Arizona Jewish Life January 2016 Vol. 4 / Issue 4

JANUARY 2016

THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA

Jewish Film Festivals Tucson: Jan. 14-23 Phoenix: Feb. 14-28 “To Life” (Pictured) Screens in both cities

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Inside

January 2016/ Tevet-Shevat 5776 | Volume 4/Issue 4

20

54

Features

Education

JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Wendy Mendelson a rising star in criminal defense ……………………………….14

Health & Fitness

COVER STORY Film festivals return to Tucson and Phoenix………………………………………….20 FILM REVIEWS: “To Life” in Tucson and Phoenix…………………………………………………..23 “The German Doctor” in Phoenix………………………………………………….23 “The Farewell Party” in Tucson…………………………………………………….24 West Valley has a festival too…………………………………………………………….25 Tucson Film Schedule……………………………………………………………………...26 Greater Phoenix Film Schedule ………………………………………………………...28

82

Wind shifts at Jewish day schools………………………………………………………………. 38 BJE brings seven amazing speakers to the Valley……………………………………………40 Arizona’s international school a plum…………………………………………………………..42 Education Briefs: Limmud, mental health lectures and Brandeis………………………44 Step aside and let kids learn………………………………………………………………….…. 46 Blind Ph.D. has clear view of disabilities and education……………………………….….48 Conference explores Israel learning in all settings…………………………………………. 51 Education Directory……………………………………………………………………………..…..52

BUSINESS Business leaders explore roots of Israeli innovation……………………………….16 Ins & Outs………………………………………….………………………………………….18

Jewish Yoga…………….……………………………………………………………….……………..60 Is there a doctor in the house?.............………………………………………………………..63 Cancer inspires dad to encourage HPV vaccines……………………………..……………..64 Phoenix native Amy Shlossman gets life saving job………………………….……………..66

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Emanuel Ax performs Beethoven in Scottsdale……………………………..……..30 120 artist studios spring up in tents…………………………………………………..32 Sculpture & Wine Fest benefits cancer network……………………………..……..34 Imagine That! Artists and their inspiration…………………………………………..36

JLiving

FOOD Chef’s Corner: No Meat Mondays…....…………………………………………….…..54 A Taste of Arizona: BP Street Café…...………………………………………………...56 The Bakery Phx………………………………………………………………………….……58 HOME & GARDEN Plant a pollinator garden and reap multiple rewards……………………………..69 Tu B’Shevat for the Arizona gardener…..………………………………………………72 SENIORS Vibrant living at Andara…………………………………………………………………….74 Diabetic foot issues tied to memory problems……………………………………...76 ISRAEL Combatting Islamic extremism in Israel…………………….……………….………..78

8 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Women for Israel….……………………………………………………………….………………….80 Velley Jews show MEGA strength…………………………………………………………………82 Federation Notes…………………..…………………………………………………………………83 Faces & Places ………….……………………………………………………………………………84 Previews ……………………….……………………………………………………………………….88 Calendar …….………………..………………………………………………………………………. 90

Columns

46 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman 54 Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer 56 A Taste of Arizona by A. Noshman 63 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman COVER PHOTO: “To Life” is the one film screening at both Arizona Jewish Film Festivals this year.

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Challenging the Status Quo with Stem Cells Looking back on history, we remember a time when women didn’t have the rights that they do now. Prior to 1919, women didn’t have any way to express their thoughts and desires through public policy. As a result of firstwave feminists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony questioning the status quo, 1920 marked the first year that women could vote. This major social change noted a moment in history when women finally had the right to take control of their own life. Since then, women have been continuously working for gender equality and new ways to express their freedom.

Consider the years that women were trapped; they remained silent while searching for a way they could affect society and be heard. The right to vote made it possible for women to be involved in their own everyday life. Since we live in a democracy, public policy is decided through voting, but without the ability to partake in the national conversation, the lives of women were being decided by others. In many ways, the history of women’s suffrage is similar to the road to regenerative medicine advancements.

Much like women fighting for equality, patients have been fighting for a new way to

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For years, people accepted the status quo, and for people suffering from a chronic lung disease such as COPD or interstitial lung disease, the status quo meant a constant struggle for oxygen, endless shortness of breath and a life with no hope. As an incurable disease, most sufferers felt that they didn’t have any options. But today, lung disease sufferers are no longer stuck living in the status quo. Stem cell therapy provides another option for sufferers to breathe easier. The Lung Institute team is composed of driven individuals who are dedicated to challenging the incurable with regenerative medicine. People are no longer forced to accept the fate of continual disease progression and an eventual lung transplant or invasive lung reduction. Stem cell therapy harnesses the innate healing power of a patient’s own

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stem cells in order to help promote healing.

Today, lung disease can be treated with adult stem cells harvested from the patient’s own fat, blood or bone marrow. According to the Lung Institute’s website, lunginstitute.com, this innovative procedure has the potential to slow the progression of the disease, but it also can work to return lung function and reduce inflammation. For many, the result is the ability to breathe more easily.

Much like the fight for women’s voting rights, doctors and patients have been diligently looking for a new way to treat lung disease. Now, with the advancement of stem cell therapy, patients finally have a way to combat disease progression and live better. As with any change, some physicians and patients may be slower to adopt new ideas while clinging to traditional approaches; however, just as social change made it possible for women to have a voice in the government, clinical advancements like stem cell therapy are making it possible for patients to have a voice in their healthcare. If the fight for equality is any sign of the future of stem cell therapy, there is no doubt that stem cells will become the status quo for treating lung disease.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 9

Letter from the Publishers Are you looking for somewhere to connect and engage with the Jewish community? We at Arizona Jewish Life are working hard to be a community builder and to give a voice to the incredible people who make up Jewish life in Arizona.

As the new year approaches, we reflect on past accomplishments and challenges while looking forward to new opportunities.

The Jewish “family,” both in Arizona and throughout the world, has faced a difficult year: anti-Semitism, the BDS movement, the economy, terrorism and, for some, just feeling disenfranchised. It is not always easy being Jewish.

But as a community, we also have so much to be proud of: wonderful philanthropic and education initiatives; great thinkers, influencers and volunteers making a difference in the lives of so many; and of course the food! And let’s not forget how we have elevated debate and arguments to an art form – politics, Israel, Natalie Portman vs. Scarlett Johannsen, hard matzah balls vs. soft. Everything is debatable and everyone has an opinion, and our sense of humor keeps it fresh.

Recently a local leader told us that our magazine has “changed the conversation” in Arizona. We are not so sure we have changed the conversation as much as become a conduit for the

10 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

conversations with the 65,000 people we reach each month.

Either way, it is an honor.

What we do know is this: for our community to thrive, we need to come together, be inclusive not exclusive, and use our incredible talents to improve lives and society.

So whether you want to read or watch features and interviews on local, national or international Jewish personalities, businesses, arts and entertainment, food, senior life or family fun, you can find it all in Arizona Jewish Life and online at azjewishlife.com.

Join the conversation.

We want to hear from you!

Cindy Saltzman & Bob Philip Arizona Jewish Life Publishers publisher@azjewishlife.com azjewishlive.com

THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA

Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman Editor-in-Chief Deborah Moon Contributing Editors Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri Leni Reiss Social Media Editor Debra Rich Gettleman Webmaster Karl Knelson Sales Manager Leslie Goldman advertise@azjewishlife.com 602-570-8859 Art Director Philip Nerat Copy Editor Susan Moon Columnists Amy Hirshberg Lederman, A. Noshman, Lucia Schnitzer and Mylan Tanzer Contributing Writers Michael Fox, Michelle Talsma Everson, Debra Rich Gettleman, Melissa Hirschl, Stevie Mack, Melinda Myers, Barbara Schwartz, Elizabeth Schwartz, Faith Schwartz and David Weiner How to reach us: 602-538-AZJL (2955) Advertise@azjewishlife.com Editor1@azjewishlife.com

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

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A Prince Hal Production (TGMR18) The content and opinions in Arizona Jewish Life do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers, staff or contractors.

Articles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contractors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement of products or services.

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Jews with attitude

Criminal Defense Attorney

Wendy Mendelson

By Stevie Mack

Jake Prather Photography

Wendy Mendelson is a rock star. Well, sort of.

Mendelson, founder of The Mendelson Law Firm in Scottsdale, is a criminal defense attorney who is a rising star in her field. She has a mean singing voice, too. Her journey has included some intriguing stops along the way, leading her to the line of work that she finds fulfilling.

She grew up in Ohio, where her life included plenty of friends, sports and an active lifestyle in the Jewish community. Her father was vice president of their synagogue, and the family was involved in many Jewish activities that enriched her and her brother’s childhood. For example, her parents and grandparents took part in Taharah, the cleansing of the dead. She herself attended Hillel Academy, a Jewish day school, until she was in the sixth grade.

Even now as a young adult, Mendelson is still very close to her family – grandmother, aunts and uncles, and cousins still live in Ohio.

In grade school, the family realized they were seeing an interesting trait in this young girl – the daughter liked to argue.

Many, many times her dad would scratch his head as she would make her case for whatever problem was being solved.

“My family knew early on I didn’t like to take no for an answer,” says Mendelson with a laugh.

High school saw Mendelson excelling in sports. Whether it was volleyball, softball, soccer or tennis, Mendelson was really good at it. The allure of working with people, solving the problem and working as a team inspired Mendelson. She loved sports, and the games loved her back as she made friends everywhere she played.

While life in high school was fun and engaging, when it came time to pick a college, Mendelson went against the norm. Her 14 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

parents had moved to Arizona after her senior year but before her freshman year in college, so it made her college decision challenging. She had become even more independent, so, when it was time to pick a university, it was no surprise that she decided to rebel a bit.

“Everyone where I went to school wanted to go to Ohio State.

So I rebelled and went to Indiana,” says Mendelson.

At Indiana State, Mendelson flourished, doing well at school while being a leading member of Sigma Delta Tau, a Jewish sorority on campus. She was a bright student, graduating at the top of her class while majoring in Criminal Justice and Business.

Yet, with her family now in Arizona, it was hard for her because she couldn’t go home during holidays to the place where she had grown up.

When she graduated in 2002, she was at a crossroads. Like any young woman looking to make her mark, she was trying to decide what to do for a living. So this independent, bright young woman decided to do something crazy – she went into loss prevention, working at Neiman Marcus.

“That was my first job out of college,” says Mendelson with a grin. “I was trying my best to use my criminal justice degree.”

While trying to find her stride, a friend talked her into taking the LSAT, the SAT for potential attorneys. Mendelson aced the test and the rest is history.

When it came time to pick a law school, Mendelson once again took an unconventional approach. Instead of just looking at the academic side of things, she decided to make the surrounding area a top priority. There was no way she was going to law school in a place where it was cold and dreary. Instead, she ended up at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.

While Mendelson is a crack criminal defense attorney, she takes great pride in the fact that she does pro bono work, too.

“I took one look at the beach and said ‘this is it,’ ” says Mendelson.

Mendelson handled law school like a pro. She did well academically while getting a good feel for how to argue, research cases and gather information.

“I am curious by nature,” says Mendelson. “So I really enjoy researching case law and finding the facts that could somehow turn a case.”

She passed the Arizona Bar Exam in 2007 and soon after took her first job as a criminal defense attorney. She worked for a small firm, but it was her chance to show what she could do.

When she got the job, she wasn’t sure if she would like criminal work. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with it.

Later she went to work for a much larger operation, one of the top law firms in Arizona. But by then she had begun to realize that she was pretty good at her job, so she made the bold choice to go out on her own. She founded The Mendelson Law Firm in 2010.

“I woke up one day realizing that I was giving them money I

could keep for myself,” says Mendelson. “So I started my own firm.”

While Mendelson is a crack criminal defense attorney, she takes great pride in the fact that she does pro bono work, too. In addition, she currently has a contract with the City of Phoenix to provide public defender work for those who cannot afford the cost of retaining their own attorney.

Talking to her, you can tell she has a passion for the job. But it’s more than that – she has a sense of responsibility to her clients that she takes very seriously. While some people may be guilty, Mendelson still feels a deep obligation to protect those people from what can be an abusive system.

“We know that a lot of people are guilty but need solid representation,” says Mendelson. “But it is a checks and balances system. If the people running the system are going to break the rules, someone on the other side needs to keep them in check. “ Outside of work, Mendelson plays competitive softball, although it looks like she might be retiring after a knee injury put her on the shelf. And remember the singing mentioned earlier? Mendelson is an accomplished competition karaoke singer. She sings at local bars, establishments and with live bands when she gets the chance.

“I love it,” she says.

So whether it is in the court room, on the playing field or on stage singing her favorite song, Mendelson has built a life that she really enjoys.

“I wanted to do something helping people, using my personal skills to help better their lives,” says Mendelson. “I am an avid arguer and researcher, so the skills I possess are perfect for this job.”

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Business

Non-Jewish business and community leaders visit Independence Hall in Tel Aviv during a mission organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

Business leaders find complexity on federation mission to Israel

Already familiar with Israel’s reputation as a global leader in start-ups and innovation, the “It’s not a trivial statement to say that the participants were very interested in visiting situation in Israel, on almost every level, is the incubators and accelerators that help startway more complicated than outsiders can ups gain traction and visibility. East Valley even begin to appreciate,” Conrad Prusac Partnership President and CEO Roc Arnett said, after returning from his first visit to said, “They’ve had to build their economy on the Israel. “The diversity, the cultural points of backs of this innovation, which they have done. view, the political points of view – there And it’s very impressive.” are so many, driven by people of so many Arnett noted in particular Israel’s solutions for different origins.” irrigating and growing crops in a region plagued – East Valley Partnership Prusac, a master chair business coach by drought. “I was absolutely blown away by President and CEO Roc Arnett with Vistage International, was one of nine the agriculture and the water conservation and participants in a mission organized by the the drip irrigation system that is literally from Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix for north to south – from up in the highland and non-Jewish business and community leaders to experience Israel mountainous areas … down to the desert.” firsthand, gaining insights into the myriad challenges Israelis Federation President and CEO Stuart Wachs said these visits confront every day. led to conversations around the question, “What is it about “Israel prides itself on facing all the complexities that make Israel that creates that possibility (for innovation)? … Maybe the up its cultural and geopolitical realities,” Prusac wrote in a plusses and minuses of the stress of life and the live-for-today journal he kept from Oct. 25-31, 2015. “It assembles talent that mentality?” is willing to be very self-critical as it works to find solutions to Traveling the length and breadth of the country drove home problems that can defy solution. The consistent focus on taking the contrast between persistent existential concerns and the nothing for granted, on questioning authority, on displacing vibrancy of everyday life in cities and rural areas alike. During leaders if solutions fail or are deemed inadequate is more than a briefing with an Israel Defense Forces intelligence officer on impressive.” the Golan Heights, participants could see plumes of smoke

By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri

16 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

“They’ve had to build their economy on the backs of this innovation, which they have done. And it’s very impressive.”

from the civil war on the Syrian side. “Our guide had a map that showed in Syria itself about 12 different factions, and they’re all against each other. They’re all fighting,” Arnett said. The group also drove down to Netiv Ha’asara, a village that lies just a few hundred yards from the border with Gaza, where they visited the “Path to Peace” border wall mural and learned about the resiliency of life under a constant threat of rocket fire. As Wachs pointed out, it’s a dichotomy that’s hard for Americans to grasp.

On the other hand, Prusac also identified many commonalities between Arizona and Israel. He noted that Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was in Israel just a few days earlier for an international conference on water technologies. “If our governor has taken away even some of the impressions that we did, in terms of what we might learn as a state that we’re trying to grow into a more impactful economic engine in the United States, there’s a lot to be gained,” Prusac said. “There are some amazing parallels in terms of climate, diversity and desire to develop technologies.

It’s just stunning how similar we are. And I hope that we can learn from each other.”

The group met with senior statesmen from both sides of the Israeli political spectrum, including MK Ze’ev Binyamin “Benny” Begin (son of the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin) from the right-wing Likud party and Ambassador Alon Pinkas, who served as advisor on U.S. affairs to Prime Minister Ehud Barak, from the left-wing Labor party. Hearing opposing perspectives on key political issues such as the Iranian nuclear deal firsthand from top-level policy makers emphasized both the deep divide in Israeli society and the need to overcome those differences to work together for the country’s future.

A week in the Holy Land would not be complete without its

spiritual moments. For Prusac, it was visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western Wall, both located within the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, in the same day. “Appreciating the years and centuries of history and meaning that those two sites embody was very impactful,” he said.

Arnett cited a side trip he took with his brother, Chet Arnett, to Brigham Young University’s Jerusalem Center on Mount Scopus with its stunning view of Jerusalem. He was particularly moved by two announcements at the Sabbath service. One called on all members in the Jerusalem District of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to dedicate their monthly fast day to prayers for peace and for a lessening of the tensions in Israel. The second involved a letter from the First Presidency, the highest governing body of the LDS Church, encouraging all Mormons to contribute to the church’s humanitarian effort on behalf of immigrants. Arnett found significance in the global connection between the First Presidency in Salt Lake, aid to immigrants all over the world and hearing this call to action while in Israel.

In the final entry of his journal, Prusac summed up his impressions. “This immersion for the past week was humbling, confusing, gratifying and bonding. … We will all … continue to learn from what is being done in the cultural and religious laboratory known as Israel. We need to let those working in and taking care of this laboratory continue to do their good work.

Those of us living 8,000 miles away should not feel removed from this laboratory. If anything, we should do what we can to watch and learn from all the good that can come out of this laboratory. The challenge will be to keep everyone involved in it safe, so we can learn from all that is being done inside it.”

Important information for Arizona Jewish Life readers.

Beginning in January 2016, Arizona Jewish Life will only be mailed to homes of subscribers for $12/year. As always, you can find complimentary copies of AZJL at dozens of retail locations including AJ’s Fine Foods, Chompie’s, synagogues, Jewish community centers, entertainment venues, restaurants and professional offices.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 17

VOS JCC PROMOTES SHAHAR EDRY

What does the Federation do?

We help people.

Your donation to the Federation makes an amazing difference in peoples lives by: ... taking care of Jews in need, building community and creating vibrant Jewish life. ... increasing understanding and support of Israel through education, experiential connections and a community voice. ... engaging with young adult Jews and enabling them to define Jewish family in ways they find meaningful. ... helping older adults remain active, healthy, and living independently in their communities longer.

That’s it. That’s what we do.

WE HELP PEOPLE. Give today. Create tomorrow.

Helping Jews in need and building vibrant Jewish communities here, in Israel and throughout the world.

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18 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

After three years as the Israel Center Director, Shahar Edry now has an expanded role in the community. The Valley of the Sun JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix promoted Shahar effective Nov. 18. Shahar now is also the senior director of youth, camp and family programs.

“Three years ago, my wife, Kara, and I landed in Phoenix,” says Shahar. “I took the Israel Center Director position with the mission to bring Israel to our community. In those amazing three years, we created a wonderful Israeli-American community that is now part of our Jewish community. By focusing on quality programming, we hade many cultural events and celebrations with well-known speakers and singers that engaged many Israelis and Americans with the Israel Center.”

As the senior director, Shahar will oversee the youth and camp department, supervise the new Israel Center director (for whom a national search is under way) and lead the creation and expansion of the JCC’s family programing.

“I am looking forward to bringing my personal experience and love for Israel to this new position, and to keep serving the Israeli-American community by providing great programs and experiences,” says Shahar, whose family also expanded in June when son, Lev, arrived.

480-634-4900 | vosjcc.org

LISA KAPLAN JOINS STAFF OF JEWISH FREE LOAN

Lisa Kaplan has joined the staff of Jewish Free Loan. On Jan. 5, she will officially assume the position of development director. Lisa will be responsible for the oversight, creation and implementation of Jewish Free Loan’s various fundraising and development endeavors.

She brings with her a wealth of fundraising, development and community planning experience from her work as a Jewish communal professional both in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Most recently, Lisa served as director of planning allocations and organizational relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

“Jewish Free Loan is very excited that Lisa has joined our staff,” said JFL Executive Director Tina Sheinbein. “She brings years of experience in community organizing and development, which will assist JFL as we continue to expand our interest-free loan programs to meet the needs of Arizona’s Jewish community.”

602-230-7983 | jewishfreeloan.org

JEWISH FREE LOAN STAFF ASSUMES INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLES

In November, several representatives from Jewish Free Loan attended the 33rd annual conference of the International Association of Jewish Free Loans in Miami to learn from and network with colleagues from Ellen Sacks around North America and Israel. During the conference JFL Executive Director Tina Sheinbein was elected president of the IAJFL’s Executive Committee, which oversees all activities of the association. JFL Associate Executive Director Ellen Sacks was named co-chair of the Small Agency Group, which works to build the capacity of IAJFL members with assets under $1,000,000 and provide strategies for growth and organizational development.

Established in 1982, the International Association of Jewish Free Loans is a membership agency of nearly 50 free loan organizations serving communities around the globe.

In addition to assuming leadership roles within the IAJFL, Phoenix was asked to present Tina Sheinbein three separate workshops at this year’s conference. JFL board member David Senkfor discussed board development and nomination strategies; Tina Sheinbein participated in a panel presentation on strategic partnerships; and Ellen Sacks presented a workshop on electronic and traditional marketing strategies to reach donors and borrowers.

Other Jewish Free Loan representatives at the conference included board members Larry Moffitt, Ron Blau and Fred Wabnik.

602-230-7983 | jewishfreeloan.org

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Bar mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays and other life-cycle and family celebrations.

Mah-jongg cards and other specialty items from Israel and around the world.

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mazeltovgifts@gmail.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 19

20 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Cover

Tucson Phoenix Feb. 14-28

Jan. 14-23

Milestone film festivals

sure to delight audiences

By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri

Arizona is home to not just one, but two of the longest-running Jewish film festivals in the country – and both are marking milestones this year.

The Tucson International Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary from Jan. 14-23, while the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival holds its 20th annual event from Feb. 14-28. Both festivals have grown steadily from modest beginnings to an expected audience of 3,000 for 20 films in Tucson and 6,000 viewers for 16 films in the Phoenix area.

---In 1991 the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival started off showing three films at the University of Arizona’s Gallagher Theater. According to Elaine Lisberg, who chaired the festival from 1994 to 1996, they would show one film in January, one in February and one in March. She joined the festival committee shortly after moving to Tucson. While previewing her first film during a selection meeting at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, she had an epiphany, “like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney – ‘We need to put on a show!’ And I said, ‘We need to move this festival to the JCC.” That year, she says, they had movies morning, afternoon and night for two weeks, and the audience quickly grew to 5,000.

Since then, the festival has been based at the Tucson J, with screenings at additional venues such as the old Grand Cinemas Crossroads, The Loft Cinema (which hosts this year’s opening night) and Desert View Performing Arts Center in Saddlebrooke. For several years, screenings were held back at the Gallagher, too.

“We would load up those big reels of film and run them over for a showing at the Gallagher,” Elaine says.

“We were using old-time equipment, 35-mm film that would break in the middle, and we were carting around huge reels of film,” Elaine says. “Gradually we’ve come into the 21st century, and we now have stateARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 21

of-the-art viewing technology and audio equipment.”

The festival’s technology evolution is credited to Bob Nichol and Bob Polinsky of Ping Pong Media. “We went to the festival the first year we were here, in 2005, and to be quite honest, the technical side of the show was pretty terrible. We were just gripping the sides of our chairs.

We loved the movie, but the sound was bad,” says Bob Nichol.

When they shared their suggestions for improvements with the festival coordinator, she asked them to volunteer. “I guess we should have seen that coming,” says Bob. They saw a great deal of potential in the auditorium, so they made an offer: If the Tucson J installed a cinema screen with a motorized grand drape to cover it, the two Bobs would contribute everything else – the projection equipment, amplifiers, speakers and other technical gear.

To honor his devotion and the impact he made, the 25th festival is dedicated in memory of Bob Polinsky, who succumbed to esophageal cancer at the age of 66 in January 2012.

“He was absolutely passionate about the film festival,” Bob says. “The J was a special place for both of us. He spent the last month of his life previewing films for the next year. I just felt it was a great way to honor his memory.”

“Bob Polinsky had been completely dedicated to this film festival,” says TIJFF Chair Steve Zupcic. “He and Bob Nichol had given thousands and thousands of hours, not to mention financial contributions that continue through today, including a fund to support the film festival into the future.”

From 2010 to 2013, the TIJFF also ran the Fabulous Faygeleh Film Festival, a stand-alone series of LGBT films held on the last day of the festival. Starting in 2014, these films were incorporated into the regular schedule. “This is very parallel to the way gay, lesbian and transgender individuals have integrated in the Jewish community,” says Steve. “We’ve integrated those films, rather than putting them on a separate shelf by themselves.”

He describes this year’s selection of films as speaking to the Jewish experience today from a broad range of perspectives, following a thread that captures the diversity and unity of the Jewish people. Steve says his goal is for the festival to bring that diversity to as wide an audience as possible. “How in the world are we going to combat anti-Semitism if we don’t communicate with the broader community?”

----In 1996 Sheldon and Phyllis Pierson were inspired to launch the Phoenix Jewish Film Festival after attending a Jewish film festival in Los Angeles. “Phoenix didn’t have a single film festival, nothing at that time,” says Phyllis. So they decided to start one. They had no idea where to begin, but were determined 22 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

to give it a shot.

They brought the idea to Rabbi Bill Berk, head rabbi of their synagogue, Temple Chai, at the time, who loved the concept. The late Rabbi Albert Plotkin of Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale introduced them to his daughter, Janis Plotkin, who ran the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival from 1982 to 2002. She sent a catalog of distributors, and the Piersons spent the summer writing letters. Once they had a list of films, they went back to Rabbi Berk, who suggested bringing in other synagogues. Beth El Congregation joined in as a partner. The first Phoenix Jewish Film Festival featured three films screened at a theater that they rented for $1 a seat.

They made enough money to split the profits between the two sponsoring synagogues. The following year a third synagogue joined.

Fast forward to 2004. After reading a biography of Jewish baseball legend Hank Greenberg, Gloria and the late Syd Israel thought their synagogue might be interested in showing a documentary about his life. The congregation turned them down.

Undaunted, Syd said, “I’ll show them. I’m going to start a Jewish film festival,” says Gloria. Taking the DIY approach, they also turned to Janis Plotkin, who by this time had written a book on how to start a film festival.

To get the community involved, they offered to donate part of the proceeds to the Ed Robson Branch Library in Sun Lakes.

According to Gloria, the owner of the Pollack Cinema offered to screen the films for free. The first festival consisted of four films, shown on four consecutive Sundays, and the Israels donated the profits to both secular and Jewish nonprofit organizations.

In 2009 the two festivals merged to form the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival. It has since grown to include screenings at three theaters across the Valley – in Scottsdale, Chandler and Peoria, and is still run entirely by volunteers.

According to GPJFF Executive Director Bob Segelbaum, most of the films are international, from 10 different countries, and all have a Jewish theme or at least Jewish characters. “We have comedies, dramas, documentaries,” he says. Many of the screenings are followed by commentary and Q&A with guest speakers.

The festival’s 25th anniversary celebration on Feb. 11 at the Phoenix Art Museum will feature music by a string quartet from the Arizona School for the Arts, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, access to several museum galleries and a screening of “The Wandering Muse.”

The film, which features a series of encounters with Jewish musicians around the world, is a fitting start to the festival. The Montreal Gazette calls it “a fascinating eye-opener … filled to the brim with good songs.”

REVIEWS

Yiddish cabaret numbers elevate “To Life”

By Michael Fox

Argentine filmmaker explores sociopathology of ‘German Doctor’

By Michael Fox Ruth Weintraub has mastered the art of keeping her Jewish past at bay. But now, evicted As a high school student in the from her beloved Berlin apartment of 35 years 1990s, Lucia Puenzo was fascinated and and placed in ugly, unwelcoming public housing, Phoenix and Tucson Festival mystified by an open secret: Hundreds of she opts to stop struggling.

To Life Nazi war criminals found refuge in her Jonas is nearly half a century younger and less native Argentina. skilled at evading the future (and his girlfriend).

“I was intrigued that so many families So he happens to be Jonas-on-the-spot to rescue Ruth at a crucial moment, reluctantly knew what was going on because they initiating an odd and unexpected friendship. had a German man on their block or It’s the movies, so we’re inclined to accept the unlikely sequence of events that sets somewhere in their neighborhood,” the German drama “To Life!” (“Auf Das Leben”) in motion. Even more, we yearn for recalls the acclaimed novelist and these good yet troubled people to bond across the generations. filmmaker.

“Maybe they didn’t know so Part of that yearning has to do with our desire to see the Polish-born Ruth (played much in the ’60s and ’70s, but by the with grit, wit and gravitas by the formidable Hannelore Elsner) no longer tormented ’80s or ’90s everybody knew.

How could by the losses she suffered during the Holocaust. they not open their mouths and say That’s a familiar theme in films, of course, to the point of cliché. However, the ways what happened?

It had a lot of echoes of in which younger Germans confront the Holocaust and respond to anti-Semitism is our military coup d’etat, where so many endlessly compelling (to this observer, at least) yet rarely examined in movies.

Argentine families didn’t speak out.”

Consequently, that’s the path one wishes “To Life!” had chosen to explore with In her 2011 novel Wakolda, Puenzo greater commitment instead of opting for a more superficial and routine story of explored the devious machinations of a strangers altering each other’s lives.

German doctor in the Patagonian town Screening at both the Tucson and the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, “To of Bariloche, circa 1960, who befriends Life!” is a good-looking, well-acted and engaging movie that proves more successful at a young girl.

The erstwhile physician skirting difficult questions than evading potholes of predictability. injects her with growth hormones before The great pleasure of “To Life!” is the Yiddish tunes that the gifted actress and singer turning his attention to her pregnant Sharon Brauner performs in flashbacks as Ruth. We relish these expertly arranged mother, distracting the suspicious musical numbers while savoring the talent, charm and devoted lover that Ruth father with a plan to mass-market his possessed in her 30s. handmade dolls.

Along with Brauner’s terrific musical numbers, Hannelore Elsner pulls us through “To Life!” by powerfully conveying Ruth’s unblinking selfawareness as well as her zero tolerance for self-pity (in herself as well as others).

Readers with long memories will recall Elsner from “Go For Zucker,” a provocative German comedy from 2005.

As Ruth, Elsner is totally convincing as a woman who was required to rely on herself from an early age, and takes it in stride without resentment (though not without regret). Elsner’s performance evokes the depth of wisdom, courage and common sense Ruth has to offer.

Jonas, who’s sleeping in his van as “To Life!” begins, has also had to make his way in the world without his parents. That accounts for the tenuous bond between him and Ruth – they’re both loners – and their respectful appreciation for each other’s integrity.

“To Life!” boasts a good heart and good intentions. It’s a shame it doesn’t evince a bit more wisdom and courage.

Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival

Michael Fox is a film critic based in San Francisco.

The German Doctor

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 23

REVIEWS

Puenzo adapted the novel for the screen, shifting the point of view from the maniacal doctor to the observant child. “The German Doctor,” which swept Argentina’s major film awards and was the country’s official submission for the 2013 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, is a creepy, precisely crafted thriller made more unsettling by its restraint.

“The German Doctor” receives its Arizona premiere Feb. 25 in the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival.

At 39, Puenzo has already published five widely translated novels and directed three singular films including “XXY,” her prize-winning tale of an intersex teenager. Smart and fearless, she is attracted to subjects that others find off limits or taboo – like the Nazi presence in Argentina.

“For me, the big mystery has always been why this subject, that could be a hundred films and a hundred novels, has never been taken to film before,” she explains in a long-distance phone interview. “We have maybe a few excellent documentaries on the subject but not one fiction film, and maybe we have five or six novels and that’s all speaking about the subject.”

“The German Doctor” did solid box office in Argentina, which Puenzo sees as confirmation of pent-up interest. The film has been released in some 30 countries, including every European nation – except Germany.

The film succinctly illustrates how a cautious physician whom adults would view with suspicion, let’s call him Mengele, could win a child’s trust.

“In the camps there were so many horrible testimonies of how kids would call him Uncle Mengele, he would have sweets to give to the children and then he would take them to his experiments,” Puenzo says.

“The German Doctor” captures that deviousness and singlemindedness, while persuasively depicting the polite veneer Mengele devised to mask his lunacy and fool people.

“After the war, after the concentration camps, he disguised himself as this very civilized, seductive, enchanting man that lived for decades in three countries of Latin America without anybody suspecting who he was,” Puenzo says. “I think that’s how you have to portray this very sociopathic, complex personality who disguised himself. He was not the stereotype of the bad guy whom you could see coming.”

Puenzo comes across as earnest and serious but, befitting someone with a master’s degree in literature and critical theory, she recognizes the relationship between pop culture and popular perceptions of history.

“I remember films like ‘The Boys of Brazil,’ ” she says. “I loved it in a way, it’s such a strange film, but at the same time it’s a stereotype of Mengele. I think to … (depict) these most horrific monsters, you really have to show them in all their complexity.

They were much more dangerous than we think.”

“The German Doctor” is in Spanish and German with English subtitles. (Rated PG-13 for thematic material and brief nudity. 93 minutes)

24 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Tucson Jewish Film Festival

‘Farewell Party’ toasts end-of-life decision with wit, compassion

By Michael Fox

One could compile a very long list of movies whose enjoyment is enhanced by watching them with someone you love. “The Farewell Party” is the rare film that should be seen with someone you trust with your life.

Israeli filmmakers Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon set their funny, sensitive and ultimately moving tale among a small coterie of longtime friends heroically maintaining their independence and dignity in a Jerusalem retirement home.

The suffering of a terminally ill member of their circle forces them to consider the merit, and confront the risks, of friendassisted suicide.

There’s some pithy dialogue about the difference between helping a buddy and committing murder, but “The Farewell Party” isn’t interested in advancing a position on euthanasia or even grappling with the ethics or morality of one’s right to die.

The film’s concern is for the spouse tasked with the agonizing responsibility of carrying out the decision of a suffering husband or wife.

Lest this sound like the must-avoid movie of the week, Granit and Maymon filter the proceedings through the deliciously absurdist mix of baleful fatalism and real-world pragmatism that is Jewish humor.

Through its first half, “The Farewell Party” smoothly glides from deadpan comedy to black comedy to bittersweet comedy. The chuckles taper off en route to a perfectly conceived anticlimax, a poignant coda to a lifelong love affair whose last chapters we’ve been privy to.

“The Farewell Party” screens at 7:30 pm, Jan. 19, in the Tucson Jewish Film Festival. Wonderfully played by a cadre of veteran comic actors, it’s a film for anyone who’s ever grumbled that nobody makes movies for older audiences anymore.

After a marvelously droll opening scene in which Yehezkel (Ze-ev Revah) plays God to persuade a beloved friend to choose life and continue her treatment, the retired inventor is reluctantly corralled into helping ease the anguish of an expiring pal.

“They’re keeping him alive as though dying was a crime,” says the man’s wife, Yana (Aliza Rozen).

One of the movie’s refreshingly tart assumptions is that the elderly can’t afford the luxury of self-deception. Well, with one huge exception, that is: Yehezkel refuses to acknowledge that his wife’s steadily worsening memory lapses will necessitate moving her to an assistedliving facility in the not-too-distant future.

Notwithstanding the recurring presence of Yehezkel and Levana’s adult daughter and grandchild, this is a film about a stratum of society – older people – that is essentially invisible to everyone but its distinguished (and roguish) members.

Out of necessity, they are compelled to create their own community.

There are moments in “The Farewell Party,” consequently, that edge toward a comedy about codgers executing a heist, or a drama examining the portentous final stages of a long-term relationship.

But Granit and Maymon maintain such a solid grasp on their film’s tone and aesthetic that it never tips too far in either direction. The austere palette of cool blues and grays, combined with the near absence of music, eliminates any whiff of sentimentality or, for that matter, situation comedy.

What comes through in every frame of “The Farewell Party” is compassion for the human condition. If you think about it, movies can’t offer anything more compelling – or rewarding – than that.

11th Annual West Valley Jewish Film Festival, Jan. 30-Feb. 1

The 11th Annual West Valley Jewish Film Festival will be held on Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb. 1 at Beth Emeth Congregation, 3400 N Dobson Road, Chandler.

The festival has a musical theme this year. There will be moments of recollection, gratitude, joy and warmth.

The three films to be shown are “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker,” “Orchestra of Exiles” and “Flory’s Flame.”

Tickets for each film are $10 if purchased at the door. Tickets bought in advance are $9 per film or three films for $25.

“The Outrageous Sophie Tucker” Saturday, Jan. 30, 6:30 pm

Jazz singer and comedian Sophie Tucker, the self-proclaimed “Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” was one of the best-known entertainers of the 20th century. She was also a Jewish immigrant and a runaway mother before she became a superstar. This gripping documentary follows her 60-year career from vaudeville to Broadway, and to radio, movies and television.

“Orchestra of Exiles” Sunday, Jan. 31, 6:30 pm

In three years, Bronislaw Huberman, a world-renowned violinist, transformed himself into a humanitarian racing against time.

During World War II, he helped save Europe’s premier Jewish musicians from obliteration by the Nazis. His tale is told

by Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman, Joshua Bell and others.

It is a suspenseful chronicle with a joyous ending.

“Flory’s Flame” Monday, Feb. 1, 7 pm

This compelling film introduces us to 90-year-old Flory Jagoda, a renowned Sephardic composer. Flory was born in Sarajevo and was the only member of her musical family to survive the Holocaust. Her roots go back to the Spanish Inquisition, and her lyrics and melodies have been passed down through generations. Her life has been a triumph of personal and musical success, and we join her as she entertains dignitaries at the sold-out 2013 Celebration Concert at the U.S. Library of Congress.

A brief commentary on each film will precede its screening, and complimentary refreshments will be served after each screening.

For additional information, call 623 584-7210.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 25

celebrating

January 14 – 23, 2016 TWO Festival Kick-offs Sunday, Jan. 10, 3:00 pm, $5 Encore screening of

The Best of Men

Tickets at tucsonjewishfilmfestival.com

Friday, Jan. 15, 1:30 pm

Advanced Style (USA, 2014, 72 min.)

In memory of Robert Polinsky

Sunday, Jan. 17 1:00 pm

Sunday, Jan. 17 7:00 pm

The Seder

Enter the Faun

Leo is bringing his boyfriend home to meet the folks, but Mitchell isn’t just any date, and the Passover Seder isn’t just any meal!

(USA, 2015, 68 min., English)

(Canada, 2011, 13 min., English)

years

TUCSON INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 25

(UK, 2012, 90 min., English)

In 1944, Ludwig Guttmann, a talented neurologist and German Jewish refugee, revolutionized the way Great Britain treated soldiers with debilitating spinal injuries.

Co-presented by Northwest Division, Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

Desert View Performing Arts Center - 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive, Tucson

Sunday, Jan. 10 at The J 2:00 pm, FREE

The Age of Love

Dahling, you look mah-velous!

Come meet seven unique New Yorkers whose eclectic personal style and vital spirit have guided their approach to aging.

Join us for a very special luncheon and fashion show at noon, presented by Maya Palace and Lynn Rae Lowe.

RSVP required by Jan. 12.

Saturday, Jan. 16, 7:30 pm Direct from the Other Israel Film Festival

Women in Sink

(Israel, 2015, 35 min., Hebrew with subtitles)

(USA, 2014, 79 min., English)

A Speed Dating event exclusively for 70- to 90-yearolds spurs a diverse group of seniors to take stock of aging bodies and still-hopeful hearts.

Once in a Lifetime (Les Heritiers)

(France, 2014, 105 min., French with subtitles)

Anne Gueguen is determined to give the best education she can to her underprivileged inner-city pupils, but overcoming their apathy is more difficult than expected.

Based on a true story, this inspiring film celebrates the power of education and the importance of cooperation and coexistence.

Made possible by the Bob Polinsky Memorial Media Arts Fund

Portrait of a Serial Monogamist

(Canada, 2014, 84 min., English)

Smart, successful, and charming, Elsie is the perfect girlfriend. She also has a long history of broken hearts.

When Elsie breaks up with her longstanding girlfriend to pursue another woman, she faces the nagging suspicion that she may have made a big mistake.

Sunday, Jan. 17 3:30 pm

Mr. Kaplan

Presented by Senior Support Alliance

Opening night at the Loft: Thursday, Jan. 14, 7:00 pm

with

Filmmaker Iris Zaki trains her lens on the women of an ArabIsraeli beauty salon in Haifa and learns how they really feel about peace, strife, life, love, and friends.

(Uruguay/Spain/Germany, 2014, 98 min., Spanish with subtitles)

An unlikely collaboration between a veteran choreographer and a young actor with cerebral palsy delivers astonishing proof that every body is capable of miraculous transformation.

Q & A with filmmaker Tamar Rogoff to follow the film

Monday, Jan. 18, 1:30 pm

Dear God

(Elohim Yakar)

(Israel, 2014, 12 min., Hebrew with subtitles)

A devout woman visits Jerusalem’s Western Wall each day, hoping that someone will hear her prayers. Little does she know, her supplications are being observed by someone who wants to make her hopes and dreams come true. with

Vice Versa

(Haahayot Cahana)

(Israel, 2015, 62 min., Hebrew with subtitles)

with

Rock in the Red Zone (Israel, 2015, 90 min., English and Hebrew with subtitles)

When American filmmaker Laura Bialis set out to document the Sephardic music scene in Sderot, not far from the Gaza border, she had no way to predict where the path would lead. Bialis has crafted an intimate, insightful portrait of Israelis living in a war zone.

For more information visit tucsonjewishfilmfestival.org or call (520) 615-5432

26 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

/tjccfilm

Jacob Kaplan has grown tired of his quiet, post-war life, so he reinvents himself as a Nazi hunter to give his twilight years some meaning. The film creates a thoughtful portrait of family, aging, and the drive for significance.

Presented by Sarah Iden & Marc Herman, in memory of Lola and Marvin Herman.

Vice Versa tells the story of an unlikely romance between a devout Yeshiva scholar and his terminally ill student. Their intimate love story transcends the rules of religion, society, and faith.

Jan.pm 18, 7:00 pm Monday,Monday, Jan. 18, 7:00

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 27

20TH ANNUAL GREATER PHOENIX JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL • FEB. 14-28, 2016 20th Anniversary Celebration and Screening Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N Central Ave., Phoenix Feb. 11: 5:30 pm celebration; 7 pm screening THE WANDERING MUSE whisks the viewer around the globe while vibrantly documenting a series of encounters with Jewish musicians and their musical interpretations of Jewish identity.

(Several foreign languages, with English subtitles).

SCHEDULE:

He’s Muslim, she’s Jewish, yet Ismael and Clara are the perfectly gorgeous cross-cultural young French couple who have spent the last four years in a blissful, trouble-free relationship. Both Clara and Ismael are secular, so the notion of religion, race and culture has never factored into their relationship – until Clara unintentionally becomes pregnant. Now they need to break the news to their respective traditional parents, and the fear and stress of those reactions put their relationship to the ultimate test.

Apples From the Desert Arizona Premiere

Peoria – Mon. Feb. 22, 7 pm Scottsdale – Sun. Feb 28, 3 pm Rebecca Abravanel is living a cloistered existence with her strictly religious parents in Jerusalem. Unhappy with the restrictive traditions, she secretly breaks taboos, attending dance classes where she forms a relationship with a secular kibbutznik. Reacting, her father arranges her marriage to an older widower; Rebecca’s mother and aunt are appalled. After Rebecca runs away, the family conflict forces them to confront their beliefs and one another.

Guest Speaker: Peoria: Rabbi Irwin Wiener D.D., spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Drama/Family - (France) 104 minutes, French, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Sun. Feb. 21, 3 pm These courageous adventures of a lonely young boy and his giant sheepdog are set amidst the stunning backdrop of the snow-covered Alps. In WWII-occupied France, on the border of Switzerland, 6-year-old Sebastian tames the enormous, yet gentle mountain dog Belle. When the Nazis arrive, Belle and Sebastian prove their loyalty to the village and each other when they undertake a treacherous journey to help the cause.

The German Doctor

Note: Recommended for ages 10 and older.

A foreign physician with a sinister obsession for genetic purity upends the lives of an Argentinean family. A couple is preparing to open a hotel in a remote town when they encounter the charismatic doctor. With mother, Eva, pregnant with twins, and her 12-yearold daughter bullied about her stunted size, the family interests the nefarious doctor. They accept him into their home, until a local archivist suspects the town of German immigrants is harboring one of the world’s most infamous war criminals.

Comedy/Drama - (United Kingdom) 94 minutes, English Screenings:

Preceded by short film, 7 DAY GIG. (USA). A punk, an old man and a chicken gather round for a make-shift shiva after Jay puts an ad on Craigslist looking for mourners to join him in this comedy about loss and finding your roots.

Inspired by true events. After German occupation forces pick up Younes, a young Algerian immigrant peddling black market goods, he agrees to spy on a mosque, whose rector is suspected of aiding the Muslim Resistance and providing Jews with false papers.

Younes forms a deep friendship with Algerian cabaret singer, then discovers she is Jewish. He stops collaborating and transforms from politically ignorant migrant to full-fledged freedom fighter.

Arizona Premiere

Phoenix Premiere

Widowed and down on his luck, Orthodox Jew Nat Dayan is desperate to save his faltering kosher bakery in London’s East End. Nat reluctantly enlists the help of Darfur refugee Ayyash. The Muslim teen assists with the bakery, while selling marijuana on the side to help his struggling mother. When Ayyash accidentally drops his stash into the dough, the challah starts flying off the shelf, and an unlikely friendship forms.

Screenings:

Chandler – Mon. Feb. 22, 7 pm Scottsdale – Wed. Feb 24, 7 pm

Belle and Sebastian

Dough

Scottsdale –Sun. Feb. 14, 3 pm Chandler – Sun, Feb. 21, 3 pm Peoria – Sun., Feb. 28, 3 pm

Harkins Shea 14: 7354 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale Harkins Chandler Fashion 20: 3159 W Chandler Blvd., Chandler Harkins Arrowhead 18: 16046 N Arrowhead Fountains Ctr. Dr., Peoria Ticket Prices: Adults $11 for plus service charge ($13 at the door) / Students (ID required, 25 & younger) $7 VIP Festival Pass: $125 unlimited films / unlimited venues For more information about tickets, ticket packages or group discounts, call 602-953-9366, or visit gpjff.org

Guest Speakers:Scottsdale: Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky.

Chandler: Rabbi Dean Shapiro, spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel in Tempe.

Drama/Romance - (Israel) 96 minutes, Hebrew, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

VENUES:

A Blind Hero: The Love of Otto Weidt

Arizona Premiere Drama - (Argentina) 93 minutes, Spanish, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Thurs. Feb. 25, 7 pm

Guest Speaker: Dr. Murray Henner is Professor of International Law and Intelligence at Embry Riddle University and published author of over 50 books.

Docudrama - (Germany) 90 minutes, German, w/ English subtitles

Screenings:

Scottsdale – Tues. Feb. 17, 3 pm Peoria – Tues., Feb. 24, 3 pm Based on a true story. Otto Weidt, a middle-aged German broom industry magnate, used his factory to save the lives of dozens of Berlin Jews. Weidt bribed Gestapo agents to allow his employees refuge in his factory. In 1943 Berlin was declared Jew-free, and Weidt was forced to find safe places for his workers. But when his former secretary. with whom he fell in love, was deported to Auschwitz, he posed as a traveling brush salesman to follow her.

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Drama - (Israel/France) 115 minutes, Hebrew, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Thurs. Feb. 25, 3 pm

Bad Faith Arizona Premiere

Drama/Comedy - (Belgium/France) 88 minutes, French, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Tues. Feb. 16, 3 pm Chandler – Tues. Feb 23, 3 pm

28 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Free Men Arizona Premiere Drama - (France) 99 minutes, French, w/ English subtitles

An emotionally shackled Israeli woman seeks a divorce from her cruel and manipulative husband. In Israel only rabbis can legalize a marriage or its dissolution, which is only possible with the husband’s consent. Viviane Amsalem has been applying for a divorce for three years but her husband will not agree. His cold intransigence, Viviane’s determination to fight for her freedom, and the ambiguous role of the judges shape a procedure in which tragedy vies with absurdity, and where everything is brought out for judgment, apart from the initial request.

Guest Speaker:Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, dean of Valley Beit Midrash and a noted author.

singer saw no other way out than suicide. As Jonas discovers Ruth’s past and takes part in her present, his attentions and the passionate Yiddish songs of her youth help her find the way back to life. In turn, when Ruth learns Jonas is incurably ill, she helps him find the strength to tackle his fears.

Guest Speakers: Scottsdale & Peoria: Rabbi Art Abrams, spiritu-

In Silence Phoenix Premiere Docudrama - (Czech Republic/Slovakia) 90 minutes, Czech, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Thurs. Feb 18, 7 pm This intense, beautiful docudrama depicts the shattered lives of five Jewish artists whose dreams were cut short by the Holocaust.

With the rise of Fascism many Jewish performers were barred from working and ultimately deported to death camps. The filmmakers approach this well-chronicled subject employing lyrical cinematography and first-person narration to tell the true stories of Czech and German artists who faced Nazi persecution.

Guest Speaker:Martin Beck Matuštik, Ph.D is a professor of ethics and religion at Arizona State University and author of Out of Silence: Repair Across Generations.

al leader of Beth Ami Temple of Paradise Valley.

Rock In the Red Zone

Chandler: Jack B. Silver LCSW, ACSW, director of counseling at Jewish Family & Children’s Services.

Phoenix Premiere Documentary - (Israel) 90 minutes, Hebrew and English, w/ English subtitles

Scottsdale – Wed. Feb 17, 7 pm Chandler – Tues., Feb 23, 7 pm Peoria – Thurs., Feb 25, 7 pm In a small Israeli border town on the edge of the Negev Desert, the constant sounds of rockets exploding provide the backbeat.

Sderot, located meters from Gaza, is the epicenter of an amazing Israeli musical phenomenon. Amidst casualties, maimed neighbors and crumbling buildings, Sderot’s youth have found expression for both their anger and their hope in rock music.

Guest Speaker:Chandler: Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic and Gannett Newspapers film critic.

Once In a Lifetime Phoenix Premiere Drama - (France) 105 minutes, French w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Scottsdale – Tues. Feb. 16, 7 pm Peoria – Sun. Feb 21, 3 pm Chandler – Sun. Feb 28, 3 pm A French high school teacher taps into lessons of the Holocaust in this drama based on a true story. Anne Gueguen is determined to give the best education she can to her underprivileged inner-city pupils. To overcome their apathy, Anne enters her multicultural classroom in a national competition on the theme of child victims of the Nazi camps. After initial resistance, an encounter with a Holocaust survivor changes the class’s attitude and they begin to see themselves in a whole new light.

Note: Recommended for teenagers and older

Guest Speakers: Scottsdale: Dr. Lawrence Bell, PhD, executive director of the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center and vice president of the Arizona Interfaith Movement.

Peoria: Max McQueen covered culture arts for the East Valley Tribune for over 20 years and now moderates four film clubs.

Screening:

Scottsdale – Sun, Feb 14th, 7 pm This story is told entirely in Yitzhak Rabin’s own voice 20 years after his assassination. Through rare archival footage, home movies and private letters, Rabin’s dramas unfold – from his childhood as the son of a labor leader in pre-state Israel, through a change of view that turned him from a farmer into an army man, through his later years when as Prime Minister he made moves that enraged a large portion of the public until the horrific end.

Arizona Premiere Drama - (Israel) 84 minutes, Hebrew, w/ English subtitles Screening:

Scottsdale – Tues. Feb. 23, 3 pm This true story is about the only execution of an Israeli officer by the Israeli military. In 1948, amidst the chaos of a new military force, Captain Meir Tuviansky was accused of treason. The British are still active in Palestine, and bombs are hitting Jewish targets with alarming precision. Just weeks after the state of Israel was established, a man was accused of treason, tried, sentenced and executed within hours. One year later he was exonerated by David Ben Gurion.

Phoenix Premiere Comedy – (France) 97 minutes, French, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Chandler – Sun. Feb. 14, 3 pm Scottsdale – Mon. Feb. 22, 7 pm Peoria – Wed. Feb. 24, 7 pm A bourgeois Catholic family is upended in this unabashedly politically incorrect romantic comedy that pokes fun at the melting pot of modern-day France. Claude and Marie consider themselves open-minded. Their tolerance has been tested as three of their four daughters successively marry an Arab, a Jew and an Asian. Then their youngest daughter announces her engagement to Charles.

When the groom’s parents arrive from the Ivory Coast, bigotry becomes a two-way street.

Preceded by Short Film DEAR G-D (Israel). A beautiful, mysterious woman puts a note a Wailing Wall crevices, and Aaron, a simple man who guards the historic site, decides to fulfill her deepest wish, while learning that love is all about communication.

Secrets of War Phoenix Premiere Drama - (Netherlands) 90 minutes, Dutch, w/ English subtitles Screenings:

Peoria – Sun. Feb 14, 3 pm Scottsdale – Mon. Feb 15th, 7 pm Chandler – Thurs. Feb 25, 7 pm Inseparable friends in Nazi-occupied Netherlands find their loyalty severely tested. As conflict rages, 12-year-old best friends Tuur and Lambert are oblivious to the danger, spending days in school and playing. Tuur’s father and brother join the resistance movement, and Lambert’s parents ally themselves with the local Nazi party.

The arrival of lively Maartje has the boys vying for her affection, but sets into motion events that alter the lives of all three children forever.

Note: Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Rabin In His Own Words Documentary - (Israel) 113 minutes, Hebrew, w/ English subtitles

Tuviansky

Guest Speaker:Rabbi Bonnie Koppell, spiritual leader of Temple Chai in Phoenix, and chaplain (colonel) in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Serial (Bad) Weddings

Arizona Premiere

Screenings:

Guest Speakers: Peoria: Paul Weiser, Holocaust Expert, 16-year

To Life!

Phoenix Premiere Drama - (Germany) 90 minutes, German, w/ English subtitles

member of the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors’ Association, and a Mandel Fellow of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Scottsdale: Janice Friebaum, chair of Generations After – Descendants of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Phoenix.

Chandler: Rabbi Kenneth Leitner, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley.

Screenings:

Scottsdale – Sun. Feb. 21, 7 pm Peoria – Tue. Feb. 23, 7 pm Chandler – Wed. Feb. 24, 7 pm Jonas, a young man on the run, arrives in Berlin just in time to save Ruth’s life. Evicted from her apartment, the aging Jewish cabaret

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 29

Arts & Entertainment

Famed pianist Emanuel Ax comes to Scottsdale

By Elizabeth Schwartz

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts welcomes pianist Emanuel Ax Jan. 24 for a program of six pieces by Beethoven as part of the Virginia G. Piper Concert Series.

Ax combines unsurpassed musicianship with a self-effacing, almost diffident approach to making music, whether with an orchestra or as a chamber musician. He has been performing duo recitals with his long-time friend, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, since 1974; the two men met as undergraduates at the Juilliard School of Music.

“Being modest is the easiest thing in the world for a pianist,” says Ax. “It’s a very tough profession, and you very rarely get anything right.” One might expect such an attitude from an up-and-coming pianist, but Ax has played with the world’s finest musicians and orchestras and has won an impressive seven Grammy awards, for both chamber and solo piano recordings.

Few musicians are held in higher esteem by their colleagues, a sure indication of Ax’s tremendous musical abilities. How does he keep a sense of proportion about his accomplishments when the world continually showers him with acclaim?

“My job is not to assess myself,” Ax maintains, especially 30 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

when it comes to praise. “My job is to find things that are wrong with me, not right with me. I feel good about getting good reviews or awards, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve mastered anything. Music is an ongoing process. You’re always balancing a certain amount of confidence in your ability with admitting that things can be improved.”

Aside from his monumental talent, Ax embodies another rare quality: the ability to seek out and find the best in people he meets. It’s an uncommon trait, all the more so given Ax’s family history. Born in Lvov in 1949 to Polish-Jewish parents in what was then the U.S.S.R., he is the child of two Holocaust survivors. Like many who endured the concentration camps, Ax’s parents raised their only child without a religious identity. The family left Europe for Canada when Ax was 10 and later relocated to New York City. Ax became an U.S. citizen in 1970 and considers himself an assimilated American, but he also acknowledges Jewish cultural attitudes his parents imparted to him. “I think Jews are very much involved with the arts, education and charity. Education was very important to a lot of people from my parents’ background, and I share all those values.”

Ax sees the rise of Asian soloists such as Chinese pianists Lang Lang and Yuja Wang as a continuation of the immigrant story that gave rise to a host of legendary Jewish classical musicians. Ax continues to challenge himself musically. He also teaches piano on a limited basis, and, in typical Ax fashion, says he learns as much from his students as they do from him. “I think it’s wonderful to be able to share music with younger generations. They sometimes have fabulous fingerings that I copy.”

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This interview originally appeared in Oregon Jewish Life Photo of Emanuel Ax by Lisa Marie Mazzucco

Virginia G. Piper Concert Series

SCULPTURE

WHO: Emanuel Ax WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 24, 7:30 pm WHERE: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia G. Piper Theater 7380 E. Second St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 PROGRAM: All by Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, “Pathetique” Six Variations on a Theme in F Major, Op. 34 Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1 Polonaise in C Major, Op. 89 Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, “Appassionata” TICKETS: $29, $49, $69; 480-499-TKTS (8587) ScottsdalePerformingArts.org

& WINE FESTIVAL IN FOUNTAIN HILLS 16810 E Ave of the Fountains, Fountain Hills

J A N U A R Y 15, 16 & 17, 2016 Thunderbird Artists celebrate award-winning sculptors from across the globe. Enjoy the Arizona Sunshine while marveling at small, life-sized and monumental sculptures. Enjoy sipping fine wines and listening to musicians while strolling throughout this first-class gathering of juried sculptures.

Experience the Nature of Bach 2016 Arizona Bach Festival Friday, January 8, 2016 – 7:30pm (pre-concert lecture 6:30pm) Renowned Organist, Christopher Houlihan in Recital All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 North Central Avenue, Phoenix Tickets: $23 advance, $25 at the door

M O R E J A N UA R Y F E S T I VA L S Surprise Fine Art & Wine Festival • Jan 22-24 Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festivals • Jan 29-31 Admission $3 • Held Outdoors • 10am-5pm

ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637 M E E T

T H E

A R T I S T S

Friday, January 15, 2016 – 7:30pm (pre-concert lecture 6:30pm) “The Passion According to Saint John” Camelback Bible Church, 3900 East Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley Tickets: $38 advance, $40 at the door Sunday, January 24, 2016 – 3:00pm (pre-concert lecture 2:00pm) Dr. James Stern, Violinist —The Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 North Central Avenue, Phoenix Tickets: $23 advance, $25 at the door Season ticket price: $80 Tickets and information:

www.ArizonaBachFestival.org We are a 501c3 Charitable Organization.

JAN 22APR 3 Award-Winning Artists at Work • 120 Studios 26540 N Scottsdale Rd—Jomax & Scottsdale Rds

by MacDonald’s Ranch 480-837-7163 • ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com

10-week Season Pass $10; Military/Seniors $8 • Open Daily 10am-6pm ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 31

Arts & Entertainment

Craig Bergsgaard

Renowned artists from around the globe will make the beautiful Sonoran Desert in north Scottsdale home for 10 weeks as they create original pieces of fine art in what has come to be known as one of Arizona’s best venues for collecting fine art.

The Arizona Fine Art Expo begins Jan. 22 and runs through April 3 from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Festive white tents at 26540 N Scottsdale Road, on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Jomax roads, will become working art studios.

The event features 120 patron-friendly working studios within a 44,000-square-foot space, where guests have a rare chance to meet the artists, see them in action and learn about their inspiration and techniques. Throughout the 10 weeks, artisans will sketch passionately in pencil, charcoal and pastels; sculpt and fire clay; drill, chisel and carve stone; paint in all media; delicately scrape and etch on scratchboard; stain and etch gourds; design lost wax casting; solder and weld jewelry; assemble mosaics and more. Art is for sale and commissions are welcome.

Patrons can stroll through one of the Valley’s largest sculpture gardens, including a koi pond with waterfall surrounded by natural desert. Other highlights include a café, wine tastings, garden parties, book signings and live music every weekend.

In addition, the nonprofit American Healing Arts Foundation will provide free art classes for veterans during the show.

For 34 years, Thunderbird Artists has united gifted artists with patrons across the world by producing award-winning fine art and fine wine festivals. A family-run business, Thunderbird Artists’ success and the encouragement of artists prompted the birth of the Arizona Fine Art Expo 12 years ago.

Season passes cost $10; admission for seniors and military is $8; and children under 12 are free. Parking is free. For more details about participating artists or events during the show, call 480-837-7163 or visit ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com.

Visit 120 studios filled with artists creating art for 10 weeks

Kim Ballard and Wei Tai Studio 32 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Janelle Lindley

Saguaro Sunset by Janelle Lindley

BFA, MA

two plates full

Functional art, gifts and accessories The shops at Gainey Village

“Road Show” Acrylic on canvas 40x60

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www.twoplatesfull.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 33

Arts & Entertainment

Wind Song Bronze by Misty Soderberg

Sculpture & Wine: Inaugural Festival In an unprecedented event for the award-winning producer of juried fine art and wine festivals in Arizona, Thunderbird Artists hosts its inaugural “Sculpture & Wine Festival” on Jan. 15-17 in Fountain Hills.

The juried show will feature more than 60 acclaimed sculptors from A&E around the globe, giving patrons a chance to view and purchase stunning, diverse pieces crafted from bronze, Earth Tone Tile Figurine by Hill Brin stone, copper, clay, wood, metal, glass, gourd, steel, found objects and mixed media. The event takes place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at 16810 E Avenue of the Fountains. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the International Cancer Advocacy Network.

In 34 years of producing fine art festivals, Thunderbird Artists has been instrumental in showcasing the talents of sculptors worldwide. Thunderbird Artists Vice President Denise Dale said the January Fountain Hills show will provide a rare chance to meet many of the world’s renowned sculptors in one setting.

“Our roster of sculptors will exhibit a breathtaking array of small, medium, life-sized and even monumental sculptures,” she said. “Whether you are seeking to enhance your home décor or you want to begin a sculpture garden, you’ll find a diverse selection of original, high-quality pieces to choose from.”

Together, the artists will showcase hundreds of pieces, ranging from the whimsical outdoor mixed media sculpture of Cotipaxi, CO, artist Hill Brin to the Eagles Shaman by Jeff Owen abstract and figurative works of Zuva Gallery artists, sculpted from the indigenous stones of Zimbabwe. Art enthusiasts can marvel at the elegant floral sculptures and luminescent bowls and vessels carved from alabaster by Camp Verde artist Susan Zalkind or meet Idaho artist Ken Newman, a bronze and wood sculptor who observes, interprets and then sculpts both wildlife and the figure. Patriotic patrons will enjoy the military bronze sculptures of Mesa artist David Paul Venell. Others may be drawn to the bright, colorful glass pieces by Phoenix artist Johanna Dozer.

“While the sculptures are diverse, the artists share the same passion for creativity,” Dale said.

Douglas Brannan, of Globe, uses recycled materials to create playful robot and other futuristic sculptures. Gary Moser, of Scottsdale, worked in construction for 30 years before sculpting. “Steel just kind of grabbed me by the collar and has taken me on an amazing journey,” Moser said.

“We’ve been honored to watch many of our participating sculptors’ careers soar over the years, and we’re also very excited to welcome new sculptors to the Thunderbird family,” said Thunderbird Artists CEO Judi Pueblo Women by Jeff Laing Combs.

34 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Keeping with its long-standing charitable tradition of supporting the community, Thunderbird Artists has chosen to support the International Cancer Advocacy Network as the event’s charity, donating 25% of festival admission ticket sales and 25% of all wine sales to ICAN, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Arizona nonprofit charity.

“Thunderbird Artists has always been ambassadors for the arts and community, and ICAN’s mission is one we support,” said Combs, who is a cancer survivor. “Through their extensive advocacy network, they serve Stage IV cancer patients across the U.S. and in 53 countries, empowering them to navigate rapidly expanding diagnostic and personalized treatment options. Not only will ICAN volunteers host the wine tastings at our January show, they’ve also lined up volunteers to assist us, and we’re very grateful for that.”

Wine tasting tickets cost $10, which provides a souvenir wine glass and six tasting tickets. Tastings require one, two or three tickets depending on the wine’s characteristics and quality. Additional wine tickets are $1. Admission to the inaugural “Sculpture & Wine Festival” is $3 for adults and free for children 18 years or younger. Parking is free all weekend. For more information, call 480-837-5637 or visit ThunderbirdArtists.com.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 35

Arts & Entertainment

Imagine That

New art exhibit highlights artists and their inspirations

By Michelle Talsma Everson

Wilde Meyer Annex in Scottsdale opened about 20 years ago as an extension of Wilde Meyer Gallery, which has been showcasing contemporary and Western-themed art for decades.

“We wanted to have a presence on Main Street in addition to our Marshall Way location,” says Samantha Matkovich, a spokesperson for Wilde Meyer.

During January the Wilde Meyer Annex hosts “Imagine That,” a compilation of some of the gallery’s “most collected and imaginative artists’ works,” Matkovich says. The show features several artists including Judy Feldman, Stephen Morath, Chaille Trevor, Debora Stewart, Ron Russon and Albert Scharf.

Scharf is well known for his oil paintings on canvas or board and has been active as an artist for 17 years. “In general, my work conveys some sense of light in the painting,” he says. “I paint

Calligraphy based on the 72 names of G-d. By Albert Scharf

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www.gingerbowen.com 36 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

the light. With that as my mission, I seek the emotional content of color and color combinations.” “As part of (my) practice, I express my Jewish and spiritual heritage through my calligraphy – Hebrew letters and the 72 names of G-d – and my abstract works, (including the) 10 plague series, and I’m presently working on a series based on the Genesis story of creation.”

Scharf, like many artists, says that his heritage and faith are integral parts of both his personal and professional identities.

“My Jewish heritage touches all parts of my life,” he says. “As a routine practice, I have set up a small alter space with the Tree of Life; I use this as an integrated system to connect with the spirits of the upper world. I pray daily and light candles. I use the candles to connect with the day of the week and make myself available to that energy that day. This tool was developed for my own seeking of a spiritual awareness.”

“My ancestry is of Jews fleeing to America seeking political freedom,” he continues. “My paternal side of the family was ultra-Orthodox. I was very active when I was young going to temple regularly and keeping kosher. I'm sure these energies have seeped into my subconscious.”

While “Imagine That” features a handful of Jewish artists, the show is also home to a variety of artistic works from artists of all different backgrounds.

Mixed Media • Batiks • Encaustic Monotype

“What stands out about our ‘Imagine That’ show is that it highlights some of our most imaginative and talented artists,” Matkovich says. “This show would appeal to all art lovers.”

“Imagine That” opens to the public on Jan. 7 and closes on Jan. 30. The exhibit’s reception is on Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 pm at the Wilde Meyer Annex. The exhibit is hosted in conjunction with the Collector’s ArtWalk. Wilde Meyer Annex is located at 7100 Main St. in Scottsdale. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am-5:30 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm. The Annex is also open for ArtWalk every Thursday from 7 to 9 pm.

Other Wilde Meyer Exhibits & Events While the Wilde Meyer Annex hosts “Imagine That,” its sister locations at the Wilde Meyer Gallery (4142 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale) and Wilde Meyer Gallery Tucson (3001 E Skyline Dr., Ste. 115) will be home to other ongoing shows. During January, Wilde Meyer Gallery will host “Art to Acquire” featuring some of the gallery’s most collectible artists, and Wild Meyer’s Tucson location will host “Discoveries.” For more information about these exhibits, including dates, times and locations, visit wildemeyer.com or call 480-947-1489.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 37

Jewish day schools reach new heights

By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri

Change is in the air at Tucson Hebrew Academy and Pardes Jewish Day School in the Valley.

Both schools have long histories of combining a love for Jewish learning and culture with excellent academics and a strong sense of community. They each strive to nurture critical thinking and a positive Jewish identity while providing a wellrounded environment. Building on this strong foundation, the schools are continuously on the lookout for innovations in education and ways to enhance their students’ experience.

Ella, a Pardes kindergartner, smiles with Morah Ruthie after shaking the Lulav

Education "Study leads to action." ~ Talmud, Kiddushin

INSIDE 38 Day Schools Evolve 40 Amazing Lectures 42 School's Global Perspective 44 Limmud is Back 44 Slay the Worry Monster 45 Local Brandeis 46 Let Kids Learn 48 Blindness Creates Clarity 51 Teach Israel Creatively 52 Education Directory 38 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Here’s a quick look at what’s new and exciting at these two community Jewish day schools.

What’s new in Judaic studies?

Last summer, Pardes hired a new director of Jewish Life and Learning. Dr. Eran Vaisben holds a master’s in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of California, Davis. He has served as a synagogue education director and has an extensive background in educational leadership, curriculum development, Jewish learning and educational technology. “He’s working very closely with all of the Jewish studies and Hebrew teachers and really continuing to elevate that curriculum,” says Pardes Head of School Jill Kessler.

“He’s also been in touch with a number of schools in Israel and is looking at ways that we can work cross-culturally.”

Pardes Hebrew teachers Dina Bedak and Ilanit Pony-Levitin spent a week at the Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem focused on creating innovative educational initiatives for their students. They developed a project for sixth-graders to learn about Israel’s past and present, which will pair them with peers of the same grade level in Haifa.

Eden and Netanel Achituv are the first Morim Shlichim (teacher emissaries) from the World Zionist Organization to join the Judaics faculty at THA. According to Head of School Jon Ben-Asher, they are instrumental in implementing a new model for Hebrew language instruction and in strengthening ties with students in Tucson’s Partnership2Gether communities of Hof Ashkelon and Kiryat Malachi.

grade-level projects that demonstrate the work being done in the science and engineering area. There are plans to further STEM studies through Level Up Village, a program that connects students globally and will enable collaboration with kids in Israel, which is known for its science and technology innovations.

What’s new in community connections?

Tucson Hebrew Academy Eighth-grade science class.

Photo by Jennifer Lehrfeld

What’s new in STEM?

Building on the success of its first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) festival last spring, Tucson Hebrew Academy recently raised money to upgrade its math curriculum. Middle school math offerings now include both Algebra 1 and Geometry, so that graduates have the opportunity to start high school at advanced math levels. The eighth-grade science curriculum includes a unit on forensics and culminates with robotics. “STEM is what science is all about,” says Ben-Asher. “When you build a space station, or a car, or an iPod, you’re using all of the sciences.”

Kessler agrees on the importance of the STEM curriculum: “Our eighth-grade students have created robots, suspension bridges out of toothpicks and had to solve a crime scene. Finding out who did it was the most fun.” On Jan. 21, Pardes will host a STEM evening for Pardes families, featuring

URd and O T nde pus E a xp cam M e CO wly ted

e a r n ov ou ren

In response to a research study in the fall of 2014 that tapped opinions of staff, students, parents, alumni and others in the Jewish community, THA has undergone a series of transformations over the past year. Refocusing on its mission, vision and values statements, while honoring its past, THA unveiled a new brand identity at a communitywide event on Nov. 3, 2015.

Pardes has several upcoming events to involve families in their children’s school life. Grandparents are invited to a special breakfast on Feb. 5. Parents and kids are invited to unleash their creative side through a variety of hands-on art projects at Art Night on Feb. 10. There are also programs for families who want to learn more about the school, including Middle School Information Night on Jan. 26 and a School Showcase on Feb. 28.

For more information about Pardes Jewish Day School, contact Director of Admissions and Marketing Bethany Spector at 480-991-9141 or bspector@pardesschool.org or visit pardesschool.org.

For details about Tucson Hebrew Academy, contact Director of Admissions, Development and Community Relations Julee Dawson at 520-529-3888 or jdawson@thaaz.org or visit thaaz.org.

A WORLD CLASS

education GROUNDED IN JEWISH VALUES For more information, please contact Bethany Spector, Director of Admissions, at 480-991-9141 or admissions@pardesschool.org.

Pardes Jewish Day School 12753 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85254

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 39

Passages lecture series brings seven amazing speakers to the Valley

For nearly 40 years the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix’s Passages Lecture Series has presented top scholars, speakers and programs from around the country to provide insight into everything from politics to entertainment in the Jewish world.

This year’s series features seven lectures beginning Jan. 10 and concluding March 13. Programs meet at various locations around town. Tickets are $18 per lecture or $105 for the series; sponsorship and patron tickets are also available. For tickets and information, call 480-634-8050 or email jewished@bjephoenix.org.

Following are this year’s programs.

GIL TROY, Ph.D.: Election Time – U.S. Presidents, U.S. Candidates and the Jews Sunday, Jan. 10, 7:30 pm, at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley Gil Troy has been a professor of history at McGill University in Montreal since 1990, where he served as chairman of the history department from 1997 to 1998. He was identified as McGill’s most popular professor, and History News Network designated him as one of its first Top Young Historians. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in history from Harvard. He is a prolific author. In Why I am a Zionist, he discusses the trend Zionism has taken in light of independence, Arab hostility and the equation of Zionism and racism. He challenges Jews to reaffirm their faith and pride in Zionism. He has authored six books on American presidents.

DAN GORDON: Living the Story, Vanguard for Israel Sunday, Jan. 17, 7:30 pm, at Ina Levine JCCampus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Dan Gordon is a modern-day Renaissance man. He spent more than 40 years in the Israel Defense Forces and is a veteran of six wars. He served as a sniper with the rank of captain, and is the oldest member to serve in the distinguished Givati Brigade. In addition to his service to Israel, his “second” country, Americanborn Gordon is an accomplished Hollywood screenwriter, author and producer. He is known for award-winning Hollywood films such as “The Hurricane,” “Wyatt Earp,” “The Assignment,” “Murder in The First” and “Passenger 57.” Gordon was head writer on Michael Landon's “Highway to Heaven.” He has written extensively on Middle Eastern affairs and counterterrorism. As a spokesperson for the IDF and a Middle East analyst, Gordon has appeared on virtually every major U.S. and European broadcast and cable news outlet. He is the author of seven novels; the latest is Day of the Dead Book One: Gaza along with its forthcoming sequel, Day of the Dead Book Two: America.

PETER GREENBERG: Jewish Travel in Uncertain Times Sunday, Jan. 24, 7:30 pm, at Ina Levine JCCampus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale An investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. He began his career in journalism as the West Coast correspondent for Newsweek in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is the travel editor for CBS News, appearing on “CBS This Morning,” “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” and “CBS Sunday Morning.” Greenberg hosts a new television show, “The 40 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg.” Greenberg also presented “Israel: The Royal Tour,” an unprecedented tour inside the country and an up-close-and-personal journey with his guide, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

STEVEN EMERSON: Terrorism in the Age of ISIS

Sunday, Feb. 14, 7:30 pm, at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W Glendale Ave., Phoenix Steven Emerson is an internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security, a correspondent and an author who also serves as the executive director of The Investigative Project on Terrorism, the nation’s largest data and intelligence archive on Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorist groups. He is the author of the national best seller, American Jihad: The Terrorist Living Among Us. Emerson has frequently appeared on network television and has been quoted or cited hundreds of times in the nation’s newspapers.

Emerson and his institute have also given many briefings to Congress, the White House, the Justice Department and other federal agencies.

JOEL CHASNOFF: An Evening of Jokes and Laughter

Sunday, Feb. 21, 7:30 pm, at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix While an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania studying math and psychology, Joel Chasnoff had his first show.

After graduating in 1996, Chasnoff served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. He returned to his native Chicago and picked up where he left off. Chasnoff always wanted to be a comedian.

“There’s no script, no director. It’s all you.” For the last 3½ years Chasnoff has been making his living doing stand-up across the country to the delight of his audiences.

ELANA JAGODA: Zum Gali Gali and More – A Family Concert

Sunday, March 6, 4 pm, at Ina Levine JCCampus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Elana Jagoda is a prayer leader, music educator, performer and composer who brings soul and innovation to Jewish music. She adds new dimensions to her music genre by blending her energetic folkrock vibe with her passion for world music. Jagoda has delighted diverse audiences as a song leader, early childhood music specialist and most recently a cantorial soloist. She serves as a full-time cantorial soloist at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo, CA, and is renowned nationally for her musical CDs with PJ Library.

NANCY SPIELBERG: “Above and Beyond” – the film and the producer’s comments on the World War II pilots who helped create the Israeli Air Force

Sunday, March 13, 6:30 pm, at Ina Levine JCCampus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Nancy Spielberg attended Arizona State University and UCLA. She studied film at Sarah Lawrence College and the New School in New York. Sister of famed director Steven Spielberg, Nancy has an impressive list of films she has produced including “Elusive Justice: The Search for Nazi War Criminals,” which aired on PBS. She codirected “Above and Beyond” and “Who Will Write Our History” with Roberta Grossman and has many other films to her credit. She is founder and co-founder of several charities.

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Education

Future campus of International School of Arizona

By Debra Rich Gettleman

In its 2015 Quality Counts report, Education Week ranked Arizona as 47th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia on quality of education. That probably doesn’t come as a great surprise to most Arizonans, who have grown accustomed to our state’s dismal education report card. But what may astonish some is that our great state does have a top-ranked international school right here in Scottsdale-Phoenix.

The International School of Arizona offers an academic excellence program in early childhood, lower and middle school, catering to students age 2 through eighth grade. Offering students a second-language immersion program, global curriculum and

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Arizona school is world class cultural enrichment studies, ISA is striving to become a worldclass international school recognized for academic excellence, exceptional teaching and state-of-the art facilities.

Dr. Etty Zilber is ISA’s head of school. After long stints in international schools in Israel, Singapore, Spain, Guatemala and China, she was tapped to join the ISA team to help prepare students in Arizona for global citizenship in an academic institution that celebrates differences, nurtures students and teachers, and instills a deep understanding of the relationship between culture and language.

“I was so pleased to learn that Scottsdale-Phoenix had its own international school,” Dr. Zilber remarks. “This made me realize that there are people in the Valley who understand and value the

competencies and skills that come from a multilingual environment.”

Dr. Zilber explains that the value of an international school includes high academic levels in both English and the target language as well as gaining a deep understanding of the world and its diversity. Problem-solving, acceptance of ambiguity and creativity are just a few of the values stressed at ISA. Dr. Zilber also believes that ISA offers an economic benefit to Arizona.

“Having an international school in the city has put Phoenix-Scottsdale on the radar of multinational companies wishing to attract and recruit the best talent from around the world,” she says. “They know the importance of quality international schooling for the children of their employees.”

Since many employees coming to Arizona have families in tow, it is crucial for them to be assured that their children will have access to high-quality international schools. “In addition, the Arizona students in our school will eventually become the leaders in their future professions; their multilingualism and multiculturalism will connect Arizona to the rest of the world,” Dr. Zilber says.

The skills students learn at ISA go well beyond traditional studies. “Students who interface with an environment or a culture which is different from their home culture, develop skills which cannot be found in textbooks,” says Dr. Zilber. “They become tolerant of those different from themselves, they learn that there is always more than one way to understand a word or a concept, they are comfortable with ambiguity and change, and they are curious about the world.”

Academics are rigorous at ISA. Students achieve fluency in both English and their target language of either French or Spanish. They also score one to two years ahead of the general population on national English standardized exams. In addition to traditional academics, ISA offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as judo, chess, coding, art, dance, robotics, tennis and many others.

ISA recently purchased a 3.7-acre property in Scottsdale where they plan to relocate in June of 2016. They presently enroll 266 students and are hoping to reach their target population of 500 students with their upcoming relocation. ISA is a private institution with tuition ranging from $11,050 to $13,800 annually.

But many scholarship opportunities are available.

“We believe in strongly offering this unique education to as many children as possible,” says Dr. Zilber. “We have financial aid funds, which we distribute to those who apply.”

ISA offers students a culturally and ethnically diverse environment where differences are not only recognized, but are celebrated and nurtured. This open environment of mutual respect among students, teachers, staff and parents allows for a deep understanding and respect for multiculturalism while grooming today’s students for a lifetime of global citizenry.

International School of Arizona: 480-874-2326 | isaz.org

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We are so much more than a fitness center ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 43

Education

BRIEFS

Succesful Limmud returns to Tempe Jan. 31

By Deborah Moon

After a successful debut in Tempe last year, Limmud returns to Arizona for a day of learning designed to take everyone who attends “one step further on your Jewish journey.”

Last year more than 400 people turned out for more than 40 talks on such diverse topics as Jewish cowboys and Talmudic ethics. This year nearly 70 talks will range from serious exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – with a look at water wars and how friendships might bring peace – to lighthearted programs on film. Yoga, Israeli dance and other moving topics are also on the schedule.

“We are planning for more this year,” says organizer Sandy Adler. “We have moved to larger rooms in the conference center to accommodate more people, as some presentations were over full last year.”

The 2016 program will be held from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday, Jan. 31, at Arizona State University Memorial Student Union Conference Center in Tempe.

Limmud (from the Hebrew word meaning “to learn”) was originally a conference for educators in Great Britain. During the 1990s there was a significant change as Limmud reinvented itself as a community gathering, opening its reach to include the greater Jewish population. It adopted a volunteer ethos, not paying presenters and not using titles. The Limmud model

quickly spread to many other countries.

The day literally will include something for everyone.

“We have a huge array of interesting offerings; there are about a dozen presentations during each of the six periods of the day,” says Sandy. “The great thing about Limmud AZ is that it offers an opportunity for Jews from all over the Jewish spectrum to learn and share together.”

Suzanne Swift and Michelle Mandell have joined Sandy on the leadership team. They have gathered a strong committee to help with areas of hospitality, marketing, programming and the overall logistics. Rabbi Elana Kanter, who helped spearhead last year’s Limmud, serves on the programming committee this year.

The cost for the full-day program, including kosher lunch and snacks, is $50 for adults over 40; $36 for ages 18-40; and $15 for participating teens or child care. Teens are invited to actively participate in the sessions.

With support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Studies Department at ASU, as well as some personal contributions, the entire day is being offered for the low fee. Limmud is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation under the auspices of the Women’s Jewish Learning Center and is actively seeking donors to the program. Since it is a volunteerrun organization, 100% of donations are directly applied to the programming and scholarships.

For further information and to sign up, visit limmudaz.org.

TBS-EV and “Dr. Anxiety” offer series to “Slay the Worry Monster” 44 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Mental health, which is a hot topic right now, is the focus of an upcoming lecture series at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley.

Beginning in January, Dr. Martin Sodomsky will present “How to Slay the Worry Monster.”

The lecture series will be held on the campus of Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley in the Social Hall building on Jan. 24, Feb. 7, March 6 and April 3.

These Sunday lectures on mental health issues will begin with lunch at 12:30 pm followed by Dr. Sodomsky’s presentation from 1 to 2 pm, with time for questions and answers. Dr. Sodomsky’s book, How to Slay the Worry Monster: The Tools You Need to Defeat Anxiety Once and for All!, will also be available for purchase. Child care will be provided free of charge by the congregation’s USY teens.

Dr. Sodomsky, aka Dr. Anxiety, is a psychiatrist who has specialized in generalized anxiety disorder for more than 20 years. He has successfully treated hundreds of anxiety sufferers in Tucson and San Diego. Dr. Sodomsky recently moved

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to the East Valley. For more information visit his website, DoctorAnxiety.net.

The January lecture will explore generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia. In February, Dr. Sodomsky will discuss social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression will be the focus of the March program. In April, he will turn his attention to relationship difficulties.

Temple Beth Sholom is located at 3400 N Dobson Road in Chandler.

Preregistration for child care is required. Although there is no charge for these events, an RSVP is needed two weeks prior to each date for lunch-planning purposes and for child-care needs.

RSVP to debora.bloom@tbsev.org.

Local Brandeis chapter supports education The Phoenix chapter of the Brandeis National Committee is devoted to education through its donations to Brandeis University and the establishment of community educational events such as Concerts and Conversations, Arizona Authors and the upcoming 26th annual Book and Author event. In addition, the Phoenix chapter provides more than 50 study groups to members and their guests including book groups, current issues discussions and group outings to art, dance and other local destinations.

The Phoenix chapter of Brandeis was founded to raise funds for the library at Brandeis University. In addition to this ongoing pursuit, funds are now allocated to the university’s scientific research in neurodegenerative diseases as well as to scholarships for qualified Arizona high school graduates to attend the university.

The Phoenix chapter’s social justice project this year involved donating more than 500 books to an Arizona high school for its library.

The Phoenix chapter will hold its annual Book and Author event on Monday, March 14, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort. Five current bestselling authors will speak and sign their books at this luncheon. There will also be a fantastic array of boutiques.

For more information about the Brandeis Phoenix chapter, visit brandeisphoenix.com

Monday, March 14, 2016 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort 5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix

Doors Open for Fantastic Boutiques and Book Sales at 9:00 a.m.

Program begins promptly at 11:00 a.m.

Luncheon admission $125 includes $5.00 coupon toward book purchases

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ROBERT GOOLRICK

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LINDA HIRSHMAN Non-Fiction

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PAULA MCLAIN Hstorical Fiction

STEVE MARTINI Mystery/Suspense

B.A. SHAPIRO Art/Mystery

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mudaz.o ESENTATION SCHEDULE A T rg | info @limmu d a z.org this project is sponsored by Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning

Jewish Women's Philanthropy Circle of Arizona

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 45

Education

Family Time

Step aside

and let kids learn valuable lessons

By Debra Rich Gettleman

“You’re ruining my life,” bemoans my 15-year-old son, Levi, as he storms out of the kitchen in a fury. To be honest, this kind of teenage drama is relatively rare in our household. Levi’s grown into a fairly easygoing young man who handles most of life’s daily stressors with a cool, even-keeled sense of rationality that most of the time impresses the heck out of me. This time was different, and I was feeling unnerved by his palpable disquietude.

The reason for this unusual outburst was that we had denied Levi’s request to attend a winter weekend NFTY retreat at Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA. “I’m sorry,” I explained. “But we just don’t have the funds right now. If you want to go to the retreat instead of going to camp this summer, we can talk about that. But this is a lot of money for a weekend, and we just can’t do it.”

In reality, it felt lousy to say no to this request. Levi isn’t the kind of kid who asks for much. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time he asked for anything material, and I’m not even sure this request should count as material. For Levi, a weekend at Camp Newman represents a weekend of Judaic learning, connection to nature and camaraderie with a group of likeminded teens that doesn’t come around too often. But we were between jobs, and we really couldn’t afford to fund this superfluous luxury.

Most of the time Levi is strikingly mature in his understanding of parental rationale. But this time he just wasn’t getting it. He proposed multiple scenarios including hitchhiking to California, dipping into his bar mitzvah savings and stuffing himself into an oversized UPS box and shipping himself to the retreat. Since none of these were acceptable to his father and me, we remained steadfast in rejecting his pleas. Needless to

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ISA offers a full immersion program in French or Spanish with a solid liberal arts foundation and global focus.

Call the Office of Admissions for more information:

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46 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

say, we all went to bed feeling lousy, and I worried that the next morning might still be full of angst and disappointment.

But Levi awoke with a strong sense of purpose and determination. “What if I raise the money for the retreat myself ? Then can I go?” he asked. “Well, yeah,” I stammered. “I guess you can.” With that he grabbed his phone and computer and disappeared into the kitchen. After a few hours he came to see me.

“So here’s the deal,” he began. “I had some money in my checking account from my neighborhood dog-walking. I also spoke with the temple, and I’m getting my paycheck from my Hebrew school student teaching gig. With both of those I have enough to cover tuition for the retreat. So can I go?” “Well sweetie, that’s great,” I said, trying to tread delicately. “But what about airfare? That’s probably another $300 at least.”

He smiled broadly. “It’s actually anywhere from $285-$350 depending on which airline and flight I book. But I’ve got that covered as well.”

I almost detected a hint of arrogance in his voice. “You see, every year the family asks me what I want for Hanukkah, and I can never come up with anything,” he said. “So this year, I rallied the troops and told everyone I’d like to go to the NFTY event, and I raised more than enough to cover the airfare. So can I go?”

At this point I wasn’t sure if I should be proud or irritated by his unwavering determination and relentless resourcefulness. I

thought about it for a moment and unable to come up with a reason to reject his proposal, I congratulated him on figuring things out and told him I was thrilled and excited that he’d managed to make this happen for himself.

I’ve been contemplating the experience for a few days now, and I realize something pretty amazing. Most of the time we parents want to give our kids everything. Whether it’s tangible items that make their lives easier or life lessons that we want to drill into their psyches, we tend to overdo it and convince ourselves that educating our kids is all about what we give them. The truth is, sometimes the real lessons come when we step back, stop giving and let them figure out a way to fend for themselves.

Levi is stronger and smarter for having worked through this problem without my “saving” him or spoon-feeding him whatever teachable lesson I think he should have learned.

Instead, by summoning his own resourcefulness and creative problem-solving skills, he managed to overcome obstacles and work through challenges to create the reality he wanted for himself. What better lesson is there than that?

Debra Rich Gettleman is a mother and blogger based in the Phoenix area. For more of her work, visit unmotherlyinsights.com.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 47

Education

Blind Ph.D. has a clear view of disabilities and education

By Debra Rich Gettleman

In the late 1980s, under the leadership of Rabbi Bill Berk, Temple Chai set out to redesign the synagogue experience and create a more compassionate and compelling institution. At the forefront of this experiment was the notion that synagogue life should integrate healing and wholeness into the core of Jewish religious experience.

The experiment was successful, and in 1996 the Temple Chai Shalom Center was established with Sharona Silverman serving as its director. Today it is known as the Deutsch Family Shalom Center and is a dedicated resource center for the Phoenix Jewish community, providing healing, learning and community support through workshops, educational programs, support groups and a variety of communal spiritual development opportunities.

Sharona explains her impetus for starting the healing center. “It comes from my strong belief that no one can heal alone. My own experience of losing a father as a young adult, raising a child with a disability and having major spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis at the age of 40 prompted me to gain knowledge and comfort in the healing tools within Judaism that can transform these challenges and give them more meaning for growth and change.”

As a health care professional and educator, Sharona was faced with her own spiritual challenges in 1985 when her youngest daughter, Arielle, was born with a genetic disorder known as Leber’s congenital amaurosis, a retinal disease that causes blindness. Arielle, now an accomplished 30-year-old Ph.D. and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington, was born sightless. Together, she and her family Arielle Silverman have grown to view disabilities with a

Arielle Silverman unique perspective that not only empowers their family, but also works to change the overall view of those with disabilities and to create a more inclusive and harmonious culture that better integrates them into every aspect of society.

When asked about raising a child with a disability, Sharona says, “I believe that every human being has their abilities and disabilities, and it is all a matter of perspective and attitude. Every life has its challenges, and we have the opportunity to use these experiences for growth. I have always felt this way, but raising a child with a disability brings it upfront and close.”

Arielle shares her mother’s philosophy. “A disability arises when a person who deviates from the norm in some way enters an unsupportive environment,” she says. “In other words, ability or disability is an interaction between a person and an environment.”

For example, Arielle explains that most people become disabled in environments lacking food and water, and racial minorities become disabled in racist environments. The idea here is that people with bodily features that deviate from the norm are only disabled to the extent that their environments

“A disability arises when a person who deviates from the norm in some way enters an unsupportive environment. In other words, ability or disability is an interaction between a person and an environment.”

–

48 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

lack the support they need to adequately function. “I use the words ‘disabled’ and ‘disability’ to refer to the environmentally imposed limitations, not to the physical differences,” she says.

Arielle is a rising star in academia, and her CV lists an impressive array of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, speeches, journals, grants, and teaching and consulting experience. In her current position, she analyzes survey data that track the psychological experience of people aging with longterm disabilities. “I am interested in generating knowledge about what helps people remain happy, productive members of their communities as they experience disability,” she says. “I believe that all people have the capacity and drive to live full lives.

Unfortunately, many of us with disabilities get that drive beaten out of us by negative attitudes or low expectations of wellmeaning but uninformed professionals.”

Arielle’s extensive résumé illustrates her fierce commitment to empowering people with all kinds of disabilities and to eliminating the veiled attitudinal barriers that people with disabilities confront in their daily lives. When asked about disability sensitivity training, she offers a unique perspective on both the concept and the lexicon. “I think this type of education can be very good or very bad. A common stereotype about disabled people is that we are helpless or need to be treated delicately. The term ‘sensitivity,’ if misused, could reinforce that

Jason Gwinn and Arielle Silverman pose with their diplomas after each received a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

belief by implying that people need to take special care when interacting with a disabled person or need to hold us to lenient standards.”

Both Arielle and Sharona, however, believe that disability education is improving. But Arielle points out that markedly

Learn More at our open House January 21, 2016 • 5–7pm

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 49

few educational programs on the subject are actually run by people with a disability. “After all, a program about racial equality or multiculturalism wouldn’t just include white American perspectives,” she says. “I hope that future disability education programs will involve people with disabilities as central contributors.”

Overall, Arielle does not find herself disabled by blindness because she has chosen environments in which she can use her intellectual skills and where she can surround herself with supportive people who consistently provide her with opportunities to succeed and thrive. That doesn’t mean that Arielle doesn’t struggle sometimes with blindness.

“While blindness usually doesn’t constitute disability for me, it can be very annoying at times,” she says. “For example, there is no great way for blind people to independently read maps, so I have to spend a lot more time gathering information to learn how to navigate from one place to another. I can still travel independently between two points; it just takes some persistence to gather the information I need.”

Arielle equates these small annoyances with other personal characteristics like not being tall enough to reach high shelves or dealing with reproductive issues as a woman.

Today, the only people who treat Arielle differently are people who don’t know her well. She classifies the undesirable interactions due to her blindness as often unintended but still insulting “micro-aggressions.” These include people grabbing or pulling her to “help” her get around, talking to her as if she cannot hear them or patronizingly praising her for mundane tasks like walking down the street without falling.

“I want people to treat me in exactly the same manner as they would treat a non-disabled stranger, which means you needn’t be either avoidant or overly friendly.” Furthermore, she advises, “If you are unsure if any disabled person is in need of assistance, it is best to directly ask them.”

Arielle grew up as part of Temple Chai’s Reform synagogue, and her family has always valued education, Jewish learning and ritual. She recounts being interested in Torah and prayer from a very young age and warmly remembers her father, Dr. Howard Silverman, reading her the entire Torah over the course of one year. While some aspects of Judaism seem to have lost their relevance for Arielle, she comments, “I still feel connected to what I believe are Jewish values such as loving kindness toward others, honesty, resilience and joy. I have always been driven to give tzedakah back to my community, and I believe that my professional choices are inspired by that goal.”

Sharona is proud of both Arielle’s and her older sister Rachel’s character and accomplishments. “We have worked hard to loosen expectations and to accept others for who they are,” Sharona says. “We have discovered that there are always ways to move toward wholeness and connectedness by being open to new possibilities.”

50 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Israel education gets creative

You’re Invited...

www.jewishgeneticsphx.org

To our annual luncheon Featuring

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these building blocks more deeply.

“One eye opening presentation for me was with Dr. Sivan Zakai, who is conducting a longitude research on how young children, at the age of 4 and 5, are actually able to relate and understand the complexity of Israel and Judaism.,” said Rabbi Meirav Kallush, from a Solomon Schechter Day school in New Jersey. “This will actually change the way we approach Israel education at our lower school campus to offer opportunities for more complex engagements.”

Las Vegas Hillel Director Matthew Kramer-Morning noted, “I look to connect students to Israel through their own interests because this type of connection truly is the most meaningful. At iCamp I get to learn directly with experts who champion this approach and have refined it from years of experience.”

Held previously in 2011, iCamp 2015 shows the growth of Israel education in just a few years. Along with the shared principles of Aleph Bet of Israel Education, a common Israel education language now exists, as does the recognition by many that Israel education is not confined to a set time of the day relying on a textbook.

“This is an exciting moment for those committed to bringing dynamic and inspiring Israel learning and experiences to today’s youth and young adults,” said Lanski. “We have more knowledge than ever about what these experiences consist of, and more talented educators in the field than ever before.”

Ma

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A three-day conference dedicated to Israel education, iCamp, brought together 250 educational leaders, practitioners, stakeholders and funders from North America and Israel in Las Vegas. Hosted by the iCenter for Israel Education, the interactive gathering helped educators explore new approaches to help youth in all kinds of educational settings connect to Israel in personal and authentic ways. “iCamp focuses on the educators as they interact directly with experts and learn how to help learners build meaningful relationships with Israel,” said Anne Lanski, iCenter executive director. “Effective Israel education reflects excellent education.

It starts with talented educators – individuals who are knowledgeable and deft story tellers, who know how to tap into their students’ passions, and are able to bring Israel to life in nearly any educational environment – be it in a classroom, at a camp, on a bus or elsewhere.”

A highlight of iCamp this year was the launch of the Aleph Bet of Israel Education – 2nd Edition, representing a set of 12 core principles, approaches to content, and essential pedagogies that together constitute the building blocks of the field. Chapters include “Israel as a Cornerstone of Jewish Identities,” “A Learner-Centered Approach,” “Eretz, Medina, Am Yisrael,” “Modern Hebrew,” “Israeli Arts and Culture,” “Relating and Relationships,” and “The Educator.”. iCamp participants has the opportunity to learn with the Aleph Bet authors and explore

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T i m e: 11:0 0 a .m Pl a c e: VOSJC C R .S .V. P 4 8 0.6 6 8.33 47

YOU ARE INVITED! PRE-KINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

Elementary Schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) will host Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Roundups to provide information about our elementary schools for parents and guardians.

Delicious Luncheon & Refreshments, Raffle Prizes, Entertainment, Education...

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

AWARE N ES S

ED U C ATI ON

KNOW LE DG E

Tel: 480-668-3347 info@jewishgeneticsphx.org www.jewishgeneticsphx.org

12701 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Please remember the Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix in your will, estate plan or by beneficiary designation

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 51

Education Directory Arizona Music Academy 1700 E Elliot Road, Ste. 11 Tempe, AZ 85284 2100 S Gilbert Road, Ste. 20 Chandler, AZ 85286 480-705-0875 arizonamusicacademy.com

Arizona Music Academy is a private studio for music education offering instruction through lessons.

We offer lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums, voice, band and orchestra instruments. We can teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced music lessons for all ages.

Brandeis National Committee-Phoenix Chapter PO Box 13755 Scottsdale, AZ 85267-3775 480-1359-7262 Brandeisphoenix.com

This chapter offers members over 50 study groups, including book groups, current issues discussions, concerts, an Arizona author speaker series, and group outings to museums and other cultural sites.

Members donate children’s books to local schools for their libraries. An annual book and author event showcase five national bestselling authors.

Desert Jewish Academy 3400 N Dobson Road Chandler, AZ 85224 480-390-0971 Desertja.org

Desert Jewish Academy provides a firm foundation in academic and Judaic studies through a challenging and integrated curriculum continuously exceeding state standards. We lay the groundwork for students to be proud, knowledgeable, responsible and productive individuals. Graduates have continued their educational path by attending some of Arizona’s top intermediate schools.

International School of Arizona 9522 E San Salvador Dr. Scottsdale AZ 85258 480-422-6024 isaz.org

Jewish Free Loan provides interest-free student loans and post-college education debt consolidation loans to members of Arizona's Jewish community.

Up to $20,000 ($5,000/year for up to four years) is available. For more information, visit jewishfreeloan. org or call 602-230-7983.

Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix

9180 E Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-646-8200 ranchosolano.com

The JGDC primarily educates about the importance of carrier screening. Every individual may carry genetic mutations. A couple with the same mutations could have a child with a genetic disease.

We also educate about hereditary cancers due to the BRCA1/2 mutations and available options, the focus of our Feb. 24 luncheon.

Rancho Solano is a PreK-12 independent school for high achieving students. Children thrive within a stimulating and welcoming international learning community that offers a highly individualized education experience completely unique to the Arizona market. We cultivate a passion to learn and the ingenuity to thrive in a global society.

Limmud AZ

Scottsdale Unified School District

10632 N Scottsdale Road #B-584 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Limmudaz.org Annual full-day conference for the whole community offers a huge array of Jewish learning opportunities.

Wherever you find yourself, Limmud AZ will take you one step further on your Jewish journey. A day of Jewish experiences as diverse as our community.

Madison School District 5601 N 16th St. Phoenix 85016 602-664-7900 madisonaz.org

Madison School District is a destination school district in the heart of Phoenix that is Internationally Accredited by AdvancED. Established in 1890, Madison provides a program of public education from pre-kindergarten through grade eight, offering a variety of signature programs for students to ensure extraordinary learning for all.

New Way Academy 5048 E Oak St. Phoenix, AZ 85008 602-629-6850 newwayacademy.org

Founded in 1968, New Way Academy is a K-12, accredited independent school specializing in students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and executive functioning difficulties.

New Way offers small class sizes, individualized instruction, on-campus therapists, and numerous sports and after school opportunities, allowing students to blossom academically and socially.

Jewish Free Loan: InterestFree Student Loan Program

Pardes Jewish Day School

52 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Rancho Solano Preparatory School

12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 201 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 480-668-3347 Jewishgeneticsphx.org

International School of Arizona offers a French and Spanish immersion program with French, Spanish and American accreditation. ISA serves students from age 2 through middle school. The curriculum stresses bilingualism, a solid liberal arts foundation and a global focus. ISA is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

3443 N Central Ave #707 Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-230-7983 jewishfreeloan.org

education. Experienced faculty; small class size; student-focused learning. Newly renovated campus; Technology, art, PE, music and Spanish offered.

Daily Kosher lunch program. Member of the Mountain Valley Athletics League.

12753 N Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Over 20 years of academic excellence. Independent K-8 school with over 300 students. Rigorous secular education with an integrated Jewish

7575 E Main St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-484-6100 susd.org

SUSD offers a comprehensive and rigorous education to youth from K-12th grade. SUSD offers an International Baccalaureate program, an early college high school, advanced placement and dual enrollment courses, technical education courses, a math and science academy, competitive middle and high school sports and top rated performing arts programs.

SPOT 127 Youth Media Center 3701 W Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85019 480-774-8350 Spot127.org

SPOT 127 is an innovative educational outreach program that provides training and mentoring in digital media production through free in-school and afterschool programs and low-cost summer boot camps. Students produce multimedia stories as part of the KJZZ Phoenix newsroom.

The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies Study Abroad 520-626-5758 judaic.arizona.edu/Arizona-Israel

Spend a month and a half in one of the most fascinating parts of the world, surrounded by thousands of years of history, where ancient and modern coexist in the meeting-place of three of the world’s great religious traditions. Non-students welcome. For details, contact Prof. David Graizbord, dlgraizb@email.arizona.edu.

This directory includes schools and educational programs advertising in this issue of Arizona Jewish Life magazine.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 53

NO MEAT MONDAYS

Food

CORNER

By Lucia Schnitzer

Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace in Phoenix. The local coffee shop and marketplace opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer. She successfully manages her career, her growing family (four children), her personal well-being and the countless demands of the day.

54 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Black Bean & Quinoa Veggie Burgers Ingredients: Patties ½ cup quinoa 1 cup water 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 small red onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced Kosher salt 2 cans black beans (15.5 oz each), rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 large egg 2/3 cup cooked corn (canned or fresh) ¼ cup chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon minced chipotles in adobo 1½ teaspoons ground cumin 1 cup rolled oats, ground into crumbs (or breadcrumbs) 6 brioche buns Toppings: sautéed kale, avocado, tomato and goat cheese (or choose your own)

Instructions: 1 Place the quinoa in a small saucepan along with 1 1. cup of water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low and cover the pan. Cook 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked. Remove from heat.

2.

2 Heat the oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Season with a pinch of salt and sauté until onions are softened, 5-6 minutes.

The New Year is suddenly upon us, and people everywhere are making new year’s resolutions with the goal of bettering themselves. One of my resolutions is to eat less meat, not only for health reasons, but also to create vegetable-based dishes that my family will enjoy and request frequently.

Burgers are a favorite comfort food for everyone – not just meat eaters. Vegetarians and vegans also enjoy a good burger. Veggie burgers, if done properly, are a perfect way to satisfy everyone including the most sophisticated meat connoisseur. There are endless recipes for creating a succulent veggie patty using a range of healthy ingredients from beets to cauliflower and even mushrooms. My personal favorite is the black bean burger for its Southwest-inspired flavor and compatibility with all kinds of tasty toppings. Try this black bean and quinoa burger recipe, or put your culinary skills to the test and try some of your own variations to make it a “Meatless Monday” starting this week!

Have a happy, healthy and amazing New Year!

3 Place sautéed onions and garlic into a large 3. bowl. Add about 1½ cans of the black beans to the bowl and, using a potato masher or fork, mash all of the ingredients together until a pasty mixture forms.

4.

4 Stir in the remaining beans along with the tomato paste, egg, corn, cilantro, chipotles, cumin and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir in the cooked quinoa and ground oats until evenly distributed.

55. Form the mixture into six equal patties, compacting

them well with your hands as you form them. Place the patties on a baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight.

6.

6 When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and place the patties on the sheet. Cook 10-12 minutes until the patties are golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip them over and cook another 10 minutes. Serve patties on the buns with toppings of your choice.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 55

Food

Taste of A

Roti Canai

Arizona

Malaysian food makes Tempe hot

By A. Noshman

Jewish people love Chinese food. We know it, the Chinese know it, there are jokes about it and it is why most Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas Day. Why we do isn’t really a mystery at all. It’s delicious, it’s different and we always treat ourselves to good food.

What I want to do is to invite you to look a little farther south than China, past Thailand ( Jews love Thai food, too) to the country of Malaysia, where cooking traditions from China, India, the Malay and European countries have melded and become fabulous food.

Malaysian food is not bland; it is seasoned with coconut, chilies and, yes, sometimes curry. I know people balk and say, “I don’t like curry.” That’s because they’ve never had it done right.

Good curry is a subtle enhancement that brings the flavor of all the ingredients together; bad curry is when all you taste is curry.

56 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

BP Street Café $

1845 E Broadway Road #127 Tempe, AZ 85282 480-268-7331 bpstreetcafe.com

Good curry, delicious curry, is delicate and wonderful.

I will admit that adventure eaters, and you know who you are, will be the ones who are most likely to try Malaysian, but there are delicious chicken noodle soups and other dishes that even the faint of heart will enjoy. Personally, I love roti. Every culture has its version of a tortilla, and the Malaysian version is called roti canai (pronounced row tee cha-nye). These handmade, buttery and flaky flatbreads are used for dipping and as a means to convey food to your waiting mouth.

B and P are the initials of the city the owners come from in Malaysia, and the BP Street Café is a family operation. The restaurant is sparsely decorated, a sign that the focus is on food not ambiance, and the owners and staff are friendly and genuinely excited to see you. I don’t like it when restaurants use the term homemade, and BP doesn’t, but their food is clearly what you would have if you were invited over to a Malaysian house for dinner. The owner called it “family cooked.” I like

that. Another great feature is the prices. There wasn’t an entrée over $7.50. I’ll bet the Arizona State University students like that; the owner said, “So do families.” I like that, too.

Thai Tea

The ingredients weren’t listed on the menu, but this is an iced drink made with strong tea and deliciously sweetened with orange blossom water. There may have been a few other ingredients in there, but it was absolutely delicious. It’s almost like dessert. I had to make myself sip it slowly.

Roti Canai $2.50

(Indian-style pancake served with spicy curry chicken and potato dipping sauce) This appetizer I was looking forward to the most. You just can’t find roti canai, and I don’t think you can make it yourself unless you were weaned on it. What a pleasant surprise to find this perfectly grilled, flaky flatbread, dare I call it pastry, served with a delicate (not spicy like the description said) red curry sauce with a chunk of chicken and potato in it. I could have had 10 of these. There was a hint of coconut in the sauce, and the flavors were complex and rich. The pancake, as they called it, can totally be eaten by itself. It’s that good.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak $7.50

(Coconut-flavored rice with cloves and yellow onion served with chili anchovies, fried chicken, cucumber and hard-boiled egg) OK, there’s a lot to explain here. The rice is heavenly – soft, tender, moist and a maze of delicate flavors. You can’t see cloves, you can’t see onion, you can’t see coconut, but you can taste each one of those flavors in every forkful of rice. The fried chicken was a boneless, skinless breast that had been brined and battered, then fried to a golden brown. It was good. I always see hard-boiled eggs on Malaysian dishes; I don’t know why but it’s a nice complement. To my surprise, there were also some roasted peanuts on the plate, which were great. I say surprise because they weren’t listed in the description, which could be a problem for those with a nut allergy.

As for the chili anchovies, what I think they meant was the little side of dipping sauce. It was a sambal, a paste, lovingly made from red chilies and other ingredients (probably dried anchovies and peanuts, and I just now figured out why there were peanuts on the plate). It was more sweet than it was hot and nice for dipping the chicken. The owner called it “Mama sauce,” because she makes it for her mother. There’s also “Papa sauce,” which is more of a Chinese-style liquid chili sauce.

Even though this is a simple dish to the eye, you can taste it’s not simple at all. There are many delicious flavors at work and no shortcuts are taken. Try it!

Kway Teow Mee $7.50

(Popular Malaysian stir-fried mixed flat noodle/egg noodle) This sounded delicious to me and I ordered it. The owner said, “You know it comes with shrimp.” No, I didn’t know because it doesn’t say it on the menu, and I have no idea why she sensed I should know. “Could I have chicken instead,” I asked. She nodded and in a few minutes came back with a steaming plate of stir-fry goodness. There were two types of noodles and chunks of chicken. I asked for a side of the Papa sauce and went to work. I usually eat with chopsticks but forgot to ask. You can

Thai Tea order it spicy and I did, but it didn’t seem spicy at all. Maybe they were protecting me, but I would have liked a little more kick to it. All in all, very well made – and oh that price!

The BP Street Café is an unassuming little gem located in a strip mall on the SE corner of McClintock and Southern in Tempe. It’s tucked behind a Burger King, and you wouldn’t know it was there unless you were looking for it. Look for it.

Eat, try something new and talk with the owners. It’s easy on the wallet, and you will learn about Malaysia and its cuisine and have an international experience at college student prices. You’ll be glad you went.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 57

Food

Lisa Levinson and her new biz The Bakery Phx features organic, local ingredients

By Stevie Mack

It’s said that the word delicious has its root in the Old French delicious and the more modern French term delicieux, so it is only fitting that one of the most mouth-watering places you will ever stumble upon, The Bakery Phx, took root in a Montreal kitchen.

Lisa Levinson used to spend hours watching her grandmother “go to town” near an oven. The end result of those marathon cooking sessions was Levinson’s love of baking, which led to a lifelong dream of owning her own bakery. That dream came true Aug. 4, when she opened the doors to The Bakery Phx, a one-ofa-kind confection operation.

Levinson grew up in Arizona, but it was trips back to Montreal – where 56% of residents have French origins and where French cooking is evident everywhere – that proved fruitful for this “mad scientist” of baking. Instead of just conjuring up your favorite pies, cookies or cakes, Levinson would get busy trying to create her own magic, oftentimes with disastrous results.

“When I first starting trying to create things with my Bubbie, it is safe to say it was quite an adventure,” says Levinson with a laugh.

But eventually the creative juices that flowed through Levinson’s veins began to turn out masterpiece after masterpiece.

The Bakery Phx: 1528 E Bethany Home Road, Phoenix • thebakeryphx.com | 480-499-0211 58 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

“I love to be able to express myself through food. I want it to be more than just sweet. I want them to know it tastes good.”

– Lisa Levinson

Lisa Levinson at her bakery

Whether it is her simple favorite, apple cake, or a more complicated, delectable pastry, Levinson has a flair to her work that is enchanting.

“I love to be able to express myself through food,” says Levinson. “I want it to be more than just sweet. I want it to tastes good.”

That is The Bakery Phx’s M.O. They aren’t into fancy designs or elaborate presentations. Instead, they have one goal – for their product to taste amazing in your mouth.

“I like it to be pleasing to the eye, but that isn’t my focus. My focus is on the taste,” Levinson says.

Levinson was 10 years old when she first took to baking. As a child, she used to have fun around her grandmother’s place with her brother, who had trouble pronouncing Bubbie, so he quickly turned the name into Budsy. Needless to say, this made for plenty of laughter at home and in the kitchen.

Growing up in Phoenix landed Levinson in Montreal a few times a year for family gatherings. Besides Bubbie’s kitchen, Montreal is one of the more eclectic places in the world for food.

The aspiring bakery chef fell in love with food while visiting Montreal.

Back in Phoenix, Levinson and her family attended Har Zion Congregation (now Congregation Or Tzion). It was no accident that Levinson learned the art of making Jewish delicacies.

“Growing up, it is really true that I learned so many traditional dishes from traditional Jewish women,” says Levinson.

As a young woman, Levinson changed her focus, getting into fashion marketing, so she attended The Art Institute of Phoenix to see where that would take her. Though she graduated with flying colors, she describes her experience as less than enjoyable.

“I don’t think you could print what I have to say about that experience,” jokes Levinson.

The fashion industry’s loss was the baking industry’s gain.

Her first gig was a family affair when she went to work for her brother and sister-in-law at Classic Cakes and Confections, a wedding cake bakery in Old Town Scottsdale. Though the place made fabulous cakes, Levinson, who is 34, eventually got the itch to do her own thing. So she started baking her own goodies and selling them at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market.

For five years, she cut her teeth selling product at the farmer’s market while she experimented with different recipes, specializing in selling old-fashioned cakes and pies. During that

time, she invented her own recipes or fell back on her staple, Bubbie’s recipes, which she tweaked to her liking. Along the way, customers responded to her personality and her ability to create fabulous food. It was only natural for her to grow and expand, so she started her own place a little over a year ago.

When she sees people eating her concoctions at parties, Levinson admits she gets nervous to see how people will respond. But the reason for her success is undeniable – the flavors in her baked goods are simply fantastic. The phrase “melts in your mouth” takes on real meaning if Levinson is standing next to an oven.

Her formula is a simple one. She believes messing it up is basically OK because it is how you learn to bake – how you learn to get the flavor you want or are looking for. Of course, there are principles Levinson stands by, too. She doesn’t use any corn syrups or box mixes, and she always uses real butter, real sugar, and organic eggs and milk.

“That is really how you learn to bake,” says Levinson, “by the mistakes you make. It is a fun challenge to make everything from scratch and see what you come up with.”

She likes the surprise factor in baking, too. Unlike cooking, where you can get a good feel for the taste of, say, pasta sauce before it is done, that isn’t necessarily the case when baking. The taste, texture, feel and whether it rises or goes flat all take place as the item is being baked. So you really don’t know what you are going to get until it is completely done.

“That is why people are intimidated by baking,” says Levinson.

“They really can’t tell the flavor until it is done or completed.”

Jewish delights such as rugelach – both cherry almond and chocolate almond – take center stage at The Bakery Phx. Levinson says that her mother, Carla, makes what is considered by many to be the best potato knishes in the western United States. On a regular basis, they sell out as soon as customers hit the counter.

Of course, you can walk into The Bakery Phx to get something traditional as well. Levinson takes great pride in making a killer caramel-pecan sticky bun from her own challah recipe, which you can only get on Saturdays.

Moving forward for Levinson, the future looks bright. With the main location of The Bakery Phx on Bethany Home Road, Levinson still hits up the grassroots effort by selling baked goods on Saturdays at the Uptown Farmer’s Market. Chocolate cake, carrot cake and cherry pie are her best sellers. This quaint bakery has a loyal clientele and a dedicated owner.

Levinson, who says Tartine Bakery in San Francisco is the inspiration for her place, wants to turn her success into something big. While call-in orders are their main business, 40 cakes here, another 1,000-cookie order there has Levinson thinking about expanding her operation.

“We were busy a month after we opened, easily meeting our expectations. This neighborhood has shown us a lot of love,” Levinson says proudly. “I see myself doing this forever, but with many more stores.”

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 59

Yoga Jewish

By Melissa Hirschl

&FITNESS HEALTH

[In treating the sick], the first thing to consider is the provision of fresh air, clean water and a healthy diet.

— Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon Maimonides

(As quoted in Robert Taylor, White Coat Tales)

INSIDE

60 Aleph Bet Yoga 63 To Life 64 Cancer & HPV Vaccines 66 Amy Shlossman & the Red Cross 60 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Unity of body, mind and spirit is an ancient concept manifested in many cultures. In Judaism, an ideal conduit between the two can be found in Jewish-themed yoga (sometimes referred to as Aleph Bet yoga), which integrates spiritual approaches to physical and spiritual well-being. In this mystical modality, Hebrew letters have deep spiritual meaning, and standard poses have multiple interpretations that correlate to Jewish teachings, values and ethics.

Part of the allure of Aleph Bet yoga is the intricate layers of themes such as gratitude, joy or breaking through personal boundaries.

Flagstaff resident and yoga teacher Marci Sheer enthusiastically embraces the concepts of Aleph Bet yoga and Jewish mysticism, which are intertwined in her practice. She bubbles up when talking about this modality that has brought her so much enjoyment and fulfillment.

In this unique form of yoga, Hebrew letters are spiritually linked to complementary postures, bringing in connections of letters and numbers that already contain meaning. “For example,” says Sheer, “the triangle pose (body bent to side with one hand reaching upward) corresponds to the aleph; the hand is symbolically reaching up to the sky or the divine. In the camel pose, where you sit with legs underneath while reaching back with your arms, your heart is open, like the final mem in the Jewish alphabet. This is about reaching back and having faith – knowing you will be provided for.”

Since each letter represents an idea, students hold positions to better crystallize the ideas associated with various letters. The mountain pose (standing with hands at side) would be vav according to Sheer. “It symbolizes your connection to heaven. Your feet are planted on ground as you are connecting to your tribe. A parallel teaching is that Moses brought God to the people, and Aaron brought people to God. That was the connection that was meaningful to me. I consider myself Aaron and Moses in one – a representation of my people.”

Sheer's fascination with yoga began right after her son was born 20 years ago. “I took a yoga class in a gym, and I came out flying,” she begins, with a big smile. “I felt almost high; there was something magical about it.” Soon after Sheer went to Adobe Yoga in Cave Creek, where a teacher comforted her wiht a warm blanket at the end of the class. “I started to cry because after nurturing my son so long, I really needed to be nurtured. It was so powerful, and I knew I wanted to do this for other people.”

Her intrigue deepening, Sheer ventured on and received training in Kripalu

Marci Sheer hikes “the wave.”

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 61

&FITNESS HEALTH

yoga (gentle and restorative) through a local teacher at Crescent Moon Yoga Studio in Scottsdale. Shortly after that she felt she had to make a decision whether to study Judaism or yoga. She decided to put her yoga passion on hold to learn more about Judaism. As she learned more, she managed to combine both passions by teaching Shabbat yoga, a gentle, restorative yoga with Jewish themes, at Congregation Ruach Hamidbar in Scottsdale, in addition to teaching at Crescent Moon. “Shabbat yoga is a peaceful yoga, a shift from the every day,” she explains.

“It is not as much about physical exercise as it is about opening and expanding your heart.” Sheer offered classes during the Yom Kippur break for Congregation Kehillah, founded by Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman, and also taught a themed yoga class during an all-night Shavuot learning session.

Sheer's yoga studies led her to an additional certification in Anusara yoga, which focuses on alignment for safety and themes for personal growth. “For example,” she says, “in warrior pose, the practice of using muscular and organic energy allows you to come from strength and to be able to reach further.”

In Anusara yoga, the poses are viewed as either celebratory (bliss) or introspective (remembrance). “Certain poses are more nurturing,” says Sheer. “Forward bends are more calming and bring you back to your true nature. Back bends are more joyful.”

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Marci Sheer strikes a tree pose among the giant sequoias.

Sheer ties in the ancient Chasidic teaching of an angel touching us right above our lip when we are born, to forget everything. “In yoga the forward bends bring you insight into what you forgot.”

Before moving to Flagstaff this summer, Sheer taught weekly Anasura-style classes at Bodhi Coyote Yoga in Cave Creek.

Sheer's latest yoga passion, Yoga Nidra, is a twist on traditional meditation. Yoga Nidra is a form of deep, guided meditation that does not require the physical effort of standard poses. “It's very powerful and accessible to everyone,” she explains. “We need to stop and take time to go inward and reflect. Yoga Nidra is like bringing a little more Shabbat into our lives through connecting to what's bigger, through breath and mediation.” For the past two years, Sheer has taught Yoga Nidra during Yom Kippur breaks to Congregation NefeshSoul in Chandler. “Marci's soft voice and sweet soul transform a yoga class into something much more,” says Rabbi Susan Schanerman. “Her teachings and gentle poses refresh and rejuvenate those who spend an hour with her in movement and contemplation.”

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

By Amy Hirshberg Lederman

I consider myself a fairly educated person when it comes to medical issues. True, I am not a doctor, although I often make recommendations to my family and friends as if I had completed multiple residencies. But between personal experience and having been married to a doctor for over 30 years, I definitely have a leg up when it comes to diagnosing anything that ends with “itis,” my favorites being arthritis, bronchitis, colitis and gastritis.

Health care coverage, which should be related to our medical concerns, has become a social, political and economic issue that confounds and frustrates most of us. As Jews, we can offer a unique perspective by examining the issues through a Jewish lens – using Jewish ethics as our framework and Jewish texts as our primary source.

The Jewish diagnosis of a medical issue begins with a starting point: we focus on the duties and responsibilities we owe to ourselves and others, rather than what we might claim as rights for ourselves – at the expense of others.

The Jewish question is not “What health care am I entitled to?” but rather “What are the responsibilities I have to myself, my family and my community to ensure optimum health?” And “What is our community’s responsibility to take care of those who need health care?”

There are many Jewish texts that can help us answer these questions. The Torah makes it clear that all human beings are precious and created in God’s image. It commands us to take action to protect the lives of others. Leviticus 19:16 teaches: “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” This obligation to save a life (pikuah nefesh in Hebrew) is so sacred that almost all other Jewish mitzvot are suspended in order to fulfill it, including observing the Sabbath. Perhaps this is the real reason why Jews have always been drawn to the practice of medicine – because the physician is not simply seen as acting on behalf of his purse or patient, but as acting in the service of God. The duty to care for our bodies is found in Deuteronomy, in which God instructs us to “take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously.” Because our bodies are viewed as vessels of the soul, we must keep them healthy. Advice on how to be healthy comes from the great 12th-century doctor and rabbi, Moses Maimonides, and includes such things as eating properly, getting sufficient rest and exercise, breathing clean air, moderating our emotions and properly eliminating. Amazingly, this is not so different from what doctors advise us to do today!

But in order to maintain good health, Jewish law prescribes that we are entitled to have access to a doctor when we need one.

Over 800 years ago, Maimonides wrote: "One who is ill not only has the right but the duty to seek medical aid" and listed health care as the first of the 10 most important communal services a city should provide. What we glean from our tradition is that not only are we responsible for our own health, but that when we need a doctor, the community must provide one.

Regarding the Jewish obligation to those in our community

To Life

who need care, the Torah commands us “to care for the widow, the stranger, the orphan and the poor,” all of whom were deemed to be the most vulnerable members of society. This obligation stems from the idea that every human being is entitled to the basic resources required to live a dignified, self-sustaining life, and Jewish tradition has interpreted this to include health care.

Throughout history, Jewish communities have always created systems to ensure that their citizens have access to health services. Doctors were even required to reduce their rates for poor patients, and if the cost was still too high, subsidies were established to pay for services.

The idea that everyone is entitled to medical care is stated plainly in the Talmud: “Whoever is in pain, lead them to a physician.” It was a revolutionary and sound idea 2,000 years ago, and it is a value we should protect and provide today.

Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 63

&FITNESS HEALTH

“How could I leave Ronni and our kids with so much more in life to experience?”

“How could I not be there to give Ronni and our kids advice, just as my father does for us today?”

“Who would walk my daughter down the aisle?”

These are just a few of the worries that invaded Jason Mendelsohn’s psyche after discovering he had stage IV human

HPV vaccines are recommended for all preteen girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 16.

Jason Mendelsohn (in red socks) leads team AgencyONE across the finish line at The Ride to Conquer Cancer (dc15.ridetovictory.org) in Washington, D.C., late last year. Cycling for nearly 150 miles over two days took a lot of training for Jason, who spent as much as 18 hours a day in bed during his cancer treatment in 2014. Photo by Edwin Santiago Photography

After tonsil cancer, dad pushes HPV vaccines for all teens

By Debra Rich Gettleman

64 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

papillomavirus-related tonsil cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes in his neck. After a radical tonsillectomy and neck dissection, in which 42 lymph nodes were removed, Jason underwent seven intense weeks of chemotherapy and radiation to rid his body of the invading cancer cells.

Jason Mendelsohn was 45 years old when he discovered a bump on his neck while taking a financial exam for his Orlando insurance company, The Ashar Group. After an unsuccessful course of antibiotics and steroids, Jason was encouraged to undergo a needle biopsy and CT scan. Those tests confirmed squamous cell carcinoma related to HPV. “I had no symptoms,” explains Jason. “Zero. If I hadn’t felt that bump on my neck, my cancer would have spread throughout my whole body.”

Jason has been happily married for 20 years. He and his beloved wife, Ronni, are raising 14-year-old twins, Ryan and Lauren, and an 8-year-old son, Adam.

The thought of not growing old with his wife and lifelong partner and missing out

on watching his kids grow into adulthood was heartbreaking for Jason. Immediately after learning about his diagnosis, Jason began filming videos to share with his kids in case he didn’t live to watch them grow up.

“It was devastating,” Jason says. “I had never even heard of HPV-related cancer before my diagnosis.” Luckily for Jason, his treatment was successful and he is now committed to spreading the word about HPV-related cancer. Jason has hit the speaker circuit to help educate people about HPV. He’s participated in the Washington “Ride to Conquer Cancer Bike Ride,” and has raised more than $20,000 to benefit cancer programs at several of the hospitals where he received treatment.

HPV is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the mouth and throat). The HPV virus is a sexually transmitted virus that many people are exposed to when they first become sexually active. In fact, genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, affecting as many as four out of five women by the age of 50 and, according to the Population Reference Bureau, nearly 50% of males older than 18 are infected with HPV. While it is known that HPV is passed during intimate bodyto-body contact, it’s not completely understood how the virus is spread. Most studies point to oral sex as the culprit. But some data suggest that even French kissing may be enough to pass the virus between individuals.

Women infected with HPV are at risk for developing cervical cancer. Men who contract HPV can not only infect women, but also are vulnerable themselves to oral cancer, throat cancer, infertility and potentially death. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, white, nonsmoking men in their 30s and 40s are actually the most at-risk population for developing HPV-related oral cancers.

“What people don’t realize is that there is a vaccine that virtually eliminates the risk of contracting HPV,” says Jason. Doctors believe that Jason got the HPV virus back in college, decades before the cancer developed. HPV can lie dormant for many years before manifesting as cancer. Each year around 8,400 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer caused by HPV. HPV vaccines are recommended for all preteen girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 16. The key to successful vaccination is to immunize your children (with the series of three HPV vaccines) prior to their becoming sexually active.

“I tell people … that their kids are likely to get it. But you can virtually eliminate the risk by getting the vaccine,” says Jason. “So why wouldn’t every parent get it for their kids?”

Jason Mendelsohn is on a mission to spread the word about HPV, oral cancer and the effectiveness of the vaccine to protect children from the harrowing experience of facing cancer later in their lives.

“My life was a living hell for 10 months,” he told me in an interview from his Orlando home. “If I can save one family from going through that, by simply giving their kids a vaccine, that’s the most important thing I can do.”

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We are so much more than a fitness center ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 65

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Phoenix native Amy Shlossman takes Red Cross to new heights Amy Shlossman knows volunteers have always been at the core of the Red Cross mission. Here she stands in front of a display inviting new volunteers to join the organization’s humanitarian mission.

By Deborah Moon

Phoenix native Amy Shlossman grew up in a Jewish family and community that instilled in her a dedication to social service. That and an impressive professional resume made the 33-year-old an ideal fit for her current post leading a regional office of the American Red Cross.

Before her move to Oregon last August to become CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region serving Oregon and Southwest Washington, Amy had racked up a decade of experience leading large, complex Arizona and national organizations.

When she became Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Management and Budget shortly before the 17-day government shutdown in October 2013, Amy was thrust into the center of key decisions about “what can stay operating and what can’t.” Agencies with multiyear revenue sources and those funded by fees could stay open. Services essential to life or safety had to continue to function, though for those Amy had to “address a workforce required to show up but not get paid.”

And when the shutdown was over, restarting government was a complex operation.

During normal government operations, Amy says it was an incredible experience to help manage the federal office responsible for developing the president’s annual budget and setting fiscal and management policies for more than 100 agencies in the executive branch.

As the White House Chief of Staff for Homeland Security for the prior five years, Amy oversaw operations and policy development for the third-largest department of the federal government, with 240,000 employees in more than 75 countries – more than ample training for leading the 35 Red Cross staffers and 1,700 volunteers in two states.

66 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

While working with Homeland Security she saw the Red Cross in action at multiple natural disasters and during national security threats, for which she led the response efforts and crisis communications.

“I worked closely with the Red Cross wherever disaster struck – flood, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes – also non-natural disasters such as the BP oil spill, Boston Marathon bombing and school shootings,” says Amy. “(Through) that experience with the Red Cross, I was so impressed by the mission, service delivery, and incredible dedication of the staff and volunteers.”

The organization’s infrastructure, capacity to respond when needed and humanitarian focus made the Red Cross a compelling next step when she was ready to leave Washington, D.C. She says the organization relies on volunteers – everyday heroes who help the Red Cross fulfill its mission.

“We could not deliver these services without our volunteer corps of people, who get up in the middle of the night to go to a house fire or deploy to a natural disaster for three to five weeks at a time,” says Amy. “They are an exceptionally dedicated corps of people devoted to this humanitarian mission.”

In addition to the volunteers, those who donate funds or blood and those who take a Red Cross health and safety class such as first aid or CPR help make communities safer.

In fact, a babysitting class she took when she was 11 followed by a lifeguard class a couple of years later were Amy’s first experiences with the Red Cross.

Those classes coincided with her early attraction to public service.

“I’ve spent my career in nonprofit and public service sectors,” says Amy.

In 2006 President Clinton met with John Sandweg, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Amy Shlossman.

She attributes that interest to the things she learned growing up in Phoenix. She attended Hebrew School at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, a Conservative congregation in Chandler, before the family moved to Tempe’s Temple Emanuel, a Reform congregation that emphasized social justice.

She became a bat mitzvah at Temple Emanuel and Amy Shlossman with then-Sen. continued to participate in Barack Obama on Jan. 30, 2008. the congregation’s youth group through high school.

She spent several summers at a Jewish sleep-away camp in New York.

Her experiences in the organized Jewish world dovetailed with her family’s focus on service. Her parents, Dr. Marc and Karen Shlossman, who still live in the Valley, played a key role in her desire to help others: “It’s in my family’s blood.”

“My mom is a retired social worker,” she says. “My dad is a periodontist. He was in private practice for 30 years, but now he teaches at a dental school and takes his students on service projects around the world. Last year he took students to South Africa to set up a dental clinic.”

After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in public administration/public finance, she worked in youth development and service learning programs before she joined the staff of Arizona Gov. Janet Ann Napolitano. As director of policy in the governor’s office, Amy worked with 40 state agencies to balance the state budget and implement initiatives on education, health care, transportation and economic development.

She first experienced Red Cross disaster relief when Arizona was an evacuation site for those fleeing Hurricane Katrina.

“We set up a large shelter at the Arizona fairgrounds,” Amy says. “I was given the job of writing the daily shelter newsletter with information on what services were available and to help people integrate into the community.”

Joining Gov. Napolitano to campaign for Barack Obama in 2008, she met the then-senator from Illinois. But as Homeland

While serving as White House Chief of Staff for Homeland Security, Amy Shlossman joined the Border Patrol for a patrol in Arizona.

chief of staff in the White House, serving under U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano, Amy says she was very much “a staffer.” Interactions with the president were through the members of his cabinet, such as Sec. Napolitano.

Having seen the impact of the Red Cross during her stint with Homeland Security, Amy was already well aware of the compelling importance of the Red Cross mission.

Since joining the organization, she has discovered that, in addition to the longstanding volunteer corps, the Red Cross has plenty of opportunities for day-of-service projects. For instance, last spring a group of volunteers participated in “a great mitzvah project” to prevent home fires. After a morning training session, teams of adult volunteers walked through a low-income neighborhood, offering free smoke detectors and helping families evaluate their preparedness for fires and other disasters.

“The most common disaster is home fires,” says Amy. “The Red Cross responds to 60,000 disasters a year. The most common on a daily basis is home fires. We are the first call the fire department makes when a family is displaced. Our volunteers are on call and trained and ready to respond at any time. … We provide emergency and immediate housing and financial help to buy clothes, glasses, medicine.”

The average cost to help one family after a house fire is $1,250.

Cascades Region Director of Communications Paula Fasano Negele says, “Amy has done some amazing programs. She has really helped us to focus. She is an amazing woman.”

For her part, Amy is pleased to be leading a regional Red Cross.

“It’s a real honor to be part of the Red Cross team,” says Amy. “The work we do is really powerful.”

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 67

H G

ome &

arden

A monarch butterfly on a tithonia blossom.

Plant a pollinator garden and enjoy the many benefits

By Melinda Myers Photos by Melinda Myers

68 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

A butterfly sets atop a cosmos flower.

These essential members of our ecosystem are responsible for much of the food and beauty we enjoy each day.

Unfortunately, pesticides and habitat loss are threatening their existence, but there is something you can do to help. Turn your garden, backyard or balcony into a pollinator’s habitat.

Choose a variety of flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the season. Planting herbs such as thyme, lavender and rosemary will get you off to a good start. Then go wild with masses of natives such as blanket flowers and other pollinator favorites like barrel and saguaro cactus, Arizona poppy, sage, cosmos, desert honeysuckle, zinnias and sunflowers to attract these beauties to your landscape. Include a variety of day- and night-blooming flowers in a variety of colors and shapes to support the widest range of pollinators.

And don’t let a lack of space dissuade you; even a window box of flowers can help.

Whether planting a garden, enjoying the beauty of your landscape or sitting down to a delicious meal, you have bees, butterflies and other pollinators to thank.

Keep your plants healthy and blooming with proper care. Match the plants to the growing conditions, provide needed water and fertilize with an organic nitrogen fertilizer such as Milorganite when needed.

You’ll promote slow, steady plant growth that is less susceptible to drought and pests. Plus the slow-release low nitrogen won’t interfere with flowering, which is essential to the health and well-being of our pollinators.

Supplement pollinators’ diets with a bit of rotten fruit. And be sure to provide trees and shrubs like willow and false indigo, herbs like dill and fennel, and

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other plants that caterpillars, grubs and the immature stages of other pollinators prefer to feed on. Put away the pesticides and tolerate a few holes in the leaves of their favorite plants. With a diversity of plants you can easily overlook the temporary leaf damage. Plus, this is a small price to pay for all the benefits they bring to the garden.

Provide pollinators with shelter from predators and the weather.

Include a variety of trees, shrubs and perennials. Leave patches of open soil for ground-nesting bees and some leaf litter to shelter some butterflies, bumblebees and other pollinating insects.

Supplement natural shelter with commercial or homemade nesting boxes. You’ll find do-ityourself plans on the Internet from various educational sources.

Puddles, fountains, birdbaths and even a damp sponge can provide needed water. Include water features with sloping sides or add a few stones to create

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Keep your plants healthy and blooming with proper care. Match the plants to the growing conditions, provide needed water and fertilize with an organic nitrogen fertilizer such as Milorganite when needed. You’ll promote slow, steady plant growth that is less susceptible to drought and pests. easier access. Or sink a shallow container of sand in the ground.

Keep it damp and add a pinch of sea salt for the butterflies and bees.

Maximize your efforts by teaming up with your neighbors.

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Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV and radio segments.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 71

Tu B’Shevat for the Arizona gardener

By Faith Schwartz

Tu B’Shevat falls on Jan. 25 this year. The day is known as the New Year for Trees since it is the date used to calculate a tree’s age for tithing purposes.

In Israel this is the season when the earliest blooming plants slowly awake from winter slumber and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.

And while blooming in January may seem far-fetched on a

72 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

chilly January day in Arizona, experts tell us that in the low deserts around Phoenix and Tucson, January is a great time to plant fruit trees … and maybe even eat some fruit.

“One of the best things about living in the Arizona desert is that some citrus varieties are ripe and ready to eat in January,” says Kelly Murray Young, assistant extension agent in agroecology for The University of Arizona’s Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. Kelly teaches, oversees the Master Gardener program, works with commercial landscapers, and teaches and

coordinates the Small Farmers Program.

This timing is perfect, as it is traditional, to celebrate Tu B’Shevat by eating fruit.

“Oranges, tangerines and lemons are usually ready, while grapefruit continues to sweeten throughout the spring,” says Kelly. “The only way to know if citrus is ripe is to taste it.”

It is a good time to plant bare-root deciduous fruit and nut trees such as apple, peach and pecan, as well as bare-root berries such as grapes and blackberries.

“Citrus can also be planted at this time,” she adds.

You also can continue to plant cool-season vegetables in January, including lettuce, spinach, radishes and mustard greens.

But while you’re looking forward to planting, and eating, in that January garden, make sure you’re protecting your current investment.

“Cold temperatures in January can damage frost-sensitive plants,” says Kelly. “Tropical plants such as bougainvillea, hibiscus and lantana are particularly vulnerable.”

She has a few tips for caring for plants in January: • Cover plants like bougainvillea, hibiscus and lantana with a “frost cloth” at night.

• Bring potted cacti and other tropical plants indoors at night.

• Be sure to remove cloths, or put plants back outdoors, once the morning temperatures have climbed to allow plants access to adequate sunlight.

• Avoid pruning plants that were previously damaged by cold weather until no more frosty nights are anticipated.

“Pruning stimulates new growth in plants. If the plants produce a new flush of growth that is vulnerable to freezing, the plant may be very slow to recover or die altogether,” says Kelly.

So while many parts of the country may still be under a blanket of snow, Arizona gardeners can actually celebrate Tu B’Shevat by getting outside with nature.

“It’s a great time of year to garden,” says Kelly. “There are some beautiful balmy days. This is one reason why we live in the desert: January.”

Faith Schwartz has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and writes for the Cooperative Service Extension.

Master Gardeners & Cooperative Extension If you live in the Phoenix area and want to learn more about selecting, planting and caring for citrus, you can attend a Master Gardener Citrus Clinic on Jan. 23 in Mesa.

Visit cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/hort to learn more.

To find out about the Master Gardener program in your county, go to extension.arizona.edu/master-gardeners.

Cooperative Extension is the outreach arm of the university, sharing the science of the College of Agriculture with the people of Arizona. The Master Gardener program is part of the Cooperative Extension service.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 73

Seniors

Rabbi Levi Levertov of Smile on Seniors entertains Andara residents during a Hanukkah party at the senior living community. Shirley Fireman, foreground, enjoys the Hanukkah festivities with her dog Allie, a certified pet therapy dog.

Andara: Vibrant Senior Living

By Stevie Mack

One might speculate that the majority of seniors in this country are scared speechless about growing older. If that’s the case, people living at Andara, a senior living community in Scottsdale, are definitely in the minority.

Andara is a beautiful community that provides full-time assistance to those who need it. Whether it’s assisted living, short-term care or simply independent living, Andara has all the tools in place to help seniors enjoy a vibrant lifestyle.

The life experiences at Andara are cutting-edge in 74 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Andara resident Bruce Green tries to win a prize by guessing how many dreidels are in the jar.

the sense that they inspire seniors to grow, connect, move and create at their own pace. It is an innovative approach to senior care, and it shows in the lives of each of their residents.

“A day at Andara is definitely not typical,” says Resident Services Director Kim Koppert. “We want to inspire residents to live their lives, to try new things.”

There are a lot of choices at Andara. Exercise classes are offered six days a week, water aerobics is in the mix, and residents play bridge and other card games. But it is the innovative activities, the outside-the-box events, that separate Andara from other

communities.

Andara places an emphasis on expanding the brain, creating experiences for residents that challenge their minds while enriching their souls. Trips to art shows or the theater are common, as are overnight trips to cool places. Recently, 11 residents travelled to Sedona and stayed for a couple of days.

One of the more interesting activities offered at Andara is the chance to participate in the Wii National Bowling League. Andara fields teams of four or five residents for the twice-a-year national competition. Last season, Andara residents won a league championship.

In addition, the residents of Andara get the opportunity to enhance their minds through a series of classes called Brain Health University. It is a chance to take 30 different classes while interacting with friends. The end result is challenging the mind while having fun doing so.

“The social interaction is critical to their well-being, because they are home alone so much,” says Kim. Andara goes out of their way to make every experience an appealing one, whether it be activities, classes or dining. Their dining program not only offers delicious meals, it caters to the residents’ dietary needs. Whether a simple breakfast or a fine dining experience, the meal is enhanced as the residents enjoy their dining time while connecting with friends.

Residents can host their families for meals, birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. It makes for complete dining when you can provide a private dining experience for those close to you.

Andara enjoys a rich Jewish tradition during the holidays. They routinely consult with residents to find out what best suits their religious preference.

During Hanukkah, they gather nightly to say prayers and light candles on the menorah.

The holidays are upon us, so Andara will be in full swing. Residents experience the best of everything as they enjoy their families and host family members throughout December and the New Year.

They can rest assured that life at Andara is about living and enjoying the time – and sometimes even the best time – of their lives.

Experience matters.

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And through the years, we’ve helped many people find a lifestyle perfectly suited to them. Our secret?

We listen. And we’ve found that every person’s need or desire to move is incredibly unique.

We’ve created equally unique places to live with great social opportunities, fine dining, accredited care services, and more. All with you in mind.

Come see how good it feels to have experience on your side. Please call now to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour.

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SRGseniorliving.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 75

Seniors

Diabetes, Feet & Memories

In a first-time study, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers revealed a new finding in people with diabetes who suffer from “diabetic foot.” Patients with this condition also have significantly impaired cognitive function.

“This study shows a clear correlation between diabetes and cognitive deterioration,” says Rachel Natovich, a recent BGU Ph.D. graduate. “Diabetes is a multi-system condition that affects the brain, and the risk of a diabetic developing dementia is twice that of a ‘normal’ person. Diabetic foot is a symptom that the diabetes is causing deterioration of the entire cardiovascular system.”

Diabetic foot is one of the most severe but also preventable long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. The symptoms appear as nonhealing foot ulcers and necrosis and, if untreated, can lead to multiple amputations. The lifetime risk of a person with diabetes developing a foot ulcer could be as high as 25%.

“There is no research focusing on the cognitive functioning of these patients, despite the fact that the micro and macro vascular changes underlying the diabetic foot are systemic, occurring in many different organs, including the brain,” says Natovich,

76 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

who conducted the study. “Presently, research regarding diabetic foot focuses mainly on epidemiology, prevention and ulcer treatment.”

According to the research, those with diabetic foot remember less, have decreased concentration, difficulty with learning, decreased inhibition, slower cognitive and psychomotor responses, and decreased verbal fluency. This implies that diabetic patients with diabetic foot complication suffer cognitive difficulties above and beyond those known in the general diabetic population. The cognitive abilities of the two groups were similar prior to developing the condition. However, the current cognitive status of diabetic foot patients in the study is significantly impaired.

“This new information is an important contribution to the healthcare of patients due to their increased risk for medical complications and the unique challenge that they present to healthcare providers,” Natovich says. “Successful adherence to medical recommendations requires considerable cognitive abilities like intact concentration, memory and executive functions.”

Natovich proposes practical changes to the treatment strategy, including: • Patients with diabetic foot must be routinely monitored for cognitive changes. Early detection of cognitive decline will enable initiating proper intervention.

• Due to difficulties with memory, attention and executive functions, the family and healthcare provider must take a more active role in patient care.

• Patients with diabetic foot could benefit from participation in group treatment aimed at improving diabetic control, nutrition and physical activity.

• Diabetic patients should receive psycho-education regarding possible cognitive complications of the disease and the importance of proper disease control for preservation of cognitive abilities.

Natovich completed her Ph.D. under Prof. Talma Kushnir of BGU’s Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Dr. Ilana Harman-Bahm from Soroka University Medical Center. She was awarded several prizes for this research, including the Diabetic Foot Best Presentation Award from the American Diabetes Association. She presented her findings at the ADA Conference last year.

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3212 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 • 480-941-9026 www.thespringsofscottsdale.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 77

An American in Israel

Recent terror attacks help world understand Israel’s reality

By Mylan Tanzer In the aftermath of the San Bernardino and Paris terror attacks, perhaps the world will begin to understand that Israelis cope with a local version of this same wave of terror. Americans fear additional acts of Islamic “lone-wolf ” terror on American soil. And Europe begins to fathom that the threat of ISIS is not limited to Syria and Iraq. In Israel that threat is characterized by lethal and spontaneous terrorist attacks every few hours, fueled by incessant and bloodcurdling incitement by Palestinian leaders, clerics and other public figures against Israel and its citizens. It is no wonder so many Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have been moved to stab, shoot and plow their cars into random Israelis.

These acts of terror cannot be prevented entirely. Effort is directed at limiting and containing these acts through increased police and military presence, shoot-to-kill orders against terrorists and destroying convicted terrorists’ homes.

The majority of this violence is perpetrated by West Bank and East Jerusalem residents. There seems to be an effort to limit the “spillover” to Israeli Arab citizens, who account for more than 20% of Israel’s total population and have complete democratic freedoms. Those freedoms can be easily exploited, just as they were by those homegrown terrorists in Paris.

The recent decision to outlaw the organization called The Northern Wing of the Islamic Movement in Israel was courageous and justified. But is it correct and smart? The answer is unclear but will become clear in the future. Contrary to his political behavior, this time Benjamin Netanyahu did not delay a tough decision nor did he distance himself from the responsibility. He circled around the issue for some time, analyzed it in depth and held endless consultations, but in the end he made a bold decision. Credit should also be given to Minister of Internal Security Gilad Arden for his influential role behind the scenes. Arden allowed the police force, which is under the responsibility of his ministry, to take the lead and submit its independent and alleged “out of the box” legal opinion.

Netanyahu reportedly considered that opinion as strongly as the legal opinion submitted by the more elite Shin Bet Intelligence organization.

The Shin Bet has prevented this decision from being made for several years. You certainly cannot accuse them of being followers of the radical Sheikh Rayed Salah, the charismatic and fomenting founder and head of the organization.

As Ben Caspit commented about this decision, “The Shin Bet thinks along more practical and pragmatic terms and concluded that the advantages of this move might be smaller than the potential damage. Not everything that is just, is necessarily smart.”

By way of background, the Northern Wing was originally part of the so-called “Islamic Movement” in Israel, which encourages the Islamic religion amongst Israeli Arabs. The movement has the same ideology and is affiliated with the broader Muslim Brotherhood movement, which strives for an Islamic awakening 78 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

under the slogan, “Islam is the answer.” The main areas of activity are religious (Islamic education and services) and social welfare. But the primary difference between the Israeli branch and the Muslim Brotherhood is the emphasis that the former places on encouraging Palestinian nationalism, whereas the latter is committed to cementing Muslim religious identity and repressing ethnic and national identity.

In 1996 the movement split into two wings over the issue of running or continuing to boycott the elections. The Northern Wing adopted a more extreme doctrine than the more moderate Southern Wing. The Northern Wing continues to boycott the Knesset, while members of the Southern Wing have been elected and represent Arab parties in the Knesset. The split began two years earlier with the signing of the Oslo Accords.

The Southern Wing, despite not recognizing the right of Israel to exist, supported the Palestinian Authority in signing the agreements, and the Northern Wing opposed them, reflecting their ideological alignment with Hamas.

The Jewish majority in Israel became aware of the Northern Wing during the second Intifada. The movement played a key role in inciting and encouraging the violence that saw the murder of over 1,000 Israelis. After Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount in 2000, Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority used the visit to provoke the violent uprising. The Northern Wing joined in and then took the lead amongst Israeli Arabs. The movement adopted the battle cry “defend Al-Aksa,” perpetrating the myth that resonates so strongly amongst Palestinians, that Israel is trying to destroy the Al-Aksa Mosque and take over the Temple Mount.

The Orr Commission was set up to investigate the circumstances and causes of the uprising of Israeli Arabs at the start of the Second Intifada, during which police killed 13 Israeli Arabs (13 deaths is the hourly toll in Syria). The commission placed solid blame on the Northern Wing and specifically Salah, and claimed that their incitement had a “palpable contribution to the flare-up of violence amongst the Arab population and went a long way to October events (as this uprising is referred to).”

Despite the recommendation to outlaw the movement and arrest the leaders, particularly Salah, this was not done. The belief was that Israel could contain and deal with the incitement, which would lose steam, and that this would be a more effective than outlawing the growing movement and arresting the popular Salah, which could create a backlash with very undesirable consequences. Salah has never stopped inciting, stating that Israel has no right to exist on any of the land that is part of the country, that every Jew that visits the Temple Mount defiles and contaminates it, and that the Western Wall is a historical hoax, set up as forward base to expel the Muslims from the area.

Over the last 15 years, the movement’s raison d’etre has become “defending Al-Aqsa.” They have set up a subsidiary organization called Morabitun (the name given to various historical defenders of Islam throughout history) that daily transports Arabs from throughout Israel from their homes in cities and villages to the Temple Mount. They sit around praying

and waiting for the short windows when Jews are allowed to visit ( Jews are forbidden to pray on the Mount) in order to provoke, insult and generally harass Jewish visitors. In addition, the Morabitun have apparently played a key role in smuggling the weapons that were found when police raided the mosque several months ago.

The recent outbreak of daily violence, which has killed over 30 Israelis, injured hundreds and created a new reality of lonewolf terrorists who act on their own, can be traced directly to the agitation of the Palestinian leadership, particularly the Northern Wing, that Israel is trying to change the status quo on the Temple Mount and destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque. “Intifada of individuals” terrorists who have been caught alive have stated their primary motivation was that they had been told by Palestinianleaders that Israel was about to expel Muslims from the Temple Mount and build the Third Temple where Al-Aqsa stands.

The Northern Wing’s political relevance comes almost exclusively from their incitement and propaganda about the Temple Mount. Despite waning popularity, Salah and his movement have played another central role in fomenting the current violence. The government is determined not to allow him to repeat his actions of October 2000. The crazed and hysterical ravings about the Temple Mount can no longer be overlooked.

Almost on an hourly basis, the Temple Mount agitation causes violent and frenzied actions by Muslims against Jews.

Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Salah and his movement have lost popularity over recent years. Mass rallies that routinely drew 50,000 just a few years ago seldom attract more than 10,000. Defending Al-Aqsa is Salah’s only relevant card, and this is what the government intends to eliminate. Therefore, the risk in outlawing the movement now seems to be lower. But there is a chance this could allow them to reinvent themselves. As long as they were a legal organization, they could be followed, neutralized and contained. This step could lead to a “romanticization” of the movement and create a kind of ISIS effect that will turn it into something “cool” for young and disenchanted Muslims. But again, the answer to this question will only be known somewhere down the road. For now, the politicians took responsibility and made a bold decision, and that is something not overly common for most of them.

The Shin Bet recommended that the local branch of the Muslim Brotherhood should be the organization outlawed.

Sisi’s Egypt already took this step. The Shin Bet claims that the Brotherhood is the primary agitator of the Islamic Movement in Israel. Their family tree included Hamas in Gaza. Intelligence gathered proves the direct connection between the Hamas leadership and Salah, and the pipeline of money between them.

When the Northern Wing was outlawed, its bank account had over 100 million shekels.

In the end, the Shin Bet’s recommendation was not approved because it would have been more difficult to enforce and also for fear of endangering our already damaged relationship with Turkey and perhaps even Jordan. The recommendation of the police to outlaw the Northern Wing was comprehensive and thorough and included opinions by all regional commanders and their advisors for Arab affairs. The expected backlash amongst Israeli Muslims would not be overly violent and would be containable. It was apparent that most ministers had come to the conclusion that even if the reaction of Arab Israelis would be harsh and extreme, it still would have been approved. Many

of them believe it is high time that the rule of law is imposed on this organization that has flown in the face of law for so many years.

The decision was made in early November. The announcement and implementation was held back until a good time was found.

After the Paris massacres, the government’s decision became much easier to explain. There would be no mass arrest of the tens of thousands of members nor closure of the charitable institutions of the movement, which have no connection to incitement. The leaders would be arrested, bank accounts would be seized and the incitement would stop, and if new organizations sprung up as fronts for the Northern Wing, they too would be closed. Everything else can continue to function, and the rank and file members can go about their business.

Given the organization and specifically Salah’s complicit role in inciting and fanning the uprising of October 2000 and his continued attempts to fan the flames of violence around the subject of the Temple Mount, why wasn’t this step taken long ago? I believe that the reason lies in the fact that the political and security leadership in Israel, after analyzing the current international wave of ISIS-inspired Islamic terrorism that has raised its head in Paris and San Bernardino and is threatening more violence throughout the United States and Europe, and is now such a common occurrence throughout the Middle East (Syria, Beirut, Tunis and of course Israel), has concluded that the violence can only be stopped with the eradication of ISIS. This is not something that can be controlled by Israel. For now, Israeli security forces have been quite effective in thwarting much of the current violence. But they are unable to eliminate it because most of it is undetectable until it occurs. It is inspired by incitement, and stopping, or at least limiting incitement, will have a visible contribution. Thus the move against the Northern Wing.

Furthermore, the most important consideration for Israel is to try to separate the West Bank Palestinians from Israeli Arabs and ensure that this wave of violence has limited or no impact in motivating Israeli Muslim citizens to commit acts of terror. This is another important reason the government acted against the Northern Wing, which is an Israeli Arab organization.

Will the move to outlaw the Northern Wing and arrest Salah and the other leaders achieve the desired result, or will it have the opposite effect? So far, there has been little backlash, and Israeli Arabs, most of whom seem to prefer the benefits and relative abundance of Israeli citizenship, have not acted on their criticism following the decision. But as we have seen, for West Bank and East Jerusalem Arabs, the unfounded concern over Al-Aqsa can cause educated, seemingly rationale and successful, familyoriented individuals (men and women) to “lose it” and go on a rampage against unarmed Israeli civilians. Therefore, any move to prevent incitement is welcome and necessary. In the case of Salah and the Northern Wing, it should have been done long ago. Given the current Al-Aqsa motivation amongst Palestinian Arabs, this decision is better late than never.

Mylan Tanzer is an American native who moved to Israel in 1981. He was the founding CEO of the first Israeli cable and satellite sports channel. Since 2005, he has launched, managed, and consulted for channels and companies in Israel and Europe.

Tanzer lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and five children.

He can be reached at mylantanz@gmail.com.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 79

J

g n i v i L

Women for Israel Luncheon Co-chairs Judy Bassett and Kim Kotzin, right.

From left, Mandy Widom, Amanda Brooks and Taylor Poslosky enjoy the JNFuture WFI event at Su Vino Winery.

80 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

JNF women raise record sum for Israel Jewish National Fund’s Women for Israel Luncheon drew 370 people to the Phoenix Art Museum on Nov. 10. The energy was contagious and keynote speaker Jessica Abo, renowned journalist and social entrepreneur, wowed the crowd with her powerful presence and positive message.

“I enjoyed every minute I spent with the incredible women of the Desert States,” said Jessica. “Their commitment to Israel, and to each other, is powerful and inspiring. I walked into a room full of strangers and left with a new group of friends. I am so grateful JNF brought all of us together.”

The event raised $225,000 – a record for the JNF Desert States Region WFI luncheon – and celebrated the pinning of 18 Chai Society members, which requires a minimum annual gift of $1,800.

In a joint statement, event Co-chairs Judy Bassett and Kim Kotzin said, “We are so inspired and reinvigorated by the success of this beautiful women’s event. This is our second year chairing the luncheon, and we are proud to watch the participation grow and the JNF women’s campaign thrive.”

“I am grateful to our donors for helping us shatter records and

continue JNF’s ongoing work to improve the quality of life for the people of Israel,” said JNF Desert States Executive Director Deb Rochford. “The dedication of these women exemplifies the real meaning of being a Jewish woman of valor, as their dedication helps shape and strengthen the fabric and future of Israeli society.”

An intimate JNFuture WFI event was held the previous evening at Su Vino Winery, where the women bottled their own wine and were inspired to learn about philanthropy and how to get involved in causes they are passionate about. With chapters across the United States and now also in Israel, JNFuture engages and energizes young leaders who are committed to environmentalism and community development in Israel.

To learn more about JNF’s bold vision of building new communities in the Negev and Galilee, expanding the scope of river rehabilitation and water research, exploring energy production, creating opportunities for people with special needs, heritage preservation, missions and trips to Israel, and growing future leadership in youth through Zionist education and advocacy programs, visit jnf.org/arizona.

From left, Arizona JNF Board President Toni Dusik, Sasha Glassman, JNF Desert States Executive Director Deb Rochford and Marnie Dietrich attend the JNF Women for Israel Luncheon Nov. 10.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 81

MEGA Strong

Valley Jews gather to strengthen and celebrate the vibrancy of the Greater Phoenix community More than 750 Valley Jews gathered at the Orpheum Theatre to attend the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s MEGA Event on Nov. 12. The annual gathering is held to strengthen and celebrate the Jewish community and to highlight the impact of federation within the Valley, Israel and 70 countries around the world.

“It was great seeing all those people at the Orpheum,” says Bob Silver, who co-chaired the event with his wife, Sara, and Michelle Mandell. “It was our opportunity to thank them for their incredible support, which allows federation to do the

Zach Braff takes questions from the audience.

Bob Silver, Sara Silver, Zach Braff and Michelle Mandell.

82 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

important work we do in the greater Phoenix Jewish community and in Jewish communities around the world.”

MEGA featured an interactive Q&A with Scrubs star, actor, director, screenwriter and producer Zach Braff. Braff shared his Jewish upbringing, his journey from New Jersey to Hollywood and his current projects with the audience.

“Zach Braff was an amazing guest,” says Mandell. “His charm, sincerity and warmth allowed him to connect with everyone in the audience, and the audience came through with some great questions. He was so genuine. It’s not act, it’s just who he is, and

Sandy and Harvey Belfer take a moment to pose backstage with Zach Braff during the VIP post-MEGA reception.

Longtime community leaders and Federation supporters Irwin and Shari Kanefsky.

I loved that.”

Maytal & Etzion from Israel’s The Voice also performed several Israeli and American songs.

In addition to the entertainment, MEGA guests learned more about the impact federation is making locally within its three core areas: NowGen, Seniors and Israel Advocacy. As part of its NowGen focus, the federation included a new way to give using technology. During the event, guests were asked to text to give to the three core impact areas. The audience gave more than $10,000 through the text initiative, some using text-to-give for the first time.

“We were excited to try something new,” says Sara Silver. “Text-to-give provides another avenue that people can use to support the federation and is especially appealing to our NowGen givers.”

MEGA was generously supported by Gold Sponsors: Express Flooring, The Flader Wealth Consulting Group of RBC Wealth Management, Henry & Horne, LLP, Mutual of Omaha Bank, Silverware and Weiss Wealth Strategies of Raymond James; as well as many other generous sponsors, partners and volunteers.

NowGenners Brooke Khazanovich, Chelsey Saperstein, Shawna Lewis, Eli Sutton, Bryce Schotz and Jared Hirschl celebrate during the post-MEGA after party at Bitter & Twisted.

Maytal and Etzion

FEDERATION NOTES

Federation: Making a Difference

By David Weiner

I feel there is no better philanthropic organization in the world that provides assistance and touches more lives than the Jewish Federation.

As a first-generation American, my family was helped by many as they began their new life in America. I am reminded of this when I look at my father’s visa with a Nazi stamp and think of the millions of Jews who were denied a Jewish life and who perished because they were Jewish. I realize what a privilege it is for me and my family to be able to observe our faith and traditions, relatively free from persecution.

I also realize that we have a responsibility to each other. The Torah teaches that we can help others with g’milut chasadim, or performing acts of loving kindness. My involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix allows me to help my fellow Jews here in the valley, in Israel and throughout the world.

The federation serves as a resource to the community by maximizing the impact of the dollars raised and by supporting organizations that make a difference in our community every day.

We enable change, promote innovation, provide emotional and financial support, connect Jews to their identity and help our fellow community members in times of joy, struggle and hardships.

Friends often ask me, “Isn’t it hard to ask others for money?” and I remind them it is not, because I find great joy in knowing all the good things that the money raised will allow us to do.

As chair of the federation’s 2016 annual campaign, I will share the stories of our diverse Jewish family, letting people know how their tzedakah dollars are making a difference. Our campaign dollars are assisting thousands in making aliyah to Israel, helping our community’s seniors live healthy, independent lives and connecting our young adults to their Judaism.

Our community’s needs are great and can only be achieved if we can connect with every person. I ask those who can help to please contact the federation. There are so many ways one can make a difference for those less fortunate.

It takes a lot of volunteers to raise money. I hope you will be one of them so you also can share in telling the stories of joy as we make a difference.

David Weiner is a member of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix board and chairman of the federation’s 2016 annual campaign.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 83

J

Living

FACES & PLACES PEARL HARBOR DAY – At left, members of Scottsdale Post 210 of the Jewish War Veterans presented a wreath at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza on Pearl Harbor Day Dec. 7. Commander Michael Chambers, right, presented the wreath with Senior Vice Commander Fred Lipovich and Past Commander Bernie Kaplan also in attendance. Photo by Jerry Kopff

PROFESSIONALS –At left, the Jewish Women’s Professional Group meets at the Valley of the Sun JCC in Scottsdale on Dec. 7.

WITNESSES TO HISTORY – Below, from left, Freya Winsberg and Micki and Paul Zatulov were among audience members at the Valley of the Sun JCC on Dec. 2 to hear Andrew Nagorski, author of “Hitlerland: American Eyewitnesses to the Nazi Rise to Power.” At the event, sponsored by the U.S. Holocaust Museum, Nagorski was interviewed by Rebecca Erbelding, a museum archivist. Rarely seen archival footage from the Museum’s collection highlighted the evening, during which the author offered an account of the years leading up to the Holocaust through the perspective of American leaders and writers.

Photo by Leni Reiss

SAGEWOOD CELEBRATES – Lee and Susan Berk, formerly of Boston and Santa Fe, are enjoying an active retirement at Sagewood on East Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix. Susan crafted the Hanukkah display in the lobby, and both Berks serve in various volunteer capacities at the independent living community. Photo by Leni Reiss

84 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

IT’S A WRAP – Top left, Women’s Philanthropy Board Vice Chair Gail Ober and daughter Rachel Ober participate with Women’s Philanthropy at JFCS’s It’s A Wrap holiday adopt-a-family event on Dec. 3 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Bottom left, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Sally Oscherwitz takes a moment to pose during the wrapping frenzy.

SUPREMELY JUDICIAL – At left, Michigan State Supreme Justice Richard Bernstein presented a lecture at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Sept. 22. From left, are Doug Levy, Justice Richard Bernstein, Rabbi Yahuda Ceitlin and Tucson JCC President/ CEO Todd Rockoff.

CONGRESSMAN’S SHABBAT – US Congressman Trent Franks (left) speaks to Ralph Melden (center) and Robert Gilberg (right) after the congressman addressed Temple Beth Shalom (Sun City) at Erev Shabbat services Nov. 14.

JNFUTURE – The Jewish National Fund Fall Kick-off event, JNFuture, held Oct. 13 at Kerr Cultural Center attracted a crowd of supporters. From left are JNF AZ Board Member Marc Kelman, JNF AZ Board President Toni Dusik, and JNF CEO Russell Robinson. Bottom right, Chelsey and Cindy Saperstein, right, also attended.

BETH SHALOM HANUKKAH – Above, Steve Seigel serves up the brisket Temple Beth Shalom in Phoenix . A festive dessert caps off the evening.

TUCSON DIPLOMACY – At right, more than 800 people turned out Nov. 18 when the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona hosted Former US Ambassador Dennis Ross at Congregation Anshei Israel. Ross's latest book, Doomed to Succeed: The US-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama, was released in October. Ross presented an intriguing portrait of the history of American and Israeli diplomacy in Tucson. From left are event Co-Chairs Jeff Artzi and Leslie Glaze, 2016 Campaign Chair Shelly Silverman and Dennis Ross. Below from left are Larry Baker, Deborah Baker, Dennis Ross, Alice Baker and Paul Baker. Photos by Martha Lochert

JAC HANUKKAH – Above, more than 40 students joined together at the Jewish Arizonans on Campus house at Arizona State University for a "Go Nuts for Donuts and Latke Palooza" event Dec. 3. JAC has students and programs at both ASU and University of Arizona campuses as well as programs for young adults through jLIVE Arizona.

CHABAD HANUKKAH – Chabad Rabbi Dov Levertov lights the menorah a the Capitol on the third night of Hanukkah.

Then a menorah car parade featured 57 cars in procession from menorah lighting at the Capitol to Hanukkah party at Chabad of Arizona where ventriloquist, Chuck Field, entertains children at Chabad after the car parade. Photos by Hershl Weberman.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 85

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Living

FACES & PLACES

TUCSON JCC VISITS ISRAEL Israel Seminar participants hike through Ein Avdat in the Negev.

The Tucson J took 10 members of the professional staff to Israel for an inside look at the country’s history, culture and current events.

Participants also met staff from other JCCs and partner communities to share ideas. “The end result was a profound, transformational experience for all of us, enabling us to better understand Jewish values and incorporate those values in our day to day work,” says Tucson J Director of Communications Sue DeBenedette.

Families, Generations, Interfaith Spiritual Educational

Cultural

Tucson J staff visit Hatzav Kindergarten, which is the Tucson J’s Partnership2gether twinning program school.

Ancestoral

Communal

Ethical

Weddings, Baby Namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Memorial, Shabbat and Holiday customized original ceremonies. Interfaith and Intercultural and Same-Sex couples welcome.

Jeffrey Schesnol, IISHJ, AHA Endorsed Celebrant Ceremonial Leader

Children and Teachers at the Kibbutz Masheabei Sade 86 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Or Adam Congregation | www.oradam.com | oradaminfo@gmail.com | 480.663.7788

VETERANS’ HANUKKAH – At left, Commander Michael Chambers and his wife, Ahuva, kindle the menorah for the Hanukkah Party hosted by Scottsdale Post 210 of the Jewish War Veterans at the Arizona State Veterans Home. In attendance were the home’s three Jewish residents, Everett Perlman, Larry Cusin and Mickey Dingott, who is pictured with wife Jean. Photos by Jerry Kopff, Post 210 photographer

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Living

PREVIEWS

THE WOLFMAN RETURNS JAN. 24

By Barbara Schwartz

Temple Havurat Emet announces the Annual Fashion Show to be held at the Oakwood Clubhouse, 24218 S Oakwood Blvd. in Sun Lakes, AZ. Be sure to join us at 11 am on Feb. 28 for a sumptuous luncheon, catered and served by the Oakwood staff.

Then enjoy the show of all the newest and best fashions sponsored by Dillard’s Department store from the Chandler Fashion Mall Shopping Center.

The event will features raffle prizes, door prizes, and the event’s traditional hat raffle (a hat covered in green folding money)!

Look for the signs up and down Riggs Road with further information.

Tickets are $25. Tickets will be sold at Sun Lakes Phase 1 Clubhouse on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (Feb. 1-15) from 10 am to noon. Tickets will also be available on Tuesdays (Feb. 2, 9 and 16) from 10 am to noon at Ace Hardware on Riggs Road.

If you are unable to get your tickets in person, please call Jean at 480-802-0185 and we will deliver your tickets to your Sun Lakes address. Please make your reservations by Feb. 16.

SPEAKER DISCUSSES DISCOVERY OF FAMILY’S NAZI PAST JAN. 30

The author of the internationally bestselling memoir, My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: A Black Woman Discovers Her Family’s Nazi Past will speak in Scottsdale on Jan. 30 at 7:30 pm in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. When Jennifer Teege, a German-Nigerian woman, randomly picked up a library book from the shelf, her whole life – her whole sense of self – changed forever. Recognizing photos of her mother and grandmother in the book, she discovered a horrifying fact they had kept from her: her grandfather was Amon Goeth, the vicious Nazi commandant so chillingly depicted by Ralph Fiennes in Schindler’s List – a man known and despised the world over.

Although she was placed in an orphanage and then adopted at a young age, as a child Jennifer Teege had some contact with her biological mother and grandmother. Yet neither revealed their family legacy. At age 38, Teege began to learn the scope of her grandfather’s crimes – he was known as the Nazi “butcher of Plaszów concentration camp”. She realized that if her grandfather had met her – a black woman – he would have killed her.

88 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Teege’s Arizona visit is sponsored

by Generations After, a program of the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors’ Association, and the Martin Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University where she will also speak on Jan. 28.

Her Valley appearance will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St., Scottsdale. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at phoenixhsa.org or by calling 480-792-6736. General tickets are $10; tickets for students and members of Generations After, PHSA and CBI are $7. There is no charge for Holocaust survivors, but reservations are required.

Teege’s Arizona presentations will be conducted on stage in conversation with Dr. Bjorn Krondorfer, director of NAU’s Martin Springer Institute and son of a German World War II soldier, and Janice Friebaum, chair of Generations After and daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

BETH AMI HOSTS “BATTLE FOR SOUL OF ISLAM” JAN. 24

The Beth Ami Temple Speaker Series presents Dr. Zuhdi Jasser speaking on “The Battle for the Soul of Islam” at Beth Ami Temple in Paradise Valley at 2 pm, Sunday, Jan. 24.

The son of Syrian immigrants who escaped the oppressive Baath regime of Syria in the mid-1960s for American freedom, Dr. Jasser is a devout Muslim and founder and President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. The AIFD is the most prominent American Muslim organization confronting the ideologies of political Islam and openly countering the belief that the Muslim faith is inextricably rooted to the concept of the Islamic State. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend this important discussion sponsored by Beth Ami Temple. The boutique Reform temple’s Speaker Series brings to light important topics that not only impact the city’s Jewish population, but the entire Phoenix community.

“Dr. Jasser presents a picture of Islam that represents religious tolerance for others and a different perspective,” says Beth Ami Temple Rabbi Arthur Abrams. “It is so important for us to hear about a more moderate view point of Islam.”

Dr. Jasser regularly briefs members of Congress on the threat of political Islam and has been called to testify on the issue of Muslim radicalization in the United States. During the event, Dr. Jasser will provide insight into the historical context of the cauldron in the Middle East that brewed ISIS and lay out the only path forward for the world’s interests: the promotion of a “Liberty Doctrine” in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Arab Awakening of 2011 presented the region with a major opportunity at a transformation away from old Arabic

military dictatorships toward liberty. Instead, this created a vacuum that is being filled by Islamist movements. Beth Ami Temple is located inside Palo Cristi Church at 3232 E Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley.

The program is free, but reservations are required.

602-956-0805 | bethamitemple@hotmail.com

SUSAN COLIN JAN. 30 CONCERT BENEFITS NefeshSoul

Singer and Valley resident Susan Colin will perform a concert on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 pm as a fundraiser for NefeshSoul, a progressive Jewish congregation.

The event will be held at the Valley Unitarian-Universalist Congregation at 6400 W Del Rio St., Chandler, AZ 85226.

Colin is an award-winning composer whose contemporary settings of Jewish and Jewish-themed music are used by congregations around the country.

“This is the Jewish music for everyone,” says Colin.

Singing in both English and Hebrew, using diverse musical styles that incorporate world beats, jazz and folk, Colin’s warm, angelic voice draws listeners to a place of spirituality.

One reviewer wrote, “Susan Colin sings with a clarity that is breathtaking and rare.” (Dallas Morning News).

Colin has released five CDs, including “The Work of a Lifetime,” which was recorded in 2015 in Phoenix at Brick Road Studios and Big Bug Sound.

Colin’s “Healing Song,” “Psalm 150” and her newest hit, “Blessings,” are available along with all her music at iTunes, oySongs and CDBaby.

While many songs are contemplative, many are upbeat, and some songs take a lighter approach.

“Call Your Mother” is a fun yet poignant expression of a parent’s experience of the empty nest.

Accompanying Colin at this concert are Valley musicians: Shea Marshall (piano), Scott Leader (guitar), Joe Costello, (drums) and Bob Lashier (bass).

Colin is the cantorial soloist and music director at NefeshSoul.

She also sings at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale for b’nai mitzvah, and is the owner of oySongs.com, an online distributor of Jewish music.

Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 18, and $20 for families (parents with children living at home).

480-759-1930 | nefeshsoul.com

the Tucson talk will be at 7 pm at Congregation Young Israel.

Chabad of Scottsdale hosts the 6:30 pm program in the Valley as part of its Jews in the World Lecture series.

Forty years ago, Sassy and 100 commandos flew more than 2,500 miles to Uganda to rescue more than 100 Israeli and Jewish passengers held hostage by Arab terrorists.

Sassy will share his personal experience of the daring July 1976 operation that lasted 90 minutes, and rescued 102 hostages.

Five Israeli commandos were wounded and one, the unit commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed. All the hijackers, three hostages and 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed.

Sassy will recount the mission step-by-step from the moment he was called to duty. His story is Israel’s story of courage, endurance, optimism and a willingness to sacrifice it all for the right to live in freedom.

Sassy now lives in Calabasas, CA, with his wife and three children.

Tickets for the Jan. 24 talk at Congregation Young Israel/ Chabad (2443 E Fourth St., Tucson) are $18. For tickets, visit chabadtucson.com/rsvp or 520-881-7956.

Tickets for the Jan. 25 program at Chabad of Scottsdale (10215 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale) are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For tickets, visit chabadofscottsdale.org or call 480-998-1410.

SAVE THE DATE February 26, 2016

OPERATION ENTEBBE: A FIRST HAND ACCOUNT IN TUCSON AND THE VALLEY

IDF’s elite Red Beret paratrooper Sassy Reuven shares his role in the famed hostage rescue mission code named “Operation Thunderbolt” Jan. 24 in Tucson and Jan. 25 in Phoenix.

Hosted by Chabad Tucson and the Weintraub Israel Center, ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 89

JANUARY CALENDAR

J an. 15-Feb. 14 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel” at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Lane, Peoria.

623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org

musings of Ben Hecht, the versatile journalist, playwright, novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter. $20 Arizona Jewish Historical Society members, $25 public. azjhs.org or 602-241-7870

Beau Jest, a comedy, is at the Hale Centre Theatre at 50 W Page Ave., Gilbert. haletheatrearizona. com or 480-497-1181

Jan. 16

Jan. 1

YOUTH: Kids Night Out. 6-10 pm at VOS JCC. 480483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org

Casino Night. 7:30-10:30 at Congregation Anshei Israel, Tucson. fundraiser for CAI’s Esther B. Feldman Preschool/Kindergarten. Casino gambling (for fun & entertainment), hors d’oeuvres & dessert, a cash bar, live music & dancing, and raffle prizes. $50; $65 after Jan. 11. 520-745-5550, ext. 229

Through Feb. 13

Champagne Chardonnay New Year’s Shabbat Evening Service. 5-7 pm at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson. 520-327-4501

Jan. 5 Let’s Knit for seniors at VOS JCC. Repeats every Tuesday 1:30-3:30 pm at the J Café. 480-4837121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org

Jan. 8, 15, 24 Arizona Bach Festival at various Valley locations.

Arizonabachfestival.org

Jan. 10 YOUTH: Family Yoga & PJ Library Story Time.

12:30-1:30 pm. yoga followed by storytime at the VOSJCC. 480-483-7121 ext. 1281 or healthandfitness@vosjcc.org Gil Troy delivers first of seven Sunday Passages lectures. See page 40

Peter, Paul & Mary Remembered at 7:30 pm at the Higley Center. 480-279-7194 or higleycenter.org

Jan. 17 10th Annual Mah Jongg Tournament. 9 am-4:30 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. $36 entry includes lunch, game, party favors and prizes. Proceeds benefit CAI’s United Synagogue Youth. 520-906-6947 MLK Weekend learning. 7-10 pm at Temple Chai, Phoenix. 602-445-3112

Jan. 18 YOUTH: School’s Out Day @ The J (VOS JCC). 480483-7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org YOUTH: Recreational soccer league for ages 4-7 at VOSJCC. Continues through March 2. 480-4837121 ext. 1283 or sports@vosjcc.org

Open House Health Expo. 10 am-2 pm at VOS JCC. 480-483-7121 ext. 1290

Explore Chagall’s Stained-Glass Windows with docents from the Phoenix Art Museum. 11 am at VOSJCC. 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@ vosjcc.org

Jan. 11

Jan. 20

Crystal Bridge at the J Grand Opening. 9-11:30 am supervised play; noon-3:30 pm duplicate game.

Repeats Jan. 18. 480-483-7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org

Jan. 12 Join Rabbi Levi Levertov for stimulating discussion on Judaism. 11 am at VOSJCC. A collaboration with SOS. Chani at 602-492-7670 or chani@ sosaz.org

Jan. 14 Tucson International Jewish Film Festival begins and continues through Jan. 23. See schedule pages 26-27 VBM Class: “Jewish Perspectives on Altruism & Compassion.” 7-9 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. 602-445-3112 Dafna Michaelson Jenet, author of It Takes a Little Crazy to Make a Difference, speaks 8:3010:30 am or 6:30-8:30 pm at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road.

By the JFGP’s Women’s Philanthropy Power of You Speaker Series and the Jewish Book Council. $25.

Registration required by Jan. 12: jewishphoenix. org/thepowerofyou.

Jan. 15 SOS Shabbat dinner for seniors. 4:45 pm at 2100 E Lincoln Dr. Phoenix. . 602-492-7670

Social Anxiety and Social Media, an in-depth look at the effects of technology on our mental health.

Open to parents, grandparents as well as professionals in the field. 3 continuing ed units offered.

5:30-9 pm at Ina Levine JCC. $35 includes dinner.

Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

Register: jfcsaz.org/social or 602-567-8334 VBM Lecture: “Jewish Views of the Afterlife: Does the Soul Survive?” with Rabbi Elie Spitz. 7-9 pm at Congregation Or Tzion, 9096 East Bahia Dr., Scottsdale. 602-445-3112

Jan. 21 Open House 5-7 pm at New Way Academy, specializing in students with learning differences. newwayacademy.or or 602-629-6850 Keep It Simple: Weight Loss Resolutions. 10-11:30 am at VOSJCC. 480-483-7121 ext. 1281 or healthandfitness@vosjcc.org Let’s Eat Mature Mavens Dinner. 5 pm. For restaurant and reservations: Roz Vinnik, 480-991-1625 VBM Class: Jewish Perspectives on Altruism & Compassion. 7-9 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. 602-445-3112

Jan. 22-April 3 Arizona Fine Art Expo. See page 32

Jan. 23

“The Ben Hecht Show,” a theatrical production written and performed by James Sherman. 7:30 Jan. 15-17 pm at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, Sculpture & Wine Festival. See page 34 122 E Culver St. Repeats 2 pm Sunday, Jan. 24.

Set in 1943, the show chronicles the views and 90 JANUARY 2016 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Jan. 24 Metropolitan Klezmer performs at 7 pm the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Metropolitan Klezmer creates neo-traditional interpretations and compositions around an eclectic Yiddish repertoire. $38.50-$43.50. MIM. org or 480-478-6000 Tu B’Shevat Seder. 4:30-5:30 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, Tucson. Enjoy juices, fresh and dried fruit grown on trees in Israel; includes dairy dinner and dessert. No charge, but reservations are required by Jan. 20. 520-745-5550, ext. 242 How to Slay the Worry Monster. See page 44 Emanuel Ax performs Beethoven. See page 30 The Wolfman Returns. See page 88 Beth Ami hosts “Battle for Soul of Islam. See page 88

Jan. 26 YOUTH: Maccabi Basketball recreational league for grades Pre-K to 6 at VOSJCC. 480-483-7121 ext.

1283 or sports@vosjcc.org VBM lecture: Asking Bigger Questions: Learning from Hillel the Elder with Rabbi Dr. Josh Feigelson.7-9 pm at Temple Kol Ami, 15030 N 64th St., Scottsdale. 602-445-3112

Jan. 27 Israeli championship fencer Dan Alon will speak about his experiences at the 1972 Munich Olympics. On Sept. 5 Black September terrorists murdered 11 of the 15 Israeli athletes and coaches. 7 pm at The Camelback Golf Club, 7847 N Mockingbird Lane, Scottsdale. $18 in advance; $25 at door. jewishparadisevalley.com/munich72 or 480-788-9310 “Becoming Dr. Ruth” at Herberger Theater. Continues through Feb. 28. 602-252-8497 or Playhouseinfo.com

Jan. 30 My Grandfather would have Shot Me author speaks on family’s Nazi past. See page 88 West Valley Jewish Film Fest begins. See page 25 Limmud Arizona, day of learning. See page 44 Susan Colin concert. See page 89 VOS JCC is the Valley of the Sun JCC at 12701 N Scottsdale Road. Vosjcc.org VBM is Valley Beit Midrash. valleybeitmidrash.org JFGP is Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. jewishphoenix.org

From the Producers of MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH & I’M IN THERAPY!, RESPECT: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF WOMEN!, & YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP!

THE HIT MUSICAL COMEDY COMES TO PHOENIX! NOW PLAYING THRU JAN. 24TH

Philip Roger Roy and Dana Matthow present

Alan Jacobson’s

A delightful & fun musical about dieting, exercise & the age old “battle of the bulge” with parodies of hit songs in the tradition of Menopause The Musical®.

“The Audience Eats The Show Up!” - Miami Herald

“Be Prepared To Laugh Off A Few Pounds!”

- BroadwayWorld.com

Show Times: Wed. 7PM, Thu. 2 & 7PM, Fri. 8PM, Sat. 2 & 8PM, Sun. 2 & 6PM

THE HIT NEW YORK DRAMEDY IS COMING TO PHOENIX! JANUARY 27 FEBRUARY 28, 2016 “Fascinating And Heartbreaking...

Conveys Westheimer’s Surprising Dignity, Courage, And Resilience” — The New Yorker

g n i m Beco uth Dr. R By

main

t. Ger Mark S

“A Surprising, Eventful Biography.

A Distinctive Sound, A Penchant for Humor & An Animated Personality!”

You thought you knew everything there was to know about Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist! But did you know about her incredible journey fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a sniper, to her struggle as a single mother newly-arrived in America?

This remarkable story is filled with the humor, honesty, and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth,” America’s most famous sex therapist.

Wed. 7 PM, Thu. 2 & 7 PM, Fri. 8 PM, Sat. 2 & 8 PM, Sun. 2 PM

Starring Jane Ridley

222 E. Monroe, Phoenix, AZ 85004

PlayhouseInfo.com

Box Office: 602-252-8497 • Group Sales: 888-264-1788 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | JANUARY 2016 91

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