The Reflector September 2020

Jewish Community Federation 6

Reflector

the

in this

issue

FEDERATION

Volume 68 | Issue 9

OF RICHMOND

L’SHANA TOVA 5781

Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | September 2020

‘Mensch Masks’ for Vulnerable in Richmond

COMMUNITY CHRONICLES PAGE 4

AGENCIES

‘WARM HUGS’ PAGE 14

COMMUNITY

TABLE of CONTENTS

PAGE 18 FEDERATION

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AGENCIES

10

SYNAGOGUES

16

COMMUNITY

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HADASSAH

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FOUNDATION

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Volunteers from Congregation Beth Ahabah and St. James’s Episcopal Church launched ‘Mensch Masks” to combat racial disparity in the Greater Richmond area. Beth Ahabah team members included (clockwise/top) Heather Lamont holding some of her finished masks; Katie Roeper poses with many finished boxes; Claudette Lewis stitches together the pre-cut fabric; and Nick Tassone packages a few of the nearly 500 masks he did as part of his Mitzvah Project for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. More details and photos, see Pages 16-17.

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Community Commentary

Further reflections on a ‘History Lesson’

To the Richmond Jewish Community from Rabbi Michael Knopf and Professor David Weinfeld: When we wrote our article, “A History Lesson: The responsibility of Richmond’s Jews during the current protests” (Style Weekly, June 9, 2020), we intended to inspire Jewish involvement in a righteous and urgent cause: the reawakened movement for racial justice in America.

In the weeks since, we have received positive and negative feedback from members of our community. While we hoped our column would spark important conversations within the Richmond Jewish community and beyond, negative reaction was more intense than we anticipated, prompting the following heart-felt addendum: We are deeply sorry for the pain our article caused many in our community.

Our intention was not to blame or to condemn; it was certainly not to hurt.

Our objective was to call the Jewish

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Rabbi Michael Knopf

David Weinfeld

community into the righteous work of racial justice, not simply to call us out for our failures. We sincerely regret that many did not receive our words as we intended them, and take full responsibility for this failure.

In Jewish tradition, moral critique, or tokhekha, is considered an act of love, to be offered lovingly and constructively.

We tried to write our article in that spirit, guided by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who said, “all are responsible” even if only “some are guilty.” Racism is etched into the infrastructure of our country; racial injustice is institutional, systemic, pervasive, and stubbornly persistent. Acknowledging the unflattering

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elements of Richmond Jewish history is part of taking responsibility for the persistence of racism in America and fulfilling the mitzvah, the sacred Jewish obligation, of pursuing justice until it is fully attained.

While we stand by the historical accuracy of our article, we should have included some of the many positive contributions Jewish individuals and institutions have made in the past and in the present to advance inclusion and equity in Richmond.

For example, during the Great Depression, Sara D. November instructed African-American artists and promoted and exhibited their work. In 1971, Barbara Wurtzel Rabin helped found Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Virginia, an organization dedicated to fighting racial discrimination in housing.

In 1998, volunteers Claudia Biegler and Miriam Davidow founded the Richmond Jewish Coalition for Literacy,

which continues to assist underserved children, largely African-American, in learning to read.

We are inspired by these and many other efforts, and we are deeply sorry that our article made those who have dedicated time, talent, and treasure in the pursuit of racial justice feel overlooked and unappreciated.

Additionally, we recognize that while most Southern Jews stayed silent during the fight against segregation, it was often out of fear of anti-Semitic reprisal, rather than out of racial bigotry. We understand the Jewish community’s hesitancy.

Synagogues like The Temple in Rabbi Knopf ’s hometown of Atlanta were bombed in the 1950s and 1960s because of their involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Jews everywhere continue to face real and menacing threats.

We still believe we must honestly conReflections. More on page 30

www.JewishRichmond.org

Federation is built for tough times T Daniel Staffenberg Chief Executive Officer Jewish Community Federation of Richmond

his is an extraordinarily difficult and unprecedented time for Jewish Richmond.

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, we all are thinking of the health and wellbeing of our friends and loved ones. Like you, Federation is deeply concerned for the welfare of our Jewish community where congregations, agencies and organizations are facing enormous pressure, even as the demand for services increases.

Our most immediate concern is for those vulnerable individuals for whom this outbreak presents a profound threat, including our large population of older adults, families struggling with financial distress, individuals with disabilities and so many others.

As the steward of our community, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond has been leading an urgent and coordinated response.

Federation professional staff and a network of agencies and partners across the community are working in close collaboration to ensure that support is available to those in need, and to anticipate future needs that may arise — whether it be food and shelter, medicine, communication and technology improvements, mental health services, social connection or anything else of critical concern.

The last five months have been a

sprint to the start of our marathon.

In August, we began our race to see how we as a community respond.

The Jewish Community that our children inherit will be shaped by our generous and thoughtful response over the next few months.

Our COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund committee has been hard at work identifying and understanding the growing needs for individuals and agencies. We know the challenges we face and needs are significant -- both locally and throughout our Jewish world -- and will easily reach into the many millions.

Federation is built for times like these. We know how to convene, raise funds, build and secure community; all skills that are going to be vital as we respond to this crisis and at the same time imagine a new and exciting tomorrow. While COVID-19 has surely caused horrific harm it also presents us with an opportunity to try new things, think differently and risk. We can move forward unshackled from the regular, traditional, and standard. Heck, we held an Annual Meeting, recreated children, teen and young professional adult programs, connected Richmonders and Israelis and launched our Annual Campaign -- all virtually.

This year we have to work together in unison to support and sus-

Time for a Spiritual Checkup T o paraphrase a refrain from a holiday we celebrated six months ago: Mah Nishtanah HaShana HaZot Mikol HaShanim?

“Why is this year different from all other years?”

This question, in its original form, is the prompt that initiates the Passover Seder, and we respond with the stories, symbols, and explanations that comprise our communal festival of identity and peoplehood. Who would have thought that we would be asking it now, about the Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?

This year, we will not be able to gather with hundreds of Jews in one room, singing the same melodies to the familiar prayers that bring us comfort and memories of past years. We will not be able to see our fellow Jews in person, shake their hands, hug, or greet them with a smile and a hearty “Shanah Tovah!” www.JewishRichmond.org

Our current moment has challenged us in ways we never could have imagined.

It has forced Rabbis and Jewish leaders to innovate and work with new methods and technologies, within the bounds of how we define normative Jewish practice. As you will find in this issue of the Reflector, each synagogue is offering a variety of High Holy Day experiences, new to us all.

And yet, even in the midst of our challenges, the High Holy Days offer us moments of personal reflection. The most well-known and most-recited prayers that we recite on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are phrased in the plural (“The sin we have committed against You,” “We are guilty,” “Our Parent, our Sovereign,”), and we pray in community for support.

However, the work that these days ask us to do is personal and internal: How can I be a better individual, father, mother,

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Federation Happenings

tain our amazing community. We hope you will be a part of our effort by supporting the 2021 Federation Annual Campaign, volunteering, connecting and showing up. It matters!

On behalf of those who can’t say it personally. THANK YOU! For all

you do and for your response to the 2021 Campaign. We look forward to sharing an exciting few months ahead.

Wishing you a meaningful High Holiday season.

To reach me, email daniel@jewishrichmond.org.

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Rabbi Reflection

son, daughter, sibling, friend, co-worker, Jew, etc … ? What path will I take in the year ahead?

This year, it is especially important that we pause to consider how we will respond to our current circumstances and move forward. Our current adversity invites us to respond in positive ways, and to work to becoming better individuals on the path to making the world a better place.

To use a different metaphor, the High Holy days are an annual visit to our internist, a spiritual check-up for the community and the individual (but this year through telemedicine!). These days are a time to contemplate our past and wonder about the future.

As we do so in a distanced way this year, I wish all of you blessings of health and growth in the year ahead.

Shanah Tovah!

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Rabbi Hal Schevitz File Photo

Rabbi Hal Schevitz is the spiritual Rabbi at Congregation Or Atid. He also is chair, Richmond Council of Congregational Rabbis.

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Campaign 2021 kicks off

By Jesse Feld Director, Development & Engagement very year the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond is given the awesome and daunting task of raising inspirational dollars to build, support and sustain Jewish life here locally and all around the world.

These fundraising endeavors would not be met without a group of phenomenal volunteers who dedicate their time to the pursuit of a continually growing and vibrant Jewish community.

In fact, if you happen to have a copy of the March 28, 1952, Reflector, the cover story is about the 500 Campaign workers who were going doorto-door on Sunday, March 30, 1952, to solicit donations for the Federation Annual Campaign. That group of 500 had its leadership, as each year we have a new crop of leaders

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who answer the call.

This year we have an incredible group who have stepped up to lead the Annual Campaign efforts. Amy Nisenson leads the group as Annual Campaign Chair, and is joined

by Jill Goldfine, Women’s Philanthropy Chair; Brian Greene and David Galpern, Men’s Division Co-Chairs; Elliot Warsof, Young Adult Division Chair; Nannette and Nathan Shor, Life and Legacy CoChairs; and Adam Plotkin as Major Gifts Chair.

The group has already made some monumental decisions, such as pivoting Federations’ Campaign events to our new, virtual series ‘Community Chronicles.’ This series will help educate, inspire and motivate the community on why a gift to the Federation Annual Campaign this year is more important than ever before.

Even with the strength of

this team, we know they cannot do it alone. We are encouraging all members of the community to step up, not only to make their pledge to the Campaign, but also to support the fundraising efforts by recruiting friends for events, and asking those who are able to make contributions to the campaign.

Remember, in 1952 500 Richmond Campaign volunteers saddled up going doorto-door. This year will require much less walking, and all you’ll need is a cell phone. This year, you can be a hero, and do a mitzvah that will be felt by thousands. All you have to do is ask others to make a gift!

To participate as one of our Campaign workers, contact Federation Director of Development Jesse Feld at jfeld@jewishrichmond.org. To sign up for the next Community Chronicles virtual event, visit jewishrichmond.org/communitychronicles.

Community Chronicles kicks off with Mark Wilf

(Left) JFNA Chair Mark Wilf responds to a question from Nathan Shor (bottom) during the Community Chronicles. Federation CEO Daniel Staffenberg also took part in the program and thanked Wilf for his keynote remarks.

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he Jewish Community Federation of Richmond launched a new virtual speaker series on Aug. 10 called, ‘Community Chronicles: stories of resilience, bravery and impact.’

This series aims to inspire, educate and motivate about our Jewish Community’s collective and ongoing journey in overcoming a variety of obstacles from loss, anti-Semitism and, of course, the global pandemic.

Our first guest speaker was Mark Wilf, the chair of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Board of Trustees and an attorney and partner in Garden Homes, a real estate development firm. He is also owner/president of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and the son of Holocaust Survivors.

Following his remarks, Wilf took questions from former Federation President Nathan Shor and board member Josh Goldberg.

Campaign Chair Amy Nisenson welcomed community members and provided an overview of the 2021 Annual Campaign. In his remarks, Wilf saluted the Richmond community and leaders for their efforts in supporting Jews locally, in Israel and around the world. He provided an assessment on the current needs as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

The next Community Chronicles will feature James Beard awardwinning chef Michael Solomonov, founder of Tall Order on Sept. 12. To register, visit jewishrichmond.org/communitychronicles. For details, contact Jesse Feld, director of development and engagement, at jfeld@jewishrichmond.org.

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www.JewishRichmond.org

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Jewish Community Relations Committee

Visions of Jewish Advocacy A

s the High Holidays approach, we embrace a time of year that is about seeing things for what they are and identifying paths for making things better.

It is a time when we use that reality check to say – if we put the work in, we can change direction.

T’shuvah is the term and we hope David Cohen that in each one of us taking Director these steps, we can bring T’shuvah Jewish Community Relations to the world as well.

Jewish Community Federation This concept resonates with an of Richmond ongoing debate within the Jewish community about the nature of Jewish Advocacy - where we ask if our efforts should be rooted in seeing the reality or the hope; the here and now or the potential future.

Recently, Jonathan Tobin, editor of Jewish News Service, and David Bernstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, engaged in a print and Zoom debate on this issued titled “Competing Visions of Jewish Advocacy.” One of the topics debated seemed to frame their positions well – “Should the Jewish Community Forgive AntiSemites?”

The way the question was posed seemed to make something that is quite complex very one dimensional.

According to Tobin, current advocacy practices are to forgive anti-Semitism for the sake of “partnership” or the new negative buzzword “intersectionality.”

When interests intersect, as the idea goes, we hold the ideals of relationship higher than defending the Jewish community.

According to Bernstein, being in relationship is the best way to counter anti-Semitism, and any pre-conceived notions people may hold.

By implication, this topic was about recent anti-Semitic statements made by celebrities and

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leaders in the Black community, and even more specifically about leaders and platforms in the national “Movement for the Black Lives” organization.

But by phrasing the question that way, it may have missed the answer is to most modern dilemmas – YES/AND. Maybe the better question should have been how does the Jewish community combat anti-Semitism AND forge the necessary relationships that strengthen our place in a multiethnic society. Maybe it is not really about “Competing” visions of Jewish Advocacy but how modern Jewish advocacy operates on multiple planes and adapts where and when it needs to.

For example, in Philadelphia, local NAACP leader Rodney Mohamad tweeted a classic antiSemitic trope, essentially amplifying Louis Farrakhan. In answer to Mr. Tobin, Louis Farrakhan is routinely condemned and clearly thought of as an extremist – and not someone any Jewish community organization would partner with. Rodney Mohamad does work for an organization we often partner with and so was confronted about his bigotry. When the response was insufficient, the ADL made clear they would not work with him. One could ask – where is anti-Semitism being forgiven?

We also consider the celebrities who amplified Farrakhan either out of ignorance or malicious intent. In today’s world, even athletes have to be politicians and they may just not be well versed in the stereotypes of communities they rarely come into contact with. Or maybe they are very aware of what they are doing.

I believe Mr. Bernstein would

say it is up to us to engage, find out the answer to that question, and see if change is possible, to see if education is possible. The Philadelphia ADL discovered that it was not in Rodney Mohamad’s case and cut ties with the local NAACP. Isn’t that the way Mr. Tobin wants it? Isn’t that appropriate?

Jewish Advocacy needs to be self-aware, and ready to pivot – just like we try to be during the high holidays. Jewish Advocacy also needs to know where it operates – because frankly, things are different everywhere. This is another shortcoming of the “intersectionality is bad” argument.

Maybe city X has a problem with their NAACP leader – like in Philly. Maybe city Y has a problem with their Black Lives Matter chapter. But you have to ask, where are you in relation to the problem or the solution?

In Richmond, our community is in the process of strengthening ties with all of the communities around us; most notably the Black community.

If we were to balk, or pre-suppose beliefs another community has, that would be a bit hypocritical wouldn’t it? So, what are we left to do? We engage. We lean in. We question. We listen. We try to be part of the solution.

And yes, if here in Richmond we heard things from leaders that made us cringe, we would say something. But saying something while you are IN relationship is much better than saying it when you are NOT in relationship.

In Richmond we have been having open and honest conversations with our community partners for many years and we do not sacrifice the interests of the Jewish community in any way

as we maintain them and make them stronger.

In fact, by having these conversations we are educating our partners about things they are largely unfamiliar with.

We are also getting educated about things we are largely unfamiliar with. And then you realize that leaders here, made more aware of the problem in other places – like with a national Black organization’s platform – they are our best allies in making that national change as well.

Last month, when responding to the horrible desecration of cemeteries in the Black and Jewish communities, we did so together - in relationship.

We were reminded once again there is more that unites us than divides us. And that commonality was not the shared history of racism aimed against us. It was the shared values of racial and social justice. It was the shared ideal of partnership and community. It was the shared humanity of people that just wanted to live in relationship and not fear.

So, are there “Competing” visions of Jewish advocacy?

I really don’t think so. I think there is one Jewish Advocacy that is both confrontational and relational. One Jewish Advocacy that is firm and flexible. One Jewish Advocacy that can work effectively with so many groups and yet draw lines in the sand when needed.

This is what we do. This is how the work is done. This is how we make change. One action and one relationship at a time. It is similar to personal T’shuvah – but for the community as a whole.

L’Shannah Tovah Umetukah!

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Jewish Community Relations Committee

Joint statement on racist tagging at Richmond area Black and Jewish cemeteries

The following joint public statement was issued on Aug. 13 our Richmond area cemeteries were recently the target of racist vandalism. Gravestones and entrances were spray-painted using the Neo-Nazi symbol 777 at Historic Evergreen and East End Cemeteries, where the gravesite of renowned trailblazer Maggie Walker was tagged, along with Barton Heights Cemeteries, and Sir Moses Montefiore Cemetery, an Orthodox Jewish Cemetery.

All four cemeteries tagged in this cowardly act of hate are sacred spaces for both the Black and Jewish communities. Whether the perpetrators are hardened supremacists or ignorant vandals, this desecration simply cannot be tolerated.

In the current climate, where racial and social justice are being discussed openly in our community, these acts are designed to stoke fear in the hearts

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of both Jewish and Black communities.

We stand together today in proclaiming that we are not in any way deterred from speaking out.

Attacks such as these are meant to remind both communities of a past where we were not welcome as full participants in the greater society. Together, we say loudly and clearly that we reject that message.

In 2020, the arc of the moral universe is most definitely bending toward justice. Equal justice, fairness, and increased inclusion are Richmond’s future.

Heinous acts like this belong in its past.

The volunteer and professional leadership of the Richmond Virginia Branch NAACP, Henrico County NAACP, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, and the Richmond Council of Congregational Rabbis, along with the trustees of the impacted cemeteries and the govern-

ment officials from the districts where these cemeteries are located – along with many, many friends and allies - stand together in condemning all such acts of racism.

Hate does not discriminate, and bias and bigotry against both the Black and Jewish communities is a shared history.

We are committed to a brighter future – a future that will only improve through government reforms, education, personal conviction, and action. With strong bridges between our two communities, we know we can create a safer and more just Greater Richmond.

Richmond Virginia Branch NAACP – James “JJ” Minor III, President Henrico County NAACP – Rai Beasley, President Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond & Vicinity – Dr. Emanuel C. Harris, President Jewish Community Federation of Richmond – Daniel Staffenberg, CEO; Ellen Renee Ad-

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ams, President Richmond Council of Congregational Rabbis – Rabbi Hal Schevitz, Chair Enrichmond Foundation: Caretaker and Steward of Historic Evergreen and East End Cemeteries – John Sydnor, Executive Director Keneseth Beth Israel and the Trustees of the Sir Moses Montefiore Cemetery Congressman Donald McEachin – VA 4th Congressional District Senator Jennifer McClellan – District 9 Senator Joseph Morrissey – District 16 Delegate Delores McQuinn – District 70 Delegate Jeff Bourne – District 71 Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille – 7th Voter District (President) Councilwoman Ellen Robertson – 6th Voter District Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas Supervisor Tyrone Nelson – Varina Magisterial District, Henrico County

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 5

.Teens learn how to advocate for philanthropies Jewish Community Happenings

Friendship Circle of Virginia wins the Philanthropy Challenge

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wenty-two teens from 10 different Southeastern Jewish communities and their Israel-partner cities - HaderaErion recently participated in a philanthropy challenge sponsored by the Partnership2Gether Southeast Consortium.

The challenge gave the teens a snapshot encounter with philanthropic involvement in social organizations and how to be a part of the experience.

This involved selecting a non-profit organization and then putting together a presentation in hopes of receiving grant money.

Richmond participants included; Emory Bender, Izabella Bender, Marissa Marczak, Zoey VanPeppen, Maia Zasler.

Friendship Circle of Virginia (FCVA) was one of six non-profit organizations chosen for the Challenge. Maia and Marissa chose to advocate on behalf of Friendship Circle. Based on their teams presentations, Friendship Circle was awarded $1,000 toward its Birthday Circle Program and $2,000 toward the Jewish Community Inclusion Taskforce.

Partnership2Gether brings together Israeli and American Jews through meaningful programs for the purpose of creating people-to-people relationships. https://www.facebook.com/P2GHaderaEironSE Three of the participants from Richmond shared their experiences of the 5- day Philanthropy Challenge program and what they learned from it.

Maia Zasler, rising Sophomore at Collegiate School I first learned about the Partnership Philanthropy Program through my friend, Marissa Marcak. The two of us are members of the Friendship Circle Teen Leadership Board, and participate in Friendship Circle’s Friends@Home program as well as Birthday Circle events.

I’ve been looking for more opportunities to give back ever since my involvement with Friendship Circle, back in

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2019. It wasn’t immediate gratification that fueled my desire to continue helping in any way possible, although that was a contributing factor.

The measurable difference I could see my actions were making as board president, the smile on children’s faces, and the deeper connections I was making, touched me and continue to do so, and have been invaluable in shaping me as a leader and a person.

This program seemed like another wonderful outlet I could pursue to continue making a difference, so one can imagine I was beyond ecstatic when I found out my group had been selected by the panel to receive the $2000 grant!

Marissa Marczak, Rising Senior at Patrick Henry High School I learned about the Partnership Philanthropy Challenge from Dana Zedd and immediately reached out to my fellow leadership board members, Maia Zasler and Zoey Van Peppen.

I was excited to participate in a program where I could develop my public speaking abilities and demonstrate to others my passion for Friendship Circle.

It was the perfect opportunity to connect with other ambitious teens and a way to promote Friendship Circle. During the week, I felt empowered and extremely motivated to make my presentation as close to perfect as possible. When my group, the Israelicans, won $1000, I was overjoyed and so proud of the continuous effort my group had contributed to this project. Tears of happiness streamed

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(From left) Marissa Marczak, Maia Zasler and Zoey VanPeppen at an early 2000 program.

Contributed Photo

down my face and I was filled with immense gratitude because I knew our message had reached the hearts of the other teens in the program. Overall, it was a memorable and inspiring experience that has only fueled my passion for spreading inclusivity.

Zoey Van Peppen, Rising Junior at Miller School of Albemarle A few weeks before the program began, Marissa Marczak reached out to me about this opportunity.

I was immediately interested as philanthropy is something that I participate in regularly in my community and I definitely wanted to learn more about the subject. As I researched the program more in depth, I knew that I definitely wanted to be a part of it and gain more insight on how to advocate for the philanthropies in my community that I care about, including Friendship Circle.

On the first day, the very first question that was asked of us was what we are passionate about. My answer then was that I care about creating accessibility for all people, a goal that Friendship Circle has as well, and this passion has

only been strengthened through my participation.

During the week, the group that I was in ultimately chose a different organization than Friendship Circle to highlight, but I am still extremely proud of our efforts and all of the information that I will take away from the Philanthropy Challenge that have given me many new ideas to bring to Friendship Circle. Hopefully, these ideas will improve the quality and amount of smiles on the faces that are impacted by Friendship Circle and the Richmond community as a whole.

Our Knowledge of Philanthropy: Over the course of the week, all the participants gained a deeper understanding of how Friendship Circle is representative of Jewish values. They heard from several different speakers, who conveyed viable presentation techniques that they were able to incorporate during their grant proposals.

In all, this experience was invaluable, enlightening, and informational.

For more information on P2G, contact Sara Rosenbaum at srosenbaum@jewishrichmond.org. www.JewishRichmond.org

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Building relationships around the world over Zoom

Jewish Community Happenings

By Sara Rosenbaum Director, Impact and Community Planning - JCFR his is one of the few times in history that the whole world has experienced the same issues and hardships at the same time.

When it came time to make the decision to cancel this summer’s teen experiences in Israel and in the States, the Partnership2Gther Hadera-Eiron Southeast Consortium, knew we needed to keep our People to People experiences in tack.

Thus the idea of One 2 One English program became a reality.

This program paired stateside teachers with middle school students in Israel who wanted to improve their English speaking skills.

Thank you to Nancy Nelson and Katie Rosenbaum for participating in this pilot. They joined teachers from all over the Southeast region to offer oneon-one English tutoring to Israeli Middle Schoolers during the month of July!

Thank you for making a difference in these students summer activities.

The following are some of their thoughts of the program: Nancy Nelson: I was so glad to have the opportunity to be part of the One2One program in July.

At first I was apprehensive. Since I am a full-time high school math teacher, and teach Hebrew once a week at Religious School, I’ve had no experience teaching English, more specifically to non-native speakers. Sara (Rosenbaum) said I’d be a great candidate, so I applied and after the first meeting, I was both excited and nervous.

During the spring, my religious school class met weekly with peers in Israel via Zoom and that was a great experience, so I knew how fun it could be.

But, I wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish the goals and help them to improve their English speaking skills.

I started by reading over the Ministry of Education’s expectations/requirements for the grade levels of my students, taking copious notes.

Then, I decided to pick a theme for each session; some based on interests they expressed. Once I did that, I was able to get more organized and, as any teacher knows, could plan each session with lots of things to do and talk about.

Our first session was a “meet and greet,”which gave me a chance to get to

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www.JewishRichmond.org

Katie Rosenbaum (bottom) sings “Hotel California” along with her Israel student (top) and Jill Abel, the P2G U.S. staff member. Contributed Screen Scan

know each of my girls a bit, as well as get a sense of their English skills.

For the next session, I decided to focus on people and relationships. In the Google slides that I created, I had pictures of my family, friends, pets, students, co-workers, etc.

However, I realized at the end of the session that I had done too much of the talking – they should have done more.

So, I re-thought things a bit and made the second session focused on food.

The Google slides I made for this session had pictures of foods (one of fruits, one of vegetables, one of entrees and sides, one of desserts and miscellaneous) that they had to identify, pick favorites, and talk about.

I also did a “game” (Quizizz) with the foods, and then had a Jeopardy-like game with questions they had to answer using complete sentences. This seemed to go much better than the last session.

One of the other teachers shared with us a Google maps activity she did, so I tried that the next week. First, I showed both of my girls my house, my school, my congregation, and a few other places, and then gave them the opportunity to do the same.

My first student, Mia, loved this activity and even started the next session showing me more things. Each session got better and better as far as the interactions, and their English skills. Mia loves cooking, especially baking, so for the last two sessions we focused on that.

I found several ESL activities related to recipes that I knew she’d like, and even a restaurant review activity. She was very excited to do them, and shared Relationships More on page 28

Richmond One-to-One Volunteer Nancy Nelson Nancy Nelson has been teaching professionally for the past 32 years. She has taught both Religious School and secondary mathematics in public schools in the Richmond area (at Henrico High School for the past 23 years).

Her passion for education led to her pursuit of National Board Certification and a Master’s in math education.

Nancy is also youth advisor for OATY (Or Ami Temple Youth) and has been a youth group advisor for over 20 years.

She has a passion for working with youth and sponsors the Henrico Spirit Club in addition to teaching at Congregation Or Ami and Henrico High School.

In addition, she became involved with P2G 6 years ago when she went on the Educators Mission to Israel. During that trip, she met teachers who she has remained in touch with, collaborated with, and visited many times. She has connected Israeli students with both her public school students and students from Or Ami, most recently as weekly Zooms in the spring between Or Ami’s 6th-8th graders and middle schoolers in Israel.

In December, she took her nephew to Israel where they spent a day at an Israeli school, so he could attend classes and meet students, and they stayed with teacher friends with children his age.

Katie Rosenbaum

Courtesy of Photo Ops by Adrienne

Richmond One-to-One Volunteer Katie Rosenbaum Katie Rosenbaum, a retired literacy specialist, has spent more than 30 years in K-12 classrooms, colleges and universities as well as the Virginia Department of Education.

She has taught every grade (K12) as well as community college, atrisk college freshmen, and pre-service teachers. While at the VDOE, Katie worked with in-service teachers to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary development.

She finished her career as a literacy specialist working with upperelementary, middle, and high school teachers to improve student writing and reading comprehension.

Nancy Nelson while in Israel in December.

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 9

.Arts + Ideas Goes Virtual Weinstein JCC Happenings

Earl Ferguson (OBM) and Holden Seward in “Annie” in 2018. File Photos

(From left) In 2018, Holden Seward, Matt Boyle, Henry Donovan, Earl Ferguson (OBM) Trevor Worden and Ray Green sing during a scene in the Jewish Family Theatre production of “Annie.” Earl Ferguson was portraying Franklin Roosevelt in the show.

A

s the world around us has changed and the way in which we gather is not the same, Arts + Ideas at the Weinstein JCC has revamped their upcoming season to continue to reach art lovers throughout our community, and beyond!

With its long-time commitment to an arts and culture mission, the Weinstein JCC will continue to provide enriching and engaging programs to the Richmond and Jewish community, and for the upcoming months, these programs will be offered virtually.

The 2020-21 Arts + Ideas season line-up will include all of the cultural arts series the community has looked forward to for many years, including: Jewish Family Theater, The Fife-Davis Family Annual Jewish Book Fair, Israeli Film Festival and the Adolf-Adams JCC Forum, along with an expanded Sip & Learn series and a new Behindthe-Music series.

Subscriptions to the virtual season of Arts + Ideas are available. Visit weinsteinjcc.org or contact Lisa Looney, llooney@weinsteinjcc.org for more information.

As a subscriber, you will receive priority registration, guaranteed reservation for limited access events, recordings and other perks. Most of all, your subscription helps to support the arts and culture mission of the Weinstein JCC and allows us to continue to bring community and culture together, all through a Jewish lens.

Virtual Arts + Ideas Happenings for October: October 1, 7 p.m.

Art Exhibit Opening: Hope, Peoplehood and the Five Legs Curated by Lisa Lezell-Levine; Sponsored by Hirschler This event is rescheduled from its May 2020 date

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With original works by Jewish artists from the Richmond community, “Hope, Peoplehood and the Five Legs” is the culmination of a year-long exploration of Jewish peoplehood based on Avraham Infeld’s metaphor, The Five-Legged Table.

After attending workshops led by Jewish educators and rabbis that focused on each leg of the table and participating in various community and cultural arts events within the Jewish community, artists created their inspired artwork.

Participating artists include Cynthia Krumbein, Lisa Lezell-Levine, Lydia Marek, Holly Markhoff, Joel Moses, Naomi Swartz, Ed Tepper and Heidi Thacker.

The exhibit will be on display from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 in the Sara D. November Gallery as well as online. Join us on October 1 at 7 p.m. for a virtual art opening. This event is FREE and open to the community.

Thursday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.

Jewish Family Theatre presents A Mover, A Shaker, A Macher, A Mensch This special JFT production, “A Mover, A Shaker, A Macher, A Mensch” is a tribute to the late Earl Ferguson.

With artistic direction by Debra Clinton and musical direction by Natan Berenshteyn, we will take a “behind the scenes” look at the man who made great things happen, in both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.

Past cast members of the JFT shows in which Earl performed will honor him in one of his favorite places – the Sara Belle November Theatre at the Weinstein JCC. For tickets and to register for this virtual event, visit weinsteinjcc.org. Tickets are $25 per household and included in the Arts + Ideas virtual season subscription.

10 | the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

Artwork by Lisa Lezell-Levine who will be one of the participating artists in the exhibition Oct. 1 - Nov. 30. Contributed Photo

Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.: Sip & Learn Series: The Firsts, The Inside Story of the Women Reshaping Congress In November 2018, the greatest number of women in American history entered Congress. Jennifer Steinhauer, author and “New York Times” reporter, has followed these women’s first year in the 116th Congress, chronicling their transition from running trailblazing campaigns to the daily work of governance.

Join us in conversation with Jennifer as she provides fresh details, inside access, historical perspective and expert analysis on these women new to Congress.

Visit chopsueybooks.com to order the book and receive an autographed book plate. To register, visit weinsteinjcc.org. This event is FREE and open to the community.

Art + Ideas More on next page

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Weinstein JCC Happenings

Shana Tova From the Board and Staff of the Weinstein JCC

‫תשפ״א‬

5781 Art + Ideas Continued from page 10

October 28, 7 p.m.

Women’s Night Out: “Moodtopia” Co-hosted by Hadassah Richmond; Sponsored by Hannah and Allen Cohen This event is rescheduled from its March 2020 date Now, more than ever, it is natural to feel stressed and a little “off.” The key is to be able to control your moods and not the other way around.

This is the essence behind “Moodtopia,” a practical guide to herbs, adaptogens, essential oils and aromatherapy designed to help you tame your moods, de-stress and find balance.

“Moodtopia” author and master herbalist, Sara-Chana Silverstein, will be the featured guest at our first VIRTUAL Women’s Night Out. Sara-Chana is featured regularly on the most popular TV,

radio news shows and podcasts. Attendees will walk away with natural ways to promote peace of mind and general health along with strategies for combatting stress and anxiety.

Tickets are $10 per household. Tickets are included in the subscription for 201920 Promoter Level and above subscribers and 2020-21 virtual season subscribers.

Prior registrations will be honored. Visit chopsueybooks.com to order the book and receive an autographed book plate.

To register, visit weinsteinjcc.org.

The Weinstein JCC is supported, in part, by a generous annual contribution, programming grants and COVID-19 Crisis Relief Funds from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

L’Shana Tova www.JewishRichmond.org

5400 Club upcoming Zoom programs

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he Weinstein JCC 5400 Club is now holding Zoom programs. All programs begin at 12:30 p.m. Upcoming scheduled programs include: Aug. 31 -- Dr. Jason R. Arnold, VCU, “Truth, Lies, and Democracy in the Trump Era.” Sept. 7 - Labor Day: No Meeting Sept. 14 - Jim Dau, “Addressing the High Prices – and Costs – of Prescription Drugs.”

Sept 21 - Dr. Peter Schertz, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, “The Arch of Titus.”

Sept. 28 - Yom Kippur: NO MEETING Note: The programs and speakers listed are scheduled at Reflector press time. Any changes to the speakers/programs will be communicated to members.

Registration information with Zoom instructions will be sent to members who have signed up to receive.

For more information, reach out to Norman Sporn at n.sporn@gmail.com.

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 11

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www.JewishRichmond.org

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JFS Happenings

the

Presents

Virtual Bowling Ball Campaign for Virginia’s Kids in Foster Care www.jfsrichmond.org/bowlingball

Virtual Bowling Ball to help kids in foster care set for Oct. 29

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here are more than 1,000 children in central Virginia’s foster care system looking for a forever family. The COVID--19 pandemic has disrupted their schedules and support systems: visits with birth families and court dates were cancelled, schools and therapists’ offices closed.

Children in foster care who have experienced trauma are especially vulnerable to the many changes that came with social distancing and restrictions.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “social distancing can reawaken feelings of loneliness and isolation that many children in foster care have experienced.”

JFS Connecting Hearts, the Virginia Department of Social Services grantee selected to provide foster and adoptive family recruitment services for Central Virginia, recognizes the urgent need to find permanent loving homes and stability for kids in foster care.

By sharing the stories and photos of children and youth in foster care in our Heart Gallery and working with interested families through the Connecting Hearts Family Alliance, we hope to increase the connections that lead to for-

ever families for kids in foster care.

JFS Connecting Hearts’ second annual awareness event and fundraiser, the Bowling Ball, was scheduled for Oct. 29.

Instead of postponing the event, the Bowling Ball volunteer leadership reinvented it as a digital awareness campaign: the Virtual Bowling Ball!

This year it is not about how you bowl – it’s about how you roll for Virginia’s kids in foster care. We are happy to have WTVR CBS 6 as our Presenting Sponsor for the Virtual Bowling Ball.

The event and the raised awareness about the need for families to welcome children in foster care into their homes will roll right into November’s “A Hand to Hold” campaign, where CBS 6 will share stories of 30 children in foster care searching for their forever families.

There’s not a moment to spare! Visit the campaign website, jfsrichmond.org/bowlingball, to learn more about the Virtual Bowling Ball 2020!

You’ll find funny videos, the list of sponsors, and more information about the urgent need to find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care. Get creative!

l'shana tovah FROM

OUR

HAVE

A

FAMILY

SWEET

Make a video showing how you roll for children in foster care and tag JFS Connecting Hearts when you post it on Facebook or Instagram.

Don’t forget to challenge your friends and family to do the same – when we roll together, we can find forever homes for children in foster care in need of loving families! jfsrichmond.org/connecting-hearts https://www.jfsrichmond.org/connectinghearts/#the-heart-gallery jfsrichmond.org/connectinghearts/#connecting-hearts-family-alliance Jewish Family Services is supported, in part, by a generous annual contribution, a programming grant to support the Jewish Care Line and COVID-19 Crisis Relief Funds from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

There’s not a moment to spare. 1000+ children in Virginia’s foster care system are looking for their forever families right now.

TO

NEW

YOURS, YEAR.

L’Shana Tova!

Proudly Serving Richmond Since 1991

HOMESTYLE GREEK AND ITALIAN Dine-in seating now available!

COVID-19 is disrupting their lives in many ways: • Children are losing their support systems at school • Visits with birth families and court dates are being disrupted • Children are losing the reassurance of routines • Youth in college are in limbo • Chances of success are worsening for teens aging out of foster care • Potentially increased abuse, but fewer opportunities to report it*

Visit www.jfsrichmond.org/bowlingball to learn how you can help find permanent, loving families for Virginia’s children in foster care!

Call for takeout and curbside pick up!

*from blog.adoptuskids.org/how-is-covid-19-affecting-children-in-foster-care

www.JewishRichmond.org

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 13

9068 WEST BROAD STREET

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Beth Sholom Happenings

‘Warm Hugs’ for residents in memory care B

eth Sholom Senior Living would very much like to thank The Warm Hug Project for delivering beautiful shawls recently for residents in memory care!

The Warm Hug Project provides, free of charge, handmade knitted shawls to those in memory care. These “hugs” convey compassion and security so important to human life. The shawls are made by volunteers.

Morris Funk, president & CEO of Beth Sholom, and Melissa Phillips, executive director of The Warm Hug Project, pose with several shawls. The organization donated 10 shawls for residents in the memory care units at Beth Sholom. Beth Sholom Photos

Claire Venn, Beth Sholom Life Enrichment, holds one of the donated shawls as she prepares to deliver to residents.

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14 | the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

www.JewishRichmond.org

ONLINE AUCTION

Live September 10th, 2020

Mah Jongg Madness

You may recall Mah Jongg Madness was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to continue the tradition, we are excited to share that our Mah Jongg Madness Silent Auction is coming to you online September 10th! Please join in the fun and bid on the incredible items we have to offer this year!

Auction will be live from September 10th until September 17th www.32auctions.com/MahJonggMadness Proceeds to benefit programming at Beth Sholom For more information call (804) 421-5355, email Communications@bslcc.org or visit www.bethsholomliving.org Thank you for your continued support!

.

Beth Sholom Happenings

Best wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year

L ’Shana Tova Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care Parkside Assisted Living & Memory Care Woods Apartment Living

The Healthcare Center Rehabilitation, Skilled & Long Term Care Generations Home Health Skilled Home Healthcare

1600 John Rolfe Parkway | Richmond, Virginia 23238 | Main (804) 750-2183

1600 John Rolfe Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238 | www.bethsholomliving.org | 804-750-2183

Beth Sholom recently had a Friday Ice Cream Celebration for staff. Holding her ice cream is Jessica Burrell, LPN, Parkside Assisted Living. www.JewishRichmond.org

Annie Khani, C.N.A, Healthcare Center, holds her ice cream.

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector |15

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Synagogue Happenings

Beth Ahabah Combats Racial Disparity with ‘Mensch Masks’

By Katie Roeper Beth Ahabah Volunteer OVID-19 is impacting everyone, but a disturbing trend in the U.S. is that people of color, particularly African Americans, disproportionately experience more serious symptoms and greater number of deaths.

Beth Ahabah’s Brit Olam and Tikkun Olam committees sought to help reduce the risk of infection in vulnerable populations.

Research revealed that underserved communities have less access to face masks and lack critical information such as mask-handling instructions. Increasing access and education can go a long way in helping folks protect themselves and others against unnecessary exposure to coronavirus.

In response, Beth Ahabah joined forces with St. James’s Episcopal Church to launch “Mensch Masks” — an ambitious project to make face masks, packaged with educational information, for distribution to Richmond’s most vulnerable populations through a partnership with The Market at 25th. In order to involve volunteers regardless of sewing skills and adhere to safe distancing guidelines, a plan was developed for 100+ members from the two congregations to help with tasks from their own home: • 36 Fabric Cutters measured and cut 94 yards of fabric and 47 yards of interfacing into 6” x 9” rectangles to expedite sewing • 27 Seamstresses stitched love into thousands of pieces of fabric to make 3-ply, washable face masks • 13 Packagers individually assembled each face mask with an educational card (explaining why and how to wear face masks) and sealed them in Ziploc bags for sanitary distribution • 25 Drivers traveled the roads of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond, picking-up and delivering, front porch- to-front porch, to maintain safe distance and efficient delivery of materials. A dedicated coordinator scheduled and tracked all 188 trips between each stage of the process, using a drop box outside Beth Ahabah as a universal drop-point.

Material made in Ghana and Nigeria, interfacing, and black elastic were purchased to make the facemasks esthetically pleasing. Educational cards were designed and printed, incorporating CDC facemask guidelines.

The Market at 25th provided valuable advice on the project and served as the primary distribution center, for customers from North Church Hill, Creighton Court, Fairmount, Mosby and surround-

C

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16| the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

Katie Roeper delivers the first batch of facemasks to Norm Gold, president of The Market at 25th.

Laura Davidson sews masks from donated material she purchased in Nigeria.

Clay Davis helps his mom cut material for masks.

ing neighborhoods.

While the original goal was 1,000, thanks to incredible enthusiasm and generous outpouring of time and talents, Beth Ahabah and St. James’s volunteers actually produced 1,410 facemasks to help combat racial disparity during coronavirus.

Norm Gold, president of The Market at 25th said, “We couldn’t have fought COVID-19’s potential impact on our staff and customers without the facemasks provided by the Mensch Mask Project volunteers! Thanks to you, our customers can feel safe and healthy. You have made a difference!”

Katy Yoffy finishs her first batch of masks.

While St. James’s and Beth Ahabah are next-doorneighbors, for more than 25 years, they have also been faith-based partners and good friends. This project was yet another opportunity to strengthen their multi-faith connection and combine efforts to do sacred work, giving back to the city in which both congregations worship.

The Beth Ahabah chairs are: Brit Olam Chair, Julie Mullian and Tikkun Olam Chair, Karen Hough.

For more information or to be involved in Beth Ahabah’s Brit Olam and Tikkun Olam Committees, please contact Julie Mullian at mullian@verizon.net.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Synagogue Happenings

CONGREGATION BETH AHABAH SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

More may be added. Check www.bethahabah.org for additional programming. * These services will be protected by password and available only to our members and those who register for guest “tickets.” Please contact Andrea Shiflett at 804-358-6757 or a.shiflett@bethahabah.org for guest tickets. ** These services will be accessible publicly with no password.

ROSH HASHANAH Helpful educational cards were included with the masks that demonstrated how and why to wear a facemask. Beth Ahabah Photos

Friday, September 18th • Virtual Evening Service at 7:30pm* Saturday, September 19th • Virtual Young Family Service at 9am** • Virtual Morning Service at 11am* • Virtual Afternoon Service at 2:30pm* • Tashlich Service (Tashlich on-your-own kits which will be delivered to members)

YAMIM NORAIM (10 DAYS OF AWE) Sunday, September 20th • Virtual High Holy Days Cemetery Memorial Service streamed from Hebrew Cemetery at 10am**

(an on-your-own component will also be provided to members in advance for use either at home or during a private visit to the cemetery of their choice at their convenience.

(Hebrew Cemetery hours are Sunday–Friday, 8am–4pm.)

YOM KIPPUR Sunday, September 27th • Virtual Kol Nidre Evening Service at 7:30pm* Monday, September 28th • Virtual Young Family Service at 9am** • Virtual Morning Service at 11am* • Live Zoom Discussion with the Rabbi at 1:15–2pm* • Virtual Afternoon Service at 2:30pm* • Virtual Yizkor (Memorial) Service at 4:15pm* • Virtual Neilah (Concluding) Service at 5:15pm*

SUKKOT Friday, October 2nd • Virtual Erev Sukkot and Shabbat Service at 6:15pm**

SIMCHAT TORAH Friday, October 9th • Virtual Erev Simchat Torah and Shabbat Service and 6:15pm** (featuring My Son the Doctor Klezmer Band!)

Gay Goldstone delivers sewn masks to prepare for packaging.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 17

Schedule of Local Holiday Services for 5781

Congregation Beth Ahabah (Reform) Rabbi Scott N. Nagel Rosh Hashanah Virtual Services Sept. 18 - Erev Rosh Hashanah, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 - Young Family Service, 9 a.m

Congregational Service, 11 a.m.

Afternoon Service, 2:30 p.m.

Yom Kippur Virtual Services Sept. 27 - Erev Kol Nidre. 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 - Young Family Service, 9 a.m.

Morning Service, 11 a.m.

Afternoon Discussion, 1:15 p.m.

Afternoon Service, 2:30 p.m.; Memorial Service, 4:15 p.m.

Concluding Service, 5:15 p.m.

Most services are only open to members and protected by passwords. Tickets are available. See Page 17 for details.

For details and for tickets, call the Congregation office at (804) 358-6757

Congregation Or Atid (Conservative) Rabbi Hal Schevitz

Congregation Brith Achim (Conservative) Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman

Rosh Hashanah Live Streamed Sept. 18 - Erev Rosh Hashanah, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 - First Day of Rosh Hashanah, 10 a.m.

Sept. 20 - Second Day of Rosh Hashanah, 10 a.m.

Family Service, interactive via Zoom, Time TBD Outdoor Rosh Hashanah Extraganza, 2 p.m.

Yom Kippur Live Streamed Sept. 27 - Kol Nidre, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 - Yom Kippur Services, 10 a.m.; Family Service- Time TBD Healing Service, 2 p.m.; Minchah, 5 p.m.; Ne’ ilah, 7 p.m.;

Blowing of Shofar in Parking Lot After Services All Services will be live-streamed and are open to all community members. No in-person services.

Visit www.oratid.org.

Virtual Services Streamed on You Tube and Facebook Rosh Hashanah Sept. 18 - Evening Service, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 - Morning Service, 10 a.m.;

Yom Kippur Sept. 27 - Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 - Morning Service, 10 a.m.

All services are free and open to the public. No in-person services. For details on how to view on social media, call the Synagogue office at (804) 732- 3968 or visit the Congregation Facebook page.

L’ Shana Tovah: Apples and Honey - What is the Origin?

O ne of the most well-known customs of Rosh Hashanah is the dipping of apple pieces in honey but what is its origin?

In the time of King David, we know he had a “cake made in a pan and a sweet cake” (II Samuel 6: 15, 19) given to everyone. Hosea 3: 1 identifies the “sweet cake” as a raisin cake.

Honey may also have been used in the cake, but the honey of ancient Eretz Yisrael was made from dates or grapes or figs or raisins because there were no domestic bees in the land. At that time only the Syrian bees were there and in order to extract honey from their combs it had to be smoked. Still, honey was of importance in Biblical times as there was no sugar at that time.

During the Roman period, Italian bees were introduced to the Middle East and bee honey was more common.

The Torah also describes Israel as eretz zvat chalav u’dvash, the land flowing with milk and honey,

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although the honey was more than likely date honey, a custom retained by many Sephardic Jews to this day.

Israel has roughly 500 beekeepers who have some 90,000 beehives, which produce more than 3,500 tons of honey annually. Kibbutz Yad Mordechai is the largest producer of honey –10,000 bottles a day.

Among Ashkenazic Jews, challah is dipped in honey instead of having salt sprinkled on it for the blessing. Then the blessing is given over the apple, “May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year,” and the apple is dipped in the honey.

Dipping the apple in honey on Rosh Hashanah is said to symbolize the desire for a sweet new year.

Why an apple? In B’reishit, the book of Genesis, Israel compares the fragrance of his son, Jacob, to sadeh shel tappuchim, a field of apple trees.

Scholars tell us that mystical powers were ascribed to the apple and people believed it

18| the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

provided good health and personal well being.

Some attribute the using of an apple to the translation of the story of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit which caused the expulsion from paradise.

A few years ago, an article revealed that the average Israeli eats 125 apples and 750 grams of honey a year.

Israel is self-sufficient with regard to apples with around 9,900 acres cultivated yearly, grown in the North the Galilee hills and the Golan Heights.The most popular types of apples grown are Golden Delicious, Starking, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Gala and Pink Lady. www.JewishRichmond.org

Schedule of Local Holiday Services for 5781 Temple Beth-El (Conservative)

Chabad Community Shul Rabbi Yossel Kranz

Rabbi Michael Knopf

Services open to all.

Beth-El invites the greater community to join us as we safely stream all services and events for the upcoming

Keneseth Beth Israel (Orthodox) Rabbi Dovid Asher

Congregation Or Ami (Reform)

High Holy Day season.

Rabbi Ahuva Zaches

For all the details and registra-

Rosh Hashanah Virtual Services Sept. 18 - Erev Rosh Hashanah, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 - Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

Family Service, 4 p.m.

Yom Kippur Sept. 27 - Kol Nidre - 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 - Morning Service,10:30 a.m.

Meditation Service, 3 p.m.

Family Service, 4 p.m.

Afternoon/Yizkor/Neilah Service, 5 p.m.; All services will be virtual and open to all without charge. For information, contact the Temple office at office@or-ami.com or visit http://or-ami.com/worship/high-holy-days

tion, visit bethelrichmond.org/HHD2020,

Wishing all a Happy and Sweet New Year For details on all High Holiday Services and other details, visit https://www.kbirva.com/hh

L’Shana Tova

For information, visit chabadofva.org

Visit the JCFR High Holiday webpage for links to all area Synagogues https://www.jewishrichmond.org/highholidays

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 19

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Synagogue Happenings

Or Ami happenings in September C

ongregation Or Ami is offering a ticket-less and virtual High Holy Day experience to our larger community.

We will enjoy all of the beautiful High Holy Day music that we usually have, without unintentionally spreading the coronavirus. Our services are pre-recorded for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, featuring Rabbi Ahuva Zaches, Cantor Uri Barnea, songleader Rachel Wolman, and Or Ami community members.

You can find the link to these services on our High Holy Day page on the Or Ami website: https://or-ami.com/high-holy-days/.

In addition to our main High Holy Day services, we will also be offering Family Services for children and their families to enjoy together. A meaningful Yom Kippur meditation led by Or Ami member Lisa Halberstadt is planned, along with Zoom rooms where congregants can meet and socialize during the holiday.

For login information for the Yom Kippur Zoom meditation session, please contact Maria at office@or-ami.com.

Specific services will be available at the following times and remain online afterward to watch at your convenience: Rosh Hashanah Friday, September 18 –7:30 p.m. Evening Service Saturday, September 19 –10:30 a.m. Morning Service Saturday, September 19 – 4 p.m. Family Service Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27 – 7:30 p.m. Evening Service (Kol Nidrei) Monday, September 28 –10:30 a.m. Morning Service Monday, September 28 – 3 pm Meditation Service (zia Zoom) Monday, September 28 – 4 p.m. Family Service Monday, September 28 – 5 p.m. Afternoon, Yizkor, and Concluding Service Online Religious School High Holy Day services are not the only virtual offerings this fall, our inspirational and educational Religious School program will be online until we can be sure that it is safe for our students and staff to gather in person again.

This year students in the K-8 program will be learning about Jewish heroes from biblical times to the present day, including scientists, athletes, activists, and trailblazers of diverse Jewish backgrounds. Our Torah Tots preschool program will be focusing on biblical heroes. In addition to learning about these Jewish heroes, our students will have time for fun social connections and meaningful prayer experiences all designed to support students’ mental and spiritual health during this challenging time. If you would like to register your child(ren) in our Religious School program, visit https://or-ami.com/registration/.

On Friday, October 2, a special Zoom service for Sukkot is planned, with a virtual Sukkah you can help decorate. Then, on Friday, Oct. 9, we will have a Simchat Torah-themed Shabbat service with a virtual tour of the Torah scroll.

Please email Maria - office@or-ami.com, for the zoom links to these events.

Upcoming Activities Or-Ami’s Book Club has scheduled: Sept. 14 - Lauren Belfer, “After the Fire” Oct. 5 - Matt Friedman, “Spies of No Country” Nov. 2 - Pam Jenoff, “Lost Girls of Paris.”

Despite the pandemic and for the greater good, we encouraged members to participate in the following ongoing Mitzvoth this summer: • Making face masks for those in need, and at last count our very own Grace Silverstein has made more than 3,000!

• Under Nancy Nelson’s direction, a group of Or Amians went to the FeedMore to help assemble 1,200 backpacks of food to distribute to families in the city of Richmond.

• Organized volunteers delivered food to Or Amians in need.

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Rabbi Ahuva Zaches will lead the virtual High Holiday services. Or Ami Photos • Our OATY Youth group continued clean-up work at Evergreen Cemetery. (See photos next page) • Or Amians made friendly phone calls to check in on their fellow congregants.

While we miss seeing each other face-to-face, we have found ways to continue to be a Kehillah Kedosha.

For more information on any of our programs, or to verify

any activities, please contact our office at (804) 272-0017 or office@or-ami.com.

Want to know more? Contact Belong@Or-Ami.com or check us out at www.Or-Ami.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ OrAmi-Richmond, or catch us on Twitter@oramirichmond. Inquiries welcome

Or Ami volunteers at FeedMore

Pictured are some of the Or Amians who volunteered at FeedMore recently to help assemble 1,200 backpacks of food to distribute to families in the City of Richmond.

www.JewishRichmond.org

Helping to cleanup Evergreen Cemetery

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Synagogue Happenings

Groups of OATY teens and family members pose for photos after three separate weekend volunteering projects in 2019 and early in 2020 to help cleanup Evergreen Cemetery. OATY has worked for the past three years at this cemetery. During this time they helped make major improvements to the neglected African- American cemetery.

Contributed Photos

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 21

Beth-El Religious School Happenings

Camp Temple Beth-El summer programs finished up with family visits to the nature center.

Families enjoyed learning about Nature in Con’text’ and exploring the low-ropes course.

By Ramona L. Brand Director of Youth Learning Religious School Opening Day Sunday, Sept. 13 Get ready for a great New Year!!

We’re celebrating the first day of Religious and the Fall Holidays with our Shana Tova “Car”nival. Drive-thru fun begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Brown Religious School.

Families will receive bags chock full of supplies to get ready for a great year of school.

Rosh Hashana treats will be handed out; there will be games to play and prizes to win! Hear the Shofar, aim for your New Year wishes.

Our teachers will be on hand to greet students and welcome them back to school.

Where else can you have so much fun without having to leave your car?

Registration for the 2020-2021 Religious School year is open!

For Pre-K through 10th grade: Our innovative and child-centered approach to Jewish learning provides a dynamic environment where Jewish education is joyous, fun, inspiring and spiritual.

Skill level Hebrew enables students to learn at an independent pace and move comfortably toward mastery. Our creative program incorporates electives, hands-on learning, and interactive education.

General school schedule: Grades: Pre-K – 2 / Sundays 9 am- noon; Grades: 3-7/ Sundays 9am – 12noon and Wednesdays 4:15 – 6:14 p.m.

Interested in learning more about our school?

Contact Ramona at r.brand@bethelrichmond.org • Temple Membership not required for families with students in Pre-K through 2nd

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grade and 8-10th.

• For online registration, visit https://www.bethelrichmond.org/school ZOOMing into a New School Year In these uncertain times, we can assure you that providing a loving and caring Religious School community is our highest priority.

We are working hard to get ready for year of excellent and creative Jewish education. We are committed to nurturing our students’ love of Jewish learning and living, enhancing their knowledge and understanding of our traditions, values and culture heritage while providing a sense of security, community and friendship through this challenging time.

• We will take the health and safety of our students and teachers into consideration in all that we plan. At Temple Beth-El a Covid-19 task force was formed in the spring just after the pandemic reached us. Our task force, made up of doctors, and other health professionals, developed a guideline to determine how all Temple Beth-El activities will be conducted until the pandemic is over. For more information about our guidelines please visit www. bethelrichmond.org/covid • Opening Day Car-nival on Sunday, Sept.

13 will be an opportunity to pick up Hebrew and Judaics text books and other supplies and will feature fun drive-thru activities to welcome you back to school and get ready for the High Holiday

22| the Reflector| September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

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Synagogue Happenings

High Holiday Family Services and Special Programs Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, Sept. 16, 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Rosh Hashanah Family Program: Sweet As Honey Get ready for Rosh Hashanah

with a visit from a Beekeeper, then make a special sweet Challah for the holiday.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 – 10 a.m.

Family Service: A lively, interactive musical Rosh Hashanah service for families

with children from infants through Grade 2 Saturday, September 19, 3 - 4 p.m.

Teen Rosh Hashanah Zoom Hangout: Shana Tova Service by and for Teens.

Yom Kippur Monday, Sept. 28, 10 -11 a.m.

Family Service: A thoughtful, interactive program for families

with children from infants through Grade 2 Monday, Sept. 28, 3 - 4 p.m.

Teen Yom Kippur Zoom Hangout: Shana Tova Service by and for Teens Sukkot: Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 -10 a.m.

Sukkot Family Program: Sukkah of Peace – celebrate the bounty of Sukkot

with stories, songs, and activities and make-along Sukkah decorations Membership to Temple Beth-El is not required to attend our Family services and programs. For zoom link information, email Ramona Brand at r.brand@bethelrichmond.org.

• All classes will meet virtually, with the goal of having each grade meet once, inperson, outdoors in our nature center or other green spaces, following strict social distancing guidelines. No more than 8 students with 2 teachers will meet at a time.

• In order to maximize learning and Hebrew instruction, each grade level will be divided into two learning pods for smaller group instruction. All students will be together in their class groups for T’fillah zoom sessions.

• To maintain hands-on instruction and the essence of class community, we will

hold our camp-style virtual classes which will include synchronous hands-on projects.

All materials for creative projects will be delivered to family homes.

• Parent will be sent a short questionnaire asking for buddy names and slot preference.

• Our teachers have been busy over the summer attending conferences and taking workshops to learn new virtual technologies which will enhance your students learning experience. We are excited about sparking creativity, learning, and family engagement in the months ahead.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Synagogue Happenings

Jewish Family Theatre presents The Pulitzer Prize-winning story of Westbury Apothecary and Kosher Market a transformational friendship For your Rosh Hashanah Celebration!

Empire Turkey Breast: $3.99/lb. • Empire Turkeys: $2.99/lb.

1st Cut Whole Beef Brisket (frozen): $7.99/lb. (7 lbs.)

Delicious Round and Raisin Challahs

We also carry a full line of holiday cakes and pastries!

Wines for Your Holiday Table:

Kever Avot Service cannot be held this year Richmond Beth-El Cemetery Company, Inc. Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn B’nai Shalom Cemetery at Greenwood Memorial Gardens

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ach year the Richmond Beth-El Cemetery Company, Inc. has a Cemetery Service known as Kever Avot between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Throughout our lives the example our loved ones modeled for us, good or bad, simple or complex, shape our lives forever. Even when they are no longer here with us, the need to connect, to remember, and to honor them lives on.

Kever Avot v’lmahot (literally, the Graves of our patriarch and matriarch) is a service honoring our departed loved ones and their memories.

Historically, Kever Avot was a superstitious occasion when Jews would take advantage of the auspicious timing before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

That is when the Book of Life is open and God’s judgment is open to argument, to ask their departed loved ones to intercede on their behalf and make sure that their names are recorded for another year of life.

Today Kever Avot is not so much

www.JewishRichmond.org

about soliciting heavenly intervention as about reconnecting with our personal history and honoring those who shaped it. As we look to the future, we should acknowledge the past, especially to those special people who helped mold our lives, who helped make us who we are.

This year due to the Covid 19 Pandemic there will not be a Kever Avot service at either Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn or B’nai Shalom Cemetery at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.

Instead we hope that you will visit the Cemetery to honor the memory of your loved ones between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at your convenience or any time during the High Holidays.

The Directors of Richmond BethEl Cemetery Company, Inc. wish you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Sweet New Year.

L’Shana Tovah If you have any questions about this message or the Cemetery, please contact Bette Rose Webne at brp124@ comcast.net.

Manischewitz Wine: $4.49 (750ml) All Terra Vega Wines: $8.99 (750ml) Gabriele Merlot: $9.99 (750ml) Gabriele Cabernet: $9.99 (750ml) Gabriele Pinot Grigio: $9.99 (750ml) Prices effective Sept. 1-30

Have a healthy and safe new year!

Westbury Apothecary • 8903 Three Chopt Road in Richmond’s West End (804) 285-3428 • Open M-F: 8AM-9PM, Saturday: 8AM-6PM, Sunday: 8AM-5PM

Temple Beth-El brings High Holy Days online W

e invite the greater community to join us as we safely stream all services and events for the upcoming High Holy Day season.

Be inspired and moved by the sweet voice of our amazing Cantor Dara Rosenblatt and the passionate energy of our learned Rabbi Michael Knopf.

You’ll experience the friendliness of our members and the rich history of our beautiful sanctuary, ALL from the comfort or your own home!

Keep an eye on our High Holy Days web page at bethelrichmond.org/HHD2020, which will include all the details and registration.

You’re also welcome to call Tess Goldblatt, our new executive director, at 804-355-3564 ext. 104 with any questions.

L’Shana Tova .

September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 23

Or Atid invites Richmond Community to High Holy Day Services - Virtually C ongregation Or Atid extends a warm welcome to the Jewish community, inviting you to join our congregational family for the High Holy Days as we celebrate renewal and hope on Rosh Hashanah and reflect on our inner lives on Yom Kippur.

Our services are going to look very different this year, and yet, we hope to capture the essence of Or Atid as we transition to a virtual format with a combination of live streaming, Zoom interactive portions, and limited in-person events.

The dedicated staff of Or Atid’s Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School is providing interactive virtual children’s services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Hosted on Zoom, the virtual services offer the opportunity for children and families to mindfully welcome the new year together, making connections to each other through the screen. (See more in article below) Featuring sensory-based activities, music and movement, and gamified brain breaks, the virtual service rings in the new year like never before. On Yom Kippur, children and their families will reflect on the past year through mindfulness, taking a spiritual journey through the year as we apologize, forgive, and reflect together. In addition to the live services, families may also sign up to receive their own copy of the virtual service with additional activities the whole family can enjoy at their own pace. Please visit Or Atid’s website at www.oratid.org for more information about children and family services.

We are also excited about our Rosh Hashanah Extravaganza, which will be held in Or Atid’s parking lot on Sunday, September 20 at 2pm. Join us for Tashlikh, the sounding of the shofar, and tasting the sweetness of apples and honey at this sociallydistanced event.

All are welcome to attend our High Holiday Services. The schedule for the High Holy Day services is listed separately in this issue. Please note that as we are finalizing our schedule, our website will have the most up-to-date information, and some events will require reservations through our website or by calling the office.

Or Atid uses a Sustaining Share pledge model of membership rather than structured dues. Any guests attending the High Holidays who decide to join our Congregation can apply their High Holiday gift to their Sustaining Share pledge. Congregants choose their own level of giving to help sustain our synagogue rather than be bound by typical Synagogue dues. It’s more than a financial commitment; it is an emotional commitment that each individual or family wants to be a part of our community.

For more information, please call 804-740-4747.

We would love to have you participate in our warm and welcoming services and community, even if we are unable to be in person this year.

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Synagogue Happenings

Or Atid High Holy Day Schedule 2020

Selihot, Saturday, Sept. 12, 8:30 p.m.: Interactive via Zoom Rosh Hashanah Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. – Erev Rosh Hashanah Services Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. – First Day Rosh Hashanah

Services, live-streaming Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. – Second Day Rosh Hashanah

Services, live-streaming Rosh Hashanah Family service, interactive via Zoom, time TBD Sunday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m. – Outdoor Rosh Hashanah Extravaganza to include: outdoor shofar service, Tashlikh, apples and honey, family activities; Location Or Atid, Reservations Required Yizkor Thursday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. –interactive via Zoom Yom Kippur Sunday, Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m. – Kol Nidre, Erev Yom Kippur

Service, live-streaming Monday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. – Yom Kippur Morning Service, live-streaming Yom Kippur Family service, interactive via Zoom, time TBD • 2 p.m. – Yom Kippur Healing Service, interactive via Zoom • 5 p.m. – Yom Kippur Minhah Service, live-streaming • 7 p.m. – Yom Kippur Ne’ilah Service, live-streaming Shofar sounded after services in the parking lot PLEASE CHECK www.OrAtid.org for the most up-to-date information.

L’Shana Tova

Or Atid Religious School news

By Alison Litvin he 5781 High Holy Day season will look very different from previous years as services transition online and gatherings move outdoors.

The meaning of the holidays remain the same; Tishrei is a time to celebrate the New Year, making new promises and setting new goals while letting go of the past for a fresh start.

The Kornblau Religious School staff is leading interactive virtual services through Zoom, taking advantage of the platform’s features to invite children and families to participate in the service.

For the full High Holy Day schedule, please visit Or Atid’s website at www.oratid.org . Also see an article belwo on this page and also the High Holiday schedule on Page 18.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Saturday, Sept. 19, the High Holy Day festivities begin with a 15-minute Shalom Yeladim program for young children.

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Ringing in the New Year with story and song, the brief program incorporates moments of movement and mindfulness meditation as children celebrate a sweet, new year.

Following a short break, the Jr. Congregation service begins at 9:20 a.m., featuring sensory-based activities and meditative brain breaks to fully engage children through the screen. Though these programs are online, children will be up and moving throughout the service, and copies of the service are available for families to go through at their own pace outside of the scheduled program.

On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, Sept. 20, families are invited to attend an outdoor Rosh Hashanah Extravaganza at 2 p.m. in Or Atid’s parking lot. Featuring a socially distanced Shofar service, the program includes a meditative Tashlich journey to move through the year and reflect on

24 | the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

past months.

The Annual Apples and Honey Tasting Event continues, with a variety of apples and honeys available for families to sample and take home. The tasting event teaches families how new apple varieties are grown and where honey comes from. Families discover new apple and honey pairings, many trying the raw and creamed honey for the first time and discovering a new favorite treat.

Yom Kippur The virtual family and children’s service continues on Yom Kippur, with a Shalom Yeladim program at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28.

Centered on the theme of forgiveness, children will explore the meaning of the word “sorry” together. The Jr. Congregation service begins at 9:20 AM, encouraging children to mindfully consider ways they may have missed the mark in the past year so they may put their best foot forward into the new year.

For more information about children’s services, and to register for the events, please visit Or Atid’s website.

Back to School Open House The Kornblau Religious School is always open to interested families who are looking to start, continue, or explore their own Jewish Journey. To learn about the 2020-2021 school year and experience the virtual classroom, join the staff for an online Back to School Open House on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s classroom may be virtual, but that doesn’t stop our staff or students from discovering new ways to interact with Jewish holidays and traditions, Israeli culture, Hebrew and Tefillah, and the weekly Parsha.

For more information about the school, and to register for the virtual Open House, please contact Education Coordinator Alison Litvin, at relschool@oratid.org, or call Congregation Or Atid at (804) 740 - 4747. www.JewishRichmond.org

Happenings at Brith Achim L ate summer is always busy with arrangements for the High Holidays at Congregation Brith Achim, and this pandemic-hampered year is no exception.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur preparations are “full speed ahead” to ensure engaging, emotionally moving services.

Men’s Club events are fostering these celebrations as well as offering some enlightening activities. Remember: Men’s Club and Sisterhood events are open to all congregants!

Men’s Club led a “shul spiff-up” event on Aug. 23 to get our building ready for the New Year. Volunteers met to garden, clean, polish and otherwise ready the grounds for welcoming the holidays. We shared a distanced pot luck and started our outreach, charitable activities.

A Sept. 13 event will feature Men’s Club’s David Goldstein, Ph.D., giving a Zoom talk on “Practical Computer Security.”

Our speaker will leverage his work on information security research efforts to guide attendees through modern threats, their nomenclature, their omens, and their defenses. If you ever worry about hackers, this talk would be an easy way to quickly learn about defending your data.

High points of the fall season are our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. The Ritual Committee has spent many hours orchestrating a memorable, moving experience for attendees. Longestablished traditions such as our Sisterhood’s memorial books will be complimented by meticulous preparations to ensure an enriching spiritual experience.

Schedule details are available by

Chabad Happenings on Zoom

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Synagogue Happenings

BUYING OR SELLING? Contact Nancy for a NO Obligation Conversation

804-814-1184

L’SHANA TOVA HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS! 15 YEARS experience

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Midlothian, VA 23113 Licensed in Virginia

contacting the office. (Also, see Page 18) Zoom services and Torah study are a regular part of our religious devotion. Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman holds a weekly Torah study that covers the “parsha” that delves into its historical context, scholarly debates and mystical influences.

The Rabbi also holds Shabbat services over Zoom to feed spiritual appetites.

For more details on any of these events, please call the Congregation Brith Achim office at (804) 732-3968.

May your New Year be blessed!

Keneseth Beth Israel: High Holidays Visit https://www.kbirva.com/hh

We are here for you!

COVID-19, or Coronavirus, may keep us apart physically, but all of us at Chabad are here for you in every other way we can be. Please reach out to us below if we can help.

For High Holiday information and other Chabad of Virginia information, visit chabadofva.org/

www.JewishRichmond.org

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 |the Reflector | 25

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Jewish Community Happenings

Facing the Future ~ Honoring the Past 19 35

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Jewish Community Federation of Richmond 85th Anniversary

Honoring our past J

ews have been part of Richmond’s history since the colonial era, and Richmond is home to a strong Jewish community today. Our rich and vibrant Jewish community has grown from these deep roots.

Probably the first Jew to live in Richmond was Isaiah Isaacs, who first appears in the city’s historical record in 1769. Later, he owned several businesses with his partner, Jacob Cohen. In 1785, they referred to their mercantile store, known as Cohen and Isaacs, as “the Jews store” in a newspaper advertisement. They also owned The Bird in Hand, one of Richmond’s earliest tavern and inns.

As the Federation prepares to celebrate its 85 years of service in Richmond, we want to bring you some of that abundant history. We want to share with Reflector readers some of the families, individuals and institutions that were and are the soul and legacy of our Jewish community.

Richmond Jews have been part of the fabric of education, retail, business and community service. We have been leaders in both the Jewish and secular community.

Over the next 8-10 months, we will feature some of those people and share their stories. We will introduce you to people you may not know and reintroduce you to families who have made our community strong and resonant.

We also will include some front pages of the Reflector from past years and well as historic photos, documents and more. One of these from 1995 is to the right.

If you are part of a family or institution and would like us to share your story, or if you are able to help us write someone else’s story, please contact Reflector Editor Skip Kozakewicz at skozakewicz@jewishrichmond.org.

The front cover of the May 21, 1995, Reflector, with the headline “A 60th Retrospective,” includes a centerpiece article on the JCFR’s 60th Year. A section of the 1947 November/December issue of the Council News is re-produced on the cover. The truck pictured was loaded with thousands of pounds of clothing, medical supplies, baby clothing and more that would be sent by ship to DP camps in Europe. The donations came from an appeal by the Richmond Jewish Community Council to Richmond Jews to help Jews in Europe. The caption reads: Miss Helen Ver Veer gives final instructions to the driver while Irving Yoffy, Mrs. Samuel Z. Troy and Irving K. Furst look on.

Network JCFR Tzedek N

etwork JCFR held space for a racial justice conversation on the evening of Aug. 12, led and moderation by our partners, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

The group was asked to watch the film “Just Mercy” prior to the event, a biopic film adapted from Bryan Stevenson’s bestselling book by the same name, as a place to begin the discussions around ra-

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26 | the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

cial justice.

Participants were connected through Zoom breakout groups, discussed frameworks to unpack identities and prejudice, and discussed those frameworks as they appeared within the film.

Though the event was held virtually, the group was able to hold space for these important social issues.

Network JCFR is a social engagement group for young Jewish professionals in the greater Richmond area.

For more information, please contact abraun@ jewishrichmond.org.

www.JewishRichmond.org

CLI Zooms on in 2020

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Jewish Community Happenings

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global pandemic can’t stop the Community Leadership Institute (CLI) – the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s Professional Training program for young professionals.

Continuing to meet monthly, 10 young professionals from across Richmond have chosen to connect, learn more about the Richmond Jewish community, activate their leadership skills to step into greater leadership roles in the community.

The most recent Zoom meetings have allowed the group to better understand the current allocations process and participate in a mock allocations exercise, led by JCFR Director of Impact and Community Planning Sara Rosenbaum and Allocations Chair Howard Goldfine, and analyze nonprofit budgets through a presentation from Federation Controller Bonnie Hite.

The CLI group includes Nate Mulberg, Jordan Perin, Rachel Peters, Lucas Pfaff, Ashley Shapiro, Conor Shapiro, Graham Sheridan, Victoria Sheridan, Adam Shustak and Amanda Young The group will culminate in a graduation later this year to celebrate the group’s growth and steps towards increased leadership in the community.

For more information about CLI, contact abraun@jewishrichmond.org.

Participants in the Federation’s Community Leadership Institute class pose at their first session in February in the Rosenthal Conference Room in the JCFR office.

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 |the Reflector | 27

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Jewish Community Happenings

JDC builds caring intergenerational communities

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t JDC, we’re all about building caring intergenerational communities. Check out this story from Zaporozhye, Ukraine, to see what that looks like in action!

A former schoolteacher, 67-year-old Zinaida Spektrova has volunteered in her city’s Jewish community for decades, teaching English to teens, organizing Shabbat events for the “JeWorld” teen club at the Mazal Tov Jewish Community Center, and coordinating a book club for elderly Jews at the JDC-supported Hesed Michael social welfare center.

Two years ago, when Zinaida began to lose her sight, everything changed. Now she receives additional JDC assistance and continues to volunteer, dictating lesson plans about Jewish holidays to her homecare worker, Liudmila.

“She’s a dream come true,” Zinaida said. “She is my hands and my eyes, and she’s so helpful and kind. Liudmila doesn’t just assist me — she’s my friend, always knowing just what I need.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, alumni of JDC’s leadership programs in the former Soviet Union raised money to purchase tablets for isolated elderly Jews like Zinaida.

Volunteers from Zaporozhye’s JCC helped her set up the device, loading it with special apps and tools designed to help the blind.

Now Zinaida is able to participate in community programming like virtual Shabbat celebrations and take her volunteer-

Relationships

Community leader Sam Revenson with Zinaida Spektrova during a visit to Zaporozhye and her home in 2019. He has made a number of visits to the Ukraine over the years and is active on the Israel and Overseas Committee.

ing to the next level, not just dictating lessons but again leading them.

Her homecare worker Liudmila sees the change, too.

“Zinaida never falls into despair. Instead, she learns to live life in a new way,” she said. “She’s

lis and I look forward to participating in this again and other future programs with P2G.

Continued from page 9

with me some things she had baked in the past week or so.

Mayan loves shopping and animals, so the last two sessions with her were focused on those two things. We even went to the Zara website so she could go shopping and she also asked what I’d want.

That was a fun activity for us to do together!

Getting to know both of these young ladies was a pleasure. They are different in many ways, but I loved their level of interest, enthusiasm, and motivation.

While summer is supposed to be a break for all of us, this was something they wanted to do, and it was fun for all of us.

Each Sunday and Wednesday morning I woke up so excited to be able to spend time with them, and, even though I was often worried I’d run out of things to talk about, the time flew by … and so did the 8 sessions. This was a great way for us to connect individually with Israe-

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Katie Rosenbaum The Partnership English 2 English came at the perfect time for me.

I was stuck in the house recovering from hip surgery, so spending time coaching Israeli middle school student in spoken English took my attention away from myself and onto them. Four young people, two young men and two young women, are all close in age but vastly different in ability and interest.

I hope that they learned as much from me as I did from them.

My strongest student had very high fluency and many interests, particularly in engineering. He showed me model airplanes and cars that he had built which were much more sophisticated than anything that I’d imagined. At his request we studied the vocabulary of mechanical engineering and I worked as hard as he did on the concepts. He and I were both pleased

28 | the Reflector | September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781

a very creative person with a wealth of Jewish knowledge, which she transmits with great love and joy even in these strange times. I’m very impressed with her dedication to the community, and the enthusiasm with which she plans classes for Jewish youth and teens is unbelievable.”

with how much knowledge he already had and how much more he learned.

While another student seemed to need a parent’s assistance at every lesson, but even so she grew in confidence during the month we were together. I was able to get her to talk about her friends and family. Luckily her family took a short vacation during the month so we had some interesting things to talk about after that. And even though she admitted she didn’t like homework (which I didn’t assign) she began to prepare for our lessons by writing down things she wanted to share with me.

My youngest student was very strong with spoken and even idiomatic English. She had many interests, but none of these were very deep. She often jumped from subject to subject and as a result we found plenty of things to talk about.

And my hardest working student grew and grew. He didn’t even seem to mind when we worked on rather academic issues like past tense verbs and prepositions. We both worked with

dictionaries and he was quick to let me know if he didn’t understand what I had asked of him. His spoken English may have improved the most of all my students.

And I learned quite a bit too, from my colleagues and my students.

I learned new technologies, like the translating dictionary and the screen sharing function of Zoom. And at the end of the month my hip was almost all better.

These seek to create people-topeople connections between Americans and Israelis through our Partnership2Gether Programs. We achieved that and so much more!

Partnership2Gether is a sister-city program of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Jewish Agency, creating person to person connection between Richmond and the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel. To find out about future programs and how you can get involved contact Sara Rosenbaum at srosenbaum@jewishrichmond.org. www.JewishRichmond.org

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Jewish Community Happenings

Two community members selected for Leadership Metro Richmond

Roberta Oster

Eric Shoenfeld

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over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.

He has been active in leadership roles in the Jewish community here.

He is currently on the board of Jewish Family Services where he previously served as treasurer and a member of the Finance Committee. Shoenfeld is a former board member of Rudlin Torah Academy and a past president.

He has been active in the Federation’s JCFR Network.

The Reflector sent each a series of questions. Here are excerpts from their responses: How do you feel about being part of this leadership class?

RO: I am thrilled to be joining LMR this year, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and the fight for racial justice. Our nation and world are in turmoil and Richmond is at the nexus of many critical issues.

ES: I am thrilled and honored to have been selected among this dynamic group of community leaders.

Together, we will gain deeper understanding of our region and get better together while engaging and helping our hometown and the organizations with which we each care so deeply.

What benefits would you hope to derive for yourself/ Richmond?

RO: I serve as communications director for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a non-partisan, faith-based, non-profit that fights for economic, racial, and environmental

oberta Oster and Eric Shoenfeld are among 57 Richmonders selected to Leadership Metro Richmond’s Leadership Quest program.

LMR is a regional leadership development and service group. Leadership Quest is a 10-month program that starts this month. The program gives participants a deeper understanding of the region along with ways to be better engaged in the community.

Oster is communications director for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

She is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, educator, and communications professional. For two decades, she produced stories around the world for NBC, CBS, and ABC Network News on human rights, business, politics, and social justice issues. Oster previously was associate dean for External Relations at the University of Richmond School of Law. She also teaches English to a Congolese family for the International Rescue Committee and serves on the advisory board of the Peace Project.

A former board member of the Weinstein JCC, she sings in the choirs at Temple Beth-El and the First African Baptist Church.

Shoenfeld is managing director, Virginia Market for Prime Capital Investment Advisors. In this position, he is focused on improving the lives of others by educating and implementing investment strategies geared toward retirement and college savings. With www.JewishRichmond.org

justice. We advocate for issues including worker health and safety, stopping evictions, racial equity, and paid sick days for workers. I know at LMR I will learn from leaders from a wide range of businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, and together, we can work on solutions to some of these pressing issues.

There are many benefits for me and for the community – for example, we can leverage the resources and expertise of the LMR class to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and Richmond’s racial and health equity disparities. COVID-19 is striking people of color, especially African Americans, at dramatically disproportionate rates and the numbers in Richmond are staggering. I also bring years of experience in journalism and public policy to the LMR team.

ES: I am eager to work with and learn from a group of like-minded leaders, eager to do the hard work of rebuilding our community and by extension, the world.

The enormous challenges of COVID and social unrest that Richmond faces are similar to those communities around our country and the world. As the immediate danger subsides, we need to consider what kind of world do we want to occupy? How do leaders balance the supply of preventative and life-saving healthcare equipment,

medicine and cleaning products with the demand from an enormous group of people who all need it?

How do we effectively and SAFELY re-engage the cogs of our inter-connected society? How do we ensure that the extraordinary measures we have taken to battle this virus do not become permanent entitlements? How do we respectively and productively discuss and resolve differences regarding current and historical issues with friends of different backgrounds and experiences?

What can you bring to the group?

RO: Virginia also faces severe health care, housing, unemployment, and hunger crises. Working with the LMR class, I could connect VICPP’s faith leaders and faith community members with business and government leaders in Richmond, and open doors for both communities. If we are going to make progress, it will take everyone around the table.

ES: I always do my best. I genuinely like and want to help people. I like saying “yes” and dislike saying “no”.

I am interested to learn, network and make authentic connections with likeminded, local, mission-oriented leaders to gain perspective and skills while developing positive opportunities in order to help others.

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 29

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Jewish Community Happenings

Reflections Continued from page 2

front our past, especially the unflattering parts, in order to move forward. As Jews, we must aspire to live to our highest ideals, which includes acknowledging and learning from where we have fallen short. We are encouraged that our article sparked a serious conversation within our community, and we are inspired by those who are standing in solidarity with, marching alongside, and supporting our African American friends. We must all do our part.

To that end, in the weeks leading up to the High Holy Days, Temple BethEl is offering online classes, discussions,

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and workshops reckoning with societal racism while advancing inclusion and equity.

You can find more information on the TBE website, www.bethelrichmond.org.

In the coming months, we intend to offer more opportunities to learn and grow together.

With learning must come action.

Temple Beth-El partners with multifaith coalitions working for racial justice, like Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities (RISC) and Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). RISC tackles the

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most critical issues facing our region, like Richmond’s alarming eviction rate and lack of affordable housing, which disproportionately impact African Americans.

VICPP combats systemic inequality on a statewide level. Other Jewish congregations, institutions, and individuals in our community are engaged in similar initiatives. We encourage you to join in these efforts.

As we approach the Days of Awe, a season dedicated to introspection and moral growth, may we turn inward to uproot racist ideas that have been

passed down over the generations and instilled through our culture.

May we turn outward to dismantle the racism woven into our institutions and systems, protesting injustice wherever we see it, advocating for policies that facilitate equity, voting for anti-racist officials, and building a better future for us all.

May we, individually and collectively, uphold our tradition’s highest ideals: to make “justice well up like water, and righteousness like an unfailing stream” (Amos 5:24). www.JewishRichmond.org

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Jewish Community Happenings

For the status of Network JCFR upcoming Zoom or other events and details, contact Amanda Braun at abraun@jewishrichmond.org.

Also, visit jewishrichmond.org/network or www.instagram.com/jcfrichmond/

Looking For Help The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond has a detailed list of resources on its website to help community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For details, visit https://www.jewishrichmond.org/response-to-covid-19. www.JewishRichmond.org

Looking for ways to stay connected

Our community has stepped up to provide opportunities for learning and connection across greater Richmond and the world.

Check out the Community Calendar for opportunities and online resources by visiting www.jewishrichmond.org/calendar.

Don’t forget to follow our Facebook page for more ways to connect! Visit ww.facebook.com/JCFRichmond.

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Virginia Holocaust Museum Happenings

Recent visitors tour the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s exhibits. The museum welcomes visitors and asks them to sign up for specific time slots. VHM photos

VHM welcomes visitors with COVID-19 protocols T he Virginia Holocaust Museum is open with special safety and health guidelines and precautions for visitors. volunteeers and

staff.

VHM has taken the steps necessary to ensure the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff. As always, the Virginia Holocaust Museum is free and open to the public. However, we ask that you sign up online to visit the museum. This will allow us to space groups out who are visiting the museum in order to maintain social distancing.”

Among the safety measures in place are the required wearing of face coverings for visitors, staff and volunteers (as required by Executive Order), with exceptions for young children. Masks will be available at the VHM front desk.

Visitors will be asked to conform to a one-hour visit. There will be a limit on the number of guests in the museum at all times.

The museum is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.

- 5 p.m.

To review all the guidelines for a visit and to register, visit https://www.facebook.com/VHMrichmond/.

Several people tour the museum soon after the re-opening.

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Returning Exhibit: Auschwitz/Oswiecim T

he Virginia Holocaust Museum invites visitors to its Auschwitz/Oswiecim exhibit, a temporary exhibit designed as a commemoration to local Survivors who endured this notorious camp. It serves to illustrate its significance within Nazi ideology. It is located on the museum’s 2nd floor. For more information, visit https://www.vaholocaust.org/?exhibition=auschwitzoswiecim

‘Beyond Duty’ exhibit continues at VHM The VHM is pleased to announce that its “Beyond Duty” exhibit has been extended through the Fall 2020.

The core of the exhibition is comprised of the stories of 9 diplomats who were recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations.”

The stories represent diversity: different countries of origin, various countries where they operated different types of rescue actions taken in various stages of the Holocaust.

The stories are woven into the historical chain of events of the Holocaust, along with more specific historical background relevant to each of the 9 stories.

While the countries of the free world were reluctant to help Jewish refugees, and while most diplomats continued to employ standard procedures, only very few felt that extraordinary times required extraordinary action and were willing to act against their governments’ policy.

Only a small minority mustered the necessary courage to recognize the significance and consequences of obeying their superiors’ instructions.

The free exhibit is made possible by the Embassy of Israel in Washington and Yad Vashem.

To visit the VHM, guests must register at this time.

www.JewishRichmond.org

VHM Virtual Annual Meeting

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he Virginia Holocaust Museum invites community members to its virtual Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5:45 p.m.

The meeting is free and open to the public on Zoom.

The Keynote Address will be given by “Violins of Hope” Author Professor James Grymes.

People are asked to register by Tuesday, Sept. 8. A Zoom invitation will be sent to those who complete the registration. Thank you!

To register, visit https://www.facebook.com/VHMrichmond/.

Wishing You a Sweet New Year

U.S. Newspapers and the Holocaust

Did You Know?

Through your gifts to the JCFR COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund, reopening kits with masks, face shields, gloves and thermometers have been provided to all area Synagogues by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond www.JewishRichmond.org

Lee Ann Ruby

L’Shana Tova

Associate Broker

804.651.9281 Laruby@napierera.com www.LeeAnnRuby.com The Exception to the Rule.

Experience the Difference.

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n July 25, the Virginia Holocaust Museum partnered with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the Library of Virginia for a free virtual program, “History Unfolded: US Newspapers and the Holocaust.”

This virtual research sprint, allowed volunteers to help uncover what and how Virginia newspapers were reporting the events of the Holocaust.

About 30 volunteers were able to find articles focused on events such as Kristallnacht and the Nuremberg Laws.

Once participants found an article they uploaded it to a USHMM database that is publicly accessible for research.

This crowdsourcing effort illustrates that the Holocaust was reported on in local newspapers as early as 1933 and coverage continued for over a decade; debunking the myth that Americans knew nothing or had little information about the discrimination and violence that Jews and other undesirable groups faced under the Nazi regime.

This was the first of three online research sprints that the Virginia Holocaust Museum, USHMM and the Library of Virginia will be partnering on.

The next two sessions are on Sept. 26 and Nov. 21, both from 10-11:30 am.

These events are free but registration is required. Please stay tuned for more information and a link to register.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/VHMrichmond/

BUSINESS IT SUPPORT

804-612-9876

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 33

A smart way to lower your taxes while investing in a Jewish education

By Robert Nomberg presiDeNt & ceo richmoND JeWish fouNDAtioN

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“Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children.

Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and your gates.” (Deut 6:6-9).

The tradition of Jewish education is as old as the Torah itself and is one of Richmond Jewish Foundation’s key values. RJF has been implementing the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Program since its inception eight years ago.

This statewide program provides state tax credits for persons or businesses making monetary or marketable securities donations to approved scholarship foundations like

Hadassah Happenings

Richmond Jewish Foundation. RJF provides scholarships to eligible students for qualified educational expenses incurred in attending eligible K12 nonpublic schools. Last year, eligible preK students were added to the program.

During the last school year, RJF provided approximately $350,000 in scholarships to 77 students attending Aleph Bet Preschool, Orchard House School, Rudlin Torah Academy, 7 Hills School, Shaarei Torah of Richmond, and Yeshiva of Virginia.

Donors who contribute to the fund receive a federal and state tax deduction, as well as a state tax credit. The tax savings for donors can be significant. Individual or business donors receive a tax credit equal to 65% of

Foundation Happenings

the donation. Student eligibility for receiving these scholarships is based on the annual household income among other factors.

The minimum donation amount is $500.

The maximum donation amount for individuals and married couples is $125,000. There is no maximum limit for any business entity.

The total amount of tax credits that may be issued during each program year is capped so you will need to apply through RJF. To apply or to learn more please call the RJF office at (804) 545-8656 or visit www. https://www.rjfoundation.org/community/tax-credit-scholarships/. For more information about determining your personal tax savings contact your financial advisor.

Hadassah Richmond

Accessories I Used to Love Fundraiser While we are home, many of us are cleaning out closets and drawers and wondering what to do with all the STUFF!! How about donating accessories you used to love to Hadassah Richmond!

We will take jewelry, scarves, and handbags in good condition. When life returns to normal, we will have a great sale -so stay tuned. What a fun way to rehome your loved items and support Hadassah!

We have members available for contactless pickup if you’d like to get started with your purge. Contact Leslie Baron at bubbielou57@gmail.com for details or to arrange pick up.

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Sept. 13, Southern Seaboard Region Fall Virtual Meeting November, Hadassah Super South Turkey Trot, virtual 5K. Stay tuned for more virtual programs, and some exciting Chanukah activities!

Show someone you care with a Hadassah certificate or card! Your donation enriches the lives of millions & is 100% tax deductible!

To place an order, contact Marsha Marks (marsha@emarks.net or 804-285-8188), Frona Colker (fronacolker@comcast.net or 804-747-0220) or Marian Winer mfw118@ verizon.net or 270-7898).

Due to the current situation in the world and our community, Hadassah Richmond has made the difficult decision to postpone the Elinor Bloom Marshall Humanitarian Award Event, which was scheduled for October of this year. We will honor Ann Eisenberg when the time is right.

www.JewishRichmond.org

“We are proud to be a part of Richmond. Our role in this community has always stretched far beyond orthodontics. It’s the purpose behind the smiles that we provide that inspires us. At James River Orthodontics, our patients and our community are that purpose. We are here for you.”

- Dr. Larry Scarborough

2020

TOP

DENTISTS WINNER

11934 W Broad St, Suite 210, Henrico, VA 23233 (804) 672-8607 • jamesriverorthodontics.com

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September 2020 Elul/Tishrei 5780/5781 | the Reflector | 35

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Jewish Community Happenings

Shana Tova from MY HOUSE to YOURS! Serving the Jewish Community for 30 years Visit my website

SoldByBarb.com (804) 349-5590

Barbara Lustig

REALTORÂŽ, GRI, ABR Top Producer

Virginia Properties, A Long & Foster Company 412 Libbie Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226

Have you moved to Richmond within the last year? Or do you know someone who has moved here? Looking to connect with the community? Sign up for your free Newcomers gift bag! Bags will include information about local Synagogues & agencies, Federation swag, and a holiday surprise! Bags will be delivered while adhering to social distancing protocols.For questions, contact Amanda Braun at abraun@jewishrichmond.org.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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