Jewish News, March 19, 2021

Jane Fonda speaks at NCJW AZ gala

Festival of freedom: Families from around the country share traditions that make Passover special

Celebrated at home, Passover, perhaps more than any other Jewish holiday, provides space for families to create their own customs and rituals.

A Moroccan family may pour wine into a bucket to mark the 10 plagues. A Brazilian family might bake Passover dishes with yuca flour. And then, if their descendants immigrate to the United States, they might bring those traditions with them.

Families from across the country shared their Passover customs and recipes and the stories behind them.

Brazilian-style baking for Passover

SHANNON LEVITT | MANAGING EDITOR

Describing herself as Afro-Latina, Brazilian and Jewish, LT Ladino Bryson of Tempe values her heritage and wants to ensure that her sons do, too.

“Continuity is so important,” she said. “You learn from your past and create your own traditions to pass down. But I want them to understand their legacy, and it’s a fight to do that.”

Her sons, 6 feet 4 inches tall and Black, “are going to be different no matter where they go,” she said. Anything she can do to help them “stay close to their roots

Hillel faces dual challenges of COVID-19 and anti-Semitism

Often synonymous with Jewish life on campus, Hillel has been a gathering point for Jewish students across hundreds of campuses in the United States for decades. The past year tested the organization like never before, as it confronted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic along with a rise in anti-Semitism.

CEO of Hillel International, Adam Lehman said the pandemic has forced Hillel to rethink its programming and the services it offers both to adapt to the new reality of remote learning and to provide for the well-being, both physically and mentally, of the young adults it serves.

“We have really used the challenges of the pandemic, which were many, to reinvent our work and to rethink what it means to be there for students,” Lehman said.

Hillels in Arizona have worked to meet the challenges of the past year.

Debbie Yunker Kail, executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University, said the organization had to pivot its mission during the pandemic to focus on social services.

“We still tried to have the underlying Jewish education,” she said, but the primary focus has been ensuring students’ basic needs are met with

and feel special about it,” is worthwhile.

And Passover represents the perfect time to reflect on the past and connect with family traditions. Just smelling the pão de queijo, cheese puff balls, invokes memories of Passovers filled with bits and pieces of Brazilian traditions.

She laughs remembering the first time her family shared a seder with an Ashkenazi family where chicken was served. Growing up Sephardic, her sons had never experienced a seder meal without roast lamb. They were not fans, she said, and feels pretty confident that once they’re married with families of their own, lamb will remain a staple. But it’s the specifically Brazilian favorites she hopes they’ll keep baking, always remembering “Mama did it best.”

Brazilians have it a little easier during the holiday when it comes to baking, she said. Yuca flour is common in Brazil given that it comes from the storage roots of the cassava plant, a native species. Pão de queijo is light and fluffy — “this round

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Mix all ingredients with a blender or food processor until smooth. The resulting batter should be sticky.

Use a tablespoon to separate the dough and roll it into balls. Put them into baking cups or a muffin tin.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the balls become puffy and just lightly browned.

Remove from oven and let cool before removing them from the tin and eating.

Serve during the seder and at any time during Passover.

Yemenite soup for the seder

SOPHIE PANZER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When Ronen Koresh was growing up in Israel, gathering for the Passover seder with his large extended Yemenite Jewish family was an exciting occasion.

“We would get together at my grandparents’ and family would join in from everywhere, and it was huge,” said the choreographer and owner of Koresh Dance Co. in Philadelphia.

Koresh said his grandparents followed traditions closely, from reclining on pillows throughout the meal to making sure the Haggadah was read in its entirety.

It was a long time for a small boy to wait for the festive meal, but it was worth it when his relatives brought out the food. In addition to symbolic Passover dishes like matzah, Yemenite soup was a seder table staple.

turmeric and saffron.

“So back then, actually, for my mom and my grandmother, and the family members who cooked, everything was made by hand,” he said. “So they were crushing spice, they had a special rock and they blended it themselves.”

Yemenite soup is usually served with flatbread, but diners crumble matzah into

2021 Phoenix Jewish News Print Dates

Serves 4

1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)

Kosher salt

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons hawaij, plus more for serving

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, sliced

4 garlic cloves, sliced

2 quarts chicken stock

12 baby Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled

1 bunch ramps or scallions, sliced

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1½ cups milk

3 cups tapioca flour (Yuca flour)

2 cups grated Parmesan, cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

“A soup, in the Yemenite tradition, is pretty much a full meal,” Koresh said. “It’s either beef or chicken, and primarily what makes it so special is the spices.”

His mother and grandmother cooked the dish with hawaij, a blend of ground spices including black pepper, cumin,

Slice the chicken breasts from the bone and discard the skin; reserve the bones. Season the breast meat generously on both sides with salt and 1 teaspoon of the hawaij, put it on a plate, and refrigerate. Remove the drumsticks, thighs and wings from the carcass.

Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently,

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a support system that she dubbed “a community of care.”

“All of a sudden, students were just at home and isolated for an indefinite amount of time,” she said. “Making sure students knew we were here for them, just like blanket support, was the most important priority. From that we would identify what other needs they had, like Jewish needs, community connection needs or food.”

Last Passover, some students wanted kosher Passover food but didn’t know how to get it. Yunker Kail and her team connected students with resources and navigated logistics to make deliveries.

Michelle Blumenberg, executive director of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, said the pandemic didn’t change the organization’s mission, but did make it harder to execute. Meeting new students, for example, has been a challenge. There’s no casual bumping into students, or catching a bystander’s attention while holding a public event. Virtual introductions require extra effort for students because it’s all written communication.

“If you send a text, or you send an email, or you send a Facebook message, or you send a smoke signal, they have to respond,” she said, while spontaneous in-person encounters are simpler.

Northern Arizona University’s Hillel also faced challenges. The group held interactive Zoom meetings every other week last fall, but this spring the NAU group is taking a “quiet approach,” said Laura Taylor, adviser for the group. “We are hopeful that we can ramp things up again — and gather in person — during the coming academic year.”

Hillel at ASU’s in-person Shabbat dinners, seders, holiday meals and events abruptly ended.

“The realization of what COVID was came about during ASU’s spring break last year. A lot of students left for spring break and just never came back, or came back just to get their stuff,” Yunker Kail said. “At first I put the building on lockdown. No one was allowed in at all, except for me.”

Yunker Kail and Blumenberg said the transition to remote operations was immediate, and Yunker Kail noted Hillel International provided a lot of support to local directors.

“They very quickly had a whole arm for helping navigate the PPP and support around managing this,” she said, referring to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offered forgivable loans to businesses and nonprofits.

Both Hillels put together an option for students to pick up prepared meals in place of group dinners, but the hiatus of in-person gatherings contributed to an enormous amount of isolation for students.

A lot of students feel lonely, isolated, confused, frustrated and a sense of loss, said Yunker Kail. “Most of these students didn’t

lot more intentional in our work,” she said. “We had to find an alternative way to build a community in a virtual setting.”

In her view, students have generally been grateful for the support and the community interactions Hillel has been able to provide, especially those who moved back home with their parents and don’t have many outlets to socialize.

Yunker Kail has continued providing social interactions and community gatherings online and checking in with students regularly. Blumenberg also said she is doing her best to provide community and oneon-one interactions for students, as well as checking in. Students reach out to her and her team as well.

But the pandemic’s transformation of campus life hasn’t been the only challenge. Several universities saw an uptick in faculty and students engaging in anti-Zionist behavior and activity and outright antiSemitic impulses over the past year.

“It really is sad and unfortunate that anti-Semitism has actually increased during this period, rather than decreased, but that is the reality we’re facing,” said Lehman.

Yunker Kail said there has been a “dramatic rise” in anti-Semitism on ASU’s campus. Last August, posters featuring “Hitler was right,” “unity of our blood” and other anti-Semitic comments were found on ASU’s campus for the second time in less than a year.

Glubochansky also noted there was a Zoom bombing, where people joined a Zoom event for Jewish students and took the opportunity to deride Jews and make anti-Semitic slurs.

Hillel International measured 178 antiSemitic incidents on the North American campuses it serves — an all-time high — even though some campuses were closed due to the pandemic.

“The administration is in the best position to rein in rogue faculty members

the associate vice provost of diversity and inclusion to add training for recognizing and confronting anti-Semitism for faculty, staff and students, and Hillel at ASU hosted an event focused on anti-Semitism on campus last month.

With vaccinations increasing and COVID19 cases continuing their nationwide decline, many see the end of the pandemic in sight and hope for a return to normal campus life next fall.

Yet in a year with challenges ranging from concerns over physical and mental health to upticks in anti-Semitism, Hillel’s leadership said that while they expect things eventually to return to normal, there have been a number of lessons they believe they will carry forward post-pandemic.

Lehman said that in the past, many times Hillel would only see students a handful of times each semester, but now it’s seeing students return for online programming dozens of times.

“When the pandemic first hit, we engaged more students than Hillel had ever before — more than 140,000 students globally and more than 50,000 students in really deep and immersive ways,” he said.

“Hillel is often the primary organization available for them on campus, and because of that, we’re working hard to come up with programs and opportunities that are meaningful for them.”

One of the biggest takeaways from the pandemic will be the continued focus on smaller group programming and mentalhealth outlets for students.

“A continued growth in interest in cohort programs shows that community is critical to their own health, well-being and happiness,” he said. “We will be offering that more and more — opportunities for students to engage in smaller groups, whatever their interests are, and from a place of Jewish community and Jewish wisdom.” JN

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until the onion begins to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock and the chicken pieces (except for the reserved breast meat), breast bones and carcass. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.

Lower the heat to a simmer and add 1 tablespoon of the hawaij. Simmer for about 45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

Transfer the thighs and drumsticks to a plate, cover and refrigerate. Simmer the soup for another 2 hours.

Pour the soup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean soup pot; discard the solids. Place the pot over medium heat and add the reserved chicken thighs and drumsticks, along with the potatoes and the remaining teaspoon of hawaij. Bring it to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Add the reserved chicken breasts and ramps or scallions and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Remove the chicken breasts from the soup and gently pull the meat apart using two forks. Season the broth with salt and more hawaij if you like.

To serve, transfer the chicken thighs and drumsticks and potatoes to a platter. Divide the shredded chicken and ramps or scallions among four soup bowls, ladle in the broth and serve with the platter of chicken and potatoes.

A celebration that survived the Soviet Union

SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOLM | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Polina Mirskiy’s early Passover memories are of smuggling matzah.

In communist Moldova, a country that had been part of the Soviet Union when Mirskiy was a child, Jewish people weren’t allowed to practice their religion. She and her family quietly celebrated a version of the holiday. They didn’t have elaborate seders complete with rituals, but they would have a special dinner with her grandparents, and they would have matzah.

“Everything was hidden,” said Mirskiy, the owner of Amber Room Day Spa in Pikesville, Maryland. “It was everything quietly, but overall, that matzah, we all remember crunching it and having it there.”

Mirskiy’s father would bring flour to a synagogue in Kishinev, the capital of Moldova, where they would bake matzah. They would then pile boxes of it into their car and drive six hours to Ukraine, where Mirskiy’s paternal grandparents lived.

Her grandmother would do a lot of cooking with the matzah. One of her recipes was matzah babka, a versatile Eastern European dish similar to matzah brei.

It’s a dish that Mirskiy still makes for Passover, which she now celebrates with her family in Owings Mills, Maryland. She lives with her husband, Denis, whose family is from Belarus, and their three children, Michael, Jessica and Alex. Her children lead the seder for the family and teach her and her husband the Passover traditions, and she brings her family’s recipes.

“It brings the generations together,” Mirskiy said.

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Through stories, the Shema Circle connects, heals

LEISAH WOLDOFF | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After her brother unexpectedly died at age 56 in September 2019, Helene Harty Miracle struggled to deal with her grief. She quickly had to shift gears to take over his business responsibilities and meet the needs of his employees. At the same time, the single mom was also about to become an empty nester — her daughter was heading out of state for college.

“My life was going to be extremely different,” she said. “I knew I needed support.”

Although she didn’t find the type of support she sought at that time, she later reached out to the clergy at her synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, about creating a safe, open and non-judgmental space for members to support each other during times of grief.

This past January, her vision came to fruition with the launch of the Shema Circle, a supportive group for CBI members who are experiencing life transitions, losses and other difficult moments.

The group was established through The Matthew B. Harty Family Foundation, Inc., named after Miracle’s brother, in partnership with CBI Cares, a member volunteer program that is part of the synagogue’s Hilton Family Welcome Home Project.

The initial cohort, made up of six women in their 60s and older, met Jan. 8-Feb. 26. A second session began March 5.

The program, led by CBI’s Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin and member Amy Heims, a chaplain at Banner University, provides a place for participants to share their stories and wisdom as they connect and heal.

Having this type of program is especially timely now “as we’re all going through this pandemic,” said Mason-Barkin. Whether people are going through the specific struggle related to the loss

of a loved one or struggles related to the pressures of the pandemic, such as isolation or trauma, creating a space within the community dedicated to moving through that pain can “be something that brings our community closer together through the sharing of stories,” she said. “We’re trying to deepen connections within our community.”

The loss of a loved one, challenges related to aging, being an empty nester and infertility are examples of the experiences that members share, MasonBarkin said.

The group, which meets weekly on Zoom for an hour and 15 minutes, begins with a short meditation designed to help transition participants from whatever else they were doing that morning into the emotional space created by the group, said Heims. That practice is especially important when connecting over technology, she said. Next is an opening prayer, followed by a reflection on a specific topic based on Jewish themes, a time for sharing and the introduction of the following week’s topic to reflect on over the week and

discuss at the next meeting.

It’s not therapy or a formal support group led by a therapist, Heims explained, but it’s like “a community within a community,” with everyone there for each other and learning from each other and sharing their stories.

“As Jews, storytelling is central to our identity,” reads a description of the program in a recent temple bulletin. “The Shema Circle offers a place to tell our stories, to make sense of our lives through our tragedies, loneliness, joy and change.”

“We are our stories,” Heims said. “What brings us together and creates bonds is listening to each others’ stories and telling our stories.”

Mona Jamison, a member of the pilot cohort, is very appreciative that she was part of the program.

“The benefits to me were numerous,” said Jamison, a winter visitor from Montana who has been a CBI member for nearly five years. After her husband of 50 years died in May 2020, she wasn’t interested in attending a support group, but when she learned that CBI was forming the Shema Circle, she signed up.

“I’m really grateful that the support came from the temple,” she said.

Many of the women in the group have lost someone close to them and it was helpful to hear how they dealt with the grief, Jamison said, and it gave “me comfort in the knowledge of not being alone on this journey.”

Although Miracle’s original vision included having the group meet in person at CBI, the fact that the group met over Zoom instead didn’t hinder the experience at all, Jamison said, because it still felt intimate due to the group’s small size — the women could see everyone on one screen.

Although their formal meetings with the Shema Circle have come to an end, members of the first cohort plan to continue monthly virtual meetings on their own, said Miracle, who witnessed firsthand the bonds that were formed.

“You could see the growth as the women gained confidence in sharing their feelings,” she said. “You build a bond.” JN

Leisah Woldoff is a freelance writer based in Phoenix.

Helene Harty Miracle with a photo of her brother Matthew B. Harty, who died in September 2019.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HELENE HARTY MIRACLE

Helene Harty Miracle presents a check to Rabbi Sara Mason-Baskin of Congregation Beth Israel from the Matthew B. Harty Family Foundation for the establishment of the Shema Circle.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RABBI SARA MASON-BASKIN

NCJW AZ’s virtual gala highlights advocacy for sex abuse survivors, social justice

SHANNON LEVITT | MANAGING EDITOR

Veronica Clark spent years feeling that her body didn’t really belong to her. “Anybody who wanted to touch me, could touch me,” Clark said, describing her story of sexual abuse for “Power and Persistence: Making Our Voices Heard,” the National Council of Jewish Women of Arizona’s virtual advocacy gala on March 7, 2021.

The first segment of the organization’s annual fundraiser focused on Ruth Place, which will be the state’s first trauma recovery center for survivors of sexual assault and exploitation. Survivors want to feel worthy, and that’s the impetus for the new center, said Civa Tamarkin, president of NCJW AZ.

“Current rape crisis centers focus on reporting, rape kits and prosecuting the crimes,” Tamarkin said. “Most survivors of sexual assault want to get on with their lives, but it’s difficult to navigate the mental health system.” Ruth Place will offer one-onone therapy, a social network for survivors and a mentorship program for immediate crisis intervention.

After years of sexual abuse at the hands of family members, Clark wasn’t sure where to turn. As an adult, the abuse haunted all of her relationships and led to further abuse. She kept her shame to herself. “It was a lonely journey for a long time,” she said.

Clark and Candace Adams, another sexual abuse survivor, shared their personal stories and told attendees how consequential a center like Ruth Place would be. Clark surmised that if Ruth Place, or something like it, had existed when she was younger, “it might have helped me realize that I had a lot to offer and discover who I was a lot sooner.” Everyone’s story is different, she said. But everyone needs people who are going to care and help.

Clark met Tamarkin through Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. When Tamarkin explained her intention to build Ruth Place, Clark knew it was the right project for her to get involved in. She had held back when she was approached by a few other organizations working on sexual abuse issues. “I don’t want to share my story with just anybody,” she said. Her father is Jewish and she went to Hebrew school, and she feels confident the Jewish community can bring integrity to the issue. Educating the community is going to take longer than an hour, she said, but the gala’s introduction was very effective. “The fact that the Jewish community is getting behind this issue and saying it has to stop — it’s big,” she said. “It will help get people’s attention who might otherwise turn away.”

The master of ceremonies, Jason Alpert of Alpert Enterprises, used several minutes to appeal to the audience for donations to Ruth Place. It didn’t take long to surpass the $25,000 goal. The gala was a kickstart to the development of a capital campaign, and Tamarkin is hoping to break ground in the next 18-24 months.

Clark was thrilled to see so many people contribute to a cause that is “in her heart.” She thought Tamarkin’s introduction was especially poignant. “Civia did a fantastic job of communicating,” she said. “I could feel her passion for Ruth Place coming through.”

Ruth Place wasn’t the only item on the evening’s agenda. In her introductory remarks, Tamarkin reminded viewers that NCJW has been present in Arizona for 100 years and helped to establish Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Its agenda and priorities — access to reproductive health care, women’s rights and voting rights — are the same, she said, but now the organization has a new focus on advocacy. It is rallying opposition to state bills that would restrict voting rights, abortion rights, discriminate against transgender girls in sports and more, she said.

Pat Mitchell, founder and editorial director of TEDWoman and author of “Becoming a Dangerous Woman,” was the gala’s featured speaker. Mitchell talked about the need for women to work together to solve problems. It’s especially important for older women, she said, “to come off the sidelines” and get involved in the fight for social change.

“We never retire — we rewire,” Mitchell said. “Older women can be the most powerful and therefore dangerous force for positive change.” As with her book’s title, she uses the word “dangerous” to describe someone who refuses to be ignored.

There was also a moment of celebrity when Jane Fonda made an appearance. After being semi-retired from activism, she got involved

again when she turned 80. She used her time at the event to highlight the need for women to join the fight against climate change, because women’s bodies are most affected by its disastrous effects, she said.

“This is the time,” Fonda said. “We have a decade. We are the last generation to decide if our children and grandchildren have a viable future.”

To end the event, which aired on the eve of International Women’s Day, three women leaders were honored with NCJW AZ’s Impact Award for protecting their communities during COVID-19.

Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix, Mayor Regina Romero of Tucson and Coral Evans, former mayor of Flagstaff, were applauded for their early actions closing bars and restaurants and issuing mask mandates once the pandemic set in. Even though they were criticized and overruled by Gov. Doug Ducey, “they continued to press the issue while Arizona became COVID capital of the world,” Tamarkin said.

The women all sent their thanks with video messages, and Gallego said that as a Jewish woman she is thrilled to receive the award. “I believe my faith teaches you are stronger when you work together,” she said, and highlighted the partnership between the three women mayors. “Thank you to my sister mayors, and we look forward to rebuilding.”

The event ended with Alpert thanking Tamarkin for her advocacy and her work on Ruth Place, which was her idea.

“The key lesson,” Tamarkin told Jewish News, “is the intersectionality of all components of social justice.” All of NCJW AZ’s work, she said, falls within a framework of reproductive justice. “By definition it’s about the human right to determine whether or not to parent and to raise children in a safe, viable, sustainable environment.” She emphasized that all the various components of social justice are interconnected.

Flint, Michigan is the perfect example, she said. The environmental water issue affected the well-being and health of the community, especially those in low income levels “as it always does,” she explained. “It all comes down to our fundamental mission: to safeguard the rights and improve the lives of women, children and families. How do you improve their lives when they can’t drink the water? It’s all so interconnected, and that is what makes NCJW so unique.”

The total amount raised for the organization, which included funds from the week-long silent auction, was $110,510. JN

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Veronica Clark spoke about surviving sexual abuse during NCJW AZ’s virtual gala on March 7, 2021. SCREENSHOT BY SHANNON LEVITT

List of local synagogues with in-person services grows

NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER

Suzanne Treviño has been watching Friday evening services online since Congregation Beth Israel stopped offering in-person services due to COVID-19.

“We’ve watched probably 90% of Shabbat services in the past year,” she said, “but it’s just not the same.”

Treviño, her husband and two kids have “desperately missed” the connection and community of in-person Shabbat services. Her 14-year-old daughter Kayla Treviño likes to sing with CBI Cantor Seth Ettinger.

“They often will do duets, and missing that music with the two of them together has been sad,” Suzanne Treviño said.

Kayla and Ettinger will be able to sing together again Friday, March 19, when CBI welcomes community members once again for in-person services.

CBI joins a growing list of local synagogues that are welcoming members back for in-person services or are planning to do so within the next month. The momentum builds as more Americans receive their vaccinations. Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to President Joe Biden’s coronavirus response team, said that one in four adults in the U.S. have received their first vaccine shot as of March 10. The Centers for Disease Control also recently released updated and more relaxed guidance for people who have been vaccinated.

CBI Rabbi Stephen Kahn said he has been “heartbroken” knowing some people’s spiritual and mental health needs have gone unmet because of the restrictions on community gatherings. “Jews like to pray in community,” he said. “We have a wonderful, loyal, dedicated crowd of families and adults who come to services every week, and they have been sitting at home.”

This is the second time CBI is giving in-person services a go since the pandemic began. The synagogue first closed its doors last March. It reopened last September for the High Holidays and continued with outside services on Friday nights until the end of October, when the seven-day moving average of percent positive test results began to rise. In response, in-person services were again suspended.

“So we continued to hold services online,” Khan said. “And once we got to the beginning of February and the numbers started to go back down into the single digits, we decided that the momentum again was shifting in the right direction.”

Friday evening Shabbat services are held outdoors in the Rosenzweig Courtyard and are limited to 30 people, not including clergy and staff. Members and guests must pre-register by 5 p.m. on the prior Thursday. Masks are required and seating is socially distanced. If the numbers go back up again, then services will be suspended again. “In

order for us to come inside, the metrics have to go even lower,” Kahn said.

For other synagogues, the resumption of indoor services is right around the corner.

Congregation Or Tzion will begin offering in-person Friday evening and Saturday morning Shabbat services indoors on April 9. “By then our clergy will be fully vaccinated,” said Executive Director Nicky Spivak. Attendees must pre-register and attendance will be capped at 25. Participants will also have to bring a completed questionnaire with them and everybody’s temperature will be checked as they enter the synagogue. Masks will be required and seating is also socially distanced.

“We are also looking into some outdoor spaces for services,” Spivak said, adding there has not yet been a decision if a Thursday morning minyan will be offered in person.

Beth El Congregation will also begin offering in-person Shabbat morning services indoors on Saturday, April 10. “Of course, we will only do this if the current data continues its trend and the availability of vaccines continues to increase in our community,” said Executive Director Alicia Moskowitz. “We will also meet with our COVID Task Force to reevaluate and finalize plans as we approach our intended date.” The congregation expects that plan to include attendance limits, pre-registration, social distancing and mask requirements.

Others, like the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, are not ready to commit to a date but are starting to plan in-person gatherings. Sun Lakes Rabbi Irwin Wiener said the congregation is considering resuming in-person services beginning with the High Holidays in September. A trial run will be held Aug. 1. Congregation Beth Emeth is also hoping to reopen services for Passover, but no firm decisions have been made yet, according to Rabbi Michelle Goldsmith and the executive board.

Temple Kol Ami has not held any in-person services since last March and is in the beginning stages of planning for limited in-person services to begin “very soon,” according to Rabbi Jeremy Schneider and Executive Director Nancy Drapin. “This will be discussed with the board at the end of March and we will have more details regarding protocols and attendee participation at that time,” they said, via email.

The synagogues that choose to reopen will join many others that have been offering in-person services for months, including Chabads of North Phoenix and Scottsdale, which have offered in-person Shabbat services since May.

Chabad of North Phoenix Rabbi Mendy Levertov said family units sit 8 feet apart and wear masks. Chabad of Scottsdale Rabbi Yossi Levertov said he and other

leaders removed chairs to accommodate social distancing and everybody wears masks. He said only 20-30% of congregants have been attending services and more are “slowly” beginning to “trickle in” as they feel comfortable with in-person gatherings.

Chabad of the East Valley began offering in-person services at the end of May. “We began offering outdoors services but have slowly been transitioning to indoor services over the last month or so,” said office manager Carolyn West on behalf of Rabbi Mendy Deitsch. “We are slowly getting back to normal in terms of the amount of people who feel comfortable returning to in-person indoor activities.” Everybody is socially distanced and wears masks.

Chabad of Phoenix began offering in-person indoor services last June, while Chabad of the West Valley began offering them last fall. Both insisted on social distancing and masks. “When feasible, we have held outdoor events,” Jennifer Willis said.

Chabad Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University began offering in-person services in September with guidance from university leadership, medical professionals and parents. “The decision was made with a lot of forethought,” said Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel. Participants are socially distanced and wear masks.

“We felt we could do it in a way that was safe, and some students really needed it. Some were feeling isolated, depressed and alone,” he said. The services are either indoors or outdoors depending on how many students attend and the weather, and all meals are outdoors. Tiechtel doesn’t see meals moving indoors for a while. It will only happen when the ASU administration, doctors and parents feel it is safe.

Congregation Beth Tefillah began offering in-person services at the High Holidays. “We have been able to offer our meaningful and inspiring services in a safe environment,” said Rabbi Pinchas Allouche. “We view our community’s prayer services and spiritual needs — and the enormous spiritual and emotional benefits those provide — to be as vital as its physical ones.”

Chabad of Mesa has also offered in-person outdoor services since just after the High Holidays last year. Seating is socially distanced and masks are required. Executive Director Rabbi Laibel Blotner doesn’t have plans to offer indoor services anytime soon, but that

could change depending on the May heat and COVID spread data.

Rabbi Michael Wasserman at The New Shul is also not in any rush to move indoors. The synagogue has been holding in-person Saturday morning Shabbat services outdoors since last October. Congregants meet masked and socially distanced on the grounds of a public school, or under ramadas in the middle of an open field.

“It has been a strange experience, but also a wonderful one,” Wasserman said. “Being outdoors gives us the beautiful view of the mountains and the opportunity to experience the changing of the seasons, which adds a new dimension to our prayer experience.” He’s hoping by the time it gets to be too hot to enjoy the outdoors it will be safe to move indoors.

Several other area synagogues are not ready to offer any in-person gatherings. Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism has not opened its doors since March. “We do not feel it is safe to resume in-person gatherings at this time,” said Susan Schesnol, the recording secretary.

Harvey Roberts, vice president of Temple Beth Emeth agreed. And Temple Emanuel of Tempe offered some outdoor in-person socially-distanced gatherings last fall, but has not repeated them since COVID cases spiked in the last few months of the year.

“Right now, guided by our values and research, we have no immediate plans to reopen our building,” said Rebecca Weinstein, Temple Emanuel’s managing director. “But we are continually looking at the numbers and hope that changes soon.”

Treviño and her family are looking forward to seeing other community members Friday, even though it won’t be the same as it was before COVID.

“Thankfully, my husband and I are both fully vaccinated and we feel very comfortable wearing our masks and being socially distanced and trying to return to a little bit of normalcy with Shabbat,” she said. JN

Benjamin Treviño, 10, appears with Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Stephen Kahn and Rabbi Mason-Barkin via livestream during the pandemic. PHOTO BY SUZANNE TREVIÑO

Jennifer Starrett’s path from introvert to influencer

NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER

Jennifer Starrett considers herself an introvert. She’s not that comfortable putting herself out there for the world to judge. Taking public stances and sharing images of herself and her family on Instagram is hard. And yet, she’s a social media influencer.

“I created Jew PHX as a way to help connect people to local Jewish life and inspire them to participate however they do Jew-ish life,” she posted recently on Instagram.

Within the past year her Instagram account, Jew PHX (pronounced “fix”), has grown to reach 2,325 followers, and introverted or not, she is getting noticed. She was one of over 150 people nominated for the 2021 People’s Choice Arizona InfluenAZer Awards and is now one of ten finalists.

Created by Lindsey Dempsey, founder and CEO of Elite Market Savvy and Arizona Influencer, the award is for the most authentic influencer in Arizona. Starrett is the only finalist focused on the Jewish community.

Starrett started Jew PHX about three years ago as a way to broaden her scope as a marketing professional, but she didn’t put much time and energy into it. She was happily employed with events consulting. But right about this time last year, all of that work dried up as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged and upended daily life.

“I really started channeling my energy and time into the blog and social media,” she said. “It’s helped me connect with different local business owners, other influencers and bloggers.”

And she’s been using those connections on behalf of the Jewish community — helping to create buzz for local Jewish businesses, highlighting those working to uplift the community and publicizing events by different Jewish organizations, such as PJ Library, which helps families build a Jewish library and organizes activities and events.

“She is amazing on Instagram,” said Marcy Lewis, PJ Library-Phoenix’s program director. “Her posts are informative, creative and fun.” Lewis likes learning about new restaurants and fun places to go on Jew PHX. The two formed a “natural partnership” a few years ago. “We both want families in Phoenix to have access to Jewish living,” Lewis said.

And while being in the spotlight doesn’t come naturally to Starrett, she put a lot of intention into building her social media footprint over the past year. “It took me a very long time to be comfortable with being the face (of the brand), like an influencer has to be,” she said.

Her first step last year was to take a month off of social media to determine how she

wanted to use Jew PHX on Instagram. She decided, for example, that she would need to create boundaries. One critical boundary is trying to stay away from her phone and social media from the time she lights candles on Shabbat until Saturday evening.

“I’ve found the time away from social media really helps me stay more connected with my intention for it,” she said.

Once she got used to the idea of putting herself out there as the brand, Jew PHX took off, she said. “People like seeing faces, so putting myself into my social media, I think is super important,” she said.

She also learned to stay true to herself.

Jew PHX is her voice and “I think people have really grown to appreciate that,” she said. If she is promoting something, for example, her followers know it is her personal recommendation.

Starrett doesn’t know who nominated her, but she was excited when she found out.

“If I am chosen as the winner, I will do my very best to represent the Jewish Phoenix community,” she said.

This is the first year of the InfluenAZer Awards.

“The popularity of becoming an Influencer is at an all time high, but it’s the authenticity of an influencer that matters most,” Dempsey said. “At Arizona Influencer, we

connect the Arizona community through creatively charged conversation and campaigns, and we wanted to celebrate the local influencers who are passionate about connecting with others through their online platforms.”

The winner of the awards will be announced in mid-April and Dempey declined to offer any insight on what the award entails. “This is a surprise!” she said. JN

To cast your vote for the 2021 People’s Choice Arizona InfluenAZer Awards, visit arizonainfluencer.com.

Jennifer Starrett and her two children participate at Temple Chai’s annual PB & Fluff event, making sandwiches for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Dec. 24, 2019. PHOTO BY ELDAD HANANYA

It is time for voting rights compromise

The underlying intent of the For the People Act, also known as H.R. 1, which was introduced by Maryland Democratic Congressman John Sarbanes, is unquestionably good. Broadly speaking, the bill proposes to expand voting rights, change campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of big money and establish new ethics rules for federal officeholders.

But while the bill passed the House, all signs point to failure in the Senate. Republicans oppose the bill, and call it a power grab. They can block the bill from proceeding to a vote with a filibuster.

What is the problem? And why is it that Democrats and Republicans can’t find common ground on basic voting rights concerns and fundamental campaign finance and ethics reform? The answer seems to be that no one is really trying. Instead, Democrats insist on piling on provisions that go well beyond the law’s purported basic purposes, and Republicans are stuck in voting rights denial and a fear of Democrat actions designed to block any possible Republican return to power. So we have another stalemate. And worthwhile legislative objectives are being ignored.

There is lots of blame to go around. Democrats are guilty of overreach. And Republicans are guilty of political doublespeak, obfuscation and paranoia.

Democrats are trying to do too much with the bill, and have added provisions that appear designed to placate their progressive wing. Thus, the inclusion of “anti-corruption measures” like the mandatory release of presidential tax

returns, regulation of inaugural committees and other provisions not directly related to voting rights serves as both a distraction and an unnecessary invitation to conflict. Similarly, the bill’s call for D.C. statehood — an issue worthy of serious consideration and support — has no place in more focused voting rights legislation.

Republicans haven’t engaged on these issues. Instead, they start from the demonstrably false premise that Democrats rigged the 2020 presidential election, and argue that the whole purpose of the legislation is to maintain Democrat power rather than enable more people to vote. Thus, Republican leaders like Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) accuse Democrats of seeking “to put a thumb on the scale in every election in America, so that Democrats can turn a temporary majority into permanent control.”

There has to be some compromise here that will enable voters to make choices in the marketplace of ideas without prejudicial restraints or conditions. Such a result would serve the interests of Republicans and Democrats.

The fundamental provisions of H.R. 1 are worthy of support. The add-ons to the bill may be worth considering, but are more appropriate for separate legislation and debate.

We urge congressional leadership to take a closer look at the issues and consider a narrower bill that would provide more confidence in the voting process. That could help lead to the elusive “unity” we all say we want to achieve. JN

Jewish War Veterans at 125

It was on March 15, 1896, on a cold day in New York City, that 63 Jewish veterans of the Civil War gathered to address the then-popular canard that Jews were not patriotic enough to serve their country. These proud veterans and other Jews who had served honorably in the war were living proof that the demeaning accusation was an antiSemitic lie.

That day, those veterans founded the Hebrew Union Veterans Association. The Spanish-American War two years later and the wars of the 20th century created new Jewish military veterans, who formed their own groups. Eventually, the various groups merged and renamed their organization.

What we know today as the Jewish War Veterans of the USA traces its lineage back to that gathering in 1896 — 125 years ago — an anniversary we celebrate this week. But even today, the organization battles the myth that Jews don’t serve in the country’s armed forces.

It also continues to fight discrimination against Jewish veterans and war dead. For example, in 2002, JWV pushed for the passage of the Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act, which resulted in 24 service members being awarded the Medal of Honor after having been initially passed over because they were Jewish.

And in a time when Jews felt less secure in this country than they do today, JWV took some unpopular yet principled positions that, as we look back, make us proud. For example,

in March 1933, after the Nazis came to power, more than 4,000 veterans marched on City Hall in New York to call for an economic boycott of Germany. And after World War II, JWV supported the Japanese American community’s efforts to seek redress for internment during the war. In 1963, JWV was a proud participant in Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march on Washington. And, in 1971, after initially supporting American involvement in Vietnam, JWV became the first veterans service organization to call for bringing the troops home.

JWV operates the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington. The organization’s posts commemorate Memorial Day and Veterans Day annually, including gatherings at the JWV memorial outside the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville.

And JWV staunchly defends the record: When Israeli Minister Tzipi Hotovely said in 2017 that American Jews “never send their children to fight … serving as soldiers, going to the Marines, going to Afghanistan, or to Iraq,” JWV set her straight, and she apologized.

Last week, JWV released a video chronicling the organization’s 125-year history. It is a tribute worth watching.

Although we pray that we will be able to avoid further war, we are grateful to all who have served our country, including, of course, our Jewish veterans. We celebrate JWV’s 125th birthday, and wish JWV continued success. JN

Jewish identity, leadership and a chance encounter

magine if a chance encounter could alter your experiences and professional pursuits permanently. Can you remember a singular moment

My chance encounter occurred at a Brandeis University alumni webinar. Paul Rockower, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix’s executive

director, was sharing his experiences of conducting public diplomacy programs across the world. He has worked with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the U.S. State Department and the JCRC. Paul’s passion for bridging communities through crosscultural programs and dedication to fighting injustices stood out as nothing less than remarkable.

I remember thinking that I should learn more about public diplomacy. So I mustered up some courage and emailed him a note for an informational interview.

Six months later I am unable to fully verbalize my gratitude for those

first serendipitous moments. Paul graciously offered me the opportunity to be JCRC’s first communications and public diplomacy fellow — a position made possible in part by a generous grant from the Molly Blank Fund. The position allowed my Jewish education and connection with the Jewish community to expand immensely.

As a local from snowy Rochester, New York — the absolute opposite side of the country — I have been fortunate enough to learn about Phoenix’s vibrant Jewish community and sociopolitical demographics, all while working

A NOTE ON OPINION

thousands of miles away because of the pandemic. Never would I have imagined having a learning experience quite like this, nor building a bond with a city that I have never physically visited.

The JCRC’s initiatives within the community can be connected by the common thread of social action advocacy. Through co-hosting webinars with the Arizona Faith Network on criminal justice reform, building new partnerships with organizations and providing rapid response to hate crimes and SEE

We are a diverse community. The views expressed in the signed opinion columns and letters to the editor published in the Jewish News are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Media or the staff of the Jewish News. Letters must respond to content published by the Jewish News and should be a maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters and op-ed submissions should be sent to editor@jewishaz.com.

Turning my back on my ugly, anti-Semitic teenage tweets

ADAM ELAYAN

hen I was a teenager six to nine years ago, I tweeted horrible anti-Semitic statements. I made generalizations about Jewish people; I promoted stereotypes about Jews; and I blamed Jewish people for bad things in my life.

Since 2017, various groups have been circulating my old tweets, which long ago ceased representing my true thoughts and feelings. One tweet was a photo of a shirt with a picture of Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled, of whom I didn’t have a good understanding.

I have never supported terrorism, but many people saw my past statements and understandably assumed the worst about me. I was advised by university administrators not to respond to the exposure of my posts, so for years, I stayed silent.

I am now publicly turning my back on those statements and sharing my path away from hate and anti-Semitism.

During my childhood, every other summer I went to Jerusalem to visit family. As I grew older and started to realize my family’s difficult circumstances, I started feeling guilty that I was living more comfortably than they. My guilt at my privilege and my anger at their living conditions left me looking for someone to blame. As a teenager, I directed my frustration at the Jewish people, posting comments on Twitter that were ugly and hateful.

WMy views changed as I matured and learned more about the world, including the complex issues in the Middle East. With education and self-reflection, I learned that I was unjustly blaming and demonizing an entire group of people. Throughout college, my experiences helped me realize how misguided my anger at the Jewish community was.

In 2015, three Muslim students were assassinated in North Carolina in an Islamophobic hate crime. Learning about people like me who were murdered because of their religion made me realize how harmful bigotry — like the kind I expressed online — could be.

One victim was Deah Barakat, a dental student organizing a trip to provide dental care to Syrian refugees. His death inspired me to become a dentist. I vowed then that if I reached my goal, I would use my training to provide care to refugees in the Middle East, regardless of their faiths, as Barakat had wanted.

During one trip to Jerusalem, I and my cousin played basketball with some Israeli teenagers whom we met in a park. We talked about our experiences, and the obstacles we each faced because our nations’ leaders have not made peace.

Everyone expressed a desire to live without fear of one another. I recognized that the hatred I voiced online had no place in the life I wanted to lead. I did not want to be consumed by anger and resentment because people like me were suffering; I wanted to take action to alleviate that suffering whenever I saw it. I removed all my tweets from my profile because I no longer supported the hateful

things that I had said in the past. A year later, my past anti-Semitic statements were collected and published online. By that time, it felt like I was reading someone else’s words. It filled me with disgust to be associated with words that I saw to be hateful and wrong. I spoke with my college and was advised not to respond to the publication. When these tweets were brought to my dental school’s attention in 2019 and 2020, I was again advised not to respond, and again I followed that advice.

I am truly sorry for the pain my words have caused. I have wanted to publicly apologize for, and disavow, my teenage tweets for years now. Perhaps I should have taken this step earlier, against the advice I received.

I recognize that the things I said years ago were hateful, and for the last six years, I have been committed to making a positive impact in my community and showing that those tweets do not represent who I am. I am someone who had misguided beliefs, who through education and self-reflection has come to recognize that those beliefs were wrong, and who is trying to lead a life that will help others.

Recently, I spoke with Hussein Aboubakr, author of "Minority of One: The Unchaining of an Arab Mind," and an educator with StandWithUs. In that autobiography, he discusses how education transformed him from an antiSemitic extremist in his youth to a vocal advocate for acceptance of Israel and the Jewish people.

His story helped me understand my situation in a broader context, where the kind of rhetoric I used against

Building hope, one person at a time

ROZ ROTHSTEIN AND HUSSEIN ABOUBAKR

s an educational organization supporting Israel and combating anti-Semitism, StandWithUs has always understood the importance of engaging audiences and individuals with meaningful and accurate information to effect positive change. Stories like that of Adam Elayan — a young man who once embraced antiSemitism and its stereotypes but has since educated himself, altered his views and spoken out against anti-Semitic bigotry — continue to give us great hope for the continued success of our efforts.

AAdam’s story emphasizes the urgency of education and its exceptional ability to make our world better. We hope that this story helps others see what we see: that combating anti-Semitism is not just about pushing away hate, but also bringing in new friends. We commend Adam for his courage, and we are thankful for his friendship.

Adam’s story comes at an uncertain time, as concerns persist within the Jewish community about the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the United States. It

Jewish people is prevalent within Arab communities, something those of us in these communities are responsible for addressing. I recognized Mr. Aboubakr’s internal struggle of learning to reject what he was taught, think critically about the hatred he once espoused and come to terms with ugly truths about who he had been.

One portion of his story truly resonated with me. After participating in a protest in Cairo, Mr. Aboubakr sought refuge in an orphanage. Seeing the distraught Mr. Aboubakr, the orphanage director told him, “Don’t live for anger, but live for love.”

That advice put into words what I felt when I realized that I no longer believed the hateful things I had once written, and instead decided to focus on improving the lives of those around me. While I still feel anger and sadness at the hardships that my community faces, I no longer live for that anger. I choose, instead, to live for the love I have for my family and my community, and to be someone who supports the people around me.

I cannot take back the horrible things that I tweeted. What I can do is make clear that they do not represent who I am today.

I can listen to, and learn from, people I harmed with those tweets. I can continue to treat all people respectfully. And I can hope that someone reading my story, who may harbor the kind of prejudice that I used to, will see that hatred towards others is a choice we make, and like me, decide to make better choices. JN

Adam Elayan is a dental student at Tufts University. This article first appeared on JNS.org.

education and personal conversations can help drive out toxic ideas and produce better understanding among people, especially with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We encourage readers to seek inspiration in Adam’s story and to view the challenges it includes as opportunities, rather than roadblocks.

is easy to fall instinctively into a protective posture and seek distance during such divisive times.

However, Adam’s narrative shows how courage, meaningful engagement,

The battle against anti-Semitism is one not against people, but against bad ideas. By providing people with the educational tools that they need to gain an accurate understanding, we allow them to fight — and replace — these bad ideas with good ones. When possible, efforts to combat

THE BATTLE AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM IS ONE NOT AGAINST PEOPLE, BUT AGAINST BAD IDEAS.

The subtleties of sacrifice

LEVITICUS

his week we begin Sefer VaYikra, the book of Leviticus where sacrifices are a central topic and theme. The nature of sacrifices and their application to our daily lives is of major import and can teach us life-altering lessons.

When I first started in the rabbinate, there was a family in my congregation whose single daughter wanted to get married. On Yom Kippur, they were advised to buy the maftir, the last person called up to the Torah on Shabbat and holiday mornings, as a segulah , a form of protection or a charm, to assist the woman in finding her husband. Unbeknownst to them, there was another congregant, who had a medical issue, and was also advised to buy the maftir that year on Yom Kippur as a segulah for healing.

Our congregation had the custom to auction off the aliyot each year to fund the synagogue’s most urgent fiscal

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anti-Semitic issues, the JCRC amplifies the Jewish community’s voice in vital issues affecting Arizona.

The JCRC’s dedication to community relations and democratic principles during the election season, in addition to combating anti-Semitism, has shown me that Jewish communal leadership can provide a sturdy foundation for the community at large during both joyous and trying times. And it has reminded community members that they are never alone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when it is easier to feel detached from one’s community, the JCRC’s outreach has never been so vital.

My fellowship facilitated a fostering of my Jewish identity far beyond what I could have predicted. It allowed me to rediscover my connection with Judaism. I grew up in a Conservative household keen on keeping the Sabbath and attending synagogue for Jewish holidays. However, I have struggled to find a connection to my Jewish identity. It became more about cultural traditions during the past few years studying at Brandeis University — typically a wonderful setting to explore Jewish identity.

Only through my JCRC fellowship has my focus on global issues converged with my connection to Judaism. The

Tneeds. As can be imagined, each side was prepared to outbid all others, and the bids were going higher and higher with no end in sight. Finally, after thinking about the other side’s needs, one of the bidders decided to split the honor and to give up their own desire to be honored alone. The woman found her husband a few months later and the person who had medical issues had a full recovery later in the year as well.

I thought about this incident a lot during this past year and reflected that when one sacrifices and gives of themself, they receive as much, if not more, than originally intended.

Korbanos, the animal sacrifices brought to the Mishkan and later to the Temple in Jerusalem, was subject to great debate throughout Jewish history. According to Maimonides, the Rambam, the world was steeped in the practice of sacrificing animals for idol worship. The desire was too strong to abolish, so when we left Egypt and received the Torah, G-d gave the Jewish people the mitzvah of korbanos, which was a proper way to sacrifice animals.

The Ramban, Nachmonides, however, felt that the mitzvah was given to the Jewish people regardless of the influence

of secular societies. When one sinned and had a spiritual lapse, bringing a korban was the method Hashem gave the Jewish people for atonement.

There is a third opinion that is less wellknown, authored by the scholar known as the Akeidas Yitzchak. He proposed that it is in a person’s nature to want to repay someone for their kindness. God gave us this opportunity to express gratitude to Him through the use of sacrifices, even though quite clearly, He does not need to be repaid. He did it for our own satisfaction and well-being.

Today, we have replaced animal sacrifices with prayer, but we still have other ways in which we sacrifice by giving of ourselves.

This past year, we as a society, and specifically as a Jewish community, faced an extremely difficult situation and responded with much sacrifice. From families that had to remain separate from each other, to synagogues that had to close their doors, to medical personnel on the front lines — with whom I’ve interacted hundreds of times throughout this past year — we have faced a situation that is truly once in a lifetime. It will define our children for many years to come. What is important as we are,

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hopefully, slowly heading out of the pandemic, is to learn how to take the lessons from the last year and apply them to our future.

VaYikra teaches us to take the lessons from this past year of forced resourcefulness, hope and optimism, and use them to keep searching for new ways to keep in touch and thrive as individuals and communities. Obviously, we never wanted COVID-19, but we can learn from it and be a part of an active team that sacrifices for each member of our larger extended family. JN

JCRC’s impact has emphasized to me how Jewish values and leadership can positively intertwine with critical discussions on global diplomacy, cultural and racial identity and legislative reform. In a pandemic that has altered so many people’s sense of security and identity,

Jewish leadership plays a vital part in greater civic governance and community relations. Especially for younger generations of Jewish leaders, social justice and mitzvot are driving forces in our decisions, careers and personal lives. It takes leadership, empathy and dedication, not only to advocate for our own personal needs, but to connect with others from different backgrounds, stand beside them on issues where we cannot directly relate personally and uplift their voices.

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hate should begin with corrective action, seeking not to punish but to heal — to connect and open new doors.

my fellowship provided me with a Jewish lens through which to analyze issues I am passionate about, as well as a foundation upon which to continue exploring my place within the Jewish community.

For that, I will always be grateful to the JCRC of Greater Phoenix.

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic and sociopolitical challenges rocking the world, strong leadership can bridge communities and provide critical support systems. The JCRC’s leadership role embodies this reality and indicates how

New generations of Jewish leaders should bring spiritual values to the challenging work we are engaged in to make a positive global impact. Whether it’s the fight for climate justice, democratic reform or combating extremism, diverse and intersectional perspectives can only help us discover and implement more comprehensive solutions. It all begins with embracing our identities, the learning opportunities we take on and the mentorship we find along the way. JN

Ilana Krill recently completed a six-month stint as the first communications and public diplomacy fellow for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix. The Communications and Public Diplomacy Fellowship program was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Molly Blank Fund.

Through our work, we see new opportunities emerging every day, which continue to fuel our hope. While Israel is making peace with its neighbors in the Middle East, American Jews are building new bridges with other communities. At StandWithUs, we continue to fight anti-Semitism actively and vigorously through educational efforts and legal tools, with the same bridge-building and door-opening goals.

In an age of rampant misinformation, our work to bring people in rather than withdraw from them has never been more urgently needed. As the world is trying to adapt to a new reality in which hate travels instantly via social media, stories like Adam’s remind us that behind every handle and every post, there is a real human being with the potential for change. JN

Roz Rothstein is the co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs. Hussein Aboubakr, a former political refugee, works for the Center of Combating AntiSemitism, a division of StandWithUs, and is a graduate student of International Affairs at George Washington University. He is the author of "Minority of One: The Unchaining of an Arab Mind." This article first appeared on JNS.com.

Rabbi Michael Dubitsky is a hospital chaplain for Jewish Family & Children’s Services and teacher at Shearim Torah High School for Girls.

Find area congregations at jewishaz.com, where you can also find our 2021 Community Directory.

PARSHAH VAYIKRA

1:1-5:26

RABBI MICHAEL DUBITSKY

MY FELLOWSHIP FACILITATED A FOSTERING OF MY JEWISH IDENTITY FAR BEYOND WHAT I COULD HAVE PREDICTED.

First person: Celebrating Passover with a special needs family

ED AND SANDI KATZ

Jared, our 41-year-old middle son, lives with us at home and is solely dependent on us for his care.

Like most Jewish parents, our goal is to raise our children to be happy and independent and to lead a Jewish life. Our oldest and youngest children and their families have that, and, while Jared was born with disabilities, we do not want him to live his life disabled.

We — like many others in this situation — have to overcome certain obstacles in order to lead a Jewish life and to celebrate all that Judaism has to offer. Jared has, for the most part, been joyfully accepted into our family and the community, but celebrating Jewish festivals is challenging, and mainstreaming isn’t an option since too much noise and large group settings overwhelm him.

Genesis teaches us that “each of us is created in the image of God.” (Genesis 1:27) That’s a lesson we take to heart.

About 35 years ago, David Pinkwasser, our rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Tempe, now emeritus, introduced us to Becca Hornstein who co-founded the Council for Jews with Special Needs. Eventually the organization would be renamed Gesher Disability Resources.

"Gesher" is the Hebrew word for “bridge,” and it is a bridge that enables us to celebrate Jewish life in a “non-shush” environment.

Gesher members interact with peers and celebrate all the observances and Jewish lifecycle events. We’ve come to know families who

share similar circumstances to ours over the years. We have made lifelong friendships — just like the experiences we had with our two neurotypical children.

Our monthly Simchat Shabbats, held at Congregation Beth Israel and at Temple Emanuel during the summer months, are especially spiritual — whether in person or on Zoom. The clergy and staff who perform these mitzvot are truly amazing people, and the gratitude we feel about being able to celebrate together is beyond words.

There is a noticeable calm in Jared when Stacy Rosenthal, who often leads the Gesher Simchat Shabbat at CBI, has him standing before the ark and our holy Torah scrolls — truly memorable moments for all present.

We take the words of Leviticus to heart: “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” (Leviticus 19) And doing something for those with disabilities is our mission at Gesher.

Amy Hummell, Gesher’s executive director, coordinates weekly virtual activities with her amazing staff. They have created a community where we socialize and celebrate Passover seders, birthdays, b’nai mitzvahs and so much more.

This is even more important to us during this pandemic since Jared can’t go to his daily program or be in a congregate setting. But when he hears voices, music and images of familiar faces, his face lights up. We look forward to the day we can all be together again.

We are preparing for Passover, which commemorates the Biblical story of Exodus and

the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is everyone’s favorite holiday because we observe it at home, gathered with family and friends, doing what the Jewish people do best: remembering and eating.

And while Jared enjoys very small family gatherings, he is unable to participate in or attend larger seders. However, we just celebrated Gesher’s annual special needs Passover seder virtually with Gesher families and others. Celebrating our individuality in a peer community was a joyful occasion. The Zoom seder — hopefully the last virtual seder — included many volunteers, Jewish groups and congregations who are a part of the Gesher community.

We all need to be aware of what we are doing to be inclusive of all abilities and remember the words in Isaiah, “For my house shall be a house of prayer for all people.” (Isaiah 56)

We are so grateful to live in Arizona where we don’t shovel snow, but we do have access to state services for disabled citizens whose parents also get excellent services. In fact, Arizona’s services are probably the best in the country. For example, there is virtually unlimited respite home care available which allows us to take breaks and vacations as needed.

We are fortunate to have Gesher — a rare organization in the country as far as I know. It supports these wonderful activities as well as Jewish group homes, education and events.

The day will come, in the not-too-distant future, where we can all be together in person again. But for now, Jewish life goes on. We have been through much worse and survived as a

people, and it is our faith and community that provides the continuity “from generation to generation” even for — and perhaps especially for — families with special needs.

We were given a broken world so that we may find purpose and find bridges to fix it. Tikkun olam is what Gesher represents. We are so grateful for last weekend’s community no-shush Gesher Model Seder and for Gesher making life so much better for parents and children with special needs. One fix at a time.

We are all different in one way or another, so remember the Mishnah’s words, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who makes people different.”

(Hilchot B’rachot 10:12)

JN

Ed Katz is an incoming member on Gesher Disability Resources’ board.

Pictured from left, Sandi, Jared and Ed Katz light

First person: Connecting on Passover in spite of the pandemic

KAROLYN BENGER

Passover is my favorite holiday. Every year I decorate the house with pictures of Egypt and Israel, paint “blood” on the door frame and create a multisensory experience to tell the Passover story. I have even been known to rewrite popular songs with Passover-themed lyrics and perform them for our guests.

In other words, I usually have a lot of fun this time of year.

Passover is an opportunity to connect with each generation and with our roots as a people. The seder, the order of the meal and the retelling of our liberation are all elements of that connection. Passover is observed more than any other Jewish holiday among American Jews, and I suspect these links are the reason.

Yet, this year we still cannot have guests, which means we cannot safely share together the joy of our relationship to our history, our people or each other.

Here we are celebrating a holiday whose sole purpose is to link our people through history and we are unable to come together in person. This feast highlights the 10 plagues, and we are stuck in the midst of a modern-day one. Passover is a festival articulating the birth of our nation, and we are forced to celebrate as individuals.

The worst part is that we’ve been doing this for a year.

Arizona began its lockdown before Passover last year and after 12 months of social distancing, the strain of the pandemic is taking its toll. Not having guests for Shabbat and Yom Tov, not hanging out at community events, Zooming into each other’s lives instead of meeting in a shared space has all caused strain.

Personally, I have never felt more alone or isolated.

So, what do we do with our second pandemic Pesach? How do we make this holiday meaningful, relevant and joyful?

I’ve toyed with a few ideas on how to conquer my sadness as this holiday approaches. I’ve even researched Passover in Cancun. (Its Chabad house is not offering meals this year — I checked.)

More seriously, I’m also seeking ways to help those in need. And there are things we can do and that need doing. By providing matzah, grape juice and meals, we can help lower

income families celebrate.

sadness of not being together for the seder, and I don’t have any answers that will make me feel better.

attitude. By thinking differently about the experience, I may be able to overcome my feelings toward it. I have to realize that it’s not the same experience and it’s not what I’m used to — but maybe that’s the point.

COVID highlighted many problems and inequalities in our society that I hope will now be addressed. I am certain a postCOVID world overall will be different from the one before it and a new normal will be established.

If I apply this same lesson to myself, I have to consider what the silver linings are in a pandemic Passover. Because there are silver linings.

Rather than hosting numerous people, I can focus on my children, listening to their thoughts and insights about the seder. Instead of exhausting myself preparing for guests, I can delight in relaxing before the holiday. I will not spend a fortune on Passover food and I will make much less of it.

That’s all good, but it doesn’t change the root cause of my frustration: I’m tired of the pandemic. I’m frustrated by the isolation. I’m angry about it being disregarded by so many, resulting in mutations and more time spent social distancing and isolating.

This pandemic has taught us some powerful lessons — if we choose to learn from them. We are all connected. We

alone; we did it together. Passover is the story of our collective redemption. It is not only a story of Moses, it is about all of us struggling together to achieve our freedom.

Passover was never meant to be celebrated in isolation. We say: “All who are hungry, come and eat.” This is a communal event.

Yes, today we are physically apart, but our connection is still deep.

We are drawn together across history, continents, over a thousand years of persecution through hope and redemption. Passover is one of many stories of our collective survival in the face of persecution. Together we are strong and we survive.

We must take that lesson to heart and remember that even though this year we are alone, next year we will be together. JN

Karolyn Benger is a student at Yeshivah Maharat and owner of KB Enterprise, a consulting firm in Phoenix specializing in social justice. She was appointed by Mayor Kate Gallego to serve on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Phoenix.

Karolyn Benger finds unusual and fun decorations for Passover.

PHOTO BY KAROLYN BENGER

Let’s get the kids involved in Passover this year

MARCY LEWIS

assover is a great opportunity for young children to get involved with the planning and preparation of the seder. While we’re still dealing with Zoom seders, here are some ideas to make the holiday fun for the whole family.

To begin, go on a family chametz search. You need a wooden spoon, a feather, a candle — or flashlight — and a paper bag.

Explain to the kids that chametz is a Hebrew word derived from the verb “to sour or ferment” and refers to any food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives that has come in contact with moisture or water and has been allowed to leaven or rise.

Don’t forget to check under the couch cushions, the car seat and your snack bags. Have the kids sweep up the wooden spoon, then dump it into the paper bag. The morning of Passover, take the bag outside and burn it. You can use the candle.

The anticipation of a Passover seder can be as much fun as the seder itself.

Your kids can create Passover place mats or place cards for the seder table.

Practice the four questions. Some children ask them in English, others in Hebrew. Some sing them. Some memorize and some read them. Even young children can learn the refrain: “ Ma nishtanah halaila hazeh mikol halailot

Take out your PJ Library books about Passover to kick off a conversation and build excitement about what children can expect. Make sure to read the flaps of the books for conversation starters, craft ideas, recipes and more.

When it’s time to start cooking, have the kids put on their PJ Library apron and help out. They can be mixers, tasters and tryers. Get their five senses going. Kids love to be involved in the kitchen, and this is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the symbolism of each item on the seder plate.

Passover gives parents an amazing opportunity to discuss feelings and emotions with their children. Ask lots of questions to get the ball rolling: Do you think the Jewish people were happy or sad? Do you think Moses was brave? Did King Pharaoh make good choices? What makes you happy or sad? When have you felt brave? Do you make good choices?

The table is set, pillows are on chairs, the chametz is burnt and now it’s time for the seder. But it’s still a long time before the gefilte fish and the Matzah ball soup. Luckily,

there are so many ways to keep the seder fun for the kiddos and meaningful for the adults. You can keep a stash of Legos or Duplos and have them create Moses in the basket, a pyramid, a frog or any of the plagues or other Passover symbols. Create puppets of Moses, King Pharaoh, Miriam or the plagues to “act out” while reading aloud. Keep your PJ Library books close by and see if they can match what is happening in the Haggadah in one of their books. Print out Passover coloring pages found on the PJ Library website.

Dinner has been served, eaten and it is almost time for sponge cake with strawberries with whipped cream and candied fruit jellies. It’s time for the afikoman hunt. The kids will look high and low for that valuable piece of hidden matzah. If they are having a hard time

adult bumps the table to make the wine move. Did you see him? What did he look like? Do you want to color a picture of what you saw?

The seder concludes with “Next year in Jerusalem.” You can now incorporate some geography into the seder. Where is Jerusalem?

Let’s get out a map (or go on Google maps) and see how far we are from there. If you have been to Israel, get out your pictures and show your family. Tell them about your experience.

If you ordered a PJ Library Passover bag, most of the items mentioned above are in your bag. If you didn’t order one, not to worry. You can find everything and so much more on the PJ Library website at pjlibrary.org/Passover. JN

Passover foods for kids

LINDA MOREL

My grandchildren get excited by the Passover story. There are good guys — our ancestors, the Hebrew slaves; and bad guys — the ancient Egyptians. There’s a cruel king called Pharaoh, who refuses to free the slaves. There’s our Moses, who says, “Let my people go.” Next, plagues are hurled down to punish Pharaoh for being obstinate.

Finally, there is salvation when Pharaoh relents and frees our ancestors. There is plenty of drama — and lessons to be learned.

This remarkable story fuels their imaginations. All goes well at seders until the brisket, tzimmes and matzah kugels come to the table.

Like typical American children, they live on macaroni and cheese, pasta, chicken fingers and French fries. They eat hamburgers, too, but only inside buns. Loaded with flour, none of these foods are appropriate Passover fare.

As the main course is served, it crushes me to see disappointment on their faces. Worse yet, this is followed by a sudden dash to the kitchen to scrounge for foods they will eat: pecans, apples, raw carrots, even slices of cheese. None of these nibbles qualify as a main course.

While the delicacies for the adults were prepared in advance, the food children eat is slapdash. It doesn’t make them feel special.

Because I’ve been as frustrated as my grandchildren,

This recipe can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated, or it can be frozen. When ready to serve, bring the chicken fingers to room temperature, and warm them in a preheated 350 degree F oven until sizzling, about 10-15 minutes.

I’ve created an alternate child-friendly menu calling for foods kids like to eat.

For fun, I serve a vegetarian charcuterie tray, loaded with child-pleasing fruits and veggies. Chicken fingers made with potato starch and oven fried potatoes are such big hits, that the adults eat them, too. At dessert, no one can resist matzah dipped in chocolate and tossed with colorful sprinkles.

Passover is as much for children as it is for adults. Where would seders be without children? Who would answer the Four Questions or find the afikomen? Call me a grandmother who spoils her grandchildren, but when dinner is served, it’s worth it to see smiles on their faces as they relish the foods I’ve made just for them.

parchment paper. While the chocolate is still warm, decorate it with colorful sprinkles.

Refrigerate the sheets for 2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm. (If you have a screened porch and the temperature is 40 degrees or below, you can cool the rectangles outdoors.) Move the rectangles to a platter, cover them with plastic wrap and keep them refrigerated for a day or two, until ready to serve.

VEGETARIAN CHARCUTERIE TRAY | PAREVE

Serves 4-6

Strawberries, cut in half

Grapes, red or green

CHICKEN FINGERS | MEAT

Yield about 16-20 chicken fingers, serves 4-6

Equipment: 3 frying pans make things go faster, if you have them

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs

3 cups potato starch

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1½ teaspoons garlic powder

3 large eggs

1 cup olive oil, or more if needed

Rinse the chicken under cold water. Dry it completely on paper towels. With a sharp knife, cut off and discard as much fat as you can. It’s impossible to remove all of the fat without cutting your fingers, so please don’t do that.

Cut the chicken thighs into strips about 1-inch wide. The strips won’t look identical. There may be some short, stumpy pieces. Use them, too. Even frozen chicken fingers vary in size and shape.

Place two layers of paper towels onto two platters.

In a bowl, preferably with a flat bottom, place the potato starch, salt and garlic powder. Mix it together well with a fork.

Crack the eggs into another bowl. Whisk to blend.

One at a time, roll the pieces of chicken into the potato starch mixture to coat, then submerge them in the eggs, and roll them again in potato starch, until completely covered. Place the chicken pieces on a dinner plate.

Pour enough olive oil into the first frying pan to cover the entire bottom, ½ -inch deep. Heat on a medium flame.

Move the chicken fingers into the oil. Sizzle them in the oil until golden brown. Using tongs, turn over the chicken fingers and fry them. If the oil sputters and is too hot, turn down the flame. Add more oil, if needed. When the chicken is fluffy and crunchy, move it to the paper towel-lined platters. Repeat with remaining pieces of chicken. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED MATZAH | DAIRY OR PAREVE

Yield: 24 pieces

1 pound semisweet chocolate, (two 8-ounce packages)

2 pieces of matzah

2 pieces of parchment paper

1 cup, or more, of multi-colored sprinkles

Note: Many brands of semisweet chocolate contain some dairy products. OH! NUTS (ohnuts.com) carries pareve kosher-for-Passover chocolate and sprinkles. Depending on which Passover chocolate you select, you may need to add a little sugar to it.

Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with 2 inches of water. Fit the top pot in position and place the chocolate inside. Cover it with the lid. (Or you can use a heatproof bowl that fits over a pot. Use foil to cover the bowl.)

Bring the water to a fast simmer and melt the chocolate. Remove the top of the double boiler from the boiling water. Bring the chocolate to room temperature, while still covered.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Break each piece of matzah into four equal strips along the perforation lines. Break each strip into 3 rectangles. Move the rectangles to a rimmed baking pan. Place rectangles in a single layer without overlapping.

Bake for 5 minutes, or until the matzah is warm but not browning. Remove it from the oven and cool it to room temperature.

Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Give the melted chocolate a stir. Submerge the matzah rectangles in chocolate on both sides, letting the excess chocolate drip back into the pot. Place the rectangles on

Cucumbers, cut in circles

Carrots, cut in circles

Apples, cut in slices

Clementine sections

Bananas, cut in circles

Cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Walnuts or pecans, toasted at 350 degrees F, and cooled

Start with an oblong tray or platter with these dimensions or close to them: 13 inches by 6 inches. Arrange the foods above, in lines parallel to the tray’s shorter side. For eye appeal, arrange foods in lines of opposing colors. For example, place a red food next to a green one.

OVEN-FRIED POTATOES | PAREVE

Serves 6

Equipment: 10-inch-by-15-inch ovenproof pan, such as Pyrex

Olive oil for coating the pan, plus ½ cup

6 large russet potatoes

Kosher salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Coat the bottom and sides of the pan with olive oil.

Peel the potatoes. Cut them into 1-inch chunks. Move them to the prepared pan. Drizzle ½ cup of olive oil over the potatoes. Gently toss to coat. Sprinkle on salt. Move the baking pan to the oven. Turn the potatoes every few minutes. Bake for 70 minutes, or until the potatoes are brown and crisp. Serve immediately. The recipe can be made two days ahead, if refrigerated, brought to room temperature and reheated at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until sizzling. JN

Linda Morel is the food columnist for Jewish Exponent, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

A new twist on Passover desserts

FRANCINE COLES

When I think of my childhood Passovers, I confess that my thoughts go to dessert. Funny how that works with me — I have such a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, those desserts were very underwhelming.

I have worked tirelessly over the years to find amazing dessert recipes that not

DELICIOUS FUDGE BROWNIES

Makes 25 squares

INGREDIENTS

2 cups light brown sugar, packed

only adhere to the kosher-for-Passover traditions, but are also so good that you’ll want to make them all year.

Take, for instance, my delicious fudge brownies. You can’t get a better-tasting brownie, if you like them dense and fudgy. I love to serve them cut into cubes and layered in a small cup with

1 cup ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter or unsalted Passover margarine, melted and cooled

3 eggs

1 tablespoon brewed coffee

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

¼ teaspoon salt

1 scant cup matzah cake meal

½ cup finely chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 F and lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.

In a bowl, mix the sugar and melted butter, then add the eggs, coffee, cocoa, salt, cake meal and toasted walnuts. Stir to combine. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, spreading with an offset spatula or spoon. Bake for 20-25 minutes and be careful not to over bake.

The brownies should be set and seem dry to the touch, but there should not be a crust around the sides.

Cool in the pan and cut into squares. Total time is 30 minutes.

MINI RASPBERRY CHEESECAKES

Makes 4 individual mini cheesecakes

INGREDIENTS

“Graham Cracker” Crust:

1 cup matzah cake meal

1 cup potato starch

¾ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

10 tablespoons unsalted butter or pareve

Passover margarine, cold

¼ cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter or pareve

Passover margarine, melted

Cheesecake:

3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

¾ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

3 large eggs

¾ cup sour cream

6 tablespoons whipping cream

1½ teaspoons Passover vanilla extract (see chef’s note)

1 pint raspberries

¼ cup apricot preserves

1 tablespoon brandy

For crust:

Preheat oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place the matzah cake meal, potato starch, brown sugar and cinnamon in a processor bowl with the metal blade. Pulse on and off until ingredients are blended. Add the butter and pulse a few more times until the butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients. Turn out onto the parchment paper. Press the mixture together to form small lumps. Place the baking sheets on the middle and lower racks in the oven. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned, switching the positions of the two sheets after 6 minutes. Let cool.

Place the lumps in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the brown sugar to the processor and pulse to blend. Add the melted butter and pulse until the dough starts to cling together.

Butter bottom and sides of 4 mini springform pans. Press the crust onto bottom and of pans. Place the mini springform pans on a baking tray and bake until set, about 15 minutes.

Cool on rack and maintain oven temperature.

For filling:

Using a mixer, beat cream cheese in bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, then salt; beat until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating

whipped cream and berries. And, then there’s my mini raspberry cheesecakes. The “graham cracker” crust tastes just like the real deal, but it's made with matzah cake meal. These are luscious and gorgeous.

I hope you enjoy these recipes, along with your Passover holiday!

well after each addition. Add sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake cakes until top begins to brown but center still moves lightly when pan is gently shaken, about 45-50 minutes. Open oven door slightly; turn oven off. Leave cakes in oven for 30 minutes. Chill overnight uncovered. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

Run small knife between pan sides and cake. Release pan sides. Decorate cake tops with raspberries.

Stir preserves and brandy in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until mixture boils. Strain preserves. Brush glaze generously over raspberries, allow some glaze to drip between berries. Can be made 4 hours ahead. Chill. Total time is 1 hour 45 minutes plus one night in the refrigerator.

Chef’s note: Regular vanilla extract isn’t kosher for Passover as it’s made from grain alcohol. It is possible to find kosherfor-Passover vanilla extract. If you can’t find it, you can substitute vanilla sugar which is available online. JN

Francine Coles is a food blogger based in Phoenix. Find more of her food insights at thefancypantskitchen. com. Subscribe for free and receive a complimentary dessert e-book, “Hey Sugar.”

PHOTOS BY FRANCINE COLES

5 Things to Know - Opportunity Zone Investing

FIRST, Opportunity Zones tax saving incentives do not necessarily make a good investment. However, good real estate, purchased at the right price, with attractive growth prospects over the long-term make great investments when paired with opportunity zone incentives.

SECOND, diversification is essential to hedge inherent market risk. Caliber believes the diversification a fund structure offers is a better investment strategy compared to private real estate investments made on a project-by-project basis. The minimum investment timeline is generally 10 years. Since the administration costs for these types of funds can be steep, it’s better to spread these costs over a larger group of assets and not be forced to make 10-year, single asset bets.

THIRD, successful Opportunity Zone investing requires an institutional investment platform combined with an entrepreneurial strategy to acquire great projects. Caliber focuses on middle market projects of $5 million - $50 million, which require creativity and imagination to make them successful, while providing a sophisticated fund administration infrastructure.

Caliber is an Arizona based alternative investment fund manager that has been around for more than a decade. Known as the “Wealth Development Company,” Caliber is driven by passion and a deep understanding of the real estate world. Its seasoned experts strive to deliver informed investment decisions based upon years of hands-on experience.

Caliber’s Opportunity Zone Fund objective is to provide investors with diversified exposure to real estate and the potential for significant tax benefits through the opportunity zone program. Caliber has a documented history of investing in mixed, discretionary private real estate funds and is recognized as a thought leader and market leader in opportunity zone investments as an early entrant in the space in 2018.

Caliber’s mission is to build wealth for and with its clients while transforming the assets and communities they touch. Caliber achieves this mission by providing well-structured residential, commercial, and hospitality real estate investments, utilizing, to the extent beneficial to the investment project, a vertically integrated business model that includes acquisitions, development, construction, asset management and disposition.

Caliber is designed to acquire, redevelop, and manage a portfolio of diversified commercial properties located in federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones. The Caliber Tax Advantaged Opportunity Zone Fund has acquired holdings in Arizona, and is targeting additional holdings in Colorado, Texas, Nevada, and Utah; Caliber believes these states have the potential to possess some of the top Qualified Opportunity Zones due to long-term population and job growth trends.

FOURTH, a solid track record of recently investing in similar projects is an essential part of investing in opportunity zones as each fund must maintain regular, active deal flow.

FIFTH, a successful exit strategy really matters when investing in an Opportunity Zone Fund. A larger fund like Caliber’s could explore a multitude of exits, including an IPO via an UPREIT or portfolio sale, as opposed to individual asset sales over time. Most of the 900 funds across the country plan to sell assets one by one, leaving potential upside on the table.

This overview is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any interests in the Caliber Tax Advantaged Opportunity Zone Fund, LP (CTAF) or any other securities. Any such offer will be made only pursuant to CTAF’s Private Placement Memorandum, as amended and restated, and other offering documents. This overview may include or be based in part on projections, valuations, estimates and other financial data supplied by third parties, which have not been verified by CaliberCos, Inc., its affiliates or CTAF. This information should not be relied upon for the purpose of investing in CTAF or for any other purpose. Any information regarding projected or estimated investment returns are estimates only and should not be considered indicative of the actual results that may be realized or predictive of the performance of CTAF or any underlying assets in which the Fund invests. Past investment results of any underlying managers should not be viewed as indicative of future performance of CTAF. Prior to investing, investors are strongly urged to review carefully the Private Placement Memorandum (including the risk factors described therein), the Limited Partnership Agreement of CTAF and the subscription documents, to ask such questions of the general partner as they deem appropriate, and to discuss any prospective investment in the Fund with their legal and tax advisers in order to make an independent determination of the suitability and consequences of an investment. Investment in CTAF is suitable only for sophisticated investors for whom an investment in the CTAF does not constitute a complete investment program and who fully understand, and are willing to assume, the risks involved in an investment in CTAF.

Chris Loeffler provides the 5 things to know when investing in Opportunity Zones.

Caliber, Arizona Based Real Estate Fund Expert, Chris Loeffler Co-Founder and CEO

Despite COVID, it’s a seller’s market in Arizona

brought about this robust market in these strange times.

Companies had to change their work models due to the coronavirus. Companies that once thought a bustling work environment in a central location was the most efficient way to run a business have found that is not always the case. Many companies have discovered that by having their employees telecommute, they are still very efficient and overhead may be decreased by decentralizing. Employees, once looking for a home close to work to cut down on their commute times, are now flocking to the suburbs where their money can go further in terms of what type of home they can afford.

Historic low interest rates are another factor. Even though a home may cost more than buyers thought they

could afford, with the incredibly low interest rates they are realizing the monthly payment is well within their comfort zone.

Many people who thought that buying a home was more expensive than renting a home are finding that is not the case. A homeowner can actually pay far less in a mortgage payment than rent these days. This not only saves money but adds stability into their lives.

Finally, Arizona also offers a lower cost of living than many areas of the country. And it has so much to offer its residents. There’s a fabulous weather forecast on most days of the year, lower property taxes than many other states and plenty of space to allow for social distancing.

Large corporations also find Arizona’s offerings attractive and are moving to the state. There are several very

large companies — Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Lucid Motors — that plan to move to Arizona in the next few years and will bring with them a robust job market.

Arizona is definitely in a seller’s market and offering sellers increased return on their investments.

Sellers who need special terms when it comes to selling their homes are now able to ask for and get them from buyers who wouldn’t have accepted them in the past. For instance, if you are selling a home and need to stay for a short length of time past the closing date to finalize and move to your next home, buyers are more receptive now and willing to accommodate those requests.

Traditionally, a seller would need to have their home “show ready” for days on end, inconveniencing their lifestyle.

But today’s market offers most sellers the opportunity to have their home on the market for a shorter period of time. Plus, all buyers interested in the home can come during a specified time frame, and the seller is barely inconvenienced. Often a buyer will submit an offer during this time frame which can accommodate the seller’s needs and let the closing process begin sooner.

Still, selling a home in this market takes real skill and expertise. You need a professional realtor by your side to help you navigate every step in this type of market. You need someone with proven experience to achieve your goal of selling and closing your home for the best price and the best terms for you.

JN

Amy Rosenthal has been a realtor for more than 25 years. Contact her at HomeSmart Elite Group or at amyrosenthal.com.

MATZAH BABKA

8 pieces of matzah, broken into quarter-size pieces

4 extra-large eggs, cracked separately, one by one to check for blood spots

2 cups hot water

1 tablespoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon sweet paprika

¼ teaspoon sugar

¼ cup neutral oil

Optional: 1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed until golden brown

Break the matzah into a large bowl, and pour the hot water on it. Let soak for 2 minutes.

While the matzah is soaking, break and whisk the eggs in a separate bowl.

Add the salt, pepper and sauteed onions to the egg mixture. Mix and add to the matzah and water bowl. Mix everything with a spatula.

Preheat medium-size skillet (10 inches), add the oil and gradually add the matzah/egg mixture to the heated skillet. Flatten the mixture with the spatula so it is even. Let it brown on one side on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes.

Oil a large plate or flat skillet lid that is a little larger than the skillet that you are using and cover the skillet with it. Quickly flip the babka on the platter and slide it back carefully onto the skillet again. You should have a nice crust on top.

Lower the heat and cover with a lid for additional 5-7 minutes, until the eggs cook through.

Slide the cooked babka on a serving platter. Let cool for a few minutes, slice into triangles and serve warm or cold.

Serve with a fresh cucumber, radish, green onion and chopped dill salad. It can be served with dairy, parve or meat dishes.

POLINA MIRSKIY’S SWEET SOUR CHERRY MATZAH BABKA

8 pieces of matzah, broken into quarter-size pieces.

2 cups hot water

4 extra-large eggs, cracked separately, one by one to check for blood spots

¼ cup oil

½ teaspoon vanilla

Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon

fruit preserves or honey)

Optional: ½ cup pine nuts or chopped nuts of choice (for best flavor, heat up the nuts on a small skillet without oil, constantly mixing for a few minutes and being careful not to burn them)

2-3 tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

Powdered sugar and more of the preserves for topping

Break the matzah into a large bowl and pour the hot water on it. Let soak for two minutes.

While the matzah is soaking, break and whisk the eggs in a separate bowl.

Add the sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, preserves, pine nuts and salt into the egg mixture. Mix everything with a spatula.

Preheat medium-size skillet (10 inches), add the oil and gradually add the matzah/egg mixture to the heated skillet. Flatten the mixture with the spatula to be even. Let it brown on one side on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes.

Oil a large plate or flat skillet lid that is a little larger than the skillet that you are using and cover the skillet with it. Quickly flip the babka on the platter and slide back carefully onto the skillet again. You should have a nice crust on top.

Lower the heat and cover with a lid for additional 5-7 minutes, until the eggs cook through.

Slide the cooked babka on a serving platter. Let cool for a few minutes, slice into triangles, drizzle with some more of the cherry preserves, sprinkle some powdered sugar and more of the nuts and enjoy.

Serve it warm or cold with a side of fresh berries. It tastes delicious with honey as well.

Selah Maya Zighelboim is managing editor for Baltimore Jewish Times, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

Preserving Moroccan traditions

ADAM REINHERZ | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Each Passover, for years, Abraham Azagury’s family read the Haggadah in Ladino, a language influenced by Spanish, Hebrew, Greek and Turkish. Next week, Azagury, a resident of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, will continue that family tradition — along with some adaptations his father instituted decades ago.

“My father’s parents, who were from Morocco, would read the entire Haggadah in Ladino,” said Azagury. When Azagury was a child, though, his father, who lives in France, only read certain portions in Ladino.

“You have to keep the kids interested,” said the son. The essence of the seder is recalling history in meaningful ways for younger generations. So, in addition to reciting “Mah Nishtana” and “Ha Lachma Anya” in Ladino, and telling the story of the Exodus, Azagury has other plans to honor his Moroccan heritage and pass it on to his children.

At the evening’s start, Azagury will lift the seder plate above each person’s head and say, “Bibhilu yatzanu mi–mizrayim” (“in haste we went out from Egypt”). Later, when recalling the 10 plagues brought against the Egyptians, Azagury, like his ancestors, will mention each plague in Ladino, then pour wine into a bucket while his wife and their children pour water into the same container. After 10 spills of wine and 10 spills of water, the Azagurys will dump the liquid into the toilet, thereby discarding the negative association of the wine/ water combination.

Azagury is looking forward to Passover and spending it with his family, but also understands that customs should reflect not just history, but also the present. One of his father’s traditions, which is followed by some Moroccans, is avoiding fish and chicken throughout the holiday because those animals consume grain (chametz) and there is a possibility of remnants in their intestines. Azagury’s practice of avoiding fish and chicken ended the day he got married: “My wife said, ‘We’re not only eating potatoes on Pesach.’”

Adam Reinherz is a staff writer for Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

What makes a Persian Passover?

DAVID HOLZEL | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Meticulous cleaning is one of the hallmarks of a Persian Passover, said Ellie Dayan, who left Iran in 1996. Judaism’s spring holiday almost always coincides with the Iranian secular new year, Nowruz. So Jews, in their quest to remove the leaven from their homes, kicked the cleaning up a notch to match the intensity of their Muslim neighbors.

“In Iran, we didn’t have kosher bakeries,” Dayan said. So Jews baked traditional holiday cookies that they took with them on visits to relatives and friends during Passover. Those cookies were “the smell of Passover,” Dayan said.

“Each city had its own flavor of charoset,” Dayan explained. Her mother’s Tehran charoset combines pomegranate juice, walnuts, pistachios, grape juice and wine. Her father’s side of the family uses Kurdish sesame seed paste. And her husband’s family, originally from southern Iran, incorporates date nectar, paste or juice, which Dayan said she’s also seen used in Iraqi charoset. Charoset makers use a hand grinder to give the food the consistency of paste.

When a Persian seder reaches “Dayenu,” that’s when the scallions come out. “Everybody starts to hit each other with spring onions. I haven’t seen a Persian house that doesn’t do it,” Dayan said, adding that it’s OK to use lettuce instead. “It’s very joyful.” And small children look forward to it. “On Rosh Hashanah, kids come up and ask if it’s time to do it.”

Some things have changed in America, she said. The custom of visiting has largely disappeared. “That was one of the most beautiful parts of the holiday.”

And the cleaning is less fastidious. She’ll live with that. “You’d rather spend your energy on celebrating,” she said. JN

David Holzel is managing editor for Washington Jewish Week, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

PHOTO BY DAVID STUCK

Featured Event

TUESDAY, MARCH 23

The Nexus of Hate: 7 p.m. The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix will host Eric Ward, executive director of Western States Center for a discussion of the connection between racism and anti-Semitism and how the AfricanAmerican and Jewish communities can create solidarity. Cost: $18. For more information and to register, visit jewishphoenix.org/ericward.

Events

Spring Food Drive: March 21. 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Temple Kol Ami is hosting a drive-thru donation for Paradise Valley Emergency Food Bank. Food drive volunteers will be curbside, ready to unload your vehicle. Items sought are: hamburger meat, Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, canned chili or beef stew, small-sized jams or jelly, toothpaste and anything in your cupboards.

Passover Grain Collection: March 22-26. Cleansing your home of leavened bread? Donate your bread to Arizona Jews for Justice, and we will gift it to our unsheltered neighbors. Drop off grains at 4645 E. Marilyn Rd.

Community Passover Seder: Chabad of Mesa is hosting a seder on Sunday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. The seder is outdoors and is socially distanced. Cost: $30 for adults, $10 for children. To reserve your spot, visit chabadmesa.com/seder. For more information, call 480-659-7001.

Seder to Go: Chabad of North Phoenix is providing Passover seder kits. Order your seder kit free of charge or sponsor one for a community member in need. The kit includes a full seder plate, handmade matzah and a seder guide. Pick up on Wednesday, March 24 between 5-7 p.m. and Thursday, March 25 between 10-11 a.m. Visit ourjewishcenter.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/ aid/5072136/jewish/Seder-2-Go.htm.

Pick up a Haggadah: Need a Passover Haggadah?

Robin Meyerson, co-director of Project Inspire Arizona and chair of the Shabbos Project Arizona, has collected donated Haggadot for anybody who needs one. They are in a box outside of her house available to be picked up. Cost: Free. Email Meyerson at robin@projectinspireaz.com for her address.

JBox Delivery. The East Valley Jewish Community Center will deliver kosher meals for East Valley residents in need on Tuesday, April 27. The deadline to sign up for a meal is Tuesday, April 20.

Virtual Meetings, Lectures & Classes

FRIDAY MARCH 19

Film Screening: The Arizona Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Film Festival of Greater Phoenix are providing a virtual screening of the new documentary film “Aulcie.” The screening will be available between March 19 and March 21, with a special discussion with the filmmaker scheduled for March 22 at 7pm. “Aulcie” examines the connections between African-Americans, Jews and Israel. Aulcie Perry, an African-American basketball player from Newark, New Jersey was recruited in 1976 by Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Visit azjhs.org/ aulcie.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Game & Chill night: 7-9 p.m. Hebrew High invites eighth graders to virtually meet other Jewish teens from across the Valley, including current Hebrew High students, to learn about Hebrew

High opportunities for high schoolers. The event will start with Havdalah and include games and the chance to win some prizes. Cost: Free. RSVP at bjephoenix.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

The Jewish Perspective on Immigration: 3 p.m. Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley will discuss how the Israelites formed a nation during the Exodus from Egypt and share biblical laws relating to the equitable and compassionate treatment of strangers. Los Angeles-based Joe Goldman, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society’s community engagement director for the western region, will share the history of HIAS from its founding 139 years ago. Cost: Free. Contact the JCSVV at jcsvv. org/contact to get a link to the virtual program.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23

FRIDA KAHLO: 11 a.m. As part of the Jane Przelica Presentation Series, learn via Zoom about Frida Kahlo, who is considered one of the great artists of the 20th century. Cost: Free. For more information, visit seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

Expressive Writing: 1:30 p.m. Explore narrative, reflective, and poetic writing techniques that encourage the uncovering of memories, in an attempt not only to craft our unique stories, but also to find greater peace within ourselves, our family, and the world around us. Cost: Free. To register, visit jfcsaz.org/events. For more information, contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or call Jennifer Brauner at 602-343-0192.

Dynamic Duos: 10 a.m. Join Melton’s Rabbi Rachel Bovitz and Rabbi Dr. Morey Schwartz in conversation with Harriett Rossetto and Rabbi Mark Borovitz. Harriett Rossetto founded Beit Tshuvah over 30 years ago as an act of tikkun olam in helping repair Jewish souls suffering from addiction. Rabbi Mark Borovitz is the founding rabbi at Beit Tshuvah and helps recovering addicts find their calling and way in the world. Cost: $12. For more information and to register, visit events. org/MeltonLearningSessions.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

The Great American Songbook: 6:30 p.m. The Arizona Jewish Historical Society presents a series by pianist Nicole Pesce. This 3-part virtual series of piano concerts explores the songs of composers George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers and others who created the musical legacy that has become known as the Great American Songbook or American Standards. All parts will be available 72 hours for instant replay. Cost: $10 for single tickets, $20 for the 3-part series for non-AZJHS members, $15 for the 3-part series for AZJHS members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit azjhs.org/the-great-american-songbook.

What Gives Me Hope: 5 p.m. Join Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh of Temple Emanuel in St. Louis for “Hope: The Eternal Jewish Way of Life." Each moment of our life is a reminder of the positive way to approach life and living. Cost: $12. For more

information and to register, visit events.org/ MeltonLearningSessions.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30

Lady in Gold: 11 a.m.-noon. Thanks to the 2015 movie “Woman in Gold,” the portrait of Viennese socialite Adele Bloch-Bauer painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907, has become famous. Learn the stories the painting tells via Zoom. Cost: Free. For more information, email seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

Sounds of Spring rain: 11 a.m. Tune in to hear pianist Nicole Pesce play a series of songs in her program “It’s All about Rain.” Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.org/cse or contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

Discover Paris: 1:30 p.m. Karen Rudel, from Sight Seekers Delight, will lead you to discover Paris. Whether it’s your first or 100th time in Paris, you will learn new stories, delights and hidden treasures. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.org/cse or contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 5

Latin Dance: 11 a.m. Michelle Dionisio teaches basic Latin dances like the merengue, mambo salsa, cha-cha and more for a fun dance workout on Zoom. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.org/cse or contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

Little Chefs: 3 p.m., East Valley Jewish Community Center. Chef Melinda McNeil will demonstrate how to make Yom Ha’atzmaut cupcakes in this prerecorded cooking class for children (accompanied by an adult). Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit evjcc. org/littlechefs.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Swift Shakespeare: 11 a.m. Learn all things Shakespeare: his life, his works and his world. The class is an acting and history lesson disguised as a comedic play. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.org/cse or contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

In the Kitchen with Chef Melinda: 7 p.m. Chef Melinda McNeil demonstrates Yom Ha’atzmaut recipes in this virtual class hosted by the East Valley Jewish Community Center. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit evjcc.org/ littlechefs.

Antiquity: 7 p.m. The canonic sources of Judaism — the Bible, the Mishnah, the Talmud and the Midrashim — were generated roughly between 1200 BCE to 500 CE. This Arizona State University Jewish Studies webinar explores how new scholarship on ancient archeology, literature, and social organization helps us to understand the treasures of the Jewish tradition. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu/jewishstudiestoday.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

Looking to the skies: 11 a.m. How does an artist attempt to capture a subject which is as ever changing and vast as the sky? Journey across

time and across the globe in this fascinating exploration into the variety of ways an artist responds to and interprets the sky. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.org/ cse or contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

Virtual live tours of Auschwitz: 1-3 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. In commemoration of Yom Hashoah, the Center for Holocaust Education at the East Valley Jewish Community Center offers a virtual tour of the concentration camp led by a professional tour guide live from Poland. Cost: $30. Space is limited. For more information and to register, visit evjcc. org/auschwitz-tour.

MONDAYS

Partners in Torah: 7:30 p.m. Join a growing group of inspired learners with Project Inspire. Cost: Free. Tune in at: us04web.zoom. us/j/3940479736#success, password is 613. For more information, email Robin Meyerson at robin@projectinspireaz.com.

Ethics of Our Fathers: 7 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Zalman Levertov online. Tune in at: bit. ly/2Y0wdgv. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Quotable Quotes by our Sages: 7 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov online. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/class. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Learning to Trust in God: 7:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Yossi Friedman online. Tune in at: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Torah & Tea: 7:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Yossie Shemtov online. Cost: Free. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ChabadTucson.

MONDAYS, APRIL 5-MAY 24

Welcome to Judaism: 5 p.m. This introductory Bureau of Jewish Education course provides a foundation in the basic tenets of Judaism. The class is open to non-Jews, non-Jews and their Jewish partners and Jewish adults interested in further exploring Judaism. Cost: $50. For more information and to register, visit bjephoenix.org/ courses/available-courses.

TUESDAYS

Keep Calm and Play Mahjong: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Play mahjong from home with myjongg.net. Cost: Free. To join a table, email Nicole at nicoleg@vosjcc.org.

Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. A class exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov online. Cost: Free. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

39 Ways to Repair the World: In celebration of Rabbi Shmuly’s 39th birthday, he is teaching the 39 melachot over the year (1 per week for 39 weeks). Each session will be between 15-20 minutes long on Tuesdays. Cost: Suggested $18 donation. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

Upcoming Special Sections

Senior Lifestyle

April 2

From home health aides to financial planners, independent living facilities to nursing homes, this is the perfect venue to showcase how your business can help older Jewish residents navigate these challenging times.

TUESDAYS, JAN. 12 - MAY 25

Introduction to Judaism: 7-9 p.m. Learn the basics of Judaism with Rabbi Stein Kokin. For more information or to register, visit bethelphoenix.com/adult-education.

WEDNESDAYS, FEB. 3 - APRIL 7

The Lights of Rav Kook: 11 a.m. Learn the foundational roots of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook’s teachings and the soaring winds of his vision. Cost: $18. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 31-JUNE 30

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers: 6 p.m. Scottsdale Society of Women Writers gives members access to events of interest, a format for exchanging ideas, an opportunity to network with other women writers and authors, and more. The group meets virtually on the last Wednesday of each month. This month, learn about award-winning author Jan Whalen of Whalen Voices. Cost: Free for members, and free for first and second-time guests. RSVP is required to get the Zoom information. To RSVP and for more information, text or email Patricia Brooks at 480-250-5556 or at patricia@ plbrooks.com.

THURSDAYS

Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov online. Cost: Free. Tune in at: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Talmud - Maakos: 11 a.m. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

THURSDAYS, JAN. 14 - MARCH 25

April 16

Parents are making decisions for next summer and next year now! Showcase your offerings to Jewish News readers. JEWISHAZ.COM

April 16

Ideas and resources for families planning celebrations or B’nai Mitzvot. Don’t miss the opportunity to highlight your products and services for events that take several years to plan.

Israel and the Middle East Through the Lens of Ever-Changing Events in the US, Israel and the Middle East: 12:30 -2 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Phoenix course taught by Meir Jolovitz. An examination of the implications of the election and current events. Cost: $130. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org.

FRIDAYS, MARCH 12-MAY 14

Wise Aging: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Phoenix course designed specifically to meet the social, emotional and spiritual needs of Jewish seekers entering second adulthood. Explore the tools and resources to age wisely through the lens of Jewish wisdom. Learn positive ways to navigate a meaningful transition to your next chapter on life’s journey. $130. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org.

SATURDAYS

Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley. To join by phone dial 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#. To get the Zoom link or for more information, contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692.

SUNDAYS

Soul Study: 7:15 a.m. An online class exploring the secrets of the Tanya and Jewish mysticism, taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche. Cost: Free. Jewish War Veterans Post 210: 10 a.m. Any active duty service member or veteran is welcome to join monthly meetings, now virtual, every third Sunday, Cost: Free. For more information, email Michael Chambers at c365michael@yahoo.com.

Shabbat

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

In person Shabbat Service: 6:15 p.m. Beginning March 19, Friday evening Shabbat services will be held in Congregation Beth Israel’s Rosenzweig Courtyard and will be limited to 30 people, excluding clergy and staff. Members and guests must be at least 10 years old. Participants must pre-register by Thursday at 5 p.m. Priority will be given to members first and then guests. If there are more requests than available seats a lottery

system will be used. To make your reservation, contact Gail Gilmartin at 480-951-0323 or at ggilmartin@cbiaz.org.

EVERY THIRD FRIDAY, JAN. 15-DEC. 31

Third Friday Shabbat: 7- 8 p.m. The Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a virtual abbreviated Shabbat service followed by a program. Contact Andrea at 480-664-8847 for more information.

Seniors

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

Fitness Fun: 10 a.m. Light chair exercise class with optional weights. Class will follow a format of a warmup weight free movement, optional weights then a cool down. Some standing options, however all moves can be done sitting. Cost: Free. To register, visit jfcsaz.org/events. For more information, contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz. org or call Jennifer Brauner at 602-343-0192.

THURSDAY MARCH 25

The Heart/Brain Connection: 1 p.m. Teresa Capriotti, Director of Procedural Services at HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, Deer Valley Medical Center, and Sonoran Crossing Medical Center presents, “Am I having a stroke?” via Zoom. RSVP to nelliott@ livgenerations.com by March 22.

MONDAYS

Dance Fusion with Michele Dionisio: 11 a.m.noon. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Featured Presentation: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors Mondays and Wednesdays to learn from a variety of presenters about topical issues, like Q&As with medical professionals, entertainers and lectures. Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

TUESDAYS

Brain Games with Friends: 2-3 p.m. Challenge your brains while having fun. Experts believe that active learning helps maintain brain health by preventing loss of cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning and judgment. For more information or to register, visit vosjcc.org/j-at-home-adults.

Movie Discussion Group: 11 a.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the third Tuesday of every month hosted by Issy Lifshitz. Cost: Free. For full details and the movie of the month visit sosaz.org/ virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

WEDNESDAYS

Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. A guided class in yoga without having to get down on the floor. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

THURSDAYS

In the Kitchen with Benita: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the fourth Thursday of every month for some delicious cooking or baking fun! Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

FRIDAYS

Adult Chair Ballet Class: Noon-12:45 p.m. Join Jennifer Cafarella and Elaine Seretis from Ballet Theatre of Phoenix as they teach a ballet class that will help improve strength, flexibility, movement and balance. No prior dance experience required. Presented by the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Musical Friday: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the first Friday of every month for a musical presentation. Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. JN

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Smiling under masks

Hamantaschen hubbub

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SHEAR

PHOTO

People gathered with Chabad of the East Valley’s Hebrew school students to celebrate Purim on a clear night. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLYN WEST

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divisiveness of this election cycle. For those involved in the election process, whether it was informing voters, advising poll observers or canvassing for a candidate, it was a long campaign season. Ahead of Election Day, voters were bombarded with outreach efforts and reminders to vote, all of which helped produce record voter turnout: In Maricopa County, over 2 million ballots were cast, representing just over 80% of eligible voters. Temple Chai’s civic engagement initiative was one of many outreach campaigns. Since July, volunteers were busy participating in phone banks that focused both on the Temple Chai community itself and on reaching marginalized communities where people were less likely to vote. For Kaylie Medansky, director of teen, community and social action programs

CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE | 18

CAMP: DESTINATION

Camp plans for next summer in light of COVID-19

Synagogues work to limit community spread

With COVID-19 cases rising in Maricopa County and reports of new positive cases in the Jewish community of Greater Phoenix, synagogues are tightening restrictions and even closing their doors to limit the spread of the disease. Two synagogues, Congregation Beth Israel and Congregation Or Tzion, closed in recent weeks, citing the increasing number of COVID-19 infections. Since mid- October, the number of confirmed cases per day in Maricopa County has risen steadily, surpassing 2,800 cases on Nov. 9. Both synagogues reopened in September for the High Holidays. CBI’s first in-person service was held on Rosh Hashanah with 60 members in attendance; after the High Holidays, attendance fell to around 30 people, and Friday evening services moved outside. Speaking to the Jewish News last month about CBI’s decision to reopen, Rabbi Stephen Kahn said that CBI

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