Jewish News, July 12, 2019

THE BIRTHPLACE OF ELVIS

Take a trip to Graceland

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

There’s no such thing as “free” with genetic testing

Not just summer camp: Volunteers reflect on Camp Swift

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

For nearly 40 years, Camp Swift has continued to provide economically disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to experience overnight summer camp. For many of the mostly Jewish teen and young adult volunteers, the camp is an opportunity to build leadership skills and create meaningful relationships.

“At the end of the camp, when we’re sending the kids to go home, I’ve seen the most macho, stone-cold, big guys break down,” Swift volunteer Kara Sherman said. “Because the relationships that are established between all levels of staff with these campers are so emotional that it’s not just a surface-level camp.”

The Swift Youth Foundation holds its Camp Swift program in two weeklong sessions every summer at Camp Daisy and Harry Stein. This year’s first session ended in May and the second session will begin on July 31 and end on Aug. 4. Campers range from ages 8 to 11 and are predominantly from the Hispanic, African American and Native American communities of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Sherman — who just completed her first year of college — has volunteered for four years at the weeklong camp and has attended six sessions. Sunnyslope High School senior Alexis Hatch is now in her third year as a volunteer for Swift. She found being a volunteer and team member

Interfaith concert brings Jewish and African American communities together

Late last month, two communities came together to share and express spirituality through music. Called “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds

Working with our schools

State Rep. Alma Hernandez has a personal connection to policing on public school campuses. The Jewish Latina lawmaker worked closely with Gov. Ducey’s office to create a comprehensive training plan for law enforcement assigned to public schools. Will the bipartisan plan be only the first of more to come? Read Page 4 for more.

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

From left: Temple Solel cantorial soloist Todd Herzog, Temple Kol Ami cantorial soloist Emily Kaye and Temple Solel Rabbi Emily Langowitz singing together at “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds Through Music and Faith” concert on Sunday, June 30.

Swift Youth Foundation Executive Director Kaylie Medansky.

very challenging, but she also saw firsthand how her hard work paid off.

“I think one of the best parts about Swift is leaving knowing that you’ve made an impact, a positive impact that can actually better the lives of another person,” Hatch said. “Those personal feelings of accomplishment and the concrete impact we’re making on these kids, as well as the strong friendships I’ve made while at camp, have kept me coming back

these past three years.”

Hatch and Sherman both felt that their experience at the camp helped develop skills in leadership and teamwork in a practical setting. Hatch said that after her first summer as a counselor, she left the program feeling more responsible, patient and capable of solving problems.

One of those problems is getting campers to overcome their fears about camp.

“Often, they don’t have prior experience with camp activities like rock wall or even the swimming pool,” Hatch explained. “As with all kids, trying something unfamiliar is scary. As counselors, we get a lot of training on how to convince these kids to take the plunge, but it’s definitely a challenge.”

Once they do, she said, it’s powerful to see. Both she and Sherman plan to come back to the camp. Some past counselors, like Kaylie Medansky, have turned their passion for Swift into a full-time career.

Medansky serves as the executive director for the Swift Youth Foundation. She began volunteering as a counselor when she was 15 and continued her work with Swift through the organization’s year-round programs. Each of the programs offer mentorship opportunities and build the same type of relationship opportunities that the overnight camp does.

“The peer mentorship element of all of our programs is what makes Swift stand out from other camps and out-of-school program providers,” Medansky explained.

“Swift is one of the most hands-on volunteer opportunities available for teens and therefore provides a life-changing experience for

everyone involved — both the teens and the youth participants.”

Camp Swift was founded in 1980, when Jewish teen members of the Southwest chapter of NFTY wanted to give less fortunate children in the Phoenix area a free summer camp experience. Camp Swift became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1995 and its first after-school programs were created in 2002. In 2015 the camp was rebranded as the Swift Youth Foundation.

Club Swift is one of the programs for students year-round and is a high school leadership development program that started in 2010 for former Camp Swift campers.

Swift is funded primarily by individual donations, although it has received grants through the Nina Pulliam Summer Youth Program Fund and the B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Fund. Swift is also partnered with several community organizations such as the NFTY Southwest chapter, the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix and several Title 1 school districts to recruit participants.

“Several districts believe so highly in the benefits and learning experiences provided by Swift that the program has been incorporated into their curriculum,” Medansky said.

While Swift has grown significantly since 1980, Medansky said that its core mission to provide at-risk youth with a free summer camp has never changed. Through team-building activities as well as both peer mentoring and goal-setting programs, campers are provided with “the tools they need to achieve success.” JN

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Camp Swift was started in 1980 to provide at-risk youth with a summer-camp experience.

Volunteer Kara Sherman, center in hat, works with other counselors and campers on an arts and craft project during a Camp Swift session.

more dialogue and awareness between the communities.

AZJHS Executive Director Lawrence Bell explained that the organization was making an effort to reach out to the African American community. Even though there is a strong history of connection between the two communities — especially during the fight for civil rights — Bell believed that the two communities have been growing apart.

“We came up with the idea of a religious concert so we as Jews can see what they’re singing in church and they as African American Christians can see what we’re singing in our temples and synagogues,” Bell said. “The Jewish and African American communities work together a lot in areas of common interest, but we really don’t understand each other very much.”

The concert was originally going to be on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but it had to be postponed due to scheduling conflicts. However, Bell believed the spirit of King was felt that day because it was such an uplifting and joyous event.

Between 400 and 500 people attended the concert, including members of other faith traditions, including Hindu and Buddhist communities.

Temple Solel cantorial soloist Todd Herzog and Temple Kol Ami cantorial soloist Emily Kaye performed Jewish songs at the beginning of the concert, and the church’s choir sang Southern Baptist songs. All the musicians performed together at the end of the concert.

AZJHS Volunteer Event Chair Stu Siefer heard the choir rehearse multiple times. “Their singing was so powerful and spiritually uplifting that it made me realize how sharing music is a great way to bring people of different faiths together,” he said in a statement prior to the show.

Elder Richard Yarbough, Pilgrim Rest administrator, agreed and said that because music is a

universal language, he believed it affected those who attended on an emotional level. He was also grateful there were so many photos of the audience in the concert.

“Sometimes when you’re immersed in an environment like that, there’s so much personal appreciation for what’s going on you sort of get in your own zone and you’re not as sensitive as to what’s going on around you,” he said. “Seeing the audience captured in photos just illustrated how much how much joy, camaraderie and interaction there was between all the people who attended.”

In between the performances there were also two religious sermons led by Temple Solel Rabbi Emily Langowitz and Pilgrim Rest Pastor Terry E. Mackey. The two analyzed the same biblical text, which was the story of Korah, and shared their religious perspectives.

Audience member

Allan Frenkel, resident of the Kivel Campus of Care, thought the concert was powerful, and said the Jewish community should participate in even more interfaith events.

“I do not think anyone left without making new friends. Many exchanged numbers, emails and vowed to get together,” Frenkel said. “The spirit that was in the attendees’ hearts when leaving the church could not be fully described, but all knew they had been blessed by this event.”

Cepand Alizadeh, community relations director for the Mayor’s Office, read a letter to the audience written by Mayor Kate Gallego.

“I encourage us to integrate music more into our daily lives so that Phoenix becomes a stronger and more unified place,” Gallego wrote. “I have no doubt that today’s inspiring interfaith concert is a positive step that will move our city towards harmony.” JN

More than 400 people attended the concert “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds Through Music and Faith.”

Rest Baptist Church Pastor Terry E. Mackey leads a sermon at the June 30 concert “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds Through Music and Faith.”

Children and teens at public schools throughout the state will be safer thanks to the efforts of Rep. Alma Hernandez, Arizona’s first Jewish Latina lawmaker. Working with the office of Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, Hernandez, a Democrat, secured an agreement to begin mandatory training in de-escalation and crisis intervention for police who work on school campuses, known as school resource officers or SROs.

It’s an impressive achievement for a freshman legislator.

“This is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Hernandez, elected to the state house in November from the 3rd Legislative District, stressing that it is a

bipartisan success. “This is an issue I’ve been working on since after the incident I suffered when I was 14 years old. So for the last 12 years I’ve been really hoping that no other child or teenager would have to go through what I went through. And part of that was being able to ensure that officers were properly trained to work with children and teenagers.”

As a student at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Hernandez was assaulted by two 19-year-old seniors outside the school, then “brutally attacked” by the SRO who intervened, she said. The SRO’s actions left her with spinal damage that continues to plague her. She told this story on the campaign trail and included it on her “Alma for Arizona” biography page.

“I wake up every morning with it and

PHYLLIS BRAUN | AJP

Alma Hernandez at the Arizona State Capitol, June 18.

PHOTO COURTESY ALMA HERNANDEZ

I know why I’m in pain. It’s something that I’ll never forget but I have learned to forgive,” she said, adding that the incident was part of what drove her to be active in politics.

It was a tweet by Hernandez that caught the attention of the governor’s office, according to a report by Arizona Capitol Times. Listening to Ducey’s State of the State address in January, she heard him call for more law enforcement at schools and tweeted that this was “NOT the solution” — more counselors, not cops, were needed, she said.

Hernandez was surprised when the governor’s office reached out to her, she said, adding that her initial suggestion was for all SROs to wear body cameras.

“We were able to compromise and come up with an agreement” for the mandatory training, she said, explaining that as part of the agreement, current SROs have up to a year to complete the training. Funding for the training comes from the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, which will receive an additional $1 million in appropriations from the governor, some of it earmarked

for the de-escalation and crisis intervention training. In addition, the training will be offered regionally, Hernandez said, so that there will be no burden on officers to travel to Phoenix.

“Good ideas don’t have to be partisan,” said Patrick Ptak, spokesman for the governor. “Our office was pleased to work with Rep. Alma Hernandez to advance this important training and ensure school resource officers have the tools needed to appropriately de-escalate situations. Rep. Hernandez deserves a lot of credit for speaking up and leading to make this change happen — and we look forward to continued collaboration on common sense issues like this.”

Hernandez is still pushing for bodycams for SROs. The biggest expense,

she said, would be storage of the video footage. “I’m still working with the governor’s office to make that possible,” she said, adding, “I think my situation would have been completely changed” if bodycams were in use when she was a Sunnyside student.

The new SRO training “is something that helps the entire community,” Hernandez emphasized. “This isn’t just about ... a specific school. This is really going to positively affect everyone throughout the state.”

Hernandez, a former coordinator of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Jewish Community Relations Council, “absolutely” sees this work as part of the Jewish mandate of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

“This helps restore some of the trust in

the community toward law enforcement. We’ve seen so many incidents and issues happen over the years,” she said, noting that in some communities, people are wary of a law enforcement presence at schools.

“However, for parents to know that they are trained, hopefully will bring some peace to them,” said Hernandez, adding that it should also make it easier for faculty at schools “to work in harmony” with police officers.

“Working with JCRC at the Federation, we worked very closely with law enforcement. We know that they keep our community safe. For me it was really important to be able to do this and make sure that officers know I’m not against them, I’m not working to make their work more difficult. I support the work they do; I just wanted to make sure they are properly trained to work with young teens and with children. Police officers and law enforcement in general have been allies to the Jewish community and I appreciate that.”

This article first appeared in the Arizona Jewish Post.

State Rep. Alma Hernandez, left, greets Gov. Doug Ducey at the Arizona State Capitol earlier this year.

PHOTO COURTESY ALMA HERNANDEZ

Valley programs receive grants from Federation

The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix awarded nearly $80,000 to 10 local camps and synagogues. The programs were chosen for how they enrich the community.

“Synagogues and camps make such an impact in our community that Federation wanted to do more to partner with them and to support their ideas for new and expanded programs,” said Barry Markson, chairman of the Planning & Allocations Committee. “We are incredibly excited to grow the scope of our funding and outreach to support large and small programs from Valley synagogues that benefit so much of our Jewish community, as well as new programs that increase camp engagement.”

The programs that received funds are:

Camp Ramah of California Phoenix FUNDay Camp — $10,000. A replication of a Los Angeles program, the camp’s mission statement involves connecting current and prospective Phoenix families.

Camp Stein Destination: Journey 8th Grade Retreat — $14,500. PostB’nai Mitzvah 8th-grade students from Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Chai,

Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Temple Kol Ami and Temple Solel come together for a fall weekend retreat. Led by Camp Stein and Temple Emanuel of Tempe.

Congregation Beth Israel Thanksgiving Meal Delivery — $10,000. CBI provides meals to homebound individuals and families.

Congregation Beth Tefillah Nefesh — $2,500. Nefesh is an after-school religious study for students grades K-4 that provides supplemental education on Jewish holidays, spirituality and textually based Bible study.

Congregation Kol Ami Community Beatles Shabbat — $15,000. An interfaith Shabbat that seeks to bridge the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. The service is written to Beatles music and includes the development of an interfaith choir.

Congregation Or Tzion Young Family Shabbat Programming — $6,778. Funds will allow Or Tzion to bring back its monthly Family Shabbat and quarterly Havdalah programs. Participants of all ages sing, dance, eat and celebrate together.

Friendship Circle Camps — $2,500. Winter, summer and mini camps are tailored

for children and teens with disabilities. Teen counselors volunteer in meaningful ways. Funds will allow for expanded activities and field trips.

Merkos Chabad Lubavitch Roving Rabbis — $5,000. Three weeks each summer, Chabad of Arizona brings in two rabbis to travel to the state’s remote areas to connect with Jews who do not have the luxury of living in a Jewish community.

Temple Beth Shalom West Valley Jewish Community Center Initiative — $5,000. Beginning in the fall of 2019, TBS will launch multi-faceted programming, including community outreach for Jewish holiday and culture and arts events, youth and teen programming, adult education and wellness initiatives in partnership with local hospitals and health providers.

Temple Chai It Happens Here: Addiction and Mental Health Programs — $7,500. In partnership with the Jewish Addiction Awareness Network, Temple Chai is developing a workshop for Jewish communal professionals and a community program that addresses addiction and mental illness.

“Through our Impact Fund grants, we’re looking forward to the introduction of several new and innovative programs in our community, as well as the expansion of several ongoing ones,” said Robin Loeb, COO of the Federation. “We encourage our community members to watch for many new opportunities to engage with our synagogues and camping programs.”

September 13 (Rosh Hashanah Planner)

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Yom

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Ethan Livshits and Jake Lipovitch of the Friendship Circle will enjoy expanded camp activities and field trips thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s new Impact Fund focused on camps and synagogues.

JFCS receives $25K from City of Scottsdale

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

The Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Arizona received $25,175 from the City of Scottsdale for its Older Adults In-Home Program.

The money comes out of the City of Scottsdale’s General Fund of $200,000, which gets allocated as financial resources for human services programs. The money was granted at the beginning of the fiscal year, which began on July 1.

The $200,000 is a part of roughly $2 million that the Scottsdale City Council approved for several nonprofit organizations to provide services for at-risk residents.

JFCS, which has received allocations from the General Fund since 2009, was one of seven organizations to get such disbursements. More than 500 organizations were contacted to apply for funding, a process that JFCS initiated in October 2018. JFCS was then asked to present its program to the Scottsdale Human Services Commission.

Scottsdale Housing Coordinator Justin Boyd — who manages the application process — said 12 nonprofit agencies were asked to present to the Commission, which reviews and suggests funding allocations for the General Fund and other government housing assistance programs.

“Some of the benefits that JFCS provides as an organization to Scottsdale with this program is that a lot of senior adults will be receiving the support they need,” Boyd said. “They will also receive the appropriate

needs to make sure that their disabilities are being met, or JFCS can direct them to the appropriate resources to assist them.”

In addition to senior services, General Funds are available for organizations that provide domestic violence shelters, legal services and regional

With the General Fund allocation, JFCS will be able to provide approximately 75 elderly and disabled residents with more than 800 hours of inhome assessment, case management, counseling advocacy and referral to appropriate resources throughout Maricopa County.

The funds also support a parttime case manager who reaches out to residents who are living independently and helps to assess what their needs are. JFCS Vice President of Older Adults and Jewish Community Services Ellie Schwartzberg said that last year JFCS was able to assist 91 elderly and disabled residents.

Schwartzberg added that the grant allows JFCS to continue to serve the senior community as effectively as possible. She said she is grateful that the City of Scottsdale considers JFCS to be so integral to seniors.

“Our basic goal is really to build up each client’s strengths to help him or her live as independently as possible for as long as possible,” Schwartzberg said.

“When the client can no longer live independently, we do move them to a higher level of care.” JN

JFCS Vice President of Older Adults and Jewish Community Services Ellie Schwartzberg

An American Fourth of July

For as long as any of us can remember, our country’s Independence Day observance has been marked by traditional patriotism: barbecues, flag-waving, fireworks, local parades and all manner of family and community gatherings. It has been a warm, unthreatening, selfsatisfying celebration that is open to all, reflecting a shared pride in our nation’s history and confidence in our future. And, of course, there are big store sales and beach parties to round out our casual yet pride-filled celebration of our nation’s birthday.

In the course of those activities, there is no need for party politics, boastfulness of our nation’s greatness or glorification of

TIP’s tipping point

others, like conservative writer David Frum in the Atlantic, pointed to the fact that a good part of the speech “could have been given by Kaiser Wilhelm or Napoleon or Julius Caesar or the Assyrian Emperor Sennacherib,” since the point of the remarks seemed to be that ”the U.S. needs to be feared by its enemies, since it can destroy them.” While the chest beating bothered us, we were more concerned that the president’s words largely ignored the reality of our shared history and family stories (including his own), and the role immigrants have played in the growth and development of our great nation.

Over on the West Lawn of the Capitol, the annual “A Capitol Fourth” extrava-

GREATNESS OR GLORIFICATION OF OUR MILITARY. WE LET OUR COUNTRY’S IMPRESSIVE HISTORY SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

our military. We let our country’s impressive history speak for itself.

So it was with a bit of uncertainty, discomfort and concern that we awaited President Trump’s much heralded Fourth of July celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, which promised, among other things, the powerful display of tanks and fighters, and restricted VIP seating. It turned out OK. Although some tanks and fighters showed up, we weren’t subjected to a Communist Bloc-style military parade, or even excessive rhetoric. Instead, President Trump’s Independence Day description of America as “one people chasing one dream and one magnificent destiny” was just fine. Of course, there were parts of the president’s speech that were properly criticized. Some challenged the historical validity of certain of his claims, and

ganza of music and fireworks went on as usual. It rounded out the day’s celebrations with the traditional, feel-good display of talent, diversity and emotion, all wrapped in a patriotic theme that elevated our spirits. That corny, feel-good Americanism is just as comforting as each of the uniquely American ingredients that make up our Fourth of July barbecue celebrations.

Two years ago, “Capitol Fourth” host John Stamos told his audience an American story that resonates with most of us: “My grandfather came through Ellis Island from Greece,” he said. “Thank God that this country had open arms. He worked hard and, because of him, I’m here today.”

That’s a story that deserves to be repeated, and elevate us above the noise of boastful military hardware. JN

VOICE YOUR OPINION

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

Jewish-organization watchers were surprised last week by the apparent collapse of The Israel Project, more often known as TIP, which describes itself as “the only organization dedicated to changing people’s minds about Israel through cutting-edge strategic communications.” First came reports of the sudden resignation of Josh Block, TIP’s CEO of seven years, who cited plunging fundraising efforts as the reason for his unexpected departure. And then JTA reported that 13 staff members in TIP’s Washington, D.C., and Israel offices were let go, without notice and without a final salary payment.

Following a hastily convened board meeting last Friday afternoon, TIP issued a brief, largely uninformative press release, which acknowledged Block’s resignation and reported that leadership is considering the organization’s options.

TIP was founded in 2002, at the height of the second intifada, with the stated goal of addressing and improving media coverage of Israel. In its first decade of operations, TIP achieved impressive results. In 2012, after TIP’s founder, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, left the organization to start the nonprofit disability group Respectability, Block, a former spokesman for AIPAC, was hired as TIP’s CEO. Described as “pugnacious,” he shifted TIP’s focus from providing journalists with background information on Israel to advocating more aggressively for Israel in a Twitter-blast style. But it wasn’t just Block’s change in approach that attracted attention. TIP was also seen as aligning with and advocating for Israel’s Netanyahu government — which troubled some of the organization’s major donors, who were drifting away from Israel’s increasingly rightleaning government policies.

TIP was founded and supported by donors from both political parties. Until recently, support for Israel was wholly bipartisan, and it was unthinkable that Israel would be a wedge issue between Republicans and Democrats. The tipping point came in 2015, when the Obama administration and other world powers reached a nuclear limi -

tation agreement with Iran. The deal was opposed by the Israeli government, and Netanyahu worked very openly and aggressively with Republicans to circumvent President Barack Obama in opposition to the agreement.

It was ugly, it was divisive and Block and TIP jumped in — not to explain Israel’s position to the media, but to

blast the Obama administration for the deal. Block’s antagonistic approach to Obama angered some TIP supporters, and may have been a reason the organization lost some of its largest Democratic donors.

Having become less attractive to liberal supporters of Israel, does TIP have a post-Block future? We’re not sure. But as TIP’s board members consider options, we know they will be thinking about the Facebook post of former TIP staffer Calev Ben-David, who noted that Block’s shift from Mizrahi’s original vision “made TIP somewhat redundant in the Jewish organizational landscape, especially in an era when the Trump administration is itself Israel’s most unabashed booster.”

In that light, some might argue that TIP’s demise is a sign of its success. JN

THERE IS NO NEED FOR PARTY POLITICS, BOASTFULNESS OF OUR NATION’S

UNTIL RECENTLY, SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL WAS WHOLLY BIPARTISAN, AND IT WAS UNTHINKABLE THAT ISRAEL WOULD BE A WEDGE ISSUE

BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

Addressing Israel’s child poverty challenges

A2017 UNICEF report revealed that Israel has the third-highest children’s poverty rate in the developed world, behind Mexico and Chile. One-third of Israeli children reside in poverty. The government has failed to aggressively aid impoverished Israeli citizens. According to a 2016 report, the Social Affairs ministry’s budget to support poor Israeli families was less than $10 a person — a minimal $11.8 million. A December 2016 survey by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews revealed that 68% of poor people were forced to abstain from purchasing food during the previous year due to lack of finances. Over half of the respondents were also forced to skip medical treatments.

The Israeli-based Afikim seems to have found some solutions. Eightyeight percent of Afikim participants matriculate from their low-income high schools compared to 44% of other students attending the same high school. The Jerusalem-based NGO has attempted a unique approach to combating poverty in Israeli homes. Their program serves 528 secular and

religious youth at 14 centers throughout Israel. They work with families to keep them intact rather than going to foster care. This is accomplished by providing hot meals, tutoring, life skills training, counseling and other programs, so that youth under economic stress are nurtured to become successful members of Israeli society.

Rabbi Moshe Lefkowitz, CEO and founder of Afikim, devotes his efforts to improving the welfare of needy children. Lefkowitz’s mission in 2019 is to increase the number of Afikim students by 80. Unfortunately, Afikim has to turn away thousands of children (many whom are immigrants) each year due to a lack of funding and space. Afikim has a modest $2 million budget, with 40% of its funding obtained from the government and the remainder raised from private donations. The Israeli government gives non-profits dealing with poverty a maximum of 40% of their budget, while non-profits dealing with other issues, such as special needs, are eligible to receive significantly more funding. Even with these limitations, here is what Afikim

is able to accomplish:

The Afikim project consists of five long-term programs. The programs focus on providing educational resources for both children and parents.

• The project Afternoon Learning Centers is designed for children in the first to sixth grades and include classes and enrichment programs to acquire life skills.

• Afternoon Welfare and Learning Centers provide support for children who have been judged as at-risk by the courts. Children remain in their home environment, where entire families receive professional counseling designed to provide positive outcomes.

• Afikim also oversees Learning Centers for middle school and high school students, providing educational and emotional support. Students in the 11th and 12th grades receive training and guidance in preparation for service in the Israeli army.

• Parent Empowering Centers provide professional guidance and counseling to parents of Afikim

The soft power of our Jewish community

PAUL ROCKOWER | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Soft power describes how communities and countries exert influence through persuasion. Soft power is how countries and communities use the attractiveness of their culture, values and institutions as a means to enhance their strength and standing. By contrast, hard power implies compelling actions through the use of military force, economic or political pressure and other means of coercion.

As I have been getting to know partnerinstitutions in the Jewish community here in the Valley in my role as the new executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, I have been impressed by so many wonderful organizations whose work in the community and institutional models exemplify the soft power of the Jewish community.

One great example of soft power

is Jewish Free Loan, which offers interest-free loans throughout the Jewish community. Some loans are to individuals and businesses to help solve problems or seize opportuni -

greater Phoenix. However, thanks to JFL’s soft power and positive rolemodel influence, that’s changing — to the benefit of everyone. A few years back, some members

children, including workshops on managing money, as many Afikim families are immigrants and not prepared for Israel’s high cost of living.

• The Afikim Graduate Program provides support for Afikim students who have completed their army service. Professional counselors guide students through the college application process; Afikim offers alumni scholarships to attend institutions of higher learning.

Moshe Lefkowitz, who directed soup kitchens before founding Afikim in 2008, believes that impoverished Israeli youth will benefit more from receiving a fishing rod than from being given a fish. Such is the case of an exemplary Afikim graduate and her family. Noga (name changed for privacy purposes) is a 22-year-old IDF soldier serving in the prestigious Givat unit. In 1998, she emigrated with her family from Addis Abada, Ethiopia. Noga’s parents worked multiple jobs to support their kids in Israel. Her parents pushed their six children to excel

ties. Lately, some loans help Jewish institutions enhance security measures. We are fortunate to have JFL in our community.

Unfortunately, there are few resources like JFL available to other non-Jewish communities here in

from the African American business community approached Jewish Free Loan to learn how this dynamic model could be replicated in their own community. Subsequently, JFL offered mentorship and guidance to assist in creating an interest-free lend-

ing program to help serve the African American community. Thanks to this mentorship, UPI Loans — a JFLstyle project — has been successful in setting up a similar program to serve the African American community and other communities of color throughout Arizona.

In a similar way, the JCRC builds on this approach by sharing JFL’s successful model with other communities across the Valley. A big part of the JCRC’s work is to engage in innovative partnerships with non-Jewish communities to help strengthen Phoenix civil society.

There are many other institutions in our community such as the Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish

I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY SO MANY WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL MODELS EXEMPLIFY THE SOFT POWER OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

The indisputable decree

PARASHAT CHUKAT NUMBERS 19 - 22:1

The sidrah Chukat , this week’s parashah , is multilayered with several disjointed tracks — the purification rituals of the red heifer, the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses striking of the rock to produce water, followed by the battles with neighboring tribes. So much to ponder.

Even the title Chukat raises issues within itself. Rashi calls a chukah “an indisputable decree before God which you don’t have any right to question.” There are some who even connect the root of this word to the word for “engraving,” “ chokek. ” That would imply that the rules and decrees stated in the text would be eternal, unchangeable. Once it is chiseled into stone, it remains forever. The delete button didn’t exist back then, so the laws we find through the archeology from that period could be seen as eternal.

Decades ago, I stood on the bimah as this sidrah was read. It was troubling for a bar mitzvah to fully understand the complications within the text. A red heifer? The built-up anger of our leader? A very limited explanation of the deaths of Aaron and Miriam?

A city boy at that time, I wasn’t

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in academics. However, Noga and her siblings struggled to learn Hebrew and English. Her parents discovered Afikim’s afternoon program, which began providing tutoring to all of their children after school. Afikim also took an extra step and tutored Noga’s father in English, which provided him with the skills to quit his janitor position and become an escort at the Knesset. Upon her completion of duties in the Israeli Defense Forces, Noga hopes to continue her education and be an ambassador. She believes it is her duty to share her history and heritage and give back to her Afikim community. JN

even sure what a heifer was, let alone how its ashes and blood might be used for cleansing a person who had contact with a dead body and became impure. I did know about our contemporary ritual of purification, rinsing our hands before leaving a cemetery. But a red cow?

how much the more so must Moses have been directly facing God?

JULY

RABBI ROBERT L. KRAVITZ

I was a 13-year-old on the bimah, leading a traditional Shabbat morning

Still thinking: Why did he have to “strike” the rock, twice? Why was this speech-impaired fellow so angry that he disregarded what God had said? I knew what happened to me when I did something wrong out of anger. I was told to calm down, breath and reassess my action. Moses had many assistants, called judges, that he had appointed a while back to be his support staff; where were they? Why didn’t they calm him down and relieve his fury, and possibly assuage God?

“An indisputable decree.” Moses brought forth water from the rock

TO MY TEENAGE MIND BACK THEN, THE PUNISHMENT OF SOMEONE BEING BANNED FROM ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND SEEMED HARSH.

service, with my European-trained rabbi standing at my side. Many thoughts went flying through my brain. Would Rabbi Klein find a mistake to correct me? As frightened as I was in front of the congregation,

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Federation of Greater Phoenix, Gesher Disability Resources and Jewish Family & Children’s Service that serve as models to strengthen other communities. These institutions offer robust examples of the institutional models that underscore the soft power of the Jewish community.

One of the most important aspects of enhancing our community’s soft power is internalizing and appreciating the strengths of our institutions. We in the Jewish community can often be self-critical, focusing on our shortcomings rather than appreciating our strengths and successes. When you look from the out -

and immediately he was to be punished. No “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,” no time to correct bad behavior, no “go to your corner.” In today’s terms, one and done!

To my teenage mind back then,

the punishment of someone being banned from entering the Promised Land seemed harsh. And almost as cryptically as was the punishment delivered to Moses, even more with limited explanation were the deaths of Miriam and Aaron. What a sidrah ! The concerns of Parashat Chukat can be challenging to all Jews. The “indisputable decrees” that Rashi highlights will be forever with us. But just as the generation of Egypt needed to grow up or pass on in preparation for entry into the Promised Land, so too did the lives of Moses and his siblings need to end. From the earliest times, religious principles, leadership problems and fighting the forces opposed to us present the “indisputable decree” to listen to the voice of God, however we understand it. JN

side, however, others in our metro area see the strength of our Jewish institutions. Other organizations’ professional staff and lay leaders want to learn from our success, and in many cases, adapt or replicate our models in their own communities. This creates an opportunity for us to make connections, networks and partnerships to share our models, and use our soft power for good — even if we sometimes have to take a step back to better internalize our own strengths.

Moving forward, the JCRC will continue to work internally to strengthen the Jewish community’s myriad interconnections, and also

to project the Jewish community’s soft power externally by sharing the dynamic models of our institutions with our neighbors and partners outside the Jewish community. Through this soft power outreach, we will help strengthen civil society here in Arizona, helping protect and secure the Jewish community’s well-being for generations to come. Persuasion is the best way to teach and share our values and build bridges across our beautiful Valley of the Sun. JN

Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz coordinates the Metro Phoenix hospital chaplaincy program of Jewish Family & Children’s Service. He is past president of the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis, and serves as senior chaplain with the Scottsdale Police Department.

Find area congregations at jewishaz.com, where you can also find our 2019 Community Directory.

Paul Rockower is the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix.

Marcia Heller is a speech pathologist living in Mesa.

Summer travel: Tips for preventing deep vein thrombosis

DR. LAWRENCE PRESANT | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Summer is here and residents across the state of Arizona will be heading on vacation. Many vacationers will fly or drive long distances to reach their destinations, but if you plan on taking a long trip this summer, you should be aware of a vein disorder that is especially prevalent for travelers over 50.

Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein. It is potentially fatal because the clot could travel to the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism. DVT usually occurs in the calf and travelers are at increased risk of DVT during long plane or car rides.

The main cause of DVT is sluggish blood flow caused by long periods of inactivity. Many travelers will spend up to two hours or more sitting in one spot during a long trip. This slowing blood flow can result in clotting, obstructing venous return and cause your legs to swell.

Anyone who is older and has taken a long plane flight is familiar with the swelling you experience in the foot and calf areas. This swelling happens to most people, but it is more noticeable for someone who is suffering from a vein disorder.

The most common signs of DVT during your trip is a sudden, unexplained pain in your calf accompanied by swelling.

DVT is a serious condition, but there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent it from occurring during long periods of travel.

Get the blood flowing

The simplest action to prevent DVT is to prevent sluggish blood flow. You get your blood pumping by getting up and moving around. If you are in a plane, get up frequently and walk around the aisle; if you are in your car, make a pit stop. You should walk around at least once every two hours.

Your movements should be more pronounced than simply flexing your ankles. A recent study demonstrated that it is the shifting of your weight on alternate feet that is necessary to achieve adequate blood flow. So walking is key to get the blood flowing and decrease your chances for DVT.

Wear a compression stocking

Compression stockings are special stockings or socks that apply a pressure gradient to your lower leg in order to maintain blood flow and help reduce swelling. You can purchase a compression stocking at your local drugstore, online or at your local medical supply store.

Compression stockings are most often used as a form of therapy after an individual is recovering from DVT, but the stocking can be preventative. I would recommend purchasing a stocking with at least mild compression strength (15-20

mmHg). This will help travelers who have mild spider veins, slight varicose veins and aching legs.

You can find an economy-brand compression stockings at your local drugstore for $30 to $40.

Wear your compression stockings anytime you are traveling for long periods of time.

Take some medicine

Taking an aspirin before your flight can help reduce your risk of DVT. Drugs such as aspirin are blood thinners, which means they can prevent your blood platelets from clumping together and creating a clot.

Consult with your doctor before using drugs like aspirin as a preventive measure because some of the side effects are bleeding and stomach irritation.

Hydrate

Drink lots of water during your long drive or flight. When you are dehydrated, your blood thickens, increasing your risk for a blood clot. When you are flying, you are breathing very dry air and losing water, so make sure you hydrate during the entirety of your travels.

I also recommend avoiding alcohol and coffee since these liquids will dehydrate you.

Taking these precautions will help you prevent DVT and help you avoid annoying leg swelling during your trip.

If you suspect you are suffering from DVT, do not delay medical attention. It is a medical emergency and immediate treatment can be lifesaving. An ultrasound is required to ensure there are no blood clots. This usually can only be accomplished in a timely manner in an emergency room. JN

I’m old-school. I still get the newspaper delivered. Primarily, because it is our therapy dog Lacey’s morning routine to get the paper and bring it to me. How could I interfere with her sense of purpose? Besides, I like turning pages and I don’t really mind a little smudgy newsprint on my fingers.

But I’m not out of step with news delivered electronically either, and I’m a big fan of podcasts. I really love the segment “Can’t Let It Go” from the NPR Politics Podcast. Once a week, usually three or four of the correspondents talk about something from the current week that they “just can’t let go, politics or otherwise.”

I have my own list of things I can’t let go, and my hope is that it they’ll become yours as well.

The year 2030 marks an impor tant demographic turning point in U.S. history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This will expand the size of the older population so that one in every five residents will be of retirement age. In Arizona, it will be nearly one in every four residents. By the year 2030, there will be twice as many people over 80 as there were in 2016, and the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. is people older than 90. So why

haven’t any of the 2020 presidential candidates addressed the aging crisis?

This rapid growth of the older population contrasts with an almost flat youth population (under age 20) and moderate increase in the working-age (20–64) population projected over the same period. In a nutshell: The potential pool

job that our society does not sufficiently value.

It is time to move issues of longevity and aging to the political mainstage. Congress and the White House have continuously kicked the can down the road, effectively waiting for the issue to become a crisis before they deal with it. We need to ask our candidates how they are going to affect change. Addressing health care is not the only facet to addressing the needs of our aging population.

Normal aging increases the incidence of disabilities. Nearly 40% of people age 65 and older had at least one disability and need daily assistance, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report that covered 2008–2012. Of those 15.7 million people, two-thirds of them say they had difficulty with walking or climbing.

of family caregivers will not sustain the growing demand for care.

Family caregivers make up a silent support army — without them, health and social systems within our aging societies would be absolutely overwhelmed. Compounding pressure on this unpaid labor force is a shortage of paid caregivers. These unsung heroes who tenderly care for our aging population with skill and compassion perform an important

Difficulty with independent living, such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping, was the second-most cited disability, followed by serious difficulty in hearing, cognitive difficulty, difficulty bathing or dressing, and serious difficulty seeing.

Do you know that less than 2% of our housing stock is built to be safe and accessible for elders? One-third of our elderly population fall each year and falls are the leading cause of death in people over 65.

I can’t let it go: The aging crisis that’s not being addressed

BOB ROTH | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Seventy-five percent of all emergency room and urgent care visits for people over 65 are the result of falls.

Question to the candidates: How can our communities become more agingfriendly? Routes of public transportation were created with young workers, not retirees, in mind. How can we remedy social isolation due to lack of transportation options? Speaking of social isolation, one-third of our population 65 and older lives home alone. It is projected that this number could climb to close to 50% by 2030. Social isolation is said to be the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

I can’t let it go!

The pro-life/pro-choice debate appears in the news daily. The caregiving crisis is a woman’s issue that faces women during and beyond their childbearing years. The caregiving crisis disproportionately affects women. More than 88% of family caregivers are women. And a startling new statistic is that nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. Half of the family caregivers work full-time in addition to their family responsibilities for caregiving, with 18% of caregivers

leaving their full-time job to care for a family member. The impact on the caregiver is loss of health insurance, loss of retirement benefits, diminished assets and lost credits toward Social Security. Is aging not tweet-worthy, Washington? Where is the Aging Pride Parade? Mr./ Ms. Candidate, what is your biggest idea for what America’s 68 million retirees could be doing to contribute to our society?

In 1961, JFK committed to landing on the moon in the next decade. We need the commitment to proclaim a bold goal of stopping Alzheimer’s as our moonshot. Calling out to my favorite podcasts: To NPR’s “Planet Money,” why are we not talking about the economic impact of the silver tsunami? To the New York Times’ “The Daily,” where is your deep dive into these issues? To my daughter, Samantha-Jo, a Washington, D.C., broadcast journalist covering Congress: Please, for your dear old dad, ask the tough questions. I can’t let it go! JN

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

To be sure, we’re proud of our more than 30 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind. So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience Maravilla Scottsdale for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call 480.447.2381 to schedule.

An Afternoon Soirée Wednesday, July 17th • 2:00pm

Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers and learn more about the engaging lifestyle & supportive services o ered at Maravilla Scottsdale. Ask questions. Take a tour. Ask more questions. And while you’re here, ask us about how you can benefit from a CARF accredited community. To RSVP, please call 480.447.2381.

Bob Roth is the managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions.

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.

Seniors: Say no to “free” genetic tests

genetic testing.

If you’re approached by someone who offers “free” genetic testing or cancer screening, turn them down.

Medicare doesn’t cover such tests unless a doctor who’s treating you orders them and they’re medically necessary.

Laboratory representatives have allegedly been taking swabs inside the mouths of Medicare beneficiaries at health fairs, senior centers, residential complexes for older people and veterans’ centers.

Some seniors are getting cold calls about genetic testing kits. The caller usually offers to send a “free” genetic testing kit and asks only that you return the completed kit with your insurance information — including a Medicare number.

Beneficiaries’ numbers are then used to bill Medicare for thousands of dollars of medically unnecessary

More creative schemes involve sending invitations to an “ice cream social,” where seniors hear a presentation about “no cost” genetic testing and/or cancer screenings. During the presentation, seniors are asked for their Medicare numbers — and Medicare is later billed thousands of dollars per test.

Seniors are also being asked for the Medicare numbers and other private information after being brought into health-fair booths for DNA swabs of their cheeks.

In some instances, seniors are given gift cards and told that Medicare will be billed for the tests, even though there’s no physician order for them.

Remember:

• Don’t give your DNA away to a stranger! Beware of people who cold-call you or show up at your front door uninvited to push genetic tests and cancer screenings. Watch out for

people who claim such tests are “100% covered by Medicare.”

Medicare does cover such tests, but only when they are medically necessary and have been ordered by your doctor.

• Look for charges on your Medicare Summary Notice statements for unnecessary tests or screenings that you didn’t want or weren’t ordered by your doctor.

In general, don’t give out your Medicare number or Social Security number to anyone you don’t know and trust. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for your Medicare or Social Security numbers. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.

Medicare will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your Medicare number or other personal information.

And don’t consent to any lab tests at senior centers, health fairs or in your

home. Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you’ll pay nothing for genetic tests and cancer screenings.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, we want to hear from you. Please call us, toll-free, at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).

You can also report suspected fraud at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Or you can contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol, a terrific group which educates people with Medicare about how to avoid healthcare fraud and abuse.

You can reach Senior Medicare Patrol 1-877-808-2468, or visit smpresource.org.

One last tip: enter your phone number on the Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. JN

Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

A history of something that never happened

SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOIM | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“The Fourth Reich: The Specter of Nazism from World War II to the Present”

Gavriel D. Rosenfeld (Cambridge University Press)

Hearing the term “The Fourth Reich” might conjure up an image of a future fascist German state, brought to existence through political instability and rising antiSemitism. Perhaps it’s not even Germany that comes to mind, but another country’s despotic future after taking a hard turn toward right-wing extremism.

In “The Fourth Reich: The Specter of Nazism from World War II to the Present,” Gavriel D. Rosenfeld traces the history of the term. He begins in the ’30s, when “Fourth Reich” was used neutrally to describe a more positive postNazi Germany. He continues on

through the legitimate concerns over Nazi insurgency in the postwar period, the universalization of the term beginning in the ’60s and the renewed concerns over Germany in the ’80s and ’90s when the Soviet Union collapsed and reunification seemed imminent. He continues on through

recent history, including criticisms that Germany was becoming a kind of economic Fourth Reich during the Great Recession, noting the usage of the term after Donald Trump’s election and demonstrating how the terms was adopted by anti-Israel critics who used the term to attack the Jewish state. Rosenfeld, a history professor at Fairfield University, specializes in the history and memory of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the subject. For this book, he examines how “Fourth Reich” is used in a large body of media that includes newspapers; books; films; and comics, such as a memorable reference to “Captain America.”

The book follows a dynamic period of nearly a century. In doing so, it speaks to issues that go beyond the facts of German history. At several points, for example, the book compares

Nazi insurgency against the Allied occupation following World War II to insurgency against the more recent American occupation of Iraq. Rosenfeld never quite reaches a solid conclusion over why the former was more successful than the latter, but he mulls over different elements that may have helped, such as the fact that Germany was divided between several countries, and that its neighbors didn’t support the insurgency.

This brings readers to contemplate something they may not have spent too much time considering, and which has contemporary relevance: How can a country genuinely transform from a totalitarian regime into a democracy? Germany, in fact, not only made this transition — which may seem incredible in the light of presentday struggles to do so — it went from the most notorious dictatorship in history to one of the biggest leaders of the free world.

Nowadays, Rosenfeld notes, people tend to brush off the idea of the Fourth Reich and describe Germany’s turn to democracy as a “success story,” suggesting that it was perhaps inevitable. Some might counter that there’s not a lot of value in writing about the history of something that never happened. By following the term, Rosenfeld argues, we can see how a Fourth Reich could have come about through, for example, the electoral success of different farright parties throughout history. That fear, he says, has kept the reality at bay.

But after reading “The Fourth Reich,” Germany’s success story seems far from inevitable. In fact, it seems like nothing short of miraculous. JN

Reclaiming the identity of the Jewish Arab

ERIC SCHUCHT | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“When We Were Arabs: A Jewish Family’s Forgotten History”

Massoud Hayoun (The New Press)

Modern-day depictions of Muslims and Arabs can paint them as one and the same, inseparable. But Massoud Hayoun’s love letter to his grandparents is an attempt to highlight the experience of the Jewish Arab while making sense of their lives under European colonial rule and in relation to Zionism.

“When We Were Arabs: A Jewish Family’s Forgotten History” discusses what it means to be Arab. It not only acts as a biography of the author’s Jewish grandparents, it gives an alternative perspective

on Zionism with a comparison to the colonization of the Arab world.

Hayoun tells the story of his grandfather Oscar’s life under British rule in Egypt and his grandmother Daida living in French-occupied Tunisia.

There’s a big focus on how the colonizers attempted to strip away the culture of the natives and replace it with their own. And to some degree, their campaign worked, as many Arabs growing up in that world attempted to emulate Western culture and saw it as superior to that of their ancestors. The Westerners in the book aimed to divide and conquer by separating the Jewish Arabs of the region from their Muslim counterparts, two groups that had lived in peace for generations. Eventually, Oscar and Daida left their homelands for France, the idealized world of the colonizers that did not live up to their expectations. The “civilized world” was not all that it seemed. And now, stripped of their former citizenship, the couple immigrated to the United States where they lived

out their days in Los Angeles.

The author, despite his Jewish heritage, identifies more with his Arab roots and is not entirely friendly to Zionism, drawing parallels between the colonization of North Africa by white Europeans and the establishment of the state of Israel. His conflicted feelings about Israel as a Jewish state are clear, as he grapples with the way Jews of color are still marginalized there.

The first half of the book can be a bit of a slog to get through. A couple of the early chapters are intended for setting the foundation for the text, providing context for the world Oscar and Daida inhabited.

It explains the origins of Arabs and the introduction of Judaism to the region along with the strategies and results of the colonization of Arabs,

specifically, Jewish Arabs. However, the academic tone of these sections aren’t as much of a breeze to read through as the tales told about the grandparents’ lives.

“When We Were Arabs” is an intriguing read for anyone interested in furthering their understanding of complex identities and mixed cultural heritage. “To breathe life into the Jewish Arab is to redefine the Arab,” writes Hayoun, who wants to transform the notion of Arabness. The reader will walk away with a newfound perspective on Jewish identity from a voice that is not always at the forefront of the discussion. JN

Selah Maya Zighelboim is the digital editor for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, a JN-a liated publication.

Eric Schucht is a staff writer for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, a JN-affiliated publication.

Marvelous Memphis: Elvis, civil rights, BBQ

JEFF AND VIRGINIA ORENSTEIN | CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

If you love Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll, there is no doubt that you will love Memphis, the home of Graceland and the Sun Recording Studio where he was discovered and made famous.

Wherever you go in this town, Elvis memorabilia and his music are not far away. No wonder Graceland and its Elvisoriented attractions now cover 120 acres and attract as many as 750,000 visitors a year. It is the second-most-visited home in the United States, behind only the White House.

But even if you are not an Elvis fan, Memphis is worth exploring because of its world-famous Beale Street, its boundless blues music, BBQ galore, a great craft beer scene, the Mississippi River and its riverboats, the famous Peabody Hotel daily duck parade and the not-to-bemissed National Civil Rights Museum on the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.

This cosmopolitan city of more than 650,000 people and several distinct neighborhoods boasts a cornucopia of live music on Beale Street and elsewhere. It has earned its moniker as the “Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” with a musical tradition almost

two centuries old that continues today. While blues, rock ‘n’ roll, soul and jazz music dominate on Beale Street, the city’s rich musical history is evident almost everywhere, and Memphis has a flourishing classical and gospel music performance scene ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Always shaped by its location on the great river, a highway between north and south, Memphis was a bustling center of cotton commerce by the 1840s and remained so during the Civil War. Beale Street was an African-American commercial and cultural center, and its proximity to the Mississippi attracted African Americans from neighboring states and served as the northern gateway to the rich culture of the Mississippi delta.

The city’s large black population also made it an important locus of the 20thcentury civil rights movement, and this is reflected in its history and museums as well.

With affordable hotel rates, many museums and music venues and some great BBQ, Memphis is a recommended place to put on your travel schedule. You won’t be disappointed.

Getting there and getting around: Memphis can be reached by air, highway, river cruise ship and rail.

• By car, Memphis is crossed by Interstates 40, 55 and 69.

• The nearest commercial airport is Memphis International, 3.6 miles from Graceland and 8.5 miles from Beale Street.

• The nearest river cruise port is in downtown Memphis.

• The Memphis Amtrak station is downtown. It is 9 miles from Graceland and is served by the City of New Orleans running from Chicago to New Orleans.

Must-sees for a short trip:

• Graceland, home of Elvis Presley with acres of displays.

• Beale Street’s bars and blues joints.

If you have several days:

• Touring the National Civil Rights Museum.

• Touring Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded.

• Seeing the daily duck parade at the Peabody Hotel.

• Listening to blues on Beale Street.

• Taking a 90-minute narrated sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River.

Graceland, the Presley family’s mansion, is a popular Memphis touring venue. The 120-acre campus has the mansion, exhibition halls of Presley memorabilia, restaurants and a new convention center.

Memphis’ waterfront is where you can embark on a 90-minute tour of the city as viewed from the Mississippi. It is also where river boats from Minnesota to Louisiana dock for passengers to tour Memphis.

Sun Studio offers tours and was where B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and other stars recorded their hits.

Ginny O’s tips for dressing the Simply Smart Travel way for Graceland and Memphis: Upscale resort casual is the norm at Graceland and at the Civil Rights Museum. Anything and everything goes along Beale Street.

This destination at a glance: Over 50 advantage: Relatively affordable hotels, oodles of rock ‘n’ roll era nostalgia, Southern hospitality, civil rights history and an excellent multigenerational trip venue.

Mobility level: Moderate. There are hills on the riverfront to climb.

When to go: Anytime is good but May through September is the best time to visit. Summers are humid but also is the best time for festivals and outdoor activities. There are four distinct seasons in Memphis, with precipitation distributed evenly throughout the year. Late thunderstorms are frequent in summer, as is typical of subtropical locations, but usually don’t last long.

Where to stay: If visiting Graceland is part of your itinerary, the Guest House at Graceland is new, comfortable and convenient to Graceland and the airport. Shuttles to Beale Street are available. If you want to be downtown, the Peabody Hotel is famous for its daily duck walks, and the city has a comprehensive collection of hotels at every price level.

Special travel interests : Elvis, ’50s rock ’n’ roll, barbecue and the blues.

Jewish Memphis

As the website of ChooseJewishMemphis.org proclaims, “YES, there ARE Jews in Memphis!”

“The Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities” details that the Memphis Jewish community dates to when Joseph Andrews moved from Charleston, South Carolina in 1840, and David Hart opened an inn in the booming town in 1843.

Andrews was a prominent cotton broker and became a city alderman in 1847. He donated land for a Jewish cemetery after his brother, Samuel, died in 1847. This led to a Hebrew Benevolent Society and the first Jewish congregation in Memphis, B’nai Israel.

The Civil War brought hardship, opportunity and conflict to Memphis Jews. Many fought for the Confederacy and suffered under Union occupation dating from 1862. After the Civil War, the city’s Jewish population grew, although yellow fever epidemics in the 1870s decimated the city along with its Jewish population.

Later, the Jewish community was revitalized by immigrants from Eastern Europe. They mostly settled into a neighborhood known as “the Pinch.”

Prominent Memphis Jews include Abe Plough, who built a large pharmaceutical company that became part of Schering Plough in 1971. Politically, Memphis Jews were involved with the Crump machine and were accepted into the mainstream.

The 20th-century civil rights movement split the community again. Jewish Southern white supremacists and supporters of racial justice led an uneasy coexistence.

The Jewish community grew following World War II. It reached a peak of 9,000 by 1960.

Since then, the community has dispersed to the suburbs and shrunk slightly. A 2006 study estimated that 7,800 Jews live in Greater Memphis.

The Memphis Jewish community is fairly large for the Southern U.S. The Jewish population is about the same as Nashville’s but considerably smaller than Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Tampa-St. Petersburg.

The city’s Jews field a Jewish Community Center, Jewish preschools and day schools, a nursing home and rehab center, a Jewish social service agency, a Jewish Federation and an availability of kosher food.

Congregations include Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth, the Baron Hirsch Congregation, Beth Sholom Synagogue, a Chabad center, the Or Chadash New Conservative Synagogue, Temple Israel (Reform) and the Orthodox Young Israel Congregation. JN

Je rey and Virginia Orenstein are travel writers from Sarasota, Florida.

The beautiful new Graceland Guest House has 450 rooms, restaurants, nightly live entertainment and Elvis movies.

Beale Street, home of the Memphis blues, is a popular attraction. ALL PHOTOS BY JEFF ORENSTEIN

I

Tobyre4u@aol.com

Compiled from JNS.org Report: Israeli businesses added $18.6 billion in revenue to NY economy in 2018

According to a report by the independent New York-Israel Business Alliance, Israelifounded companies operating in New York City contributed $18.6 billion in revenue in 2018, and a whopping $33.8 billion — 2% of the New York gross domestic product — when accounting for spending on local goods and services.

Data on the 506 Israeli companies was published recently in step with the arrival in Israel of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

According to the report, there are five Israeli “unicorn companies” — valued at $1 billion or more — in New York today: WeWork, Taboola, Payoneer, Lemonade and Compass. In total, the companies directly employ 24,850 New York residents and indirectly employ another 27,502.

“Part of the key to understanding Israel’s success abroad is to understand the people and the land,” said New York-Israel Business Alliance founder and president Aaron Kaplowitz, according to the “The Jerusalem Post.”

“The Israeli population is highly educated and comprised primarily of first or second generation immigrants — natural risk-takers — who acquire leadership and technical skills during their military service,” Kaplowitz said.

“The land is limited on resources and located in a tough neighborhood with minimal cross-border trade opportunities. When you combine the people and the land, Israel becomes one big incubator that exports cutting-edge technology beyond its immediate borders. And in the words of Governor Cuomo, New York is open for business.”

Data showed that Israeli companies in New York secured over 20% of all capital raised in the state in 2016, and enjoyed double the job and revenue growth of the rest of the state from 2016 to 2018.

Retailers selling “Mein Kampf” with neo-Nazi blurb

Walmart, Amazon and Barnes & Noble are among retailers selling an edition of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf featuring a neo-Nazi blurb and a price tag with numbers that reference white power.

“This book has set a path toward a much higher understanding of the self and of our magnificent destiny as living beings part of this Race on our planet,” stated the blurb on the Barnes & Noble website, which has apparently removed the listing. “It shows us that we must not look at nature in terms of good or bad, but in an unfiltered manner. It describes what we must do if we want to survive as a people and as a Race.”

This English translation by James Murphy is priced at $14.88.

The number “1488” is a cypher for neo-Nazis and white supremacists, with “14” standing for the “14 words” saying, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children,” while “88” refers to “Heil Hitler,” as “H” is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Like Barnes & Noble, Walmart and Amazon also removed the edition from their collections.

Number of businesses in West Bank doubled in past decade

No fewer than 1,982 small- and medium-sized businesses operate in the West Bank, a 100% increase over the past decade. Relative to population size, the average rate of entrepreneurship in the West Bank in 2018 was 20% higher than in Tel Aviv.

The data — from the Israel’s Central Bureau of Statics and the MATI Jerusalem Business Development Center — was presented at an entrepreneurial conference in Samaria, the first such conference of its kind.

In a sign of the region’s growing tourism industry, the most prominent commercial field in the West Bank is the service industry, in particular food and hospitality services, followed by industry and health services and skin care.

Conference attendees welcomed the Tourism Ministry’s recent decision to incentivize entrepreneurs to build hotels in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, in the form of grants to entrepreneurs of 20% of the total investment.

According to Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, “Entrepreneurship is in Samaria’s DNA. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the distance from the cities, and the other hand, an active population that came here to settle and to build and therefore is no stranger to entrepreneurship.” — Israel Hayom JN

ASK THE EXPERT

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

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

Q: Where did this tax reduction program come from?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Caliber CEO + Co-Founder, Chris Loeffler

You should know... Chloe and Camille Vitoff

NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER

For sisters Chloe and Camille Vitoff, gymnastics is much more than a hobby. Both grew up with the sport since they were toddlers and have been competing since grade school.

The two gymnasts were raised in Phoenix and attended Beth El Congregation. They started their acrobatic careers at the Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics & Dance Center. Sunrays co-owner and former assistant coach of the ASU women’s gymnastic team Dan Witenstein coached the Vitoffs. Witenstein was recently inducted into the Arizona Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Both sisters received college scholarships for gymnastics. Chloe is a sophomore at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she’s studying business administration with concentrations in finance and international business and a minor in sustainability. Camille will start at Towson University in nearby Maryland in the fall, where she plans to study biology.

How did you guys get into gymnastics?

Chloe: I actually got into gymnastics because the owners of my gym, Arizona Sunrays, also went to Beth El Congregation. My first memory was taking a little gymnastics class that they had there as a special day, and it was something that I really enjoyed. I always had a lot of energy as a kid, so my parents decided to sign me up for more classes shortly after.

Camille: I started gymnastics when I was 2 years old because I wanted to be just like Chloe. My mom often tells me a story of her bringing me to Chloe’s gymnastics meets. I was too young to compete, but I would beg my mom to let me go out there with her. After starting and moving up through the beginning levels, I fell in love with the sport.

What made you start doing the sport competitively?

Chloe: When I started taking gymnastics classes, it was really just for fun, but as I took more classes, my coaches started to realize that I really had the potential to be a competitive gymnast. To be completely honest, I don’t remember thinking that I would not compete. Gymnastics is

a competitive sport by nature. I always looked up to the older girls at my gym and I wanted to compete like them. I competed in my first official meet when I was in second grade.

Camille : When I started training in gymnastics, I saw the older girls going to competitions and showing their skills, and all I wanted was to be out there with them. I wanted to compete because I wanted to be able to show all the hard work I had put in. I also loved the friendships that I had made and I wanted to be able to compete as a team alongside all of my friends.

I’m sure you heard that Dan Witenstein was recently inducted into the Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Are there any memories you’d like to share about him as a coach?

Chloe: Yes, I was so excited to find out that Dan was inducted into the Gymnastics Hall of Fame! I honestly can’t think of anybody more deserving of that honor. It’s hard to pinpoint just one good memory. Practicing 20 to 30 hours a week for years on end sometimes meant that I spent more time with my gymnastics family than my real family. In a sense, Dan became like my second dad and my teammates like my sisters.

One of my absolute favorite memories was my senior year state championships. It was my very last state competition ever and one of my last meets with my Sunrays family. We had worked so hard throughout the entire season for this moment. We went into the competition fierce and we edged out the competition and got first place. The best part was that none of us knew that we’d won until it was actually announced during awards, not even the coaches. Usually in meets we’d have a pretty good sense of where we stood, but this meet was close and I remember thinking we’d actually lost. When they announced us as the state champions and we stood on the podium with our trophy and huge banner, it was such a surreal feeling.

Dan is just an incredible coach who really cares so deeply for us as gymnasts and as people. Even the ordinary days in the gym for practice hold great memories, whether it was playing team games or quick history lessons or having everybody poke fun at each other all day.

Camille: I’ve been coached by Dan

one of these six gymnasts competing, and when you have the opportunity to do so, the entire team is depending on you to perform at your absolute best. Each day in the gym we are pushing each other to be better than before. We all put in so much work in the gym every single day and our bond is like no other, and there is no better feeling than hitting a routine

gymnast is looking at all the accomplishments I have made and being excited for the future. Enjoying the little things such as learning a new skill and being excited for my future college gymnastics career gives me motivation. I also am driven by my teammates around me who share a lot of the same goals as I do, and their energy is contagious. JN

Chloe Vitoff, left, and Camille Vitoff have both been granted college gymnastic scholarships.

CALENDAR

Featured event

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Post Shabbat film screening: After a Shabbat service at a north Scottsdale location, Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association will show the film “Watermarks: The Jewish Swimming Champions Who Defied Hitler.” The film showcases the legendary Jewish women swimmers of the Vienna Sports Club (Hakoah). Its women’s swim team virtually dominated national competitions in the 1930s. The film is an uplifting story of survival and friendship. Dues are $60 per year. For more information, contact Andrea: 480-664-8847.

Events

AUG. 15-18

Heart 2 Heart 2019: Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, 6333 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Heart 2 Heart AZ is working in partnership with local and national organizations to bring together Jewish singles across the country in honor of Tu B’Av. The weekend will consist of social events and learning sessions. Full weekend, single day and single event pass options available. More information at heart2heartaz.com

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. evjcc.org or 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, JULY 18

Federation Pride Happy Hour: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Kobalt, 3110 N. Central Ave, Phoenix. Federation Pride, an organization recently launched by The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, will host a happy hour at the karaoke bar, Kobalt. Learn more at jewishphoenix.org/event/ federation-pride-happy-hour

THURSDAY, AUG. 1

Open Beit Midrash class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The Life and Tragedy of King David, taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free, but registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Talmudic Heroes: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Rabbi Akiva, Part 1. Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc. org/open-beit-midrash

Walking Through History: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Sephardic Jewish History: Hasdai Ibn Shaprut. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc.org/ open-beit-midrash

THURSDAY, AUG. 8

Open Beit Midrash class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The Life and Tragedy of King David, taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free, but registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Talmudic Heroes: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Rabbi Akiva, Part 2. 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 Laibel Blotner of Chabad of Mesa. Topic: Myths and Facts of Judaism. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14

Duet Volunteer Orientation August 2019: 5-7:30 p.m., Duet, 10000 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix. Orientation for volunteers to provide services to home bound adults. Bring drivers license for ID. A Level 1 Fingerprint clearance is required to volunteer. Instructions and information for obtaining this will be provided at orientation. Cost is $73 which can be reimbursed by Duet after 6 months of active volunteering. RSVP at 602-274-5022.

TUESDAY, AUG. 20

Terrific Tuesdays: 10-11:30 a.m. East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. $4 suggested donation. Contact adrian@ evjcc.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 22

Open Beit Midrash class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The Life and Tragedy of King David, taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free, but registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Talmudic Heroes: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Elisha Ben Abuyah. Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Speaker Series: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Marty Haberer, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Topic: The American Jewish Experience. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: vjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

TUESDAY, AUG. 27

Spirituality @ the EVJCC: 10-11:30 a.m. East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Class led by Phyllis Avalon Rosh, Ph.D. Topic: How to Deal with Difficult People. Terrific Tuesdays. $4 suggested donation. Contact adrian@evjcc.org

THURSDAY, AUG. 29

Open Beit Midrash class: 9 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The Life and Tragedy of King David, taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Free, but registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Talmudic Heroes: 10 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Taught by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Topic: Rabban Gamaliel. Cost: $14. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Speaker Series: 11 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Speaker: Lawrence Bell, Ph.D., executive director of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. Cost: $14, includes kosher lunch. Registration required: evjcc.org/open-beit-midrash

Wellness

SUNDAY, JULY 14

Healing Handiwork: 1-4 p.m., at a private location. No charge. Contact Nona at nona. siegel@gmail.com or 602-326-8851.

MONDAY, JULY 15

Living through Loss: 4:30–6 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. No charge, but donations are welcome. More information at templechai.com

MONDAY, JULY 15

Breast Cancer Support Group: 6:30 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month. Supporting Jewish women in their journey through all stages of breast cancer, including treatment, recovery and the physical and spiritual challenges along the way. For questions or to rsvp, contact Jessica Knight at jessicabcgroup@ outlook.com or 202-359-6835.

JULY 16, 23 AND 30

Hope for Today: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Spiritual program of recovery for those who suffer from the debilitating effects of chronic pain and chronic illness, based on the Twelve Steps of AA. No charge. Contact: cpa-az@cox.net

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

JACS: Support Group for Jewish Alcoholics, Addicts, and their Friends and Family: 7:30 p.m., Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. No charge. Call the Shalom Center for more information or email jacsarizona@gmail.com

MONDAY, JULY 22

Caring for our Loved Ones: 7 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. No charge, but donations welcomed. Group meets once a month during the summer months. More information at templechai.com

Family

MAY 28 - 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 playing games, making art, music, sensory play, scientific discovery, cooking and exciting weekly themes. Your child will be engaged in developmentally appropriate activities in an NAEYC Accredited program, and cared for by expert staff. Day Camp Rimon Katan is for those aged: 2-yearold through pre-kindergarten. Register at camp@evjcc.org

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 17, 24 & 31

PJ by the Pool: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Children under the age of three are invited for stories and songs with PJ Library. Also available are the facility’s splash pad and cold treats. 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

Seniors

TUESDAYS, JULY 16, 23 & 30

Sit & Knit: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Share the pleasure of knitting and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We’ll teach you. No reservations required. 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 Micah Caplan prior to Saturdaymorning services. A light breakfast will be served. For more information visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

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.

PHOTO VIA WIKIPEDIA.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Musical Shabbat: 6 p.m., Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. It’s Or Tzion’s inspiring Shabbat in the Round! This unique service features congregation musicians on a variety of instruments, singing harmonies and adding depth and kavanah to Friday night worship.

FRIDAY, AUG. 9

Sun Lakes Congregation Twilight Services: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, 9240 E. Sun Lakes N. Blvd., Sun Lakes. Twilight services are shorter, informal services that are open to everyone. For more information and membership inquiries, please contact Bety Dar, 480-882-9022.

FRIDAY, AUG. 16

Post Shabbat film screening: After a Shabbat service at a north Scottsdale location, Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association will screen the film “Welcome to Kutsher’s: The Last Catskill Resort.” Kutsher’s Country Club was the last surviving Jewish resort in the Catskills. One of the legendary Borscht Belt hotels during its heyday, Kutsher’s was family-owned and operated for over 100 years until its sale and demolition in 2014. Dues are $60 per year. For more information, contact Andrea: 480-664-8847.

Arts

TUESDAY, AUG. 13

Museum @ the EVJCC: 10-11:30 a.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Topic: Visions of the Southwest, the Art of Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Speaker: Phoenix Art Museum docent Rebecca Albrecht. Terrific Tuesdays. $4 suggested donation. Contact adrian@ evjcc.org

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 depicting the brutal atrocities committed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Free exhibit. For more information visit azjhs.org or call (602) 241-7870.

Scout’s honor

Happiest place on earth

Out of the park

Music time

campers spent a week

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC

Erez Kessler, the summer music specialist at the East Valley JCC’s Camp Rimon, sings songs with a group of campers.

PHOTO BY LEISAH WOLDOFF

Jewish baseball player Joc Pederson plays for the LA Dodgers against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 26.

PHOTO BY JOEL ZOLONDEK

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIZONA FRIENDS OF ISRAEL SCOUTS Israel scouts entertain the audience at Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City on June 23.

Baby crazy

SHARE YOUR ENGAGEMENT, WEDDING, BIRTH, BAR/BAT-MITZVAH ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY OTHER SIMCHA ON BOTH JEWISHAZ.COM AND THE WEEKLY JEWISH NEWS ... FOR FREE JEWISHAZ.COM

Judith (Judi) Levine Itzkowitz, 72, born in Brooklyn, New York, passed away on June 9, 2019. Judi had a multifaceted career, earning a master’s degree in education at Long Island University in New York. Judi taught in New York and was recognized as a top-notch teacher at some of the most challenging schools in the NYC public school system. After moving to Arizona, Judi also taught in Arizona schools, including the former Valley Jewish Day School.

Judi relocated to Florida to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she earned her master’s degree in social work, doing her internship at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Judi then returned to Phoenix and began a new career as a social worker with Hospice of the Valley. Judi was a much beloved social worker for HOV for many years until her retirement several years ago.

Judi was charitable, kind, a natural nurturer and fantastic cook, among many other wonderful traits.

Judi is survived by her beloved husband, Samuel Itzkowitz; her brother, Edward Levine (Rosalie); sisters Marcia Mallin (Robert) and Wendy Gilbert (Michael); as well as eight nephews, who would always say, “Aunt Jude is the greatest aunt on the planet.”

She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Donations can be made in Judy’s memory to: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Building 2, Phoenix, AZ 95014 or to HOV.org.

It is with great sadness we announce that Arnold M. Horwitch died peacefully on June 17, 2019, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Arnold M. Horwitch was born on March 20, 1930, to Albert and Celia Horwitch z”l. He grew up in Chicago and attended Nettelhorst Elementary School. He was very intelligent and entered the University of Chicago at the age of 14 and received his Bachelor of Arts. He did graduate studies at Lowell Textile School (now Lowell Technological Institute) in Massachusetts.

He married Elaine Sweet z”l in Chicago. They moved to Phoenix in 1955. They had five children: Mark, Carrie, Mindi, Deena and Wendy. Elaine passed away in 1991. Arnold met Penny and they married in 1997.

Arnie was vice president of B.E.A.M. Corporation, which manufactured ladies’ lingerie under the Deena lingerie label. Given his lifelong love of learning and education, he entered a Ph.D. program and became a professor of humanities at Arizona State University. He spent over 10 years at ASU and continued teaching at various colleges after leaving the university.

Philanthropy and Judaism were important to him. He contributed his time, expertise and resources to many charitable organizations, including the Phoenix Jewish Community Center, Congregation Beth El and Congregation Har Zion, the Santa Fe Opera, the University of Chicago and others. He was also a member of several planning committees for the city of Phoenix, city of Scottsdale and the Jewish community. He made sure the Creation mosaics were able to be transferred to the new Scottsdale Jewish Community Center, where they decorate the Olympic pool area. His biggest and most important legacy is his family.

He was preceded in death by Elaine Horwitch, Albert and Celia Horwitch, Burton Horwitch and Michael Horwitch.

He is survived by his wife Penny; children Mark Horwitch (Barbara), Carrie Horwitch (Michael de Haan), Mindi Horwitch, Deena Semler and Wendy Horwitch; stepchildren Lohren Green (Eva), Adam Saidel (Laura) and Meredith Roach (Chris); grandchildren Ashley Semler, Allison Semler, Maxwell Semler, Zachary Horwitch, Hannah Horwitch, Laszlo Green, Simone Green, Emory Roach and Annaliese Roach; and brother Elliott Horwitch (Adrienne).

Donations in memory of Arnold Horwitch can be made to the University of Chicago’s Division of the Humanities to support students in the department of philosophy. Gifts may be made online at giving.uchicago.edu or sent via mail to: Division of the Humanities, University of Chicago, 5235 S. Harper Court, Seventh Fl., Chicago, IL 60615, or to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 202, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 or directed to jcfphoenix.org/donors-making-a-difference

It is with the saddest of hearts that we share the passing of Joshua Adam Richter on June 23, 2019.

Joshua was born on March 1, 1969, to Francine Richter and the late Michael Richter. He was the brother of Rachel (Elliot) Rabinovich and the uncle of Jacob.

Josh was born in the Philadelphia area and raised both in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Ra’anana, Israel. He graduated from Temple University and was a proud member of AEPi.

Josh loved all sports but his passion was golf and specifically anything that had to do with Tiger Woods. Josh lived long enough to see Tiger’s comeback to win the Masters as well as his beloved Eagles win the Superbowl. Josh’s other love was writing. Reading his journal has enabled us to understand Josh’s lifelong struggle with depression and anxiety.

Donations in memory of Joshua Richter can be made to either two organizations: The First Tee of Phoenix in support of their First Tee DRIVE program, introducing the game of golf scholarships. Gifts can be made by phone 602-305-7655, online at thefirstteephoenix.org/donate (please use the notes section to indicate in memory of Josh Richter) or sent via U.S. mail to The First Tee of Phoenix, 3837 E. Wier Ave., Suite 7, Phoenix, AZ 85040. Gifts may also be made to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 202, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 or online at jcfphoenix.org/givenow.

After observing shiva in Scottsdale, his mother and sister will travel to their hometown of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to participate in a memorial with Josh’s family and friends on Sunday, July 14, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Babies of the Bureau of Jewish Educations’ Baby University, a program to train expectant parents about newborn care, at the 63rd annual Baby University class reunion. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUREAU OF JEWISH EDUCATION

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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

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

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Jewish organizations keep prisoners from being forgotten