Jewish News, March 25, 2022

WOMEN AUTHORS

Four local Jewish women authors share their recent releases

Scottsdale woman starts email campaign to boost Ukrainian’s spirits

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

Carolyn Leff was 13 years old when she first met Gennadiy Kats. Kats and his family arrived in Arizona in 1991 from Kyiv, Ukraine. Leff’s mom, Barbara, was in charge of the Russian Resettlement Program at Tempe Chai in Phoenix and worked with a group of about 90 volunteers to help several families assimilate in the Greater Phoenix area.

Today Kats lives in California and is the CEO of Fit For Bucks, an app that tracks steps on an iPhone or Apple Watch that can then be redeemed for awards from participating merchants in the community.

Since the beginning, Kats has outsourced his application’s development to a company in Russia. He has employees there, along with two full-time employees living in Ukraine, Bogdan Pychyniuk, 20, and Vladyslava Klenina, 23.

Shortly after the war in Ukraine began, Leff was watching the horrific footage on television.

“One image that sticks in my mind was when a Russian tank ran over an elderly man in his car who was trying to flee to safety,” said Leff. “He miraculously lived and I was watching it thinking, ‘I want to do something, but I don’t want to do what everybody else is doing.’”

When she was speaking to Kats a few days later, she came up with the idea for an email campaign — like a modern-day version of being a pen pal.

Kats shared Pychyniuk’s and Klenina’s email addresses and Leff sat down at the computer that night to send them both messages. “I started [writing] and it just flowed out,” said Leff. “I wrote from the heart.”

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Jewish Family and Children’s Service is holding a school supply drive through May 31, 2022

Genocide Awareness Week moves to Tempe

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

The annual Genocide Awareness Week (GAW) will kick off its 10th anniversary at a new location: Arizona State University in Tempe. GAW was previously held at Scottsdale Community College (SCC).

The state’s three universities (ASU, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona), Phoenix Holocaust Association and the Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation are bringing GAW to the ASU Tempe campus the week of April 4-9, 2022.

John Liffiton founded, planned and implemented the annual week-long genocide conference every April for the last nine years at SCC. He retired in 2021 after more than 20 years as an English research and composition professor.

In 2018, Liffiton felt that GAW had outgrown the venue at SCC and he wanted it to go somewhere bigger where it could be sustainable. He approached Dr. Hava TiroshSamuelson — director of Jewish Studies at ASU and Volker Benkert, assistant professor and School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (SHPRS) faculty —

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Leff started the email explaining that she was a friend of Kats and she “…just wanted to send my love and prayers to you and your families during this horrific time that you are facing. Do not fear, America is behind you 1,000% …”

Kats has been trying to talk to his employees every day and he doubled their compensation when the war started. He said that although his bookkeeping system is not currently working in Ukraine, he is able to wire them money through Bank of America, which has waived all wire transfer fees.

“When Carolyn started this initiative to write them letters — it’s really helping them,” said Kats. “They’re

20 and 23 years old, sitting in a bunker without medicine, without much food and hearing bombs.”

When the conflict first began, Kats told both of them not to even think about work but they both told him that it helped keep their mind off of the war and keep their sanity.

He was stunned that they wanted to continue working. “Under bomb threats, they are working on a project that’s supposed to improve the health and wellness of people in the United States,” said Kats. “I think it makes it even more special.”

He continued, “Vladyslava [Klenina] is a very creative person; she designs the landing pages for the restaurants and companies that partner with the app. She’s a really important part of the team.”

Kats said that Klenina lived in the city of Dnipro in the eastern part of Ukraine.

On March 11, heavy fighting started in the city and she decided to board one of the evacuation trains.

She explained to Kats that the train ride took 20 hours and that six people were sitting on a bench seat made for one person. Klenina described it as “looking more like a World War II movie than reality.”

Although Klenina had the opportunity to go to Poland or Germany, she opted to take the train as far as western Ukraine. She wanted to stay in the country because of Pychyniuk — the two are dating — and also she wants to volunteer and help her fellow citizens.

“There’s a lot of patriotism happening now,” said Kats.

Meanwhile, Pychyniuk, who lives in a suburb of Kyiv with his mother, father and younger brother, is facing a similar circumstance. His mother and brother,

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Top Left: Courtesy of Deena Goldstein, Judy E. Laufer, Linda Pressman and Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford | Top Right: Courtesy of Mukhina1 istock/getty images plus Bottom Left: Courtesy of Linda Gradstein via JTA.org | Bottom Middle: Courtesy of Rachel Ain via JTA.org | Bottom Right: Courtesy of Martin Puddy/Getty Images via JTA.org

Vladyslava Klenina COURTESY OF VLADYSLAVA KLENINA

Gennadiy Kats COURTESY OF GENNADIY KATS

who is under 18, could evacuate the country and get refugee status in Poland or Hungary, but they don’t want to leave Pychyniuk and his father behind. They are required by law to stay in the country in case the military needs them.

On March 14, Pychyniuk told Kats that the family was getting in the car and driving west.

“It was so dangerous and the bombs were flying above them,” said Kats. “They are trying to get far away from their location. They don’t even know where to go. Luckily, they have a diesel car because there’s no gas.”

Kats no longer has any family in the country, but he still has many friends there. He said watching the coverage on the war has been mind-blowing, especially when they showed the destruction of a missile attack near the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial.

“The TV tower that was bombed next to the Yar was right across from the swimming pool where I went swimming since I was 6 years old,” said Kats. “It’s hard to believe…Babi Yar is a sacred place, a symbol of the Holocaust.”

Kats said that it makes him sad to think of what the couple has been going through the past weeks but has managed to have daily contact with them via email or text even with their intermittent internet service. “Getting personal emails was a really good idea and they’re responding,” he said.

Leff had some local news coverage and people contacted her from across the country. She wants to get as many people as she can sending the couple emails every day. “It doesn’t have to be long. When people are interested in doing this, I always send my original email to give them an example,” she said. “All you need is your heart and an email account.” JN

For more information, or to send emails to Pychyniuk and Klenina, contact Leff at cleff99@gmail.com.

about the idea. That started the ball rolling to move GAW to ASU.

To have continuity and because of all the connections with organizations he has curated over the year, Liffiton was hired as a consultant for ASU this year and will remain on the board for the event moving forward.

The keynote speaker for GAW, sponsored by the Phoenix Holocaust Association, is Father Patrick Desbois. Father Desbois is an author, Georgetown University professor, historian, forensic detective and world-renowned human-rights activist. Desbois and his organization, Yahad-In Unum, have identified and documented the murders of more than 2 million Jews and Roma in the former Soviet Union at 3,100 execution sites in 8 countries by the Nazi killing units.

“Father Desbois’ grandfather was a resistance fighter in France and he got captured in World War II. That is how he got involved in his work,” said Sheryl Bronkesh, president of the Phoenix Holocaust Association. Desbois’ grandfather wouldn’t talk about his experience as a prisoner of war in Ukraine, only telling his grandson that “others had it worse.” It wasn’t until Desbois became a priest and visited Ukraine that he uncovered what his grandfather was referring to. “His grandfather saw Jews from the town who had gotten marched into the woods right past the barracks where he was a prisoner — and that’s how this whole thing started,” added Bronkesh. Desbois has dedicated his life to fighting the bigotry that fuels genocide and to bridging the divide between faiths.

Desbois’ lecture, “Holocaust by Bullets and Relevance to Modern Genocides,” will be on Monday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union at ASU and streamed online through Zoom. His talk is complemented by an exhibition, “Holocaust by Bullets,” currently on display at ASU’s Hayden Library.

All of the presentations during GAW will be available in person and livestreamed except for the FBI’s Civil and Human Rights Workshop on Friday, April 8, from 9:05 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Liffiton encourages clerics and rabbis in the area to attend because the FBI agents will present case studies on hate crimes and human rights violations.

The online presence allows GAW to reach an audience beyond ASU, although ASU is a large audience unto itself.

“There are 55,000 students here on the Tempe campus, so there isn’t another place in Arizona that’s as busy,” said Benkert, “And the Hayden Library is a place where on weekends, I think about 5,000 people go through the building but on a busy weekday it’s like 12,000 people. They all have to go through the entrance hall and for us it’s a way to bring the exhibition, to bring this topic,

in front of a whole lot of people.”

People entering the library will walk by the entrance to “Holocaust by Bullets,” and Benkert encourages the students to stop and take the time to visit the exhibit. “Once you step into it, the busyness of the hallway and all the other things start to fade a little bit. And then you are in the exhibition and learning about the Holocaust.”

GAW seeks to address how we, as a global society, confront violent actions and current and ongoing threats of genocide and related mass atrocity crimes throughout the world, while also looking to the past for guidance and to honor those affected by genocide. It annually features speakers recounting and analyzing genocidal periods in world history through survivor accounts, academic discussions led by experts, author presentations and talks by humanitarians and activists engaged in the struggle to end human suffering.

Other speakers during GAW include Ambassador Michaela Küchler, outgoing president of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance; Jan Grabowski, professor of history at the University of Ottawa and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; and ambassador and ASU Professor Clint Williamson.

Erica May, manager of marketing and communication at SHPRS, is excited to meet the speakers in person and thank them for their research and for attending GAW. She states that the event is timely with the current conflict in Ukraine.

“I think the public and students all have an idea of genocide but often we just think of the Holocaust. There have been genocides in a lot of different countries with different names and different populations,” said May. “I would like to see the research on those different countries and the people affected. We’re not taught about the Armenian genocide in school.” She’s looking forward to attending the presentations and learning more about genocide and its complex history around the world.

Liffiton said they have already started working on the 2023 and 2024 conferences. “Not only will it be sustainable because of the generous donors and the groups with whom we are working now, but it’s also going to grow,” said Liffiton. “What a great way for me to end my career, to have it go to ASU. It’s the largest genocide conference in North America but I predict that it will be the preeminent conference in the world.”

All events for GAW are open to the public and free to attend. To see the full schedule, visit shprs.asu.edu/GAW2022. The “Holocaust by Bullets” exhibit is open through April 17, 2022. For more information, visit holocaustbybulletsphoenix.com.

Hillel at ASU gains a generous grant from Hillel International

NADINE BUBECK

Locally, Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University aims to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so they may enrich Jewish people all over the world. The ASU chapter offers diverse communal opportunities where students learn innovative ways to do Jewish, be Jewish and learn Jewish.

According to Debbie Yunker Kail, executive director of Hillel at ASU, they hope to encourage Jewish communal involvement and leadership in Phoenix and beyond.

“In our classes, events, trips and conversations, we instill a love of Judaism and a faith that there is always more to uncover in our Jewish tradition. We are committed to Judaism as a journey; there is no endpoint – only evolution – as we work with students to uncover layer after layer of knowledge available,” said Yunker Kail.

Last month, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, visited the Tempe campus from Washington, DC. It was his first visit to Arizona as campus travels are just picking up post-pandemic. Hillel International is attuned to the evolving needs of current college students and diligently works to meet the moment through financial and programmatic support to local Hillels.

In 2019, Hillel at ASU received a grant of $390,000 over four years. That grant allowed them to grow staff and match that growth in student engagement. In addition, they were able to hire a campus rabbi, Rabbi Suzy Stone. Since beginning her role in 2019, Stone has helped countless students with pastoral needs, taught hundreds of students in several different classes,

facilitated growth in Jewish life and social action/civic engagement within student leadership and built new partnerships across ASU’s administration and diverse student community.

Now, Hillel at ASU is celebrating a new grant from Hillel International: nearly $200,000. This new grant will allow even more hires, as they surpass their pre-pandemic student engagement numbers.

“Like many Hillels, COVID interrupted our growth plans. With this generous funding, we can accelerate our initiatives

say is unique about Hillel at ASU is its focus on understanding, caring for, nurturing and knowing each student as an individual. This includes picking students up when their cars break down, visiting them and sending care packages when students are sick, helping students find jobs and internships and simply being a call or text away when students need support.

“In a place where 85% of students come from a low or medium Jewish background, Hillel is one of their last chances for Jewish connection. We will not rest until we have tried every strategy we can develop and afford,” said Yunker Kail.

With 3,500 Jewish students across four metro campuses, it is their goal to have multiple engagement staff. After using the early years of the grant to build their senior team and organizational infrastructure, they are ready to make additional hires and impact Jewish

The staff of Hillel at ASU spent time with Adam Lehman, fourth from left, and Jay Lewis, third from right, sharing initiatives and hearing about trends from other Hillels. COURTESY

students like never before.

“We will know we have succeeded when we watch alumni take their ASU Hillel experiences out into the world and continue to find their place in the Jewish people, even as they and American Judaism both evolve,” said Yunker Kail.

And as the world sees conflict in Ukraine, Hillel continues its worldwide mission to serve as support. The RussiaUkraine situation was unfolding during Lehman’s visit and the ASU team was so grateful he was able to be with the Arizona community as he simultaneously

provided support to Hillel professionals in Ukraine.

“At this critical time, it’s especially essential for Hillel to be there for students. Students are feeling isolated and their traditional community structures are breaking down. Hillel at ASU is a thriving and vibrant community, and we strive to foster our community like family,” said Yunker Kail. JN

For more information, visit hillelasu.org.

Nadine

Bubeck is an author and freelance writer living in Scottsdale

“IN OUR CLASSES, EVENTS, TRIPS AND CONVERSATIONS, WE INSTILL A LOVE OF JUDAISM AND A FAITH THAT THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO UNCOVER IN OUR JEWISH TRADITION. WE

Debbie Yunker Kail, center, with Adam Lehman, left, and Jay Lewis, Hillel International’s campus support director. COURTESY OF HILLEL AT ASU

Hats off to Rabbi Bonnie Koppell

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

When Temple Chai holds their annual gala on April 9, they will be honoring someone who they have never honored before, but who has been with the congregation for more than 15 years, Rabbi Bonnie Koppell.

The name of the gala and theme for the evening is “Hats Off … A Salute to Rabbi Bonnie Koppell.” The name is a play on two things that Koppell is known for: her military service and her love of hats.

Koppell became the first female rabbi to serve in the U.S. military when she was ordained in 1981 (she also was the first woman rabbi in Arizona) and went on to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve for 38 years and retired in 2016 with the rank of Colonel. In 2019, she was inducted into the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame.

And for her love of hats? She admits she’s worn one for most of her life. “It started when I was 14 with a cowboy hat purchased in Jackson Hole and then it moved on to berets,” said Koppell. “It’s customary to cover your head in prayer and many women wear those lace head coverings, many women wear a kippah and I just found hats to be a lot more fun.”

Originally she wasn’t planning on wearing a hat for the gala, but then when she saw that the invitation was encouraging attendees to wear one, she purchased a special fascinator for the occasion.

Sheana Abrams, operations coordinator at Temple Chai, is responsible for coming up with the theme. She was talking to someone and explaining that Koppell never goes anywhere without a hat. “It identifies her,” said Abrams. “And we’ve got some surprises up our sleeve that involve that – it should be a really fun evening.”

Abrams continued, “She is a retired colonel from the Army and has been in Afghanistan and Kuwait – and did this in addition to being a rabbi. She’s received many awards over the years and has contributed a lot to society and the community at large. She’s pretty amazing.”

Abrams said that the timing was right to honor Koppell. This past year, Temple Chai has experienced many changes. The senior rabbi, Mari Chernow, who had been with the congregation for 18 years moved to California. They also sold their property and are renting it back for the next two to three years. Koppell has been acting interim senior rabbi since Chernow’s departure.

“A lot of things have been changing and Rabbi Koppell has been here for 15-plus years and we had not recognized her service to the temple,” said Abrams. “This seemed like a good time to bring our community together to have a little bit of calm and normalcy in the midst of COVID-19 and everything else that has been going on. We have a new senior rabbi starting July 1, so we wanted to make sure that we had done this before that happened.”

Temple Chai selected Rabbi Emily Segal as their new senior rabbi. She is currently serving as rabbi of Aspen Jewish Congregation in Aspen, Colo. Before Colorado, Segal served as associate rabbi at Temple Jeremiah in suburban Chicago where she provided leadership to a 900-member congregation.

In addition to being the interim senior rabbi, Koppell is also the director of The Deutsch Family Shalom Center at the temple, a resource center that handles outreach, life-cycle events and support groups for the community.

David Weiner, executive board president at Temple Chai, has known Koppell the entire time she has been with the synagogue.

“She’s been with me through some life-cycle events and it’s nice to be able to say ‘thank you’ publicly and honor her for everything she has done for my family,” said Weiner.

He explained when it came time to consider names of who should be honored at this year’s gala, it was a short discussion among the board members.

“She has done an unbelievable job of keeping everybody together, keeping us focused and on point,” said Weiner. “Even if we didn’t have the transition, she would definitely be the one worthy of it.”

He continued, “She’s just fantastic, you know, when it comes to teaching, being at the bimah, engaging people, pastoral care, her compassion – we’re just lucky to have her.”

Koppell said that she is “very humbled” by the honor and excited that her family members that live out of town will be coming in for the occasion. “We’re still just putting our toe into being able to get back together, share food together and celebrate. I think it’s going to be great fun for the congregation.” JN

For more information on the gala, visit templechai.com.

ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGESPLUS/ANTAGAIN

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell holding the Havdalah candle during her time in the Army.

OF RABBI BONNIE KOPPELL

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell at her desk at Temple Chai.

1993. Ruth

Ginsburg (Joan Ryan) has just joined the United States Supreme Court; the first and only other woman there, Sandra Day O’Connor (Nancy Opel), is ready to welcome her and get to work.

In an EPIC MUSICAL built of sweeping songs, urgent conversations, and truly human heroines, we come to know these two iconic justices and see how they inspire, challenge, and propel the next generation of changemakers and trailblazers in American jurisprudence.

Book by Lauren Gunderson

Music by Bree Lowdermilk

Lyrics by Kait Kerrigan

Directed by Melissa Crespo

Bader

After dropping congressional bid, Kelly Townsend will challenge Wendy Rogers

JEREMY DUDA | AZ MIRROR

In what might be the closely watched legislative race of 2022, Sen. Kelly Townsend is withdrawing from her shortlived congressional campaign to challenge recently censured Sen. Wendy Rogers in the Republican primary.

On March 7, Townsend filed to run for reelection to the Arizona Senate in District 7, a sprawling, rural swath that runs from southern Flagstaff to eastern Pinal County.

In social media postings March 8, Townsend said it is clear to her that “only one of us can effectively advance the causes we all claim to care about” after Rogers gained national attention and earned a censure from the state Senate after she spoke at a white nationalist conference, praised attendees – including open racists, bigots and antisemites – as “patriots” and fantasized about publicly executing her perceived enemies.

“Hanging out with white supremacists, endorsing them, and declaring them the finest of patriots is all something Wendy

Rogers has a constitutional right to do. But good and decent people are also free to find it repulsive and un-American,” Townsend wrote.

Rogers did not respond to the “Arizona Mirror’s” request for comment.

reelection, Townsend decided instead to run for the new 6th Congressional District, which covers much of Tucson and southeastern Arizona, extending north along the Interstate 10 corridor –but not into the Valley, where she lives.

public hangings of people she perceived to be America’s enemies, and subsequent threats to politically “destroy” any Republican colleagues who censured her.

Townsend was absent for the censure vote, which passed 24-3, with 11 Republicans joining their Democratic colleagues. But she has since become harshly critical of Rogers. The day after the censure vote, she gave Rogers an opportunity to repudiate white nationalist leader Nick Fuentes, the organizer of the conference. Townsend has also criticized Rogers for social media posts that contained antisemitic tropes and rhetoric, and blasted her on the Senate floor for using fundraising off of the censure vote.

Rogers and Townsend currently represent different districts. But the Arizona Independent Redistricting moved Rogers’ Flagstaff residence into the same district as Apache Junction, where Townsend lives. Rather than seek

Much has changed since Townsend announced those plans, however. The Senate censured Rogers in a historic vote on March 1 for her speech to the white nationalist America First Political Action Conference, where she called

“When you have someone pushing a white supremacist in your party, it is your duty to spend the time to tear it down. I resent having to do that and I will push back against anyone who allows it to happen and will not be guilty of remaining silent about anti-Jewish hate,” Townsend wrote on Twitter on March 4.

“HANGING OUT WITH WHITE SUPREMACISTS, ENDORSING THEM, AND DECLARING THEM THE FINEST OF PATRIOTS IS ALL SOMETHING WENDY ROGERS HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DO. BUT GOOD AND DECENT PEOPLE ARE ALSO FREE TO FIND IT REPULSIVE AND UN-AMERICAN,” TOWNSEND WROTE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON MARCH 8.

Townsend, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and won her Senate seat in 2020, also announced last week that an expected endorsement from former President Donald Trump didn’t materialize, which she said led her to pull the plug on her congressional campaign.

“The lack of the endorsement means that instead of being able to unite the field behind a single banner, my presence in the Republican primary will serve only to split the conservative vote even further and make it more difficult to elect an authentic America First candidate,” Townsend wrote on social media.

Challenging Rogers will be difficult. Since winning her seat in 2020, a race that saw her take out a conservative incumbent senator in the GOP primary, Rogers has fashioned herself into a pro-Trump celebrity. She has toured the country and raised nearly $2.5 million for her re-election last year on the back of her false attacks on the 2020 election results, shattering fundraising records for legislative candidates in Arizona. As of the start of 2022, she had nearly $1.6 million on hand.

In contrast, Townsend had just $13,000 in her campaign account on Jan. 1.

“I’ve had support pouring in with pledges and promises, so I’m not going to worry about that,” Townsend told the “Arizona Mirror.”

Townsend is also more of an unknown to voters in the new District 7. Very little of the old district that she’s represented for the past decade, which is based in east Mesa, is part of the new district. Most of Rogers’ pre-existing

District 6 is part of the new district.

However, by taking on Rogers, Townsend could get support from outside groups that wouldn’t normally back someone with her views.

Rogers has become toxic for her unapologetic embrace of white nationalism, getting national headlines for her inflammatory comments and antisemitic rhetoric. Republican gubernatorial hopeful Matt Salmon has called on her to resign from the Senate, and even allies like gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, both of whom thrive on controversy, have shied away from publicly defending her. That could prompt organizations that normally support more moderate, establishmentfriendly Republicans to aid Townsend in her quest to unseat Rogers.

is hilarious & poignant story is universal in its message: e journey to follow one’s DREAM, and the parents who SUFFER thru it!

Actor/Comedian Brad Zimmerman’s moving, hilarious story about the grit required to “make it” as an artist and the sweet rewards that come from never giving up. Brad moved to New York and “temporarily”waited tables for 29 years, while pursuing his career as an actor. He has opened for Joan Rivers, Brad Garre and George Carlin and now has his own show that is as profound and touching as it is entertaining.

“I would suspect that I would be overwhelmed with support, even from people who wouldn’t ordinarily support me, is what I’m hearing,” Townsend told the “Mirror.”

Townsend has long represented the right wing of the Republican Party in Arizona. Like Rogers, she has been a vocal advocate of the baseless allegations that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump, and has promoted drastic new restrictions on voting. She faced criticism last year from the AntiDefamation League for comparing COVID-19 vaccine advocates to Nazis and tweeting an image of a swastika made from syringes. JN

Jeremy Duda is the associate editor at the Arizona Mirror.

State Sens. Wendy Rogers, left, and Kelly Townsend at a July 2021 Turning Point Action event in Phoenix. COURTESY OF TELEGRAM/ILLUSTRATION BY JIM SMALL

Arizona women writers share their latest work

MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Are you looking for a new read for yourself or a loved one? As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we wanted to share these latest releases from four Arizona-based Jewish authors.

Deena Goldstein, author of “OK, Little Bird”

Former comedienne and multimedia artist, Scottsdale resident Deena Goldstein is the author of “OK, Little Bird,” which she described as “an irreverent, inspiring and funny story of an unforgettable father-daughter connection, told through voicemails, letters, cantankerous family dinners, anecdotes, wry banter and a lot of love. Readers fly with Little Bird as she navigates the greatest loss in her life with the gift of humor from her father.”

Goldstein describes her father as a “bigger-than-life, funny guy – a cowboy, snappy dresser and he could be stern as well,” The youngest of three, she shared that each child had a different relationship with their father. “Mine was unique as I pushed past his stern and gruff [exterior] and discovered an incredible warmth and best friend,” she shared.

She admits that she had always been able to make her father laugh and feel good and was tasked with navigating new waters when faced with her father’s terminal diagnosis and imminent death – all during the COVID-19 pandemic and his isolation in a group home.

“I had to learn how to be OK with what was happening, and I used the gift of humor from my father to deal with losing him and moving forward,” she continues. “I want readers to laugh, feel inspired and know that humor plays an important role in coping through unthinkable circumstances.”

For more information, visit oklittlebird.com.

Lisa Pressman, author of “Jewish Girls Gone Wild”

Scottsdale resident Lisa Pressman just released her second novel, “Jewish Girls Gone Wild.” Pressman is a full-time author and instructor who teaches “Life Stories” through the city of Scottsdale and “Memoir Through a Jewish Lens” at locations throughout the local Jewish community.

She described her book as “A coming-of-age story that is funny, tragic and universal. I recreate the world of the 1970s –teenage angst, silent crushes from afar and an eternal pull toward home, wherever that is.

“My book is funny and tragic. It’s intended to evoke the places I grew up and let people who are gone live on the page again,” Pressman continued. “[In the book] I can never escape the fact that I’m a child of two Holocaust survivors growing up in a world that was denied to them. There is always the dichotomy in my books of me growing up safe enough to declare my Jewishness out loud and my parents hiding or camouflaging it from the world.”

Her first book, “Looking Up: A Memoir of Sisters, Survivors, and Skokie,” tells a story of growing up with parents who are survivors and following the war moved to Skokie, a northern suburb of Chicago. “Looking Up” won the grand prize in the twentieth annual Writers Digest contest. It is in the permanent collections at Yad Vashem, the National Library of Israel and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Pressman is hosting a meet-the-author and book launch event at the Martin Pear Jewish Community Center at 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale on Sunday, April 3, from 2-3:30 p.m. For more information, visit lindajpressman.com.

Judy

Egett Laufer, author of “I Respectfully Disagree”

Paradise Valley resident Judy Egett Laufer is anything but new to writing popular books for children and young adults. Her latest title, “I Respectfully Disagree,” is her eighth book and part of the Gigglyville series for young children and their families. It is a series of stories that helps promote dialogue in families about various social and emotional issues as children learn and grow.

“This book is a story about respecting others and their opinions,” Laufer said. “We used to live in a world where we could have a difference of opinion with our friends. [This is] a very current topic and social dilemma that needs to be understood and addressed. My hope is that the next generation will do better, and I am offering them some language that may help.

“I really hope my book will help start discussions about respect and everyone’s right to having their opinion,” she added. “The hope is that people won’t be afraid to share their opinion for fear of being ‘unfriended.’”

A full-time author, publisher and speaker, Laufer’s books are available through Little Egg Publishing Company. For more information, visit littleeggpublishing.com or Amazon under her pen name, J.E. Laufer.

Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford, author of “RAULITO - The First Latino Governor of Arizona”

A Tucson resident of 34 years, Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford is a bilingual author, editor, translator, speaker, presenter and retired teacher. She was born on the Arizona-Sonora border to a pioneering Jewish family. “I grew up speaking primarily two languages –English and Spanish, simultaneously and fluently – and learned some Yiddish along the way. I then studied French for six years in high school and college,” Rivera-Ashford explained. “I also embraced the Mexican and Indigenous cultures as all of the ‘nanas’ in my life (who were all Mexican, except for my Jewish nana) provided unconditional love and support throughout my childhood.”

After she married Daniel Rivera Ashford 50 years ago, her Latina and Catholic mother-in-law continued the love, support and teachings that she now shares in her stories and life.

Her newly released book, “RAULITO – The First Latino Governor of Arizona,” is a bilingual flipbook for intermediate readers and recounts the life story of the late Raúl H. Castro, who was elected the first Mexican American governor of Arizona in 1974. “His story has left us a legacy, one from which all can learn to incorporate in their own lives,” Rivera-Ashford said.

Rivera-Ashford is the author of multiple other bilingual titles meant to educate children and adults alike that have sold more than 150,000 copies. She co-wrote, along with her son, Aaron Rivera-Ashford, a companion book for the Disney/Pixar movie “Coco” called “Miguel and the Amazing Alebrijes.” For more information, visit butterflyheartbooks.com. JN

Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford with Raul H. Castro.

Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford’s book about the first Latino Governor of Arizona, “Raulito.”

Michelle Talsma Everson is a freelance writer, editor and PR consultant in Phoenix.

Judy E. Laufer

The cover of Judy E. Laufer’s latest children’s book, “I Respectfully Disagree.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUDY E. LAUFER

Linda Pressman

Linda Pressman’s latest book, “Jewish Girls Gone Wild.” COURTESY OF LINDA PRESSMAN

Deena Goldstein

Deena Goldstein’s book “OK, Little Bird,”

COURTESY OF DEENA GOLDSTEIN

Skirmishes over Israel’s legitimacy

Last week, a skirmish in the battle to promote Palestinian rights by delegitimizing the state of Israel broke out at the Sierra Club. The venerable environmental organization that is committed to defending the world’s most precious resources suddenly found itself uncomfortably embroiled in the debate over the legitimacy of the Jewish state.

For the past decade, Sierra Club has touted Israel’s biodiversity, desert environments and avian life and sponsored numerous trips there. One such trip was scheduled for this month. Then it wasn’t. Sierra Club explained that the cancellation was because such trips are “providing legitimacy to the Israeli state, which is engaged in apartheid against the Palestinian people.” Reaction was quick, and was overwhelmingly negative. Within days, Sierra Club withdrew the cancellation and promised Israeli trips in the future.

The underlying challenge to the trips was brought by one of Sierra Club’s members who was supported by a host of pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist groups. In response to the cancellation announcement, several patrons of Sierra Club and major Jewish organizations objected to the decision and questioned why Sierra

Club allowed itself to be dragged into a political issue that has no connection to the organization’s mission.

Sierra Club now confirms that it is committed to the enjoyment, exploration and protection of the planet and that it doesn’t take positions on foreign policy matters. We hope that’s true, and that Sierra Club recognizes the folly of allowing

MY GUT TELLS ME THAT WHAT JEWISH PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WANT IS TO KNOW THAT THERE’S A SANCTUARY THAT IS A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE PLACE THAT THE JEWS, THE JEWISH PEOPLE CAN CALL HOME.

its mission and credibility to be hijacked by those whose sole objective is the delegitimization of Israel.

But the naiveté of Sierra Club pales in comparison to the breathtaking chutzpah of the U.S. director of Amnesty International, Paul O’Brien, who told the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington that Amnesty International is “opposed to

Antisemitism in the curriculum

Over the past several years concerns have been raised over antisemitic and anti-Zionist content being baked into school curricula. And in this case, it’s not Palestinian or Arab State education materials that are being criticized. Rather, the focus has been upon otherwise commendable state efforts to develop ethnic studies model curricula to teach students about the histories, experiences, contributions and struggles of minority groups. Several groups, including the Jewish community, have expressed concern. While some communities like Sikhs and Armenians protested their exclusion from some drafts, the Jewish community was critical of the presentation of the American Jewish experience and for including antisemitic language and antiIsrael content.

Earlier this month, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cordona to share his concerns about the issue. Gottheimer’s letter discusses how some school districts are considering curricula that claim that “criticism of Israel’s policies of apartheid and oppression of Palestinians is not antisemitism.” And he notes that such a claim

goes against the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which includes denying the Jewish people the right to self-determination, such as by claiming Israel is a racist endeavor. Gottheimer called on the Department of Education to ensure that schools don’t teach bigoted curricula and for a “united, bipartisan and national commitment” to address antisemitism.

Among those copied on Gottheimer’s letter was California Gov. Gavin Newsom. California’s state board of education has weathered what is now a four-year battle over an ethnic studies curriculum that was initially highly criticized and then revised to address many of the concerns raised by the Jewish community and others. The revised curriculum was unanimously adopted last week. Despite many positive changes, some members of the Jewish community are still concerned about the curriculum content. For now, California’s model curriculum is optional, and schools in the state are not required to offer it. But pending legislation to make a high school ethnic studies course a graduation requirement will almost certainly reignite the debate on a multitude of

A

the idea … that Israel should be preserved as a state for the Jewish people.” In response to the uproar over the offensiveness of those remarks, O’Brien claimed that what he said didn’t express what he wanted to say. We find that hard to believe since O’Brien continues to assert that he doesn’t trust the polls saying that American Jews support Israel. Instead, O’Brien, who is not Jewish, has the temerity to declare: “My gut tells me that what Jewish people in this country want is to know that there’s a sanctuary that is a safe and sustainable place that the Jews, the Jewish people can call home.” And he posits that “[American Jews] can be convinced over time that the key to sustainability is to adhere to what I see as core Jewish values, which are to be principled and fair and just in creating that space.” O’Brien’s objective is a one-state arrangement where neither Jews nor Palestinians have the right to selfdetermination.

O’Brien’s ignorance is breathtaking. And we reject his gut-driven declaration that Israel “shouldn’t exist as a Jewish state.” Amnesty International’s continued support of O’Brien confirms that the human rights organization has lost its way and its credibility. JN

Most of your editorials are so slanted against any political group that is not a Democrat. Example is todays (“Ketanji Brown Jackson — a Republican opportunity,” March 4, 2022) about the endorsement for the Supreme Court. Conveying the idea that the Republicans will not endorse her. Look back at how horrible some of the Democrats were with the last two nominations under President Trump. Thank you.

Frank W., East Valley

Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers (“Senate votes to censure Wendy Rogers for threatening her colleagues,” March 18, 2022) has doubled down on her comments at a white nationalist conference and on social media. She would “not apologize for being white.” Sen. Rogers, no one is asking you to apologize for being white. Your whiteness is the least of our worries.

concerns expressed by the Jewish community and others.

While we see the merit of educating primary and secondary school students on ethnic studies and minority community issues, we are troubled by the unrelenting efforts of those who seek to manipulate the process to promote antisemitic content, delegitimize Israel and challenge the right of Jews to self-determination. Antisemitism and the security of our community are a continuing concern. In addition to disquieting high-profile incidents we see rising antisemitism in more subtle places — like in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and anti-Israel rhetoric on college campuses — and we see it festering in unchecked ethnic studies curricula proposals.

Good education can be an antidote to hate and discrimination. But the process takes work and requires a nuanced sensitivity to significant issues of concern to each minority community, We encourage continued vigilance by our community and applaud the supportive efforts of Gottheimer. We invite other members of Congress to join the effort.

My mother taught me a person will be judged by the company she keeps and you, Sen. Rogers, are hanging and banging with white nationalists and antiSemites. You’re parroting their rhetoric and beating the drum of their paranoid, twisted thinking.

We hear the chants of neoNazi and white supremacist groups — including many of your cohorts, “Jews will not replace us!” You’ve said, “…global bankers…are shoving godlessness and degeneracy in our face.”

These are not your ideas, Sen. Rogers; you heard them from the mouths and pens of people like Nick Fuentes, white nationalist movement leader. You’ve been sucked into the creed of those who make a living by stoking fear and blaming others.

Neither this letter nor any other will convince you to drop the cronies with whom you are now cozy. Your chosen ideological alliance with them speaks for itself. And Arizona voters will speak too, should you again seek elected office.

Janice Friebaum, Scottsdale

NOTE

ON OPINION

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.

What synagogues can do for you!

RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ

ith the decline of organized religion over recent decades, the fall of community life at large and the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no secret that synagogues around the country have been struggling to reach the number of souls that they hope to engage.

The 2020 Pew study on Jewish Americans found that only 12% of American Jews report weekly attendance of religious services.

But I’m here to tell you that now — especially now — is the right time for us to get involved in a local synagogue.

“Wait, rabbi,” you might be saying. “But I’m not a religious Jew.”

I’m not suggesting that we all have to be “religious,” but being a Jew means we wrestle with, and are in a relationship with, the tradition. Our beliefs can be complex but our engagement should still be robust. Even for those who are skeptical of the spiritual aspects of Judaism, there are the moral dimensions of the tradition that offer guidance and stability in a world where those things are sorely lacking. As a people, we have so much to offer the world.

Of course, synagogues can always do better in operating and supporting the community. We have terrific synagogues in our community, despite their

Wimperfections, and they would only be strengthened by our participation.

Whether you are Reform, Conservative, Renewal, Modern Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Sephardic, Centrist Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodox, JuBu, Hasidic or nondenominational — even if you have never bought into any of these — we have wonderful synagogues here in the Greater Phoenix area. There is a shul for you.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider becoming a member if you’re not already:

1. The Power of Prayer

Prayer provides an opportunity to connect with the Divine, work toward spiritual refinement, achieve the meditative benefits and connect with community.

2. Life-Cycle Events

Being a member of a synagogue can help you to receive support and guidance around births, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, family conversions, saying kaddish in one’s year of mourning a family member and much more.

3. Pastoral Support

Our amazing clergy can be here for you and your family members in your time of distress and sickness, whether mental health or physical ailment.

4. Passing on the Tradition

Our children and grandchildren can receive all the religious education in the world but if they don’t see that we are committed to religious life, they won’t understand the value of their Judaism. It is upon us to be Jewish role models for today’s children.

5. Family Services

Synagogue pre-school is a great gift we can give to our children, as it connects our children to other kids, provides them with a quality start to their education and bonds our Jewish families together.

6. Chesed Committees

One of the most important and practical mitzvahs we can partake in is helping community members in need. By joining a synagogue chesed committee, you can support the sick, welcome new members in the community, lead social action and much more.

7. Deepened Community

Yes, synagogues provide the potential for new friendships, but the benefit is more than that. A community of support beyond our closest friends is emotionally powerful and gives us the security and fulfillment we desperately need in these challenging times.

8. Holidays

Each holiday adds something unique to our communal and spiritual lives.

On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we reflect and work to improve ourselves. On Pesach, we work toward liberation. During Hanukkah, we celebrate Jewish resiliency. On Shavuot, we celebrate the moral clarity of revelation from God. On Purim, we emphasize giving to the poor. The list goes on. Holidays are not designed to be spent alone.

Especially after spending so much time in isolation, it’s easy to think we can take on Judaism as a solo project. But in reality, Judaism has many dimensions. There is the existentialist, solitary spiritual journey but there is also the family unit, the local community and the united Jewish people. These four are interconnected and if we work on all of them, we as Jews can make an impact on the broader world. Being a part of a Jewish community is not easy. It requires humility to be a member of a synagogue, because only 70% of the offerings might be exactly what we want. We must remember, though, that the other 30% might be meeting someone else’s needs. And compromise is necessary for us to receive the full benefits of being in a community with others. Hope to see you in shul! JN

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash the author of more than 20 books on Jewish ethics.

Bills attacking LGBTQ rights are an assault on Jewish values

IDIT KLEIN AND IS PERLMAN | JTA

We are alarmed by the surge of legislative attacks on the rights, safety and dignity of LGBTQ youth across the nation.

Among over 100 pending anti-LGBTQ bills are the recently passed “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in Florida and the terrifying equation of trans-affirming health care with child abuse by the governor of Texas.

We are a queer Jewish communal professional and a nonbinary Jewish college student. We recognize that now is a time when we must fight for ourselves, and we call on our beloved Jewish community to join us in our fight for the rights of LGBTQ people everywhere.

One of us, Is Perlman, grew up in Florida and was blessed with parents who supported the start of their medical transition there. Despite that love

and affirmation, Is endured years of self-loathing and shame due to the onslaught of anti-trans rhetoric in their local communities and the broader world. Indeed, Is was one of the 40% of trans and nonbinary young people who attempt suicide by age 24. They’ve shared that it was only when they met other LGBTQ Jewish teens and adult mentors through a Shabbaton organized by Keshet — a national organization working for LGBTQ equality in the Jewish community — that they came to understand themselves as not just worthy of basic dignity, but as a holy person who is made in the image of the Divine.

If Is were still a high school student in Florida today, any reference to their identity or experience as a nonbinary person could be banned under the newly-passed “Don’t Say

Gay” law. For the many LGBTQ youth who live in Florida, this bill serves to further marginalize a group that already experiences severe stigma and isolation.

Legislators should be supporting educators to ensure that all students have access to affirming, safe learning environments where they can grow and evolve in the fullness of their identities. Instead, Florida legislators — and legislators in the dozens of states around the country that have introduced anti-LGBTQ legislation — are playing politics with the lives of LGBTQ youth and undermining their basic humanity. Do not be fooled by these politicians’ rhetoric. Do speak out to condemn how this law will spark shame and fear among LGBTQ youth and no doubt threaten their safety and even lives.

In Texas, the governor directed

the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to open child abuse investigations of parents who provide gender-affirming care for their trans children. This means that parents who support their trans kids and help them access the health care they need may be subject to investigation that could lead to their children being taken away. Imagine the terror that parents of trans kids and the kids themselves are now experiencing.

Thankfully, an ACLU lawsuit has thus far blocked its implementation, but we don’t know if they will succeed in permanently stopping this destructive policy. Already, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, the largest pediatric hospital in the country, announced that it will no longer prescribe gender-affirming

Biblical Q&A

PARSHAH

PARAH: NUMBERS 19:1-22

his week we will read from two Torah scrolls. The first is the portion of the week, Shemini, which describes the eighth day of the ceremony to ordain the Kohanim (the priests) and to consecrate the Mishkan (the Tabernacle). The second reading comes from the Book of Numbers and details the laws of the red heifer, the most enigmatic mitzvah in the entire Torah. What do these two readings have in common?

The weekly Torah parshah contains the tragic story of the deaths of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu:

“The sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, each took his fire pan, they put fire in them and placed incense upon it; and they brought before God an alien fire that He had not commanded them to bring.” Immediately, “a fire came forth from before God and consumed them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1-2).

What was their sin? They brought an “alien fire” before God. The problem is that we don’t really know what that alien fire was. For thousands of years, the rabbis have been trying to understand what their infraction was and why they deserved to die. Despite their efforts, to this day we cannot say with certainty why they died.

TThe second Torah reading about the Parah Adumah, the red heifer, is one of four special readings that are chanted in the weeks leading up to Passover. The passage of the red heifer describes a purification rite which would purify those who were impure enabling them to partake in the Paschal sacrifice (someone who was impure was forbidden to participate in this sacred service).

“Get a red cow without blemish… And it must never have worn a yoke. Give that cow to Eleazar, and he will take it outside the camp and kill it there… Then the whole cow must be burned in front of him; the skin, the meat, the blood, and the intestines must all be burned. Then the priest must take a cedar stick, a hyssop branch, and some red string. He must throw these things into the fire where the cow is burning. Then the priest must wash himself and his clothes with water. Then he must come back into the camp. He will

be unclean until evening (Numbers 19). It’s not hard to see how this is the most inexplicable mitzvah in the Torah. Why a red cow without blemish? Why burn the remains of the cow with cedar, hyssop and red string? And most puzzling, how could this rite purify the person who was impure while at the same time make the officiating priest impure until the evening?

Even Maimonides, arguably the most brilliant of rabbis, admits that the law of the red heifer was beyond his understanding. So if he couldn’t make sense of this mitzvah, how could we possibly understand it?

I believe that the common thread between these two passages, the deaths of Nadav and Avihu and the rite of the red heifer, is that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we are not going to be able to comprehend every mystery in life. While we grope for meaning in life, including the suffering of others (or ourselves), we don’t always have satisfactory answers. Similarly, we may examine a troubling mitzvah like the Parah Adumah and try to find a reasonable rationale, but we are not always going to succeed.

This does not mean, however, that we shouldn’t endeavor to solve the mysteries of the world — whether we find them

in the Torah or encounter them in our personal lives. We should always strive to find answers to our most pressing questions. But one can also embrace humility by knowing that no matter how hard we try, we may not always find the answers that we seek.

When I was a young boy in Yeshiva, I remember that my teachers were much more impressed with good questions than they were with good answers. Maybe that is because good questions inspire us to think, whereas good answers are not always available. As I matured, I recognized that sometimes we can learn more from the questions than we can from the answers!

Shabbat Shalom. JN

hormone therapies. Hospital officials cited the governor’s directive as the reason for the change. Similarly, numerous parents of trans kids report that pharmacies are refusing to fill prescriptions and insurance companies are pulling coverage.

It has been nearly 40 years since legislation was first proposed to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, with gender identity added more recently. We have been active in a national Jewish community campaign led by Keshet to support the passing of the Equality Act that would at long last give LGBTQ people the civil rights protections that everyone deserves in their homes, jobs, public services and more. If the Equality Act were federal law, it would be impossible for states to target LGBTQ young people with this spate of senseless, cruel legislation and policies.

At 18 years old, Is has already spoken publicly in multiple settings about what enabled them to survive their teenage years as a young trans person: access to trans-affirming health care and connections with other queer Jewish youth. Speaking with such vulnerability is never easy. But Is continues to do so

because they understand the catastrophic impact of threats to the safety and wellbeing of trans youth everywhere.

Polls consistently tell us that a clear majority of American Jews support LGBTQ civil rights. We know from our own experience in the “Yes on 3” campaign to preserve transgender rights

in Massachusetts that when called upon, our Jewish communities do take action: Over 70% of synagogues and other Jewish organizations played an active role in the campaign and helped us win. This is just one of many examples we could offer of how American Jewish communities have learned about, grown to support and

eventually have moved to take meaningful action on LGBTQ rights issues.

The crisis for LGBTQ young people, especially trans youth, should concern all of us. There are so many ways to make a difference: speak out against harmful legislation with your state legislators and urge your senators to pass the Equality Act; mobilize people in your local Jewish community or organize an educational program; tell a trans kid in your life that they can count on your support. We need every Jewish community member to recognize this time as a time for action. Only then, will all LGBTQ youth be able to live with safety, dignity and the certainty that they, like every human being, are indeed holy.

We know from Is’ experience, and that of countless other trans young people, that trans-affirming care is the opposite of abuse; it is health care. Often, it is life-saving care. As a community whose highest value is pikuach nefesh, saving a life, we call on Jews everywhere to say to trans youth: Your life matters and we will fight to save it. JN

Klein is the president and CEO of Keshet. Is

is a Jewish nonbinary first year student at Columbia University and a Keshet youth leader.

Idit

Perlman

Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky is a retired Navy chaplain, freelance rabbi and former president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix.

Find area congregations at jewishaz.com, where you can also find our 2022 Community Directory.

KLEIN AND PERLMAN

9:1-11:47

RABBI ARTHUR LAVINSKY SHEMINI

Students at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, Massachusetts march as part of a nationwide student protest over anti-LGBT education policies in Florida and Texas, March 11, 2022.

COURTESY OF JONATHAT WIGGS/THE BOSTON GLOBE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Three friends keep a Passover tradition of making gefilte fish going

WENDY S. LASKIN

Each year, just before Passover, my friends Betsy Hill, Beth Rosenberg and I make gefilte fish from scratch. Betsy is always the host because she has a remodeled kitchen and a huge stove where we can work.

Originally, we ordered the ground fish from Whole Foods, but after years of explaining that white fish is really a type of fish and not just any fish that was white, we gave up. I purchased a grinder for my “monster mixer” and after that, we ground our own fish.

During the cooking process, we each have a different job. I collected various gefilte fish recipes for review (that we never used); Beth prepped the ingredients and made sure we had the freshest dill from the local farmer’s market; and Betsy would clean up after me – I am a messy cook. I would also taste test to see if the gefilte fish needed more salt. We would talk, laugh and know that the kitchen would smell of fish for days. As we formed each patty, each of us had an opinion. Should they be round?

GEFILTE FISH

Recipe by Wendy S. Laskin

Ingredients:

5 pounds assorted fish fillets*

5 eggs

2 large onions, finely grated

1 tablespoon sugar

Salt to taste (1 tablespoon plus)

White pepper to taste

4 tablespoons grated carrots

1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

¼ cup matzah meal (or more to get the right texture)

2-3 32-ounce containers vegetable broth

Peeled carrots, fresh dill and fresh parsley (for broth)

Chopped parsley and paprika for garnish

Horseradish

Grind the fish. Mix ground fish with the eggs, onions, sugar, salt, white pepper, carrots, parsley and matzah meal until the mixture has the texture of “a bit softer than when making meatballs.”

Note: Don’t make the fish mixture too salty because the fish patties will soak up salt from the broth during cooking. Fill two large soup pots halfway with equal parts water and vegetable broth. Add peeled carrots, fresh dill and fresh parsley

Should they be flat? Should they be oval? Should they be as big as the palm of our hand – and whose hand should we use as a measurement?

As we cooked, we talked about our relatives. Of the mom who sort of had a recipe; the aunt who, like an artist, shaped each patty carefully; and the grandma who added fresh herbs and carrots along with the fish bones to make the broth.

We talked about who liked to cook and who did not. We spoke of holidays gone

by when we were children, became adults and eventually parents. We remembered who came to our seders, who led them, who sang and which kids slept through them. The memories of our relatives kept us company as we cooked.

The three of us cooking together is as important as the seder itself. It has been how we prepare for the holiday. With one another, we are able to share our love and respect for our traditions and how we treasure them.

I can’t wait to do it again next year.

(exact amounts are not required). Bring to a boil. With wet hands, take heaping tablespoons of chopped fish and form into oval patties. Carefully add fish patties to the broth. Bring to a fast boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours. Add additional broth if necessary as fish patties cook. Remove pots from the stove and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Carefully remove patties from broth and refrigerate until ready to use. Before serving, garnish with chopped parsley and paprika.

Serve with horseradish on the side. Makes 20-25 servings.

*Traditionally, a mix of whitefish, pike and carp was used. Since it is difficult to get all these varieties of fish in Arizona, use a combination of firm, white-fleshed fish such as cod, hake and halibut. Also, add a bit of salmon or steelhead trout for flavor. JN

Gefilte fish.

Wendy S. Laskin is a resident of Phoenix and a member of Beth El Phoenix.

Rabbi and mom develops Passover PJs

RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN

Rabbi Yael Buechler is hoping that her latest effort will cause some people to add an unofficial fifth question at their Passover seder: Why are these pajamas different from all other pajamas?

Buechler, the outreach director at The Leffell School, a private Jewish day school in Hartsdale, N.Y., and the married mother of two young sons, has developed a line of Passover pajamas available online called Matza Pajamas.

Based in New York City, Buechler, the founder of Midrash Manicures, “dedicated to finding new avenues for Jewish creative expression through nail art,” said she is on “a mission to make Matza Pajamas that kiddos everywhere can happily enjoy.” That mission is now a reality, and the 100% cotton, two-piece matzah-print pajamas are available in children’s sizes 2T through 10.

Buechler admits the whole concept came about by accident last year.

“Since we weren’t planning on having guests last Passover, I ordered new pajamas for my kids to wear at the seders,” she said, “The seders always go very late, so I thought pajamas would make the postseder bedtime go smoother. With the pandemic, we’d basically said ‘dayenu’ to button ups.”

When the new pajamas were presented to her 2- and 4-year-old children, one pair was a big hit with her youngest son Nadav, now 3.

the seder, he immediately referred to them as his ‘matzah pajamas’ and giddily wore them every chance he got,” Buechler said.

A lightbulb switched on.

As a rabbi, Buechler said that she is always seeking ways to make Jewish holiday celebrations more meaningful. For previous Passovers, she’s designed ten plagues nail decals, a matzah playhouse with reusable stickers for indoor pandemic play and this year, inspired by her son’s idea, she decided to make matzah-print pajamas.

Putting on their matzah pajamas for Passover “will enable kids to feel even more connected to the seder experience,” Buechler said.

“The pandemic has really taken a toll on families with young children, with frequent quarantines, child-care challenges, and more,” she said. “My hope is that these pajamas will bring some much-needed Passover excitement to kids and their grownups.”

Added Buechler, “And, as we’ve all learned over the past two years of this pandemic, pajamas make everything better.” JN

There are other matzah-print items on the site including a dress, headband and hair scrunchie. Pajamas in adult sizes will be available for shipment after April 1. For more information, visit matzapajamas.com.

Rachel Raskin-Zrihen is a freelance writer living

Children can now wear matzah-print pajamas to the seder.

COURTESY OF MATZA PAJAMAS

Take the Credit for Jewish Education

Writer Opportunity Available Phoenix Jewish News

Mid-Atlantic Media, a fast-growing publisher of niche community and ethnic titles, is seeking a sta writer for its full time publishing project Phoenix Jewish News in Scottsdale, AZ. Phoenix Jewish News is an award-winning, print and digital publication covering the greater Phoenix diverse Jewish community since 1948. Our ideal candidate has experience with and enjoys writing both news and feature stories, thrives in a deadline environment and has digital media experience.

You love telling the stories and tracking down the facts that are at the heart of any article. You can thrive on multiple assignments and are flexible about evening and weekend work. Words and ideas are your oxygen. Photography experience is a plus. So is familiarity with Jewish community and Israel.

As an employee of Mid-Atlantic Media, you’ll be a part of a rapidly expanding organization that, in addition to the Phoenix Jewish News, publishes Washington Jewish Week, Baltimore Jewish Times, and other publishing projects such as Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Such a range of outlets a ords writers the opportunity to have multiple bylines across the U.S.

If you are a confident and capable reporter looking for a new opportunity with a fast-growing media company, this is your chance.

Here’s how to help the Jews of Ukraine

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Jewish organizations are directing aid for tens of thousands of Jews living in the embattled country, assisting refugees who are fleeing the fighting and helping area Jews who have been trying or are hoping to immigrate to Israel.

Below is a partial list of organizations that have ramped up ongoing efforts in the region or opened emergency mailboxes since the start of the war.

The Jewish Federations of North America has an emergency mailbox (jewishfederations.org/crisis-in-ukraine2022) for helping people immigrate to Israel, securing the local Ukrainian community and its institutions and maintaining critical welfare services, among other needs.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (jdc.org/ disasters/ukraine-response/) has a longstanding presence in the country, assisting impoverished seniors and supporting a network of Jewish community centers and social service agencies.

The Afya Foundation (afyafoundation.org/campaign/ukraine/), in conjunction with UJA-Federation of New York, is preparing urgently needed wound care, surgical equipment and biomedical equipment to be shipped to Ukraine.

The American Jewish Committee’s emergency #StandWithUkraine fund (global.ajc.org/support-ukraine) is pledging to direct 100% of the funds to those meeting urgent needs in Ukraine, including IsraAID, the rapid response Israeli relief agency, which is assisting refugees of all backgrounds in neighboring Moldova. HIAS (hias.org) is working through channels within the U.S. and throughout Europe to support the safe and speedy resettlement of those seeking to leave Ukraine. Notes of support and friendship to HIAS and Jewish community center staff in Ukraine can be sent to general inboxes (d.jcca.org) at partner JCCs that are located throughout the Ukraine.

The Jewish Agency for Israel (my.jewishagency.org/ukraine) has opened an emergency hotline to provide Ukrainian Jews with guidance and information regarding the immigration process, as well as general assistance.

The Chabad-Lubavitch movement has a Ukraine Jewish relief fund (chabad. org/special/campaigns/ukraine/donate.htm).

Masorti Olami has a fund for Ukrainian relief (masortiolami.org/one-timedonation).

UJA-Federation of New York (ujafedny.org/crisis-donate) has a dedicated mailbox supporting its partners providing humanitarian needs in Ukraine. Project Kesher is currently supporting an emergency fund for women in Ukraine (projectkesher.org/emergencyfundforukraine).

The B’nai B’rith Ukraine assistance fund (bnaibrith.org/disaster-relief) is accepting donations.

Agudath Israel has a Ukraine emergency relief fund (charidy.com/agudahukraine) that has raised $5.3 million as of March 8. JN

JTA STAFF

Staff from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee at the border between Romania and Moldova, preparing to assist Jewish Ukrainian refugees traveling through Moldova to Romania, Feb. 28, 2022. COURTESY OF RAMIN MAZUR/JDC

Jewish Family & Children’s Service hosts drive for school supplies

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS), an organization that provides behavioral health, healthcare and social services to all ages, faiths and backgrounds, is hosting its annual Backpack & School Supply Drive to support parents and teachers in the Greater Phoenix area who are struggling with the cost of school supplies.

Teachers end up purchasing supplies to fill the need in their classroom – often out of their own pocket. According to a nationwide survey of 5,400 pre-K-12 teachers at public, private and charter schools conducted by AdoptAClassroom.org, a national nonprofit that provides funding for U.S. teachers and schools, teachers spent an average of $750 of their own money to purchase school supplies for their homes, classrooms and students during the 2020-2021 school year. Thirty percent of teachers spent $1,000 or more annually and 95% of teachers said their classroom supply budget would not be enough to meet their students’ needs. Teacher spending has increased 25% since the organization began surveying teachers in 2015.

“The percentage of students unable to afford school supplies varies from year

to year, but the need remains,” said Lisa Blumstein, volunteer coordinator for JFCS. “For low-income families who are already facing financial hardships, this can be an impossible task without the assistance of others.”

Each year JFCS coordinates backto-school drives for families in need.

In anticipation of needing more than 1,800 backpacks for children in the Greater Phoenix area, JFCS is inviting the community to participate and support the annual Backpack & School Supply Drive until May 31, 2022. While there is a continuous need for backpacks and school supplies by JFCS

clients, the donations are needed by May 31 for backpacks to be distributed to students prior to the start of the 20222023 school year. Children and teens receiving services from JFCS, including those in foster care, domestic violence and youth programs, as well as those who visit the integrated healthcare clinics,

“With the community’s support, we can make sure every student begins the school year on a positive note,” said Blumstein. “By making a monetary donation on the JFCS website, shopping via our Amazon wish list or hosting a supply drive for things like pocket folders, glue, pencils and pens, the community’s effort can make a huge difference in the

Groups or organizations can collect needed supplies by hosting a drive and they can contact Blumstein to arrange a drop-off day and time. “We are so fortunate to have support from our community, Valley synagogues, Mercy Care and other groups supporting this annual effort. We couldn’t do it without them.” Blumstein added. JN

For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/ volunteer or contact Blumstein at lisa.blumstein@jfcsaz.org.

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Jewish philanthropy meets growing needs, even during COVID

SUSAN INGRAM

Across the nation, Jewish organizations aiding communities here and abroad are rising to challenges created by the pandemic – with the help of their donors.

A needs survey by the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies, which looked at March 2020 through March 2021, found:

• 94% of agencies reported an increase in demand for mental health services

• 91% reported an increase in food insecurity

• 85% reported an increase in demand for family and children services

• 84% saw increased demand in emergency financial assistance and senior service

Likewise, demand for aid to Holocaust survivors, the unemployed/ underemployed, teens and young adults also rose.

At MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, headquartered in Los Angeles, vice president of community engagement Naama Haviv said food insecurity and hunger spiked during the peak months of the pandemic – from 40 million Americans reporting food insecurity, to about 80 million.

“What we saw during the first few months of the pandemic was a real crisis,” Haviv said. “We all remember the images of the miles-long lines of cars waiting at food banks and food pantries.”

With community and government interventions, numbers have since returned to close to pre-pandemic levels, although those levels remain unacceptable, she said.

“What we also saw in the crisis months of the pandemic was an unparalleled response to hunger from our community,” Haviv said. “And not just in terms of charity, but an unparalleled demand for justice and change to the system that would allow so many people to go hungry in this country. So many were teetering on the edge, one paycheck away from financial ruin.”

MAZON donors typically give to about 19 organizations, Haviv said. Meanwhile, newer or returned pandemic donors, affectionately known as “pan-donors,” give to about a dozen.

“There’s a lot of focus on real systemic change and real justice,” Haviv said. “And our donors are very attuned to it.”

The International Association of Jewish Free Loans includes more than

50 member associations around the world, including one in the Greater Phoenix area. With support from donors and affiliated nonprofits, the associations help people get through tough patches with interest-free loans.

“What we’re finding, and I think it’s probably similar to what is happening across the board, is an increase in the amount of the loan requests being received and processed,” said Ellen Friedman Sacks, president of IAJFL and the executive director of Jewish Free Loan of Phoenix. “And on average, a bit of a decrease in the money that’s been raised as people grapple with the financial ramifications of the pandemic. Some of which were very clear right from the onset, and others I think are still revealing themselves.”

Sacks said that many communities implemented COVID-19 response very quickly, including to pandemic-related economic needs.

“Many communities were able to work with other agencies in their communities to increase access to both monetary services and other safety net services,” she said. “Clearly the demand for the interestfree loan programs offered by member agencies increased, and the agencies continue to evaluate the community needs and respond in the way that is most appropriate for their community.”

At the New York-based American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Gideon Herscher, interim co-executive director of resource development, said two trends stand out: “An increase in human need and an increased desire for Jewish connection and meaning.”

The 107-year-old organization, which aids Jews and others in 70 countries, sees the most pressing needs in Europe, the former Soviet Union and Israel.

The organization aids about 80,000 elderly Jews and Holocaust survivors in the former Soviet Union. Demand increased for food, medicine, basic supplies and personal protective equipment for seniors and their homecare workers. Meanwhile, in Europe, Latin America and North Africa, JDC created a humanitarian aid fund to help Jewish families and communities with pandemic impacts. These included job losses and business closures, which increased need for food, rent, utilities and other basics.

In Israel, the JDC partners with the Israeli government on social services programs, including retooling and retraining workers; deploying virtual social services like rehab and housing support for the homebound or people with disabilities; and connecting Jews and Arabs in mixed cities.

In addition, demand continues for online platforms offering Jewish programming and educational offerings and safe in-person gatherings.

Herscher noted two trends driving pandemic giving. One is philanthropists’ need for connection with the people they help, and from like-minded social-change investors – connections challenged by the pandemic. The second is that JDC’s board and long-time funders have increased or sustained pre-pandemic giving levels “because they intimately understand the added value we have as a legacy organization with long history and experienced boots on the ground in communities around the globe.”

Eric Fingerhut, Jewish Federations of North America CEO and president, said Federation donors have stepped up to meet needs.

“When Jewish Federations mobilized the community-wide response to

COVID-19, we really saw donors step up to meet the needs of the community, whether in terms of protecting our most vulnerable, or making sure that our Jewish communal infrastructure remained strong,” he said.

About $175 million beyond what is typical was distributed during the pandemic. This additional money came from an increase in funds raised, reallocations and reserve funds. In addition, JFNA’s Human Services Relief matching grant initiative raised $62 million across the system to meet needs including food and employment services, food access for older adults and Holocaust survivors, safe transportation and technology to battle social isolation, and securing supplies and education for home health aides and cleaning services to help keep people safe.

“On a broader level, we are also seeing an increase in the desire for directed giving, in general, as a new generation of donors comes into the fold and is seeking to leverage their donations toward specific causes,” Fingerhut said. JN

Susan Ingram is a freelance writer living in Baltimore, Md.

This piece originally appeared in Baltimore Jewish Times – a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

A volunteer family serves meals to the hungry. COURTESY OF SDI

A guided tour of ‘Mrs. Maisel’ locations celebrates 1950s Manhattan

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” aired its fourth season finale on Friday, March 11, but if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to Midge and the rest of the very Jewish gang, the show’s real-life locations across Manhattan are just a vintage car ride away.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sites Tour from On Location Tours – which takes fans of the Amazon hit series to seven locations from the show – began in late 2019 as a bus tour. After a hiatus during the height of the pandemic, the tour makes a return to the streets – this time, in a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. The car itself actually made an appearance in the show’s second season as Midge’s father Abe Weissman’s car, which the family drives to the Catskills.

For $150 per person, you get up to three seats in the private car, according to On Location’s promotional copy. “Cruise through Manhattan, see the sights, and get a first-hand look at where some of your favorite characters came to life!” the company promises.

(On Location is careful to note that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sites Tour is not affiliated, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” or Amazon Studios, and that “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” name is a registered trademark of Amazon.)

In the name of journalism, I nabbed a seat on a “sneak peek” of the tour.

One of the stops is the location of the original Gaslight Café on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village, where Midge begins her venture into standup comedy. Though the café only operated from 1958 to 1971 today, it’s a stylish cocktail bar called The Up & Up – the neighborhood is jam-packed with comedy clubs, such as the Comedy Cellar and the Village Underground, where young comics today get their starts and veterans sell out the room.

Other locations on the tour include Caffe Reggio (119 MacDougal St.), where Italian immigrant Domenico Parisi brought the first cappuccino to America – and where Abe Weissman (Tony Shalhoub) meets his lawyer when he gets in trouble with Bell Labs. There’s also the Music Inn (169 W. 4th St.), where patrons can browse vintage records and a variety of string instruments and where Joel (Michael Zegen) hears Midge’s standup on a record for the first time; and Lutzi’s Butcher Shop (Albanese Meat and Poultry at 238 Elizabeth St.) where, in the premiere episode, Midge is shopping

for Yom Kippur breakfast and exclaims, “We got the rabbi!”

Other stops include the fictitious City Spoon diner (filmed at La Bonbonniere at 28 Eighth Ave.), where Midge and Joel grab a bite to eat after their wedding, and the famous arch at Washington Square Park, which serves as the backdrop for many TV shows and films. In the first

season of “Maisel,” Midge walks into an anti-development protest at the arch, led by Jane Jacobs (Alison Smith) – a real-life activist who spent much of the 1950s and 1960s working to protect Greenwich Village from city planners Robert Moses’ ambitious development plans. In that episode, Midge grabs the mic at the protest, saying, “I stumbled upon this

rally and I was like, ‘So many women in one place…two-for-one pantyhose?’”

The tour doesn’t include two of the show’s Jewish locations, including the East Midwood Jewish Center in Brooklyn, which makes a few appearances throughout the series as the interior of the family’s synagogue.

The show has also featured the iconic Stage Deli on 7th Avenue and 54th Street, where Midge and Susie (Alex Borstein) have their business meetings over pastrami sandwiches and pickles. Alas, the deli, which was founded in 1937 by Russian Jewish immigrant Max Asnas, closed in 2012.

According to our guide (and actor, naturally) Stephanie Windland – who was decked out in a 1950s-style coat, dress, hat and gloves – the tour isn’t just about the destinations; half the fun is the journey, too. She tells me her favorite part of the tour is the looks passengers get from pedestrians. “It makes people feel like celebrities,” she said of the attention-grabbing car.

Windland praised the show’s location scout for finding places that don’t need much work to look as they would have in the late 1950s. Caffe Reggio, for example, still has its original espresso machine and the show used the cafe’s real dishes for the scenes that were filmed there.

“It feels like you’re back in time,” she said.

The café is also famous for its possession of Italian treasures. Inside, there’s an original Caravaggio painting and a bench from the Medici family palazzo in Florence that customers can actually sit on.

As Windland and I talked, I realized that her costume looked familiar. As it turns out, it’s the same one that Midge wears when she works at B. Altman – a real-life, now-defunct department store, founded by a Jewish man, that was once headquartered on Fifth Avenue and 34th Street.

Windland’s crimson dress and coat, which she and the other guides ordered from an Etsy store, are different colors than what Midge and the other employees wear.

“I can’t pull off silver like she does,” Windland said.

Windland also wears sensible “catering heels,” as she calls them, to stay comfortable on her feet as she leads up to three tours in a row.

But her gloves and hat? They’re from Amazon. JN

The lime green 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air used on the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sites Tour. COURTESY OF JACKIE HAJDENBERG

The original location of the Gaslight Café, where Midge gets her start in comedy. COURTESY OF JACKIE HAJDENBERG

JACKIE HAJDENBERG | JTA

Featured Event

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH

Antisemitism Here and Now: Challenges and Opportunities

7 p.m. - Join Congregation Beth Tefillah, 6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, for a presentation by StandWithUS co-founder and CEO Roz Rothstein and the director of SWY’s Center for Combating Antisemitism, Carly Gammill. Cost: Free. Register for the event at swuandtbt.paperform.co.

Events

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Scottsdale Children’s Business Fair: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business! Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace at the Martin Pear Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. For more information, visit childrensbusinessfair.org/ scottsdale-az.

Summer Camp Open House: 1-3 p.m.

Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center and learn about Camp Rimon’s summer camp. Event includes inflatable obstacle course, arts & crafts and a treat from Kona Ice. For more information, visit evjcc. org/event/summer-camp-open-house.

MONDAY, MARCH 28

Wines of South America Wine Tasting: 5:30 p.m. Join wine sommelier Nadia at the Martin Pear Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale as she guides you through a tasting of the wines of Chile and Argentina. Cost: $35 for members of The J; $45 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit apm.activecommunities. com/valleyofthesunjcc/Activity_Search/1975.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

Night Out: 7-10 p.m. Join Congregation Beth Tefillah for a three-course dinner prepared by My Kosher Catering. Cost: $75 per person; reservations required. For more information, visit bethtefillahaz.org/event/night-out.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Documentary Film Series: 7 p.m.

Join the Arizona Jewish Historical Society for a live screening of “The Last Survivor.” The film can also be streamed April 4-8. For more information, visit azjhs.org/ documentary-film-series.

THURSDAYS

Storytime at Modern Milk: 9:30 a.m.

Bring your babies, toddlers and preschoolers to our weekly all ages in-person storytime at Modern Milk, 3802 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 163. We will integrate favorite children’s books and songs while giving parents new ideas for play. Cost: $5. For more information and to register, visit modernmilk.com/after-baby.

SUNDAYS

BAGELS: 9-11 a.m. Join the Martin Pear JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, for Bagels And Gabbing Every Last Sunday of the month in-person. Grab a bagel and a cup of coffee and enjoy some time with your friends and make new ones. You must

register to attend. Bagels and coffee will be provided. Cost: Free for members, $5 for guests. For more information and to register, visit apm.activecommunities.com/ valleyofthesunjcc/Activity_Search/1787.

MONDAYS

Mahjong: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center in-person on Mondays for mahjong. This program is intended for players with prior experience and for those who have received the COVID-19 vaccination. Masks will be required. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit evjcc.org/mahjong. For further questions, call the EVJCC at 480-897-0588. The EVJCC is located at 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler.

Virtual Meetings, Lectures & Classes

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Judaism and Public Health: Living in the Shadows of Pandemics: 9 a.m.-6:15 p.m. Join ASU Jewish Studies for the annual Judaism, Science and Medicine Group conference reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic from historical, sociological, legal, philosophical and ethical perspectives. Cost: free and open to all; registration required. For more information, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu/science.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

Tuesday at the J: 10-11 a.m., Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center for Tuesdays at the J free virtual presentation featuring “Six Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System,” presented by Deborah Lavinsky. For more informatinon, visit evjcc.org/event/ tuesdays-at-the-j-6/2022-03-29.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Transform How You See the World and Art: 1 p.m. Join the Martin Pear Jewish Community Center for a ground-breaking, interactive online experience that will transform how you see the world and art, and inspire you to create beautiful images. Cost: $10. For more information, visit pm.activecommunities. com/valleyofthesunjcc/Activity_Search/2091.

MONDAYS

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.

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.

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

TUESDAYS

Let’s Knit: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Share the pleasure of knitting, crocheting, etc. and help others with a project or pattern. Can’t knit? We can teach you! Every level welcome. We will be sitting outside at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus and social distancing. Our last meeting before August will be Tuesday, May 11. Cost: Free. For more information, email Nicole Garber at nicoleg@ mpjcc.org.

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.

WEDNESDAYS

History of the Jews: 11 a.m. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach online with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Cost: Free. Tune in here: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Torah Study with Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley: 11 a.m.-noon. TBS of the West Valley’s weekly virtual study group explores that week’s portion and studies different perspectives and debates the merits of various arguments. Intended for adults, Torah study is open to students of all levels. The goal is to achieve an understanding of what the text is and what it can teach us in the contemporary world. For more information, contact the TBS office at 623-977-3240.

Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. An online class taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves

into texts and references culled from our traditions to address a relevant topic and draw uplifting life lessons from it. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com.

Torah Study with Chabad: Noon. Take a weekly journey to the soul of Torah online with Rabbi Yossi Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Lunch & Learn: 12:15 p.m. Grab some food and learn online with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: Free. Tune in on Zoom by emailing info@ChabadTucson.com. For more information, visit ChabadTucson.com.

The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. An online Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, focusing on the many foundational and transformational concepts of Kaballah and Jewish Mysticism and applying them to everyday life. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com.

Knit a Mitzvah: 1-30 p.m. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, check in with fellow knitters who are making items to donate as part of this Brandeis National Committee Phoenix chapter study group. For more information, contact Ronee Siegel at ronees@aol.com.

JACS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Virtual support group for Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and family on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Cost: Free. For more information, email jacsarizona@gmail.com or call 602-692-1004.

Words & Whiskey: 8:30 p.m. Join a free weekly, virtual learning session for men. To RSVP, email rmollenaz@gmail.com or call/ text 310-709-3901.

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.

Mindfulness Gatherings: Noon. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley via Zoom. Cost: Free. To join by phone dial 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#, to get the Zoom link or for further questions contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692.

Roz Rothstein COURTESY OF STANDWITHUS

The Science of Everything: 4 p.m. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Cost: Free. Tune in at: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Tzvi Rimler online, Cost: Free. Tune in at cteen.clickmeeting.com/east-valley. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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.

Book Discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Join Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism on the third Saturday of every month for a virtual book discussion. For more information and to register, contact oradaminfo@gmail.com.

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.

Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Learn about the Chasidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Cost: Free. Tune in using this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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.

Anxiety in the Modern World: 6 p.m. Learn the secrets of the Torah for living stressfree in the current environment in a virtual class with Rabbi Boruch, with Chabad of Oro Valley. Cost: Free. Tune in using this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

In-person services: Congregation Beth Israel is holding services in the Goldsmith Sanctuary limited to 100 people, excluding clergy and staff. Members and guests must be fully vaccinated (two weeks since your last vaccination) and wear a mask. Children may attend and must be able to wear a mask for the duration of the service. 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.

In-person services: Beth El Phoenix is offering in-person Shabbat services indoors, limited to 30 people, not including clergy. Masks and social distancing required as well as pre-registration via bethelphoenix.com/ form/Shabbat-registration or by calling the office at 602-944-3359.

In-person services: Congregation Or Tzion is holding Friday evening (6:00 pm) and Shabbat morning (9:30 am) Services indoors. Beginning March 4, proof of full vaccination will be required for all events in the synagogue. Masks are required for

everyone attending services at Or Tzion. Services are also live streamed at otaz. org/livestream. For more information about services, events, membership and our new COVID policy, please visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

Tot Shabbat in the Park: 9:30 a.m. Free totShabbat every Friday morning at Cactus Park. Shabbat music, toys and a meaningful pre-school Shabbat experience. Is it your child’s birthday? Sponsor a Shabbat for $36.00. For more information and to register, visit playdatesbydesign.com/ upcoming-classes.

Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:45 a.m. Join the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment each Friday for a soothing and inspiring program to welcome Shabbat. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Alicia Magal will lead a service livestreamed for members of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, visit jcsvv.org/contact.

Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:30 p.m. Congregation

Kehillah invites you to join services via Zoom, every other Friday, with Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and cantorial soloists Scott Leader and Erica Erman. For the dates, visit congregationkehillah.org/events and to register and receive the link, please email, info@congregationkehillah.org.

Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Say kiddush with Rabbi Mendy Levertov online. Cost: Free. Tune in here: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Shabbat at Beth El: 11-11:45 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat with songs, blessings and inspirational teachings. Rabbi Stein Kokin from Beth El Congregation will lead us the first Friday of every month. Special guests will be welcoming Shabbat during the remainder of the month. For more information or to join, visit bethelphoenix.com.

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

MONDAYS

Tai Chi with Brian Stevens: 10-10:30 a.m. Tai Chi and Qigong are health practices that incorporate a form of ancient Korean healing martial arts known as DahnMuDo, which produces an overall limitless state of being, through focused movement and focused breathing. Experience a renewed sense of being, boost your immune system and enjoy doing so in this virtual class. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

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.

Sip & Schmooze: 11 a.m. Sip on kosher coffee or tea, enjoy a homemade pastry and Schmooze with great company every second Monday of the month at Luci’s Barn

at the Orchard, located at 7100 N. 12th St., Phoenix. RSVP Appreciated: chani@sosaz.org or 602-492-7670. For more information, visit www.sosaz.org.

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.

Brain Fitness: 1-2 p.m. Join Toby Lazarus in this virtual brain fitness class, which works to engage the brain in innovative ways in a variety of cognitive areas and can help increase mental acuity. Word play, puzzles, memory games and problemsolving activities are employed to enhance your brain power. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz.

org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: 1-2:30 p.m. In a seven week series that begins April 5, learn how to use mindfulness techniques to help relieve anxiety, depression and pain. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, contact seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or call Jennifer Brauner at 602-343-0192.

TUESDAYS

Zumba Gold with Adriana Padilla: 9:30-10:15 a.m. This virtual class is perfect for active older adults who want a modified Zumba class with lower-intensity. Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance. Come to this virtual

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 23

Jewish News is accepting recommendations from our readers for our annual Best of Jewish Phoenix magazine.

This year, we’ll focus on the best of senior health and wellness – not just physical but financial fitness as well.

We welcome your recommendations to the following questions:

What do you do to stay healthy?

Is there a class or program that you participate in for your mental, physical or social health?

Have you planned for your senior future?

Have you used a service that has assisted you with modifying your home for safety, creating financial security in retirement, estate planning, or establishing a plan to age in place, downsize or move to a senior community?

Submit recommendations by April 14

To submit a recommendation, please send an email to editor@jewishaz.com, including the name of the business/program you are recommending and no more than 300 words explaining why this entity should be considered for “best of” inclusion. Recommendations will be anonymous and confidential, but we may use the description you send us in the magazine.

P u r i m P a r t i e s !

Here are photos from some of the celebrations that happened last week.

This COMMUNITY page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each week to editor@jewishaz.com by 10 a.m. Monday.

Everyone got into the Purim spirit at Temple Emanuel of Tempe.

COURTESY OF DINA BEDAK

Helena Folmer is having fun at Pardes Jewish Day School.

COURTESY OF RABBI BONNIE KOPPELL

Sarah and Cantor Seth Ettinger at the Oyvengers MARVEL-ous Purim shpiel at Congregation Beth Israel. COURTESTY OF CANTOR SETH ETTINGER

Kasha varnishka made an appearance at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley.

COURTESY OF MICHELE MILLMAN

Dan Zrihen and his 1-year-old daughter, Emma Claire were celebrating at Chabad of Paradise Valley.

COURTESY OF RACHEL RASKIN ZRIHEN

From left to right, Levi Levertov, Janet Lottman and Lou Rich enjoyed the Purim Extravaganza held by Smile on Seniors. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS

Spiderman was keeping everyone safe at Young Israel of Phoenix’s Purim celebration

class ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

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.

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.

WEDNESDAYS

Fitness Fun with Zoe: 10-10:45 a.m. In this virtual class, do some light chair exercise class with optional weights. Class follows a format of a warmup weight free movement, optional weights, then a cool down. Some standing options, however all moves can be done sitting. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

MILESTONES

OBITUARY

NATALIE MIRIAM GLICKSMAN

Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. Grab a chair and sit down for a 45-minute chair yoga class with Zoe! Yoga is beneficial to mind, body and spirit. Prior to class, please let Zoe know if you have any limitations in order for exercises to be modified. No prior yoga experience required. 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

Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:45 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat virtually with songs, blessings and inspirational teachings. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

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. 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

Natalie Miriam Glicksman of Scottsdale died March, 20, 2022. She was 83. Natalie was born in the Bronx, N.Y. and was preceded in death by her parents Meyer and Dora Meltzer.

She is survived by her sister, Esther Kahn; son, Mitchell Glicksman; daughter, Sheryl Greenwald; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Donations in her memory can be made to Hospice of the Valley and Birthright Israel Foundation. JN

Thelma Braunstein of Plantation, Fla., passed away March 1, 2022. She was 91.

She was an amazing and resilient woman who created a special home and family life. She and her husband Emanuel (Manny), z”l, were married for 67 years.

While she had many roles throughout the years, the centerpiece of her life was her love and devotion to her family and creating a Jewish home.

Thelma is survived by daughters Robin Loeb, of Phoenix, and Ellen Braunstein, of Plantation, Fla.; grandchildren Saul Loeb (Jennifer) and Sara Loeb; and great-granddaughters Nora Loeb and Zoe Loeb. Donations in her memory can be made to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (fidf.org) and PJ Library which provides children’s books to the global Jewish community (pjlibrary.org).

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