Oregon Jewish Life May 2018 Vol. 7/Issue 4

MAY 2018

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INSIDE A Golden Age For Aging Mother's day

Mom & Daughter Find Notable Women

Hedy Lamarr:

Beauty & Brains The hateful rhetoric of BDS

LARRY KING

Still Reigning Strong

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 1

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OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 3

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Oregon Jewish Life | May 2018 | Iyar-Sivan 5778 | Volume 7/Issue 4

16

ACTIVELY SENIOR

COVER STORY Larry King: Still reigning strong

16

FEATURES JEWS WITH ATTITUDE Mother-daughter find Notable Women

28

BUSINESS Ins & Outs HOME & LIFESTYLE Water-wise gardening Share the bounty Fashions for work

34

44

10 14

22 23 24

FRONT & CENTER Jewelry designer comes to Hood River 26 “Bombshell” reveals beauty & brains 28 Concert examines King David 30 Jewish Film Fest starts June 10 30 ISRAEL Divide moderates from BDS fold

31

FOOD Chef’s Corner: Salad memories NW Nosh: Dairy-free cuisine

32 34

Just the facts of golden age

36 Ms. Senior Eugene Debbie Aharoni 37 An adventurous, meaningful life 38 Balance parent’s wishes and safety 42 Learn to fall (safely) with style 44 Signing the Book of Life 46 Online safety tips

48 Author finds life fortuitous 50 Widow’s shrinking social circle 51 Advice from the past 52 Senior Directory 53

KIDS & TEENS Eighth-graders experience Israel Nerf gun violence

Kids & Teens Calendar

JLIVING OJMCHE Archives a treasure trove P’nai Or Torah home for Shavuot PREVIEWS: Song of Miriam, weaving

FACES & PLACES Calendar

Chef’s Corner by Lisa Glickman NW Nosh by Kerry Politzer Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY KING

4 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

58 62 63 64 66

COLUMNS

COVER: Larry King.

54

54 56 57

32 34 56

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 5

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ne of the best things about creating magazines each month is learning about the cover person. This month especially, it was exciting to have an interview with the interviewers of all interviewers, Larry King. He is one of those rare celebrities whose fame spans all age groups and demographics. At 84, he shows no signs of slowing down and why should he? He is busier than ever with his talk shows, online communications program and even a luxury home goods line developed with his wife, Shawn. But he balances his busy schedule with family time with Shawn and his two teenage boys Chance and Cannon, and time for his beloved sports teams. He is an icon, and he does not disappoint.

In our special senior section this month, we wanted to showcase what it really means today to be “Actively Senior.” Senior life today is going through a renaissance. It is such an interesting and exciting time – with all of the options in living and recreation for our senior community – it really is a “golden age for aging.”

And finally, with Mother’s Day just around the corner, we at Oregon Jewish Life want to wish all mothers (and those who assume the responsibility) everywhere a wonderful Mother’s Day.

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Pick up your copy today near one of main entrances on rack of free publications.

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Oregon Jewish Life | Iyar-Sivan 5778 | Volume 7/Issue 4

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Oregon Jewish Life magazine is dis tributed on the fir s t of the month.

Stor y ideas for features and special sec tions are due 45 - 60 days prior to public ation.

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The content and opinions in Oregon Jewish Life do not necessarily reflec t those of the publishers, staf f or contrac tors. Ar ticles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although ever y ef for t is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Oregon Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contrac tors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reser ve the right to refuse any adver tisement. Publication of adver tisements does not constitute endorsement of produc ts or ser vices.

You are Invited

Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s

98th ANNUAL MEETING

Thursday, June 14th . 4:30 pm

Congregation Neveh Shalom . Stampfer Chapel 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland 97239

With Special Guest

RABBI SHIRA STUTMAN Senior Rabbi Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington, DC

Also presenting

Laurie Rogoway Outstanding Jewish Professional Award and Sussman Fund Awards

SAVE THE DATE! We hope to see you there

jewishportland.org * 503.245.6219 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 9

Jewswith

Attitude

Zadie and Tracy Prince undoubtedly will celebrate their close bond on Mother's Day, May 13.

Building a mother-daughter bond over Notable Women of Portland

By Liz Rabiner Lippoff

Portland historian Tracy Prince, Ph.D., was raised deep in the South and deep in the culture of what she calls “hell fire and damnation Christian.” When she and her husband, Portland attorney Scott Schaffer, had their first child 14 years ago and were brainstorming names, Tracy lobbied hard for one of her favorites, a nostalgic Southern classic: Zadie. Now, converted to Judaism and active in the Congregation Beth Israel community, Tracy can appreciate the irony and the humor. “Someday my daughter may be Bubbie Zadie: Grandma Grandpa!”

Tracy is a research professor/scholar-in-residence at Portland State University. Once an administrator on a tenure track, she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer when their kids, Zadie and Price, were small, and she took some time to heal.

Working from home, she appreciated that she could nap when the children napped, regain her strength and, ultimately, “get over chemo brain and reclaim who I am as an intellectual.”

That reclamation resulted in a professional identity in which, while she no longer teaches, she works with grad students, speaks extensively and writes books. Today, Zadie is 14, Price is 11 and Tracy still gets to work at home a lot. Her specialty is Portland history and, thanks to the digitalization of Oregon newspapers from 1846-2017 by the University of Oregon 10 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

(oregonnews.uoregon.edu), Tracy can do key word searches from the comfort of her couch. Her first book, Portland’s Goose Hollow, published in 2011, was a deep dive into her own neighborhood. Several other books followed.

Zadie was 8 when Goose Hollow was published.

“It was empowering to see her working,” Zadie recalls. “I don’t remember exactly what I felt when I saw the book, but I knew it was important to her. She took off from there, more and more books, and it was really fun. I got used to the idea of women being writers. We gave (the books) to our teachers as gifts. I was super proud.”

When Zadie began to study her Torah portion to prepare for her bat mitzvah, Tracy asked her to read the portion to her in English and share her impressions.

“It doesn’t say anything about the women,” Zadie remembers saying. “The men went off to war. The children stayed home.

They don’t mention any women. I thought: my mom’s an author.

Maybe we can do something with this.”

“At the beginning,” Tracy says, “I was going to feed her a list of a few women’s names and she would research them. She is brilliant, but it became overwhelming. She was 11 when she started, and we saw she was biting off way more than she could chew.”

When Tracy realized her publisher might be interested,

though, it got her thinking.

“I said, ‘I don’t want to get in on your act, but maybe we could do this together,’ ” Tracy says. “I could give her assignments, and she could be like my graduate research assistant.

She jumped up and hugged me.”

Zadie was systematic, even at first. “I found some of the pictures and did some of the initial research,” says Zadie. “I’m a pretty organized person. I put it all in one file: woman’s name, picture, information. Next page. Chronological order. It made it easier to find things.”

The hardest part was when they were laying out the book.

“We wanted to tell a full history, from native American early Portland (and on), chronologically,” says the senior historian in the family. But there are so many women. “A friend of mine

“She is brilliant, but it became overwhelming. She was 11 when she started, and we saw she was biting off way more than she could chew.”

– Tracy on Zadie

who is an avid collector gave me amazing pictures of women in World War I and World War II, average Portland women who were extraordinary, and we wanted to include them.”

It was tough on the junior historian, as well. “We had to cut (so many) women. I advocated for a lot of them, intrigued by their stories. It was hard: it’s their whole life’s work we are omitting.”

So you may wonder how was it, working with one’s teenage daughter?

“There were certainly times when it wasn’t sunshine and roses,” says Tracy. “There were weekends when I would say, ‘This book won’t write itself, young lady!’ But we always knew we were working on an important project, and it has been an unbelievable joy to do this together.”

And the other side of the story?

“We occasionally argued, and it was intense for a seventhand then eighth-grader, but (Mom) gave me lots of names and she really helped me,” says Zadie. “I feel closer to her; we shared something big, and we have something special to bond over.”

A few months before the book was released, even before the launch party at the Mission Theater, the authors began to get offers to promote the book: TV, radio, print, online ... so they hit the circuit.

“I didn’t know how much she would absorb – it’s over 150 women – but Zadie really focuses,” says Tracy. “In our first TV interview, she was rattling off the facts. It was a great moment.”

Zadie still holds her own in the public spotlight. At a recent Rotary speaking engagement, for example, the authors had 30 minutes, and Tracy gave Zadie 20 of them. Audiences often

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even know she was a leader in the suffrage ask which woman is Zadie’s favorite, and movement. This (project) helped me learn she is off and running. a lot about women in Portland I never “They are more interested in hearing a knew existed.”

14-year-old’s perspective than mine,” says In February, Zadie gave the keynote adTracy. “I like it that I can let Zadie be the dress to Portland Public Schools teachers expert who rattles off the information: at a social studies conference. Mom was she’s done the hard work, she knows the out of town, so Zadie went solo. women’s stories and she’s confident. She It turns out that studying the history of had the Rotary people laughing at her our women may just be able to empower jokes.” women today.

And Zadie loves it: “I’m not scared to Just ask this powerful young woman. Or talk in front of people anymore. It’s fun ask her mother. to sell the books. And then signing the Coincidentally, Zadie’s study of her books makes me feel important.”

Torah portion and her newfound comfort All proceeds go to Transition Projects with public speaking make her uniquely (tprojects.org), a homeless shelter where qualified to help with the fight.

Tracy served on the board.

She tells a story about a friend: “I have Tracy believes that one reason the book Notable Women of Portland, friends with wonderful gay parents, and has resonated with so many is today’s

by Tracy J. Prince and Zadie Schaffer, when I go to school and kids say ‘it’s not social climate.

Arcadia Publishing biblical,’ I refer them to my Torah portion “We are currently having to fight for women’s issues we thought had been where a man married his cousin while still married to his first wife.” resolved in the ’70s,” she says. “We think about the erosion of Do not mess with this articulate woman. Or her mother. women’s rights and the rise of women’s marches. It reminds us of the strength of women.”

Zadie wishes they taught more about Oregon’s women in the Liz Rabiner Lippoff is a marketing consultant, freelance writer and commupublic schools. “The only woman I knew of was Abigail Scott nity volunteer. LizInk.biz Duniway. I knew she was important and that was all. I didn’t

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INS & OUTS

Ken Miller, Bianca Urdes and Tony Urdes Hannah Sherman Brittany Lenhart Melissa Bloom Three-Advisor Team Joins Stifel From Ubs In Portland structures and communication supporting that mindset. The program

On April 23, Stifel Financial Corp. announced that the team of Ken Miller, Tony Urdes, CIMA, and Bianca Urdes has joined the firm’s broker-dealer subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., in Portland.

The team has more than 65 years of investment industry experience and comes to Stifel from UBS Financial Services, where they were responsible for more than $300 million in client assets.

“Our decision to join Stifel was based on our goal to provide clients with investment advice and services tailored to each individual client,” said Tony Urdes. “Stifel really respects the relationships we have with our clients, and we appreciate the ‘client-first’ boutique feel here.”

Stifel’s Portland office is located at 121 SW Morrison.

503-499-6260 | 866-431-2335 | urdesmiller.com PDX Hillel hires executive director

Hillel of Greater Portland has hired Hannah Sherman as its new executive director. Hannah will assume her new post in mid-July, replacing Rhonda Abrams, who is relocating to Chicago, where her husband will enter law school. Hannah is currently the director of student life at Santa Barbara Hillel and recently completed Hillel's Accelerated Executive Leadership Training Program.

“Her experience, passion and commitment to supporting students' Jewish journeys is just what this organization needs to maintain our high standard of excellence, innovation and growth,” said PDX Hillel Board Chair Debbie Plawner in introducing Hannah.

Hannah grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles before spending four years as a Banana Slug at UC Santa Cruz (yes, the Banana Slug is a real mascot). She relocated to Boston to pursue graduate studies at Brandeis University's Hornstein Program, receiving a dual master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership and Near Eastern and Judaic studies the past four years, Hannah has worked at the Santa Barbara Hillel, supervising programming, leadership development and engagement initiatives. pdxhillel.org Oregon Hillel tapped for Design Thinking Lab

The Oregon Hillel Foundation has been selected for the second cohort of Tulane University Hillel’s Design Thinking Lab. This twoyear program will provide the skills and framework for Oregon Hillel to rethink how Jewish campus life looks on its campuses and to determine if Hillel can become more relevant. Oregon Hillel and seven other North American campuses in the cohort will consider a “user-centric” mindset with all of their other institutional priorities, 14 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

is intended to increase the overall participation of Jewish students in Hillel and the Jewish community.

Oregon Hillel Assistant Director Brittany Lenhart will oversee the implementation of the design-thinking approach and program. The Design Thinking Lab will help Hillel’s staff listen to students to learn about their diverse interests, passion and identities. The goal is for students to plan and drive all of Hillel’s programs – with staff providing support, mentorship, investment of resources and coaching. oregon.hillel.org | oregonstate.hillel.org | brittany@oregonhillel.org Melissa Bloom purchases Yo Zone

Melissa Bloom, owner of Event in Bloom, has purchased Yo Zone, a frozen yogurt café located at 18033 NW Evergreen Pkwy. in Beaverton.

In 2011 at a National American Association of Synagogue Executives, Melissa overheard Fred Rothstein of Congregation Neveh Shalom telling friends his wife was opening a frozen yogurt store. On March 1, 2018, Melissa purchased Yo Zone from Fred and Nora Rothstein.

She looks forward to building on the foundation and success the Rothsteins have started.

Melissa still does fundraising consulting for a few organizations in town. With a built-in party room at Yo Zone, her Event in Bloom is still going strong, as well.

Melissa is considering some bakery additions to the frozen yogurt café.

503-617-6811 | YoZoneOregon.com OJMCHE curator named to state commission

Governor Kate Brown has appointed Anne LeVant Prahl, curator of collections for the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, to the Oregon Heritage Commission.

The commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. It works to increase efficiency and reduce duplication among interest groups and state agencies, encourages cultural heritage tourism and coordinates statewide anniversary celebrations. Anne is one of nine commissioners, each serving a fouryear term.

Anne holds a master’s degree in folklore and museum studies from the University of Texas at Austin. During her 25 years at OJMCHE, Anne has developed the holdings of the OJMCHE into the state’s most comprehensive repository for the Jewish community of Oregon. She has focused her career on integrating the archival records and the artifact records of the collections at the museum to capture more fully the material culture of the Jewish community in Oregon. Her projects

Anne LeVant Prahl Rachel Shimshak

include the development of a classification system for Judaica to facilitate retrieval of objects and information, ensuring everything is documented and accessible for research, and researching the collections to make sure that everything is well represented in exhibits. oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC | ojmche.org Renewable Northwest’s Rachel Shimshak retiring

After 24 years of leading the Pacific Northwest’s preeminent clean energy advocacy organization, Rachel Shimshak will retire as executive director of Renewable Northwest in June. Rachel was featured in the July 2013 issue of Oregon Jewish Life (orjewishlife.com/rachel-andrenewables).

“This has been my dream job, helping lead an evolution and revolution for our quality of life and for our planet,” says Rachel.

During her tenure she moved Renewable Northwest from pioneer to power player, supporting the implementation of more than 8,000 MW of wind, geothermal and solar resources in the Northwest. Her work helped propel the region to a national clean energy leader – attracting large numbers of renewable energy jobs and manufacturing clusters.

A retirement party is planned for 5:30 pm, June 7 at the Elysian Ballroom, 918 SW Yamhill, 5th Floor, Portland. Tickets are $125 (proceeds benefit Renewable Northwest) renewablenorthwest.brownpapertickets. com.

“I am working through the end of June and will take a break to enjoy my family, garden, dancing, piano and painting,” says Rachel. “After that, I’ll see what feeds my soul.” renewablenw.org

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COVER STORY

32 Gain lifeskills at camp 34 Fire can’t dim spirit 36 Jewish camps thrive 38 Parent’s summer blues 40 News from camp 42 BB launches day camp 43 Solomon Schecter grows 44 Camp-Hebrew school tie 45 Camp Directory

16 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

LARRY KING: STILL REIGNING STRONG

BY MALA BLOMQUIST

Larry King turns 85 on Nov. 19, and his career in front of a microphone turns 61 on May 1. He has conducted more than 50,000 interviews – getting to know the thoughts of athletes, movie stars, musicians, millionaires, politicians and presidents all while wearing his iconic suspenders.

“I just always wanted to be in radio – I thought I would be a Dodgers announcer,” says Larry. “I’ve wanted it since I was 5 years old. I used to dream about it; I would imitate radio announcers. When I was a teenager I would visit radio shows that had studio audiences; I was fascinated by the whole area – sound, radio, the theater of the mind.”

His father died of a heart attack when Larry was just 9½ years old. Larry didn’t go to college; after high school he worked odd jobs to help his mother out. He always held on to his dream of working in radio, so when someone suggested he check out the possibilities in Florida, he jumped at the chance.

In 1957, he got a job at radio station WAHR (now WMBM) in Miami Beach “doing everything” from being a disc jockey in the morning to announcing sports in the afternoon. He was on the air for about two years when he was approached to do Coffee Talk at Pumpernik’s local restaurant.

The restaurant owner wanted an interview show done on site, so Larry did an hour-long show every morning after his gig at the radio station.

“I started interviewing people, in the beginning it was just visitors and waiters and then one day, Bobby Darin walked in, and I interviewed him – then Jimmy Hoffa,” remembers Larry. “That show really caught on, and newspapers started writing about it. I found my home as an interviewer. I relaxed, I enjoyed every minute of it. I was always curious, and that curiosity paid off.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY KING

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 17

LARRY KING His television career began about a year later. “I did a Sunday night television show, and Jackie Gleason would come on that show – everything took off,” says Larry. In 1978 he went national on Mutual Broadcasting System. “That was the first network radio talk show nationally.” He continued his media ascent, starring in “Larry King Live” from 1985 to 2010 on CNN. “Interviewing became my forte. If I wasn’t an interviewer; I’d be a sports announcer; if I wasn’t a sports announcer I’d probably do stand-up comedy.

I’m a communicator – I like the whole ball of wax.”

END OF ONE ERA, BEGINNING OF THE NEXT After leaving CNN, Larry did a comedy tour, sharing memorable stories from his lengthy career, but he quickly realized that he missed being on the air. “When Osama bin Laden was killed, that night I wanted to run somewhere and do a show – but I didn’t have anywhere to run,” he says.

Larry would soon have somewhere to be “on” again, befriending Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim who helped finance Ora TV, a television production studio and on-demand digital network that launched in 2012. CEO Jon Housman came up with the name Ora, which is Larry’s wife, Shawn’s, middle name.

Larry hosts two shows on this new platform, “Larry King Now” and “PoliticKING with Larry King.” “I’m still doing what I did back many, many, many years ago. I’m just transmitted differently,” says Larry. Shawn’s take on why they started Ora is a little different. “We started Ora TV because I was tired of having Larry in the house,” she jokes.

Larry and Shawn also have launched Communication U, a free online classroom where Larry interviews the world’s bestknown communicators as they share their secrets of success. The basis for the course stemmed from Larry’s book, How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere first published in 1994. “It’s all about communication,” explains Shawn. “You make a lot more money if you’re able to communicate your thoughts in an organized fashion.”

The couple’s most recent venture departs from the world of media. “Sleep Like a King” (sleeplikeaking.com) is a line of luxury home goods inspired by their stays at some of the finest hotels in the world. “When you go and stay in a beautiful hotel with great sheets – 18 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

there’s nothing like it – jumping into bed on beautiful, crisp, high-end, soft sheets,” says Shawn.

She explains they are working directly with a manufacturer of luxury bedding, Sobel Westex, so they can offer the same high-end quality bedding to the masses at an affordable price.

Shawn admits she is a little sheet and bedding obsessed. “We were staying in New York at the St. Regis, and I loved the sheets so much,” says Shawn. “Larry, being the romantic guy that he is, and the listener that he is, he had them send the entire bedding set to me. It was such a wonderful gift.”

But Larry is not the only one good at surprises.

“When Larry was turning 70, I was on the phone with Carrie Schnepf (of Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, AZ), bemoaning the fact that Larry has everything and he’s so hard to buy for,” says Shawn. “I couldn’t figure it out. So Carrie said, ‘I know what we can do.’ ” When the Schnepfs planted their cornfield for the season, they used special technology which allowed them to transform their 10-acre maze into a likeness of the celebrity.

Since the image can only be seen from the air, Shawn arranged for Larry to go up in a helicopter to see his portrait in the acres of corn – complete with his signature suspenders and microphone.

“Carrie donated proceeds from admission to the maze to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation,” she says. “We love Arizona and its people - we have lots of friends there.”

Some of Larry’s past interviewees while on CNN include: Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Martha Stewart, Colin Powell, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CNN.

Opposite page: Larry’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; he’s interviewed relevant political leaders including Donald J. Trump, Barack Obama and Shimon Peres. From his current show “Larry King Now,” interviewees Allison Janney, Chadwick Boseman, Celine Dion and Neil deGrasse Tyson. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ORA TV. Larry with one of his favorite interviewees Frank Sinatra, in 1984.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY KING.

COVER STORY

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 19

Clockwise, left: Larry circa 1976; Cannon, who turns 18 this month, Larry, Chance, 19, and Shawn King with her father, Karl Engemann at The Magic Castle in May 2016; Larry and Shawn discuss products from their luxury home goods line Sleep Like a King; Shawn and Larry will celebrate their 21st anniversary on Sept. 5.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY KING.

TWO PEOPLE, TWO RELIGIONS – OR THREE? Larry grew up in a Conservative, kosher home and he became a bar mitzvah. “I’m very Jewish socially,” he says. “I love Jewish humor, I love Jewish food, I like being Jewish, but I’m not religious.

Shawn is a religious Mormon, so she believes, and I don’t.”

Shawn: “You don’t believe in a God.” Larry: “I don’t. I used to, but then I faded.”

Shawn: “Faded? That’s a pretty big fade!”

However, he did hold a mock seder this year with Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, the creators of the YouTube series “Good Mythical Morning.”. “They asked me since they were not Jewish, and they were going to a home where a seder would be conducted, and they wanted a little practice,” says Larry.

“I had my seder book and my tallit. I’ve done a lot of seders. The Last Supper that Jesus Christ held was a seder. He conducted the seder. All the people there were Jewish.”

Larry made sure he had the traditional foods on hand too, including matzah and Manischewitz Concord Grape. “When you come right down to it, next to Cabernet, it’s my favorite wine.

Manischewitz Concord Grape,” he says it, emphasizing every word.

“There’s something about it, it has a lilt, it’s wine, but it’s also grape juice.”

Shawn was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remains very active. “Mormons and Jews are culturally very similar,” she says. “The family is at the center of everything.

20 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

LARRY KING Family first, period, end of story.” After Shawn shares the importance of faith and family, Larry interjects, “I’m reading a book called Mormonism for Dummies.”

Despite his lack of religious practice, Larry has been to Israel several times.

Shawn: “He’s been promising me that he would take me to Israel since we were dating.”

Larry: “I have a surprise, Shawn.”

Shawn: “Oh, you have a surprise. Really?”

Larry: “I’m interviewing Netanyahu the second week in June, and I’m taking you.”

Shawn: “All right! When did that happen?”

Larry: “Today.”

Shawn: “You had four hours to tell me that!”

Larry: “I came home and you were so busy, you were running around,” and then he adds “I’ll take her to Israel so she can visit her holy land. She can visit the birth of Christianity.”

The two continue their endearing banter back and forth, which is not uncommon for the couple who have been married for 21 years this September. This time the focus was on what Shawn refers to as Larry’s “real religion” – baseball.

Larry: “Shawn, you’re never going to make the (Dodgers) game, I’ll have to go ahead of you. You have an hour and 20 minutes.

You’ll never make it.”

Shawn: “My hair is dry. I’ve had a shower. Stop!”

Larry: “I’ll give you your parking pass, I’ll give you your ticket – have a good time.”

Shawn: “You’re witnessing Larry King at his normal….”

Larry: “What? I like to be on time for things.”

Shawn: “This is what I live with.”

Larry: “Wait, what about what I live with? The game starts at 7:10 pm, I want to be there at 6 pm, so that I can have dinner.”

Shawn goes on to explain that their seats are in the Dugout Club, so they have access to a buffet before, and during, the game.

Larry: “…and Shawn arrives in the eighth inning for a hot dog!”

Shawn: “Which is the time the most important stuff usually happens…”

Larry: “Stop! It’s a great sport! Stop! Oh my gosh! I’m tired of this conversation.”

Shawn: “Actually, Larry’s real religion is baseball.”

Larry: “… and I love hockey, I love basketball, I love football.

Baseball is my favorite. I love competition; I love tiddlywinks if its being played right, I like to watch checkers. The Dodgers are my favorite team. I grew up with the (Brooklyn) Dodgers.”

LASTING LEGACY When asked who his favorite person to interview was, Larry is quick to respond. “That’s impossible to say, I’ve done it for so many years. But there’s a bunch of them: Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, seven presidents.”

The list is not as long though when you ask him his least favorite.

“Robert Mitchum gave me a tough time. I admired his acting; he may have been drunk because he just one-worded me.”

He says that he never really had a much of a problem with guests,” I’ve always been curious. I’ve been able to draw them

out, I don’t know what I do. I draw everyone out – except Shawn.

I ask Shawn a question, and I get that famous thing all wives say – nothing.” Shawn is quick to defend herself. “No, there is no accuracy about this,” she says. “This is Larry going into his comedy act. I am the punchline in Larry’s life.”

Larry regrets he never had the chance to interview Fidel Castro.

“I went to Havana some years ago trying to get him. I spoke to people in the Assembly (National Assembly of People’s Power) in Cuba, met a lot of Cuban people, but it never happened. I would have loved to have interviewed him because he led his country for so many years, forget the politics when you lead a country that long … I would have loved to interview him.”

He also has a current list of people that he would like to interview. “Right now, on my list would be the Pope – he’s always on my list, the British prime minister, the French president,” says Larry. “I’m always curious about anybody that I talk to. I love the whole world of asking questions.”

Many of his interviewees and early radio personalities left an impression on him. “I used to listen to Arthur Godfrey as a child.

He was a great salesman, a great broadcaster and he’s largely forgotten, and that’s a shame,” says Larry. “( Jackie) Gleason had a great effect on me, the great lawyer Edward Bennett Williams was a great friend, the late Mario Cuomo had a great impression on me, a lot of people affected me, they were mentors in a sense.”

Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards. “I’ve won the only Peabody Award for a radio talk show,” he says. “I’m also the first person to get a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, which I got in 2010, and then seven Emmy nominations. After a Lifetime Achievement, you’re supposed to die.”

He has also received CableACE Awards and Webby Awards; he is in five “halls of fame;” and he has a star on Hollywood Boulevard. There is even a Larry King Square at the intersection of Sunset and Cahuenga Boulevards in Los Angeles. Larry jokes, “I’m dying to have an accident there so the police could write out – this occurred at Larry King Square and Larry King.” Shawn is quick with a retort, “The way he drives, I wouldn’t be surprised!”

Despite Larry’s jokes and comfortable, relaxed demeanor, he takes on a tone of solemnity when asked about what he wants his legacy to be. “That he informed, he entertained, he added some knowledge to the world, he contributed. He did good things and he tried to help other people, and he’s happy he was part of the culture.”

But the tone gets light again when he’s asked if there is a question that he’s never been asked but expects to be asked. “I’ve never been asked – I’ve said it – but I’ve never been asked, ‘What’s it like to be married to a younger woman?’ No one’s ever asked me that.”

Shawn: “Really?”

Larry: “No one has ever asked me directly.”

Shawn: “Uh-oh! Hold on, here comes the punchline.”

Larry: “When people see the both of us, they look at us, and they see the obvious difference in age. They look at me, they look at her, I know what they’re thinking, So, I always say the same thing – ‘If she dies, she dies.’ ” It’s obvious that Larry King can rely on his stand-up skills, sharp as ever, to keep him prepared for his next career move.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 21

The art of water-wise gardening

By Melinda Myers

M

aking a few changes in your garden care can yield great benefits. Less time and water wasted means more time for you to relax or entertain friends and family in your beautiful landscape.

Water is critical throughout the life of a plant, but deciding when and how much water to provide each plant can be a bit overwhelming. Make this task easier and conserve moisture with these simple strategies.

Start by matching plants to your growing conditions.

Selecting plants suited to your climate, soil moisture and average rainfall means healthier, better-looking plants and productive gardens with less supplemental water.

Incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil prior to planting. This helps the soil more efficiently absorb rainfall and irrigation water. Less runoff means less water wasted.

Adding organic matter also increases the ability of fast-draining soil to hold moisture, extending the time between watering.

Mulch the soil with organic materials such as shredded leaves, evergreen needles or woodchips. Mulching helps conserve moisture while suppressing weeds and improving the soil as it decomposes. Plus, you’ll be recycling landscape trimmings back into the landscape and the environment. It’s green gardening!

Mulch is essential to maintaining green gardening.

22 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

There will still be times you need to lend nature a hand. Sprouting seeds, young seedlings and new transplants need consistent moisture to grow and establish a root system. Most annual flowers and vegetables also need consistent moisture throughout the season.

Newly planted perennials, trees and shrubs also need more attention and water than established plants with deeper roots able to absorb more moisture.

During extended dry periods, even established plants will need supplemental water.

Providing the right amount of water at the right time can be a challenge. Doing it efficiently to avoid wasting time or water can help ensure your gardening success.

Take the guess work out of watering with a drip irrigation system like the DIY WaterWell Irrigation System Drip Line Kit (gardeners.com). Drip irrigation systems allow you to apply water to the soil right above the plant roots, exactly where it’s needed.

Run a line next to each row of plants - or every 18” in planting beds. The water slowly seeps through the holes and into the soil below. The slow, steady flow moistens the root zone, encouraging the development of deep, drought-tolerant roots.

Just turn on the faucet, set the timer and let the irrigation

Drip irrigation systems allow you to slowly apply water right above the plant roots, encouraging the development of deep, drought-tolerant roots.

PHOTO COURTESY GARDENER’S SUPPLY COMPANY

system do the work. This reduces the risk of frequent, ineffective watering which leads to shallow roots growing just below the soil surface where they dry out quickly. High temperatures or missed irrigation can stress shallowrooted plants, reducing their beauty and productivity.

The use of appropriate irrigation, mulching and organic matter can make a huge difference in the quality of your landscape – and your enjoyment of your garden!

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV & radio segments.

Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Gardener’s Supply for her expertise to write this article. Melinda’s website is melindamyers.com.

Grow a bountiful garden and share with the hungry

By Melinda Myers Do you always squeeze in an extra tomato plant, another row of beans or hill of zucchini? It seems like a good idea at the time, until they all start to produce all at once. Your family, friends and co-workers start to hide as you try to pawn off yet another bag of zucchini or tomatoes. Here is a solution that satisfies your gardening obsession and feeds the hungry in your community.

Designate some growing space to a Giving Garden and donate the harvest to your local food pantry. (Find a pantry near you at ampleharvest.org/find-pantry. Neighborhood House, Urban Gleaners and Lift Urban Portland are among many Portland area pantries that accept fresh produce).

Feeding America reports that 41 million Americans struggle with hunger. And many are children and seniors. Gardener’s Supply Company is inviting gardeners to lend a hand. They surveyed food pantries to find out what types of fruits and veggies people most enjoy eating, and those that store well. You’ll

find a simple Giving Garden plan for beets, carrots, cabbage, Swiss chard, kale and winter squash at gardeners.com. Best of all these late maturing vegetables will be ready for harvest all at about the same time, so you can make your donation in just one trip.

Get the children in your life involved in growing and giving.

Gardening increases focus, decreases stress and elevates children’s moods. Giving helps children grow into caring well-rounded adults. Plus, if they grow the vegetables, they are more likely to eat them!

Be sure to capture a few photographs of your donation to inspire others to follow your lead.

With the “Garden to Give,” program, everyone who participates is a winner. The real prize is making a difference while doing something you love. Once you’ve experienced the benefits of sharing fresh produce with the hungry in your community, you are likely to find yourself making regular donations of garden fresh fruits and veggies to those in need… and feeling great about it, too.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 23

PREVIEWS

work-wear tips that will work well for you

By Tori Rosenblum

1 3

2 Spring is officially here, and that means it’s time to dust off your flirty floral dresses, ruffled skirts and your sunny sandals. But most of us spend the majority of our time within the confines of an office or in a professional environment, so I figured it might be a good time for a bit of a business wardrobe update.

24 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

There are countless options for work outfits that are easy, appropriate and show off your fabulous fashion sense. Just because the dress code may be business casual, doesn’t mean you have to dress business boring. I’m going to show you how you can incorporate the season’s coolest trends into your everyday office outfits.

1. FLATS THAT MEAN BUSINESS Heels have earned a reputation as the shoe women wear at the office. But, powerful women don’t necessarily need to wear power heels. Every business woman knows what it’s like to deal with the aches and pains of walking around an office all day in pumps or giving a presentation in a slingback heel. Lucky for all of us, there are options for fabulous flats that look polished and sophisticated, and are also versatile and comfortable for long-wear. Whether you choose black leather mules, color blocked ballet flats or slip-on loafers with pompoms; there are fashionable flat options for the working woman.

2. BELT IT OUT Belts have been a staple accessory for a long time and one that’s no stranger to the office. But this season, put a fresh spin on the way you wear your belts to work. Are you following our tip by layering your go-to blazer over a flirty floral maxi skirt? Well, this spring, try belting your blazer at the waist. You no longer have a boxy shape, but are showing off your figure. The belt works in two ways: first, it adds style as a chic accessory and second, it gives you shape.

3. PANTS, PLEASE Just because spring is here, doesn’t mean you have to trade in your pants for skirts and dresses altogether. Opt for a pair of head-turning pants instead. Try wide-leg, high-waisted pants in a statement-making color that instantly brightens any look. Or go for a bold stripe in a straight style that will elongate your legs for days! Pair these pants with a blouse, sweater or jacket, and you’ll have a look your co-workers will be jealous of.

4. THE GO-TO SHIRTDRESS Go for a feminine flair in one of the season’s countless shirtdresses. These easy button down or wrap-style dresses are wonderful for work because you can quickly throw them on and wear them casually or dress them up depending on what you pair with them. Try a button-down striped style with a bold belt that accentuates your waist. Or try a wrap dress if you have a curvy figure. These are the easiest dresses to throw on for work in the morning. I promise you’ll be grabbing for a shirtdress at least once a week!

5

5. THROW A BLAZER ON IT A menswear-inspired blazer can take just about any outfit and dress it up as a business casual look. Take your favorite springtime floral dress or maxi skirt, or maybe a tailored jumpsuit with a belt, and layer your favorite black silk blazer over it. You’ve just transformed your look from weekend-wear to office-appropriate.

But you don’t have to settle for a black blazer only. Try mixing suit separates for a bold look. Layer a plaid jacket or maybe one with a fun detail on the lapel or a bright lining instead. Tailored outerwear is an easy way to take you from brunch to boss.

So stop worrying about what you can wear to work that is as stylish as your typical looks outside the office. You can say goodbye to your stuffy suits and patent leather pumps and use these work-wear tips to find your perfect officeappropriate outfit, whether your job is corporate or creative.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 25

C

hemistry Jewelry Store in downtown Hood River is my first stop on monthly visits to Hood River. I’m like a kid in a candy store as I scan the glass cases filled with jewelry.

I adore the owner, Christine Barthmus, who loves to talk about her travels to buy beautiful pieces and share information on the artists and the materials they use.

Last June when I stopped in, renowned jewelry designer Saundra Messinger was there preparing for a trunk show.

Saundra was displaying her jewelry, and I quickly realized I owned several of her pieces. I was a bit awestruck. I knew her home and studio were on the East Coast and had no idea she was in Hood River. Her exquisite work has been photographed and featured in Vogue, In Style, Lucky and More. Her work can be found in many art museum gift shops and in The Sundance catalogues. I was struck by how approachable, elegant and interesting she is.

Saundra will be back in Hood River the weekend of June 9 with her trunk show at Chemistry.

Her path to jewelry has been an exciting journey from singing in Manhattan to working with clothing designer Eileen Fisher. In 1999 Saundra struck out on her own to become a designer and caught the attention of Vogue magazine, which called Saundra’s style “cutting edge” and described her work as luxurious, primitive, sophisticated and even unpredictable.

Saundra grew up near the Mississippi River and now lives near the Hudson. So maybe it’s not so unusual that Saundra is drawn to the Columbia River. The following interview with Saundra has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? I grew up in Memphis, TN, with a sister who is five years older. We sang together as kids, The Messinger Sisters.

She was really the better singer. My parents were very musical. They were beautiful, kind, loving and supportive people, and I miss them every day.

26 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

FRONT & CENTER

Jeweler Saundra Messinger returns to Hood River June 9

By Gloria Hammer

DID YOU GROW UP IN A JEWISH HOME? I grew up in an Orthodox home. Not ultra-Orthodox, but we kept kosher, changed all of our dishes for Passover and went to shul. We lit candles and blessed the wine on Friday nights. I remember the seders, Shabbat dinners, my father’s tallit and my mother waving her hands as she blessed the candles. These were some of the most meaningful moments of my life as I was growing up.

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I went to college in Memphis and studied education. I loved the student teaching year. My first year out of college I worked as a substitute teacher. I didn’t love that. The next year I was offered a full-time teaching position where I would have to teach five different subjects each day in a school that had a terrible reputation in many areas. I guess I didn’t love teaching enough to do that.

I got a job at the Jewish community center as the cultural arts director, a job I really loved.

HOW DID YOU GO FROM MEMPHIS TO MANHATTAN? I was a singer my whole life. Our family took a trip to New York, and I decided then and there that New York City was where I was supposed to be. When I was 25 I picked up and moved there. I was lucky enough to have many survival jobs as I pursued my singing career. I studied voice and method acting while I was working full time or in several part-time jobs. I paid my dues.

I auditioned for a very cool nightclub in New York, and they hired me for a weekend gig with six weeks to prepare! I went to my voice teacher and told him I had to put together a nightclub act in six weeks and he laughed; but we did it! I did my own PR as ‘Morgan Kassel’ and got lots of press including in the impossible, the ‘Going Out Guide’ in The New York Times. I sang to packed houses. I continued to do club work in New York and eventually also started

When I left Eileen Fisher, I thought it was time to do my own thing again. I’ve never been afraid to jump into things I don’t know how to do, so I decided to figure out if that designer was right – if I was actually a jewelry designer. I knew nothing. I had to learn 8,000 new things every day or it wasn’t a good day.

It worked out!

doing some studio work including jingles. I was the voice of “Windjammer Cruises” and a number of other products.

This all led to the most important moment of my life – meeting my husband, Chuck Irwin, a recording engineer in a recording studio.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. I married the love of my life. I was 40, and Chuck was 50. We made the decision not to have kids; it was the right decision for us. Our family life is rich and full with siblings, cousins, nieces, dear friends who have become family and our dogs. We only have one dog at a time, but they have been spoiled rotten and have stolen our hearts.

DID CHRISTINE AT CHEMISTRY JEWELERS FIND YOU, OR DID YOU FIND CHRISTINE IN HOOD RIVER? I found Silverado and was lucky enough to land a spot in all of the stores when they were all connected. That relationship gave me the incredible opportunity to begin working with Christine in Hood River in what is now Chemistry. She is a remarkably talented, kind, fun and smart woman.

This is my third trip to Hood River. I don’t do a lot of traveling or a lot of trunk shows, so the trips I do schedule have to be meaningful. The time I spend in Hood River is worth it. I love the staff, the customers and the scenery – all every bit as important as the business.

WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF WORKING WITH EILEEN FISHER? I began as Eileen’s assistant. When I left I was the executive vice president. I was there when the company was very young and there were exciting entrepreneurial opportunities to grab. I created the PR and advertising departments. I launched the company’s first national ad campaign, produced runway shows and photo shoots. We shot Isabella Rossellini, my mother’s favorite actress, and I was able to get an autograph for her. The experience I’d gained doing all those survival jobs in New York became very important in helping me do my work in this big company.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR JEWELRY ARTISTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS? Don’t ever let an obstacle become a roadblock. Figure out a way to do what has to be done. Learn what you need to know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t let your ego get in the way of listening to feedback.

Be kind and generous with your staff, your customers, your suppliers and contractors. It comes back to you in the most amazing and surprising ways.

HOW DID YOUR LOVE OF JEWELRY DESIGN BEGIN? My love of jewelry and fashion began with my mother, father and sister, who were all very stylish. My mother had an incredible collection of costume jewelry, and I paid close attention to the way she mixed and matched her earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings. I also watched my father, a very spiffy guy. He was all about a breast pocket square, cuff links and a special tie tack. I have a number of pieces from both of them that I treasure.

I got seriously into jewelry when I was working with Eileen Fisher. Chuck and I had done an album together, and I finally felt that I had achieved my goal, lived my dream and had started looking for something else to do. A very small part of my job at Eileen Fisher was buying jewelry and accessories for all of her retail stores. I enjoyed working with the jewelry designers, and I also tried to redesign their lines. One of them told me, “You’re a jewelry designer.”

CHEMISTRY JEWELRY: 310 Oak St., Hood River chemistryjewelry.com SAUNDRA MESSINGER The Studio: 38 High Ave., Nyack, NY saundramessinger.com

Christine Barthmus

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 27

FRONT & CENTER

To Hedy Lamarr, beauty was only skin deep

By Michael Fox

“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” is presently in theatrical release and airs in May on PBS’ “American Masters.” OPB will air the episode twice: noon-1:30 pm, Sunday, May 20, and 1-2:30 am, Saturday, May 26. The film screened at Portland’s Living Room Theater in January and at the Corvallis Jewish Film Festival in April.

28 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

I

n 1933, the Viennese actress Hedy Kiesler sparked an international furor by swimming nude in a provocative melodramatic film titled “Ecstasy.” Alas, it was the tragic fate of Hedy Lamarr, as she was renamed when she arrived in Hollywood, to be perpetually judged by her face and figure rather than her intellect.

A splendid study of an extraordinarily complicated and conflicted person, Alexandra Dean’s “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” recounts the actress’s and inventor’s litany of innovations and achievements alongside her frustrations and failures. The documentary, which screens in the Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film Festival, is most fascinating when it shifts from Hedy’s ambivalence toward Hollywood glamour to her wartime invention of a secure communication system.

The beloved daughter of a Jewish banker, Hedy had a comfortable childhood before gravitating to the theater and movies. Fleeing a youthful marriage to a Jewish fascist who made arms for the Nazis, as well as the gathering storm in Europe, she purchased passage on an ocean liner. Aboard ship, she parlayed her bravado and striking good looks into an introduction to MGM executives and, eventually, studio mogul Louis B. Mayer in Los Angeles.

“My grandfather fled the Nazis in a very similar fashion, on a boat where he met someone from Samuel Goldwyn’s shop and ended up in Hollywood, and it saved his life,” Dean said in an interview last summer when 'Bombshell' screened at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. “He became a very powerful individual, and he did not like having been victimized by the Nazis and he kind of whitewashed that entire episode in his life. He didn’t think of himself as a victim, and he didn’t want to think of his family or his tribe as victims, so being Jewish was a complicated thing for him.”

escape the Nazis. Then she discovered a letter Dean, a journalist who produced newsthat Hedy had written saying, “Please do this for magazine segments for Bill Moyers and PBS me, because I don’t want to be identified as a Jew and documentaries for Bloomberg and wrote in Hollywood.” profiles for Businessweek magazine, saw in Hedy The psychological effect of Hedy’s subterfuge a similar refusal to be defined by her background mingled with her sorrow for the destruction of or circumstances.

European Jewry is difficult to calculate, but it “She also had the same kind of complicated subsequently manifested itself in the insistence to relationship with being a woman,” Dean says. her children that she wasn’t Jewish. In fact, Dean “She wanted to be Louis B. Mayer, she wanted to was compelled to confront Hedy’s offspring with be Cecil B. DeMille. She didn’t want to identify their grandfather’s death certificate, evidence as a woman, and she didn’t want to identify as a of his burial in a Jewish cemetery and their Jew. Of course, it creates a schism in your psyche.

"Bombshell" director, grandmother’s conversion papers.

It means your roots are cut off from you, and in Alexandra Dean Dean’s greatest challenge in "Bombshell" was some ways you are floating in the world rootless. conveying Hedy’s many contradictions: strength And what does that do to you? I think if you and shallowness, altruism and cruelty, desire and despair. The film don’t understand her relationship with being Jewish, you don’t manages to be surprising and unexpected yet utterly relevant in its understand why she was such a broken person.” portrayal of a woman stymied in her efforts to win respect on her Dean asserts that Hedy’s Jewishness was directly related to her terms. development of a ship’s communication system that the Nazis “People are very quick to dislike Hedy Lamarr,” Dean says. “It couldn’t break. The actress wasn’t allowed to be open about her appalled me and made me extremely sad that people wouldn’t identity in her day job, because Mayer believed that audiences give her any leeway to express herself. So I struggled to give wouldn’t fantasize – a base but key aspect of movie-going – about her enough of a leash, in the way that she described herself and a Jew. At the same time, the Nazis were blowing up ships in the interacted with other people, that people would understand her Atlantic with European Jewish children on board. Oh, and Hedy’s and allow her to be a complicated person but still like her.” mother still needed to get to America.

The mother converted to Catholicism in 1938 in Vienna, and Dean had assumed that her motivation was to make it easier to Michael Fox is a film reviewer based in San Francisco.

Did you know that OJMCHE’s archives and collections are a community resource telling the history of Jews in Oregon?

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I read about it in

Interested in donating items or visiting the archives?—call today!

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orjewishlife.com 724 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209 | 503-226-3600 | www.ojmche.org OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 29

FRONT & CENTER

King David the Musical – in concert

“King David the Musical” premieres in Portland May 16.

"King David The Musical," with words, music, and script

by Cantor Eyal Bitton, was originally performed as a theatrical concert at Montreal's Saidye Bronfman Centre, then as a musical at Montreal's Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, followed by another production at Toronto's Winter Garden Theatre. It was thanks to an earlier incarnation of the show, entitled "The Child" that Bitton met his wife, Michèle Tredger. Michèle, a gifted actress and singer, played the role of Bathsheba.

Cantor Bitton saw in the story of King David a truly complex and flawed hero. In this telling of the David story, our hero begins as the black sheep of the family, He then seeks to be loved by one and all. But the Cantor Eyal Bitton desire to be accepted and loved turns into a desire for power – and the only one who can stop him is ... himself. It's a story of heroism, jealousy, power, passion and love.

About 10 years ago, the show was licensed to a high school in Hong Kong, where it was performed by full orchestra, choir, a full cast, with elaborate costumes and set design.

Whereas that production and others were theatrical productions, the Portland show will be presented as a concert version featuring a number of soloists, choir, musicians and narration. This will be the first time that Cantor Bitton will perform in the musical. Serving as director and musical director of earlier productions, Michèle Tredger he preferred to let others perform the role of King David. He is excited to bring this musical in concert to Portland and to perform it alongside his wife, Michèle Tredger.

The concert will be at 7 pm, May 16, at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Tickets are $18/ Neveh Shalom members, $25/non-members. For more information or tickets, call 503-246-8831.

30 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

Portland Jewish Film Festival starts June 10 The 26th Annual Portland Jewish Film Festival, co-presented by the Northwest Film Center and the Institute for Judaic Studies, will screen 18 films June 10-24 at the Whitsell Auditorium, Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland.

Among the films featured in this year’s festival are (from left or top): “The Cake Maker” (Israel/Germany), the story of a German baker who travels to Jerusalem in search of the wife of his dead lover; “An Act of Defiance” (South Africa), a biography of Nelson Mandela and nine others as they stand trial during the apartheid era in South Africa; and “The Testament” (Austria/Israel), the dramatic story of a Holocaust researcher’s discovery of his own mother’s testimony of survival.

A full schedule of films will be included in the June/July issue of Oregon Jewish Life. For more information, visit nwfilm.org.

ISRAEL

Enlighten moderate BDS supporters to divide movement

sity of Virginia called “Building Bridges” and featuring Israel Defense Forces reservists was disrupted by pro-Palestinian I have often argued that the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment protesters who surrounded the speakers with Palestinian flags and Sanctions movement is anti-Semitic in effect if not always and shouted anti-Israel slogans into a megaphone. Shouldn’t in intent. After all, in the view of most BDS leaders, the Jewish fair-minded students who support BDS merely as an exprespeople have no right of national self-determination. For them, sion of opposition to Israel’s settlement policy be troubled by all of pre-1967 Israel is occupied Palestinian territory, and the such outright hostility and rank hypocrisy?

Jews are foreign colonialists. Their strategy is to brand Israel In a similar vein, how can pro-BDS Christian clergy who as a pariah state and challenge the moral legitimacy of its very preach tolerance and coexistence from the pulpit remain silent existence. when criticism of Israel morphs into blatant anti-Semitism?

But what about those who view boycott and divestment Consider Roger Waters, the former Pink Floyd frontman campaigns as a peaceful, nonviolent strategy to bring about and one of the BDS movement’s most outspoken advocates. a change in Israel’s behavior – i.e., who believe (naively so) Waters routinely pressures fellow musicians to cancel their that BDS is simply about protesting what they consider to be upcoming concerts in Israel, which he compares to Nazi Israel’s “illegal occupation” of the West Bank? How should the Germany. He makes the absurd claim that the “right-wing organized Jewish community respond to rabbinate” in Israel considers all non-Jews to them? be “subhuman.”

Those of us who work in the American Hard-core BDS activists not only falsely "We should challenge Jewish community relations field are portray Israeli counter-terror actions as them to rethink their familiar with these relatively moderate genocide, they vilify Jewish college students BDS activists. They don’t hate Israel; who actively support Israel or simply attend support for BDS by rather, they detest Israel’s right-wing campus Hillel events. In a statement issued demonstrating that government. They don’t condone Palesearlier this year, for example, BDS student tinian terrorism but regard the Jewish the movement’s hate- activists at San Francisco State University settlements as the main obstacle to school president Leslie Wong for ful rhetoric and tactics denounced peace. They are the Presbyterian pastor allowing Zionist groups, which they likened with whom we collaborate to fight povare antithetical to their to “white supremacists,” on campus. erty, the progressive Jew who sees BDS Might those claiming to have no argument own core values." as the “sole recourse” to force Israel to with Jews or the Israeli people – only with end the occupation, the idealistic college hardline Israeli policies – realize (and openly student who’s drawn to ostensible huacknowledge) that this sort of anti-Semitic man rights causes. invective is incompatible with their values?

Perhaps unwittingly, these BDS backers shield the moveI know Christian leaders who are sympathetic to BDS ment from allegations of anti-Semitism and provide it with because they genuinely believe – or, more accurately, have a veneer of undeserved legitimacy. And that’s precisely the been deluded into believing – that the movement is, as one of reason we can’t ignore them. On the contrary, we should chalthem put it, “committed to helping bring peace to Israel and lenge them to rethink their support for BDS by demonstrating Palestine through nonviolent means.” They have no idea (that that the movement’s hateful rhetoric and tactics are antithetis, until I gladly enlighten them) that BDS founder Omar ical to their own core values – values that we share despite our Barghouti supports “armed resistance” against Israel and has disagreements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. declared, “Definitely, most definitely, we oppose a Jewish state Take free speech, for instance. The organized Jewish comin any part of Palestine.” munity has long been a steadfast defender of freedom of Once so informed, the more open-minded of these pastors speech, even offensive speech. Now BDS groups, in their become much less inclined to support BDS initiatives. efforts to defeat federal and state anti-boycott legislation, inThis shows that while not everyone involved in BDS is anvoke free speech, claiming (erroneously) that these laws would ti-Semitic, we shouldn’t hesitate to double down on exposing infringe on their constitutionally protected right to criticize BDS’s divisive and insidious nature. The more we can drive a Israel or its policies. wedge between pro-Palestinian advocates who reject extremIn fact, whereas BDS proponents remain totally free to ism and the hardcore “delegitimizers,” the better our chances malign the Jewish state, it’s the anti-Israel protesters who regu- of weakening the movement.

Bob Horenstein is the director of community relations and strategic initialarly attempt to deny Israel advocates their freedom of speech, tives at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. The article was originally especially on college campuses where robust debate and the published in the April 16 issue of the Jerusalem Report. free exchange of ideas should be the norm.

In February, for example, a pro-peace event at the UniverBy Bob Horenstein

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 31

CORNER

32 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

SALAD, SENIORS AND MEMORIES

By Lisa Glickman

My husband, Marshall, and I recently celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. We were married in Palm Springs, CA, in 1994. The nuptials were held at LaVallauris, a beautiful French restaurant just off Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.

My in-laws owned a beautiful home at Canyon Country Club. My father-in-law loved to play golf, and my mother-inlaw would spend hours playing mahjong with her lady friends.

We enjoyed many trips back to Palm Springs to visit them until travel became difficult for my father-in-law, and he could no longer enjoy the golf that he loved. They moved permanently back to Portland and sold their second home in the desert.

When we used to visit them, we would always look forward to lunch at their country club. We would walk in (with our then young son in a stroller) and snicker that we were by far the youngest people in the dining room. We would smile and listen to all the happy seniors exchanging hellos and swapping stories about the “old days.” There would be the occasional sad reports of an ill friend or one who had passed away from a stroke or heart attack. But mostly, the visits were full of laughter and picture swapping of recent weddings or cherished grandchildren. Everyone beamed with pride and love for their growing and thriving families.

Now in my mid-50s, I realize that I am quickly approaching being a happy senior myself. While I used to be ecstatic to be asked for my ID to make sure I was over 21, I now hold my breath and hope that I am not asked if I should receive the senior discount at the grocery store! My sister always says “growing old is not for wimps,” and I know she speaks the truth. I am now rarely the youngest person in the room – and that’s just fine! There are always good things to look forward to when you have friends and family to grow old with.

On a recent trip to Scottsdale, AZ (another popular place for happy seniors), I had one of the best chopped salads I have ever eaten. The best part was the freeze-dried corn that gave the salad an unexpected sweet crunch. They used smoked salmon, but in my version, I am using smoked trout. Either would be good. Colorful and healthy, this salad makes the perfect lunch or light dinner entrée.

Lisa Glickman is a private chef and teacher who lives in Portland. Lisa appears regularly on KATU’s Afternoon Live and appeared on the Cooking Channel’s “The Perfect Three.” She can be reached at lisa@lisaglickman.com.

SCOTTSDALE CHOPPED SALAD For the salad:

4-5 ounces smoked trout, crumbled ⅔ cup freeze-dried corn 3-4 cups baby arugula ½ cup diced Roma tomatoes tossed with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 2 teaspoons olive oil ¼ cup black currants ¼ cup toasted pepitas 3 tablespoons grated asiago cheese

For the dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup buttermilk Juice of 1 lemon 12 basil leaves 1-2 cloves of garlic (about 1 teaspoon) Salt and freshly ground pepper Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a blender. Blend thoroughly. Toss salad with dressing to taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 33

NWNosh

Whole Roasted Pacific Snapper with Curry, Fermented Chili

DAIry-free Asian cuisine and desserts

By Kerry Politzer Photos by Drew Tyson

Biting into a creamy chocolate dessert at Departure Restaurant + Lounge, you would have no idea that it was dairy free.

You might be even more surprised to find that the absence of dairy extends to the entire pan-Asian menu. Chef Gregory Gourdet, who places a premium on health as well as flavor, has crafted a cuisine that manages to be delicious and virtuous at the same time.

The chef, who took the reins at Departure eight years ago, spent many years experimenting with various techniques and ingredients to get just the right tastes.

“We pride ourselves on using alternative ingredients to recreate flavors,” he says. “We use a lot of vegetable oils, and we use coconut cream and coconut fat to recreate the richness of heavy cream. At this point, we have a system that we’ve created to make the food that we do. But it definitely took some tinkering to be able to get the right textures and flavors.”

Gregory is greatly inspired by Pacific Northwestern produce 34 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

and seafood.

“When I moved here 10 years ago, I was shocked by the bounty; we grow vegetables 12 months a year here,” he says.

“But this is not an uncommon story, it is the story of a chef working in Oregon.”

The chef had an epiphany when representing Oregon at a national seafood competition in Louisiana. “We cooked salmon; for me, growing up on the East Coast and getting very used to farm-raised Atlantic salmon, it was really the first time I truly understood how delicious and amazing real, fresh, wild, just-harvested salmon can be.”

A recent visit to Departure included grilled wagyu sirloin steak on a hot stone, ginger fried rice, delicious chunks of bigeye tuna poke, mint-accented brussels sprouts and the aforementioned creamy chocolate torte. One would be hard pressed to find anything lacking in the food. In addition to offering dairy-free cuisine, Departure also features gluten-free

Mongolian Beef with Mushroom, Scallion and Crispy Garlic

Chocolate Ash Cake with Cherry, Durian and Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

and vegan menus. The restaurant can also make any dish shellfish free. Gregory advises diners with dietary restrictions to contact Departure in advance. He says, “If you call ahead and talk to the host, we can get a heads up. By the time you are here, we will be ready to go and well aware of how you’d like to eat.”

One dish for which Departure is particularly well known is its Peking duck, which is only available during the month of December. Says the chef, “We wanted to create something really celebratory for the holidays and found that a whole roasted duck was that one dish people from a lot of different backgrounds appreciate and enjoy. The ducks are cured, blanched in honey and Chinese wine, air-dried for days, roasted daily and glazed with a little bit more honey and tamari. They come with pancakes, cucumber and scallions, a house-made cherry sauce, duck fried rice that we make with all the duck trim, and duck ice cream!”

While the Peking duck dinner is definitely something that everyone should have on their holiday calendar, Departure is worth visiting all year long.

Beet Cured Trout Roll with Peppercorn, Cured Yolk, Furikake and Citrus

Departure Restaurant + Lounge: 525 SW Morrison Street, 503802-5370, departureportland.com.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 35

ACTIVELY SENIOR

INSIDE

36 JUST THE FACTS

44 F ALLING WITH GRACE

51 WIDOW'S SHRINKING SOCIAL CIRCLE

37 M S. SENIOR EUGENE

46 D ONORS PLANT FOR FUTURE

52 ADVICE FROMT HE PAST

38 A REWARDING LIFE OF CHANGE

48 STAY SAFE ONLINE

5 3 SENIOR SERVICES & LIVING DIRECTORY

42 BALANCE PARENT ' S WISHES & SAFETY

50 A UTHOR FINISHES TRILOGY

W

GOLDEN AGE FOR AGING

By Deborah Moon

36 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

hile researching stories for our Actively Senior section, I learned a lot of interesting facts about the aging face of America. It’s all good.

Seniors today generally enjoy better physical health, financial comfort

and respect.

According to AARP, 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day, and they can look forward to a healthy life ahead. Men turning 65 this year can expect to live, on average, to age 84.3; women, until age 86.6. And 1 in 10 of us will thrive past 95.

That’s two or three more decades of adventure that you don’t want to miss.

AARP also reports that seniors benefit greatly from exercise. This is backed up by a study at Hebrew University Medical Center and Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, which reported that seniors who do any amount of exercise appear to live longer and have a lower risk of disability. In addition, the benefits associated with exercise were seen not only in individuals who maintained an existing level of physical activity, but also in those who began exercising between ages 70 and 85.

The American Council on Exercise notes: “The best way to keep fit is to choose exercises you enjoy. Favorites among some older adults include aqua aerobics, yoga, Pilates, tai chi, line dancing, square dancing, ballroom dancing or simply walking the dog. … Look at your retirement or senior years as an opportunity to do things you have never done before.”

Some people are rejecting retirement and continuing to work into their 90s; for some, it is a financial necessity, for others, it is a passion for what they do.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor statistics, more than 1.2 million people 75 and older work full- or part-time; by 2019, more than 40% of Americans aged 55-plus will be working.

Those statistics come to life in the stories in this section.

We feature seniors who are acting and giving to improve the world now and for future generations. Some of our seniors are stepping out to experience new adventures. We offer resources to help you improve your physical health and your online security.

Getting old may have its challenges, but it also has many rewards.

Meet Ms. Senior Eugene

Debbie Aharoni

By Deborah Moon

D

ebbie Aharoni, 65, moved from Las Vegas to Eugene last July in search of new adventures in an educated, liberal community close to nature and affordable on a teacher’s retirement.

Her quest for new experiences prompted her to enter a pageant for fun, and now she is the first Jewish senior to be Ms. Senior Eugene/Lane County USA. On Sept. 9 she will compete for the state title; if she wins that, she will compete as Ms. Senior Oregon at the national pageant held in Las Vegas in June 2019.

Ms. Senior America is a national nonprofit that celebrates the lives of women who have reached the “age of elegance” of 60 and older. The senior pageant doesn’t have a swimsuit competition, but contestants do need a talent, accomplishment and platform.

Her talent is playing piano and her accomplishment is having taught elementary school children for 42 years and “helping the future of this country develop and grow.”

A member of Eugene’s Temple Beth Israel and a former Jewish day school teacher, Debbie says her platform of No Place for Hate is deeply rooted in Jewish values of tolerance and welcoming the stranger. No Place for Hate is a program created by the Anti-Defamation League to promote inclusion in schools. For Debbie, the concept extends to all areas of society.

“I want to educate people that all of us should have the same rights,” says Debbie of her platform. “I want all people to feel part of things and not feel rejected.”

Debbie also wants to encourage other seniors to take a chance

and try something new.

“Bucket lists are not just about travels, they are about new experiences,” she says. “Everyone can afford a new experience.

Learn to ride a horse, take a cooking class, enter a pageant – you are having experiences. An experience can be learning something and meeting new people.”

“When I came to Eugene, I wanted to become part of this community,” says Debbie, noting the kindness of people in Eugene is a perk she had not expected when she decided to move here.

She says the pageant helped her reach several goals – she had a new experience, she met many new people and now she has a stage to share her message.

Debbie believes good health requires a positive attitude and a focus on the mind, body and spirit. She enjoys activities that engage her mind, such as doing crossword puzzles and watching “Jeopardy.” A former water aerobics instructor, she now is “in the pool taking the class.” She also walks regularly with her dog, Max III (his Hebrew name is Moshe Matan Aharoni). Like Max I and Max II, the English wire-haired terrier is a trained comfort dog. Debbie and Max visit senior homes and senior centers.

Though she has no biological children or grandchildren, Debbie has befriended an 8-year-old neighbor whose grandparents live far away. She encourages other seniors to consider being there for a local child.

“If you are a senior who doesn’t have biological grandchildren or whose grandchildren live in another city, you can become that for local children in your own community,” she says. “You don’t have to be related to enjoy the benefits of having children in your midst. It benefits the child and it benefits you.”

While she lived in Las Vegas, Debbie also spent eight years on the strip during conventions as an onstage spokesmodel for services and products. She says the pageant state director has told her that convention stage experience will help her stand out at this fall’s state contest.

She is looking forward to another adventure and being able to share her messages of tolerance and the need for new experiences with a wider audience.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 37

ACTIVELY SENIOR

Sabina Shalom in her apartment at Rose Schnitzer Manor displays photos of the leaders she met while touring the world on her marriage sabbatical – India Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, the King of Tonga and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Australia. On the shelf is the lifetime achievement award she received from the National Association of Social Workers.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH MOON

From England to Portland via adventure

By Deborah Moon

38 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

S

abina Shalom, 93, moved to Portland last August in the belief that without change life stands still.

“There is no sadder statement one can make as the years close in than ‘If only,’ ” says Sabina. “If only I had taken a chance, made a change, taken a risk! Without change life stands still and can pass us by. If and when it doesn’t turn out as hoped, then change again … we can go on changing until the day we die.”

Sabina’s life has certainly been full of changes. A social worker in England, she volunteered to go work with concentration camp survivors, the first of many volunteer efforts to aid those in need.

She raised two sons on three continents. After they were grown, she backpacked around the world on a marriage sabbatical, about which she wrote a well-received book. After successfully pressing charges against a man for smoking in an elevator, she joined the board of the American Lung Association and spent 13 years promoting laws to ban smoking in public spaces.

Six years after the death of her husband, Marco, aka Mark or Mung, Sabina decided it was time for another change. She says she doesn’t give up, but she does “give in to circumstances.” She never wanted to live around a lot of old people, but as “sensible

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ACTIVELY SENIOR woman,” she realized assisted living was her best option after three heart attacks and numerous ailments.

But if she were going to leave the Bethesda, MD, apartment she and Mark bought nearly two decades ago, she wanted to live someplace where she could see “God’s beautiful creation” out the window. Since the couple had a granddaughter ( Jocelyn Shalom) in Portland, she had researched the area when looking for a place for Mark when he was suffering from Alzheimer’s. So she knew Portland met her criteria of “a more moderate climate and a very lovely city.”

Now Sabina lives on the campus of Cedar Sinai Park in Southwest Portland in an apartment at Rose Schnitzer Manor with windows overlooking trees and natural beauty.

at a CSP Street Fair. Sabina dodged Felicia’s questions and referred her to the website. After reading about Sabina, Felicia invited her to Rosh Hashanah dinner and bought copies of Sabina’s book for her other guests.

“I was so touched,” says Sabina of the books Felicia gave out.

“People are so kind,” she adds. “I’m not so special. I’ve had an interesting life, but I don’t feel worthy of the many kindnesses shown me.”

Yet throughout her life, Sabina has been quick to show kindness to those in need. When Mark’s job took the family to Columbia, South America, she helped set up a free welfare clinic for unwed mothers and organized Meals on Wheels. After returning to the United States, she volunteered to read to the blind and served as

“I find I am in a lovely place where the elderly are very young old people,” says Sabina. “They are very interesting, and I feel so much at home here.”

And she is enjoying really getting to know her granddaughter, who with her husband, Jeff, is expecting Sabina’s first greatgrandchild.

After shul shopping for several weeks, Sabina now often attends services at Congregation Shaarie Torah. She has made many wonderful friends at Rose Schnitzer and Shaarie Torah, but she prefers not to tell new acquaintances about her multi-faceted life. When someone asks her about herself, she refers them to her website, SabinaShalom.com, which includes a short biography and details about A Marriage Sabbatical, originally published in hardcover by Dodd Mead in 1984 and now available as a paperback or on Kindle from Amazon.

“The book did bring me a lot of beautiful and rewarding speaking engagements,” says Sabina. She was invited to speak on three voyages of the QE2, on several military bases, and at Brandeis and Hadassah author events. Now people who take the time to look at her website often persuade her to open up and share more of her experiences.

For example, soon after Sabina moved to town, she met Felicia Rosenthal, a stylist with Stella & Dot, who was displaying jewelry

Sabina Shalom displays some of the articles written about her campaign to prohibit smoking in public places.

40 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

PHOTOS BY DEBORAH MOON

a hospice volunteer in Miami. She and Mark both helped resettle Russian refugees arriving in Florida.

During her world tour she visited a family planning clinic in a very poor village in India. Moved by the plight of the people she saw, she requested and received an interview with Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, with whom she shared an emotional connection detailed in her book.

“I have had an interesting life,” she says rather demurely, noting she just took advantage of opportunities wherever she saw them.

Referring to her faith in God, she adds, “Without my conviction of Him always being at my side and without my daily acknowledgment of His presence through the prayers I recite morning and night, I would not, could not still be here.”

Sabina feels all her efforts to aid others have rewarded her as well with “the little glow inside that we may have lightened someone’s pain, troubled heart or lonely days.”

“If you grasp the hand of a person in need, you will have contributed so much that will give you satisfaction and justify your existence in this troubled world,” says Sabina.

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ACTIVELY SENIOR

How to balance parent’s wishes and safety

By Emily Wanderer Cohen

I

t all began with this innocuous statement: “Em, I’m getting my left knee replaced in April, right after the first night of Pesach.”

My mother (I called her Mutti, which is German for mom) had no concept of how she had just turned my world upside down.

To her, the surgery on her knee was going to be a blip on the screen, and she’d be back to her usual routine in no time. To me, however, it was anything but. She’d had her right knee replaced three years before, and it was a harrowing ordeal.

What I know now is that this was a fairly typical scenario for an adult child and her aging parent. While I saw the signs of Mutti’s mental and physical decline, many adult children write off multiple, minor incidents as isolated accidents and tell themselves that the problem either isn’t real or will go away.

No one wants a real emergency – a fall resulting in a broken hip, a short drive to the grocery store that turns into a search operation – to be the catalyst for creating a caregiving plan. But sadly, that’s all too often what happens.

On one hand, we want to respect our aging parent’s wishes to ‘age in place’ – staying in her own home as long as possible. On the other hand, we need to ensure her health and safety. As the keynote speaker at Jewish Family & Child Service’s fundraising luncheon last month, I learned about the innovative ways in which JFCS addresses these issues, particularly by encouraging seniors to stay active in their community.

I knew that Mutti adamantly wanted to stay in her apartment in Seattle, but I could also see the costs of her lack of social engagement. She was depressed and her increasing confusion due to dementia along with severe hearing loss meant that it became difficult, if not impossible, to ensure from my home in California that she was safe. More than once I had to call the police for a wellness check because she forgot to wear her hearing aid and couldn’t hear the phone ringing.

So, just like a high-wire artist, planning your course in advance and making sure you have a safety net below can make your caregiver journey and your parent’s aging significantly smoother.

42 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

Three generations: From left: Rachael Cohen, Emily Wanderer Cohen and Hannelore Wanderer, z”l.

If your parent is a Holocaust survivor like Mutti, a proactive, thoughtful approach is even more important.

With that in mind, here are some tips based on my personal experiences, as well as those of my clients: Have the hard discussions long before there’s an emergency.

It’s the rare parent who wants to talk about her care plan when she’s still socially active and mobile, but at least know your parent’s wishes so that you are not blindsided.

Get siblings on the same page (or at least in the same book).

Competition between and disagreements among siblings only distract from the parent’s well-being. Make every effort to come to some agreement.

Create a plan for the “what ifs.” Know your options for helping your parent age in place as well as for assisted living and memory care. Consult a financial expert if needed and amend all legal documents before your parent loses her ability to make decisions.

Make your parent’s social engagement a priority. Studies show that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%. On the other hand, social engagement stimulates the cardiovascular, cognitive and neuromuscular systems. The more active and engaged your parent stays, the healthier they’ll be.

Be realistic about when their safety and your sanity trump your parent’s wishes. Is your parent routinely getting lost on his daily walk that he’s been taking for 25 years? Did your mother forget that the iron was on and start a fire? These are signs that an increased level of care is needed to keep your parent safe.

Know the sensitivities and triggers for Holocaust survivors.

Caring for a Holocaust survivor adds another level of complexity to the caregiving equation. Aging in place becomes even more important for those who were forced from their homes and lost family in the Holocaust. Triggers related to showering/bathing, food, smells, doctors, standing or waiting in line, striped clothing (such as that worn by prisoners in concentration camps), and more can arise with greater frequency or intensify with age.

JFCS helps seniors live on their own terms

Through PEARLS (the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives for Seniors), JFCS offers free, in-home counseling to isolated seniors. Over the course of eight sessions, participants learn to self-manage depression while expanding their social ties. And by providing “house calls,” PEARLS counselors can offer more companionship and ensure regular contact.

The licensed clinical social workers at JFCS help seniors and their caregivers cope with the complexities of aging. Common issues include bereavement, isolation, anxiety, depression and family dynamics.

Most Holocaust survivors are now in their 80s and 90s, and the vast majority of them want to grow old in their own homes. Last year JFCS provided local survivors with a total of 14,350 hours of homecare services, helping them age with dignity and autonomy.

You can help JFCS continue this important work by making a donation at jfcs-portland.org.

Emily Wanderer Cohen, author of From Generation to Generation: Healing Intergenerational Trauma Through Storytelling, is the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. She was the keynote speaker at the April 17 JFCS Celebrating Our Caring Community lunch. At the JFCS event, she spoke about her own experiences as they relate to helping her mother age in place – and the associated services needed – as well as her insights into trauma-informed care.

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ACTIVELY SENIOR

Minimize injuries from falls

By Deborah Moon

P

ractice makes perfect. But when you practice how to fall, you don’t have to aim for perfection – minimizing injuries may be your best option.

“Safe Falling with Intelligence and Style” is a new class that will meet four Tuesdays in May at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center beginning May 8. The teacher is Tara Atkinson, a registered yoga therapist and personal trainer who has taught exercise classes at the MJCC and at Cedar Sinai Park for nearly a decade.

Tara decided to offer the class after several of her yoga students told her about articles they had read in the New York Times and other publications about fall classes offered in Europe.

A Jan. 2, 2018, NYT article entitled “Afraid of Falling?

For Older Adults, the Dutch Have a Cure” notes that falling courses have become so common in the Netherlands that the government now rates them and insurance covers part of the

44 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

cost. The class in the article included students ages 65 to 94 who use an obstacle course that was clinically devised to teach them how to navigate treacherous ground without having to worry about falling, and how to fall if they do.

The class at the J will have a similar focus.

The first goal will be mindfulness of your surroundings to avoid a fall. Secondly, students will practice falling slowly. Then they will practice getting up. They will also practice getting to a phone or help if getting up is not possible.

Top: Tara Atkinson leads a chair exercise class in one of the Greenhouses at the Harold Schnitzer Center for Living on Cedar Sinai Park Campus.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH MOON

Right: Tara Atkinson leads a yoga class at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. She leads a full range of classes from yoga sculpt to gentle yoga at the JCC. PHOTO BY ELIE BULKA OOLITE PHOTOGRAPHY

Tara notes that as people age, many seldom get down on the floor on purpose. “The process of getting up and down is scary when it’s not part of your daily routine, and you’re not sure if you get down you will be able to get back up.”

The class will be held in the MJCC SportsPlex in the gymnastics area with mats, soft blocks and cubes so students can practice lowering themselves to the floor safely and then practice how to get up.

“We will practice falling backwards onto your bum,” says Tara. “When we fall, if you can slow yourself, you can lessen the damage. You want to lower yourself as slowly as possible; don’t jam your arms into the ground. … we will practice in slow motion – hand, hand, knee, knee,” she says demonstrating with arms stretched out with a slight bend in the elbow and doing a reverse pushup to ease the fall to the ground.

Tara now teaches a full range of yoga classes at the MJCC ranging from Yoga Sculpt, which she calls yoga on steroids, to chair yoga designed for seniors or people with physical challenges who want a slower paced program. She also teaches exercise classes at Rose Schnitzer Manor and the four Greenhouse households at Cedar Sinai Park. The RSM classes begin in a chair and progress to standing, but with the chair at hand for stability. The classes held in the Harold Schnitzer Center for Living Greenhouses are all in chairs or wheelchairs.

“I enjoy teaching to the whole spectrum,” Tara says.

“Seeing old people exercise gives me perspective on working with young people.

Even someone who is really fit has strength imbalances or misalignments.

When I work with someone older, I see how little problems get exacerbated as we get older. I can focus on helping them stand taller, to balance better, to cope with what is imbalanced.”

For all her classes, Tara incorporates exercises that

SENIOR FALLS

• One in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year.

• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.

• Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.

• Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

To be sure, we’re proud of our 30 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We invite you to experience NorthWest Place for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Call us to schedule.

I n de p e n de n t L i v i ng R e s i de nc e s 2420 NW Marshall Street • Portland, OR NorthWestPlaceSeniorLiving.com • 503.388.5417 strengthen or increase flexibility.

“Seniors are so appreciative to have someone who can create a yoga class or an exercise program that can really fit their needs,” says Tara, who first worked with seniors as an assistant activity director in a nursing home while she was still in high school.

In addition to the falling class and Tara’s chair yoga classes, the MJCC offers numerous classes that seniors of all activity levels gravitate toward. They include Gentle Pilates, Tai Chi for Falls Prevention, Forever Fit, Arthritis Exercise and Ai-Chi in the warm water pool, and a variety of aqua aerobics in the main pool. For more information visit oregonjcc.org/fitness-wellness or call 503-244-0111.

hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.

• In 2014, the total cost of fall injuries was $31 billion.

• The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 45

ACTIVELY SENIOR

OJCF’s Endowment Book of Life grows By Gail Mandel

J

ust as the old man in Midrash plants a tree so that his grandchildren might eat its fruit, legacy donors today ensure that the seeds of Jewish programs and institutions grow to nourish the minds and souls of future generations.

On March 21 the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation held its second Endowment Book of Life signing ceremony and welcomed 11 new signers into the Book of Life family.

Located in the lobby of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center as well as online at ojcfbookoflife.org, the Book of Life acknowledges and honors individuals who have committed to leave an after-lifetime gift to support Jewish organizations in our community. These gifts, either through one’s estate plan, IRA beneficiary designation or life insurance policy, will help strengthen our shared community for generations to come.

The stories that Book of Life signers share convey the values and motivations behind their decision to leave a legacy gift and serve to connect the generations. OJCF’s Book of Life 46 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

recognizes the generous commitment of these individuals.

In March the following people signed the Book of Life: Steve Albert and Janie Goldenberg, Ron Appelbaum and Judy Nemer Appelbaum, Barry and Karla Benson, Gerel Blauer, Nathan Cogan, Beth and John Germain, Stephen and Elaine Kantor, Tony and Priscilla Kostiner, Theodore Nelson and Curtis Shaffstall, Jeanne Newmark, and Carolyn and Gary Weinstein.

If you have made a legacy gift to benefit our community, OJCF invites you to be a part of the Endowment Book of Life.

For more information, contact Gail Mandel at gailm@ojcf.org or 503-248-9328.

Above: Group shot of all signers in front of Book of Life installation at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Inset: Tony and Priscilla Kostiner signing the Book of Life.

PHOTOS BY NAIM HASAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Left: Jeanne Newmark signing the Book of Life.

Below: Carolyn and Gary Weinstein signing the Book of Life.

PHOTOS BY NAIM HASAN PHOTOGRAPHY

“I was brought up in a Jewish home where I saw being generous to others as a part of my everyday life.” – Jeanne Newmark “We believe that life is a precious gift. To live it without meaning, without purpose, without making a difference is to deny that gift.” – Carolyn and Gary Weinstein

BOOK OF LIFE EXCERPTS

“As children, we were taught the importance of giving back to the community. As parents, we have strived to instill that philosophy in our own children.” – Stephen and Elaine Kantor

“We moved to Portland in 1974. We were warmly welcomed by the Jewish community.

Our family has grown and thrived here. Now it’s time for us to give back to the community.” – Tony and Priscilla Kostiner

“Curt and I are proud to be a part of a community that imparts a steady and respectful voice calling all of us to action.” – Theodore Nelson and Curtis Shaffstall

“It is wonderful to see the community working together, and the common thread that binds us should never be broken.” – Gerel Blauer

“Tzedakah has always been important to me…. I don’t see it as giving back, but rather giving forward.” – Nathan Cogan OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 47

ACTIVELY SENIOR

Online safety for seniors

By Emily Helwig

T

he internet has revolutionized the way we do just about everything. From buying groceries to talking to friends and family to finding out the latest news, the World Wide Web puts seemingly infinite possibilities right at our fingertips.

However, along with all of the stuff we love about the internet, an abundance of scams and viruses are unfortunately ready to trick you into giving up sensitive information about yourself.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide for seniors. We have plenty of tips on how to keep your identity safe and how to avoid getting scammed out of your hard-earned money.

COMPUTER SAFETY AND CYBERSECURITY As powerful as our computers are, they’re still susceptible to a whole host of viruses and malware that can slow your computer down and put your personal information at risk.

These are some smart ways to protect your computer and yourself from viruses: 48 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

MAKE STRONG, UNIQUE PASSWORDS Make sure your online passwords are strong and unique. Yes, the name of your beloved pet or your birthday might be easy to remember, but they’ll also be easy for others to figure out.

The best practice is to combine eight or more upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols to create a solid password.

Use a random password generator to create strong passwords that will be difficult for others to figure out and keep those passwords in a safe place like a private notebook.

DO NOT INSTALL UNKNOWN SOFTWARE OR PLUG-INS Don’t install software from websites you don’t know and trust. If you get a pop-up ad offering you free virus protection software or telling you that you need to install a plug-in, these are likely fake notifications designed to get you to download viruses and malware.

BE WARY OF ATTACHMENTS Don’t open attachments, respond to emails or click links within emails. This is always true for senders you don’t know. But, sometimes even people you do know can fall prey to viruses and malware that automatically send out emails to everyone on their contact list.

If someone you know sends you an email with a link or an attachment you weren’t expecting, shoot them a message and ask if they meant to send it.

ACTIVELY SENIOR ONLINE PURCHASES These days, you can get almost anything delivered straight to your door with just a few clicks. While that’s something you should take advantage of, make sure you make purchases as safely as possible. Here are a few tips to follow when shopping online: MAKE SURE ANY PURCHASES ARE ON A SECURE WEBSITE Only make purchases or send your personal information on security-enabled websites. You can tell a site is secure if there is an “s” after the “http” in the website’s address. On some browsers you’ll see a lock symbol next to the address. These sites encrypt your data when you send it, making it difficult for others to steal that information.

USE A CREDIT CARD WHENEVER POSSIBLE Debit cards are convenient and great for keeping track of how much money you have versus what you have on credit. But, credit cards offer you better security options and will hold you liable for much less money if you do have fraudulent charges made on your account.

CHECK CREDIT CARD AND BANK STATEMENTS REGULARLY Some banks will notify you of suspicious activity on your account, but it’s up to you to keep track of your purchases and make certain that no one is using your card to buy stuff online. Make keeping an eye on your statements a regular habit, so you know that your accounts are secure.

USE A PRIVATE COMPUTER AND WI-FI NETWORK TO MAKE PURCHASES Only make purchases on your own private Wi-Fi network. Using a public computer or even just a public Wi-Fi network will make it easier for others to steal your information. Create a private, secure, password-protected Wi-Fi account in your home and only use that network or those you trust to make your purchases.

MEDICARE AND ONLINE SAFETY Many popular scams targeting the elderly involve Medicare. These are some things to watch out for when it comes to your Medicare coverage: • Exchanging personal info for Medicare cards In April of 2018, Medicare recipients started receiving new Medicare cards.

These new cards won’t have your social security number on them like the old ones; that should help reduce identity theft and fraud. The new cards will be sent out automatically, and you should receive yours sometime between April of 2018 and April of 2019.

However, some folks have reported receiving phone calls or emails where they’re asked to provide information to receive their new card or even told that they need to pay to get their new card mailed to them. This is a scam.

The Medicare website notes, “Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card.” If you receive a phone call or message like this, do not give out your personal information.

• Medicare fraud Another common scam is Medicare fraud in which a healthcare provider or someone else uses your Medicare account to bill for services you did not receive. Be sure to check your statements regularly to ensure that your Medicare number hasn’t been compromised.

• Unsolicited calls offering to enroll you in Medicare Open enrollment periods are an especially popular time for Medicare scams. Each year from October through December you have the opportunity to enroll in or re-enroll in your Medicare program.

During this time, scammers will often call or email you claiming to be from the Medicare office and asking for your information to enroll you.

Again, Medicare will never contact you and ask for your personal information like this, so do not give out your personal information in this scenario.

• “Free” appointments, prescriptions or refunds Free check-ups, prescriptions and refunds? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Some scammers will tell you that due to changes in your insurance, you’re entitled to a refund. They’ll then ask you for your bank account information to direct deposit your refund, but they are just trying to steal your account information.

You should never give out your bank account information over the phone or online, especially to someone you don’t know. Others will tell you that you can get access to free medical supplies (especially for diabetics), free doctor’s visits or free prescriptions, but you need to give them your Medicare info to access the freebies.

There is never a case where this isn’t a scam, so don’t give out your info.

For seniors, it can be especially challenging to know the difference between what’s real and what’s fake. Since online scammers so often target older folks, it’s crucial that you know how to keep yourself and your information safe.

If you suspect that you’ve been the victim of fraud or a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission’s website at consumer. ftc.gov to find out the next steps for keeping yourself and your information safe.

This article was edited from an original piece published on dealspotr.com OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 49

ACTIVELY SENIOR

Author explores life's fortuitous happenings

By Deborah Moon

A

uthor Leon Gildin, 89, enjoys discussing his new book, The Polski Trilogy, which begins with his award-winning fictionalized account of the real Hotel Polski, where many survivors of the Warsaw ghetto were lured by the Nazis with promises of exit visas. While many were sent to their deaths, some did receive the foreign papers of deceased Jews and were able to emigrate.

In addition to the 2009 novel The Polski Affair, which won the International Book Award for Historical Fiction in 2010, the trilogy includes the sequel, The Family Affair, published in 2011, and the new conclusion of the family saga, The Final Affair.

Leon also is the author of You Can’t Do Business (or most anything else) Without Yiddish (published in 2000 Hippocrene Books) and The Poems of H. Leivick and Others: Yiddish Poetry in Translation (published in 2015 by Finishing Line Press).

I read the first two novels in the new trilogy for a profile of Leon and his work in 2014.

Though the subject is obviously horrendous, I really enjoyed the first book’s tale of the Jewish partisan Rosa, who is sent to the hotel to spy for the partisans but gets caught in the hotel’s web. Rosa and her friend, Itzhik, whose spouses and children were killed by the Nazis, get coveted exit visas with new identities (Anna and Chaim). When Rosa/Anna is called to testify at the hotel commandant’s war crimes trial, the experience haunts her. The characters in the book reacted to horrible situations in understandably complex ways.

I found the second book fascinating, but less satisfying. The reactions of the characters (now living in Israel) did not have the ring of truth I felt in the first book. Anna and Chaim raise their children and thrive in Israel, yet her experiences during the war continue to haunt Anna and ultimately lead to the dissolution of the family.

50 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

Leon Gildin still uses the IBM Selectric typewriter he brought home when he closed his law firm in 1996 after practicing for more than 40 years.

When I told Leon of my reaction to the second book, he was surprised.

“I liked the second book more,” says Leon. “The amount of fortuitous and unexpected happenings in the second book were more interesting than the first. … The first and third books are, in their own way, self-contained stories. Each deals with two families and how they act and react to the incidents and times in which they live.

“However, the second book is a far wider experience, more characters, more interaction, more emotion, i.e., the death of Sholom’s wife and his remarriage; the discovery of Father Joseph and his conversion to Yossi; the colonel no longer being a Nazi officer but becoming a father figure; the Colonel’s daughter, Liese, developing a relationship with Father Joseph. … Ups and downs, disjointed, fortuitous happenings, but isn’t that what life is all about?”

Unveiling a plaque at the Hotel Polski, Warsaw, April 18, 2013. The plaque reads: In memory of Polish Jewry induced to come by the Gestapo to the Hotel Polski, located at Dluga 29, Spring 1943, who were killed in German Concentration Camps. – Organization of Jewish survivors of the deceased.

There was one aspect of the second book on which Leon and I are in complete agreement – the ending left me feeling unsettled and unsatisfied. Leon agrees, saying he wrote the third book because, “I was unhappy with the way I ended the second book … I needed to resolve the unresolved issues.”

The third book reaches beyond the family and Israel to explore the lingering, far-reaching effects of the Holocaust.

Survivors and their descendants continue to struggle with the horrors and nightmares. But the novel also shares the impact on relatives living in safe nations during the war who search for decades to learn the fate of their relatives who had remained in Poland.

The trilogy was well worth reading, and I enjoyed my discussions with Leon about the stories.

Ask Helen

Loss of spouse strains friendships

A Nosh of Jewish Wisdom:

Endure the truth even if it be bitter.

Dear Helen: I lost my dear husband of 30 years last summer. We had many friends we would regularly socialize with as couples.

I also spent time with the ladies: shopping, lunches, cards.

Since my husband has passed away, my couple friends do not call and ask me to join them for dinner or theater or concerts.

I still see the wives but less often. I would pay for myself if I joined them at a show. I do not expect to be asked all the time, but once in a while would be nice. Why does this happen to widows? I don’t have a disease. It could happen to any of these other women, too.

Dropped Dear Dropped: This happens to many women who lose their spouses. Sadly the opposite is almost always true for widowers. Here’s why: Couples tend to be threatened by single women. More so in the case of divorce than widowhood, but nonetheless there’s a subliminal message: this woman is loose, is used to being with a man and yours might become interested in offering her solace that might threaten your relationship. That’s in no way to suggest such a thought would ever cross your mind, or that you’d give off any signals that would legitimately evoke such a response. But women are often possessive about their hubbies around single females, even aging widows, in ways that would shame a mother protecting her cubs. They can be not only protective but also unthinkingly hurtful.

You can make a point of inviting the wives to lunch and talking candidly with the ones you’re closer to. That might net you a few party invites. But realistically, you’re better off investing your time and energy making plans with the other widows or single women you already know, or with new friends you’re still young enough to make, male or female. Go to classes at the synagogue or the local community center.

Volunteer for committees at a nonprofit. Go on a trip with Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). Begin to build a new life for yourself. When they see you happier, they’ll exhale and remember why they liked you. And you may even make new friends you like better.

HELEN

A resident of Eugene since 1981, Helen is a member of Temple Beth Israel. She claims to have black belts in schmoozing, problemsolving and chutzpah. Email your questions to helen@yourjewishfairygodmother.com.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 51

Advice from the past: Relax

A high school teacher for 38 years, David Greene taught kids that history is a series of slices of time lived by people – not just a series of dates, events and leaders.

As the author of He Could Make Words Sing, he shares the stories of his father-in-law, Harry Greissman, and his journey through a tumultuous century. The son of Jewish immigrants, Harry went to college during the Depression, was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, translated Nazi documents and then succeeded against the odds in the antiSemitic advertising industry.

“My grandson was born in 2017, during quite extraordinary times, and 100 years after his late great-grandfather, about whom this book was written,” explains David. “The question arises: How can we prepare my grandson’s generation to deal with their century from how Harry Greissman and his ‘Greatest Generation’ lived through their extraordinary century?”

In the following excerpt from the book’s last chapter, David tries to answer that question: Relax. We are just ordinary people living in our own ordinary

52 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

times. As my friend Harris sarcastically says, “We all think our times are the most extraordinary evvvvverrrr.” However bad things might seem as we read this today, they are really rather ordinary historically. Our times do not compare with the extraordinary times Harry Greissman’s generation faced.

Yes, we face economic inequality and loss of jobs, but the unemployment rate is under 5%, not hovering at 25% as it did in the Great Depression. Yes, we face racial issues and de facto segregation, but de jure segregation is pretty much gone.

If it existed then, Black Lives Matter would have had a far more difficult task, when lynching was rampant and whole neighborhoods were burned down by whites. Watch the new movie, “Mudbound,” as a reminder of black lives in the south in the 1940s to see how much they mattered.

Broken health-care system? Then, there was none to break.

Medicare and Medicaid were mid-1960s inventions. The environment? Coal-fired furnaces were everywhere. Whole cities were covered in clouds of grey smoke and soot. Choose a domestic problem, any problem, and it was worse when they grew up. What rights did women have then? For the first fifth of the 20th century, they couldn’t even vote. I know that Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” had it far worse than my privileged Boomer generation, Generation X or today’s Millennials.

Of course, today’s new stories and cable shouting matches called newscasts scare the living shit out of many of us. We are still stuck in the longest war in our history and face terrorist threats daily. North Korea is not exactly the same nuclear threat the Russians were, especially during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. We sat at the edge of our chairs watching Kennedy square off with Khrushchev.

Refugees refused? Border walls? How about turning away victims of the Holocaust?

Relax. This is not to disparage those in duress today. God knows our world faces too many serious man-made problems. We have Trump and his reality-TV version of the world that is becoming all too scarily real. Environmentally, like the Wicked Witch of the West, the world is mellllllting!!! The immediacy and verbal violence in social media, divisiveness and fear mongering stress us to no end.

Are we as bad as Orwell’s 1984 or Asimov’s Fahrenheit 451 predicted? No. … All we have is “alternative facts.”

Relax. There is a monologue in Steven Levenson’s play, “If I Forget,” spoken by the patriarch of the family, Lou Fischer. In it, he describes the horrors of being one of the American soldiers who liberated Dachau. After a long sigh, he says, as I believe many of his generation would have said, “For you, history is an abstraction, but for us, the ones who survived this century, this long, long, century, there are no abstractions anymore.”

ACTIVELY SENIOR

S E N I O R D I R E C TO RY SENIOR PRODUCTS & SERVICES

ADULT DAY SERVICES AT CEDAR SINAI PARK 6125 SW Boundary St. • Portland, OR 97221 503-535-4403 • cedarsinaipark.org Adult Day Services at CSP follows the social model program to provide socialization, support services and recreation to elders in a structured, supervised program. Daily programs allow your loved one to enjoy music, exercise and activities to support their well-being in a stimulating and nurturing environment. Lunch and two snacks.

ALL IN ONE MOBILITY, INC. 12833 NE Airport Way • Portland, OR 97230 503-255-5005 • allinonemobility.com We sell, install and service stair lifts, walk-in tubs, barrier free showers, wheelchair lifts, track lifts, elevators and more. Visit our showroom near the airport to see and try stair lifts, mobility scooters, lift chairs, walkers, baths, showers, wheelchairs, elevators and other mobility products. We service everything we sell.

HEARING HEALTH 921 SW 76th Ave. • Portland, OR 97225 503-292-2995 • yourhearinghealth.com Portland’s #1 rated provider of hearing aids, accurate evaluations, no & low cost repairs, reprogramming, hearing protection and listening technology. Thousands have relied on us over the past 16 years to keep them active, healthy and connected to the people and sounds they love. Next to Raleigh Hills Fred Meyer.

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILD SERVICE 1221 SW Yamhill St, Ste. 301 • Portland, OR 97205 503-226-7079 • jfcs-portland.org Guided by the wisdom and values of our tradition, JFCS provides social services that assist vulnerable people in Portland’s Jewish and general communities. Our compassionate staff members offer counseling, emergency aid, support for people with disabilities, and specialized services for Holocaust survivors and other seniors.

SINAI IN-HOME CARE 7412 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale #106 • Portland, OR 97225 503-542-0088 • SinaiCare.org A nonprofit, licensed Comprehensive In-Home Care Agency, we serve seniors and people with disabilities in the Portland area. Our experienced team of nurses and caregivers provide reliable care coordination, personalized plans, assistance with daily activities, hands-on care and medication administration to help you or loved one remain comfortably at home.

SENIOR LIVING

CEDAR SINAI PARK 6125 SW Boundary St. • Portland, OR 97221 503-535-4300 • cedarsinaipark.org Cedar Sinai Park (and its affiliates) is a Portland nonprofit providing residential and community-based care to seniors and adults with

special needs, allowing them to live in comfort, independence and dignity in a manner and environment based on Jewish values. Our continuum of care can be tailored to each client.

COURTYARD VILLAGE AT RALEIGH HILLS, LLC 4875 SW 78th Ave. • Portland, OR 97225 503-297-5500 • courtyardvillage.com We provide high-quality, affordable housing with a commitment to excellence in active independent senior living. It’s the privacy and freedom of home combined with the convenience and security of an emergency call system. Residents feel connected within our environment and continue to thrive as they build and foster meaningful relationships.

HAROLD SCHNITZER HEALTH & REHABILITATION CARE CENTER 6125 SW Boundary St. • Portland, OR 97221 503-535-4300 • cedarsinaipark.org The Harold Schnitzer Center for Living, located on the CSP campus, consists of four individual homes that are focused on the care and needs of the elders who reside there. Built on the Green House model, they support a rich, dignified and meaningful life not available with an institutional model.

NORTHWEST PLACE 2420 NW Marshall St. • Portland, OR 97210 503-388-5417 • SRGseniorliving.com Nestled in one of Portland’s most vibrant residential neighborhoods, NorthWest Place is an active, luxury community that will change the way you think about retirement living. From restaurant-style dining and rooftop terrace social hours to a full calendar of events, residents are presented with new opportunities daily.

ROBISON JEWISH HEALTH CENTER AT CSP 6125 SW Boundary St. • Portland, OR 97221 503-535-4300 • cedarsinaipark.org Robison Health & Rehabilitation Center at CSP offers post-acute rehabilitation services and support to those recovering from surgery, strokes, accidents and other major health traumas. Our rehabilitation team develops an individualized plan focused on preparing patients for a return home by providing clinical care in a peaceful and private environment.

ROSE SCHNITZER MANOR 6140 SW Boundary St. • Portland, OR 97221 503-535-4000 • RoseSchnitzerManor.org Located in the heart of the CSP campus, RSM is the happiest, healthiest, smartest retirement community in Oregon. Residents receive individualized care and support in a safe, nurturing environment nestled in 27 acres of lush urban forest and gardens.

Home-cooked meals, fitness programs and activities stimulate mind, body and soul.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 53

K I D S

and teens too!

PJA eighth-graders on top of Masada.

PJA eighth-graders experience Israel

By Deborah Moon

Portland Jewish Academy began taking its eighth-graders to Israel when the day school expanded to eighth grade for the 1997/98 school year. Since then, except for three years during and after the Second Intifada, members of all of PJA’s graduating classes have been able to experience the land they had learned so much about.

This year 13 PJA eighth-graders experienced the sights, sounds and flavors of Israel March 12-27 on a trip with two other Jewish day schools. The students explored the country from Mount Hermon in the North to Sde Boker, a kibbutz in the southern Negev desert where David Ben Gurion is buried.

“We met with many different people from different cultures and religions, which is what makes Israel special,” says PJA trip coordinator Shahar Eden. “We met with sixth-grade students in their school in Ashdod, we rode camels and listened to a Bedouin talk about their nomad lifestyle.

We walked around Ussefiya and had lunch with the Druze community of the village. We danced and sampled Ethiopian food in Gedera, and had a conversation with local Muslim women in the village of Ein Rafa near Jerusalem while visiting their mosque.”

Born in Israel, Shahar moved to the United States when he was 23. He has been teaching at PJA for seven years and has led the Israel trip for four years.

“The trip allows the eighth-grade students to explore places they have been learning about for many years as students at PJA,” says Shahar. “It gives them the opportunity to visit sites that they only saw in pictures, to talk to Israeli students their age, to taste food that they have only sampled in Portland – sorry, Israel has better falafel – and to experience firsthand the complexity of the Jewish and modern State of Israel as they travel through that magical place.”

Some of the trip highlights included floating in the Dead Sea after hiking up Masada, spending Shabbat in Jerusalem, visiting the Kotel, partying on a disco boat on the Sea of Galilee and meeting Israeli middle school students.

PJA student Brianne Sass was especially moved by the visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, which she says helped her understand what people went through during the Holocaust. “The

54 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

most incredible part of Yad Vashem is how it made me feel,” says Brianne. “After walking through the winding path to get to the light at the end of the triangular tunnel, I could really feel the weight of all of the history. I started to miss all of the people that perished in the Holocaust like they are a missing part of my family.”

She says Yad Vashem’s children’s memorial was especially powerful: “In the first room you can see many pictures of different children, and you feel sad that these innocent children have died. The second room was really powerful. You can see millions of lights flickering in the pitch black room. Only then did I truly understand the numbers of how many children were killed.”

Eighth-grader Bella Philips has dreamed of going to Israel since she was in second grade.

“As soon as I took a step off of the plane, I knew Israel was special,” says Bella. “It had this vibe that made me so happy. … everywhere we went, there was a new thing that just made the trip a little bit better. We went everywhere! The Dead Sea, Masada, Kotel, Ben Yehuda Street, the markets and even the small juice stores!”

For Lev Barnett, the class trip was a return. Lev and his family lived in Israel for six months when he was in fourth grade. At that time, studying in a Hebrew-speaking school was tough, but after he left Lev says “I found myself wishing I could go back. Then when I joined PJA, I actually could.”

In the company of his school friends, Israel was even better than he remembered. “The activities ranged from a graffiti tour in Tel Aviv where we got another view of Israeli culture to a peaceful bike ride in the Hula (Valley),” says Lev. “I loved it.”

For all the students, Israel is now a real place with tastes and textures etched in their memories.

TOP: PJA eighth-graders float in the Dead Sea. LEFT: PJA eighth-graders, from left, Micha, Brianne, Mazzi and Anna, eating carrots in Shvil Hasalat, an agricultural farm in southern Israel.

RIGHT: PJA eighth-graders eating in a Bedouin tent.

BOTTOM: PJA eighth-graders at the Kotel.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 55

FAMILY TIME

By Debra Rich Gettleman

Nerf gun violence

“Mom, he’s got a gun!” I hear my 17-year-old son, Levi, scream from the den where he’s doing his homework. I race to him faster than a cheetah pursuing a wildebeest. When I get to the den, Levi’s sitting on the couch, his computer open on his lap, the television blasting. My 14-year-old son, Joe, (not his real name because he refuses to allow me to mention him in anything I write), is calmly sauntering past, his hand in the pocket of his shorts.

“What are you talking about?” I scream at Levi for practically causing my untimely demise. “Why would you yell something like that?”

“Because it’s true, mother,” he insists in the condescending tone that only a snarky teenager possesses. “It’s in his pocket.”

I look at Joe as he pulls a 4-inch neon orange Nerf gun out of his pocket. “What, this?” Joe innocently inquires.

“Levi, that is a Nerf gun. Did he shoot you with it?” I ask trying to find some hint of reasonable concern.

“Mom,” Levi yells, “This is a really serious issue. " I immediately turn back and sit down on the couch next to him.

“Levi, “I ask, “What is the serious issue?”

“Gun violence!” He asserts aggressively. “Teenagers are shooting up schools because they don’t understand the distinction between play guns and real guns. How do you know Joe isn’t stockpiling weapons under his bed?”

“Well, first of all, he sleeps in a loft. Secondly, I’m 100% certain

Joe knows the difference between a Nerf gun and an A-47.”

“My work here is done,” I quip and turn on my heels.

“No!” Levi insists. “I am uncomfortable with him having a gun in this house. I do not feel safe here.”

“You don’t feel safe here?” I ask.

“No, I do not,” Levi insists. “You and he are part of the problem in this country. You are perpetuating the cycle of gun violence by treating this issue so flippantly. I cannot live in a house where gun violence is condoned.”

Now I’m seriously irked. “OK,” I counter, “First of all, no one in this house condones gun violence. When you guys were toddlers, we did not allow either of you to play with toy guns. But since you’re both thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent young men, I’m totally comfortable with your brother having a Nerf.”

I applaud the sincere commitment these young people have made to fix what is clearly broken in our society. Their passionate voices need to be heard. But I worry that blurring the line between reasonable judgment, and hyperbolic rhetoric will undermine the critical message they are trying to send.

I told Joe that he could use his Nerf gun in the privacy of his own room, but that he needed to keep it out of any common areas since his brother was so uncomfortable with it. My compromise infuriated both boys for its perceived insufficiency and unfairness.

But that’s my job as a mom, to always be the most unpopular person in the room.

P M A C Y A MJCC D

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KIDS CALENDAR

MAY 2

SATURDAYS

Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Families with children ages 4-5 are invited to come check out Neveh Shalom’s education program, ALIYAH! RSVP to mberwin@nevehshalom.org, 503-246-8831

third Saturdays at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland.

Join us for our special Saturday service for our littlest congregants and the grown-ups who love them. 503-222-1069

May 20

TOT SHABBAT: 10:30 am, first Saturdays, at Congregation Ahavath Achim’s Hillsdale location: 6686 SW Capitol Hwy. Eve Levy will lead tots and their parents in singing, dancing, stories and plenty of time for the children (and parents) to have fun. This program is geared for children up to age 5 and any older siblings who would like to attend. 503-227-0010

KINDERGARTEN ALIYAH TOURS: 4:30 pm at Congregation

YOUNG FAMILY SHAVUOT EXPERIENCE: 4:45 pm at Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Interactive storytelling, snacks and more for families with children ages 0-5. RSVP: eposen@nevehshalom.org

RECURRING: SUNDAYS

NORTH STORY HOUR WITH PJ LIBRARY: 9:30-10:15 am, Sundays at New Seasons, 3445 N Williams Ave., Portland. Share in a weekly story hour for families with music and PJ Library Books. rachelr@ jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

TUESDAYS

STORY TIME IN ANNE AND GOLDIE’S CHILDREN’S CORNER: 11-11:30 am, First Tuesdays, second floor of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, 724 NW Davis St, Portland. Storytellers bring carefully selected books to life, with occasional singing, movement and crafts. Stay to play in the Neighborhood House themed corner, or grab lunch at Lefty’s Cafe. Co-sponsored by PJ Library. ojmche.org

WEDNESDAYS

CHAI BABY + PJ LIBRARY INDOOR PLAYGROUND: 10 am-noon, every second Wednesday (through June) at the MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. For parents and their children up to 5 years old. Playing, running, meeting new and old friends, kosher snacks. Free. 503-244-0111

THURSDAYS

PJ STORY HOUR YAD B'YAD: 9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays at Rose Schnitzer Manor, 6140 SW Boundary St., Portland. Share in a weekly story hour for young families with music and PJ Library books with the residents of Cedar Sinai Park. rachelr@jewishportland.org or 503-892-7415

FRIDAYS

A LITTLE SHABBAT: 5-6:30 pm every third Friday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. For families with children in preschool (ages 2+). Short service with singing, greeting, stories followed by kid-friendly dinner. Free. 503-226-6131

FOURTH FRIDAYS WITH RABBI EVE POSEN: 5:15-7 pm, fourth Fridays. Join Rabbi Eve Posen for this fun Shabbat for young families!

Welcome Shabbat with music and stories. Potluck dinner to follow. Cosponsored by PJ Library. RSVP for more info and location: 503-246-8831 or eposen@nevehshalom.org

TOT SHABBAT WITH MINI MENSCHES: 9-11 am, first and

YOUNG FAMILY TOT SHABBAT: 10:15 am, first and third Saturdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Join other young families for singing, dancing, stories, indoor picnic-style lunch and Shabbat fun. Free. Daniela Meltzer, 503-246-8831 KIDDUSH CLUB FOR K-2ND GRADE: 10:15 am, first and third Saturdays at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Sing, hear a Torah story, maybe dance. Followed by lunch. 503246-8831

TORAH TROOP FOR 3RD-5TH GRADERS: 10 am, first and third Saturdays, Congregation Neveh Shalom. Meet in the main service for the beginning of the Torah service, and then come out with your friends for a fun lesson on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week. Return to the service to help lead Adon Olam, and join the community for lunch. Free. 503-2468831

SHABBAT STORYTIME: 9:45-10:15 am, second Saturdays, at Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7550 NE Irving St., Portland. Shabbat gathering of toddlers and their caregivers. Best for kids up to age 5; older siblings welcome. Enjoy stories, songs and crafts that celebrate holidays and Jewish values. Stay afterward for bagels and coffee with Rabbi Ariel Stone. Free.

503-473-8227

TORAH YOGA: 10:30 am-noon every second Saturday at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave., Portland. 503-226-6131

TOT SHABBAT: 9-9:30 am every second Saturday at Congregation Kol Ami, 7800 NE 119th St., Vancouver. Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker leads a short Shabbat service with singing and storytelling! Craft-making based on the story and a short oneg follows the service. Ages 0 to 5. 360-896-8088

KESSER KIDS' TIME: 10:45 am-noon every second and fourth Saturday at Congregation Kesser Israel, 6698 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland.

The program is geared for children ages 2-11. Games, songs, learning, food activity. Free. 503-222-1239

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 57

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Archivist Alisha Babbstein, left, and Curator of Collections Anne LeVant Prahl prepare artifacts for exhibition.

The OJMCHE Archives: A treasure trove of information on Jewish life in Oregon

Story by Debra Shein | Photos by Mario Galucci

A compelling array of changing exhibits and a thought-provoking selection of core exhibits will have drawn about 22,000 visitors to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education during its first year in its new home in the Pearl.

But many who come through the museum’s doors don’t realize that it also houses the largest repository of documents, photos, films, recordings and artifacts chronicling the history of Jewish life in Oregon since the 1840s. These are all carefully curated in the museum’s collections, which contain a wealth of information regularly accessed by professional researchers, students and those just wishing to find out more about their families’ pasts. The archives tell the story of the Oregon Jewish community and preserve it for the generations to come through notes and papers of some of Portland’s most distinguished rabbis, the World War II correspondence of Bill Rosenbaum, scrapbooks and photo albums, and more than 750 oral history interviews.

The collections are visited by researchers from all over the country. Historian Ellen Eisenberg wrote her two volumes on the Jewish Oregon story from 1849 to the present based on information she found there. Some have come to explore the early days of the Reform movement, when Congregation Beth Israel was a “test pulpit” for new rabbis such as the eminent Stephen Wise, who came to Portland early in his rabbinic career. One researcher combed the documents of the original Neighborhood House (Portland’s settlement house, founded in 1905) while investigating the history of social aid programs, and another searched for information on the Lair Hill Association’s response to Portland’s urban renewal project. Even K-12 students have explored the archives: one young boy, along with his mother and grandfather, stopped by to find out more about his grandfather’s uncle, Rabbi Joseph Fain, a renowned Lithuanian scholar who served as

58 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

rabbi at Congregation Shaarie Torah.

Although the archive collection is generally not on display, many documents, photos and recordings are continuously being made available online, thanks to the efforts of Curator of Collections Anne LeVant Prahl, Archivist Alisha Babbstein, a dedicated cadre of volunteers and interns, and a grant from the Oregon Heritage Commission. Visit the Collections section of the OJMCHE website (ojmche.org) to explore the online collection, which includes recordings and transcripts of 160 of the 750 interviews conducted by the Oral History Project.

Those interviews feature members of Oregon’s Jewish community recalling memories from the late 1800s to the present and Holocaust survivors who later became Oregonians.

Anne is continually seeking to expand the archives’ holdings and encourages all those connected to Jewish life throughout the state to donate papers, records and connected objects of relevant individuals, organizations and businesses. She also wants primary resources documenting communal Jewish life in Oregon (including synagogue, club and school records), public leadership and planning, and Holocaust survivors who settled here. The museum would like to collect items from all time periods, the present as well as more distant past, and those pertaining to Jews from all walks of life, not just those most active in the Jewish community.

“This is where your family and business papers belong,” says Anne. “We are the repository for the Jewish community in Oregon. You should not throw away your grandparents’ things when you’re cleaning out the attic.”

The archives are a free resource. Those who donate items

Volunteer Rosalie Goodman sorts photographs.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 59

Volunteers such as Rose Rustin sort, identify and store items donated to the museum.

A Sampling of Archive Holdings

Anne LaVant Prahl examines a box of papers from the National Council of Jewish Women.

can come back and visit them. In fact, collections become much more accessible at the museum. They are professionally organized and catalogued. Families, synagogues and agencies can come look for information on their own pasts in ways they could not when papers were packed away in boxes.

The museum is actively seeking additional funding to facilitate the processing of collections and to make more available online.

New rotating exhibits from the archive are being developed to highlight particular aspects of Jewish life in Oregon.

Photos are being added to the online histories to provide a sense of who people were and what their times were like.

As curator of collections, Anne focuses on building and organizing the collections to more fully capture the material 60 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

Papers and memorabilia of many of Portland’s major congregations, the Jewish Federation, the National Council of Jewish Women, Portland Jewish Academy and Jewish-owned businesses.

Records of Cedar Sinai Park are coming soon.

Correspondence of David Solis-Cohen (1850-1928), an early president of Congregation Beth Israel whose Sephardic mother only agreed to marry if the name would be hyphenated so her heritage would not be lost. Includes letters and essays about the issues of his time.

Papers of Portland rabbis Joshua Stampfer, Yonah Geller and Henry J. Berkowitz, containing sermons, eulogies, notes for classes they taught, etc.

More than 750 oral history interviews, including about 100 interviews with Holocaust survivors, each full of riveting detail.

Some are already available on the website including: Sanford Adler (1892-1980) and Sanford Heilner (1885-1978), both major players in small Oregon towns where there were not even enough Jewish families to have a minyan; Daniel Labby (1914-2015), who vividly describes early 20th-century life in Portland; Manly Labby (1900-1983), labor organizer, who provides a compelling account of unions in the 1930s; and Hans Ludwig Biglajzer (1926-2017), a Holocaust survivor who braved the brutal conditions of the Lodz ghetto and later Dachau.

culture of the Jewish community in Oregon.

As the museum archivist, Alisha works to digitize and post the collection on the museum’s website and to provide search functions to make it easier to locate items in the archive. She holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee specializing in historical collections management.

The archives staff also develops materials to prepare docents to give tours of the exhibits and to provide accurate and deep information to visitors.

Approximately 20 volunteers and interns contribute their labor at any one time, processing collections, cataloguing, working on the Oral History Project and filling in the research files.

“We would be lost without them,” says Anne. The archives are also assisted by the efforts of Eliezer Froehlich, a professional genealogist. Interns from Portland’s colleges and universities, as well as from around the world, work to gain credit and to explore career possibilities.

Save the date and join us for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting and Reception Recognizing this year’s Legacy Society Honoree Carol Danish June 21, 2018 from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

To Make a Donation or Visit the Archives

Call Anne LeVant Prahl or Alisha Babbstein at 503-2263600 to discuss donations or to make an appointment to visit.

Please do not bring in items without prior discussion.

For more info and a list of items being collected, see Donate under the Collections section of the OJMCHE website, ojmche.org.

There is no cost to attend and there will be no fundraising.

For more information: www.ojcf.org l 503.248.9328

Did You Know?

Federation provides interest-free loans of up to $4,000 to community members in need?

A sudden need for a home repair?

Help paying bills during a medical leave? Jewish Free Loan is one more way your Federation is here for you.

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www.jewishportland.org/freeloan OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 61

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P’nai Or’s Torah comes home

By Polina Olsen

This Shavuot, P’nai Or once again can celebrate the giving of the Torah in a very concrete way.

“The most interesting part was how bashert it all was,” says Bruce Morris, Congregation P’nai Or’s spiritual leader.

Like a perfect storm, events lined up. Bruce was off to a rabbinical conference with a strained voice and post-surgery hand. His guitar would stay home, leaving space in the firstclass overhead bin. P’nai Or’s Torah badly needed repair, and the Sofer SeTaM was coming, too. How lucky is that?

“Rabbi Kevin Hale lives in Massachusetts and doesn’t come every year,” Bruce says about his friend, who writes and repairs Torahs. They met years before at a class called The Barefoot Scribe. Rabbi Hale planned to repair P’nai Or’s Torah at his booth in the shuk, but curious onlookers kept interrupting, so they finished it in Bruce’s hotel room.

It wasn’t the first time fortune smiled on this Torah and congregation.

“Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a thriving Jewish community when I was growing up,” says Sari Telpner, a former P’nai Or member. She went by the name Shekinah Slater when she procured the congregation’s first Torah in 1997.

“At that time, we could barely afford a rabbi and certainly not a Torah,” Sari says. But her sister’s mother-in-law, Dodo Rosenthal, was president of the Sioux City Jewish Federation.

During a visit to Council Bluffs, Sari and her then-husband, Asha Slater, met Dodo and lay Rabbi Jim Sherman in Sioux City. Jim’s congregation had recently merged with another and Comedy Hypnotist had several Torahs. When Sari and Asha told them Justin about P’nai James will perform at the Or, they offered to donate one.

May 5 CSP Gala.

“They took us to their beautiful synagogue,” Sari says, remembering stained glass from the early Reform movement in Germany and an ark carved by Jim’s great-grandfather in 1907. “Jim took out the Torah they used on Rosh Chodesh and said it would be wonderful for our community,” Sari says. “We 62 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

arranged a Torah exchange ceremony for September.”

Everyone remembers the celebration at Portland’s airport when Sari and Asha brought the new Torah home. “Asha wore a bright embroidered kippah and wrapped the Torah in his tallit when we walked off the plane,” Sari says. “At that time, security wasn’t tight so the congregation met us at the gate. Reb Aryeh (Hirshfield, z”l) was there, and a TV film crew came, too.

Everyone took turns dancing with the Torah. One member, Aki Fleschler, had already built an ark.”

Fast forward to 2018. The lovely Torah had normal signs of wear and tear. Despite a guard, sliding parchment made things worse, and letters were rubbing off.

“If any part of the Torah is not clearly visible, the whole thing is pasul, invalid for ritual use,” Bruce says.

The 2018 Annual OHALAH Conference for rabbis and cantors in Boulder, CO, came at just the right time. OHALAH is the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal, which includes more than 200 rabbis including Rabbi Hale. The rabbi worked his magic, and soon Bruce was flying home with a group from P’nai Or waiting to meet him at PDX. So at a different time, but at the same place and with the same Torah, history repeated itself. This time, P’nai Or congregants gathered outside the security gate. They danced and sang as curious passengers looked on, and the words P’nai Or Founder Rabbi Aryeh sent to Congregation Beth Shalom all those years ago came to mind: “As you have helped strengthen the chain of transmission of Torah in our community, may you be blessed to see your children and your children’s children engaging in the study of Torah and the practice of good deeds. As you have brought great joy to our community, may you be filled with joy. As you have generously bestowed this Sefer Torah, this book of the Torah upon us, may you be inscribed for the coming year, and for many years to come in the Sefer ha-chayim, the Book of Life.”

TOP: In 1997 Shekinah Slater carried P’nai Or’s new Torah off the plane accompanied by her, now ex-husband. They brought the Torah from Iowa to Portland. P’nai Or members, waiting at the gate in Portland International Airport, danced and clapped as Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield, z”l, played the guitar.

LEFT: In 2018 Bruce Morris carried P’nai Or’s recently repaired Torah back to Portland.

PREVIEWS

Song of Miriam 2018 honorees announced The Jewish Women’s Round Table will hold its 26th Annual Song of Miriam Awards Brunch the first Sunday in June. These awards honor women who volunteer their time and energy to ensure the continuity and vibrancy of the Jewish community of Oregon and Southwest Washington. This year, 19 organizations have chosen outstanding women to be honored for their volunteer activities and dedication to the promotion of Jewish life and values.

The emcees for this year’s presentation are Toby Blake and Marki Maizels, both previous honorees.

The annual event is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Round Table, whose mission is to strengthen the Jewish community by honoring the excellent work of women volunteers and bringing the community together to celebrate Jewish life, the 2018 honorees are: • Amy Blauer, Mittleman Jewish Community Center • Basha Rothstein Brewer, Maimonides Jewish Day School • Harriet Cooke, P’nai Or • Jennifer Coury, Congregation Shir Tikvah • Chris Coughlin, Havurah Shalom • Becky Eiseman, Friends of Robison • Debra Frank, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland • Judy Freeman, Shaarie Torah Sisterhood • Lynn Gelber, Women of Reform Judaism/Beth Israel Sisterhood • Melinda Holtzman, Congregation Kol Ami • Jennifer Kalenscher, Congregation Neveh Shalom • Rebecca King, Portland Hadassah • Paula Krane, Beit Am Mid-Willamette Jewish Community • Miriam Lamber, Kesser Israel • Marcia Lancaster, Temple Beth Sholom (Salem) • Stacey Oller, Portland Jewish Academy • Jill Slansky, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education • DeBi Strode, Kol Shalom • Gabrielle Williams, Beit Haverim.

To find out more about the Jewish Women's Round Table, the history of the Song of Miriam awards, a list of past honorees and the JWRT Board, visit jwrt.org.

Song of Miriam Awards Brunch WHEN: 10 am-12:15 pm, June 3 WHERE: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland TICKETS: $25 if postmarked by May 24, $32 thereafter; $10/12 and under; $36/patrons. All tickets include a 3% donation to Mazon.

RESERVATIONS: Form at jwrt.org Make check payable to the Jewish Women’s Round Table or JWRT List names and type of reservation (patron or guest) Mail to: Jerrie Roth, 1231 SW Texas St., Portland, OR 97219 QUESTIONS: Call Jerrie Roth at 503-246-4367 or email Leslye Epstein at leslyee@comcast.net

Weaving and photo by Linda Hendrickson

Learn to weave the Aleph Bet In May Congregation Shir Tikvah and Jersey Girl Handwovens will offer a two-part class, “Tablet Weaving the Aleph Bet.” The class will be taught

by Linda Hendrickson, a Portland-based master in ply splitting and tablet weaving. Participants will learn to weave the aleph-bet, the Hebrew alphabet, using an ancient technique called tablet weaving, a method of producing narrow, sturdy textiles such as straps, belts and trim.

“Once students master the technique, they can weave Hebrew text to adorn a variety of items such as bookmarks, an atarah for a tallit, or a Torah scroll binding ribbon,” says Leah Hershey, a member of Portland Handweavers Guild who is organizing the class.

“The equipment is very simple and inexpensive,” Leah says. “No previous weaving experience is needed. The class will focus on reading a pattern graph, turning the tablets to create designs and unweaving to correct mistakes. Yarn and tablets are included. There are two sessions, Sunday, May 20, from 1 to 5 pm, and Wednesday, May 30, from 5 to 8 pm. Classes meet at Congregation Shir Tikvah, 7550 NE Irving St. (between NE Glisan and Halsey, at 76th Ave.) The $60 fee ($50 for Shir Tikvah members) includes instruction, yarn and tablets. Enrollment is limited to 12. Register at bit.ly/TabletAlephBet. For more information about the class email jerseygirlpdx@comcast. net or call 503-459-2492. For more information about the instructor, visit lindahendrickson.com.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 63

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BOOK TOUR – Ani Tuzman, the author of The Tremble of Love: a novel of the Baal Shem Tov speaks at P’nai Or of Portland, above. Ani’s Oregon tour was organized by P’nai Or member Joan Levin. Ani spoke in Manzanita, Astoria, Portland, Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Ashland and Bend. anituzman.com

ART SEASON – At a reception for season subscribers, sponsors and other supporters, Artistic Director and Interim Managing Director Dámaso Rodríguez announced the line-up for Artists Repertory Theatre’s 36th Anniversary Season that includes seven compelling contemporary plays for their subscription series, along with two limited engagement productions. The schedule is online at artistsrep.org/ onstage/201819-season.

NEVER AGAIN – The Never Again Coalition premiered their 20-minute documentary, "Stand Up! Lessons from the Holocaust," featuring interviews of four Holocaust survivors responding to questions from students. The film debuted at a brown bag lunch at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The event was co-sponsored by OJMCHE, Congregation Neveh Shalom and Kol Shalom Community for Humanistic Judaism.

64 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

FACES & PLACES

APRIL POOLS DAY – Participants at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s April Pools Day, Sunday, April 8, learn about life jacket safety and take a moment to snap a picture with Bobber the Water Safety Dog. READING OF THE NAMES – Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorializes the millions of victims of persecution and mass murder during the Holocaust. On April 12 dignitaries, clergy and everyday people gathered in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square to read aloud the names of men, women and children murdered by Nazi Germany and its European collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

Communities around the world read portions of the list of names archived at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance center in Jerusalem.

PASSOVER PACKERS – The Passover4All team get ready to pack and deliver food boxes to those in need in our community. Kesser's Passover4All project and is a collaboration between Kesser Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and Jewish Family and Child Service.

FACES & PLACES

EDUCATING EDUCATORS – Neveh Shalom Education Director Mel Berwin and ALIYAH teacher Adam Schechter presented a class on “Creating an education environment that works for LGBTQ+ kids (and everyone else).”

The March 11 class was part of PAJE's (Portland Area Jewish Educators) learning opportunity.

REED LOAVES OF LOVE – From left to right Ely, Kayla, Hillary, Rebbetzin Chani Bialo, Aliza and Noah braid Challah dough for the weekly Loaves of Love program, giving away the baked challah each week. Southeast Chabad in Portland, led by Rabbi Dov and Rebbetzin Chani Bialo offers this “weekly taste of Jewish tradition that satisfies all the senses.” Loaves of Love are given to Reed students and Southeast Portland neighbors who would like a challah each week, with a handmade card accompanying each loaf. Chani says the bread is made with love; they use their hands, never a mixer.

INTERGENERATIONAL BAKING – Members of Congregation Neveh Shalom teamed with Moishe House to do a “Baking with Bubbe” session in the Neveh Shalom kitchen on Sunday, March 11.

RAIN GARDEN – Above, a dedicated group of volunteers planted grasses and bushes in the Temple Beth Sholom Rain Garden/Bioswale on March 11. Millie Estrin, second from left, who persisted with the City of Salem to receive a fully funded grant to install the rain garden, gets ready to plant some grasses in the new garden. The grasses and bushes and other native drought-resistant plants will attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and humming birds, while also capturing runoff to drain naturally into the ground.

ASHLAND INTERFAITH WEEKEND - Ashland’s interfaith community surrounds the Rev. Matthew Fox offering him blessings on his work.

The Rev. Matthew Fox weekend at the Ashland Havurah drew leaders and members of Trinity Episcopal Church of Ashland, Unity of Ashland, First Congregational UCC of Ashland, The Red Earth Descendants representing our native brothers and sisters, the Kagyu Sukha Chöling Buddhist Temple and Judaism. Rabbi David Zaslow organized deep teachings interwoven with song, prayer, sacred movement and Torah Teachings and chanting. Photos by Gary Mark Roberts.

OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018 65

MAY CALENDAR

SEE KIDS CALENDAR PAGE 57

May 1

May 8

nevehshalom.org/shavuot5778

Hilary Zaid, author of Paper Is White, in

Wondering Jews presents HomeInstead fall

conversation with Portland poet Willa Schneberg.

prevention workshop. 2 pm at Congregation

Sexual Misconduct across the Borders of All Religions. 7:30 pm at the Havurah Synagogue

7 pm at Annie Bloom’s Bookstore, 7834 SW

Neveh Shalom. Free. 503-246-8831

Capitol Hwy., Portland. Paper Is White: When Holocaust oral historian Ellen Margolis and her girlfriend decide to get married, Ellen's search for a blessing leads her into a complicated relationship with a survivor of the Kaunas Ghetto. annieblooms.com

May 3 OJCYF benefit dinner. 5:30-8:30 pm at the MJCC. Guest speaker U.S. Rep Suzanne Bonamici. $54/ adult; $36/youth. 503-248-9328 or ojcf.org

Cedar Sinai Park Homecoming Weekend. 6 pm, Friday: Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Chapel Dedication, Robison Health & Rehabilitation

learning, stories and music featuring Donna

Safe Falling with Intelligence and Style, four-week

Zerner of Portland, Rev. Norma Burton, and

class. See page 46

others. Music by Alice DiMicele. Freewill

May 10 Israeli American Council Portland talk. 7 pm open house. IAC CEO and Co-Founder Shoham Nicolet will discuss this fast growing Jewish organization

donations for the Dunn House. 541-488-7716 “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” on OPB. See page 28 Weaving the Aleph Bet class. See page 63

that is coming to Portland. Address provided with

June 3

RSVP: magnezi@gmail.com

Neveh Shalom Men’s Club Texas Hold’em Charity

May 11

Tournament. 4 pm at Neveh Shalom. Benefits

Soul Shabbat – A Musical Experience. 6:15 pm at

May 4-6

in Ashland. Inspiring, healing presentation of

Neveh Shalom. Cantor Eyal Bitton, guest soloists, and the Soul Shabbat Musical Ensemble.

503-246-8831

youth education scholarships. Registration ($40/ player, $100/sponsor) includes coffee, soft drinks, beer, hors d’oeuvres, bagels and spreads, and tournament play. 18 and over. RSVP: nevehshalom.org/poker2018

May 12

Song of Miriam Awards Brunch. See page 63

Annual Gala at Portland Downtown Hilton,

Women’s Torah Study with Mel Berwin.

June 4

RSVP required; 2-5 pm Sunday: homecoming

12:30 pm at Neveh Shalom. 503-246-8831

The Optimistic Decade author Heather Abel

Center, free, RSVP requested; 6:30 pm, Saturday:

in conversation with Leni Zuman. 7:30 pm at

carnival on Cedar Sinai Park campus, free, no reservations. 971-717-7186 or cedarsinaipark.

May 16

Powell’s Books, 3732 SE Hawthorne Blvd.,

org/homecoming

King David the Musical – in Concert. See page 30

Portland. Kirkus Reviews calls Abel’s debut novel

May 6

Jewish National Fund Portland event for young professionals. 7 pm at Fire on the Mountain, 3443 NE 57th Ave. RSVP: slewis@jnf.org

Shir Dance-a-Lot with Congregation Shir Tikvah.

5-8 pm at Coopers Hall, 404 SE 6th Ave.,

May 19

Portland. Music and dancing.

Erev Shavuot Limmud Learning. 5:30-9:15 pm at

503-473-8227 Bit.ly/DanceALot

Neveh Shalom. Services, study and cheesecake.

503-246-8831

Lag B’Omer celebration: Kids and Family Back-toNature Day (ages 0-12 and parents). 9:30-11:30 am at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. Free. Nonmembers, RSVP: jbezodis@nevehshalom.org Portland Women's Israel Trip informational meeting. 10 am. Dorice Horenstein will lead

“a playful look at Jewish coming of age and coming-to-terms in the American West.” 800878-7323, powells.com

June 5 PDX Business Breakfast Series. The View of Three Venture Capitalists:Lessons from Early Stage Venture Investing. 7:15-9:15 am, White Stag

Tikkun Liel Shavuot: A Night in the Orchard. 7:30

Block, 70 NW Couch St., Portland. oregonjcc.org/

pm at Congregation Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th

pdxbiz

Ave., Portland. Discuss the four dimensions of Torah learning, named after the acronym PARDES, or Orchard. A night of spiritual seeking, learning, music, meditation and earthly stories from the Torah. Free. RSVP: shaarietorah.org

June 9 Saundra Messinger trunk show in Hood River.

See page 26

June 10-24

May 20

Portland Jewish Film Festival. See page 30

Experience the cultural, historical and spiritual

Israel360 presents: Cooking at the Foot of the

June 14

Israel while staying at boutique hotels. Location

Mountain. 5:30 pm at Neveh Shalom. Food

with RSVP: doricehorenstein@comcast.net

demos and parve/vegan meal by Tal Caspi,

her fourth organized tour to Israel Nov. 9-20.

award-winning chef of Aviv Restaurant. RSVP: 66 OREGON JEWISH LIFE | MAY 2018

98th Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. 4:30 pm at Neveh Shalom. Guest speaker: Rabbi Shira Stutman, Washington, DC. 503-245-6219

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