Israel’s interim rabbi to facilitate a year of taking stock By Marshall Weiss The Observer A dozen years ago, Rabbi Ilene Bogosian was one of three rabbis sent to congregations to test out the Reform movement’s interim ministry pilot project. Now she is one of 16 interim rabbis in a well-established program coordinated through the placement service of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Each year, she serves a different Reform congregation in North America. “There are times when I think we shouldn’t call it interim,” Bogosian says. “The whole thing is about transition and transformation.” The Watertown, Mass. resident arrived here from her most recent interim post in Mississauga, Ontario. She’ll serve Temple Israel through June 2016, while the congregation conducts the search for its next senior rabbi. “It’s an in-between point,” she says of her year ahead with the 165-year old temple. Sometimes she’s used the term cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of souls, to frame a congregation’s work over the interim year. “There’s so much potential in stopping: looking around at where you are as a community, taking time to pause, maybe experiment a little bit,” she says. “Also taking time to mourn what’s passed, or celebrate how they felt about the previous rabbi.” The rabbinate is Bogosian’s second career. A native of New Jersey, she was first a psychiatric social worker with a specialty in family systems therapy. After her ordination in 1992 at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, she became a college campus rabbi. When her husband began thinking about retirement, she contacted the rabbinic placement director at CCAR about other rabbinic career opportunities. He suggested she consider becoming an interim rabbi because of her background in family systems theory. One of the first congregations she served as interim rabbi — within driving distance of her home in Boston — saw its beloved rabbi depart because the rabbi’s husband couldn’t find employment in the region.
“It was very difficult, a crisis other congregations that had a for the congregation,” Bogosian similar challenge. These were the solutions they developed. said. “One of the big items of feed- Your situation is unique to you. back was that I served as a calm What do you think you might point in an emotional storm for do?” Part of Bogosian’s role, she them about losing their rabbi.” She describes Temple Israel’s says, is to serve as a lightning rod for whatever consituation as much troversies are present more positive. in the congregation. “This is an antici“I’d much rather pated retirement and have people annoyed an interim is part of with Rabbi Bogosian the plan.” for whatever it is than Bogosian says the brand-new rabbi interim rabbis tend walking in the door,” to be empty nestshe says. ers; her two sons are She’ll also help grown up and out on Temple Israel prioritheir own. “You can’t do this Rabbi Ilene Bogosian tize the most important attributes it seeks with children growing up,” she says. “Interim rab- for its next senior rabbi. “I do not comment on the bis are either childless or toward the end of their career, or they’re candidates. And I have no role in the middle of a career and not in the decision, only the process of finding the right candidates. sure where to go next.” It’s about helping them (the Her excitement comes from temple) know how to go about meeting new people in her doing this in the right way.” posts, and helping congregaAfter one of Bogosian’s first tions wrestle with their particumeetings with members, one lar challenges. Temple Israel congregant told “It’s fascinating to me how her, “Well, I was really against alike we all are as Jews — it’s this because I just really thought fascinating to me how unique you were going to be a fill-in. each community is, each indiNow I see there’s a lot more to vidual. There are themes and challenges that repeat, but never it.” “It’s all about presence — entirely in the same form. “I’m not a consultant. I don’t being present for people,” Bogosian says. “People really come in and tell you what to need to feel there’s someone do to fix whatever. I’m of the there they can really rely on to opinion that stuff gets ignored support them through whatever anyway. I’m here to point out that you’re up against this chal- life hands them during this year, personally or congregationally.” lenge, and I’ve served in three
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
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DAYTON
The Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation and Jewish War Veterans Post 587 hosted a brunch in honor of Korean War-era Jewish veterans on Flag Day, June 14, at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education (L to R): Guest speaker Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore (USAF, Ret.), Stanley Blum, Joe Bettman, Fred Gluck, Bill Schoenfeld, Henry Guggenheimer, Howard Camp, Ira Segalewitz, Larry Briskin, Gabe Sideman, Franklin Cohn, Raymond Turner, guest speaker U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, and Stanley Shulman. JWV also unveiled a monument in front of the
flagpole at the Boonshoft CJCE in honor of all Jewish military veterans across the Miami Valley. Larry Glicker donated the monument.
Suzanne Vlahos
Crawlers take their mark...as part of Temple Beth Or’s Family Fun and Fitness Day on June 14, seven of the temple’s nine babies born over the past year raced in a diaper derby. The babies had to make it the length of the course, eat five Cheerios, and take a selfie with a parent. The winning baby, Soran Kirtland, was the only walker in the group. Shown here at the starting line (L to R): Ryan Snyder with Adam, Micah Siegal with David, Bernard Schmidling with Benjamin, Stephanie Kirtland with Soran, Julie Herring with Rachel, Dr. Heath Gilbert with Zeke, and Michael Dietz with William. Behind the contestants are David Char, Ava Bressler, Billy Crafton, and Leslie Buerki.
The Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance (DRITA) organized a biomed trade mission to Israel, May 10-14. Shown here at the Israel Advanced Technology Industries Biomed Conference at the Tel Aviv Convention Center are Dayton mission participants (L to R): Kaleidoscope Innovation Director Aaron Swick, DRITA Trade Representative Hadas Bar-Or, CityWide Development Corporation Senior VP Steve Nutt, DRITA Specialist Pamela Fanin, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association Executive VP Martin Larson, and Dayton Development Coalition Revitalization Project Manager Lucious Plant. DRITA is a project of Montgomery County, the Dayton Development Coalition, and the City of Dayton. DRITA delegates also participated in a digital health meet-up solely for the mission, with approximately 80 companies.
PAGE 8
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
THE WORLD Hadas Parush/Flash90
Following Iran deal, Israel to lobby Congress — and reconsider a strike By Ben Sales, JTA TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decried an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program hundreds of times — most notably in a March speech to a joint session of Congress. Now that the agreement is signed, experts say Netanyahu has one way left to block it: Go to Congress again and persuade it to reject the deal. The agreement finalized July 14 in Vienna will relieve Iran of crippling international sanctions in return for Iran limiting its uranium enrichment, ridding most of its stockpile of enriched uranium and submitting to agreed-upon inspections of its nuclear facilities. The deal stipulates that Iran freeze and store — but not dismantle — much of its nuclear infrastructure, and requires inspectors to request access to some Iranian facilities before entering. Sanctions are set to be lifted
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert once Iran fulfills its commitments to deactivate centrifuges, Koenders ahead of the accord’s announcement, he called the restructure its nuclear facilities and transfer or dilute its urani- agreement a “historic mistake for the world.” um stockpile. Sanctions could “Far-reaching concessions be restored within 65 days if a have been made in all areas committee of representatives that were supposed to prevent from world powers and Iran Iran from obdetermines that taining nuclear Iran has violated Netanyahu weapons capabilthe agreement. has made ity,” Netanyahu Portions of the said at a news accord will expire opposing conference. “In between 10 and addition, Iran will 25 years from the Iran’s nuclear receive hundreds date the accord program of billions of dolis adopted. The the defining lars with which it United Nations can fuel its terror Security Council issue of his machine and its is expected to enexpansion and agdorse the accord premiership gression throughin a resolution. out the Middle Netanyahu has made opposEast and across the globe.” ing Iran’s nuclear program the The agreement also was defining issue of his premiercriticized by Israeli opposition ship, and has consistently leaders, and the Israeli public criticized the potential agreehas long been skeptical of a ment since negotiations began deal. in 2013. In February, an Israel DeOn July 14, at a meeting with
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press from his office following the finalization of a nuclear deal with Iran, Jerusalem, July 14
mocracy Institute poll found that 61 percent of Jewish-Israelis thought President Barack Obama would sign a deal even if the Israeli government said it harms Israel’s security. Yair Lapid, chairman of the opposition centrist Yesh Atid party, said Israel should concentrate its criticism on the provision for inspecting Iran’s nuclear facilities. “We should focus on the inspections regime, which is the Achilles’ heel; it’s the weakest
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
part of the deal,” Lapid said in a statement. “I started discussing the issue during my visit to Washington last month and they’re willing to listen.” The only thing standing in the way of the deal’s implementation now is a vote in Congress. Senators and congressmen will have two months to parse the deal’s details, and will vote to accept or reject it when Congress reconvenes in September. Continued on next page
PAGE 9
THE WORLD Thomas Imo/Photothek/Getty Images
Iran deal
sensible in public opinion. Should the effort in Congress fail, some Israeli politicians have declared that there’s only one Continued from previous page avenue left to prevent a nuclear Iran: a military strike. Obama has promised to veto a rejection, and Netanyahu has floated the threat of a strike for overriding that veto would require a two-thirds years, saying that Israel has the right to defend majority in both houses. itself by itself. Warnings of a strike built up until That, analysts say, is what Israel’s governthe nuclear talks began in 2013. ment will lobby for. Jonathan Rynhold, a senior Once America was engaged in negotiations research associate at Bar-Ilan University’s Beginwith Iran, talks of an Israeli strike subsided Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, said Israel somewhat. But now that America has signed the will need to build a broad coalition of the deal’s agreement, Lapid again hinted at the possibility opponents — including former members of the of bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities. Obama administration — if it is to convince “If it is signed, the world needs to know Israel enough lawmakers to reject the deal. holds all the options,” Lapid told JTA. “We need “Israel can’t do this on its own, but if there’s to understand what all the options are. Israel a coalition of people who for their own reasons can’t allow a nuclear Iran.” think it’s a bad deal, that could change things,” Experts have assessed that an Israeli strike on he said. “You’ve seen criticism by other people EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy Federica Iran would not be able to destroy its nuclear prowho used to be involved in policymaking by Mogherini, Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, British Foreign Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip gram. And Kam said that Israel would be hardObama.” Hammond, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry after the last Working pressed to launch a strike against the backdrop of Republicans have staunchly opposed a deal. Session of E 3+3 negotiations on July 14 in Vienna, Austria a deal supported by the world’s major powers. But while some Democrats have also voiced “I think it’s in the fridge,” he said of plans for skepticism about the agreement, reaching twoa strike. “It’s not an option right now. To go militarily thirds would mean convincing a sizable chunk of the Some experts said that Netanyahu’s March speech against an agreement that’s initiated by the great powparty to oppose its president’s signature foreign policy before Congress damaged the effort to fight the deal initiative. by forcing Democratic members of Congress to choose ers is a tough move. It’s not impossible, but it’s hard.” But Inbar said a strike has grown more likely, as “The question is how much the Democrats will be between backing Israel and supporting Obama. the deal has left Iran with the capability to enrich willing to debate with the president,” said Ephraim But Ephraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat uranium, giving it the ability to produce a bomb. If Kam, a senior research fellow at the Institute for NaCenter, said that the speech may have helped galvathat happens, he said, Israel will have no choice but to tional Security Studies. “The Republicans will be able nize opposition to the agreement by spelling out the strike. to debate. They don’t like the president, don’t like the dangers it poses. “It obligates us to a path of military attack,” he said. agreement. The Democrats won’t want to come out “I think Obama’s policy gave presence to Netan“The Americans don’t care about our interests. There’s against the president even if they don’t like the agreeyahu’s speech,” he said. “They gave it a lot of attenno choice. We can’t wait.” ment.” tion, he got a lot of attention, and his claims sounded
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THE WORLD
Much of Jewish establishment celebrates Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage rights Alex Wong/Getty Images
By Ron Kampeas, JTA WASHINGTON — How often do you get the opportunity to pack “109 years,” #LoveWins and the rainbow colors into 140 characters? That’s how the American Jewish Committee celebrated the Supreme Court ruling June 26 extending marriage rights to gays throughout the United States. “For 109 years AJC has stood for liberty and human rights,” its tweet said. “Today is a happy day for that proud tradition #LoveWins.” It was punctuated with a heart emoticon splashed orange, yellow, green blue and purple — the gay pride colors. The contrast between an organization founded at the launch of the last century celebrating the rights embraced by Americans only at the launch of this one was emblematic of the glee with which much of the Jewish establishment reacted to the ruling.
The Anti-Defamation League, in its own tweet, left out its age (102), but also got in the hashtag, #LoveWins, and that funny little heart. Thirteen Jewish groups, among them organizations representing the Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative streams, were among the 25 joining the amicus brief the ADL filed in Obergefell v. Hodges. The preeminence of Jewish groups among those backing the litigants was not a surprise. In recent decades, much of the Jewish establishment has embraced gay marriage as a right equivalent to the others it has advocated, including racial equality, religious freedoms and rights for women.
Multiple groups, in their statements, cited the passage in Genesis that states humans were created “in the image of God,” which has for decades been used by Jewish civil rights groups to explain their activism. “Jewish tradition reminds us that we were all created equally, in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and also shows us that marriage is a sacred responsibility, not only between the partners, but also between the couple and the larger community,” the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly said in a statement. Groups also were looking to next steps in advancing LGBT rights, including in the workplace. “You can now legally marry
Groups also were looking to next steps in advancing LGBT rights, including in the workplace.
INSIDE the Meadowlark Kitchen with Chef Wiley and her Crew!
Monday, August 24 | 6–8:30PM
@ Meadowlark Restaurant (5531 Far Hills) Cook with some of the most enthusiastic professional culinary artists in Dayton! Focusing on summer produce, Chef Wiley will let us in on her favorite contemporary preparations and flavor profiles for vegetables, grains and fresh summer sauces. We’ll grill some fish, have some wine and enjoy preparing food hands-on together. $35/person, registration with payment due by August 12. Maximum of 16 students.
Same-sex marriage supporters at the Supreme Court, June 26
work place,” he said, specifying the “T” in LGBT — the transgendered. “People should not be discriminated in the workplace because of expression of gender.” The notion that the decision would propel a broader debate about LGBT rights concerned Continued on next page
in all 50 states and put your wedding on your desk and be fired and have no recourse in the federal courts,” Rabbi Jonah Pesner, who directs the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center, told JTA in an interview. “We hope this will energize and inspire a bipartisan effort to end discrimination in the
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Sunday FUNday AU G U ST
1 6 ,
2–4PM
@ POLEN FARMS (5099 Bigger Rd 45440)
Fun! Friendship! Activities! Bring your family and games to share while meeting other families at a local park.
RSVP TO KAREN STEIGER @ 610-1555 or ksteiger@jfgd.net A WORLD OF CULTURE » www.jewishdayton.org THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
PAGE 11
Ages 6 weeks through kindergarten
DISCOVERY and
LEARNING Preschool starts Monday, August 24
Select spots still available
Contact Audrey MacKenzie, Director of Early Childhood Care & Education at 853-0373 or amackenzie@jfgd.net www.jewishdayton.org
early childhood
care & education PAGE 12
THE WORLD
Orthodox Jewish groups brace for consequences of gay-marriage ruling tion without knowing more specifics, By Ron Kampeas, JTA but it’s certainly going to be an issue,” WASHINGTON — The name that Verrilli replied. “I don’t deny that. I keeps coming up when Orthodox Jewish groups consider the consequences of don’t deny that, Justice Alito. It is going the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court decision to be an issue.” How much of an issue is what extending same-sex marriage rights to concerns Jewish all states has little to do with Jews groups. Will Jewish or gays. schools lose their Bob Jones University, the pritax-exempt status vate Protestant college in South if they don’t recogCarolina, lost its tax-exempt status nize gay couples? in 1983 when the Supreme Court Could they become ruled that its policies banning ineligible for govinterracial dating on campus were ernment grants? Or “wholly incompatible with the face discrimination concepts underlying tax exemplawsuits for teaching tion.” the traditional Jewish Orthodox Jewish organizations, perspective on homoseveral of which publicly dissent- OU Washington Director sexuality? ed from the Jewish community’s Nathan Diament Abba Cohen, who broad endorsement of the high court’s decision, now worry that similar directs the Washington office for Agudath Israel of America, called the court’s consequences could befall Jewish orgaruling an “ominous” sign. nizations that decline to recognize gay “When an impression is given that marriage. religious views are bigoted and are “It remains to be seen whether gay vilified, and that (their adherents) rerights advocates and/or the governally should be given the ment will seek to apply status of second-class the Bob Jones rule to all citizens, once you’re institutions that dissent dealing in that kind of from recognizing sameatmosphere, you don’t sex marriage,” Nathan know what kind of disDiament, the Washadvantages and disabiliington director for the ties people will suffer,” Orthodox Union, said Cohen said. in an email. After the court’s deciThe groups point sion was released June to an exchange in 26, an array of Jewish April between Donald groups were rejoicVerrilli, the Obama ing, including several administration solicitor that had joined briefs general, and Supreme in favor of same-sex Court Justice Samuel marriage. But the Orthodox groups — Alito, who asked whether a school including Agudah, the O.U. and the could lose its tax-exempt status if it opRabbinical Council of America — exposed gay marriage? “I don’t think I can answer that ques- pressed worry.
The justices themselves acknowledged the possible fallout for religious groups.
Gay marriage
propriate accommodations and exemptions for institutions and individuals who abide by religious teachings that limit their ability to support same-sex Continued from previous page relationships?” the group said in its the Orthodox Union, which in a carestatement. fully worded statement noted that it The OU did not file an amicus brief in adhered to the traditional definition the Supreme Court case. Agudath Israel of marriage as between a man and a of America did, opposing the gay marwoman, but also recognized “that no religion has the right to dictate its beliefs riage side. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, to the entire body politic.” the consensus-driven public policy umThe OU, like other more conservabrella, recognized sensitivities on both tive religious groups, was wary of new liberties that could infringe on its ability sides in its statement. “We call for sensitivity and civility in to hire officials who hew to their belief this debate, understanding that the vast systems. majority on all sides are people of good “Will the laws implementing today’s will,” it said. “Adjusting to change is not ruling and other expansions of civil always easy or swift.” rights for LGBT Americans contain apTHE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
THE WORLD “We are deeply concerned that, as AJC’s views. a result of today’s ruling, and as the Another potential challenge cited by dissenting justices have pointed out, Diament is whether groups that reject members and institutions of traditional gay marriage might become ineligible communities like the Orthodox Jewfor government grants. Diament cited a ish community we represent may incur debate that erupted during the adminmoral opprobrium and risk tangible istration of George W. Bush a decade negative consequence if they refuse to ago over whether drug rehabilitation transgress their beliefs, and even if they programs run by proselytizing religious simply teach and express their religious groups should be eligible for funding views publicly,” said a statement from through the White House’s faith-based Agudah, which had filed an amicus initiative. brief opposing same-sex marriage. “We also can anticipate a fight akin The justices themselves to what we had in the acknowledged the possible context of the Bush fallout for religious groups. faith-based initiative Anthony Kennedy, writing — whether institutions for the majority, said the First must recognize same-sex Amendment protected relimarriage to participate gious groups that wished to in government grant proadvocate their view that samegrams,” Diament said. sex marriage is illegitimate. But The Agudah’s Cohen in their dissents, Chief Justice wondered whether JewJohn Roberts and Clarence ish adoption agencies Thomas said such protections might be prohibited from were insufficient. limiting placement to “Hard questions arise when Agudath Israel of heterosexual couples, or people of faith exercise religion American Washington if schools run by reliOffice Dir. Abba Cohen in ways that may be seen to gious groups that reject conflict with the new right to homosexuality could be same-sex marriage ...,” Roberts wrote. subject to discrimination lawsuits. “There is little doubt that these and “If you teach what the Torah says similar questions will soon be before this about homosexuality, and you admit all Court. Unfortunately, people of faith can kids to your schools, are you creating a take no comfort in the treatment they hostile environment?” he asked, noting receive from the majority today.” the possibility that some of the children Marc Stern, the counsel for the Ameri- might have same-sex parents or, as they can Jewish Committee, which also filed grow older, realize their own orientation an amicus brief in favor of same-sex is gay. marriage, said immediate consequences Rabbi Jonah Pesner, the director of the were unlikely at the federal level. But on Reform movement’s Religious Action the local and state levels, there would be Center and a supporter of the Supreme challenges, Stern said, especially in areas Court ruling, said such concerns are where the gay community has a strong overblown. political presence. “We will continue to advocate for a “Will a state or city official take the healthy balance for religious institutions decision to remove a tax exemption? In honoring their traditions and values and San Francisco, it’s a possibility. In New needs for a society to protect and defend York City, it might happen,” said Stern, all people,” Pesner said. “It’s important who pointed out that he was speaking that faith groups are able to treat people as a legal analyst and not expressing the equally and uphold their traditions.”
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For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Shannon Ryan, Director of Admissions and Marketing at
937-837-2651 THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
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1 5 AN N UAL M EE TI N G
PLANNING FOR OUR JEWISH FUTURE
H O N O R I N G O U R J E W I S H PA S T 2PM - Join us for the election and installation of our 20152016 Board of Directors and Officers, while we also honor recent retirees, Hyla Weiskind of Jewish Family Services, and Pat Jones of the JCC’s Early Childhood department. With their combined 59 years of service, Hyla and Pat have had a remarkable impact on the Dayton Jewish community.
Please visit our website jewishdayton.org to see a listing of board nominations for the JEWISH FEDERATION & its AGENCIES.
Please call 610-1555 to make reservations.
AUGUST 9 : TWO EVENTS, ONE DAY J E W I S H
C O M M U N I T Y
C E N T E R
o f
JEWISH COMMUNITY R
G R E A T E R
D A Y T O N
CK CONCERT
featuring
3:30PM - Local entertainment on the Soccer field & food for purchase next to the field, from Bella Sorella Pizza Co. Food Truck, Bernstein’s Fine Catering, and Graeter’s Ice Cream. 5PM - MOSHAV on the Soccer field Internationally acclaimed American/Israeli rock group MOSHAV joins the Dayton Jewish Community for a rockin’ afternoon full of music, food, and fun! Adults and families are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, teens will enjoy their very own VIP section next to the stage. Concessions available for purchase, coolers and/or backpacks not permitted. PAGE 14
FREE T ER CONC TO THE
OPEN ISH JEW NITY O C MMU
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
1 0 0 D AY S Jewish Federation of GREATER DAYTON Sunday, August 9 › Annual Meeting 2PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Sunday, August 9 › Jewish Community Rock Concert featuring Moshav 3:30-7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Thursday, August 20 › Speaker Series: Daniel Ravitch 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Behind the Iron Dome: A First Hand Account of a Soldier who Served in the Iron Dome Missile Defense System
of
Tikkun Olam
Investing in YOURSELF with JCC Insanity
The stress and strain of everyday life can take it’s toll. Pile on kids, work, lifestyle changes, or all of the above and sometimes the toil can feel double, triple, or quadrupled. Local mom and JCC Insanity fitness instructor Lauren Baumgarten knows how it feels. After having her second child Adina, she wanted to combat those feelings, and the sedentary lifestyle cycles that can come from them. “Health and fitness had always been a huge part of
L–R: Cadi Polk, Jodi Phares, Shawna Balog, Alisa Thomas, Caryl Segalewitz, and Amy Kopp feel the burn with Lauren Baumgarten
suffered severe depression and take me to the next level.” got to the point where I knew Lauren had been bitten by the I was nervous, but the name says it all, it is Insane. I couldn’t have Insanity done it without Laruen. She gets in there and keeps you going. She bug. keeps things moving and keeps you wanting to come back to class. Known my life, but after having kids, I really needed something that as one of the most challenging I lost myself and my drive. I was going to challenge me and fitness programs on the marHave you heard about the Insanity buzz? Tentative to try it? You’ve got nothing to lose. With JCC’s summer offer of “Try it, you’ll like it!”, you can try out your first class at no cost. And with classes every Monday and Wednesday afternoon through the rest of the summer, it bends to the hectic schedules of summer. Get up, get in, and get Insanity!
ket, Insanity is based off the fitness method “max interval training.” Max interval training has you work as hard as you can for 3-minute intervals, with 30-second periods of rest in between. It allows you to exercise without any equipment, using your own body for weight resistance. Making it the perfect recipe for a high calorie burning workout experience. After going through the home program, Lauren wanted more. “Once I finished the home classes, it wasn’t just the results, it was the empowerment I felt, and I got so much support from friends and family. So I bit the bullet and got certified as an Insanity instructor, and haven’t looked back since.” CONTINUE READING ABOUT INSANIT Y ONLINE AT JEWISHDAY TON .ORG/BLOG
HONORING our Jewish Veterans Jewish War Veterans and the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton held a brunch on June 14 to honor Jewish Korean Era Veterans. Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard, Lt. General C.D. Moore and Congressman Mike Turner were among our honored speakers. Steve Markman, Jewish War Veteran Commander in Dayton said, “We’re thrilled to honor our Korean War Era Veterans for their Director of External Relations Cheryl Carne and Jewish Community Relations Council chair Rick Carne stand with Ohio Jewish Communities director Joyce Garver-Keller at her retirement luncheon at the Ohio State House in Columbus.
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
service and the sacrifices they made. Most of them were in their early teens when the Second World War ended. They probably thought they’d never be called upon to defend their country, but they came forward when needed.” At the conclusion of the program, the group headed outside where there was an unveiling of the Jewish War Veteran’s Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture Monument which will be permanently and Education. It was generously placed underneath the flag pole at the donated by Larry Glicker.
OJC Director Retires
Last month Cathy Gardner and Rick & Cheryl Carne attended the Annual Meeting for Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC). Joyce Garver Keller, Executive Director of Ohio Jewish Communities is retiring after 25 years. A celebration of her years of service was held at the Governor’s Residence in Columbus that evening. Howie Beigelam was named the new Executive Director of OJC. Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC) was created by the eight Jewish Federations in Ohio. They represent the Federations and their partner agencies and Jewish organizations and congregations on domestic and international issues in Columbus and in Washington. Their mission is to enhance the Jewish community’s ability to serve vital human needs. To achieve this goal, Ohio Jewish Communities secures funds, educates and maintains relationships with government officials and encourages sound public policy. While Israel is number one, it is not the only one on their agenda. Ohio Jewish Communities works to ensure that the voice of the Jewish community is a prominent force in health and human service policy decisions on Capitol Hill and Capitol Square. JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2015
Op e ning October 14 Something for everyone
WATCH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING OUR OPENING SPEAKER fa ce b o o k .co m /J CC D ay to n J E W I S H
Jewish Community Center of GREATER DAYTON Sunday, August 9 › Jewish Community Rock Concert with Moshav 3:30-7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Local entertainment on the Soccer field & food for purchase before MOSHAV @ 5PM. Sunday, August 16 › Sunday FUNday 2-4PM @ Kettering Polen Farms (5099 Bigger Rd, 45440) Inviting families for an afternoon of fun, friendship, and activities. Bring your family and games to share while meeting other families at a local park.
› Mamaloshen
A little bit of Yiddish to share with friends, courtesy of the JCC Yiddish Club, in memory of Lynda A. Cohen.
G R E A T E R
D A Y T O N
CK CONCERT
Lign: \LIG-en\ Verb \ Past Participle: Gelegn To lie, be situated. Expression with lign: › Az men bet zikh gut do, ligt men gut dortn. If you prepare in this world, you’ll be in good shape in the next world (lit., If you make your bed well here, you’ll lie well/comfortably there). › Afile ven der khalef ligt oyfn haldz, tor men dem bitokhn nisht farlirn. Even when the knife is at one’s throat, one must not lose one’s faith. › Got shikt nisht arop fun oybn az men ligt oyfn oyvn. God does not help those who do not try to help themselves (lit., God does not send [gifts] downward from on High to him who lies on the oven).
& Camp Collaboration
PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
o f
featuring
Friday, August 21 › Book Club 10:30-NOON @ the home of Linda Albert The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Hostess: Linda Albert, 836-5457.
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free.
C E N T E R
JEWISH COMMUNITY R
Thursday, August 20 › JCC Speaker Series at 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Behind the Iron Dome: A first hand account of a soldier who served in the Iron Dome Missile Defense System. Dessert Reception to follow. In partnership with JCRC.
Monday, August 24 › Cooking with Meadowlark Chef Wiley 6:30-8PM @ Meadowlark Restaurant (5531 Far Hills, 45459) $35/person, registration with payment due by August 12. Maximum of 16 students.
C O M M U N I T Y
Big friends helping little friends is what camp is all about! Camp Shalom camper Jake Kolodesh and Owen Dinsmore from Preschool Camp Shalom bond while making a yummy pizza snack. PHOTO CREDIT: LISA SIEGEL
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2015
AU G UST 9 @ 3: 30 PM
For more information, check out page 2, and don’t miss Sunday, August 9!
JCC Youth, Teen, and Family Director Makes Move to Columbus JCC This summer, the JCC Committee it has been a joy family says a heartfelt goodbye working with the committee to one of our most lovable members and with Yale. From members. Youth, Teen, and canoeing to Dragon’s games, Family Director Yale Glinter Movie Night, Children’s Theater, began working at the JCC 8 BBYO activities, and more, Yale years ago. He arrived from is involved,” says Char. Benjamin, Winnipeg, Canada and didn’t Char’s son, first met Yale in know anyone in Dayton, Ohio. preschool. As Benjamin moved Today, Yale is known by manyon in school, he and Yale formed young and old throughout the a relationship. “Yale is a nice, Miami Valley. Many funny, awesome and Dayton families inspirational person. have embraced and This is my 7th year of adopted Yale as Camp Shalom. Yale has they’ve shared the always offered to talk to various holidays and me if I’m sad or upset. Shabbat with him. He cheers me up and he Deb Char, Youth, has a smile on his face Teen, and Family most of the time. I’m sad YALE GLINTER Committee Chair, that he’s leaving and I will says it best: “Yale is miss him,” says Benjamin. involved. But it is really the love We are all happy for Yale as he has for our kids which makes he embarks on a new journey him family to us, to all of us, and working for the Columbus JCC. he will be GREATLY missed.” And, of course, it is a wonderful “We are so appreciative of woman named Ruthie that has Yale’s commitment to providing attracted Yale to Columbus. They meaningful experiences with are engaged to be married! Join a Judaic flavor to our young us on August 9th, at the Moshav Concert (CJCE, with opening campers, as well as the various acts beginning at 3:30PM), as we programs for all ages of our honor Yale and wish him the best JCC community. As the Chair that life can offer! of the Youth, Teen, and Family
Jewish Family Services Jewish Foundation ofof GREATER DAYTON GREATER DAYTON
On June 19, 2015, JFS celebrated the last Fresh Friday at Covenant Manor. The Odd Lots Dulcimer Group was present to entertain and engage those in attendance. Everyone had a great time!
JFS Serves Its Last Lunch at Covenant Manor
On June 30, 2015, JFS served its last lunch at Covenant Manor. JFS, the residents of Covenant Manor, and the participants in the lunch program marked the occasion with a full program. The residents of Covenant Manor decorated the lunch room with balloons and signs wishing a farewell to Hyla Weiskind, Outreach Specialist, and Cheryl Benson, Nutrition Program Coordinator. Residents
and lunch program participants sang songs and spoke kind, loving tributes to Hyla and Cheryl. JFS brought in a cake to mark the occasion. Veronica Harwell from Senior Resource Connection (SRC) was present and provided information about the new lunch program that began on July 6, 2015. Our friends who eat lunch at Covenant Manor are in good hands with SRC!
ABOVE: Covenant Manor residents and participants in the lunch program with Hyla Weiskind and Cheryl Benson. RIGHT: Hyla Weiskind, Joyce Anderson, Cheryl Benson, and Amy Boyle from JFS enjoy each other’s company at the last lunch.
S T R AT E G I C P L A N Keep an eye out on your email and your mailbox for updates on how to fill out our JFS online survey, coming in August! We want to hear from you about how JFS should augment our current services and develop and implement new programs and services.
Senior Resource Connect: A Service of the AJFCA Network Many of us find ourselves, at a distance, as caregivers for aging parents and relatives. It can be difficult to find supports and services for our loved ones who live in different cities and sometimes different states. The Association of Jewish Family & Children Agencies (AJFCA) recently launched an online platform, Senior Resource Connect, a onestop connection to Jewish agencies across North America. To search for services, visit http://www. ajfca.org/senior-resourceconnect/ and click on the link for Find a Service. You will be able to search by service, state and city.
Say Farewell to HERB FULLER Herb Fuller, a driver with JFS, worked his last day on July 8, 2015. Herb was with JFS for about one and a half years . Herb has only kind words as he departs JFS; he has appreciated working with fine people! It has been a pleasure to work with Herb and we wish him well. We also hope to see him from time to time as he has agreed to substitute for us, when possible.
ACTIVE ADULTS: Monday, August 17 › Dine Around 5PM @ La Fiesta Restaurant (8331 N. Main Street, 45415) Cost of dinner is on your own. Please RSVP by August 14. Friday, August 21 › Speaker: Daniel Ravitch 11AM @ One Lincoln Park Behind the Iron Dome: A First Hand Account of a Soldier who Served in the Iron Dome Missile Defense System Thursday September 10 › OFF TO A SWEET START… L’Shanah Tovah 5776 2 PM @ One Lincoln Park, Oakwood Room (590 Isaac Prugh Way, 45429) Please RSVP by 9/8. Thursday September 17 › OFF TO A SWEET START… L’Shanah Tovah 5776 1:30 PM @ Friendship Village, Convocation Room (5790 Denlinger Road, 45426) Please RSVP by 9/8.
› Need Assistance Finding a Food Pantry Near You? Call the United Way Information & Referral Line Call 225-3000 or Dial 2-1-1 › Are you or a loved one interested in participating in the new Senior Resource Connection lunch program at Covenant Manor? Call 228-3663 for information and to make reservations. PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL ACTIVE ADULT EVENTS: 610-1555
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2015
Heuman Scholarship Recipient:
Erica Abrams Jewish Foundation of GREATER DAYTON
Do you want to know more about the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton? Are you interested in establishing a philanthropic fund or endowment fund? Please call us at 610-1555 for more information.
The Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton is pleased to announce Erica Abrams has been named as this year’s recipient of the Heuman Scholarship. Erica will be a senior this fall at Miami University in Oxford, where she is an Early Childhood Education major. In addition, she is working toward a minor in Community Based Leadership. Having always enjoyed working with children, Erica hopes to one day teach kindergarten or first grade. Erica said “I believe children have so much to offer and I want to be able to provide them with opportunities to share what they know and to challenge them to learn more. I not only want to help children learn how to read and write, but I want to help them become people with good character so one day they can give back to their community.” Erica keeps busy on campus, both in class and outside of class. She served as the 2013-2014 membership development chair for the sorority Delta Delta Delta. This past year she served as student president for Hillel. In addition, Erica is a camp counselor this year for our very own Camp Shalom. Erica is the daughter of Gary & Andrea Abrams, and a member of Temple Beth Or. Mazel Tov Erica! » THE HEUMAN SCHOLARSHIP IS MADE POSSIBLE through a
fund established by Bob and Vicky Heuman. Since its creation in 2006, the Heuman Scholarship has been awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates both academic achievement and financial need. The scholarship is open to Jewish Dayton area residents. Applications are accepted from January through March. The award is announced in May. If you would like more information about the Heuman Scholarship, please contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net.
ERICA ABRAMS, A SENIOR AT MIAMI UNIVERSITY IN OXFORD, IS MAJORING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND A MINOR IN COMMUNITY BASED LEADERSHIP.
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION
UNITED JEWISH CAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF › Rebecca Linville Sandy and Irv Zipperstein › John Coit, brother of Mary Rita Weissman Debby and Dr. Robert Goldenberg BOARD DISCRETIONARY ENDOWMENT FUND IN MEMORY OF › John Coit, brother of Mary Rita Weissman Cathy Gardner Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein PJ LIBRARY IN HONOR OF › Birth of great granddaughter to Esther and DeNeal Feldman Marcia and Ed Kress LINDA RUCHMAN MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF › Gail Rouda › Larry Shpiner Judy and Marshall Ruchman
JCC
JOAN AND PETER WELLS FAMILY, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH FUND IN HONOR OF › Speedy recovery of Randee Saldoff Joan and Peter Wells IN MEMORY OF › Rebecca Linville Rochelle Charles Linda and Jeff Albert Susan and Dr. David Joffe Leslie Beers Meredith A. Cline Susan and Marshall Kapp & Family FAMILY SERVICES
SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE IN MEMORY OF › Gail Rouda › Maureen Singer Hyla and Dr. Raymond Weiskind
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2015
JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES IN HONOR OF › 40th wedding anniversary of Jane and Dr. Dan Miller › 50th wedding anniversary of Judy and Dr. Mel Lipton Susan and Jonas Gruenberg IN MEMORY OF › Rebecca Linville Susan and Jonas Gruenberg JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES IN HONOR OF › Retirement of Hyla Weiskind Bari and Dr. Steven Blumhof › Get well Dr. Mel Lipton Dr. Barbara and Joe Hollander
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Classes
JCC Classes: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5 p.m.: Insanity. $5. Tuesdays, 4 p.m.: Tai Chi. $5. 5 p.m.: Line Dance. $5. 6:30 p.m.: Open Mah Jongg. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 610-1555. Temple Israel Classes: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Lattes & Legends, Dorothy Lane Mkt., 6177 Far Hills Ave., Wash. Twp. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.: Torah study. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Discussions
Beth Abraham Synagogue Opera Afternoon: Sun., Aug. 2, 2 p.m. Led by Dr. Mike Jaffe. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520. JCC Speaker Series: Behind The Iron Dome with IDF’s Daniel Ravitch. Thur., Aug. 20, 7 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. Co-sponsored by JCRC. Free. 610-1555. JCC Book Club: Fri., Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon At Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr.,
Dayton. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Led by Linda Albert. R.S.V.P. to Linda, 8365457.
Children
Chabad Camp Gan Izzy: July 27-Aug. 14. Ages 5-11. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. Register at cgidayton.com. 6430770. Teens Dayton BBYO Fall Kick Off: Wed., Aug. 26, 6:30-8 p.m. At the home of Julie & Dr. Adam Waldman. For teens entering grades 9-12. Food, swimming, activities. Free for R.S.V.P.s by Aug. 20, $5 after. Call 610-1555.
Families
JCC Sunday FUNday: Sun., Aug. 16, 2-4 p.m. Polen Farms, 5099 Bigger Rd., Kettering. 6101555.
Seniors
JFS Active Adults Dine Around: Mon., Aug. 17, 5 p.m. La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 8331 N. Main St., Clayton. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 by Aug. 14.
Community Events
Jewish Federation & Agencies Annual Meeting: Sun., Aug. 9, 2 p.m. Honoring Pat Jones & Hyla Weiskind. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 610-1555. Moshav JCC Outdoor Concert: Sun., Aug. 9. 3:30 p.m.: Local entertainment & food vendors. 5 p.m.: Moshav concert. Free admission. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 610-1555. Beth Abraham Synagogue Shabbat Under The Stars: Fri., Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m. At the home of Diane & Ralph Williams. R.S.V.P. to synagogue office, 293-9520. Temple Israel Shabbat in the Park: Sat., Aug. 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Oak Creek South Park, 790 MiamisburgCenterville Rd., Centerville. 496-0050. Beth Jacob Congregation Rabbi In Residence Weekend: w. Rabbi Adam Rosenthal. Fri., Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m.: Shabbat
6-8:30 p.m. 5531 Far Hills Ave., Wash. Twp. $35. R.S.V.P. by Aug. 12 to 610-1555.
services followed by catered dinner. $18. Sat., Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m.: Shabbat services, followed by kiddush lunch, class. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. For Friday night dinner, R.S.V.P. to 2742149.
Temple Beth Or Picnic & Open House: Sun,. Aug. 30, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch provided. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. R.S.V.P. to 435-3400.
JCC Cooking at Meadowlark: w. Chef Wiley. Mon., Aug. 24,
CJ CHAN A Healthy Alternative We Use The Best Ingredients Prepared Fresh Daily
www.mycjchan.com 536 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, OH 45420 937-259-9866 Mon-Thu: 10:30 am-10 pm Fri-Sat: 10:30 am-10:30 pm Sun: 11:30 a.m-10 pm
MSG
Build the Body, Strengthen the Spirit Dr. Eric L. Friedland spent 10 disappointing years trying to combat his degenerative neurological condition before he met with Bethany Village Exercise Physiologist Craig Cole. After a year of personalized therapy, Eric says he feels better than he has in a decade. “Craig knows what he is doing, and he is really dedicated to his craft. There was a purpose, a design, and a consistency to the program he created that really got me motivated. I was moving from despair – from the point of giving up – to a point where I knew I could make it work.” -Dr. Eric L. Friedland on his work with Craig Cole
The Bethany Village Fitness Center staff is aimed at helping you live life to the fullest.
(937) 701-0603 • BethanyLutheranVillage.org THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
PAGE 19
Arts&Culture
Summertime reading By Victor Wishna, JTA It’s that time of year when we get to drop everything for a little bit, find a quiet stretch of sandy shore, and spend all day delving into our favorite new books. Or maybe not. But whatever your plans, there’s no denying that the season brings a bumper crop of literary offerings, plus an abundance of lists telling you which ones you “must read.” So here’s ours, a sterling selection of new books whose authors and/or themes provide some fun Jewish flair — just right for a beach read or an everyday coffee-break escape.
The Book of Stone (Fig Tree Books)
By Jonathan Papernick In the grey gap between good and evil, there’s almost always a great story. After his successful collections of short fiction, author Papernick has gone longform with this psychological thriller that explores the evolution of the terrorist mindset and the complexities of religious radicalism (and, yes, that’s radicalism of the Jewish kind). This may not be an uplifting tale of faith reconsidered — The Book of Stone isn’t Broadway’s The Book of Mormon — but it’s an engrossing read about a sorrowful soul whose search for meaning leads to a very dark mission.
Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker
(NBM Publishing) By Julian Voloj, with art by Claudia Ahlering Here’s a fascinating, largely unknown story that’s told in a compelling, unexpected way. Set at the
height of gang warfare in the South Bronx in 1971, this graphic novel depicts — through Voloj’s lively writing and Ahlering’s funky illustrations — the true story of Benjy Melendez. The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, Melendez founded the notorious Ghetto Brothers gang but eventually initiated a truce that spread across the borough and beyond. More than that, the Ghetto Brothers, also a band, held weekly concerts — Authors (Clockwise from top left) Jessmyn Hope, Jonathan Papernick, Reynold Levy, and this cross-pollination of creativity ultimately laid the Rebecca Dinerstein, Julian Voloj and Jami Attenberg foundation of hip-hop culture. Melendez eventually “retired” from gang life, focusin Jewish history. Spanning seven centuries and three ing on reclaiming his roots after learning of his — wait continents, it’s one of those sweeping epics that’s easy for it — hidden Jewish background. to get swept up in.
Safekeeping (Fig Tree Books) By Jessamyn Hope In 1994, an Israeli kibbutz filled with colorful, seemingly incompatible characters welcomes Adam, a drug-addicted New Yorker on a mission to right a past wrong: he must return a medieval sapphire brooch to his grandfather’s old flame, if only he can track her down. Hope’s debut novel draws on her own experiences living as an outsider on a kibbutz in the mid 1990s, but also delves back into turbulent moments
Independent/Assisted Living
Saint Mazie
(Grand Central Publishing) By Jami Attenberg With her fourth novel, Attenberg once again deploys the wit and sympathy that made 2012’s The Middlesteins such a big-hearted hit. Inspired by the life of a real Depression-era Jewish “saint,” the star of this Jazz Age tale is the bawdy and blunt ticket-taker at a popular Lower East Side movie theater who becomes Continued on Page 23
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5467 Cedar Village Drive Mason, OH 45040 Tel: 513.754.3100 www.cedarvillage.org PAGE 20
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
OPINION
Canary in the coal mine
By Douglas Bloomfield The white smoke that wafted out of the chimney July 14 at Palais Coburg in Vienna signaled the start of an intense lobbying campaign on Capitol Hill over the fate of the Iranian nuclear agreement, pitting two longtime adversaries, Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu. A primary object of their attention will be Sen. Chuck Schumer, the man who claims the title “Shomer Yisrael,” guardian of Israel, and wants to be the next Senate Democratic leader. The challenge facing the Brooklyn Democrat is how to retain both titles. Although an outspoken critic of Iran and an advocate of tough sanctions, he has been careful not to tip his hand, insisting he wants to see the details of the agreement before making any commitment — an uncommon example of statesmanship in an environment in which most Republicans will automatically oppose any agreement that wears President Obama’s imprint. Schumer, now number three in Senate Democratic hierarchy, is the chosen (and presumptive) successor to retiring leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Many of his colleagues, not just the undecided, will be watching to see what Schumer does. He will be the canary in the coal mine who will give the first signals as to whether the deal can survive or will quickly run out of air. He will be watched for his dual roles as a party and Jewish leader — he has boasted of being Netanyahu’s best friend on Capitol Hill. As he goes on the Iran agreement many of his Democratic colleagues are likely to follow, knowing they have the cover of their next leader and a pro-Israel big with nearly 1.8 million Jewish constituents. Schumer is already under intense pressure from Jewish organizations and machers, particularly on the right. He is the top target of a multi-million-dollar ad and lobbying campaign urging his constituents to tell him to vote no. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the well-funded lobby group that has led the anti-Iran movement for more than two decades and is close to Netanyahu and congressional Republicans, is leading the campaign against the Iran agreement. It has mobilized its members, particularly major political contributors, to personally pressure lawmakers to oppose the deal. Its strategy is to set the bar unrealistically high and then insist the deal should be scrapped unless it meets AIPAC’s five demands: unimpeded “anytime, anywhere” inspections, including military facilities; full disclosure of prior weaponization efforts; no sanction relief until Iran has complied with its commitments; “decades” long term of agreement and inspections, and dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. These are essentially Netanyahu’s terms as well, and they are shared by other opponents of the agreement. They have names like the American Security Initiative, the Emergency Committee for Israel, a creation of Bill Kristol, a Republican neocon who is often to the right of even Netanyahu; the Israel Project, run by former AIPAC spokesman Josh Block; Secure America Now, a Tea Party affiliate, and Christians United for Israel. Weighing in on the left will be Americans for Peace Now and J Street, the pro-peace lobby. They are much
So, what do you think?
Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive Dayton, OH 45459 • MWeiss@jfgd.net
smaller but have one advantage: they more closely reflect the views of the broader Jewish community. A national survey of 1,000 American Jews for J Street in June showed 59 percent supported a compromise agreement; that’s higher than the 53 percent of the general U.S. population when CNN asked the identical question. The primary lobbying target will be legislators up for reelection next year, particularly Jews and Democrats. Actually, they won’t be voting on the actual agreement. Once the pact is signed it must be sent to Congress, which will have 60 days to decide whether to permit the president to waive or suspend congressionally mandated sanctions. It can vote for a resolution to disapprove, approve or take no action. In the latter two, the president would be free to act as he wished. Republicans are expected to vote almost unanimously against Obama’s major foreign policy initiative, not on the merits of the agreement but out of spite and politics. So look for resolutions of disapproval to easily pass both chambers because Republicans have majorities. The president will veto the resolution and he will need only one third plus one of the votes in either chamber to sustain his veto. The primary target will be the Senate, where Obama will need 34 of the 46 Democrats, assuming Republicans vote en bloc. And that’s why Schumer’s vote is so critical. He has called this one of the toughest decisions he’s ever had to make. He will face enormous pressure from the White House, from his friend Bibi, from pro-Likud Jewish organizations and from single-issue pro-Israel Jewish political donors. Schumer hasn’t hesitated to criticize the administration’s approach to Iran or to support toughening sanctions, but that doesn’t mean he shares Netanyahu’s enthusiasm for a military strike, calling it the “next worst” option to Tehran actually getting the bomb. If he joins the opposition and brings down the president’s Iran deal, he can give cover to Democrats who want to vote against it, but that is highly likely to endanger his chances of becoming Senate Democratic leader. Leading pro-Israel Democrats on the AIPAC-led opposition’s target list include Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the ranking member of the appropriations committee; Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, chair of the Democratic National Committee who represents a very hawkish Jewish constituency; Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, number two in the House Democratic leadership, and Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Michael Bennett of Colorado, John Tester of Montana and Chris Coons of Delaware. All but Hoyer, Tester and Coons are Jews. While Netanyahu and his supporters attack the agreement as a threat to the survival of the Jewish people, senior Israeli military and security officials are privately telling Israeli media outlets a very different story. Reuters reported the generals are saying intensified international inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities and scaling back of its uranium enrichment will “allow for the supposition that, in the coming period of years, this is a threat in decline.” You can expect the Pentagon to share this assessment with its friends on the Hill. The saddest part of all this is that what should be a vigorous debate on the merits of a very complex diplomatic initiative will instead be mostly a highly partisan food fight. Sen. Schumer, with his unique qualifications, is one of very few lawmakers who can steer it in a more productive direction. Douglas M. Bloomfield is a syndicated columnist, Washington lobbyist and consultant. He spent nine years as the legislative director and chief lobbyist for AIPAC.
Saying kaddish in Charleston for slain church members By Avi Weiss My father died a few weeks ago. The hardest part of the shiva was when it ended. Friends and family were, by and large, no longer visiting. I was alone in pain and agony. I thought of this during my visit to the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston two weeks after the racially motivated massacre that killed nine people. Joined by Rabbis Shmuel Herzfeld and Etan Mintz, we approached the front of the church. The cameras, which had been everywhere for days, were gone. Only a couple dozen people were milling about, a tiny fraction of the thousands who had previously visited. Flowers, wreaths and signs of blessing were everywhere. Surrounding the church were its leaders. We embraced. We returned that evening to join the weekly Bible class. It was in that very space that the massacre occurred. What struck me most was the lack of security. The door was open and we just walked in. This would not have occurred in a synagogue, where we would no doubt have been met by security men and women, and metal detectors. At AME, there was none of that: only welcoming hands and welcoming smiles. The leader greeted us. When asked to introduce myself to the assembled, I simply said, “We’ve come to give you a collective hug. We’ve come in the spirit of our rabbis who declared, ‘a little bit of light can push away the darkness.’” The class began. At times I felt uneasy. The theology espoused was not ours. These ambivalent feelings, however, were eclipsed by the recognition that we were in a holy place — a place where people were murdered simply because of the color of their skin. The reverend invited participation. As he spoke of the need for harmony in the wake of hatred, I was moved. He kindly gave me the floor. I sang out Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s melody to the Psalmist’s words: “Because of my brothers and friends, because of my sisters and friends, please let me sing, please let me say, peace to you (Psalms 122:8).” The hundred or so participants, who learned the melody quickly, joined in. Overcome by emotion, I then moved to the front of the room, where, standing arm in arm with the church’s leaders, we sang the melody once more. The lesson that followed was deep, as the reverend called on the participants to forgive and sing, even in the midst of this tragedy. He then cited Psalm 137, wherein the Jews of Babylonia refused to sing because they were in exile. “We must do it differently than the Israelites,” the reverend concluded. “We must sing, even now.” In truth, the Jewish people also sing in the darkness of moments. We, too, sing. But only after the required time to be angry and outraged has passed. Our traditions, while clearly distinct, are not that far apart. We in the Jewish community have much to learn from the hope and faith expressed by these extraordinary women and men. The class concluded with a discussion of five feelings that block spiritual healing: resentment, worry, guilt, grief, and irritability — universal emotions that remind us of our human commonality. Sitting in the church social hall, I envisioned my brothers being murdered in a Jerusalem synagogue just a few months prior, murdered because they were Jews. I have rarely met a racist who is not an antisemite or an antisemite who is not a racist. The class ended. We embraced the family of Myra Continued on Page 24
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
PAGE 21
LIFECYCLES
KVELLING CORNER Hail to the new chiefs! Three area synagogues and temples elected new presidents this summer. Mazel tov to Ellen Leffak at Beth Abraham, Bart Weprin at Temple Israel, and Laurie Leventhal at Temple Sholom in Springfield.
Rachel Haug Gilbert Adam Fried, son of Claudia and Bill Fried, produced and starred in his autobiographical one-man musical, Misunderstood: An Unrequited Love Story, in New York. The show, which received a rave review in the June edition of Applause! Applause! tells Adam’s story of looking for two loves: the search for his soulmate, and developing his passion for a career in theatre. He is an Actor’s Equity member and has toured in two national productions. Adam just made a cross-country move to Los Angeles to be closer to his sister and her family. He plans to reprise the show in Los Angeles.
Ira Segalewitz has plenty of great reasons to kvell this summer. Granddaughter Tara Segalewitz, who was the valedictorian at Plantation High School in Florida, will attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in speech pathology. Tara’s Art teacher Thea Klass won parents are Jennifer and a three-day trip to New York, Dennis Segalewitz. Grandson along with one of her students Dylan Segalewitz graduated at John Hole Elementary for from Manalapan High School the student’s award for best in New Jersey and will in show in two statewide competitions. Thea also teaches attend Rutgers University to pursue a degree in music. art at Hillel Academy Jewish Dylan is the son of Jodi and day school. Steven Segalewitz. And Josh Segalewitz, a senior at The Kevin Rachlin received his Miami Valley School, competed master’s degree in global June 22-28 at the USA medical policy from George Gymnastics Championships Mason University. Kevin is in Greensboro, N.C. with the the son of Wendy Rachlin and Hand2Hand Trampoline and Roger Pankake. Tumbling Team based Team Photo in Springboro. He won a third-place medal out of 14 nationally on Double Mini Trampoline, Level 8, 15+, and took an eighth-place medal out of 18 nationally on Trampoline, Level 8, 15+. He’s been on the Hand2Hand Trampoline and Tumbling Team for six years. Josh’s parents are Caryl and Scott Segalewitz. Ten Advisors Under 40 list. Last year, he placed at number 10. Ben is the son of Susie and Eddie Katz, and the grandson of Lois and the late Gil Unger, and Larry and the late Bubbles Katz.
Ben Katz, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Chicago, ranked at the number eight spot this year on the investment industry Josh Segalewitz competes at the USA Gymnastics Championships in June journal Wirehouse’s Top
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Send your Kvelling items to kvellingcorner@gmail. com or to Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, OH 45459.
Beth Jacob Congregation
Just email your address to MWeiss@jfgd.net
is excited to announce that our 2015/5776 High Holy Day services will be led by the dynamic Rabbi Adam Rosenthal and Cantor Avraham Rami Isser
Dalia Lily Einstein and Isaac Harris Einstein Isaac Harris and Dalia Lily, children of Bethany and Douglas Einstein, will be called to the Torah on Sept. 5 as B’nai Mitzvah at Beth Abraham Synagogue. Isaac and Dalia are the younger siblings of Brienne, Noah and Samara, and are the grandchildren of Susan and Robert Simon of Rochester, N.Y. and Vivian Einstein Gordon of Jerusalem, Israel. They are eighth-grade students at Watts Middle School in Centerville and are avid runners and cyclists. They both participate on the cross country team at school and in their spare time, Isaac also enjoys playing basketball and practicing his trumpet; he just completed his fourth summer at Camp Wise. Dalia enjoys cooking with her older sister and plays flute and piano. Last year, she donated her beautiful hair to Locks of Love and looks forward to making another donation this fall. They are both excited to run their first half marathon in November. Barnes-Soroosh Hilary Lyn Barnes and Dr. Timothy Ryan Soroosh were married in Columbus on June 6 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center. The delighted parents are Harry and Shelley Barnes of Centerville and Kurt and Sue Soroosh of Cleveland. The happy grandparents are Joe and Elinor Rothstein of Louisville, Lucille Barnes of Lexington, and Ed and Nona Soroosh of Eagle River, Wisc. Hilary graduated from The Ohio State University and is an art teacher in Columbus. Tim graduated from The Ohio State University and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is a veterinarian in Columbus. After a honeymoon trip, Hilary and Tim will continue to reside in Columbus. Send lifecycles to: The Dayton Jewish Observer 525 Versailles Dr. Centerville, OH 45459 Email: MWeiss@jfgd.net There is a $10 charge to run a photo; please make checks payable to The Dayton Jewish Observer.
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Our second annual Break the Fast Dinner will be held at the conclusion of Yom Kippur Services, for only $10.00. Childcare will be offered on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during morning Holy Days services. BMB
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
RELIGION
Of children & trees By Rabbi Levi Simon Chabad of Greater Dayton If you would see my son Shmuel you might mistake him for a girl, as many have, because of his long hair. Rochel, my wife, and I are not having him grow up as a hippie; we are marking the beginning of his journey of learning.
Perspectives In August, we will celebrate his upshernish, hair cutting. His long, light brown hair will be cut for the first time in his life. An upshernish or upsherin (Yiddish for shearing off) is an ancient Jewish custom, a ceremony when a boy’s hair is cut for the first time, at the age of 3. Care is taken to leave peyot, sidelocks, which is a biblical mitzvah (commandment) as specified in Leviticus 19:27. The ceremony can include putting on a yarmulke (skullcap) and tzitzit (fringes) for the first time, as well as doing other mitzvot. Why do we wait until 3 to cut our son’s hair? The midrash (rabbinic commentary from the Talmud) tells us that Abraham, our forefather, first recognized
Summer reading Continued from Page 20 a heroine to the homeless after the stock market crash. Mazie is a joy to meet and a marvel to behold, as her story emerges through a series of diary entries and snippets of interviews with people who knew her.
Sick in the Head: Conversations about Life and Comedy
(Random House) By Judd Apatow Ever dream of having a sit-down with your heroes? Producer/director/screenwriter Apatow has been doing it for 30 years. Long before Freaks and Geeks and Knocked Up, the self-described “comedy nerd” was, as a host of a show on his high-school radio station, interviewing the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Garry Shandling. And he’s never really stopped. Decades in the making, Sick in the Head is a collection of his funny, candid chats with dozens of the biggest names in comedy, from those who in-
God at the age of 3. He rejected the idols of his ancestors and began to teach the world a new path of belief in the one God. At 3 years old, a child begins to share with others what he or she has been absorbing during the first years of life. Rabbi Levi Simon He begins to participate in the rituals and customs: a boy begins to wear his tzitzit, and a girl begins to light a Shabbat candle, sharing their unique souls with the world through their mitzvah. On a deeper level, the Torah compares a human being to a tree. Just as there is a biblical command not to eat from a fruit tree’s produce during its first three years, so too, we don’t cut our son’s hair during the first three years. We, as guardians and teachers of the youngest generation, can learn a few lessons from the comparison between a child and a young tree. Just as a young tree must be nourished spired him (Mel Brooks, Steve Martin) to those whose careers he’s nudged along (Seth Rogen, Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham). Come for the laughs, but stay for the soul-searching substance that spills out whenever talented, creative people start talking about why they do what they do.
The Sunlit Night
(Bloomsbury USA) By Rebecca Dinerstein Yes, Dinerstein is a 20-something, Ivy League grad whose debut novel sparked a bidding war; but get past your Jonathan Safran Foer complex — in fact, he helped Dinerstein hone her manuscript — and you’ll truly appreciate this poetic novel about loneliness and growing apart from family and first loves. The setting is a barren, northern Norwegian landscape — not unlike the arctic archipelago Lofoten, where Dinerstein lived in an artists’ colony and composed the beginnings of this novel. There, at the top of the world, two distinctly drawn, heavy-hearted Jewish characters find humor and warmth in one another’s company.
CONGREGATIONS
ences. We feel it is a necessity and protected so that it may to give them the extras. grow big and strong, so too, a So too, as we teach our chilchild must be taken care of and dren, it is not just about giving protected. them the staples of Judaism, As parents, grandparents such as the Ten Commandand members of the commuments. Our children’s educanity, it is our responsibility to tion must incorporate the full ensure that our children have spectrum of Torah learning strong roots so that they grow that will give them the feelings into sturdy adults and can weather any storm. Those roots of love and appreciation for God. Their Jewish life will not must be nourished starting comprise the barest staples, but from the youngest age. This is will be full of variety, flavors, done by teaching them how and zest. to live a life acJust as a young We, the cording to Torah caretakers and values. tree must be members of the There are two nourished and community, types of agriculmust feel a great tural fields. One protected so pride in the aweproduces grains that it may grow some responsifrom which we make bread, the big and strong, bility that God has given us. essential staple of so too, a child Just as we are life. The other is not content to an orchard where must be taken provide our chilfruits grow, which care of and dren with just add flavor and protected. the minimum zest to our lives. food, shelter When we proand toys, so too, we must give vide for our children, we are our children the best in Jewnot satisfied with giving them ish education starting from the just the basics. The meals that youngest age. The ritual and we make are full of flavors and joy of the upsherin will hopehealthy choices, our homes fully be just the beginning of have ample space and the activities we sign them up to give our son’s lifelong attachment to Judaism. them a wide variety of experiYet it’s Dinerstein’s third protagonist, the nearly nightless Norwegian countryside, that provides much of the novel’s wonder.
August Av/Elul
Shabbat Candle Lightings
They Told Me Not to Take That Job
(PublicAffairs) By Reynold Levy As head of the International Rescue Committee in the 1990s, Levy dealt daily with desperate refugees and rogue dictators of failed states — all of which barely prepared him to orchestrate his greatest rescue mission, as president of Lincoln Center. When, against all advice, Levy took the helm in 2002, the country’s leading arts venue was a maelstrom of bitter rivalries, clashing egos and public embarrassments. His memoir relates what happened over the next decade, as he led a $1.2-billion transformation of both Lincoln Center’s 16-acre campus and its global reputation. It’s a good read — not just for arts enthusiasts wanting to indulge in juicy gossip (Levy unreservedly names names) but for anyone seeking lessons in leadership.
Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional Saturdays 9:30 a.m., Sundays 8 a.m., Sunday through Friday, 7 p.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 274-2149. BethJacobCong.org Temple Anshe Emeth Reform 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Call Eileen Litchfield, 937-5470092, elitchfield@woh.rr.com. Correspondence address: 3808 Beanblossom Rd., Greenville, OH 45331. ansheemeth.org Temple Beth Or Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator David Burstein Fridays, 6 p.m. summer lay-led Preneg and Kabalat Shabbat Service. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. templebethor.com Temple Beth Sholom Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz See Web site for schedule. 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. thetemplebethsholom.com Temple Israel Reform Interim Rabbi Ilene Bogosian Rabbi/Educator Karen Bodney-Halasz 1st & 2nd Fri., 6 p.m. Other Fri., 7:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat 4th Fri., 6 p.m. Sat., 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Fridays 6 p.m. 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 399-1231. templesholomoh.com
August 7 8:25 p.m. August 14 8:16 p.m. August 21 8:07 p.m. August 28 7:56 p.m.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Torah Portions August 1/16 Av Vaetchanan (Deut. 3:23-7:11) August 8/23 Av Ekev (Deut. 7:12-11:25) August 15/30 Av Re’eh (Deut. 11:26-16:17) August 22/7 Elul Shoftim (Deut. 16:18-21:9) August 29/14 Elul Ki Tetze (Deut. 21:10-25:19)
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Monday through Friday 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org
Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon, Teen & Young Adult Prog. Dir. Rabbi Hershel Spalter. Beginner educational service Saturdays 9 a.m. adults, 10 a.m children. Sundays 9 a.m. Tuesdays & Wednesdays. 6:45 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 643-0770. www.chabaddayton.com Yellow Springs Havurah Independent Services 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10-noon. Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Cheryl Levine, 937-767-9293.
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OBITUARIES Beverly Ruth Froikin, age 86, of Los Angeles, formerly of Dayton, died June 1. Mrs. Froikin retired from Hillel Academy in Dayton in 1986 after 25 years of service, and was a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue, where she sang in the choir. Mrs. Froikin was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Norman Froikin. She is survived by her children, their spouses, and grandchildren: Stephen Froikin and Catherine Gill (and their sons Nathaniel Froikin and Caelum Froikin), Judith Froikin Fuchs and Rony Fuchs (and their daughters Laura Fuchs and Michelle Fuchs), and Bruce Froikin and Kacey Chun; and by her sister Debora Horn. Interment was at Eden Memorial Park in Los Angeles. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Jewish National Fund Tree Planting Center, Mazon a Jewish Response to Hunger, or Hillel Academy.
Home Office Home Office 123 W. Main St. Downtown Xenia 123 W. Main St. 222-0692Xenia Downtown 222-0692 North Dayton 8150 N. Dixie Dr. North Dayton (opp. Memorial Park 8150 N. Dixie Dr. Cemetery) 890-0571 890-0571
Marcia Jaffe. On July 2, my wonderful wife of 53 years suddenly passed away. She was the loving nucleus of a family who adored her. Her whole life was not about herself but was devoted to those around her. Despite many years of illness, she always gave cheer to all whom she met. She is survived by four children: Milinda, Aaron, Rebecca, and Mary as well as two sons-in law: Gary Lorch and Brian King, all of whom share her love of bringing kindness to others. Her grandchildren are Daniel Bork, Yoni Bork, Rachel Bork and Samuel White. She was an extraordinary mother, wife and companion who left us the beautiful memories of her grace, kindness and dignity. We will carry them throughout our lives and teach them to our children and their children as well.
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Gail R. Rouda, age 80 of Dayton, passed away June 21. Mrs. Rouda was a graduate of Fairview High School and was the co-owner of The Upper Krust Restaurant from 1970 to 1998. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack. She is survived by her daughter Diane S. Rouda, son and daughter-in-law Henry R. and Jean Rouda, granddaughter Jessica L. Rouda, grandson Benjamin C. Rouda, great-granddaughter Julia Emily Marks, nephew Rob Menschel, and many friends. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel or Congregation Kol Ami of White Plains, NY. Maureen L. Singer, age 70, of Trotwood, passed away June 21. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery.
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Kaddish in Charleston
Continued from Page 21 Thompson, one of the murdered who had received her license to preach for the ministry on the very same day of the shooting. We said little. Sometimes the best words of condolence are no words at all. In moments of greatest vulnerability, what counts most is feeling the presence of others. With generous spirit, Myra’s sister opened her purse, took out a button with Myra’s picture and pinned it on my shirt. It read: “Remember the Emanuel 9.” As the sun was setting, I was desperate to find a minyan (a prayer quorum) to say the memorial prayer, Kaddish, for my father. Though we had arranged to meet Rabbi Yossi Refson, a Chabad rabbi who had agreed to help us, we needed a ride to rendezvous with him. I saw a middle-aged black woman emerging from the study group, her foot in a cast, struggling to get into her beaten-up car. I asked if she would give us a lift so we could pray. “Of course,” she replied. We met Rabbi Yossi, who
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Rabbi Avi Weiss is the founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York and the co-founder of the International Rabbinic Fellowship. This piece first appeared in the Charleston Post and Courier.
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took us to Folly Beach. “There are a bunch of Israelis,” he told us, “who have stores near the beach.” Others would join us from farther away. And so it happened. On that beach, I said Kaddish. One of the participants, Itai, had driven an hour to join us because he was the crucial 10th man. As I recited Kaddish for my father, I wanted to also say it in the memory of the nine Emanuel martyrs. I wondered whether my father would take exception. I thought of a rabbinic teaching my father would often cite: “As hatred defies the rule, so, too, love defies the rule. “ As I chanted kaddish, I called out the words, “magnified and sanctified is the name of God,” I could see my father smile. I felt him gently tapping me on the shoulder. I heard him whisper, “Well done, my son, well done. The love that defies the rule will be victorious over the hate that defies the rule.”
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
FOOD THE JEWISH INTERNET
LESHON IMA — MOTHER TONGUE
Hollywood raises the Bar (Mitzvah) Simcha, celebrating joy Q: What do these performers have in common: Kirk Douglas, Paula Abdul and Krusty the Clown? A: They all celebrated their high-profile Bar or Bat Mitzvahs as adults. The Bar Mitzvah is not only a rite of passage, it’s also a
Mark Mietkiewicz favorite Hollywood staple. And since showbiz regulars don’t usually shy away from the spotlight, it’s possible to shep nachas (celebrate) with them online. Could we have a television show to thank for the modern trend for adults to celebrate Bar Mitzvahs? Way back in 1966, a Jewish character on the popular situation comedy, the Dick Van Dyke Show, decided that since he never had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony as a child, better late than never. On the show, Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) tries to keep his Torah lessons on the hush hush but that leads his friend Rob to think he’s having an affair, forcing Buddy to own up: Buddy: I’m taking Bar Mitzvah lessons. Rob: Oh Buddy, it’s bad enough. Don’t be blasphemous. Buddy: I couldn’t be that. I don’t even know what it means. Comedy ensues — as does a heartwarming ending when Buddy is called up to the Torah. The entire episode is available on YouTube (bit.ly/starmitzvah1). Back in 1966, Buddy’s Bar Mitzvah was a modest ceremony. Things have certainly changed in the almost halfcentury since. Hollywood took aim at that excess in 2006 with the film Keeping Up with the Steins, in which parents of an about-to-be Bar Mitzvah decide to outdo their friend’s son’s Titanic-themed affair aboard a cruise ship. The late Roger Ebert gave it a thumbs-up, calling it “a fresh and lovable comedy about a dysfunctional Jewish family (bit.ly/starmitzvah2).” You can get a taste of it from the trailer (bit.ly/starmitzvah3). Perhaps the most famous TV Bar Mitzvah boy is none other
Buffy the Vampire Slayer,) celethan the Simpson’s Krusty the brated his belated Bar Mitzvah Clown. In the episode Today, at the Kotel (Western Wall), as I am a Clown, Krusty is distraught to find out that he can’t documented with shots of him in tefillin and holding a Torah. get a star on his town’s Jewish Walk of Fame because he never (bit.ly/starmitzvah8). • Paula Abdul. The TV had a Bar Mitzvah and — acpersonality had also planned cording to the show’s writers to mark her coming-of-age — is not Jewish. Well, Jackie ceremony at the Kotel but Mason reprises his role as instead had a private service in Krusty’s father, Rabbi Hyman the mystical city of Tzfat (bit. Krustofsky, zaniness ensues, and things end well for Krusty ly/starmitzvah9). She tweeted: #Israel I LOVE YOU! This the Bar Mitzvah boy (bit.ly/ has been an enlightening and starmitzvah4). phenomenal experience! xoP @ On Rick Moranis’ gem of PaulaAbdul (bit.ly/starmitzan album, My Mother’s Brisket vah10). and Other Love Songs, he has • Drake — Aubrey “Drake” included a segment titled, Belated Haftorah. Chanted in the Graham — recreated his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday Night Live same pseudo-melodic strains as a haftorah, Moranis explains (bit.ly/starmitzvah11). But you can hear him talk about his real what it’s like to have finally one in this video from a few made it since he didn’t get years back (bit.ly/starmitzBar Mitzvahed the first time vah12). around. But none of those holds a “It was my parents/They candle to another showbiz regwere Commies/And they ular. Although wooooouldn’t David Sprague for Universal Studios Hollywood his name may set foot in the not be as familshul/And they iar as David thought the Arquette or post-war DiPaula Abdul, aspora middle Branko Lustig class were just is a two-time appeasing Oscar winner their parents/ for producing but in cyniSchindler’s List cal bourgeois and Gladiator aspirations. (bit.ly/star“But thank mitzvah13). God for my In May 2011, wiiiiife, ShelLustig returned ley…/And she to Auschwitz, talked me into Rabbi Mark Blazer drapes a tallit on Hollywood producer Branko where he had doing this so Lustig, who celebrated his Bar been deported I wound up Mitzvah at Auschwitz at the age of taking lessons at 46./And I got this new suit./ 12 from Croatia. Back in front of Barrack 24, the 78-yearAlso a 46./Portly (bit.ly/starold finally celebrated his Bar mitzvah5).” Mitzvah during a March of the A few years ago, Kirk Living tour for high school stuDouglas appeared on the program Touched by an Angel as dents (bit.ly/starmitzvah14). “The message I want to a grandfather who had no use share today is the most imfor religion. Eventually he emportant one I learned from braced his Jewish heritage and my years in the concentration wanted to be Bar Mitzvahed camp,” Lustig said. “It’s the along with his grandson (bit. message of tolerance. We must ly/starmitzvah6). all get along. We must strive In a case of life coinciding to respect and love one anwith art, Douglas celebrated other so that the horrific days his own second Bar Mitzvah of the Holocaust will never when he turned 83 and revisit us again. Tolerance is my flected on his stroke, and on a Bar Mitzvah wish today. And serious helicopter crash that ‘Never Again’ is my hope and he had survived but had taken dream for always. Thank you.” lives of two other passengers. (bit.ly/starmitzvah7). Mark Mietkiewicz writes about Here are some other highresources for Jewish life to be profile coming-of-agers: • David Arquette. At the age found on the Internet. Contact him at highway@rogers.com. of 40, the actor (Scream series,
Jewish Wedding by Marc Chagall, 1912
Many are the words and phrases in the Hebrew language that express joy and celebratory events. Indeed, the language is rooted in a culture that is rich in celebrations, immersed in festivities and exultations of life. The most recognized word for happiness in Hebrew is simcha. It’s considered a gift to mankind (Ecc. 2:26), and the
On the bright side, simcha is a word laden with exhilaration and festive activities. Simcha expresses not only the joy of an event, but it is also the noun which means a happy event. A holiday is a simcha, a family gathering is a simcha, a wedding is a simcha, the birth of a child is a simcha and a Bar or Bat Mitvah is a simcha. The host of an event is a baal simcha and the sound of joy resonating from the event is kol Dr. Rachel simcha. Simchat yetzirah, a joy of Zohar Dulin creativity, is a way to describe the exhilaration one feels while being engaged in a creative Torah advocates, “vehayita ach process. sameach, you should have nothWe should mention two ing but joy (Deut. 16:15).” Let rabbinic teachings related to us briefly explore the meaning simcha. The first advocates “Ain of this word. mearvin simcha besimcha, One joy The noun simcha is menshould not be mixed with antioned in the Bible 94 times and other,” as for example, a wedis derived from verb samach, ding should not be celebrated which appears 154 times in the on a holiday (Moed Katan 8). text. It is rooted in the Akkadian But figuratively the phrase word shamahu meaning sprout teaches that different and unor flourish. related matters should not be Interestingly, in Hebrew, the mixed in discussion or action. verb received two opposite Each issue or event should be meanings. Most of the times dealt with separately and on its simcha means rejoicing, happi- own merit. ness, gaiety, contentment, joyThe second rabbinic teachful occasion and festivity. But ing concerning simcha points occasionally the word is used to the inner self as the source of negatively, expressing mockery, contentment and joy. “Aizehu ridicule and malice. ashir? Hasameach bechelko, Who Indeed, on the dark side, is rich? He that rejoices in his simcha exposes those who wish own portion (Avot 4:1).” ill on others and rejoice in their We conclude with the old misfortune. The prophet Micah idiom, which exclaims, “Ain (7:8), the Psalmist (38:17), and simcha ela beyayin,” There is no the wisdom writer (Prov. 14:13), joy without wine. Therefore, let all recognized that the word us raise a cup and say l’chayim simcha may evoke a sneering (to life) together with those who emotion. are celebrating a special simcha. The Modern Hebrew idiom simcha laaid, malicious joy, is based on the old teaching, Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a “Sameach laaid, lo yinakeh, He professor of biblical literature at who rejoices in another’s misSpertus College in Chicago and fortune will not go unpunished an adjunct professor of Bible and (Prov 17:5).” Hebrew at New College of Florida.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
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JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
Sunflowers and silence
As C.S. Lewis explains, are two sins that can never be “repentance is not something forgiven: murder and destroyGod demands of you before he ing someone’s reputation…no matter how much atonement is will take you back…it is simply a description…Instead of going expressed for these crimes, no away from God, or ignoring restitution is possible, and no him, you turn around…and forgiveness can follow.” Jew in the Christian World Lecturer Dennis Prager adds, give him his rightful place in “…a person who hurts another your life.” Imprisoned in Lemberg con- comprises the second half of In Christian tradition, unperson must ask forgiveness centration camp, a young Simon the book, the responses of qualified forgiveness is a way Wiesenthal is summoned to the Christian and Jewish scholars to from his victim and…only the of imitating God and acknowlvictim can forgive him.” bedside of a dying Nazi soldier the moral dilemma Wiesenthal edging the sinner’s return to Finally, Israeli Supreme who asks his forgiveness for the poses highlight some theologiGod’s path, although absolute Court Justice Moshe Bejski brutal massacre of an entire vil- cal contrasts. forgiveness ultimately comes Edward Flannery, a Catholic points out, “Even in normal lage of Jews. from God. priest, comments, “It is a cardi- criminology and penology By contrast, Judaism sees hunal principle of Judeo-Christian only true regret accompanied mans as inherently neutral with ethics that forgiveness must al- by reformed behavior can be both good and evil inclinations Candace R. ways be granted to the sincerely considered a justification for repentant.” lightening a sentence…No mat- and free will, which they someKwiatek times misuse, Rabbi Joseph Similarly, author Christopher ter what, regret (alone) never Telushkin writes. Hollis notes the soldier makes pardons crimes…” According to the rabbis of no excuses, confesses his crime, These responses about rethe Talmud, and sincerely repents, conclud- pentance and “In his confession there was Telushkin ing “…We are under obligation forgiveness are true repentance, even though Rather than a writes in You to forgive our neighbor even strongly linked he did not admit it in so many Shall Be Holy, though he has offended against to the different doctrine of sin words,” writes Wiesenthal in God created us 70 times seven.” religious tradithe gripping opening of his and redemption, repentance By contrast, scholar and autions about memoir, The Sunflower. “Ought the origin and Judaism’s central “to provide I to have forgiven him? Was my thor Susannah Heschel stands humankind nature of sin. silence at the bedside of the dy- with Wiesenthal: “In Judaism, with a way to message is where forgiveness requires both On one ing Nazi right or wrong?” atone for and atonement and restitution, there hand, ChrisIn the symposium that one of personal correct wrongtianity and ful behavior,” Judaism both character. because, “even describe sin Literature to share good people as missing the mark: transgression of God’s law and rebellion would be overwhelmed by All Who Go Do Not Return by Shulem Deen: Raised as a guilt, both toward God, Whose against God, which includes member of an insular Chasidic sect in the United States, laws they had broken and harming others. Deen traces his journey from the hidden sphere of the toward those whom they had But Christianity sees humans Skverer Chasidim into the outside world. His curiosity and hurt.” as sinful by nature, as descenreligious exploration lead to family conflict, deception, and Rather than a doctrine of sin dants of the disobedient Adam eventually ostracism. This journey is personal, but the chaland Eve, and naturally inclined and redemption, Judaism’s cenlenging issues and insights are universal. toward evil. Everyone sins, thus tral message is one of personal character. everyone will be damned. One Good Deed by Terri Fields: A picture-book version of Repentance — teshuvah — is This doctrine of sin is central “pay it forward,” this colorful story illustrates how one a multi-step process of atoneto Christianity’s message of thoughtful deed can transform an entire community. With personal redemption: by accept- ment by verbally acknowledgrepetition that lends itself to interactive reading, each ing and taking personal reing or returning one’s focus to double-page invites the young reader to think about others Jesus as savior, the individual’s sponsibility for sinful behavior and imagine a kind or generous deed to do, an activity that inherent and self-inflicted “sin- toward others and toward God, can carry over into everyday life. making restitution and repairdebt” is forgiven.
ing relationships by asking for forgiveness, and resolving to change one’s behavior and avoid those sins in the future. The process of teshuvah is not targeted toward salvation, but rather toward the sinner’s return to being and behaving “in the image of God.” For Judaism, “the primary issue in repentance is ethical, rather than theological or ritual transformation,” Telushkin concludes. Teshuvah is a life-long worldly enterprise, punctuated by an annual 40-day season of repentance beginning with the first of the month of Elul and culminating with Yom Kippur. In Judaism, the person who is wronged also has obligations to complete the cycle of repentance. “(You must) go out of your way to offer those who have hurt you the opportunity to repent,” Telushkin writes, by returning phone calls, greeting them in public, and not avoiding their attempts to reconcile. Just as you expect God to forgive, you should forgive those who truly repent, even multiple times. Wholehearted forgiveness extends even beyond the moment of reconciliation, by not belaboring how much hurt was caused, by not reminding the former offender of their misdeed, by resuming the relationship, and even by offering a prayer on behalf of the offender. Teshuvah is a two-way street. So how would you have answered Wiesenthal? Should he have forgiven the Nazi soldier or not? More importantly, why?
Off to a Sweet Start: L’Shanah Tovah 5776 Jewish Family Services wishes all a sweet New Year.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
Bar Mitzvah-themed storytelling events seek to prompt reflection on the ritual
Kate Scelsa, a young-adult dotes and awkward photos — particularly of the over-the-top novelist, said she did not have B’nai Mitzvah parties attended a Bat Mitzvah and had never “stepped foot in a temple” and themes witnessed — and until seventh grade, when her less emphasis on what the stoclassmates from private school ryteller/participant might do invited her to their Bar and Bat differently today. Friedman, the comedy writer, Mitzvahs, and “I was in temple at least once a month.” Her confessed to having a “super over-the-top experiences? A racist” Chinese New Yearthemed Bat Mitzvah, while Lib- party in which the host rented recurring theme being that the By Julie Wiener, JTA nity,” Robin Kramer, Reboot’s out South Street Seaport and by Lenkinski, U.S. director of entry-into-Jewish-adulthood NEW YORK — A. J. Jacobs is executive director, told JTA. ritual is plagued by widespread strategic initiatives for the New hired vendors to make guests not one to forego a big project. Kramer said she hopes that an array of personalized souIsrael Fund, recalled attending The journalist and author spent people who participate in Rebar ambivalence about just what venirs, including fake vanity multiple Bar and Bat mitzvah Jewish adulthood should be. 18 months reading the entire will go on to plan more meanlicense plates. parties each weekend of sevEncyclopedia Britannica, a year ingful Bar and Bat Mitzvahs for New York’s Jewish Journey Instead of talking about his enth grade with themes ranging Project (full disclosure: this “living biblically” and another their own children. Bar Mitzvah, Chris Farber, a from Wall Street (replete with subjecting himself to every The coming-of-age ceremony, writer’s two children are enphotographer and co-founder rolled), health regimen he could find. in which the celebrant generEmmanuel Abreu a wind of the Rebar project, told about tunnel an alterMost recently, Jacobs conductally reads from the Torah on blowing his conversion to Judaism, after ed a massive family history Shabbat, is often, to the chagrin native which his friends threw a “Farb dollar Hebrew project. of synagogue leaders, viewed Mitzvah” party for him. The bills) to One conspicuous gap in his by parents as the sole reason for school rainforest son of a secular Jew and noncatalog of experiences: a Bar enrolling their child in Hebrew program to Monte practicing Christian, Farber exin which Mitzvah, the widely obschool. For many children plained that until he converted Carlo kids get served, celebrated it’s seen as a sort of — a process that culminated in night. (and at times Jewish graduation to choose a mikveh immersion and symA selfthe classreviled) rite — and a good described bolic circumcision — because es they of passage for excuse to make socialist, his mother wasn’t Jewish, “Jews take, Jewish 13-yeara viral video didn’t consider me a Jew, and Bar & Bat Mitzvahs Lenkinoffers an olds. As a result, invitation. because my Dad was (Jewish), ski said alterJacobs told a group With the motto her own everyone else did.” native of youngish (mostly under-40) “Rewind to 13. Fast Forward A recent Rebar event in Brooklyn Sadly, he never addressed the Bat Mitzcalled Jews at a recent event in to Today,” the Rebar project question this writer was dying vah skipped the gifts, instead Brit Atid (Covenant of the Brooklyn, he suffers from “Bar encourages adults to reflect inviting guests to plant trees in to know: What is it like to be Future) in which kids study Mitzvah envy.” on their Bar and Bat Mitzvah Jewish and named Chris? Israel. their Torah portions but then, Jacobs was not the only experiences, think about what As for the Bar Mitzvah-enHidary contrasted the lavun-Bar Mitzvahed person to they might do differently today, rather than chanting them and vying Jacobs, one of his regrets delivering a typical d’var Torah, ish parties on Long Island — take the stage in June at New and consider what it means to at not having had the lifecycle hosted by friends from Jewish choose a creative way of preYork’s debut Rebar event, a come of age and enter adultsort-of The Moth: True Stories hood. Consisting of storytelling senting it in a group ceremony. summer camp who had “Quick- event is his lack of Hebrew literacy and missed “executive Bat” crash courses beforehand The Brooklyn Rebar event Told Live gathering focused on events like the recent one held training.” Plus, he said, “Hav— with her own three-daysBar and Bat mitzvah memories. in a hip, intimate event space in (ones have also been held in ing a Bar Mitzvah forces you in San Francisco and Los Angeles) a-week-of-Hebrew-school Several performers — among Brooklyn’s gentrified Prospect some small way to think about servitude and the low-budget seemed to do more rewinding them a convert to Judaism, a Heights neighborhood, the iniparty in her family’s Manhattan others, and I was a selfish little than fast-forwarding. There Catholic writer-actor and a tiative also includes an online, bastard.” apartment. novelist raised by a secular crowdsourced collection of Bar were lots of humorous anecJewish mother and lapsed and Bat Mitzvah photos and reCatholic dad — had not had flections as well as a “DIY kit” a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. In fact, to guide would-be participants those who had — including and organizers. Today Vanessa Hidary, aka the “HeReboot — whose other Boychick, I am a brew Mamita,” and Daily Show projects include National Day in my day, writer Jena Friedman — were man... of Unplugging, a modern spin you’d be a in the minority. on Shabbat — is hardly the first A project of Reboot, a Jewish Jewish group to turn its attenfountain pen. nonprofit that according to its tion to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Now sit down website “engages and inspires Since 2012, the Reform and eat. young, Jewishly-unconnected movement has overseen a pilot cultural creatives, innovators project called B’nai Mitzvah and thought-leaders,” Rebar is Revolution for congregations an effort to “grow the number experimenting with the stanof people who are mindful dard services-and-a-party about” the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ex- model. In 2013, the New Yorkperience and “get them to think based Jewish Education Project about what it means to grow devoted its Jewish Futures up and be part of a commuconference to the topic, with a
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PAGE 27
Triplets’ B’nai Mitzvah shows power of ‘Mom-Mom’ a woman of valor,” said Rabbi By Fredda Sacharow Joshua Gruenberg, religious The Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA — If Mary leader of Beth El. “I think it might have been written for Brodsky had merely adopted Mary.” her triplet step-grandchildren The triplets’ father, Andrew after her husband and both Kemp, died in 2006 during of the children’s parents died a stay in the hospital for a — dayenu (it would have been ruptured colon. Their mother, enough). Helena Brodsky Kemp, died If she had simply kept them two years later of an aortic angrounded in the centuries-old eurysm, a bulge in the section of religion of their mother and the body’s main artery that can their grandfather — dayenu. burst and cause major bleeding. If the Catholic widow had Shortly before Heltaught herself enough ena’s death, Mary about Judaism to Brodsky had been organize a Passholding conversaover Seder every tions with the entity year, complete Bar & Bat Mitzvahs she calls “The Big with homemade Guy.” Feeling lonely and gefilte fish, and to read at loose ends three years after the children a chapter from her husband passed away, she My Little Dreidel on each of the spoke to God from behind the eight nights of Chanukah — wheel of her car, confiding in dayenu. him, “I need a purpose in life.” If she had dropped the Later, when their newly siblings off at Hebrew school orphaned status every Sunday for years, and found Madison, then driven three miles down Zoe and Jonathan the road to attend mass at St. in her care, BrodFrancis in Fairless Hills, Pa. — sky had one rueful dayenu. thought: “I really But there’s much more in should be careful this saga of a faith that unites two religions, three generations what I wish for.” The triplets and four people whose love for Judaism — and for one another were 5. Mary Brodsky, a retired — transcends blood ties. It stars 13-year-olds Madison, middle manager Zoe and Jonathan Kemp, whose for the IRS, was about to become a B’nai Mitzvah was held April first-time mother 25 at Congregation Beth El in in her early 60s. Yardley, Pa. It also stars the Mary Brodsky It wouldn’t woman they call Mom-Mom: be easy — she knew that. Zoe Mary Brodsky — widow of their maternal grandfather Jack was born with short heel cords and was in leg braces for many Brodsky —who is raising the youngsters as Jews and making years. Jonathan, diagnosed early on with cerebral palsy, sure they get a proper Jewish uses a wheelchair. education. Although Helena had a sister “We read in Proverbs about
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Steve Stern
The seventhliving in London who graders at William offered to take her Penn Middle School nieces and nephew, signed on for a B’nai Brodsky was deterMitzvah project sugmined to keep them gested by Beth El in the home in which education director they’d grown up, Karen Lewin: colobserving the religion lecting toiletries and on which they’d been writing letters to Lone nurtured. Soldiers, the young Before she died, men and women from Helena Kemp comthroughout the world piled a list she called who travel to Israel to Eight Things I’m serve in the Israel DePassionate About: fense Forces, leaving “Hashem (God), Madibehind family, friends son, Zoe, Jonathan, and loved ones. Judaism, My Family, The Bucks County Learning, Tikun Olam Mary Brodsky helped her step-grandchildren (L to R), synagogue had a per— healing the world, Madison, Jonathan and Zoe, reach their B’nai Mitzvah sonal connection to or at least my little corner of it.” explained why it was so impor- the project, Lewin noted: Elisa Mindlin, who has taught at Beth “Their mother taught them tant to him to mount the bima El over the years, is the sister of the Shema before they went to (stage) at Beth El to chant his Michael Levin, a Lone Soldier nursery school — they said it share of Haftorah (reading from who made aliyah (immigrated every night,” Brodsky recalled. Prophets) accompanying the to Israel) from Holland, Pa. in “One of the reasons I kept the Tazriah Metzorah Torah portion, 2002, and who died in battle in children is that my the passages he learned for Steve Stern Lebanon in 2006. husband would three-quarters of a year. Gruenberg noted that the have wanted them “Having a sense of being Kemps’ B’nai Mitzvah blosto be raised JewJewish, that culture passed on somed into a community-wide ish.” to me by my Mom, has made celebration, a feel-good event And Jewish me a better person,” Jonathan that touched many of the 318 they most defisaid. “I want to pass that along nitely are. to my kids someday. Being Jew- families in the Conservative congregation. Reclining in ish, to me, has changed my life “They’ve watched the kids his bed, flanked around.” by his sisters and Each of the Kemp children re- grow up, and this is a family a stuffed Minion cited a third of the Haftorah that that serves as a great inspiration doll from the DeSaturday morning. For Zoe, the to us. It reminds us what the important things in life are,” he spicable Me movies highlight of the ceremony was that he’s dubbed her sense of accomplishment for said. Even before Helena Kemp “Rabbi,” Jonathan sticking it out over the months died, the family was active in Kemp held court and years; for Madison, it was Beth El life, Lewin remembered; a few weeks before the B’nai the feeling of having proven the children were about 4 or 5 Mitzvah. herself up to the task. when she joined. Since then, He’s the baby of the three“There’s also the aspect of administrators and members of some, and was temporarily having a Jewish community sidelined while recovering from around us — that’s what makes the congregation have embraced Zoe, Madison and Jonathan as hip-repair surgery less than four you feel more connected to their own. months before the Big Day. He God,” Zoe added. Lewin helped design the B’nai Mitzvah invitation, with the triplets’ smiling faces on the cover. Teens with the synagogue’s USY chapter stuffed invites into envelopes during a weekend sleepover. Jonathan’s fellow students sent him “Rabbi,” the Minion doll sporting a turquoise kipah and the scrawled signatures of his pals. Their parents delivered home-cooked meals to the home in the immediate aftermath of Jonathan’s surgery so his MomMom could attend to his other needs. R E S TA U R A N T Brodsky, who acknowledges that her grasp of Hebrew isn’t The perfect place to host out-of-town stellar, recited the Shehecheyanu guests for dinner before or brunch after prayer three times at the B’nai your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Mitzvah — once for each celebrant — thanking God for Large party reservations welcome • Private rooms allowing them all to reach this 5331 Far Hills Ave., Centerville day. (937) 434-4750 • www.MeadowlarkRestaurant.com
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A pawsitive impact doing the project. “It’s a testament to the family in how they’ve raised this little munchkin who’s turning into being a wonderful young man.” Breitner said the definition of service dogs has expanded greatly since the days when they were used primarily as visual aids for those with visual impairments. Today, service dogs are used to help people who have various disabilities, and they can perform tasks such as helping people open doors, pick things up, press buttons and carry groceries. Therapy dogs provide comfort and cheer to people with cancer and other illnesses, she said. Frisco is trained as both a therapy and a service dog, although he is being used as a therapy dog. Randy said his family is excited to introduce more families to the benefits of having a well-
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By Claudia Boyd-Barrett Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Alex Michaels will tell you that his dog, Frisco, is no ordinary household pet. As a trained therapy and service dog, the 21/2-year-old poodle is a primary comfortgiver and companion to Alex’s mom, Marlene Michaels, who is fighting stage 4 lung cancer. He stays by her side during the day when Alex, his older brother Stephen, and their dad, Randy, are out. Frisco accompanies Marlene to her doctor appointments and the hospital for treatments. And he is a source of love and emotional support to the entire Michaels family as they struggle to cope with Marlene’s illness. So when Alex, 13, of Westlake Village, considered what to do for his mitzvah project this year, he and his parents knew they wanted to help other families experience the joy that Frisco has given them. Alex, who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah this spring at Camp Ramah in Ojai, Calif. set up an online campaign to raise $5,000 to help pay the cost of training a service or therapy dog for other families. “I want to raise money to help more people,” said Alex, who attends the Conservative Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills. “I hope it’ll make them feel happy.” His own family first thought about looking for a service dog for themselves in late 2012, shortly after Marlene was diagnosed. Randy said the family felt that having a dog would provide some relief from the constant focus on his wife’s cancer. “It’s like having a little friend. It’s like mental comfort,” said Marlene, who explained Frisco wears a service dog jacket that allows him to go everywhere with her, including medical facilities. “Wherever I go, he just comes with me...He keeps me company, and he’s just very easy.” Randy said the family has identified one person in need and is working with the cancer treatment center City of Hope in Duarte to find others. He said the full cost of training a service dog can range between $5,000 and $10,000, so it won’t be possible to pay the full amount, but Alex plans to help offset about $750 for each family, depending on need. Jill Breitner, the service and therapy dog trainer who trained Frisco, said she was impressed when Alex first talked about
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Yonatan Sindel/Israel Ministry of Tourism
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel Temple Israel Religious School:
Now enrolling Pre-K through 10th grade. Giving our children a deep understanding of our faith, confidence in their Jewish identities, and pride in our shared heritage.
What to expect? The curriculum includes classroom Judaics, music, dance, art, library, worship services, social action projects, and Hebrew.
A Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, Jerusalem
By Abigail Klein Leichman The Jewish Standard Americans wishing to hold their child’s coming-of-age ceremony in Israel often think of the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem, a landmark with deep religious significance. But they need to be aware of potential pitfalls of an event at this spot. It’s a good idea to consider lesser-known alternatives and to work with an Israeli event planner. The Kotel is geared only to Orthodox, gender-separated Bar Mitzvah services, and only on Mondays and Thursdays (though any morning will do for a “first tefillin” experiBar & Bat Mitzvahs ence). Because the site is so popular, numerous B’nai Mitzvah usually go on simultaneously; that brings logistical problems. “If you don’t get there early, you won’t get a table (for the Torah reading) and women won’t be able to see anything,” cautions Adena Mark of A to Z Events in Israel. “That’s why we provide a service to reserve a spot for the men and another for the women on the other side of the mechitza (divider) where they will be able to see and hear as well as possible.” Still, the women won’t see much unless they’re standing on chairs. That can be problematic for older guests or those with physical disabilities. Just getting to the Kotel along cobblestoned streets and
B R E A K F A S T
•
down stairs can be difficult for guests with limited mobility, as well as for parents with strollers. Parking is tight near the site as well. “That being said, for people making a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I understand their desire to do it at the Kotel,” Mark said, “and that’s why we provide this service to make it easier. However, if a family goes to Israel often, then I do recommend doing a Bar Mitzvah somewhere else. There are so many beautiful options in the Old City or in other cities of great meaning such as Hebron, Tzfat or Meron.” For Bat Mitzvahs and non-Orthodox Bar Mitzvahs, the Jerusalem Archeological Park-Davidson Center just south of the Kotel — known as the Southern Wall — is a good alternative, though the accessibility and parking issues remain. This area includes Robinson’s Arch, where egalitarian religious services are held for visitors. It’s not as inundated with tourists and competing ceremonies, and it’s easier for photographers to get shots of the whole group. Unlike the Kotel, however, there is a fee for admission and there are no chairs. Another popular location for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is Masada, the Judean mountaintop where a band of Jewish Zealots fended off Roman forces until committing mass suicide in the first century of the Common Era. “We offer an amazing package to do something in Jerusalem, like an Old
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Sunday mornings: not just for kids! Education, coffee, and schmoozing time for parents Contact Molly Blumer for more information mblumer@tidayton.org. Temple Israel • www.tidayton.org • 937.496.0050 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH 45405 A Reform Synagogue open to all who are interested in Judaism. Childcare provided during Friday services and Sunday school. PAGE 30
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015
Arrangements While it’s possible to make arrangements without a professional planner, the time and language differences make communication difficult. On-the-ground planners can suggest interesting venues they’ve actually visited, put together family tours with licensed guides suitable to the guests’ Off-the-beaten-track alternatives ages and interests, and book hotels and Lesser-known Jerusalem venues for a flights. They can arrange for photograBar Mitzvah ceremony include Merkaz phy, flowers, and favors, babysitting and Shimshon, a picturesque synagogue in medical escorts, as well as a rabbi for the the Yemin Moshe neighborhood overreligious portion of the event. looking the Old City; and the circular “We refer our clients to a rabbi and Hecht Synagogue at Hebrew Univerhe takes over the details of the service sity’s Mount Scopus campus, which features a solid glass wall with a view of itself,� said Yael Adar of barmitzvahinisrael.com. “The rabbi gets in contact with the Old City skyline. the family before they arrive and usually Dganit Altman of Loya Events enjoys meets with them at their hotel the day finding unique ethnic venues. For families of blended Eastern and Western before the service.� Planners here say they fill a cultural heritage, Altman favors an early synagogue in the northern city of Rosh Pinah, gap between overseas clients and Israeli vendors. “There are excellent service “the first shul ever where Sephardim providers here, but sometimes there’s and Ashkenazim prayed together, and an attitude of hakol yehiyeh b’seder (eveven the design and nusach (liturgy) are erything will be fine),� said Fenton, a all mixed.� former Brit. This casual approach takes Most families think of upscale resmany English speakers by surprise. taurants and hotels for the reception In Israel, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are — which cost considerably less than at comparable venues in the United States. often put together in fewer than two But Altman recommends hiring a per- months. However, five-star accommodations in popular cities such as Jerusalem sonal chef specializing in ethnic cuisine. and Tel Aviv need to be booked up to The meal can be in a rented villa or outof-the-way restaurant in Jerusalem or Tz- two years in advance, especially during peak seasons. fat, or outdoors if weather permits. She “I had a group of 15 coming in Deenjoys arranging women-only events cember, and they contacted me in June,� on the eve of a Bat Mitzvah, such as a Adar said. “All the hotels they wanted challah-baking workshop with a master were already booked.� baker, or an art or music workshop. City tour, then make your way down to the desert and have a big musical feast in a Bedouin encampment and then a ceremony at Masada the next morning,� said Nikki Fenton of Simcha in Israel. “That way you cover both the historical and religious angles.�
Give your children the gift of Judaism.
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Beth Abraham is Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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We also have an energetic Keruv program that reaches out to intermarried couples and families in our synagogue and in the Dayton Jewish community.
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Beth Abraham is Dayton’s We also have an eneronly Conservative getic Keruv program that synagogue, affiliated with reaches out to intermarried the United Synagogue of couples and families in our Conservative Judaism. synagogue and in the Dayton Jewish We arecommunity. an enthusiastically
Call Cantor Andrea Raizen at 293-9520 to enroll.
egalitarian synagogue. For a complete schedule of Forevents, a complete our go toschedule of our events, go to bethabrahamdayton.org. bethabrahamdayton.org.
Screening & Discussion with Mike Jaffe, Sunday, August 2, 2 p.m. Concert featuring Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo, Rolando Villazon
For a complete schedule of our events, go to bethabrahamdayton.org.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • AUGUST 2015