The Dayton Jewish Observer, October 2024

TwoDavid commemorations to mark Oct.book 7 massacre Moss designs Grace Afteryear Mealssince in comic form p. 22p. 3

THE DAYTON Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton

October 2024 Elul 5784/Tishri 5785 Vol. 29, No. 1

OBSERVER

The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • daytonjewishobserver.org

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for peace in the new year

Address Service Requested Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton 525 Versailles Drive Dayton, OH 45459

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L’Shanah Tovah!

To a Sweet New Year

Children, parents, and teachers dance to camp-style Jewish songs after a kosher dinner at the Community Shabbat celebration hosted by Hillel Academy, the JCC, PJ Library & PJ Our Way at the Boonshoft CJCE, Friday night, Sept. 13. Hillel Academy Jewish day school students led a Kabalat Shabbat service under the guidance of Principal Anna Smith, and Beth Abraham Synagogue Religious School's Jese Shell led supplementary religious school students in the Kiddush. Beth Abraham Rabbi Aubrey Glazer and Beth Jacob Rabbi Leibel Agar offered prayers for the occasion, and Jewish Federation CEO Cathy Gardner lit the Shabbat candles with Jewish Family Services Exec. Dir. Tara Feiner. Funding for the program came from the Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schools and a Jewish Federation Innovation Grant.

Stacy Emoff

Photographer Mike Jaffe was one of several Jewish artists and artisans whose works were on display at the Dayton Art Institute, Aug. 21 for the Look at Us: Jewish Artists & Artisans in Dayton program. Local artist Hannah Kasper Levinson also gave a talk about her art at the event, which was presented by the JCC, Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel, with funding through a Jewish Federation Innovation Grant.

PJ Library & Beth Jacob's Sukkot at Black Star Farm

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PAGE 2

Rabbi Leibel Agar

Rabbi Leibel Agar and Cantor Jonathan Cohen will be leading us in prayers for the High Holidays.

Cantor Jonathan Cohen

Beth Jacob Congregation invites and encourages the community to join us for Inspirational High Holiday Traditional services.

See our full holiday schedule at www.bethjacobcong.org

7020 North Main Street—Dayton, Ohio 45415 937-274-2149—www.bethjacobcong.org

The family of Jese Shell will host PJ Library and Beth Jacob Congregation's Sukkot party at Black Star Farm, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20. The farm is located at 5904 Troy-Frederick Rd., Tipp City. Register for the free program by Oct. 18 at jewishdayton.org/events.

Arts..............................36 Calendar............................. 23 F a m i l y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Food.............................31 Mazel Tov.................................24 Obituaries ...........................38 O p i n i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 7 Religion.......................... 25

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

DAYTON

Two commemorations to mark year since Oct. 7 massacre

Wishing You A Happy New Year.

In person Oct. 7 & via Zoom with Western Galilee, Israel, Oct. 27 The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton will present two memorial programs to mark one year since the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7: one in person on Oct. 7, the other via Zoom on Oct. 27.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists from Gaza infiltrated Israel, murdered 1,200 people there, and took hundreds hostage.

Israel.

The Boonshoft CJCE is located at 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville.

Registration for this program is required by Oct. 6 at jewishdayton.org/events.

One Partnership, One Heart

The Jewish Agency's Partnership2Gether program — which connects Dayton and 16 other Jewish communities across Marking One Year: United in Remembrance the central United States with Budapest, Hungary and Israel's The community will join Western Galilee region — will together with rabbis from host a live one-hour local Jewish conZoom memorial gregations and program at 11:30 the Dayton Jewish a.m., Sunday, Oct. Chorale, 5:45 to 7 27. p.m., Monday, Oct. Following open7 at the Boonshoft ing prayers and Center for Jewish a candlelighting Culture and Educaceremony, One tion, for Marking Partnership, One One Year: United in Heart will present Remembrance. an in-depth panel Doors open at discussion with Is5:30 p.m. for an raelis in the Western evening prayer Galilee who have been directly service led by Beth Abraham impacted by the Hamas masSynagogue. The service will sacre. be livestreamed, with the link The panelists are: available at jewishdayton.org • Liat Atzili, who was kidand bethabrahamdayton.org. napped from Kibbutz Nir Oz Leadership of the Jewish and released. Her husband’s Federation, Hillel Academy, body is still held in Gaza.

Hadassah, and Jewish War • Dubi Ganor, whose son Veterans will also participate on was gravely injured on Oct. the program.

7 and is gradually recovering Activities will be available with the help of his family and for participants to show their support of friends and family in community.

BMB

Here’s to a fresh page for the new year. c O Menachem

• Omri Dagan, whose twin brother was killed on Oct. 7.

• David Vaknin, who was evacuated from Liman in the Western Galilee. He was called up to the IDF reserves and has been deployed to the war in the north ever since.

Participants will be able to submit questions to the panelists upon event registration, at jewishdayton.org/events.

For more information about both commemorations, contact Dayton JCRC Director Jeff Blumer at jblumer@jfgd.net.

937-224-7673 THEFLOWERSHOPPE.COM

Following Israel's memorial schedule

L’SHANA TOVAH TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY ON THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

From the editor’s desk

Best wishes from all of us at One Lincoln Park.

Earlier this year, Israel's government selected the 24th of the Hebrew month of Tishri, which coincided with Oct. 7, 2023, as the national remembrance day on which to mark the Hamas massacre each year.

However, because 24 Tishri falls on Shabbat in 2024, Israel has designated the memorial to be held on Sunday, 25 Tishri, which falls this year on Oct. 27.

This will be the precedent for future years when 24 Tishri falls on Shabbat.

In addition, Israel's government has announced it will also hold a state ceremony — on the first anniversary only — on Oct. 7, the civil calendar date "of the brutal terrorist assault, which has been etched in the consciousness of people in Israel and around the world."

— Marshall Weiss

If you live here in the Miami Valley, your friends and family in other places are likely asking you, "What's going on in Springfield?" Or maybe, "What's really going on in Springfield?" Along with talking with your friends who live Marshall in and around Springfield, consider takWeiss ing the time to watch city commission meetings online. Drive out there and support its shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions. See for yourself what's going on. What can each of us do to help fix the legitimate challenges the city and those who live there now face? Is there a social service organization you might volunteer for in Springfield this year? If you live in Springfield, have you made your voice heard civilly in public forums? At this time, when Springfield is under the world's microscope, and as its problems appear insurmountable, the words of the Prophet Micah come to mind of what the Almighty requires of us: "Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk modestly with your God." To a good new year.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

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DAYTON

THE DAYTON

Springfield mayor ejects Blood Tribe member for sounding threatening at Aug. 27 city commission meeting

Dayton Metro Library supports digital equity.

Our 17 branches and website offer loanable laptops, public desktop computers, wireless hotspots, streaming services, adaptive technology, and more.

Learn more at

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PAGE 4

During public comments at action before we even arrived.”

Springfield’s Aug. 27 city commission In at least one interview, with the meeting, Mayor Rob Rue cut off and Columbus Jewish News, Rue indiejected a man who identified himself cated he knew in advance about as the leader of the neo-Nazi Blood the Blood Tribe’s planned Aug. 10 Tribe group that marched with rifles march. According to the article, the in Springfield on Aug. 10. mayor “didn’t want to take too many The Blood Tribe member, who pro- preemptive steps in fear of a larger vided a variation of a racial epithet presence or reaction from the outside in place of his real name, had spoken group.” for almost a minute when he told the Both The Dayton Jewish Observer mayor, “I’ve come to bring a word of and Columbus Jewish News interwarning. Stop what you’re doing, be- viewed an eyewitness to the Aug. fore it’s too late. Crime and savagery 10 march who said that when police will only increase with every Haitian were not watching the dozen Blood you bring in.”

Tribe marchers, four of them aimed The mayor then cut him off. their rifles at her family in their car “Thank you,” Rue said. “You sound and at two cars in front of them as threatening to me.” the four shouted, “Go the f— back to As the neoAfrica!”

City of Springfield Nazi attempted to Springfield’s potalk over Rue, the lice chief, Allison mayor asked poElliott, has delice to remove him clined to comment from the meeton the incident. ing peacefully.

Anti-Defa“You’re done,” the mation League mayor added. The Regional Director speaker then left Kelly Fishman told the meeting.

The Observer that NBC News has over the last year, since identified ADL’s Center on this Blood Tribe Extremism has member as Drake Blood Tribe member Drake Berentz, who documented more Berentz. says he led the neo-Nazi group's Aug. 10 than 260 incidents After Rue and march in Springfield, speaks at a Spring- across the United field City Commission meeting, Aug. 27. the commission States in which heard comments public forums from the next speaker, the mayor ex- were disrupted by antisemitic speech plained to those present why he had and other trolling and harassment the Blood Tribe member ejected. efforts.

“In our guidelines, the moment “Threats to these civic spaces and you begin to sound threatening, harassment of community officials that’s when we say, that’s enough. undermine and jeopardize American It’s not free speech. That’s a threat. I democratic foundations,” Fishman just want to make that clear.” noted.

The public comments component “Increasingly, public officials of the city commission meeting was are targeted with intimidation and heated before the neo-Nazi spoke. threats of violence, driving some out With a time limit of three minutes of local office. These actions make each, Springfield residents shared public forums feel unsafe, keep pubtheir frustrations stemming from lic servants from doing their work, the burgeoning population of legal and may prevent some candidates Haitian immigrants who now live in from running for office.” the city.

NBC News also reported that a Others denounced racism and day after the Sept. 10 presidential expressed support for welcoming debate in which former President and helping the immigrants. Some Trump falsely stated that Haitians expressed both frustration and supwere eating pets in Springfield, Blood port.

Tribe's leader took credit for pushWhen it was the neo-Nazi’s turn to ing that claim as part of its online speak, he approached one of the pohate campaign against Springfield's diums wearing Blood Tribe’s colors, Haitians. red and black. He identified himself On the Telegram messaging app, as “of Blood Tribe.”

Christopher Pohlhaus, leader of the “I was at the head of the anti-Hainational Blood Tribe, posted that his tian immigration march earlier this hate group had "pushed Springfield month,” he said. “I’m sure the Hon. into the public consciousness."

Mr. Rob Rue recognizes me, considering he supposedly knew of our — Marshall Weiss

OBSERVER daytonjewishobserver.org Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss mweiss@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Contributors Rabbi Aubrey Glazer Candace R. Kwiatek Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Administrative Assistant Samantha Daniel, sdaniel@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Billing Sheila Myers, smyers@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Proofreaders Rachel Haug Gilbert, Steven H. Solomon Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Dan Sweeny President Marni Flagel President Elect Meredith Levinson Secretary Neil Friedman Treasurer Ben Mazer VP Personnel Teddy Goldenberg VP Resource Dev. Mary Rita Weissman Immed. Past Pres.

Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 29, No. 1. 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 columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. 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 agencies, its annual campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs.

• To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.

The Dayton Jewish Observer

Please recycle this newspaper.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

DAYTON

Introduction to Judaism course

The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton presents its 14-session Introduction to Judaism course on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Nov. 12 and running through March 4.

The annual class is open to anyone interested in Jewish learning, dialogue, and exploration. A hybrid course, some sessions are held at local synagogues, some via Zoom, with all sessions available online.

The course offers an in-depth look at Judaism from Conservative, Orthodox, Traditional, and Reform perspectives. Instructors are rabbis from Dayton’s synagogues. Topics include God and theology, sacred texts, peoplehood, Zionism, Jewish history, personal observance, life cycles, Shabbat, community, holidays, prayer and liturgy, antisemitism and the Holocaust.

Registration is $36 for an individual or couple. For more information or to enroll, email Rabbi Judy Chessin at rabbichessin@templebethor.com.

Chabad Rosh Hashanah market & dinner

Chabad Women's Circle will present its Rosh Hashanah Market from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30. Jewish New Year items such as foods, apples, local raw honey, candles, and decor will be available for purchase. Chabad will also host its annual Rosh Hashanah dinner at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2. The cost is $40 adults, $15 children. Both programs will be held at Chabad, 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. Register for the dinner at chabaddayton.com or 937-643-0770.

52nd

The Feldman, Moscowitz and Foster Families wish you a sweet New Year filled with good health and happiness.

We Wish The Dayton Jewish Community A Very Happy New Year.

™

Less

F U R NI TU R E • M ATTR ES S Your Style for

Federation trip to Jewish D.C.

The Jewish Federation will lead a mini mission to Washington, D.C., Nov. 8-10 in advance of Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly.

The trip includes a Shabbat service and dinner at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, tours of the new Capital Jewish Museum, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Stuart and Mimi Rose's rare book collection on exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Museum.

The cost, not including transportation, is $500 double occupancy, $400 single. For more information, contact Janese R. Sweeny at jsweeny@jfgd.net.

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PAGE 5

DAYTON

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For new Federation president, leadership is a family thing

Peter Wine

When Dan Sweeny was elected president of the Jewish Federation at its annual meeting Aug. 25, four generations of his family were in the room, from his grandmother Elaine Bettman to his children. And Joe Bettman, his late grandfather, was in his heart.

In Dan's speech, he noted that it was 25 years earlier when Joe completed his term as Federation president.

"I can't overstate the philanthropic influence they have on their succeeding three generations of family," he said. "Grandma and Grandpa are responsible for my earliest Federation memories."

In so many ways, especially their work to resettle Jews from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Joe and Elaine became the patriarch and matriarch of Dayton's Jewish community. Their children, including Dan's mother and father, Melissa and Tim Sweeny, continued the family traditions of volunteering and leadership.

"Between summers at the JCC camp, preschool, and BBYO, to say the Jewish community was formative in who I am today would Jewish Federation Pres. Dan Sweeny, his wife, Jewish be an understatement. It wasn't until later in Federation Exec. Dir., Development & Strategy Janese R. Sweeny, and their children, Lily, Parker, and Leyton. life that I realized it is not the norm to have parents that went to so many meetings." from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Dan said that's how he came to get so inHe's worked for Dayton Children's since volved in volunteering at a young age.

2016, and currently serves as the hospital's di"I thank them for the example they set for my rector of population health. siblings and me, putting others first and giving Dan's wife, Janese, serves in management back to our community. You could almost call it with the Jewish Federation, as its executive the second family business." director of development and strategy.

Dan received his undergraduate degree in "After the twins were born, she made the health management from Ohio State and his choice to completely change her career (as an MBA in health care administration/management attorney) to become a Jewish professional. I am

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

DAYTON so proud of the work she does," children on the Jewish FederaDan said. tion's database than with all the In the wake of the Oct. 7 Dayton area's Jewish congregaHamas massacre, the Israeltions combined.

Hamas war, and the explosion This, he said, is the result of of antisemitism across the the Harold Grinspoon Founworld and here in the United dation's North American PJ States, Dan told The Observer Library outreach and local PJ one of his highest priorities as programs for young Jewish Federation president is to com- families. bat antisemitism locally.

"As people are coming in, "We as a Federation must be- we have to build on that outcome better partners with the reach with programs of value. overall community to advocate Young families are busier than and educate," he said. ever. There have to be 'I want to compelling reasons "That's so important.

That's definitely some- continue to for them to gather and thing I want to work get together Jewishly. hard on with Federa- bring new We've done that in a lot tion CEO Cathy Gard- Jews in.' of ways. PJ Library's ner and the Jewish annual Down on the Community Relations Farm event in the fall Council. The Dayton Jewish attracts well over 200 adults community, we've always had and children. And we just had positive relationships with the 150 parents and kids at a JCC, greater Dayton community.

PJ & Hillel Academy commuWe need to strengthen that to nity Shabbat dinner." combat antisemitism and hate Dan noted that the yearslong of all kinds." national trend of declining Most exciting to him is the synagogue affiliation has now number of new Jewish families impacted the Dayton area. coming into the Dayton area "Whether we like to admit it for the first time in decades. or not, people are looking for A 2023 demographic study that connection to other Jews,

by The Observer showed there but they don't necessarily want were more than twice as many to go to synagogue to get it. I

want to continue to bring new Jews in."

He also wants to ensure the community better understands the local Jewish Federation's global impact.

"Our annual campaign and emergency campaign better the lives of Jews in Israel and around the world too," he said.

"That's a message that often gets overlooked. And when you see some of the numbers, it's staggering. In response to Oct. 7, Jewish Federations of North America have raised $833 million across 146 communities. More than 150,000 donors and nearly 54,000 volunteers have donated their time and resources to Israel.

They have provided essential aid and support, trauma relief, and community rebuilding among many other critical priorities. It's incredible."

Dan said his children have started to think of volunteering as something they want to do, too.

"Lily and Leyton are both running for student council.

Leyton's done it before, and he wanted to do it again. They want to do more."

— Marshall Weiss

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 7

THE WORLD

Kyiv funeral for rabbi’s son killed in battle shows Jewish contributions to Ukraine war effort

By Marcel Gascón Barberá JTA KYIV, Ukraine — Dozens of Jewish soldiers and civilians together with many non-Jewish Ukrainians gathered Sept. 12 at Kyiv’s Brodsky Central Synagogue to bid farewell to the son of a prominent rabbi who died on the front only weeks after being drafted into the Ukrainian army.

Anton Samborskyi, 32, was the adopted son of Moshe Azman, one of two men who claim the title of chief rabbi of Ukraine.

Speaking at the synagogue service — which was also attended by Israel’s ambassador

to Kyiv, Michael Brodsky — Azman drew attention to the tragic irony of how Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin justifies falsely as an operation to free Ukraine from a Nazi junta, is killing many members of its national minorities, including Jews and Russians.

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine said in a statement that it has assisted in the burial of 47 Jewish soldiers fallen in combat since the start of the war.

Speaking to JTA, the federation’s chair, Rabbi Mayer Stambler, estimated the number of Ukrainian Jewish soldiers

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Oleksandr Magula/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC UA:PBC/ allows authorities to killed in action to be Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images in the hundreds. forcibly recruit adult Stambler said the males between 25 and federation is current60. ly providing holiday In a statement on meals and other supsocial media in August, port to 1,200 Jewish Azman revealed that soldiers on the front his adoptive son was and across Ukraine drafted into the army a who have requested week after the birth of it. his daughter in May. In his comments at “After completing a the funeral, Azman quick course,” the referred to Samborabbi added, he was rskyi as "Moty," the “sent right away to the short form of Matifront.” syahu, the Hebrew Samborskyi died name he and his wife when a missile fell near gave the boy when him in the Pokrovsk he joined the family. Rabbi Moshe Azman at the funeral of his son, Anton (Mati- axis of the Donetsk syahu) Samborskyi, at Kyiv’s Central Synagogue, Sept. 12.

According to the region in Eastern Federation of Jewish announcing a charity campaign Ukraine, where Russia Communities, Samborskyi had in Samborskyi’s honor. “I read concentrates its main efforts to been living in a Jewish orphan- each and every one of them. seize Ukrainian territory. age up until then. Matisyahu Your warm words, coming In interviews, Ukrainian was a Jewish freedom-fighter from the heart, fill me with soldiers have decried the during the Maccabean revolt. confidence in our victory over lack of training and physical “I have received tens of evil." readiness of many of the new thousands of words of sympaSamborskyi was drafted as recruits sent to the front in a thy and support,” Azman said part of the country’s mandarush to compensate for Rusin a social media post Sept. 13, tory conscription law, which sia’s overwhelming advantage

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THE WORLD Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

in personnel. They requested anonymity because they were not supposed to speak to news media.

Like many of their fellow citizens of all faiths and origins, male members of the Ukrainian Jewish community told JTA that they try to avoid certain areas of their cities out of fear of bumping into the military recruitment patrols.

In both Dnipro and at a Jewish camp in western Ukraine this summer, Jewish leaders said men were particiUkrainian Jews, relatives, and friends attend the funeral for the late Ukrainian pating less often in commuserviceman Anton (Matisyahu) Samborskyi at the Central Synagogue in Kyiv, nal life because of the risk of Ukraine, Sept. 12. conscription. for children at the time.

Specialized Telegram chanChasidic movement but has He is one of the two rabnels run by anonymous Ukraisince become estranged from bis using the unofficial title nians inform in real time about the group’s leadership in the of chief rabbi of Ukraine. The the presence of the patrols in United States. other is American-born rabbi specific areas of the cities, in Chabad-Lubavitch is the Yaakov Bleich, who came to the largest Jewish movement in order to help those vulnerable to mobilization avoid conscrip- Eastern European country as Ukraine, with rabbis in doza member of the Karlin-Stolin tion. ens of cities. A self-professed The total number of troop casualties is unknown: The Ukrainian government has not published an ongoing tally but said in February, at the war’s two-year mark, that more than 30,000 of its troops had been killed.

The United States has said it believes the numbers are signifPermitting and Compliance icantly higher. Regardless, the stalemate of battle is requiring Environmental Monitoring a steady supply of new solPhase l / Phase 11 Assessments diers, many of whom are soon wounded or killed.

RCRA/CERCLA Support Azman released the stateVapor lntrusion ment about his son’s death on Aug. 29, when Ukraine Litigation Support commemorates the Day of Remembrance of the country’s defenders.

According to the Federation of Jewish Communities, Samborskyi was officially considered missing at the time, but because of the circumstance of his disappearance, the family was certain of his death.

Samborskyi’s body was only recovered and identified Sept.

11 and was buried Sept. 12 at a Jewish cemetery in Kyiv.

Born in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, in 1966, Azman arrived in Ukraine in the early 1990s with the mission of reviving Jewish life after decades of Soviet persecuWISHING YOU A tion.

He started conducting HAPPY NEWYEAR! religious services in one of the rooms of the Brodsky synagogue, which had not yet been Jacob Elder returned to the Jewish commuPrincipal Scientist nity and was a puppet theatre

614-526-2040 jacob_elder@coxcolvin.com www.coxcolvin.com

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Lubavitcher who is not part of Chabad’s structure in the country, Azman gained prominence both nationally and internationally after he remained in the country at the start of Russia’s invasion.

Since then he has worked to rally support for Ukraine in the country and abroad. He travels regularly to the front and delivers aid to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, Jewish and non-Jewish.

Azman’s wartime activity has made him popular among many Ukrainians, some of whom attended the funeral Sept. 12 to demonstrate their support.

According to local reports, among those present was a representative of a foundation to support the Azov Battalion, a Ukrainian army regiment with a history of displaying Nazi symbols.

The battalion has sought to rebrand amid Russian efforts to paint its enemy as heirs to the Nazis. Samborskyi was not in the brigade, the representative said.

A Jewish university professor who volunteered to join the army at the start of the war praised Azman’s support for soldiers and recalled the help he received from the rabbi after he was seriously wounded on the front.

A non-Jewish Ukrainian man who identified himself simply as Mikhail, meanwhile, said he worked as a restorer at the Brodsky synagogue when the building was still operating as a theatre in the late 1970s.

“I follow him on Facebook and respect what he does,” Mikhail said about Azman. “I want to be here today to show him and his family my support in this difficult moment.”

ROSH HASHANAH Market MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

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THE NATION

NYC officially recognizes day when first Jewish community arrived in 1654

By Julia Gergely New York Jewish Week It was in mid-September 370 years ago when a group of 23 Sephardic Jews arrived on the shores of New York — then called New Amsterdam — and created the first organized Jewish community in the city. Today, New York City is home to the largest Jewish population of any city in the world.

On Sept. 12, the City Council voted on a resolution to honor both, turning Landing Day from an event marked by a few Jewish leaders into an official date on the city’s calendar. The resolution aims to “commemorate the arrival of the first Jewish community in New Amsterdam in 1654 and to celebrate the continuing importance of the Jewish community in the City of New York.”

Landing Day has been commemorated in the city several times throughout history, most recently last year at a ceremony to recognize the 369th anniversary of the community.

That event was held at the Jewish Tercentenary Monument at Peter Minuit Plaza in Battery Park, erected by the State of New York in 1954. The small memorial includes a flagpole adorned with a plaque that explains its

Julia Gergely ration and partnered purpose is “to honor the memory of the twenty with Brewer to bring three men, women and the resolution before the children who landed City Council. in September 1654 and “We just have to founded the first Jewish change the narrative of community in North the community right America.” now,” Teich said about Still, Landing Day — the ceremony last year, and the existence of this adding that he felt Jewearly New York Jewish ish communal discourse community — is not was too often focused widely known among on fear and division.

Jews or New Yorkers, “We’ve got to spread a which is one of the reapositive message of who sons that Gale Brewer, we are, what we’ve acwho represents the complished, how we’ve Upper West Side on the Detail of the Jewish Tercentenary worked with other peoCity Council, sponsored Monument, Peter Minuit Plaza, ple, what we’ve started, Battery Park, erected by the State the difference we’ve the bill to give it the of New York in 1954. city’s sign-off. made in the time we’ve “When the City Council passes some- been here and, really, what America has thing like this, it’s official,” Brewer said. meant to us as a people.”

“It goes into the city record and beMoving forward, New York City will comes part of the city’s history. It’s not honor Landing Day every year througha holiday, per se, but it is recognized, out the second week of September. and it gives it legitimacy.”

While the exact day the Jews landed in The resolution was spearheaded by New York is not known, records indiHoward Teich, the founding chair of the cate it occurred during the week before Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative, Rosh Hashanah, which that year was on who organized last year’s commemoSept. 12, 1654.

That year, nearly two dozen Sephardic Jews arrived in New York after fleeing persecution in Recife, Brazil, which had recently been colonized by the Portuguese. Three Ashkenazi Jews — Jacob Barsimson, Solomon Pietersen and Asser Levy — had arrived from Europe weeks earlier and helped advocate for the group to stay in New York when Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch directorgeneral of New Amsterdam, rejected the new refugees because he wanted to establish a colony solely for Dutch Reformed Christians.

With urging from the Dutch West India Company — which, at the time, operated heavily in what was known as New Netherland, and which had many Jewish investors — Stuyvesant was overruled and the group remained.

They went on to establish the first Jewish congregation in the United States, the Mill Street Synagogue. The congregation was later renamed Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, and moved uptown to West 70th Street in 1897.

Brewer first introduced the resolution in May. On Sept. 10, the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations signed off before the council-wide vote Sept. 12.

“There are more than a million Jews in New York City — more than any other city worldwide — and it kind of started with this group,” Brewer said.

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THE WORLD

What you need to know about Telegram The embattled app extremists use to spread their messages

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which is nearing an estimated 1 billion users? And how will it impact Israel, where the platform has become a leading news source?

Here’s what you need to know about the popular and controversial app.

By Josh Axelrod, JTA Telegram, the wildly popular messaging platform beloved by What is Telegram? the far right and instrumental The company calls itself “a to both sides in the Israelmessaging app with a focus on Hamas war, has suddenly speed and security,” with more found itself in the crosshairs of European law enforcement and than 950 million active users.

In that sense, it functions much regulators. like Whatsapp or Signal, alFrench authorities made a lowing users to send encrypted surprise arrest of Telegram’s messages to each other. founder and CEO Aug. 24, a But it may be more accurate major escalation in the growing to think of Telegram as a platefforts by governments to hold form like Facebook or X. Users social media platforms liable can join “groups” with up to for the oftentimes illegal and 200,000 people or “channels” violent content they host. with no cap on membership.

And on Sept. 6, following These function as feeds where scrutiny of its lax content modadministrators eration policies, 'Telegram is the can broadcast Telegram made several Hamas platform of choice messages to subscribers. channels inaccesfor antisemites Founded by sible, including Russian entrethe group’s main across the preneur Pavel avenue for comDurov in 2013, it’s municating with ideological the successor to followers. spectrum' his other hugely “The writing’s popular app, VKontakte or VK, on the wall,” Samuel Woolley, chair of Disinformation Studies essentially a Russian Facebook.

After the Kremlin pressured at the University of Pittsburgh, Durov to fork over user data told the JTA. to Russian security services, “We’re going to see continDurov sold his stake in the ued legislation clamping down company, fled Russia and deon illicit uses of social media veloped Telegram. and messaging apps like TeleThat origin story is key to gram.” understanding Telegram’s way What exactly is Telegram?

What happens next for its base, of operating.

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Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was recently arrested in France.

“He does everything to be independent of national governments and this is all out of the tradition of resisting the Russian government,” said Kilian Bühling, a researcher who studies digital mobilization at Germany’s Weizenbaum Institute.

Why do extremists love it?

Europe’s surging far-right movements have found a home on Telegram, using the app to radicalize new members and organize real-world demonstrations. The radical Reichsbürger movement, which believes Germany is still under Allied occupation and not a sovereign state, is one such group. They organized a coup attempt, in part through Telegram channels, but were thwarted by German authorities in 2022 when law enforcement discovered a cache of nearly half a million euros and an arsenal of weapons.

There are a few reasons the app is so conducive to mobilization.

Telegram has a reputation for being free of government intervention. As in Russia, Durov has long thumbed his nose at government and law enforcement requests for user data, unlike other social media platforms.

That attitude helped lead to his arrest: Among the 12 crimes French authorities charged him with was “refusal to communicate” information to authorities to carry out investigations.

And that attitude extends to Telegram’s hands-off policy around content moderation.

Where most platforms employ teams of people to monitor content and try to remove explicit antisemitism and other hate speech, Telegram’s rules for posting are comparatively meager.

Its terms of use clock in at just 100 words. The app says it

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

THE WORLD bans spam, the promotion of violence and illegal pornographic content.

The app has also built a reputation for privacy, though data protection experts say this is mostly spin. The only encryption that exists on the app is for one-to-one messages. Even then, users need to opt in; encryption not an automatic setting as it is on Signal, Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger. And many cryptographers say Telegram’s encryption is not up to snuff.

“Telegram has been very successful in falsely marketing itself as being a secure application,” said Jan Penfrat, senior policy advisor at European Digital Rights, an association of European nonprofits focused on online privacy issues.

In addition, the app’s functionality serves the aims of the far right, which looks to broadcast messages to wide audiences, amplify alternative media, and connect regional movements to national ones, all without oversight.

Penfrat pointed to the ability to create large groups or popular channels on the app and added, “If you can do this without any moderation, that’s obviously something that can be very appealing for people to spread illegal content.”

What do Jewish watchdogs say about it?

Advocacy groups have implored governments and the platform itself to do more to remove extremist content. In 2021, Hope Not Hate, a counter-extremism organization, penned an open letter to Telegram laying out how it served as a mass conduit for antisemitic rhetoric.

In particular, the letter cited a channel hosted

by GhostEzra, the alias for a leading antisemitic

propagandist who at the time had 330,000 followers on Telegram.

“Our research has found that your platform, more than any other, is being used by terrorpromoting far right networks and is home to the most extreme, genocidal and directly violent antisemitic content,” the letter said. “We are calling on Telegram to be consistent and take serious action against the terrorist content still on the platform that is putting Jewish and other minoritised communities at risk.”

Signatories included several British Parliament members as well as heads of a number of Jewish organizations, such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

And this summer, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a civil liberties nonprofit, called on the British government and platforms like Telegram to remove racist anti-migrant content in the wake of far-right riots in the United Kingdom this summer.

The Anti-Defamation League, which has run pressure campaigns against both Facebook and X to persuade them to do more to counter hate speech, has also followed the growth of extremism on Telegram. The group observed an unusually high proportion of antisemitic content on Telegram in 2020, and after Oct. 7, 2023, documented a 433% increase in posts calling for violence against Jews, Israelis or Zionists. Rates of hate speech remain higher than before Oct. 7, said Oren Segal, who heads the ADL’s Center on Extremism.

“Telegram is the platform of choice for antisemites across the ideological spectrum,” Continued on Page 14

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AS ISRAELIS FIND SOLACE IN THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR, MDA IS PREPARING FOR THE WAIL OF THE SIREN. With rising tensions in the Middle East and the accompanying threat to the health and safety of the Israeli people, we can’t ensure that this Rosh HaShanah will usher in a peaceful year. But with your generous support, Magen David Adom will be prepared — no matter what 5785 brings.

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THE WORLD

Telegram

We Remember Them

T

Shana Tova

from Miami University AS WE APPROACH ROSH HASHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR, the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence at Miami University wishes Jewish community members and friends Shana Tova during this time of reflection and new beginnings.

radition has given Judaism a continuity with its past and continues to preserve its character as a unique faith with a distinct way of life. Through the celebration of our holidays with family, loved ones, familiar foods and tunes year after year, Jewish traditions highlight the importance of family ties.

As we celebrate the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, they are also the perfect time to reflect on the people missing at your table and in your congregation, to preserve all your memories, and begin to create connections for your family’s future generations.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton, we wish you a Shana Tova U’metukah.

May you have a good and sweeet year.

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Continued from Page 13 he said. “Anybody who is in the business of tracking antisemitism is very familiar with Telegram because of how much is on that platform and how much various antisemitic and extremist groups rely on it.”

But unlike more mainstream social media platforms that the ADL has worked with and also publicly criticized, Telegram is hard to engage on the topic of combating hate speech because the app hasn’t acknowledged how big of a problem it is, Segal said.

“In order to engage a platform on these issues they have to have some sort of demonstration that they care about these issues and are willing to be responsive,” he said. “In order to fix a problem you have to admit that you have one.”

Yfat Barak-Cheney, the director of technology and human rights at the World Jewish Congress, called Telegram “a gateway for terrorist propaganda on social media platforms” but shared Segal’s frustrations.

“We have made this information available to government leaders and international institutions and have long called for regulative action to be taken,” she said in a statement. “To date, the platform has not heeded any calls for increased monitoring and moderation.”

How has it been used in Israel and the Palestinian territories since Oct. 7?

Telegram, based in Dubai, has long been popular in the Middle East, and its usage has surged in Israel and the region following Oct. 7. That’s partly because both the Israeli military and Hamas have relied on it as a key messaging platform.

As of October 2023, the month of Hamas’ attack and the war’s outbreak, Israel had around 2.5 million active weekly users, according to Sensor Tower, a market intelligence firm — amounting to about one in four Israelis.

Statistics on Palestinian usage are harder to come by, but Telegram has served as Hamas’ key platform for communication throughout the war. Members used Telegram to share first-person videos of the Oct. 7 attack, often depicting gruesome scenes, and still rely on the app to spread content to subscribers around the world.

It has also uploaded videos of hostages, including one of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whom the terror group recently murdered along with five other captives.

In the days after Oct. 7, the Telegram channel of Hamas’ military wing nearly quadrupled in size to more than 700,000 followers. Content on its main channel was viewed exponentially more than the same posts on the terror group’s app, according to The New York Times.

The app faced pressure in the days after Oct. 7 to ban Hamas-aligned channels as other platforms, such as Facebook and X have done. Durov pushed back initially, saying Hamas was using the app to warn civilians to leave areas before missile strikes.

But he eventually relented in a rare instance of content moderation, restricting the channels on Apple and Google devices. But Telegram offered workarounds, and the content is still findable and shareable months later.

That has changed somewhat in recent days, as Telegram appears to have blocked access to Hamas’ main channel following Durov’s arrest and a spate of reporting on its permissive policies.

The Israeli military also uses the app to spread its messaging as well as to send out official updates like siren alerts and press releases to its 135,000-plus subscribers. Leading Israeli journalists such as Amit Segal, political activists such as the right-wing rapper and Continued on Page 38

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

HISTORY SINGS

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OPINION

Israel's part of who I am A blood libel against Haitians?

Submitted

By Avi Gilbert This summer, I had a lifechanging experience: the chance to travel to Israel for a month. Because of the ongoing war, none of my camp friends from Goldman Union Camp Institute traveled with me, so I didn’t know anyone else on the trip.

However, that was the case for a bunch of the other teens on the program, so I quickly made lots of friendships that will last me a lifetime.

Avi Gilbert at the Western Wall Along with meeting amazing teens from across the United everything seemed normal to States, we had the opportunity someone who doesn’t live in to live and travel with a group Israel. We never experienced of Israeli teens from a kibbutz a siren or had to enter a bomb called Dorot, another great shelter. experience.

But we did meet people who On this Reform movement were directly affected by the trip, Yallah! Israel, we toured all massacre. It was impossible to over Israel from July 3 through find anyone in Israel who didn’t July 29: from Jerusalem to Eilat, have a connection to someone from Tel Aviv to Haifa. who was killed because of the Our group consisted of war. We visited a very impactaround 40 teenagers from all ful place where all the deover North America. A big stroyed cars, ambulances, and factor that helped me travel other police vehicles from the to Israel was that the Jewish Nova Music Festival are kept.

Education Project's RootOne We also visited Kibbutz helped subsidize my trip. I had Ofakim, which was invaded on to complete 18 nekudot (points) Oct. 7. You could still see the to receive a voucher that took bullet holes and rubble in the off a chunk of the total price of buildings. Our tour guide had the trip. experienced the terror within A few of these nekudot the kibbutz. I stood in the spot were Zoom calls with the other where it happened. participants, but most of them My trip to Israel was a deepwere online activily transformative Our tour guide ties to learn more experience, filled had experienced with a blend of about everything that has to do with the terror within joy, discovery, and Israel. somber reflection. the kibbutz.

From Hebrew From forging to the rich history lifelong friendships of the land of Israel, it was a and immersing myself in the fun and informative way to get vibrant culture of Israel to witto know Israel a little bit more nessing firsthand the aftermath before traveling there. of the ongoing conflict, this For me and many others, this journey was an eye-opener in was our first time traveling to many ways.

Israel. Some of my favorite acIt gave me a profound sense tivities we did were snorkeling of connection to the land and its in the Red Sea, the HaGal Sheli people, as well as a deeper apsurfing experience, and volunpreciation for the resilience and teering at Kibbutz Dorot. spirit of those living through A couple of the more serisuch challenges. ous and impactful moments Israel is no longer just a included visiting Yad Vashem distant place on the map — it's and the Western Wall. now a part of who I am. I am so During my adventure in grateful to everyone who conIsrael, I couldn’t even tell there tributed to the best experience I was a war going on. There have undergone so far and am were places we couldn’t go looking forward to returning as that might have been included soon as possible. on previous years' trips and we had to travel with added Avi Gilbert is a junior at Centersecurity, but other than that, ville High School.

So, what do you think?

Win McNamee/Getty Images

By Mira Fox During the presidential debate on Sept. 10, former President Donald Trump made a baseless allegation referring to an online conspiracy about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio stealing and eating people’s beloved cats and dogs.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” he said. “They’re eating the pets of the people who live there.”

The strange moment was fallRepublican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump out from a social media drama and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris about an imaginary threat to debate at The National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Sept. 10.

Fido that developed over sevLater, the Nazis invoked the reliability and work ethic of eral days before the debate. conspiracy to stoke and validate his Haitian employees, and a On Sept. 9, J.D. Vance, hatred against Jews. pastor said the community has Trump’s vice presidential canNo, pets aren’t children, but revitalized his church. didate, tweeted about “the issue today we often treat them as Nevertheless, White nationalof Haitian illegal immigrants members of the family. In our ists, carrying rifles and flying draining social services and swastikas, marched down the generally causing chaos all over society, eating a pet is an act of huge trespass, the likes of streets of Springfield in August.

Springfield, Ohio.”

The speed with which that The post went on to mention which, it’s understood, would rumor spread is the result of a “reports” of people having their only be done by someone despicable and nearly inhuman. public discourse that has been pets abducted and eaten by And, like the Jews, the Haistoking hatred against outsidunspecified illegal migrants. tian immigrants in Ohio are a ers of all varieties as a threat to Springfield police said that White, Christian America. they had received no reports of relatively new demographic It’s never good for the Jews pets being stolen and eaten; the group that has drawn local ire.

Around 20,000 Haitians have when the public is predisposed claim seemed to have sprung moved — legally, with valid to believe in conspiracy theofrom a third-hand story in a ries against anyone unfamiliar; post on Facebook claiming that work permits — to Springfield in the past few years, taking lo- we’re no longer new immia neighbor’s daughter’s friend cal manufacturing jobs. grants, but we’re not the Amerihad lost her cat and found it It was a major shift for the can mainstream either. being carved up “like you’d do city of about 60,000, and locals Meanwhile, the people a deer” in the yard of a Haitian have been resentful, complain- screaming in horror about family. ing about the impact on housHaitians supposedly killing Contributing to the rumor, ing and schools in the area. pets have forgotten that Kristi bodycam footage of a woman Even before the allegations Noem, the governor of South being arrested for eating a cat of stealing and eating pets, resi- Dakota, actually shot her dog. went viral in August. But she dents blamed the community That’s not blood libel; she wrote was an American citizen, and for crime in the city and voiced about it in her own memoir. she wasn’t in Springfield. suspicion of Vodou, a religion Nevertheless, the rumor widely practiced in Haiti, even Mira Fox is a reporter at the instantly spread. First, the as a factory owner praised the Forward.

Facebook post went viral, and then Vance’s tweet. Ted Cruz posted tasteless memes of kittens begging their owners to vote for Trump, so they won’t I was confused and a little upset after reading Martin Gottbe eaten by Haitians and Elon Musk tweeted a meme from The lieb's piece regarding AIPAC and its lobbying in the Democratic primaries (September Observer).

Simpsons of characters mournMy understanding of this opinion piece is that AIPAC should ing their dead cat; even the not spend a large amount of money to defeat candidates that House GOP’s official X account are anti-Israel. I understand this is possible only because of posted a meme of an AI-genthe Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. While I believe this erated Trump hugging a kitten ruling was a terrible decision for democracy in our country and and a duck. should be overturned, the fact is that it is the law of the land.

And finally, Trump brought We certainly know that many super PACS are supporting the false conspiracy up during candidates of every flavor and are only limited by the size of the presidential debate. the purse. Although it is fine if Mr. Gottlieb does not want to The lie has echoes of another support AIPAC in this endeavor (I stopped supporting AIPAC conspiracy theory: blood libel, years ago), I do not believe a Jewish paper should be espousthe conspiracy theory that arose in the Middle Ages alleging that ing that a Jewish organization should hold back in supporting a cause that is important, if not vital to Jews throughout the Jews killed Christian children country!

— David A Garfunkel, Closter, N.J. to use their blood in matzah.

LETTER

Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion Send letters (350 words max.) to The Dayton Jewish Observer, pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459 • MWeiss@jfgd.net The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 17

2024 ANNUAL MEETING

of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton & its Agencies

JFGD CEO Cathy Gardner (left) with Outgoing JFGD Board President Mary Rita Weissman

Incoming JFGD Board President Dan Sweeny with grandmother Elaine Bettman

Jewish Community Center Jewish Federation Jewish Foundati Jewish Family Services ®

OF GREATER DAYTON OF GREATER DAYTON OF GREATER DAYTON OF GREATER DAYTON

Congratulations to our 2024 Award Winners!

JCC Volunteer of the Year Wendy Lipp (left) with with JCC Advisory Board Past Chair Beverly Louis

Allan L. Wasserman Young Leadership Award recipient Jese Shell with Dan Sweeny

JCRC Volunteer of the Year Elliot Ratzman with JCRC Chair Bonnie Beaman Rice

Past Presidents Award recipient Helen Halcomb with Mary Rita Weissman

JFS Volunteer of the Year Michele Dritz (left) with JFS Executive Director Tara Feiner

Dorothy B. Moyer Young Leadership Award recipient Meryl Goldman with Dan Sweeny

Robert A. Shapiro Award recipient Ira Segalewitz (left) with JFGD Board Past President Heath Gilbert Moss Creativity Award recipient Lee Schear with Moss family member Stephen Levinson (left)

Jennifer Ramos, accepting the Joe and Elaine Bettman Tzadik Award, on behalf of her parents Joan and Peter Wells (on screen)

PAGE 18

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

October 2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

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UPCOMING EVENTS MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 5:30 - 6:45PM October 7th Remembrance SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 5:30 - 7PM JCC JYG+ Pop Culture Trivia SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1 - 3PM PJ Library Sukkot at Black Star Farm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 11:30AM - 12:30PM October 7th Commemoration – One Partnership, One Heart

Connect with us! Check out our events.

For more information, check out our calendar at jewishdayton.org.

United in Remembrance Monday, October 7, 5:30 – 6:45PM Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture & Education 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, 45459 The entire Dayton Jewish community is invited to join us as we remember the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks on Israel. There will be art, videos, singing, prayers, a candle lighting, and sharing stories of the previous 365 days, from the perspectives of our friends and family in Israel and here in our community.

RSVP by October 6 at jewishdayton.org/events.

Questions? Contact Jeff Blumer at jblumer@jfgd.net.

Sunday, October 27 via Zoom, 11:30AM - 12:30PM Virtually stand shoulder to shoulder with our Partnership2Gether communities and the Western Galilee to mark this tragic day through interactive community gatherings connected live, via video links, with ceremony, song, and listening to remembrances from those most impacted.

RSVP online at jewishdayton.org/events. Questions? Contact Jeff Blumer at jblumer@jfgd.net.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 19

October 2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

Sukkot at Black Star Farm Sunday, October 20, 1 – 3PM Black Star Farm 5904 Troy-Frederick Rd, Tipp City, 45371 Beth Jacob Congregation and the family of Jese Shell welcome PJ Library families of all ages for Sukkot at Black Star Farm. Join us to share a snack in the sukkah, shake the lulav and etrog, listen to PJ Library stories, decorate pumpkins, create floral designs, and enjoy the outdoors!

No charge. RSVP by October 13.

To register, visit jewishdayton.org/events Questions? Please contact Kate Elder at kelder@jfgd.net

BETH JACOB CONGREGATION

Washington, D.C. Mini Mission November 8 – 10 Cost: $500 (double occupancy) $400 (single occupancy) Join us for an exciting three-day trip to D.C. ahead of the JFNA General Assembly. Highlights include Shabbat service and Dinner at Sixth and I synagogue, tours of the Capital Jewish Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and a very special private tour of the rare book collection of Stuart and Mimi Rose at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience at the Capital Jewish Museum The JewCE exhibition comes to D.C. from the Center for Jewish History in New York City and has been adapted and expanded by, and for, the Capital Jewish Museum.

Items on display at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Illuminated Manuscript on display in the Imprints in Time exhibit at Folger Shakespeare Library

For more information, contact Janese R. Sweeny, Executive Director, Development & Strategy, at jsweeny@jfgd.net.

PAGE 20

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

October 2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

OPENING EVENT “ALL THAT JAZZ” Sunday, November 3 at 2PM In partnership with the University of Dayton Departments of Communication and Music and the Alumni Chair in the Humanities

Tuesday, November 26, 7:30 PM A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical At the Schuster Center 109 North Main Street, Dayton, 45402 Meet at the Theater

Featuring a Performance by the Dayton Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Willie Morris III University of Dayton - Roger Glass Center for the Arts (29 Creative Way, Dayton 45479) Free parking nearby in Lot S-1 Cost: $10 (No cost to students with valid student ID)

Ticket Cost $99 – Orchestra level seating (no booking fee required) Limited seating available – Must register by October 15

Larry Tye The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America The Jazzmen by Larry Tye is a captivating exploration of the lives and music of some of the most influential figures in jazz history. Tye delves into the personal and professional stories of three of the most iconic jazz legends, highlighting their contributions to the genre and their impact on American culture, especially the civil rights movement and their bonds with Jewish musicians and managers. Through rich anecdotes and thorough research, Tye paints a vivid picture of the jazz scene, bringing to life the vibrant and often tumultuous world of these groundbreaking musicians. The book is a tribute to the creativity, resilience, and enduring legacy of the jazzmen who shaped the soundscape of the 20th century.

To purchase tickets, visit jewishdayton.org/events or call 937-610-1555.

Thursday, November 14 at 7 PM via Zoom No Cost Thomas Harding The Maverick: George Weidenfeld and the Golden Age of Publishing George Weidenfeld was a British publisher, philanthropist, and political activist. He founded the Weidenfeld & Nicolson publishing house in 1948, which became renowned for its contributions to the literary world. Weidenfeld introduced the works of over 6,000 authors. Included among them were Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita, Saul Bellow’s Herzog, and Mary McCarthy’s The Group. Weidenfeld was also known for his humanitarian efforts, particularly his work in helping Jewish refugees, his ardent Zionism, and his involvement in various charitable organizations.

Dayton's BBYO teens enjoyed gathering with BBYO chapters across the Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio region for this year's kickoff at King's Island.

High schoolers interested in learning more about BBYO should email Suzzy Nandrasy at snandrasy@jfgd.net.

To purchase tickets for in-person events or to register for free events, please visit jewishdayton.org/events or call 937-610-1555

Thank you, Josh Alpert, for your 13 years of service to Dayton's BBYO chapter as advisor and city director!

Jewish Community Center OF GREATER DAYTON

JCC CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMMING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT FROM OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTER OHIO ARTS COUNCIL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 21

October 2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials JCC

FEDERATION

JEWISH CEMETERIES FUND In memory of Marilyn Scher Susie and Eddie Katz Pam and Mike Feldman Debby and Bob Goldenberg CAROL J. PAVLOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND In memory of Ellie Chaet Marlene and David Miller HOLOCAUST PROGRAMMING FUND In honor of Michael and Danielle Natarus’ baby girl Kathy and Mark Gordon

JOAN AND PETER WELLS AND REBECCA LINVILLE FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND In honor of Joan and Peter Wells for receiving the Joe and Elaine Bettman Tzadik Award Marni Flagel JFS

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of Joseph Litvin Jane and Gary Hochstein

Let's do a KNITZVAH

Can you hear the future calling?

Calling all our crafty community members…Let’s do a KNITZVAH! Friday, November 1 to Friday, November 29, JFS will welcome your hand-knitted, crocheted, or sewn donations of hats, scarves, lap blankets, socks, or gloves to help make our Chanukah outreach extra special (and fuzzy).

This New Year, answer the call by making a legacy gift, ensuring a strong Jewish community for future generations.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER of GREATER DAYTON

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES of GREATER DAYTON

JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON

Jewish Foundation OF GREATER DAYTON

For questions or to schedule a drop-off, please contact Jacquelyn Archie at jarchie@jfgd.net or 937-610-1555.

Be remembered forever with a legacy gift in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy.

To learn more about leaving a legacy, contact Janese R. Sweeny, 937-401-1542.

PAGE 22

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

CALENDAR Classes

Beth Jacob Classes: w. Rabbi Agar. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.: Torah Tuesdays on Zoom. Thursdays, 7 p.m.: Thursdays of Thought on Zoom. Call to register, 937-274-2149. bethjacobcong.org/beth-jacob-happenings.

Chabad Classes: Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.: Talmud Class on Zoom & in person. Call for Zoom link. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Temple Beth Or Classes: Sundays, 12:30 p.m.: Adult Hebrew. Sat., Oct. 5, 19, 10 a.m.: Apocryphal Study in person & Zoom. templebethor. com/events. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400.

Temple Israel Classes: Tuesdays, noon: Talmud Study in person & Zoom. Wed., Oct. 9, 16, 10 a.m.: Torah Queeries w. Rabbi Bodney-Halasz, call for location. Sat., Oct. 5, 19, 26, 9:15: Torah Study on Zoom. For Torah Study Zoom info., email Fran Rickenbach, franwr@gmail.com. Wed., Oct. 23, 30, 10 a.m.: New Weekly Torah Commentary Class in person. Sun., Oct. 27, noon: My Jewish Year: Free. Call for info. tidayton.org/calendar. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. Call office to RSVP, 937-496-0050.

Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Adults

Temple Israel Brotherhood Ryterband Brunch & Speaker Series: Sun., Oct. 27, 9:45 a.m.: Rabbi Emeritus David Sofian. $7. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050.

Women

Beth Abraham Sisterhood’s Sunset in the Sukkah: Tues., Oct. 22, 6 p.m. $10 nonmembers, free for members. RSVP 937-293-9520 or email Sandra Kallenberg, sandra@bethabraham.org. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.

Men

Chabad Men’s Night Out in the Sukkah: Mon., Oct. 21, 6:15 p.m. $64. RSVP at chabaddayton.com/tools/ events. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Family

PJ Library, PJ Our Way, & Beth Jacob Sukkot at Black Star Farm: Sun., Oct. 20, 1 p.m. Free. For info., contact Kate Elder, kelder@jfgd.net.

RSVP by Oct. 18 at jewishdayton.org/events. 5904 TroyFredrick Rd., Tipp City. 937610-1555.

Youths

JCC & JYG+ Pop Culture Trivia: Sun., Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m. $10. Grades 6-8. For info., Young Adults contact Suzzy Nandrasy, snanChabad Young Professiondrasy@jfgd.net. RSVP by Oct. als Dinner in the Sukkah: Wed., Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m. RSVP 4 at jewishdayton.org/events.

Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles at chabaddayton.com/tools/ Dr., Centerville. 937-610-1555. events. 2001 Far Hills Ave.,

Community

Collaborative Selichot Service: Sat., Sept. 28: 7:30 p.m.: Minchah. 8:15 p.m.: Reception.

8:30 p.m.: Havdalah followed

by Selichot. At Beth Jacob Congregation. W. Beth Abraham, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel, & the Dayton Jewish Chorale.

7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. 937-274-2149.

Oct. 7th Remembrance: Mon., Oct. 7, 5:30 p.m. For info., contact Jeff Blumer, jblumer@ jfgd.net. RSVP by Oct. 6 at jewishdayton.org/events. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 937-610-1555.

One Partnership, One Heart Zoom Remembrance: Sun., Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. On Zoom.

W. Partnership2gether & Western Galilee. For info., contact Jeff Blumer, jblumer@jfgd.net.

RSVP at jewishdayton.org/ events. 937-610-1555.

Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-4960050.

Chabad Sukkot Dinner & CKids Event: Sun., Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. $20 adult, $8 child. RSVP at chabaddayton.com/tools/ events. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Simchat Torah

Temple Israel Simchat Torah & Potluck Dinner: Wed., Oct. 23, 6 p.m. $5 adults, $3 ages 4-12. W. guitarist Cyle Ginsberg. RSVP by Oct. 18 for dinner at tidayton.org/calendar.

130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937496-0050.

Beth Abraham Simchat Torah Celebration: Thurs., Oct. 24,

Chabad Simchat Torah Dinner Celebration: Thurs., Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Free. RSVP at chabaddayton.com/calendar. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-6430770.

Temple Beth Or Simchat Torah & Bring Them Home Dinner: Fri., Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m.

Followed by Simchat Torah Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m.

5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400.

Rosh Hashanah

Chabad Women's Circle Rosh Hashanah Market: Mon., Sept.

30, 5-7:30 p.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Chabad Rosh Hashanah Community Dinner: Wed., Oct. 2, 7 p.m. $40 adults, $15 children. RSVP at chabaddayton.com/tools/events. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-6430770.

Sukkot

Temple Israel's Pizza in the Hut: Wed., Oct. 16, 5:45 p.m. $5 adults, $3 ages 4-12. RSVP at tidayton.org/calendar. 130

Custom, New, and Estate 43 S. Main Street Centerville, Ohio 45458 • 937-433-9598

Wishing you a Happy New Year

Freshen up for Fall We’ll help you get ready for the season!

5:30 p.m.: Free pasta dinner & sundaes. 6:15 p.m.: Dancing & singing w. the Torahs. RSVP to 937-293-9520 or email Sandra Kallenberg at sandra@bethabraham.org. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.

Fox Cleaners delivers to Dayton & surrounding areas Comforters Coats & Patio & bedding sweaters cushions

Find the location near you: TheFoxCleaners.com

Will Drook, Owner

FREE pickup & delivery service THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 23

SHANA TOVAH ‫שנה טובה‬

High Holy Days 5785

with Temple Beth Or Temple Beth Or invites you to join us for the High Holy Days.

In-person and live streaming services

Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, Oct. 2 7:30 p.m. Evening Services

Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, Oct. 3

10:00 a.m. Morning Services 12:00 p.m. Luncheon: All the Best Deli, Donations Appreciated 1:00 p.m. Family Interactive Program

Kol Nidre, Friday, Oct. 11 7:30 p.m. Evening Services

Yom Kippur, Saturday, Oct. 12 10:00 a.m. Morning Services 12:30 p.m. Family Interactive Program 2:00 p.m. The Heart of Israel: Thoughts from Rabbi Azriel’s Journey 4:00 p.m. Yizkor 5:30 p.m. Ne’ilah

Modest Break-the-Fast to follow: Bernstein’s Fine Catering

Visit templebethor.com for service times & updates

Sukkot Shabbat & Dessert, Friday, Oct. 18 Join us for Shabbat Services at 6:15 p.m. followed by Dessert in the Sukkah.

Simchat Torah & Bring Them Home Dinner, Friday, Oct 25

Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a special dinner prepared from the favorite recipes of the Oct. 7th hostages, many of whom are still missing or deceased, followed by a Simchat Torah Shabbat Service at 6:15 p.m.

5275 Marshall Road Dayton, Ohio 45429 www.templebethor.com 937-435-3400

Today...and for Generations PAGE 24

MAZEL TOV! Wittenberg University has hired Darren Hertz as its new men's basketball head coach. The Miami, Fla. native served as an assistant coach at the University of Dayton since 2017 and brings with him 25-plus years of experience as a college men's basketball coach, including 19 seasons at his alma mater, the University of Florida, working for current Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan. At UD, Darren worked for current Flyers Head Coach Anthony Grant. DarDarren Hertz ren helped the Flyers earn a berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2023-24 while compiling a 25-8 overall record. He was also part of Dayton's celebrated 2019-20 season in which the Flyers went 29-2, were ranked No. 3 in the country, and were projected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before the Covid pandemic ended the season. Darren has helped coach and mentor more than 30 players who have played in the NBA. At Dayton Children's professional staff dinner in August, Dr. Jeff Mikutis was honored for his outstanding decades-long career, dedication, and impact on Dayton Children's Dr. Jeff Mikutis orthopaedic patients.

Jeff retired from Children's about a year and a half ago. He still keeps very busy as a physician volunteer with the Reach Out Clinic in Dayton, on the board of the Dayton Art Institute, as a volunteer at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and as a reader for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton Director of Education Lake Miller has been elected the next president of the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition, a group of more than 300 community volunteers. He becomes president of MCPC in January. In August, Lake was a panelist at the 2024 Ohio Coaching & Mentoring Network Conference.

OCAM provides capacity building and workforce development for preven- Lake Miller tion professionals. He shared his experience in the field of prevention and some of the tools Dayton's NCCJ uses. Lake is the son of Mike and Adriane Miller. Adriane is executive director of Dayton's NCCJ. Furniture Today Magazine has named Morris Furniture Vice President of Talent Management Max Klaben one of its 40 Under 40 Leaders. Max's great-grandfather Morris Lieberman founded the family business in 1947. Based in New York, Max recruits top talent, develops

training programs, and oversees HR functions.

He leverages people data and analytics to reduce turnover, stabilize operations, and increase employee engagement. Max's parents are Marilyn and Larry Klaben.

Max Klaben Larry is chairman and CEO of Morris Furniture.

The Miami Valley School has selected Andrew Kahn, Class of 2007, to receive its 2024 Young Professional Alumnus Award. Andrew is principal security engineer with Unum Group. He's at the forefront of the insurance company's cybersecurity, protecting digital infrastructures from emerging threats. Andrew, who lives in Solon, Ohio, is the son of Linda Ohlmann Kahn Andrew Kahn and Buddy Kahn.

Jake Elder has rejoined Cox-Colvin & Associates Inc. as a principal scientist. He returns to his environmental roots focusing on environmental compliance and remediation projects in the commercial, industrial, and utility sectors. Jake recently joined the Jewish Federation's board and is immediate past president of Temple Beth Or. Jake Elder Washington Jewish Week interviewed Dayton Dragons co-principal owner Greg Rosenbaum for a feature in August. A self-described "Olympics freak," Greg, who lives in Bethesda, Md., shared memories of the seven Olympics he's attended, including Paris this past summer.

"Over the years, I've learned how to maximize the Olympic experience," he told Washington Jewish Week. "We planned a program which had us see 31 events in 15 different sports in the equivalent of 11 days. We averaged almost three events a day and focused on medal events." Of the 31 events Greg attended, medals were handed out at 29.

Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton is one of 18 Jewish day schools across North America to comprise the Prizmah 2024-25 cohort of Engage: Growing School and Community Partnerships.

Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools in North America. Through the Engage program, school admissions staff work with Prizmah and local PJ Library partners to increase recruitment, retention, and enrollment by positioning their Jewish day schools as central hubs for Jewish communal life.

Send your Mazel Tov announcements to mweiss@jfgd.net.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

RELIGION

CONGREGATIONS Beth Abraham Synagogue

Conservative Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer Complete schedule on Page 37.

Fridays, 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. bethabrahamdayton.org

Beth Jacob Congregation

Traditional Rabbi Leibel Agar Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. Evening minyans upon request.

7020 N. Main St., Dayton.

937-274-2149. bethjacobcong.org

Temple Anshe Emeth

Reform Complete schedule on Page 12.

320 Caldwell St., Piqua.

Contact Steve Shuchat, 937-7262116, ansheemeth@gmail.com. ansheemeth.org

Temple Beth Or

Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator Ben Azriel Fridays, 6:15 p.m.

Complete schedule on Page 24.

5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400. templebethor.com

Temple Beth Sholom

Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown.

513-422-8313. templebethsholom.net

Temple Israel

Reform Senior Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz. Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo Complete schedule on Page 36.

130 Riverside Dr., Dayton.

937-496-0050. tidayton.org

Temple Sholom

Reform Rabbi Cary Kozberg Fridays, 6 p.m.

2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 937-399-1231. templesholomoh.com

ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton

Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Complete schedule on Pages 27 & 29. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-6430770. chabaddayton.com

Yellow Springs Havurah

Independent Antioch College Rockford Chapel.

1st & 3rd Saturday each month.

Contact Len Kramer, 937-5724840 or len2654@gmail.com.

Are we cleared yet to gather & memorialize Oct. 7? ets whose words affect Jewish thinking and living. So let us listen closely to the words of one renowned Hebrew poet, who offered this advice as we move from mourning to memorializing amidst the war in the Land of Israel:

Goldberg struggled with writing poetry in a time of war, then all lovers of Zion — whether the greatest Hebrew poets or people like us — struggle with suffering and how it tears our hearts.

How do we memorialize our loved ones and remember love amidst war and destruction?

It is not only permitted for a poet to Recall how the word on the write a love poem in times of war, street in Israel post-Oct. 7 was but a necessity, because even in simply, “there are no words” times of war the value of and yet we still seek love is greater than the healing through value of (death). words. As a way It is not only a right of reflecting again for a poet in the days of upon this looming horror to sing his song question of such a connection at the center of it to nature, to the bloomdarkened October as all — the real magic behind ing trees, to children to why we gather, I the gathering — is obscured or who know how to laugh, reflect upon one conthe deeper purpose occluded. but a duty, the duty to temporary Hebrew Gathering is intended to help remind a human that everyone create meaningful, Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer poem written in s/he is still a human response to the Oct. memorable experiences, for work and for play, and especial- being, that there exists in the world 7 massacre by Dael Rodrigues those simple and eternal values that Garcia. This Hebrew poet was ly for religion and spirituality. born and raised in Jerusalem, As we approach the anniver- make life more precious...because has studied in several seminarsary of the Oct. 7 massacre, one as long as poetry loves humanity in this (holy) land and the life in ies, and earned his master's in key question we must ask is it, it is worthwhile and proper for a Hebrew literature from Benwhy do we gather and how do human, for God, to love them, apGurion University of the Negev. we begin to heal from this horpreciate them, guard them...

Dael is married to Ali, and a rific year of mourning? father to Roni, and teaches Whether the memorializaNow these are the words creative writing. Dael has been tion for the massacre takes place — not of Moses our Teacher awarded the Ofira Ben-Aryeh on the Gregorian or Hebrew — but of another equally great and the Sapir College Prizes. calendar, by the time you read Hebrew poet, Leah Garcia’s poem, Hutar Lefirthis, there will have Goldberg, and she sum, Cleared for Publication, calls been dozens of col- How do we lections of Hebrew memorialize our wrote them in 1939. us to listen and reflect as we Goldberg responded gather to remember. poetry anthologized loved ones and to the events of the and published in Shoah/World War II Cleared for publication: Israel commemorat- remember love in her Hebrew pothat our hearts are broken. ing all the hundreds of poems that have amidst war and etry from the 1940s. And within those hidden places But she began in empty rooms been written from destruction? writing poetry at 12, thousands of sobs last Oct. 7 to this exiled from Russia to Lithuania strangulating without a voice. one, according to my teacher, and eventually immigrated by Cleared for publication: Rachel Korazim. making aliyah to Eretz Yisrael that open season was declared upon But why? A deeply human in 1935. us. need to express our mourning, She wrote many poems And we were pillaged in the dark confront the darkness, heal the during the rise of violence in of the most utterly precious. deep wounds, and eventually Europe at the close of the 1930s, Already it cleared for publication: transform this darkness into in the turbulent days before the that magical aura illuminating light. We need a way to gather outbreak of World War II, the those faces of all our beloved ones, and ritualize this shattering dark cloud of the Shoah beginextinguished. moment to mourn, heal, and Yet, beneath the very same earth integrate the darkness into light, ning.

And that is precisely the con- already there is a stubborn plant and bring forward a new hope troversy about war poetry that sprouting amidst this year of edging on arose amongst the greatest Heenrooting endlessly hopelessness. brew poets in Israel. So if such a and entwined with love.

As I have argued elsewhere, the Hebrew poets are the proph- renowned Hebrew poet as Leah Continued on Page 26

By Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer Beth Abraham Synagogue Why do we gather? As a tribal and global community, Jews know that gatherings play a huge role in our lives. In this process of our comings together of friends, family, and co-workers, Priya Parker teaches that we all have the potential to change the way we connect, the way we understand ourselves and one another, and the way we live.

Yet, too often, the human

Perspectives

October

Elul/Tishri Torah Portions Oct. 5: Haazinu (Deut. 32:1-52) Oct. 26: Bereshit (Gen. 1:1-6:8)

Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year

Oct. 3-4/1-2 Tishri Celebration of the beginning of the Jewish calendar year.

Begins the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of repentance and prayer that ends on Yom Kippur. Celebrated with festive meals, including apples dipped in honey.

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement

Oct. 12/10 Tishri The holiest day on the Jewish calendar, marking the end of the Days of Awe, spent fasting and in prayer.

The sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn, signals the end of the holiday.

Sukkot

Festival of Booths

Oct. 17-23 15-21 Tishri Named after the huts the Jews lived in while wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Marked by building sukkot to eat meals in during the festival, and in the synagogue by processions with the lulav (palm branches with myrtle and willow) and etrog (citron fruit).

Shemini Atzeret

Eighth Day of Assembly

Oct. 24/22 Tishri Historically, it allowed an extra day in Jerusalem for Jewish pilgrims on their journey to the Temple.

Tefillat Geshem (the prayer for rain), Hallel (Psalms of thanksgiving and joy), and Yizkor (memorial prayers) are recited.

Simchat Torah

Rejoicing of the Torah

Candle Lightings

Shabbat, Oct. 4: 6:55 p.m.

Shabbat, Oct. 18: 6:34 p.m.

Erev Rosh Hashanah Oct. 2: 6:59 p.m.

Shabbat, Erev Yom Kippur Oct. 11: 6:44 p.m.

Erev Shemini Atzeret Oct. 23: 6:27 p.m.

Erev Sukkot, Oct. 16: 6:37 p.m.

First Eve Rosh Hashanah Oct. 3: 7:55 p.m.

First Eve Sukkot Oct. 17: 7:34 p.m.

Erev Simchat Torah Oct. 24: 7:25 p.m.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Shabbat, Oct. 25: 6:25 p.m.

Oct. 25/23 Tishri Annual cycle of reading the Torah is concluded and a new cycle begun. Celebrated in the synagogue with singing, dancing, and Torah processionals.

PAGE 25

RELIGION

Cleared yet

Continued from Page 25 A few elucidations are in order to grasp the power of this poem and how it both captures our feelings and affects our thinking when we gather.

If you have ever been blessed to live in Israel, then you know that when they hear television and radio announcers reading the names of the soldiers killed on a given day, it is always prefaced by the very title of this poem. Once these names “are cleared for publication,” then the families already sense the looming catastrophe about to unfold in their lives.

The poet is playful here, as the Hebrew word hutar refers as well to it being “open season” as a double entendre playing on “cleared”— utterly horrifying.

Even more disorienting are those “hidden places” that Dael evokes in this poem, harkening

back to its roots in a rabbinic attempt to see behind the veil and understand the prophetic verse: “If you do not heed this, my soul will cry in hidden places because of pride. (Jer. 13:17)."

In searching for the meaning of these “hidden places,” the sages of the Talmud discover a radical theological insight — that indeed even God has a hidden chamber to weep over the loss of Israel’s pride snatched from it through catastrophes and then given to other enemy nations “regarded as sheep to be slaughtered (Ps. 44:23)."

Stop to absorb this insight for a moment: What does it mean to gather now in the presence of divine weeping, especially recalling how elsewhere in scripture God is described as “joyful in His palace (I Chron.

16:27)?"

This is a complete paradox.

How can God be both joyful and weeping simultaneously?

From all of us at NCCJ, Shana Tova!

May this new year be filled with meaning, good health and great joy.

What the Talmudic debate from another Israeli, Oded yields is that the innermost Adomi Leshem, who has chambers are for hidden weep- been thinking through these ing, while in the outer chamvery issues for some time and bers, there is no weeping (Baby- concludes from his extensive lonian Talmud, Hagigah 5b). research that there are actuThis resolves the paradox, ally bi-dimensional degrees of seeing that there is a need for hope, from wish to expectation. gathering in different spaces Leshem wrote this study to emote differently; if that is while the IDF were bombing how God holds the paradox, the Gaza Strip and missiles does that work for us as mere from the Gaza strip were being mortals? fired at Israeli towns already in Where does this leave us in May 2021. terms of remaining hope, and Like most Israelis, Leshem remaining hopehad 90 seconds to lessly hopeful? The Leave it to reach the bomb poem concludes shelter, grab his Israelis to be with a vision of kids and his laptop on the forefront to continue writa hopeful new growth: ing about hope. As of keeping he explores in this Yet, beneath the very hope alive remarkable study same earth that emerged under already there is a stubborn plant fire, called Hope Amidst Conflict: sprouting Philosophical and Psychological enrooting endlessly Explorations (2024), Leshem’s and entwined with love. research into hope is important at this juncture as he includes a Everything turns on the unnovel integration of philosophiwillingness to give in to despair cal and psychological examinaand plant more seeds of love tions of the concept of hope. to be rooted in that same earth Leshem also introduces what that makes us human. he calls the "Bi-dimensional So amidst conflict, catastroModel of Hope,” a pioneering phe, death and destruction that conceptualization and operahas felt like a new normal since tionalization of hope. His reOct. 7, leave it to Israelis to be sults are based on original data on the forefront of keeping collected in the framework of hope alive. Despite the darkthe Hope Map Project, a global ness of how this poem begins, study surveying the hopes for it ends with hope through love. peace in conflict zones worldI found parallel inspiration wide.

He echoes Goldberg in asking, “Is it legitimate to talk about hope for peace while people are burying their loved ones? Is hope a thing to be discussed when hope is essentially absent?”

Leshem concludes that cultivating “optimal hope” is neither naive nor delusional — it is not “considered a waste of time or even a dangerous delusion” to be “discussing peace during intractable ethnonational conflicts” — it is what makes us human, what makes us Jews, what makes us Israelis.

Optimal hope always must abide, especially in such dark times. As Leshem teaches: “optimal hope protects from despair, frustration, and anguish when hopes for peace are dashed.”

But wisely, he notes that: “optimal hope does not require promises,” rather it abides due to its adaptability over adversity, flexibility amidst changing circumstances, and sustainability through extended conflicts.

That optimal hope struggles to sprout and take root is an internal motivation rather than an external assessment.

Once each of us has the strength to complete our cycles of mourning and take a breath for healing, we are restitching our torn hearts into the fabric of the One that continues to connect and inspire optimal hope to redeem this broken world.

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy New Year Montgomery County Commissioners Judy Dodge, Debbie Lieberman, Carolyn Rice

NCCJ's mission is to empower and educate communities to eliminate bias, bigotry and all forms of discrimination.

For more information please visit our website at www.nccjgreaterdayton.org.

Paid for by the Committees to Re-Elect Judy Dodge, Debbie Lieberman & Carolyn Rice

PAGE 26

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

RELIGION

For rabbis writing High Holiday sermons during the Israel-Hamas war, procrastination pays off

By Jacob Gurvis, JTA On the morning of Oct. 7, Rabbi Erez Sherman was preparing for the Yizkor memorial service at his Conservative synagogue, Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. He had written a sermon, somewhat presciently, about memory. It was titled Hard to Say Goodbye.

Then he received a text message from his predecessor, Rabbi David Wolpe, who was three hours ahead in Boston: “Change your sermon.”

News had broken about Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, and while Sherman said he typically doesn’t use technology on Shabbat and holidays, it became clear this was no typical holiday. For his sermon that day, Sherman ended up reading text updates from someone in a shelter in Ashkelon, near the Gaza border.

Now, as rabbis across the United States prepare their sermons for the upcoming High Holidays, the first since Oct. 7 sent shockwaves across the Jewish world, many are acutely aware that similar last-minute changes could be needed yet again. As the Israel-Hamas war continues and the U.S. presidential election approaches, the volume and pace of news show no sign of abating.

For any rabbi interested in preaching on current events, that uncertainty presents a challenge.

But as Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Sherman’s wife and co-senior rabbi, points out, it’s a challenge with which rabbis are — often somberly — familiar.

“I hate to say it, but look what has happened during the months of September and October,” Guzik said. “What was it like to be a rabbi during 9/11?

What was it like to be a rabbi during the Yom Kippur War? Being a rabbi is being able to pivot and to give meaning and significance and the grounding of Torah to current events.”

Rabbi Jennifer Frenkel, the senior rabbi at Congregation Kol Ami, a Reform synagogue in Cherry Hill, N.J., said High Holiday sermon writing often boils down to “the art of procrastinating.” That’s especially true, she added, when the holidays fall as late as they do this year. Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of Oct. 2, nearly three weeks later than it did last year.

“I think clergy have learned a lot since 9/11, since all these things tend to hit around the holidays, about being open to needing to scrap everything we’ve thought of and start again,” Frenkel said.

Frenkel, who plans to speak about current events for one of her High Holiday sermons, said she has been collecting resources and brainstorming with colleagues. But while in a typical year she would likely have an initial draft by

Sinai Temple

Nicole Guzik and Erez Sherman, the husband-wife team of co-senior rabbis at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.

this point, she has not yet started writing that sermon.

“That process, I imagine, is going to start much later than it has,” Frenkel said. “Certainly with the situation in Israel ever evolving, the political climate in the country. So that’s kind of where I am — not very far at all. But I think that’s the best place to be right now, just staying open to the meaning that we’re finding in the day-to-day.”

Guzik, who is planning to speak about the Gaza war on Rosh Hashanah, said the conflict has simplified rabbis’ preparations in one key way — when it comes to choosing sermon topics.

“You know you’re going to speak about Israel,” Guzik said. “I would be shocked if one of the five sermons that people deliver, (if) one’s not about Israel, that would be a very hard thing for me to hear. I think it kind of relieves that uncertainty. I think the question will be the direction.”

Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky, who leads Congregation Shaare Tefilla, a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Dallas, said he has recently been writing his Shabbat sermons later than usual and, where possible, avoiding references to specific events that could quickly become outdated.

For the High Holidays, he said, he plans to keep his sermons focused on broader subjects that can be written ahead of time with little risk of requiring changes, and when he talks about Israel, current events will not be “the sole focus” of his remarks.

“Given that the specific reality may change, not just from one day to the next but from one hour to the next, my discussions are going to focus on the types of themes that you can prepare for in advance, that you can anticipate,” Rackovsky said.

Michele Lowe, a playwright who advises rabbis across the country on their sermons, said many of the rabbis she Continued on Page 28

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 27

RELIGION

Sermons

ant cast uncertainty over how synagogues would approach Continued from Page 27 the holidays. works with ahead of this High “Everyone thought in July Holiday season plan to speak of 2021, everybody’s going to about the war and antisemitism, stay healthy, things are going to even if they gave similar serbe OK,” Lowe said. “And then mons last year or in the months what ended up happening was, since Oct. 7. the more the summer came on, Lowe is advising roughly two a lot of those sermons had to get dozen rabbis on 37 sermons for rewritten.” this fall — her largest workload On the plus side, Lowe said, since she began moonlighting as giving a sermon about the war a so-called “rabbi whisperer.” or other current events during Most of her clients are Reform the High Holidays provides rabrabbis and the majority are bis a luxury often not available women, she said. to them on a typical Shabbat: Lowe said that any rabbi who Time. chooses to speak about the war While she usually encourknows they will likely need to ages brevity — “I’m of the belief continuously edit their sermons nobody ever complained that until the day they deliver them. the sermon was too short,” she “Because this is something quipped — Lowe said High that is unfolding literally by Holiday sermons are often the day, I think that if they are closer to 20 minutes, sometimes going to be preaching about the twice as long as a typical Shabwar, for example, they know bat offering. that,” Lowe said. “It’s absoluteAs rabbis tackle — or rely not a surprise.” visit — these topics on the High Lowe said the current moHolidays, length is not the only ment reminds her of another factor to weigh. There’s also recent crisis that accelerated the question of navigating the ahead of the High Holidays: the political climate in one’s own COVID pandemic. In 2021, even congregation, a reality that difas vaccination rates increased, fers in each community. the spread of the Delta variAt Sinai Temple in Los An-

geles, Sherman said the clergy “When we asked our leaders, have historically tended to steer should we go back to what we clear of politics — an approach were doing pre-Oct. 7, they said, that drew criticism when Wolpe ‘No, we’re not enjoying what argued for it. you’re doing, but we crave it,’” “We don’t give political com- Sherman said. mentary, we give spiritual food To Frenkel, the appeal of an for the soul,” Sherman said.

Israel sermon — for both the “Anybody can go read the news rabbi and the congregation — is on whatever site they would the opportunity to use Jewish like to, but when you’re gotradition and text ing to come to a synagogue to draw meaning on Shabbat, on holidays, out of a difficult on High Holidays, I think situation, an expeople want to feel conercise that can be nected three ways: To each repeated, even on other, to a deeper sense of the same topic. themselves, and to God.” “For many Sherman said his com(congregants), munity includes members of Rabbi Jennifer they haven’t been all political stripes, and that Frenkel in the synagogue he and his colleagues “really try to hear every Israel sermon that to present ideas of how to think we’ve given, or every sermon on and not what to think.” That antisemitism, or every sermon apolitical approach does not ap- on the meaning that we find in ply to Israel, however, which he community right now,” Frenkel said has been a topic of conver- said. “These sermons are kind sation and education “literally of the heavy hitters. Are we goevery week” since Oct. 7. ing to echo some of the things In fact, that’s a practice that have already been said this Sherman said his congregants year? Absolutely. But I think have validated. About five or there’s always a new angle.” six months after the war began, Rackovsky has experience Sinai Temple’s rabbis asked revising his sermons quickly. In layleaders whether they should 2018, American-Israeli activstop talking about Israel. ist Ari Fuld, whom Rackovsky

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PAGE 28

knew personally and who had a relationship with Rackovsky’s synagogue, was stabbed and killed by a Palestinian teen in the West Bank days after Rosh Hashanah. Rackovsky said he found a way to incorporate Fuld’s “legacy and what he stood for” into his Yom Kippur sermon that year.

If he has to adapt his sermons this fall, he hopes it’s for a brighter reason. “I hope that that pattern doesn’t hold up this year,” he said. “But on the other hand, there’s already been so much bad news that it’s not like you’re starting from a place where you’re talking about how great things are and suddenly they’re not.”

While last-minute changes to High Holiday sermons have historically been prompted by tragedy, Guzik isn’t ruling out the possibility that good news could throw a wrench into her sermon this year.

“Say suddenly on erev Rosh Hashanah, I get news that — God willing it happens much earlier — a deal has been reached and the hostages are being released, you better believe that my sermon is changing,” she said.

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

RELIGION

This year’s High Holiday kids’ books celebrate diversity

By Penny Schwartz, JTA The enduring traditions of the High Holiday season take shape across time and place in the latest crop of children’s books about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

This year’s books transport readers back to biblical times, whiz them to the old-world streets of Istanbul, remember the etrog trade in 18th-century New York City, and celebrate harvest festivals from very different cultures. All beckon families with stories that display the rich diversity in Jewish culture.

A Turkish Rosh Hashanah

Etan Basseri; illustrated by Zeynep Özatalay • Kalaniot Books; ages 5-9 In this heartwarming story, Rafael, a young Jewish boy in Istanbul, wishes his grandmother, Nona, and his cousins Alegra and Leon, “anyada buena,” the Judeo-Spanish greeting for a happy new year shared by Sephardic Jews at Rosh Hashanah. Kids follow the cousins at the bustling outdoor market, where they help Nona shop for the ceremonial foods they will enjoy that evening at their traditional Sephardic meal.

The cousins’ excitement is briefly dampened when an older kid bullies them while they shop. But Alegra uses her voice to stand up to him, leading the way for Rafael and Leon to speak out as well. A playful pack of friendly cats gets in on the action, keeping it light. When the family gathers for the holiday, Nona praises the kids for their teamwork. The book concludes with a note about Sephardic customs and a handy glossary.

Max and the Not-So-Perfect Apology

their Torah-class project about the biblical story of Jacob and his brother Esau, Max is determined to win first prize. But their teacher arranges different teams.

Jealousy and feelings of being left out threaten their friendship. It’s a perfect set-up for a fun-filled adventure when Max powers up his time-travel machine, this time without his co-pilot Emma.

He lands in ancient Israel, where plenty of jokes between Max and Jacob, Jacob's son Joseph and Jacob's brother Esau will have kids chuckling. There are meaningful lessons to be shared about forgiveness that reflect the themes of Yom Kippur.

An Etrog from Across the Sea

Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky; illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen Kar-Ben; ages 4-10 Award-winning authors Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky team up in a charming Sukkot tale lavishly illustrated by Stacey Dressen. Set in the early 18th century, a Sephardic Jewish family travels by stagecoach from their country home to New York City to their grandfather Luis’ large house. Leah, her brother Aaron, and their mother eagerly await Papa’s return from his travels from Corsica in time for Rosh Hashanah.

In a postcard, Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog — the fragrant citrus fruit used during Sukkot.

But when Papa doesn’t arrive, they fear something is wrong. Grandpapa Luis comforts Rachel with a beautiful silver etrog cup. But will her Papa return for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?

To everyone’s relief, Papa returns home just in time, and the etrog finds its home in Leah’s silver cup. In a note, families learn that the story is based on the life of Luis Moises Gomez (1660-1740), a prosperous merchant and trader from Britain who settled in New York.

Carl Harris Shuman; illustrated by Rory Walker and Michael Garton • Apples & Honey Press; ages 6-8 In this cartoon-style page-turner, readers meet Max, a young inventor who saves time in the morning by wash- Mixed-Up Mooncakes ing only one side of his face. When Max Christina Matula and Erica Lyons; illustratand his best friend Emma join forces for Continued on Page 38

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 29

JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION

For Heaven's sake Sacred Speech — a new series

The new rabbi was mystified. Every Shabbat, an argument broke out during the service when it came time to recite the Shema. Half the congregation would tell everyone to rise: “We stand for Shema Yisrael, the watchword of Juda-

Candace R. Kwiatek ism!” The other half would remain unmoved, declaring, “The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish law) says if you’re already seated, you stay seated to say the Shema, so we sit!”

Invariably, each faction would end up glaring at the other. In desperation, the rabbi

appointed a delegation to interview the congregation’s aged founding member.

During their conversation, one congregant asked, “Wasn’t our tradition to stand for the Shema?” “No,” the man shook his head. Another congregant jumped in, “So the tradition was to sit for the Shema?” The man frowned. “No.” Frustrated, the rabbi interrupted. “Tradition or not, just tell them one or the other! Every Shabbat, one group argues ‘stand,’ the other argues ‘sit!’”

The old man smiled. “That was the tradition.”

One might conclude that argument is part of the Jewish heritage. Abraham, Moses, and Job all argued with God. Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and the wilderness Israelites all engaged in notable disputes.

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The Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds are independent encyclopedic collections of rabbinic arguments, debates, and competing opinions about law and tradition generated across many centuries.

Jewish learning commonly takes place in chevruta, pairs of students who challenge each other’s views. Jews even argue about the appropriate toppings for Chanukah latkes: applesauce or sour cream?

Argument is part of human heritage. In Genesis, we learn that God created humans, male and female, in the Divine image. “Unlike coins, however, whose images all appear identical, not one human is similar to another,” explain the sages of the Talmud.

Every human is a oneof-a-kind amalgam of unique characteristics, abilities, experiences, emotions, thoughts, and speech — almost as if designed to generate disagreement.

The story of the Tower of Babel appears shortly thereafter in Genesis. It begins, “Now the entire earth was of one language and uniform words.”

Many biblical scholars conclude that Babel was a deliberate attempt to create a homogenous society where no diversity or individuality was allowed.

Everyone adopted the same values and mission, lived in the same area, and spoke the same language. There was a single way to think, to express oneself, and to act.

Rejecting the coerced uniformity, God’s response was to confuse the people’s speech and scatter them over the face of the earth. It seems humans are destined to clash by heavenly design. But to what purpose?

To discover truth. “Only God can see the totality of truth,” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains. Humans “can see only fragments of truth at any one moment among the limitless perspectives.”

But machloket, disagreement or constructive conflict, can bring us closer to the truth.

To seek truth. We learn in Ethics of the Fathers, “Every machloket that is for the sake of Heaven (in pursuit of truth) is destined to endure, and one that is not for the sake of Heaven (provoked by ulterior

motives, ego) is destined not to endure. What is an example of a disagreement that is for the sake of Heaven? The disagreement between Hillel and Shammai. What is an example of a disagreement that is not for the sake of Heaven? The disagreement of Korach and his followers.”

A machloket directed toward discovering truth, not toward gaining power, winning, or self-aggrandizement, is heavenly.

To respect the person.

Every human, in the image of God, is deserving of respect.

Talk to each other, not at each other. Actively listen — hear, pay attention, understand, and reflect — and listen more than you speak.

Separate the viewpoint from the individual, and debate the viewpoint, not the person. Look for common ground in another’s views.

Reiterate your opponent’s arguments before sharing your own. And take note of how the Talmud characterizes the end of the machloket: “Even a father and his son, or a rabbi and his student, who are engaged in Torah study together become enemies. But they do not leave there until they love each other.”

To value diversity of opinion. Too often, we gravitate toward similar outlooks, but both hearing and challenging contrary views are essential.

Chasidic wisdom teaches: “If a tree grows in isolation it is likely to become crooked

It seems humans are destined to clash by heavenly design. But to what purpose?

and bent. However, trees that grow together in a forest grow straight and tall — they ‘keep each other straight,’ so to speak. Similarly, for truth to be upheld, it is fundamental that human beings do not live in intellectual isolation, only hearing views that reinforce their own. Vigorous and respectful debate is crucial.”

Regard disagreement not just as conflict but as a collaborative activity in pursuit of honesty and truth, not necessarily consensus.

Listen to others’ views and imagine how they can enlarge your own understanding of the truth. Be open to the outcome.

For three years, the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel disagreed. Each of these academies said, "The halacha (law) is in accordance with our opinion."

Ultimately, a Divine Voice emerged and proclaimed: "Elu v’elu — Both these and those are the words of the living God." Look for the divinity that may be found within the views of people who disagree with you.

Seventeen and a student in Israel, Deborah set out to meet with her parent’s rabbi, tasked with convincing her to return to America.

She was prepared to explain why she would be staying in Israel, even against her parents’ wishes.

Along the way, she texted a friend, “I’m off to an argument, and I hope I win!” He responded, “Not likely. If you have a discussion you can get somewhere, if you have an argument you never win.”

Only a machloket for the sake of Heaven can endure.

Literature to share Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up by Abigail Shrier. This New York Times bestseller reports on the decline in the mental health of America’s youths and how the mental health industry has both contributed to this trajectory and itself grown exponentially along the way. The therapeutic approach to children now influences how we treat, discipline, teach, and talk to our kids and grandkids, with little discussion about its short- and long-term effects. Wellwritten, fast-paced, and engaging throughout, Bad Therapy will increase your awareness of what’s going on behind the scenes — and in some cases right before your eyes.

Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco. This moving tale of kindness and friendship is based on the true story of Johnnie Wallen who, as a Kentucky lad of 15, joined the army the day after Pearl Harbor. Central to his wartime experience is what happened in the jungles of the Philippines.

It will bring tears to your eyes. Another unforgettable tale from the renowned author, this illustrated book is appropriate for upper elementary ages through adults.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Slow-Cooked Sweet & Sour Iraqi Lamb for Rosh Hashanah

By Joanna Nissim The Nosher The wonderful thing about Jewish food is that so many dishes deliciously demonstrate Jewish migration. There are so many examples of the same dish cropping up in different countries with only a slight variation and nowhere is this proved more than with ingree.

This slow-cooked dish of lamb, eggplant and tomatoes with the Iraqi signature sweet and sour gravy varies only slightly in recipe and spelling in Jewish kitchens across the Middle East.

It continues to be a firm favorite among the Iraqi community, who call it ingerie; it’s served for Shabbat and festivals as a wonderful showstopper.

Many Jews of Baghdad emigrated to Mumbai as early as the 1700s and, unlike other Jewish communities in India, they were able to kasher their own meat, and therefore, could eat dishes like ingree.

Over the years, the dish remained the same regardless of the country it’s cooked in; both communities maintain the traditional tangy flavor, with the Iraqis using lemon and the Indians using tamarind to give the sharp tang.

One of the reasons that this dish was so loved by both communities was that it was just as good served at room temperature the following day and was therefore a great dish to finish off for Shabbat lunch.

There is also documentation of the lamb being substituted for beef or ground beef depending on what was available at the time.

The Indian version stays true to the Iraqi original and has not absorbed any of the Indian flavorings. For example, the much loved Iraqi dal sambusak or aruk (rice patties with fish or meat), to which the Indian community adds a pinch of garam masala to the filling.

Although this ingree recipe takes two to three hours to cook, the assembly and preparation are short and sweet and the finished dish stores beautifully for a day or two (if it lasts that long), covered in the fridge.

Joanna Nissim

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes-3 hours 30 minutes Yield: Serves six 2 1/4 lbs. cubed lamb shoulder 1 large onion, finely sliced 17 oz. water 1 Tbsp. date syrup (aka silan) salt and pepper, to taste 2 eggplants ⅔ Tbsp. oil, for frying 3 beefsteak tomatoes juice of 1 ½ lemons (1 lemon if it is a big one) 2 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses 1 tsp. honey Begin by sautéing the onion and cubes of lamb until they are golden brown.

Add tablespoon of date syrup and cover with 17 ounces of water. Turn the heat to low

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

and leave to simmer for an hour, until the meat is tender.

While the meat is simmering, slice the eggplant and fry in olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Once cooked, keep to one side to cool.

Remove the meat from the liquid and lay at the bottom of the casserole dish.

Layer the eggplant slices on top and press down slightly.

Slice the tomatoes and lay them on top of the eggplant.

Pour the cooking liquid from the meat into a saucepan and gently heat through with the other ingredients.

Pour over the layered dish and bake at 365 degrees for one hour until everything is cooked through and bubbling.

Serve as a stand-alone dish or over rice.

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Happy New Year

Sylvia Blum & Family PAGE 32

MSG

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Gayle & Irvin Moscowitz

cake bakes.

By Susan Barocas, The Nosher To make the cake, preheat Honey cake is a hallmark oven to 350 degrees. Lightly of Rosh Hashanah and the fall grease a 9-by-13-inch pan.

Jewish holidays — Ashkenazi In a large bowl, whisk honey cake, that is. But did you together the semolina, flour, know there’s a Sephardi cake nuts, baking powder, baking traditionally served for Rosh soda, and cinnamon until Hashanah, Yom Kippur breakwell blended. Set aside. the-fast, and during Sukkot?

In a large saucepan, mix Tishpishti symbolizes wishes for the oil, water, honey, sugar, a sweet new year and the fullcinnamon, zest, salt. Heat ness of life. over medium, stirring often.

Semolina pastries and pudRemove saucepan from the dings have been made for cenheat just as it begins to boil. turies across the Mediterranean, Using a wooden spoon, stir North Africa, and Middle East. in the flour mixture, about a Tishpishti is made with fine third at a time, until it's tosemolina and soaked in a syrup Tishpishti, syrup-soaked semolina cake. tally absorbed and the batter of sugar, honey, or a mixture. is well blended. It might seem 1 tsp. cinnamon Tishpishti is best when left at 1 cup good neutral vegetable like the last bit can’t get mixed room temperature for sevin, but it will. Resulting batter oil (such as avocado, suneral hours or overnight so the will be thick and dough-like. flower or peanut) syrup penetrates the cake. Store Scoop the mixture into the 2 cups water wrapped at room temperature greased pan and gently pat ½ cup honey for two days or a week in the to flatten the batter with your ½ cup sugar refrigerator.

2 tsp. finely grated lemon or hands so it is spread evenly and orange zest or a combination the edges are straight and even.

Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes (An offset spatula smooths ⅛ tsp. salt Yield: about 26-30 diamondthe surface evenly and makes about 30 slices blanched shaped pieces almonds, whole almonds or sharp, clean edges.) Score cake into small diamond shapes, walnuts, or chopped alFor the syrup: about 26-30 pieces 1½ inches monds or walnuts ¾ cup sugar wide, cutting about half way ¾ cup honey To make the syrup, stir sugar, down. Gently press one almond ¾ cup water slice or whole nut on top of each honey, water, and lemon juice 1–2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice piece in the center. Bake for 40(if using) together in a heavy or orange blossom water 45 minutes until the edges are saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about just starting to brown.

For the cake: Take the cake from oven, imfive minutes. Turn the heat up 1 cup fine semolina (not mediately pour about half the to medium-high until mixture semolina flour) begins to boil, then reduce heat room-temperature syrup slowly, 2 cups all-purpose or oneevenly over the hot cake, which to a gentle boil. to-one gluten-free flour or Cook about 15 minutes until will absorb the syrup as it cools. almond flour the mixture thickens, but is still Wait a few minutes, then follow 1½ cups finely ground the scoring to cut all the way walnut or almond meal (not syrupy. Remove from the heat through the pieces. Pour the rest and if using orange blossom flour) of the syrup evenly into the cuts water, stir it in. Let syrup cool 1 tsp. baking powder and over the whole cake. to room temperature while the 1 tsp. baking soda

L'Shanah Tovah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

Ralph & Sylvia Heyman

Mrs. Jack Goldberg

L'Shanah Tovah

The Levy Family

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Caramelized Apple & Cranberry Noodle Kugel a yummy Sukkot treat

HAPPY NEW YEAR

By Elizabeth Kurtz The Nosher This kugel is perfect for Sukkot, when cranberries are fresh and available. Apples and cranberries taste amazing together and give a sweet-tart contrast to the whole dish.

Buy extra bags of fresh cranberries and store in the freezer so you can make this any time of year.

12 oz. extra-wide noodles 4 Tbsp. margarine, divided 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries 3 Tbsp. brown sugar 5 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup Tofutti sour cream 3/4 cup vanilla soy milk 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. salt Topping: 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 2/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Apples and cranberries taste amazing together and give a sweet-tart contrast to the whole dish.

sugar; stir and cook about four minutes, until cranberries are cooked through but not popping open.

Remove from heat and set Preheat oven to 350 degrees. aside. Combine eggs, sugar, Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch sour cream, soy milk, vanilla, baking pan. and salt in a large bowl; whisk Bring a large pot of water until smooth. to a boil over high heat. Add Add reserved noodles and noodles and cook about seven apple-cranberry mixture; stir to minutes, or until al dente. mix. Pour mixture into preDrain and mix with two tablespoons of the margarine in pared pan.

To prepare the topping: a medium bowl.

Melt the remaining two table- Combine flour, sugar, oats, oil, and cinnamon in a small bowl; spoons of margarine in a large mix well. Sprinkle over kugel. skillet over medium-high heat.

Bake about one hour, until Add apples and cook three to set and cooked through. Best four minutes, or until soft. served warm.

Add cranberries and brown

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace L’SHANAH TOVAH

Julie, Adam, Noah, Zoe & Oscar Waldman

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace The Groveman & Begel Family

Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year Stan Frankowitz

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

L'Shanah Tovah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Mike Goldstein & Family

Judy Woll & Ron Bernard

Ann & John Paddock

Judith Weber

Cory & Sharon Lemmon

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 33

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

L’Shanah Tovah

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

L’Shanah Tovah

L’Shanah Tovah Miriamne Krummel Matt Adkins Yetta & Shoshana Krummel-Adkins Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace Maryann & Jack Bernstein

Art & Joan Greenfield

Cong. Anshe Emeth, Piqua, your northern neighbors

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Barbara Sanderow & Family

May the year ahead be blessed with good health & cheer

Debby, Bob, Alicia, Ted & William Goldenberg

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

L'Shanah Tovah Dr. Judy H. Ribak & Family Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year Sharon & Bob Burick & Family Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace The Self Family Craig, Annie, Josh, Kayleigh & Anna Kate

John, Elaine, Claire & Sarah Gaglione

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

Brenda Rinzler

May good health and happiness always be with you

Steve, Shara, Rachel & Natalie Taylor

Susan & David Joffe

Wishing everyone a sweet and good new year

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace

Cantor Andrea Raizen

Cheryl & Franklin Lewis

L'Shanah Tovah

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Sis Litvin

Robert & Vicky Heuman

The Knoll Family

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

May the new year bring much happiness and peace to you and to Israel

Edye Leuin & Dave Ziegler

PAGE 34

Meredith Levinson

Out with the old, in with the new: May you be happy the whole year through

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace Paula Gessiness & Jay Holland

New Year's greetings from

Steve & Liz Musin

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Jeffrey Abrahams

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace Cherie Rosenstein & Family

Bonnie Mendelson & Family

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace

L'Shanah Tovah

Alan & Susan Fitterman Witte

Celia B. Diamond

Jeff & Cathy Startzman

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Harriet Klass

Mrs. Sharyn Reger

Marni Flagel & Family

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy new year

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Ken Baker K.W. Baker & Assoc.

Lawrence Wagenfeld & Family

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

May the year ahead be blessed with good health & cheer

Judy Lipton

Rina & Jeff Thau

Adam & Tara Feiner

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Jim & Kristen Mitchem

The Garfunkel Family

Marvin & Susan Mason

Beverly Saeks & Family

Bernard Rabinowitz Elaine Goldberg

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Rex & Louise Tincher

Lynn Foster

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year

Judge Susan Dlott

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year Robin & Tim Moore Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace Anne & Aaron Burke

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

The Cruse Family

Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year Ronni & Marc Loundy

Frieda Blum

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace

May good health and happiness always be with you Kim & Candy Kwiatek

Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Harlan

Wishing you a new year of health, happiness and peace Mel & Jan Berman

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 35

TEMPLE ISRAEL’S

holiday schedule

ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES Erev of Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, October 2 8:00 p.m. Congregational Services

Rosh Hashanah Thursday, October 3 9:00 a.m. Family Services 10:30 a.m. Congregational Services Tashlich following services

KOL NIDRE

Sunday, October 12 8:00 p.m. Congregational Services

YOM KIPPUR

Sunday, October 13 9:00 a.m. Family Services 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Congregational Services 1:30 p.m. Echos of Strength: Commemorating October 7th 6:15 p.m. Gerald A. Greene Memorial Break-the-Fast

SUKKOT

Wednesday, October 16 5:45 p.m. Pizza in the Hut 6:30 p.m. Congregational Services

SIMCHAT TORAH

Wednesday, October 23 6:00 p.m. Services and Consecration 7:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner

Temple Israel • 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton • www.tidayton.org • 937.496.0050

PAGE 36

Arts&Culture

14-year-old Shoah victim's diary inspires world premiere musical at Cincy Playhouse In 2006, Yad Vashem published a dia- usually Anne Frank's. But in Beber's ry in which 14-year-old Rutka Laskier, a research, she saw that everyone kept Polish Jew, wrote about her life for four diaries generations ago. months in 1943, until her deportation "There are many, many diaries of and murder in Auschwitz. A young people who pernon-Jewish friend of Rutka ished in the Holocaust, " had safeguarded the diary she says. "Diaries that surfor six decades. vived are at Yad Vashem."

"The outside world Another difference: slowly closed down on "Anne Frank was hidher, but these few sheets of ing in an attic. Rutka was paper – some 60 handwritout in the world with her ten pages in a notebook friends."

– reflect the entire universe Why indie rock for the of an adolescent Jewish girl score? "Another Amy and in the shadow of death," David choice," Beber says.

Thomas Vinciguerra wrote "They had the music of the diary in The New York first, which is, I think, Times after its publication in Playwright Neena Beber unusual for a musical.

English.

They thought it was very Rutka's Notebook is the source mateimportant to get the sound right. As rial for Rutka: A New Musical, which will you can imagine, just singing about the have its world premiere production at Holocaust, it has to be exactly right. And Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Oct. 13 it's delicate. to Nov. 10.

"The music is the emotions they are Music and lyrics are by indie-rockers going through. So we want that to feel Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloydcontemporary, to make people feel those Styles, previously with the Brooklynfeelings now, to make it feel vibrant and based band Pearl and the Beard. Rutka alive, just as Rutka's voice completely is directed by Wendy C. Goldberg, does shine, as a very young, youthful, former artistic director of the National alive voice."

Playwrights Conference at the Eugene Beber says the producers secured the O'Neill Theater Center, who has served rights to create the musical from Rutka's as jury chair of the Pulitzer Prize for sister, Zahava Scherz in Tel Aviv. NeiDrama. ther sister knew the other in life.

Joining the team "Her sister, Zahava, I've spoken most recently is to Zahava multiple times," Beber playwright Neena says. "Rutka's father, like Anne Beber, who wrote Frank's, was the only one to surthe musical's book. vive. He met someone in a refugee One of Beber's camp, moved to Palestine, and had recent projects was another family: one daughter." as a writer/execuWhen Zahava was 14, she tive producer with looked through a photo album and The Marvelous Mrs. asked, "Who is this? The girl looks Maisel. like me."

The musical's Beber says that's when Zaproducers, Amy hava learned she had a sister and Langer and David B. The 60-page diary of Rutka brother who were murdered in the Schwartz — the team Laskier, on which the new Holocaust. that conceived of the musical is based.

Zahava plans to attend the openshow — brought Being of Rutka at Cincinnati Playber to the project on director Goldberg's house. recommendation.

"She continues on the journey to get "I worked a couple of times with Rutka's story known," Beber says. "The Wendy at the O'Neill Center, workshop- Holocaust, because it's just so unfathping some new plays," Beber tells The omable and because we still do grapple Observer from New York. "I became close with hate, it's a story that needs to be to one of the Mrs. Maisel actors, Marin told. Especially in a world where we do Hinkle, who played the mom, and so see these swastikas marching."

Marin and I are working on a play that

— Marshall Weiss she's the lead in and Wendy directed Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park that at the O'Neill, and so Wendy's the presents Rutka: A New Musical, Oct. one who asked me to come on board.

13-Nov. 10, 962 Mt Adams Cir., CincinI am a Jewish writer and celebrate that nati. Tickets begin at $35. Recommended identity. I've also written young adult for ages 12 and up. For details and to stuff." purchase tickets, go to cincyplay.com or When people think of Holocaust call the box office at 800-582-3208. diaries, the first that comes to mind is

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Readings for new play about Daytonian who survived the Holocaust as a partisan The public is invited to attend three readings of a new play, Anschel, by Michael London, based on the book Anschel's Story by Renate Frydman.

The Dayton Holocaust Resource Center’s founder and director, Frydman published the book in 2017. It’s her late husband’s story of survival in Nazi-occupied Poland. Told in the first person, it relates how Anschel “Charlie” Frydman stayed alive as a slave laborer and then as a partisan fighter, when he was only a youth, after his parents and two sisters were murdered.

London, a member of the Ohio Playwrights Circle, adapted the book into a one-person play with grants from the Leon Norman and Mildred Miriam Nizny Memorial Fund and the Eleanor and John Kautz Fund of The Dayton Foundation.

The Dayton Holocaust Resource Center is partnering with the Jewish Federation on this project. The readings, directed by Annie Pesch, will be held: • Monday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. with Matthew Shanahan as Anschel at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, 937637-8100. Shanahan also co-recorded the audiobook of Anschel's Story.

• Monday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. with Maximillian Santucci as Anschel at the Main

Beth Abraham, Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, is enthusiastically egalitarian and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

For a complete schedule of our programs, go to bethabrahamdayton.org.

Shanah Tovah Library's Bassani Theater Off Third, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, 937-463-2665.

• Tuesday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m. with Henry Ballard as Anschel at Sinclair Community College, hosted by the Theatre Department, Building 2, 937-512-4580.

Contact the venues for tickets to the readings.

"After the readings, we plan to do a full production in spring," Frydman says. "We also hope to bring the play to high schools and colleges in our area as non-profit events.

"The value of this endeavor, like the book, is to bring to audiences the spirit of resilience that Anschel had, the resilience we can all call upon in our own moments of difficulty and trauma."

Rav Aubrey L. Glazer

Prayer Leader Rabbi Aura Ahuvia

All are welcome to attend High Holy Day services at Beth Abraham Youth services & babysitting available, 10 a.m. - noon • RSVP

All services are livestreamed

Rosh Hashanah Weds., Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m. • Thurs., Oct. 3 & Fri., Oct. 4, 9 a.m.

Tashlich, Thurs., Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m. at Island Park w. Rabbi Aura

Yom Kippur Fri., Oct. 11, 6:20 p.m. Kol Nidre • Sat., Oct. 12, 9 a.m. Neilah, 6:30 p.m.

For full worship schedule, visit bethabrahamdayton.org

Save the Date — April 5, 2025

Sisterhood's Sunset in the Sukkah

L’Shanah Tovah!

Welcoming Sponsors for 2025!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

An evening of socializing & learning, with hors d'oeuvres & dessert. RSVP

Simchat Torah

Thurs., Oct. 24 • RSVP for dinner.

wright.edu/artsgala wright.edu/ArtsGala

Tues., Oct. 22, 6 p.m.

5:30 p.m. Pasta Dinner & Ice Cream Sundaes.

6:15 p.m. Dancing & Singing with the Torahs.

Saturday, AprilOF5, 2025 COLLEGE LIBERAL ARTS

2025 Theatre Season Tickets THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024 Now on Sale!

305 Sugar Camp Circle Dayton, Ohio 45409 937•293•9520 www.bethabrahamdayton.org

PAGE 37

L’Shanah Tovah.

GLICKLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE Larry S. Glickler, Director Dayton’s ONLY Jewish Funeral Director 1849 Salem Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45406-4927 937-278-4287 lgfuneralhome@gmail.com

To a Sweet New Year.

Telegram

out authorization.

Continued from Page 14 provocateur known as the Shadow, and government agencies such as the Health Ministry also have popular channels.

Telegram is especially useful in wartime and amid cell service disruptions, since it can operate on WiFi, so “using these kinds of applications for simple messaging when SMS isn’t available is a big benefit to folks,” Woolley said.

But in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, the Israel Internet Association, which seeks to encourage safety and transparency online, warned Israelis against unfettered use of Telegram.

“In light of the Hamas attack, the war in Gaza and the need for urgent and current information, thousands of Israelis have chosen to join the Telegram app,” read a statement from the group.

“But many are unaware of the characteristics and dangers embedded in it…We recommend prohibiting the installation of the app among youth given that it features hurtful and violent content without appropriate moderation or supervision, and lacks a functional reporting mechanism.”

IDF soldiers have also used the app for illicit purposes. Members of an Israeli Defense Forces Psychological Warfare unit operated a channel called “72 Virgins – Uncensored,” posting gore-filled videos of dead civilians and racist language at the beginning of the war.

The IDF at first denied the accusation but later told Haaretz that the account was operated with-

What happens next?

Kids’ books

ish children’s literature, Sammy Spider is back in board-book form in an introductory text about the Jewish holiday cycle. Starting with the fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, the book continues through Shavuot in spring, showing the friendly young arachnid who enjoys spinning his web in the home of a Jewish family.

Continued from Page 29 ed by Tracy Subisak • Quill-Tree Books; ages 4-8 A Jewish mother who lives in Hong Kong is one of the co-authors of a story featuring a young girl whose family celebrates two harvest holidays: Sukkot and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Ruby shops separately with her Chinese Nainai and her Jewish Zayde for supplies for the holidays, but she craves some way to combine them. The book illuminates connections between different traditions for readers who appreciate learning about the world and want to see contemporary models of Jewish family represented in children’s literature.

Sammy Spider’s First Book of Jewish Holidays

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PAGE 38

Sylvia A. Rouss; illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn Kar-Ben; ages 1-4 Possibly the most famous character in Jew-

The future of the app hangs in the balance, as it faces two existential threats. The first is from the French legal system. Durov was charged with complicity in spreading child pornography, selling narcotics, and aiding organized crime.

He was released on a 5 million euro bail and ordered to stay in France while he faces a potential trial.

The second is the European Union’s new landmark disinformation and hate speech law, the Digital Services Act, under which the app is expected to face scrutiny.

There’s a hitch, though. The DSA’s hefty enforcement mechanisms only come into effect for so-called “very large online platforms” with more than 45 million EU users.

Telegram says it has just 41 million, shielding it from regulators’ authority to fine the company up to 6% of its revenue.

The EU is now investigating whether Telegram fudged those numbers, according to a Financial Times investigation.

If they reclassify the app, Telegram could be forced to institute content moderation policies or face harsh financial penalties.

“If founders and technology firms won’t, at the very least, come to the table to have a discussion about what can be done, as seems to be the case with Durov, then they are going to be made an example of,” Woolley said.

One More Story, Tata!

Julie Salamon; illustrated by Jill Weber • Minerva Books; ages 4-8 In their newest collaboration, Julie Salamon and Jill Weber hit the mark with a charming, beautifully illustrated intergenerational story about a young girl named Ruby, her grandparents, and great-grandmother, Tata. Every weekend, when Ruby visits, Tata enchants her with stories imagined from her dreams. On Friday nights, they gather around the Shabbat table and light candles, share challah and enjoy a festive meal.

Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman

OBITUARY Marilyn D. Scher (Footer), passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, Aug. 31 — at the age of 99. She was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine and Maurice Footer; and the love of her life of 63 years, Sidney Scher; also, son-in-law Craig Rabiner. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Scher Rabiner of Dayton; sons, Mark Scher of Cincinnati, Gary (Jodie) Scher of Dayton; brothers, Delbert Footer of Dayton, Larry (Hope) Footer of Estero, Fla.; numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many. She adored her family. Family was the most important thing to her. Donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton (through the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or Beth Jacob Congregation), or the charity of your choice.

Ann Diament Koffsky; illustrated by Abigail Rajunov • Little Bee Books; ages 4-8 Kids will cheer as they follow a rising young Ping-Pong star named Estee who aces all her competitions. Every Shabbat, Estee takes a break from the fast-paced game to go to synagogue and later, to enjoy the company of her family and friends. But when Estee qualifies for the national championship that will be held on a Saturday, she faces a hard choice.

In the back pages of this action-packed, cartoon-style book, readers discover the reallife story of Estee Ackerman, who gave up the chance to compete in the national table tennis championship when she was just 11, because it was held on a Saturday. The following year, Estee won the gold medal at the nationals, gratified that she had honored her values and her religion.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

Wishing you a new year of good health and happiness.

premierhealth.com

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2024

PAGE 39