The Dayton Jewish Observer, May 2024

For IsraeliDavid survivors of Oct. Grace 7, speaking tourinbecomes form p. 6 Moss designs After Meals comic book formofp.therapy 22

THE DAYTON Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton

May 2024 Nisan/Iyar 5784 Vol. 28, No. 9

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The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • daytonjewishobserver.org Sinai Temple

Remembering Robert Kahn

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'Ignoring Jewish suffering is evil.'

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Dancers with DCDC2 perform the newly-commissioned work When Dance Transcends Barriers, April 7 at Beth Jacob Congregation. Funded by a Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Innovation Grant, the piece celebrates the legacies of DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden, and her mentors, Dayton Ballet founders Josephine and Hermene Schwarz. Right: Blunden's daughter, DCDC Chief Artistic & Producing Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs, shared her recollections at the event. Arts enthusiast Dr. Burt Saidel served as master of ceremonies. Beth Jacob co-sponsored the program with the Jewish Community Relations Council.

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PAGE 2

At the annual Women's Freedom Seder, April 4 at Beth Abraham Synagogue, are (L to R) Jewish Federation CEO Cathy Gardner, Mont. Co. Office of Reentry Community Manager Jamie Gee, Circle of Vision Keepers co-founder & Program Director Khadijah Ali, Mont. Co. Commissioner Debbie Lieberman, and Mont. Co. Commissioner Carolyn Rice. This year marked the 10th Women's Freedom Seder, a program of the JCC in collaboration with women from Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Hadassah, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel.

Arts..............................24 Ca l e n da r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 9

Mazel Tov................................. 21 Obituaries........................... 26

O p i n i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 8 Religion.......................... 20

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

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Rabbi Wolpe keynotes Presidents Dinner June 2

By Jacob Gurvis, JTA Rabbi David Wolpe, who in December stepped down from Harvard University's antisemitism advisory committee — citing “events on campus and the painfully inadequate testimony" of the university’s then President Claudine Gay during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism — will keynote the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton's Presidents Dinner, June 2.

A visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School and a rabbinic advisor to the Anti-Defamation League, Wolpe has built a reputation as one of the country’s most prominent and sought-after rabbis and Jewish thinkers.

Last June, he left his pulpit at Los Angeles’ Conservative Sinai Temple, where he is now an emeritus after more than two decades as senior rabbi, and is the author of eight books.

Harvard’s administration announced the antisemitism advisory committee after facing backlash for what critics called Jewish Federation’s Presidents Dinner with Rabbi David Wolpe, 5 p.m., Sunday, June 2 at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville.

Tickets are $125 each. Kashrut will be observed. Participants will be asked to make their pledges to the 2024 Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.

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Yom Hazikaron 5784 — more than 600 IDF casualties since October.

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Rabbi David Wolpe

an insufficient response to a student group statement that blamed the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Since it was announced at the beginning of November, the committee has met frequently.

JTA learned that Gay did not directly consult the committee about the Dec. 5 congressional hearing before it took place.

Her testimony drew intense criticism when she appeared to equivocate in defining antisemitic speech.

Gay resigned Jan. 2 in the wake of plagiarism allegations and months-long criticism of her response to allegations of antisemitism at the school.

“Without rehashing all of the obvious reasons that have been endlessly adumbrated online, and with great respect for the members of the committee, the short explanation is that both events on campus and the

painfully inadequate testimony reinforced the idea that I cannot make the sort of difference I had hoped,” Wolpe wrote Dec. 7, announcing his resignation from the committee on X, formerly Twitter.

Wolpe noted that a single committee is inadequate to fight the ideologies that motivate and undergird antisemitism, which he called “the task of educating a generation, and also a vast unlearning.”

In a thread of posts on X, he said that most Harvard students “wish only to get an education and a job, not prosecute ideological agendas.”

But he added that many students believe in what he called an “evil” ideology that fuels hatred of Jews.

“However, the system at Harvard along with the ideology that grips far too many of the students and faculty, the ideology that works only along axes of oppression and places Jews as oppressors and therefore intrinsically evil, is itself evil,” he wrote. “Ignoring Jewish suffering is evil. Belittling or denying the Jewish experience, including unspeakable atrocities, is a vast and continuing catastrophe. Denying Israel the self-determination as a Jewish nation accorded unthinkingly to others is endemic, and evil.”

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From the editor’s desk

When I met with four Israeli visitors who had each lived through the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, they were playing games with children at Hillel Academy, Dayton's Jewish day school. When it Marshall was time for the students to go back to class, these four Israelis — ages 23 to 42 Weiss — were as wound up and giddy as the children. "That was so much fun!" Eitan Frankl told me. He said he came on the weeklong speaking trip to help Jews in the United States truly know what happened in Israel on Oct. 7. He and the other three described their time outside of Israel as therapy (see story on Page Six). And Frankl offered another reason for the trip. "We have to be more connected than we were before. I didn't feel that close to the Jewish community in the Diaspora.

And now, I see the Jewish communities as brothers. We are persecuted. No matter where we go.

So we have to be there for each other. We have to dance with one another. We have to hug each other. And that's for me, the most important thing."

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

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PAGE 3

Rabbi David Wolpe wants us to stop arguing and start listening

By Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTA David Wolpe has been called one of the most quoted rabbis in the United States, and not always to his advantage. As senior rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, one of the largest and most visible Conservative pulpits in the country, the decisions he made and things he said were often treated as bellwethers of centrist American Jewry.

Wolpe led an unusually diverse synagogue, with pews filled both by largely liberal Jews of Ashkenazi descent and Persian Jews with roots in Iran who tend to be more politically conservative. Bridging these divides was a signature of his rabbinate, and in recent years he has been writing and tweeting about civil discourse in increasingly polarized times.

Last June, he became emeritus rabbi of Sinai Temple, where he had been the senior rabbi since 1997. He's now a fellow at Harvard Divinity School. This interview had been edited for length and clarity.

DaytonMetroLibrary.org PAGE 4

in a country that is saturated with politics all the time, so that you can actually elevate your soul and hear things about your life and about Jewish history and aspiration, it seems to me it would be the synagogue. I should say as a caveat, I exempt Israel from that: Being pro-Israel seems to me a fundamental Jewish tenet and not a political one.

I want to push back a little bit. We look back with such pride on rabbis like Abraham Joshua Heschel or Joachim Prinz in Newark, who in a very polarized time in this country, took a strong stand and threw their Jewishness, their pulpits, their whole selves into the civil rights movement.

That is the example that people always point to: Heschel. And I say that’s exactly right, because it’s the exception, it’s not the rule. If there is a radical injustice being perpetrated — and I felt, for example, (the denial Rabbi David Wolpe Where do you stand on of) gay marriage whether rabbis should be talking was a radical injustice — then you politics from the pulpit? speak up.

I’m very opposed to rabbis talkBut everything becomes a question ing politics from the pulpit. First of of radical injustice now, everything, all, it’s not like I know more about every political issue. Civil rights was a politics than my congregants. So if I uniquely morally urgent issue, about talked about gun control, for example, which I really believe it was right to about which I have strong feelings, I’m speak up, but those are few and far talking to people who know as much between. or more about it than I do, who see it And instead what happens is differently. And it seems to me it is an everything gets thrown into the same illegitimate arrogation of my role as a pot. Minimum wage becomes just as rabbi to say that “because I see it this urgent and people will invoke civil way, this is Judaism’s position,” which rights to argue one way or another on is generally how it’s framed. I actually minimum wage and every other issue gave a class years ago where I took a in the world, and whether you should whole bunch of issues — immigration, be a Republican or a Democrat. And abortion, women’s rights — and I gave the way that they speak about the all the Jewish sources on both sides, other part of the country, it’s like, just so people should realize that “they’re obviously radically imJudaism speaks to both sides of these moral and terrible.” And I don’t think issues. the rabbi should contribute to that I always ask rabbis who speak discourse, except in the most extreme politically from the pulpit, “If you circumstances, which obviously civil were not a rabbi, if you were not even rights was.

Jewish, would your political position be different?” In other words, is your You’ve been writing frequently in political position mandated by what the journal Sapir about the ethics you understand the Torah to be, even of dialogue. And in one essay you though it’s not your personal position? ask, “How should we respond when Or is it just your personal position fil- someone promulgates a view with tered through the Torah? And almost which we disagree, or one that we inevitably, it’s the personal position, find offensive, repugnant, even danfiltered through the Torah. That to me gerous?” So I’ll throw that question is just basically preaching politics with back to you. How do we respond? a little Judaic twist. And I don’t think The first way you respond is you that’s what a rabbi should be doing. If ask the person, “Why do you believe there is one place that can be a refuge that?” Because you’ll learn much

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Are there red lines that Jewish organizations shouldn’t be expected to cross?

I would not invite a Holocaust denier to speak to a Jewish organization.

An anti-Zionist?

I wouldn’t invite an anti-Zionist, but if a Jewish organization did, I would not say that they should never have done that. But I would say that they have an obligation to have somebody speak to the other side of that question. Because anti-Zionism to me often shades into antisemitism — they’re not exactly identical, but they’re closer than second cous-

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I’ll throw out one more example: inviting an Israeli cabinet member who represents anti-democratic tendencies.

If I were in that (institution), I would ask them to have somebody cross-examine this person, as opposed to just have them speak, because I think those views are too important to pretend they don’t exist, but they’re also too toxic to not be challenged.

I’m seeing people saying that there are political questions that are moral questions, and if we overdo the idea of trying to learn from the other side, we are conceding a moral, just stance.

I hear this all the time. But what you don’t understand is that you hear it from both sides.

That doesn’t mean both sides are right.

My brother who’s an ethicist says ethical dilemmas are almost always a choice between two rights, not between a right and a wrong. And in every political question there are usually buried in it two things that are principles that everybody agrees with, but just that we favor one principle over another.

So for example, with immigration, the humane treatment of human beings, the right of a country to define its own borders. And we see this in multiple ways. And it’s not so easy to say this is clearly right and this is clearly wrong.

And understand I’m not asking you to not take a stand.

The question is how do we conduct public dialogue so it’s not just two people shouting at each other? And believe me, as soon as you say to the other side, “I’m just right and moral and you’re just wrong,” you have just closed down the possibility that you can talk. And if you want to do that, you can, but realize that will just mean that everybody in your camp will agree with you, and everybody in our camp won’t listen to you, and nothing will get done.

People always hear listening as giving up on your own moral position. But it’s not. It’s listening. It’s being able to hear that someone else also has a moral position, even if you disagree with it.

And if you really understand, if you can express the other person’s opinion really well, then I think you’re ready to say, “and this is why I disagree with it.”

But if you’re going to caricature it as just, well, “you’re an immoral jerk," then honestly, you don’t understand what you’re arguing against.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

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But I wonder if something’s changed.

In public debate, I think there’s a different dialogue when one side is trying to muster facts and good-faith arguments, and the other side responds with straw man arguments and conspiracy theories. I’m wondering when trying to seek an argument for the sake of Heaven falls down because one side isn’t really willing to play by the rules.

First of all, I’ve seen both sides indulge in conspiracy theories and false facts. And while one side may be more egregiously guilty of this than the other, I’m always suspicious of someone who thinks their own side doesn’t do this.

So if you’re willing to fess up and say “we do this” and then you turn to the other person and say, “I see your side doing this,” that’s the beginning of a dialogue. Instead, what I hear is, “My side does facts. Your side does conspiracy.”

That’s not going to start a dialogue. So if you’re willing to look at your own shortcomings, then you have the possibility of actually starting a dialogue. But that isn’t what I see. And I don’t want to make this all about the worst actors on (either) side. Because there’s a range and I see that in the people that I talk to.

ins. My general predisposition is that the way you combat bad ideas is with good ideas, not by saying those bad ideas can’t be heard, because we know this strategy doesn’t work. All it does is give fuel to the people who have bad ideas (to say) “Oh, you see, you don’t even want to engage with me. That’s because my idea is so dangerous that you can’t stand to hear it.”

I can give you other examples. I wouldn’t invite a Jew for Jesus to speak at a Jewish institution either. I have specific reasons. But it’s tricky, and there is no perfect distinction that you can make.

I think we should try to err on the side of being a listener, as opposed to a censor.

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more and you might discover interesting facts both about the person and about the belief that you didn’t know at first.

I’ve had this discussion many, many times with people who have political beliefs that differ from my own and once you actually interrogate the belief, then you can respond to it. But we’ve become a culture in which the way you respond is by attacking the person.

I also want to say that, in my experience, most of the political diatribes that we hear change nobody’s mind. Instead, they make your team feel good. And the other team doesn’t even listen to you.

What also tends to happen is that if you reach out, your own team gets upset, because you’re just supposed to be supporting them and you’re not supposed to be listening to the other side.

But the Talmud is filled with argument and debate. And the reason you listen to the house of Hillel and not the house of Shammai (two famous antagonists in the Talmud) is because of the way they conducted themselves during the debate. They let Shammai express their opinion first. They listened. They were kind. They were understanding.

So this is a multifaceted question. It’s not just a question of abstract opinion.

It’s also a question of the way you bear yourself in the public square.

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For Israeli survivors of Oct. 7, speaking tour in U.S. becomes form of therapy Nova Festival photographer Inor Roni Kagno and Sderot resident Gitit Botera play with students at Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton Jewish day school, March 20.

By Marshall Weiss The Observer For an hour on March 19, four Israelis shared their stories with members of Dayton's Jewish community and allies about how each survived the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre.

Halfway through the program, moderated by Jewish Federation President-Elect Dan Sweeny, Eitan Frankl of Kibbutz Nirim shared with the audience, "The fact that you're listening to us — you don't know how important it is. It really helps. Because this is therapy. The best therapy we have."

DL-Kite_Runner_JewishObs.indd 1 3/25/24 3:36 PM He said he didn't talk about Contact Patty Caruso at plhc69@gmail.com the horrors of Oct. 7 for five months. to advertise in The Observer.

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some of our friends, but not like this. Nobody listened to us like that. So thank you."

Dayton's program marked the third time Frankl and the other Israelis had talked about their traumas of Oct. 7 on this one-week speaking tour of the United States via the Jewish Agency for Israel and the JCC Association of North America.

They had already visited Youngstown and would next head to Toledo and then to communities in New Jersey.

"It's not the Jews of the Diaspora anymore," said Klil Valiano, who credited luck for his eventual escape from the Nova Festival. "It's our family from abroad, especially for us, the Jewish people in Israel.

Everyone always accepts us

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with big hugs and warm feelings. It feels like home outside of Israel. In a different country, you can relax."

Inor Roni Kagno was the Nova Festival's official photographer. This was where Hamas brutally slaughtered 364 civilians and took at least 40 hostages.

Kagno said his visit to the United States was his personal way of dealing with PTSD. "It's very important to keep doing stuff and be productive," Kagno said. "We're still very traumatized. We hear a big noise or even the kids, you kind of jump out. You go in a room and start calculating how many exits if someone will start shooting at us."

Gitit Botera from Sderot said when she heard a tornado siren in the Dayton area, it set her off.

"I wanted to come here because on 7 October, the terrorists raped a lot of the women.

And men," Botera told The Observer. "And I want to speak about this. Because we have a lot of murdered women who will never speak again. This is, I think, my mission."

For Botera and Frankl, arranging with their families to take a week in the United States wasn't easy. But they needed to for their emotional health.

In 2021, Botera, her husband, and their baby daughter survived a direct rocket hit to their home in Sderot on the border with Gaza.

"After this, I started to go to therapy," she said. "And I said to myself, 'Now I have control.

It will not touch me again.'"

On Oct. 7, 2023, the three hid

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

DAYTON in their safe room for nine hours, surrounded by terrorists from Gaza.

"I think some people are trying to open my house door," she recalled.

"After this, I come to the kitchen. I take a knife. I come back to the shelter. This time, we don't have a (cell) connection.

We don't have water, toilet. Nothing.

We sit on the floor, without light. And we hear they are shooting outside."

The whole time, she said, her 4-yearold daughter asked her, "Mommy, what's happened?"

"And I said, 'Please don't speak.

Somebody can hear you.' And I take my hand and I close her mouth. My heart is racing. I feel I'm not a good mommy because I cannot protect my family. On 7 October, somebody came and tried to murder me in my place. In my house.

My resilience broke."

Even so, she returned to Sderot to give tours to visiting delegations. "It's good for me to speak about this."

Frankl and his wife first hid in the safe room of their house at Kibbutz Nirim when the Hamas onslaught began. The IDF arrived and rescued them to hide in the kibbutz community hall, where they remained for 20 more hours with 400 people.

When the opportunity came up for Frankl to come to the United States, he talked to his wife.

"I have to go away," he told her. "I can't be around this anymore. I need to

be a week out, even if it's only talking about what happened — it's not being here."

"It's really, really helped me," he told The Observer. "I'm much better than I felt in Israel."

Valiano said that talking about Oct. 7 here helps.

"Each time we get a chance to talk about our story, we get it from a bit of a different angle."

It comes with a toll.

"If you talk about it three times a day, we (L to R) Gitit Botera, Eitan Frankl, Inor Roni Kagno, and Klil Valiano add a few little details alism. and a couple of memories might jump "They waited for us to start talking to back." enter the room," Valiano said.

To Valiano, the most therapeutic "I asked them from the stage, 'Hey aspect of the tour has been the embrace guys, how are you doing?'" Frankl of the U.S. Jewish communities.

However, the Israelis told The Observ- said. "'Could I ask you why you came here?' They said they have the right to er they navigated a difficult encounter be there. And they were giggling all when they spoke at Youngstown State the time. And they just came to proUniversity, April 18. voke. When we come, we want to be Near the beginning of a program put listened to, and to listen to other people. together by the university's Center for But when they came, they came just Judaic and Holocaust Studies, three to speak what they wanted to say and people who identified themselves as walk away." students walked in wearing keffiyeh Frankl said that one of the three scarves, a symbol of Palestinian nation-

Marshall Weiss

asked him if he thinks there's genocide in Gaza.

"We are not in politics," Frankl told The Observer. "We did nothing. We came to share our stories. We didn't come to speak about the Gaza problem. They did that and walked away."

When asked what Jews here can do to best help Israelis, Frankl said to keep inviting Israelis here and to visit Israel. With a caveat: "Come and see what can happen when we're divided."

Valiano added an explanation. "Oct. 7 brought us (Israelis) closer, yet we still have years of difference of opinion.

Differences of ways of life. We have to rebuild. It won't be easy. But it's the only way for Israel to survive."

He urged adults in Dayton's Jewish community to share the stories they've heard with the younger generation.

"Because the younger generation is going to be the future. Connecting them more to Israel and the Jewish tradition is the most important thing we can do as the Jewish people all around the world."

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PAGE 7

DAYTON

Survivor Robert Kahn dies at 100 Not only did Holocaust survivor Robert Kahn make it to 100 in September, into the last year of his life he continued to share his testimony in public and classroom settings — standing up when speaking — and was present at Jewish War Veterans events as one of the few remaining World War II veterans in the Dayton area.

Kahn died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Hospice of Dayton on April 2.

A pacifist at heart, Kahn dedicated much of his life in Dayton to nurturing interfaith relations in Scouting, and in his later years, to imparting the lessons of the Holocaust for all who wanted to listen.

More than a generation of area schoolchildren knew him as the boy the Nazis forced to play the violin on Kristallnacht in Mannheim, Germany while they beat his father with clubs, ransacked the family’s apartment, and burned their possessions.

He, his parents, and sister ultimately managed to escape.

Eighteen members of their family did not.

A reluctant speaker

“I’ve made an effort throughout my life, especially with the family — my wife, Gertrude, my children, my grandchildren — to talk as little about it as I could,” he said in a 2017 interview with The Observer.

But his children and grandchildren kept asking him for

Marshall Weiss

Robert Kahn wrote his autobiography over 27 years.

details. That was when he began to write his autobiography. And through it, to try to process his traumas.

Kahn would conduct meticulous research on his 18 family members who were murdered in the Holocaust.

“It was very important to me that I find out as much as I could about them, at least in their final hours,” he said. “Otherwise, their names would be

'When you talk about it, it comes back to life.'

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lost, their lives would not be remembered, and my children and grandchildren would never know about it.”

It wasn’t until Kahn reached his 60s that he began giving talks about the Holocaust. Each talk opened an emotional wound. But he felt obligated to do so.

“When you talk about it, it comes back to life.”

The impetus to find his voice had arrived in a package. The caretaker of the house where he used to live in Mannheim sent him the violin from his youth; it had been hidden in the house all those years.

That violin, which Kahn was forced to play on Kristallnacht, is on display with the Prejudice and Memory Holocaust exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Next to it is the accordion his wife took with her as a child when she was rescued from Nazi Germany on a Kindertransport to England.

Kahn spoke to thousands of middle and high school students when their classes visited the exhibit, and at their schools.

Operation Paperclip

But it wasn’t until he reached the age of 93 that he

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

DAYTON shared another story of his encounter with Nazis. This, he related with the completion and publication of his autobiography, The Hard Road of Dreams: Remembering Not To Forget. Kahn had worked on it for 27 years.

In The Hard Road of Dreams, he revealed that after his service in the U.S. Army Air Forces in the Pacific, Kahn came to Wright Field in 1946 to work for Operation Paper Clip — the U.S. intelligence and military program that brought German scientists to work for the U.S. government at the end of World War II. “It was top secret. It had to do with German scientists that were brought over for picking their brains in regard to what they were doing. My job was to interrogate some of them,” he told The Observer.

Of the more than 1,600 German scientists brought to work for the U.S. government through Operation Paper Clip, 86 aeronautical engineers were sent to Wright Field.

“I hated those guys, and it was kind of difficult to work with them and not show my dislike for them and the work that they did,” he said.

“I found out much about the scientific experiments they had performed using human beings as test vehicles. And these test vehicles were, in most cases, Jews.”

The German scientists didn’t talk to Kahn about those experiments; he read about them in the captured documents that

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On display at Prejudice & Memory: A Holocaust Exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force are the accordion that belonged to late survivor Gertrude Wolff Kahn and the violin her husband, the late Robert Kahn, was forced to play as a boy on Kristallnacht as Nazis beat his father.

were available to him.

He said their experiments in Nazi Europe were carried out to determine the ability of pilots to withstand extreme conditions such as hypothermia and submersion in water.

“Many of the test subjects never made it through the experiments,” Kahn recalled.

After two years, and with most of the scientists sent to other locations, Kahn transferred to work on the base in procurement and resources.

He retired from Wright-Patt in 1985.

Peter Wine

Robert Kahn talks with members of the Stivers Philharmonic Orchestra at a rehearsal for the premiere of Niccolo Athens’ work, Bob Kahn’s Violin, which the orchestra premiered Nov. 8, 2017 at Stivers' auditorium. The soloist for the concert was Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Betsey Hofeldt (R).

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

Remembrance in music

Kahn’s violin inspired one composer to write a work for symphony orchestra and violin soloist.

Niccolo Athens, who now teaches composition at the Juilliard School’s Tianjin, China branch, was so moved when he saw Kahn’s violin at the Air Force Museum that he wrote the piece Bob Kahn’s Violin.

It had its world premiere in Dayton, with the Stivers School for the Arts Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Betsey Hofeldt on Nov. 8, 2017 — 79 years after Kristallnacht.

Gertrude and Robert Kahn were married for 75 years when she died in 2021. He then focused on another Holocaust project. Kahn and one of his granddaughters sponsored and obtained approval for Stolpersteine — memorial plaques paved at the last address of Holocaust victims — to be placed in Mannheim for friends of his family from his youth.

He and his granddaughter also began the process to place 18 Stolpersteine in cities across Europe in memory of their family members who perished at the hands of the Nazis.

“Because I survived their fate, I made an oath that I would devote my life to sharing with the world how and what happened during the Shoah,” he explained.

— Marshall Weiss

BETH JACOB CONGREGATION

SPEAKERS

JEWISH WOMEN INSPIRING JEWISH WOMEN

Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Co-Op Dayton Temple Israel

SUNDAY, May 19, 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Retired Internist/Novelist Temple Beth Or & Beth Abraham

4TH ANNUAL

LELA KLEIN

MARTHA MOODY JACOBS

CANDACE R. KWIATEK Lifelong Educator Etz Chaim Cincinnati & Chabad of Greater Dayton

GAYLE PAVLOFSKY

HR/Compensation Professional Temple Beth Shalom New Albany, Beth Jacob Family

JUDITH E. WOLL, M.D. OPEN TO THE

ENTIRE COMMUNITY Please join us as we hear words of empowerment, strength and courage as women from around our community share stories about those who have impacted their lives and what it means to be part of the Jewish people.

Please RSVP by May 10th Beth Jacob Synagogue 7020 N. Main Street Dayton, OH 45415 937-274-2149 bethjacob1@aol.com

Retired Physician/Executive & Volunteer Beth Abraham

LIZ MULER ZUKER

Retired Lawyer Northern Hills Synagogue Cincinnati, Beth Jacob Family

DINE & CELEBRATE Share in sisterhood as we enjoy a wonderful luncheon to pair with the incredible voices of our community.

Lunch - $22.00

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PAGE 9

Purim, Dayton style ‘The cemetery is where I feel tied to my family.’

W

— Erv Pavlofsky

ith generations of his family buried at Beth Jacob’s cemetery, Erv Pavlofsky feels a strong connection to the place that holds his family’s history. “It’s more than just my parents.

I look around and see my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I’m never sad when I’m there.

It’s a very respectful place.”

Left: The cast of Beth Abraham's shpiel, Purim at the Esty Awards.

Above: Rabbi Aubrey Glazer welcomes noted Israeli artist David Moss back to his hometown before Moss talks about his Purim project with folk artists from around the world.

After a recent visit to the cemetery, Erv noted that being surrounded by multiple generations of relatives is a reminder of how he will always be connected to Dayton. “Even though I’m no longer living in Dayton, it’s always important that I take the time to visit the cemetery. As I’ve gotten older, it’s taken on a more significant meaning in my life. It’s my connection to where I’m from.This is where my family is.”

Temple Israel shpielers put on Purim Confidential: Operation Megillah Mischief. The congregation also presented an adult Purim party the night before.

Erv contributed to the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton campaign to secure an everlasting future for the generations that came before him.

“I can’t expect anyone else to care for my family.

It’s my responsibility. I look around at all the family names and I’m filled with good memories.

It’s simply comforting to be with them.”

Please join us as we strive to maintain the sanctity, care and integrity of these sacred burial grounds.

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton is an endowment organization created to maintain our three Jewish cemeteries in perpetuity.

Please join us as we strive to maintain the sanctity, care, and integrity of these sacred burial grounds.

Barbie went to Shushan at Beth Jacob Congregation's Purim celebration this year.

Preserving our Past Ensuring Our Future

daytonjewishcemeteries.org 525 Versailles Drive • Centerville, OH 45459 PAGE 10

Temple Beth Or was also in the pink with its Barbie-themed Purim shpiel. The temple also hosted a Purim party and Megillah reading for adults.

Chabad's Purim in the Shtetl featuring shitck by Rabbi Nochum Mangel (L) and Rabbi Levi Simon and music from the Flying Klezmerians was held at a private farm in Brookville.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

DAYTON

Beth Jacob Women Meal by Western Galilee Righteous gentiles focus Inspiring Women chef for Israel at 76 of Yom Hashoah program

Lela Klein

Martha Moody Jacobs

Candace R. Kwiatek

Gayle Pavlofsky

Dr. Judith E. Woll

Liz Muler Zuker

Beth Jacob Congregation's Fourth Annual Jewish Women Inspiring Jewish Women luncheon will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 19.

This year's speakers are Lela Klein, Martha Moody Jacobs, Candace R. Kwiatek, Gayle Pavlofsky, Dr. Judith E. Woll, and Liz Muler Zuker. The cost is $22. Beth Jacob is located at 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Township. RSVP by May 10 to bethjacob1@aol.com or 937-274-2149.

Celebrated Israeli chef Uri Arnon, owner of Arnold's restaurant at Moshav Netiv Hashayara, and Roots restaurant in Akko, will prepare the kosher dinner for the Celebrate Israel at 76 community program, Tuesday, May 14, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville.

A native of Tel Aviv, Arnon is a champion of multicultural food initiatives. He's also the founder of Umami, a consulting company to promote culinary tourism and lifestyle businesses mostly in the Western Galilee and northern Israel. Through the Jewish Agency's Partnership2Gether program, Dayton and more than a dozen Jewish communities in the central United States are connected to Israel's Western Galilee region.

Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m.). Arnon will talk about the Western Galilee's food culture at 6:45 p.m., followed by two other guests from Israel who will talk about the situation there. A dessert activity for children will also be held Chef Uri Arnon at 6:45 p.m. During the evening, the Yom Hashoah Committee will dedicate the new Holocaust Memorial Daffodil Garden on the campus.

The JCC presents the dinner in partnership with Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Dayton Hadassah, Hillel Academy, Jewish War Veterans Post #587, PJ Library, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel.

The cost is $10 per person, $18 per family. Reservations are required by May 10 at jewishdayton.org/events.

One Person Can Make a Difference: Righteous Among the Nations is the theme of this year's Greater Dayton Yom Hashoah Remembrance, with programs for children, teens, and adults on Sunday afternoon, May 5 at Beth Jacob Congregation, 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Township.

Second-generation survivor Charlotte Golden and other children of survivors will facilitate a dialogue with teenagers, If You Don't Ask, You'll Never Know Why, from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. All area teenagers are invited to participate.

Marilou Brewster Marilou Brewster, whose parents rescued Jews in the Holocaust, will be the guest speaker for the 4 p.m. Yom Hashoah memorial service. After World War II, the family moved to the Dayton area. Brewster was a German teacher at Centerville High School and served as a docent at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Electric violinist Noah Gruenberg, a third-generation survivor, will perform at the service. Winners of this year's Max and Lydia May Holocaust Art and Writing Contests will also be recognized on the program.

Concurrent with the service, PJ Library and PJ Our Way will host a session for young children, How to be a Mensch, with a story, craft, and snack. Max and Lydia May Holocaust Art and Writing Contest entries will be on display in Beth Jacob's social hall between 3:15 and 4 p.m. and after the service. RSVP for all events with Samantha Daniel, sdaniel@jfgd.net, 937-610-1555.

AFTER 76 YEARS, WE’RE STILL FIGHTING FOR A JEWISH STATE. In 1948, as Israel fought for its independence, the medics of Magen David Adom were there, treating wounded soldiers and civilians alike.

Today, as Israel celebrates Yom HaAtzma’ut, MDA is still treating the injured — even under fire.

But for MDA to continue being there for Israel, we need to be there for MDA. Make a donation at afmda.org/give.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

PAGE 11

Answering Tough Questions about Israel Temple Beth Or, Levin Hall, Sunday, May 19, 2024. 10 am – 12 pm

Half a year after the October 7 attack on Israel, we have been challenged with difficult questions and moral dilemmas. A biased media, fluctuations in US policy, and world-wide increasing antisemitism leave us with few places to find moral clarity.

To help us navigate our way, Richard Friedman, Ehud Borovoy, and Rabbi Judy Chessin will lead a discussion on how to respond to our colleagues, classmates, children, and social media critics with regard to Israel’s five- front war since the catastrophic October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Join us on Sunday, May 19, at 10:00 am in Levin Hall for a Zoom and live discussion, including coffee, bagels, and light Israeli snacks. This program is for teens, adults, Jews and non-Jews and anyone interested in discussing this timely troubling topic.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit our website or call the office at 937-435-3400.

Scott Beckerman Deb Char Jude Cohen Rachel Dillon Alicia Ostrow Renee Peery Mary Rogers

Esther Weiss Jay Weiss Evan Weiss Sarah White Rabbi Ben Azriel Rabbi Judy Chessin Temple Beth Or www.templebethor.com 937-435-3400

Today...and for Generations PAGE 12

DAYTON

JCC play space in Audrey's memory

The JCC Early Childhood Program at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture & Education in Centerville dedicated Audreyville, a new outdoor play space, April 5, in memory of Audrey MacKenzie, the JCC's longtime early childhood director, who died last year on that date. Special guests at the dedication were MacKenzie family members (L to R): Cassia, Isabella, Christopher, Madelyn, and David.

WEDDINGS, SOCIAL & CORPORATE EVENTS 2 S. MAIN ST. MIDDLETOWN, OH THEWINDAMERE.COM 513-818-5174

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

May2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

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UPCOMING EVENTS WEDNESDAYS, 12:30 - 3:30PM Open Canasta

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SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3PM Yom Hashoah Observance Program Community Observance begins at 4PM

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ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Righteous Among The Nations

Children, teens, adults.

Please join us!

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 6PM Dayton Jewish Film Festival Opening Night

Connect with us! Check out our events. For more information, check out our calendar at jewishdayton.org.

Sunday, May 5 Starting At 3PM at Beth Jacob Congregation 7020 North Main Street, Harrison Township, 45415

3:15 – 3:45PM Teen Program, If You Don’t Ask, You’ll Never Know Why. Second generation survivor Charlotte Golden facilitates a dialogue with teens and other children of Holocaust survivors.

Contest participants and teens in our community are invited.

Max and Lydia May Holocaust Art & Writing Contest on display in the social hall until 4pm and following the program.

4PM Community Yom Hashoah Memorial Service.

The tone will be set by international performer/ composer Noah Gruenberg, who will play the electric violin. Presentation of contest winners will be followed by guest speaker Marilou Brewster, who will share the story of her father and mother, who were part of the underground that saved Jews from the Nazis.

PJ Library & PJ Our Way Program, How To Be a Mensch.

Join us for a story, craft, and snack. We will discuss how people of all ages can make a difference!

RSVP by Wednesday, May 1 for all events to Samantha Daniel at sdaniel@jfgd.net or call 937-610-1555.

Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. jewishdayton.org.

Presented by the Yom Hashoah Committee, the Holocaust Education Committee, and the 2024 Max & Lydia May Memorial Holocaust Art & Writing Contest.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

PAGE 13

May2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR A GREAT SEASON! T H E J C C C U LT U R A L A R T S & B O O K S E R I E S S I N C E R E LY T H A N K S T H E F O L LOW I N G F O R T H E I R S U P P O R T PUBLISHER ($1,000 +)

Bernard & Carole Rabinowitz Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton

EDITOR ($500 +)

Michael & Rochelle* Goldstein Robert & Vicky Heuman Kim & Candy Kwiatek Mary Rita & Norman Weissman

POET ($250 +)

Gary & Irene Fishbein Marni Flagel Dr. Felix Garfunkel Gary Holstine – Stifel Investments Linda & Steve Horenstein Joseph & Marsha Johnston Mark & Helen Jones Ann Laderman Barbara Mendelson

WRITER ($100 +) Anonymous Beth Adelman

Maryann & Jack Bernstein Margaret & James Brooks Leslie S. Buerki Marcia Cox Adam & Tara Feiner Bella Freeman Neil Friedman Charlotte Golden Lynn & David Goldenberg Shelley & Kim Goldenberg Dr. Franklin and Renee Handel Gary and Jane Hochstein Drs. Martin Jacobs & Martha Moody Jacobs Andrea Klein Meredith Moss Levinson Cheryl & Franklin Lewis Wendy Lipp Judy Lipton Beverly A. Louis Gayle & Irvin Moscowitz Linda Novak Ann V. Paddock Alice & Burt Saidel Joni & Ralph Watson

PATRON ($18 +)

Frieda Blum Kenneth & Lisa Blum Stanley & Connie Blum Eva Clair Judy & Alan Chesen Louisa & Phil Dreety Lenora & Ken Elbaum Alan & Becky Elovitz Lynn Foster Chuck & Dee Fried Paula Gessiness & Jay Holland Helene Gordon Arlene Graham Meryl Hattenbach & Joe Beringer Mike Jaffe & Judy Schwartzman Ruth B. Meadow* Edie Pequignot Cantor Andrea Raizen Audrey P. Tuck Lawrence Wagenfeld Donald & Caryl Weckstein * Of Blessed Memory

We t h a n k o u r J C C C u l t u r a l A r t s & B o o k S e r i e s 2023-2024 Sponsors and Partners

JCC Book Club

Jewish Community Center OF GREATER DAYTON

PAGE 14

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 • MAY 2024

May2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

CELEBRATE ISRAEL AT 76 with a community meal!

Join us for Yom Ha'atzmaut

Tuesday, May 14, 6 – 7:30PM at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, 45459

Join us for an AUTHENTIC ISRAELI MEAL prepared by Chef Uri Arnon, restaurateur from the Western Galilee.

6PM: Dinner will begin – doors open at 5:45PM 6:45PM: Chef Uri will speak about the food culture of the Western Galilee followed by two special guests who will speak about life in Israel A special kid's dessert activity will begin $10 per person, $18 per family. Reservations are required

by Friday, May 10. Please visit jewishdayton.org/events for more information and to register.

JCC In partnership with: Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Hadassah, Hillel Academy, Jewish War Veterans, PJ Library, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel

JUNE 3 - JULY 26 Camp Shalom is planning a summer of fun!

We offer the traditional camp experience, a variety of specialty camps including outdoor adventures, magic, Ninja Warrior, cheerleading, and more! Join us for weekly swimming and field trips, great counselors, and lots of friends!

Spots are still available for Theatre and Cheerleading specialty camps!

CAMP SHALOM IS HIRING SUMMER STAFF! Do you know someone 16 or older who would be a great camp counselor? Interested candidates should contact Suzzy Nandrasy at snandrasy@jfgd.net.

See jewishdayton.org for more information.

Register at app.campdoc.com/register/jccgreaterdayton.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

PAGE 15

May2024 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION

PAST PRESIDENTS FUND In memory of William Schoenfeld Sylvia and Ralph Heyman JEWISH CEMETERIES FUND In memory of Esther and DeNeal Feldman Paul Zimmer CAROL J. PAVLOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND In memory of Joseph Funfar In memory of Jean Lieberman Marlene and David Miller HOLOCAUST PROGRAMMING FUND Congratulations to the Natarus Family on their new baby girl Congratulations to Helene Gordon on her new home Kathy and Mark Gordon JOE BETTMAN MEMORIAL TZADIK AWARD In memory of Jean Kolstein Lieberman In memory of Shirley Frankowitz Elaine Bettman Jean and Todd Bettman

JCC

CAROLE RABINOWITZ CAMP FUND In memory of Esther and DeNeal Feldman Sue and Don Zulanch In memory of Donald Klass In memory of Steven Markman In memory of Juliet Glaser’s grandfather Beverly A. Louis JOAN AND PETER WELLS AND REBECCA LINVILLE FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND In memory of Jean Lieberman Joan and Peter Wells In memory of Shirley Frankowitz Peter Wells PJ LIBRARY In memory of Jean Lieberman Marcia and Eddie Kress JFS

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES In memory of Dr. Jesse P. Kuperman Michelle and Don Kuperman JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES DISCRETIONARY FUND In memory of Jean Lieberman Felice Shane

MAZEL TOV,

ROGER! For almost three decades, Roger Apple has been an important part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. From the Jesse Philips building to the Boonshoft CJCE, and everything in between, Roger has provided comprehensive IT services, facilities management and security direction.

As his journey with the Federation ends, we would like to sincerely thank him for 27 years of excellence, and wish him a wonderful and relaxing retirement!

THE DAFFODIL PROJECT at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture & Education 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, 45459 The Yom Hashoah Committee is pleased to share that we are participating in The Daffodil Project and have planted a Holocaust Memorial Daffodil Garden with 500 Daffodils. The goal is to plant 1.5 million daffodils worldwide in remembrance of the children who perished in the Holocaust and in support for children suffering in humanitarian crises in the world today.

This is an initiative of Am Yisrael Chai, a nonprofit Holocaust education and genocide awareness organization, daffodilproject.net. It is committed to Holocaust and genocide education and awareness by engaging people in actionoriented programs and initiatives.

Jewish Federation

®

OF GREATER DAYTON

PAGE 16

The dedication for our memorial garden will be during the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration on Tuesday, May 14, 6 – 8PM at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Cultural and Education, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, 45459.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

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Members of the Lemmon and Bowman families presented a new Torah mantle to Congregation Anshe Emeth on April 13: (L to R): Luke Bowman, Cory Lemmon, Janessa Bowman, Karen Bowman, Sharon Lemmon, and Student Rabbi Gretchen Johnson. The Piqua congregation, which dates to 1858, houses two Torah scrolls.

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PAGE 17

OPINION

Israel warded off huge Iranian attack, but that's not the same as a victory.

Eight insights into the momentous events of April 13, when Iran targeted Israel as never before, Israel defended itself with allied help, and the regime’s nuclear threat became ever clearer.

By David Horovitz, Times of Israel 1. The opposite of Oct. 7: Israel’s handling of the unprecedented Iranian drone and missile attack overnight April 13 was the complete opposite of the unfathomable catastrophe of Oct. 7.

In utter contrast to the failures at every level that enabled Hamas to invade six months ago, Israel — with considerable input from the U.S. and regional allies — was braced for the Iranian attack. Its intelligence on what was about to unfold was accurate. It prepared effectively to meet the onslaught. Its military establishment, and especially the air force and pilots, rose to meet the danger. And, again with the assistance of the U.S. and regional allies, Israel’s leadership thwarted the attack — fulfilling its obligation to keep its citizenry safe from enemy aggression.

2. By the numbers: According to the IDF, Iran launched 170 drones at Israel — not one of which reached Israeli airspace. All were intercepted in the course of their hours-long journeys — by the IAF, the U.S., U.K., and Jordan.

Iran also fired 30 cruise missiles, some of which are reportedly capable of carrying 1-ton warheads. Again, according to the IDF, not one of them reached Israeli airspace. All were intercepted earlier in their approximately two-hour journeys, 25 of them by the IAF. Finally, and most dramatically, Iran launched 120 ballistic missiles at Israel — and did so even as it was telling the United Nations that its military action against Israel was “concluded.” Along their ultra-rapid routes, almost all of them were downed

by Israel’s long-range Arrow air defense system. Less than a handful evaded Israel’s defenses and hit the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, where F-35s are based, causing what the IDF said was minor damage to infrastructure. The runway was not impacted, and the combat planes’ operations were not affected.

3. The U.S. alliance…: Relations between the Netanyahu government and the Biden administration have grown increasingly strained over the six-monthsplus of Israel’s war to dismantle Hamas in Gaza, with the U.S. openly fuming at the civilian death toll and inadequate humanitarian aid, White House officials rejecting IDF plans for a major ground offensive in the final Hamas stronghold of Rafah, and the president personally and politically mistrustful of the prime minister.

In the days ahead of Iran’s anticipated response to the IAF’s alleged April 1 killing of leading figures in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps inside Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, however, the U.S. sprang to Israel’s defense. It sought to deter Iran diplomatically, coordinated intimately with Israel in preparing for the defensive action, dispatched its CENTCOM chief, shared intel, activated regional allies, and mobilized its own forces. When the attack be-

So, what do you think?

PAGE 18

April 13 from the kind of colossal onslaught on Israel, gan, U.S. intel was critical in enabling the immensely including with precision-guided missiles, for which effective response by Israel, the U.S. itself, and regionIsrael has no adequate defense. But it is waging nearal partners including, but not limited to, Jordan.

The partnership was concrete. And years of military relentless conflict, and tens of thousands of Israelis have no foreseeable prospect of being able to safely preparation, coordination, and innumerable regional return to their homes in northern Israel. drills bore fruit.

The Houthis are apparently beyond anybody’s con4. … And its limits: In their 25-minute phone call, trol — an Iranian proxy run wild. held after it was clear that Iran’s onslaught had been Hamas is hunkered down in Gaza, a quarter of its blocked, however, U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly military strength and much of its leadership intact, untold Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “You got a interested in a hostage deal, confident that it will surwin; take the win,” and not to respond militarily. vive the war, and rebuild and rearm its war machine.

Were Israel to ignore this advice, he reportedly While the U.S. president may have told Netanyahu, made plain, the U.S. would not, in contrast to April 13, “You got a win,” the resounding success of the April participate alongside Israel.

The U.S. has also reportedly made clear, in the wake 13 defense is not the same as a victory.

And the Iranian leadership plainly does not regard of the April 1 raid in Damascus, that it wants advance its April 13 assault as a defeat. warning from Israel of any future such airstrikes — Tehran without doubt anticipated wreaking conearly enough in the process to be able to have its say.

It seems fairly clear that the U.S. regards the alleged siderable harm with its long-prepared, diverse, and potentially immensely potent IAF strike that killed IRGC Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 mix of drones and missiles.

General Mohammad Reza There will likely be a great deal Zahedi as misconceived, and of dismay and recrimination at would have opposed it if it the lack of military success. had been informed in sufficient But after years in which time, rather than shortly before Israel threatened relentlessly the blast. Some Israeli officials to target Iran’s nuclear facilimaintain, however, that Zahedi ties — and indeed engaged in was a highly prized and necesa series of operations to set sary target, as the most senior back the ayatollahs’ nuclear Iranian military officer in Syria program — it was Iran that and Lebanon, responsible for launched the first major attack orchestrating terrorism against between the two enemies. It Israel from across those borders bragged that it was able to and in and from the West Bank. scare the Israeli public for days Israel, it should be noted, has reportedly targeted very senior An Iranian missile intercepted over Tel Aviv, April 14. ahead of the much-touted assault. And it now claims to Iranian officials in the past — have changed the equation — warning that future including the “father” of the Iranian nuclear program, Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, including its interMohsen Fakhrizadeh, on Iranian soil — without national diplomatic premises, will henceforth again be prompting anything like the April 13 response. The met by Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel. difference, this time, is at least partly a likely conseRather than being chastened by the failure to cause quence of Israel’s weakened deterrent capacity over graver harm in Israel, humiliated by the defensive the past year-plus, and especially given the failures of capacities shown by Israel and its allies, or deterred Oct. 7. by the evidence of the partnership between the U.S., Israel has for decades prided itself on its capacity Israel and others in the region, it is warning Israel to defend itself, by itself, against all enemies, albeit against retaliation for the April 13 attack, and warning with an immense reliance on U.S. arms supplies and the U.S., too, that its bases will be targeted if it joins in.

U.S.-led diplomatic support. April 13 marked the first 6. The Israeli response: Ostensibly informed sourcsignificant instance of Israel defending itself with the es in the prime minister’s orbit were asserting, even direct, active and crucial participation of the U.S. and as the Iranian attack was still in progress, that Israel’s other allies. And that is now apparently being folresponse would be rapid and substantial. According lowed by a U.S. military bear hug — a constraining to one report, Biden, in their call, persuaded Netanembrace by a superpower ally that currently believes yahu not to approve an immediate retaliation. The war it understands Israel’s interests better than Israel does cabinet met April 14 to discuss the issue further. and that also has its own and its other allies’ interests Israeli officials are privately indicating that a reto look after. sponse needs to be predicated on what Iran attempted 5. A success with profound limitations: Biden to do — terrify a nation, inflict casualties and devastahailed Israel’s “remarkable capacity” to defend itself, tion, destroy a crucial air base and more — rather than and declared that Israel had sent “a clear message the little that it actually managed. to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the They also note that the ostensible new Iranian equasecurity of Israel.” But it is absolutely certain that Israel’s foes are not reading any such ostensibly “clear tion, with the threat of an Iranian response to future Israeli strikes and operations, cannot be allowed to message.” take hold.

Hezbollah remains firmly ensconced across the The temptation to hit back fast will be acute — and northern border. We wait to definitively learn the conNetanyahu will be under political pressure to act. This siderations that saw Hezbollah continue to refrain on

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 • MAY 2024

OPINION

CALENDAR

would, of course, be in defiance prevent the Islamic Republic of the U.S., and would threaten from completing its nuclear the coalition that pulled togeth- weapons drive. Imagine if Iran had had nuclear warheads at er so effectively on April 13. its disposal on April 13.

A response there needs to An Iran with this leaderbe — one that is strategically ship and a nuclear capability is planned. simply unthinkable. Whatever 7. The critical threat: In this the complex pros and cons of context, it is worth remembera direct response to the April ing the events of early 1991, 13 attack, that wider imperawhen Saddam Hussein’s Iraq tive — and the diplomatic and fired 42 Scud missiles into military alliances necessary to an Israel that had no defense stop Iran — has to be the prime against them. (The hope and consideration. belief that the Patriot missile Following the events of defense system could intercept April 13, after all, Iran can be the Scuds proved misplaced.) expected to pursue its nuclear Then-prime minister Yitzhak program with still greater deShamir was persuaded not to termination. hit back at Iraq, largely by the Thwarting it will necessiBush administration, which tate the deepest warned him that possible Israeli an Israeli response Imagine if Iran with the risked destroying had had nuclear alliance U.S. and other the coalition of alpotential allies. lies gearing up to warheads at its 8. And finally: take on Saddam. disposal on It is quite staggerThat episode ing, the rapidunderlines that April 13. ity with which there is more than Israel has moved one way to face down a regional aggressor, and from believing itself to be on the verge of regional war to that an immediate retaliatory a return to something akin to lashing-out is not always the routine. most effective.

Leaving aside for a moment Saddam was erroneously the fact that life in Israel has believed to be developing a been anything but routine since nuclear capability, while the Iranians are categorically a long Oct. 7 — that there is an ongoing war in Gaza, 129 hostages way down the path to nuclear to save, a northern border zone weapons and have the capacthat is unlivable, and escalating ity to break out to the bomb at tension in the West Bank — it fairly short notice.

April 13th’s thwarted Iranian seems beyond premature to believe that this unprecedented effort to cause devastating Iran-Israel open conflict is anyharm in Israel underlines, as thing like over. never before, the supreme imperative — for Israel, the U.S., David Horovitz is founding editor and life-affirming nations in the region and worldwide — to of The Times of Israel.

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. 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. Chabad Classes: Mon., May 6, 7 p.m.: Decisions of Fate: Your Jewish Compass for Navigating Questions of Medical Ethics. Four-week course.

Online or in person. Sign up at chabaddayton.com. Tuesdays, 8 p.m.: Code of Jewish Law. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.: Talmud Class. Thursdays, noon: Parsha Study on Zoom. chabaddayton.com. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-6430770.

Temple Beth Or Classes: Sundays, 12:30 p.m.: Adult Hebrew. Thurs., May 2, 7 p.m.: Chai Mitzvah in person & Zoom. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400.

Temple Israel Classes: Tuesdays, noon: Talmud Study in person & Zoom. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Torah Queeries w.

Rabbi Bodney-Halasz, at home of Skip & Ann Becker. Fri., May 10, 11 a.m.: Living w. Loss w.

Rabbi Bodney-Halasz. Thurs., May 16, 3:30 p.m.: Living w.

Ambiguous Loss w. Rabbi Bodney-Halasz. Sat., May 4, 25, 9:15 a.m.: Virtual Torah Study on Zoom. Sat., May 11 & 18, 9:15 a.m.: Virtual Torah Study in person and Zoom. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. tidatyon. org/calendar. RSVPs to office, 937-496-0050.

Adults

JCC Open Canasta: Wednesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. Call 937-610-1555 for info.

noon. W. Richard Friedman, Ehud Borovoy, Rabbi Judy Chessin. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. RSVP at templebethor.com or 937-435-3400.

Temple Israel Brotherhood Ryterband Brunch & Speaker Series: $7. Sun., May 12, 9:45 a.m.: Rabbi Bodney-Halasz, Creation, Revelation & Redemption. 130 Riverside Dr, Dayton. 937-496-0050.

Beth Jacob 4th Annual Jewish Women Inspiring Jewish Women: Sun., May 19, 11 a.m. $22. RSVP to Tammy, 937-274-2149. Beth Jacob Congregation, 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp.

Family

Chabad Lag B’Omer BBQ: Sun., May 26, 5 p.m. $18 adult, $7 child. RSVP at jewishdayton.org/events. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-6430770.

Beth Abraham Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach: Fri., May 10, 5:30 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. w. Cantor Raizen. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 937-293-9520.

Temple Israel Prayer & Play: Sat., May 11, 10 a.m. Infants– 2nd grade. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050.

Community

Yom Hashoah Observance: Sun., May 5. 3 p.m.: Art & writing on display. 4 p.m.: PJ Library & PJ Our Way program.

4 p.m.: Memorial Service.

RSVP at jewishdayton.org/ events. Beth Jacob Congregation, 7020 N. Main St, Harrison Twp. 937-274-2149.

Israel at 76 dinner: Tues., May 14, 6 p.m. $10 person, $18 family. Dinner by Chef Uri, Western Galilee. Registration required, jewishdayton.org/ events, by May 10. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr. Centerville. 937-610-1555.

Temple Beth Or, Answering Tough Questions About Israel: Sun., May 19, 10 a.m.-

Women

Chabad Women’s Circle End of Year Dinner & Program: Sun., May 19, 6 p.m. $36.

RSVP at chabaddayton.com/ cwc. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Men

Chabad Bagels, Lox & Tefillin: Sun., May 5, 9:30 a.m.

13+ welcome. chabaddayton. com. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

JCC Cultural Arts & Book Series

Opening Night, The Catskills: Thurs., May 30, 7 p.m. $18 includes 6:30 p.m. reception.

W. Univ. of Cincinnati Judaic Studies Chair Jenny Caplan.

Register at jewishdayton.org/ events. University of Dayton's Roger Glass Center for the Arts, 29 Creative Way, Dayton.

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

PAGE 19

RELIGION

CONGREGATIONS Beth Abraham Synagogue

Conservative Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen 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 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, 6:30 p.m.

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 Fri., May 3, 6 p.m. Fridays, May 10, 17, 24, 31, 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays, May 11, 18, 10:30 a.m.

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

God is always by my side blameless and upright, always

By Rabbi Haviva Horvitz careful to avoid doing evil. One Temple Beth Sholom day, Satan appears before God Approximately one month in Heaven and challenges Job’s prior to the deadline for this faith. The book explores Job’s article, my husband, Ely David journey through Spiegel, passed away immense suffering, of pancreatic cancer. his interactions with In an effort to bring friends who attempt me comfort, a numto offer explanations, ber of well-meaning and his eventual friends tried to reasencounter with the sure me that “God Almighty. only gives us what Despite his trials, we can handle.” AlJob maintained his though their intention faith but questioned was heartfelt, those words did not sit well Rabbi Haviva Horvitz the nature of suffering and Divine with me. I do not, and justice. The study of this book cannot, believe in a God, an during shiva is permissible beAlmighty Being, who would cause it can help the mourner intentionally make us suffer. find comfort. Job’s experiences Shortly before the funeral, resonate with mourners who grapple with grief, pain, and existential questions. His story provides solace and companI was reminded that one does ionship to those in mourning. not study Torah during the Like the seven days of shiva. The idea is Book of Job, that the study of Torah brings the Book of one pleasure, and this is not a Lamentations, time for pleasure, but rather a which mourns time to allow oneself to mourn the destruction and to grieve.

As is typical within Judaism, of the Temple, and parts of there is an understanding that the Book of some people have a need to Jeremiah that study, and shiva is not intendforetell doom, ed to be a time of discomfort, can be studied during shiva. especially caused by a lack of While one might think that study. Therefore it is permitted, reading these would only possibly even encouraged, to encourage depression, these study the Book of Job. texts — expressing anguish Simply put, the book of Job and sorrow — allow mournis a story about a wealthy man ers to connect with and work named Job who lives in the through their own emotions. land of Uz with his large famThe narrative of Job also ily and extensive flocks. He is

Perspectives

I believe that rather than giving me what I can handle, the Almighty helps me handle what I have been given.

Class of

2024

Chabad of Greater Dayton

Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com

Yellow Springs Havurah

Independent Antioch College Rockford Chapel.

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

PAGE 20

serves as one of the sources for the laws of mourning and bereavement. In Chapter 1, Verse 20, it states: “And Job stood up and rent his robe.” This leads us to the practice of kriah, where a mourner rends his garment while in an upright position at the most acute moment of mourning.

In addition, we learn that while in the presence of a mourner, it is appropriate to remain silent until the mourner opens the conversation. This practice is demonstrated by Job, as the verse (3:1) states: “Job then opened his mouth,” implying that he was the first to speak.

The familiar phrase from Job Chapter 1, Verse 21: “The Lord gave, and the Lord took; may the name of the Lord be blessed,” is frequently used as a part of the funeral service.

We learn that although we do not necessarily understand the reasons, we are to trust that the Almighty does what is best.

Personally, I have found that observing the full seven days of shiva, followed by a total of 30 days for shloshim, has helped me grieve and then slowly reenter reality.

While I respect the efforts of my friends and appreciate their attempts at giving me strength and support, I believe that rather than giving me what I can handle, the Almighty helps me handle what I have been given.

I am not alone; but rather, God is always by my side.

As it says in Psalm 23: “…He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in straight paths for his Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou has anointed my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

May the Source of peace send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved. Amen.

Does your teenager graduate high school this year?

The Observer is happy to offer you a FREE announcement, including a photo, in our June graduation issue.

To receive a form for this free announcement, contact Marshall Weiss at mweiss@jfgd.net.

Forms received after May 8 will be held for the July issue of The Observer.

May

Nisan/Iyar

Shabbat Candle Lightings May 3: 8:15 p.m.

May 10: 8:22 p.m.

May 17: 8:29 p.m.

May 24: 8:35 p.m.

May 31: 8:40 p.m.

Torah Portions May 4: Achare (Lev. 16:1-18:30) May 11: Kedoshim (Lev. 19:1-20:27) May 18: Emor (Lev. 21:1-24:23) May 25: Behar (Lev. 25:1-26:2)

Yom Hashoah

Holocaust Remembrance Day May 6 • 28 Nisan Marked by memorials for those who perished in the Holocaust.

Yom Hazikaron

Israel Memorial Day May 13 • 5 Iyar Memorial Day for all who died serving Israel. Concludes with a siren blast as stars appear and Independence Day begins.

Yom Ha’atzmaut

Israel Independence Day May 14 • 6 Iyar Celebrated by Jews around the world.

Israel celebrates with parades, singing, dancing, and fireworks.

Lag B’Omer

33rd Day of Omer May 26 • 18 Iyar The 33rd day of the Omer breaks up the seven weeks of semi-mourning between Passover and Shavuot. It marks the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students and a victory of Bar-Kokhba’s soldiers over the Romans 2,000 years ago. Celebrated with picnics and sports.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

MAZEL TOV! Two performers from the JCC Youth Theatre's February production of Tuck Everlasting continue to "tread the boards" this spring. Lana Dorf, daughter of Masha Kisel and Sam Dorf, is in the children's choir for Dayton Opera's production of Tosca, April 20-21. A musicologist, Sam is giving the preperformance talks.

Clementine Combs, daughter of Krystal and Brad Combs, is in the children's choir of Dayton Playhouse's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, May 10-26. Joining Clementine on stage will be Krystal in the role of Narrator. The Combs family moved to our area from Los Angeles last summer.

Among the artists whose works are on display with two Women Strong exhibits in Downtown Dayton this spring is Elyssa Wortzman. The Do You Hear Me? exhibit is at the International Peace Museum through May 11. And the Women Strong exhibit at the Dayton Woman's Club closes April 26. For the Peace Museum exhibit, Wortzman incorporated into her art red string — a symbol of protection — that women from her congregation, Beth Abraham Synagogue, had used in a workshop she facilitated in which they prayed, meditated, and shared stories on the theme of "protected spaces for all voices."

Lela Klein, co-founder and co-executive director of Co-Op Dayton, will be the featured guest on the Crown Jewel Conversations webcast, Thursday, May 2, 1-2 p.m. A project of Elluminate (elluminatewomen.org) — a Jewish leadership organization — the monthly webcast highlights members of its leadership advancement program, The Collective.

Lela is a member of Elluminate's fourth Collective cohort. She'll talk about how Co-Op Dayton works to break the cycle of generational poverty for families and communities, and to create a just economy in the Dayton area.

Adriane Miller, executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice, shares that there are still spots available for NCCJ's Anytown Youth Leadership Institute, to be held at Wright State, June 23-28. It's a free overnight program for high school students across the Miami Valley. Adriane describes it as transformative. "It equips students with the tools and knowledge to become strong leaders for social justice." Registration is at nccjgreaterdayton.org/Anytown.

Inspiring minds, empowering leaders.

Where education for the whole child meets Jewish values.

Your child's path to excellence and leadership starts at Hillel Academy.

Send us your graduation announcements! For college and grad school: Email your announcements to mweiss@ jfgd.net. For high school: We ask that you fill out a form. To request one, send an email to mweiss@jfgd.net.

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daytonhillel.org • 937.277.8966 • asmith@daytonhillel.org

PAGE 21

Opening Night Thursday, May 30 at 7PM followed by speaker Dr. Jenny Caplan and a dessert reception

2024

The Catskills (United States, 2023, 86 minutes) • Documentary

The Roger Glass Center for the Arts 29 Creative Way, Dayton, 45479

The Catskills is a delightful account of the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt and the powerful women who made it happen. With a trove of lost-andfound archival footage and a cast of characters endowed with the gift of gab, this charming documentary journeys into the storied mountain getaway north of New York City that served as refuge for Jewish immigrants and affluent Jewish families alike. Stand-up comedians share their best shtick while former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors recount tales of the family-run resorts and bungalows. Punctuated with expert commentary—including from Dayton’s Dr. Jenny Caplan!—The Catskills is where nostalgia and memory meet the American Jewish experience.

$18 for an individual ticket $95 for a season pass

2024 LINE UP TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Home

NIGHT OF Short Films

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 10AM AT THE NEON Remembering Gene Wilder

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara

9:30 AM Reception sponsored by Hadassah

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Night of shorts: Sevap/Mitzvah, BrownWhite, Mazel Tov Cocktail, Call Me Alvy, Jack and Sam

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 7:15PM AT THE NEON The Interpreter also available online June 10-11

SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 7:15PM AT THE NEON All About the Levkoviches

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Less than Kosher also available online June 25-27

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Nathan-ism

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 7:15PM AT THE NEON Stella. A Life.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 3PM AT THE NEON An American Tail No charge for tickets

Closing Night

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 7:15PM AT THE NEON My Neighbor Adolf

also available online June 16-18

First 50 dads free for in-person attendance

TICKETS

THANK YOU TO OUR FESTIVAL SPONSORS!

$18 opening night $12 All other nights unless otherwise noted

$95 Festival pass

includes opening night and can be used for either in-person or online films.

To purchase tickets or a festival pass, visit jewishdayton.org For more information or assistance, contact 937-610-1555.

PAGE 22

Jewish Community Center OF GREATER DAYTON

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION

Sun or moon?

guided by the irregular moon embodied the ongoing Jewish experience of impermanence and uncertainty, but it prominently in the Jewish also implied notions of worldview. Rather than deities, individuality, adaptas in most ancient cultures, the ability, and self-desun and moon are described in termination, reflected the biblical narrative as God’s in the Hebrew words handiwork designed to sepachodesh, month, and rate day from night, serve as chadash, new. signs for set times in the days For the Hebrew and years, and function as slaves, long indoctrilights. nated into a sun-god Joseph's Dream, the Holman Bible, 1890.

And so, in Jewish life, the mindset of repetition regular setting and rising of and regimentation, taking conIts task is to reflect the light of the sun across the seasons and trol of one’s own time and dethe sun, God, and Torah into throughout the years deterfining its purpose would have the world. Be a light by reflectmines when a new day begins, been revolutionary, liberating, ing the light. informs the set times for daily and exhilarating notions.

The king and the cottage. prayer, and establishes the Naming each new month, An elderly king had to deterlighting times for Shabbat and celebrating its first day—Rosh mine which of his three chilfestival candles.

Chodesh — and offering a dren, whom he loved equally, This solar calendar provides blessing for the moon’s renewwould eventually reign. One constancy and al at the Kiddush day, he announced, “Whoever stability, reflect- The moon, which Levana ceremony can fill the garden cottage to ed in the Hebrew have long accapacity within seven days shanah, year, and can only reflect knowledged the with anything you choose will its cognate shicentrality of the light, is an everearn the throne.” nun, repetition. moon in Jewish The oldest child lugged present symbol of life.

Gratitude to rocks of all shapes and sizes God for the gift the Jewish people.

Eventually, for days, filling the cottage's of the sun is by adding leap cracks and crevices with small acknowledged in each day’s months to synchronize the pebbles. At the end of the week, morning prayers, “Blessed are shorter lunar calendar with the the king nodded. “You may You…(Who) illuminates the solar one, the unified lunisolar be the next king.” The king earth (and) renews every day Jewish calendar emerged, creordered the cottage emptied. the work of Creation.” ating a valued unity between The middle son took his The sun’s not-inconsequenconstancy and novelty. turn, filling the cottage with tial roles in Jewish life are The moon, which can only feathers and tamping them maintaining consistent ritual reflect light, is an ever-present down until it was crammed timing and fostering gratitude symbol of the Jewish people. full. At the end of the week, by calling attention to the wonders of Creation.

Shakespeare’s “inconstant moon,” however, plays the greater role in Jewish identity, life, and teaching, beginning with the first commandment given to the Israelite slaves just prior to the Exodus: “This month (Aviv/spring)…shall be the first of the months of the year for you.”

The resulting calendar

Judaism's Worldview Series

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Talmudic sages taught: “When the sun is eclipsed it is a bad omen for the entire world. The Gemara (commentary) tells a parable. To what is this matter comparable? To a king of flesh and blood who prepared a feast for his servants and placed a lantern before them to illuminate the hall. He became angry at them and said to his servant: Take the lantern from

Candace R. Kwiatek before them and seat them in darkness.”

Simply put, God prepares and sets before humans all manner of good things, illuminated by the sun for their pleasure.

But seeing their lack of consideration for such riches (and perhaps even for one another), God becomes angry and orders the moon to obscure the sun, taking away its light and casting humans into darkness, a portent of Divine retribution.

"Jewish tradition has long been accepting of the basic scientific explanations for the rules of the cosmos,” writes Forward Contributing Editor Seth Rogovoy, including the natural event of an eclipse. At the same time, Jewish scholars, commentators, and laypersons throughout the centuries have discerned in Creation’s orderly design spiritual significance and insights as to how one might best live.

The sun and moon figure

Literature to share The Sages of Chelm and the Moon by Shlomo Abas. The people of Chelm — known as the city of wise fools — have a problem. Every so often they find themselves stumbling in the dark when the moon disappears from the night sky. So they set out to purchase a brand-new full moon to illuminate their dark skies year round. But their plan goes awry when a crafty innkeeper offers them a seemingly perfect solution. With comical illustrations and engaging text, this clever adaptation of a well-known tale is perfect for the elementary set.

Part-Time Religious School Educator/Administrator

Beth Abraham Synagogue seeks a creative, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable part-time educator/administrator to lead our Religious School. The ideal candidate is passionate about Jewish education, has administrative experience, and relates well to students and parents.

Term: August 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025. Time Commitment: 15-18 hours average per week.

For full job description or to apply, contact Elaine Arnovitz, elaine@bethabrahamdayton.org.

Israel 201 by Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt. Did you know that there are more than 5,000 stray cats in Jerusalem…per square mile? Explore 75 new aspects of Israeli life and culture today, from the Olympics to the music scene, real estate, show business, the arts, women’s rights, and more. Based on the authors’ own experiences, this book celebrates the Israel you probably don’t know, behind the headlines.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

the king nodded. “You have surpassed your brother. You may be the next king.” The cottage was again emptied.

When the youngest child’s turn came, the brothers pleaded with their father to not let her compete or at least wait until she was older. The king refused, saying, “You’ll each have a turn.”

The first day passed, but the cottage remained empty.

A second day passed, and a third. The king waited. On the seventh day, just as the king opened the cottage door, the young princess slipped in and knelt in the middle of the room, facing away from the door.

Moments later, she rose, a candlestick standing on the floor, its flickering candle soon filling the entire cottage with light. The king smiled and said, “The throne is yours.”

The darkness of a total solar eclipse is a powerful Torah lesson. Because the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, it’s only from our perspective that the moon appears to cover the sun. But the sun’s fierywhite corona is still visible, reminding us that even in dark moments, the Divine Light isn’t extinguished, and we can still reflect it outward.

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

For our complete program schedule, go to bethabrahamdayton.org.

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

PAGE 23

Arts&Culture

Hulu’s We Were the Lucky Ones uncovers a Jewish family’s buried past under the Nazis

Hulu

Joey King as Halina and Logan Lerman as Andy in We Were the Lucky Ones.

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Fry; A Small Light, the Disney+ miniseBy Shira Li Bartov, JTA ries about Anne Frank’s protector, Miep Georgia Hunter was 15 when she Gies, and the recent Netflix adaptation discovered her grandfather was Jewish.

The revelation took place a year after his of Anthony Doerr’s novel, All the Light We Cannot See. death, while Hunter was interviewing We Were the Lucky Ones is distinher grandmother for a school project. guished from these and other Holocaust “A high school English teacher said, ‘Go out and interview a relative to learn dramas by its wide lens. It begins at the a bit about your roots and in turn about Kurc family’s Passover dinner in Radom yourselves,’” Hunter said. “I sat with my in 1938. Their life looks as comfortable as their elegant home, despite whispers grandmother Caroline and I will never forget that hour I spent with her, sitting of antisemitism and Hitler’s ambitions outside their borders. in her home and discovering that my Parents Sol (Lior Ashkenazi) and grandfather was from this town called Nechuma (Robin Weigert), who run a Radom, Poland, that he was one of five siblings, that he was raised in the Jewish fabric store, are delighted to welcome home their son Addy, a musician and faith, and that I came from a family of electrical engineer Holocaust survivors.” visiting from Paris.

That interview led Their other sons Genek Hunter, who grew up (Henry-Lloyd Hughes) in Providence, R.I., and Jakob (Amit Rahav) down the long road to are budding lawyers, uncovering her famtheir daughter Mila (Haily’s Holocaust story, das Yaron) is pregnant which spanned five with her first child, and continents and six years their daughter Halina of hiding, imprisondreams of following ment, and exile. As an Addy abroad. adult, she spent nine This cozy existence is years researching their shattered by the outimplausible paths to break of World War II. survival — a project Over the course of eight culminating in her 2017 Author Georgia Hunter episodes, the family novel, We Were the Lucky is scattered across the globe: Sol and Ones, based on their experiences.

Nechuma are forced into factory work We Were the Lucky Ones has come to before they go into hiding in the PolTV as a Hulu series, co-executive produced by Hunter alongside Erica Lipez, ish countryside; Addy flees France for Brazil via detainment in Vichy Frenchwho produced The Morning Show. Starcontrolled Dakar; Genek and his wife ring Logan Lerman as Hunter’s grandHerta (Moran Rosenblatt) are sent to a father Addy Kurc and Joey King as his Soviet labor camp in Siberia until he is sister Halina, the series premiered with able to join the Polish army, which takes three simultaneous episodes March 28. them to Palestine under the British manThe series joins a spate of recent date and Italy; Mila hides her daughter limited series about the Holocaust and in a Warsaw convent; Halina clings to a World War II, including The Tattooist false identity through torture at the Nazi of Auschwitz, which airs on Peacock in Montelupich Prison in Krakow.

May; Transatlantic, last year’s Netflix The vast scope of the family’s miseries about Holocaust rescuer Varian

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

gration and the creeping pace of their persecution in We Were the Lucky Ones tells a story about the Holocaust beyond the death camps, Lipez said.

Family members face exile, robbery, humiliation, forced labor, and street massacres before a whisper that Jews are being gassed is heard several episodes in. “There’s been some good education and storytelling about the death camps that is really necessary,” Lipez said.

“But I think this show was an opportunity to focus a lot on those years leading up to the Final Solution, and to show through the really intimate lens of this family the boiling hot water that they were in — in their own society and their own community.”

According to Hunter, her grandfather did not explicitly keep his past a secret from his family. He renamed himself Eddy Courts from Addy Kurc on arriving in the United States after the war and intended to start a new chapter and protect his children from a troubled past. When he visited other surviving family members, he sometimes left out the context.

“He would talk about going to Brazil, but he would maybe say that he was going for his birthday — and then my mom would learn later that he planned to be there over Passover,” Hunter recalled.

Luck is the theme of her family’s story: the luck to survive and reunite, but also the chance to create new lives and families far away from the past. The main characters in We Were the Lucky Ones are also granted a fortunate moral arc — by the end, their hardships have made the family resilient, generous, and loving, a development that not every survivor of trauma is lucky enough to experience.

Of course, there is also an irony to the term “lucky ones,” as each family member endures profound tragedy. King said it is the perception of being lucky despite their circumstances that made the Kurc family compelling to her.

“The perspective that they took was so humbling — to hear them call themselves lucky, it’s just beyond imagination," King said.

“But they survived and they had love in their lives, and they considered themselves lucky.”

While it was Addy Kurc’s luck to leave the Holocaust behind, Hunter sees it as her luck to remember it. Her research took her to interviews with family members on the east and west coasts of the U.S. and in France, Italy and Brazil.

Even though she was not raised with Jewish identity, Hunter said that this project has brought her closer to herself, an identity rooted in her Jewish family history.

“I feel like my eyes have been opened to these pieces of me that were always there, but that are so apparent now — whether it’s the stubborn gene, not ever taking no for an answer, or having the courage to set out and try to complete this project over the course of nine years,” Hunter said. “I see so much of myself in my grandfather and my relatives.”

Arts&Culture

Catskills opens JCC Film Fest May 30

Jackie Horner

Documentary celebrates lost world more marvelous than Mrs. Maisel ever knew

By Dan Pine, J. The resorts are gone now, either demolished or rotting in the humid air of upstate New York. But for nearly a century, the Catskill Mountains served as a lush playground for America’s upwardly mobile Jews.

Though it slathers on the nostalgia thick as sour cream on a blintz, Lex Gillespie’s 2023 documentary, The Catskills, affectionately recounts the history of this iconic time and place. Ultimately, the film — which opens the Dayton JCC Film Festival May 30 at University of Dayton's new Roger Glass Center for the Arts — reveals a Borscht Belt more marvelous than Mrs. Maisel ever knew.

Gillespie draws on archival footage, photos, home movies, and contemporary interviews with former guests and employees of the resorts that dotted the woodlands up Highway 17. They collectively tell the story of East Coast Jews, many a mere generation removed from the shtetl, determined to live the American dream.

Beginning around 1909, Jews began buying land in the Catskills, some to open chicken farms. Others later built modest hotels and bungalows for compatriots escaping the sweltering summer heat of New York City. Over time, resorts such as Grossinger’s and the Concord became prime destinations for Jews, who were otherwise forbidden to enter resort hotels restricted to White Christians.

These family-run resorts in the Catskills became pleasure domes, providing everything for the rich and the not-so-rich: swimming pools, rumba lessons, nightly shows, and comedians busy inventing the nascent art of standup.

And the food! Piles of stuffed cabbage, chopped liver, and enough brisket to clog every artery between Liberty and the Lower East Side. The buffet symbolized a thriving Jewish population enjoying the bounty of the American century.

The Catskills arrives at a moment of peak interest in the era. The Catskills JCC Film Fest opens with The Catskills, 7 p.m., Thursday, May 30 at the University of Dayton's new Roger Glass Center for the Arts, 29 Creative Way, Dayton.

After the movie, participants will hear from Univ. of Cincinnati Judaic Studies Chair Jenny Caplan. Tickets are $18 and include a 6:30 p.m. reception. Purchase tickets at jewishdayton.org/events.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

A still from The Catskills shows a photograph of Grossinger's dance staff.

Borscht Belt Museum is set to open in book.

Ellenville, N.Y. in 2025.

The surprising star of The Catskills Meanwhile, the film dwells on Jennie is dance teacher and firecracker Jackie Grossinger (1892-1972), resort co-owner Horner, who in her late 80s was still and hostess with the mostest. She and teaching the cha-cha and merengue. her husband, Harry, bought a few acres Horner, who died in 2020, started at in 1914 and began renting out lodgKutsher’s resort in 1954 and never ings around that time. Within a few stopped teaching dance (even though years, they had 63 acres of prime land Kutsher’s closed for good in 2013). and became ground zero for Catskills Clearly, she had the time of her life emluxury. Jennie was a friend to the stars bodying that old Catskills magic. of sports and entertainment, including Gillespie explains the slow death of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, whom the Catskill resorts as the consequence she publicly embraced. That progressive of a rapidly changing society. In many impulse was shared at Kutsher’s, which ways, the Borscht Belt was a victim of its hired a teenage Wilt Chamberlain one guests’ own success. summer.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed We also meet Arthur discrimination, so that Jews Winarick, a one-time barber could suddenly stay anywho made a fortune with where. Affordable air travel his hair tonic. He opened opened up new vacation the Concord Resort Hotel, options, and the introducwhich out-fancy-schmantion of air conditioning cied Grossinger’s with its meant families could stay three golf courses, two cool in their Brooklyn nightclubs, a skating rink, apartments during the and an indoor pool. summer months.

The film also devotes As Dirty Dancing screenattention to the Borscht Belt writer Eleanor Bergstein comedians who went on to Univ. of Cincinnati Judaic says in the film, “People fame. Catskills alumni like Studies Chair Jenny Caplan just stopped coming.”

Henny Youngman, Danny But for several glorious Kaye, Buddy Hackett, Phil Silvers, decades, Jews flexed their freedom and Milton Berle, and Jackie Mason not mounting wealth in the mountain air of only invented stand-up comedy, they what was known as the Jewish Alps. The imprinted on the art a permanent JewCatskills brings it all back, even for those ish sensibility that suffuses American who never set foot there. humor to this day.

Attending the Dayton screening will One exceptionally odd sequence be University of Cincinnati Judaic Studdescribes the annual “mock marriage” ies Chair Jenny Caplan, author of Funny, ceremony held at the Gold and Rados You Don’t Look Funny: Judaism and Humor bungalow colony, in which the men from the Silent Generation to Millennials. dressed as women, the women dressed Caplan, who has family ties to Dayton, as men, and all stood under the chupah was interviewed for The Catskills docuwhile a fake rabbi officiated, clutching mentary. She'll answer questions after a Playboy magazine instead of a prayer the film.

PAGE 25

OBITUARIES Our beautiful Mom, Shirley F. Gotlieb Frankowitz, died peacefully on March 25 at the age of 95.

Shirley was born in Kansas City, Mo. and married Martin Gotlieb (z'l) in 1948. Before the birth of their third child, they moved to Dayton in 1956, joined Beth Abraham Synagogue, and made Dayton their home. After Martin's sudden death in 1970, Shirley worked tirelessly to support her family. Initially as a full-time legal secretary, Shirley simultaneously taught religious school. Then after 14 years of membership at Beth Abraham, she became the executive director for a decade before retiring. Shirley remarried to Morris Frankowitz (z'l) in 1984 for three years, until his death in 1987. In recent years, Shirley was renowned and admired for her incredible creative skills as an artist, a pianist, a baker, and a writer; while in younger years, Shirley's reputation for her impeccable work ethic earned her the respect of everyone she knew.

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But her true calling and most important life's purpose was her family. She was beloved, admired, and treasured by each one of them and will be missed beyond measure. She is survived by her four daughters who were the light of her life, Linda Valderrama, Gail (Bob) Flacks, Janice (Bob) Kohn, Marsha (Larry) Weisel; eight beloved grandchildren, Marti Flacks, Adam (Melanie) Flacks, Alisa (Alex) Gelber Valderrama, Chad (Julie) Valderrama, Rachel (Josh) Drian, Daniel (Emily) Weisel, Ben (Sierra) Weisel, Becca (Zach) Chervitz; and six precious great-grandchildren. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or to Dayton Heart Association.

Nadezhda Gofer, born Aug. 23, 1932, passed away at age 91. She was a resident of Dayton since 1995 when she came to the United States from Latvia at the age of 62 to be near her family. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, walking, and spending time with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruvim (Roman) Gofer in 1995, and her motherin-law, Khana Gofer in 2006. She is survived by her daughter, Julia Nodel, and her son, Val (Rachal) Gofer; grandsons Eugene (Amy) Nodel, Ilya (Shayna) Nodel, Roman Gofer, and Nolan Gofer; and great-grandchildren Liam, Bella, Abriella, Masha, and Libby. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery.

The heavens gained another bright light on April 2, as Robert B. Kahn, at the age of 100, joined the love of his life, Gertrude. He was surrounded by his devoted children Ronald, Susan, Karen and son-in-law Ira. Bob closed his eyes for the last time, but leaves his mark as a proud Holocaust survivor. Born in Mannheim, Germany, Sept. 30, 1923, Bob

L’dor V’dor.

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PAGE 26

was a remarkable man of ideas with the ability to bring them to fruition. An ordinary man with an extra ordinary love for peace in the world and for the people around him. He was a natural leader, highly respected on his job with the U.S. Air Force where he worked at the highest level of the Armed Military Services including the National Security Council. Bob was recognized with numerous citations including one

by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

At his retirement, he received full honors by the logistics commanders of all military branches.

Inspired by his fascination with nature and love of elephants, he and Gertrude went on safaris in Kenya and Tanzania and traveled the world. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing tennis past his 90th year. One of his favorite charities was Father Flanagan - Boys Town to which he donated his extensive and valuable philatelic collections. He enjoyed music, particularly opera, and was a volunteer usher with his wife at the Victoria Theatre and Schuster Center for 11 years.

He was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and served as president of the Ruslander Lodge of B’nai B’rith. As a volunteer for 45 years for the Miami Valley Boy Scouts of America, he earned many awards as chair and chaplain of the Interfaith Committee on Scouting. For his dedication and compassion, he was given the St. George Medal from the National Catholic Committee and the Cincinnati Archdiocese. He also received the Shofar medal, the highest Jewish award for Scouting. Having honorably served in World War II in the Pacific theatre, he was also a member of the Jewish War Veterans since 1953.

Bob was a 78-year member of Temple Israel, as well as an active member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

In addition to these accolades, he championed the idea of a mobile Holocaust exhibit that paid tribute to the powerful stories of many men and women who called Dayton home. This exhibit was so successful it is now on permanent display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. A central feature of this installation is his violin, which he was forced to play for the enjoyment of the Nazis during Kristallnacht on Nov. 8, 1938, while his parents’ belongings were destroyed, and his father taken to Dachau concentration camp. Bob was a prime mover for the World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors in 1991 of his hometown in Mannheim, Germany. He authored and published Reflections of Jew-

ish Survivors of Mannheim, and lectured at many local churches, schools, the University of Dayton, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Sinclair College, and addressed in person the German Parliament in Berlin.

As many will know, Bob’s motto was “Never, never, never give up.”

And he lived those words with a passion that saw the publication in his ninth decade of life of an expanded 800-page autobiography, The Hard Road of Dreams: Remembering Never to Forget, a treasure trove of family history and historical documents that had previously been unknown and unshared. Robert was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Joseph and Martha Kahn, and his dear sister, Irene Elizabeth (Albert Poll), all survivors of the Holocaust. With his last breath, he declared his undying love for his wife, Gertrude (nee Wolff), for 75 happy, wonderful years, and to his children, Dr. Ronald Kahn (Mary), Susan Rapoport, and Karen Weiss (Ira). He adored his seven grandchildren, Brennan Kahn (Kara) and Dr. Cameron Kahn, Emily Rapoport and Sam Rapoport (Lisa), Jenna Halperin (Eden), Adam Weiss (Gillian), Aliza Lambert, Ph.D. (Ben); and great-grandchildren, Jonah, Max, and Lily Rapoport, Noa and Levi Halperin and Jack and Colette Weiss, who all affectionately called him Opa. Sadly, he will be missed by nieces Faye, Peggy, Rita, and Roslyn, nephew Marc, as well as his extended family, many good friends, and all those who knew him. The family wishes to thank all the loving caregivers for their compassion and friendship. Internment was at Riverview Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Chabad of Greater Dayton, or Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.

Paula Benjamin Levitt, age 89 of Dayton, passed away April 11, embraced by the love of her family. She was born to Frank and Ida Benjamin on Jan. 25, 1935 in Boston. Paula was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, of 64 years. She is survived by her three children, Mitchel (Patty) of Columbus; Wayne (Ilise) of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; and Lee (Karen) of Pittsburgh; five grandchildren whom she adored, Paul (Michelle), Nicholas, Alexandra, Sophie, Noah. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Koester Pavilion, Freedom Wing, 3232 N. County Rd., 25A, Troy, OH 45373.

William I. Schoenfeld, age 97, passed away on March 26. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Schoenfeld; parents, Maurice and Beatrice Schoenfeld; brother, Arnold Schoenfeld; sisters, Rose Ross and Helene Westerman. He is survived by his sons, Roger Schoenfeld and Scott (Joanie) Schoenfeld; daughter, Tovah Leah (Gabi) Nachmani; grandchildren, Brad, Ross (Kim), Todd (Brittany), Karen (Ryan), Lauren (Ted), Dan (Molly), Matan (Ruti), Michal (Shlomi), Ariel (Hodaya), Rachel (Mordechai), Amichai (Naama), Tehila (Yehuda) and Talia (Ro’ee); and 23 great-grandchildren. Bill was born in 1926 in Port Huron, Mich. He and his late wife Ruth moved to Dayton in 1955 when he was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In 1957, he founded his CPA firm, William Schoenfeld & Co. He was active in the Jewish community in Dayton, serving on the board of the Jewish Federation. He and his wife Ruth were members of Temple Israel and then Beth Abraham Synagogue.

Bill retired in 2015 and moved to Columbus in 2021 to be closer to his family. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always made family and friends a priority, even as he built his successful accounting practice. He was blessed with a kind heart, an unwavering moral compass, a strong work ethic, and a quick wit that endeared him to so many people throughout his long life. His legacy will live on in all those who were fortunate to know him. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery, Dayton. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to Tenufa Bakehila (tenufa. org), a relief organization founded

by Gabi Nachmani that repairs homes of the needy in Israel.

Lois Brook Unger of Dayton, passed away on April 15. Along with her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband of 67 years, Gilbert Unger, daughter Rachelle Sherman, sister Shirley Klausner, great-grandsons Shiloh and Eli Jacobson, as well as inlaws and dear lifelong friends. She is survived by children Susie and Eddie Katz, Philip and Helen Unger, Amelia and David Ramer, and Richard Sherman; grandchildren Michael and Lauren Sherman, Ben and Hope Katz, Allison and Stephen Friedman, Alex Jacobson, Jacob and Kelly Unger, Rachael and Josh Sheradsky; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom both adored her and depended on her for her strength and wisdom. She will be dearly missed. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • MAY 2024

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D I NNER 2024

P R E S I D E N TS

S U N D AY, J U N E 2 5PM @ THE BOONSHOFT CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE & EDUCATION (525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, 45459)

Rabbi David Wolpe

An evening with Keynote Speaker Rabbi David Wolpe, who has been recognized as The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post. Rabbi Wolpe serves as the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and as a Senior Advisor to the Maimonides Fund. He is the bestselling author of eight books, and numerous articles in leading newspapers and journals.

BRUCE & DEBBIE FELDMAN Event Chairs

Tickets on sale at jewishdayton.org/events for more information contact Melanie Vincent at mgomez@jfgd.net or 937-401-1547.