The American B’nai B’rith honors Mayerson JCC Israelite welcomes Jewish soldiers lost wins several new assistant editor, during wartime duty national awards fashion and dining writers Barbara L. Morgenstern Barbara L. Morgenstern has joined the staff of The American Israelite as an assistant editor. Morgenstern is a licensed attorney and a former newspaper reporter for The Cincinnati Post. She has served as a visiting assistant professor at Miami University’s journalism program, where she presently teaches journalism law and ethics on the adjunct faculty. She also teaches business law and ethics at The Art
On Sunday, May 30, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., B’nai B’rith will hold its annual Memorial Service at the Robert S. Kraft Memorial Garden in the Covedale Cemetery. This Memorial Service is held to honor the memory of the Jewish servicemen from the Greater Cincinnati area who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country while serving overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces. The program is presented under the auspices of B’nai B’rith of Greater Cincinnati Alfred M. Cohen Unit #4. For the 67th year, family members and former members of the Armed Forces will participate in this program. Honored speakers will be U.S. Congressman Steve Driehaus of Ohio District #1 and State Rep. Robert Mecklenborg of the Ohio 30th District. Representing the military this year, will be LTC Shaun D. House, Commander of the Air Force ROTC Unit at University of
The Mayerson JCC was honored for several of its programs and communication efforts at the JCCs of North America Biennial, held May 2-5, 2010 in Atlanta, Ga. The JCC Association awarded the Mayerson JCC for developing groundbreaking service models on which other JCCs may base future programming, and which set a standard of excellence for the development and presentation of programs in the local community. The JCCA also honored the Mayerson JCC with communications awards for exceptional efforts in marketing using varied media forms, the development of integrated marketing plans and successfully establishing the JCC brand. These international excellence awards were granted to the Mayerson JCC for demonstrating exemplary standards of quality in all of the following areas:
ISRAELITE on page 22
SOLDIERS on page 19
JCC on page 19
The American Israelite welcomes the addition of the following new members of our staff and we ask the community to welcome them as well.
New bios of Lubavitcher rebbe dig for the man behind the myth by Sue Fishkoff Jewish Telegraphic Agency SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Sixteen years after the death of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a flurry of new publications indicates not only how enduring the interest is in his life and legacy, but how potent the minefield is surrounding his mythology. Writing a biography of a larger-than-life figure is never easy. And when that figure is the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe, the charismatic leader of the worldwide ChabadLubavitch movement, the usual challenges of sifting through sources and evaluating mountains of research material are complicated by internal politics, religious sensibilities, personal loyalties and a lack of reliable first-person information. Then there’s the Messiah business. Until now, the only recountings of
Schneerson’s life have been hagiographies written by Chabad followers. Now there are two new biographies by academics outside Chabad circles, with a third in the works. New York University Professor Elliot Wolfson came out last fall with “Open Secret: Postmessianic Messianism and the Mystical Revision of Menahem Mendel Schneerson,” an examination of Schneerson’s leadership within the context of Jewish esoteric tradition. Next month will see the publication of “The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson,” by Samuel Heilman of City University of New York and Menachem Friedman of Bar-Ilan University, an examination of Schneerson’s early life and what the authors describe as his growing Messianic pretensions. And Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of several best-selling books on Jewish life and thought, is in the early stages of a book
TheRebbe.org
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, standing, with his future father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.
focusing on the source of Schneerson’s charisma and the influence he continues to exert on people’s lives. The Heilman-Friedman book is generating the most controversy. Written for a lay audience, it frames Schneerson’s mission, and that of the Chabad movement he led, as motivated by Messianism, here defined as the attempt to hasten the Messianic era through human actions. The Messianic mission was so much at the heart of the late rebbe’s leadership, the authors argue, that one cannot be a follower of the rebbe without full commitment to that goal. The authors take a psycho-bio approach to Schneerson’s life, trying to get inside the man’s head to uncover his motivation — always a tricky business. They focus on Schneerson’s 14 years in Berlin and Paris — the so-called “lost years” REBBE on page 20
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DINING OUT
Making a trip to the stars of Memorial Day
ZAKA expanding Arab units
2010 Party Planning Showcase
Mecklenburg Gardens already leafy green for summer
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John Stein to succeed Patti Heldman as AJC Cinti pres. O.J. Cohen, chair of the American Jewish Committee nominating/leadership committee, announces that John M. Stein will be the new president of AJC Cincinnati at the annual meeting on Wednesday, June 2. The slate of new AJC Cincinnati officers includes vice presidents, Nina Croog, Sandra Kaltman, Dr. Alter Peerless and Dr. Michael Safdi, as well as Andrew Heldman, secretary, and Richard Michelman, treasurer. An Amberley Village resident, Stein is the president and chief operating officer of FSIG, a registered investment advisor in the financial services sector. He is following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, James L. Magrish, who was elected AJC president in 1969. Stein is also an officer of the Jewish Community Center and a member of AJC’s national board of governors. He succeeds Patti Heldman, who will remain a member of the executive committee as past president. AJC is extending national Jewish history month by focusing the annual meeting program on Jewish advocacy in Cincinnati. Losantiville Country Club is the set-
ting for the event, which begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. buffet dinner. To reserve space, please contact the AJC office.
John M. Stein
Chairs of the annual meeting are John Cobey, Judge Brad Greenberg and Julie Weisser. The historical program presents personal accounts of leadership. Jon Hoffheimer will recount the political accomplishments of his grandfather, Mayor Murray
Seasongood, who was also the first president of AJC Cincinnati. Sue Ransohoff will tell about her defense of reproductive rights. Judge Arthur Spiegel will recall his role in desegregation. Sandy Spinner will report on her efforts to free Soviet Jews. Rabbi Gary Zola will wrap up the program with a challenge to intensify our advocacy in the years ahead. AJC is best known for its global Jewish advocacy which seeks a secure Jewish future in a more just world. The slate of new board members includes Dr. Mitchell Cohen, Mark Heiman, Bill Katz, Fred Melowsky, Wendy Saunders, Marcia Scacchetti, Seth Schwartz and Rita Stolper. Renominated to the board for three-year terms are Nina Croog, Helene Elkus, Judge Brad Greenberg, Dr. Michael Safdi, Julie Weisser, Trip Wolf and Dr. Abbie Youkilis. The nominating/leadership committee this year included Patti Heldman, Ken Kabel, Sandy Kaltman, Nancy Postow, John Stein and Julie Weisser.
HUC presidential medallion presented to Major General Sidney Shachnow CINCINNATI, Ohio—The Presidential Medallion—the highest honor bestowed by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion —will be presented to Major General Sidney Shachnow during the college’s graduation ceremonies on Sunday, June 6, 2010. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Isaac M. Wise Temple in Amberley Village. The award is given to people whose extraordinary achievements in life embody the guiding ethics and principles for which the College-Institute stands. Major General Sidney Shachnow is widely celebrated for his 32 years of service with the U.S. Army Special Forces, which culminated in his position as commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command. General Shachnow served two tours in Vietnam and earned two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars with V for Valor. He is the only Holocaust survivor to achieve the rank of general in the history of the U.S. military. Shachnow will travel to Cincinnati to receive the award. “I am honored and humbled by
such a prestigious award,” said Shachnow, who is the recipient of countless military decorations that include two Distinguished Service Medals and two Purple Hearts. “But really, my life’s achievements say much about our country and our military.” Shachnow was born and raised in Lithuania. At the age of 10, he escaped the notorious Kovno concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Lithuania. His parents escaped the ghetto and were partisan fighters as well. His father hid him and his younger brother with a Christian family just before the ghetto was cleared and the inhabitants sent to extermination camps. Miraculously, both his parents survived, as did Shachnow’s brother. The family came to the United States in 1950 and Shachnow enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955. His 40-year career has included service in the infantry, mechanized infantry, airmobile, airborne and of course special forces units. Shachnow’s most recent assignments include: Commanding General, John F. Kennedy Special
Warfare Center and School, Airborne, Fort Bragg; Commanding General, United States Army Special Forces Command, Airborne, Fort Bragg; Commanding General, U.S. Army-Berlin; Director, Washington Office, United States Special Operations Command, Airborne; Deputy Commanding General, 1st Special Operations of Command, Airborne, Fort Bragg; and Chief of Staff, 1st Special Operations Command, Airborne, Fort Bragg. Shachnow is the author of the best-selling book, “Hope and Honor,” which received the prestigious 2005 Colby Award. “Major General Shachnow is a true American hero whose very survival, strength of will and perseverance continues to inspire,” said Dr. David Ellenson, president of HUC-JIR. “It will be a memorable moment to stand in his presence as I confer this prestigious award on a man whose brilliant career— marked by high ideals, noble character and compassionate leadership—will be well remembered in the annals of American history.”
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THE BLUE WISP JAZZ CLUB
presents
Acclaimed New York Vocalist and Cincinnati Native
Amy Liebschutz London 2 NIGHTS:
June 4th
JUNE 4 - $15 8:30PM - 12:30AM
and
JUNE 5 - $15 8:30PM - 12:30AM "...a swinging sense of time wed to a mellow-edged voice. She should be heard." - Don Nelson, NY DAILY NEWS
"An exceptional singer." - Stuart Troup, NY NEWSDAY
June 5th With former Walnut Hills High School friends and musicians: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Violinist - Paul Patterson, Ed Felson - Bass, Marc Wolfley - Drums, Steve Schmidt -Piano
Other upcoming engagement
JUNE 25TH BRUCE KATZ TRIO Currently playing keyboards with ALLMAN BROTHERS, join Bruce Katz Trio for an evening of Blues, Classic Rock & Jazz.
2 SHOWS: 8:30PM & 10:30PM - $15 EACH OR $25 FOR BOTH; ADD
$10 FOR RESERVED FRONT TWO ROWS.
318 E. 8TH STREET, CINCINNATI, OH 45202 513-241-WISP (9477) • www.thebluewisp.com
Financial Resource Development Director The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton is seeking a forward thinking and dynamic professional to assume the role of FRD Director. Responsibilities include coordination and implementation of the annual United Jewish Campaign; management and oversight of the Jewish Federation Foundation and its planned giving and endowment efforts; and implementation of the annual corporate sponsorship program. The cutting edge professional who will fill this position will provide strong leadership to the 4,000 members of the Dayton, Ohio Jewish community. The successful candidate will possess: • Min. 5-8 years related work experience. • Min. of Master’s Degree in related field. • Prior supervisory experience. • Demonstrated history of successful fundraising, customer service, new program/service initiation/development. • Prior positive experience with lay, committee and board relations. • Excellent organizational, oral/written communication and administrative skills. • Prior knowledge of planned giving/endowment preferred but not essential. We offer an outstanding and competitive compensation and benefits package. To request a detailed position description please email request to jphares@jfgd.net. Qualified candidates please submit resume with cover letter in confidence to resume@jfgd.net.
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Cedar Village recognizes ‘Eight Over Eighty’ honorees
(Front) Florence Lieberman, Florence Zaret, Lou Nidich, Sue Ransohoff (Back) Wilbur Cohen, Robert Kanter, David Jacobson, Richard Weiland
Cincinnati, OH — Cedar Village, a not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, located in Mason, Ohio honored
eight members of the Greater Cincinnati Jewish community over the age of 80 on Sunday, May 2, at an Eight Over Eighty dinner at
Adath Israel Congregation. Wilbur Cohen, Dave Jacobson, Bob Kanter, Florence Lieberman, Lou Nidich, Sue
The American Israelite is currently seeking a
SALES REPRESENATIVE • HIGH COMMISSION • PART TIME OR FLEX TIME • NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED To apply, call Ted Deutsch at (513) 621-3145 You can also send your resume to publisher@americanisraelite.com or send to The American Israelite 18 West Ninth Street, Suite 2 Cincinnati, OH 45202
Ransohoff, Dick Weiland and Florence Zaret were nominated for this honor by members of the Greater Cincinnati community and selected by a Cedar Village committee for dedicating their time and talents to both the Cincinnati community and the Jewish community. After dinner, Carol Silver Elliott, Cedar Village CEO/president, welcomed more than 350 family members and friends of the honorees. She then introduced an Eight Over Eighty video which featured each honoree discussing their life, their families, their community work and what is meaningful and of value to them. Following the video, Ms. Silver Elliott installed the eight honorees into the Greater Cincinnati Jewish Senior Hall of Fame. She presented each honoree with an award in recognition of their lifelong dedication and community leadership. “At Cedar Village, our goal is to make aging an enriching and fulfilling experience and our honorees this evening are shining examples of just how much one can accomplish, regardless of age,” commented Silver Elliott. “We are honored to salute these individuals for the many years of service they have given...they are still going strong and we hope they continue contributing their time and energy to their many causes for years to come,” said Roz Harkavy, event chair. Harkavy’s committee included: Hildy Clayton; Helene Cohen; Kathy Dumes; Roberta Fisher; Charlotte Hattenbach; Carol Leshner; Dolly Levine; Rachel Schild; Betsy Schwartz; Susie Schwartz; Joanne Silverman; Sylvia Slovin; Roz Sommer; and Miriam Warshauer. Chai sponsors were Baker Hostetler; Wilbur Cohen; Linda Schottenstein Fisher; Friends of Cedar Village; Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and The American Jewish Archives; The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati; Robert and Lynne Kanter; Katz, Teller, Brant & Hild; The Lazarow and Schwartz Family Fund; Florence Lieberman; Morrison Senior Dining, and Richard Weiland. Funds raised will be used for the renovation and expansion of Cedar Village’s rehabilitation services. “We are already looking for nominations from the community for the 2011 Eight Over Eighty event,” according to Sally Korkin, Cedar Village director of development.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
The oldest English-Jewish weekly in America Founded July 15, 1854 by Isaac M.Wise VOL. 156 • NO. 44 Thursday, May 27, 2010 14 Sivan, 5770 Shabbat begins Fri, 8:37 p.m. Shabbat ends Sat, 9:37 p.m. THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE CO., PUBLISHERS 18 WEST NINTH STREET, SUITE 2 CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202-2037 PHONE: (513) 621-3145 FAX: (513) 621-3744 publisher@americanisraelite.com editor@americanisraelite.com articles@americanisraelite.com production@americanisraelite.com HENRY C. SEGAL Editor & Publisher 1930-1985 MILLARD H. MACK Publisher Emeritus NETANEL (TED) DEUTSCH Editor & Publisher JOSEPH D. STANGE Production Manager PATTY YOUKILIS JUSTIN COHEN Advertising Sales BARBARA L. MORGENSTERN MICHAEL McCRACKEN Assistant Editors ALEXIA KADISH Copy Editor JANET STEINBERG Travel Editor STEPHANIE DAVIS-NOVAK Fashion Editor ROBERT WILHELMY Restaurant Reporter MARIANNA BETTMAN NATE BLOOM RABBI A. JAMES RUDIN RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Contributing Writers LEV LOKSHIN JANE KARLSBERG Staff Photographers CHRISTIE HALKO Office Manager
THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE (USPS 019-320) is published weekly for $40 per year and $2.00 per single copy in Cincinnati and $45 per year and $3.00 per single copy elsewhere in U.S. by The American Israelite Co. 18 West Ninth Street, Suite 2, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2037. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE, 18 West Ninth Street, Suite 2, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2037.
The views and opinions expressed by American Israelite columnists do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the newspaper.
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JEEP auction, concert June 1 features ‘special magic’ Jonathan Raber, Israeli jazz and classical pianist, will cast what the Jerusalem Post calls his “special kind of magic,” on Tuesday, June 1 at the Mayerson JCC. An auction begins at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m. Blind since 14, Raber graduated from Boston’s Berklee School of Music summa cum
laude in 2000. He has been wowing audiences ever since with his unique presentations of classical, jazz and Jewish selections. Eddie Felson of the Blue Wisp will accompany Jonathan on acoustic bass. The Art and Gift Auction, conducted by Jay Karp, will include upscale sports memorabilia, original art (featuring Judaic)
and many other gifts including down bedding, digital camera and electronics, and spa and hotel packages. The evening will benefit JEEP: Jewish Education for Every Person. JEEP has been helping thousands of local people with special needs access Jewish education or connection since 2004.
Bargains galore at Chabad Jewish Center Colossal community sale over Memorial Day weekend Cincinnati, Ohio—If you’ve ever longed for brand-name, designer and European fashions for the whole family but had a case of “sticker-shock” at checkout, here’s your big chance! Chabad Jewish Center of Blue Ash is holding a huge, communitywide sale at its headquarters on Sunday & Monday, May 30 & 31, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine!
National Briefs Comedy Central changes video game title (JTA) — Comedy Central has changed the title of a video game on its Web site, but has not removed the offensive game, which includes anti-Semitic stereotypes. The online game “I.S.R.A.E.L. Attack” has been renamed “Drawn Together: The Movie: The Game,” according to Honest Reporting, though the graphic with the game’s original name remains. In addition, the game’s introduction, in which a character states, “You lied to me, Jew Producer,” before the Intelligent Smart Robot Animation Eraser Lady (I.S.R.A.E.L.) is sent to murder children and wreak destruction, has been removed. As part of a campaign to remove the offensive game, a number of bloggers including
“We have a fantastic selection of merchandise,” according to Kim Edelstein, coordinator for the sale. “We have an entire POD filled with some spectacular items: new and gently-used designer fashions; household items, toys, linens, sporting goods, electronics and much more. There will be some great bargains.” One of the highlights of the day will be a “bag sale” at which shoppers can fill up a bag of clothing for only $5. There are also many brand new items, some of which still have their original sales tags. “Our community has really
outdone themselves this time,” Edelstein said. “Hundreds of families contributed thousands of items for the sale. I’m amazed at the generosity and I’m certainly planning on grabbing a few of these bargains myself!” Power-shopping can work up an appetite, so there will be barbecue specialties and drinks available for hungry shoppers. “Bring the whole family and come early for the best shot at premium items,” Edelstein added. “And, don’t forget to come hungry. Chabad is legendary for its grilling prowess.”
some that have no link to Israel or Jewish causes, joined in pressuring Comedy Central, according to Honest Reporting. As of Monday, the Facebook group “Comedy Central I.S.R.A.E.L. Attack game is offensive. Remove it,” had more than 2,700 members. “Comedy Central appears to have recognized that the antiSemitism of the “Jew Producer” was unacceptable and removed it. But why is the game still online? Does Comedy Central believe that the association of Israel with child killing is any more acceptable? Impressionable young minds will still be able to play this game online, thus contributing to the misrepresentation and demonization of Israel,” Honest Reporting said in an e-mail to supporters. “We would hope that Comedy Central never intended to cause such offense. However, the network’s attempt to quietly bury the issue without even publicly addressing it indicates that Comedy Central knows very well that it has erred.”
Comedy Central has not returned calls to JTA.
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Elvis Costello cancels Israel concerts as protest
Mean daddy / Creative Commons
Elvis Costello performing at The National in Richmond, Va.
by JTA Staff Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — In a political protest, British rocker Elvis Costello canceled his scheduled performances in Israel. “One lives in hope that music is more than mere noise, filling up idle time, whether intending to elate or lament,” Costello wrote in a
message posted on his Web site, in which he discussed his decision to cancel his summer 2010 concerts in Tel Aviv. “Then there are occasions when merely having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act that resonates more than anything that might be sung and it may be assumed that one has no mind for
the suffering of the innocent.” Costello said he believed that some in his audience would “question the policies of their government on settlement and deplore conditions that visit intimidation, humiliation or much worse on Palestinian civilians in the name of national security.” He also acknowledged the Palestinians’ “many despicable acts of violence perpetrated in the name of liberation.” “It has been necessary to dial out the falsehoods of propaganda, the double game and hysterical language of politics, the vanity and self-righteousness of public communiqués from cranks in order to eventually sift through my own conflicted thoughts,” Costello wrote, concluding that “sometimes a silence in music is better than adding to the static.” He called the cancellation “a matter of instinct and conscience.” Prominent musicians Santana and Gil Scott-Heron also have canceled their summer concerts due to pressure from pro-Palestinian organizations. Costello’s wife, vocalist and pianist Diana Krall, is scheduled to perform Aug. 9 at the Ra’anana Amphitheater. Costello acknowledged in his message that he likely will not be asked again to perform in Israel, calling it “a matter of regret.”
Jim Joseph gives $12 million to Stanford by Jacob Berkman Jewish Telegraphic Agency NEW YORK (JTA) — The Jim Joseph Foundation is giving a $12 million grant to create a doctoral program at Stanford University. The foundation will provide the money over the next five years to create a doctoral concentration in education and Jewish studies, and to establish and endow a Jim Joseph Professorship in Education and Jewish Studies. It also will fund scholarships in the program’s first five years to support seven Ph.D. candidates. For the School of Education at the prestigious university in Palo Alto, Calif., the grant is the largest in its history. The grant is large, too, for a foundation that has squarely set its sights on formal and informal Jewish education, comprising probably just less than 10 percent of the foundation’s annual grants over the next several years, according to its chairman, Al Levitt. “This is part of our intention of creating more Jewish educators in the broader sense,” Levitt said. “The idea was to make an important statement about the value of Jewish education. If Stanford doesn’t have the best department of education, it is one of the top two or three.” Faculty from the Stanford School of Education will work with scholars at the school’s Taube Center of Jewish Studies to create the curriculum for the new concentration. Stanford already has started its search for a candidate to occupy the first Jim Joseph chair. Levitt said the foundation will have some input, but the decision will be left to the university. The school will admit two students per year for the first three years of the program, then one additional student per year afterward to reach a total of seven. In the 1990s, philanthropist Les Wexner and his foundation gave the school about $750,000 to offer a concentration in Jewish education, along with scholarship money. The program, which ran from 1992 to 2002, was led by a professor from the School of Education, a professor who taught psychology and law, and Arnold Eisen, then the head of Stanford’s religious studies department and now chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Ultimately the program did not survive, in part because it lost one of its key professors and because Stanford was unable to find local
“The idea was to make an important statement about the value of Jewish education.” Al Levitt philanthropists to pick up the program from Wexner after the foundation determined it no longer wanted to fund it, according to Larry Moses, the Wexner Foundation’s executive director. This time, Jim Joseph is establishing the endowment to fund the chair in perpetuity, but the foundation is hoping that after five years other local funders will step in to start paying for scholarships. This would not be unprecedented: Jim Joseph and others have started funding scholarships for students who go through the program in education and Jewish studies that Michael Steinhardt started at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education. Moses does not think that Stanford and Jim Joseph will have trouble attracting outside funding. For starters, he points to the success of NYU in attracting ancillary funding. And, most important, the fact that Jim Joseph is creating an endowed chair gives the program extra clout and appeal. “We know a lot more in 2010 than we did in 1990,” Moses said. “We know that graduate training in the field of education when done in a prestigious institution like Stanford can hold great potential.” Asked about the value of spending $12 million on a handful of doctorates each year, Levitt talked about the potential reach of such a program. “We are talking about creating a model to provide teachers and educators in perpetuity,” Levitt said, adding that graduates would be serving a diverse set of institutions, not just day schools. “We are talking about educators in all the other fields of Jewish life, and educating people who are dealing with programs and running organizations. “The definition of education is very broad. What if the executive director of Hillel had a Ph.D., or what if a Ph.D. holder was the executive director of B’nai B’rith? We have the ability to have that kind of impact.”
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JTS head charting new course for outreach by Gary Rosenblatt Jewish Telegraphic Agency NEW YORK (N.Y. Jewish Week) — Call it chutzpah or commitment — or a combination of both. Even as the Conservative movement is losing members left (to the Reform) and right (to the Orthodox), literally, the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary is setting his sights not just on survival but on expanding the school’s focus, “carefully but boldly,” throughout North America. Arnold Eisen, completing his third year in his post as head of the educational and spiritual center of the movement, is launching a campaign to roll out “a new JTS mission that defines our purpose and sets our future direction,” with an emphasis on “learning, leadership and vision.” Considered too low-key until
now by some critics, Eisen plans to enlarge his duties as a spokesman for “what Judaism has been and can be,” and take on the role of “intellectual leadership.” In an exclusive interview with The Jewish Week three days before the JTS commencement on May 17, at which he formally announced his vision, the chancellor explained its development and goals with passion and conviction, including providing his own view of what he considers the most important point. “Here’s the vision headline,” he said toward the end of our 90minute discussion: “This great institution, long known for its distinguished scholarship and innovation,” like establishing Camp Ramah and The Jewish Museum, “now will bring its resources of learning to bear in new ways on the needs of the North American Jewish community.” Eisen acknowledges that the
Conservative movement, once the largest of the four Jewish denominations, has shrunk, and that its numbers continue to decline. But while some say the movement’s demise is inevitable, if not imminent, Eisen says he remains an optimist and chooses to measure success “by quality rather than numbers,” looking to “the potential for major achievement.” “Instead of counting our losses, let’s seize the moment,” he insists, while agreeing that the moment is one of urgency and in need of a large dose of innovation. Eisen, 59, a longtime religious studies professor at Stanford University prior to coming to JTS, and only the second of its seven chancellors not to hold rabbinic ordination, is banking his reputation and legacy on this new plan to reach “Conservative Judaism and the vital religious center of North American Jewry.”
JTA Photo
JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen
He defines that center as including Orthodox, Reform and unaffiliated Jews who are serious about deepening their Jewish knowledge and commitment. The key to success is to make better use of what JTS, established
in 1886, has long been best known for — its scholarship. “First-rate, excellent scholarship” is at the core of his vision, soon-to-be policy, of outreach. Eisen noted that the Conservative establishment already is reaching Jews outside of the movement through its Camp Ramah, about 20 percent of whose families are not affiliated as Conservative, and a slightly lower percentage of families whose children attend Solomon Schechter day schools. With an estimated 20 percent of American Jewry apparently uninterested in affiliation of any kind, and another 20 percent highly involved (and mostly Orthodox), Eisen’s target audience is what he calls “the big middle,” which he hopes to reach by stressing the importance of a balanced center, and by adding thoughtful, relevant content.
Perfidious son: Aaron David Miller rejects the peace process by Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — Depending on your view of the Middle East and the Obama administration, Aaron David Miller is either a hero or a turncoat. Miller, a peace process functionary under both Bush administrations and the Clinton administration, published a declaration of independence last month from what he called the “religion” of the peace process. Critics of the Obama administration’s emphasis on peacemaking — among them neoconservatives who once reviled Miller as an apostle of the process — embraced his article, published in Foreign Policy, as the repudiation of the process. “One can take exception to some of Miller’s argument, but the core of it is indisputable,” Jennifer Rubin wrote on Commentary Magazine’s Contentions blog. “The peace-process believers ‘need to re-examine their faith.’” Defenders of an assertive American role in the Middle East
Aaron David Miller
dismiss Miller out of hand as an effete academic now removed from policy. “For all his pessimism about the future, Miller never asks if the United States should distance itself from an Israel that is in the process of becoming an apartheid state,” Stephen Walt, the Harvard historian and author of “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,” wrote on his blog on Foreign Policy. It doesn’t stop in the blogos-
phere: Miller, the author of “The Much Too Promised Land: America’s Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace” and now a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, recently returned from a Middle East tour of Lebanon, Israel the Palestinian areas and Syria, and he found himself discussing his article with regional leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saw validation in his own belief that the Obama administration is overly invested in the prospect of imminent Palestinian statehood, Miller and a Netanyahu confidant said. “I was prepared to accept the possibility that the piece would be misinterpreted, hijacked, used by people for a variety of reasons,” Miller said in an interview recently. “So be it. These are my views. Reality changed and it’s not honest in order to simply continue to repeat the same mantras.” This is the “catechism,” outlined in his article, and referring to his State Department years from 1985 to 2003: “First, pursuit of a comprehensive peace
was a core, if not the core, U.S. interest in the region, and achieving it offered the only sure way to protect U.S. interests; second, peace could be achieved, but only through a serious negotiating process based on trading land for peace; and third, only America could help the Arabs and Israelis bring that peace to fruition. As befitting a religious doctrine, there was little nuance.” Miller argues that the issues have become more vexing, and that there are no leaders who match the titans of peacemaking in years past, such as Egyptian President Anwar Sadat or Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.6 The four core issues are borders, security, Jerusalem and refugees. Miller describes how the situation has worsened since the last major effort at a resolution, the Camp David-Taba talks of 200001: The status of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been wounded profoundly by the ouster of his moderate party, Fatah, from Gaza at the gunpoint of Hamas; Netanyahu is bound by a right-wing coalition (of
his choosing) that is not ready to countenance a full-fledged settlement freeze, never mind compromise on Jerusalem; and Obama has had 15 months, distracted by the economy and health care, to match Clinton’s six full years focused on the issue. Then there’s the region: “Hezbollah and Hamas,” Miller says referring to the terrorist groups in Lebanon and Gaza, respectively. “You have two nonstate actors, two non-state environments who are not proxies of Iran and or Syria but who clearly reflect their capacity to want to influence events — and then you have Iran” and its potential nuclear threat. The prospect that Miller says unnerves him most is that the Obama administration says it will step in with a conflict-ending agreement if the current proximity talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians go nowhere. “I’m very uneasy because at the end of the day, I don’t see what the game is, I don’t see what the strategy is,” he said. “Even if it’s an initiative, what’s the objective, what’s the strategy?”
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Jewish groups welcome sanctions but want more by Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Edmon Rodman
JTA columnist Edmon J. Rodman proposes that a Star of David memorial for U.S. service personnel who died as a result of aiding survivors of Hiroshima be placed in Los Angeles beside a sculpture of Chiune Sugihara, a World War II Japanese diplomat who during the Holocaust saved thousands of Jews.
Making a trip to the stars of Memorial Day by Edmon J. Rodman Jewish Telegraphic Agency LOS ANGELES (JTA) — What stands for those who have fallen? As a small boy, I played with green plastic soldiers. Sometimes after they died in backyard battle, I would mark their passing with a little cross made of twigs. Even then it seemed off. This Memorial Day weekend — before you load the car, board the plane or hit the mall — contemplate another trip, one of recognition for those American Jewish men and women who died in the service of their country. Since Jews have served in America’s armed services from the Colonial period up to Afghanistan, there are many possible destinations. “Thousands of Jews have died in combat for their country,” relates the National Museum of American Jewish Military History Web site, “and thousands more have been wounded.” Inspired by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that for now essentially keeps a cross used to memorialize American soldiers who died in World War I on public land in California’s Mojave Desert, I am suggesting a mission to reclaim and re-mark the sacrifice of Jewish men and women in America’s wars. If as Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the plurality opinion, “A
Latin Cross is not merely a reaffirmation of Christian beliefs,” perhaps then a Star of David, which is not purely a religious symbol either, is not merely an affirmation of Jewish beliefs. In lieu of the court’s opinion, perhaps now is the time to redirect communal energies toward building additional war memorials — not with a cross but the Star of David. Since it now seems acceptable to erect public war memorials using symbols once thought to be purely sectarian, in memory of the Jewish servicemen and servicewomen who have died for their country, it’s time to present a few names and locations where new Star of David memorials could be erected to honor and all others who died in service. As you will see, the star works as well as the cross, even in the unlikeliest of settings. The marker should be about 7 feet high and made of wood or stone, built with a secure foundation. The Mojave Cross was stolen recently, and I don’t want these new memorials going anywhere, save for perhaps a brief court appearance. My first nominee for a Star of David memorial is the first Jew to die in the Revolutionary War, Francis Salvador. Salvador, a plantation owner and delegate to two provincial congresses, died in a British-induced skirmish with the
Cherokees a few miles from the Keowee River, about 25 miles from his home in Greenwood, S.C. A memorial to Salvador in downtown Charleston that I saw a few summers ago reads in part: “Commemorating Francis Salvador 1747–1776 First Jew in South Carolina to hold public office And to Die for American Independence” Perhaps on a bluff overlooking the Keowee River, the Star of David for Salvador and all those who died in the Revolutionary War could be erected. My second nomination for a memorial star goes to William Sawleson, a World War I U.S. Army sergeant who posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The citation for his medal reads: “Hearing a wounded man in a shell hole some distance away calling for water, Sgt. Sawelson, upon his own initiative, left shelter and crawled through heavy machine-gun fire to where the man lay, giving him what water he had in his canteen. He then went back to his own shell hole, obtained more water, and was returning to the wounded man when he was killed by a machinegun bullet.” Who knew that Congress gave medals for “gemulut chasidim,” acts of loving kindness? TRIP on page 22
WASHINGTON (JTA) — U.S. Jewish groups welcomed the announcement of the unified front by major world powers on Iran sanctions. But they want to know the details — and they’re still pressing for unilateral sanctions by the U.S. Congress. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council had agreed on “strong” Iran sanctions. The announcement came partly in response to Iran’s attempt this week to defang international efforts to monitor its nuclear development by agreeing to a nuclear exchange with Turkey and Brazil. “We have been working closely with our P 5+1 partners for several weeks on the draft of a new sanctions resolution on Iran,” Clinton said, referring to the five Security Council members and Germany. “Today, I am pleased to announce to this committee we have reached agreement on a strong draft with the cooperation of both Russia and China.” Those two countries have been the most reluctant to expand existing U.N. sanctions on Iran. The American Jewish Committee, one of the groups at the forefront of efforts to galvanize international support for multilateral sanctions against Iran, welcomed the announcement. “Secretary Clinton’s announcement is very encouraging,” said David Harris, AJC’s executive director. “We hope the U.N. Security Council will accelerate its deliberations and adopt a new resolution to significantly tighten the sanctions regime to thwart Iran’s ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons capability.” Clinton did not outline the proposed sanctions, noting that the draft resolution must circulate among all 15 members of the Security Council. Reports in recent months have suggested that the sanctions under consideration would expand the list of individuals and entities already sanctioned in earlier resolutions and also target Iran’s financial sector. The U.S. Congress is considering its own set of expanded and tougher unilateral sanctions that would target third-party entities — companies, individuals and
countries — that deal with Iran’s energy sector. The Obama administration is wary of the package, fearing it would drive away partners from multilateral sanctions. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee called on the Obama administration to embrace the congressional package — likely to pass within weeks — as a complement to the multilateral sanctions. “American and international sanctions on Iran must be overwhelming to change the dynamic within Iran and to alter the policies of Iranian leaders,” AIPAC said in an analysis it distributed after Clinton’s announcement. “Sanctions should target Iran's finance, insurance, shipping, transportation, natural gas and manufacturing industries in addition to Tehran’s dependence on refined petroleum.” Clinton drew a direct link between her announcement and Iran’s attempt this week to head off additional sanctions by agreeing to a diluted version of an earlier U.S.-initiated proposal to enrich some uranium to medical research levels in exchange for transparency. Under the agreement, Iran would export half its low-enriched uranium to Turkey and Brazil for enrichment to medical research levels. The Obama administration has rejected the deal as inadequate. U.S. officials noted that under the original U.S. proposal, Iran would have had to relinquish its entire existing store of uranium and make its program more transparent. Under the Brazil-Turkey deal, Iran would retain enough low-enriched uranium to manufacture a single nuclear bomb should it obtain the means to further enrich it. AIPAC called the deal a “stalling tactic.” “The Iran-Brazil-Turkey deal fails all counts,” AIPAC spokesman Josh Block said. “It leaves them with enough material to make a bomb, Iran has said it plans to continue enriching nuclear fuel and there is no indication that Iran is even willing to talk about suspending enrichment as called for by four U.N. Security Council resolutions.” Clinton said the administration’s announcement of an agreement on Security Council sanctions against Iran “is as convincing an answer to the efforts undertaken in Tehran over the last few days as any we could provide.”
INTERNATIONAL
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
International Briefs Haredi numbers rise in Britain (JTA) — Synagogue membership has stopped declining in Britain, due to a rise in the number of fervently Orthodox Jews. Membership numbers for central Orthodox and liberal synagogues are still down from five years ago, according to a new survey by the Board of Deputies and the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. But the numbers of haredim, or fervently Orthodox Jews, have more than doubled since 2005, from 4.5 percent to 10.9 percent of British Jews who are synagogue members, according to the survey. Central Orthodox — equivalent to North America’s modern Orthodox — and Sephardim now make up 58.2 percent of the British Jewish population, down from 69.6 percent. Britain’s non-Orthodox Jewish community, comprising Liberals, Masorti and Reform Jews, increased as a percentage of the total to 31 percent, even though their raw numbers decreased, due to the surge in growth of the haredi movements. Nearly three-quarters of British Jews belong to a synagogue, the survey reports. That, however, represents a 20-year decline from 110,000 households in 1990 versus 83,000 today. The authors say that later marriages among non-haredi Jews, and the resultant drop in the Jewish birthrate, may be affecting those figures. Australia expels Israeli diplomat SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) Australia ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat after an investigation concluded there was “no doubt” Israel forged four Australian passports used in the assassination of a senior Hamas leader. Stressing that the decision was taken “much more in sorrow than in anger,” Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Monday that he had requested an unnamed diplomat to be withdrawn within one week. “These are not the actions of a friend,” he said. “No government can tolerate the abuse of its passports, especially by a foreign government.” Australia’s punitive reaction follows Britain’s action in March, expelling an Israeli security agent following an investigation that it said offered compelling evidence
that Israel was behind the January 20 assassination of Mahmoud alMabhouh in a hotel in Dubai. Expulsion of a diplomat is considered a very serious measure. Some 33 members of an assassination team widely speculated to have been Mossad agents used forged passports from Britain, Ireland, Australia and Germany to enter and leave Dubai. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied that the Mossad intelligence service was behind the assassination. A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Canberra expressed “regret” at the decision, adding that it was not “reflective” of the relationship between the two countries. Michael Danby, a Jewish legislator in the Labor government, criticized the decision, but said bilateral relations between Canberra and Jerusalem — which date back to World War I — would remain intact. Greg Sheridan, a conservative columnist for the Australian newspaper, described the decision as an “overreaction,” noting that neither France nor Germany had expelled Israeli diplomats despite the fact that their passports had also been used in the Dubai operation. This is not the first time an Israeli diplomat has been withdrawn from Australia. In 2004, a junior diplomat was removed from the embassy in Canberra by the then-Liberal government, although the reason was never made public. Groups: Rebuke Libyan envoy for Nazi comments WASHINGTON (JTA) — Jewish and international groups called on the U.N. secretary-general to rebuke the Libyan envoy, who currently leads the General Assembly, for likening Israel to Nazis. Ali Abdussalam Treki’s “comments are an outrage, a blight upon the United Nations and his high office, and an impediment to historical truth and to peace,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis Glick and Executive Vice President Daniel Mariaschin wrote May 18 in a letter to Ban Ki-moon. Treki, elected last June to the General Assembly presidency for a one-year term, told Syrian television recently that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Hamas terrorist group, “is worse than the camps of the Nazis in the past.” “Will Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon follow in the footsteps of his distinguished predecessor and speak out against this man who called for exterminating the Jewish people and who now falsely accuses the Jewish State of responsibility for death camps in Gaza worse than those of the Nazis, where Hamas, not Israel, rules with an iron hand?” Harris Schoenberg, president of the U.N. Reform
Advocates organization, asked in a statement issued last week. While Libya’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations in the 1980s, Treiki was well known for his Nazi-like antiSemitic diatribes, according to
U.N. Reform Advocates. For example, on Dec. 8, 1983, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Genocide Convention, Treiki echoed the language of chief Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels when he asked
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the delegates in the General Assembly, “Is it not the Jews who are exploiting the American people and trying to debase them? If we succeed in eliminating that entity, we shall by the same token save the American and European peoples.”
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ZAKA expanding Arab units
ZAKA
A Bedouin volunteer of the ZAKA rescue-and-recovery organization.
by Amy Klein Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) — At the scene of terrorist attacks, accidents and even homicides, most Israelis are used to the sight of ZAKA volunteers — Orthodox men working to save lives or recover body parts of the dead. What they may not know is that ZAKA, Israel’s Orthodox-run lifesaving, rescue and recovery service, also has a minorities unit comprised of Bedouin, Muslim and Druse volunteers. Started about five years ago to
serve Israel’s non-Jewish communities, primarily Bedouin in the Negev and Druse in the Galilee, the minorities unit is expanding due to its success. Nearly 100 volunteers and three units will be added. Twenty-six volunteers in two minorities units currently are among ZAKA’s 1,500 volunteers, who work in coordination with Israeli government agencies on any unnatural death – be it a car accident, terrorist bombing, murder or suicide. Trained as paramedics and in first aid, the volunteers, who are on call 24/7, attempt to revive the
victims and, if unsuccessful, respectfully attend to the dead. Sheik Jaffal Abu Sabet, who has been leading the Muslim unit in the Negev for the past 13 years, says that, just like in Jewish law, in which honoring the dead is a great mitzvah, “For us it is also a great honor.” The minorities unit also functions when religious Jews cannot, on the Sabbath and holidays. According to Jewish law, Jews may violate the Sabbath to save a life, but not to deal with the dead. “It gives me faith and pride that they depend on me,” Abu Sabet said of the Jews he helps. “In the end we are all people — Jews, Muslims, Christians — and we all must be taken care of the same way.” In car accidents and terrorist attacks, the police contact families. But for other unnatural deaths, it is ZAKA members who often visit the victim’s home to inform the family. Having volunteers who hail from those communities helps, says David Rose, ZAKA’s director of international development. “We were often the first on the scene, and the question arose about how to contact the families or deal with the families or treat the dead,” Rose said of cases involving Bedouin, Druse and Muslim victims. ZAKA on page 22
S. African records show Israel has nukes by JTA Staff Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — Secret apartheid-era documents show that Israel offered to sell nuclear warheads to South Africa in the mid1970s, a British newspaper reported. The papers provide the first documentary evidence that Israel has nuclear weapons, the U.K. Guardian reported Monday. The documents were discovered by American scholar Sasha Polakow-Suransky while researching the book “The Unspoken Alliance: Israel’s Secret Relationship with Apartheid South Africa,” which was published by Pantheon in the United States this week. The documents include minutes of meetings between senior officials of Israel and South Africa, and allegedly show that then-South African Defense Minister P.W. Botha asked then-Israeli Defense Minister Shimon Peres for warheads. Peres, now president of Israel, reportedly told Botha that “the correct payload was available in three sizes.” The “three sizes” are believed to refer to conventional, chemical and nuclear weapons,
the Guardian said. Botha reportedly did not purchase the weapons, in part because they were too expensive. South Africa eventually built its own nuclear bombs — possibly with Israeli assistance, according to the newspaper. Israel pressured the current South African government not to declassify the documents, the Guardian reported. On Monday, Peres denied the claims. “There is no basis in reality for the claims published this morning by the Guardian that in 1975 Israel negotiated with South Africa the exchange of nuclear weapons,” Peres’ office said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the Guardian elected to write its piece based on the selective interpretation of South African documents and not on concrete facts. Israel has never negotiated the exchange of nuclear weapons with South Africa. There is no Israeli document or Israeli signature on a document that such negotiations took place.” The statement said it regrets the Guardian’s decision to publish the article without requesting comment from any Israeli officials.
Is Netanyahu alienating Israel’s friends in Europe? by Leslie Susser Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — On the day last week that Israel gained admission to the prestigious Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel’s continued control over the Palestinians was eroding its global standing. Whereas Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Israel’s joining of the OECD as an economic and diplomatic coup, Barak warned of a growing tide of international isolation unless Israel comes out with a major peace initiative of its own, irrespective of the OECD membership. The differences between Netanyahu and Barak lie at the heart of the debate over how central the Israeli-Palestinian process is to Israel’s diplomatic efforts worldwide. Some believe Israel can safely ride out the storm of international pressure for progress on the Israeli-Palestinian front. But many others argue that a credible peacemaking orientation is an essential component of Israel’s standing in
the world, and that Netanyahu is alienating Israel’s few friends. Barak, the Labor Party leader, makes no secret of his concern at the way differences over peacemaking have embroiled the Netanyahu government not only with the Obama administration, but also with some of its closest allies in Europe. Israel long has had a rough ride in European public opinion, but since Netanyahu came to power in March 2009, there have been growing signs of tensions with friendly European leaders and governments, particularly Britain, Germany and France. Part of Netanyahu’s image problem has been his foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who is widely perceived in Europe as a crude anti-Arab bulldozer against peace. But mainly it is skepticism over Netanyahu’s own seriousness about peacemaking that is hurting Israel. European leaders are not convinced of the genuineness of his commitment to the two-state solution, and they also see his declarations about continued construction of Jewish housing in eastern Jerusalem as unnecessarily provocative. Moreover, Netanyahu’s oscillation between peace commitments
to satisfy President Obama and construction promises to appease his right wing have led to a loss of credibility on the international stage. Britain, for example, has been one of Israel’s staunchest allies in Europe. On a visit to Israel in July 2008, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown underlined the intimacy of the relationship by addressing the Knesset and launching a new Britain-Israel partnership for research and academic exchange. Brown also was one of six European heads of government who made a solidarity visit to Israel at the height of the war with Hamas in Gaza in January 2009. But after Netanyahu came to power two months later, the Brown government’s policies quickly took an anti-Israel turn. In July, Britain decided not to renew five military export licenses, all for spare parts for naval guns, to protest Israel’s alleged use of disproportionate force in Gaza. “We do not grant licenses where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression,” a British Embassy spokesman in Tel Aviv declared. In December, the British
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ruled that produce from West Bank settlements could no longer be labeled “produced in Israel,” but must be tagged “product of the West Bank.” An optional additional label could clarify whether the origin was an Israeli settlement or Palestinian — a move Israel saw as encouraging a boycott of settler produce. Also in December, much to Israel’s consternation, Britain backed an abortive Swedish move to have the European Union recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestine. Relations were strained further by the British government’s failure to take promised action against legislation enabling anti-Israeli groups to bring war crimes charges against Israeli leaders and generals. Alarmed by a move to press war crimes charges against Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni, British leaders in December again vowed to repeal the offending legislation – but so far to no avail. Tension between the two countries came to a head in February when it became apparent that suspected Israeli Mossad agents allegedly used forged British passports, among others, for the assas-
sination in Dubai of a leading Hamas operative. The British responded by expelling an unnamed Israeli diplomat from London. Things may be worse with Germany, where Netanyahu got into a spat with Chancellor Angela Merkel, who probably has been Israel’s best and most influential friend on the continent. It happened in a telephone conversation in mid-March. According to the German version, Merkel called Netanyahu at Obama’s request to urge no further building in eastern Jerusalem. She asked that the call be kept secret and promised to refrain from public criticism of Israel’s construction policies. Netanyahu, however, immediately arranged for a briefing of Israeli journalists and told them he had called Merkel to inform her of Israel’s building plans in eastern Jerusalem. Merkel felt Netanyahu had betrayed her trust, according to senior German sources. The Germans then released their version of the conversation and, during a news conference the next day, Merkel publicly criticized Israeli building in eastern Jerusalem.
SOCIAL LIFE
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
A N N O U N C E M E N TS ‘GOOD BYE’ Rabbi Tom Heyn and his wife Alexandra are leaving Cincinnati in June to be welcomed into leadership positions with the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community in Vermont. In addition to being the Rabbi of Congregation Shir HeHarim (Song of the Mountains), Rabbi Heyn will become the area’s first Interfaith Chaplain for New England’s largest end-of-life care provider, Beacon Hospice. “Rabbi Tom,” as he is known to many, came to Cincinnati in 1995 as a second-year student at HUC-JIR. During the fifteen years he spent here, he taught courses for synagogues, religious schools, adult-ed programs, local colleges and universities. He was involved musically with the JCC camps, Rockwern Academy and numerous congregations, performing solo, with choirs, and as one of Cincinnati’s “Three Jewish Tenors” for countless community events and services. Rabbi Heyn was a popular speaker on interfaith panels and was frequently invited to deliver invocations and benedictions at both Jewish and non-Jewish gatherings. He touched the lives of even more people through his work as a rabbi and chaplain serving the community through his affiliations with the Brookwood Retirement Community, Drake Center, Jewish Family Service, Cedar Village, Congregation Ohav Shalom and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Rabbi Heyn has been the rabbi-of-choice for hundreds of affiliated and unaffiliated Jewish families, officiating at more than 50 wedding and life-cycle ceremonies and at over 300 funerals and memorial services. Throughout his ministry, he consoled and inspired literally thousands with words and deeds that reflected his skillful integration of Jewish spirituality and humanism. He will return to Cincinnati for future weddings and funerals at which he has agreed to officiate. In 2002, Rabbi Heyn founded the Jewish Spirituality Network of Southwestern Ohio, an online forum through which its members continue to share information and resources. He hopes that many more will subscribe to the network in order to connect with and support the multitude of Jews who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” All are invited to a “Musical Shabbat & Farewell Reception” planned for 7-10 p.m. on June 4 at the Historic Lloyd House in Clifton. For more information and to post comments to his online guestbook, visit Rabbi Tom’s Web site.
R E F UA H S H L E M A H Frieda Berger Fraida bat Raizel
Pepa Kaufman Perel Tova bat Sima Sora
Rozlyn Bleznick
Mina Kamkha Malka bat Baila
Rachel Boymel Rochel bat Pesia Fruma Daniel Eliyahu Daniel ben Tikvah Mel Fisher Moshe ben Hinda Edith Kaffeman Yehudit bat B’racha Roma Kaltman Ruchama bat Perl
Murray Kirschner Chaim Meir ben Basha Andrea Lavine Chana Sara bat Esther Enya Alan Schwartzberg Avraham Pesach ben Mindel Ravid Sulam Ravid Chaya bat Ayelet Edward Ziv Raphael Eliezer Aharon ben Esther Enya
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CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE
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2010 PARTY PLANNING SHOWCASE
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE
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DINING OUT
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To showcase its venerable al fresco dining under a grape-vine canopy famous for decades and long before it became trendy, Mecklenburg Gardens’ GM Zach Grove serves beer to Katie Meyer, who is being treated to a zippy accordion solo by fellow server Jordan Neff.
Mecklenburg Gardens already leafy green for summer by Bob Wilhelmy Restaurant Reporter When you go to Mecklenburg Gardens in the summertime, you will find yourself in the midst of tradition. The garden shown in the photo accompanying this story has been providing dining charm to the Cincinnati area for the better part of 150 years. I can remember going there as a child with my parents in the 1950s, in fact. The restaurant opened its doors when the American Civil War was winding down, in 1865! A great deal has changed since those days, but one constant has been the appeal of the garden in summer. Part of that appeal for me is the beer, cold and biting and refreshing even on a late spring evening such as last weekend provided. Can’t you just taste it? In our party, we had the wiener schnitzel, the sauerbraten, the
horseradish crusted salmon and a tilapia special of the evening, and all diners were pleased with their respective dishes. My wiener schnitzel with hunter’s sauce (mushrooms in a rich brown gravy) was a perfection; both tasty and moist-tender, and brought to the table at proper temperature. The dish was delicious. In part, the fine preparations are due to a new and inventive chef, according to Tom Harten, Mecklenburg Gardens’ co-owner with his brother Chris. Chef Mark Fullman comes to this venerable restaurant by way of Celestial in Mt. Adams, where he was head chef. His contribution of innovative special dishes the likes of the aforementioned tilapia, add another solid dimension to the fine German cuisine for which Mecklenburg is renown. Another dish done the German way is the sauerbraten, or sour
roast in translation, and served with potato of the day or spraetzle, and red cabbage with apples. The roast is $19, and made with traditional gingersnap sauce. The roast is marinated for several days in the sour-sweet marinade to gain the distinctive taste of the beef. Mecklenburg Gardens version of the dish is simply excellent. Other entrees you may want to consider are: Bavarian goulash (German stew) for $18; the horseradish-encrusted salmon, served over rice with seasonal vegetables and a horseradish sauce, for $19; and the portabella spraetzle, served with seasonal veggies and a parmesan cream sauce for $18. Coming soon to Mecklenburg Gardens will be a brass quartet from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the group will play on the weekends. Tom Harten asks that patrons call to establish when the quartet will be on hand to
entertain the guests in the garden and inside the restaurant. For beer fans such as me, Mecklenburg Gardens features a list of some 25 imports from Germany. Among them are several well-known labels, such as Beck’s lager and dark, St. Pauli Girl lager and dark, Spaten and Dortmunder. Other labels may be more obscure, but the beers behind them will leave a tasty impression for beer-lovers. Labels such as: DinkelAcker and Monchshof Schwarzgier, both pilsners; along with Franziskaneer, Schneider Weiss, Hofbrau and Franziskaner dunkel, in the hefeweizen category. Stone-brewed Rauchenfels and smoked Hecht Schlenkerla are in the specialty beer category. Of course, food generally is the focus of dining out, and Mecklenburg’s has obtained high praise for that offering. The New York Times has listed it as “the
place to eat in Cincinnati.” Similar kudos can be found among Cincinnati Magazine’s “Best Places” surveys of area eateries. Mecklenburg Gardens offers an array of appetizers ranging in price from $4 to $7. Classic German soups include the bier cheese, and mock turtle, at $3.50 a cup and $4.50 a bowl. Salads include a side, for $4.25 and a variety of dinner-sized options from $4.50 to $12. The hot slaw salad is a good and different one (hold the bacon!), if you’ve never had that. For families with small children, there is an inexpensive children’s menu. And for diners wanting less than a complete entrée, there are sandwiches and small plate entrees beginning at $8.50. Mecklenburg Gardens 302 East University Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45219 513-221-5353
DINING OUT
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
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AUTHENTIC IRISH FARE • LUNCH SPECIALS TUESDAY IS TRIVIA NIGHT • GREAT SUNDAY BRUNCH • LIVE MUSIC ON THE WEEKENDS!
OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE
DINING OUT Daily Specials & Homemade Soups
Andy’s Mediterranean Grille At Gilbert & Nassau 2 blocks North of Eden Park 281-9791
Johnny Chan 2 11296 Montgomery Rd The Shops at Harper’s Point 489-2388 • 489-3616 (fx)
Aroma Restaurant & Sushi 7875 Montgomery Rd Kenwood 791-0950
K.T.’s Barbecue & Deli 8501 Reading Rd Reading 761-0200
Apsara 4785 Lake Forest Dr Blue Ash 554-1040
Local 127 127 W. 4th St Cincinnati 721-1345
Bangkok Terrace 4858 Hunt Rd Blue Ash 891-8900 • 834-8012 (fx)
Marx Hot Bagels 9701 Kenwood Rd Blue Ash 891-5542
Carlo & Johnny 9769 Montgomery Rd Cincinnati 936-8600
MEI Japanese Restaurant 8608 Market Place Ln Montgomery 891-6880
Embers 8120 Montgomery Rd Montgomery 984-8090
Mecklenburg Gardens 302 E. University Ave Clifton 221-5353
Ferrari’s Little Italy & Bakery 7677 Goff Terrace Madeira 272-2220
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub 6111 Montgomery Rd Montgomery 531-0700
Gabby’s Cafe 515 Wyoming Ave Wyoming 821-6040
Noce’s Pizzeria 9797 Montgomery Rd Cincinnati 791-0900
Izzy’s 800 Elm St • 721-4241 612 Main St • 241-6246 5098B Glencrossing Way 347-9699 1198 Smiley Ave • 825-3888 300 Madison Ave Covington • 859-292-0065
Oriental Wok 2444 Madison Rd Hyde Park 871-6888 Parkers Blue Ash Grill 4200 Cooper Rd Blue Ash 891-8300
Pomodori’s 121West McMillan 861-0080 7880 Remington Rd Montgomery 794-0080
LIVE MUSIC ON FRIDAYS @ 7PM LIVE TRIVIA ON SATURDAYS @ 7:30PM
6111 MONTGOMERY RD • 513.531.0700 MOLLYMALONESCINCINNATI .COM
10738 KENWOOD RD. 791-2199 www.throughthegarden.com
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Rapper’s Sabbath Despite having eclectic tastes in many things, I have no appreciation of urban music. And so I had never heard of Q-Tip (the person, that is; the object is familiar to me). He is apparently a rapper. Presumably with clean ears. I was introduced to Mr. Tip’s existence by a Jewish Telegraphic Agency report about his embrace of the Jewish Sabbath, a concept he apparently encountered while playing a role, as a drug dealer, in a film about some Chassidic boys who were lured into smuggling illicit substances. The motion picture was “inspired” — the producer’s word, although it sits somewhat uncomfortably here — by the case of some young American Chassidim who were in fact recruited in the 1990s to carry illegal drugs overseas. The ideals and commitments of most Orthodox Jews make them unlikely committers of crimes like drug running. But, sadly, illegalities of many types, including that one, do exist in the Orthodox world. Not every Jew in the Orthodox community lives an Orthodox life. So it was probably inevitable that some enterprising screenwriter would come across the reports about Chassidim tragically drawn into the easy money of drug smuggling and recognize an entertainment potential. What a winning crazy-mix of imageries: the peaceful, devout world of Chassidim, and the violent, amoral one of organized crime. Payos and payoffs, one might say. Amazing it took so long for someone to come up with the idea. Whether the resultant film is a work of art or an act of Jewploitation I leave to film critics. But, reportedly, it portrays the Chassidic world in a generally positive, accurate light. The protagonist, who is at first tricked into boarding planes with “medicine” for “rich people” and eventually gets sucked into the abyss of the drug trade, brings great pain to his family, which is in turn portrayed sympathetically. Similarly portrayed, it is reported, are the beauty and wonder of a Jewish Sabbath, when observant Jews turn off the world and spend a full night and day in relaxation, prayer and study, floating on a tranquil cloud of time with family and friends. That is apparently
what enchanted Q-Tip. And others, too; the idea of a day without meetings, media or mobile devices has attracted fans far and wide. A national effort to promote the Sabbath has been promoted of late, and a recent book intended for a general readership is dedicated to singing the Sabbath’s praises. Maybe Q-Tip even read it. To be sure, there is much to be said for being disconnected and focused inward for a day each week. (Although Judaism considers the Sabbath, alone among the Torah’s laws, to be a special “sign” between G-d and, exclusively, the descendants of Jacob and those who join them by religious conversion.) But the Jewish Sabbath is more than a “day off.” It is intended to be a sort of spiritual recharging for Jews, an infusion of holiness into the six days that follow. Which is not exactly how QTip understands things. “I’m going to enjoy Sabbath on Saturday…” he is reported to have declared. “And then when the sun sets on Saturday night, I’m going to raise the roof!” Well, actually, he didn’t say “the roof,” but you get the idea. It is easy, of course, to be amused by a misunderstanding of the Jewish Sabbath as mere “downtime” in preparation for a hearty party. But those of us who observe the Sabbath might still learn something from the rapper’s words. We could stand to think a little about whether we haven’t been swabbed with a bit of Q-Tip ourselves. When the Sabbath ebbs away — especially during the long days of summer — are we saddened a bit by the imminent loss of its holiness, pained at least a little to emerge from our day-long cocoon of connection with the Divine? Or are we itching, well, if not to raise the roof (or whatever), to barge as quickly as possible back into the “real” world, to listen to the news, check our e-mail, get in our cars – surrender without a fight to the mundane? If so, perhaps we shouldn’t smile so condescendingly at QTip and his Saturday night plans, but rather recognize a bit of him in the mirror. And resolve to not only enjoy the Sabbath but to absorb it, and to take some of its holiness along with us into the week. (Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America.)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have something to say? E-mail your letter to editor@americanisraelite.com
Dear Editor, Appearing in the Israelite over the last few months the rhetoric of blind hate for our nation’s president has been dramatic! It seems a number of “Letters to the Editor” contributors are inflamed that Barack Obama’s (the president of the United States of America) full and undivided attention has been diverted from the unwavering and uncom-
promising concerns of the State of Israel. This diversion for such trivial and frivolous matters as our nation’s involvement in two wars, the financial problems facing this nation, the ecological catastrophe on the nation’s shores, and the immigration controversy at our borders, to mention but a few of his, ours and the nation’s concerns. Some of those letter writers’ expressions of hate were not
confined to the president, they had expanded to include Reform Jews. Had that language originated from non-Jewish sources, the Anti-Defamation League might be inclined to investigate. It is time to stop stoking the fires of hate! Enough already, at least for me...at least for now. Sincerely, Gerald Schwartz Amberley Village, Ohio
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T EST Y OUR T ORAH KNOWLEDGE THIS WEEK’S PORTION: BEHALOTCHA (BAMIDBAR 8:1—12:16) 1. In chapter 10 where were Children of Israel traveling to? a) Israel b) Desert of Paran c) Plains of Moav 2. Who would be the “eyes” for Children of Israel? a) Hashem b) Moshe c) Chovav (Yitro) Moshe’s father in law 3. What appeared like a precious jewel? a) The Holy Ark 3. B. 11:7 The manna appeared like a precious stone and in the shape of a circle. And it tasted like a very moist cake. Rashi 4. B 11:21, 22 The Midrash debates whether Moshe doubted if Hashem could supply their needs. He was not punished because his mistake was not done in public as when he hit the rock. Rashi 5. B 12:1, 2 Moshe separated from his wife, Tzipporah, so that he could always be in readiness for prophecy. Meaning that he would always be ritually pure. Rashi
by Rabbi Avi Shafran Contributing Columnist
b) Manna c) Pillar of fire 4. Who said: “Is there enough cattle and fish for everybody”? a) The Children of Israel b) Moshe c) Egyptians 5. Why did Miriam and Aaron criticize Moshe? a) He was too old to lead the Children of Israel b) Concerning his relationship with his wife c) He was not a charismatic leader ANSWERS 1. A 10:12,29,33 After almost a full year at Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were ready to enter Israel. However they left like a child leaving school hurting their opportunity of entering Israel. Midrash 2. C Yitro took the name of Chovav to demonstrate his love of Torah. The “eyes” mean that he was beloved to the Jewish people like the apple of one’s eye because of the mitzvah to love a convert. Rashi
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Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise
JEWISH LIFE
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
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Sedra of the Week by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin
SHABBAT SHALOM: PARASHAT BEHALOTCHA – NUMBERS 8:1 - 12:16
Efrat, Israel — This fourth book of the Bible, the book of Numbers, began in high gear, with the various tribes situated around the Sanctuary – the focal point of the encampment – with each tribe proudly displaying its banners, its unique characteristic and contribution to the nation; a census is taken, the priests are prepared to serve the Divine and the army is prepared for mobilization. From the time of the sin with the Golden Calf, the children of Israel have been on a steadily upward climb, from the message of forgiveness on the first Yom Kippur to the construction of the Sanctuary, to the Book of Holiness (Vayikra), and to a nation poised for the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, which would have ushered in complete redemption had the process continued on schedule. Tragically, that was not to be; in the space of this week’s portion, we witness a precipitous deterioration which takes the nation from the heights of “a kingdom of priestteachers and a sacred nation” (Ex 19:6), to the depths of “and the people began to naggingly complain” (Numbers 11:1). And this was only the beginning, what follows is the sin of the scouts, the various rebellions against Moses and the tragedy of that entire exodus generation dying in the desert. The deleterious and disastrous descent begins with the “nagging complaints” (mit’onenim) in our portion, at first arousing a fiery anger from G-d which destroys the edge of the camp and eventually leads to an “extremely severe plague” in which the complaining, craving Israelites are buried in what Moses calls “the Graves of Craving” (Numbers 11:31-35). What is difficult to understand is the marked difference in G-d’s reaction to the complaining Israelites here in the Book of Numbers and His reaction to their complaints in the Book of Exodus. Even then, the Israelites were not “easy customers.” Just three days after experiencing the great wonders of the 10 plagues culminating in the miracle of the splitting of the Reed Sea, they only find “bitter” waters to drink, “the people complained against Moses” (Ex 15:24). G-d does not punish them, instead without comment, He provides Moses with a bark from a special tree which sweetens the waters. And then, only 30 days after the Exodus, upon their arrival at the Sin desert, they complain bitterly because they have no food: “If only we had died by G-d’s hand in Egypt… you had to bring us out to
this desert, to kill the entire community by starvation!” (Ex 16:1-3). G-d immediately – and without comment – provides the manna. And finally, when they leave the Sin desert and encamp in Rephidim, they again quarrel with Moses over their lack of water, and G-d tells Moses to strike a large boulder at Horeb this time water would and did come out of the rock! (Exodus 17:17). And although Moses names this place “Testing and Strife” (Masa u’Merivah), what immediately follows is the successful war against Amalek, won for the Israelites by the Divine response to Moses’ hands raised in prayer to G-d. How different is G-d’s reaction to the complaints less than one year later (Numbers 1:1), when a fire consumes the edge of the camp and a plague results in mass graves. Why the change? Rav Moshe Lichtenstein, in his illuminating study, “Moses: Envoy of G-d, Envoy of His People” (Hebrew Tzir V’Tzon), suggests that the requests and complaints in Exodus were for the basic necessities of life—water and bread. Although the Israelites should have had greater faith, one can hardly fault them for desiring their existential needs. In our Biblical portion of Beha’alotkha, however, they are not complaining about scarcity of water; they are complaining about the lack of variety in the menu! The text even introduces the subject by stating that the nation was “kvetching” (in Hebrew, the strange word “mit’onenim” rather than the visual “mitlonenim” for complaining) evilly in the ears of G-d – without even mentioning what they were complaining about (Numbers 11:1). And with this unspecified complaint, G-d’s fire flares out. After this punishment, the nation cries out, “Who will give us meat to eat?” and then continues with, “We remember the fish we ate for free in Egypt, and the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic; our spirits are dried up with nothing but manna before our eyes” (ibid 11:46). What do they want – meat, or fish, or melons or garlic?! G-d’s response is also strange;
He tells Moses to appoint 70 elders (11:16), and sends the Israelites quails to eat. They ask for meat and G-d gives them Rabbis! (although some congregations do “eat” their rabbis!) And while they are eating the quails, they are smitten by the severe plague. Why are they complaining, and why is G-d so angry? And if indeed He is disappointed, even upset, by their finicky desires, why give in to their cravings and why send them Rabbis? Herein lies the essential difference between the complaints in Exodus and the complaints in Numbers. In Exodus, the nation had a clear goal, they were committed to the mission of becoming a kingdom of priest-teachers and a sacred nation, and were anxiously anticipating the content of that mission, a G-d–given doctrine of compassionate righteousness and moral justice which they must impart to the world. In order to receive and fulfill their mission they had to live, and so they legitimately requested water and bread. One year later, in Numbers, they had already received the Torah. And they were complaining, kvetching, without having specific complaints; and they were craving – all sorts of desires – from meat to garlic. G-d understood that if they were still inspired by their mission, if they remained grateful for their freedom and the opportunity it would afford them to forge a committed and idealistic nation. For this they would not be in need of watermelons and leeks and would not be craving for something that they themselves had never tasted. The Netziv suggests that the Hebrew mi’onenim comes from anna, wither and thither, a nation that lost its compass was searching for meaning. Having achieved and received the Torah, the once sought-after object lost its glamour, its appeal, its allure. And so they substituted their mission with nonsensical cravings – no wonder G-d was disappointed and angry. Perhaps 70 more rabbis would be able to restore their ideals! Shabbat Shalom Shlomo Riskin
3100 LONGMEADOW LANE • CINCINNATI, OH 45236 791-1330 • www.templesholom.net Richard Shapiro, Interim Rabbi Marcy Ziek, President Gerry H. Walter, Rabbi Emeritus May 28 6:00 pm Shabbat Nosh 6:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service Jewish American Heritage Month Shabbat May 29 10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service
June 4 6:00 pm HUC Pre-Ordination Service
June 5 9:00 HUC Ordination Service at Plum Street Temple (No service at Temple Sholom)
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JEWZ IN THE NEWZ
Jewz in the Newz by Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist FROM GAME BOX TO BIG SCREEN Mega-producer JERRY BRUCKHEIMER had a megahit with his “Pirates of the Carribbean” films, which were inspired by a Disneyland ride, and now he’s back with a film (“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”) loosely based on a classic video game (Opens Friday, May 28). “The Prince of Persia” video game, which was released in 1989, featured groundbreaking fluid animation and an exciting storyline. A best-seller, it was followed by many sequels. It was created by JORDAN MECHNER, now 44, who created his first video game (1984) while still a Yale undergraduate. Mechner also writes and directs documentary films on serious subjects. His father, FRANCIS MECHNER, 79, is a famous educational/business psychologist who was born in Austria. Francis fled to France in 1938 when the Nazis took over his homeland. He then went to Cuba (1941); and finally (1944) to the United States. Trained also as a painter and concert pianist, he wrote the scores for his son’s first videos. The film adaptation (based on a story by Jordan Mechner and BOAZ YAKIN) is set in Persia in the 6th century, just before the Islamic conquest. JAKE GYLLENHAAL, 29, stars as a rogue prince who joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton). Together they battle dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger that can release the “sands of time” and allow its possessor to reverse time and rule the world. Sir Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina co-star. MORE SEX “Sex and the City 2” opens on May 27 and, based on the film’s trailers, it looks like a TV season’s worth of plot twists have been encapsulated in a 90 minute flick. This is what we know—Carrie (SARAH JESSICA PARKER, 45) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth) are having some problems with their two-year-old marriage. Carrie realizes some sparkle has been lost when she catches Big flirting with a sultry Spanish woman (Penelope Cruz). Then, in Abu Dubai, Carrie runs into old flame Aiden (John Corbett) and maybe sparks fly. Meanwhile, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) seems to be doing well, but Charlotte (Kristen Davis) admits mothering two young kids is tough. Finally, there’s Samantha (Kim Catrall)—who is back to her
bed-hopping ways. The supporting cast includes EVAN HANDLER as Harry, the Jewish lawyer husband of Jew-bychoice Charlotte, and WILLIE GARSON, a straight Jewish actor who plays Stanford Blatch, Carrie’s WASP and gay friend. Parker, the mother of three young children, recently told “Heat” magazine: “I don’t feel like [the glamorous and childless] Carrie—my life is so different, my choices are different. But I love her. I love playing her and everything about her—the good, the flawed, the mistakes, the bad choices.” The magazine also asked Parker about her beauty regimen, and she said: “I don’t have one. I feel old and tired! I have children I run around after. I try to walk as much as possible, and other than that I buy every cream possible.” CLOSE CALL I’m sure it was pure coincidence—but still it was odd that three out of four of the celebrities on a plane that had to make an emergency landing in Washington on May 16 are Jewish. Fortunately, no one on the plane was even injured. But if the situation had turned into a disaster, a gaggle of celebrity news reporters would have been rushing from one Los Angeles-area Jewish funeral to another. The United Airlines plane left New York bound for Los Angeles when an electrical fire broke out in the cockpit. The celebrities on board included actor JUSTIN BARTHA, 31, (“National Treasure”); Bartha’s girlfriend, actress Ashley Olsen; actress PAMELA SEGALL ADLON, 44, (who plays Evan Handler’s wife on the Showtime series “Californication.” She’s also the voice of Bobby Hill on the animated series, “King of the Hill”); and JARROD SPECTOR, 29 (who is currently starring as Frankie Valli in the Broadway production of the hit musical “Jersey Boys,” about Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, the famous pop singing group). Spector, who had a week off from his Broadway gig, was seated near a plane exit door. He told NBC news: “The last thing you wanna hear is one of the flight attendants asking for fire extinguishers when you’re at 30,000 feet. The flight attendant ran over and said, ‘OK, we went over the safety precautions, you’re gonna have to open the [exit] door when we tell you to. When the captain opened the cockpit door, there were flames shooting out of the cockpit. It’s, like, your worst nightmare.”
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FROM THE PAGES 100 Years Ago Jeanette, aged two and a half, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac S. Weil, of 835 Rockdale avenue, died early Sunday morning and was buried in the Clifton Cemetery of the Reading Road Temple, Monday morning. Rabbi Mielziner officiated. Mr. Burnett Jordan, who hasbeen the guest of Mrs. Walter A. Ezekiel, will sail June 9 on the George Washington, going directly to Berlin. While aboard he will give a series of drawing-room recitals in
London, Dresden, and Florence, and will also continue his studies under some of the European masters. Mr. Jordan gave the first of four subscription readings on Tuesday at the residence of Mrs. Georgia Holmes Thomas, in Vernonville. Two of the recitals will be given at Mrs. Thomas’ residence and two at the residence of Mrs. Jos. Ransohoff. Mr. and Mrs. I.D. Waxman (nee Evelyn Kaufman), who formerly resided in this city, but now of
Chicago, are receiving congratulations upon the birth of a daughter, born Saturday, May 21. Isaac Hauser, aged 49 years, a member of the Seinsheimer & Hauser paper house, died at Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday night of last week after a very brief illness. He leaves a wife and one son to mourn for him. The remains were brought to this city and buried in Walnut Hills Cemetery, Dr. Louis Grossmann officiating. — May 26, 1910
75 Years Ago Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert Mombach will be at home at 1002 Marion Avenue Friday evening, June 7th, in honor of the confirmation of their daughter, Doris. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weiland, 628 Forest Avenue, will be at home Friday, June 7th from 7 until 11 p.m. in honor of the confirmation of their daughter, Janet Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Kiefer and children left for Baltimore where they will attend the 70th birthday
festivities of Dr. William Rosenaue, Mrs. Kiefer’s father, on Thursday, May 30th. Dr. Irvin Itkoff, a chief resident, General Hospital, has completed his post-graduate training in pediatrics under Dr. A. Graeme Mitchell, chief of the Pediatrics Department of General Hospital and the Children’s Hospital. Dr. Itkoff was guest at the dinner Dr. Mitchell held in honor of his students, Tuesday, May 28th. In the chorus of the May
Festival were: Mrs. S. Lawrence Meyer, the Misses Elizabeth Kahn, Sayde Cohen, Therese Mack, Madeline Eppstein, Mary Drucker, Rosalind Weiss, Felicia White, Bernice Rosen, Mrs. Milton Rosenbaum, Mrs. Robert Westheimer, Mr. Samuel Oppenheimer, Mrs. Samuel Iglauer, Mr. Sid Dwoskin, Mr. Norman Cohen, Mr. Melvin Shorr, Mrs. Walter Foreman and Mr. Clarence Rosenberg. — May 30, 1935
50 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kaplan announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Marvin, Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m., at Feinberg Synagogue. Marvin is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kaplan and Mr. and Mrs. George Miller. Harry H. Hachen, Jr., was elected Hillel Foundation president May 17. Mrs. Martin M. Cohn was chosen president-elect. Others elected include: Colman Hanish, first vicepresident; Mrs. Louis Shapiro, sec-
ond vice-president; Leonard Kirschner, third vice-president; Miss Janet Marks, honorary vicepresident; Mrs. Bernard Kluber, recording secretary; Mrs. Leon Bass, corresponding secretary; Jerome Geller, financial secretary; Mrs. David Kaplan, treasurer. Miss Claire Aub, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Edgar Aub, of the Belvedere, and Robert Arthur Bedolis, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Meyer D. Bedolis, of 1310 Glendale St., Dayton, Ohio, were married Sunday afternoon, May 22,
in New York City at the St. Regis. The ceremony was performed by Rabbi Nathan A. Perilman of Temple Emanuel in the presence of the immediate family and close friends. Mrs. Natalie Auer Seinsheimer, 1337 Paddock Hills Avenue, passed away Thursday, May 19. She is survived by: her husband, Walter G. Seinsheimer; a daughter, Miss Carol Seinsheimer; a son, Walter G. Seinsheimer, Jr., and her mother, Mrs. Leo B. Forst. — May 26, 1960
25 Years Ago Robert E. Levinson will receive the Valley Chai Award at a dinner in his honor Sunday evening, June 9, at Valley Temple. Coupled with the award ceremony will be the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Temple building. Mr. Levinson will be the first recipient of this honor. His efforts, direction and financial leadership when he served as chairman of the building fund enabled the congrega-
tion to establish and build its present multi-purpose facility. Jesse A. Witten, son of Dr. and Mrs. Louis Witten, has been selected as a 1985 Truman Scholar. The Board of The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation honors approximately 100 individuals throughout the year. Jesse is a sophomore at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, majoring in political economy. He is a 1983 graduate of Walnut
Hills High School. Dr. A. Gerson Carmel of 6611 Meadow Ridge Lane passed away May 18. Dr. Carmel is survived by: his wife, Cyrilla E. Carmel; two daughters, Phyllis Mendelson of Bryan, Texas, and Carol de Gramont of Englewood, N.J.; a son, Michael A. Carmel of Seattle; a brother, Israel C. Carmel of Albuquerque, M.M., and seven grandchildren. — May 23, 1985
10 Years Ago Rabbi Robert L. Katz, 82, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 17, 2000. Rabbi Katz was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was subsequently reared. When he lost his mother to death, prior to his first birthday, he was placed in a non-Jewish home, where he observed both Christian and Jewish holidays. In January, his wife of 51 years, Miriam Katz, preceded him in death. He is survived by his children; Dr. Amy Katz and Dr. Robert
Cohen of Hyde Park, as well as Rabbi Jonathan Katz of Alexandria, Va. Rabbi Robert L. Katz also was the father of Michael S. Katz, who predeceased him in 1954. Other survivors include a granddaughter, Nancy Cohen; and three brothers: David Katz, Samuel Katz and Jerome Katz. Rabbi Katz served as professor of ethics and human relations at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He was a pioneer in pastoral relations counsel-
ing, and created the human relations training program at the HUC-JIR. William R. Burleigh, chairman and CEO of the E.W. Scripps Company, will receive the 2000 Human Relations Award of the American Jewish Committee Cincinnati Chapter. The presentation will take place at a tribute dinner on Thursday, June 1, at the Omni Netherland Plaza Hall of Mirrors. William A. Friedlander, chairman of the board of Bartlett & Co., chairs the dinner committee. — May 25, 2000
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Marketing & Communications Awards - Integrated Marketing Campaign for the 2008 Grand Opening - Web site JCC Early Childhood School Award - Tzedakah (giving) Garden - an intergenerational effort for preschoolers and seniors to grow vegetables for donation to needy families, as well as strengthen Jewish life in the community Senior Adult Services Awards - ShalomPhone - a telephone outreach program for ages 60+ - Programming for ages 70+ (“A Matter of Balance - Managing Concerns About Falls”) - Senior Meal Deal for ages 60+
Cincinnati, who will speak on the life of soldiers in today’s military. The Color Guard from House’s unit will present colors and fly the American flag, which had been flown over Afghanistan on March 26, 2002 during a combat mission by LTC Robert H. Epstein, USAF, a son of a local B’nai B’rith leader. Rae Leah Levy, a longtime participant and daughter of one of the founders of the memorial service, Harry M. Levy, will be remembered. The war memorial, which was established at this location and dedicated Oct. 14, 1945 to the memory of our valiant servicemen, involved the joint efforts of various leaders in the Jewish com-
Nearly 1,000 people from the U.S., Canada, Israel and countries
munity, including Louis Weiland. Uncle Lou Weiland, as everyone referred to him, served as the original chairman of the War Memorial committee, and as chairman of this event every year from its inception until he passed away in July 1982. The late Judge Robert S. Kraft and Jack Landman then took over as co-chairmen until 1993. Again this year the program is being cochaired by Harvey Chyette and Elaine Owen of B’nai B’rith of Greater Cincinnati Unit #4. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in this service of remembrance which is the only one of its kind in the entire community. In the event of inclement weather, tents will be used. in Latin America and Europe attended this year’s biennial. The Mayerson JCC was recognized by the JCCA, which is the leadership network of, and central agency for the Jewish Community Center Movement, comprised of 350 JCC, YM-YWHA, and camp sites in the U.S. and Canada. The Jewish Community Center Movement helps foster and strengthen connections between North American Jews and Israel, as well as with world Jewry. JCCA is also a U.S. government-accredited agency for serving the religious and social needs of Jewish military personnel, their families and patients in VA hospitals through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. For more information about the award-winning programs at the Mayerson JCC, visit their Web site.
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FASHION
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Fashion trends for summer 2010 Fashionably Late
by Stephanie Davis-Novak Fashion Editor Summer has its own distinctive smells: freshly cut grass, swimming pools. Summer also has its sounds: the crack of baseball bats, the chirping of crickets. And summer definitely has its own special looks. When the siren song of department store air conditioning lures you in, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by racks upon racks of choices. But you don’t have to wear out your credit card to look trendy. With a few key pieces, you can look great and maximize your summer wardrobe. REBBE from page 1 between his 1927 marriage to Chaya Mushka, the daughter of the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, and 1941, when the couple escaped Nazi Europe and arrived in New York to rejoin the Lubavitch court. Left to his own devices, they write, Schneerson would have preferred to “settle in Paris, become a French citizen, and live as a Jew of Hasidic background pursuing a career in engineering.” While not explicitly claiming that Schneerson and his young wife fell away from their Chasidic roots, the authors return again and again to the short beard and secular dress Schneerson favored until his arrival in New York, along with other similar details, as evidence of an Orthodox but not haredi lifestyle. “There is no question he was an observant Jew, but he lived in places where Chasidim didn’t live, and he did things they wouldn’t do,” Heilman told JTA. It was, the authors write, a combination of survivor’s guilt — Schneerson was the only member of his close family to escape the Holocaust — and the improbability of his becoming an engineer in America that led him by the late 1940s to set his sights on a new career goal: succeeding his fatherin-law to become the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe. “Mendel’s whole world had collapsed,” they write. “Now he was a childless refugee in America nearly forty years old with little or no English facility, with no job prospects in what had been his chosen field … a man who must be feeling desperate in his anxiety,
For women, dresses are a natural summer choice: an easy go-to essential, especially for work because they’re a complete look in just one piece. Sheath dresses are especially popular right now, seen everywhere from the pages of Vogue magazine to the racks of Saks Fifth Avenue. They’re flattering on a variety of figures, and can look very sophisticated with belts or other interesting details. DKNY and Boss Black are just a couple of brands to offer up polished sheaths. To make this look a little edgier for evening, try mixing a feminine sheath dress with “tough” accessories, such as a wider belt, a chunky cuff, or a cropped jacket with some hardware details. And don’t forget color: while white is usually associated with summer clothing, this season bold is in! Bright colors and graphic prints are definitely hot this season. “We see women continuing to opt for color and summer is the perfect time to break out or introduce bold prints and colors to your
wardrobe, if you haven’t already,” notes Colleen Sherin, Women’s Fashion Market Director for Saks Fifth Avenue. Sherin also points to the classic shirtdress as another hot summer trend. “The shirtdress is also a versatile selection that is that perfect blend of chic and professional.” It also makes a great transition from day to evening by trading pumps for sandals and adding some eyecatching jewelry. Again, look for distinctive or feminine details. Lafayette 148 New York has a shirtdress with a chic ruffled collar, while Calvin Klein, and Suzi Chin are some other brands featuring updated shirtdresses. Shorts, not just for kids anymore, are another summer trend. “Shorts, depending on length, are perfect for both work and play so you can certainly get mileage from them, especially on the hottest days,” Sherin notes. What sets this year’s designs apart are the fabrics. Think beyond the basic, everyday twill cargo shorts and look for such fabrics as silk or
satin. Some good examples are Yves Saint Laurent’s elegant satin Duchess shorts or Behnaz Sarafpour’s sculptural pleated silk crepe de chine shorts. Balance the exposed legs with tops or blouses that offer more coverage. For a sophisticated look, try pairing some shorts with this season’s metallic sandals and a blazer. Other trends for summer clothing include asymmetrical lines (such as one-shoulder tops or dresses, or asymmetrical necklines), nautical stripes (particularly tops), and clothing with cutouts (hint: one selected piece). Gentlemen, please don’t think that all of the modern summer styles for women will excuse you from making some updates to your wardrobe as well! Blazers and sportcoats look great yearround but this summer, lighter fabrics are key: linen or a tropical wool are two ideal fabrics. Some of the popular summer suiting colors are soft gray or even khaki. Polo Ralph Lauren’s chino blazer is an example of a versatile sum-
mer blazer, as it can easily be dressed up or down. Another key trend for men is the fit of the clothing. Modern looks are more tailored and slimcut. Hugo Boss’ tropical wool and Michael Kors’ lightweight wool suits are both good examples of this modern European tailoring. Even more casual pants and trousers are cut a bit straighter for a “cleaner” look. Again, look for lighter fabrics and colors. Robert Graham and Ralph Lauren both offer nice summer trousers that could easily transition from the office to a night out. Bright colors are not just restricted to women’s clothing this summer: bold colors have found their way into sportswear pieces such as polo shirts and jackets, and even into accessories such as shoes and hats. For both men and women, the key to dressing well this season is to pick easy, un-fussy pieces. Look for bright colors and a good fit, and you’ll be set to enjoy this summer in style.
loneliness, confusion, and survivor guilt, whose prospects are unclear, looking for a way out, an answer from God.” When Schneerson assumed leadership of Chabad, the authors continue, he was able to use this worldly experience to push a hitherto small Chasidic movement onto the world stage, launching the global outreach campaign that was to become its hallmark. Eventually, they assert, Schneerson believed he was “the prophet of his generation,” the man destined to bring on the Messianic era. And because the rebbe was so alone, with no peers to contradict him, they ask rhetorically: Was he “getting lost in a culture of messianic delusion?” This version of Schneerson’s life contradicts the official Lubavitch version of an unbroken journey toward the mantle of movement leadership and suggests a more nuanced life whose twists and turns might easily have led to a different outcome. Even before its publication, the book has engendered considerable objections in Chabad circles. One female emissary said some of her colleagues “have been briefed by headquarters” to steer their people away from it. Lubavitchers are ripping into it, disputing its details as well as its overall thesis, claiming it shows a lack of familiarity with readily available primary sources. According to these critics, the rebbe never trimmed his beard in Europe, he rolled it, and the rebbe attended synagogue regularly in Berlin — videotaped interviews with Jews who saw him in shul prove it.
And the suggestion that Schneerson spent his European years divorced from Chabad activities? Rubbish, they charge. Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, a Lubavitch scholar and dean of Britain’s Machon Mayim Chayin, points to a wealth of correspondence that exists between Schneerson and his father showing the two engaging in deep Talmudic and kabbalistic discourse. “All this is a far cry from” the claim by Heilman and Friedman “that the father was guiding a son who had but an elementary or, worse still, a cursory interest in a Chasidic lifestyle,” he says. In response, Heilman said in an e-mail to JTA, “We do not deny and indeed suggest that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson was a primary religious and Chasidic guide for his son. Indeed, we quote from the letters they exchanged. We particularly note the exchanges around the time of the wedding of the son to the daughter of the Sixth Rebbe.” On the question of the rebbe’s beard, Heilman said readers will be able to judge for themselves by looking at photographs of Schneerson, reading comments from his father-in-law and thinking about when those comments were made. In general, Heilman says, it should come as no surprise that some Chasidim “see things differently from the way we do. But we have presented our viewpoint based on the facts we have gathered.” “Our book documents what we have learned about the years in Europe,” Heilman said. “We explain that most of the activities of those years were focused around the primary activity that brought the
young Schneersons to Berlin and Paris. That activity was pursuit of education, career, and a life distant from Lubavitcher areas of settlement. When they wanted more of the Lubavitcher life, they either returned to the Sixth Rebbe’s court or visited with him when he came to where they were. “We never question the future Rebbe’s knowledge of Chabad or even his interest in it. But as we document, that interest was not always the center of his concerns while he pursued his engineering studies.” Chabad itself, through Jewish Educational Media, is about to release more than 1,200 documents related to Schneerson’s life and work, in English and Hebrew, including his own diaries and important correspondence between him, his father and his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe. One volume will come out in late June, followed later by others, both in print at online at chabad.org. Chabad sources say this information will “clear up many misunderstandings.” Wolfson, a philosopher, presents a much different take on Schneerson’s Messianism than sociologists Heilman and Friedman. The NYU professor portrays Schneerson as having a very deep and radical understanding of Jewish esoterica. “In his prime, his teaching was very dense, very laden with kabbalistic terminology,” Wolfson said. “I don’t know how many really understood him; most were simply mesmerized by his style of presentation.” Schneerson’s teachings are rife with internal contradictions, Wolfson says, including the sub-
verting of Judaism’s gender hierarchy and the boundaries between the permissible and the non-permissible. But most of this was destined for the realm of theory. Schneerson never intended for them to be actualized — not in this world. “What the implications would be sociologically, what a Jewish community would look like if the Torah were superseded by the ‘new Torah’ he spoke about, a kind of law beyond the law, I don’t think he thought that through,” Wolfson said. Wolfson agrees with Heilman and Friedman that Schneerson’s Messianic vision “was there from the beginning.” “I feel he is using the rhetoric of a personal Messiah to mark not so much a political change but a change in consciousness that … involves reaching a state of personal perfection that exceeds the need for the Torah as we have it,” he said. “I don’t think he understood the impossibility of his own vision. And he took no steps to remedy that. He took no steps to name a successor. The whole history of Chabad from the Alter Rebbe [18th-century founder of Chabad-Lubavitch] to [Schneerson] is a Messianic line that comes to a close with him.” Neither book will satisfy Chabad’s strongest critics, nor its closest friends. It remains to be seen whether the deluge of new material about to be published by JEM will cast further light on the most elusive aspects of Schneerson’s life and leadership. “Like many mythic figures, he was a combination of opposites,” Heilman muses. “But you can’t really be sure what was inside his head. Who was he really?”
AUTOS
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010
21
The 2010 Land Rover LR4: a big change from the LR3
2010 Land Rover LR4
The 2010 Land Rover LR4 is much improved over previous LR3 models. It offers excellent off-road capability, along with a beautiful interior and V8 power. Although the LR4 may seem unchanged on the exterior, this newest version offers many improvements, including: a new 5.0-liter V8 and a completely redone dashboard layout that offers technology galore. The 2010 LR4 offers a luxurious cabin, a powerful V8, off road skills, and even a third-row seat for under $50,000. The 2010 Land Rover LR4 comes in a single trim level. Standard features include: 19-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, rainsensing wipers, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, dualzone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-slide front sunroof, a fixed rear sunroof and a ninespeaker stereo with an in-dash CD changer. Three option packages are available: HSE, HSE Plus, and HSE LUX. The HSE package adds different 19-inch wheels, front parking sensors, heated seats, heated windshield, Bluetooth connectivity, and mapping capability for both on and off-road. By purchasing the HSE Plus package, the consumer gets: HD radio, interior mood lighting, keyless entry/ignition and a back-up camera. The top-of-the-line HSE LUX package adds the following: adaptive bi-xenon headlights, higher-grade leather upholstery, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, a center-console cooler box and driver seat memory settings. The cabin control layout is new and upgraded from the LR3, with a simpler, more conventional layout for the stereo and climate sys-
tems. The all-new touchscreen interface for satellite radio and iPod is easy to learn and offers modern graphics. The 2010 LR4 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 375 hp and 375 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The driver is able to choose one of five handling settings: general, grass/gravel/snow, sand, mud and ruts, and rock crawl. The LR4 goes from zero to 60 in 7.5 seconds and if properly equipped, can tow up to 7,700 pounds. Safety features on the 2010 Land Rover LR4 include antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags and fulllength side curtain airbags. The interior of the LR4 uses high-quality materials, with flowing curves and rich colors. Some of the technology “goodies” offered included: a five-camera surround-view parking system and a hard-drive-based navigation system that can even tell the driver where to go in the woods. When the second and third row seats are folded flat, the LR4 offers an impressive 90 cubic feet of storage space. As mentioned earlier, the LR4 offers a new and more powerful V8 engine — the same one found in the Jaguar, with the six-speed automatic offering smooth shifting. With its tight turning circle, the LR4 even maneuvers well in parking lots, while the highway ride is quite comfortable — and supremely quiet at speed. The car also does a great job of hushing wind and road noise, while the air suspension adapts to any roadway imperfections very well. Anyone looking for a luxury SUV with seating for seven should consider the 2010 LR4. The 2010 Land Rover LR4 has an MSRP starting at $47,250.
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OBITUARIES
DEATH NOTICES GRUBER, Bernie, age 93, died on May 18, 2010; 5 Sivan, 5770. CARTER, Edith, age 95, died on May 19, 2010; 6 Sivan, 5770. PINSKY, Minnie, age 93, died on May 20, 2010; 7 Sivan, 5770.
OBITUARIES SANDLER, Roslyn Roslyn Sandler, wife of the late Joseph Sandler, mother of Les (Renee) Sandler and Randy (Michele) Sandler, grandmother of Debbie and Jeff Trachtenberg, Marcie and Dan Oliff, Bari and Brent Lansberg, Arielle and Jonathan Schachter, and Jonah Sandler, great-grandmother of Jack, Sophie and Bella Trachtenberg, Mia and Joey Lansberg, and Talia, Sarina and Brandon Oliff, and sister of the late Anna Mae Brown and the late Joel Wander, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the age of 86. Mrs. Sandler was born in Covington, Ky. in 1923 to Fannie and Abraham Wander. She grew up going to the Temple of Israel synagogue on Scott Street in Covington, where her father often led the services. She graduated with honors from Holmes High
School and went to work at Rollmans in Cincinnati. In 1944, Roslyn met her husband Joe at the Coney Island pool. Upon seeing her for the first time, Joe told her to “look no further, I’m your man.” They were married five months later and were inseparable for the next 58 years. Together they operated the Sandler Decorating Company for over 35 years on 5th Street in downtown Cincinnati where the Millennium Hotel stands today. Mrs. Sandler was a very generous person. She spent her time volunteering as a den mother for the Cub Scouts, as a homeroom mother, a volunteer at Guilford School, and serving meals at the old Jewish Center on Section Road. Many years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Sandler won a car raffle at the Jewish Center, which they immediately donated back to the center. She was a member of Jewish Auxiliary, Jewish War Veterans, Adath Israel, B’nai B’rith, and a life member of Hadassah. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Sandler spent time each year in Florida. To all who knew her it was very clear that her proudest possession was her family; she loved her husband, children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Mrs. Sandler is best remembered for the way she lovingly cared for others and the honesty and integrity she instilled in her family.
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Institute of Cincinnati College of Design. A former president of the Greater Cincinnati Women Lawyers Assn., Morgenstern serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association. She and her children, Beth Krumbein, a sophomore at University of Arizona, and Scotty Krumbein, who will be a senior at Wyoming High School, live in Wyoming, Ohio, with their adopted Australian shepherds, Yogi, and Copernicus (“Copper”.)
Considering his action, Sawelson’s six-pointed star should definitely stand overlooking a place of water. He was from Newark, N.J., so why not a parcel overlooking the nearby Passaic River, which many environmental groups as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are working to restore? Casualties of World War II have numerous memorials across the country. I will add another with my third nomination; a new memorial with a Star of David is in order for Gertrude Shapiro, a young Jewish Army nurse who was sent to Hiroshima, Japan, to help care for survivors in September 1945, only a few weeks after the bomb had been dropped. On her return to the States, Shapiro suffered from a variety of ailments, and according to Hasia R. Diner and Beryl Lieff Benderly in their book “Her Works Praise Her,” she died in 1972 “of a cancer probably caused by her exposure to nuclear radiation.” To honor Shapiro, as well as other service personnel who died as a result of aiding atomic victims, a two-triangled star should stand in the Little Tokyo section of downtown Los Angeles. There, in a several-block area of Japanese shops, apartment buildings, cultural center and Buddhist temple, on a bench sits a life-sized bronze statue of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who during his WWII service as vice counsel in Lithuania saved the lives of thousands of Jews by issuing them transit visas. The accompanying plaque quotes from the Talmud: “He who saves one life, saves the entire world.” Placing the star nearby would complete a circle. It’s not just playing with symbols.
Stephanie Davis-Novak Beginning with this edition, Stephanie Davis-Novak will write The American Israelite’s monthly fashion feature as part of the newspaper expansion. Originally from Dayton, Davis-Novak moved to Cincinnati in 1998. A resident of Hyde Park, she can frequently be found shopping. Marilyn Gale When not writing about the wonderful restaurants that advertise in The American Israelite, Gale works as a licensed independent social worker in the Department of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She has spent most of her adult life in Cincinnati, raising three children within the Jewish community. Gale looks forward to reviewing the restaurants in the Queen City and highlighting their specialties. Sharing their unique culinary stories will be fun and a catalyst for readers to have an adventure in discovering and eating the fine cuisine available in the greater Cincinnati area. “These new staff members bring creativity, experience and new ideas to help reinvigorate the paper at a critical time. We look forward to their contributions and encourage the community to offer suggestions for future features,” according to Netanel (Ted) Deutsch, publisher. While change is inevitable, we thank our former reporters for their years of service to The American Israelite and we welcome our newest members to the team.
Barbara L. Morgenstern
Stephanie Davis-Novak
(Edmon J. Rodman is a JTA columnist who writes on Jewish life from Los Angeles.) ZAKA from page 10 Marilyn Gale
Now ZAKA, which started as an ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, organization, plans to increase its Druse, Bedouin and Muslim units to 125 volunteers in five units. ZAKA views its most important task in the minorities unit as dealing with the victims themselves. “Interestingly, at the first meeting you had Jewish rabbis telling the local imams how we deal with our dead according to Jewish law, and their local religious leaders telling the rabbis how they deal with their dead,” Rose said. According to both Jewish and Muslim law it is important to treat the dead respectfully, whether it be covering the bodies so that others cannot see them or collecting every last body part for burial, including blood.
2010 CALENDAR Special Issues & Sections J ANUARY
F EBRUARY
M ARCH
7
4
4
Cincinnati Jewish Living - Winter 2010
Wonderful Weddings
14
11
21
18
28 Mature Living/Senior Lifestyles
25
A PRIL
M AY
J UNE
1
6
3
Cincinnati Jewish Living - Spring 2010
Kids/Summer Camps
11 18 25
Purim
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning Issue
The Car Issue
8
13
10
15
20
17
22
27
29
Passover
24
Celebrations
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1
5
2
Cincinnati Jewish Living - Summer 2010
Back to School
8
12
9
15
19
16
22
26
23
29
Rosh Hashanah Jewish Year in Review
30
Mature Living/Senior Lifestyles
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7
4
2
Gift Guide
14
11
9
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21
18
16
28
25
23
Cincinnati Jewish Living - Fall 2010
30
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Year in Review
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