Jewish News, Jan. 25, 2019

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DIES

Ruth Finn and her husband worked for the rights of Jews, people of color and women

JFCS chaplaincy program expands to West Valley

JANET PEREZ | MANAGING EDITOR

Jewish Family & Children’s Service had long wanted to expand its hospital chaplaincy program to the West Valley, but the funds simply weren’t there — until now.

Thanks to a gift from the Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, JFCS has finally been able to add a third rabbi to serve patients in the West Valley.

Rabbi Tracee Rosen of Emeth Congregation in Sun City West has just started her chaplaincy work at Abrazo Arrowhead and Banner Thunderbird in Glendale, Banner Boswell in Sun City, and Banner Del Webb in Sun City West. Overall, the program covers 26 hospitals across the Valley.

“This program is mostly for unaffiliated Jewish people who are in the hospital,” said Ellie Schwartzberg, vice president of Older Adults and Jewish Community Services for JFCS. “We know that there is just such a Jewish population in the West Valley.”

Rosen believes that one of the most important parts of her chaplaincy is reaching out to the unaffiliated who may not be aware of the number of Jewish services available to them in the Valley.

“Out in the West Valley, where many people are either snowbirds or have retired here, they are not originally from the Valley and they may not have ties to the Jewish community here,” Rosen said.

If unaffiliated Jews find themselves hospitalized in facilities

SPECIAL SECTION | 15 BUSINESS

Arizona Jews for Justice helps asylum seekers released from detention centers

Eddie Chavez Calderon can’t imagine ignoring the thousands of migrant families ICE has released from their detention facilities.

The new campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) believes he has both a humanitarian responsibility to provide for these asylum seekers and a personal need to help them as a DACA recipient.

Marching Together

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

A 2019 economic forecast predicts the nation’s economy will slow but still keep growing

From left, Valley Beit Midrash President and Dean Dr. Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, pastor Ramon Madrid and Arizona Jews for Justice Campaign Organizer Eddie Chavez Calderon.

A young African American man joins a young Jewish man during Phoenix’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day march. The Jewish contingent of marchers was led by the Jewish Community Relations Council. To see more goings on in the Valley, go to Page 20.

Thinking about summer already?

HEADLINES

CHAPLAINCY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

covered by JFCS’ chaplaincy program, they can be sure that a rabbi will be available to comfort them or just listen.

“My main objective is just to provide service and comfort and help to those people who need that at a time when they’re feeling most vulnerable,” Rosen said. Rosen also will take after-hours calls from hospitals for end-of-life issues.

She joins Rabbi Michael Dubitsky and Rabbi Robert Kravitz in providing chaplaincy services. Dubitsky, who is also a teacher at Shearim Torah High School for Girls, covers 11 hospitals, from downtown to north Phoenix. Kravitz, the senior chaplain for the Scottsdale Police Department, covers 11 hospitals, from Scottsdale to the southeast Valley out to Gilbert. He also responds to emergency after-hours calls from hospitals in the central and southeast parts of the Valley. Kravitz said that in 2018, he and Dubitsky saw 4,200 people

Kravitz has spent 11 years in JFCS’ chaplaincy program. He said in the past a rabbi could go into a hospital and wander around to try to find Jewish patients to serve. But following passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996, that was no longer allowed.

“When I came on board, the first thing

I had to do was go through a volunteer program at every one of the hospitals that I served,” he said. “We receive from the hospital or the chaplain’s office a list of all the Jewish patients in those hospitals who have identified as being Jewish.”

Kravtiz emphasized that “if folks don’t say they’re Jewish when they go into the hospital, we will never know they are there.”

Dubitsky was the second rabbi to join the program. Over the years, he has seen the need for his services grow.

“I was getting calls from hospitals all over the Valley, and I was just saying, ‘I’m sorry. I can only cover the hospitals we’re overseeing,’” he said. “The fact that the need is expanding shows that the Jewish community is both growing and has those needs for spiritual counseling.”

While the JFCS chaplains’ mandate is to serve Jewish patients, they will provide comfort to people of other faiths if in-house chaplains are not available.

“There was one hospital where there was someone of another faith whose child was about to have massive brain surgery and they couldn’t get a hospital chaplain from the family’s faith,” Dubitsky said. “Hospital staff asked me to speak with the family and I did. That is my training.”

Kravitz and Dubitsky eagerly welcomed Rosen to their small staff. They have no doubts that she will succeed in her mission.

“We’re delighted to have Rabbi Tracy Rosen onboard with us because she has the qualities of interpersonal relationships, a spiritual and religious background, and she’s a genuinely a nice person,” Kravitz said. JN

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“This is my life and I don’t have the opportunity to check in and out of it,” Chavez Calderon said. “It is my duty to stand up for people who came in like I did. They are looking to be somebody in a world that tells them they are nothing.”

Chavez Calderon was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 4.

Chavez Calderon, who is not Jewish, joined Valley Beit Midrash’s (VBM) social justice group in December. In little more than a month, he has been successful in mobilizing a large response in the Jewish community through the AJJ’s Facebook page. More than 800 care packages delivered through Amazon have been donated to migrant families, in addition to clothes, medical supplies and food that were donated as well.

In early October, as detention facilities became overcrowded, ICE began releasing migrant families. ICE spokeswoman Yasmeen Pits O’Keefe said that the volume of immigrants who have come to the border have limited the government’s ability to hold them without violating court-imposed restrictions on how long minors can remain in ICE and U.S. Border Patrol custody.

But leaving a detention facility is not the end to a migrant family’s problems. Chavez Calderon says that many of these families are unable to get basics such as clothing and food.

Many of these migrant families were released in Phoenix without much guidance on where to go or what to do. They subsequently looked for sanctuary and support in churches and other religious centers. But the sheer volume of families overwhelmed many churches.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, AJJ founder and president and dean of VBM, has run donation drives for migrant families since October. Through a partnership with Uri L’Tzedek, the Orthodox Social Justice movement, they have been receiving donations from around the nation.

With the addition of Chavez Calderon’s assertive social media campaign in December, Yanklowitz has been impressed by the amount of support AJJ has received. On a practical level, Yanklowitz said Facebook makes it simple for people to donate to charitable causes.

“There is enormous energy to act, and these campaigns to support asylum seekers produce so much positivity,” Yanklowitz

said. “What keeps Arizona Jews for Justice on track is that our mission is nowhere close to being fulfilled, nor are the needs of refugees being met at an adequate level.”

Yanklowitz started AJJ after hearing reports that the city of Phoenix was moving its homeless population away from the downtown area for the 2015 Super Bowl. As a way to help those in need, Yanklowitz posted a call-out on Facebook for foam mats that might help homeless men and women endure the conditions.

After that initiative, Yanklowitz saw support from the greater Jewish community for similar donation drives with a stronger focus on community engagement

the reins on unique Jewish social justice initiatives.”

Yanklowitz and Chavez Calderon said the response they’ve seen from the local Jewish community toward new immigrants has been astounding. However, there is still more work that needs to be done.

Despite the current divisive political climate around a topic like immigration, Yanklowitz hopes that people will see the positive effects of their efforts.

“We are trying to do our part, but it takes a coalition of diverse groups working with a single goal in mind that will allow us to accomplish the task at hand,”

and social justice. The AJJ Facebook page was then born and the organization has continued to be what he calls “a pluralistic Jewish group that provides a forum for Jews in Arizona to collaborate and foster social justice within our state.”

According to its website, AJJ is the first and only Jewish social justice organization in Arizona.

“Our hope is to connect community members and empower them to create positive change within our community,” Yanklowitz said. “We are a grassroots organization that takes a collaborative approach to creating change. Any one of our members who has the initiative to organize, educate and lead can take

Yanklowitz said. “This need keeps us going and motivated.”

Yanklowitz wants people to look back through the history of the Jewish people and see the current crisis with migrant families through that lens. He said that for millennia, Jewish communities have been among the most victimized and persecuted.

“We were refugees and considered ‘the other’ by our own neighbors,” Yanklowitz said. “Now that Jews have some power and influence in America, we can use our heritage, moral values, and our privilege to be advocates for those who are suffering like our ancestors did.” JN

A simple and effective way for donors to support migrant families is to purchase care boxes through Amazon via a registry list.

Ruth Finn, major civil rights activist, dies at 98

JANET PEREZ | MANAGING EDITOR

Alegend in Phoenix’s civil rights movement and one of the last from the 1950s era, Ruth Finn died on Jan. 19 surrounded by her family.

Throughout her life, Ruth was an advocate of social justice who fought for those who couldn’t. She worked in tandem with her husband, Herb, in crusades to desegregate schools, businesses and public accommodations — not just for Jews but for people of color as well.

Fighting for her rights was something Ruth was used to doing. Born in New York City, she worked three jobs to get through school and college. In 1942, she married lawyer Herb Finn and the couple moved to Phoenix in 1948.

Once settled in the Valley, the two became leaders in the fight for civil rights, and were among the founding members of the Greater Phoenix Council for Civic Unity. During those early decades of their marriage, Herb was in the spotlight while Ruth worked behind the scenes, but her contributions were no less important. She helped in strategizing and took part in civil rights marches.

Her daughter, Elizabeth R. Finn, presiding judge for the Glendale City Court, remembers her mother frequently cooking up a storm to let off steam and channel her energy. She once made food for 300 people for an event that took place in the family’s backyard.

Elizabeth said that people mistakenly thought the Finn family was wealthy because her father was a lawyer and her mother wore striking jewelry. In truth, there was little money to be made in helping the poor fight for their rights, and more often than not, Ruth’s jewelry came in lieu of payment for legal fees.

“I had the unique opportunity to work in my dad’s law office starting at age 13 and Mom worked there also,” Elizabeth said in eulogizing her mother. “She tried to be the runner of paperwork to the courthouse, but she couldn’t parallel park. She then tried to do secretarial work, but was a lousy typist. She somehow discovered she was a great researcher. This was in the days before

LexisNexis, when you had to dig through the law books … At times I got to go to court to hear my dad argue a motion. Many times a judge would lean over the bench and say, ‘Nice job, Ruth.’”

One of Herb’s greatest accomplishments was working with Hayzel B. Daniels to successfully litigate desegregating high schools and grade schools in Phoenix — prior to Brown v. Board of Education.

Once again, Ruth had a hand in Herb’s work.

graduating in 1970 at the very top of her class. Elizabeth entered her first year at ASU Law during her mother’s third year.

“Everyone kept expecting me to be like Mom,” Elizabeth said. “But I would say, ‘She’s grades, I’m organizations.’ But it was very humbling to have my mom be No. 1 in her class. There was one time when over the loudspeaker an announcement was made: ‘Ms. Finn to the Dean’s Office.’ I went and a few minutes later, here came Dean Pedrick’s voice, ‘I want Mama Finn!’”

Ruth’s partnership and marriage to Herb came to a tragic end in 1979, when he was shot to death in New York City during a hold-up while they were on vacation.

But Ruth never dropped the fight for social justice. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, the AntiDefamation League and the NAACP.

“Mom had great passions about so many things: culture, reading, traveling, changing the world, representing people who desperately needed help when no one else would help,” Elizabeth remembered. “She couldn’t stand what was happening in our country today; the divisiveness we thought was over … She was very driven. We were all told it was our responsibility, our duty, to make the world a better place. She motivated me to find my passions and drive to change domestic violence laws and practices, help the mentally ill and homeless. I’m am blessed to have inherited some of her passion and drive.”

Even as Elizabeth paid tribute to her mother, she said the most fitting final words on Ruth come from former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez.

“In reviewing pleadings with Mom in later years, she would say, ‘I think I wrote that part and, oh, that part over here,’” Elizabeth said. “She couldn’t sign her name to the pleadings, but she was very much involved.”

At 47, Ruth became a member of the first class at ASU College of Law,

“Ruth Finn raised hell and the world is better for it,” he said.

Ruth Finn is survived by her sister, Roslyn Cohen; her children, Elizabeth Finn, Alice Finn Gartell and William Finn; her grandchildren, Jennifer Gartell Liebhaber, Kira Gartell, Jesse Turner and Sarah Turner; and her greatgranddaughter, Claire Liebhaber. JN

Above: Herb and Ruth Finn in 1970, after Ruth received her law degree.

Right: One of the many awards Ruth Finn won in her lifetime.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH FINN

Scottsdale rabbi earns esteemed title

JANET PEREZ | MANAGING EDITOR

AScottsdale rabbi has received a prestigious title from the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider now holds the title of Reform Jewish Educator (RJE).

“I am grateful, humbled and proud to be recognized by my peers to signify my achievement of academic and professional standards of excellence as an educational leader,” Schneider said.

Since the early 1980s, when the titles were first handed out, 570 educators have been named RJEs.

The road to the RJE dates back to 1968. Before then, there were no requirements or training to be a professional Jewish educator in the Reform tradition. In 1968, the title Fellow in Religious Education (FRE) was authorized by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations-Central Conference of American Rabbis Joint

Commission on Jewish Education. Over the next 15 years, 42 members of what was then called the National Association of

Violins of Hope

Temple Educators were granted the FRE.

In the mid-1970s, the joint commission and other groups began exploring new standards for the creation of Reform Jewish Educators. In 1982, new criteria established academic and professional standards for all educators.

To receive the RJE title, candidates must meet criteria in one of four categories: rabbinic ordination, cantorial investiture, a master’s in Jewish education and a master’s in Jewish study. A Houston native, Schneider attended rabbinical school at Hebrew Union, where he received master’s degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish education. He also earned certificates in

synagogue management and pre-marital and marital counseling.

In 2008, Schneider was one of six Americans chosen for an interfaith tour in Egypt and Syria sponsored by the State Department. In 2010, he was a keynote speaker at the 47th Annual Islamic Society of North America Convention in Chicago. In August 2015, he marched in the NAACP-organized “America’s Journey for Justice,” a 40-day, 860-mile march commemorating the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement. In 2017, he participated in the American Peace Caravan in Abu Dhabi and Morocco. He returned to Abu Dhabi in December to attend the Fifth Assembly of the Forum for Promoting Peace.

“For many years, I have worked hard to teach, inspire and model what it means to ‘do Jewish’ every day,” Schneider said. JN

Violins

Hope

Scottsdale Arts and Arizona Musicfest Present

Gil Shaham with The Festival Orchestra

Violins of Hope is a collection of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein restored these instruments over the past 20 years, and through his devotion, these presentations pay tribute to those lost, illustrate the strength of the human spirit and teach the importance of recognizing and accepting people of all cultures, nationalities and religions.

Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider (at right in sunglasses, holding banner) takes part in the annual Phoenix MLK march with members of his temple and others in the Jewish community. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPLE KOL AMI

40th Anniversar y Special!

Phoenix women’s march, separate from national march, draws large crowd

MARA FRIEDMAN | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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Send us nominations for JN’s Best of Home & Design

Jewish News is now accepting nominations from our readers for Best of Jewish Phoenix: Home & Design , which will be published in May 2019.

There is so much going on in the Greater Phoenix’s Home and Design sector and we want to honor the Jewish people who make the Valley a vibrant place to call home. Whether the person is an interior designer, landscaper, furniture maker, owner of a retail establishment, real estate professional or offers other home-related services, we want to hear about them.

Nominations will also accepted for businesses and service groups. To formally nominate one of the people or places that makes Phoenix so great, please send us a note telling us why your nominee should be considered for inclusion.

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is February 15.

While many Jewish women around the country decided not to take part in Saturday’s Women’s March in Washington, D.C., a number of Jewish women in the Greater Phoenix area did participate in the third annual Women’s March Phoenix, which is not affiliated with the national Women’s March organization.

Prior to the event, Women’s March Phoenix co-organizer Eva Burch posted on the event’s Facebook page that she “denounce[s] anti-Semitism in the strongest terms, and will make sure to collaborate with Jewish leaders.”

Among the women Burch invited to speak at the Phoenix march was Miriam Weisman, the former board chair of the Arizona regional Anti-Defamation League. Weisman agreed to speak at the event because the Phoenix march had divorced itself from the national movement.

“Whatever is happening in Washington, D.C., isn’t happening here in Phoenix,” Weisman said. “The women here would never join back with national. They’re open and inclusive. What are people if we don’t accept the good other people are trying to do?”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) did not support the national event in D.C., and NCJW State Public Advocate for Arizona Carol Consalvo chose not to attend the Phoenix march either.

“As the daughter of German Jewish refugees in 1938 and 1939, my instincts are to stand up against all forms of hate,” she said. “This was the trigger for me personally in not endorsing, co-sponsoring or personally attending the march in Phoenix.”

Consalvo said the local NCJW board of directors gave her the green light to state her opposition to the event, even as she knows that the local march organizers were very inclusive and even urged her to participate alongside them.

“In the two previous marches in Phoenix, our section, our friends, and

yes, our husbands and significant others, were there in full support,” Consalvo said. “I sincerely hope the leadership on the national level of the Women’s March will find their way to becoming less divisive so myself and the section can continue to support the goals and resolutions of our mutual mission.”

Though the two marches were decidedly separate, there were some at the local march who were aware of the controversy that has dogged the marches across the country. At least one Jewish woman in the crowd of thousands at the Arizona State Capitol was holding a sign denouncing anti-Semitism.

Arizona State University student Aleeza Kaplan’s sign read, “NO ANTISEMITISM IN MY FEMINISM.” She said it was her way of standing up to the national movement.

“I’m here today to show people my narrative that Jewish people deserve to have a role in feminism,” said Kaplan. On the far left, she added, “there is a watereddown narrative of Jews and Israel being the oppressor and Palestinians being the oppressed.”

Although she didn’t feel safe or comfortable going to the march in Washington, D.C., with her friends this year, she felt empowered in Phoenix.

African American activist Marrissa Wilson said she took part for the compassion and unity of women.

“I was really happy to see so many women come together. I see a lot of signs that say women with disabilities, immigrants, people of color … I like the vibe here,” Wilson said.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety estimated 6,700 attended this year’s march. In 2018, DPS estimated that 20,000 people had descended on the Arizona State Capitol for the march. The greater attendance may have been fueled in part by intense interest in the midterm elections. Last year’s event was dubbed the Women’s March to the Polls. JN

JFCS staffer to receive 2019 JFL President’s Award

Kathy Rood and the Helping Hands Program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) will receive the Jewish Free Loan’s (JFL) 2019 President’s Award.

“Kathy Rood, through her tireless dedication and administration of the Helping Hands Program, as well as cooperative work with JFL’s Economic Crisis Loan Program, has made an undeniable impact on the lives of Jewish individuals and families,” said JFL Board President Ira Shapiro in a statement announcing the award.

Rood, a graduate of Arizona State University, is the Jewish social services manager for JFCS and has helped to organize some of the nonprofit’s most notable programs, such as the Memory Cafe. The cafe is a meeting place for those

County who are unable to meet their basic needs. The program assists those who may have lost their jobs, endured an illness, suffered a loss or some other unexpected financial hardship.

As the Jewish social services manager, Rood works with all potential borrowers before they apply for JFL’s Economic Crisis Loan Program, which provides loans for rent or mortgage payments, utility expenses, medical needs, car repair and other necessities.

For nearly 20 years, JFL and the Helping Hands Program have worked together to provide a comprehensive safety net of services and financial resources for the most vulnerable members of our Jewish community.

Established in 2007, JFL’s President’s Award is presented to an individual,

organization or institution that encourages Jewish continuity and reflects the values and principles of the JFL, especially service and leadership that enables Jewish individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve greater stability.

“It is wonderful when Jewish organizations work together to meet the needs of the community,” Shapiro said. “It will be a true pleasure to present her with the 2019 President’s Award.”

The President’s Award will be presented at Jewish Free Loan’s 2019 Annual Meeting on May 1 at Temple Solel. During the meeting, attendees will hear from people who have been personally affected by the interest-free loans they have received. In addition, Jewish Free Loan will install its 2019-2020 board of directors. JN

Because having the confidence and peace of mind of accreditation is important. That’s why Maravilla Scottsdale is accredited by CARF International, an independent organization that sets exceedingly high standards for care and service. And though senior living communities are not required to be accredited, we think it is an important distinction. So if you’re looking for assisted living or memory care services, take a good look at Maravilla Scottsdale. We think you’ll find that our CARF accreditation is only one of the many reasons you’ll like what you see.

Open the government now

Is there anything positive that has come about or is even projected to occur as a result of the current government shutdown? Other than helping to frame more clearly how operationally dysfunctional our national leadership has become, is there any benefit to anyone from the increasingly dangerous weakening of the operations of our federal government?

Some press reports have focused on the serious economic impact of no paychecks for some 800,000 government employees. That’s certainly important. And others have focused on the ripple effects of the shutdown, such as an increasing number of TSA employees calling in “sick,” rather than being forced to work for no pay in their $17-perhour jobs. That’s worrisome, too.

But now, we are starting to get reports of an even wider range of consequences that threaten the heartland. For example, American farmers, faced with lack of support and coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lack crucial information for their spring planting, which could adversely affect their businesses and the nation’s food supply. We also hear about states that are rushing to pay February federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits before money for that program runs out. And then there is the mounting strain on private food banks, local free loan societies, social service agencies and other communal services that many unpaid government workers are relying upon to help address their basic needs.

Last week, the White House doubled its estimate of damage to the economy from the shutdown, saying that it will subtract 0.1 percent from the GDP. But that number may be wrong, since those charged with developing it are another casualty of the shutdown.

Americans are starting to lose patience, as the rest of the world laughs at us. And for this we have no one to blame but our leaders. Our president’s temper tantrum over his precious wall is embarrassing, but the Democratic leadership’s own intransigence is no less cringeworthy. We could do without the entertainment of the threatened cancellation of the president’s State of the Union address, and the amusing but wholly juvenile nixing of a congressional junket. Instead, both sides should spend their time figuring out how to get our federal government back to work, even if it means massaging some egos.

The shutdown is a gratuitous act of cruelty against Americans by their own elected officials. As both sides jockey for position and insult each other, the country suffers. We deserve better from our elected officials, and it is simply immoral for them to force the consequences of their own incompetence on federal employees who need their jobs, and on the rest of the country that is forced to grapple with unintended consequences.

The president and Congress should open the government immediately, and let America go back to work. Our esteemed leaders can then go off and insult each other on their own time. JN

VOICE YOUR OPINION

Letters must be 200 words or less and include the writer’s full name, address and phone number or email address. Letters are edited for content, style and space. Send your letters to Editor, Jewish News, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road., Suite 206, Scottsdale, AZ 85254; email letters@jewishaz.com.

Beware the tides of Brexit

If there’s one thing that business leaders in a host of different industries can agree upon, it’s that economies function best when the outcomes of decisions are predictable. So when looking at a country’s bottom line, finality matters. Perhaps that’s why, when the British people two years ago narrowly voted in a referendum to sever the United Kingdom from the European Union in an uncertain process, the British pound immediately lost more than 10 percent of its value when compared to the U.S. dollar.

But two years later, with British Prime Minister Theresa May facing a March 29 deadline to either leave the bloc in an orderly fashion or divorce from it without a deal spelling out the terms of a new relationship between the two entities, the only thing that appears certain is that May has only the most tenuous of holds on her own government. As for Brexit itself, it seems that no one has any real sense of how the next few weeks and months will play out.

May’s latest troubles spilled into the open last week when the Brexit deal she and her ministers had been working through with their negotiating partners in Brussels suffered a humiliating defeat in the House of Commons. The result — which followed the high-profile resignations of several officials from May’s cabinet late last year — was so surprising that opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the Labour Party whose abhorrent views regarding Hamas and Israel’s right to self-defense earned him a rare unified rebuke from all of the U.K.’s Jewish newspapers, scheduled a no-confidence vote the very next day.

May survived that vote by the slimmest of margins. Already leading a minority government, she was kept in power not by the votes of her own Conservatives, but by Democratic Unionists representing Northern Ireland. That’s significant, because the one thing no one wants is for a hard border to be re-imposed between that

British territory and E.U.member Ireland as a result of Brexit. But among Brexiteers, anything that keeps the U.K. as a de facto member of the European customs union — the so-called Northern Ireland “backstop” that May negotiated with E.U. leaders in the event the U.K. did not approve a larger deal by March 29 — smacks of a Brexit in name only.

Enter Corbyn and his Labourites, who seem more intent on toppling their archrival May than in actually helping the U.K. solve the Brexit puzzle. Corbyn may have lost his latest attempt to seize power and occupy 10 Downing Street, but last week showed May to be very much weakened. Indeed, according to some pundits, it was only the fear of Corbyn that kept May in office.

It might still be in the U.K.’s best interest to remain in the European Union. But, barring that, what the British need most of all is stability. Here’s to hoping that there are better times ahead. JN

PHOTO BY ARNO MIKKOR (EU2017EE) VIA FLICKR. CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE

Help the asylum seekers crying at our gates

MILENA BUCCI

It’s Friday night, close to sundown.

Mothers and fathers gather their children to get them washed and dressed in their finest clothes.

On this night, they will be able to spend more time together and with their children than they have all week. Their tables on Shabbat will be full of many of their friends from where they used to live.

There is not a cell phone or television in sight, but no one thinks about that. All of their attention is focused on one another. No one is taking a single second for granted. Everyone present has one single thought — a prayer that can be read clearly in their eye — thanks to the Almighty that this night has finally come.

For this is the night they have wished for every morning. This will be the night they can rest, if only for a few hours. They will be able to forget their troubles as they look into the faces of their children and see God.

As they eat, they talk with their friends, they remind one another of the miracle God had performed for their

people when He delivered them from a cruel government and cities filled with evil men that stole their children to sell into a life of slavery. These families are filled with light as they praise God for keeping their people safe on the impossibly long journey of thousands of miles to the promised land.

But these mothers and fathers are not Jewish. In fact, this is likely the first time any of them have ever met a Jew. They are the people of Mexico and Central America that arrived seeking asylum among the “infamous caravan.”

For months they have not been able to hold their children, shower, change their clothes, eat a hot meal or know freedom. They have been released from ICE custody with nothing but the clothes on their back, worn beyond repair. They have traversed thousands of miles to find safety from their corrupt governments, from cities filled with gangs that steal their daughters and sons and sell them into lives of sexual slavery.

These souls have known all ways humans inflict misery upon one another.

Just a few hours before this moment,

neither the volunteers for Arizona Jews for Justice nor the families knew that they would be here. ICE gives the organizations that serve these families mere hours of notice; the families are given even less time to prepare. They are all weary and in varying states of illness.

On this Shabbat, these families will receive the first bit of kindness they have known inside of the borders of our country. Arizona Jews for Justice volunteers will set up an impromptu medical clinic with a translator. One an all are treated with respect.

The Jewish volunteers from Arizona Jews for Justice will treat infants and grandmothers, fevers and colds, minor sickness and life-threatening conditions. This Shabbat it is one young father and son that stand out. The father has a leg infection that is nearly septic. It is so advanced that the clinic staffed by Arizona Jews for Justice volunteers are unable to treat him. If this father is going to live, he must be seen in an emergency medical setting immediately.

Arizona Jews for Justice arranges for one of their volunteers to rush this father

to a doctor and pay for his care, where he will be treated with strong antibiotics that will save his life. An Arizona Jews for Justice translator will be there every step up the way to advocate and give him agency.

This is not easy work. The only thing a volunteer can be sure of is that their heart will break. Some members offer to host a family for a night or two, others volunteer to make the families their first hot meal. Still more volunteers donate the over-the-counter medicines, toiletries or clothing that are so desperately needed.

Why do Jews who are members of Arizona Jews for Justice put themselves on the frontlines when they could easily pretend it’s someone else’s job, and pass the work onto another? It is precisely because they are Jews. Jews have always known that we must be on the frontlines of repairing the world and sharing the light of the Torah.

Please join us. JN

Milena Bucci is chair of the Arizona Jews for Justice Steering Committee. She can be reached at MillieAzJews4Justice@gmail.com.

Places to visit in Israel in 2019 if you really want to learn

MOSHE PHILLIPS

Are you or a family member planning to go to Israel in 2019? Are you looking for something more than the average “Israel experience?” Here are some ideas if you choose to extend your trip and your mind.

Birthright may take you to the Kotel, the Sea of Galilee, the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and Masada — and those are all worthwhile — but there are other places to visit that will help you understand the amazing history of the pioneers who fought the battles that allowed the modern State of Israel to be declared.

Here is a list of eight places to visit in Israel that will help you develop a more accurate picture of the struggle to build the Jewish state.

Acre Prison

Acre Prison is where Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky and his comrades were imprisoned by the British in 1920 for defending Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem from Arab rioters. Later, the British imprisoned Irgun and Stern Group (LEHI) underground fighters there. Several Zionist fighters were

executed there by the British. The prison is perhaps best known for the 1947 escape of dozens of fighters during an underground raid that was depicted in Leon Uris’ novel “Exodus” and the 1960 movie.

Museum of the Underground Prisoners

Another prison where the British held Irgun and LEHI soldiers was Jerusalem’s Central Prison in the Russian Compound. The museum there has significant exhibits that relate the stories of the heroes of the underground.

Etzel Museum

The Irgun was also known as the Etzel. This museum in Tel Aviv details the history the Irgun and the movement’s impact on the British decision to leave the Land of Israel, as well as the group’s combat role in the War of Independence.

LEHI Museum

The LEHI underground launched a campaign to force the British to leave the Land of Israel. Its founder, Yair SEE ISRAEL, PAGE 10

Revealing God’s essence

PARSHAT YITRO, EXODUS 18:1–20:23

On this Shabbat in Jewish communities throughout the world we will read the Ten Commandments, which can be found in Parshat Yitro. During the recitation of the Ten Commandments each year, individuals within congregations will stand up. This act reminds us all that we each “stood” along with our ancestors at Mount Sinai.

What is a commandment? In Hebrew, the word mitzvah is often mistranslated as a good deed. When we were children we were told that cleaning our rooms, brushing our teeth and being polite were all mitzvot. As adults, we think the word mitzvah is synonymous with doing good things and treating people with kindness and compassion. While these are all truths symbolically, the literal translation of the Hebrew word, mitzvah, is commandment. In Judaism we believe that the Mitzaveh or Commander, is God, and that mitzvot, commandments, are directives from our Creator.

While the commandments are explicit instructive from God to the People of Israel who stood at Sinai, only the First Commandment poses a problem

for us. Exodus, Chapter 20:1, beings as follows: “I am Adonai, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Upon first glance we believe this to be the quintessential commandment; faith and belief in God are at the core of Jewish living. Yet, if we read it closely, there is no explicit mitzvah.

The medieval philosopher, Rabbi Hasdai Creacas, wrote in his primary teaching, “Or Hashem,” “The Light of God,” a statement clarifying this problem. He wrote, “He who includes among the list of positive precepts belief in the existence of God falls into a common error. The very character of the term mitzvah indicates by definition, that it can only apply to matters governed by free will and choice. But, faith in the existence

of God is one of those things which are not governed by free will and choice. Consequently the term mitzvah cannot apply to it (the First Commandment).”

As a rationalist, Rabbi Creacas teaches us that we cannot view the First Commandment as a mitzvah, but rather as an irrefutable truth that is not subject to free will or choice. As opposed to the other commandments, the First Commandment is not open to interpretation. Even if we might argue over the nature of God, as our teachers have for thousands of years, we cannot question God’s existence.

A few hundred years later, the Code of Jewish Law ( Yesodei haTorah 1:6) reiterates Creacas’ argument that the First Commandment is not a commandment. The rabbis taught that it is a statement made by God in which God’s essence is revealed. Without the belief in God, the remaining commandments are meaningless. We might have free will when it comes to observing Shabbat, honoring our parents or making false idols out of material things. We cannot, however, choose belief in God, for God

exists whether we believe in God or not.

For the People of Israel, God’s existence is a fundamental principle of our tradition, day-to-day encounters and is at the core of our belief system. The three pillars of Judaism: God, Torah and Israel, while mutually inclusive, are all dependent on the idea that God is at the center of it all. Indeed the centrality of God in Judaism has been the common denominator for all valid interpretations, understandings and nuances of Jewish living. Once the idea of God’s existence is removed from the equation, however, the rest falls apart; our traditions become empty and our rituals benign.

As we stand this Shabbat during the reading of the Ten Commandments then, let us imagine we were standing together at Sinai as one People of Israel, united by our unique faith and fervent commitment to God’s eternal presence in our lives. JN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

(Avraham) Stern, had been a leader in the Irgun and formed the LEHI in order to fight the British at all costs. The LEHI Museum is housed in the building where Stern was assassinated by the British in 1942.

Menachem Begin Heritage Center

To better understand this founding father of Israel and leader of the Irgun there is simply no better place to visit than the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

Jabotinsky Institute

Ze’ev Jabotinsky was the Zionist leader who created a bold, new vision for Zionism after the death of Theodor Herzl. The Jabotinsky Institute in Tel Aviv houses a museum dedicated to

teaching about him and an intriguing special exhibit that spotlights the Af Al Pi illegal effort that rescued Jews from Nazi Europe and brought them to Israel.

against a much larger force. Trumpeldor had been instrumental in forming the Jewish Legion during World War I. Jabotinsky named his Betar movement after Trumpledor. A large statue of a

settlement. In 1938 in response to attacks on Jews by Arab terrorists, Ben Yosef, a member of Betar and the Irgun, along with two companions organized a reprisal attack. They were subsequently arrested by the British. Ben Yosef was executed by the British at Acre prison.

Tel Chai

Tel Chai was a settlement in the Galilee that was the site of a battle against Arab raiders in 1920. The Zionist hero Joseph Trumpeldor and seven other valiant defenders died in the defense of Tel Chai

lion sits at the sight as does a museum at kibbutz Kfar Giladi.

Rosh

Pina

Shlomo Ben Yosef is buried in Rosh Pina. Rosh Pina was an early Zionist

A perfect book to bring along on your Birthright trip is Zev Golan’s “Free Jerusalem Heroes, Heroines and Rogues Who Created the State of Israel” (Geffen Publishing, 2003). Golan’s book will help to make your visits to the historic sights above much more meaningful. The book is well worth reading even if you have no plans to visit Israel anytime soon. JN

Moshe Phillips is the national director of Herut North America’s U.S. section. Herut is an international movement for Zionist pride and education.

Rabbi Stephen Kahn is the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel.

RABBI STEPHEN KAHN

THE KOTEL, THE SEA OF GALILEE, YAD VASHEM AND MASADA ARE ALL WORTHWHILE BUT THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO VISIT THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE AMAZING HISTORY THAT ALLOWED THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL TO BE DECLARED.

Letters to the Editor

Marching locally in solidarity

In response to the editorial, “Women’s March’s anti-Semites” (Jan. 18, 2019), we would like to say that over the last 125 years, the National Council of Jewish Women has been working steadily to organize women across the country, culminating in a wave of women being inaugurated into state and national offices this month. It’s an exciting time for women and we at NCJW are thrilled to be a part of it.

At the same time, there have been increasing reports of anti-Semitism at the helm of one of the giants in the women’s movement: the Women’s March.

NCJW denounces anti-Semitism and hate speech in all its forms, wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head.

Although NCJW is not supporting the national event, many of our members and friends participated in the Phoenix march in solidarity with other groups we work with every day. We are stronger and more effective as a result of the local coalitions we have worked so hard to build in Arizona.

With a faith in the future and a belief in action, it is our hope that NCJW can help bring people together across race, religion, class and gender lines to speak out for the progressive values that we have long espoused.

CAROL CONSALVO

NCJW Arizona State Public Affairs Chair

Winging it kosher-style for the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is just more than a week away on Feb. 3. If your house is like mine, Super Bowl parties are a place where great quantities of food are consumed.

Some of it is poured from a bag into a bowl; some of it is eaten directly from the bag it came in. However, I prefer serving foods that are more substantial than peanuts, pretzels and popcorn.

While chips and dips of all kinds are perennial crowd-pleasers, the signature dish of Sunday afternoon football is Buffalo wings. Although some people wonder if buffalo have wings, if they are kosher and where you can buy them, it turns out none of this is problematic.

Buffalo wings are actually chicken wings minus the wing tip. Their name comes from the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, where they were invented in 1964.

For decades, I shied away from Buffalo wings because they are coated in a wildly hot sauce. But you can modulate the heat right down to mild, so don’t let hot sauce be a deterrent. Buffalo wings are traditionally served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. However, aioli is a pareve replacement, which I find lighter and better tasting than blue cheese dressing.

The recipes below can be enjoyed as hearty snacks or a light dinner, depending on how many hours of football people watch. They can be consumed in front of the TV, often competing with the game.

BUFFALO WINGS | MEAT

10 chicken wings

½ cup flour

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon granulated salt

⅛ teaspoon chili powder

2 cups corn oil, or more, if needed

Optional accompaniments: celery sticks and aioli

Directions Part 1

Cut off the wing tips and discard or use for another purpose. Cut the joint between the part resembling a drumstick and the remaining part. Rinse them under cold water and dry

them on paper towels.

Into a gallon-size zippered plastic bag, place the flour, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powders, salt and chili. Seal the bag and shake to mix the ingredients. Add half of the chicken pieces. Seal the bag and shake to coat the chicken. Open the bag and shake off excess flour mixture from each piece of chicken. Repeat with the second half of the chicken pieces. Move to 2 dinner plates. Discard the remaining flour and plastic bag.

Before starting Part 2, reserve the chicken at room temperature, while preparing the Buffalo Wing Sauce, the celery sticks and aioli (recipes below).

Directions Part 2

Into two large frying pans, pour 1 cup of corn oil apiece, 2 cups in all. Heat over a medium flame until the oil is warm. Using tongs, move the chicken wing pieces to the frying pans. When browned, turn each piece. Keep turning

until all sides are brown and crunchy. Add more oil, if needed. If the oil starts to spatter, reduce the flame to medium-low or low.

Pierce 2 or 3 pieces of chicken with a knife to make sure juices run clear, not pink. If they are pink, continue to fry until the juices are clear. Serve Buffalo wings with celery sticks and aioli. Drain the wings on paper towels. Move them to a large, wide bowl and drizzle on the Buffalo Wing Sauce. Toss gently to make sure each piece of chicken is coated. Serve immediately with aioli and celery sticks.

Serves 6 as an appetizer or a snack.

BUFFALO WING SAUCE | PAREVE

This recipe can be made mild, medium, hot or super-hot, depending on how much Tabasco sauce you use. One tablespoon of Tabasco yields a mild sauce with just a little kick.

½ cup margarine in stick form

1 tablespoon Tabasco pepper sauce, or as much heat as you can take

Cut the margarine into eight slices. Move them to a small pot and melt over a mediumlow flame. Remove the pot from the flame. Add 1 tablespoon of Tabasco and whisk until well combined.

Take a taste. If you’d like a hotter sauce, add the Tabasco ¼ of a teaspoon at a time, until the desired degree of heat is reached. Reserve until after the Buffalo wings are fried.

Yield: ½- to ¾-cup, depending on how much Tabasco is added.

AIOLI | PAREVE

8 garlic cloves, skins removed

½ teaspoon kosher salt

4 teaspoons lite mayonnaise

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 teaspoons lemon juice

4 drops balsamic vinegar

Squeeze the garlic cloves through a garlic press. Scrape the pressed garlic into a small

bowl, and discard the fibers left inside the garlic press. Add the salt and mash with a salad fork until the mixture forms a mush-like consistency. Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. With the salad fork, mix until well combined. Reserve the mixture until the Buffalo wings are fried.

It can be made 24 hours in advance, if covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Yield: 6 teaspoons

WHITE BEAN DIP | PAREVE

1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans

(white kidney beans)

4 garlic cloves, minced

2-3 cubes of day-old bread (challah works well)

2 tablespoons olive oil, or more, if needed

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

2 teaspoon chives, minced

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced

Kosher salt to taste

Pinch of white pepper

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Paprika for garnish

Accompaniments: baby carrots and pita bread cut into triangles

Drain the beans in a colander. Transfer the beans to the bowl of a food processor. Scrape the starch from the bottom of the can into the bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients. Process until the ingredients are well blended and the beans are completely mashed. If the dip is too stiff, add more olive oil, ¼-teaspoon at a time, processing after each addition.

Spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Dust the top with paprika. Serve immediately with baby carrots and pita triangles, if using.

Yield: about ¾-cup

CAULIFLOWER FLORETS AND SPICY RUSSIAN DRESSING DIP | PAREVE

1 head of cauliflower

3 tablespoons lite mayonnaise

½ cup ketchup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Rinse the cauliflower under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Break it into florets. If some are too large, cut them in half. Reserve. Place the remaining ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well blended. Spoon the dip into an attractive bowl. Place the bowl in the center of a round platter and surround it with the florets. Serve immediately.

Yield: ¾-cup Russian dressing. Serves 6 to 8. JN

This article originally appeared in the Jewish Exponent, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

Outlook 2019: Economy grows but at slower pace

ELLIOTT POLLACK | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

The economy is doing just fine. It is, however, very late in the cycle and therefore it’s time to be cautious.

Cycles come and go. This one will as well. We are in the late stages of what is likely to become the longest recovery/ expansion in American history. And current economic policies have allowed the expansion to accelerate.

But the high rate of growth the country enjoyed for most of 2018 will slow to more sustainable rates in 2019. Unless there is some outside shock to the system, the economy is likely to continue to grow at a decelerating rate through 2019. A combination of tax cuts, continued fiscal stimulus, strong plant and equipment spending and few significant imbalances — combined with what is likely not going to be a significant trade war with China — should keep things moving.

Can the partial shutdown of the federal government hurt growth? Sure it can. It will probably lower growth by one-10th of 1 percent for each week it is in place. The bigger threat, though, is a change in consumer sentiment from positive to negative. Consumer and business psychology play a significant role later in cycles.

But the basic underlying data suggest that it will take more than what is currently on the horizon to push 2019 into the negative column. Expansions don’t die of old age. They die because of credit cycles becoming too tight, asset bubbles or some unusual event, such as oil embargoes or wars. None of those things are a major problem yet. Since things can change quickly late in a cycle, this bears watching.

Let’s look at where we stand. First, the good news. Leading indicators continue upward. Consumer confidence recently declined but still remains at what are high levels by historic standards. The Fed’s recession indicator is below levels that historically have been associated with downturns. Inflation is under control, so the Fed is likely to tread lightly at the present time. The average consumer is in good financial shape.

There is lots of fiscal stimulus. And there are almost 7 million unfilled jobs in America at present.

So what keeps me up at night?

While consumer debt, except for student loan debt, is in good shape, corporate debt seems high. A slowdown could push down corporate earnings more than normal. Employment has been growing much faster than the labor force since 2011. We are facing a labor shortage in many fields.

The 7 million unfilled jobs mentioned above can also be looked at as an issue. This is because the lack of labor will push up the employment cost index. It would push up inflation and cause the Fed to raise rates. This tightening, if not done expertly, could push the economy into negative territory at some point.

Already, the recent increases in rates have had a negative effect on housing affordability and pushed down housing starts. It is tight money caused by the Fed trying to slow the economy to stem inflation that is likely to start the next recession when it does occur.

Note that I did not include the stock market as a negative. The recent volatility in financial markets certainly affects consumer confidence. Yet it is not a good predictor of the economy. There have been 37 corrections (a decline of 10 percent to 20 percent) in the stock market since the end of World War II. Twelve have been followed by a recession. Twenty-five have not. The same is true for bear markets (a decline of 20 percent or more). There have been 11 bear markets over that period. Seven have been associated with a recession. Four have not.

People have very short-term memories when it comes to things financial and economic. When they think of a recession, most people think of 20072009, but not all recessions are the same. Only three of the last 11 contractions going back to World War II have been severe in that they lasted more than a year. Eight were mild in terms of

Ask The Expert

Source: U.S. University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

Q: If I give my child $15,000, can I deduct it on my income tax return?

A: No, it is not deductible but neither does your child pay income taxes on the $15,000 received by them.

Annual gifts of up to $15,000 (for 2019) to your child or any individual can be made without having to file a Gift Tax Return. Annual gifts of more than $15,000 per recipient would trigger a filing requirement, even though you may not owe any tax. Estate and Gift taxes are determined by the VALUE of the assets you gift during your lifetime, plus what you pass at death to your heirs. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 increased each individual’s lifetime exemption for Estate and Gifts Tax to $11.4 Million for 2019.

Disclaimer: This is not intended as tax or legal advice and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Please contact your tax advisor for specific answers to your situation.

Vicki Harris

SERVICE BEYOND THE NUMBERS®

Victoria C. Harris, CPA

Managing Shareholder

Hunter Hagan & Company, Ltd.

Certified Public Accountants & Consultants

4110 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste 200

Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3900

voice (480) 946-0751 | fax (480) 941-2188

www.hunterhagan.com

SPECIAL SECTION

OUTLOOK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

length and depth. Those eight lasted only eight to 11 months each. The three longer ones were brought on by unusual factors. In 1973-1975 there was an oil embargo, wage and price controls and the U.S. left the gold standard. In 1981-1982, the Fed had to deal with double-digit inflation. And in 20072008, the housing bubble created the worst economy since the 1930s.

The point is that the next cycle is not likely to resemble 2007-2009. Any slowdown is likely to be short and shallow when it does come.

So with all of this mixed news, how do things look? This year is likely to be a year of continued but slower growth. Economic news will be mixed. But there is presently so much fuel in the economy that the probability of a recession this year is relatively low. We are probably in the eighth inning of what has been a very long game. And the chances of

Ask The Expert

Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity

ECONOMIC NEWS WILL BE MIXED. BUT THERE IS PRESENTLY SO MUCH FUEL IN THE ECONOMY THAT THE PROBABILITY OF A RECESSION THIS YEAR IS RELATIVELY LOW.

a significant slowdown seem limited at present.

How does Greater Phoenix look? Very good. The area was the fourth most

Q: Should I sell my home to an iBuyer (home flipping company) or sell the traditional way using a licensed Realtor?

A: Many sellers find that using an iBuyer company instead of using a Realtor may look attractive from the initial offer they are presented; however, once they get to the closing table, a seller can find that their net number changes drastically with hidden fees and expenses that were not provided with the initial offer. Most sellers find they can net more by using a Realtor to sell their home; as Realtors disclose their fees up front in the listing contract. Not to mention that a Realtor can help the seller step by step through this process and ensure that the seller is protected every step of the way. Put my 22+ years of experience to work for you; contact me and we can discuss the best ways to sell your home. (602) 430-3158 or e mail: AmyRosenthalRealtor@gmail.com

Q: Should my son/daughter rent or purchase a home of their own?

A: Most people find that they can purchase a property for the same monthly payment or less than the average rent these days. There are great loan programs available, especially for a first time home buyer. And the buyer receives the benefits of owning a home such as gaining equity, strengthening their credit and taking advantage of tax deductions. Call me to discuss the best option for you and/or your family.

Amy Rosenthal

HomeSmart Elite Group

(602) 430-3158

AmyRosenthalRealtor@gmail.com

rapidly growing major employment market in the country in 2018. It grew by 3.3 percent. Between December 2017 and December 2018, Greater Phoenix

Ask The Expert

added a whopping 67,000 jobs. The housing market for the year was up. The November/December slowdown appears to be transitory. The area is bringing in a number of quality jobs.

And population, while lower than historic norms due to national factors such as a lower birth rate and fewer people moving between states, is still doing well. Almost 7 percent of those who moved between states, between counties and from abroad ended up in Arizona. For a state that accounts for about 2 percent of the country’s population, that is very positive news.

Overall, the outlook for Greater Phoenix remains very positive going into 2019. While the rate of growth is likely to slow with the slower national growth rate, it is likely to continue to be one of the best performing major markets in the U.S. JN

Q: What happens to a minor child if parents die without a will?

A: If parents die without a will, the process of determining guardianship can be legally complicated. Immediately after the death of a child’s parents, a child will be placed in protective custody until a guardian can be appointed on an emergency basis by a judge. In terms of establishing long-term guardianship, courts look to appoint the closest relative such a grandparents, aunts, and uncles as guardian. If family is not willing to assume guardianship, third parties such as friends may file a petition for guardianship. Absent family or friends who will become guardian, the child will become a ward of the state and enter the foster care system. If competing family members or friends petition for guardianship, the legal process will be lengthy and costly. If you have a child and specific wishes for your child’s guardship, contact Allison Kierman at Kierman Law, PLC for help.

L. Kierman, Esq.

Elliott Pollack is CEO of Elliott D. Pollack and Company, an economic and real estate consulting firm in Scottsdale.

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: What is all the hype about Opportunity Zone Funds? Is the tax savings really that compelling?

A: Many have stated this program represents the greatest tax reduction opportunity of our generation. When modeled against a standard investment using the same underlying rate of return and time assumption, an opportunity zone investment produces more than 2x the net return on investment.

Q: Where did this tax reduction program come from?

Q: Who can I work with and how is my money invested?

A: While the recent buzz surrounding Opportunity Zones have spurred plans for many new Funds, there are few qualified funds open, available for investment and ready for you to take advantage of.

One option is the Caliber Tax Advantaged Opportunity Zone Fund, LP which opened in 2018 and has begun investing directly into a diversified portfolio of real estate assets in qualified zones throughout the Southwest growth markets. You can learn more about the fund at opportunity.caliberco.com

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Caliber - The Wealth Development Company is a full-service real estate investment company specializing in commercial, residential, multi-family, self-storage and hospitality properties.

Since its inception in 2010, Caliber has more than $225 million in invested equity across the southwest with more than $375 million of assets under management. Caliber’s investment cycle is managed 100 percent in-house through its five business units: Investment, Construction & Development, Property Management, Brokerage and Hospitality. Operating under the principles of integrity, responsibility, discipline and transparency, Caliber provides its more than 400 accredited investors with well-managed, diverse, asset-based investment strategies.

A: Opportunity Zones were enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed on December 22, 2017. The driving force behind the tax code changes was to incentivize economic growth in designated communities where new real estate and businesses can thrive.

Q: Is any taxable capital gain eligible for the program?

A: Short and long-term capital gains derived from any source –sale of a business, a real estate asset, stocks you own, etc. – are eligible for the program benefits. Investors who “wait and see” on this program will miss out, as the gains must be invested within 180 days of being realized to qualify.

Keep in mind real estate investment requires the right team, an operating history, and a track record of success.

Q: Are there options for my other forms of capital?

A: Yes! Caliber has become a leader in real estate private equity investment in Arizona and can help you find the right options to grow your wealth or generate stable income from your capital. Give us a call at 480-295-7600 or connect with us on our website to setup a conversation with the Caliber team.

Caliber CEO + Co-Founder, Chris Loeffler

Events

ONGOING

‘A Silenced Legacy — Honoring the Music and the Musicians’: Tickets are on sale for the Violins of Hope chamber concert. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Ticket information: bit.ly/2KZFoIG

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

An Evening with the Mentalist Brett Barry: 6:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Brett Barry knows what you are thinking. The question is how does he do it? The event is being held in partnership with Temple Kol Ami. Tickets $20-$30. Register: vosjcc.org/mentalist

SUNDAY, FEB. 3

NCJW Annual Awareness Luncheon: 11 a.m., The McCormick Scottsdale, 7401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The luncheon’s theme is ‘Our Bodies, Our Lives.’ NCJW believes that access to the full range of reproductive care services is critical to women’s well-being, dignity and conscience. A panel of health care professionals will discuss the challenges and choices we must confront and how we can deal with them. Cost is $50 per person. RSVP by Jan. 27 to Susan Schesnol at 336-215-7777.

FRIDAY, FEB. 8

Gesher Disability Resources Community

Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The special guest speaker is Emmywinning actor Ed Asner. RSVP by Feb. 1 at info@gesher.com

MONDAY, FEB. 11

Meet the Next Phoenix Mayor: 6:45 p.m., 745 E. Maryland Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix. Presented by the Jewish Community Alliance. The audience will be able to ask questions of Phoenix mayoral candidates Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela, who will compete in a runoff election on March 12.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13

‘Violins of Hope: The Mission of Amnon Weinstein’: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Israeli violin maker, Amnon Weinstein, has devoted the last 20 years to locating and restoring the violins of the Holocaust as a tribute to those who were lost. The event is free but reservations are necessary. RSVP: 480-897-0588

Meetings, Lectures & Classes

MONDAYS

Mahjong Mondays: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Every Monday except on Jewish or legal holidays. You are invited to come and

play, no RSVP is necessary, just come. This free program is intended for players with prior experience. Be sure to bring your current mahjong card and a set if you have one.

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS

‘The News Desk’: 10-11:30 a.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The class focuses on current events and is led by retired Dr. Michael Epner.

TUESDAY, JAN. 27

Knitting Circle at The J: 1:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Share the pleasure of knitting and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We’ll teach you. No reservations required. Information: 480-4817033 or harrietc@vosjcc.org

MONDAY, JAN. 28

Cactus ORT: 1 p.m., Mountain Gate Apartments’ Clubhouse, 4602 E. Paradise Valley Parkway North, Phoenix. J.A. Plosker will discuss his book ‘The Nobody Bible.’ Plosker is a 2017 Bookvana Award Winner. All are welcome, free. Questions: Ellen, 602-953-9307

TUESDAY, JAN. 29

Terrific Tuesdays: 10-11:30 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Ages 55-plus. Suggested donation: $4. 480-897-0588 or adrian@evjcc.org

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30

Book Club: 6:30-8 p.m., Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. The Book Club is reading ‘Eternal Life: A Novel’ by Dara Horn this month. Join for pizza and wine as the book club discusses this thought-provoking look at immortality and society’s obsession with beating death. RSVP: events@bethelphoenix.com or 602-944-3359

THURSDAY, JAN. 31

Lunch and Learn: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Enjoy delicious food and lively discussions at a Lunch and Learn program with Wendy Rozov. This year, the program explores the history of the first kings of Israel — Saul, David and Solomon. Travel through this pivotal 100-year span of history that documents the Jews establishing Jerusalem as our central and eternal holy city. Cost is $5 for lunch. RSVP: events@bethelphoenix.com or 602-944-3359

Lunch & Learn at The J: Jewish Free Loan: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Learn more about interest-free loans for continuing education, travel to Israel, starting a business, health needs, adoption and more, all without the worry or burden of compounding interest. Bring a dairy lunch or stop at milk + honey. Complimentary dessert included. The event is free, but preregistration is required by Jan. 28 at vosjcc. org/loan.

Events

JAN. 26-28

West Valley 14th Annual Jewish Film Festival: 6:30 p.m., Beth Emeth Congregation, 13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. The festival will feature the films ‘Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel,’ ‘Three Identical Strangers’ and ‘The Samuel Project.’ The cost to see all three movies is $27 in advance. Tickets for each movies are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Information: 623 584-7210 PHOTO COURTESY OF MENEMSHA FILMS

Class on the Book of Judges: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free. 480897-0588 or webbc@evjcc.org

Class on the Babylonian Talmud: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Cost: $14. Reservations: 480-897-0588 or webbc@evjcc.org.

Speaker Series: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Rabbi Shelly Moss. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Reservations required: 480897-0588 or webbc@evjcc.org

Children & Family

SUNDAY, JAN. 27

Preschool Tailgate Party: 5 p.m., Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Help honor longtime friend Ros Slovin for her more than 20 years of dedicated service as the office manager of the preschool. Join for tailgating while playing outdoor games, bidding at the silent auction and eating yummy sports-themed foods. Tickets are $54 each. RSVP: tinyurl.com/y8vq6hbo or 602-944-2464

Preschool open house: 9:30-11 a.m., East Valley JCC Early Childhood Learning Center,

908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Pancake breakfast, activities. Free and open to the public. Reservation by Jan. 23. RSVP: pam@evjcc.org.

MONDAY, JAN. 28

Parenting class: 6:30-8 p.m., East Valley JCC Early Childhood Learning Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Michael W. Cohen, MD, will speak about preparation for kindergarten and the value of preschool. Class is free, includes refreshments. Reservations are required by Jan. 18 at 480-8970588 or pam@evjcc.org.

TUESDAY, JAN. 29

Blue Tuesday Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Starfire Golf Club Restaurant, 11500 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. The speaker is Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir. The deadline for reservations is noon, Thursday, Jan. 24. Cost per person is $25, cash only, no checks, no credit cards. RSVP: bluetuesdayluncheon@gmail.com or 480-849-7194

THURSDAY, JAN. 31

Friendly Pines Sleepaway Camp Information Night: 7-8:30 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale Salt River, 5201 N. Pima Road,

Scottsdale. No cost to attend. Information: 928-445-2128 or friendlypines.com

Shabbat

FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH

Kavana Café: 8:45 a.m., Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. This is “an informal opportunity to learn” with Rabbi Micah Caplan prior to Saturday morning services. A light breakfast will be served.

EVERY SATURDAY

Torah Express: noon, Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. On Shabbat mornings, during the congregation’s Kiddush lunch, join Rabbi Micah Caplan and other Jewish professionals and teachers from our community for an in-depth study of the Torah portion of the week.

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

Simchat Shabbat: noon-1p.m., Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. Join Gesher Disability Resources for our monthly special needs Shabbat service. Simchat Shabbat is a free. RSVP: 480-629-5343 or jacquelyn@gesherdr.org

Traditional Minyan: Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Rabbi Nate

Crane will lead a traditional Shabbat morning service with full p’sukei d’zimra, Amidah with repetition, and Torah study.

SATURDAY, FEB. 9

Ru’ah Tefilah: 9:35 a.m., Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Cantor Rubinstein for a 30-minute learning minyan, during which we will review the structure and choreography of our Shabbat morning worship. This is an excellent opportunity for all ages to learn basics about prayer and become familiar with davening at Congregation Or Tzion.

Seniors

FRIDAYS, ONGOING

Taste of Shabbat with Nurit Avigdor: 11:30 a.m.-noon, The Palazzo, 6250 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix. Open to the community. Contact JFCS Senior Center for questions at 602-943-2198.

MONDAY, JAN. 28

Sex, Sexuality & Older Adults in the Sacred Encounter: 1-2 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Rabbi Richard Address, founder and director of Jewish Sacred Aging, examines human

sexuality from a Jewish perspective. Members: $5; guests: $15. Register: vosjcc.org/ sacred

THURSDAY, FEB. 7

Memory Café presented by JFCS: 10-11:30 a.m., Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Service, the Memory Café will feature special guest artist is Michael Brace, who plays guitar and invites everyone to sing along with him. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. RSVP: Kathy.rood@jfcsaz.org or 602-452-4627

Arts

MONDAY, FEB. 11

Roz Fischer Concert and Conversation: 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m., Palo Cristi Church, 3535 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. Presented by the Brandeis National Committee, the final program of the 2018-2019 Roz Fischer Concert and Conversation series will feature Armenian-American pianist Tavit Tashjian with clarinetist Kristi Hanno and Argentinian cellist Luciana Gallo. They will perform works by Beethoven and Polish American composer Robert Mucynski. Cost is $7. Call Joan Sitver at 602-971-0012 for more details.

Generations After event

The Generations After Descendants Forum meets at the East Valley JCC for a social gathering and potluck lunch. The group covers several topics at its meetings, such as a discussion about ‘The Children of Willesden Lane: A Memoir of Music, Love and Survival.’

STEAMing ahead

From left, Tami Adelman, director of development at Pardes Jewish Day School, Peter Gordon, director of school at Pardes and Susan Finks, director of MakersSpace, cheer the success of their STEAM at Pardes event. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math. The event was held for grandparents and their grandchildren attending Pardes.

Made for the stage

The cast of the Valley of the Sun JCC Youth Theater performed Disney’s “Mary Poppins Jr.,” pictured, in the fall. Now they are gearing up for the spring production of Disney’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” Auditions and rehearsals start on Feb. 3. For more information and registration, visit vosjcc.org/wonka

Gala gathering

About 400 people attend Temple Chai’s gala held at the Embassy Suites in Scottsdale. The gala honored longtime Temple Chai supporters Donald and Esther Schon, as well as Phoenix Police Officer Michael Hillman, who has worked off-duty at the temple for years.

PHOTO BY JOEL ZOLONDEK

PHOTO BY JOEL ZOLONDEK

PHOTO COURTESY OF VOSJCC

Courting remembrance: Late Valley residents honored through basketball

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

Debbie Berkowitz remembers her former husband, Jeff, as a loud, opinionated New Jerseyite who loved all sports but had a particular passion for coaching youth league basketball at the Valley of the Sun JCC (The J). Sadly, Marfan syndrome prematurely ended that passion in 2006, when Jeff died at age 39.

But he was not forgotten.

In August 2018, The J decided to honor him by changing the name of its youth basketball league to the Jeff Berkowitz Youth Basketball League. The league is for kids from pre-K through seventh grades.

“When Alex Sachs (director of sports at The J) told me about it, I was flabbergasted,” Debbie said. “I couldn’t believe she thought this up and had this vision for Jeff’s legacy. I was really touched.”

The youth basketball league, which has been described as a “training league,” is dedicated to teaching Jeff Berkowitz’s core values of sportsmanship, skill development, integrity, perseverance and community. Described as “Jeff’s Way,” the program looks to teach kids how to be great both on and off the court.

Rather tha n si mply organizing kids into teams and starting tournaments, the youth league focuses its first few weeks on going over the basic fundamentals of the sport through basketball clinics.

“These clinics are not just about learning basketball fundamentals, but also learning to be an athlete with a purpose,” Sachs said in a statement. “The clinics are part of the legacy of Jeff Berkowitz and how he would help players dig deep and realize that what it means to be an excellent player is also what it means to be an excellent human being.”

Before moving to Arizona, Jeff was the captain of his high school basketball team in the early ’80s, which Debbie joked was always his claim to fame.

He left New Jersey to study psychology at Arizona State University, where he was a member of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi. He and Debbie met in college and married shortly after graduation. The two had three children together and attended Temple Chai.

Jeff spent his career climbing the corporate ladder at CVS, starting out as a phone sales representative and ultimately becoming vice president of sales. Although Jeff lived in Arizona since he was 18, his true sports loves were New York teams. He particularly loved the New York Knicks.

Debbie said that even though her late husband was physically active, Marfan syndrome took its toll. It’s a genetic disorder that directly affects the body’s connective tissue, causing mutations and enlargements in certain areas of the body. A common symptom of the syndrome is an enlarged aortic valve that can cause severe chest pains and affect blood flow.

Jeff received two cardiovascular surgeries to help his condition. But in December 2006, he suffered from an aggressive staph infection that resulted in a stroke, hospitalization and eventually death.

Although The J’s CEO Jay Jacobs never had the opportunity to meet Jeff, he hopes that what the basketball clinics and league teach will match “Jeff’s Way” of coaching, which he thinks is more about the values of good sportsmanship over individual talent. Jacobs himself coaches in the youth league.

“It’s really getting across to the kids that there’s a right way to do this,” Jacobs said. “They can win by playing the game the wrong way, but to tell you

the truth, I’d rather them lose by playing the right way.”

Just before the league began in October 2018, The J received a grant in the amount of $2,500 from Phoenix Suns Charities. This is the first time a youth league program at The J has received a grant from the NBA team. It also gave The J an opportunity to name the league after Jeff.

Jeff Berkowitz is not the only late Jewish Valley resident to be honored through basketball. Phoenix Hebrew Academy is dedicating a new basketball court to alumnus and former basketball player Ari Dovid Block.

Block left his hometown of Phoenix

courage, integrity and a winning spirit.”

The court will be unveiled on Sunday, Jan. 27, with a game between two Phoenix Hebrew Academy alumni teams.

That two Jewish men are being honored through basketball shouldn’t be much of a surprise. In the early 20th century, basketball became a popular sport for many Americans due to its emphasis on teamwork and cooperation. The sport thrived in urban environments and became popular among Jewish youth in settlement houses and communal institutions.

The City College of New York fielded a team made up almost exclusively of Jewish players, who in the mid-’30s were considered all-stars in their community.

after graduating from Phoenix Hebrew Academy and lived in Israel for a time. He later studied Judaica at Yeshiva University in New York. Block loved being a camp counselor to children with special needs. He understood those needs. Throughout his life, Block dealt with a degenerative heart condition. He died in May 2007 at 24.

He is survived by his wife, Faige Ludmir, and son, Avraham Yeshaya, who was born a month after Block’s death.

A plaque at the new Phoenix Hebrew Academy court states, “Ari was a great basketball player and a true mensch both on and off the court. We hope that this new court will serve as inspiration for our students to play like Ari did; with

With the exception of Amar’e Stoudemire, there are very few highprofile American Jewish pro basketball players today, although Israeli players are beginning to make their mark on the NBA. While Jacobs isn’t entirely sure why the sport has remained such a strong tradition among Jews, he suspects that it’s because the game teaches the values both Berkowitz and Block lived by.

“This is all about learning the game and understanding the importance of the values,” Jacobs said. “At the end of our first league, we didn’t have an award for most valuable player; we had awards for who was the most spirited, who understood the values the best and who was the most improved.” JN

The late Jeff Berkowitz with his wife Debbie, daughter Abrie and twin sons Evan and Seth.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DEBBIE BERKOWITZ

Phoenix Hebrew Academy’s new basketball court will have its official opening on Sunday, Jan. 27.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PHOENIX HEBREW ACADEMY

You Should Know... Alejandra Dashe

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

As a scientist, Minneapolis native Alejandra Dashe likes to dig deep and search for the reasons why things are they way they are. She gets the opportunity to do just that by teaching biology and anthropology at the Paradise Valley Community College.

Dashe moved to Phoenix last year with her husband and their children when he took a new job. Now she takes pride in utilizing collaborative learning styles to engage students.

What’s your favorite thing about Arizona so far?

When we first got here, it was Passover and Rabbi Wasserman and Rabbi Kanter of the New Shul invited all of us over to celebrate Passover with them. It was very sweet of them to do that.

That was the first thing we noticed; everyone is kind and welcoming here. Everyone I’ve met has been genuinely interested in becoming friends.

MILESTONES

BAR/BAT MITZVAHS

JULIET DANA MORALES

enjoy teaching those biology classes. They explain a lot for me and have made me realize how precious life is.

Why is teaching science important?

There’s a lot to learn from how and why genes express themselves. It explains why certain health conditions happen. Even with something as big as climate change,

I feel that because I understand what’s going on, I can see we’re in a crisis. I’m not sure how to fix it, but I know that there are students who can, so I can help out by teaching basic science.

What’s your teaching style?

If it’s an online class, the students are really teaching themselves as long as I design it properly. If I’m doing a face-toface or hybrid class then it’s a little bit more hands-on. I’ll do a bit more of a song and dance for the students by providing further explanation and create more interactive types of activities that really enhance why they need to understand these particular concepts. If they can look at it, feel it and smell it, they can really get a better idea.

People say doctors are the worst patients. Is that also true of scientists? They are. Especially those with Ph.D.s, like me. We’re the worst. Are your kids interested in science?

They think it’s really cool. We do a lot of science experiments at home and their favorite is making slime. There is slime everywhere in my house. They also really like cooking. I do a lot of baking at home and I’ll let them help and that’s chemistry. We talk a lot about what ingredients need to go together, when they need to go together and what the final product is going to look like. If you add too much of this, is it going to change the taste? If you add too much of that, is that going to change the structure? It all matters.

What are your daughters’ favorite recipes for baking?

Banana bread is the most popular, because I manage to put chocolate in it, so if there’s chocolate in it, then they’re involved. I also make challah every week and my kids will get involved by kneading or braiding the dough. I’ll explain to them why we need to add the salt at a certain point and how yeast works. JN

Kimberly is a student at Phoenix Country Day School and she enjoys fashion design, clothing manufacturing, reading and playing the violin.

Juliet Dana Morales will become a bat mitzvah on Feb. 2, 2019, at Congregation Beth Israel. She is the daughter of Dr. Erika Boroff of Scottsdale and Dr. Alejandro Morales of Scottsdale. Grandparents are Lynne and Arthur Boroff of Scottsdale; and Ines Morales

For her mitzvah project, Juliet is raising funds to support the World Wildlife Foundation, which is an organization that works to protect endangered animals by preserving their habitats and assisting the people who live along side them.

Juliet is a student at Copper Ridge Middle School and she enjoys horseback riding, playing tennis, scuba diving and creative writing.

JENNIFER BROOKE PASTERNACK

Jennifer Brooke Pasternack will become a bat mitzvah on Feb. 2, 2019, at Congregation Beth Israel. She is the daughter of Pamela and Irwin Pasternack of Scottsdale. Grandparents are Betty and Robert Hut of New York; and Bess and Jack Pasternack of Scottsdale. For her mitzvah project, Jennifer volunteers and collects clothing, books and toys for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Jennifer is a student at Cocopah Middle School and she enjoys art, architecture, reading and playing tennis and violin.

Kimberly Sloane Pasternack will become a bat mitzvah on Feb. 2, 2019 at Congregation Beth Israel. She is the daughter of Pamela and Irwin Pasternack of Scottsdale. Grandparents are Betty and Robert Hut of New York; and Bess and Jack Pasternack

For her mitzvah project, Kimberly volunteers at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and collects clothing, books and toys for the children.

OBITUARY

JOAN NANCY FOX

Joan Nancy Fox, 83, died Jan. 13, 2019, in Phoenix. She was born in Detroit. Fox is survived by her husband, Donald Fox; daughter, Erika Freeman; sons, Kenneth Fox and Richard Fox; and brother, Arnold Fisher. She had seven grandchildren. Services were held on Jan. 16, 2019, at Mount Sinai Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Micah Caplan.

Donations in Fox’s name can be made to Bar Ilan University, 160 E. 56th St., fifth floor, New York, New York 10022 or afbiu.org

Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary of Arizona.

Mayer Robbins of Scottsdale peacefully passed away on Jan. 13, 2019, at the age of 90. Mayer was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio. While in Cleveland, he owned Mortgage Securities and General Title Trust Company. He served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1960. He moved to Phoenix in 1981. Mayer is survived by his wife, Sandra Robbins,and his children, Richard Robbins, Marilyn Keelan, Carlton Barker and Aviva Noeth. He is also survived by his sister Ciril Fears of Phoenix and countless adoring family and friends. Memorial Services were held at Beth El Congregation on Jan. 16, 2019, followed by interment at the Beth El Cemetery. The family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley, Beth El Congregation, or a favorite charity inlieu of flowers. Rest in Peace, Mayer. You are loved and will be missed. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

Ruth Geiger Finn, 98, of Phoenix, passed away Jan. 9, 2019, surrounded by music and family. A longtime civil rights activist and a warrior who fought for justice, she was a pioneering female attorney, graduating No. 1 in the first ASU Law School class at the age of 50.

Born in New York City, she had to fight for her own education. With her husband, Herbert Finn, she moved to Phoenix in 1948 where they became champions of civil rights, fighting against segregated schools and discriminatory businesses. They were founding or active members of ADL, Civic Unity, AAUW and many other civil rights and Jewish organizations. Ruth and Herb passionately loved, worked and fought for justice together.

After the tragic loss of her husband in 1979, Ruth formed a loving partnership with Sam Schwartz. Together they traveled the world and were avid hikers into their 80s.

Ruth was a fighter until the very end. If there is a heaven, she is surely up there holding G-d accountable for his sins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Finn, and partner Sam Schwartz. She is survived by her sister Roslyn Cohen, children Judge Elizabeth Finn, Alice Finn Gartell and William Finn, grandchildren Jennifer Liebhaber, Kira Gartell, Jesse Turner and Sarah Turner, and great-granddaughter Claire Liebhaber.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (firrp.org) or Books for a Better World (booksforabetterworld.org).

Joyce Stutzer, age 90, passed away peacefully Jan. 17, 2019, in Scottsdale. She was born March 3, 1927, in Minneapolis. After attending North High School, she married her beloved Jerry, a few years after he had served in the Army during World War II. They joined many of the area’s Jewish population in starting a household in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, and enthusiastically contributed to a thriving social circle of similarly situated Jewish friends. She stayed at home raising her boys — Wayne and Michael — until they were old enough to permit her to join Jerry at work in his shoe store. Eventually, her brothers Harold and Jory Savitt and her son Wayne had all relocated to Phoenix. By 1977, good weather and a business opportunity in Scottsdale induced their relocation as well. Some will remember her working in their women’s clothing store called A Touch of Class on McCormick Ranch. Many, including other migrants and visitors from their social circle, will remember them socially.

Once retired, Joyce found it hard to lose the knack for closing a sale, so worked parttime selling women’s golf attire (yes, she did golf occasionally, benefitting from long rolls enabled by the parched earth of Publinks fairways). She was a member of Temple Chai in Phoenix, continuing in Jewish ways of life learned from her parents, Phil and Selma Savitt of Minneapolis, and from her Jewish education through confirmation at its Beth El Synagogue. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harold and Jory and sister Estelle (Crohn), and her son Wayne Stutzer of Phoenix. She is survived by her son Michael Stutzer of Boulder, Colorado, and his wife, Gina. They and many others, including several nieces and nephews, will continue to remember Joyce’s inimitable ways.

Graveside funeral services were held on Jan. 21 in Paradise Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Contributions in her memory are suggested to Temple Chai Shalom Center, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032 or charities of your choice. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

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organizations keep prisoners from being forgotten

Jewish

Donate NICK ENQUIST STAFF WRITER Although Jewish prisoners make up less than 1 percent of the prison population nationwide, Rabbi Menachem Katz continues to maintain contact with prisoners to help provide what they need, such as religious texts, prayer services, and to make sure that they are treated fairly. But his work is not easy. Jewish inmates in Arizona, for instance, have refused to meet with Katz, who works with Jewish prisoners all over the country, because of the fear of white nationalist gangs. “We wanted to come visit them, but they said, ‘No, that will be too dangerous for you,’” said Katz, the Aleph Institute’s director of Military and Prison Outreach in Florida. “In Arizona, there is a concern with white supremacy.” According to Katz, there are currently 40 Jewish prisoners in the Arizona state prisons and 20 in federal institutions. A 2016 ADL report listed California and Texas as having the highest concentration of white supremacist gangs, followed by “problem” states of Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Oregon and Tennessee.

JANET PEREZ MANAGING EDITOR

Yeshiva School girls pray outside Tree of Life. PHOTOBYJIMBUSIS Election update Almost a week after Election Day, three-term U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema has been declared the winner in the race to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. She was in a tight race with Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally. Sinema is Arizona’s first woman U.S. senator. She is also the first Arizona Democrat to be elected to the upper chamber in 30 years. Two races with Republican Jewish candidates remain undecided. Visit jewishaz. com for election updates. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KYRSTEN SINEMA CAMPAIGN SEE PRISONERS, PAGE 3 KEEP YOUR EYE ON jewishaz.com

SPECIAL SECTION | 17 FAMILY MATTERS Treating pediatric pain with opioids and helping children and teens navigate the pitfalls of social media Israel halts ceasefire talks Marvel’s Stan Lee dies Toronto: Jewish teens assaulted ISRAEL NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 16, 2018 | KISLEV 8, 5779 VOLUME 70, NUMBER 60 $1.50 HEADLINES | 6 MEMORIALPITTSBURGHEVENT Pittsburgh residents, celebrities and dignitaries gathered to honor Tree of Life victims SEE TRAUMA, PAGE 2

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Arizona’s problem is not as big, but still has an impact on prisoners and visitors. But that has not stopped the Aleph Institute from providing its services.