After the terror: Israel’s emergency workers p. 22 January 2016 Tevet/Shevat 5776 Vol. 20, No. 5
Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • Online at daytonjewishobserver.org Marshall Weiss
Dayton Jewish Chorale
Debut of the
Brazilian Jews flee to Israel
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Brazilian Jews welcomed to Israel by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky
Tu B’Shevat seders
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Cantor Jenna Greenberg conducts a rehearsal of the Dayton Jewish Chorale
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Judges declared Juliet Glaser the winner of Top Chef Latke Edition at Chabad’s Glow In The Dark Chanukah Party on Dec. 13. Shown here with Glaser are competitors Samuel Dorf (Center), and Scott Segalewitz.
To our next monthly Friday Night Shabbat featuring a traditional Shabbat dinner with all your favorites.
Dayton Jewish Observer Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss (Center) was a guest at the White House Chanukah Reception the evening of Dec. 9. Weiss is immediate past president of the American Jewish Press Association.
Program led by Joe Bettman
Friday, Jan. 22, 5 p.m. In The Atrium Dining Room
Friday Night Shabbat is $10 per person. R.S.V.P. to 837-5581 Ext 1274.
Friday, Jan. 15 Call for appointment Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m. Questions & Answers with Laurel Kerr Tuesday, Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. with Gem City Home Care Certified Diabetes Educator Mara Lamb. For more information call Pam Hall, 837-5581 ext. 1269.
Friday, Jan. 29 1:30-3 p.m. Friendship Village
7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located directly inside the Atrium entrance. Stop in & join us for a cup of coffee & Friendship Village Hospitality.
Volunteer opportunities available — call Bridgett at ext. 1299 for details. The coffee shop is open for area Seniors to come enjoy FREE coffee, conversation, socialization, and the Friendship hospitality! Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 Monday thru Friday
5790 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426 • www.fvdayton.com PAGE 2
Chabad of Greater Dayton will host a Temple Israel will host its Social JusShabbat dinner prepared by Chef Tiger tice Day of Learning on Sunday, Jan. 17 beginning at 8:45 a.m. with guest facilita- Wang of China Cottage on Friday, Jan. 29 tors and text study. Participants will also at 5:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to 643-0770. prepare lunches for Daybreak clients, and decorate banners for the MLK Memorial March and Rally. The program will culminate at 11:15 Rabbi Judy Chessin and singer/ a.m. at Omega Baptist Church, 1821 Emsongwriter Marc Rossio will lead a Tu erson Ave. in Dayton, with the temple’s annual pulpit exchange. For more infor- B’Shevat and Shabbat celebration on Friday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. that will include mation, call Temple Israel at 496-0050. singing, dancing, and planting. For more Interfaith MLK service with information, call Temple Beth Or at 4353400.
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Chinese Shabbat dinner at Chabad
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The Coffee House is located just inside the Atrium entrance at Door 18. Watch for the Friendship Coffee House sign. FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE 5790 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 937-837-5581 ext. 269 or 277 Call toll free: 1-800-476-5517
Beth Abraham Synagogue and Corinthian Baptist Church will present an interfaith service on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 9:45 a.m. to noon at the church, 700 S. James H. McGee Blvd. in Dayton. The Corinthian Choir and musicians from Beth Abraham will perform as part of the service. For more information, call Beth Abraham Synagogue at 293-9520.
Cervical cancer topic of Beth Abraham brunch Congregant Juliet Glaser will talk about her personal experiences with cervical cancer, at Beth Abraham Synagogue Men’s Club brunch on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. The cost for brunch is $5. R.S.V.P. to 293-9520.
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar of Events....................17
Opinion...........................10
Family Education.........................21
O b i t u a r i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Internet.............................22
Re l i g i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 9
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Wo r l d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
DAYTON
Debut of the Dayton Jewish Chorale
Love of Jewish music brings singers from local synagogues together Cantor Jenna Greenberg conducts the Dayton Jewish Chorale in a rehearsal of Then Moses Sang by Cantor Jerome B. Kopmar at Beth Abraham Synagogue
Photos and Story by Marshall Weiss The Observer The Sabbath when Jews read the Torah portion Beshalach is designated as Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song. In this Torah portion (Ex. 13:1717:16), the Reed Sea has just closed up over the Egyptians, and the Israelites sing the Song at the Sea, praising God for their deliverance. This year, Shabbat Shirah marks a new kind of song in the Miami Valley, the debut of the Dayton Jewish Chorale, which brings together singers from area synagogues in one ensemble. Under the direction of Beth Abraham Synagogue congregant Cantor Jenna Greenberg, the chorale will sing the world premiere of Then The debut of the Dayton Jewish Chorale — featuring the premiere of Then Moses Sang, by Cantor Jerome B. Kopmar — will take place at Shabbat services on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton; and on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m. at Beth Abraham Synagogue, 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.
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Tu B’Shevat means spring is on the way!
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Moses Sang, by Beth Abraham Synagogue Cantor Emeritus Jerome B. Kopmar, and musical settings of Shabbat prayers to complement services at Temple Israel on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and at Beth Abraham on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m. The project is funded through a Jewish Federation Innovation Grant. Beth Abraham Synagogue Cantor Andrea Raizen said the idea of a Jewish community choir came to her when the Federation first announced the grants four years ago. “When Jenna Greenberg arrived in Dayton, we began collaborating on various musical projects, and I asked her if she would be interested in leading a choral group,” Raizen said. Together with Temple Israel Music and Program Director Courtney Cummings, they submitted a grant proposal. “The response to this went way beyond our expectations,” Raizen said. “We were hoping for 10 to 12 singers and ended up with 24.” The grant proposal included commissioning Kopmar — a prolific composer of Jewish sacred Continued on next page
From the editor’s desk As we enter the new secular year, you might make sure you’ve got a valid passport. The Jewish Federation will lead a community mission to Marshall Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, Weiss June 26-July 5, with an extension available to Berlin, July 5-8. Participants will explore the Jewish history of each city, and experience current Jewish life there. Dayton’s Jewish Federation has a special relationship with Budapest’s Jewish community; through the Jewish Agency for Israel, we are linked in a Partnership2Gether program with the Western Galilee region of Israel. Guests from Budapest who are involved with Partnership will visit Dayton on Thursday, Jan. 21 and will join an informational meeting about the trip at the home of Mission Chairs Gayle and Irvin Moscowitz. For more information, call Jodi Phares at 610-1555.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
PAGE 3
DAYTON
Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Contributors Rabbi David Burstein Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin Rachel Haug Gilbert Candace R. Kwiatek Mark Mietkiewicz
social justice DAY OF
learning Sunday 1-17-16 STAND SPEAK ACT *
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Be inspired by interactive activities, guest facilitators, and educational sessions for all ages. Prepare lunches for Daybreak and make your mark on a banner for the MLK Memorial March. RSVP to Temple by January 13. 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 4
Advertising Sales Executives Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Lori Cohen, lori.appel5@yahoo.com Proofreaders Karen Bressler, Rachel Haug Gilbert, Joan Knoll, Pamela Schwartz
Beth Abraham Synagogue Cantor Emeritus Jerome B. Kopmar listens as Cantor Jenna Greenberg leads the chorale in a run-through of his new work
Chorale
Continued from previous page music — to write an original work for the chorale’s debut. The seven-minute piece for choir, piano and flute, Then Moses Sang, sets four sections of the Song at the Sea in Hebrew and English. “Although you’d think the Shirah would have a lot of musical settings, it doesn’t,” Kopmar said. “I think, perhaps, because it’s very long.” When it came to setting the most famous verse, Mi Chamocha, “Who is like you, O God?” Kopmar said he approached it not as a statement but as a question. “Who is this God?” he said. “Who is He? Everybody is asking, so musically I wanted a fugue. After everyone has their say, everyone pretty much goes off on their own.” Greenberg, who conducts the chorale, selected the additional music the ensemble will perform for the Shabbat services at Temple Israel and Beth Abraham over the weekend. “It’s in the context of the Shabbat service,” she said. “Some of those pieces will be done where those prayers would be done, like Etz Chayim and Sim Shalom.” Greenberg studied conducting as an undergraduate at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., and at Jewish Theological Seminary, where she was invested in the cantorate. “I love it,” she said of conducting. “I haven’t done it in a long time, so it’s really a thrill.” Kopmar, who founded and led the Beth Abraham Youth Chorale from 1971 to 1983, said the Dayton Jewish Chorale might be a first for this community; he wasn’t aware of any previous Jewish community choirs for adults in Dayton outside of individual synagogue choirs. Three of his former youth chorale members sing with the new community chorale: Elaine Arnovitz, Janice Krochmal, and Wendy Lipp. “I figured this was my time to get back involved with singing, and it’s been a love of mine because of Cantor,” Lipp said. “We’ve already been asked to sing at the community Yom Hashoah program and at the Jewish Cultural Festival,” Greenberg said. “I think they have high hopes for us in the community, that we’ll be available for gigs. It’s a wonderful thing, just to bring all these people together — and of all ages — from around the community.”
Billing Jeri Kay Eldeen, JEldeen@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Judy Abromowitz President David Pierce President Elect Melinda Doner Vice Pres. Mary Rita Weissman Vice Pres. Bruce Feldman Vice Pres. Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 20, No. 5. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by guest columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dayton Jewish Observer, The Dayton Jewish Observer Policy Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or the underwriters of any columns. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut. The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests. Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication. • To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community. • To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines. • To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation departments, United Jewish Campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs. • To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
DAYTON
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By Rachel Haug Gilbert The Observer We’ve all heard that the Jewish people are one big family. For evidence in the Miami Valley, look no further than Pam and Andy Schwartz of Oakwood, and Renana and Assaf Harel of Bellbrook. In fall 2014, Israelis Renana and Assaf and their four children moved here from Washington, D.C. When they attended Yom Kippur services at Beth Abraham Synagogue, Israelis Assaf and Renana Harel of Bellbrook (L) and Pam and Andy Schwartz of Oakwood became fast friends, and then discovered they were family they became fast friends with Pam and Andy and centennial Sabbath document to LeZion. their three children. “In Israel, everyone is me from her mother, I gasped, The Harels and Schwartzes related!” Renana laughs. This because I had the same docufelt an instant connection, as if includes her and her husband. ment in our family’s archive. I they’d known each other much got goosebumps. Nava started Renana’s maternal grandlonger. mother and Assaf’s paternal crying. Nava told me, ‘It’s like The children became playgreat-grandmother were sisters. God was leading us.’” mates, and the parents started Assaf and Renana met at a double dating. family reunion. Zionist pioneers A few months later, the They were lured to The patriarch of Harels and Schwartzes learned the family, Avrum Dayton by a job opthat Andy and Renana are portunity for Assaf, Hirschfeld, was born fourth cousins once removed. now a professor and in Riga, Latvia in The happy find came about head of a brand-new 1806. when Renana asked Pam — an neurological research Descendants of one archivist — to help Renana’s lab that he estabof Avrum’s sons came mother, Nava Dolev, with some to America in 1885; lished at Wright State genealogical research. University. Avrum’s other son Nava, who lives near Jerusa- and his descendants The first extended lem, was compiling information were Zionists and family reunion for for a family reunion. Sifting the Schwartzes came settled in Palestine. through old papers, she found last February, when With the discovery, Avrum Hirschfeld, an a 1951 program for a CentenNava arrived on Andy, his brother, ancestor of the Harels nial Sabbath Dedicated to the her planned visit Steve, and their and Schwartzes Hirschfeld Family, held at Cinto Dayton with her uncle, Richard Lapecinnati’s Adath Israel to honor husband, Danny, and Danny’s des, learned they are related to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Mendel mother, Tikva. Ezer Weizman, a commander Hirschfeld. A year after the Schwartzes of the Israeli Air Force, minister Nava, Renana, and even and Harels first met, Pam and of Defense, and the seventh Assaf are descendants of the Andy reunited with more of president of Israel. Hirschfeld family, but none of their family, here in Dayton: They also learned their their relatives knew anything Hirschfeld relatives include the they hosted Renana’s sister and about the Cincinnati branch. founders of the Carmel wine in- children at their home during Since Nava was planning to dustry, and one of the founding their High Holy Days visit from visit her children and grandIsrael in September. families of the city of Rishon children in Dayton, Nava can’t wait to Pam suggested she host the Schwartzes continue her research the next time they’re at the American Jewish in Israel, to introduce Archives in Cincinnati. them to their newfound When Renana told mishpacha (family) — to Pam the name of reunite the two sides of the Cincinnati famthe family after eight ily was Hirschfeld, generations. Pam wondered if they “We found famcould be related to the ily that didn’t know Hirschfelds from Cinanything about having cinnati on Andy’s side. relatives in Israel,” Nava Hirschfeld is even the said. “And here, after so middle name of Pam many generations, they and Andy’s younger will be reuniting with son, Seth. the founders of Israel, a “At first we joked, very strong, well-known Renana Harel’s grandmother, Tikva Dolev, and her ‘Could we be related?’” parents, Danny and Nava Dolev, research family family in Israel, that did Pam said. “But when so many things to estabgenealogy at the American Jewish Archives in Renana forwarded the lish the country.” Cincinnati last year
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By Cnaan Liphshiz, JTA ZHUKOVKA, Russia — On the only road connecting this affluent village on Moscow’s western outskirts, Russian secret service agents are blocking all inbound traffic. Drivers bound for Zhukovka pull over and step out to smoke while chatting with other motorists as a line of luxury cars grows on the shoulder of a two-lane road. The closures are a frequent occurrence because Zhukovka and the adjacent riverside village of Barvikha are home to some of Russia’s richest and most powerful people. Among the combined 5,500 residents living in the villages are Ukraine’s ousted president, Viktor Yanukovych, who has a $52 million mansion in the area, and the Russian Jewish construction magnates Boris and Arkady Rotenberg. All three are associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Ordinary” millionaires who live here must wait patiently as VIPs travel in motorcades to and from Moscow, or receive visits by senior officials. So do the tourists who come here to catch a glimpse of the village’s sprawling villas, with their private tennis courts and hedge mazes. But in December, Muscovites, and Jews especially, received a more accessible attraction in Zhukovka: A $20 million Jewish community center and synagogue opened here on Dec. 6 amid fanfare and in the presence of 400 guests, including Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, David Lau. And while the new JCC is seen as a demonstration of this community’s robustness, it nonetheless comes amid growing Jewish emigration that is widely attributed to the financial crisis in Russia and concern over its government’s nationalist agenda. From the international design firm Gensler, the Zhukovka JCC is a doughnut-shaped structure with a granite facade, 54,000 square feet of floor space, a small cinema, and 24 luxury guest rooms that are intended to be used free of charge by Shabbat overnighters. At the heart of the building is a synagogue with a capacity of 400 worshippers and modular tables made of Swedish wood. The basement has still-unfin-
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia
Rabbi Alexander Boroda speaks at the opening of the Zhukovka JCC near Moscow, Dec. 6
At one mini-mall this year, local Jews placed a large menorah opposite a Bentley dealership. No one knows exactly how many Jews live in and around Zhukovka. But it’s doubtful there are enough to fill the synagogue. “Granted, this place is a little big for the community’s needs right now, but it’s with an eye to the future needs of a growing community,” said Velvel Krichevsky, a Chabad rabbi from Israel who will work at The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia Zhukovka. The head rabbi at Zhukovka is Alexander Boroda, the president of the Chabad-affiliated Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, a vast network whose rabbis have formed a main engine for the renewal of Jewish life in Russia after the fall of communism. Among those rabbis is Berel Lazar, one Exterior of the Zhokuvka JCC of two chief rabbis in Russia. Lazar is known for his close ties to Putin — the two men lit to the center was Oleg BabinChanukah candles together at ski, a retired army officer and the Kremlin on Dec. 9. business owner in his 50s who Federation ties with Russian worships with the Zhukovka politicians have been instruJewish community, though he mental in obtaining land and does not live in the village. some funding for opening doz“I am not a rich man, but it ens of Jewish institutions across still fills me with pride to see that our community can achieve Russia, though the Zhukovka center became a reality without something like this,” Babinski such aid. said. The decision to build a JewSuch a building would stand ish center in Zhukovka came at out almost anywhere else in the request of area Jews, accordRussia, where the average ing to Boroda. monthly salary among city “My friends asked for a synadwellers is less than $600. But gogue near their home, and I it’s par for the course in Zhuwanted to open a Chabad house kovka, where the shopping somewhere, so that’s why it malls have Gucci and Prada happened there,” said Boroda, stores, and there are a host of a former Red Army soldier who luxury car dealerships ished, warm-water mikveh ritual baths. The building is under the watchful eye of 24/7 security guards, who operate airportgrade body and luggage scanners. The basement of the center, which was built with money donated by wealthy Jews (and some non-Jews), has a gourmet kosher restaurant. Its kitchen is overseen by two Italian chefs, including the renowned restaurateur Uilliam Lamberti. Among the first-time visitors
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
THE WORLD began exploring his Jewish identity after his discharge from the military in the 1980s. Still, there is symbolism in the center’s opening in Zhukovka. The village, after all, used to be the resort destination of Russian Communist government leaders — the Soviet statesman Vyacheslav Molotov and Joseph Stalin’s daughter used to live here — who persecuted Russian Jewry and effectively drove it underground. But the new center’s future is by no means certain. Built with funds collected over years, it opened at the height of a financial crisis that since August 2014 has halved the ruble’s value against the dollar amid dropping oil prices and Western sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. Although many Jews are assured by Putin’s pro-Jewish policies, others are jittery over his overt nationalism and expansionism, as well as his government’s xenophobia toward gays and Muslims. The combination has already generated a 31 percent yearover-year increase in Jewish immigration to Israel, or aliyah, from Russia, which is home to about 260,000 Jews. In 2014, some 5,921 Russian Jews made aliyah, compared to 4,094 the previous year. According to Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which facilitates aliyah, there’s been a rise in the number of Jews moving to Israel from Moscow and St. Petersburg, where Russian Jewry’s intellectual and financial elites tend to live, and where Jews used to be more resistant to leaving than their coreligionists in poorer areas. These developments already are affecting the fund-raising ability of Jewish groups. In Zhukovka, the congregants who asked Boroda to build the center “have all left, some to Europe, others elsewhere,” the Zhukovka rabbi said. Still, Boroda insists that others have replaced those who have departed and his community will continue to raise enough money to maintain its infrastructure, including the high-maintenance center in Zhukovka. “You don’t build a synagogue according to this year’s balance sheet,” he said. And while emigration may be on the rise, Boroda added that “Russian Jews as a whole are never going to let go of what we have achieved just because of a few rough years.”
Garrett Mills/Flash90
Israeli officials condemn Breaking the Silence — and restrict its activities By Ben Sales, JTA TEL AVIV — They’ve been banned from Israel’s schools and forbidden from speaking to Israeli soldiers. Israel’s prime minister denounced them from the floor of Knesset. A rightwing group has accused them of being foreign moles. The Israeli veterans’ group Breaking the Silence has been controversial since it was founded in 2004 by soldiers who had served in Hebron during the Second Intifada. The group’s goal is to give soldiers a forum to speak out about their service in the West Bank and Gaza, and to advocate against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. It publishes soldiers’ testimonies of alleged abuses during conflict, such as indiscriminate firing on civilians. It also runs tours of Hebron. Figures on Israel’s political right and center have accused the group of taking testimonies out of context and distorting the truth. It’s drawn particular ire for publishing many testimonies anonymously, for releasing its reports in English and for taking veterans on speaking tours in Europe and the United States. In December, Israel’s government mounted an unprecedented campaign against the group. Senior Israeli politicians have accused the group of slandering the IDF. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon banned the group from speaking to active-duty soldiers, calling the group’s work “hypocrisy and false propaganda” in a Facebook post Dec. 13. Two days later, Education Minister Naftali Bennett barred the group from appearing at schools. “Breaking the Silence doesn’t care for the IDF’s morality,”
Bennett wrote on Facebook Dec. 17. “It’s focused on defaming IDF soldiers across the world: In Belgium, in Sweden, in the U.N., in the European Union. Since when does someone who cares for the IDF go around the world spreading blood libels about our soldiers?” Breaking the Silence has called the recent moves against Israeli settlers record a video and argue with a member of Breaking the Silence group in the West Bank city of Hebron, July 10 it an unjust and undemocratic attempt at curtailing speech. Silence to declare their foreign Isaac Herzog called on Prime “This is a worrying and funding sources. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu violent incitement campaign Ya’alon’s move also came the Dec. 16 to denounce the chanfrom the same forces calling to same day as Is- nel’s comments. close (Israel’s) raeli President Instead, Netanyahu criticized Supreme Court, Breaking the Reuven Rivlin Breaking the Silence. who call the Silence has spoke ahead “Come to the podium and country’s presicalled the recent of the group at vocally denounce the Breaking dent a traitor, a conference the Silence organization, which and who work moves against hosted by the slanders soldiers worldwide to shut down liberal Israeli and works to tie the hands of human rights it an unjust and daily Haaretz in the state of Israel when it deorganizations in undemocratic New York on fends itself, which defames the Israel,” BreakDec. 13. state of Israel,” Netanyahu said ing the Silence attempt at That day, from the Knesset podium. wrote in an curtailing speech. Israeli TV Opposition to the group isn’t email to supChannel 20 universal. On Dec. 16, left-wing porters Dec. 16. called Rivlin’s appearance at a Meretz party Chairwoman Bennett’s and Ya’alon’s Zahava Galon criticized Bendecisions to bar the group from conference that also featured Breaking the Silence “a total nett’s decision as a politically schools and from contact with motivated move. active-duty soldiers come as the loss of shame” and said he didn’t represent the country. “Breaking the Silence is a Knesset is considering a bill to Continued on next page Knesset Opposition Leader require NGOs like Breaking the
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NICU Collection January 31, 1–3PM Boonshoft CJCE Come assemble bags with the items collected during JFS’ drive for items for babies in the NICU at Dayton Children’s and their families. Children welcome! Teach your children about tikkun olam by including them in this volunteer opportunity. They can decorate bags and make cards.
te! a n o d o t ime t l l i t s s ’ e Ther Help JFS support babies and their families in Dayton Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit through the second week of January. The NICU requests the following items: » Newborn hats
THE WORLD
After opening up to gays, Boy Scouts seeking more Jewish troops youth organization.) By Melissa Apter The Commission on Washington Jewish Week Social Action is also WASHINGTON — With the Boy Scouts of troubled by the lack of America’s ban on gay employees lifted last summer, it’s a good time to pitch scouting to the language regarding the participation of transliberal American Jewish streams. gender people, especialSo says Bruce Chudacoff, the chair of the ly in light of a resolution National Jewish Committee on Scouting. A affirming the rights representative of the Boy Scouts and longtime advocate for Jewish scouts, he set up shop at the of transgender and non-gender conforming National Jewish Reform and Conservative biennial conferences Committee on Scouting people that passed at in November. Chair Bruce Chudacoff the recent URJ biennial. From his booth decorated with posters toutWeinstein said the Religious Action Center of ing the benefits of scouting, Chudacoff pitched Reform Judaism — and its governing Commishundreds of attendees on his vision for re-ension on Social Action, of which she is associate gagement. The Boy Scouts historically barred gay people director — would continue to press the Boy Scouts on these issues. from being scouts or scout leaders or other The Reform movement is “strongly supportive employees. The policy led the Commission on of any activities scouts have around social Social Action of Reform Judaism justice and repairing the world,” she said. to issue a memo in 2001 to the “We know that many families and membership of the Union for scouts find deep meaning in those valReform Judaism recommending ues (and we hope they will) continue to that congregations sponsoring expand to gay scouts, gay leaders, transor hosting scouts withdraw their gender scouts and transgender leaders as support. According to Barbara well.” Weinstein, director of the comGoing a step further than not opposing mission, most congregations troops, United Synagogue of Conservative complied. Judaism encourages its 580 member congregaThen, in 2013, the Boy Scouts let gay scouts into its troops, as well as its Cub Scout packs for tions to work with the Boy Scouts. “(While we have) no formal partnership with young boys. the Boy Scouts of America, we are supportive And in July, the Boy Scouts reversed its position on gay employees. The new rule reads, “No of the organization now that they have changed their policy on LGBTQ,” a USCJ spokesman adult applicant for registration as an employee wrote in an email. “The USCJ writes many letters or non-unit-serving volunteer, who otherwise of congratulations to Eagle Scouts and encourmeets the requirements of the Boy Scouts of ages our congregations to America, may be denied registration on the welcome scouting.” basis of sexual orientation.” The National Jewish CommitIn light of the policy changes, the Commistee on Scouting offers four merit sion on Social Action followed up with a memo badges for Jewish Boy Scouts. in August to its 900 URJ member congregations Cub Scouts can earn the Maccathat the 2001 recommendation was rescinded. bee and Aleph badges, and Boy However, areas of concern remain. Scouts can earn the Ner Tamid For one, the Boy Scouts’ leadership standard and Etz Chaim badges (as can applies only to non-religious troops. Some 72 Venturers). The badges for older percent of troops are chartered by faith-based scouts emphasize leadership organizations, which retain the right to discrimiin and commitment to Jewish nate against gay leaders. (The Church of Jesus The Ner Tamid communal life. Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the scouts as its Award
However, areas of concern remain.
» Rattles » Cute receiving blankets » Toiletries for the parents » Cute notebooks, journals, and pens » Children’s books
Hamper locations: Beth Abraham Synagogue,
Beth Jacob Congregation, Chabad, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel and Boonshoft CJCE. jewishdayton.org Are you reading this? So is the entire Jewish community. Contact Patty Caruso at plhc69@gmail.com or Lori Cohen at lori.appel5@yahoo.com to advertise in The Observer. PAGE 8
Breaking the Silence Continued from previous page patriotic organization that helps the IDF keep its moral character,” Galon wrote on Facebook. “They help us guard the human image as a society and army.” Breaking the Silence has been embroiled in controversy before, drawing criticism from Israelis seen as moderate. In 2013, the University of Pennsylvania Hillel initially barred the group from holding an event in its building, but allowed the event following backlash from students. After Breaking the Silence
released a collection of negative testimonies in May from soldiers who fought in the 2014 war in Gaza, centrist Yesh Atid party Chairman Yair Lapid formed a group of soldiers called My Truth to counter the allegations with positive accounts of IDF service. He called Breaking the Silence “anti-Zionist” and “radical.” On Dec. 16, the right-wing organization Im Tirtzu took the condemnations a step further, publishing a video accusing the heads of Breaking the Silence and other left-wing NGOs of being foreign “plants” and supporting terror against Israelis.
Jewish Family Services
But even Breaking the Silence’s critics condemned the Im Tirzu campaign as a step too far. “The name-calling from left and right — using terms like ‘traitors,’ ‘fascists,’ ‘agents’ or ‘McCarthyism,’ — and demonization campaigns or personal attacks do not contribute to a healthy public debate,” read a statement by Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, a right-wing organization that opposes Breaking the Silence’s activity and investigates its funding. “This uncivil discourse is antithetical to Israel’s democratic values.”
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
PAGE 9
OPINION Esther Rubyan/Flash90
By Jennifer Richler That’s hard for me — I like I can tell that some friends rules. But, with the move, I’m reand relatives think my decision alizing I’ll have to surrender some to move my family to Israel for a of my need for control. year is, well, questionable. There’s only so much I can do. “So you’re really gonna do I can pick the schools that seem this?” one friend asked recently best suited to my children, I can over coffee, eyes widening. find the “perfect” apartment, but My father suggested over the I know that much of what happhone that we might consider pens once we move is out of my somewhere in the country less control. “tense” than Jerusalem — Tel That’s true for everything from Aviv, perhaps? the mundane — Jerusalem’s Other than that I’m transplantsupermarkets might not stock our ing my family — uprooting my favorite cereal — to the catayoung children from the familiar strophic. comforts of their home and dropInstead of worrying about these ping them into a new culture and what-ifs, I’m trying to focus on language — what concerns my the reasons we’re choosing to live loved ones about the move is, of in Israel. course, the security situation in Over the years, my husband Israel. and I developed a deep love for And while I understand their the country. For my husband, worries, and to some extent share living on a kibbutz for a year durthem, I’ve mostly been able to ing high school was a formative shrug them off. experience. Pedestrians at the Mahane Yehuda market — one of the writer’s favorite spots in Jerusalem — on the day Until November, that is. My For me, it was summers spent of a stabbing attack, Nov. 23 husband and I skipped Thanksteaching English to children in teenage girls had chased market-goers whose leg had to be amputated. giving turkey and instead spent underprivileged Israeli communiwith scissors, and one of them stabbed That last detail rattled me the most. a few days in Jerusalem, planning our ties. We want to instill that connection a Palestinian man she mistook for an It’s one thing to take risks as an indiupcoming move for his sabbatical year. to Israel in our children while they’re Israeli. Police shot the attackers, one of vidual, but another thing to do so as One of the perks of his job as a tenured still young. a parent. Was I really going to bring professor is that he can take a year to do them fatally. We also want them to delight, as we Many of the attacks I’d read about in my two young children to live in a city research wherever he wants. do, in Israeli culture: the language, the the previous weeks had taken place in where things like this happen? Years ago, we agreed that if and food and, above all, the people. the West Bank, an area that, I comforted The answer is yes. As we’ve been rewhen the time came, we’d spend the Yes, the people — who are always in myself, I would likely never visit. minded by the horrible attacks in Paris year in Israel. It wasn’t hard to settle on your business, always giving you their But this attack happened somewhere and San Bernardino, Calif. — not to Jerusalem; it’s my favorite city in Israel, opinions, but in the warmest possible I’d been several times before. In fact, mention many others in recent months maybe even in the world. It has someway. Like the concierge at the Jerusalem I’d been looking forward to visiting — bad things can happen anywhere. thing to do with the way the sun hits hotel where we stayed, who offered us the market on my current trip. It’s one We are never entirely safe, even if the Jerusalem stone, casting the whole the use of his mobile phone when my of the places I love most in Jerusalem we’d like to think we are. city in a golden light. husband asked about the price of a local In fact, an IsExciting as it was to discuss our plans — stalls overflowing call. (“Too expensive,” he cautioned.) with colorful spices and raeli friend who has back then, they felt hypothetical, far Or the construction worker who saw every kind of fruit and lived in the U.S. for off, more like dreams. But fast-forward my husband and me chatting on a swelvegetable imaginable, many years said her a few years, and there we were, transtering street corner and suggested we’d customers haggling relatives back home forming them into reality. be more comfortable sitting on a shady loudly with vendors, wonder how she can We arrived amid a surge of violence bench nearby. Israelis are people who old ladies with kerchieflive in Chicago, with in Israel, and I worried I might find a always have your back. covered heads buying all its gang violence country fraught with tension, people Yes, we could appreciate the pleaingredients for the Saband shootings. looking over their shoulder at every sures of Israeli life by visiting, but when bath meal, bumping up An American turn. we have the chance to spend a year friend who moved But it was the same country I remem- against secular teenagliving wherever we want, why would ers and Arab men. to Israel argued that bered from my summers as a teenager we choose anywhere but our favorite It was easier to see Chicago is probably — the same open-hearted people, the country? the other terrorist atmore dangerous than same buzzing energy, the same golden Since returning from our Thanksgivtacks as entirely sepaIsrael. Last July Fourth weekend, for ex- ing trip, I’ve found that my once blurry light. rate from me, horrible as they were. ample, 10 people were killed and many A couple days into our trip, over images of our lives in Israel are starting They’d mostly happened in areas that more injured in a shooting there. breakfast at our hotel, I opened the to come into focus. I like the way they felt remote and foreign, so I could ratio“Would that stop you from going to newspaper and read that there had look: my kids, tanned from all that time been a stabbing at the Mahane Yedudah nalize that they’d happened to “others,” Chicago?” she asked. Of course not, I in the sun, licking ice cream cones from people completely unlike me. thought to myself. So why should it be market the day before. Two Palestinian the shop on the corner; my husband But when the market attack hapdifferent in Israel? and me enjoying a leisurely hour pened — while I was in the city, no less Still, she acknowledged that she isn’t together at the neighborhood café on — it was harder for me to brush off. always rational when deciding what is Friday morning before picking the kids Since then, there have been other and isn’t safe in Israel. up from school. incidents in central Jerusalem that have After a suicide bomber blew up a I know there will be hard times too, Send your letters left me similarly unsettled. bus in Jerusalem a few years ago, she probably even scary times. But we’ll get (350 words max., thanks) to Just the other day, an man from stopped letting her kids take that bus through them, just like Israelis do. The Dayton Jewish Observer Hebron plowed his car into a group of for a while. She makes decisions on a 525 Versailles Drive, civilians waiting at a bus stop, injuring case-by-case basis — “there’s no rule of Jennifer Richler is a freelance writer living Dayton, OH 45459 14 people, including an 18-month-old thumb,” she said. in Bloomington, Ind. MWeiss@jfgd.net
Why I’m moving my family to Israel for a year
When we have the chance to spend a year living wherever we want, why would we choose anywhere but our favorite country?
So, what do you think?
PAGE 10
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
WORLD
Fleeing recession and violence, Brazilian Jews moving to Israel in record numbers Erlich family By Marcus Moraes, JTA “They seek a better future,” said Gladis RIO DE JANEIRO — For four years, llana Berezowsky, 58, who helps run Beit Brasil, a Lerner Kalmanovich rode a hot and crowded nongovernmental organization based in Israel bus three hours each day to reach the Federal established in 2014 to assist Brazilians seeking to University of Rio de Janeiro, where she was move to Israel. pursuing degrees in physical education and Brazil, a nation of 200 million, is facing its nutrition. steepest recession in a quarter century, with the Police raids into nearby slums, or favelas, economy expected to shrink by almost 2 percent often blocked the freeway, and stray bulthis year — down from more than 7 percent GDP lets from gun battles with criminals were a growth in 2010. The Brazilian real has shrunk 138 constant threat. Even on the Federal Unipercent compared to the American dollar in the versity campus, the oldest and among the past five years and the inflation rate has edged most prestigious in Brazil, Kalmanovich felt up to 10 percent. unsafe. Robberies were commonplace and, The country is also one of the bloodiest on every now then, corpses were found in the earth, with more than 58,000 Brazilians dying a nearby woods. violent death in 2014. So in 2007, Kalmanovich moved to Israel. “More people are killed every year in Brazil She had spent a whole year there a decade through intentional violence than anywhere Fabio Erlich (L), his family, and other Brazilian émigrés in Modi’in earlier on a youth movement program and else on the planet, including most of the world’s fallen in love with the country. And though war zones combined,” said Robert Muggah, a exception.” she holds German citizenship and could have built research director of a Rio-based think tank that studies Kalmanovich is not alone. Immigration to Israel, or a new life for herself in Europe, there was never any the intersection between violence and the drug trade. aliyah, from Brazil has more than doubled in the past doubt she would make her home in the Jewish state. “The absurd violence in Rio was postponing our four years, from 191 in 2011 to over 400 in 2015. The “Israel is the place where I feel at home, happy, plans to have children,” said Silvia Brafman, 33, who average growth in aliyah for all of Latin America in among my people,” Kalmanovich told JTA. “We say moved from Brazil’s second-largest city to Haifa in the same period was just 7 percent. ‘Shabbat shalom’ to the bus driver, to the garbage late October with her husband. “The high unemployThough it has approximately half the Jewish man, to the sales clerk. Everyone shares mostly the ment rate and lack of opportunities were the second population of neighboring Argentina, Brazil has sent same social and economic level. We all celebrate the reason to head for Israel. The current stabbing wave more immigrants to Israel for two years running. An same national holidays. It’s like living in a huge kibhere does not scare us at all. What really frightens me Continued on next page estimated 120,000 Jews live in Brazil. butz of 8 million people. Here I am the rule, not the
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PAGE 11
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“We have seen a 100-percent rise in requests recently,” said Yehoshua Goldman, the chief Continued from previous page Rio representative of Chabad, most is the language, which which runs Lar da Esperanca can delay my entering the job (Home of Hope), an organizamarket.” tion for Jews in financial need. Fabio Erlich, 33, hasn’t had Despite the economic slowthat problem. Erlich, who down, real estate prices have moved in 2014 with his wife nearly tripled in some parts and three daughters to the of Rio in the past five years. central Israeli city of Modi’in, Carlos Cohen, 36, a skilled IT secured jobs at two Jerusalem specialist, could not afford the yeshivas before he arrived with exorbitant rents, so he found an help from Brazilian friends who apartment in a favela near his were already established in the office. When his daughter was country. born, Cohen realized he needed “We wanted to give our to get out. children a better quality of life “The high-tech market here is in the educational, social and very vibrant,” said Cohen, who religious fields,” Erlich said. “Is- moved to the coastal city of rael allows you to be a Jew with Netanya with his family in 2012. no limitations, not only in the “You only remain jobless if you outside but mainly deep within. want. We are proud to call this Finding a job in Israel made our place ours, where we can truly big Zionist dream come true.” put our citizenship in practice. Brazilian Jews have tradition- Urban violence here is nearly ally boasted a comfortable upzero, the safety feeling is absoper-middle-class life, but things lute. We now can finally raise are changing. Several Jewish our family in a better place.” day schools have merged or For Martin and Michele are in the process in order to Teitelbaum, being robbed in survive, while administrators at broad daylight in Higienopolis, some of them say the number an upscale and heavily Jewish of scholarship applications has neighborhood of Sao Paulo, never been higher. Brazil’s largest city, was the last
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straw. In 2010, they took their three children — ages 2, 5 and 7 — and headed for Raanana, a city in central Israel with a large population of immigrants from Europe and the Americas. “In Brazil, I was merely one more trying to survive,” Martin said. “Life was sort of superfluous there, with many inverted values,” Michele added. “Here in Israel we value what must be valued.” Psychologist Rita Cohen Wolf is a neighbor of the Teitelbaums in Raanana, where she settled in 1977 after she had been robbed eight times in Brazil. The last time, she had a gun pointed at her head. In 2014, Wolf posted an open letter to President Dilma Rousseff on Facebook in which she criticized the violence in Brazil. She was astonished to see it republished in the Brazilian press. “In Brazil, violence is felt every day,” Wolf told JTA. “In Israel, we don’t feel threatened with imminent violence. The feeling of security with our police and army plus unity of the population reinforces the generalized feeling that we are not alone.”
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5467 Cedar Village Drive Mason, OH 45040 Tel: 513.754.3100 www.cedarvillage.org PAGE 12
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
2016 Presidents Dinner 2015 General Assembly Inspires, Keynote Speaker Announced: Fuels Jewish Creativity
RANDI ZUCKERBERG the Jewish FedJewish Federation of GREATER DAYTON
Boonshoft CJCE will be closed the following dates: »»January 1
Wednesday, January 20 › Reflections on a Trip to Israel 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Fred Strahorn and Jeff Hoagland reflect on their recent trip to Israel with a delegation of key leaders from the Ohio region to Israel this past fall to spur a connection between Dayton and Israeli economic development. Thursday, January 21 › Mission Trip Parlor Meeting 7–8:30PM @ the home of mission chairs Gayle and Irvin Moscowitz Join us as we explore Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and immerse yourself in European culture. Thursday, January 28 › Rebellion of Hope 6–7:30PM @ Wright State University Student Union Atrium Visit the Partnership2Gether traveling display highlighting Jewish history, the development of the “final solution” and the responsibility of modern society to deal with the evil side of humanity.
SAVE THE DATE Sunday, May 15, 2016 › Presidents Dinner 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
eration of Greater Dayton’s 2016 Presidents Dinner, Randi’s first-hand experience of bridging the fast-paced world of tech startups with her own journey of finding her Jewish voice, will speak to the heart of the Federation’s Annual Campaign focus, 100 Days of Former Facebook marketing executive and expert at living Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam within the digital age, Randi is a Hebrew phrase and key Zuckerberg will join the Jewish Jewish belief, which references Federation of Greater Daythe shared responsibility to ton as Keynote Speaker for heal, repair, and transform our second annual Presidents the world. 100 Days of TikDinner on May 15, 2016. kun Olam will kick off on May Randi is the founder and 15, with the President’s DinCEO of Zuckerberg Media, a ner. The Federation’s annual boutique-marketing firm and campaign helps raise funds production company, working for use locally, for Israel, and with high profile organizations around the world. The Jewish and Fortune 500 companies Community Center, Jewsuch as The Clinton Global ish Family Services, and the Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, Jewish Foundation all benefit Conde Nast, and PayPal. As an early employee at her from the Federation’s Annual brother Mark’s then-small tech Campaign. Having Randi Zuckerberg as startup, Facebook, she led major marketing initiatives in the keynote speaker is an exciting company’s crucially formative decision for the Federation. years. Randi is also a passion- “We are thrilled that we are ate advocate for women in able to bring Randi to Dayton entrepreneurship and leaderas she is on a personal misship and serves on the board sion to share her passion for of the Professional Diversity Israel and the Diaspora which Network, working with Forwas sparked by her participatune 500 companies on closing tion on a Birthright trip. Her the gender message gives and diversity strength and HOW TO GO gap. Randi is support for our Sunday, May 15 a graduate local work of Boonshoft CJCE of Harvard one community, Invitations to follow University, one heart, one and writer of gift. She is a dynamo and we Dot Complicated, her recent are excited to share her energy memoir and lessons from the tech world, as well as the chil- and her message with the Dayton community.”, stated dren’s book Dot. and resides Debby Goldenberg and Susie in New York City with her Katz, co-chairs of the 2016 husband Brent and two sons. As the Keynote Speaker for Presidents Dinner.
The General Assembly (of the Jewish Federations of North America) for 2015 was truly a multi-dimensional experience of L’dor V’dor (from generation to generation). The program began with an exciting plenary featuring Canada’s first female and Jewish Supreme Court Justice, Rosalee Abella. She spoke about her incredible journey from the Displaced Persons camp in Europe where she was born the first daughter of Holocaust survivors to “Her Honor”. Our very own David Gregory, we claim him because he was our keynote speaker at our inaugural Presidents Dinner, told his story with an incredibly moving twist that he said was the truest meaning for him of L’dor V’dor. On that Sunday he told us that his father had passed away two days ago and the following weekend he would witness his son’s Bar Mitzvah. You can only imagine the tears of the 3000 people in attendance. The plenary concluded with “Will & Grace” lead actress – Debra Messing. She began with
a story of the anti-Semitism she experienced in rural Rhode Island and how she finally felt at home while attending Brandeis University. Her Jewish experience in Hollywood is truly a remarkable journey of strength and resilience. Additionally, at each plenary we heard from engaged Jewish community members as young as 12 years old to people in their nineties. What a moving way to pass the torch to the next generation. These are my impressions of the best General Assembly I have attended in many years. There were so many treasured moments. The best thing is that they were all captured on video and you can watch these great presentations yourself. Just go to http://www.generalassembly. org/multimedia Upon returning to Dayton, we were busting at the seams with passion, ideas, and excitement. While Ohio begins to hibernate this winter, our offices will certainly be buzzing with events and warmth that will drive us into 2016 with a bang
CATHY GARDNER CEO JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DAYTON
REFLECTIONS on a Trip to Israel January 20, 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Ohio House of Representatives Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition Jeff Hoagland join us to share their reflections on their recent trip to Israel. Strahorn and Hoagland joined a delegation of key leaders from the Ohio region to Israel this past fall to spur a connection between Dayton and Israeli economic development. ADDITIONAL INFO: Strahorn previously served as a state representative to the greater Dayton area from 2001 to 2008, and served as vice president of government affairs for the Ohio United Way. He is a graduate of Ohio State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Aviation. Hoagland is the President and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC). The Coalition is the Dayton Region’s economic development organization and principle public advocate. Hoagland has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Dayton, and a Masters of Public Administration from Wright State University. He has worked in local government administration for over 20 years, as Community Development Administrator, Economic Development Manager, and Assistant City Manager for the City of Kettering.
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2016
“Fortify yourself, build up your STRENGTH.”
—Nahum 2:2
After Sufganiot try Strength; after Latkes try longevity; and after New Year celebrations, try Nutrition. Jewish Community Center of GREATER DAYTON Friday, January 15 › Book Club 10:30AM @ Temple Israel (130 Riverside Dr, 45405) When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka. RSVP to Judith Woll at 470-0113.
For your New Year resolutions, choose Health with the CJCE! Come join our great instructors in some fun classes and be healthier and happier. Ongoing classes: » INSANITY | January 11–April 13 | Mondays & Wednesdays 5-6PM | Instructor Lauren Baumgarten | Minimum 4 students » TAI CHI | January 10–April 14 | Thursday 4-5PM | Instructor Debra Stewart | Minimum 4 students » YOGA | January 10–April 14 | Thursday 5-6PM | Instructor Debra Stewart | Minimum 4 students New class: » PILATES | January 10–February 28 | Sundays 10:30-11:30AM | Instructor Natalie Peppel | Minimum 10 students
Monday, January 18 › School Days Out 8:45AM–3:45PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Come to enjoy indoor gaga, story reading, acting, gaming, and more! Don’t be bored at home on your day off school! $40. Wednesday, January 27 › Early Childhood Winter Social 6:30–8PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Early Childhood families are invited to join us for this family social where we will celebrate our “Community Heroes” with games, crafts, and activities. Fridays, February 5–April 15 › Renaissance Art 10AM @ Boonshoft CJCE Continue studying the Renaissance Art of France, Germany, Italy and Spain New students welcome! $50 per student.
Women’s Passover Seder Thursday, March 31 @ 6–9PM Join us for a journey towards freedom. Sing, dance, and celebrate with a delicious kosher meal prepared by Bernstein’s Catering. The 2016
SAVE THE DATE Saturday, February 27 › A Night In Vegas 7PM–11PM @ Boonshoft CJCE JCC Annual Fundraiser.
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
Women’s Freedom Seder is a collaboration of
MIX IT UP! Yvonne Polk stirs potatoes
women from Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel,
and onions with eggs while Nova Justice
Hadassah, and throughout the Miami Valley. This
watches as they make latkes with the
program is made possible through a grant from the
Mishpacha class during their weekly
World Religion Foundation.
Judaics session with Rochel Simon in
» For more information and to RSVP,
Early Childhood Care & Education.
contact Karen Steiger at ksteiger@
PHOTO CREDIT: KATIE LEHNER
jfgd.net or 937-610-1555.
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2016
Jewish Family Services Jewish Foundation ofof GREATER DAYTON GREATER DAYTON
STUDENT LOANS
ABOVE: On December 3, 2015, all hands were on deck to prepare the Chanukah gift bags. PHOTO CREDIT: AMY BOYLE LEFT: L’Chaim 2015! The Arts Come Alive in Dayton was a success. Those in attendance enjoyed interacting with our local arts exhibitors. PHOTO CREDIT: PETER WINE BELOW: Janice Kohn, Steve Markman, Cherie Rosenstein, Ira Segalewitz, and Judith Woll attend the JFS Chanukah party. PHOTO CREDIT: TARA FEINER
Student loans are available courtesy of the Lillian E. Finn Memorial Student Loan Fund and Cantor Student Loan Fund. Applications are available until March 4 for undergraduate or graduate students who are Dayton residents.
based on academic achievement, financial need, and funds available. These student loans are
months after graduation. For 2016, we have consolidated the student loan applications and the Heuman Scholarship application. You may apply for one or both. The deadline for student loans is March 4. Awards will be announced April 8. If you have any questions or would like to request an application, please contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net or 937-610-1796.
Sunday, January 31 › NICU Donation Preparation 1–3PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Everyone is welcome! Please RSVP by January 25. › Need Assistance Finding a Food Pantry Near You? Call the United Way Information & Referral Line, 225-3000 or Dial 2-1-1. › Are you caring for a loved one who is not in the Greater Dayton area? Visit http://www.ajfca.org/ senior-resource-connect/ to find supports and services provided by Jewish agencies nationwide. › Did you know that the Jewish Federation is a donation site for Clothes that Work? You can drop off new and gently-worn men and women’s clothing and accessories at the Boonshoft CJCE.
Awarded annually, the loans are distributed
interest free and repayment is to commence six
Tuesday, January 26 › Active Adults Tu B’Shevat Celebration 1:30PM @ Aullwood Audubon Center (1000 Aullwood Road, 45414) Please RSVP by January 22. $5 per person.
NICU PROJECT
Supporting families at Dayton Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Have you seen the hampers at Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Chabad, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel and at the Boonshoft CJCE? We are still collecting: newborn hats; rattles; cute receiving blankets; toiletries for parents; notebooks, journals and pens for parents, and children’s books. On January 31, from 1–3PM at the Boonshoft CJCE, all are invited to come and create gift bags. Children who attend can decorate bags and create cards while the adults assemble the bags, filling them with the donated items.
› Don’t know what to donate in the Food Barrels? How about peanut butter? The Dayton Bar Association, in collaboration with the Greater Dayton Volunteers Lawyer Project, just launched the “Bar Hunger: Peanut Butter and Justice Challenge.” We can show our support for this initiative by filling our barrels with peanut butter! PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL ACTIVE ADULT EVENTS: 610-1555
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2016
Calling all BBYO members! The following scholarships are available:
» BBYO LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP: High School youth planning to attend a BBYO Leadership Conference are invited to apply. This scholarship is made possible by the BBYO Leadership Fund. » BBYO CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP: High School youth planning to attend a BBYO conference are invited to apply. This scholarship is made possible by the Feldman Family BBYO Youth Fund.
Jewish Foundation of GREATER DAYTON › Residential Camp Scholarship: Funds are available for local youths planning to participate in a Jewish residential camp program during the summer of 2016. This scholarship is made possible through the Joan and Peter Wells Family, Children and Youth Fund and by a generous donation from Carole (of blessed memory) and Bernie Rabinowitz. › Travel to Israel Scholarship: Dayton area Jewish teens and young adults, ages 14-21, are invited to apply for the Wolfe Marcus Trust Youth Travel to Israel Scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and plan to travel to Israel during the summer of 2016. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION, please contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net or 937-610-1796. Completed applications and supporting documentation must be received by March 4. Awards will be announced on April 8.
Contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net or 937-610-1796 for more information.
Heuman Scholarship Let’s face it: college is expensive. Between books, tuition, and housing, it can add up fast. Many students rely on scholarships and grants to help lighten the student loan load. Through March 4, the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton will be accepting applications for the Vicky & Robert Heuman Scholarship. 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. Jewish Dayton area residents are invited to apply for this award.
Completed applications and supporting documentation must be received by March 4. Awards will be announced on April 8. If you have any questions, or would
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION
UNITED JEWISH CAMPAIGN IN HONOR OF › Meredith Moss Levinson receiving the Friend of Philanthropy Award Susan and Stanley Katz LINDA RUCHMAN MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF › Elaine Mayerson Judy and Marshall Ruchman Julie Ruchman JFGD ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FUND (In Memory of Debra L. Schwartz) IN HONOR OF › New granddaughter of Andy and Bill Franklin › Engagement of Chaya Mangel to Yisroel Finck › Celebrating Shmuel Simon’s upshernish Pam and Andy Schwartz IN MEMORY OF › Allen Rinzler › Harriet Moscowitz › Rebecca Wells › Larry Briskin › Helen Abramovitz › John Milling › Brian Appel Pam and Andy Schwartz TALA ARNOVITZ FUND IN HONOR OF › Matt Arnovitz being inducted into the Beth Abraham Kovod Society Cicely Nathan and Family
like to request an application, please contact Alisa Thomas at athomas@jfgd.net or 610-1796.
JCC
BEN AND DOROTHY HARLAN CHILDREN’S FUND IN HONOR OF › Rick Carne receiving the Robert Shapiro Award Marla and Dr. Steven Harlan IN MEMORY OF › Gary Shapiro Marla and Dr. Stephen Harlan FAMILY SERVICES
ACTIVE ADULTS IN MEMORY OF › Sylvia Linsker Russ Remick Harriet and Don Klass › Larry Briskin Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein Harriet and Don Klass FOUNDATION
JEREMY BETTMAN B’NAI TZEDEK FUND IN HONOR OF › Marriage of Todd and Susie Seaman › Marriage of Jared and Amanda Goldwasser › New granddaughter of Cheryl and Rick Carne Jean and Todd Bettman IN MEMORY OF › Bernie Gutmann › Elaine Mayerson › Gary Shapiro Elaine and Joe Bettman › Candy Davidson › Elaine Mayerson › Charna Weisman Jean and Todd Bettman
› Mamaloshen
A little bit of Yiddish to share with friends, courtesy of the JFS Yiddish Club, in memory of Lynda A. Cohen.
Vartn: \VART-en\ Verb To wait for, await, be in store for. Expression with vartn: › Vos mer gevart, mer genart. The more you wait, the more fooled you are (said especially with respect to waiting to set up a shidekh, a marriage match). › Gut tsu hofn, shver tsu vartn. It’s good to hope but hard to wait. › Vart oyf fraytik, vet men dir bakn a pletsl! Wait till Friday and we’ll bake you a cracker! (an expression used to calm down an impatient child; pletslekh were often baked as special Shabes treats on Friday afternoon). JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2016
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Classes
JCC Fitness: Insanity: w. Lauren Baumgarten. Mondays & Wednesdays, Jan. 11-April 13, 5-6 p.m. Tai Chi: w. Debra Stewart. Thursdays, Jan. 14-April 14, 4-5 p.m. Yoga: w. Debra Stewart. Thursdays, Jan. 14-April 14, 5-6 p.m. Pilates: w. Natalie Peppel. Sundays, Jan. 10-Feb. 28, 10:3011:30 a.m. $5 per class. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555. Temple Israel Shabbat Shalommm Yoga: Fri., Jan. 29, 6 p.m. W. Courtney Cummings & Cathy Hackett. Bring a yoga mat. $5. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. Temple Beth Or Classes: Sun., Jan. 10 & 24, 10:30 a.m.: Tanakh w. Rabbi Chessin. Sundays, 1 p.m.: Adult Hebrew w. Rabbi Chessin. Wednesdays, 6-9:30 p.m.: Israeli Folk Dancing w. Janifer Tsou. Wed., Jan. 6, 7 p.m.: Men’s Circle. Weds., Jan. 6 & 13: Intermediate Hebrew w. Ehud Borovoy. Thurs., Jan. 7, 1 p.m.: Socrates Café. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. Temple Israel Classes: Sundays, 9 a.m.: Tanakh Study w. Rabbi Bogosian. Sundays, noon: Exploring Reform Responsa w. Rabbi Bodney-Halasz. Mondays, noon: Advanced Biblical Hebrew w. Rabbi BodneyHalasz. Tuesdays, 5 p.m.: Beginner Hebrew w. Judy Heller. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Coffee & Commentary, Dorothy Lane Mkt., 6177 Far Hills Ave., Wash. Twp. Wednesdays, noon: Talmud Study w. Rabbi Bogosian. Wednesdays, 5 p.m.: Intermediate Prayerbook Hebrew w. Judy Heller. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.: Weekly Torah Portion w. Rabbi Bogosian. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Discussions
Beth Abraham Men’s Club Brunches: Sundays, 10 a.m. $5. Jan. 10: Juliet Glaser, January Cervical Cancer Month: My Personal Story. Jan. 24: Tu B’Shevat Seder. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520. Temple Israel Ryterband Brunch Series: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $5. Jan. 10: Rabbi Bernard Barsky: Nakedness and Shame, The Genesis of Inner Life in Genesis. Jan. 24: Dr. Rachel Magdalene, UTS: Social Action, the Biblical Prophets & the Friendship of Abraham Heschel and Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 31: Judy Heller: The Crypto-Jews of New Mexico. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. JCC Book Club: Fri., Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka. At Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. R.S.V.P. to Dr. Judy Woll, 470-0113. Reflections on Trip to Israel: w. State Rep. Fred Strahorn & Jeff Hoagland, Dayton. Dev. Coalition. Wed., Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 6101555.
Children
JCC School Days Out: Mon., Jan. 18, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. $40. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555.
Family
JCC Early Childhood Winter Social: Wed., Jan. 27, 6:30-8 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555.
Women
Chabad Women’s Circle Movie Morning: Sun., Jan. 10, 10 a.m. At the home of Teri German. Includes breakfast. R.S.V.P. to Chabad, 643-0770. Chabad Rosh Chodesh Society Jewish Learning Institute: The Art of Storytelling. Sun., Jan. 17, 10 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 643-0770.
Community Events
Temple Israel & Omega Baptist Pulpit Exchange: Fri., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton w. the Revs. Daryl Ward & Vanessa Oliver Ward giving sermon, followed by Oneg. Sun., Jan. 17 at Omega Baptist, 1821 Emerson Ave. Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz gives sermon, Courtney Cummings sings. Temple Israel Social Justice Day of Learning: Sun., Jan., 17, 8:45 a.m. Guest facilitators, text study, preparing lunches for Daybreak, decorating banner for MLK Memorial March & Rally. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. Beth Abraham & Corinthian Baptist Interfaith Service: Sun., Jan. 17, 9:45 a.m.-noon. Corinthian Baptist Church, 700 S. James H. McGee Blvd., Dayton. Parlor Meeting for Community Trip to Europe: at the home of Gayle & Irvin Moscowitz. Thurs., Jan. 21, 7-8:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555. Shabbat Shirah Debut of Dayton Jewish Chorale: Fri, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. Sat., Jan. 23, 9 a.m. at Beth Abraham, 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. Rebellion of Hope Exhibit: Thurs., Jan. 28, 6-7:30 p.m. Wright State University Student Union Atrium. Presented by Partnership2Gether. Chabad Chinese Shabbat Dinner: prepared by Chef Tiger Wang of China Cottage. Fri., Jan. 29, 5:30 p.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. to 643-0770. JFS NICU Collection: help assemble bags of items for babies in Dayton Children’s NICU & their families. Children welcome. Sun., Jan. 31, 1-3 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555.
Tu B’Shevat
Beth Abraham Tu B’Shevat Seder: and brunch, hosted by Men’s Club. Sun., Jan. 24, 10 a.m. $5. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520. JFS Active Adults Tu B’Shevat Celebration: Tues., Jan 26, 1:30 p.m. The Beauty and Wonder of Ohio’s Trees with naturalist Tom Hissong. Aullwood Audubon Center, 1000 Aullwood Dr., Dayton. Refreshments. $5. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 610-1555 by Jan. 22.
Temple Beth Or Tu B’Shevat Shabbat: singing, dancing, planting. Fri., Jan. 29, 6 p.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 4353400. Temple Israel Tot Shabbat for Tu B’Shevat: Fri., Jan. 29, 6 p.m. Service, craft, potluck dinner. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. R.S.V.P. to Molly Blumer, mblumer@tidayton.org.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
PAGE 17
KVELLING CORNER
LIFECYCLE Beth Abraham Synagogue Sisterhood has announced the recipients of its 2016 Women of Valor Awards: Marcia Kress, Beverly Louis, Joan Marcus, Myrna Nelson, Jane Novick, Wendi Pavlofsky, and Hyla Weiskind. The women will be honored for their achievements in the Jewish and general communities at the sisterhood’s Seventh Annual Women of Valor Luncheon, on May 4. The sisterhood will also honor the late Helen Abramovitz as part of the program. Aaron Guggenheimer Judi and Joel Guggenheimer are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son Aaron on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Temple Israel. Aaron’s grandparents are Henry and the late Barbara Guggenheimer of Butler Township, and Paul and Margaret Maranka of Vandalia. He is a little brother to Sam and Marla. Aaron is an honors student in seventh grade at Oakwood Junior High School. He has participated in several productions with the JCC Children’s Theatre, and summer programs with various community theatre groups. He also plays piano and received the top rating at the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs’ annual contest in 2015. He attends Temple Israel Religious School. An avid PC gamer, Aaron can defeat any boss at any level, and gaming with friends both real and online is his favorite pastime, just above reading, and beating his Dad at tennis. 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; make checks payable to The Dayton Jewish Observer.
was a two-time All-American and Academic All-American for the Tartans. When his playing time was finished at CMU, he was first in career tackles and interceptions, records that still stand today. Aaron is a vicepresident of a national health care company in Nashville, where he lives with his wife, Nicole, and daughter, Emma. The couple is expecting again in May.
columnist with the Dayton Daily News. The award honored her weekly Make a Difference column, in which she shares the wish lists of local nonprofits.
On Election Day, Annie Self was voted in to serve Dr. Burt Saidel was recently a four-year term honored by the Muse Machine. on the Centerville 6-year-old Maytal Levi in WDTN’s Maytal Levi ”To be lovingly singled out City School in December, with The the April 1996 issue of from so many who do so much District Board. Observer’s Marshall The Observer, the first for life, art, theatre, and youth is Annie has been issue of this publication Weiss beyond belief,” Burt says. “The a longtime PTO Rachel joy with which it was done is president. Haug Gilbert eternal, as are my thanks.” Grant, the trip teaches students about the struggles of AfricanEmily Briskin, daughter of Americans to gain equality in Jane and Dr. David Novick co- Jane and Alex Briskin, had an the ‘50s and ‘60s, the Jewish authored an article, Fight Ohio’s editorial published in the Yale With the new year, Walter Daily News (yaledailynews.com), role in America’s Civil Rights Ohlmann — president and CEO Heroin Epidemic with the Most movement, and the creation of Effective Treatment, published in Ending More Than AIDS. Emily of The Ohlmann Group for the rock ‘n’ roll and its influence is a 2015 graduate of Pierson past 30 years — has announced the November-December issue on breaking down the walls of Ohio Lawyer, the magazine College, and a student at the that he will now serve as of segregation. Teens will visit Yale School of Public Health, chairman of the agency, turning of the Ohio Bar Association Atlanta and Memphis, along (ohiobar.org). concentrating in epidemiology over the CEO position to his with Montgomery, Selma, and of microbial disease and global daughter, Linda Kahn, most Birmingham, Ala. Stops will The International Association health. recently senior VP of media. include the site of Leo Frank’s of Amusement Parks & Linda will keep her duties as lynching, the Rosa Parks Attractions named Scene 75 Fusian founders Zach Weprin head of the agency’s media Museum, the Voting Rights Dayton as one of the top three and Josh Weprin, along with department. Chief Marketing Museum, the Edmund Pettus family entertainment centers their partner Stephan Harman, Strategist David Bowman is Bridge, the 16th Street Baptist in North America for 2015. will celebrate their sixth year in now president. The Ohlmann Church, The Southern Poverty Jonah Sandler is the CEO — the fast-casual sushi business Group was founded in 1949. Law Center, Freedom Park, Chief Entertainment Officer with the opening of their ninth and the Civil Rights Institute. — of Scene 75, which now has a location in January, their fourth Aaron Lewis, son of Kay and The teens will also hear in Columbus. Norm Lewis, was inducted into second location in Cincinnati. performances at the legendary the Northmont High School Blues Club, Sun Studios and The Greater Dayton Region Temple Beth Or’s Rabbi Judy Athletic Hall of Fame on Dec. the Smithsonian Rock ‘n’ Chapter of The Association Chessin and Temple Israel’s 12. Aaron, a 2003 Northmont of Fundraising Professionals Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz tell Soul Museum. Contact Rabbi graduate, was an all-state Chessin at jactbo@gmail.com surprised Meredith Moss us there are still spots available football player there as well Levinson with its first-ever for area Jewish 10th-12th graders or Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz as a successful wrestler. He at kbodney@tidayton.org. Friends of Philanthropy Award to join the Etgar Social Change still holds most of the tackling Journey, Feb. 4-7. Locally funded records at Northmont. He went at its 26th Annual National The Dayton Jewish Observer Philanthropy Day Luncheon on through a Jewish Federation on to play football at Carnegie started its 20th anniversary Nov. 10. Meredith is a longtime of Greater Dayton Innovation Mellon University where he celebration a bit early when WDTN reporter Maytal Levi interviewed Observer founding Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss for a segment on 2 News in December. Nearly 20 years ago, in March 1996, a photo Marshall snapped for the first issue of The Observer The best service, (then called The Dayton Jewish creativity, Advocate) was of 6-year-old and value. Maytal in a Queen Esther Bring in this ad and costume at a community Purim receive $10 off your carnival. This time, it was next in-store purchase Maytal’s turn to put Marshall of $60 or more* in front of the camera, for a Expires 3.31.2016. news story on the shrinking *Some exclusions Jewish population in the apply. Not valid on wine, candy, Miami Valley. Both got a little or delivery. bleary-eyed reminiscing.
Our new location 2316 Far Hills Avenue • Oakwood, Ohio 45419 In The Shops of Oakwood • PAGE 18
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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.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
CONGREGATIONS
RELIGION
We carry with us all we have let into our hearts By Rabbi David Burstein The Jewish commentator Rashi said that Avram (Abraham) gave up four things by following God’s command. He gave up his birthplace, his home, his extended family, and his name. But in exchange for all of these losses and for following God’s command, he would be blessed.
Perspectives In April, I decided that I was going to embark on a new journey: that at the end of 2015, at the cusp of my 50th year, I would venture away from my longtime home, Temple Beth Or, and venture out to try a path closer to my actual home, Cincinnati. For 14 years, I have been traveling from Cincinnati to Dayton, charting a course through the orange barrels of I-75 and coming into the doors of Temple Beth Or: a destination that I have come to love and where I know peace.
Gay conversion therapy group ordered to close An Orthodox Jewish nonprofit that purports to help gay men become heterosexual has been ordered to close. Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) must cease operations within 30 days and refrain from therapy, counseling or treatment until that time, the New Jersey Superior Court ordered Dec. 18. The group must liquidate its assets and dissolve as a corporate entity within six months. JONAH was found to be in violation of the state’s Consumer Fraud Act in a June civil trial before a jury. The lawsuit had been filed in 2012. The three plaintiffs, who were former clients, were awarded approximately $72,000 in damages. According to the plaintiffs, JONAH claimed a success rate it couldn’t prove and used scientifically questionable therapy methods, including cuddling, naked allmale weekend retreats in the woods, and beating effigies of their mothers. In 2013, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a law banning licensed therapists from practicing conversion therapy in the state. The law has withstood court challenges. — JTA
Rachel Haug Gilbert
am today because of your Dayton has become the openness and trust. birthplace of my conSo I leave my Dayton gregational rabbinate, a Jewish community better spiritual home for myself than when I arrived, with and my family, a true wonderful memories and family of Jews who have even better friends and embraced me across the colleagues. city and a place where I But most of all, I will embraced my title, rabbi. miss my Temple Beth Or A city and people I family. There is too much have grown to respect to be said in gratitude to and love. And one I must put here right now. leave now. It is said that when you Like Avram, this was truly love someone you less a midlife crisis and leave a piece of your heart more a journey born of with them as you move great discernment and Rabbi David Burstein, his wife, Elizabeth, and on. faith in God. their three children, Emma, Coby, and Nadia, at Nothing could be more Why would I leave a Temple Beth Or’s dinner to honor the rabbi on his true of my 14-plus years job I love with an amazdeparture, Dec. 12 at Temple Beth Or. You ing congregation and an embraced me — drums, united vision. Each congregaoutstanding senior rabbi meditation pillows and all — tion works together to create a to set out on my own? Because into your hearts and lives, and it was time, and I had faith that community of shared practices for that I am truly grateful. and experiences. this was the right decision. So I set a new course; one in Some of my favorite memoRashi continues by saying of which I will work on buildries were the combined Purim Avram’s leaving his home: ing a coaching and consulting celebrations we used to hold “The Torah is saying that practice that will help people God will only make Avram un- together. through transition and change. There are excellent rabbis derstand his place in the world I will be home with my and teachers in this city, and when he makes this journey. children and wife, focusing on watching them interact with God has a destiny in mind for family. not only text Avram, one And I will still maintain a that can only be I have been able but all types of relationship with Temple Beth people should fulfilled by beOr and the Dayton community. make you feel lieving in God’s to become the I will continue the relationships words.” rabbi I am today proud. I have made here and strive to The FederaI do have because of your tion has consis- make more. faith, and I I will still be involved tently searched also have the openness and for ways to help through my men’s spirituality experiences that retreats and groups. I will be others, and that I have taken trust. just down the road, and am is a benefit to part in here in looking forward to my new this community. You gather as Dayton to build upon. role with our community. a community to celebrate and Being a rabbi has given me Change is often difficult. But great fulfillment and joy. I have mourn, to laugh, and of course it is part of a journey in which to nosh, to learn and teach. been entrusted with the most we carry with us all we have I have always felt embraced intimate moments of people’s let into our hearts. Thank you, and welcomed at any place of lives, and welcomed into lives Dayton, for touching mine. worship, at any event, and any all across Dayton. And I have gathering. From playing and learned from each of them Rabbi David Burstein served as meditating with the children at what Dayton’s Jewish commuHillel Academy to participating assistant rabbi and educator at nity has to offer. Temple Beth Or from 2001 to in numerous weddings, I have This is a community built 2015. been able to become the rabbi I upon collaboration and a
January Tevet/Shevat
Shabbat Candle Lightings January 1 5:05 p.m.
Torah Portions January 2/21 Tevet Shemot (Ex. 1:1-6:1)
January 8 5:11 p.m.
January 9/28 Tevet Vayera (Ex. 6:2-9:35)
Tu B’Shevat
January 15 5:18 p.m.
January 16/6 Shevat Bo (Ex. 10:1-13:16)
January 25/15 Shevat Marks springtime in Israel. Celebrated with picnics, fruit and planting trees.
January 22 5:26 p.m.
January 23/13 Shevat Beshalach (Ex. 13:17-17:16)
January 29 5:34 p.m.
January 30/20 Shevat Yitro (Ex. 18:1-20:23)
New Year for Trees
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Monday through Friday 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional 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 Sat., Jan 16, 10 a.m. Rabbinic Intern Tina Sobo. 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 Educator/Rabbi Ari Ballaban Fridays 7:30 p.m. Kabalat Shabbat 4th Friday, 6 p.m. followed by potluck. Saturdays 10 a.m. 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 Assoc. Rabbi/Educator Karen Bodney-Halasz 1st & 2nd Fri., 6 p.m. Other Fri., 7:30 p.m. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Fridays 6 p.m. 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon, 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.
PAGE 19
RELIGION
Originating in Kabalah, Tu B’Shevat seder links to environmental activism
Journey to the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with JCC Children’s Theatre’s annual production.
Saturday, February 20 @ 8PM Sunday, February 21 @ 3PM
&
Rosewood Arts Center (2655 Olson Dr., 45420)
TICKET PRICES:
$10 ADULTS, $12 AT THE DOOR $5 CHILDREN (6 & UP) 5 & UNDER AT NO COST
Call Karen at 610-1555 to reserve your seats. Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY. Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS. Book by LYNN AHRENS and STEPHEN FLAHERTY. Co-Conceived by LYNN AHRENS, STEPHEN FLAHERTY and ERIC IDLE. Based on the works of Dr. Seuss. Music Supervised, Adapted and Produced by BRYAN LOUISELLE. SEUSSICAL JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.
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bounty, Kabalists matched up By Diana Burmistrovich Israel’s regional fruit to symbolJNS.org ize the four physical elements: A basic way to celebrate Tu air, earth, water, and fire. B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year Assiyah, or earth, is symbolfor Trees, is to grow a plant or ized by fruits or nuts with an eat some fruit. But those seekouter shell and fruit within. ing a deeper experience with the holiday may choose to take This includes walnuts, pomegranates, pistachios, and part in a Tu B’Shevat seder — coconuts. not to be confused with the Yetzirah, or waPassover version. “Tu B’Shevat needed a major ter, is symbolized by fruits ritual, and the seder provides with edible us with that,” entrepreneur, educator, and blogger Rabbi Ja- outer flesh son Miller told JNS.org. “Based and inedible cores. on the seder of Passover, this This is an educational forum and includes symposium in which we can discuss and also recommit our- cherries, apricots, selves to the environment.” olives, and Kabalists from the northern plums. Israeli city of Tzfat created the Briyah, or ritual of the Tu B’Shevat seder air, is symbolto celebrate the idea that even ized by fruit that God’s smallest creations — be they tree, pomegranate, or date is entirely edible. This includes apples, pears, figs, — are all equal within nature’s and raisins. grand web. Atzilut, or fire, is not symThe initial ritual was outbolized by fruit, but by things lined in Peri Etz Hadar (Fruit of the Goodly Tree), part of an an- that represent God’s presence all around us. This can include thology of Kabalistic customs smelling something natural called the Heindat Yamun. like pine, cedar, or spices. While Tu B’Shevat is widely It is no coincidence that the celebrated in the Jewish world fruits included in as our counterThe constant the seder don’t part to Arbor Day, few Jews imagery of trees fall far from the tree. employ the is intended The constant seder ritual on imagery of trees this occasion. to invoke our is intended to inMany Jews voke our connecare troubled by connection to tion to the earth the seder’s apthe earth and and our Jewish parent roots in responsibility as the texts written our Jewish by followers of responsibility as its stewards. Looking from the 17th-century its stewards. the roots at the false messiah bottom to the known as Shabfruits among the leaves acts as batai Zvi. a reminder that when everyLike the Passover seder, the thing is connected, each small Tu B’Shevat version relies on action by a human reverberates the recitation of blessings and throughout the universe. the drinking of wine, with a “Trees are so important in greater emphasis on fruit. Jewish thought that the Torah Each group of fruit eaten at itself is called ‘a tree of life.’ the Tu B’Shevat seder reprePerhaps this Torah wisdom sents different ways that trees can help us think more wisely provide for us. Before eating about using these resources each kind of fruit, a blessing is carefully and living in a more said and a spiritual question sustainable way,” write Dr. related to that kind of fruit is Akiva Wolff and Rabbi Yonatan asked. Neri in their article, Trees, Torah, To fully appreciate nature’s
and Caring for the Earth as part of Jewcology’s Year of Jewish Learning on the Environment. Though the origins of the Tu B’Shevat seder may be hazy, the intention to deepen our connection with nature and assure the preservation of its bounty has lead to environmental activism’s increased relevance within the context of celebrating the Tu B’Shevat holiday. “We are living in God’s creation, which makes us equal to one another and makes us all equal in what we need and what we share equitably,” Sybil Sanchez, director of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), told JNS.org. “The seder is an important time to ritually recognize our values, but it is also a time to take action.” For Tu B’Shevat last year, COEJL called for Jewish community leaders to sign its “Jewish Environmental and Energy Imperative,” which asked Jews to reduce their energy use by 14 percent. More than 50 Jewish leaders signed the pledge. Honoring the theoretical foundations of Tu B’Shevat, the Israeli company SodaStream developed CO2-infusing products to create soda and sparkling water at home, in an effort to help the public reduce waste from bottles and cans purchased at stores. According to statistics from the U.S. Recycling Institute, more than 80 percent of bottles in the U.S. do not get recycled and end up in landfills. Incorporating environmental mindfulness can easily become part of Tu B’Shevat, according to Sanchez, who suggests checking whether your family is using locally-sourced fruit, ecologically minded dishes and dining ware, installing energy-efficient light bulbs, and turning off appliances when not in use.
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JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
Fighting ghosts Jew in the Christian World
Mention to a Jewish audience that 56 percent of Israel’s tourists in 2015 were Christian and you’ll see an untroubled yawn. Note that the Jewish state owes its renaissance in part to evangelical Christians and you’ll generate quizzical interest.
Candace R. Kwiatek But point out that Christians are some of Israel’s best friends and you’ll get one of three responses: appreciative agreement, incredulous disbelief, or dismissive cynicism. The latter uncomplimentary Jewish reactions — fueled by Church history, theology, and politics — are understandable. But these attitudes are worth reevaluating in light of theological developments and international interests. In Judaism, history is very much a part of the present. After all, Jews annually commemorate the Exodus (1200 B.C.E.) with a seder, celebrate the Maccabees’ victory (164 B.C.E.) during Chanukah, and mourn the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.) on its anniversary, Tisha B’Av. Thus, it should be no surprise that historical events of the modern era such as the Crusades (beginning in 1096), the Inquisition ( beginning in 1232), and the Spanish expulsion (1492) — symbols of two millennia of anti-Jewish legislation, persecution, violence, forced conversion, expulsion, and murder sanctioned by the Church and more recently adopted by the Nazis — are perceived as current events.
jority of Protestant fundamentalists, though not all, rejected it in favor of dispensationalism. The repercussion is that Jews Evolving from a literal are justifiably wary of Christiinterpretation of the Bible, anity. this theology describes God’s Fundamental to the Roman interactions with humankind Catholic Church’s historical as unique and discrete divine record was replacement theolplans or “dispensations.” ogy (supersessionism). As For the Jews, that plan is to David Brog points out in his eternally remain God’s chosen book Standing With Israel: Why people and heirs to the land of Christians Support The Jewish Israel in fulfillment of God’s State, this is the teaching that promises to Abraham. “when the Jews rejected Christ, Guided by the verse “I will the church replaced them as the bless those who bless you and true Israel and the beneficiaries curse those that curse you (Gen. of God’s promises to Abra12:3),” these Christians ascerham.” tain that part of their unique Brog, the former executive plan is to support Israel — the director of Christians United people and the land — the very for Israel (CUFI), is now direcdefinition of Christian Zionism. tor of the Maccabees Task Estimates of Christian ZionForce, an anti-BDS project fund- ist adherents range from 17 ed by Sheldon Adelson. million (Jerusalem Post) to 68 Elevated to official church million (Religion News Service). doctrine and adopted by early Largely unfamiliar with Protestantism, replacement these significant theological theology was reinforced in changes, Jews presume that Christian lands by widely variChristians’ negative views of able and inventive laws that Jews as misguided, rejected, used degradation and damned still and suffering We should prevail. to turn the Jews What are some welcome the into witnesses, other roadblocks living proof, Brog millions of to Jewish accepwrites, “that God Christian Zionists tance of Christian had embraced a Zionists? willing to stand new partner in There is a wide covenant.” perception of with us in Ultimately, an underlying support Israel. replacement agenda to contheology prevert Jews. Former pared the ideological and social Jewish Agency executive Dr. climate necessary for Hitler’s Misha Galperin has observed objectives. that Jewish institutions rarely As a result of much soulreach out to pro-Israel Chrissearching in the aftermath of tians because they are wary of the Holocaust, both the Vatican the proselytizing potential. and most Protestant denomiThis reticence isn’t helped by nations eventually rejected the few Christian Zionists who replacement theology, but its preach contemporary evangelingering effects are not so easlism in contrast to the majority ily erased. who believe all humans will be Protestant America eminspired to recognize the mesbraced replacement theology siah in some divinely-appointas well, but its focus was on ed final dispensation, a future evangelism and social reform end-of-days theology that has through the church rather than little direct impact on behavior on discrediting Judaism. in the here-and-now. During the latter years of the These dispensationalist 19th century, however, the maContinued on Page 24
Literature to share
For additional interesting reading, see
Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State by David Brog. The author’s extensive research, historical anecdotes, and personal experience on Capitol Hill bring to light some surprising dimensions to American Christians’ support for the state of Israel and for the Jewish people in general. An easy to read work on a topic of critical import in today’s world, Standing with Israel is critical to understanding our Christian neighbors and friends.
Christian Zionists funding Israel immigration still scares Jews by Amanda BorschelDan (The Times of Israel, 12/14/15) The top four Jewish worries about Christian Zionism by Jeffrey Salkin (Religion News Service, 3/11/15 What (really) motivates Evangelicals? by Robert Stearns (The Jerusalem Post, 12/3/14)
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After the terror: Israel’s emergency workers, part one The image is too familiar. A stabbing in Jerusalem. A shooting in Beersheba. A rocket exploding in Sderot. Within moments, Israeli emergency workers appear on the scene, willing to risk their lives to save the wounded, comfort those in shock, and show respect to the dead.
Mark Mietkiewicz This month, we’ll look at those emergency workers. Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David) is Israel’s National Emergency Medical Service. Mainly staffed by 10,000 volunteers — along with 1,200 emergency medical technicians, paramedics and emergency physicians — MDA is responsible for helping Israel’s Army Medical Corps in wartime, providing civilian emergency and medical first aid services, and maintaining a blood bank for civilian use (http://bit.ly/isemerg1). In a sign of the times, the Magen David Adom has released a video describing how members of the public can treat the victim of a stabbing. “Look for additional stab wounds and stop the bleeding,” says MDA medic Yamit Sol. “Speak to the victim while you help him, try to reassure him and don’t let him move until MDA arrives.”
Renewing Angels Dr. Marc & Maureen Sternberg Double Chai Bert & Annette Cream Mr. Harold Prigozen Subscribers Cory & Sharon Lemmon Col. (Ret.) & Mrs. Frank M. Mugford Mr. Richard Mutzman Current Guardian Angels Howard & Judy Abromowitz Stanley Cherny Marilyn & Larry Klaben Howard Michaels Walter Ohlmann Helene Perez Andrea Rabiner Current Angels Ken Baker, K.W. Baker & Assoc. Michael & Connie Bank George & Ruth Barnett & Family Skip Becker PAGE 22
Beer then Screenshot from YouTube Shoshana Blum Sol concludes, “Remember, realized that a writes of two your safety comes first, so motorcycle would make sure you aren’t in danger. unforgettable enable them to You can’t help the victim if you experiences. “We respond quickly. got a call that are wounded (http://bit.ly/ But he points out, a woman had isemerg2).” “we’re not there taken too many Magen David Adom’s efto replace ampills, most likely forts aren’t limited to disasters bulances. We’re trying to commit within the borders of Israel. just there to (fill) suicide...We got Its staff and volunteers have the gap between to the woman’s responded to crises in Greece, the ambulance house and I Kosovo, Indonesia, Eritrea, call until they began compresEthiopia, and a devastating arrive. And we sions right away earthquake in Turkey: “MDA save people that as the other paramedics sent daily reports otherwise would Screenshot from Magen David Adom training video about how to of horror, despair and miracles. paramedics got not be saved.” medications and treat a stabbing victim, released Oct. 13 On the word of an excited boy Although most the AMBU pump and girl who said they heard volunteers are Jewish, Beer has While the first group arrives ready. Unfortunately, we did knocking sounds deep within expanded his organization to by ambulance, United HatCPR for 20 minutes and there a pile of rubble, one paramedic east Jerusalem. “When my own zalah gets to the scene of the was nothing more we could used his stethoscope to locate father collapsed a few years do. She passed away that night disaster aboard ultra-modern the person underground. He ago from a cardiac arrest, one motorcycles. They claim that (http://bit.ly/isemerg5).” dug a small hole toward the of the first volunteers to arrive a two-wheeled emergency veOn another night, “we got noise. At first two fingers and to save my father was one of hicle lends them the speed and a call that a then an entire these Muslim volunteers from flexibility needed when traffic woman was hand emerged, Although they east Jerusalem who was in comes to a standstill after an atin labor at her allowing the share a common the first course to join Hatzatack (http://bit.ly/isemerg26). home. When paramedic to lah. And he saved my father. Speaking in the U.S. at a insert an intra- goal, you probably we got there, Could you imagine how I felt TED talk just days after the the head of the venous transwouldn’t confuse in that moment (http://bit.ly/ 2013 Boston Marathon Bombbaby was alfusion which isemerg8)?” ing, United Hatzalah founder ready visible. I helped to keep MDA responders Unfortunately, relations was able to help and emergency medical the victim alive with members of between United Hatzalah and technician Eli Beer credited deliver my first for the eight United Hatzalah. Magen David Adom have not his volunteer EMTs, a smartbaby. I was the hours it took to always been as cordial. After phone app and a fleet of first to hold the free him (http:// “ambucycles” for their extraor- years of rivalry and complaints baby, even before the mother. bit.ly/isemerg3).” of defamation, the Israel dinary average response time This experience of bringing a International volunteers Ministry of Health laid down new Israeli child into the world of three minutes (http://bit.ly/ (over age 18 and Hebrewground rules in 2014 to ensure isemerg7). is like nothing I could ever speaking) are invited to join that both organizations remain The idea came to him when describe.” Israeli first responders on their focused on saving lives — and Beer received a call about a Although they share a lifesaving mission (http://bit. not on each other (http://bit.ly/ 7-year-old child choking on a common goal, you probly/isemerg4). isemerg9). hot dog. “Traffic was horrific, After intensive training, they ably wouldn’t confuse MDA Next month, we’ll look at and we were coming from responders with members of are faced with life and death the combat engineers who try the other side of town in the challenges. American volunteer United Hatzalah. to defuse the bombs, and the north part of Jerusalem. When volunteers who deal with the we got there, 20 minutes later, aftermath. we started CPR on the kid. A New & Renewing Voluntary doctor comes in from a block Subscribers • Nov. 1 - Dec. 7 Mark Mietkiewicz writes about away, stops us, checks the kid, resources for Jewish life to be and tells us to stop CPR. That Joyce & Chuck Kardon Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Bettman found on the Internet. Contact second he declared this child Susan & Stanley Katz Amy & Michael Bloom him at highway@rogers.com. dead.” Mrs. David Laderman Hy & Sylvia Blum Betty & Don Chernick Lori Appel-Cohen Mrs. Melvin Crouse Dr. & Mrs. Scot Denmark Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Feldman Esther & DeNeal Feldman Lynn Foster M.J. & Bella Freeman Dr. Eric Friedland Erika & Felix Garfunkel Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg & Hazzan Jenna Greenberg Kim & Shelley Goldenberg Debby & Bob Goldenberg Judi & George Grampp Art & Joan Greenfield Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Harlan Robert & Vicky Heuman Sylvia & Ralph Heyman Maxine & Jeffrey Hoffman Steve & Rachel Jacobs Dr. & Mrs. David Joffe Dennis Kahn & Linda Ohlmann Kahn
Gabriele & Todd Leventhal Shirley Leventhal Jean Lieberman Beverly Louis Dr. David & Joan Marcus Suzi & Jeff Mikutis Irvin & Gayle Moscowitz Myrna Nelson Martin Nizny John & Sharyn Reger Russ Remick Jan Rudd-Goenner Felice & Michael Shane Mr. & Mrs. Henry Stern Col. Jeffrey Thau, USAF, (Ret) & Rina Thau Joel & Jennifer Tobiansky Julie & Adam Waldman & Family Judith & Fred Weber Michael & Karen Weprin Dr. Judith Woll & Ron Bernard
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LESHON IMA — MOTHER TONGUE
Choref, winter
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I don’t have to tell you that winter is here. The birds migrate south and even some people follow their path as they endeavor to escape the cold, harsh northern season. The Hebrew word for winter is choref. Choref is mentioned seven times in the Bible. It is derived from the verb charif meaning freshly gathered, plucked fruit, implying the harvest Playing in the snow, with the Jerusalem neighborhood season. However, choref Mishkenot Sha’ananim in the background, Jan. 10, 2013 is the rainy season in Israel, which according to the rabbis dows faced south to enjoy the natural of the Talmud, lasts two months, from heating power of the sun, unlike sumthe last half of Kislev to the first half mer houses where the windows faced of Shevat (Baba Metziah 10:6). Since north to avoid the sun. Kislev is the third month on the Jewish In the prophetic literature, the batay calendar, it means that two and a half choref of the rich became analogous months separate the summer, which to corruption and decadence. In one ends in Elul, from the winter season. In recorded incident, for example, King Jehoiakim was sitting comfortably in his bait choref, “with the fire burning in the brazier,” listening with disdain to JerDr. Rachel emiah’s prediction of disaster delivered by a messenger (Jer. 36:22). Zohar Dulin More so, the prophet Amos, when he prophesied the destruction of the Northern Kingdom, declared that God Modern Hebrew this period is called will “wreck the bait choref together stav, autumn. with the summer palace (Amos 3:15),” But stav had a different meaning alluding to the economic prosperity of in ancient days. In the Bible, stav, like the north, which was gained by corrupin other Semitic languages, means the tion and would soon be destroyed. rainy season and as such is synonymous Here’s an idiom that appears only with choref. once in the Bible but has entered ModThis is affirmed by the lovely words ern Hebrew literature. Yemay chorpi, of the poet describing nature’s seasonal literally, the days of my winter, was the renewal: “the stav passed, the rains are phrase used by Job to describe his days over and gone, the blossoms have apof youth (Job 29:4). peared in the land (Song of Songs 2:11).” For us, winter usually infers old age, Interestingly, only two seasons are but for the biblical writer, choref symmentioned in the Bible as part of God’s bolized a prime time, where like a tree creation and natural order, choref and in harvest, one is young and filled with summer. (Gen. 8:22; Ps. 74:17). But with the sap of life. the years, and with travelers’ exposure Toward the end of January we’ll to the colorful, natural embroidery of mark Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for the autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, Trees. In Israel it means that choref is some believe the meaning of the biblical about over and spring is at the door. stav was changed from winter to auChag sameach (happy holiday) to the tumn to give a name to the season not trees and to all of us. mentioned in the Text. In biblical times, as today, people Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a professor of tried to escape the cold by building babiblical literature at Spertus College in tay choref, winter houses, with fireplaces Chicago and an adjunct professor of Bible in them. In the batay choref, the winand Hebrew at New College of Florida.
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OBITUARIES Darcy J. Alter (nee Zelman) of Beachwood, Ohio passed away on Nov. 30. She was 54. Mrs. Alter bravely and courageously battled cancer for 10 years and due to her spirit and joy and the way she lived her life, no one thought that the disease would claim her life. She was the loving wife of Randy. Devoted mother of Sophie, Max and Sadie. Cherished daughter of Harriet and Jerome Zelman. Dear sister of Dan (Ellen) Zelman, Debby Rapoport and David (Ivy) Zelman. Beloved daughter-in-law of Betty and Sid Alter and sisterin-law of Jill Schaeffer and Mitch (Linda) Alter. Adored aunt and friend to many. Interment was at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Cleveland. Friends who wish may contribute to the Gathering Place, 23300 Commerce Park Dr., Beachwood, OH 44122. Evelyn Cynthia Barnett, age 85, passed away peacefully at her residence, One Lincoln Park, on Nov. 24. Mrs. Barnett was born to Eastern European immigrants Pearl and Harry Mason in Malden, Mass. on Jan. 5, 1930. She graduated from Salem
G
Teachers College, now Salem State University — where she was noted for her violin playing — and then taught elementary grades in the Malden public school system. In 1961, she married Boston native Dr. Louis Barnett and moved to Dayton, where he had established his medical practice. Together, they worked side by side in his medical office on Wayne Avenue. Mrs. Barnett was an active member of the Montgomery County Medical Society Alliance, and for years offered the opening prayer at its luncheons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis, in 1993. Mrs. Barnett is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Marshall Weiss; grandchildren, Levi and Adina; brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Susan Mason; nieces and nephews. The family thanks Mrs. Barnett’s team of caregivers and Hospice of Dayton for their excellent care, allowing her to live her final days in comfort and with dignity. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Family Services or the charity of your choice.
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Gerald “Jerry” Kantor, age 90 of Kettering, passed away Dec. 1 at Kettering Medical Center surrounded by his children. He was born in Dayton on Sept. 7, 1925 to the late Hyman and Sylvia Kantor. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Roberta “Bobbie” Kantor. Mr. Kantor is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Beverly Kantor; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Scott Meadow; grandchildren, Dana and James Faello, Jon Kantor Meadow and AnnaMarie Sintetos, Sydney Heath Meadow, Rachel Abroms-Heyne, Mark Heyne, Beth Abroms-Miranda, Valente Miranda; great-granddaughter, Sasha Miranda; great-grandson, Jacob Heyne; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Diane Duberstein; sister-in-law, Marlene Kantor; six nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend, Beatrice Ballas. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Arnold, Paul, and Milton; three sisters-in-law, Sally, Polly, and Ilo; and his in-laws, Herman and Mutz Duberstein. Mr. Kantor was a lifelong Daytonian. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Miami University. He served his country in the 82nd Airborne during WWII, and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor at the Battle of the Bulge. He spent 22 wonderful years working with his brothers in the retail grocery business. He spent the next 14 years working alongside his son, Jeff, also in the retail grocery business, and finished his career with the Victory Wholesale Group, a company started by his brother. He was an avid cyclist, loved to travel, and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Contributions may be given to the Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Germantown, Ohio, the Jewish War Veterans of Dayton, or to the charity of your choice.
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Carole A. Rabinowitz, age 77 of Dayton, died peacefully, Dec. 14, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Rabinowitz was born in Dayton on April 23, 1938 to the late Victor and Ida Appelblatt. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1956, attended The Ohio State University and graduated from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, College of Education. Mrs. Rabinowitz was a community leader and philanthropist, and was particularly active in the Jewish community for many years. She was a longtime member and former board member of Beth Abraham Synagogue; a member of its sisterhood, Hadassah and a recipient of the prestigious Women of Valor award. She was active in the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, serving as the chairperson for Jewish Family Services, was the first woman to lead the United Jewish Campaign for Dayton, and served on the National Board of UJA Women’s Division. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and devoted friend. Mrs. Rabinowitz is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Bernie; daughters and sons-in-law, Beth Rabinowitz of Gaithersburg, Md., Judith R. and David Bernstein of Gaithersburg, Md., Laura and John Ryzenman of Columbus; son and daughter-in-law, William and Erin Rabinowitz of Columbus; sister, Beverly Louis of Dayton; brother and sister-in-law, David M. and Deborah Appelblatt of Dayton; grandchildren, Rachel Rabinowitz, Josh and Ari Bernstein, Leah, Jack and Anna Ryzenman, Kathryn and Michael Rabinowitz; devoted
cousin, Lois (Louis) Hoffman of Dayton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue, The Hospice of Dayton or the charity of your choice in her memory.
Fighting ghosts
and liberties by its stances on gay marriage, the separation of church and state, and Israel’s borders and settlements. However, the Torah teaches the obligation to assist even an adversary in order to do the right thing: “When you see the ass of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless raise it with him (Ex. 23:5).” Jews are commanded to find ways to work with their opponents in the service of the Jewish state. Many American Jews live in the traumatic past, assuming that Christian attitudes toward Jews today are similar to those of prior centuries, Brog writes. They have failed to notice that “the enemy they fear has long since become a friend. These Jews are fighting ghosts.” Instead, we should welcome the millions of Christian Zionists willing to stand with us in support of tiny, beleaguered Israel. And who knows, perhaps they have come about for just such a time as this.
Continued from Page 21 Christian Zionists are theologically opposed to converting Jews, the eternal chosen people. In the words of Return Ministries founder Dean Bye, “You don’t circumcise me and I won’t baptize you.” That pro-Israel Christians fund aliyah — the ingathering of Jewish exiles to Israel — in order to bring about the final redemption elicits concern. While these funds do support the American aliyah effort Nefesh B’Nefesh, they primarily rescue endangered Jews in the former Soviet Union and France. In Judaism, actions are more important than beliefs or motives; shouldn’t we focus on the funding’s accomplishments rather than theology? Another cause for misgiving is the political and social conservatism of Christian Zionists. In the view of predominantly liberal Jewry, this conservatism threatens Jewish civil rights
William I. Shaman, 90 of Dayton, passed Dec. 12. Born July of 1925 to Benjamin R. Shaman and Fan Goldzwig Shaman, he is survived by his closest friend, Betty Sweeney; sister, Dorothy Finder (Aventura, Fla.); daughter, Cathy Contreras (Rio Rancho, N.M.); son, Andrew; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Shaman graduated from Fairview High (class of 1943). He was a Navy signalman in World War II, graduated from Ohio State/Ohio University, practicing law until age 75. Please donate to your favorite charity. He will be missed by many, but will live in our hearts forever. Harriett R. Zawatsky, age 77 of Dayton, passed away Dec. 18. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Helen Kollinger, and her sister, Shirley Schatz. Mrs. Zawatsky is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ivan; daughter, Joni (John) Burton; son, Steve (Angie) Zawatsky; five grandchildren, Erica and Rachel Burton, Eli, Phoebe and Lyla Zawatsky; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Roberta Zawatsky; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JANUARY 2016
Arts&Culture
Fiddler in the age of Pew and Syria Tradition and immigration take on new relevance in sixth Broadway revival
Lindsay Hoffman/Jeffrey Richards Associates
By Ted Merwin The New York Jewish Week There may be no more rousing and infectious song than Tradition, the opening number in Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical about one man’s quixotic, ultimately doomed battle to keep the winds of political and social change from blowing away his beloved shtetl. Nevertheless, when the cast of the sixth Broadway revival of Fiddler, directed by the Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher Danny Burstein, rehearses the role of Teyve in Fiddler on the Roof, at and starring Danny Burstein New West 42nd Street Studios as Tevye, takes the stage to he feels “personally close” to And Burstein’s co-star, Jessing Tradition, it does so at a the material because of his own sica Hecht (Gretchen Schwartz time when the very meaning Jewish background; he was on Breaking Bad), who plays of Jewish tradition is being reraised Catholic but discovered Golde, is also Jewish. evaluated. as a teenager that his father, While Teyve may be perLarge numbers of American who was born in Lithuania, ceived as conservative, if not Jews, especially those who was a Jew. reactionary, in his attitude were born toward the end of Alisa Solomon, author of toward his daughters decithe 20th century, have reported the 2013 Wonder of Wonders: A sions to be guided by their (in recent Pew Research Center Cultural History of Fiddler on the own hearts rather than their surveys, for example) that they parents’ agenda, Burstein views Roof, said the show “captures feel disconnected from Jewish the wrenching, inevitable nahis character as “actually quite religion altogether, even as the ture of change.” progressive for his time. He liberal movements in JudaEvery production of the respects his wife and daughters ism are becoming increasingly musical, she pointed out, takes and is a person that people in accepting of intermarriage as a place at its own historical mohis community look up to.” valid lifestyle choice. ment, but “right now is parBurstein sees the musical as Then again, at a time when ticularly apt. I can’t look at the having profound 21st-century refugees are flooding out of images of Syrian refugees with relevance. “What Syria and imtheir bundles and babushkas happens in Fidmigration is a without thinking of the final dler isn’t stuff red-hot topic moment of Fiddler, a moment of the past,” he in our politithat is so imprinted in our colnoted. “It’s hapcal discourse, lective consciousness.” pening today. Fiddler, with its When Fiddler debuted in People are being final scene of 1964, Solomon noted, American forced from their expulsion, seems Jewish periodicals like Comhomes, people startlingly conmentary were “anxious about a are being persetemporary. lot of the same things that Jews cuted because of How will the are anxious about today” — their religions, musical resonate issues of intermarriage, Jewish children are breaking away for Jewish audiences today? from their parents and breaking continuity, and the like. As the new production Solomon, who teaches jourtraditions.” began previews, Burstein (a While Sher (who directed the nalism at Columbia University, five-time Tony nominee for his cited the current example of current Broadway revival of performances as the enterpristhe Conservative movement’s ing Luther Billis in South Pacific, The King and I) was unavailable debating its stance on intermarfor an interview, he can be seen Follies and other shows) took riage and trying to “define itself in a YouTube video speaking a moment to reflect about his for a younger generation in a to the cast. He discusses the own Jewish roots in an email. way that both honors tradition refugee crisis in Europe and Raised by a Jewish stepand is contemporary.” how “our exploration of the father, Burstein was also The overarching question for piece is…trying to find ways the biological son of Jewish 21st-century American Jews is, in which Fiddler feels profound parents; he learned recently Solomon said, the same as it that his mother’s relatives were and important to do today, in was for Tevye and his kin: Jewa world that is exploding in all Sephardic Jews who emigrated kinds of directions, with people ish customs may seem almost from Spain to Costa Rica. His infinitely flexible, capable of all on the move, being driven out stepfather, he said, instilled in kinds of creative reinterpretaof their homes by civil war and him “strong moral values — to tions. “But when,” Solomon oppression.” work hard and to always give asked, echoing many other curAfter the rehearsal, Sher back. If that’s not Jewish, I talks in the video about how don’t know what is.” Continued on next page
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Fiddler, with its final scene of expulsion, seems startlingly contemporary.
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Arts&Culture
Behind the scenes at Fiddler revival plays Mordcha, the innBy Lonnie Firestone, JTA keeper, and is also the NEW YORK — Ever since understudy for Tevye Zero Mostel imagined himself — makes his Broadway as a rich man in the original debut in this produc1964 Broadway production, tion. He’s the son of Fiddler on the Roof has been a Herschel Bernardi, cultural landmark on Broadwho replaced Mostel way and in the Jewish sphere. as Tevye in the original The newest revival and Broadway production sixth Broadway production and later reprised the of Fiddler features a cast of Lyricist Sheldon Harnick Director Bartlett role in 1981. Broadway veterans like Danny Sher But the family Burstein as Tevye and Jessica connection extends another Hecht as Golde, as well as So They celebrate Shabbat generation: Bernardi’s grandYou Think You Can Dance wintogether. father performed the stories of ner Melanie Moore as Chava. Early in the rehearsal proSholem Aleichem in the Yiddish Ticket sales suggest that the cess, on Oct. 23, the cast and theatre. (Fiddler is a compilapublic’s interest in the musical creative team of Fiddler had a has hardly waned. Shabbat dinner at Mendy’s Res- tion of several of the writer’s stories, though it takes liberties Here’s a behind-the-scenes taurant, the classic delicatessen with them.) look at some surprising facts in Midtown Manhattan. about the current production. It may have been the first Look out for some new Shabbat dinner experience for choreography... At 91, lyricist Sheldon several of them, but after a few Most Fiddler revivals hew Harnick is still active in the l’chayims — and conversations closely to the original chorecreative process. that ranged from personal hisography — but for this proMore than 50 years after he tories to religion, according to duction, the Robbins estate wrote such poignant lyrics as a media representative — they permitted more freedom. This “playing with matches, a girl were extended family. has enabled Israeli choreogracan get burned,” lyricist Shelpher Hofesh Shechter — his don Harnick was a presence in Current events inform England-based troupe, Hofesh the rehearsal room every day, the production. Shechter Company, is known offering the cast feedback and At early rehearsals with for modernist, gritty movement guidance. the cast, director Bartlett Sher set to percussive electronic At 91, he’s the only remainspoke of Syrian refugees and music — to ing member of the original how they serve weave in some creative team, which included as an essential contemporary composer Jerry Bock, book access point movement. writer Joseph Stein and difor both the Trained in rector-choreographer Jerome actors and the traditional Robbins. audience. The Israeli and RusBut Harnick’s still a force: In significance of sian folk dance, a video of the sitzprobe — the Fiddler today, Shechter aimed first rehearsal featuring the cast he said, is in renot to redo and full orchestra together — lating to people but to expand Harnick astounded Burstein by who leave their Choreographer Hofesh Shechter Robbins’ iconic saying this orchestra sounded homes searchdances. The result is a balance better than he ever rememing for security. of tradition and progress that bered. “Currently in Europe, we’re connects to the musical’s cenHarnick’s remarkably agile, seeing the largest refugee crisis tral idea. too. When posing for a cast since World War II,” he said at photo at the show’s media a media event. “Tevye allows ...and some new music, too event, he instinctively kneeled us to be in that situation as he Sher has become a coveted on the floor next to 20-somefigures out how to cope.” director for reviving classics. thing cast members. Naturally He’s breathed new life into they insisted he stand, front Fiddler runs in the family. the works of Rodgers and and center. Michael Bernardi — who Hammerstein (The King and view, “We’re living multicultur- I) and Clifford Odets (Awake and Sing!). In each of these al lives, but there’s a loss of the productions, Sher researches Continued from previous page sacred in our culture. Tevye’s like a professor: He begins by rent observers of the American relationship to God is charmstudying early versions of the Jewish scene, “do you bend so ing, but it’s what we’re all in script — including songs that far that you break?” quest of, which is someone or were cut and dialogue that was Rabbi Ed Feinstein’s latest something to believe in.” rewritten — in order to build a book, The Chutzpah Imperative: Or, as he put it in his book, musical from the ground up. Empowering Today’s Jews for a Fiddler is nothing less than “the The result is a production Life That Matters, centers on story of our origins as modern that looks and sounds like the Fiddler as paradigmatic of both Jews and the birth of the comoriginal — yet also feels vital the blessings and curses of plicated identities we inhabit.” and relevant for a contemmodernity. porary audience, with some As Feinstein, spiritual Fiddler on the Roof is at surprises, too: Look out for new leader of Valley Beth Shalom, a the Broadway Theatre, 1681 music featured in some of FidConservative congregation in Broadway. Tickets are available at dler’s dance scenes. Encino, Calif., said in an intertelecharge.com.
Age of Pew & Syria
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Tikkun Olam in Eastern Europe:
A Dayton Jewish Community Mission Prague, Vienna, & Budapest with Berlin Extension June 26–July 5 | Chaired by Gayle & Irvin Moscowitz PRAGUE Delve into the Jewish Quarter including Maisel, Pinkas, Klausen, and Old-New Synagoges. Later, explore the Royal Palace, Prague Castle, and St. Veits Cathedral.
VIENNA Tour Mauthausen, one of the largest concentration camps in Germancontrolled Europe. Return to Vienna to experience the Kohlmarkt and the Stephansdome, with a focus on the city’s historical link to Vienna’s Jews.
BUDAPEST Relax on a night cruise down the Danube before working with the Jewish institutions of Budapest to build bonds. Then tour the historical city including the Budapest Moishe House, Teleki Synagogue, and Holocaust Memorial Center.
BERLIN (EXTENSION) JULY 5–8
Experience the Berlin Jewish Museum, Jewish Cemetery, Synagogue, and Holocaust Memorial. Discover the parks and palaces of Sanssouci, the Dutch Quarter, and the Old City. INFORMATIONAL PARLOR MEETING with Special Guests from Budapest »
January 21, 7–8:30PM @ the home of Gayle & Irvin Moscowitz For more details or to RSVP, contact Jodi Phares at jphares@jfgd.net or 610-5513.