Arizona Jewish Life May 2015 Vol. 3/Issue 8

MAY 2015

THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA

Focus on

Seniors

Dare Your Tastebuds Recipes Inside

Holly Packer Feeding Former Foster Teens

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strategic thinking about wealth Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management has been helping ultra-high net worth individuals, their families and foundations plan for and grow their wealth for decades.

Based in New York City, the Family Wealth Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management is a specialized team of interdisciplinary strategic advisors providing a full range of family office services to meet the complex needs of the UHNW marketplace. These services include financial & investment planning, estate & family succession planning, philanthropic advisory and administrative services.

The Family Wealth Group is headed by Robert Stolar, a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor. Drawing on three decades of investment & financial planning experience, Robert has earned various distinctions within the wealth advisory community, including recognition by Barron’s as one of the top 1,200 advisors in the country for 2015.

Robert Stolar

Managing Director Private Wealth Advisor 522 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10036 212-296-6704 robert.stolar@morganstanley.com

Barron’s “Top 1,200 Advisors,” as identified by Barron’s magazine, using quantitative and qualitative criteria and selected from a pool of over 4,000 nominations. Advisors in the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors have a minimum of seven years of financial services experience.

Qualitative factors include compliance record and philanthropic work. Investment performance is not a criterion. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. © 2015 Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, a division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Member SIPC. 1139140 03/15 8174818 PWM001 03/15

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Inside

MAY 2015/ Iyar-Sivanr 5775 | Volume 3/Issue 8

Features COVER STORY Holly Packer and Just 3 Things…..…….……………………………………………………30 UPFRONT Concierge opens doors to Jewish Tucson..........………………………………………..10 BUSINESS Ins & Outs....................................................…………………………………………..12 Baseball statisticians meet in Phoenix …………………………………………………..14 FOOD Chef’s Corner: Try it, you might like it………………………………………………………36 MOTHER’S DAY A personal essay on motherhood ….............……………………………………………38 CAMPUS Students need support in face of anti-Semitic wave.........………………………….46 SINGLES The Committed Relationship.........…………………………………………………………47 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fred Fox School of Music.........……………………………………………………………..48 The Power of Philanthropy…………………………………………………………………… 49 Storyteller shares world’s wisdom………………………………………………………….50 ISRAEL Spring a trio of surprises.........……………………………………………………………...52 Lag B’Omer and bonfires……………………………………………………………………..54

Seniors 16-29 Senior initiatives look to move the needle ….............…………………………………16 Retired JNF exec thinks Outside the Box….………….…………………………………..18 Senior authors……………………………………………..…………………………………….19 Israel for the active seniors (55+)……………………….…………………………………20 Senior Adventuress: Cycling the Viking Trail….………………………………………...22 Words of Wisdom never grow old…………………….……………………………………..26 High blood pressure………………………………….………………………………………..27 Directory of senior advertisers…………………….………………………………………..28

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30

JKids 39-45 Tucson JCC enhances special needs camps …..………………………………………..40 Valley of the Sun expands special needs camps ……………………………………… 41 Rare sleep disorder explains erratic behavior..…………………………………………42 All moms are not the same………..………..……………………………………………….44 Events for kids, teens, families…………………..…………………………………………45

JLiving Life & Legacy looks for bright future….……………………………………………………56 Federation Notes: Remember past, commit to future………………………………...58 Or Chadash celebrates cantor………..…………………………………………………….59 May Holidays…………………………….……………………………………………………….60 61 Faces & Places 64 Previews 66 Calendar

Columns 26 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman 38 Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer 44 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman 4 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

36 COVER PHOTO: Holly Packer by Molho Photography

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When I was young, I thought old meant older than my parents (who were 40 when I was born). So in my young eyes, the age at which people became old kept getting later and later in life. When I was a teenager, my mom started riding horses when she was about 55 – obviously not old! And my dad retired from an office job and bought a lumber mill, where he stayed active with outdoor physical labor until the day before he died of a heart attack at age 81. So I had reason to assume old age started later.

Looking at today’s active AARP-eligible (50+) adults, I think we can all agree that being a senior doesn’t mean being “elderly.”

Our Senior section in this issue features two trips geared to seniors that assume they are capable, engaged and eager to explore the world. A trip to Israel for the active 55+ set and a senior cycling adventure of The Viking Trail are common fare for today’s seniors. Adventure travel groups offer hiking, mountain-climbing, kayaking, cycling and a host of other options. Some of the trips are specifically geared toward seniors, but even those that aren’t are frequently populated by those who have the time and resources to train for and enjoy an active vacation. When my father-in-law was 88, he enjoyed a senior hiking trip through the Dolomites in Italy.

You just have to keep moving.

In recognition of the fact that seniors are living longer and staying active and engaged in a multitude of interests, two years ago The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix created a task force to study the needs of today’s seniors and how to meet them. The Senior Initiative that grew out of that process is detailed in this issue.

Many seniors do chose to leave the homes where they raised their families and move into retirement villages or senior communities, where they can engage in a range of activities with their peers. Many of those communities offer a variety of options to age in place, with sections and services designed to meet changing needs.

But this issue isn’t all about seniors. Our cover story looks at how Jewish Family and Children’s Services is there for teens who need help launching their lives. After touring JFCS’s Real World Job Development program for teens aging out of foster care, volunteer extraordinaire Holly Packer created a program called Just 3 Things to ensure those teens have the nutrition they need as they learn how to succeed in the world.

Whatever stage of life you’re in, I hope you’ll find something in this issue that resonates with you. Something that prompts you to move or makes you laugh. Something that engages your mind and piques your curiosity. It’s all relative – a young mind can be ours at any age.

What does the Federation do?

We help people.

Your gift to the Federation supports local agencies and our international partners, JAFI and JDC, to help Jews in need in Israel and throughout the world. Last year, with the help of the Federation, these agencies were able to provide support and emergency services to those affected by the war in Southern Israel and to help the 300,000 Jews suffering in Ukraine without food and other basic needs.

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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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 7

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THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA

Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman Editor-In-Chief Deborah Moon Associate Editor Janet Arnold Contributing Editor Leni Reiss Social Media Editor Debra Rich Gettleman Webmaster Karl Knelson Advertising Sales advertise@azjewishlife.com 602-538-2955 Art Director Philip Nerat Copy Editor Susan Moon Columnists Ellen Gerst, Debra Rich Gettleman, Amy Hirshberg Lederman, Lucia Schnitzer, Mylan Tanzer and Stuart Wachs Contributing Writers Danika Bowen, Sarah Chen, Melissa Hirschl, Bob Horenstein, Carine Nadel, Mary Peachin, Nadine Schnitzer, Masada Siegel and Teddy Weinberg How to reach us: 602-538-AZJL (2955) Advertise@azjewishlife.com Editor1@azjewishlife.com Publisher@azjewishlife.com

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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[UPFRONT]

Jewish Tucson Presents Your Personal Concierge

By Sarah Chen

When Ori Parnaby first saw the job posting for the Tucson Jewish Community Center concierge position, she laughed along with her sister and said, "That's not a real job!"

Indeed, Ori is one of only a few concierges at JCCs across the United States. "It’s revolutionary!" she exclaims. "It is utterly transforming our ability as a community to connect with people."

Ori couldn't be better suited to the task of welcoming newcomers to Tucson and helping them make their own connections to its thriving Jewish community. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, she relocated to the United States as an infant, moving among Boston, Chicago, Iran, Ann Arbor and then finally Tucson as her father pursued a tenure track position as a political science professor. She attended Rincon and Universal high schools, graduating a year ahead of schedule.

After high school, she moved near family in Israel and worked as a dairymaid on Kibbutz Sarid, where she met her husband, Julian. She served in the IDF, completing basic training and ulpan, an intensive Hebrew language program, before serving in an administrative capacity. She and Julian became engaged in Israel and, after a brief stay in the UK with his parents, they repatriated to Tucson, where they married. Oriattended the University of Arizona and graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Near Eastern Studies.

The couple decided to stay in Tucson and raise their sons, Jonah, 12, and Liam, 9. Ori became involved in Jewish Tucson initially through her son's preschool at Congregation Anshei Israel, leading K'Ton Time, a monthly Shabbat morning service for parents of small children. She quickly became immersed, serving on the synagogue's Family Programming Committee and Synagogue Life Council and teaching religious school.

From there, she became involved with the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona through the Young Women's Cabinet and Jewish Education Tax Credit Organization. She served as a board member and coordinator at JETCO. In addition to her Jewish community involvement, Ori founded her own business, Organize with Ori. The personal organization business included teaching classes to Pima County

Ori Parnaby

Library patrons and guests of the Canyon Ranch health resort and day spa. Ready to return to work in a greater capacity, Ori couldn't believe her good luck to interview and be selected as the first Tucson Jewish concierge.

On job hunting, Ori recalls, "I knew I wanted (the job) to be in the Jewish community. I honestly thought I would have to write myself a family programming job. This position is one of few of its type in the country."

Beverly Sandock, strategic planning associate for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, describes how federation decided on the need for the position. In 2012 the federation's strategic planning process surveyed various demographic groups, attempting to identify gaps in service and engagement.

From those discoveries, the Jewish Community Roundtable discussion group was formed in 2013. The group meets quarterly and includes rabbis from all the area's synagogues, other representatives and executives from the Jewish agencies.

Quickly, the roundtable supported two major priorities from the strategic plan: a one-stop web portal to the Jewish community (jewishtucson.org) and a concierge position to make the introduction or connection. "The group is so successful because it enables these dedicated professionals to address the members of the community regardless of their level of engagement," Beverly explains. "The group wanted to disseminate information, connect to others and engage people regardless of their own diverse perspectives. The concierge position embodies that engagement."

Ori was hired in late 2014. She says her progress has been exciting. "In this position, I've referred people to every

Tucson Concierge Ori Parnaby: concierge@jewishtucson.org | 520-299-3000 ext. 241 | jewishtucson.org 10 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

synagogue, every single agency and "This position is about making organization in Tucson," she says proudly. people feel welcomed, feel loved, feel "The gift of being able to help people get wanted and feel appreciated," Ori connected is amazing." says emphatically. "There is a place She spends most of her workday at the for everyone in Jewish Tucson, and it Tucson JCC and meeting with clients doesn't necessarily have to be religious around town. in nature, although I feel comfortable "People want to get connected, but connecting people in that way too. It they don't know where to start and don't can be attending an Israeli dance class, know how to find their place in the playing mah jongg, schmoozing at a Jewish world, particularly for those not community event, joining a havurah.

ABOVE: Ori Parnaby and her mother Shoshana Jacobson raised religiously," Ori observes. Her own There's something here for everyone." at the Mega Challah Bake event organized by Chabad Tucson and the Tucson Jewish Community Center. mother was a secular Israeli Jew. "I really Discovering personal opportunities BELOW: Ori Parnaby with husband, Julian, had to find my own way to Judaism," for her own Jewish growth is a hidden and their sons at her brother’s wedding. she says. "I want to smooth that path for perk of the job for Ori. "Just by learning others." all the pieces and parts to Jewish One outreach example Ori gives Tucson, I feel like I've discovered so is of an interfaith Jewish family she many ways to connect!" she says. encountered at the Hanukkah Mall Adding to the existing programming, Madness event at Park Place Mall.

Ori will run two ongoing monthly The family has a young, school-aged events. The first is a networking group daughter, and they were surprised to for Jewish business people, seeking to see Jewish Tucson out in force during make business connections within “the the busy holiday season. They admitted tribe.” The second is a coffee for new they'd fallen out of touch with the Jewish and existing members of the Jewish community and weren't sure how to community to make connections, friends reengage. Ori reached out to the family with a list of all the and schmooze.

Tucson Hanukkah events, and the family eventually attended "It is a dream job for me, to strengthen this community I Congregation Or Chadash's co-chaired event, Chanukah in the love," Ori says with a smile.

Old West.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 11

ADL names Jake Bennett Arizona director

Jake Bennett, an entrepreneur and former combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, was named director of the Anti-Defamation League's Arizona Regional Office in Phoenix. Jake had served as CEO of Numa Tactical Eyewear since founding the company in 2006; prior to that he was an investment manager in New York and Los Angeles.

“Jake represents the next generation of leadership,” says Amy Altshuler, ADL Arizona regional board chair. “He is exceptionally bright and has the passion and business skills necessary to advance ADL’s mission.”

“I am very excited to be joining ADL," Jake says. “ADL’s mission is about more than fighting anti-Semitism. ADL has a proud 100-year history of fighting for civil rights and civil discourse. It protects and preserves the best of what America is about: dignity and respect, inclusion and multiculturalism. Seventy years ago, my maternal grandparents survived Auschwitz and the massacres of their families and left a Europe that was torn apart by state-sanctioned bigotry and violence. They came to a country that was built on a promise of a better world, where people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and religions could live together as brothers and sisters. ADL was founded to help realize those ideals, and ADL’s vision is needed today as much as ever.”

Jake earned his B.A., cum laude, from Amherst College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. He served in the IDF from 1999 to 2001. An Arizona resident since 2010, Jake teaches at Hebrew High and is involved with several Scottsdale congregations.

602-274-0991 | jbennett@adl.org,

Phoenix federation hires Marty Haberer

Marty Haberer joins the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix as chief development officer this month.

Marty began his career as a teen director at a Jewish Community Center in Riverdale, NY. He has held Jewish communal professional positions in New York, New Jersey, Cincinnati and Detroit. He served as the associate executive director of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee in Florida for almost 13 years of his 29-year career. In addition to working in development, Marty has spent his career emphasizing Jewish education, training campaign solicitors and board members, and discussing the re-engineering of the federation for the 21st century.

Marty is a very active community member who serves in a variety of positions, including as a board member of his congregation. He has traveled throughout the former Soviet Union, Poland, Ethiopia, Hungary, Jordan and Greece and has visited Israel 38 times to “Save Jewish lives and enhance Jewish life” whenever and wherever there is an opportunity.

Marty lives with his wife of 26 years, Lori; their two children, Danielle, 21, and Noah, 19; and two mischievous dachshunds, Bailey and Marley. jewishphoenix.org

Morris Hall adds Plitz and Hunsaker as partners

The law firm of Morris Hall, PLLC, a premier estate planning law firm, announces the promotion of James P. Plitz and B. West Hunsaker to partners.

Jim Plitz graduated magna cum laude with his Juris Doctorate from the Phoenix School of Law, and achieved the second-highest score on the 2011 Arizona James P. Plitz bar exam. He passed the 2011 bar exam in New Mexico, as well. He was a contributing writer and an editor of the Phoenix Law Review. “I look forward to being an integral part 12 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

of the firm’s continued success – in particular, being able to provide our clients with a premier estate plan,” says Jim. Previously, West Hunsaker was an executive with JPMorgan Chase. He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the Phoenix School of Law. He has served on the National Planned Giving Advisory Council for Make-A-Wish America. He also serves as co-chair for planned giving advisory committees for both the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation and Make-AB. West Hunsaker Wish Arizona. In 2013 he was recognized nationally

by Trust & Estates magazines as one of their six Practitioners With Heart. West says, “It is a great honor to become a partner of a firm, such as Morris Hall, that has a history of service to its clients, their families and communities throughout the Southwest.”

Senior Partner Dan R. Morris commented, “We are privileged to have Jim and West as partners of Morris Hall. Their experience and commitment in the practice of estate planning will continue to bring value to the clients they serve.”

602-249-1328 | morristrust.com

Aaron Scholar leaves Bureau of Jewish Education

Aaron Scholar is leaving the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix after a nearly 31 stint as director. Aaron has been responsible for supervising and expanding a vast array of innovative programs including the Phoenix High School of Jewish Studies, the Jewish Community Library, Family Education, Adult Jewish Studies and the annual Passages Lecture Series.

Previously he was a teacher and principal in the Jewish religious schools as well as in the Madison School District in Phoenix. Aaron is a graduate of Mesivta Chaim Berlin, a rabbinical seminary in New York City, and Brooklyn College. He earned an M.Ed. in school administration and supervision from Arizona State University.

480-634-8050 | bjephoenix.org

CJSN hires Amy Hummell as executive director

Amy Hummell joined the Council For Jews With Special Needs as executive director at the end of March. Amy brings to her new position years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience as the senior director of field services for the Arizona office of Autism Speaks, where she was responsible for autism advocacy, education and fundraising in four states. Most notably she oversaw all aspects of the Arizona Walk Now for Autism Speaks, the autism community’s largest fundraising and awareness event in the Valley. She is eager to expand her current work and relationships in the Phoenix disability community.

Board President Richard Lustiger said, “I am so pleased to have Amy Hummell joining us at CJSN, given her outstanding experience with special needs advocacy, and her long-established presence in the Phoenix Jewish community.”

“This is an exciting time for me and my family to combine work experience with personal beliefs,” said Hummell. The Hummells are members of Temple Kol Ami where her daughter became a bat mitzvah in 2014.

CJSN is a 30-year-old nonprofit that provides support services and resources to children and adults living with a variety of disabilities to insure their full and meaningful participation in the community. cjsn.org | 480-629-5343

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 13

Passionate about Baseball

&stats

by L. Robert Davids, who was a sportswriter and baseball researcher. He gathered a group of 15 other baseball researchers Marc Appleman, executive director of the Society for American at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and created a new organization, one devoted solely to the statistics and analytics of Baseball Research, has always been passionate about baseball. baseball. Forty years later SABR membership boasts more than “I fell in love with the game through my dad,” Appleman says.

6,000 people globally.

“He was and still is a big baseball and Yankees fan and is very When he became executive director, one of Appleman’s goals knowledgeable about the game. I also became a big Yankee was to revitalize the organization, make it more diverse, and fan and passed my passion for the game on to my two sons provide appeal to both genders and all age groups.

(Michael, 25, and Drew, 22). I loved to play baseball as a kid “We’ve gone down a positive new direction for SABR by growing up in New York City.” increasing the size of community, creating the analytics Appleman turned his passion for sports into a career, and over conference and finding a the past 33 years it has led younger demographic. One him on an adventurous of the best parts of my job is career in sports media. creating new opportunities for He began his career as a people to learn and to grow sportswriter for the Los an organization. In every job Angeles Times and covered I have ever had, I’m most the San Diego Padres for the thrilled by being able to create San Diego County Edition and generate new ideas and of the LA Times. He has activities, and to do so with held senior positions with baseball, which is such fun ESPN, AOL, Fox Sports, and something I have such an The Active Network and SI enormous passion for, just hits For Kids. it out of the ballpark!”

Appleman even shares Since Appleman has taken his love of the game in a the lead in the organization, book called Dad, Are You for each of the past four years Pumped? A Father-Son SABR has hosted an event Baseball Odyssey, in which in Phoenix called the SABR he and his 12-year-old son Marc Appleman at the Society for American Baseball Research Analytics Analytics Conference, where Michael hit the highway on Conference in Phoenix, March 12-14. Photo by Ari Marlar the top minds of the baseball an amazing baseball road analytic community discuss, trip to celebrate Michael's debate and share ways to analyze baseball. bar mitzvah. Over two weeks they cover two countries, eight However, Appleman says, “While the event is filled with many states and 3,000 miles. The father-son team attend eight games major and minor league baseball officials, broadcasters and in six stadiums and visit the baseball, hockey and pro football writers, as well as numerous former players, anyone interested in halls of fame. baseball can attend. While the original purpose of SABR was to Appleman moved to Arizona in August 2011 from Westport, band together baseball historians, statisticians and researchers, it CT, when SABR relocated its headquarters to Phoenix. He is not necessary to be a researcher to become a member or enjoy explained it was an ideal fit as his older son already lived here the conference.” and his younger son was attending USC in Los Angeles.

A fellow Jewish baseball professional, Arizona Diamondbacks “Needless to say Arizona is a hot spot both for the inviting CEO Derrick Hall, is a big fan of the conference. Hall’s children wintery weather as well as being the capital of the country for – Logan, Hayden and Kylie – all became b’nai mitzvah at baseball,” he says with a grin.

Temple Solel, where their mother, Amy, served on the board.

SABR was launched in August 1971 in Cooperstown, NY,

By Masada Siegel

14 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

"We are thrilled the conference is here in the Valley,” says Hall. “This is the Western Mecca of baseball with spring training, Major and Minor League Baseball, fall ball, instructional league and college teams, so it makes sense. We have taken full advantage of the location by sending as many attendees and participants as possible."

One of the aspects of the conference that Appleman is most excited about is the networking options the conference provides to students from around the country.

“Each year there is the Diamond Dollars Case Competition, where teams of four to five undergraduates, graduate and

When he became executive director, one of Appleman’s goals was to revitalize the organization, make it more diverse, and provide appeal to both genders and all age groups. professional school students from colleges and universities across the country compete against each other by preparing an analysis and presentation of a baseball operations decision. They need to figure out a solution similar to the type of decision a team’s GM and staff would be faced with over the course of a season,” Appleman says.

The students then present their analysis and recommendations to a panel of judges, which includes Major League Baseball front office executives. In this way, students from universities including Arizona State, NYU, Syracuse and Stanford are able to interact with leaders in the industry and acquire internships and jobs.

Hall finds much value in the event.

“While SABR is a tremendous resource for historical analysis, statistics and research, it more importantly provides a common platform for all lovers of our great game. SABR has been invaluable in bringing people together to celebrate baseball in unique ways. It continues to grow in prominence and can be credited for thousands of new jobs and organizational directions."

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 15

Federation unveils Senior Initiative

By Janet Arnold

Seniors Inside 18 Thinking outside the box Senior Authors Israel for the active 55+ set Senior Adventuress To Life: Words of wisdom never grow old 27 Danger: Contents under pressure

19 20 22 26

The composition of today's senior population has changed from generations past. People are living longer, maintaining their interests or expanding to new areas, and staying sharp and involved. Yet the seniors, many of whom were called Boomers just yesterday, still have special needs that are unique to them.

Nearly two years ago the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix funded a study to determine just what those needs are, to prioritize them and to set about to find ways to meet them. The Senior Services Task Force was assembled, and Janice Friebaum was contracted to do a comprehensive study. Those results are now available in an extensive report titled “Understanding and Meeting the Needs of the Valley’s Senior Population,” which is available on the federation’s website.

More than 1,100 seniors responded to an online survey and another few dozen replied by mail. The results mirror pretty much what studies have shown across the nation: Seniors want to stay in their own homes as long as they possibly can. They may downsize or move from a two-story to a single-floor home, but they want to figure out how to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Lisa Kaplan, director of planning and organization relations at the federation, says that actually only a small percentage of seniors move into retirement facilities. Though a community such as the greater Phoenix area has many retirement communities, most folks surveyed want to be in a community with a diversity of ages. "And likewise, they want diversity in other ways, as well," Lisa adds. “We found they don't want to be surrounded by only other Jews, for instance." She did point out that there are about 10 local independent living facilities that have large numbers of Jewish residents.

The study identified three key factors in helping seniors remain in their own homes: 1. Information and referral services 2. Transportation 3. Socialization The federation is ready to go ahead full steam to assist with the first element this year, only in “21st Century speak” it now becomes concierge services. "People often have a negative connotation of the term 'information and referral.' It's a phrase that tends to be associated with folks in the throes of crisis," Lisa explains. "We don't want to give that impression in any way. We want this to be a useful service that seniors will utilize on a regular basis; something that can help them with everyday questions about where to go or who to see, etc."

The federation is allocating funds to hire a full-time staff person, who will mostly likely work out of the JCC building for two days a week and spend the rest of his/her time going out to the community. "We want to make sure to get the word out, to let people know that help is here and to be sure to keep in touch with what the needs are."

28 Senior Directory

Molly Halperin, Shirley Goldsmith, Marion Greenberg and Nancy Petruso enjoy a pleasant spring afternoon in front of the JFCS Senior Center in Phoenix.

16 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Smile on Seniors: Rabbi Levi and Chani Levertov teach the seniors at JFCS Senior Center at Chris Ridge about Passover.

The Levertovs visit many senior living developments and present Jewish programming.

Lisa anticipates that services will be free of charge, at least to start, and if fees have to be charged in the future, they would be on a sliding scale.

"That's the 'easy' one of the three areas to address," Lisa adds with a smile.

Transportation is a major issue because it involves a variety of municipalities. "It would be easy to raise money to buy a bus to bring people to the J, but what people really need is help getting to a doctor or to go shopping or visit friends." She went on to explain that each town and city within the Maricopa Association of Governments has its own rules pertaining to dial-a-ride and other senior low-cost transportation. It is possible, for example, that a person living in Phoenix cannot be transported to a doctor in Scottsdale by existing services.

Lisa sees slight help with options such as the Metro Light Rail in Phoenix and the East Valley or Molly the Trolley in Scottsdale, but each of those is very limited in scope and geography. "This is a topic that will take some time to work out.

We will be working closely with the various governments to see how we can get better cooperation among the municipalities."

Socialization is a complicated matter, as well. Currently, there is one senior center that maintains Jewish values and customs.

Administered by Jewish Family and Children's Services, it is located inside Chris Ridge Village, now called Brookdale Christown, in central Phoenix (see Arizona Jewish Life, April 2015 issue). Most of the cities offer well-run, nonsectarian senior centers.

"In looking around, we're seeing Jewish organizations that are

doing a great job with socialization," Lisa says. She mentioned SOS (Smile on Seniors), a program sponsored by Chabad, as a prime example. "Rabbi Levi and Chani Levertov are terrific," she says, beaming. "Their program is a shining star in the community." She is proud that the federation has been helping to fund SOS for the last four years and can see the significant growth in the program. "At one of their Shabbat dinners, there must have been 20 vans from retirement communities and at least 200 people there!" The Levertovs also go into various retirement homes to bring the programs to the residents, rather than requiring them to travel.

"We work closely with Jewish Family and Children's Services, as well," Lisa continues. "The senior center at Chris Ridge does great programming, and the JFCS staff are absolute experts when it comes to needs assessments, counseling and at-risk issues."

So for now, the federation will continue to work with those already providing socialization services while determining how those services can be expanded to reach even more people throughout the Valley.

"We don't want to rush into something," Lisa concludes. "We want to do really meaningful programming that will move the needle and make a significance difference in people's lives."

To see the full report go to: jewishphoenix.org/about-us/whowe-are/senior-services-task-force.

If you have questions, contact Lisa Kaplan at 480-634-8900 or lkaplan@jewishphoenix.org.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 17

Seniors

Outside Box Thinking

the

It was in this position with the annual campaign that Ted started stretching his For over 16 years, Ted Kort was the approach to fundraising and "thinking executive director of the Jewish National outside the box." He held a “draft night�

Fund in Arizona. In that capacity he and established teams with names such as moved the organization from one known "Schleppers" and "Gelt Getters." largely for "selling trees" to become "One meeting I brought in cheerleaders from a major force for raising money and Camelback High School to lead the teams support for the myriad of environmental in cheers. It was an amazing morale booster," concerns facing Israel. he says with a grin. Ted not only increased While Ted never thought his road participation and enthusiasm, but also was able would lead to the nonprofit world, to increase the campaign to $5 million. (The a confluence of circumstances came campaign for the last few years has brought in together to guide him to this most about $3 million.) satisfying and significant work.

Through his networking, Ted found himself Ted's family came to Phoenix from talking to the major players at Jewish National Kansas City, MO, in 1944, with 5-yearFund. It took him awhile to understand that he old Ted in tow. He attended Kenilworth was actually being interviewed for the position Elementary School and became a bar of executive director. Upon being hired in mitzvah through Beth El Congregation, 1998, he set out to expand the board and form which was then on Third Avenue and it into a fundraising body. He initiated a May Ted Kort McDowell Road. After West High campaign and taught the board members to School, Ted graduated from Arizona embrace fundraising by educating them not State University, where he was an active only about the depth and scope of JNF's work, member of AEPi, with a degree in political but also about the ins and outs of encouraging science in 1960. In 1964 he married the others to be philanthropic. love of his life, Elaine Hoffman, whose Ted retired from JNF last year after taking family was actively involved in the the organization to a record-high $1.6-million leadership and philanthropy of the growing campaign in 2013 and receiving the prestigious Jewish population in Phoenix.

JNF Tree of Life Award in 2014 (an honor he The volatile real estate market was shared with his son Bryan). He continues to home to Ted for a number of years, as he have a sincere, strong interest in the nonprofit developed small shopping centers around world. He has written a book entitled Outside the Valley. But the ups and downs of the the Box Fundraising: The way to nonprofit board business took their toll, and Ted started success, and he is actively pursuing opportunities exploring other options. He already had to consult with organizations that could benefit been involved in a number of nonprofit from his many years of experience as a lay agencies, serving on the board of the leader, a professional and a donor himself. The Phoenix JayCees and helping to found book outlines effective and successful ways to Valley Big Brothers. He also served on the take a board to a higher level of involvement in board of the JCC, and he received the Sy fundraising, in ways that are both positive and Clark Young Leadership Award from the creative. local Jewish federation. He moved into The book is available through amazon. various leadership positions with the federation and served as com, and Ted can be reached at 602-799-5919 or ted@ campaign co-chair in 1988. outsidetheboxfundraising.com.

By Janet Arnold

18 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

SeniorAuthors

While you're studying during Shavuot, you may want to include a new book by local author, poet and public speaker Barbara Mark-Dreyfuss.

Remember Always is a short book of original poems presented as a "lens of connecting with our past, present and future in a spiritual way like no other."

Barbara has often been asked to create and recite poems prior to the High Holy Days and other special services and always receives requests for copies of her work. She decided to put the spiritual poems together in a book and is happy to make the collection available to congregations to use for no fee. Some of the poems deal with the Holocaust, others with personal loss. All are moving. They have particular resonance for Yizkor services but would resonate whenever they are used.

Rabbi Micah Caplan of Congregation Or Tzion says, "Barbara Mark-Dreyfuss has a way with poetry that leads us to a holier and more spiritual place with every word and

every poem. (This book is) truly a masterpiece in the world of poetry."

Barbara is a Scottsdale resident and can be reached at penpodiumpress@cox.net Another Scottsdale member of the Jewish community, Dr. Sandra Harris, recently had a novel published by Outskirts Press.

Sandra is a retired psychologist with a distinguished 33-year career. She received a B.A. from Stanford and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.

As a VA clinical psychologist, she conducted psychotherapy with combat veterans in California. Shrapnel: A Journey Toward Psychological Healing is Sandra's first attempt at writing fiction after spending her career writing psychological nonfiction. She is clear in pointing out that this book is entirely fiction but does acknowledge that she became interested in the challenges and problems of the Vietnam vets after spending so much time with them. The book is written from the perspective of eight returning vets, "highlighting their courage while examining the long-term effect of combat stress and helping to remove the stigma of mental health treatment."

The book is available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

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Seniors

Israel for the active 55+ set

NEXT TR October 15-IP! 28

By Carine Nadel

Far from being a “new” cliché, those of us over 55 are not living the same way our parents and grandparents did in their senior years. Many of us are far more physically fit and active.

With that in mind Stacy Wasserman decided to create L’Dor V’Dor (From Generation to Generation), a nonprofit organization created for the sole purpose of making a trip to Israel more affordable for those age 55 and older. This was in 2011.

“I really wanted to make this trip with my husband. My belief is that it is not enough for us to make sure our children and grandchildren make this trip –we must make it, as well,” explains Wasserman.

Their first planned trip in 2009 with the Jewish National Fund wound up being cancelled due to weather.

Wasserman rebooked the trip for 2010, but her husband was too nervous to go due to news reports of unrest throughout the region. Then in 2011, the pair finally made the trip together and he had a marvelous time.

After the trip, this determined woman decided to create her own tour with the help of a travel agency in Los Angeles and to cultivate what she explains is “A Taste of Israel.”

“L’Dor V’Dor was created with love,” says Wasserman. “Each trip is different: the weather, the applicants and new places to visit. The only thing that is common is the feelings that everyone leaves Israel with. For many it is hard to explain; sometimes the explanation comes in tears, other times in actions. It truly is a very magical and personal experience.”

In keeping with today’s active adults, Wasserman wants everyone to know that those who participate must be relatively physically fit. “We have 10-12 hour days on a very comfortable 20 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

tour bus with a professional tour guide – however we also get on and off that bus six or more times a day and do a lot of walking on the cobblestone streets that are also very uneven. Because of this we can’t accommodate anyone who has a need to use canes, walkers, crutches and wheelchairs. Everyone needs to be able to do all that is needed to enjoy seeing all the various stops along the way.

“We have 40 people per trip,” she adds. “The next trip we’ll be doing in October. Our goal is to make the trip affordable and not use up our entire retirement fund. This cost will be $2,150 plus a promise of a $500 donation for helping others of our generation make the trip.”

Since creating her business about 120 people have made the trip to Israel. Wasserman and her husband are looking forward to making the trip in October. “I’m a real mother hen! I make sure everyone is able to truly connect with not only with each other as a member of the same generation but through their connection to Israel, as well.”

Typical itineraries include visiting or experiencing: Ammunition Hill, The Knesset, planting a tree, light show, Hadassah Hospital, Temple Mount, Chagall windows, marketplace, detention camps, bullet factory, Maya Sherim, Mount Scopus, Masada, Dead Sea, Western Wall, Western Wall caves and Kibbutz life.

According to Wasserman, the fee includes: admission to all museums, cultural centers, Masada and group transportation to and from each location; transfers from/to airport (unless you do not go back to the airport with the group after the farewell dinner); seven dinners, two Shabbat dinners and one lunch at the Dead Sea; and four-star hotels throughout the trip (daily breakfast) during the 11 nights/nine days.

Guests are responsible for all gratuities (hotel, bus driver

Everything You Need to Feel at Home A Taste of Israel takes active seniors to a variety of iconic sites around the Jewish state.

and guide; about $120 per person), daily lunches/snacks, added tours and transportation, and any extra trips or when provided transfers are not used.

What sets a L’Dor V’Dor tour apart from other tours to the Holy Land is that they are geared only toward active adults over 55.

“We don’t have to worry about making it fun for kids – we stay and visit places that our age group has a genuine interest and passion to learn about and experience.

It’s truly a time for us!” says Wasserman.

The next trip will be Oct. 15-28 and applications are already online. For more information: ldorvdorisrael.com or call 818-943-1407.

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Seniors Senior

Adventuress

Bicycling Newfoundland’s Viking Trail through Gros Morne National Park

Bonne Bay kayaks

Story and photos by Mary L. Peachin

Pedaling Newfoundland’s Viking Trail offers the challenge of “holding your line” along the edge of Trans Canada Highway 430 while being totally distracted by the Gulf of St. Lawrence’s glorious views. Numerous abandoned fishing villages dot the road throughout Gros Morne National Park. The pebbled beaches separating these villages are outlined by steep, vertical, eroded rock columns called sea stacks. This remote wilderness is also the summer migratory route for 22 species of whales, including the world's largest population of humpbacks plus minke, sperm, blue and orca.

Flocks of seabirds numbering in the thousands include gannets, orange-beaked puffins and storm petrels. Birds of prey – eagles, hawks, ospreys – float the currents of the wind. Arctic icebergs, typically calved in Greenland, drift along the shore. The boreal forest, edged by fields of wild flowers dominated by the bright fuchsia-red fireweed, is the nesting site of 350 varieties of colorful songbirds. For sure, when you want a break from sitting on the bike saddle, there is plenty to see, an entire horizon to scan.

Our six-day Freewheeling Adventures (freewheeling.ca) bicycle tour would cover about 300 miles between Newfoundland’s airport gateway city of Deer Lake and World Heritage Site L'Anse aux Meadows, where Lief Eriksson and his Norse Vikings landed five centuries before Columbus “discovered” 22 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

America.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s most easterly provinces and encompassing the northeastern-most point of North America, are surrounded by 18,000 miles of coastline.

Triangular in shape, Newfoundland is an Atlantic Ocean island while Labrador, considered part of mainland Canada, shares its western border with the province of Quebec.

Visitors to Newfoundland typically fly into the cities of St. John’s or Deer Lake, rent a car or RV (accommodations are scarce), and speed through the province. A bicycle tour offers a better opportunity to enjoy scenic vistas while becoming immersed in beautiful surroundings and enjoying Newfoundland culture.

Arriving the prior night, we stayed at Lake View Bed and Breakfast near Deer Lake’s airport. The Freewheeling van shuttle detoured to allow us to explore the nearby Newfoundland Insectarium’s collection of butterflies, tarantulas, beetles and bees prior to our hitting the road to begin cycling in Norris Point, the entrance to Gros Morne, a UNESCO site and the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada. Considered part of the Long Range Mountains, Gros Morne is located at the northern end of the Appalachians.

In Norris Point we spent several nights at Neddie’s Harbour Inn. Formerly a senior home, the inn has been renovated using creatively designed, handcrafted Newfoundland birch.

Newfoundland has long, uninhabited distances without many

restaurants. But finding a place to enjoy a meal is never an issue when traveling with Freewheeling Adventures.

The Canadian company is noted for creative picnics in scenic places. Lunches served on checkered tablecloths include local cheese, charcuterie, fruit and vegetables. Handmade pastry is served for dessert accompanied by their signature hand-ground coffee. Guides Dan and Riley created our first “pop up” picnic along the highway overlooking Bonne Bay. The following day we were given the option of taking a challenging eight-hour Gros Morne Mountain hike to the end of the tree line, followed by a hand-over-hand climb through rock scree to a summit reward offering a glorious view. A second option was a catamaran tour on the M.V. Emm-Cat. Choosing the latter, we motored through Bonne Bay. The sapphire blue fiord, which flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, provided views of spinning white-sided dolphins and moose eating maple saplings. Our background view was a close-up of Gros Morne Mountain.

David Forsey, our guide at Norris Point’s Bonne Bay Marine Station (bonnebay.ca), emphasized how precisely Captain James Cook charted the adjacent glaciated fiords carved some 15,000 years ago. The aquarium is geographically located at the southern habitation boundary for Arctic creatures. Other displays include elongated eel pouts, snow crab, striped and Atlantic wolffish, and the rare blue lobster.

The following day we took a small ferry from the Bonne David Peachin on the Newfoundland Bay landing to Woody Point.

Freewheeling Viking Trail The small village features a single street lined with several coffee shops, a bar and an art gallery. Cycling to the nearby Discovery Centre, we viewed its exhibits before continuing our ride through desert-like Tablelands to Trout Lake. Located between Gros Morne National Park’s Trout River and Woody Point, the Tablelands’ ultramafic rock or peridotite illustrates a unique landscape, one thought to have originated several hundred million years ago during a glacial plate collision in the Earth’s mantle. Overlooking Trout Pond, Dan and Riley whipped together another picnic lunch. This time they served the local bakery’s homemade pea soup with warm bread.

A 2-mile walk to Western Brook Pond (lake) followed a dirt trail with wooden walkways covering bogs and marshes. About 9,000 years ago, Western Brook Pond, home to salmon, brook trout and arctic char, became landlocked. The pond is not considered a fiord because it is enclosed. Following a picnic of pasta salad, fine cheeses and smoked salmon, we rode 30 miles to Portland Creek, a small waterfront village hosting a population of 77 residents.

Patches of fenced land, some with scarecrows, along the two-lane Trans Canada Highway provide vegetable gardens

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Our final two nights would be the unique and charming for locals. The lanes are wide without shoulders. Drivers and accommodations at Quirpon Lighthouse Inn. We were shuttled truckers were bicycle friendly and gave us wide berth. The trip 40 minutes through Iceberg Alley in an outboard boat. Guests was designed so that much of our riding time had the added with fragile stomachs can choose a more strenuous alternative bonus of a strong tailwind. to the sometimes rocky boat ride by hiking 3 miles from We enjoyed the 19-year-old Entente Cordiale, which has five Grandmother’s Cove, which is a calm 15-minute boat ride across rooms plus an attached suite. The next day’s lunch was served the bay to the far end of the island. next to the highway adjacent to stored lobster traps and a field Disembarking at Quirpon’s primitive rubber dock, we hiked for of lupine. We dined on hot seafood chowder, Montreal beef, 15 minutes up a wet, gravel road to the inn, which is adjacent to pickled herring and fine cheeses. Our departure from Portland the 1922 still-in-use lighthouse. Howling wind, pouring rain and Creek to Main Brook’s Tuckamore Lodge was a long 180-mile choppy waves limited our ability ride. This exceptionally long distance, to view the numerous whales and dictated by the scarcity of lodging seasonal icebergs typically sighted options, is a day when most riders in the glass-fronted viewing graciously accept a lift in the van. building.

While Ontarian Claire Coire rode Following our stay at Quirpon we the entire route, she was a heralded • A clear evaluation of physical limitations is required were shuttled either to the airport exception. After a single night at for this trip. Keep in mind there are numerous options. in St. Anthony or Deer Lake to Tuckamore Lodge, known for its Those who don’t cycle can ride in the shuttle van. catch our return flights. hunting and fishing opportunities, we • Advance training is very useful. The ability to ride 20 Traveling with Freewheeling is pedaled to the region settled by the miles between 10-15 mph or two-three weekly gym all about adventure. We cycled Vikings. spin classes should be adequate.

Archaeologically and historically our own limits, hiked and enjoyed • Riders can determine the distance they want to ride by letting the shuttle driver know in advance or scenic boat rides. Newfoundland significant L’Anse aux Meadows signal when the van passes them along the road. offers a beautiful landscape with includes a museum in addition to Freewheeling offers electric-assist E-bikes, which are friendly residents. Its remoteness remnants of the sturdy turf buildings handy for long distances and hilly terrain. and distance makes it a unique the Norse used for winter camping.

• Just in case, be prepared for rain, and carry bug spray Canadian province.

During their North Atlantic voyages, and sunscreen. they encountered aboriginals including the Innu, Beothuk and Mi’kmaq.

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Haven’t you always wanted to go to Israel?

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From Generation to Generation A trip to Israel for Adults 55+ Our belief is that it is not enough to send our children and grandchildren to Israel...We too must visit!

L’Dor V’Dor is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that was created to make travel to Israel affordable to adults 55 and older.

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(818) 943-1407 ldorvdorisrael.com UPCOMING TRIP • October 15-28, 2015 Applications available online

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 25

Seniors

To Life

Words of Wisdom NEVER Grow Old

By Amy Hirshberg Lederman

I grew up in a house where words were the currency by which my brother and I gained recognition. Unlike most of our peers, where parental approval was dished out for things like making the varsity team or getting straight A’s, my dad’s highest form of praise came as a result of the words we used and how we used them. It’s no surprise, I suppose, that my brother got his doctorate in English linguistics, and I make my living as a wordsmith by writing and teaching.

But I’m not complaining. I absolutely loved the form and sound of words as they rolled around in my mouth. Gargantuan, entropy, neophyte, sophomoric. Each word offered worlds of possibilities, in phrases and sentences I could casually throw out like confetti at a parade.

In You Can’t Go Home Again, Thomas Wolfe wrote these powerful words: "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ... back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time – back home to the escapes of time and memory." While it’s true that we can’t go back to the time and places of our childhood, we can recapture a part of our youth if we remember the words of wisdom that our parents shared with us as we were growing up.

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In my home, an abundance of wisdom was served along with the four food groups at the dinner table. When things were going well for my dad at work, when our family was happy and healthy, he would look at us wistfully and say, “If I could only stop the clock right now …”

When I came come home from school crying because my glasses were stolen, or years later, when my luggage was lost on a trip overseas, he would calmly remark, “Just remember, if you have a problem that money can fix, it’s the best type of problem to have.”

My mother offered another type of wisdom that often sounded more like admonitions than aphorisms. Walking through Loehman’s she would counsel me quietly: “You can never be too rich, too thin or own too many silk blouses,” a maxim that was lost on a girl who rejected the establishment and loved tie-dyed T-shirts. But there were also extremely insightful truisms that I think of to this day, such as the time my mom looked at me knowingly when I can home from college and said, “Everyone has a public life, a private life and a secret life. You will too.”

And my favorite lesson in parenting came when from my mother as I triple-belted my son into his infant seat. “We never used seat belts when you grew up, and you turned out just fine!”

Jewish tradition is replete with wisdom teachings, the most famous of which is contained in Pirkei Avot, or Ethics of the Fathers. The sayings found in this final book of the Mishnah offer moral advice and insights that are spiritual, practical and timeless. Over 2,000 years ago, people needed the same kind of guidance to navigate the seas of uncertainty as we do today, which is why Ben Zoma taught the following. “Who is wise? He who learns from every man … Who is a hero? He who controls his passions.” And why Rabbi Hillel cautioned, “Don’t judge your fellow man until you are in his place …” and reminded us “Don’t say I will study when I have time, for you may never find the time.”

I love the wisdom of our sages that has expanded from generation to generation and been passed down to us. From Rashi to Maimonides to the Baal Shem Tov and Rav Kook, from Abraham Joshua Heschel to Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, wisdom teachings have informed and guided Jewish living and enhanced our ability to see beyond the immediacy of our daily lives.

And whenever I feel upset or frustrated with what’s going on in my own life, I remember my father’s words and am comforted.

“This too shall pass,” he would tell me with an assuring voice.

And in time, it always does.

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

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26 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Alexander Daas

Mahoney Law Office, PLLC

Take pressure off your heart It works hard for you

By Dr. Danika Bowen Carrington College Feeling overworked? Try being a heart!

Your heart is under pressure to perform 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And if you are among the one in three adults in the United States living with high blood pressure, you run the risk of your heart “quitting” on you at any time – and you probably don’t even know it.

High blood pressure is virtually symptom-free; the American Heart Association estimates that while more than 78 million people in the United States have high blood pressure, half don’t even know it. Uncontrolled and untreated high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, erectile dysfunction, aneurysm, kidney failure, atherosclerosis (fatty buildup in the arteries) and even blindness.

Blood Pressure Blood pressure is the force of blood on the walls of the blood vessels as blood flows through them. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this pressure naturally rises and falls during the day, but when it is consistently too high, it is considered high blood pressure. The medical term is hypertension.

High Blood Pressure If your blood pressure is closer to 120-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic, you are considered to have prehypertension. If your blood pressure is 140 systolic or above 90 diastolic, you are considered to have high blood pressure, or hypertension.

While the exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown, the AHA reports the following potential risk factors to developing the condition: Obesity · Inactivity · Smoking · Heavy alcohol use · High-sodium diet· Stress· Heredity · Race – African-Americans develop high blood pressure at a higher rate than any other race.· Age – Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 35; women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after menopause.

Combating High Blood Pressure Among the easiest ways to reduce slightly elevated blood pressure or prehypertension: · Lose weight; Add foods with potassium, magnesium, calcium, lean proteins and fiber to your diet ;Limit foods with sodium, transfats and saturated fats in your diet;Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke In observance of National High Blood Pressure Education Month in May, Carrington College’s 18 campuses nationwide are attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the most blood pressure tested in an eight-hour period on May 21, 2015. To join in this world record attempt and get your blood pressure checked for free, visit Carrington College’s North Valley, Mesa or West Phoenix campuses on May 21 anytime from 11am to 7pm. No appointment necessary.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 29

Just 3 Things makes Holly Packer happy

By Janet Arnold

30 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

It is hard – perhaps impossible – for

Harper. "They come here hungry. If we could help to remove food insecurity, it would go a long way in contributing to their most of us to imagine a day without enough food to eat. From well-being and success." time to time we'll declare "I'm starving!" followed by devouring Holly had no idea. She learned that more than 600 teens in a meal of our choice and settling back with a satisfied sigh.

Arizona are abandoned each year because they "age out" of the Yet for too many in our country, not having enough to eat foster care system. Half are destined never to graduate from high is a stark reality. We may not notice it in our daily lives, or school or get a job, and a quarter of them will become homeless. even think about it, but it's there and it's real. And it's all the She hadn't considered something as basic as food would be a more heartbreaking when we think of the group – the children major factor in trying to turn their lives around. and teens – that makes up such a large Gina explained that while food banks percentage of the devastating statistics. do a great job for families, they were less One of Jewish Family and Children's convenient for teens, most of whom had no Services most successful programs for transportation and didn't really need large teens and young adults from this at“We’re finding more bags and boxes of groceries. Since the youth risk population is called Real World kids who collect or give were already making the effort to get to Job Development. Started in 2006, the RWJD, if there were a way they could have food in honor of their bar/ specialized program provides services the food brought to them at that location, it to youth between the ages of 14 and 21 bat mitzvahs. Book clubs would be a huge boon to them. who are phasing out of the foster care are also great collection It was spring 2011. Holly's son was system into independence, dealing with married April 30; Holly began work on the sites. Pantry food can emotional or mental health challenges new project on May 1. She laid out plans to and/or living in out-of-home placements. be donated in lieu of a develop the concept into a reality.

Staffed with trained, knowledgeable and hostess gift. And I’m very "I started thinking about what could be caring professionals, the program provides done to assist these young people. I realized excited that some people a variety of services to the young people. that not everyone can write a check each are asking for donations to Among the offerings are literacy skills, month, but nearly everyone could donate GED education and support, job training, the pantry rather than gifts three food items." With that, the program individual and group living, skills training, called Just 3 Things was launched with the for their children at their job referrals and more. goal of having a well-stocked food pantry birthday parties.”

When Holly Packer toured the facility available to the participants at RWJD. at 23rd Avenue and Dunlap in Phoenix, The concept is beautiful in its simplicity: she was both impressed and touched by collection boxes are placed around town the myriad of services offered to the young at high-traffic areas such as synagogues, people to help them earn high school the JCC and others. The food is delivered degrees and gain meaningful employment, to RWJD, where the clients stock and as well as teaching them life skills. maintain the pantry.

"How can I help?" she asked. It was When asked how the food gets from the explained to her that the program didn't collection boxes to the facility, Holly smiles need volunteers as such, that the staff was and says, "It just works!" Her response is highly trained in dealing with the types of another indication of her humility. In reality, problems associated with this particular "it just works" because Holly makes it work. population.

She contacts agencies and organizations "But there must be something I can do," to educate them about the need and to she insisted. Holly has a B.S. in nursing encourage donations through food drives and had served for a number of years on and ongoing collections. She corrals new the Foster Care Review Board. Her four donors. She personally goes around to children were nearly grown; the empty collection boxes; she'll meet people in nest was growing close. She had been on convenient parking lots to save them travel the board of the Jess Schwartz Jewish time; she's even found food left on her Community High School and had worked Josh Feinberg collected PB&J for the doorstep. Some individuals take their own pantry when he turned 5. with the Crisis Nursery. While she enjoyed food to the site, but generally it's Holly and those stints, she found that board work was Jeff, Valley residents since 1984, who are not really her thing. Her husband, Jeffrey, is a doctor, and Holly doing the schlepping. Jeff also does all of the IT work necessary felt both fortunate – and humbled – by the fact that she didn't to help with their monthly newsletter and marketing. "have" to work. She was looking for an opportunity to make a The program is thriving. "People want to help," Holly says. real difference.

"They want to contribute." And she has made some great "Well, there is something," responded RWJD Director Gina

JUST 3 THINGS: Just3thingspantry@gmail.com | Justthreethings.org | Hollyfoxpacker@gmail.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 31

Britaniegh Walton and Logan Richardson show off the pantry at the the Just 3 Things food pantry for Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Real World Job Development program.

alliances. This year, for example, Purim groggers at several of the Jewish preschools had been created out of macaroni boxes. After the holiday, the schools "recycled" the full, unopened boxes by donating them to the pantry.

A long-time member of Temple Chai in north Phoenix, Holly finds it easy to make the Jewish connection to the work she's doing.

"On Sukkot we are commanded by the Torah to give to the poor the gleanings of our field,” she says.

“While we may not have the fields nearby, we can still contribute. We worked with Pardes Jewish Day School, and they asked their students to bring food to their Sukkot Under the Stars event. It was so wonderful!"

But of course, there is always a need for more. The program has extended to the JFCS Catalina Health Center, a new 24,000-square-foot, state-of-theart integrated primary medical and behavioral health clinic located in the Maryvale neighborhood of Phoenix, serving 8,500 children, adolescents and adults. And Holly hopes for still more locations.

"We want to make this a reality in all of the mental health facilities run by JFCS, as well,” she says. “That means we'll need a lot more food!"

Mario Lippy from the Catalina

Health Center reports there has been an immediate impact with the extension of the program to their facility. He recently sent Holly a note including quotes from several staff members, with comments such as: "Members appreciate not only the food, but that they are being thought of;" "The children look forward to the healthy snacks and have learned to share, take turns and use manners;" and "We're showing the teens the difference between healthy snacks like trail mix and granola bars as alternatives to chips and Cheetos, and we do food demonstrations with whole wheat pasta and alternative grains such as quinoa and brown rice. Having the options here allows us to have the tools we need to educate and empower clients to make healthier food choices in their lives every day."

The staff at RWJD feels much the same. Gina Harper says, "Holly is a lifesaver! She is so generous in spirit and of her time to help our youth with some of their most basic needs. Her efforts and creativity with seeking out other generous donors has grown tremendously over the years. This has been great because the needs of the program have also grown.

Whenever our needs change or

The program is thriving.

"People want to help," Holly says. "They want to contribute." And she has made some great alliances.

This year, for example, Purim groggers at several of the Jewish preschools had been created out of macaroni boxes. After the holiday, the schools "recycled" the full, unopened boxes by donating them to the pantry.

32 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

grow in a certain area, Holly seeks out those who can help. This could be with nonfood items as well, like personal hygiene items that the youth cannot afford or purchase with food stamps.

Holly makes it happen! She has a heart of gold and is one who truly makes a difference!"

Holly doesn't want to hear praise about herself, though. She's focused on the program and how to increase capacity to include all the mental health centers. She also notes that with summer coming, the need is greater than ever. "Donations always fall off as summer approaches, but the needs of the kids don't," she passionately points out.

Help is always needed. Currently Holly is looking for a volunteer to help with the website.

And many have found creative ways to get involved that Holly likes to share.

"We're finding more kids who collect or give food in honor of their bar/bat mitzvahs," she says. "What a great way to put a personal stamp on giving. Book ~ Holly Packer clubs are also great collection sites.

Pantry food can be donated in lieu of a hostess gift. And I'm very excited that some people are asking for donations to the pantry rather than gifts for their children at their birthday parties."

Alison and Michael Feinberg love to mark their kids' important milestones with celebrations. But as Alison says, "Birthday parties are super fun, but they can be overwhelming and expensive when you have three children. …If you have a party where you've invited a lot of children, there is the mountain of gifts to be brought home and acknowledged.”

Alison says she enjoys helping her children select gifts for

their friends. But, she says, “At some point, it's just too much stuff. We firmly believe in the importance of teaching our children the values of tzedakah and the difference between a ‘need’ and ‘want.’ How can we have so many toys in our house when there are hungry kids out there? Just 3 Things made it so easy for us to do this by having a collection bin at the JCC." When the Feinberg’s daughter, Nora, turned 10, they collected macaroni and cheese, and 5-year-old-son Josh collected peanut butter and jelly. For her 8th birthday, daughter Sadie collected Gatorade and water, which is very much in demand, especially during the long, hot Arizona summer. The Feinbergs belong to Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale, where Alison is a member of the board of directors as fundraising chair.

Emily Mallin and Jason Klein also welcomed the project into their family.

As Emily says, "We have tried to instill in our girls the importance of tzedakah and hopefully have inspired them to want to serve others. We have always used their birthdays and other events as opportunities to help others.”

Emily notes that last year seemed to mark an increase in homeless people on street corners holding signs asking for help. Her girls asked lots of questions about this, which led to discussions and suggestions about how the family could help.

“The idea for having birthday guests donate to Just 3 Things came from one of these conversations,” Emily says. “The girls feel really proud when they come up with the idea for how to use their event as an opportunity to do a mitzvah, and they love helping to put together the items for donation. They already are

“Donations always fall off as summer approaches, but the needs of the kids don’t.”

Randi Jablin, left, presents the Women’s Philanthropy Spirit of Jeannette Award to (from left) Nancy Herman, Kim Kotzin, Karen Nagle and Holly Packer for their leadership and dedication to the Women’s Philanthropy League.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 33

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Eliana and Sara Klein collect food items for Just 3 Things rather than ask for gifts for their birthdays.

developing a strong sense of community and social justice."

The Mallin-Klein family belongs to Beth El Congregation, where their 4-year-old daughter, Sara, attends preschool, and where the Mallin family has been active for several generations. Daughter Eliana is 7 and attends Tesseract.

Holly has been recognized by several groups for the work she is doing, though she is quick to minimize the honors, always preferring to give the credit to others. In 2012 JFCS nominated her for the Spirit of Philanthropy Award, which she received from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. At the Women's Philanthropy Ignition luncheon in March, she was presented with the 2015 “Spirit of Jeannette” Continuing Service Award by Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

(The award was established in memory of Dr. Jeannette Flom, who exemplified philanthropy in the Jewish community.) Recently, she received the Canyon Ranch Inspiration Award, to celebrate the Tucson world-class health resort and spa's 35th anniversary and in association with Health magazine. Holly did have to admit, with a somewhat embarrassed grin, that she was really looking forward to spending the awarded 4-day Canyon Ranch stay with her daughter.

The number three figures prominently in Judaism.

Shimon HaTzaddik said, "On three things the world stands. On Torah, on service (of God) and on acts of

human kindness."

Pirke Avot teaches that just as a stool needs three legs to stand, our spiritual lives also have a three-part balance, delineating the parts as Teshuva (return to purity), Tefillah (prayer) and Tzedakah.

Though tzedakah is often translated as "charity," it is more specifically "righteousness, i.e., doing the right thing."

As found on Aish.com, "At its highest level, tzedakah requires us to 'understand' another human being: Who is he? What does he lack? How can I help him fulfill his role in life? Then I need to act."

Holly Packer has always striven to have a life in balance. Those who’ve seen her in action recognize that she has embraced the highest level of tzedakah and put her time, energies and devotion to understanding the needs of a greatly underserved population. She saw that they lack the most basic of necessities: food. She created a system by which she could facilitate assistance. And she is acting upon her convictions. Holly is a reminder that all of us have the ability to really make a difference.  Â

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 35

[ FOOD]

TRY IT, YOU MIGHT LIKE IT ...

CORNER

By Lucia Schnitzer

The joy of discovering a new delicious vegetable may inspire you to broaden your culinary journey. We get so used to the familiar and “safe” staple vegetables day in and day out that we forget the colorful and tasty bouquet of other fruits and vegetables that await us.

Kale is an example of veggies waiting to be discovered. No one knew about it or even knew what to do with it until we became courageous and dared ourselves to explore something new.

The change of seasons has always motivated me to try new recipes or add a new food or spice. This spring I was introduced to kohlrabi, which resembles a cross between a radish, cabbage and artichoke, and is shaped like a beet. I just had to know what the heck this strange looking vegetable was, and what to do with it. Eaten raw, kohlrabi has a faint bite like a sweet radish and tastes like the happy marriage of a turnip and cabbage. You can roast kohlrabi or saute its leaves like you would Swiss chard or kale.

My other curious foe was okra. This one is a hard sell, because either you’re going to love it or hate it for its unique mucilaginous (think sticky or slimy) texture.

It’s important to cook or dehydrate it for a perfect introduction to this very tasty vegetable. Chopped or sliced, okra can be stewed or fried (fritters) under low-heat oil in order to soften its texture. It then can be mixed with other vegetables, rice or meat.

Aside from the flavor, some of the best reasons for eating kohlrabi and okra are the nutritional benefits. Low in carbs and calories but high in dietary fiber and antioxidants, these vegetables are a dieter's dream. So the next time you are at a farmers market, look for those unfamiliar veggies and dare yourself to explore.

3 medium kohlrabi, peeled thinly 3 large bulbs fennel 1 bunch scallions, white and light-green parts, cut on the diagonal into ½-inch slices Juice from 3 large lemons ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt Cut the kohlrabi and fennel in half; discard the cores. Cut the halves into very thin slices and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the scallions, lemon juice and oil, mixing well to combine. Add the salt and taste; adjust accordingly. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Fennel and Kohlrabi Salad

IF YOU LIKE:

Carrots try parsnips Plums try figs Lettuce try bok choy Potatoes try Jerusalem artichokes Spinach try Swiss chard Some produce can be hard to find. Try your local farmers market or AJ’s. Some carry kohlrabi and can bring in any specialty produce for you.

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.

36 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Middle Eastern Okra

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2 pounds okra 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, minced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1½ cups hot water ¼ cup tomato paste 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute regular paprika) ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) ¼ teaspoon cayenne, or to taste Prepare the okra by rinsing it clean, then slicing off the top and bottom tips of each piece. At this point the okra will feel slimy. Don’t worry, it will lose that texture as it cooks.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and saute, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize.

When the onions are cooked, add the minced garlic to the pan and saute for another minute till fragrant. Add the okra to the pan and stir. It will feel like a lot of okra at first and the pan will be crowded, but it will quickly shrink up and soften as it cooks.

Whisk together hot water, tomato paste, salt, paprika, red pepper flakes and cayenne. Both the red pepper flakes and cayenne add heat.

Pour the tomato liquid evenly over the top of the okra.

Bring to a boil.

Cover the saute pan with a lid, vented at the edge. Reduce heat to a simmer. Let the okra cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so until the largest pieces of okra have softened to your liking. Add more salt or spice to taste, if desired.

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6505 N. 7th Street • Suite 105 • Phoenix, AZ 85014 www.LaBellaPizzeriaAndRestaurant.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 37

An Unlikely Mother:

A personal essay for Mother’s Day

By Nadine Schnitzer

Having had my mother for only the first five years of my life, I am probably the least likely person to write about mothers. This lack, however, I believe has made me a keen observer. It has also made me continually surprised and awed by the joys and challenges of motherhood. My memories are very few of my own mother, as she spent much of those years ill or in hospitals ... but still I often thank her for the memory of having been loved by her.

Somehow though, those few memories have guided my life and my relationship with my own children. I often would try to be the mother I believed she would have been. A memory though is not a real person, and no one can live up to a memory of a "perfect mother." In my imagination she was never angry or irritable; and of course she never grew old. So when I judged myself against this mother, I believed I fell short.

Growing up without a mother was also frightening and lonely.

It was during those young years that I began to see myself as a branch, not attached to a trunk and without any roots. Losing both my father and brother by the time I was 20 added to this sense of rootlessness – living in a world in which I was not grounded.

When I gave birth and fell in love with my own three sons, the wonder of being a mother was with me constantly. I could not get over how much joy I came to know. With this joy though was also the realization of the void I experienced as a young child, as a teenager and then as a young mother. The more time that passed, the more acutely I missed that connection and felt the loss.

Soon though, daily life and responsibilities were what life was about. Then another surprise came to this unlikely mother.

My oldest son began to study Torah and brought to his mother and family a new idea and richer life. He brought a community, a heritage and an extended family that was unknown to me. I learned of our holidays (with instructions from my sons) and how to make a Friday night special. Now, I became a special mother – a Jewish Mother. I was no longer modeling my life after my mother, but creating something of myself. Still though I felt the void, always looking for that mother or mother figure I could attach myself to and love. The time when the loss became even more evident was when I observed my daughterin-law with her own daughters. How she concerned herself with their health, their appearance, their happiness – wanting life to be joyful and fun. She went to extraordinary measures to teach the girls how to cook, how to set a table and how to act around others. She taught them in words and also by example.

She wanted them to excel in school and took pride in their 38 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

achievements.

Most importantly though, she gave them a sense of their identity and instilled confidence. They operated much like a team – a mother-daughter team – strong in their roles.

This she accomplished while struggling with breast cancer and the debilitating treatments.

My next example came with my newest daughter-in-law, who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the birth of her first child. She dealt with the cancer and an infant daughter with so much determination – wanting to be here for her child. She went on to have three more children, never discouraged from her dream of a large family.

My unbelievable third daughter-in-law faced perhaps the greatest struggles a mother can endure. She has cared for and loved two disabled sons – one unable to walk or talk. This mother managed to love and care for these children as well as her healthy youngest. Despite the challenges, she has given these children a happy and welcoming home. There is laughter and happiness in this home.

No matter the challenges, all three never stopped being mothers and caring for their children. This I came to learn was what being a mother is truly about, and I am eternally grateful to these three beautiful mothers for helping me to understand more.

Now, this motherless girl finds herself the grandmother of 11.

My journey continues, the learning continues and the wonder continues.

Most importantly now is that this motherless daughter no longer searches for the tree to attach to – no longer feels like the branch floating alone.

For now you see, I am that tree. I am the trunk rooted in love with all the branches and leaves surrounding me.

Nadine Schnitzer is a long time resident of the Phoenix area, meeting her husband of 53 years at Central High School. Together they founded and worked together in their food distribution business, Custom Food Service, now in its 43rd year.

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Kids Grant helps Tucson J expand inclusion at camps Tucson J Special Needs Counselors Emily and Adina make sure Audrey is included in the summer fun.

By Janet Arnold

Inclusion is a term we're hearing more and more of these days.

It connotes open, welcoming arms, an acceptance of differences and a way to celebrate the uniqueness in each of us.

The National Inclusion Project has partnered with the Tucson Jewish Community Center to enrich its Summer Camp 2015 program. The goal of the partnership is to provide an inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities can play, learn and laugh together. As part of the partnership, the National Inclusion Project provides $10,000 in grant funding, the Let’s ALL Play program model, training, expertise, annual Power of Play Conference and a wide network of inclusion experts ready to problem-solve and share best practices to ensure no child sits on the sidelines.

Even before its rollout this summer, the program has proven wildly popular and was full at press time. But the J has a waiting list and encourages families to call to be put on the list. Call Kristin Taft, director of special needs services, at 299-3000 ext.

172.

The Tucson J is one of 13 new organizations the National Inclusion Project chose to partner with in 2015. “We believe our partnership with The Tucson J will get us one step closer to making the inclusion of children with disabilities the expectation and not the exception,” says National Inclusion Project Executive Director Jerry Aiken.

Tucson J President and CEO Todd Rockoff says, “We are proud of the work that we do and are honored to partner with the National Inclusion Project.”

Children with disabilities have been welcomed at the Tucson’s J’s summer camp, Camp J, since 1997. This partnership with the National Inclusion Project will help the Tucson J enrich staff knowledge of inclusion methods through new training methods, ensure the J’s program adheres to best practices, incorporate new 40 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

games and activities, and provide scholarship funds for children with disabilities who otherwise could not participate due to financial need.

“We are eager to undertake new staff training opportunities and serve additional campers through our partnership with National Inclusion Project,” Kristin says. “Inclusion is such an important part of the Camp J experience, and these additional resources will help us reach our goal of continual improvement.”

Research shows overwhelming evidence that the Let’s ALL Play model helps children with disabilities improve self-esteem, social skills and confidence, while those without disabilities improved their leadership, problem-solving and empathy skills.

The model makes it possible for all children to come together and participate in recreational activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, community service, physical fitness and more. More importantly, it allows children with and without disabilities to create friendships that may have not been possible in other parts of their lives.

The National Inclusion Project was cofounded in 2003 by entertainer Clay Aiken and serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them. By driving the movement for social inclusion in afterschool programs, summer camps and community-based activities, children of all abilities learn, play and laugh together.

Over the last 12 years, the project has provided training, curriculum, and support to YMCAs, JCCs, Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, Camp Fire USA, children’s museums, zoos and other community organizations looking to become inclusive or enhance their inclusive programs. For more information on the National Inclusion Project and to help ensure no child sits on the sidelines, visit the website inclusionproject.org.

The Tucson J is located at 3800 E River Road in Tucson. 520299-3000, tucsonjcc.org

Valley of the Sun JCC expands special needs camps Summer of 2014 saw the inaugural offering of Camp Ometz, a summer day camp experience created for those children who need some assistance to join the summer fun. A first for the VOSJCC, it was originally scheduled for just one week, but the program was in such demand that a second week was quickly added. Ometz’s success was recently recognized with the Jewish Community Association’s Belle Latchman Community Service Award, which is presented in recognition of an outstanding current contribution to the enhancement of the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area by a local nonprofit Jewish agency, organization, institution or committee.

Building on the positive response from last summer, Ometz 2015 expands to four weeks. The camp will once again be directed by Alex Sachs, known affectionately as Coach Alex.

Alex worked at the JCC for a number of years before she became the executive director of KEEN (Kids Enjoying Exercise Now). KEEN is a national nonprofit that provides recreational opportunities for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities. KEEN's mission is to foster the selfesteem, confidence, skills and talents of its participants through noncompetitive activities, allowing young people facing even the most significant challenges to meet their individual goals.

Similarly, Ometz programs recognize each camper’s potential

in all skill areas. Activities are designed to enhance social, motor, language and other vital life skills that promote greater independence. Emphasis is placed on helping campers make new friends while having fun in a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment. Campers are grouped by age, skill level, camper readiness (and gender for older age groups). All camp groups participate in community-based field trips. Campers’ days are filled with traditional summer camp activities adapted to meet their individual needs. Adaptive physical education, movement, music, adaptive art, swim lessons, socialization and free swim are part of campers’ days.

"The learning goes both ways. Many of our kids and counselors have had little exposure to special needs kids," says Alison Johnston, VOSJCC camp director. “This program is a great opportunity for them to gain exposure and recognize that although special needs kids may have some challenges, they also have their own special gifts. Our project is unique because it highlights the spirit of partnership and how working together we can make a larger impact, not only for the children with special needs and their families, but also in the community at large. And we are proud of the fact that we can offer exposure to Jewish values."

Camp Ometz is offered May 26-29, June 15-19, July 6-10 and July 27-31. Fee is $280 for members and $330 for nonmembers.

Contact youth@vosjcc.org for more information.

The Valley of the Sun JCC is located on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.

480-483-7121, vosjcc.org

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 41

Kids

Sleep disorder may have Jewish genetic link

man. After hours of research back in 2013, Randi discovered that hypersomnolence is a symptom of a rare neurological sleep It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. Your 17-year-old son comes disorder known as Kleine-Levin Syndrome. “As I read the home from high school not able to distinguish reality from fansymptoms,” Randi tells me, “I kept seeing the same symptoms tasy. You panic. Alcohol? Drugs? How did you miss the signs? that Mathew was exhibiting: periodic episodes of hypersomnia, You immediately kick into action and take compulsive eating, cognitive impairment. I said to him to the doctor, the psychologist, the psymyself, ‘This has to be it!’ ” chiatrist. He ends up with a series of diagnoses The more Randi learned about Kleine-Levin over the next month: bipolar disorder, subSyndrome, the more convinced she was that her stance abuse, mood disorder, attention deficit son was afflicted with KLS. Then she discovered disorder – or all of the above with hyperactivthat there is an Ashkenazi Jewish genetic link to ity. the disorder. There is no treatment. There is no He seems to erupt into psychotic episodes cure. The disease seems to show up mysteriously monthly. What is happening? Then one day at in the late teens and disappear just as mysteriously, a routine psychiatric visit he becomes exhaustusually when the patient is in his 20s. ed and simply has to lie down and sleep. The Mathew went through a myriad of tests: EEG, doctor is concerned about him driving in this Mathew Sherman MRI, sleep studies. Everything indicated normal condition and calls you to tell you what’s going brain activity. But Randi was convinced it was on. She mentions “hypersomnolence” and you KLS, which can only be diagnosed by excluding shift into research mode. all other possible illnesses. She printed off articles and presented This is the story of Randi Jablin and her son Mathew Sherthem to Mathew’s team of doctors. While not a single doctor

By Debra Rich Gettleman

Going to the doctor’s office

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had ever heard of KLS, they all concurred that Mathew’s symptoms indicated that he did have the disorder.

“How many people out there may be walking around with this disease and be misdiagnosed because no one has heard of this?”

Randi asks. She then goes on to explain her determination “to educate as many people about it as possible.”

Today Mathew is 21 and coping well with his disorder. He recently came out about it on Facebook, which has helped both him and his mother in alleviating the stress, shame and secrecy surrounding Mathew’s illness. There’s even a Facebook support group for KLS sufferers. Finding others who share the symptoms of this rare disorder has given Mathew some piece of mind.

“He feels a sense of relief when he can talk to others who are experiencing the same things that he is during episodes,” says Randi. The Internet has provided Mathew with the knowledge that he is not alone and that there is a community of people who understand and support him on his path to wellness.

Mathew had planned to attend an out-of-state university before being stricken with KLS. He chose instead to stay in Arizona for college to keep his family and support network close by. As a junior at Arizona State University, he has been living successfully on campus and attending classes with minimal interruption. “During his first several episodes,” Randi candidly offers, “Mathew needed to be monitored 24/7. But now, he and I have this down to a science.” Randi makes sure to have a key to Mathew’s apartment and cell phone numbers for roommates and close friends in case of emergency. “He has accommodations through the ASU Disability Resource Center so that his teachers are aware of his situation.” Randi is proud of her son’s ability

to manage his disease and maintain an impressive 3.5 GPA. Mathew does miss out on certain college experiences like drinking and all-nighters, as both alcohol and lack of sleep can trigger KLS episodes. He also decided to skip his planned Birthright trip because of the sleep-deprivation likelihood. These are tough decisions for a young man to make. But Mathew is committed to his wellness routine and continues to do well because of it.

He’s been taking lithium for about a year and has gone the longest ever between episodes. Randi isn’t sure if it’s the drug or his aging out of the disease. “Perhaps it is because I was in Israel during his last episode, and I started saying a Mishebeirach and have said one ever since when I’m praying in a synagogue,” she says.

As of today, there is no cure for KLS. But Stanford University has been studying the disorder for several years. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa has also been involved in several sleep studies related to KLS. China, too, has become a partner in KLS research.

When I ask Randi what she wants people to know about KLS, she says, “I’d like them to be aware of the main symptoms so that if they hear of anyone who may be exhibiting these symptoms, they might be able to direct those people to KLS to see if that could be what the person has. Also, I want people to know that there could be a Jewish genetic link to KLS.” Randi mentions a study that found 17% of KLS sufferers living in Israel.

For more information or to make a donation to KLS, visit the website at klsfoundation.org. You can also see a video Mathew made about coping with KLS on the website.

Your Ultimate Summer Vacation…

Come in and see what the BUZZ is all about!

Join in May

& receive 30 days FREE, No Enrollment Fee, plus a $20 Gift Certificate*

Tucsonjcc.org | Tucson JCC | 3800 E. River Rd. *Offer for new 12-month membership plan only. Not to be combined with any other offer. Gift Certificate good for any Tucson J program excluding Personal Fitness. Expires June 5, 2015.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 43

Kids

Family Time

All moms are not the same

By Debra Rich Gettleman

I have post-traumatic stress disorder. I just discovered it a few days ago when my friend Tina invited me to work out at a park in North Phoenix. We were going to invent a fun workout running between the swings, the slides and the monkey bars. I was up for the challenge, water bottle in hand. But I wasn’t prepared for the dark secret of my past that reared its ugly head upon our arrival. The park was infested with happy young mothers who were enjoying conversing while watching their toddlers scamper across faux wooden bridges, dart into carefully crafted tunnels and whisper into the all-time favorite metal whispering funnel that carries little voices from one end of the playground to the other. I started to have trouble breathing.

“Are you OK?” Tina asked.

“Yeah,” I said, “I’m fine. I’m … just having a little reaction I guess.” My heart started racing and I felt slightly lightheaded.

“I used to …” It was painful getting the words out. “I used to … take my kids to the park when they were little. It was so … so …

HORRIBLE!” I finally allowed the ugly utterance to escape my lips.

“What do you mean, it was horrible?” Tina was slightly aghast at my unexpected revelation.

“I used to hate it,” I said. “I never seemed to make friends at the park. Everyone was already paired up by the time I arrived.

No one ever wanted to chat with me. It was like I kept missing the memos that we were supposed to show up an hour earlier, all in LuLu Lemon, with matching water bottles. I always felt like the awkward teenager at the dance alone, with my overstuffed, unkempt diaper bag and extra duffle full of food, dry clothes, sunscreen and a multitude of kid-friendly beverage choices. I was like the least organized mom on the planet and it showed.”

“I’m sure you’re exaggerating,” Tina said, smiling warmly. “You make friends so easily.”

“I’m not!” I said emphatically. “I did not fit into this world. It was like I didn’t want to talk about whatever moms talked about, and I wasn’t put together like everyone else seemed to be. I was a wreck, all the time.”

Suddenly we were interrupted by a cadre of muscular moms rushing past us as they race-walked through the park pushing their three-wheeled, all-terrain BOB Revolution joggers with sleeping babies snuggly tucked inside. My breathing became labored. I felt myself losing balance.

“Breathe,” Tina cautioned. “You’re as white as a ghost.” She shuttled me over to a bench and maneuvered me into the infamous “head between the knees” position. “Your kids are much older now. You don’t ever need to take them to a park again.

You’re safe now.”

After a few minutes I felt myself calming down a bit. “I’m so embarrassed,” I confided. “This just brings up so much for me.”

Since Tina was childless by choice, I didn’t feel like sharing all 44 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

of my maternal angst. But there was one thing I couldn’t hold in any longer.

“The worst part of going to the park,” I blurted out, “was having to leave. It was like this cruel, ironic joke. My kids would BEG me to take them to the park all the time. But no matter how often I took them, or how long we stayed, they were inconsolably miserable whenever I announced that it was time to go home.”

“But you seem to love being with your kids now,” Tina said, trying to jostle me out of the darkness.

“It’s much easier for me now,” I explained. “I just wasn’t good with the baby and toddler stages. I was constantly freaked out about … everything. I wanted to make them happy and play with them, but no matter how much fun we had, they were always disappointed that the fun couldn’t last longer. Do you understand how frustrated that could make someone?”

“I do,” my kind friend affirmed, with a genuine warmth and compassion that gave me permission to dig further into my past pain.

“Plus you see how all these kids are playing together, and all the moms are gabbing away in the distance? My kids never left my side. They refused to ever play with anyone but me. It was like I was the only playmate they wanted, and I was tired and I didn’t really want to always climb the rock wall and hide in the dungeon pretending I was stowing away on a cargo ship. I mean, once in a while I could be that mom. I just couldn’t be it 24/7, and I feel really sad that I couldn’t. It’s like I continually let them down.”

By now I was crying. This was truly embarrassing. Tina wrapped her arms around me and just kept saying, “You’re a good mom. You’re a really good mom. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

As days have passed since “the incident,” I see things a little more clearly. I need to accept that I wasn’t great at the 24/7 mothering thing. I tried. But it wasn’t who I was. I needed adult time and time to work, to write, to create art. I just couldn’t survive without those things. I’ve come to realize that I’m more like a maternal sprinter than a marathon mom. And that’s OK, because we aren’t all going to fit into the same motherly mold.

I love my kids more than anything in the world. I’m sorry that I didn’t take them to the park more, that I always felt like the mom from the Island of Misfit Toys, that I was so neurotic I couldn’t relax and just play for hours on end. But life goes on and they seem to be really good, really happy young men. So maybe I should lighten up a bit and just accept myself for who I am.

Because frankly, there’s no other alternative.

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

Kids & Teen

EVENTS May May 1, 8, 15, 22

11:15 am during morning services and again at 5:30 pm! This is such a fun party and important mitzvah, especially for the kids!

RSVP to info@chabadcenter.com or call 480-855-4333

May 26

Summer camp begins at most facilities today! Make sure your child is signed up for a great summer experience!

Shabbat and Me is a new, free Shabbat enrichment program with singing, storytelling, crafts and blessings with challah and juice. Offered three Fridays in May, 10-11 am at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road and one Shabbat on the Go: May 1, Shabbat vases; May 8, Shabbat on the Go at Mildred and Dildred, 2905 E Skyline Dr.; May 15, kippahs; May 22: spice bags. RSVP to Julie

Ongoing:

Zorn at 520-299-3000, ext. 236, or jzorn@tucsonjcc.org

Road. 480-483-7121, ext. 1275, vosjcc.org or youth@vosjcc.org

May 3

J-Care Afterschool Program at the Tucson JCC

"pasta, pizza and pesto too" at noon at the Chabad of the East Valley, Pollack Center for Jewish Life, 875 N McClintock Dr. in Chandler. Grades 1-6. Bring a sack lunch. $12. 480-855-4333,

3800 E River Road, 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org

Kids in the Kitchen visits Italy with La Bella Cucina, featuring

chabadcenter.com

May 7

Dig with Dad Get your hands dirty with Dad! Come to the Valley of the Sun JCC (12701 N Scottsdale Road) 4:30-5:30 pm and plant some beautiful flowers in a pot decorated by you and Dad, just in time for Mother’s Day. Members $30 per dad and child pair; nonmembers $40. add $15 for each additional child. VOS JCC,.

Club J at the Valley of the Sun JCC Provides afterschool programming ranging from sports to cooking and crafts to Israeli culture and more for those in K-8.

Transportation from nearby schools available. 12701 N Scottsdale

Includes activities, help with homework or teens can hang in the Youth lounge. Bus transportation from schools available for K-12.

J-Care at the J – East Valley JCC Pick-ups from seven area schools, homework club, cooking, dance, sports, community service projects and much more! EVJCC, 908 N Alma School Road in Chandler. Contact Brandon Welner at 480897-0588 or welnerb@evjcc.org

480-483-7121, vosjcc.org

May 9

Shabbat Yeladim is a free Shabbat program for Jewish children ages 3-7, sponsored by Ahwatukee's NefeshSoul Jewish Community. Second Saturday of each month, 10-11 am the Valley Unitarian Universalist Campus, 6400 W Del Rio St in Chandler. Contact Rabbi Susan Schanerman at rabbi@ NefeshSoul.org or nefeshsoul.org for more information.

May 16

Kids Night Out at the Valley of the Sun JCC: Under the Big Top For ages 4-12. Activities include carnival games, magician, juggling lessons, stilt performer, bounce house, balloon animals, face painting; Movie: Pee Wee’s Big; Top; Food: Veggie dogs, popcorn, slushies cotton candy. 6-11 pm, Morning pick up 8 am. 12701 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Members $45, nonmembers $60; $5 discount on siblings. Overnight option $25.

480-483-7121, ext. 1275, or youth@vosjcc.org

May 24

Shavuot Ice Cream Party at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N McClintock Dr. in Chandler. Two options available to hear the 10 Commandments and enjoy an Ice Cream Party:

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 45

[ CAMPUS]

Students need support in face of anti-Semitic wave with violence by BDS backers and called “kikes” and “dirty Jews.”

As one UCLA Jewish student put it succinctly: “The problem is the anti-Israel culture in which we are singling out only the Most American Jews are well aware of the alarming Jewish state creates an environment where it’s OK to single out upsurge in European anti-Semitism. In fact, Jewish advocacy Jewish students.” organizations on this side of the Atlantic have become quite And it’s hardly a fair fight. SJP has successfully enlisted vocal in demanding that European governments combat this hundreds of far-left professors for their odious campaign to spreading scourge. delegitimize Israel and vilify its supporters. By contrast, Jewish Ironically, when it comes to the rise in anti-Semitism in academics, fearful that partisan political activism could endanger our own backyard – specifically, the kind that breeds under a safely tenured career, are typically reticent to mobilize against the guise of anti-Zionism on U.S. college campuses – many BDS. At the same time, many Jewish students understand that if American Jews seem oblivious to a problem that could get out they stand up for Israel they may be bullied, ostracized, or even of hand if ignored. Moreover, the Jewish community’s response subject to receiving lower grades from pro-BDS professors. to the anti-Semitic climate existing on The anti-Israel forces – among them some campuses has often been less than “career students” who never leave campus – Ironically, when it comes to forceful, even ambiguous and confused. use persuasive, focused messaging under the the rise in anti-Semitism in Just how disturbing has the situation banner of “human rights.” They reach out to our own backyard – specifically, student groups, aggressively lobbying and become? A new study issued jointly by the Washington-based Louis D. recruiting allies, including anti-Zionist Jews the kind that breeds under Brandeis Center and Trinity College in whose presence they exploit to shield SJP the guise of anti-Zionism on Hartford, CN, found that 54 percent of from charges of anti-Semitism. the 1,157 Jewish students surveyed across U.S. college campuses – many Meanwhile, many Hillel directors worry 55 universities reported that they had American Jews seem oblivious that openly and vigorously defending Israel “suffered or witnessed incidents of antito a problem that could get out may alienate students who disagree with Semitism” on their campus. right-wing Israeli government policies. of hand if ignored.

Much of the problem stems from the Similarly, some progressive Jewish campus hate-filled activism of the fanatical group groups put more emphasis on providing a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), whose disdain for Israel “safe space” where students can voice criticism of Israel than they knows no bounds. A main force behind the Boycott, Divestment do on countering the Israel bashers, none of whom share their and Sanctions (BDS) movement, SJP compares Israel to the interest in respectful discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Nazis and apartheid South Africa and invites vehemently antiIt’s imperative that the pro-Israel community close ranks Semitic speakers to campus. They don’t even bother to feign to confront this assault on Israel’s legitimacy. Jewish student civility toward pro-Israel students. organizations need to be provided with sufficient resources to: Consider the following situations from just the past year: sponsor programs that promote a positive and accurate image • In the days leading up to the mid-February passage of a of Israel and its people; cultivate relationships with members student senate anti-Israel divestment resolution at Stanford, of student governments and the leaders of student ethnic and Jewish students reported feeling marginalized and harassed, cultural groups; and help establish strong ties between university with one student saying she was afraid to wear a Jewish star on departments and Israeli academic institutions. campus.

The organized Jewish community must also go on the • Last November at Cornell University, Jewish students offensive against BDS-inspired anti-Semitism. This includes holding a pro-peace rally had their signs grabbed out of their calling out professors who abuse their classroom authority to hands, torn and smeared with ketchup by SJP activists, who advance an anti-Israel agenda under the guise of scholarship yelled obscenities such as “F—k you, Zionist scum.” and holding universities accountable for failure to take swift • In a letter to the campus newspaper last April, several action against anti-Semitic behavior and ensure a secure campus alumni of Vassar College complained that “faculty and student environment. supporters (of BDS) have hijacked campus discourse and We can no longer sit idly by while Israel, imposed an anti-intellectual atmosphere in which professors are which has always provided refuge for Jews ranting activists, not scholars, and students who disagree with fleeing anti-Semitism, becomes the pretext for the prevailing ‘progressive’ (READ: anti-Israel) ideology are Jew hatred on American campuses. intimidated into a deafening silence.”

Robert Horenstein is Community Relations Director of • In March 2014, University of Michigan students refusing to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. His columns support an anti-Israel boycott initiative during a “sit-in” at the frequently appear in Jerusalem Report Magazine. student government’s headquarters were reportedly threatened

By Bob Horenstein (Originally published in the Jerusalem Report Magazine)

46 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Looking for Love The Committed Relationship

By Ellen Gerst

Beliefs about marriage and divorce are part of our culture.

However, some statements may only be myths that are so often repeated that the populace begins to believe in their veracity and, thus, they become part of the collective consciousness. Let’s examine seven of these so-called truths, while recognizing these are gross generalities and there are always exceptions.

1. Having learned lessons from a bad or troubled marriage, each partner goes on to be successful in his or her subsequent relationships.

Unless the time is taken by each partner to address his/her own responsibility in the failure of the relationship, the same mistakes are often repeated. Simply acknowledging the mistakes is not enough. Work must be completed to change the causal behavior.

2. Taking a relationship for a “test drive” by living together increases the chances for a successful marriage. This is not necessarily true, as studies have shown that those who cohabitate before marriage have a greater chance of eventually divorcing. This may be due to the idea that relationships are temporary and can be ended easily. Stronger relationships are formed when a leap of faith is taken (only after thoroughly coming to know your partner) by making a commitment to marriage before moving in together. It illustrates a deep trust in your partner, which is a foundational trait of a strong partnership.

3. Having children, either within the bounds of wedlock or not, creates a strong bond and improves marital satisfaction. Welcoming a baby into a relationship is a time of high stress. If a strong relationship didn’t exist before the child was born, chances are that tension and problems will escalate when both partners are tired, cranky and focused mainly on the child and not as much on each other. In the case of second or subsequent marriages, when merging two families that each have children of various ages, it’s important to allow adequate time for adjustment to the new situation before “expecting” the children to be as happy as the adults. Change, even when it is for the better, is always difficult.

4. Intermittent unhappiness in a relationship does not bode well for its longevity. Life has its ups and downs, and your relationship (as a microcosm of life) will also fluctuate. With two committed partners, storms can be weathered and momentary unhappiness (although it may seem unending to you) can be turned around.

It’s unrealistic to believe that your partner can fulfill your every need. During a tough time with your partner, look for doses of positivity from friends and other areas of your life. These good feelings can buoy the relationship until a better place can be reached within the relationship.

5. Marriage, as an institution, is more beneficial to men than to women. In actuality, men and women both benefit – albeit in different ways. Studies show that married couples live longer, happier and healthier lives. In many instances, men gain greater health benefits while women gain greater financial advantages (or both benefit from a dual income).

6. Luck and love are the two keys to a successful marriage.

Although luck may play a small part in successful relationships, it’s mostly that an appropriate amount of time was taken to

choose a partner well. Establishing a friendship first; sharing common interests, goals and values; being committed to each other and to the marriage; and possessing a willingness to work through issues versus running away at the hint of trouble are some hallmarks of a long-lasting partnership and marriage.

7. Married people have less often sex than single people. This turns out to be a fantasy promulgated by the swinging singles community. According to national studies, married people are not only having more sex, they are enjoying it more – both physically and emotionally.

In truth, while there are universal principles that apply to all relationships, each is as unique as the partners who join together to create it. When a commitment is made to marriage, it’s each partner’s responsibility to do his/her best to honor it fully with love, truth, trust, respect, humility and acceptance.

Q&A Question: I’ve become disillusioned and am losing hope that I will find that special someone. Everyone I meet seems so jaded and emotionally unavailable. Can you help me to understand why?

Answer: There are many reasons why prospective dates might be emotionally unavailable. To name a few: they’ve experienced a bad relationship/marriage and are afraid of getting hurt again; when they’ve previously tried to open up, they get rejected very often and it’s too painful to keep revisiting this situation; they are afraid of responsibility and answering to another person; or they feel love makes them act in foolish ways or become needy and dependent, and they don’t like how that feels. They wish to avoid placing themselves in situations where these types of emotions can surface and, thus, they repel any sort of bid at what feels like commitment.

What these types of people fail to realize is that relationships aren’t about losing control of your life and emotions but rather being the recipient of emotional support in all their endeavors, among other things. However, to reap such benefits, they have to tear down some walls and allow themselves to become vulnerable to another person. This is hard work and often too scary for some to attempt. Many just aren’t ready to reveal their innermost feelings. Remember that men, generally speaking, have been taught that concealing their emotions is a sign of strength, while women know the opposite is true and that you’re most brave (and attractive) when you show/share your weaknesses with another. Unless you want to fight an uphill battle, stay away from the emotionally unavailable until they are ready to confront their own demons and address their fears.

Ellen Gerst is a relationship coach, author and workshop leader. Visit LNGerst.com.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 47

A&E

Danny Katzen and Fred Fox unveil signage at the newly named UA Fred Fox School of Music in February.

Fred Fox School of Music

Family donates $20 million to name school for centenarian music lover

By Janet Arnold

Alan and Daveen Fox wanted to give Alan's father, Fred Fox, a unique gift for his 100th birthday. They wanted to honor him in a very significant way, because he is so special to them and to many others. When they sat down with Ed Reid, who was recently named the new director of the University of Arizona School of Music, they hadn't quite decided what they were going to do. Alan firmly believes his father "is the greatest guy in the world," and wanted to give him a gift that would exemplify his feelings. They knew that Fred has a soft spot in his heart for the school, having taught one of its star professors, Danny Katzen, and having anonymously sponsored woodwind quintets at the school for several years.

After rejecting Ed's first few suggestions of what most would

consider to be sizeable gifts, they agreed on the perfect idea. For a multiyear donation totaling $20 million, the U of A School of Music would be renamed the Fred Fox School of Music. It was a marvelous win-win. The Fox donation will endow three chairs for professors in perpetuity and provide myriad opportunities for students through both endowed scholarships and a general fund.

The school's name was officially changed in mid-February with Fred, Alan and Daveen in attendance at several celebrations.

A master teacher and legendary horn performer, Fred is still actively teaching at 100 and taught a master class while there.

Danny, a French horn teacher and player as well as the associate professor of horn at the U of A, has known Fred for 40 years.

"I had seven horn teachers," Danny explains. "Fred was the seventh. He made all the difference in getting me to the next

University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music: 520-621-1655 | music.arizona.edu 48 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Danny loves teaching music to young people. He reasons, "Even if you don't make it as a pro, you've learned multitasking, cooperation, discipline, time management, love of music and so much more."

Fred Fox (center) with his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Daveen Fox, on the UA campus

level. He had a way of putting concepts into words that would motivate and enable you to do things you didn't think possible."

Danny wanted his students to be able to benefit from Fred's wisdom and techniques as well, and invited him to teach a variety of master classes for the horn students. The Fox family lives in southern California, but Fred has come to the U of A numerous times to teach and to visit Danny.

"He's really something," Danny says admiringly. "He has often left LA at 4 am, taught several master classes here and returned home at 2 am – and he doesn't charge us a penny."

Danny has been at the U of A since 2008, but he has fond memories of an earlier Arizona connection going back to a stint from 1976-78 when he had his first American professional gig with the Phoenix Symphony and tutored bar mitzvah students at Beth El Congregation. In 1979 he became second horn in the Boston Symphony Orchestra and played there for 29 years before arriving at the U of A. He also taught horn at Boston University, the New England Conservatory and CalArts. He can be heard on nearly all the recordings of the BSO and with the Boston Pops from 1979-2000; he also played on film scores such as "Schindler's List," "E.T.," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Jumanji."

Prior to his Phoenix Symphony position, Danny had his first "real job" as a musician in Israel. At age 21, he accompanied his brother to Haifa as a volunteer. The second horn player in a Chamber Music group had been called to war, and Danny was able to step into his place. He even considered making aliyah (his brother actually did), but that didn't come to be.

The Fred Fox School of Music includes nationally and internationally recognized faculty who spend much time with one-on-one teaching and mentoring. More than 500 undergraduate and graduate students are currently enrolled in the school, which is more than 100 years old. The proud "all Steinway" school includes two principal concert halls and boasts that many of its students audition successfully for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Opera Company and other community ensembles. Graduates have gone on to careers throughout the world as K-12 educators, professors, recording artists, chamber and orchestral musicians, composers, arrangers and music industry professionals.

Professor Daniel Katzen and two of his students play alpenhorns to honor Fred Fox at the February gala for the music school renaming.

The power of philanthropy Gifts such as the one the Fox Family has given to the UA can make dreams come true for students and faculty alike. As government support to the universities in Arizona dwindles, the private sector has an opportunity to step up and make a real difference.

Here’s another example: Danny Katzen’s mother passed away in 2009. She had been the driving force behind her four children taking up instruments and establishing a lifelong love of music. In their hometown of Rochester, NY, the children were taken to concerts at early ages and exposed to the music of all the great composers.

Danny knew that nothing could better memorialize his mother and her love of music and family than to make a contribution that would enable them to attach her name to the UA Horn Studio. The studio is now known as the University of Arizona Betty Katzen Horn Studio.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 49

A&E

Storyteller draws wisdom from around the world

By Melissa Hirschl

Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho is quoted as saying, “The power of storytelling is exactly this: to bridge the gap where everything has crumbled.” Tempe resident Caleb Winebrenner could not agree more.

Steeped in drama and theater since high school, the seventhgrade English and drama teacher is also a performance artist – a storyteller who draws from mime, poetry writing and theater. A member of the National Storytelling Network, his performances and workshops are alchemies of colorful and dramatic characters Caleb Winebrenner that are archetypes of the human experience. Kings, queens, peasants, rabbis, students, children and more come alive with his storytelling and frequently finds folktales from around the whimsical creativity. Using nuanced vocal inflections, expressive world that interweave with Judaism. Examples are stories from hand and body movements, and a variety of accents to convey Buddhist traditions that have Indian, Chinese or Japanese emotion, he creates “wisdom tales” – variations on traditional lineage. “When I craft stories, there are so many human and folk tales that have a clear moral or moral teachings that spiritual message. Caleb culls many it doesn't matter what of his tales from around the world, language you use for your including Romania and Morocco spiritual path,” he says. where there are large Jewish “What matters is that there populations. is something that can be “Caleb is all about stories,” says learned.” fellow teacher Tim Hedger. “When A classic story Caleb tells performing his wisdom stories, he is that of a Jewish woman holds his audience rapt with his who many years ago lived gifts of curiosity and empathy while in a small town in Europe. eliciting and finding commonality.

The woman is famous for He brings to life handed-down or spreading rumors, so her newly crafted stories from different rabbi instructs her to take a cultures, places and lives.” pillow and let the feathers Caleb, who has performed at art fly everywhere for penance. festivals in Phoenix and Tempe, as When told she must then well as at the Herberger Theater, gather back the feathers, ~ Caleb Winebrenner relates that storytelling is heavily she realizes her gossip is intertwined with the power of symbolic of the feathers, suggestion. “When I tell a story,” he never to be put back once explains, “I add body language to convey traits like haughtiness scattered to the wind. or vanity, as opposed to just saying 'once there was a very regal Another tale involves a man who studies Torah so fervently king who enjoyed his money and jewelry.' To me, storytelling is that he doesn’t hear his own child crying. The man's father an art form in its own right, but it dwells in the intersection of brings his misplaced priorities to light. other art forms; it's talking like a poet, moving like a mime and The famous Jewish author and philosopher Martin Buber had thinking like a director.” a powerful impact on Caleb's philosophy. Buber's classic book Caleb is fascinated with the universal aspects of

“To me, storytelling is an art form in its own right, but it dwells in the intersection of other art forms; it’s talking like a poet, moving like a mime and thinking like a director.”

50 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

“I and Thou,” in particular, struck a powerful, emotional chord.

It provided novel ways for Caleb to articulate his thoughts.

“In a nutshell, Bauber explains how you can relate to people without depth and consciousness, or you can relate on a level of how profoundly awed you are of them,” he explains. “I want to do things that bring about a sense of wonder in the world and highlight how profound any person can be; I feel we can tap into deeper wisdom that way.”

A self-described “existential crisis” was the catalyst for Caleb's career as a storyteller. As a linguistics major on the cusp of college graduation in North Carolina, he realized he was at a crossroads. He originally dreamed of a career as a UN diplomat but became disillusioned with the practical application of linguistics. “I kept wondering what I was called to do,” he says. “I knew I wanted to use my language skills and work with people in a helping profession, such as the classroom.” Caleb eventually realized a career in storytelling would be the perfect fusion of his language and theater skills, as well as his interest in social justice.

Even though his original goals shifted, he says, “I still believe there is a great power in everyone for tikkun olam, to heal the fractured world, which is also the title of a book that inspired me.”

After graduate school, Caleb put his idealism into action. He spent a year working for AmeriCorps, a national organization similar to the Peace Corps. His talent and energy was utilized in a nonprofit organization called Southwest Key Shelter, where he did translation for South American youth and developed an after-school drama curriculum from scratch.

After college, a comprehensive master’s program in “Educational Theater for Colleges and Communities” at New York University proved to be major game-changer; it allowed Caleb to harness all his talents into a satisfying career. Classes in education, combined with theater skills (acting, directing and character/scene studies) and applied theater (using theater and drama for conflict resolution therapy and social justice work), all provided avenues for professional growth.

Once or twice a year, Caleb does a three-week workshop series at Phoenix Center for the Arts. Starting with drama games to tap into creativity and warm up creative muscles, participants learn to craft stories and play improvisational games such as “magic clay,” which involves miming an object and shaping it with hands. “People get intimidated about how to tell stories, and these games help shake off self-consciousness,” says Caleb.

“I focus on finding those little ways to warm up your creative muscles. … I start with the idea that everyone can tell stories, and everyone loves to play games and be silly.”

Caleb's repertoire (usually an hour with a half-hour discussion) includes Jewish-themed wisdom stories as well as multicultural ones. “I am excited to say I have more performances booked for 2015 than I had for 2014. I hope to continue that pattern of growth,” he says.

Caleb Winebrenner: 480-250-6554 | storytellercaleb.wix.com/story

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Functional art, gifts and accessories The shops at Gainey Village

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www.twoplatesfull.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 51

[ AN AMERICAN IN ISRAEL]

Israel’s spring is full of surprises

By Mylan Tanzer

There were three big surprises over the last month. Not necessarily in this order, the first was the almost weeklong storm and cold spell in mid-April, only the third such occurrence since records have been kept. Some Shalom Aleichem-inspired web pranksters launched a convincing story claiming the Chief Rabbinate had miscalculated the Jewish calendar, and thus we would have to observe Passover once again.

The second was the general elections results, which caught the pundits, pollsters and commentators with their pants down.

The third surprise, even though it shouldn’t have been, was the United States and the Europeans agreeing to salvage the collapsing Iranian economy to allow a major exporter of terror to upgrade and broaden its behavior under a protective nuclear umbrella.

Perhaps due to the third surprise, the coalition negotiations following the election have hardly received any attention. If it weren’t for the agreement in Lausanne justifiably preoccupying us, the coalition negotiations would have undoubtedly dominated our attention.

The slow pace of the negotiations is the direct result of the unexpected election results. Despite an overwhelming victory by the Likud and Netanyahu, it still gave him only 30 seats (which illustrates the fragmentation of Israeli society and our increasingly inadequate political structure), meaning he needs coalition partners. But the nature of his victory strengthened his stature to the point where he is not aggressively pursuing the smaller parties, as he was forced to do in his earlier victories.

He is taking his time, which he likely believes will cause these parties to minimize their demands.

By the time I write my next column, there will almost certainly be a new ruling coalition on which I will elaborate. In the meantime, the election results justify not only a column, but an HBO or Netflix multi-season miniseries. Not being able to supply the latter, we will need to make do with the former.

Benjamin Netanyahu. What can one say? Unflinching, the master campaigner did it again. His amazing accomplishment is primarily a personal one. He was the recipient of an unending media attack in the months before the elections, yet he was able to leverage it to his advantage. Likud gained 40% more seats than the final polls predicted. Not since 1981 has a ruling party gained such an increase.

To understand how another victory by the right was achieved, one must understand the diminishing Israeli left wing. It is revealing how the left-wing Ha’aretz dealt with the election result.

Yossi Verter expressed the frustration of the left when he wrote: “Netanyahu succeeded by breaking wildly right, discarding the Bar-Ilan speech (where he stated his support for a two-state solution), by an unprecedented confrontation with the U.S. president, by shamefully lashing out at Israeli Arabs on election day. He exploited dangerously edgy propaganda and 52 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

incited against organized labor and the media, who he accused of trying to defeat him. The result from a democratic point of view was a healthy one, but it was achieved by means that were anything but healthy.”

Ari Shavit wrote, “First, we must bow our heads; the people have spoken. The elections were free, secret and fair. The deck was stacked against the right. Despite this, the majority went against the flow and crowned Netanyahu as prime minister and the Likud as the ruling party with an Ultra-Orthodox and nationalist coalition. Open-eyed, the public chose blindness.

Clearheadedly and soberly, the public chose drunkenness.”

While the elections were expected to be the most socially and economically dominated in our history, this turned out not to be the case. A massive number of Israelis who have become increasingly marginalized in society over the last 13 years should have voted against Netanyahu for their own financial security, yet they clearly embraced Likud.

The left and center arrogantly tried to explain the result was due to Netanyahu’s fear campaign and the ethnic or “tribal vote” of the Sephardic population, instead of an issue-based vote.

While this may be true to some extent, there is more to it.

What many on the left do not understand is that for voters worried by the strengthening of the Iranian threat and Hezbollah, and the disintegration of Syria, the peace process with the Palestinians is simply not relevant. That proved to be a liability for the left.

This is third consecutive time Netanyahu will form the government. The last relatively left-wing victory was Ehud Barak in 1999 (Ehud Olmert, was centrist). The final results reflect a long-established trend. The Israeli public is clearly moving right.

The right enjoys a clear preference among three growing groups: the young, the religious and the Ultra-Orthodox. Netanyahu’s many failures and many people’s suspicion of him were not enough to override the advantage of the right in the elections.

But there is something deeper at work here. Despite the overwhelming media coverage of economic hardships and the growing social gap in Israeli society, Israel’s security reality constitutes the overwhelming consideration on Election Day; on this subject, Netanyahu dominates the competition.

Netanyahu’s responsibility for the desperate housing situation and his problematic personal conduct, combined with the longterm moral and practical implications of no agreement with the Palestinians, are far less important to the Israeli voter than the dangers the country faces throughout the Middle East. This is understandable because these fears are very real.

The chance of solving the conflict with the Palestinians is almost nonexistent and is not a priority for members of the Arab world. With ISIS, dysfunctional regimes, Iran, Yemen, etc. … the Arab countries are up to their ears in matters of life and death, which the Palestinian issue is not.

We face litany of threats after four incredibly tumultuous and bloody years in the Arab world that have brought sinister dangers to our doorstep. Israeli voters are justifiably concerned, and they believe that Netanyahu can deal with these threats.

Amos Harel writes: “Despite the antagonism that Netanyahu provokes in large segments of the population, the alternative was the anemic, pale and unconvincing Yitzhak Herzog” Israel’s security became the transcendent election issue because, when Israeli voters were deciding who to vote for, the threat posing the greatest danger to the survival of the Jewish people since World War II was in the process of gaining legitimacy and international approval. The negotiations in Lausanne between Iran and the six international powers provided the perfect backdrop for Netanyahu and the Likud, validating the central pillar of their campaign. Netanyahu’s divisive speech to the U.S. Congress two weeks before the elections dovetailed perfectly with the greatest fear that all of us have – a nuclear Iran validated by the West. The ayatollah’s declared aim of liquidating Israel seemed closer. With the negotiations heading toward the result we fear most, Netanyahu appeared nothing short of prophetic. His disputes with Obama and the administration became an electoral asset.

Netanyahu’sclaim that the negotiations would leave Iran’s nuclear infrastructure intact and able to break out at the moment that the regime chooses, strengthened that fear. Also in his favor was the likely removal of sanctions, thus providing Iran with cash to fund its campaigns and proxies in Syria (including opening another front against Israel on the Golan Heights), Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen.

As Yaron Friedman writes in Ma’ariv: “now the U.S. is almost certainly going to solve Iran’s financial problems, not those of the Iranian people who will continue to live in poverty, but of Iranian military – with the removal of sanctions. What will Iran have to do in return? A flawed and problematic inspection regime of its facilities, limiting but not eliminating the technology to build nuclear bombs and no restraints on normalization with the Western world.”

Ironically it is Ha’aretz, through Ari Shavit, that makes even Netanyahu’s fiercest opponents at least partially thankful that he will continue to lead the country. In an article entitled “A Thousand Red Lights,” he quotes from Obama’s interview with Thomas Friedman, when the president remarked, “I’ve been very clear that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on my watch.”

Shavit claims that this is the most important sound bite of Iranian-U.S. rapprochement. He cites the extremely worrisome questions that the agreement raises: Why is there no connection between the Persian and English versions of the agreement?

Why does Iran claim vigorously that sanctions will be removed immediately and that they will continue to enrich uranium on an industrial scale and develop advanced centrifuges without limit? Why does the American version allow the Iranians to continue to operate the underground facility at Fordu and the reactor at Arak? Why is the American version unclear about the amount of fissile material that will be taken out of Iran and how much access international inspectors will have?

Shavit adds, “What will happen in 10 years? Don’t we want to survive beyond 2025? Will the Lausanne agreement pave the way to the nightmarish prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, a nuclear-armed Middle East and the collapse of the world order?”

I have come to think that like Winston Churchill in the 1930s, it seems the only world leader who understands the threat to the world is Netanyahu. Unlike Churchill, he has the advantage of the precedent of World War II and therefore, also unlike Churchill’s situation, at least some of the world is listening. Like

Netanyahu, Churchill’s political career was littered with failures.

But his fight against Hitler and Nazi Germany saved civilization and defined his important legacy. This is how Netanyahu sees his role, and following the acquiescence of the Six Powers, this is how most Israelis now view him.

Over the last several months, many Netanyahu skeptics have come to believe that as long as Obama is president, Netanyahu must remain prime minister. This consideration was definitely one of the factors in the decisive Likud victory. Reading Brett Stephens’ Wall Street Journal article entitled “The Orwellian Obama Presidency,” it is easy to understand why. “There is an upside-down quality to this president’s world view. His administration is now on better terms with Iran – whose Houthi proxies, with the slogan ‘God is great, death to America, death to Israel, damn the Jews, power to Islam,’ just deposed Yemen’s legitimate president – than it is with Israel. … To adapt George Orwell’s motto for Oceania: Under Mr. Obama, friends are enemies, denial is wisdom, capitulation is victory. … The current victim of Mr. Obama’s moral inversions is the recently re-elected Israeli prime minister.”

There was certainly a great deal of consternation in Washington and Europe with Netanyahu’s victory. I believe that at least some of the credit for this lies with the current atmosphere of international appeasement, which raises the alarm bells in Israel and strengthens Netanyahu.

Ironically, I write this column as the 24-hour Holocaust Memorial Day observance begins. A few moments ago, Netanyahu addressed the official state ceremony. Not surprisingly he used the remembrance of Nazi destruction of the Jews as a warning of Iranian intentions. “The second world war teaches us that democracies cannot ignore expansionist intentions of tyrannical regimes. Appeasement increases their aggressiveness. But the world has not learned from the universal tragedy of the 20th century. … Just as the Nazi regime strived to destroy civilization, dominate with a master race and annihilate the Jews, so Iran is expanding its presence with the goal of destroying Israel. They are doing it openly. … The nuclear agreement with Iran proves that the world has not learned the lessons of World War II. The West is capitulating. … The world was gravely mistaken on the eve of World War II. We and many of our neighbors believe that this again is the case.”

As it is Holocaust Memorial Day, each year on this day I am reminded of Elie Wiesel. His Night in Fog was the first Holocaust book I read, and it left an indelible imprint on me, probably helping to set me on my life path. When Wiesel was in the congressional gallery during Netanyahu’s speech, it erased any doubts I had about the wisdom of Netanyahu’s course of action. We have tolerated Netanyahu for many years. Perhaps the next few years will give us the return on our investment that we have waited so long to get from him. This is his moment and our fate. Iran is an existential threat, and while Netanyahu might be the lone wolf in the woods, at the least, he will be able to continue to howl about Iran now that he has won the elections.

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 | MAY 2015 53

Trial Fire: by

Lag B’Omer

By Teddy Weinberger

As soon as the Purim holiday ends, Israeli children start preparing for their next big day. It’s a different sort of holiday, one that “fires” their imaginations for weeks. Of course, we’re not talking about Passover here. What kid is going to get all excited by holiday preparations that chiefly call for the cleaning of one’s room? No, we are talking about a much more mysterious, primal holiday, largely unknown outside of Israel, but hallowed here with that most sacred of kid imprimaturs – a day off from school. We are talking about Lag B’Omer.

There are only nine weeks between Purim and Lag B’Omer (which this year begins on Wednesday night, May 6), and the preparatory work is difficult and time-consuming. Since the bonfire is the central ritual of Lag B’Omer, the main job preparing for the holiday is gathering kindling wood, known as krashim. Anything and everything that looks like it can burn is lugged, roped, pulled and carted off.

Once harvested, the wood and semi-wood is typically hoarded in the backyard of your home, unless you are one of those mean parents who have forbidden your children from storing krashim.

Every parent has their breaking point in this area. For our friend, Suzanne, it was when she woke up on the day before Passover and realized she was unable to see out of her kitchen window due to the huge pile of wood that her boys had stacked in her yard. My breaking point actually came a few weeks after one Lag B’Omer several years ago, when I happened to walk through my yard and stepped on a plank with an exposed nail that perforated my sandal and the sole of my foot, requiring me to get a painful tetanus shot. (Yes, the kids are so successful in gathering krashim 54 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

that they do not use all they gather.) Following my doctor’s visit, I promulgated the NIMBY rule concerning krashim: not in my backyard.

The other preparatory work leading up to Lag B’Omer is finding a group of kids with whom to celebrate. (The job of finding an appropriate place for the bonfire, which might prove difficult in the states, is relatively easy – it’s apparently part of one’s right as a citizen of Givat Ze’ev to start a fire wherever one wants.) Just as in days of old, when the Israelites gathered in groups to eat the paschal lamb, so the children of Israel today divide into groups to light bonfires and barbecue meat, potatoes and marshmallows.

When the big day arrives, it’s time to take all the krashim that have been squirreled away and bring them to one’s designated bonfire area, where the krashim will be kept under constant guard against poachers. The program for the evening reads like something out of a manual for bad parenting: children playing with fire, a meat dinner beginning at 10 or 11 pm, and bedtime at who knows when. Well, the whole goal, the very raison d’etre of Lag B’Omer, is not to go to sleep on this night.

In some of the more popular spots, there are five or six separate bonfires. The whole of Givat Ze’ev smells of smoke and soot. The wise have closed up their windows, and only the foolish have forgotten to take in all of their clothes from the clothesline. The kids at some of the bonfires (especially the boys) seem rather serious. These are kids with grim determination, grim enough and determined enough to carry them through the night. Trial by fire, if you will.

The morning after, as I make my way to synagogue for the 6 am service, the fires have mostly died down, but quite a number

Temple Emanu-El in Tucson had a roaring bonfire for their 2014 Lag B’Omer celebration.

of loyalists are still minding their embers. For the children, there’s a strong feeling of completion, a feeling of closure and accomplishment. All is right with the world.

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., writes from Givat Ze’ev, a suburb of Jerusalem just over the Green Line. He and his wife, Sarah Jane Ross, made aliyah in 1997 with their five children. Teddy is director of development for Meaningful, a company that works with Israeli nonprofit organizations. His in-laws live in Scottsdale for most of the year.

Lag B’Omer is May 7 Lag B’Omer is one of the more enigmatic holidays on the Jewish calendar, with several different explanations of its origins. It represents the 33rd Day of the counting of the Omer (the somber 49 Days between Passover and Shavuot.)

Many believe that this day celebrates the end of the plague amongst Rabbi Akiva’s students, and the ascent on high of the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The mourning practices of the Omer period are suspended, which is why many 3-year-old boys receive their first haircut on this day.

Marriages and other celebrations may also take place on this day. It is customary to go on picnics or outings and to light bonfires, with the fires representing the light of the Torah.

Temple Emanu-El in Tucson is hosting its Lag B’Omer Picnic and Bonfire at 5 pm on May 3 at the Youngerman Ranch. A fun family evening with a kosher hot dogs (beef or veggie) dinner, Eegees, hayrides, games, music, Havdallah, marshmallow roast, horses, stargazing and more. Bring something to sit on, balls and games. Dinner $7 adults, $3 kids 3-12, kids under 3 free. Call 520-327-4501 to RSVP.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 55

Stronger together Jewish Community Foundation brings Life & Legacy partners together for community’s future

By Deborah Moon Photos by Richard Kasper

g n i Liv Inside 56 Life & Legacy 58 Federation notes 59 Or Chadash celebrates cantor’s accomplishments 60 Jewish holidays in May 61 Faces anf Places 64 Previews

56 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

As partners in Life & Legacy, 12 Jewish organizations and congregations in the Valley are positioning themselves to receive a share of the estimated $59 trillion transfer of wealth projected to take place in the United States by 2052.

Researchers Paul Schervish and John Havens have studied that projected transfer since 1998, and their 2014 update notes that $5.4 trillion of that generational transfer of wealth is projected to benefit charities.

When the Harold Grinspoon Foundation created the Life & Legacy program in 2012, Jewish communities joined the colleges, hospitals and cultural organizations that have long taken advantage of end-of-life giving. Launched in seven pilot communities that year, Life & Legacy is now working with 23 communities across the country. As of Dec. 31, 2014, the first 14 communities representing 176 organizations had secured more than 3,800 legacy commitments with an estimated future value of $133 million in gifts to Jewish organizations, says Arlene Schiff, national director of Grinspoon Foundation’s Life & Legacy program.

“We provide training and support along the journey and financial incentives to motivate them (partner organizations in each participating community),” says Schiff.

For instance, in Phoenix, the Grinspoon Foundation is working with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, with each pledging up to $300,000 for JCFS co-chairs Susan Stander and Paul training and incentive grants to the 12 local Stander with JFCS staff lead Frank partners. Partners earn a $6,500 incentive Jacobson attend the program. grant for each year they secure 18 legacy gift pledges; those securing 25 in a year will get $10,000 grants.

“Our hope and budget allows for all 12 agencies to reach 25 donors each year,” says JCF Life & Legacy Program Director Rachel Rabinovich. She notes that the JCF’s Life & Legacy Task Force, chaired by Mark Sklar and Jonathan Hoffer, already has raised the $300,000 to secure the matching grant from Grinspoon.

“Life & Legacy is a key element in JCF’s strategic plan, helping to make the Jewish Community Foundation a more valuable resource in the community,” says JCF Executive Director Richard Kasper. “We expect that this program will strengthen our partnerships with all of the participating agencies as we help strengthen them financially.”

Kasper says he also expects that even groups not in the program will benefit as perspectives in the community shift and people and organizations come to understand the importance of endowment building and end-of-life giving.

“Our Declaration of Commitment lists all 12 agencies,” says Rachel. “So while someone from Congregation Or Tzion may be speaking to one of their prospects about an after-life commitment to the synagogue, the prospect also has the chance to indicate which other agencies she or he would like to support that are in Life & Legacy.”

While they are grateful for the training and incentive grants, representatives of several of the partners say they are especially excited by the collaborative,

noncompetitive focus of Life & Legacy.

Lawrence notes that though the greater “As a community this will be much more Phoenix area is one of the largest Jewish impactful than if we were all working on our metropolitan areas in the country, “The problem own,” says Frank Jacobson, Jewish Family has always been that since most of our residents & Children’s Service vice president of come from other cities, their attachment to marketing and development. “There will be our local Jewish community has supposedly lots of information out there, and it is very been weaker than it was ‘back home.’ I think, likely that donors will want to make plans however, that when people realize that their to give to more than one agency. We can children and grandchildren are growing up all benefit by implementing the program here, they will realize the need to create the together.” foundation for a strong Jewish community for East Valley CEO/Executive Director years to come.”

JCC Steve Tepper concurs: “We see the Jacqui Breger, executive director of the Jewish Life & Legacy program as having many Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix, positive facets, with one of them being the notes this unifying effort will take both the idea that donors can create an estate plan community and her organization to a stronger Rachel Rabinovich, with her son Jacob, that benefits many different parts of the future. welcomes guests to the first training community.”

“I am most excited about the opportunity of for Life & Legacy.

“The beauty of this program is that it is being able to secure legacy gifts knowing that not a competitive, but rather a cooperative, I am securing the center’s future and the future process in which everyone will benefit together,” says Lawrence of the Jewish community in Phoenix,” she says. “I am a firm Bell, Ph.D, executive director of the Arizona Jewish Historical believer in every organization having an endowment as security for their future. This is a wonderful opportunity to realize this goal and set up our organization as a resource for generations to come.”

The desire for a strong Jewish community for her own son, 4-year-old Jacob, provides a strong motivation for Rachel and her leadership of Life & Legacy locally.

“I am 100% a product of the Jewish community,” says Rachel, noting she grew up active in her congregation, Jewish camps and Jewish youth groups with her education based in Judaism. “I want my child, if he chooses, to have those agencies around for him.”

At the first training session in March, Arlene asked participants to imagine the community in 40 years.

“I realized I want everything that has touched my Representatives of partner organizations listen to Arlene Schiff life, I want all those agencies and my synagogue to still during the first training. be thriving,” says Rachel.

Society, which owns the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center.

Tami Adelman, Pardes Jewish Day School director of development, sees that cooperative approach as leading to a stable future for the Jewish community. “Most people have more than one organization in our community that is close to their heart,” says Tami. Since donors will be able to easily use their estate to benefit multiple nonprofits through their declaration of commitment, it “enables those who are ‘making the ask’ to be community minded. It will be a win-win for all involved, especially our donors who want to make a difference.”

Some partners also mentioned that asking donors to commit a percentage of their estate rather than a specific dollar amount eases seniors’ fears regarding outliving their resources.

“I like the concept of identifying a percentage of an estate rather than a dollar amount,” says Phil Adelman of Temple Kol Ami. “My wife conducts Jewish services at 15 senior facilities.

One of the overriding fears of senior citizens is that they will outlive their financial resources. Asking for a small percentage of any residual estate, rather than a specific dollar figure, seems like an idea that will alleviate those fears.”

Life & Legacy Partners The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation will work with 12 Life & Legacy Community Partners: Arizona Jewish Historical Society Congregation Or Tzion East Valley JCC Hillel at Arizona State University Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix Jewish Family & Children’s Service Jewish Free Loan Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix Pardes Jewish Day School Temple Chai Temple Emanuel of Tempe Temple Kol Ami ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2015 57

Join us for an evening of study in preparation for Shavuot Thursday, May 21 | 7 - 9:45pm Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus 12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale

Let’s CeLebRate Shavuot by studying together!

Seven Weeks Later

Imagine transporting the four children of the Seder to Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah.

free|everyone is welcome to join us!

Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg, PhD

Dvora is Associate Professor of Rabbinics and Director of the School of Rabbinic Studies at the Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.

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jewishphoenix.org | 480.689.1062 x1106 58 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

FEDERATION NOTES

Remembering our past, committing to our future

By Stuart Wachs

Celebrating Passover with my family, we gave thanks for the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and for the vibrant Jewish communities we have created here, in Israel and throughout the world.

I also recalled the message of Washington Bureau Chief for Israel’s Channel 10 News Gil Tamary when he spoke at the federation’s annual campaign kickoff – that Jewish communities around the world are still being persecuted. Gil reported that nearly 10% of the 500,000 Jews in France are considering immigration to Israel due to recent violence. He recounted the plight of Jews in Iran, Turkey and Ukraine, as well as those who were affected by the war in Southern Israel this past summer. We need only to watch the news or scan the headlines to see that anti-Semitism exists, even in our local communities.

The federation exists to support vibrant Jewish communities and to help Jews in need here, in Israel and throughout the world. We provide the infrastructure to raise emergency funds in response to crises and important national and international connections to protect Jews in our community, Israel and in 70 countries worldwide. Through support of our international partners, JAFI and JDC, we provide emergency services and basic needs to Jews suffering in Ukraine, those affected by war in Israel and to those persecuted around the world.

The impact of the federation was voiced during our Women’s Philanthropy Ignition! luncheon, when Dr. Yarden Fanta-Vagenshtein shared the difference the federation made in her life. She recounted her childhood in Ethiopia – how she was forced to live in a remote village, denied transportation, resources and an education because she was Jewish. At age 11, she and a small group from the community decided to walk more than 800 miles through the desert to escape persecution.

Her journey took two years and she lost loved ones along the way. She credited the federation for allowing her to become the first Ethiopian woman to earn a Ph.D. in Israel, even though she was unable to read and write when she arrived.

This month, as we celebrate the giving of the Torah and we recommit ourselves to living a life of Jewish values, ethics and stewardship, I invite you to recommit yourself to helping Jews in need and creating and sustaining vibrant Jewish communities here, in Israel and throughout the world by supporting the Stuart Wachs federation’s annual campaign.

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Or Chadash celebrates cantor’s accomplishments Cantor Janece Cohen

By Janet Arnold

Cantor Janece Cohen of Congregation Or Chadash in Tucson is receiving a doctorate of sacred music, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College on May 9 at Music of the Night, a dinner dance being held in her honor. Bestowed in recognition of her 25 years of service as a congregational cantor, the award is a tribute to the contributions Janece has made at Or Chadash, as well as throughout the Tucson Jewish community.

Born in Tuba City, AZ, on a Navajo reservation ("My father was in public health, " she explains), Janece and her family moved to Tucson when she was about 4 and were members of Congregation Anshei Israel, a Conservative shul. Her love of ritual and liturgical music began at an early age with support from her parents.

Janece began as a cantorial soloist at Temple Emanu-El while still working on her bachelor of music education degree at the University of Arizona. After completing her ordination at the Hebrew Union College in New York, and serving as a cantor in several locales, she returned to Tucson in 1999 and was hired full time at Or Chadash in 2000.

"I knew Tucson was the place I wanted to raise my son,” she says. “I love the Jewish community here. It's relatively small and very cohesive – I feel like I know everyone!"

Her son, Zachary, is now a first-year law student at the U of A, having completed his bachelor's degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia. You can hear the pride in her voice when she speaks of Zachary. "He was my star soprano in youth choir and our best Hebrew tutor while in high school. In college he was voted the best master (president) of all the AEPi chapters in the country. I'm thrilled that Or Chadash has asked him to be the master of ceremonies at my dinner!"

Her many duties at Or Chadash include coordinating all the bar and bat mitzvahs, teaching prayers and music in Sunday School, teaching chanting and music to adults, and officiating at weddings and funerals. Janece also serves as staff liaison on several committees at the congregation and, of course, provides

music for all religious services.

Her favorite part of being a cantor? "I so enjoy helping people fall in love with Jewish music and prayers," she says. "I like working with adults because they want so much to learn, but I also like working with the children and inspiring them to want to learn. I put my efforts forth to pull the best out of every child."

She went on to give just a few examples of the hundreds of children whose lives she has touched.

"I had a bat mitzvah student who wasn't trying as hard as I thought she could. I talked to her and said that I knew she wanted to make everyone proud and that at the end of the ceremony, when folks would shake her hand and say 'Great job,' that she would feel satisfied only if she knew people really meant it – that she actually deserved the praise. Evidently, something in what I said took hold. She began trying harder and really did a lovely job at the ceremony. After it was over, she came over to me and said, 'Did I deserve it?' She went on to be one of the best teacher's aides we've had."

Though most children can be taught to sing or chant, Janece has had one or two who were actually monotone. "It's a physical trait that occurs only occasionally," she explains. When she had one boy who simply could not master the trope, she instead had him read a line in Hebrew, then translate it to English, line by line, throughout his entire passage. Instead of appearing as a child who couldn't sing, he shone as a young man showing off his brilliance.

"I think my greatest point of pride is seeing how the kids I have mentored have become successful in all walks of life," she says.

Music of the Night is being held at Skyline Country Club, 5200 E St. Andrews Dr. in Tucson, beginning at 6 pm with a cocktail hour and a classical guitarist, followed at 7 pm with dinner, tributes, a silent auction and music by a jazz trio. For information and to order tickets at $100, call 520-512-8500 or e-mail cantorcohen25@gmail.com. All proceeds benefit Congregation Or Chadash.

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JEWISH HOLIDAYS IN MAY associate professor of rabbinics and director of the School of Rabbinic Studies at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Her book, Levirate Marriage and the Family in Ancient Judaism (University Press of New England/Brandeis University Press, 2009), explores the ancient rabbis’ vision of the family and the roles of individuals within it; it was a finalist in the 2009 National Jewish Book Awards. jewishphoenix.org

Shavuot means dairy, study and the end of counting the omer Shavuot, May 24-25, is the third of the pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish calendar year. (Sukkot and Passover are the other two). It commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The word “Shavuot” means “weeks” and marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.

It is customary to celebrate Shavuot by studying together, sometimes throughout the whole night. The Book of Ruth is generally read, and it is important to hear the Ten Commandments. Delicious dairy delights cap off the holiday.

In the Valley, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix is

offering a Tikkun Leil Shavuot gathering, a free study program, in preparation for the holiday from 7-9:45 pm on May 21 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road. Up for discussion is: Seven Weeks Later: Imagine transporting the four children of the seder to Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah. How would each child – wise, wicked, simple and unable to ask – respond to revelation? The session will consider different ways that Jewish texts have understood the blessing – and burden – of accepting the Torah.

Keynote speaker is Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg, Ph.D. Rabbi Weisberg is

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The Valley Israel Center is hosting Shavuot at the JCC at 7 pm on May 20. Those attending are asked to dress in white and to bring their "bikkurim" (first fruits), another important symbol of Shavuot. These crops are barley, dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates and wheat.

Modern versions of the bikkurim may include other crops now grown in Israel or other Jewish communities around the world. The celebration will be an Israeli kibbutz style. 480-634-4900, ext. 1109, shahare@vosjcc.org

Temple Emanu-El in Tucson

will be having its all-night Tikkun Leil Shavuot Service on May 23, starting at 8 pm with a study session following. Since Shavuot is also a time to traditionally eat dairy foods, there will be a cheesecake bake-off. Participants are asked to bring a cheesecake or other dairy dessert to share, and the group will "study together for as long as we have energy!" Free. 225 N Country Club Road, 520-327-4501, templeemanueltucson.org

Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson celebrates Tikkun Leil Shavuot May 23, with a service starting at 7:45 pm; dairy dinner 8 pm; first study session 8:45 pm; second study session 9:40 pm; dessert 10:30 pm; and the traditional reading of the Book of Ruth at 11 pm.

At 8:45 pm Rabbi Dr. Howard Schwartz will present “The Ten Commandments: What do we do with them? What would we do without them?” and at 9:40 pm Rabbi Robert Eisen will present “The

Book of Who? Tobit: An ancient novel for Shavuot.” No charge for service and study sessions; dinner $8 per person with RSVP

by May 20. RSVP to Barb at 520-7455550, ext. 242, or at caiaz.org.

5550 E Fifth Street in Tucson.

Mark Yom Yerushalayim with film May 17 Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel declared Jerusalem Day a minor religious holiday to thank God for victory in the Six-Day War and for answering the 2,000-year-old prayer of “Next Year in Jerusalem.”

In Israel some people mark Yom Yerushalayim by traveling or hiking to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem a public reception by the mayor of Jerusalem, state ceremonies and memorial services for those who died in the Six-Day War are also held. In the rest of the world it is marked with a range of events in many Jewish communities. These include: recitations of the Hallel prayer for praise and thanksgiving in synagogues; street parades, parties, singing and dancing; special meals; and lectures on the history and future of Jerusalem.

Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson is showing the film “I Am a

Jerusalemite,” starring legendary Israeli singer Yehoram Gaon at 7 pm on May 17.

Although born in Jerusalem, Gaon was, like all Jews, forbidden from entering most of the city until the 1967 reunification.

This fascinating documentary follows Gaon’s exploration of his city, from his grandfather’s simple home to the Western Wall and the Old City’s open markets.

Along the way, he performs eight of his most-loved songs that pay tribute to his birthplace. There is no charge. 5550 E Fifth St. in Tucson.

520-745-5550, caiaz.org

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FACES & PLACES

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AVIV LEADERSHIP AWARD – The AVIV Board of Directors recently presented its Leadership Award to Kelly Rostan. Kelly is recognized for serving AVIV as the social committee chairperson and as the treasurer. Kelly also co-led many of the AVIV Shabbat services. AVIV of Arizona is a religious and social organization fulfilling the needs of the LGBT Jewish community of Greater Phoenix. avivaz.com

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BNC KISSES AND WISHES – The spring Kisses and Wishes luncheon sponsored

by Brandeis National Committee-Phoenix Chapter drew over 120 women on April 15 at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Pictured from left are Lynn Coffee, Melissa Hirschl (one of AzJL's own writers,) and Roberta Scharf admiring some of Melissa's decorative artwork offered at one of the boutique tables. Proceeds benefit the Sustaining the Mind Campaign, neurodegenerative disease research at Brandeis University. Photo by Janet Arnold

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YESHIVA BIKE-A-THON – The first annual Yeshiva High School of Arizona Community Bike-A-Thon on March 22 at Mountain View Park was a great community event with biking on the scenic winding Greenbelt trail. Cyclists rode more than 1,000 miles and raised more than $20,000 for scholarships.

Pictured on left is a group of future Yeshiva High School students; on right are community cyclists Avi Katz and Robert Sigal. azyeshiva.org

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WINNING THE WAR ON CANCER – Marlene and Gene Shapiro, standing, join Professor Yehuda Assaraf, seated left, and David Cohn prior to the professor’s appearance at an evening dessert reception on March 26 for The American Technion Society. Dean of the faculty of biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Professor Assarof spoke to a crowd at the JCC in Scottsdale on “The New War on Cancer and How We Can Win it.” Photo by Leni Reiss

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FACES & PLACES

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HOLOCAUST VIGIL – Starting at noon March 25, the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation sponsored the 24th annual 24-hour Holocaust Vigil. This year’s vigil was the Butterfly Project to commemorate the 1.5 million children who perished during the Holocaust. Painting butterflies were, from left, students Jodie Friedman and Hanna Port, Hillel Executive Director Michelle Blumenberg, and students Daniella Almeda and Jamie Oko. The butterflies are now part of the Butterfly Commemorative Art Installation dedicated April 19 at the UofA Hillel Foundation. Butterfly Project sponsor Amy Gould, Michelle Blumenberg and Jewish Child and Family Services’ Barbara Quade, who works with Holocaust survivors, joined the vigil.

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BETH TEFILLAH FASHION – The Congregation Beth Tefillah Fashion Show on March 29 attracted some 150 Jewish women and showcased fashionable clothing modeled by members. The guest speaker was Sarah Mayberg founder of WukoGals, trendy modest clothing, from Los Angeles. From left are Esther Allouche, Michele Czopp, Yvonne Zenati and Tami Shwartz.

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HILLEL CABARET – The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation sponsored its annual fundraising event March 8 at Centennial Hall.

“See Jane Sing” featured Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jane Lynch.

Pictured are Jane Lynch with John Linder and Thomas Sayler-Brown, who cochaired the event with Heather Caine. Proceeds from this event help facilitate a vibrant, empowered, meaningful Jewish community on the University of Arizona campus.

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UPLIFTING DOCUMENTARY- Nancy Spielberg, producer of “Above and Beyond” (and sister of Steven) was at the April 5 evening screening of the inspiring story of the mostly Jewish volunteer pilots who aided Israel in the 1948 War of Independence. Nancy says she attended Scottsdale High School as a teen and admitted to a “big crush on Danny Harkins. These daring men really did go above and beyond the call of duty,” she said. Leith and Judy Baletin were among members of the appreciative audience. Photos by Leni Reiss

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VETERANS SEDER – Scottsdale Arizona Post 210 of the Jewish War Veterans held their second annual Passover Seder for the three Jewish residents and their families, at the Arizona State Veteran's Home in Phoenix on April 8. The seder was conducted by Ahuva Chambers and assisted by the Post Commander Michael Chambers.

The residents in attendance were Everett Perlman (pictured with Jamie Cussen, of the home’s staff), and (not pictured) Larry Chesin and Mickey Dingott.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS – The home of Scottsdale residents Miriam and Jim Weisman (pictured with Abe Foxman at right) was the setting for an April 7 cocktail reception honoring Foxman for his 50 years of dedication to the Anti-Defamation League. Amy Altshuler and Donna Johnson co-chaired the event along with the Weismans. Amy, board chair of ADL’s Arizona region, is pictured with Jake Bennett, ADL’s regional director. Photos by Leni Reiss

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HADASSAH IN ISRAEL – Cathy Olswing, president of Hadassah DesertMountain, participated in Hadassah’s Presidents Mission in Israel Jan. 27–Feb. 3. Cathy, right, meets a Hadassah hospital pediatric nurse. “I had the honor of delivering 25 therapy dolls to the Pediatric ICU unit at Hadassah University Hospital Ein Kerem. These dolls were lovingly made by the Green Valley/ Sahuarita interest group of Hadassah Southern Arizona.

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TUCSON SEDER – The second night Passover seder at Tucson’s Temple Emanu-El on April 4, drew 135 people. Rabbi Sanford Seltzer gives kids instructions on finding the afikomen. Cantorial Soloist Marjorie Hochberg guides religious school students in singing the four questions. Photos by Stephen Shawl ANAT COHEN AT THE J – Anat Cohen, renowned Israeli Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader and prolific composer, performs at the Tucson JCC on March 22 as part of UApresents season.

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GRAND OPENING – The grand opening of the Tucson J’s new Fitness & Wellness Center was March 29. Pictured from left are Tucson J Board Chair Barney Holtzman, Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, Canyon Ranch Founder Mel Zuckerman and Tucson J President/CEO Todd Rockoff.

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SCULPTURE GARDEN – The Sixth Annual Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden Annual Reception featured artist Fred Boyer with his sculpture, “Timber Stalker.” The artwork will be up for the rest of the year.

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Living

And the annual Feddys go to...

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona will honor its 2015 award winners at the Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration at 7 pm May 7 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road.

Heading the list of honorees are Women of the Year Audrey Brooks and Donna Moser, and Man of the Year Steve Kippur, three deeply admired leaders. Audrey and Donna, affectionately known as "the sisters," moved to Tucson from Milwaukee and immediately established themselves as tireless and inspirational leaders.

They co-chaired the Jewish Federation Campaign and Women's Philanthropy efforts for four years running. They have also traveled to Israel and Europe on the federation's behalf on several occasions. Steve Kippur is completing his term as chair of the Tucson Hebrew Academy, which he undertook immediately after serving as chair of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation. He too has visited Jewish communities around the globe on behalf Fed honorees Moser and Brooks of the federation, most recently Morocco and Israel. Audrey, Donna and Steve have each additionally served on the federation board of directors.

Dana Goldstein and Andrew Isaac will receive the Gary I. Sarver Young Woman and Young Man of the Year Awards, which include stipends to be applied toward an Israel mission or attendance at the General Assembly of The Jewish Federations of North America.

The winners of the 2015 Meritorious Service awards are Amy Beyer, Ariella Mollen, Rabbi Richard Safran, Jim Wezelman and Jeff Wortzel. The Ben and Betty Brook Community Professional of the Year is Bryan Davis, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of JFSA and interim executive director of the Jewish History Museum.

Special Recognition Awards will be given to Barry Friedman, Ray Davies, Rabbi Thomas Louchheim and Beth Alpert Nakhai for their work with the Jewish History Museum and Holocaust Education.

The Ben and Sally Smith Memorial College Youth Award will be presented to Jamie Nora Oko and Alyssa Silva.

Matthew Landau will receive the Judaic Educator Award.

The Meyer and Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award winner is Literacy Connects, a Tucson nonprofit serving children and adults through literacy and arts programming, which creates solutions to many of society’s most Steve Kippur 64 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

previews persistent problems.

The Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration will also feature the election and installation of the Federation’s 2015-2016 board of directors and recognition of outgoing leaders Kathryn L. Unger, board chair, Jane Kivel, women’s philanthropy campaign chair, and Audrey Brooks and Donna Mosier, campaign co-chairs.

The $5 cost includes refreshments. The co-chairs of this year’s annual meeting are Melissa Goldfinger and David Plotkin. The awards committee was chaired by Rosie Eilat Kahn. RSVP to 520577-9393 or visit jfsa.org.

Documentarian on hand for SW premier of “The Return”

Adam Zucker, acclaimed documentarian, will be present for the Southwest Premier of his new documentary "The Return" showing at 7 pm May 19 at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center. “The Return” is the fascinating story of four young Polish women who were raised Catholic, only to discover in their teens they were actually Jewish. The film is cosponsored by the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and Generations After: Descendants of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Phoenix.

Along with the film’s quartet of dynamic 20-somethings, Zucker invites audiences to explore a tiny but growing sector of young Poles attempting to pioneer an authentic Jewish identity with little knowledge of their long-buried ancestry in a country still regarded as a “Jewish graveyard.”

Zucker embarked on his five-year journey of making “The Return” The Return- Adam Zucker after reading a story in the New York Times about the renewed interest in Jewish culture among non-Jewish Poles, in particular the Festival of Jewish Culture in Krakow, an event programmed and attended by non-Jews. This concept of philosemitism – an interest in, respect for and appreciation of the Jewish people, their historical significance and the positive impacts of Judaism on the world – is explored in the film, and modern-day Poland is suffused with it.

“Poland, the country where so many Jews were killed or had to flee during the war, is not what you’d expect today. Surprisingly, it’s one of the more welcoming countries for Jews in all of Europe,” says Zucker, who gained critical notice with his 2007 documentary, “Greensboro: Closer to the Truth,” a film which dealt with the affects of the 1979 murder of five people by the Ku Klux Klan.

“In filming The Return over four years I was constantly struck by how Jewish life is accepted there,” continues Zucker. “At the same time, the struggle by younger Jews trying to figure out what Jewish identity can mean in Poland today was poignant, dramatic and powerful.”

Zucker will conduct a post-film question and answer session with the audience.

The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year of providing quality independent films about Jewish culture to the community. Generations After is the Phoenix area organization for children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

The Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center is home to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and is located at 122 E Culver St. in downtown Phoenix.

Tickets $10, ($5 for students with ID); RSVP: 602-753-9366 or gpjff.org.

previews Pomegranate Guild Judaic Needlework hosts national convention in Mesa

Members of the Desert Cactus Chapter of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework are busy putting final touches on the 2015 Convention, being held for the first time in the Valley. More than 100 women from states such as Georgia, Michigan, New York, Nevada and more will be joined by members from as far away as Calgary for "Desert Journeys," May 30-June 2 at the Hilton Phoenix/ Mesa in Mesa. Every moment is filled with workshops unveiling new patterns and techniques, demonstrating creative new concepts and reinforcing the tried and true.

"We're very excited that over half of the participants have also registered for our special field trips," says Chapter President Ellen Lerman, who is co-chairing the convention. On June 1, many members are opting to take a "Walk in the Sonoran Desert," in the South Mountain Park Preserve, led by Canadian snowbird Trudy Cowan, the other co-chair. "The temperature is expected to be only about 75 at 7 am, so we're confident everyone will have a great time," Ellen says.

On June 2 the other trip is called “American Indians to Jewish Settlement: People of the Southwest” and includes a tour of the Heard Museum plus a visit to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, which are located near each other in downtown Phoenix.

The keynote speaker on May 31 will be Marcie Lee, a wellrespected teacher and child development consultant. Her topic will be "Juicy and Seedy: The Pomegranate in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Art." The remainder of the time will be filled with 32 workshops offering 25 different classes. Dietary laws will be followed at all meals. "In fact we've created different centerpieces to delineate milk and meat," says Ellen.

The Pomegranate Guild began in New York in 1977 and has blossomed throughout the States and many other countries.

Members study the history of Judaic ritual objects in order to embellish their work with authentic symbols and motifs. Their art can take the form of knitting, quilting, paper piecing, weaving, beading and even stained glass. Through their efforts they hope to perpetuate their Jewish heritage for generations to come, "thereby fulfilling our Judaic teaching 'As my father planted for me, so shall I plant for my children.' (Talmud)."

While the majority of the members are women between 40 and 80, men occasionally join. "We are thrilled that we have a number of members who are bringing their daughters or granddaughters as well," says Ellen. Ellen credits her committee of dedicated members with helping to make the convention preparations go so smoothly.

For additional information, visit pomegranateguild.org.

Jewish Free Loan to honor first director

The Jewish Free Loan was established in Phoenix in the late 1940s and formally organized as a corporate entity in 1950. At that time it was housed in the JCC building at 17th Avenue and Maryland.

Today it is the agency where anyone in the Jewish community in Greater Phoenix can turn. The agency prides itself on being able to help people help themselves by making interest-free loans.

The community is invited to the 65th Anniversary Annual Meeting on May 6 at Chaparral Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Road. The evening begins with hors d'oeuvres and desserts at 6 pm, with the program at 6:30 pm. Selma Fiel, JFL's first executive director, will be honored with the Presidents' Award. The award was established in 2007 to honor those who encourage Jewish continuity and reflect the values and principles of Jewish Free Loan. It recognizes service and leadership that enables Jewish individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve greater stability with regard to their long-term

well-being.

Selma was the first paid staff member of JFL in 1996. As the first executive director, she was instrumental in transforming JFL from a grassroots, volunteer-run program into a professional agency dedicated to the needs of the community. After 12 years with JFL, Selma retired in 2008. "The impact of Selma's work, vision and dedication continues to be felt today," says Associate Executive Director Ellen Sacks.

Also on the agenda is the announcement of this year's new Named Loan Fund donors, Randi and Alan Jablin, Talia and Mitch Katz, Cheryl and David Senkfor, Leonard Senkfor, and Randy and Steve Weiss. There will also be special recognition of out-going board Selma Fiel president Barrett Silver and of recently retired development director Terri Swirnoff.

Cost is $36. RSVP: 602-230-7983 or jewishfreeloan.org.

Shearim Torah High School for Girls to honor two couples Shearim Torah High School for Girls will hold its annual fundraising event at 7 pm on May 27 at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N Central in Phoenix. This year’s event will honor Debbie and Ezra Zilcha for their outstanding service to the school and the community, announced president Arlene Glaser.

The Zilchas have been devoted to the growth of Jewish organizations in Phoenix with a particular focus on Jewish educational institutions. Debbie served on the founding board of Shearim, which is the only Jewish high school for girls in Arizona. She also served as the PTA president for the school’s first two years. In addition to her commitment to Shearim, Debbie served on the board of the former King David School.

She is currently active at the Torah Day School. Ezra served on the founding board of the Yeshiva High School and on the board of Young Israel of Phoenix. He currently serves as vice president of Ohr HaTorah Robin and Charlie Meyerson Congregation.

The Zilchas’ oldest daughter, Leoni, was one of the four pioneering students at Shearim. Since her graduation in 2010, Leoni has studied at Me’ohr Bais Yaakov Teachers Seminary in Israel. She earned a bachelor degree in business management from Touro College. The Zilchas’ second daughter, Mayah, is a member of the Shearim Class of 2015 and hopes to attend seminary in Israel next year.

The Legacy of Life event will also honor Robin and Charlie Meyerson as Shearim’s Parents of the Year. The Meyersons are supporters of Shearim, where their daughter, Raina, will graduate with the Class of 2015. Robin recently completed volunteer service as a member of the Shearim board of directors.

During the Legacy of Life dinner there will be a raffle for a San Diego vacation and an art auction. Tickets for this year’s event are $125 and may be purchased by contacting the Shearim office 602-324-3406.

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MAY CALENDAR May 2 Temple B’rith Shalom in Prescott’s Gala Fundraiser at the Prescott Lakes Country Club, 311 E Smoke Tree Lane. $75 per person. 928-708-0018.

May 3 Make-the-Call Spring Phone-a-Thon volunteers needed! 9 am-1 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix for food, fun and prizes as you raise money to help Jews in need in the Valley, Israel and 70 countries around the world. Childcare available with advance notice. Register: 480-634-4900, ext. 1202, or jewishphoenix.org/springphoneathon CAI’s 85th Birthday Celebration honoring Rabbi Emeritus Arthur Oleisky and Rabbi Robert Eisen. Includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails followed by dinner catered by Feast. Entertainment by Rabbi Bob Alper, known as the “world’s only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedy … intentionally.” Live auction. $85. 5 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 520-745-5550, caiaz.org

May 4 Dessert reception honoring Aaron Scholar for his 30+ years of leading the Greater Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education. 7:30 pm at Hilton Scottsdale Resort, 6333 N Scottsdale Road. $18. RSVP: 480-6348050 or bjephoenix.org Judaism Decoded: The Origins & Evolution of Jewish Tradition is a new six-week course offered by the Jewish Learning Institute. Monday evenings at 7:30 pm at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N McClintock Dr. in Chandler. $99 includes textbook.

480-855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com

Girls Night Out: Wine & Italian Cucina. Grab your gal pals for an evening of culinary instruction and wine Italiano style. 5:30 pm at Allstate Appliance Showroom, 15250 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale.

Renowned Chef Carmella Dodge will show you how to create mouth-watering dishes including caponata and crostini, Tuscan chicken and pasta with butternut squash puree. Plenty to eat! $35 VOSJCC members; $50 nonmembers. Register: vosjcc.org/ girlsnightout

Cutting-edge Development in Indian Country: The ins and out of getting deals done on Native land. 5:30 pm cocktail reception, 6:15 pm program at Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E Via de Ventura in Scottsdale.

Sponsored by the Real Estate and Finance Group of the Federation’s Business & Professionals Division.

Professionals $36; students $18. RSVP: 480-6344900, ext. 1202, or professionals@jewishphoenix. org

May 6 Jewish Free Loan celebrates 65 years. See page 65

May 7 Lag B’Omer. See page 54

May 17 Yom Yerushalyim - Jerusalem Day Film, I am a Jerusalemite, at Anshei Israel. See page 60

May 8 Early Shabbat Service followed by cookie oneg, geared to families with children 2-10, but everyone welcome! 6 pm with Rabbi Stephanie Aaron at Congregation Chaverim, 5901 E Second St., Tucson, 520-320-1015, chaverim.net

May 9 Music of the Night, dinner dance honoring Cantor Janece Cohen. See page 59 Tennis-Mixed Doubles Social Round Robin. 4-6 pm at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. $12.

Contact: Chuck Reisig, 520-299-3000, ext. 151.

Arizona Jewish Historical Society Annual Meeting honoring Jeffrey Schesnol and featuring keynote speaker David Epstein on Jewish Department Stores in the Wild West, Why They Succeeded and Why They are Gone. 11 am at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver in Phoenix. Tickets include a dairy brunch. $25 members, $36 nonmembers.

602-241-7870 or azjhs.org

May 19 “The Return” documentary screening. See page 64

May 20 Shavuot Kibbutz Style. See page 60

May 21 Shavuot Study Session. See page 60

May 10 Mothers Day: Call your mother already!

Mothers’ Day Champagne Brunch at Temple B’rith Shalom in Prescott. Complete dairy brunch including blintzes, lox and decadent desserts. $18. Open to all. RSVP with check to Temple B’rith Shalom, include the number attending and mail to: 2077 Brohner Way, Prescott, AZ 86301. All proceeds benefit the TBS. brithshalom-az.org

Young Jewish Phoenix Networking Happy Hour. 6 pm on the third Thursday of each month; locations change monthly. YJP is aimed at engaging Jewish young adults in their 20s-40s. Info and location at info@ youngjewishphoenix.org My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shalit. Book discussion led by AzJHS Executive Director Lawrence Bell, Ph.D. 7 pm at the CutlerPlotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix. Free but RSVP: 602-241-7870 or lbell@ azjhs.org

May 12 Mamadrama: The Jewish Mother in Cinema, documentary film screening at 7 pm at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix.

Free but RSVP: 602-241-7870 or lbell@azjhs.org

May 14-31 May 5

Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat at 7:15 pm at Young Israel of Phoenix, 6516 N Seventh St., Phoenix.

Monthly services full of spiritually uplifting singing and dancing led by hazzan Oren Ephraim. Free.

602-265-8888 or office@yiphoenix.org

May 24-25 Shavuot: Holiday commemorating the receiving of the 10 Commandments Tikku Leil Shavuot study sessions in Tucson. See page 60

Never the Sinner, a drama about the scandalous Leopold and Loeb murder and trial in 1920s Chicago. Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N Marina in Prescott. $15. 928-445-3286, pca-az.net

May 27

May 14

May 31-June 2

Tucson JCC Annual Meeting includes dinner. Free babysitting. $18 at 6 pm at 3800 E River Road, Tucson. RSVP to Lori Maurer 2993000 ext. 212, tucsonjcc.org

May 15 Smile on Seniors Shabbat Dinner. 6 pm at Chabad Center, 2110 E Lincoln Dr., Phoenix. Celebrate Shabbat with a four-course home-cooked Shabbat dinner, in a warm and loving atmosphere. Suggested minimum donation $5. RSVP: 602-4927670 or chani@sosaz.org

Shearim Torah High School Legacy of Life Dinner. See page 65

Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework Convention 2015. See page 65

ADDING EVENTS:

To obtain a password to enter an event on our online calendar, go to the bottom right of our home page (AZJewishLife.com) and under “Quick Links,” click on Calendar Access Request.

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Purism. Sensuality. Intelligence.

To learn more about our kitchen design, please visit our Scottsdale showroom. bulthaup Scottsdale 4175 North Goldwater Boulevard Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 945-5500 or info@bulthaupaz.com www.bulthaupaz.com

68 MAY 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

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