magazine VOLUME
2|
ISSUE
1
Jan/Feb/Mar 2019
29,000,000 PJ Library, PJ Our Way, and Sifriyat Pijama books have been mailed worldwide.
21,641
Miles driven by our JFS Transportation drivers this year as of October 2018
By The Numbers
12,824
8
75
Film attendees in the past decade of the Jewish Film Festival
LIFE & LEGACY Community partners
Mitzvah notes read each week by JCC Early Childhood Students
magazine The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton 525 Versailles Drive Centerville, Ohio 45459 (937) 610-1555 jewishdayton.org
Agency Leadership
Shalom! When I think about all the amazing things the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and its agencies – the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, and the Jewish Foundation – do on a daily basis, I am reminded of just how much of an impact we have locally, in Israel, and
Cathy Gardner CEO Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
around the world. Sometimes the best way to convey information about what we do is “By the Numbers.” So that is just what we did in this issue. I hope you enjoy looking through these pages and reading about all of the incredible ways we strive to make a positive difference in our community members’ lives. On a side note, it has been one year since the inception of the Jewish
Jane Hochstein Director Jewish Community Center of Greater Dayton
Dayton Magazine. I hope you have enjoyed this publication as much as we enjoy putting it together. I would love to hear your feedback about what you like and what you would like to see in future issues. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2019!
Tara Feiner Director Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton
Janese R. Sweeny, Esq. Director Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton
Magazine Team
Cathy Gardner ceo, Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
Table of Contents 3-5
Jewish Federation (JFGD)
6-9
Jewish Community Center (JCC)
10-11
Jewish Family Services (JFS)
12-13
Jewish Foundation (JF)
14-15
Campaign
16-19
Community Catchup
Editorial Staff
Katie Lehner
Jodi Phares
Jordan Moyer
Alisa Thomas
PJ Library, Newcomers, & Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
Children's Theatre, Preschool, and JCC Programs
Transportation Services & Holiday Bags
Staff Contributors
Rabbi Ari Ballaban
Rachel Gilbert
Meryl Hattenbach
LIFE & LEGACY Celebration
Cheryl Carne
Campaign Dollar Allocation
Juliet Glaser
Audrey Mackenzie
Check out what's going on across the Jewish community
Jewish Federation
®
OF GREATER DAYTON
2018/2019 Board of Directors Bruce Feldman PRESIDENT David Pierce IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Todd Bettman PRESIDENT ELECT Joel Frydman FOUNDATION CHAIR Dr. Heath Gilbert TREASURER Beverly Louis SECRETARY Dan Sweeny VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Mary Rita Weissman VICE PRESIDENT OF PERSONNEL BOARD MEMBERS Amy Bloom Rabbi Judy Chessin Melinda Doner Dr. Samuel Dorf Dr. Michele Dritz Kate Elder Marni Flagel Neil Friedman Alan Gabel Shirlee Gilbert Teddy Goldenberg Helene Gordon Ed Kress Scott Liberman Dave London Ben Mazer Dr. Martha Moody-Jacobs Kathryn Polk Ira Segalewitz
Did
YOU
know? The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton for those in need,
cares
strengthens Jewish life,
creates
and connections among Jews — acting locally, in Israel, and around the world.
PJ Library
We asked, Stella answered The best part about PJ Library is the impact it has on children. We asked Stella Atkin to share some of her thoughts about getting PJ Library books. Here is what she had to say: How long have you been getting PJ Library books at home? Since my brother, Avi was born. I love getting them out of the mailbox. How many books do you think you’ve gotten from PJ Library? I don’t know. Let me look in our PJ Library basket and count. Thirty-two!! How many times do you like to read each PJ Library book? So many! I like to read them a lot of times.
The atkin family Photo courtesy of the atkin family Rachel Gilbert
PJ library & pj our way coordinator Each month, Jewish children across the globe snuggle up and end their day with a good book. A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library is made possible in Dayton through a generous donor and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. The free gift of a monthly book impacts community members like the Atkin family. Parents Julie and Josh love being able to read stories with their children Stella (age four), Avi (age two) and Aaro (age two months). What’s even more fun? Watching Stella and Avi’s faces light up each month when their books come in the mail.
What’s your favorite PJ Library book? Why? I like ALL of my PJ library books. Shalom Everybodee is my favorite. I want to go to Israel someday. I want to pick flowers and challah and cookies at a market. Climb up (Masada) like Grover. I want to float in the Dead Sea. It’s so muddy! I want to put the mud all over my face and my nose, legs, feet, arms, forehead, and head. I’d really like to visit Israel when I’m six. Avi’s favorite book is Baby Be Kind because babies share crackers, help babies up, push dogs in wagons, and babies hold hands and hug. Who reads PJ Library books to you? My mommy, daddy, and cousin Mimi read to me.
The books cover a variety of topics, including Jewish holidays. “Our favorite story to read as a family is Hanukkah Bear,” says Julie. “Avi and Stella think the story is hilarious. Every time Bubbe mistakes the bear’s hair for the Rabbi’s beard they laugh hysterically.” The family also enjoys receiving books about Israel. “Josh and I visited Israel about six years ago and love sharing our stories and experiences with Stella, Avi and now with Aaro,” shares Julie. The books also encourage dialogue. Julie says “Stella and Avi ask questions and learn about their Jewish religion and culture.” Julie sums up her family’s experience by saying “PJ Library is a wonderful program for the entire family.”
For more information on PJ Library or PJ Our Way, please contact Rachel Gilbert, PJ Library & PJ Our Way Coordinator at (937) 401-1550 or rgilbert@jfgd.net.
(L to r) avi, stella, and aaro
Photo courtesy of the atkin family
200,000 182
Books mailed each month in the United States and Canada
Children in Dayton participate in PJ Library and PJ Our Way
29,000,000
PJ Library, PJ Our Way, and Sifriyat Pijama (Israel’s version of PJ Library) books have been mailed worldwide.
Jewish Federation | 3
Newcomers in Dayton Cheryl Carne
Director of External Relations Alisa Thomas
Executive Assistant Moving to a new city can be daunting. Apart from the move itself, meeting new people can prove to be difficult ~ especially when many “connections” are made these days through social media instead of in person. When we have new community members in Dayton and the surrounding area, our number one goal is to make them feel welcome and help them navigate the Dayton Jewish community. Whether that means introducing newcomers to other community members, inviting them to events, or connecting them with synagogues, we tailor our interactions to meet their needs.
One of the things Tamara loves best about the Dayton Jewish community is the welcoming atmosphere and ease in making friends here. “Whenever I go to an event, I smile and introduce myself as new to the area,” says Tamara. “People are very receptive. And I find, in the Jewish community especially, people you meet immediately recommend two or three other people that you ‘absolutely have to meet.’ I absolutely love Dayton, especially the Jewish community!” Kate Elder’s involvement with the Dayton Jewish community began through the JCC preschool. According to Kate, “My initial involvement, as suggested by Cheryl, was to attend a preschool PTO meeting. From there, I began to meet parents with young children through preschool and PJ Library events.”
Two years later Kate, her husband Jake, and their three children In moving to Dayton, my goal was to become When Tamara Sack can be found regularly was planning her move attending events involved and active in the Jewish community so to Dayton, one of her throughout the Dayton my family could build friendships and connect first calls was to the Jewish community. Kate with other Jews. I want my children to be Federation. “Living in a serves on the JCC Board vibrant Jewish community supported in their Jewish beliefs ~ and Federation and the Federation Board. was a top priority for me,” “Since moving here, is the key to becoming involved. says Tamara. “I am not Cheryl has contacted particularly religious, but me with numerous Kate Elder I must engage in Jewish Federation events to Community member culture, arts, events and attend and encouraged Jewish learning. For its me to meet one-on-one size, the Dayton Jewish with other parents, who community and its offerings are exceptional.” I’m thrilled to say are now my friends and support.”
~
Along with attending a variety of events, including Temple Israel’s Jewish Cultural Festival and the JCC’s Jewish Film Fest, Tamara decided to take the Introduction to Judaism class presented by the Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton. “I have a renewed interest in Judaism and examining my faith,” explains Tamara. “Indeed this is a personal experience. So far, what a learning experience. I love learning about my faith and engaging in wonderful discussions.”
Kate continues, “We had a very, very small Jewish community in Lima. In moving to Dayton, my goal was to become involved and active in the Jewish community so my family could build friendships and connect with other Jews. I want my children to be supported in their Jewish beliefs ~ and Federation is the key to becoming involved.” The impact the Dayton Jewish community has on people new to our area is priceless, with countless friendships and numerous connections made, and an infinite amount of opportunities available for involvement.
For more information about Dayton, please contact Cheryl Carne, Director of External Relations at (937) 610-1778 or ccarne@jfgd.net.
Kate elder AT THE PJ LIBRARY ICE CREAM SOCIAL [left] and TAMARA SACK [right] Photos COURTESY OF JULIET GLASER AND CHERYL CARNE
4 | Jewish Federation
Jewish Community Relations Council hate. In Dayton, when our community gathered at Temple Israel, we numbered approximately 1,300—in a city that claims only to have a total Jewish population of 4,000. In addition to that, members of the Muslim American community quickly managed to raise in excess of $150,000, via crowdfunding, to help support the victims of the shooting.
Community gathering in dayton Photo by peter wine Rabbi Ari Ballaban
JCRC Director
As Rabbi Doug Kahn noted in a November 4th eJewish Philanthropy article, there is a fair amount of confusion about what exactly a Jewish Community Relations Council does; this is true even among those in the Jewish world. In simple terms, we strive to be the central voice of the organized Jewish community on matters that are religiously, socially, or culturally important to Jews in our area. We work to do so by communicating both inside the Jewish world—by better connecting the Jews of Dayton to one another— and outside of it—by connecting with those non-Jewish groups around Dayton who are our local partners. This latter role has come into distinct focus over the last few years; “the numbers” should make the reason for that quite clear. The Anti-Defamation League reports: 1) that US anti-Semitic incidents rose 60% in 2017; 2) that this increase, the largest yearto-year increase the ADL
ever has tracked, largely was due to a doubling of anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses; and 3) that in Ohio, there were 26 anti-Semitic incidents in 2017 (an average of one such incident every other week). The Southern Poverty Law Center also documented that there currently are 953 hate groups operating in the United States, 31 of which are based in Ohio.
groups would want. Instead, the purpose of collecting information like this is to convey the significance of the second aspect of the JCRC’s core goal: to bring the Jewish community into greater conversation with our potential partners in the non-Jewish community and, thus, to ensure that the Jewish community never need face its enemies alone.
...in Ohio, there were 26 anti-Semitic incidents in 2017 (an average of one such incident every other week). The Southern Poverty Law Center also documented that there currently are 953 hate groups operating in the United States, 31 of which are based in Ohio. Rabbi Ari Ballaban ~ JCRC Director This places us behind only six other states and tied with one other (Indiana) in statewide presence of hate groups; this means there are more hate groups operating in Ohio than in 42 other states. The point of sharing this data is not to stoke fear; cliché as it may sound, that is precisely what these hate
Proof of the importance of the JCRC’s work could never have been clearer than in November, specifically in the aftermath of the deadliest-ever incident of anti-Semitism in US history. At vigils hastily organized around the United States, nearly 100,000 people — including countless nonJews— defiantly assembled to rebuff anti-Jewish
The work of our JCRC may often go unnoticed, or be misunderstood, but it is far from unimportant. We have redoubled our efforts to engage in coalitionbuilding, bringing together all those in the greater Dayton area who seek to be partners with the Jewish community in the fight against hate. This fight affects everyone—members of persecuted minority communities and those in ethnic or religious majorities alike—so we welcome all who seek to be allies in this struggle. Numbers may not be everything, but we know they, God-willing, will one day soon all be on our side. Information referenced in this article can be found at www.adl.org.
For more information about the Jewish Community Relations Council, please contact Rabbi Ari Ballaban, JCRC Director at (937) 610-1555 or aballaban@jfgd.net.
STRONGER THAN HATE
STRONGER THAN HATE Jewish Federation | 5
Children's Theatre Meryl Hattenbach
The number of participants in our theatre program has grown steadily over the past few years and has doubled to 28 since 2016. Last year the cast of TARZAN performed before a packed house of over 200 on closing night. It was the first time the JCC Children’s Theatre performed with a live pit orchestra consisting of six musicians.
Program Manager This is my third year coordinating the JCC Children’s Theatre program and I look forward to it every year. Each year is a different show, a different cast and a unique set of challenges to tackle. Last year the challenge was to transform the multipurpose room at the CJCE into a remote African jungle. This year’s big challenge is to get the cast to not smile as they portray the Addams Family and the Addams’ deceased ancestors. But I leave most of the hard work up to the theatre staff. According to the kids, my most important function is providing the snacks. Once this season is complete I’ll have supplied hungry thespians with 1,865 snacks. That’s a lot of clementines and Cheez-Its!
While the children in our program amaze us every day, they reach new heights with the help of a committed and talented directing team. Richard Lee Waldeck, Brett Greenwood, Tamar Fishbein and Jamie Pavlofsky combined have 49 years of experience working with children and 105 years of theatre experience! We are so grateful to have them. Although I am proud of the growth of our theatre program, the true measure of success is not found in the number of participants, size of the audience, or amount of money raised in program ad sales. I believe the true success of the JCC’s Children’s Theatre program is most meaningfully expressed in other ways:
• A nervous nine-year-old who has never auditioned for a show before finds the chutzpah to belt out “Tomorrow” in front of four directors, all strangers to her. • It’s closing night, and the girls in the dressing room are hugging and crying because they’ll no longer see each other regularly because the show is nearly over. • A seven-year-old joins the show only because, “his mom wanted him to,” and accomplishes things he never dreamed he could do. These are the true measures of a successful program. And for the kids who want more theatre in their lives, or those who would like to give theatre a try, we are excited to announce plans for Camp Shalom Theatre specialty camp in summer 2019. More details to follow soon!
For more information on Children's Theatre, please contact Meryl Hattenbach, Program Manager at (937) 401-1550 or mhattenbach@jfgd.net.
Cast size over the years
14 18 23 28
4
2016
Directors on staff
2017
2
80
Sticks of face paint used on apes in Tarzan 6 | Jewish Community Center
2018
JCC Children's Theatre Alumni on the directing staff
30
Rehearsals to prepare for The Addams Family
Upcoming Show Dates February 9 & 10
2019
Number of smiles among the cast members and audience:
too many to count!
Early Childhood
Number of Mitzvah Notes Read Weekly
Number of books read each day
Number of Diapers Changed Daily
Infinite friendships built
Number of shoes tied, coats zipped and pants buttoned
Total years worked by current Early Childhood staff
Too many hugs given and received to count
Special events yearly
Challahs made by the children each month
Backs rubbed at naptime
Jewish Community Center | 7
JCC by the Numbers 12,824
18-20
Film attendees in the past decade
Films screened by our committee each year
over 8,000
For me the JCC is the heart of Jewish community and connection, the place where I belong.
people have attended 98 events in the past decade
Judy Schwartzman ~ JCC BOARD MEMBER
$43,000 A
N
I
in
G H T
VEGAS
2,975
raised since the event's inception, an average of $11,000 per year
poker chips were on deck for Vegas in 2017
CO M
UP
G IN January 1 - Miami Valley Klezmer Ensemble
March 9 - A Night in Vegas Fundraiser
8 | Jewish Community Center
April 4 - Women's Seder
38 hours
bags of popcorn (on average) distributed at each screening at the NEON
Partners or sponsors (on average) each festival
devoted by each committee member to screening and discussing films each year
62
authors visited Dayton in the past decade
65
11
6,150 miles
traveled by author Esther Hertzog in 2009 to attend our event, the farthest an author has traveled in the past decade of CABF
123
trips made to the Dayton Airport by volunteers
Jane Hochstein
JCC Director
The Jewish Community Center is known as the programming arm of the Jewish Federation and its agencies. And boy, do we have programs! Watching the work of the JCC is like watching a water wheel ~ always in motion; always churning out new programs, events and ideas. The variety of programs offered strives to meet an array of interests throughout the community. Take a look at the numbers to get a better idea of who we are and what we do.
For more information on JCC programs, please contact Jane Hochstein, JCC Director at (937) 401-1545 or jhochstein@jfgd.net.
The JCC means to me that Jewish culture, in its many forms, continues to shine brightly in Dayton. Neil Friedman ~ JCC BOARD MEMBER Jewish Community Center | 9
70
68
40 70
0
Medical
70 235 75
444
201
Social 49
202
343 675
444 4
Dental
235
75
35
675
35
35
68
Hairdresser or Barber
48
835
75
35
Errand or Grocery Shopping
4
48
35
675
35 42
380 725
725
725
75
725
42 68
123
73
380
48
741
42
73
68
48
If you ask Waverly, Vince or Terrell what they enjoy 71 about driving for the JFS Transportation Service, their answers are very similar. All three enjoy spending time in the car with our clients and listening to their stories. Waverly, who has been with JFS for almost twenty years, and Vince, who has been with JFS for seven and a half years, spoke about the relationships and attachments they have formed with our clients over the years. Terrell, who has only been with JFS since September, loves what he does and we know he will be forming relationships with our clients. JFS has GREAT drivers!
73
123
JFS Transportation Tara Feiner
JFS Director If you are a senior or someone who has a disability AND JFS provides case management services for you, you may be eligible to use our transportation services. Some of us might remember the song “The People in Your Neighborhood� from Sesame Street. Who are the people in your neighborhood? Quite possibly, they are our JFS drivers! Have you seen our JFS drivers and cars around town? The JFS Transportation Service covers an area of just over 700 square miles in the Miami Valley! Within our catchment area, we offer door-to-door and errand services for: non-surgical medical and dental appointments; grocery store,
pharmacy, and other shopping trips; trips to the post office or bank; beauty appointments; social engagement; and, more. The JFS Transportation Service removes barriers to independence, allowing those who might not otherwise be able to easily maneuver around the Miami Valley to do so independently.
For more information on the JFS transportation program, please contact Tara Feiner, JFS Director at (937) 401-1546 or tfeiner@jfgd.net.
CO
4
U G N MI
P
January 16 - Seeing into a Bright New Year
January 17 - Active Adults Dine Around
10 | Jewish Family Services
March 5 - Lift the Weight of the World off Your Shoulders
What does Charlotte Handler think of the JFS Transportation Service? She told Tara Feiner, JFS Director, “I love it.” She went on to add, “Amy [Dolph, Transportation Coordinator] is a jewel. She takes care of me and works hard to fit me into the schedule, which I really appreciate. Vince is a jewel. He takes care of me like I am his mother.”
CHARLOTTE HANDLER, JFS TRANSPORTATION CLIENT Photo COURTESY OF TARA FEINER
Holiday Outreach Tara Feiner
JFS Director JFS, its Advisory Board members, and committee members travel all around the Miami Valley to deliver holiday bags to isolated seniors and those who live in continuum of care facilities. We deliver holiday bags three times a year – at Purim, Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah. It is a pleasure to deliver the bags which bring joy to those who may not otherwise be able to celebrate the holidays. We want them to feel connected to the Jewish community. JFS wants to thank Beth Abraham, w wBeth Jacob, Chabad, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel who support this holiday mitzvah.
For more information on JFS holiday programs, please contact Tara Feiner, JFS Director at (937) 401-1546 or tfeiner@jfgd.net.
RIA TRICE WITH ONE OF THE CHANUKAH BLANKETS SHE TIED Photo COURTESY OF amy dolph
Rosh Hashanah Bags
Delivered to: Englewood (7), Dayton (29), Oakwood (4), Trotwood (24), Kettering (24), Moraine (1), West Carrollton (1), Miami Township (1)
Delivered to: Englewood (8), Dayton (29), Oakwood (4), Trotwood (23), Kettering (23), Moraine (5), West Carrollton (1), Miami Township (1)
FESTIVAL
Purim Bags
FESTIVAL
94
FESTIVAL
91
For Chanukah 2018, JFS purchased fleece to turn into lap blankets for our holiday outreach. We prepared the fleece, cutting it down to size and cutting fringe for the JCC preschool students and their families to tie. Thirty-two families tied one hundred nine blankets. For each blanket a child tied, the child made a card, tracing their hands to create a menorah and then wrote their name. Ria Trice and her family tied a whopping twenty-one blankets! When JFS asked Ria why she tied the blankets, Ria answered, “I tied the blankets for my friends. Mommy and daddy did the candles and I colored the hands,” referring to the card she made. A big TODAH RABAH to all the children and families who helped make the JFS Chanukah outreach so special.
MH ENORAH M E N O RMAEHN O R A
98
Chanukah Bags
Delivered to: Englewood (8), Dayton (35), Oakwood (5), Trotwood (23), Kettering (24), Moraine (1), Miami Township (1), West Carrollton (1)
Jewish Family Services | 11
33
letters
43
letters
231
32
letters
Letters of intent received to benefit our community with an estimated value of
TEMPLE BETH OR
$4,990,224
27
letters
18
letters
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER of GREATER DAYTON
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON
21
38
letters
letters JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES of GREATER DAYTON
19
letters
2018 LIFE & LEGACY Partners Janese R. Sweeny, Esq.
Jewish Foundation Director The Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton began hosting the LIFE & LEGACY program in the Fall of 2017. Eight community partners joined the program in order to secure legacy commitments for their future.
12 | Jewish Foundation
The eight community partners include Beth Abraham Synagogue, Chabad, Hillel Academy, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, Temple Beth Or and Temple Israel. Year one of the program ended with the partners securing 231 legacy gifts to benefit our Jewish community here in
Dayton. The incredible amount of letters (160% of goal) is a true reflection of the generous and caring philanthropic spirit of our community.
For more information on LIFE & LEGACY, please contact Janese Sweeny, Foundation Director at (937) 401-1542 or jsweeny@jfgd.net.
LIFE & LEGACY is a partnership between the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in collaboration with the Dayton Jewish community.
Jewish Foundation | 13
NATIONAL
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, JCPA
EXTERNAL ALLOCATIONS OVERSEAS
LOCAL
JFNA, PARTNERSHIP2GETHER, PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER
FEDERATION
HILLEL ACADEMY, MIAMI UNIVERSITY HILLEL, OTHER
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
INTERNAL ALLOCATIONS 14 | Jewish Federation
STATE
EARLY CHILDHOOD
OHIO VALLEY HILLEL CONSORTIUM, OHIO JEWISH COMMUNITIES
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OBSERVER
CAMPAIGN DOLLAR ALLOCATION Where does your money go when you make a donation to Federation? Cathy Gardner
CEO
Juliet Glaser
campaign director Here in Dayton, your Campaign dollar does more than you could ever imagine within the Jewish community locally, in Israel, and around the world! Where else can one dollar impact so many people’s lives, nurture Jewish culture, and make an impact not just in Dayton, but all the way to Western Galilee? Every year we raise funds from our community to support our mission. Here’s a brief outline of the organizations – both external and internal – that carry out the work that accomplishes our goals. External: Partnership2Gether Dayton’s direct connection to the Western Galilee in Israel. Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton – Our local Jewish day school serving grades kindergarten through 6th,
building a strong foundation of Judaic and academic excellence. Ohio Jewish Communities – OJC represents Ohio’s Jewish Federations & their communities by educating and maintaining relationships with government officials while encouraging sound public policies that affect Jewish communities within Ohio. Hillel Consortium - Supports Hillel on college campuses throughout the Miami Valley, with a strong emphasis on Miami University Hillel. Jewish Council of Public Affairs - The national hub for more than 125 Jewish Community Relations Councils across the country. JCPA educates, advocates, and mobilizes by leading the field in responding to current events and emerging policy concerns. Birthright Israel- Birthright Israel seeks to ensure that every eligible young Jewish adult around the world is given the opportunity to visit Israel.
Message from Dan Sweeny, Campaign Chair
CO M
My involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton has been a lifelong commitment. Growing up here, I know many of the people who have served as Campaign Chair, and while I do have large feet, the shoes I must fill are larger still. I am deeply honored and consider it a privilege to serve as the Campaign Chair. I feel a new sense of commitment and drive to help us be, as Federation CEO Cathy Gardner January 15 - Tu B'Shevat would say, in the Woods “the best little
G IN
UP
January 24 - YAD Improv Class January 24 - Civil Discourse to Critical Conversations
JCC Maccabi games - An Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America and is the second largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. Internal: Federation – Cares for those in need, strengthen Jewish life, and create connections among Jews — acting locally, in Israel, and around the world. Dayton Jewish Observer - Our award winning local Jewish newspaper. Jewish Community Center - Provides a universal sense of belonging in the hearts and minds of Jewish Dayton. The creative programming ideas educate and impart Jewish values to all members of the community, regardless of age, creed, nationality, or religion. Also includes the JCC’s Jewish preschool.
of Greater Dayton provides individuals and families within the Miami Valley with the tools and services to lead happy and healthy lives. The Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton provides a permanent revenue stream to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign through Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowments (PACE) and Lion of Judah Endowments (LOJE). These endowments provide stability and a solid source of income on an annual basis. Because of these funds (and other supporting funds from generous donors), the Jewish Foundation does not require an allocation from the Annual Campaign.
For more information about the Annual Campaign, please contact Juliet Glaser, Campaign Director at (937) 401-1558 or jglaser@jfgd.net.
Jewish Family Services Guided by Jewish traditions, Jewish Family Services (JFS)
Jewish community in the country.” In order to make this an indisputable fact it will take all of us. It will take our time, determination, creativity, and our dollars. I have been blessed to have many amazing Jewish role models. From family and friends to more recently, my wife. At an early age, my grandparents instilled in me what I feel is one of the most important Jewish values ~ tzedakah. They have always given generously, whether time or money. They are the reason I give; my kids are the reason I give; all of you in the Jewish community are the reason I give.
committed gifts to the Annual Campaign. I am very excited for the coming campaign year and the wonderful things we will be able to accomplish with the continually generous support of our Dayton Jewish community.
Knowing the work Federation does locally and globally is all the reason we need to make
Jewish Federation | 15
Beth Abraham Synagogue “I remember watching Beth Abraham at Salem and Cornell being built from the ground up. I remember how involved my father, Philip Sokol, was in this new chapter for K.K. House of Abraham and Dayton View Synagogue Center as a merged congregation. I am proud that Beth Abraham continues to evolve and renew itself over the decades to meet the needs of so many congregants. I really look forward to the anniversary year to celebrate all these successes.” ~ Shelly Charles Shelly is not alone. Everyone at Beth Abraham is excited that the Synagogue’s year-long commemoration of the first 125 years is at the launching pad. With special programs throughout the 2019 anniversary year, we will recall our transition from originally an Orthodox Congregation to an inclusive, egalitarian Conservative Congregation today. We will celebrate our multi-generational connections. We will rejoice at an elegant closing Gala. And we will renew our commitment as we optimistically look forward to a vibrant future. We invite you to join us as we transition to our next chapters.
Beth Jacob Congregation As people come and go in the doors of Beth Jacob we could not be more blessed with a consistent worker of Darek Turner. Darek has been a part time worker doing all the maintenance for many years. At one time he was working three different part time jobs. When one of those part time positions offered him full time Darek Turner took the position. But, thanks to his love for Beth Jacob and our family of members, Darek chose to keep working with us to insure our synagogue functions. Thank you for being our one man maintenance team. We all appreciate everything you do to make our lives easier. Beth Jacob gift shop is offering the opportunity for special orders. See something Judaic that you want, not sure how to get it? Stop in to see Sis Litvin and she will work with you to assist in getting that special purchase. For many years now Beth Jacob has been going monthly to assist in the feeding of people the last Sunday of the month at St. Vincent. Want to become part of a wonderful Tikum Olam that keeps on giving? Contact the office of Beth Jacob to be added to the volunteer list.
Chabad of Greater Dayton Jewish Learning Institute: Crime and Consequence Six Mondays beginning February What’s the right way to treat wrongdoers? Marathon runners murdered in the name of G-d. Pensioners left penniless in the name of greed. Children abused by the people they trusted to protect them. Your heart screams: is there a punishment harsh enough for criminals of this kind? And yet, with more lives on the line, you find yourself equally questioning modern “justice”: • Why do we punish criminals in the first place? • Can we justify a history of convicting—even executing—the wrong people? • As a society, what are we doing to slow the tide of crime before it comes to this? With this highly-anticipated course from JLI, explore the Torah’s take on crime, incarceration and rehabilitation. Revisit famous cases of wrongful conviction through the lens of Talmudic law. Explore themes of betrayal and acceptance as when someone close to you commits a crime. As you test your tolerance for injustice of every kind, uncover practical ways to fix the system—and maybe just repair the world. Saturday night, January 12, 7:30 PM - Full 3 Course DELI DINNER Sunday, January 20, 10 AM - CWC Book Club Friday, February 1, 5:30 PM - Community Shabbat Dinner Thursday, March 14, 7:00 PM - Mega Challah Bake & Fashion Show Thursday, March 21, 5:30 PM - Purim Party
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Community Catchup
Dayton Jewish Chorale “The Dayton Jewish Chorale was deeply honored to have been invited to sing at our community vigil for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in October. It is our fervent hope that the words and the music we shared helped to elevate the spirit of our Dayton community. We continue to pray and sing for peace, goodness and blessing for the global Jewish community and for all humanity. Please save the dates for the next appearances of the Chorale: Friday night, February 22, 2019 at Temple Beth Or Friday night, March 29, 2019 at Beth Abraham If you are interested in singing with the Dayton Jewish Chorale, please contact Cantor Jenna Greenberg at yoninale@hotmail.com for more information. And if you would like to make a donation to the Chorale, checks can be made out to JFGD, with Dayton Jewish Chorale in the memo line.
ayton
Hadassah, Dayton Chapter Hadassah is the Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA) began as a small mission in 1912 to provide emergency care to infants and mothers in pre-state Israel. Henrietta Szold founded this group in Baltimore and soon there were four more chapters in Cincinnati, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. Today, there are 330,000 members (women) and Associates (men). Your Dayton Chapter began in the mid 1920’s. Today, we have 336 members and 41 Associates. We are always looking for more members and Associates. If you are interested, please call us at 937-275-0227.
Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton Each Friday morning at Hillel Academy we share a Torah thought on the week's Parsha (Torah portion). The weekly Parsha is not just something we read on Shabbat morning, but something we talk about at school to discover what we can learn from it. Our students really take to heart the timeless teachings from the Torah portion and find practical ways they can implement them into their daily lives. Each Parsha challenges us to live Torah. Wednesday, February 6th at 6:00 p.m., Hillel’s K-6 students will present an evening of Jewish plays spoken in Hebrew, subtitled in English. Each play demonstrates an act of loving kindness ( gemilut chasadim). We invite you to come to our school and enjoy these Jewish tales brought to life.
Community Catchup
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Hillel at Miami University Transforming for our future After 40 years, Hillel at Miami University will begin expanding and renovating its existing building, doubling its size to better serve the Miami students, the university and the entire Oxford community. The building is no longer able to meet the demands of the university’s more than 1,100 Jewish students, a population which is growing each year, due to the increase in people, programs and activities utilizing the facility on a daily basis. Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2020, and be finished, ready to welcome students to campus for the following fall semester. “The building’s expansion and renovation—supported by the university and Oxford community—will send a strong message about the importance of Jewish life on the Oxford campus,” said Marcy Miller, executive director of Hillel at Miami. “This transformation will attract more Jewish students to Miami
University, and ensure the growth and development of our Jewish community.” Hillel at Miami and the university have established a joint use agreement, affirming that the building will serve Jewish students, but is also open to the broader campus community. Charitable gifts are being accepted to help achieve this multimillion-dollar project. Funds will be allocated for initiatives including ADA-compliant entrances and egresses along with separate kitchens to prepare meat and dairy meals. Naming opportunities are also available for major donations. For more information about the building or inquiries about how to donate, please contact Joel Miller at joelm@muhillel.org.
Jewish War Veterans Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is our nation's oldest veterans' organization. It was formed in the 1890s by Jewish veterans of the Civil War who felt they were being denied benefits they'd earned solely because of their religion. With posts spread all across our nation today, JWV focuses on three main areas: to be an advocate for all military veterans, to support other Jewish causes, and to promote the State of Israel. We welcome Jewish veterans and active military members from all branches of the service. In addition, others who are either not Jewish or not a veteran, but support our goals, are welcome to join us as supporting members.
Temple Beth Or Temple Beth Or has many exciting endeavors planned for 2019. Our Adult Education offerings will include a free, monthly seminar with Rabbi Ari Ballaban titled Makor: Adult Edition. Our teens will take a journey into the past as they join other teens on the Etgar Social Change Journey. (This trip is generously underwritten by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton’s Innovation Grant.) Our community welcomes Artist in Residence Noah Aronson. And of course, we eat! Don’t miss our Corned Beef Lunch Sale on March 12 or our Purim Spiel on March 22. Temple Beth Or is proud to be a warm, welcoming community and we would love to meet you! Call our office at 937-435-3400 or visit www. templebethor.com to learn more about Rabbi Judy Chessin, Rabbi Ari Ballaban, our religious school, our interfaith activities and these other upcoming events: Jan. 5: Rabbi Ari Ballaban presents at the Society for Jewish Ethics Jan. 13: Makor: Adult Edition begins Feb. 2: Party Time: Soup Cook Off Feb. 22: Artist in Residence Noah Aronson Feb. 28-March 3: Etgar Social Change Journey March 12: Corned Beef Sandwich Sale March 22: Purim Spiel and Dinner
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Community Catchup
Temple Israel Noah Aronson Visits Jewish Dayton February 22 – 24, 2018 Renowned musician and performer, Noah Aronson, will visit Dayton and share his music and infectious spirit with the entire community. After earning a degree in Jazz Composition and Piano from Berklee College of Music, Noah held the position of Composerin-Residence at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA where he produced 4 albums of Jewish communal music. As a solo musician, Noah has released three full-length albums and songbooks. Music from these albums are now sung in progressive communities and summer camps worldwide. His music has also been featured on two compilations from the PJ Library series. Join Temple Israel on Saturday, February 23 at noon for lunch and an innovative musical educational session with Noah. For more information, visit tidayton.org.
Fall Recap 2018 1
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1. On Monday, October 29, JFS had its 5th Annual L’Chaim event, L’Chaim 2018: Our Brains Come Alive with the Sound of Music. 2. Calvin Murray and Angela Himsel joined us to share their personal journeys of becoming a Jew by choice as part of this year's Cultural Arts & Book Festival
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3. YAD - Chanukah Shabbat Dinner 4. Kehilah Kedosha - Opening Door of Opportunity for our Families of Special Needs
PHOTOS COURTESY of Tara Feiner, Cheryl Carne, and by Peter Wine
Community Catchup
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DAY TO N , O H PERMIT NO. 59
SAVE THE DATE!
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