AMIT Magazine Winter 2013

IN THIS ISSUE: AMIT FUTU RE PHYSICIANS J E W S A N D C H A R L E STO N , S .C .

A M I T S C H O O L L I ST I N G DEVELOPMENT N EWS B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D AT A T I M E .

LIGHTS CAMERA AMIT The new Film Studies

Program at AMIT Atidim in Or Akiva

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

winter2013

By Debbie Isaac

ON SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 24TH, shortly after a ceasefire with Hamas was announced following more than eight days of relentless rocket attacks, the AMIT Solidarity Mission flew off to Israel. More than twenty of our leaders joined me for a packed four days of visits to AMIT schools, including several located in cities that had endured severe damage and trauma. The group also engaged in eye-opening discussions and seminars on the key issues AMIT is confronting in today’s Israel.

We began our visit with a meeting with Minister of Internal Affairs, Eli Yishai, in a day devoted to addressing the divisions in Israeli society and how AMIT is working to build a more tolerant Israel. AMIT has been asked by the government to create programs for Haredi youth-at-risk, and in the afternoon we visited classes at AMIT Kfar Blatt where young Haredi men are studying secular subjects that will allow them to complete a bagrut diploma, serve in the army and eventually earn a living and support a family.

It was wonderful to speak to some of these young men and observe how AMIT is helping them to turn their lives around, while showing understanding and respect for their unique backgrounds.

The second day of our mission was devoted to observing how AMIT melds students from disparate backgrounds while providing them with premier educational opportunities. We journeyed to Netanya, a city that recently joined our network, where we visited the the Rambam Elementary School. Enrollment at AMIT Rambam is composed almost solely of Ethiopian children and our challenge is to advance this school academically. In typical AMIT fashion, we have already introduced a science enrichment program for feeder kindergartens and first graders at Rambam and intend to turn the school into a high level science elementary school that eventually will attract a diverse segment of Netanya’s population.

As a woman and the mother of daughters, I am especially proud of the role AMIT is playing in

educating women for leadership in Israeli society; the theme of the third day of our mission. A panel discussion on this topic featured several dynamic women, but I was particularly impressed with our alumna Rachel Azaria, a member of the Jerusalem City Council. Councilwoman Azaria told us how she decided to enter politics as she had concluded that no one was addressing the needs of young women and their families. Later that day we journeyed south to Yerucham where we witnessed AMIT in action at the Kamah High School and Midreshet Be’er, (one of only 3 hesder-like programs for women in Israel) two outstanding schools for girls where students receive not only an excellent education, but are trained to engage in community service and service to the state.

Our mission ended with a look at AMIT’s efforts as a high-tech educational innovator. AMIT’s pilot programs in high-tech education – our AMIT TopTech Initiative – are changing the way children are learning by providing new and interactive ways to study and process information. Education is serious business in today’s very competitive world and AMIT is determined to imbue our students with an entrepreneurial spirit and prepare them to take their place as leaders in the global marketplace.

While our 2102 Solidarity Mission was a whirlwind of visits to wonderful schools and with wonderful people - what it demonstrated to me most was that AMIT is a family caring for the whole child in every aspect of this other life. We toured cities that had endured days of constant rocket attacks and horrible damage to homes and public buildings, and we paid a heartbreaking visit to the Amsalem family who lost their son, an AMIT graduate, in a missile attack on Kiryat Malachi. Yet the resolve and the determination of our people in Israel remains as strong as ever.

As we begin 2013 let me thank you for your continuing support of AMIT, and let us hope that peace will soon come to the land and people of Israel.  Winter 2012 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 3

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winter 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

features

BUILDING ISRAEL. ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

choref :: 5773 Vol. LXXXV No. 1

8 :: AMIT. A GUIDING LIGHT (CAMERA AND ACTION) IN OR AKIVA The Film Studies program at AMIT Atidim in Or Akiva Michele Chabin

12 :: CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

For over 350 years, Jews have lived in Charleston, South Carolina. This is a small part of their history.

Alexandra Halpern

16 :: AMIT FUTURE PHYSICIANS IN TZFAT

The medical studies track at AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School in Tzfat Helga Abraham

25 :: MIDRESHET AMIT

Three Midreshet AMIT students write about Torah, Chesed and Zionism Michelle Freund, Aliza Grant, and Daniella Moffson

IN THIS ISSUE: AMIT FUTU RE PHYSICIANS J E W S A N D C H A R L E STO N , S .C .

A M I T S C H O O L L I ST I N G DEVELOPMENT N EWS B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D AT A T I M E .

LIGHTS CAMERA AMIT The new Film Studies

About The Cover

Program at AMIT Atidim in Or Akiva

AMIT Or Akiva graduate Dana Maman standing next to a poster of her film “Secrets from the Past”

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80% !

Nearly 80% of AMIT students passed the Bagrut (matriculation exam) in 2012 vs. a national average of 48%

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AMIT NATIONAL COUNCIL OFFICES National Office 817 Broadway New York, NY 10003 1-800-989-AMIT (2648) 212-477-4720 Fax: 212-353-2312 email: info@amitchildren.org Baltimore/Washington, D.C. 2800 Stone Cliff Drive, Unit #112 Baltimore, MD 21209 410-484-2223 410-370-9411 Call for Fax: 410-484-2223 email: robbiep@amitchildren.org

Boston 7 Brady Road Westborough, MA 01581 Phone & Fax: (call for Fax) 508-870-1571 email: amitboston@charter.net

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FIND AMIT ON

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32

s tion

26

DEPARTMENTS 20 :: The AMIT Network 22

:: Highlights

26 :: Dvar Torah

COLUMNS 3

:: President’s Message

6

:: Impressions

23

:: AMIT and Operation Pillar of Defense

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

28

28 :: AMIT Israel Delegation Visits the United States 29 :: AMIT Israel 2012 Annual Dinner 30 :: AMIT Events in Los Angeles

32

30

31

:: A Full House

32

:: AMIT Long Island Leadership Honored

33

:: 2ND Annual AFLI Bowl

33

:: AMIT’s Young Leadership Rings in the New Year

34 :: AMIT Events in Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia 35

:: AMIT Events in Cleveland and Skokie

36 :: Dr. Maxine Miller: 94 Years Young 36 :: AMIT Members for Life 37

:: SPANNING AMITworld

38 :: President’s Circle

37 AMIT enables Israel’s youth to realize their potential and strengthens Israeli society by educating and nurturing children from diverse backgrounds within a framework of academic excellence, religious values and Zionist ideals. Some 70 percent of AMIT students live in development towns or other “peripheral” areas of the country. AMIT approaches each child as an individual, maximizing his or her potential, and enabling our students to become vital, productive members of Israeli society. The AMIT schools promote religious tolerance, service to the state and the recognition that every child is blessed with unique talents and abilities. Founded in 1925, AMIT operates 108 schools, youth villages, surrogate family residences and other programs, constituting Israel’s only government-recognized network of religious Jewish education incorporating academic and technological studies.

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President Debbie Isaac Executive Vice President David A. Moss Vice President, Marketing and Communications Benay Meisels Director of Communications Barbara Goldberg Editor Emerita Micheline Ratzersdorfer Editor in Chief/Creative Director Robert Ephraim Sutton Assistant Editor Caroline Lagnado Design Game6Media Signed articles do not necessarily represent the opinion of the organization. Reproduction of any material requires permission and attribution.

To view us online visit www.amitchildren.org AMIT Magazine (ISSN 1085-2891) is published quarterly; Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer by AMIT. AMIT National Office: 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003.

1-800-989-AMIT, 212-477-4720, Fax 212-353-2312 email: info@amitchildren.org Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y., and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMIT: 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003.

AMIT, founded in 1925, has a proud history of service to Israel and the Jewish people.

Our name, in English, stands for “AMericans for

Israel and Torah.” In Hebrew, AMIT is an acronym for “Irgun Mitnadvot l’ma’an Yisrael v’Torata” (Organization of Volunteers for Israel and Her Torah).

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HONOR

the past

SUPPORT

the future

At your time of loss, AMIT will be there to provide: • Daily Kaddish for the first eleven months, including memorial plaque, annual Kaddish and notification of the Yahrzeit - $650 • Memorial Plaque and annual Kaddish recited, plus notification of the Yahrzeit - $500 • Daily Kaddish for the first eleven months, annual Kaddish and yearly Yahrzeit notification - $300

Memorials are for the living!

For more information please contact Robin Rothbort at 212-477-4725, robinr@amitchildren.org or visit us online at www.amitchildren.org

PLEASE CONSIDER AMIT AS YOU DO YOUR ESTATE PLANNING FALL09_memorial_ad_p2_v1.indd 1

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IMPRESSIONS

expectations fulfilled

By David Moss, Executive Vice President

ON MY LAST TRIP TO ISRAEL, AFTER THE COMPLETION of the post-Thanksgiving Solidarity mission, I visited a long-time AMIT leader and supporter at her home in Jerusalem. She made aliyah several years ago with her husband, and she told me that she was scared to death when she first made aliyah.

I assumed that she was worried about terrorism, rockets from Hezbollah or Hamas.

Maybe Iran. No. After more than 30 years of dedicating her life to AMIT in the US, she was afraid that the reality of AMIT, on the ground in Israel, would disappoint her – that our efforts and successes in Israel would be less than she expected. But she was not let down. She discovered, she told me, that AMIT’s work in Israel is more compelling and more impressive than she had ever dared dream.

I have seen some of what she has been experiencing with my own eyes – and I know that many of you have, too. On my recent trip we had the privilege of spending time with the leadership of our network, today over 100 schools in 29 municipalities and cities throughout the country, serving 25,000 students. AMIT has a historic commitment to the peripheral areas of Israel, to educate and nurture the many immigrants and less affluent segments of Israeli society. Israel is faced with some daunting challenges – to its present and to its future – and AMIT is there to respond and help.

We have more than 1,000 Ethiopian students in our schools. The Rambam Elementary School in Netanya, a school that AMIT added to its network just this year, had virtually no non-Ethiopians and the Mayor of Netanya and the Minister of Education appealed to AMIT for help -- to transform the school into a strong educational center that would serve all families and communities of Netanya. The Ethiopian population in Israel, despite a miraculous survival and rescue, is a very

vulnerable population. AMIT is committed to providing our Ethiopian students – and all the students we serve – with the opportunities they need and deserve to become successful members of Israeli society.

We also visited AMIT schools in Kiryat Malachi and Yerucham in southern Israel. The difference that AMIT is making in these communities should make us all proud. Our schools, in some of the poorest municipalities in the State, are providing students with the skills – and with the motivation – that they need in order to succeed. We heard repeatedly from students and from alumni: “Our teachers, our principals never gave up on me. They pushed, they coaxed, they cajoled. If we didn’t show up for school, they came to our house to find out why.” This very personal approach, this concern for every student, was in ample demonstration during the recent barrage of rocket attacks on the south. Our teachers and principals called their students and went to their homes to check on them and their families. I met the principal of one of our elementary schools in Kiryat Malachi and he told me that one night, at 11:30 pm, he and his family were in a bomb shelter when his cell phone rang. It was a little seven-year-old boy, a student at his school, calling to make sure that he and his family were OK. Our students, even in the most difficult communities, are substantially outperforming their peers on the Bagrut exams. And our students are serving in the IDF and doing Sherut Leumi (National Service) in record numbers. Our emphasis on Torah and Jewish values, on service to the country, on personal attention to each and every student, are paying dividends.

Like our long-time leader who was so filled with pride when she experienced, first-hand, the work AMIT is doing in Israel, I have had the same reaction. And when you go to Israel, I guarantee, you will, too.  Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 7

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FEATURE

AMIT FUTURE PHYSICIANS

AMIT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

ATTEND MEDICAL S

The historic opening of the Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Medicine in the Galil — located in the city of Tzfat — marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare services in Northern Israel.

Faced by a nationwide shortage of physicians and the need to upgrade medical services and infrastructure in the north, the Israeli government designated the establishment of a new medical school as a national priority initiative. Bar-Ilan University was chosen by the government to open the nation’s fifth medical school – and the first in the Galil.

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By Helga Abraham

S

OL L SCHOOL

E

very week 10th and 11th grade students from AMIT’s two high schools in Tzfat make their way to the city’s new Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Medicine in the Galil. There they hear lectures on anatomy, cardiology, physiology and nutrition, learn modern techniques of examining the human body and

even observe operations. They are part of an innovative three-year youth medical program entitled Pirhei

Tzfat LeRefouah – literally “Tzfat Buds of Medicine.” The program was launched in 2011 in conjunction with the much-awaited opening of Israel’s newest medical school.

Currently based in temporary headquarters in the center of the city, and functioning on a relatively small scale, Tzfat’s new Faculty of Medicine, under the aegis of Bar-Ilan University, will eventually enjoy a sprawling permanent campus on the outskirts of the city, with a capacity for 1,000 medical students, state of the art laboratories, and student residences. But even before that, the faculty has already injected new life and a vibrant spirit into the city. “Now that we have a medical school, Tzfat no longer suffers from the stigma of

continued on page 10

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AMIT Tzfat students in anatomy class Adom, was accepted and proved his worth,” recounts Yoshai. At the end of the first year, Neria was selected as one of the four outstanding students in the program who met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Prof. Moshe Kaveh, President of Bar Ilan University.

continued from page 9 being a peripheral city and we see many more young people around,” says Orel Doron, an 11th grade AMIT student, who is participating in the youth medical program.

The program was the brainchild of Tzfat Mayor Ilan Shohat as part of his vision to promote education in the city and it fused perfectly with Bar-Ilan University’s own aspiration to integrate its new medical students into the city’s urban life through collaborative projects with schools, hospitals and community

AMIT Tzfat student performing a dissection

centers. The teachers in the youth medical program are all medical students while the “young medical students” AMIT Tzfat students discussing lab results come from AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior Although a serious medical program High School for Boys and Girls. In in every aspect, the aim, says Yoshai, addition to taking courses at the medical is not to train future doctors. “We school, the AMIT students visit hospitals know that few of our students will go and clinics around the country, take part on to become doctors,” he says. “But in summer workshops and devote extra this is unimportant. The aim of the hours at school to science, mathematics program is to expose the students to and English – studying nine academia, give them an opportunity hours more a week than their to discover the medical world and fellow students. AMIT selects the develop their abilities, both personally most eligible students for the and academically.” Few of the students program but, as at all universities, in the program, in fact, aspire to be the students have to meet the doctors, but all find the program requirements set by stimulating and worth the extra the Medical School in order to hours involved. be accepted.

“The faculty sets high standards and not all students who want to take part in the program are accepted,” explains Meir Yoshai, principal of AMIT High School for Boys. He cites the case of one AMIT student, Neria Zelinger.

Neria was initially rejected by the medical school because of his low mathematics grade. “Neria, however, was very determined, and in the end, as a result of his persistence and dedicated volunteer work with Magen David

AMIT students, Michael Dadush and Tahel Azrad, were not interested in joining the program at all. In Michael’s case, his parents pressured him and he now agrees that they were right. “I don’t want to be a doctor, I want to be a farmer like my father,” he says, “but I am enjoying learning about the human body.” In Tahel’s case, her teachers persuaded her to join and she has no regrets. “I am really happy to be in the program,” she says. “Even though I don’t want to be a doctor, it’s a privilege to enter the medical world and broaden my knowledge.”

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Like Neria Zelinger, several students at AMIT Tzfat for girls were also initially rejected from the program but succeeded in entering in the second year, through sheer perseverance. “I kept pressuring my teachers,” says 11th grader Shira Levy, who aspires to be a psychologist, “and I was thrilled when, finally, I was able to get into the program. I find all the subjects very interesting and mind-broadening.”

Oddly enough, there are many more girls in the program than boys. “Girls think about the future while boys live for the present,” stated Eden Nahari, who says she wants to be a doctor. Rav Yehuda Peles, head of the program at the AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls, concurs. “The girls are very ambitious and motivated,” he says. “They are not all Einstein’s, but they are very determined in their studies.”

No AMIT student has left the program despite its stringent demands.

Eleventh grader Yaakov, who also wants to be a doctor, recounts excitedly how he carried out a virtual heart catheterization. In the course of the program the students also learn how to perform an EKG, operate ultra-sound devices, take a pulse, and learn about social work.

At the lecture on sports medicine which I attended with the AMIT students, Shani Kochavi, a medical student at Bar-Ilan, was explaining to the group the role of each of our muscles: biceps, triceps, quadriceps, pectorals major and minor, trapezium, etc. It all sounded very complicated and I wondered whether the heavy Latin terms did not intimidate the young students. “No,” she answered. “They are not scared of such terms. In fact, I have found that professional language actually motivates them.” Kochavi went on to lecture on the role of sports medicine and the proper way of training and avoiding injury. The class ended with a discussion on the controversial use of drugs in sports. Making the subject relevant to the students by comparing

the use of drugs to cheating in examinations, Kochavi explained the particular health dangers of drug use and its domino effect in encouraging peers to do the same.

While the program is not formally credited toward a high school certificate, it AMIT “pre-med” students with Prime Minister has raised the overall standard Benjamin Netanyahu and Prof. Moshe Kaveh, President achieved by the of Bar Ilan University. students. “Since the conditions of class grades and standardized testing. acceptance are high,” explains Yaffa The program is also impacting on the Farjun, principal of the girls’ school, general atmosphere in the school. “The “this stimulates the girls to work much fact that we have such a prestigious harder and achieve higher grades in program has had a ripple effect,” says math, English and the sciences.” At the Farjun. “It makes all the other students end of the first year of the program, aspire to excellence.” AMIT witnessed a dramatic rise in

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FEATURE

PHOTO OF MURAL BY WARREN LIEB

Mural by William Melton Halsey honoring the Jewish American soldier. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, Charleston, South Carolina.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA:

AMERICA’S LAND OF M AND HONEY

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By Alexandra Halpern

W

hen Abraham Moise was a young man, he sailed from France to the West Indies, where he became a trader and a merchant.

There, he met a beautiful woman 26 years his junior, a native who lived in an affluent Jewish community. They married and established themselves on a small plantation in San Domingo in what is now Haiti. Soon, the slaves in San Domingo began to revolt, and violence broke out against the French aristocrats. The colony began to collapse, and the Moise family was forced to leave their possessions and sail to America. Abraham and Sarah Moise arrived in Charleston in 1791 - one of the oldest Jewish communities in America.

Charleston was a natural port, and its location attracted merchants and traders from all over the world. At the time, there were 53 families in the congregation at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, and the sizable Jewish community convinced Moise to stay. The family lived in a house on Queen Street, in the heart of the peninsular city, and sold cloth and tea from their home.

Two and a half centuries later, Anita Moise Rosenberg is a member of the same congregation her ancestors joined when they first arrived in the city. Mrs. Rosenberg is the ninth generation to attend services at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the United States. She can trace her Moise family history all the way back to Luis DeTorres, who sailed on the Santa Maria with Columbus and was the first Jew to set foot on American soil.

A:

F MILK

Carolina Colony’s charter, written by John Locke in 1669, granted freedom of religion explicitly for “Jews, Heathens and other Dissenters from the purity of the Christian religion.” According to Mrs. Rosenberg, who serves as vice president of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, this notion of religious freedom wasn’t typical for conservative England at the time, but the proprietors of the Carolina Colony “wanted people to prosper, so they did everything they could to ensure peace continued on page 14 Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 13

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Jewish neighbors,” says Anita Rosenberg.

This equality is exemplified through Moses Lindo, who brought the indigo trade to Charleston.

He was a lucrative businessman and one of the few Jews to own a ship that brought Africans to America.

Like many Jews, Lindo was a slave owner.

According to A Portion of the People, “Carolina Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim was the first political continued from page 13 entity to treat Jews as equals, but it was also the only colony on the American and harmony among the people who mainland whose charter sanctioned were brave enough to settle.” Dale racial slavery…Jews indeed were equal – Rosengarten, in her comprehensive to other white people.” book, A Portion of the People, about Charleston’s Jewish history writes, “It was a business decision…they were looking for settlers who would be strong economic contributors.” In 1697, Simon Valentine became the first documented Jewish landowner, and therefore the first to have the right to vote. “This was the first place in the world Jews could own land and pay taxes and settle peacefully with non-

Abraham Moise

Mostly a Sephardic community, many families, like the Moises, came from the Caribbean, Amsterdam or London – their ancestors having been cast out of Spain during the Inquisition. By the 17th century, there were enough families to create a minyan, which they held in various homes each week. In 1749, the first congregation was established, and still remains today in its exact location on Hasell Street in the heart of downtown Charleston.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim began as a Sephardic Orthodox community, whose congregants fought in every American war. Francis Salvador, the first Jew to die in the American Revolution, was also the first Jew in the western world to be elected to public office as a member of the South Carolina General Assembly and the first and second Provincial Congresses.

Judah P. Benjamin, a Jewish American politician and lawyer, as well as plantation and slave-owner from

Charleston, was Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ secretary of state, and right-hand man.

The story of this incredibly pivotal community in America’s Jewish history can be traced through its Jewish cemetery. The Coming Street Cemetery is the oldest and largest Colonial Jewish cemetery in America. It is surrounded by a pre-revolutionary brick wall, and though the structure needs wooden support beams in several places, the wall continues to separate the graveyard from what is now the residential area around it. The cemetery was sold to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in 1764. The oldest known grave in the lot is that of Moses Cohen, who died in 1762. Cohen was the first religious leader of Beth Elohim, and he is joined by six rabbis and eighteen past presidents of the congregation. The cemetery is hidden from view from the street, and is eerily quiet for its location on busy Coming Street, surrounded by homes rented to mostly college students.

Ghosts supposedly haunt Charleston and its old buildings downtown, but whether you believe in ghosts or not, the cemetery is packed with the graves of veterans of every American war and almost three centuries of American Jewish history. Among the buried is Dr. Columbus Devega, who designed and served as surgeon on his famous floating hospital. During the Civil War, while stationed on the boat in Charleston Harbor, he was known for treating both Union and Confederate soldiers. Nearby is the grave of Joshua Lazarus, president of Charleston’s Gas Light Company from 1840 to 1856, who is credited with bringing gas light to Charleston.

Penina Moise, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Moise, lays not far away.

She was America’s first female Jewish published poet and hymnist. As the superintendent of the nation’s second religious school, her book of hymns was used by the congregation for years.

As you weave in and out between the many gravestones, you can see twelve veterans of the American

14 :: Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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Revolution, twenty-three Civil War veterans (eight of whom died for the Confederate cause), six soldiers of the War of 1812 and two who fought in the Seminole Wars in Florida.

The long list of important players in Charleston’s history buried in this cemetery is no accident; because of the religious freedom awarded in the charter of the Carolina Colony, the Jewish community “worked very hard to make a success of their lives and be a part of the community. They were important players in the growth of the colony and economy, and influenced the people,” said Anita Rosenberg.

Since the colony had given them religious freedom, they wanted to give something back.

This desire to give back to the community was made apparent by the philanthropic societies that the Jewish community oversaw. Established in 1784, The Hebrew Benevolent Society was the first of its kind in the country.

The society’s preamble states that, “The object of this society is Benevolence.

In that one emphatic, grateful word are comprehended all the tender offices of Charity.” According to Anita Rosenberg, the society was “a group of people who settled, and wanted to pay back the community for welcoming them.” This society is still in operation today, and it’s not the only one. The Hebrew Orphan Society of Charleston,

Official seal of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Charleston, South Carolina.

established in 1801, had the mission to educate, clothe and support poor Jewish children and orphans.

What is today’s Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Sisterhood began in 1838 as the Society for the Instruction of Hebrew Doctrine, organized to teach the congregants’ children about Judaism and Jewish heritage.

In 1844, this group expanded to help women contribute to the community, and was called the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Circle-the first organized Sisterhood in America.

Charleston, whose modern Jewish population is dwarfed by metropolitan areas like New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, had the largest and wealthiest Jewish community during colonial times. Aside from building and maintaining the oldest synagogue still in use today, Charleston’s Jewish community was the first to introduce Reform Judaism to America. This may come as a surprise to those who know Charleston for its steeplecovered skyline or South Carolina for its reputation in the Bible Belt. “Our kinfolk blinked in disbelief when I told them that two hundred years ago Charleston was the cultural capital of Jewish America,” writes Dale Rosengarten. While it’s not the bustling Jewish capital that it once was, the current community is thriving on more than just its historical significance.

Today, there are four congregations (conservative, two orthodox and reform), and a population of about 12,000 Jews. Jewish students have the option to attend Addlestone Hebrew Academy, a day school that begins at 18 months and ends at 8th grade.

Students at the College of Charleston

can major in Jewish Studies, and their Jewish Studies Center features a comprehensive Jewish Heritage Collection. There is an active JCC, Federation and lots of programming to keep the community happy. All that, and an influx of people who fall in love with Charleston and opt to move and call the city home. According to Randi Serrins, a docent at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, about half of the current congregation are from off, a term used to describe Jews who were not born in Charleston.

In 1806, Myer Moses, a member of the legislature and one of the first commissioners of education, gave a speech to the Hebrew Orphan Society of Charleston in which he stated, “Collect together thy long scattered people, and let their gathering place be in this land of milk and honey.” And so it was – the land of milk and honey was found in Charleston, South Carolina.  Alexandra Halpern is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Her essays about travel have been published in various outlets, including National Geographic and Abroad View. She works as both a freelance writer and in international education. She has traveled extensively around the world, working odd jobs such as a farmer in the Pacific Islands, a librarian in Indonesia, and a microfinance advocate in Kenya, among others. She currently proudly calls Charleston home.

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 15

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FEATURE

AMIT A GUIDING L

(CAMERA AND ACTION) IN

OR AKIVA

ETTI LAREDO, THE PRINCIPAL OF AMIT ATIDIM JUNIOR and Senior High School in Or Akiva, was wearing a proud grin. In her office was Dana Maman, a student who only three years earlier rarely attended school. “I would sleep all day and I just didn’t care about school. When I did come, the kids would give me a standing ovation,” Dana said, biting her lip in embarrassment. Dana, now 18, is about to join the army. A film she co-produced with two other students while enrolled in the exceptional film studies program at AMIT Atidim, was chosen to compete in the International Film Festival in Hollywood.

While Dana Maman might have snoozed her way through another high school, the educators at Atidim – which AMIT took under its educational wing in September 2011 – had other plans.

“The teachers didn’t give up on her,” said Etti Laredo, whose door is always open to students and faculty. “The teaching staff realizes that every kid needs to feel noticed.” That’s especially true in Or Akiva, Laredo said, where 40 percent of residents “are known to social services.” Nearly 70% of the AMIT Atidim students “come from difficult backgrounds,” noted Laredo. continued on page 18

16 :: Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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By Michele Chabin

G LIGHT

N) IN…

A

AMIT Or Akiva graduate Dana Maman standing next to a poster of her film “Secrets from the Past”

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continued from page 16 Or Akiva is a working class town 30 miles south of Haifa. It is part of the Haifa District of Israel, located just inland from the ancient port city of Caesarea and the Mediterranean Sea, and to the north of the city of Hadera.

Dr. Amnon Eldar, director general of the AMIT Network, said the Or Akiva municipality asked AMIT to take on the school, which was struggling financially.

“When we accept a secular school that asks to be part of our network we try to have not only a regular core curriculum but an emphasis on Jewish heritage. Because of Etti Laredo’s true commitment, we agreed to help them,” Eldar said.

The way AMIT imparts Jewish values is through study and by example. “We’re talking about a house of learning. That means dialogue between students and teachers. That means a good atmosphere at school. That means respect for each other and giving equal opportunities to everybody.”

Laredo said her secular school’s transition into the AMIT Network has been seamless because “our philosophies match, we believe in Zionism and the importance of Jewish values.”

Prior to Etti Laredo joining the school, nearly 170 students dropped out of school

AMIT Atidim students filming a scene.

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every year. Last year, the number was 30.

Today, every AMIT Atidim student takes the Bagrut - matriculation exams – and 91% of AMIT Atidim students pass!

THE AMIT FILM TRACK One of the turning points for Dana Maman, who said she is excited about going into the IDF, was enrolling in the school’s film track, whose final project is a short feature film.

She is also thrilled about having her film – Secrets from the Past - shown at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. Last year, a film produced by a group of the school’s seniors won a first prize at the festival. Other films produced at AMIT Atidim have won prizes at the Haifa Film Festival.

Roughly 450 of the school’s 10th, 11th and 12th graders participate in the film track, which has grown in parallel with Israel’s thriving film industry.

Film track students said they’re inspired by these successes. From 2007 to 2012, four Israeli films competed for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The film track which is now part of AMIT’s popular multi-school communications track, takes place in a series of studios packed with state-ofthe-art equipment. The hallways are lined with posters from popular Israeli films and on one special wall hangs the posters of films produced by students at

Etti Laredo AMIT Atidim.

Erez Maouda, the energetic filmmaker and teacher who co-runs the program, said students study various aspects of filmmaking three hours a week (seniors, six hours), and that doesn’t include the time they spend writing, filming, casting and editing.

“They learn how to write a story that incorporates action and how to bring out the drama; they learn how to craft characters and cast actors, about composition, lighting and other technical aspects of production.

They take the film, edit it and add music,” he said.

The actors include students from AMIT Atidim’s theater track as well as teachers, members of the students’ families and people in the community.

The plots of most of the films focus on the lives of teenagers, family conflicts and life in a place like Or Akiva, a non-descript town with a host of socio-economic problems. Twothirds of the school’s students come from

1/17/13 10:48 AM

AMIT ATIDIM students in the film editing room. immigrant homes (the Caucasus, Russia and Morocco), and their traditions are sometimes reflected in their filmmaking.

AMIT Atidim students Lev Segal and Amy Ifrach were sitting in the control room, busily working on a film about a gritty murder investigation. Working on the film “is giving me practical experience,” said Ifrach, who would like to join the IDF Communications Corps and eventually become a journalist. “You start with the script and then you find the right actors. You shoot the scenes and edit them. It’s a process.” The process, Ifrach said, isn’t easy, “but it’s taught me how to stare down challenges. I feel a lot more confident now.”

learn how to work together and there were some arguments. We learned to be flexible with each other and the material. Every moment, we changed things around.” Her face lit up and she continued, “ I couldn’t believe that we had produced a film of such quality that it is being shown at the International Film Festival.”

THE FILM THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE Dana Maman’s film - Secrets from the Past - is a drama about a teenage boy named Tomi who searches for the truth about his brother’s death.

During a chance meeting with a neighbor the day of the funeral, Tomi learns that his brother might not have died in a car accident, as his parents had told him. Desperate to learn the truth, Tomi discovers that his brother died under very mysterious circumstances.

The experience of making the film was challenging, she said. “We had to

thriving film industry.

Roughly 450 of the school’s 10th, 11th and 12th graders participate in the film track, which has grown in parallel with Israel’s

Dana Maman readily admits that her transformation from loafer to motivated student didn’t come overnight. “It was a process. I came to school because I saw that my teachers, and not just the ones in the film track, really cared about me. If I didn’t come to school they wanted to know why. To this day we still keep in touch.”

Film Teacher Erez Maouda said his job is both “fun” and “fulfilling.”

“It’s fun to see them in the field, lighting their sets with flashlights or whatever they can jury-rig. They’re very creative.” Observing the kids as they work outside the classroom enables the teachers to see them in a different light, Maouda noted.

“We get to know them better. We get to learn about their families. By the end of the program you see their sense of accomplishment.”

Once they graduate from AMIT Atidim, the students can study film for an additional year at colleges in Givatayim or Karmiel before being tapped for the Communications Corps of the IDF. Some are choosing film as a career path.

“We open a door to a new world but they bring themselves, their culture, and their experiences to the film. They develop maturity, responsibility, discipline and a passion – just take a look at Dana,” Mouda said with pride. Michele Chabin began her career editing women’s magazines in New York. In 1987 she moved to Israel, and has been a reporter there ever since. An award-winning journalist, Michele frequently contributes to the New York Jewish Week, Religion News Service, USA Today and many other publications.

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 19

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1/17/13 10:49 AM

ACCO AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School AMIT Kennedy Junior and Senior High School AFULA AMIT Yehuda Junior and Senior High School and Yeshiva AMIT Yeshivat Hesder ASHDOD Yeshivat AMIT Ashdod AMIT Mekif Bet Ashdod AMIT Mekif Yud Ashdod ASHKELON AMIT Fred Kahane Technological High School BEERSHEVA AMIT Rambam Elementary School AMIT Torani Madai Netivei Am Elementary School AMIT Afikim B’Negev Elementary School AMIT Hazon Ovadiah Elementary School AMIT Or Hammer Elementary School Neot Avraham Elementary School AMIT Junior and Senior High School AMIT Daisy Berman Yeshiva Dina and Moses Dyckman Ulpanat AMIT AMIT Elaine Silver Technological High School BEIT SHEMESH AMIT Shachar Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Dvir Junior and Senior High School for Boys AMIT Beit Shemesh Yeshiva High School AMIT Beit Shemesh Ulpana High School AMIT Bellows Ulpanat Noga GIVAT SHMUEL Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel HAIFA AMIT Anna Teich Ulpanat Haifa HATZOR HAGLILIT AMIT Honi HaMe’agel Elementary School for Girls AMIT Shevet Sofer Elementary School for Boys AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Junior and Senior High School AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Ulpana Track AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Yeshiva Track JERUSALEM AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled Reishit Yerushalayim Elementary School AMIT Nordlicht Religious Technological High School AMIT State Technological High School Midreshet AMIT

20 :: Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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hiva

s

THE AMIT NETWORK

25,000 students in 108 schools and programs in 29 cities and towns

KARMIEL AMIT Karmiel Junior and Senior High School KIRYAT MALACHI AMIT Etzion Elementary School AMIT Harel Elementary School AMIT Netzach Israel Elementary School AMIT Kiryat Malachi Junior and Senior High School AMIT Kiryat Malachi Ulpana Track AMIT Kiryat Malachi Yeshiva Track MA’ALE ADUMIM AMIT Tzemach HaSadeh Elementary School AMIT Sde Hemed Elementary School AMIT Yaffe Nof Elementary School AMIT Wasserman Torah, Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Junior and Senior High School for Boys MATEH YEHUDA AMIT Lavi Elementary School AMIT HaElah Elementary School AMIT Matityahu Elementary School AMIT Even HaEzer Elementary School Yeshivat AMIT Nachshon Junior and Senior High School MEITAR AMIT Chemdat Elementary School MODI’IN AMIT Modi’in Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School NETANYA AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School AMIT Bar Ilan High School for Boys OR AKIVA AMIT Rabbi Akiva Religious Elementary School AMIT Etzion Religious Elementary School AMIT Hannah Senesh State Elementary School AMIT Rothschild State Elementary School AMIT Nechemia Tamari State Elementary School AMIT Atidim Junior and Senior High School AMIT Ofek Technological High School PETACH TIKVA AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village AMIT Wurzweiler Agricultural and Technological High School Yeshivat AMIT Eliraz High School Yeshivat AMIT Kfar Ganim Yeshivat HaHesder Orot Shaul Petach Tikva AMIT Junior College AMIT Menorat HaMaor Haredi Track

RA’ANANA AMIT Kfar Batya Youth Village AMIT Noam Elementary School AMIT Schiff Junior High School AMIT Gwen Straus Junior and Senior Science High School for Boys and Yeshiva AMIT Gruss Agricultural and Technological High School AMIT Bienenfeld Hevruta Yeshiva and Kollel AMIT Renanim Junior and Senior Science and Technology High School for Girls AMIT School of Society and Law RAMAT GAN AMIT Ginsburg Bar Ilan Gush Dan Junior and Senior High School for Boys RAMLE AMIT Ramle Technological High School REHOVOT AMIT Gould Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Hammer Junior and Senior High School for Boys Yeshivat AMIT Amichai ROSH PINA AMIT Pre-Army Religious Studies Program SDEROT AMIT Haroeh Elementary School AMIT Torani Mada’i Elementary School AMIT Torani Chadash Elementary School AMIT Sderot Religious Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Yeshiva Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Ulpana Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Gutwirth Junior and Senior High School Ulpanat AMIT Shirat Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot, AMIT Track SHOHAM AMIT Beatrice and Irving Stone Meysharim School TEL AVIV AMIT Eisenberg Junior and Senior High School for Girls TZFAT AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Boys AMIT Tzfat Yeshiva Junior and Senior High School AMIT Tzfat Evelyn Schreiber Ulpana Junior and Senior High School YERUCHAM AMIT Kol Yaacov Elementary School AMIT Kamah Junior and Senior High School Midreshet Be’er Yeshivat AMIT B’levav Shalem Junior and Senior High School

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 21

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By Cheryl Shaanan and Robert E. Sutton Because of your generous support, more than 25,000 students at 108 AMIT schools and programs are being educated

and nurtured within a framework of academic excellence, traditional Jewish values and Zionist ideals. Here are a few ways your generous gifts made a difference. Please use the attached envelope to send in your donation.

HIGHLIGHTS AND SUCCESSES AMIT

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AMITCHILDREN.ORG OR CALL 212-477-4720.

 Congratulations to AMIT Beersheva High School Students Five AMIT Beersheva Students developed tablets that dissolve in water to give it a sweet, fruit flavored taste. These tablets can compete with a very popular product in Israel: bottled flavored water. The product won a prize in the National Young Entrepreneurs Competition about two months ago, and it is now in its final stages of development for the market with the help of a leading water company in Israel.

The five students, Arik Feldman, Sofie Danilov, Yuval Feldman, Gabriel Wexlander, and Shaun Abrotin, were mentored by teachers, business people and Ben-Gurion University students. The students have established a company called HaTapuah HaYisraeli (The Israeli Apple) to market their product.  AMIT Students Recite Special Prayers for U.S. Storm Victims This past October, AMIT Network students recited Tehillim for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

“We have 25,000 students,” said Dr. Amnon Eldar, director general of the AMIT Network, “many of them in Sderot, Ashkelon and Beersheva, and when they are faced with the danger of missiles, American Jews pray for them, support them and come to visit. Many Americans are great friends of Israel, and when they are in trouble we feel a real need to pray for them.

Each and every one of our 25,000 AMIT Network students is thankful to the AMIT organization in the United States, which established our Network and continues to provide the support that enables the Network to invest in its students throughout the country and promote excellence.”

Rabbi Shimon Shushan, Rosh Yeshiva at AMIT Eliraz in Petach Tikva, said that students who follow events in the United States felt that prayer was the right thing.

“We explained to our students that we have a moral responsibility to help friends in their hour of need, and we believe that it is our duty to do our small part and pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in the United States at this difficult time.”

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 100% Enlistment at AMIT Karmiel Junior and Senior High School Israel Defense Forces statistics released recently show that high school students in Israel’s geographic and socio-economic periphery lead enlistment rates. Many yeshiva high school students as well demonstrate their willingness to serve the country by enlisting in record numbers. AMIT Karmiel Junior and Senior High School was expressly noted in a recent newspaper article for its 100% IDF enlistment. 86% of these students come from families who face economic hardship - which in the past hampered enlistment rates – yet, AMIT Karmiel students enlisted in record numbers in some of the most prestigious combat and support units. Weddings at AMIT Afula Hesder Yeshiva The AMIT Afula Hesder Yeshiva has taken community involvement to a new level. In a joint venture with the rabbi of the City of Afula, Rabbi Shmuel David, and the rabbi who heads the conversion center in Afula, Rabbi Pinchas Malka, the AMIT Afula Hesder Yeshiva has begun hosting weddings in the yeshiva’s courtyard.

Large weddings with hundreds of invited guests - and a large cash outlay on the part of the bride and groom – are common in Israel, but there are some couples who for various reasons decide to have their wedding at the offices at the Religious Council. These weddings, however, usually have very few guests and lack the joy and dancing, the simcha, of larger weddings.

“We thought, why not invite the bride and groom to celebrate their wedding with AMIT Afula yeshiva students and the yeshiva community’s families rather than having the chupah at the Religious Council?” said Rabbi David. “There is a double gain here, students and families are doing a mitzvah, and the newly wedded couple have a truly traditional Jewish wedding experience.”

Rabbi Yitzhak Ben Pazi, Rosh Yeshiva of AMIT Afula Hesder Yeshiva, enthusiastically agreed to this proposal. “The yeshiva is at the very center of religious life in Afula and is a spiritual and social beacon for residents. It fills our hearts to see our students and families in the community bringing immense joy to the newlyweds.”

1/17/13 10:04 AM

AS APPEARED ON DECEMBER 5, 2012 ISSUE

AMIT in the forefront Greer Fay Cashman

R

eligious organizations, primarily from the United States, were in the forefront of solidarity missions during Operation Defensive Shield. Some also came in the immediate aftermath to

see where their help was needed. Among them was a large contingent of men and women from AMIT U.S.A. who came to Israel to identify with the country and with the citizens living under constant fear of rocket attacks.

Last week the AMIT delegation paid a condolence call on the Amsalem family, whose son, Itsik, a graduate of AMIT, was killed when a missile fired from Gaza struck their home in Kiryat Malachi. AMIT President Debbie Isaac told the family that the group represented thousands of AMIT members in the U.S.A. who both sympathized and empathized with their loss and who wanted them to know that, “When we heard that an AMIT graduate had been killed, we couldn’t stay away- we felt we had to be here. AMIT is family and we felt we lost a son.” Isaac said that AMIT will grant Itsik’s brother, Shimon, a scholarship and will continue to aid him and his family after he graduates.

Itsik’s father, Chaim Amsalem, told the group about the hardships the family had endured after the initial trauma. “Apart from the shock over the terrible tragedy of Itsik’s death, our apartment is ruined. It’ll take a long time to rebuild it, but we are trying to go on nonetheless.” The family is currently staying at a hotel in Ashkelon and is finding it difficult to get back to normal life.

Itsik’s mother is haunted by the fact that she was unable to pull Itsik to safety when the missile landed in their living room. Itsik was a graduate of the AMIT Kiryat Malachi Junior and Senior High School, where the delegation visited earlier in the day, met with students and heard from them about their experiences during Operation Defensive Shield. <

SAVE THE DATE!

The Story of Ethiopian Jewry Exclusive screening of “Live and Become” Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Temple Emanuel, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 For more information please contact Michal Taviv-Margolese at 310-859-4885 or michalt@amitchildren.org Seven Banot Annual Yom Iyun Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 12:00 p.m The Sephardic Community of Greater Boston 74 Corey Road, Brookline, MA For more information contact Sarah Aghion at 617- 964-4914 or aghionmj@aol.com

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HOW AMIT WAS THERE DURING OPERATION DEFENSIVE SHIELD AMIT continues to support its schools, students and staff in numerous ways: • Gift baskets and a message of support were sent to the families of AMIT personnel who were called up to the army reserves.

• Students at AMIT Gould Rehovot Junior and Senior High School for Girls and AMIT Bienenfeld Hevruta Yeshiva and Kollel, Kfar Batya, donated, packed up and decorated care packages for IDF soldiers.

• AMIT Noam Elementary School, Kfar Batya, hosted children from Ashdod and organized special activities for them. Ashdod children were able to play freely outside, enjoy special activities organized by their Ra’anana friends, and feel safe.

• Teachers were in touch with students via the internet, email and social media. The AMIT administration continues to be in close contact with all of its southern principals.

A Night of Israel Cinema with AMIT Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 8:30 p.m.

Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, New York, NY For more information contact Robin Rothbort at 212-477-4725 or robinr@amitchildren.org or Amy Oppenheim at 212-477-1207 or amyo@amitchildren.org

Film Gala featuring “Hava Nagila” Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m Hebrew College 160 Herrick Road, Newton Centre, MA For more information contact Rana Rappaport at 508- 870-1571 or ranar@amitchildren.org

The Survivor’s Cookbook Monday, March 11, 2013 at 8:00 p.m Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA For more information contact Rana Rappaport at 508- 870-1571 or ranar@amitchildren.org

Annual Mother-in-Israel Event Hindy Weinstock/Geula Chapter of Greater Teaneck Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information contact William H. Rothchild at 212-477-5465 or billr@amitchildren.org

Young Leadership March Madness March 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Village Pourhouse Uptown, 982 Amsterdam Ave. (bet. 108th and 109th) New York, NY For more information contact Amy Oppenheim at 212-477-1207 or amyo@amitchildren.org

1/17/13 10:55 AM

$3600+

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$2,500 - $3,599

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Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, NY Anonymous, PA Sarah and Maurice Aghion, MA Beth and Brad Alter, IL Roberta and Alan Aronoff, NY Yaela and Neil Baine, PA Joan and Joel Betesh, PA Lois and Avi, z”l, Blumenfeld, NJ Mozes Borger, Israel Rivkah and Shmuel Brandman, IL Yardena and David Brickman, NY Jill and Jonathan Brickman, NY Elaine and Seymour Brief, FL Dr. Leila and Rabbi Joseph Bronner, CA Sharon and David Butler, MD Esther Cardash, IL Chava and Ephraim Casper, NJ Marc Cerf, France Robyn and Jeremy Charlton, MD Glicka and Bernard Creeger, MD Seema and Sol Davis, TX Sonia Diamond, MD Renee and Harvey Douglen, Israel Debra and Marc Dubroff, NJ Jean Ehrenberg, NY Vera and Bernard Ehrlich, MD Laura and David Eisenberg, MA Gail and Martin Elsant, NY Diana and Michael David Epstein Family Foundation, MD Shana and Steve Erenberg, IL Amy and Daniel Erlbaum, PA Cara and Andrew Ernstein, KS Molly and Joel Felderman, NY Jeanne and Alfred Finkelstein, FL Frieda and Sam Fogel, NY Gertrude and Gershon Fox, CA Shani C. and Rabbi Samuel Frank, NY Adina and Dovid Frankel, NY Sally and David Frenkel, NY Reva and Mark Friedman, Israel Sandy and Myron Friedman, TX Sharon and Jeffrey Frieling, NY Debby and Steven Gage, NY Susan Galiounghi, France Malki and Gary Gartenberg, NY Barbara and Steve Geller, IL Debbi and Marc Geller, IL Rita and Howard Geller, IL Sharon and Seymour Gertz, IL Ruth and Isidore, z”l, Gibber, FL Shulamit and Abraham Gittelson, FL Michelle and Justin Goldberg, NY Naomi and Stanley Goldis, PA Laura and Joseph Goldman, MD Connie and Michael Goldstein, FL Shulamith and Allen Goldstein, NY

Susan and Steven Goldstein, NY Aviva and Justin Gordon, IL Beth and Michael Gottesman, IL Sonia and Joshua Greenspon, MD Judith and Martin Grumet, NY Lillian and Elliot Hahn, FL Deborah and Jonathan Hamburger, MD Laurie and Bernard Hasten, IL Ellin and Samuel Heilman, NY Ayala and Joseph Helft, NY Janet and Ken Hoffman, NJ Shulamit and Joakim Isaacs, Israel Robin Isaacson, FL Edith and Herman Itzkowitz, PA Elaine and Mervin Jacobs, FL Debra Jakubovitz, CA Susan Julius, CA Tirza and Sam Kahan, IL Livia Kahn-Tandler, Switzerland Marilyn and Edward Kaplan, FL Francine and Aaron Katz, FL Olivier and Laurence Katz, France Ruth Kellerman, CA Gloria and Sanford Kestenbaum, Israel Sue and Jordan Klein, IL Shirley Knox, FL Heidi and Isaac Kohane, MA Monica Rasch and Menashe Kohn, PA Rachel and Bryan Koplow, MA Phyllis and Ted Kosloff, PA Joyce and Bernard Kosowsky, MA Susan and Saul Koss, MD Suri and David Kufeld, NY Edy and Jacob Kupietzky, IL Rachel and Shawn Langer, NJ Cheryl and Lee Lasher, NJ Vivian and Oscar Lasko, PA Emma Leaf, NY Barbara and Elliot Lebowitz, MA Helen Leiderman, NY Gertrude Levine, z”l, NY Simcha and Michael Levine, NY Barbara and Tobias Levkovich, NY Lori Levmore, Israel Susan and Barnet Liberman, Israel Aviva and Nathan Lichtenstein, IL Roslyn and Joel Linderman, CA KC and Leslie Littner, Israel Rita Lowi, CA Melvin Lubin, NJ Annette and Marc Lumbroso, France Fegi Mauer, IL Naomi and Shlomo Mayer, NY Sema Menora, IL Jenny Michael, NY Maxine Miller, Israel Elana and Shami Minkove, NY Rhonda and Michael Mont, MD Denise, Steve, and Michael Moore, TX Miriam Muskin, OH Caroline and Eric Namrow, MD Barbara and Bob Neustadter, NY Michelle and Chaim Nordlicht, NY Rochelle and Erwin Nosenchuk, PA

Bernice and Oscar Novick, IL Myrna and Monte Nussbaum, NY Sarah and Paul, z”l Okon, MA Elissa Shay Ordan and Daniel Ordan, NY Brenda and Ed Parver, NY Robbie Pearlstein, MD Dana and Michael Petrover, FL Pia and Stuart Pollack, PA Daniel B. Post, FL Karen Presser, MD Nomi and Elliot Press, NJ Daphna and Daniel Raskas, MD Susan and Fred Raven, NY Shlomo Reutlinger, Israel Ronni and Elliott Robinson, IL Shulamit and Avi Rockoff, MA Judith and Rabbi Marvin Rosen, NJ Rachelle and Eyal Rosenthal, NY Marilyn and Larry Rubin, Israel Betty Atlas-Rumelt and Owen Rumelt, NY Michelle and Mark Saks, NY Nechama and Daniel Saks, NJ Shirley and Leo Schachter, Israel Shirley and Matthew Schein, Israel Rachel and Ian Scheinmann, PA Barbara and Irving Schnipper, MI Julie and Jacob Schorr, MD Keryn and David Schreiber, IL Michelle and Dov Schwartz, NJ Judith Schwed-Lion and Philippe Schwed, Israel Marion and Andre Seligman, Luxembourg Sarah P. Shane, Israel Sara and Mitchell Shapiro, NY Yaffi and Joseph Shmidman, Israel Donna and Robert Simons, OH Ellen and Saul Singer, MD Marilyn and Jamie Sohacheski, CA Marilyn and Moish Stadtmauer, NY Naomi and Gary Stein, NY Milton Steinberg, NY Helen Stoll, NY Chaya Bressler Subar, Israel Naomi and Ira Sved, PA Gil Taieb, France Hope and David Taragin, MD Sandra and Israel Teitelbaum, MD Arielle and Aton Teitelbaum, MD Deena and Jonathan Thurm, NJ Orlee and Joey Turitz, MD Judy and Mark Tykocinski, PA Rachel and David Vorchheimer, NY Jenny and Max Weil, Israel Audrey Whitman and Paul Newman, PA Sharon and Joseph Wiesel, NY Lucy and Leon Winchel, NY Carrie Zlotnick Woldenberg and Roberto Woldenberg, NY Marilyn and Noah Wolff, IL Mona and Marc Yudkoff, PA Elizabeth Zeltser, NY Steve Zuller – Franklin Printing, NY

*As of December 31, 2012

chai society members

1/17/13 9:57 AM

FEATURE

torah – chesed – israel

observations by three current students @ midreshet AMIT

LIVE TORAH Michelle Freund, Miami Beach, Florida The learning at Midreshet AMIT is amazing and I’m so happy that I made the decision to come here. At first I was so nervous about the classes; deciding which ones to register for seemed so overwhelming.

But the teachers here helped me choose, and were very reassuring that if I wouldn’t feel like I was in the right ones for myself, I could switch.

I’ve challenged myself in some areas such as Gemara, but I don’t feel stressed about my classes because I’m able to go at my own pace. If I don’t understand something, my teachers are always happy to clarify and explain it to me. I can even come to them after class, or set up oneon-one chavrutas with them. Classes range from “Zionism” to “Women in Tanach” to “Hilchot Shabbat” to “Power of Tefillah” so everyone can find courses that interest and challenge them. Some classes are discussion based and some are more textual, but we have the option of selecting the right ones for ourselves, and that makes all the difference. Midreshet AMIT is truly an amazing school. We have incredible staff, chesed, trips, classes, and friends. I could not be happier, and every day I love the learning here more and more.

LIVE CHESED Daniella Moffson, New York, New York At Midreshet AMIT we live and breathe chesed. Not only do we have monthly chesed trips, such as harvesting sweet potatoes to feed the hungry through Project Leket and helping out at a soup kitchen, but we live in Beit Hayeled, which is also home to Israeli children who have had to be removed from their homes. We work with these children every day and become a real part of each others’ lives. Beit Hayeled welcomes us into their “Mishpachtons” (family units) which include approximately twelve Israeli children, two Sheirut Leumi girls (Israeli post-high school girls doing a year of National Service), a young couple, and approximately five of us Midreshet AMIT girls. The young couples

are truly inspirational people. They dedicate their lives to becoming parental figures to these children. Not only do we build meaningful relationships with the children we are helping to care for, but also with the Sheirut Leumi girls and these couples.

The children come from abusive homes, and working with them is a truly humbling experience. Before the year started, we all wondered what kind of impact we would leave on the children, but ultimately it is the children who leave an impact on us. Whether we are helping them with homework or running around playing soccer, we can’t help but have a smile on our faces. Every Monday we each run a different after-school club for them, from art to zumba to baking to soccer. This allows the children to express themselves and thrive as individuals.

The language barrier is a challenge, but we’re picking up certain words and it’s becoming less of a struggle as our connection with the children grows stronger. We are helping these kids by giving them the attention they need, and that transcends all languages.

In Sefer Bereshit, we learn about how Avraham, even while recovering from his brit milah, sat at the edge of his tent awaiting guests. Avraham not only loved chesed, but went out of his way to find chesed opportunities. At Midreshet AMIT, the chesed possibilities are literally right in front of us, but like Avraham, we are learning to not only take advantage of the opportunities presented to us, but to push ourselves to seek out ways to enhance our chesed experience even more. Chesed is all around us here in AMIT, and the allencompassing experience is helping us develop into the young Jewish women we aspire to be.

LIVE ISRAEL Aliza Grant, Chicago, Illinois I have been to Israel before and completed my checklist of all things tourist. I have climbed Masada, hiked Ein Gedi, and visited Yad Vashem. Living in Israel this year has begun to add a whole new element to my understanding and appreciation of this country that we call our homeland. My Israel is no longer only comprised of visiting all of the historical landmarks and meaningful sites. My Israel has become working with children and having to rely on my day school Hebrew education in order to communicate with them. It has become spending shabbatot in all different types of places with all different types of families and communities. Living in Israel has become studying the history of my forefathers in the place where they lived. It has become walking down the grocery aisles and realizing I am completely surrounded by other Jews. It is in these experiences where we as Jews find our sense of “homeland.”

As my life in Israel progresses, I am learning to find my sense of homeland here. Whether fighting for a spot on the bus, finding the right words to help a little boy with his homework, or davening at the gravesite of Avraham Avinu, I am able to look around and begin to appreciate the beauty of living in a country where I am surrounded by chesed, history, and family.

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 25

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DVAR TORAH

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A TREE GROWS IN A JE

his year, on Shabbat Parshat Beshalach, we celebrated Tu b’Shvat, which the first Mishnah in Masechet Rosh Hashana calls the “New Year for Trees.” While the holiday of Tu b’Shvat might be agricultural in nature, our Rabbis have always connected trees to spiritual growth. One such example is found in Parshat Beshalach where we find a tree playing a critical role.

Surprisingly enough, trouble began just moments after Bnei Yisrael crossed through the Red Sea. They traveled three days and were unable to find water. They arrived at the city of Marah and when they encountered bitter water (hence the name Marah, which means bitter), they immediately began to complain to Moshe. Hashem responded by showing Moshe a tree, which Moshe threw into the water and miraculously, it sweetened the water thereby enabling Bnei Yisrael to drink. The Medrash explains, “Teach them lessons of the Torah which are compared to a tree.” In other words, throwing the tree into the water was not just a magic trick but rather a process to begin to teach Torah and mitzvot to the

people of Israel. As the next pesukim describe, Moshe used this as an opportunity to inspire the people.

This is just one example of many throughout Tanach where we find trees used as a symbol of Torah and spirituality. Every Friday night, in reciting Kaballat Shabbat, we find one specific pasuk from Tehillim which provides an important lesson for us to think about. “The righteous (tzaddik) will flourish like a palm tree and will grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon.” In this pasuk, a righteous person is compared to two types of trees, the palm tree and the cedar tree. What’s the difference between the two? Why in one scenario are we taught that the tzaddik will flourish like a palm tree while in the other scenario the tzaddik will grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon?

The Maggid Mezritcher, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch, explains that the two trees are two different types of tzaddikim. The cedar tree bears no fruit and grows tall and therefore represents a person who is interested in his own religious growth but not those around him. This tzaddik still has merit,

which is reflected by the term yisgeh, meaning to grow tall. The second type of righteous person is compared to the date of a palm tree. This tree does produce fruit, therefore this tzaddik not only attains spiritual heights for himself, but inspires growth in those around him. He has filled the world not only with his personal mitzvot but by the “fruits of his labor.”

This expresses an important Torah value and hits close to home. We must sacrifice to help those around us. It is part of the religious experience to both focus on ourselves and devote our time, resources, and energy to our friends, neighbors and fellow Jews. Over the last few months, in the aftermath of the recent attacks in Israel and Hurricane Sandy, we saw our community take this message to heart.

However, there is another way of understanding the pasuk. Amos Chacham (Tehillim, Mosad HaRav Kook) suggests we aren’t talking about two different types of tzaddikim but rather that both trees refer to a single righteous

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A JEWISH SOUL person. The pasuk is teaching us that a tzaddik has qualities similar to BOTH a palm tree and a cedar tree. A palm tree has praiseworthy fruits, while the cedar tree has strong roots. Connecting to the theme developed by the Maggid Mezritcher, if the fruit of the palm tree represents our responsibility to inspire others, then strong roots of the cedar tree represent our

By Rabbi Jay Weinstein

responsibility to inspire ourselves and to develop our own religious ambitions. Having strong roots in Torah values is what allows us to produce fruit that influence others.

Let us make sure that we take the message of the trees and apply it in our lives.

Rabbi Jay Weinstein, a native of Miami Beach, Florida, serves as the Rabbi of Young Israel of East Brunswick, New Jersey. He received Semikhah from YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, holds a B.A. in accounting from Sy Syms School of Business and a Master’s Degree in special education from Columbia University. He lives in East Brunswick together with his wife Sharon and their three children, Ora, Ayal and Eitan

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 27

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

AMIT israel delegation visits the united states

Chicago (l-r) Fraydie Matkowsky, Miriam Neuman, Eudice Greenfield, Dr. Amnon Eldar

D

r. Amnon Eldar, Mor Deshen, Alon Naftali, Lior Omesi and Judith Schwed-Lion recently visited the United States to observe a number of cutting-edge schools and attend a series of AMIT events around the country.

The group began their trip in Boston where they toured the Gann Academy in Waltham, Massachusetts, and Dr. Eldar spoke about the AMIT TopTech Initiative at the home of Sharon Ruderman and Rony Shapiro in Brookline. TopTech is an initiative that is being piloted in six AMIT schools to bring educational innovation to our students.

Boston (l-r) David Moss, Shirley Saunders, Beverly Bavly, Bunny Shapero

The next stop for the Israeli delegation was New York, where they gave AMIT staff updates and visited the Avenues School in Chelsea.

Dr. Eldar traveled to Chicago where he met with Midwest Council members at breakfast and presented the latest AMIT updates. He then attended the Midwest Council Annual Dinner at the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie.

Boston (l-r) Mor Deshen, Judith Schwed-Lion, Dr. Amnon Eldar, Alon Naftali, Sharon and Rony Shapiro, David Moss

The delegation ended their American tour in Los Angeles. They made visits to Shalhevet, Hillel, Stanford University, Summit Preparatory School, Buck Institute for Education and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Dr. Eldar made presentations to Jewish school principals and administrators at the Bureau of Jewish Education, The Young Israel of North Beverly Hills and in the home of Susie and Fred Toczek. Dr. Eldar was also the featured speaker at two AMIT events: a reception at the home of Susie and Sam Porgess in Beverlywood and a Sunday brunch at Milk nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Honey restaurant, in Los Angeles. ď&#x20AC;ź

NY (l-r) Lior Omesi, Ben Newton of Avenues, Alon Naftali, Ina Tropper, Mor Deshen

Chicago: Officers of the Midwest Council LA (l-r) Cathy Marshall, Vana Margolese, Mor Deshen

NY (l-r) Lior Omesi, Mor Deshen, Judith Schwed-Lion, Dr. Amnon Eldar, David Moss, Alon Naftali at the AMIT National Office

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(l-r) Nitzchia Eldar, Motti and Rini Asraf

AMIT israel 2012 annual dinner by ellen hellman

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MIT Israel’s Annual Dinner was held in October at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. It was a night to remember. From the lavish and delectable smorgasbord to the decadent chocolate molten cake dessert, the dinner was perfection. But the food paled in comparison to the warm atmosphere generated by 250 generous donors who gathered to pay tribute to the honorees—AMIT Visionaries—Dr. Maxine Miller, Aharon and Nitzchia Eldar, and Dr. Amnon and Michal Eldar. The honorees represented both the volunteer and the professional communities that work together on behalf of AMIT in Israel.

(l-r) Yaffi and Joseph Schmidman

The highlight of the evening were three short videos, produced by the Director of Development for Israel and Europe, Judith Schwed-Lion, the Jerusalem office manager Chava Ashkenazi, and volunteer extraordinaire, Arleen Eidelman. Yaffi Shmidman chaired the event with the help of an experienced team of devoted volunteers, most notably her husband, Master of Ceremonies, Joseph Shmidman.

The Annual Dinner represents the culmination of the AMIT Israel Annual Campaign, which is a volunteer-driven effort that raises funds each year in support of AMIT. The Eldar Family

(l-r) Dr. Maxine Miller, Sarah Liron

Judith Schwed-Lion, AMIT graduates Ziona Desta and Barak Avraham

(l-r) Sarah Shane, Jan Schechter, Dr. Maxine Miller, Nitzchia Eldar, Evelyn Blachor, Debbie Isaac, Dr. Amnon Eldar, Sondra Sokal

(l-r) Judith Schwed-Lion, Rahel Rogers, Aharon and Nitzchia Eldar, Debbie Isaac, Dr. Maxine Miller, Dr. Amnon and Michal Eldar

(l-r) Dr. Maxine Miller, Sarah Shane, Blanche Katz Renov, Diana Schiowitz Schwartz, Shoshannah Rick

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(l-r) Robin and Simon Kahn, Sondra and Myra Sokal, John and Ellen Hellman

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS los angeles goings on PHOTOS BY JOSEPH OBER

Hoedown & BBQ AMIT hosted an All-American Hoedown & BBQ to raise funds for AMIT’s Negev Initiative. The event included a line dance caller and many guests came dressed in authentic cowboy attire. (l-r) Yosi and Wendy Finn

The Volk Family

“Herzl” Screening Over 200 people joined AMIT in Beverly Hills for an exclusive premiere of the ground-breaking documentary: It Is No Dream- The Life of Theodor Herzl. A Q&A was held with Academy AwardHerzl Winning Director and Producer Richard Trank.

(l-r) Casting Director Jane Sobo and friend

PHOTOS BY BENZION LEVIN

Wine & Cheese Reception with President Debbie Isaac AMIT hosted 75 young professionals to meet and greet President Debbie Isaac in Los Angeles. Debbie shared stories of the accomplishments of the AMIT Network in Israel.

(l-r) Ami Kozak and Roz Spier Kozak (l-r) Adam Gleicher, Torie Kravis

(l-r) Debbie Isaac, Janice and Philip Kaufler

(l-r) Tabby Davoodi, Hadas Laureano

Share your Shabbat!

Brighten up an AMIT Mishpachton’s Shabbat table and include your Shabbat hosts in the Mitzvah by gifting them with one of these beautiful certificates.

Your support in your hosts’ honor will sponsor the Shabbat needs of an AMIT Mishpachton.

Order online at www.amitchildren.org/gifts or call Amy Oppenheim at 212-477-1207.

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mily

(l-r) Steven Hoffman, Jim Rodney

a full house

(l-r) Barry Kirschenbaum, David Stonehill, James Haber

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MIT’s Fifth Annual Guys Night Out took place at the Bowery Hotel in Manhattan.

This Texas Hold-Em’ Poker Tournament was, once again, co-chaired by David Stonehill and Daniel Ottensosser. Before gathering for poker, guests were able to smoke hand-rolled Cubanstyle cigars as well as enjoy an open bar and various meat-centric buffet stations on the hotel’s patio overlooking The Bowery. 

(l-r) David Stonehill, Adam Shiff, Avi Shapira

(l-r) Daniel Aharon, Adam Modlin

(l-r) Joshua Korff, David Stonehill (l-r) Greg Adler, Marc Sholes

, no

(l-r) Benjy Berger, David Isaac, Richard Wolff

(l-r) James Haber, Jake Doft, David Moss

(l-r) David Shapira, Brian Nave

Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 31

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Back row (l-r) Barbara Nordlicht, Hope Berger Nathan, Nancy Karp Front row (l-r) Faye Krawitz, Sheri Feldman, Elisheva Stein, daughter of Eva Torczyner

DEVELOPMENT NEWS long Island’s outstanding leaders honored

T

he 2012 AMIT Greater Long Island Gala took place in October at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst, NY.

The theme of the event was “New Horizons for Children” and honored six women who have provided leadership in their respective communities and AMIT chapters.

(l-r) Chevi, Shlomit and Rabbi Ira Ebbin

Barbara Nordlicht of the Daroma Chapter of Long Beach was the recipient of the Keter Shem Tov Award.

The regional honorees were: Nancy Karp-Massada Chapter of the Five Towns Hope Berger Nathan-Sabra Chapter of the Five Towns Sheri Feldman-Shoshana Chapter of West Hempstead

(l-r) Aviva Mansbach, Elizabeth Luxenberg, Leora Weisenberg

Eva Torczyner-Aliza Chapter of Oceanside Faye Krawitz-Batya Chapter of Plainview Special recognition was given to the young women from Long Island who were members of the fifth graduating class of Midreshet AMIT. Elizabeth Luxenberg of Great Neck, and a member of the class, delivered an inspiring D’var Torah.

Shlomit Ebbin of Merrick spoke about her experience as a participant in AMIT’s Mitzvah Program in which she shared her Bat Mitzvah with a young woman who is a resident at AMIT’s Beit Hayeled. AMIT’s new video on the Mitzvah Program had its debut at the Gala.

The Long Island Gala was co-chaired by Debby Gage, Risë and Harvey Kaufmann, Zipporah and Rabbi Arnold Marans, Esther and Donald Press, Betty Atlas Rumelt and Owen Rumelt and Sami Schindelheim.

(l-r) Lloyd and Nancy Karp

(l-r) Steve, Faye, Jason, Tali and Jennie Krawitz

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Hope Berger and grandson, Ariel Berger

(l-r) Richard, Sheri, Gabriella, Sarah and Tamara Feldman

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(l-r) Michael Abramson, Talia Thurm, Ari Berg

2nd annual AFLI bowl

The final two teams! The Flying Pizzas and EMCO

T

his past October the AMIT Future Leaders Initiative held the Second Annual AFLI Bowl.

AFLI’s hard work, together with generous donations of food and drinks from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and t-shirts from Successories, helped us surpass last year’s fundraising by more than 30%.

The winning team, the Flying Pizzas, walked away with bragging rights and gold medals, but everyone left with great memories! 

(l-r) Rebecca Basloe, Alexandra Thurm, Sivan Shahar, Sarah Marlowe, Kyra Mae Garber

Elizabeth Rubinfeld

AMIT young leadership rings in the new year!

(l-r) Jill Ellman, David and Gabriella Fridman, by gabriella fridman Michal and Andrew Gindea n an evening in September, 100 young professionals celebrated the Jewish New Year at the Dickinson Gallery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Many attendees were new to AMIT and it was wonderful to welcome them into AMIT Young Leadership. Gabriella and David Fridman and Lizzy and Daniel Strauss chaired the event.

O

The crowd enjoyed Israeli wines, a light dinner, Rosh Hashana related desserts and modern Israeli music, while mingling with friends and looking at beautiful art. 

(l-r) Jane Lieberman, Miriam Lieberman, Elana and Mati Grauer

(l-r) Elizabeth and Daniel Strauss, Diana and Joseph Straus

(l-r) Simone Goller and Jason Rebhun (l-r) Kira Batist, Rachel Saks, Sam Bloch, Chevy Rubenstein, Chavie Berman

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

(l-r) Melanie, Herman and Beatrice Shapiro

birah learns table tricks

baltimore luncheon

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T

he Sarah Ribakow/Tikvah Chapter of Baltimore held its Annual Donor Luncheon at the Royal Kosher Restaurant in Pikesville this past November. This special event honored the dedication of long-time member Beatrice Shapiro. 

Herman and Beatrice Shapiro (center) surrounded by family members.

his past November, the AMIT Birah Chapter of Greater Washington, DC, held a mouth-watering membership event, “It’s All in the Presentation! Tricks for the Table.”

Alana Isenberg demonstrated exciting ways to arrange food and flowers. A presentation of certificates to our devoted 40+ year members topped off the evening.  Alana Isenberg

(l-r) Samy and Stella Ymar, and Rosalyn Bramson

birah views words like sapphires

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his past October, major supporters of the AMIT Birah Chapter of Greater Washington, DC, enjoyed an elegant evening at The Library of Congress. The reception was for the exhibit, “Words Like Sapphires: 100 Years of Hebraica at the Library of Congress 1912-2012.” Dr. Michael W. Grunberger, director of collections, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, was the keynote speaker. 

(l-r) Elana Stein, Hope Taragin, Miriam Friedman (Event Chair), Donna Lawrence, Norma Burdett, Rosalyn Bramson, Alana Isenberg (l-r) Hope Taragin, Sara Solomon and Donna Lawrence

(l-r) Norma Burdett, Rosalyn Bramson (l-r) Sara, Michael, Felice, Robin and Rebecca Grunberger

it’s all about accessories

A (l-r) Sara Bleier, Rachel Scheinmann and Ariella Chasky

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MIT Philadelphia Council/Shira Chapter held “A Night of Beauty, Bags and Belts” at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Saks Fifth Avenue graciously donated 10% of all purchases to our children in Israel. 

(l-r) Debbie Mittman, Shelly Melman, Cyndilee Koslov, Rachel Scheinmann, Sara Bleier

1/17/13 9:59 AM

(l-r) Rachel Klein, Shira Wiesen, Chagit Ruskin

getting pampered for a good cause

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ver 30 women from the Cleveland Jewish community gathered at the Anthony Vince Salon in Beachwood, OH to spend a Saturday evening in November getting manicures and pedicures, drinking sangria and hot chocolate, eating yummy snacks and catching up with friends. This is the continuation of efforts to further involve the Cleveland Jewish community’s young generation in helping kids in Israel through AMIT. Plans are already in the works for additional events to take place early next year. 

cks

(l-r) Alissa Burt, Tamara Klein, Rachael Rovner

(l-r) Aliza Joel, Tamara Shafran

midwest annual dinner

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he Midwest Council Annual dinner honoring Eudice Greenfield was held this past November at the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie.

Miriam and Bernard Neuman and Fraydie and Bernard Matkowsky chaired the successful dinner at which Dr. Amnon Elder spoke. 

(l-r) Naftali Greenfield, Jonathan Greenfield, Abbi and Karen Neuman, Devorah Greenfield

(l-r) Naftali and Eudice Greenfield, Chaviva Kaplan

(l-r) Beth Alter, Sandra Berg, Bernard and Fraydie Matkowsky, Eudice Greenfield, Aviva Lichtenstein, Miriam and Bernard Neuman, Dr. Amnon Eldar

(l-r) Deborah Hartman, Eudice Greenfield, Shiela Guyer (l-r) Bobbie Nussbaum, Malkie Goldberg

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1/17/13 10:00 AM

(l-r) Sarah Liron, Dr. Maxine Miller, Judith Schwed-Lion

DEVELOPMENT NEWS dr. maxine miller: 94 years young

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his year, Dr. Maxine Miller was one of the honorees at the AMIT Israel Dinner.

In honor of this occasion and also as a 94th birthday present, Maxine’s daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Liron and Sheldon Kahn, from the San Francisco Bay Area, dedicated scholarships toward the AMIT Top Tech Initiative (ATTI) at AMIT Ulpana Givat Shmuel. Maxine stated that out of all her 94 birthdays, this was the best gift she ever received. This gift was very fitting, as Maxine (who was chairperson of the AMIT Israel Executive Committee from 1975-1986) was the first to push forward the idea that AMIT should accept high-level academic schools into its network.  (l-r) Dr. Hedva Heisler (Director of the Ministry of Education of Givat Shmuel), Judith Schwed-Lion, Dr. Maxine Miller, Sarah Liron, Sarah P. Shane, Rabbi Lior Halperin (principal of the AMIT Ulpana Givat Shmuel)

annual lookstein chanukah party by dawn sherry

Front row (l-r) : Shira Baruch, Georgie Lookstein, Audrey Lookstein, Mindy Cinnamon, Debbie Senders Back row (l-r) : Susie Senders, Erica Baruch, Rebecca (Cinnamon) Green, Marissa Cinnamon, Amanda Cinnamon

On December 8, Rabbi and Mrs. Haskel Lookstein hosted their annual family Chanukah party at their home in New York City. Twenty-three family members joined together to enjoy the festivities. For the more than 35 years, Audrey Lookstein has demonstrated her support for AMIT on various levels and her devotion continued during this annual family event. Audrey, a member of the AMIT Board of Directors, of President’s Circle, and of the Gayl Shechter Chapter (which she founded with several other young women in the winter of 1960-61), made 12 members of her family Life Members of AMIT that evening. The recipients were: 3 daughters, a daughter-in-law, a future granddaughter-in law, and 7 granddaughters. “I have run out of new gift ideas, so when the incentive came in the mail, I took advantage of this opportunity,” Audrey disclosed.

(New Life Members not pictured: Ruthie Senders, Tammie Senders, and Julia Straus.)

To join with Audrey and honor a member of your family with an AMIT Life membership for only $118, please see the ad below. 

A Special Offer For a limited time, you may make a child, a grandchild or any loved one a Life Member of AMIT for only $118 (the regular cost of Life Membership is $225). By popular demand this special offer has been extended to January 31, 2013!

Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to give someone you love a gift that will benefit our more than 25,000 AMIT children in Israel.

For more information, please contact Dawn Sherry at 212-477-4461 or email dawns@amitchildren.org.

36 :: Winter 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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spanning AMIT world AMIT supporters of all ages gathered at Ramaz Middle School for a pre-Rosh Hashanah lecture by renowned scholar and author Dr. Erica Brown. The lecture, chaired by AFLI co-president Julia Straus, was entitled “The Big Sorry: The Components of an Authentic Apology” and came on the tails of the release of Dr. Brown’s new book, Return: Daily Meditations on Teshuva for the Days of Awe.  (l-r) Julia Straus, Dr. Erica Brown

The Kfar Boca chapter in Florida held a joint program with the Hattie Thum Tehillim group of Congregation Torah Ohr, Boca Raton, Florida. The event was held in memory of the 10th yarzheit of Hattie Thum, z”l, founder of AMIT Kfar Boca Chapter.  (l-r) Sara Maryles, Sheryle Spar (Daughter), guest speaker Ora Lee Kanner, Ilona and Anna Frieda Grynsztein, (granddaughter and great-granddaughter) Rebbitzin Barbara Yasgur

AMIT co-sponsored a book launch for Into the Light The Healing Art of Kalman Aron. Kalman’s art is an exploration of the nature of mankind, his own humanity and the mystery of life- all on canvas.  (l-r) Estie Feinblum, Marcia Josephy, Temi Monderer

The AMIT Daroma Chapter held a Mother-InIsrael Brunch at the home of Ariela and Ethan Weisenberg in Long Beach, NY. The guest speakers were Perrie Nordlicht who discussed “Condensed Soup: A Definition of Poetry” and Leora Weisenberg, 2012 graduate of Midreshet AMIT.  Photo on left: (l-r) Barbara Nordlicht, Perrie Nordlicht, Sami Schindelheim, Esther Press Photo on right: (l-r) Ariela and Leora Weisenberg

AMIT France, which was founded in April 2010, held its Annual General Assembly this past October. This small but influential committee is moving forward and invites anyone who is interested in helping AMIT raise funds in the French market to join in their efforts. Plans are in the works to also establish AMIT as a registered non-profit organization in Switzerland.  (l-r) Debbie Moed, Susan Galiounghi- AMIT France President, Carole Hannaux- AMIT France Treasurer, Anne-Carole Ohayon- AMIT France Secretary

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$100,000+

Mollie Baller, z”l, FL Debbie and David Isaac, NY Ellen and Meyer Koplow, NY Matanel Foundation, Luxembourg Barbara and Jules Nordlicht, NY Dahlia Kalter Nordlicht and Mark Nordlicht, NY Robyn Price Stonehill and David Stonehill, NY Ellen and Stanley Wasserman, NY

Randi Sch

$75,000 - $99,999

Et

Laurie and Eli Bryk, NY

$50,000 - $74,999

ING

A TIME • AT

M I T • B UI LD

A

ISRA E

L

NE CHI LD •O

An Invitation To Join Me In

President’s Circle As a parent and a long time devoted AMIT donor, I know how important a good education is to the development of children.

Many of the 25,000 students at AMIT in Israel do not have the advantages that our own children enjoy and which we may easily take for granted.

President’s Circle gifts provide the foundation upon which our network of schools is built. These annual gifts are sustaining funds that we rely on to support our excellent programs. In order to guarantee the continuation of programs which nurture Israel’s children and instill within them strong values and academic excellence, we rely on our members whose annual donation ensure Israel’s future by providing these opportunities.

All successful endeavors require a strong foundation. Please join me. The circle will not be complete without you.

Co-Chairs: Brenda Kalter and Deena Shiff For further information regarding President’s Circle, please contact Robin Rothbort at 212-477-4725, 1-800-989-AMIT (2647), or email robinr@amitchildren.org.

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Joan and Shael Bellows, IL Hadassah and Marvin Bienenfeld, NY Suzanne and Jacob Doft, NY Eric Herschmann, NJ Leon and Gloria, Edward, Sari and Howard Miller, NY Ingeborg Petranker, z”l, CA Harriet and Heshe Seif, NJ Adina Straus, NY Joyce and Daniel Straus, NJ Zahava and Moshael Straus, NJ Bethia Straus-Quintas and Paul Quintas, IL

$36,000 - $49,999 Anonymous, Israel Michele and Ben Jacobs, NY

$25,000 - $35,999 Anonymous, NY Anonymous, Israel Thelma, z”l, and Harvey Berger, MA Sherry and Neil Cohen, NY Ike, Molly and Steven Elias Foundation, NY Michael Foley, NY Mitzi Golden, NY Mildred and Alvin Hellerstein, NY Brenda and Albert Kalter, NY Stacey and David Kanbar, NY Gitta and Richard Koppel, Israel Millie and Lawrence Magid, NY Debbie and Samuel Moed, NJ Micheline and Marc Ratzersdorfer, Israel Shirley and Morris Trachten, FL

$18,000 - $24,999 Nicole Schreiber Agus and Raanan Agus, NY Sara Beren, z”l OH Jewel and Ted Edelman, NY Pnina and Jacob Graff, CA Amy and Jimmy Haber, NY Russell Jay Hendel, MD Sarah Liron and Sheldon Kahn, CA Amy and Todd Kesselman, NY Sharon and Solomon Merkin, NJ Adrianne and Avi Shapira, NY Marilyn and Herbert Smilowitz, NJ Carrie and Ilan Stern, NY Trudy and Stanley Stern, NY

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Anonymous, NY Randi Schatz Allerhand and Joseph S. Allerhand, NY Joseph Anmuth, CA Jonathan Art, NY Lolly and Harris Bak, NY Zelda and Solomon Berger, NY Daisy Berman, NY Anne Bernstein, CA Evelyn and Isaac Blachor, NY Beth and Reuben Blumenthal, NY Ethlynne and Stephen Brickman, MA Marion Crespi, NY Jone and Allen Dalezman, MA

Selma and Jacob Dyckman, NY Chaiki and Ziel Feldman, NJ Lilly and Alfred Friedman, NY Joseph and Rae Gann Charitable Trust, MA Miriam and Felix Glaubach, NY Harwit Charitable Trust, CA Norma and Emanuel Holzer, NY Suzanne and Norman Javitt, NY Kirkland & Ellis LLP, NY Nancy and Joshua Korff, NY Sylvia and Leon Korngold, NY Ruth and Daniel Krasner, NY Esther and Motti Kremer, NY

Mindy and Seymour Liebman, NY Aliza and Steven Major, NY Zipporah and Arnold Marans, NY Etella and Haim Marcovici, NY Marilyn and Leon Moed, NY Nataly and Steve Neuwirth, NY Judith and Daniel Ottensoser, NY Regina Peterseil, NY Lauren and Mitchell Presser, NY Barbara and Joel Rascoff, NY Joyce and Stanley Raskas, NY Shari and Jacob M. Safra, NY Jan and Sheldon Schechter, NY

Charlotte Schneierson, NY Rita and Eugene Schwalb, NJ Erica and Rob Schwartz, NY Deanne and Leonard Shapiro, NY Judy and Isaac Sherman, NY Ronnie and William Slochowsky, NY Sondra and Myron Sokal, NY Francine and Aaron Stein, NJ Jody and Ari Storch, NY Audrey and Chaim Trachtman, NY Ina and David Tropper, NY Paula Yudenfriend and Arlin Green, PA

$5,000 - $9,999

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Leelah and Joseph Gitler, Israel Abigail and Ari Glass, NY Ilana and Stuart Goldberg, NJ Paulette and Max Goldberg, NY Esther and Jack Goldman, NY Judith and Matthew Goldsmith, NJ Zelda and Sheldon Goldsmith, NY Anne and Sheldon Golombeck, NY Louis Gordon, TX Judith and Gabriel Gross, France Sharon and Melvin Gross, NY Phyllis Hammer, MA Nicole and Jacques Hanau, France Felicia Hanfling, NY Debbie and Robert Hartman, IL Laura and Jonathan Heller, NY Debbie and Eddie Herbst, CA David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation, MD Gail and Larry Horowitz, NY Aviva and Fred Hoschander, NY Peggy and Robert Insel, NY Elaine and Robert Jacobs, NY Malky and Bezalel Jacobs, NY Barbara and Manfred Joseph, NY Connie and Alan Kadish, NJ Chavie Kahn and Heshy Kofman, NY Ilana and Mitchell Kahn, NY Robin and Simon Kahn, Israel Danna and Gilad Kalter, NY Ruth and Jerome Kamerman, NY Miriam and Shopsy Kanarek, NY Ruth and William Kantrowitz, NY Harriet and Joel Kaplan, NY Marisa and Daniel Katz, NY Gloria and Harvey Kaylie, NY Rona and Ira Kellman, NY Rochelle Stern Kevelson, NY Diane and Barry Kirschenbaum, FL Susan Alter Klaperman, NY The Klibanoff Family, NJ Jane Klitsner, Israel Laurie and Robert Koppel, NY Evelyn and Lawrence Kraut, NJ Rochelle and Seymour, z”l, Kraut, MA Dorothy Kreiselman, NY Bertha, z”l, and Henry Kressel, NY Seryl and Charles Kushner Family Foundation, NJ Debra and Dov Lando, NJ Esther and Stanley Landsman, NY Linda and Murray Laulicht, FL & NJ

Donna and Jeffrey Lawrence, MD Sara and Moishe Leifer, NY Diane and David Lent, NY Ellyn and Alan Lerner, NJ Kari and Joshua Levine, NY Sylvia and Norman Levine, FL Dorothy and Robert Lewis, NY Ruth and Robert Lewis, NY Sharona and Michael Loeffler, FL Audrey and Haskel Lookstein, NY Naomi and Carl Lopkin, MA Rita Lourie-Galena, PA & NY Marie-Nicole and Georges Lumbroso, France Randie and Arthur Luxenberg, NY Rhonda and Jeffrey Luxenberg, NY Meira and Solomon Max, NY Manette and Louis Mayberg, MD Benay and Ira Meisels, NY Caroline and Marcelo Messer, NY Joan, z”l, and Leon Meyers, NY Lois and Jonathan Mills, IL Myra Mitzner, NY Galina and Mark Moerdler and Family, NY Chani and David Moss, NJ Jessica and Jason Muss, NY Miriam and Bernard Neuman, IL Gloria and Burton Nusbacher, NY Reva and Martin Oliner, NY Bea and Irwin Peyser, NY Suzy and Paul Peyser, NY Esther and Donald Press, NY Tzippi and Ira Press, NJ Judy and Jerry Pressner, NY Evelyn Reichenthal, TX Sheila and Sidney Rimmer, NY Shelley Rindner, NY Fritzie and Sheldon Robinson, IL Kristina and Len Rosen, Israel Vivian and Solomon Rosen, FL Miriam and Howard Rosenblum, NJ Elizabeth Rosenkrantz and Steven Lancman, NJ Maks Rothstein, NY Michele and Barry Rubin, NY Herbert Rudnick, NY Ellen Scheinfeld, NY Iris Schneider, NY Esther and William Schulder, NJ Miriam Seltzer, NY Esther, z”l, and Jacques Semmelman, NJ Renee and Elliot Schreiber, NY

Sharon and Rony Shapiro, MA Chana and Daniel Shields, NJ Deena and Adam Shiff, NY Nechi Shudofsky, NY Mollie Siegel, NJ Sharon and Morris Silver, CA Karen and Roy Simon, NY Ruth Simon, NY Lorraine and Mordy Sohn, NY Sara and Gabriel Solomon, MD Mahla and Hilton Soniker, NY Melanie and Matthew Sosland, NJ Sheryle and Theodore Spar, FL Sydelle Spero, Israel Kaaren Staschower, CA Shirley and Bruce Stein, TX Deborah Stern-Blumenthal and Michael Blumenthal, NJ Richard Stone, NY Edith Sussman, MD Ethel and Lester Sutker, IL Lilly Tempelsman, NY Sandra and Max Thurm, NY Eva and Evan Torczyner, NY Bertie and Fred Tryfus, NY Judith and Morris Tuchman, NY Audrey and Max Wagner, NY Joseph Walder, IL Stephen Waldner, NY Paula and Leslie Walter, NY Anne and Mark Wasserman, NY Suzanne and Stuart Weilgus, NY Tova and Howard Weiser, NJ Judy and Morry Weiss/ Sapirstein-Stone-Weiss Foundation, OH Marion and William Weiss, NJ Linda and Steven Weissman, NY Roselyn and Walter Weitzner, NY Diane and Michael Werner, NY Joyce and Jeremy Wertheimer, MA Booky and Jerome Wildes, NY Phyllis Wind, NY Florence Wolf, NY Mireet and Joseph Wolf, Israel Stella and Samy Ymar, MD Hilde and Benjamin, z”l, Zauderer, NY Esther and Dov Zeidman, NY Tamar and Benjamin Zeltser, NY Helene and Gerald Zisholtz, NY Corinne and Neil Zola, NY

*As of December 31, 2012

Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, NY Anonymous, NY Anonymous, Switzerland Trudy and Ted, z”l, Abramson, FL Leah and Jonathan Adler, NJ Ann and Hy Arbesfeld, NY Myra Balinson, CA Rachel and Martin Balsam, NY Yael Balsam, NY Lee and Louis Benjamin, NY Bea Berger, NJ Vivian and Stanley Bernstein, NY Dahlia and Arthur Bilger, CA Laurie Bilger and Eli Epstein, NY Sandra and Howard Blank, NJ Devorah and Melvyn Bleiberg, NY Sari and Stuart Braunstein, NY Adele and Jules Brody, NY Tamar and Hillel Bryk, NY Carol and Arnold Caviar, KS Margaret and Chaim Charytan, NY Beth Chiger, NY The Philip Citron Charitable Trust, MA Trina and Paul Cleeman, NY Sara Clemons, TN Florence Cohen, z”l, NY Shevi and Milton Cohen, NY Diane and Howard Cole, NY Peggy and Philip Danishefsky, NJ Elaine and Lewis Dubroff, NY Hattie and Arthur Dubroff, NJ Susan Ederson, NY Linda and Barry Eichler, PA & NY Sherry and Aaron Eidelman, NY Judith and Allen Fagin, NY Vivian and Bernard Falk, NY Ruth and Gene Fax, MA Iris and Stephen Feldman, NY Sheila and Kenneth Fields, NJ Saradee and Stanley Fortgang, NY Gwen Buttnick Francis, NJ Gabriella and David Fridman, NY Sura and Burt Fried, NY Rena and Michael Friedman, IL Marisa and Andrew Gadlin, NY Randi and Alan Gelman, Israel Shifra and Perry Garber, NY Esther and Arnold Gerson, NY

president’s circle of honor

$10,000 - $17,999

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SPREAD THE HAPPINESS OF PURIM

WHILE YOU SUPPORT AMIT!

5773 • 2013 AMIT PURIM

CARDS

Purim is a time of happiness! Share Purim joy by sending your family and friends our delightful cards while brightening the lives of AMIT’s children in Israel.

AMIT’s specially designed Purim card features a shimmering Purim mask on a green background. Each card costs $3 or you may purchase 10 cards for $25. All proceeds will benefit our more than 25,000 students in Israel.

To order please visit AMIT Gifts at www.amitchildren.org/gifts

or call 212-792-5399 or 1-800-989-AMIT.

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