Jewish News, June 7, 2019

THE BIG TRIP

A cohort of teens who traveled to Israel find themselves stepping up as young leaders

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

The Ina Levine JCC announces plans for a senior living facility near Pardes Jewish Day School

Arizona to establish trade office in Israel

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

Arizona lawmakers approved an $11.8 billion budget on Memorial Day, which will include funding for the establishment of an Arizona trade office in Israel. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the budget on Friday, May 31.

The budget includes nearly $500,000 dedicated to three trade offices: one in Israel and two in Mexico.

Arizona Rep. Tony Rivero, R-Peoria, spearheaded the legislation to obtain those three trade offices. The funding was championed by Rivero, who initially opposed the budget until his request was granted.

“Israel’s new trade office is a major victory for Arizona,” said Rivero. “This development not only helps reinforce Arizona’s reputation as a business-friendly state, but it also provides Arizona and Israeli companies with an additional avenue to succeed in the global marketplace.”

President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Glen Hamer said that the new Israel trade office “makes perfect sense.”

“During Gov. Ducey’s first term in office, he has made clear Arizona’s support for a strong Arizona-Israeli relationship,” Hamer said. “Israel is known worldwide as the Startup Nation. Arizona is the Startup State. Arizona and Israel are a great match.”

The trade office, which will be overseen by the Arizona Commerce Authority, builds on several initiatives that have taken place between Israel and Arizona over the last few years.

In 2015, Ducey attended the Water Technology and

Israeli elections: What happens now?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party won 35 of 120 seats in the Knesset on April 9 and seemed to have a clear path to forming a coalition government.

But on May 30, Netanyahu dissolved the government of the recently sworn-in MKs and announced new elections after he was unable to form that coalition. On Sept. 17, Israel will hold yet another election, with much at stake for Netanyahu, his potential ruling partners, the opposition and for many political careers in Israel. The call for new elections is something new in Israel’s political history.

“Since, in Israel, no one party has ever been able to win a majority of seats on the parliament, elections do not produce a new government until a coalition is formed among a majority of the elected members of the parliament,” Ian Lustick explained.

What will you do on Father’s Day?

Father’s Day is right around the corner, but not everyone has a fun day planned out in advance. New dad and Jewish News Managing Editor Rich Solomon gives Valley residents a father’s perspective on celebration, complete with cost-friendly suggestions. Read Page 12 for more.

TRADE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Environment Control in Israel at the invitation of Israeli Minister of the Economy Aryeh Deri. In 2018, the Chamber and the U.S.-Israel Business Initiative signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work together to support ongoing initiatives and activities to strengthen the economic and commercial ties. Under the MOU’s terms, the two organizations agreed to collaborate on water, financial technology, technology and startups, and defense and aerospace.

The Arizona Israel Technology Alliance and the Arizona Technology Council applauded the new legislation. Both organizations worked to strengthen ties between the state and country and advocated for the new trade office.

“Our goal has always been to promote trade and investment between Arizona and Israel, and establishing a trade office is a huge leap forward in that collaborative process,” said Leib Bolel, president and CEO of the AITA, and venture partner at Grayhawk Capital. “We applaud Gov. Ducey and the state legislature for recognizing the potential of trade relations between these two innovative powerhouses, which will reap economic benefits for years to come.”

AITA’s mission is to increase and support bilateral trade and investment between Arizona and Israel, with each offering resources and opportunities across

the technology industry, according to its website. The company, which was established in October 2017, has been instrumental in helping Israeli industry leaders like Airobotics, Eviation and IMNA Solutions open their U.S. headquarters in Arizona.

Since AITA’s inception, the number of Israeli companies with operations in Arizona has increased from 12 to 18.

The trade office will be set up by the end of this year. Bolel thinks there are several reasons why Arizona and Israel have seen an increase in trade development. Both have similar challenges with

water retention and access, for example. He added that both are also aligned in key industries, such as autonomous vehicles, digital health, aerospace and cyber security.

Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, shares Bolel’s vision of increasing bilateral trade. He also serves on AITA’s advisory board.

“The Arizona Technology Council fully supports the new trade office in Israel,” said Zylstra. “Our partnership with AITA has helped both Arizona and Israel solidify their global presence in the technology community. The passing of this legislation represents another step forward in establishing Arizona and Israel as influential leaders in innovation.”

Bolel sees this new trade office as a valuable resource for new companies from either state to do trade.

“Having a state trade office in Israel first highlights the work that the Arizona Israel Technology Alliance has been championing. We’re seeing unprecedented outcomes between Arizona and Israel,” said Bolel. “These outcomes are part of the strong partnerships and collaborations that the AITA has built with leading state entities — including the Arizona Commerce Authority, which with will be the state entity to govern the new trade office — in addition to the ability to broaden in the areas of business and initiatives that the AITA has been focused on.” JN

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Arizona state Rep. Tony Rivero spearheaded the new legislation to establish a trade office in Israel.

PHOTO BY GAGE SKIDMORE

Lustick, a professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania (and author of forthcoming "Paradigm Lost: From Two-State Solution to One-State Reality"), noted that “hard bargaining” is part and parcel of coalition-building, often contributing to delays, but that never before has “the result of that bargaining has been a decision by the parliament to dissolve itself and call for new elections.”

The hard bargaining was between the two major factions of the Israeli right. One side is largely made up of secular, hawkish conservatives, while the other is religious and keen to maintain power for the Orthodox in government, especially when it comes to military conscription.

Yisrael Beytenu, the secular party of former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, refused to join Netanyahu’s coalition unless the government passed a bill drafting some haredi men. Orthodox parties countered with a looser bill, one that Yisrael Beytenu did not approve. Thus, the coalition was broken. Lieberman’s actions, according to Lustick, put into greater relief how much Netanyahu relies on the Orthodox for his power, and created a stare-down.

“These two politicians played a game of chicken with each other,” he said.

Yoram Peri, the director of the Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Center for Israel Studies at the University of Maryland and once a political adviser to Yitzhak Rabin, put it this way: “The norms, the rules, the regulations, the historical procedures, are that if someone is asked by the president to form a government and he cannot, then the president asks somebody else to do that, either from the same party or from another party. So when Netanyahu realized that he cannot form a coalition, doesn’t have enough seats in the Knesset for his coalition, he had to go back to the president and tell the president, ‘Sorry, I was trying to do it, but I failed.’” The catch, Peri said: “He didn’t want to do that.”

Peri theorized that the decision to dissolve the government came less from considerations regarding affairs of state and more with personal preservation.

“He didn’t want to do it because he knew that if he’s not going to be prime minister, in a very short period of time, legal procedures will start and he will find himself in court and most likely behind the closed door of the prison,”

Peri said.

Indeed, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced in February that his office was planning to indict the prime minister after a two-year investigation into bribery, fraud and breach of trust; a hearing was set for October wherein Netanyahu would be able to plead his case before the indictment was finalized.

Joseph Puder, the mid-Atlantic director of StandWithUs and a long-time columnist for David Horowitz’s FrontPage Magazine, concurred on the final point. If Netanyahu does not retain his position come fall, Puder said, “certainly, the opposition will jump on it, and there will be a call to indict him.”

But, Puder added, should Netanyahu replicate his spring electoral success, or even surpass it, that would represent a new factor for the attorney general to consider. “The will of the people certainly counts for a great deal,” he said.

Lustick doesn’t see much of a chance for any non-Likud coalition to take power in the new coalition that will be formed in the fall. He theorized that “a secularist alliance” could form between Yisrael Beytenu and Blue and White — the primary opposition party that won 35 seats in the April election, led “not by Benny Gantz, but by Yair Lapid.” In the meantime, he noted, little will get done legislatively.

To Peri, the whole affair is indicative of a lack of trust between Israeli voters and their government, and between the politicians themselves (he highlighted the fact that Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay insisted on filming the prime minister during negotiations for a possible coal deal). Moreover, he said, the fact that Netanyahu would use legislative power to protect himself was especially unfortunate. “In other places,” he said, “there would have been a revolution.”

Puder believes that Netanyahu will do well in the fall, and also said that he sees it as a chance to push Lieberman’s party out of a ruling coalition.

“The public in Israel is cognizant of the fact that at this time in our historic life there’s no substitute for Netanyahu,” he said. “Given the breadth of his experiences in foreign affairs and in economic affairs, corruption notwithstanding, he’s still the best man around.” JN

Jesse Bernstein is a staff writer for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, a JN-affiliated publication.

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Teens take on leadership

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DBrooks that he was motivated to find a leadership role afterward.

“Israel definitely changed my perspective on the kind of Jewish person that I want to be,” Brooks said. “I now want to inspire younger kids the same way I was inspired when I was their age.”

This summer, Brooks will return to Camp Stein. Not just as a camper, but in the Ozrim counselor-in-training program, which allows teens going into the 12th grade an opportunity to learn the core values of being a counselor. Brooks was also elected to become the regional president of North American Federation of Temple Youth Southwest Region for its upcoming 2019-2020 session.

During his election campaign, Brooks wrote that NFTY “has taught me important leadership skills that I can use for the rest of my life and has allowed me to explore my Judaism in various ways.”

Brooks said he plans on working on inclusion for all people of all political

Brooks is one of many students who attended Camp Stein’s 2018 Big Trip and then took on a leadership role in a youth group afterward. Thirteen of the estimated 30 campers who went to Israel last year went on to hold a leadership position in a youth organization. In addition to NFTY, some of the teens have been elected to roles in Beth Israel’s Temple Youth program, Temple Chai’s Temple Youth program and in BBYO, a Jewish teen movement.

Solomon Lerner, a Sunnyslope High School senior who also attended the Big Trip last year, will be BBYO Mountain Region’s regional treasurer. Lerner has attended Camp Daisy and Harry Stein for 11 years and feels the camp’s sense of community was his main inspiration for wanting to take on a leadership role.

“In years past when I was in camp I always saw these Ozos — which is what we call the counselor in training — have a lot of fun training all the campers,” Lerner said. “Their position is unique and

I wanted to be a part of that, something bigger than myself.”

Lerner and Brooks both had fond memories of their trip to Israel.

“I’ll take any opportunity to go to Israel because it’s an amazing place,” Brooks said. “My brother went on that trip and the camp really has an amazing system to make sure that you see all of the country.”

Camp Stein’s Big Trip Israel is a fourweek Israel experience, led by the camp’s staff members, and is available for campers entering 11th grade. The trip took the

camp became Camp Daisy and Harry Stein in 2012.

Both Brooks and Lerner consider camp to be a significant part of their childhoods, and both feel that it has shaped their Jewish identities and has given them the confidence to take on new positions. For them, and many other campers each year, their summers at Camp Stein have brought a sense of community.

“I guess for those who have never really done camp it can seem a bit like going to Mars,” Lerner said. “But for those returning, they know the camp so well that they return to see all these people they only know from camp. And campers will keep building up experiences and making new friends.”

campers from Tel Aviv to Haifa and then

For Brooks, his experience at Camp Stein has provided more opportunities for growth as a Jewish teen.

“It’ll be interesting this year to see how I’m not just following the counselors, I’ll now have to lead programming and keep reiterating the core values of the camp,” Brooks said. “I’m hoping that I’ll inspire them to want to continue to be Jewish -

munity. I don’t think I would have been involved in all the other Jewish programs that I am currently in without camp as a

Beth El Welcomes New Rabbi

Beth El Welcomes New Rabbi

Solomon Lerner, left, and Dylan Brooks, right, in Israel during Camp Daisy and Harry Stein’s Big Trip Israel 2018.

"I NOW WANT TO INSPIRE YOUNGER KIDS THE SAME WAY I WAS INSPIRED WHEN I WAS THEIR AGE."

A social justice book club for girls celebrates its first year

LEISAH WOLDOFF | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Over the past year, a group of elementary school girls learned about social justice issues and led community service projects as part of G-RAD (Girls Read and Do), a Jewish book and social justice club for girls in grades 1-4 and their mothers.

Each month, one of the girls — or two sisters, in some cases — picked a social justice theme, selected a book, led a social action project and coordinated guest speakers that fit with that theme.

The program was conceived by Liz Vaisben, the mother of two young daughters, who developed G-RAD as part of the third cohort of the Women’s Leadership Institute, a program of the Women’s Jewish Learning Center in Scottsdale. Vaisben developed this project “because there was so much that I wanted to do to make a difference in the community, and this idea enabled me to take them and synthesize them into one.”

One example is April’s project, led by Zoey and Noa Schneider. The theme

was “Asylum Seekers,” so they selected a book about the Exodus for their prePassover meeting and invited Eddie Chavez Calderon, the campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice, to share his story about immigrating to the U.S. from Mexico at age 4. For their project, they collected toiletries and made snack bags for asylum seekers arriving in Phoenix.

“G-RAD has been a wonderful experience for both myself and my girls,” said their mother, Sara Schneider. “It has given them an opportunity to be leaders and create their own program, as well as think of others and how they want to spend their lives repairing the world. It has created a beautiful bond between friends and has encouraged this group of girls to stand up, be heard and make a difference.”

G-RAD received support from the NowGen Phoenix Giving Circle, the Women’s Leadership Institute, Gesher Disability Resources and PJ Library.

The program’s closing event was

held May 19 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale, where each participant got a chance to present a creative interpretation of what the past year in G-RAD meant to them. These interpretations included posters, a slideshow, drawings and a puppet show.

In their presentation, sisters Alyssa and Briana Levin, whose theme was “Kindness Rocks,” shared their reflections about G-RAD: “When we did all of the projects, we helped out and not only did it make those we helped happy, but made ourselves happy, too. We both felt proud to help.”

Throughout the program, girls received project pins for each project, which they displayed on blue kitty headbands, reminiscent of the pink hats worn during the 2017 Women’s March that symbolized women’s empowerment.

In addition to the above projects, here’s a recap of the G-RAD year, which began in August 2018:

• “Ducky Welfare” by Brianna Raizer: During a Tashlich ceremony before the High Holidays, Cantor Dannah Rubinstein of Congregation Or Tzion taught the girls why it’s important to feed ducks seeds instead of bread.

• “Thanks4Food” by Zoe and Eva Brown: After story time in a sukkah, the girls decorated bags for food donations to Just3Things, a project of Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

• “Kitty Care” by Ella Hoffman: The project included making blankets for cats at Halo Animal Rescue and donating cat food and treats.

• “Food for All” by Ella and Liat Vaisben: In addition to stocking shelves with food at the Harvest Compassion Center, the G-RAD team heard from Mary Jo West, the first female news anchor in the Valley.

• “Honoring Elders” by Sarah and Rachel Thaler: The sisters coordinated a Hanukkah gathering at Kivel Campus of Care, where the group played dreidel and decorated cookies with seniors.

While in high school, these young adults served as grantmakers and leaders. They chose to establish life-long charitable endowment funds through the B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program. As they move on to college, they know they will always be able to work to repair the world with the help of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix.

• “Acts of Loving Kindness” by Madison Kaufman: Representatives from Angel Kids and Angel Mamas shared information about community volunteering opportunities and the group made mitzvah bags for the homeless.

• “Furry Friend Kindness” by Jamison Walker: The project included an animal shelter donation drive and decorating

pingpong balls for cats to play with at the Arizona Foothills Animal Rescue.

“I found G-RAD to be an incredible experience and opportunity for my 9-yearold daughter to learn how to practice gratitude, how to be more generous with her time (by volunteering and helping those less fortunate) and to be more comfortable talking in front of a group of peers,” said Glory Kaufman, Madison’s mother. “G-RAD is helping to inspire girls to be confident and discover their purpose in life.”

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION YOUTH PHILANTHROPY BOARD salutes our graduating seniors and thanks them for their years of service to our community

Audrey Hummell University of Oklahoma

Jake Miller Princeton University

Adam Kasper UC San Diego

Noah Silver Vanderbilt University Alyssa Unell MIT

Each participant selected a community service project. For “Furry Friend Kindness” by Jamison

During a pre-Passover meeting with a focus on asylum seekers, the G-RAD girls heard from Eddie Chavez Calderon, the campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice, about his own Exodus story.

During the “Food for All” project, by Ella and Liat Vaisben, the G-RAD girls stocked shelves with food at the Harvest Compassion Center.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIZ VAISBEN

Netanyahu still the man to beat

It turns out that Prime Minister Netanyahu didn’t win Israel’s April Knesset elections after all. When the clock ran out last week, he was unable to form a parliamentary majority to lead a new government. Reports indicate that, at the 11th hour, he tested a number of different alliance and joint-governance possibilities, but came up short. Rather than allow for his rivals to make the coalition-building effort, Netanyahu and the Knesset voted to call for new elections in September.

Will the results be any different? The Israeli electorate is still divided along left-right and secular-Orthodox lines. The right-wing/Orthodox bloc is still a majority of the electorate. And it is likely that the fall elections will be a replay of the spring vote. But there could be some interesting wrinkles, which could produce enough shifts to allow for a different outcome.

Likud and Kulanu: Likud won’t even hold primaries; they will go with the list they had last month — with perhaps some tinkering. But Likud has

already announced a merger with Moshe Kahlon’s center-right secular Kulanu Party. Kahlon is the outgoing finance minister, and will now be elevated to a top Likud slot. Kulanu won three Knesset seats in April. In a new vote, that support could strengthen Netanyahu’s coalitionbuilding hand.

Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked: These two very popular right-wing leaders made a big mistake in the last election by splitting from their Bayit Hayehudi Party. Their New Right Party missed the electoral threshold by a few thousand votes, and they were shut out from the coalition bargaining. They now have a second chance. On Sunday, Netanyahu announced that he was firing Bennett and Shaked from their current ministry positions. While it’s not clear what they will do next, or whether they will even stay together, it is worth watching them.

The two haredi Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, look strong. If voter turnout is low in September, the highly disciplined haredi voters will

The lesson of Andrew Johnson

“If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” Robert Mueller declared last week, as he resigned as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

In his valedictory, Mueller did not exonerate the president from trying to hinder the investigation. Rather, he explained that to his understanding, “charging the president with a crime was … not an option we could consider.”

Ever since the report came out a month ago, Republicans have been arguing that it is time to move on. And Democrats have been all over the place — some urging new and expanded congressional investigations, some demanding the initiation of impeachment proceedings, and some both. But very few Democrats are willing to move on. And even fewer seem to recognize the trap they are entering into by focusing on a largely symbolic impeachment in the Democrat-controlled House, with virtually no chance of conviction in the Republican-controlled

Senate.

Some of the Democratic leadership seems to get it — and have urged the party to focus on fundamental policy differences and candidate character concerns as they march toward the 2020 presidential election showdown. But most don’t. Instead, vocal party advocates seem anxious for an ugly fight that they know they can’t win.

From all outward appearances, President Donald Trump and his supporters welcome an impeachment fight. They see a path that allows them to play victim to the Democrats, and to ride to victory in 2020 after being exonerated in the Republican Senate. History seems to support their view.

There have been two presidential impeachments and two resulting Senate trials — one of President Bill Clinton and the other involving Andrew Johnson, the Unionist Southerner who succeeded Abraham Lincoln.

According to Brenda Wineapple in “The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew

likely carry more weight, and these parties may pick up more than the 16 seats combined than they won in April.

Blue and White: The new center-right party made a good showing, placing second, but couldn’t deliver a government. They would probably have liked to spend a couple of years in the opposition to develop a stronger following and policy specifics. Most parties in Israel come and go. This one could easily lose votes and politicians to the Likud.

Because of the call to elections, the lame-duck Knesset can’t do very much, and they certainly won’t pass a law immunizing Netanyahu from charges of corruption. But as Israel moves forward, there is the gnawing question whether the political wizard has lost his touch. And there are myriad other national and international issues which could affect the September vote — including the role Donald Trump chooses to play.

Netanyahu may have stumbled, but he is still the one to beat. JN

Bullets, not guns

I found your article (“New Zealand’s example,” March 29) interesting regarding how New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, attempts to change the gun laws there. Your March 29 article was right on to assure gun owners that the Second Amendment will always protect the rights of guns to be purchased and used for protection and hunting. But why are we spending so much time worrying about weapons, guns of all types, when they are simply trophies to collect and display?

Why aren’t we addressing the real problem: ammunition? If semiautomatic ammunition was banned in these very dangerous guns, it would be very difficult to use a semiautomatic weapon or any other gun that possesses a real threat to society.

I would like to suggest we research the largest makers of ammunition and explore what it would take for them to scale back the production of these dangerous bullets (magazines, etc.). This might not be in the best interest of the U.S. munitions makers, but they have a responsibility to protect all U.S. citizens and the peoples of the world.

Christine Leva | Scottsdale

What's the alternative?

Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation,” Johnson was a “vain, vulgar, and vindictive” president who was deserted by Democrats and conservative Republicans. He was impeached in the House. But his opponents fell one vote short of a conviction in the Senate, which resulted in the total deflation of his opposition, which had used up its political capital in the failed conviction effort.

Impeachment is not the path to change. And maybe Mueller had it right. Rather than fight a battle he knew he couldn’t win, he dealt with the realities as he understood them, and did the best he could. He laid out the facts, presented the evidence, made the arguments and let others decide. The Democrats should follow that lead, and let the voters decide. And along the way, both sides need to make the case for leadership — not by crisis, not by fanning fears, but by connecting with the people’s needs and hopes, and by presenting a vision toward a more perfect union. JN

You are critical of every aspect of the president’s foreign policy (“What’s the end game?,” May 17), but unless I missed something, you offer no alternative suggestions. I’d like to see some specifics on future pages of the PJN.

For Israel in particular, you accuse the president of provoking Iran (and its rocket strong clients surrounding Israel). I presume you want him to back off. I have to recall the words of Golda Meir: “We can forgive them for killing our children but we cannot forgive you for making us kill their children. Peace will come only when they love their children more than they hate us.”

Neither Israel, the U.S., nor any other Western democracy initiated jihad. Its rigid ideology to destroy infidels (Jews in particular) and to establish the universal caliphate has origins in the 6th century and shows no sign of waning. It has made all negotiations with any and all jihadi organizations, from Yasser Arafat’s to the present, futile. Based on its behavior to date, it seems impossible for them to love their children (future martyrs) more than they hate us in the future.

Thus, there is no endgame. We must live with perpetual confrontation. Israel knows how to do this and has survived so far — and very well, as everyone knows. With our help it will continue to do so for the indefinite future.

Martin Rosenthal | Phoenix

On abortion, Judaism advocates a middle ground

BY RABBI DANNY SCHIFF

Abortion again. The never-ending legal struggle goes on. Unfortunately, it is a struggle that tends to suppress the possibility of reasoned moral conversations. Consumed with the issue of rights (on both sides), there is little patience for more nuanced ethical concerns.

In this polarized environment, it is worth recalling that Judaism advocates an intriguing middle-ground. Historically, Judaism has preferred to consider abortion within a context where moral arguments can be made and heard, and where each case can be truly judged on its merits. Hence, Jewish law calls for the application of a number of moral principles while acknowledging that the details of each instance need to be considered individually.

Central to these Jewish moral principles is the idea that maternal life is superior to fetal life. Judaism affirms that the fetus is a life from conception, but it differs from other traditions in holding that there are two versions of life: the life of an emerged, ensouled person, and the more limited form of life that a fetus represents. Jewish texts identify the fetus as a life in order to communicate that it is abundantly precious in its own right, and worthy of protection.

The idea of maternal life having superior value to fetal life has practical ramifications: If

a mother’s life is at stake at any stage of pregnancy, not only is it permissible to abort the fetus, it is mandated to do so. Within traditional Judaism there is a difference as to whether the mother’s superior standing might allow for abortion in circumstances less severe than a direct threat to her life. Some think that any abortion in less-than-life-threatening circumstances would be an act of murder. Another school of thought is prepared to countenance abortions in serious situations with deleterious implications for the mother, including rape and incest. However, given the standing of the fetus as a life, none of the traditional sources countenance abortion for economic reasons, timing issues or lesser stressors.

Legal writings from non-Orthodox Jewish sources concur with this approach. The Conservative movement allows for abortion when the “continuation of pregnancy might cause the mother severe physical or psychological harm, or when the fetus is judged by competent medical opinion as severely defective.” The Reform movement cautions that “we do not encourage abortion, nor favor it for trivial reasons, or sanction it ‘on demand’.”

In this light, it is worth offering a Jewish assessment of the abortion laws recently passed in New York and Missouri. In New York, the legislature removed abortion from the penal code altogether and permitted abortions beyond 24 weeks for threats to maternal life or

health. Previously, abortions beyond 24 weeks were only permitted to save the mother’s life. In defining “health,” the Supreme Court has held that “medical judgment may be exercised in the light of all factors — physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age … All these factors may relate to health.”

From the perspective of Jewish moral thinking, the New York law is too permissive. The Torah calls for a monetary penalty for the improper killing of a fetus. And the broad understanding of “health” could potentially permit some abortions beyond 24 weeks that Jewish sources would regard as ethically inappropriate. Of course, all current American abortion laws allow for a situation where the majority of abortions carried out at earlier stages of pregnancy are in this problematic category.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Missouri law, one of several recently passed restrictive abortion provisions. In the Missouri statute, the fetus is defined as a life equivalent to all other lives from conception. The Missouri legislation seeks to ban all abortions except in the case of a “medical emergency” where the mother’s life is at risk or where “delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function”.

From the perspective of one of the two traditional schools of Jewish thinking, this

law is too restrictive. It defines the status of the fetus in a way that is not supported by Jewish sources. It provides no exceptions for profound threats to a woman’s mental wellbeing, for critical medical issues that are not an emergency, for rape, incest, severe fetal illness or other instances where a sizable cohort of rabbis permits abortion.

For Jews, it is noteworthy that there is a challenging asymmetry between the two laws. In the case of New York, it is possible for to follow Jewish prescriptions by voluntarily foregoing abortions that the law permits. Conversely, in the case of Missouri, there are abortions that some rabbis would allow that the law forbids. In other words, while the New York law provides room for a Jew to comply fully with rabbinic perspectives, the Missouri law does not. It is a difference that is important to consider.

Long before there was a New York or Missouri, Jews were having serious conversations about the ethics of abortion. Through the centuries, the tradition developed wisdom on this issue that does not align with either side of the contemporary American legal debate. Perhaps such a moderate approach could make a valuable contribution in 21st-century America. JN

Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff is the Foundation Scholar at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the author of “Abortion in Judaism” (Cambridge University Press).

The case for enlisting haredi men into the Israeli military

ALEX TRAIMAN | JNS.ORG

Among key issues that have collapsed the 21st Knesset before its ministers have even been sworn into their positions is the enlistment, or lack of, haredim serving in the military. As part of legacy agreements established and signed at the creation of modern-day Israel between leading rabbis and founding father and the country’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, strictly religious males were granted exemptions from mandatory military service so they could pursue Torah study in Jewish learning institutions.

At the time of these foundational agreements, strictly religious communities that didn’t send males to serve represented a relatively small fraction of the total Israeli population. Yet with birth rates well above the rest of the nation, these communities

now account for close to one quarter of the total population.

In a country in which military enlistment for all other Jewish males (and for females) is compulsory, these exemptions unfairly distribute the burden of military service. In addition, it has become clear that these exemptions do not necessarily support serious Torah study in many cases.

So it is reasonably understandable why those forced to serve and send their children to defend the Jewish state have grown tired of the exemptions. A law passed in 2012, known as the Tal Law, further entrenched the exemptions. Yet Israel’s High Court, as it often does, ruled to overturn the legislation and has forced the government to replace it with alternative framework to increase the number of religious conscripts.

Towards the end of the last government, a new law was proposed that would slowly increase those numbers while penalizing

individuals and communities that refused to serve with steep fines and even incarceration. The law passed its first reading in the Knesset prior to the calling of early national elections.

Following the polls, the religious United Torah Judaism and Shas parties emerged as the strongest parties prepared to enter Benjamin Netanyahu’s incoming governing coalition. They have demanded that the law be adjusted to further loosen the enlistment target numbers, as well as the penalties for refusing to serve.

Yet during the current negotiations, the smaller Yisrael Beiteinu Party led by former defense minister and right-wing Netanyahu rival Avigdor Lieberman has demanded that the new law be passed as is and implemented as a prerequisite to entering the government. Unable to forge a compromise, Netanyahu is thereby unable to form a majority governing coalition. And with no other likely Knesset members able to form a governing coalition,

including the Blue and White Party led by Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, the Knesset is voting to quickly disband itself and send the country into snap elections for the second time in less than six months.

The irony of the crisis is twofold. First, the issue of religious enlistment, while important, is far down on the list of immediate national security and economic priorities. Second, it is the High Court’s deadline for passage of a new enlistment law that has forced the government to contend with the issue at a time when it otherwise would be more than willing to kick the can down the road.

Having more haredi soldiers serving in the military would benefit Israel in numerous ways. In an army that depends on the intelligence of its soldiers and decision-making abilities at all levels, strictly religious soldiers are highly likely to succeed and ultimately strengthen the military.

SEE TRAIMAN, PAGE 9

Life’s blessings and curses

PARASHAT BAMIDBAR, NUMBERS 1:1- 4:20

RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN

Early in the book of Numbers, the Torah records the first census in the history of the Jewish people: “Count the heads of the entire witness community of the children of Israel, by their families, by their parents’ houses” (Numbers 1:2). Certainly a census is a momentous event — not only as a profile of a nation’s most important natural resource, its people, but also as a means of enhancing each national with a sense of pride in his newly acquired significance as a member of an important nation.

At the end of the day, when all the counts of the various tribes were added up, the total number of those twenty years and above was 603,550 (Numbers 1:46). The census tells us — in more ways than one — that each person counts. Again and again, we encounter the phrase in connection with the census: “by their families [lemishpe’ hotam], by their parents’ houses [leveit avotam].”

This particular term is repeated with each of the tribes and families, except for two instances wherein the phrase is inverted — in the case of the Levites, as well as the sons of Gershon. In these two instances, instead of the order being “by their families” and “by their parents’ houses,” we find “by their parents house and by their families” (Numbers 3:15).

In contrast, Levi’s other sons, Kehat (Numbers 4:2) and Merari (Numbers 4:27), are presented in the book of Numbers in a manner similar to the presentation of the rest of the tribes — first by their “families” and only afterwards by their “fathers’ houses.” Why should there be such a reversal in phraseology

FROM PAGE 8

As students of Tanach (Torah, Prophets and Writings) and the Talmud, strictly religious males are knowledgeable about the historic geography of the Jewish state. To them, cities like Hebron, Bethlehem and Shechem (referred to by Arabs as Nablus) have unique religious significance as the burial grounds of Jewish forefathers and foremothers Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Leah, Rachel and Joseph.

The Torah itself has many specific laws regarding when and how the Jewish nation is obligated to go to war. Serving and adhering to those laws can be considered a biblical commandment.

in the case of Levi and the children of Gershon?

In a prior commentary, we rendered the phrase “lemishpe’hotam” to mean “by the family of their tribal forebears,” and “leveit avotam” to mean “by their immediate parental names,” in accordance with the interpretation of Rashi (1040–1105). However, the earlier Aramaic translation of these phrases, Targum Onkelos, which is generally placed alongside of the biblical text as a demonstration of its authoritative position, render “lemishpe’hotam” as “lezarayaton” — “by their seed, by their children.”

Thus the usual formulation, found no less than 17 times in our passage, is rendered to mean that each individual is numbered by their children and by their parents’ house. The message of the Targum is clear: An individual is to be counted first by whom he or she has produced — by his or her children — and only afterwards and secondarily do we pay attention to his or her forebears, to the yihus which comes from one’s parents and the parental forebears; perhaps Targum would include the tribal background as well in “leveit avotam.”

From the perspective of this definition, we can also readily understand the reversal of the phrase regarding the tribe of Levi. Ordinarily individuals are defined first by whom and what they have produced — their children. However, a kohen (priest) or Levite serves in the Temple and performs special ritual duties, not by virtue of merit, but only by virtue of ancestry: I am a kohen only because my father was a kohen. Hence, in accordance with this reality, the Bible insists that their census is “by their parents’ house and by their children” — the parents coming first!

Haredi males, and the rabbis who guide them, have opted against military service for several reasons. The first is that although it is a Jewish army, the IDF is by no means a religious army. Its guiding principles and leadership do not inherently lend themselves to creating an especially religious (aka religious-friendly) environment.

The integration of women into the military, and particularly their roles as trainers of men in handling weapons and in national recruitment offices, creates an uncomfortable situation of immodesty for strictly religious men. In addition, army units do not facilitate daily Torah learning, while also establishing (sometimes important) exemptions from religious laws that contradict

And, in addition to special ritual functions, the care and maintenance of the Sanctuary (during the years of wandering in the desert) was divided among the three scions of the house of Levi. The duty of Gershon, as described in the previous portion, focused on the curtains, the hangings, the various coverings inside the Tabernacle. According to the midrash, this was the easiest job in the Sanctuary. It is therefore assumed that the children of Gershon were satisfied to rest on their laurels; they remained in essence Levites, dependent on their “parent’s house” for their status and function.

In contrast, the children of Kehat were in charge of the much heavier items, such as the menorah and the Ark. In Bamidbar Rabba (5:1), we read the following description: “When the Jews were traveling, two sparks of flame came out from the two poles of the Ark of the Tablets of Law.” The Kehatites volunteered to put their lives on the line and risk the fire in order to bear the Holy Ark. And their brothers, the Merarites, learned from their example, volunteering to transport the heaviest wood and metals. These children of Levi were anxious to be their own people, to establish their own yihus. As a result, the Torah counts them in accord with “their children and their parents’ house” — themselves and their children coming first!

What we’ve gathered from the overview is that a seemingly slight difference in word order may reveal a world of attitude and psychology. When each of us is counted and assessed when the Almighty conducts His census, the most important criterion in our judgment will not be who our parents were, but who and what we and our children have developed into. All too often, the descendant has descended too far down. And when we ponder the question

with military duties.

As such, penalizing religious males for skipping the army makes complete sense from a level of fairness, if the issue was being waged in a vacuum. Fining and/or jailing religious males from opting out of army service, however, fails to address the very reasons they are avoiding the army to begin with.

If the government was serious about increasing the number of strictly religious conscripts, it would seek to address these issues head on and create a better framework for service — building on the already successful concept of Nahal Haredi religious units, for example. Founded in 1999, Nahal Haredi incorporates approximately 1,000 soldiers

of “who is a Jew?” as we so often do within the context of necessity for conversion and the “right of return,” it is important to note that at least from a sociological (rather than a halachic) perspective, a Jew is defined more by his children than by his parents; indeed, I would argue that, sociologically speaking, a Jew is he or she who has Jewish grandchildren.

Postscript: The Maggid of Mezritch (18th century, Ukraine) was a great disciple of the Ba’al Shem Tov, and heir to his leadership. It is told that when the Maggid was still a child, a fire broke out in his family home. Although the family was rescued from the flames, his mother was weeping hysterically. When he asked her why she was so upset at the loss of mere physical objects, the mother explained that she was crying for the loss of the record of their family pedigree, which had been destroyed in the flames. This record had traced back their familial roots to King David himself. “You don’t have to cry over that,” said the young Maggid, comforting his mother. “I will begin a new record of our family pedigree; from me will begin a new yihus. Subsequent generations will trace their lineage back to me.” JN

at any given time. The government should continue to develop structures within the IDF to offer haredi males the opportunity to spend half of each day learning during their service in a fully segregated environment, and to give the leaders of the religious communities significant input into how to alleviate other concerns.

If the court and non-religious parties determine how and when these religious men are to serve in the military, then government crises like the one dooming Netanyahu’s barely elected government will persist as an issue well into the future. JN

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is the chief rabbi of Efrat, Israel.

Alex Traiman is managing director and Jerusalem Bureau Chief of Jewish News Syndicate.

TRAIMAN CONTINUED

RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN

Aging today: Chew on this

Isn’t it so frustrating when you have to replace something you already own? A new tire, a dishwasher, your HVAC unit? In your mind, that tidy little sum you were sitting on was on the way to becoming a new ____. In my home, it’s always about the fabulous outdoor furniture Susie is eyeing.

Imagine that what you are replacing is a perfectly good (or so you thought) tooth. Perhaps it’s a molar that has been filled so many times that you need a crown. Or it’s a crown with decay under it, and now you need to extract that tooth and buy yourself a new one.

This is the exact scenario that played out for my wife, Susie. At first, she was a bit down in the mouth (pun intended) at the thought of the expense of getting a dental implant. In reality, the dental implant surgery — which took place right around her birthday — was truly the best gift she could have received. Beyond giving us the ability to flash that winning smile, our oral health affects our ability to speak, eat and show emotions. That sounds like a birthday present and a party all in one. How well we care for our teeth can have a profound effect on our well-being, especially as we age.

Oral health problems in older adults include untreated tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease leading to periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are inflammation and infections of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. Called gingivitis in the early stages, it’s marked by gums that

become swollen and red, and even bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the disease causes the gums to pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost and the teeth may loosen or even fall out.

Out of adults aged 30 years and older, 47.2% have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases with age; 70.1% of adults over 65 have periodontal disease.

•

•

• Loose

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Periodontal disease can lead to poor dental health and it can exacerbate chronic health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, stroke, oral cancers, respiratory diseases and osteoporosis have a cause-and-effect interrelationship with periodontal disease. In other words, oral and dental health

is of paramount importance to overall health. Think of the importance of oral health as we sing along, “The neck bone is connected to the jawbone.”

Getting regular dental exams, brushing and flossing is key. We put our choppers through lots of wear and tear in a lifetime, and if you want to keep them then you need to show the love. Don’t skip the basic operating instructions that you always nagged your kids about when they were young.

If you can’t afford dental care, contact your state dental organization. They may be able to refer you to dentists in your area who provide care at a reduced rate. For Arizona, go to azda.org and go to the header titled, For the Public. The last option in the drop-down menu is Community Dental Clinic List. Additionally, most dental schools have a clinic staffed by professors and students where care is provided based on your ability to pay.

Are you in the driver’s seat, or will you wind up taking residence in the dental chair? Take charge of your oral and dental health. I empower you to take control of your chewing, smiling and speaking destiny with good habits and regular professional cleaning. In other words, only floss the teeth you want to keep and be true to your teeth so they won’t be false to you. JN

Bob Roth is the managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions.

The Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus has selected Michigan-based Beztak Properties to develop an on-site senior residential facility.

Betzak and the campus have entered into a long-term land lease agreement to build and operate the senior living facility on a 3-acre site in the southeast corner of the campus. The new facility will be named All Seasons Scottsdale and will be located just south of Pardes Jewish Day School.

Beztak has developed nine senior facilities across the country, six of which are under the All Seasons name. Beztak also operates the Bella Vista Senior Living facility in Mesa, and an All Seasons facility will open in fall 2019 in Oro Valley. All Seasons Scottsdale will offer a resort-style setting with several amenities.

Construction for All Seasons Scottsdale is slated to begin in early 2021. It is expected to take two to three years for completion.

Beztak was selected after an substantial request-for-proposal process from qualified developers. Morrie Aaron, treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and chair of the Campus Development Committee, said he was impressed with Beztak’s decades-long experience in property development and management.

“Over the years, there have been many ideas for the development of the approximate 3-acre southeast parcel,” Aaron explained. “We are pleased to be working with Beztak given

Senior living facility coming to Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus

their extensive experience developing community-based senior living facilities. Beztak is a third-generation family business who develops and owns its projects for the long-term.”

The campus, located at 12701 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, is a Jewish Federation project and includes approximately 30 acres of land. The main facility houses Jewish Federation offices and other Jewish communal organizations, such as the Bureau of Jewish Education, Gesher Disability Resources, the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, which publishes the Jewish News.

When the Ina Levine Campus first opened in 2002, there were plans for a high school to be built on that 3-acre plot of land. Those plans were put on hold as a result of the recession. A land planning committee was created in early 2017 to explore other options.

Although the southeast corner is now reserved, the Ina Levine campus still has an undeveloped 4.9 acres available in its northeast corner.

Marty Haberer, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation, believes that the senior facility center will be a welcome addition to the campus.

“This is a very important finishing touch in terms of one of our four pillars, which is to enrich senior lives,” Haberer said. “This is a piece that we really wanted to add to the campus for a long time, and it’s a core value of what a strong Jewish community does — it takes care of their most senior population. This is going to be a great opportunity to create and integrate programing for enriching senior lives.”

Plans for All Seasons Scottsdale include about 130 one- and two-bedroom residences with independent-living and assistedliving services. All Seasons communities offer a daily calendar of diverse social, educational and cultural programs, daily fitness classes and outings to local entertainment venues.

All Seasons Scottsdale will include multiple restaurant-style dining rooms, a bistro, state-of-the-art fitness center, acoustically designed theater room, multiple game and event rooms, and underground parking.

Aaron emphasized that the community response to the new senior facility has been very positive.

“The excitement level for people who are in their 60s and 70s to live on this campus is off the charts,” Aaron said. “The selection of a senior care facility adds a multigenerational dimension to the campus and provides a strong sense of place and being within the Jewish community.” JN

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

The southeast corner of the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus will house the new senior living facility All Seasons Scottsdale from Beztak Properties.

PHOTO BY LEISAH WOLDOFF

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF GREATER PHOENIX

Father’s Day ideas for the unprepared

RICH SOLOMON | MANAGING EDITOR

As the dad of an 18-month-old, thus far I have exactly one Father’s Day under my belt. It wasn’t easy for me to celebrate, either. You spend decades viewing June’s third Sunday as a celebration for someone else, and then suddenly, you’re the one celebrated? It was almost more surreal than becoming a dad. There was a sense of imposter syndrome that came with it, of fraud. I was still trying to figure out how to do an escape-proof swaddle, so how I could be the honoree of an entire day? Surely I needed to do more to earn it than sing “Baby Shark” in a tired rasp.

Which is why, one year ago, I was unprepared when my wife asked me, “What do you want to do for Father’s Day?” I didn’t have an answer ready. I wanted to say, “Come talk to me next year.”

She gave me a few days to think about it, and then asked me again. As time went

on, it was a question I came to dread, along with, “Do you think that actress is pretty?” and “Should we call your parents later?”

Father’s Day isn’t like your birthday, when it’s acceptable to celebrate yourself according to whimsy. Nor is it a day for the whole family, like July Fourth, when you’re thinking of how best to keep everyone fed and occupied. Father’s Day functions in this odd in-between, where dads stay near the family but there’s no pressure on him to please anyone else. So the question of how to spend the day is a tough one. It’s not like I can ask to relax all day long, as that would leave my wife to wrangle our toddler. The only guilt I want around holidays is the kind related to my waistline, not because I was an absentee parent on a day meant to commemorate good parenting. So what does that leave? The idea of schlepping us all to some event or activity, paying for entry and then chasing down a tiny terror doesn’t sound any different than

my usual Sunday. Swapping greeting cards that were hastily purchased from the grocery store doesn’t really qualify as “special.” Neither is giving my father-inlaw some computer paper that my kiddo rubbed crayon on. We can tell him that his grandchild made him a card, but come on. My son is just as likely to eat a crayon as use it for artwork.

Anticipating Father’s Day No. 2, I decided to do some research so I could answer my wife’s eternal question. I looked for things that were low-effort, so I wouldn’t need to do extra work later. I found things that were cheap or even free, so that there would be no last-minute fees. I hunted for ideas that could be scheduled out days in advance or that could happen at the drop of the hat. For things that worked for dads and granddads, in case my family saw fit to combine our celebrations. I studied and took notes like I was back in school and one bad grade away from getting kicked off the Lazy Dads sports team, which I

envisioned would spend practices grilling and armchair quarterbacking. This is ideal for me, because if there’s one thing I love more than sitting it’s sitting while drinking.

And then it hit me; others might benefit from this list, too. How can I be so selfish when other dads are in the same predicament? So here you go. This is for the fathers who don’t want to put effort into planning their day, for the grandpas hoping for events that can integrate them too, for the spouses who didn’t plan anything ahead of time and for the kids who don’t have the cash to buy their dad that new pair of socks that he definitely is hoping you’ll get him.

This is for you guys. Enjoy.

FREE ROOT BEER FLOATS FOR DADS AND GRANDDADS AT MATTY G’S

You know what I like more than steakburgers and shakes? Free root beer floats with my steakburger and shake. What can I say, I’m a simple guy — and a guy who

“Why is a baby taking me places?” More info: raisingarizonakids.com/venue/ matty-gs-steakburgers-spirits

FREE FLASHLIGHT TOUR FOR DADS AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

Make your way to the Desert Botanical Garden the evening of Saturday, June 15. Dads get in free with purchase of a child’s admission. Because nothing sounds better than chasing down a child at night with nothing but my phone’s flashlight to see by. They say if you’re lucky you can even seen your sanity off in the darkness, but you have to squint quite a bit. More info: dbg.org/media-release/free-flashlighttour-for-dads-to-celebrate-fathers-day

MUSEUMS: FREE ADMISSION FOR DADS AND GRANDDADS

Both the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Scottsdale’s Museum of the West have deals going on. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix offers free admission for fathers and grandfathers. Scottsdale’s Museum of the West does the same, but with the added perk that the admission of everyone accompanying dad is half-off. Not every father is a museum guy, so proceed with caution. If yours is the kind who can spend hours reading informative placards and studying exhibits then I recommend dropping him off at the entrance and coming back

at the Railroad Park in Scottsdale on Sundays at 6:45 p.m. don’t need to do anything different, but the rest of you will. Bring some lawn chairs and a cooler so Dad can do what he does best: fall asleep with a drink in hand while sitting down. Hey, that’s actually pretty close to one of my Lazy Dad practices. More info: meetup.com/The-Scottsdale50-JUST-for-FUN-Meetup-Group/ events/261665821/?oc=evam

AZ AIR TIME OFFERS FREE ADMISSION FOR DADS

Pay for your child’s admission and enjoy free entry, plus a complimentary drink. A fountain drink, of course. Not the other kind. After all, nothing says Father’s Day like sobriety and jumping up and down. More info: phoenix.kidsoutandabout. com/content/dads-jump-free-father’sday-az-air-time

There you have it. You know your dad better than I do — at least, I hope you do — so pick what best applies to him and your situation. He’ll be floored by your thoughtfulness and I’ll feel good that I was useful for once. And if my wife is reading this, I bet Matty G’s food would keep really well in the car if it were brought to me at home. Ahem. Just mentioning it. JN

Our resort-like community is located in a serene desert setting and our dedicated team of professionals is committed to providing you with hospitality and compassionate, quality care. Our guests, their friends and families may enjoy a leisurely stroll through the lovely 1 1/2 acre park, cool off with a smoothie in the Sports Lounge, or share a delicious meal in our bistro. Whether relaxing on a garden terrace to watch the hummingbirds dart around the soothing water features or actively participating in our calendar of events, you will like it here. Your independence is the hallmark of Solterra Senior Living, an alternative to nursing home in Chandler, AZ.

Solterra Senior Living at Chandler takes the lead. In every way and in everything we do–from fabulous food and beautiful apartments to attentive, personalized services—Solterra creates a safe and nurturing environment that caters to you and your needs. We don’t just care for our guests, we care about them.

There’s a lot to do at La Siena Senior Living Community — clubs, events, socializing,

So, go ahead and make your want-to-do list. But please don’t include a bunch of chores. We’ll take care of most of those for you. We invite you to see all that La Siena has to o er at our upcoming event.

Art Walk | Thursday, June 20th • 2:00pm

Join us for an art walk featuring resident artists’ painting, sculptures, photography and more. To RSVP, please call 602.635.2602.

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Spicy meatloaf: Kick the classic up a notch

KERI WHITE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mreputation as a bland way to stretch a pound of ground meat to feed an entire family. But the meatloaf of our childhoods need not be the meatloaf of today.

I proved this case in point last week, and in the process managed to use some surplus matzah meal that was lingering in my cabinet from Passover. I used ground beef, but turkey or chicken, or even venison if you are so inclined, work equally well here.

We like spicy in our house, so this version definitely has a kick. If your crew has more timid palates, simply back off or eliminate the fiery additions. I made this with oven-roasted root veggies, which worked beautifully because they cooked alongside the meatloaf, so timing the meal was a breeze. A simple salad and, voila, dinner was served.

We skipped dessert with this meal, but if you are craving a post-dinner sweet, opt for something simple and homey like brownies, cookies or apple pie.

Serves 4

If you have leftovers, slice the meatloaf thinly and serve it on white bread with some mayo and iceberg lettuce for a retro lunch.

1 pound ground meat

1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil

1 jalapeno

2 cloves garlic

1 onion, chopped finely

1 rib celery, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup bread crumbs or matzah meal

1 egg

2

3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce (or to taste)

Heat your oven to 375 degrees. In a blender or mini chopper, puree the oil with the garlic and jalapeño.

PHOTO BY KERI WHITE

Place it in a skillet over medium heat, and add the onion, celery, salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions and celery are soft. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, place the meat, egg and bread crumbs/matzah meal. Mix on low, and add the contents of skillet. When blended, pour the mixture into a baking dish, and form it into a loaf.

In a small bowl, mix the ketchup and Sriracha. Spread a little less than half of this mixture over the meatloaf. Save the rest to serve at the table as a condiment. Bake for an hour until done.

OVEN-ROASTED VEGETABLES

Serves 4

This root vegetable assortment is a bit of a workhorse for me. It checks the boxes of starch and veggie, and kills my carb craving without succumbing to the demon variety like pasta and bread. The extras are wonderful served cold in a salad tomorrow.

2 white potatoes, peeled if desired, cut in bite-sized chunks

2 sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in bite-sized chunks

8 carrots, cut in chunks

2 tablespoons oil

Generous sprinkle of salt and pepper

Heat your oven to 375 degrees. Place all the vegetables in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.

Drizzle the vegetables with oil and toss with your hands to coat evenly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper.

Roast the vegetables in the oven for 45-60 minutes until the vegetables are beginning to brown and are cooked through.

SIMPLEST GREEN SALAD

Serves 4

This really is the simplest salad. My husband was taught years ago by a Greek friend of the family that salad should be made with only olive oil, salt and pepper — not vinegar.

I don’t always agree with this position, but the kick in the meatloaf was sufficient that I wanted a very basic salad without any piquancy. This fit the bill nicely.

1 package baby greens, such as arugula or spring mix

Generous sprinkle of salt and pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

Toss all the ingredients together and serve immediately. JN

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

“In My Father’s Words: Leo’s Journey Behind the Closed Doors of Auschwitz Birkenau”: 7-9 p.m., Congregation Beth Tefillah, 6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Join Phoenix Holocaust Association and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix for a multimedia sharing Leo Lowy's experience in Auschwitz’s human experimentation program. Leo survived the experiments to tell his story. In 2000, his son Richard produced a documentary film, narrated by Christopher Plummer, that investigated the infamous Mengele twin experiments. Leo passed away in 2002, but Richard continues to share what happened.

Events

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Daddy Daughter Dance at The J: 6:308:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. A special evening for daddies and their daughters with deluxe dessert bar, posh limo rides, DJ, dancing, games, prizes and more. Keepsake corsages available. Grades pre-K–4. Dads, uncles, grandpas and friends welcome as father figure. Members, $25; guests, $40 per daddy-daughter set; $10 per additional daughter. Sorry, no walk-ins. Register online at vosjcc.org/daddydaughterdance.

WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 12, 19 & 26

PJ by the Pool: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Parents, bring your child, toddler through 3, to The J for stories and songs with PJ Library. Children also enjoy the splash pad and an icy sweet treat. J Members, free. Guests, $5. Check in at the membership desk or pay at the door. PJ Library is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and programmed in partnership with the Valley of the Sun JCC. For more information, contact pjlibrary@ vosjcc.org.

Shavuot

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Nextdor Shavuot Cheese Tasting: 6 p.m., Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St. Scottsdale. It’s festive and fun ... wine and cheese anyone? Join Nextdor for a special Shavuot celebration at Congregation Beth Israel. An expert will take your taste buds on a special ride though the world of fine cheese and wine. During the presentation, Rabbi Mason-Barkin will lead a lecture about the holiday of Shavuot. For more

information, contact Beth Israel at info@ cbiaz.org.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot: 6:45 p.m., Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. An all-night study session with dairy snacks led by Cantor Angress. Immediately following mincha, ma’ariv and havdallah. For more information, call 602-944-3359 or go to bethelphoenix.com/Shavuot-2019.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

Reading of the 10 Commandments and Children’s Ice Cream Party: 10:30 a.m., Chabad of Scottsdale, 10215 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Ten toppings, games, learning and so much more. For more information, visit chabadofscottsdale.org.

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. 480-897-0588

WEDNESDAYS

‘The Valley News’: 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 Dr. Michael Epner. No registration required.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Talmud Class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Topic: Exploring the meaning of the song “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav.” Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Talmud class: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Is it permissible to pray for a sick person to die? Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

Speaker series: ‘Bonding Through Humor’: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Rabbi Sheldon Moss of Temple Beth Shalom of the Northwest Valley. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Mindful Eating, Mindful Living: 5:306:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Learn to eat mindfully and develop a healthier relationship with food and your body from Scottsdale Weight Loss Center nutrition instructors. Practicing mindful eating will help you get more in touch with yourself, improve your health and allow you to make wise choices with greater ease. SWLC & J members, $10; guests, $25. SWLC meal option available from milk + honey for $10. Register by June 17 at vosjcc.org/ fitmindbody.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Topic: A conversation between David Ben-Gurion and the Hazon Ish. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

Talmud class: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Topic: Intimacy and sexuality in Jewish sources. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

Speaker series: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: “The Life of Chasidic Jews: A Visual Portrait.” Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

PJ Library’s Tot Shabbat: 5-6:15 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Features story time, sing-along, noodle crafts and spaghetti dinner. PJ Library, Phoenix is funded by Federation and programmed in partnership with the Valley of the Sun JCC. RSVP to 623.977.3240 or tbsazpgrograms@ gmail.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

Israeli dancing: 12:30-2:45 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Dance class for beginning and intermediate levels taught by Jason and Elaine Hecht. Cost: $10. Registration required: evjcc.org/ israeli-dancing

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

Class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Topic:

A Conversation about cloning and Judaism. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

Talmud class: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Documentary & Discussion: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Film: “City of Joel,” which examines a turf war between a Chasidic sect and their secular neighbors that erupts in a town north of New York City. Discussion led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc. org/open-beit-midrash

Family

THROUGH AUG. 2

Shemesh Camp at The J: Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Sign up for all the different types of camps, which include superhero week, Israel week and much more. Information: vosjcc.org/ shemeshsummer2019

Camp Rimon Gadol: Camp days are 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; extended care available 7-9 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Camp Rimon Gadol is designated for grades kindergarten through ninth. Register: camp@evjcc.org

Camp Rimon Katan: Camp days are 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; extended care available 7-9 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Weekly sign-ups available. Campers’ days start with a camp-wide welcome, camp songs and continues with big smiles from playing games, making art, music, sensory play, scientific discovery, cooking and exciting weekly themes. Your child will be engaged in developmentally appropriate activities in our NAEYCaccredited program, and cared for by our expert staff. Day Camp Rimon Katan is for those aged: 2-year-old through prekindergarten. Register at camp@evjcc.org.

Seniors

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

Memory Café : 10-11:30 a.m., Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Jewish Family and Children’s Services hosts a monthly Memory Café event, which will include refreshments along with stimulating, interactive programming geared toward those who have memory loss and their care partners. A different art discipline is explored each month. For more information or to confirm times, please contact Kathy Rood at 602.452.4627 or via email at kathy.rood@jfcsaz.org.

TUESDAYS, JUNE 11, 18 & 25

Knitting Circle at The J: Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Share the pleasure of knitting

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC

CALENDAR

and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Beginners welcome. No reservations required. For more information, contact Harriet at 480.481.7033 or harrietc@ vosjcc.org.

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 Caplan prior to Saturday-morning services. A light breakfast will be served. For more information, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

COMMUNITY

EVERY SATURDAY

Torah Express: Noon, Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. On Shabbat mornings, during the congregation’s Kiddush lunch, join Rabbi Caplan and other Jewish professionals and teachers from the community for an in-depth study of the Torah portion of the week. No RSVP required. For more information, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Musical Shabbat: Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Or Tzion’s inspiring Shabbat in the Round. This unique service features musicians on a variety of instruments, singing harmonies and adding depth and kavanah to the Friday

You Should Know… Raquel Kahn

ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

Raquel Kahn wants everyone who comes into her dance and workout studio to feel like Beyonce.

Kahn opened Fit 6-7-8 in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale in January 2018. Initially, she taught dozens of dance workout classes by herself. During that first year, she accumulated a dedicated group of students, and has since brought on new instructors.

Although dancing has been a passion for her since she was a child, Kahn never expected to make a career out of it until she moved to Arizona with her fiancé. Leaving California and employment as a mechanical engineer behind, Kahn took a leap and made her passion her new career.

Her studio offers a variety of different workout classes. Kahn encourages everyone to come in and try their hardest, no matter what their skill is as a dancer.

What style of dance do you teach?

All of our classes are dance fitness classes for adults. They’re mostly catered toward women, but anybody is welcome. Our catchphrase is “where the fitness is fierce.” Our signature class is called the Vixen Workout, which is a dance fitness program that is based on commercial choreographies. So it’s mainly hip-hop, pop, a little bit of Latin and even some electronic dance music. Lots of music you hear on the top 40 soundtrack, so it’s very high-energy and it’s very sassy. All of the classes are follow along classes, so nobody has to be a dancer to join. We have some mixed fit classes and a couple of Zumba classes. Everything is based around fitness.

How did you open Fit 6-7-8?

I worked as an engineer in the energy sector for a while, and then in tech when I lived in California. But then my fiancé decided to go back to ASU for his master’s degree. He was out here for six months while I was still in California and he told me that we should move to Arizona. I was over being an engineer, I had grown up dancing my whole life, and when we moved here I decided to go for it. I took a leap and found this space, which was nothing when I found it. I remodeled it to turn it into a studio and then opened it up. I really had no idea if anyone was going to show up.

What kind of dancing did you do when you were growing up?

I did all kinds of styles. I did ballet and tap as a toddler, and then a lot of creative dance classes. All throughout high school and college I did a lot of hip-hop, modern and contemporary dance. I got into the fitness aspect of it all through CrossFit, and then I started to figure out how to merge both fitness and dance together. A lot of my students did a lot of dance when they were younger and they haven’t danced since they were 16. But it’s definitely designed to be a joyful experience here.

What keeps you driven as a business owner?

For the first year I taught every single class myself. I was working really hard and it was definitely difficult, but now I’m at the point where I can start hiring on new instructors. Now I can offer more variety in my classes, which is great. But what keeps me driven is that

night worship. No RSVP required. For more information, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

Arts

THROUGH SEPT. 11

‘We Remember: The Liberators’: Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. This project of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society showcases the stories of 10 World War II Liberators via artifacts, primary sources, documentation, photographs and biographical information. It will also feature the work of Arizona artist Robert Sutz, whose collection contains 500-plus life masks, portraits and paintings

exhibit. For more information, visit azjhs.org or call 602-241-7870.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11TH

Film Screening, “Doing Jewish: A Story From Ghana”: 7 p.m. Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. First released in 2016, the film follows the lives of residents of a small community in Ghana who learn they have been practicing Judaism for centuries. Directed by Gabrielle Zilkha. Sponsored by Susan and Ira Feldman. Free. Call 602-241-7870 or email lbell@azjhs.org to RSVP. JN

class. Hearing the stories of my student’s success, and the changes in their lives since they started coming here, it’s what motivates me. I’ve had people who have lost weight and say they feel better going to class. It’s amazing to see their self-confidence build in my classes.

Of course, this is a workout class and I want everyone to get a good workout, but I really want people to feel good here. Now we’re at a point where a lot of members are friends. We’ll all hang out together outside of class or hold studio bonding events. My students all threw me a bachelorette party the other weekend. They did this really cheesy thing where they said their origin story of how they found the studio and why they attended classes. Most of them were nervous when they first started classes and now they love it.

It’s really changing people’s lives, which really makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile.

You hosted a Passover seder dinner for your students at your studio, what inspired you to do that?

I have a few Jewish students and one of them

Orthodox. They offered to host a seder here for people who couldn’t go home to be with their family. For example, I couldn’t go home this year or last year, so the idea was to host a community seder here for people who weren’t going to have one otherwise. It was really fun.

What’s the future for Fit 6-7-8?

I love that question because I have no good answer for it. I’ve tried a few times to make a plan for the next five years, or the next two years or something like that, but I end up taking it day by day. For the time being, I want to keep adding more classes and giving more variety. I don’t really have classes in the mornings, so I’ve been getting requests to have some before-work classes. So right now, I’m looking to expand the schedule and do more events off-site, or even host private parties here. Hopefully, we’ll outgrow this space and need to upgrade to a bigger studio at some point in the near future. That’ll be the next big milestone, but like I said, I’m taking it a day at a time.

NICK

Musical celebration

Hoop dreams

Heritage Award given

Support for lone soldiers

of the JCF of Greater Phoenix’s “graduation” from the program.

MILESTONES COMMUNITY BRIEFS ENGAGEMENT

New executive director for Congregation Beth Israel

Benjamin Loeb has been chosen as Congregation Beth Israel’s new executive director. Loeb was unanimously approved by the congregation’s executive search committee, and will start in his new role this summer.

Loeb has a background in music, organizational management and administration. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

In an email sent to members of the congregation on May 17, 2019, CBI’s leadership stated, “Our Executive Director Search Committee worked diligently in seeking a candidate who would bring the most important skills and competencies necessary in bringing our community into its second century. Among his many skills, the Committee found Ben’s incredible depth, knowledge and demonstrable abilities to work as a visionary and creative leader both compelling and invigorating. Moreover, Ben’s upbringing in the Reform Movement and his involvement within his own congregations throughout

his adult life, is an even greater asset to our congregation and the ideals to which we aspire.”

Rabbi Stephen Kahn added, “With our centennial anniversary quickly approaching, our congregation needed a visionary, innovative and passionate executive to lead us into our second century of service to the community. Ben’s depth of experiences and his dedication to Reform Judaism have organically led him to Congregation Beth Israel and we feel blessed that he accepted the position.”

—Rich Solomon

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LAURA ALVAREZ AND JEFFREY ARONSON

Carol and Michael Aronson of Scottsdale announce the engagement of their son, Jeffrey Aronson of Pasadena, California, to Laura Alvarez, also of Pasadena. Parents of the bride-to-be are Liborio and Elsy Alvarez of Silverlake, California.

Laura earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s in geography from Indiana University. She works as a manager for HN Workplace at Herbalife Nutrition. Jeffrey earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Arizona State University. He is a lead media operator at ESPN in Los Angeles. The wedding will take place on Feb. 8, 2020, in Arcadia, California.

SAMUEL AITO VALADEZ SIMPSON

Samuel Aito Valadez Simpson became a bar mitzvah on May 11, 2019, at Merkaz Ha-Iyr. He is the son of Naomi Valadez and Jay Simpson of Phoenix. Grandparents are Leah Valadez of Scottsdale and the late Stanley Valadez; and the late Lila and Bremer Simpson.

For his mitzvah project, Samuel embraced the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger. He coordinated a group of friends to assemble travel bags of snacks for asylum seekers facing days-long bus rides with no food or money; he went to the Greyhound station to help distribute water and supplies; and he helped collect and deliver clothing donations to the various agencies helping with the migrants.

A student at Madison Meadows, he enjoys playing club basketball and club soccer. He loves animals and is a proud puppy parent.

Local attorney Andrew Abraham, left, was awarded the Beryl Morton Jewish Heritage Award at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society’s 2019 annual meeting. Abraham stands with the event chair, Louise Leverant.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWISH

Gal Drimmer, left, and Erez Kessler, right, perform at the East Valley JCC’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration on May 16. Kessler is the new music specialist at the EVJCC’s Camp Rimon.

PHOTO BY LEISAH WOLDOFF

Lone Soldier Project volunteer Elliot Reiss, left, and Lone Soldier Project volunteer coordinator Michael Cohen, right, collect signatures for a large card for lone soldiers at the EVJCC’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration on May 16. The Lone Soldier Project raises funds and awareness.

PHOTO BY LEISAH WOLDOFF

The Valley of the Sun JCC hosted a Jeff Berkowitz Youth Basketball Clinic for 50 children at Joseph Zito Elementary School, a Title I school in Phoenix, on May 18.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER PHOENIX

OBITUARIES

Frances Smith Cohen, wife, mother, teacher, dancer and choreographer, died peacefully surrounded by family on May 14, 2019, from complications following a heart attack. She is survived by her brother Jack; children Sam, Jeffrey and Rachel; grandchildren Andrea, Eliana and Jeremy; and dog Einstein.

Frances Smith Cohen was a graduate from Tucson High School and Bennington College in Vermont. She moved to Tucson in the 1930s from Elizabeth, New Jersey, and lived in Tucson, the Washington, D.C. metro-area twice, and Phoenix.

She served as the dance director at the Tucson Jewish Community Center for 18 years, and directed the first touring dance company in Arizona, the Kadimah Dancers. In 1963 Frances helped create the Arizona Dance Arts Alliance, and in 1972 she co-founded the dance program at the University of Arizona.

Frances served as the director of opera at George Washington University from 1981 to 1986, and was the recipient of a National Opera Institute grant where she toured regional opera companies as a choreographer and assistant director. Frances began Wolf Trap in Arizona, which places performing artists in Head Start classrooms, and has served as the regional director for this program since 1986. Frances was the artistic director of Center Dance Ensemble — the resident dance company at Herberger Theater Center. Working with Susan Silverman, she also created Dance Theater West in Phoenix — the academy of Center Dance Ensemble and Story Book Ballet Theater. Frances was honored with the Outstanding Artist Fellowship Award for Choreography from the Maryland State Arts Council, and is the proud recipient of the 1994 Arizona Governor’s Outstanding Artist Award, the 2004 Women Who Care Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2010 Childsplay’s Pied Piper Award for her contributions to arts education. She was one of only 10 recipients to receive the Arizona Cultural Keepers Award in celebration of Arizona’s 100th birthday. Frances Smith Cohen was co-author of “Dance Essential Skills” and “Performing Dance Standards” for the Arizona Department of Education.

Frances and late husband Marvin were both honored with many accolades for their involvement, support and growth of the arts over the course of their lives. In that spirit, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, friends donate to their favorite performing arts organization in memory of Frances Cohen. A memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

Lois Levine passed away on May 29, peacefully, after a long illness. She was surrounded by her husband, Bernie (29 years), and her son, Jordan. She is survived by her son, Jordan Klein; husband Bernie; stepdaughters Randie Stein (Lee) and Melissa Levine (Lisa Byrnes); grandchildren Alex and Elizabeth Stein, and Josh and Jeremy Levine. She is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Eunice Nathanson, and her brother, Gerald Nathanson.

Lois was born in Chicago on February 27, 1940 and maintained many ties to her hometown. As the creator and director of the ’69 Chicago Cubs Spring Training Camp for Men 35 and Older she made many trips to Scottsdale and fell in love with it. She moved to Arizona in 1984, where she continued to work in media relations. he crown of her career was as ar eting Director of the Arizona Office of ourism. She retired in 1990 and en oyed traveling, coo ing and physical fitness. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Services were held at Temple Kol Ami, Scottsdale, Sunday June 2, followed by interment at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

Donations in Lois’ honor can be made to Hospice of the Valley, the American Cancer Society or Temple Kol Ami.

David and Sharlene Weinberg

On July 19, 1934, we were blessed with the birth of David Weinberg and on June 1, 2019, we are sorrowed at his passing. David and Sharlene (Shar) were married on May 29, 1955, and were inseparable and totally in love with each other. They were the perfect couple and anyone could see and feel the love by talking or being with them. Sadly, Shar passed on May 28, 2019, and her burial was May 31, 2019. Knowing his three sons and all loved ones were here and well taken care of, David was reunited with Shar on June 1, 2019. They spent 64 years in loving wedlock and will now spend eternity with each other in loving joy.

hey are survived by three sons, arry, Steven and arc, each with wives or significant others; sister Lenore; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a third on the way.

Donations in David and Sharlene’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. alz.org/get-involved-now/donate. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

Harriet A. (née Berney) Klein was released from her long battle against pain around 9 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at Sherman Home Hospice of the Valley, surrounded by loving family. Harriet’s living legacy includes her six children, a niece and nephew, 12 grandchildren, four grandnephews/nieces and 11 greatgrandchildren. er lasting legacy lies in her loving wor with young children, first at Temple Beth Israel’s preschool, then at her own preschool, The Growing Tree, where hundreds of children and their families were nurtured and supported. She was buried on June 3, 2019, at Beth Israel Cemetery

Harriet follows her husband of 58 years, Richard Lewis Klein, who passed in 2012. They married in 1955 and raised a family of six children: Terry Klein (Sheila Irom); Sabrina Klein (Thomas Clement); Elizabeth Klein; Bradley Klein (Lise Smith); Janet Klein Gordon (Alan Gordon); and Bart Klein (Dana Knox). They also played a key role in the lives of their nephew, Kurt Berney (Deanna Wong), and niece, Michelle Berney (Steven Millman). Their grandchildren: Jason Klein; Stefanie and Michaela Gordon and Alisa Rowan; Alexandra and Max Klein; Jacob Klein, Shayla Dozier Groves and Trent Dozier; Faige Bander and Shimmon Klein; and Christopher Clement. Their grandchildren are joined in Harriet’s legacy with her grandnieces and nephews: Hershel, Jeremy and Leah Millman, and Tessa Berney.

arriet will best be remembered as a fiercely independent and lovingly generous human being for whom family and loved ones always came first. She touched dozens of families through her work with children for over 25 years. Her stubborn will won out for many years over challenging health conditions, and in spite of constant pain, her quick smile never failed to light up when a child stepped up for a hug. The words "I love you" were never far from her heart or her mouth. Wherever she journeys next, many "I love yous" accompany her. Memorial in her memory may be made to ICM Food and Clothing Bank or Hospice of the Valley. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

On Friday, May 24, 2019, Magda Willinger, passed away just short of 91 years of age.

Magda was born in Czechoslovakia to Shirley and Solomon Weisberger on June 1, 1928. In July 1946, Magda and her beloved mother immigrated to the United States and began their new life in Chicago. In June 1948, she married Ernest Willinger and they raised their daughters, Judith and Donne. In 1958, the entire family moved “way out west” to Phoenix and never looked back.

Magda and her mother, Shirley, were survivors of the Holocaust. Magda’s two younger sisters, father, aunts, uncles, grandparents and too many more family members and friends to mention did not survive the Holocaust. In spite of such hardship, Magda became an excellent wife, mother and helpmate to any who needed her.

My mother had a big heart and never said no. In my mother’s later years she became a speaker — a rememberer of the Holocaust. She spoke at many schools and made lasting impressions upon the students. Magda loved Israeli folk, dancing, entertaining and traveling to Israel.

Magda was preceded in death by her dear mother, Shirley Lebovitz; doting husband, Ernest Willinger; and all the others who perished. She is survived by her daughter Judith Kelly, granddaughter Erin Richardson, her husband Damon Richardson and great-grandsons Sebastian and Alexander Richardson; her daughter Donne Goldstein, Donne’s husband Glenn Goldstein, grandson Jared Goldstein, great-granddaughters Samantha and Kaitlyn Goldstein as well as grandson Ryan Goldstein, his wife Adri Anna and great-granddaughters Gianna and Audrey Goldstein. Magda is also survived by her brother Dr. Sheldon Lebovitz, his wife Robyn, their children Benjamin, Michael and Jonathon Marcelyn, and their families; and by cousins Sandra Kraus and family, Shraga Agam and family and several other cousins ranging far and wide in this country and Israel.

Funeral services were held Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

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Educators, parents, grapple with talking to children about trauma

JANET PEREZ | MANAGING EDITOR

It’s become a depressingly familiar rite that parents must go through with their children every time there is a mass shooting. But for Jewish parents, the massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh has burned with the anguish of thousands of years. Children have heard and talked about shootings in schools and malls, but talking about a shooting

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