Jewish Community Chronicle May/June 2022

THE VOICE OF JEWISH LONG BEACH PUBLISHED SINCE 1947

MAY – JUNE 2022 | NISAN – IYAR – SIVAN – TAMMUZ 5782

jewishlongbeach.org

VOL. 75 NO. 4

INSIDE TABLE

OF CONTENTS

4

Alpert JCC Spotlight

5

Yom Ha’atzmaut Community Event

6

Alpert JCC Center for Life

8

Shavuot

9

Creating Lifelong Jewish Memories at Summer Camp

13

Jewish Long Beach/Alpert JCC

14 15

Community News

Maccabi Games 2022.

THE VOICE OF JEWISH LONG BEACH PUBLISHED SINCE 1947

Israel’s 74th Independence Day. Get Ready for Summe!

Cheesecake Recipe.

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus One Sommer Way

Rabbi Howard Laibson Campership Fund.

3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90815-1791

36 Hours.

Phone: 562.426.7601 | FAX: 562.424.3915

Tributes/In Memoriam

/jewishlongbeach

@jewishlongbeach

jewishlongbeach.org

jewishlongbeach.org

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Member

Jewish Long Beach is a 501(c)3 with tax I.D. 95-1647830 Edie Brodsky/Dr. Barry Zamost Co-Presidents, Board of Directors

Zach Benjamin Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Giser Chief Operating and Development Officer

Susan Paletz Director of Fund & Community Development

Rachel Roberts Manager of Marketing & Leadership Engagement Thank you to those in our community who contributed to the mitzvah of relief efforts. Thanks to your help, Jewish Long Beach and community members have collectively raised over $35,000 in humanitarian aid.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, with more than four million refugees having fled the country, Jewish communities urge the Administration to take the next steps on President Biden’s pledge to welcome 100,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Yolanda Placencio Development Administrator

Last month, Jewish Long Beach, and Federations across North America, mobilized 376 national and local faith organizations to urge the Biden Administration to expedite admissions for Ukrainians with close family ties in the U.S. so they may wait here in safety, along with their families. Now, we eagerly await more details on when the refugees will arrive and what admissions pathways they will take so that we can properly plan for their resettlement.

Editorial and advertising queries, please call 562.426.7601 x1314 or write chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org.

Visit jfeds.org/ActionAlertUkraineApril to take action today. Donations may also be made at jewishlongbeach.org, or by contacting Kevin Giser at kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org, or calling (562) 426-7601 x1314

Ad & Copy deadline for July/August 2022 issue: June 6, 2022 ISSN# 1525- 6847 The appearance of product or establishment advertising in the Jewish Community Chronicle does not constitute an endorsement of kashruth. Opinions printed in the Jewish Community Chronicle do not necessarily reflect those of Jewish Long Beach. The publication of a paid political advertisement does not constitute endorsement of any candidate, political party or political position by Jewish Long Beach or any employee.

Photo credits and copyrights Cover - ©Jewish Long Beach/Alpert JCC Chronicle ©2022 Jewish Long Beach All Rights Reserved.

SHABBAT CANDLELIGHTING May 6 7:22 pm May 13 7:28 pm

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May 20 7:33 pm May 27 7:38 pm

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June 3 7:42 pm June 10 7:46 pm

June 17 7:48 pm June 24 7:50 pm

CONVERSATIONS

COMMUNITY

One Diverse People. One Dynamic Mission.

Zach Benjamin

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Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Long Beach

As my Jewish professional journey has progressed, my perspective on the Jewish communal landscape has become increasingly holistic.

Rather than view the missions of federations, Zach Benjamin JCCs, congregations, and Jewish advocacy organizations as merely parallel or complimentary, I have grown to believe that we all serve the overarching mission of ensuring that Jewish identity and peoplehood thrive, across the diaspora and in Israel, from birth to end-of-life, from generation to generation.

My experiences throughout my first 90 days overseeing the integrated Jewish Long Beach and Alpert JCC have served to reinforce this belief. In March, I had the singular privilege of gathering

in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment?

Next year, Jewish Long Beach will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Now that the integration of Jewish Long Beach and the Alpert JCC is functionally complete, we are assembling a strategic planning committee, which will use the community study data, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and the guidance of Jewish communal experts to determine both a medium-term roadmap and a long-term vision to steward us through the century mark and beyond. Our strategic plan will be bold, creative, and firmly rooted in Jewish values. It will enable us to advance Jewish identity and continuity here at home, will allow us to cultivate our community’s cultural and functional ties with Israel and overseas Jewish populations, and will empower us to raise the tide for those of all backgrounds who call Long Beach and West Orange County home. Most importantly, the

Now more than ever, it is critical that we build as wide and welcoming a tent as possible for Jewish people of all backgrounds, streams of observance, and paths to Judaism. It is also important to examine our imperative to serve as a light unto the nations and determine how we will exercise that responsibility, not only in the coming years, but indeed through the decades that lie ahead. Throughout our history, the Jewish people have fared poorly when we isolate ourselves, both from our fellow Jews and from the broader communities to which we belong.

We now have the opportunity to help shape a global rethink of how we make our collective impact, both Jewishly and for others, all within the framework of the Jewish value system to

All Jewish agencies are grappling with the same fundamental question: how do we remain relevant not just for the short term, but in a way that is sustainable and adaptable in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment? with over 100 Jewish community center executives from across the continent for four days of discussion, reflection, and collaborative learning at the Jewish Community Center Association’s Mifgash Executive Leadership Retreat in Houston. One of the great rewards of Jewish communal work is to experience the comradery and benefit from the expertise of colleagues from around the world who share a fundamental belief in the criticality of Jewish continuity, self-determination, and values.

We live in a time of radical evolution in perspectives on Judaism, tzedakah, engagement, and on how we navigate interpersonal relationships and human interaction. Thus, Jewish communal leaders and institutions around the globe are all facing similar challenges and are asking many of the same questions. No community escaped the trauma of the pandemic, nor was any community unaffected by the seismic shifts that it created in how we interact socially, professionally, and philanthropically.

While the nature of these shifts depends largely on geography and on each community’s cultural idiosyncrasies, all Jewish agencies are grappling with the same fundamental question: how do we remain relevant not just for the short term, but in a way that is sustainable and adaptable

which we are all so deeply committed.

plan will both ask and answer painfully difficult questions about how we must evolve to remain relevant and of maximum impact long after we have passed the mantle of Jewish communal leadership to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Next month, Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies will deliver the results of the first comprehensive Long Beach and West Orange County Jewish community study in nearly seven decades. It is our belief that this data will yield valuable information on gaps in how our agencies, congregations, and other Jewish organizations serve both Jews and non-Jews, as well as on those segments of our Jewish community that remain marginalized and underserved.

All of us at Jewish Long Beach and the Alpert JCC not only welcome the full community’s participation in this once-in-a-generation process, but indeed we believe that such participation is key to the formula that will ultimately ensure our ability to carry out our mission l’dor v’dor: for generations to come. The future of Jewish community is collaborative, inclusive, and visionary. The shared purpose of all Jewish institutions, both in strengthening Jewish life and in serving as a light unto others, is the sustainable continuity and vibrancy of Jewish identity and peoplehood. We invite you to not only dream with us, but to create with us a legacy of impact that will long outlive those of us who are building it.

Jewish Long Beach is responsible for fostering collaboration and partnership through programs that serve the observant and the secular, Jews by choice and Jews by birth, those who are partnered and those who are single, Jewish couples and those in mixed relationships, those with children and those who are childless, as well as Jews adhering to a nearly inexhaustible array of races, cultures, sexual orientations, and other intersecting identities. At the same time, our individual institutions must resist the temptation to be everything to everyone, and thus we must strategically determine in which areas we will respectively focus and invest.

JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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ALPERT JCC

SPOTLIGHT

Maccabi Games 2022

Susan Paletz | Director of Fund & Community Development

Each summer for over 30 years, Jewish Community Centers around the country and in Israel hold the Maccabi Games for teens ages 13-17 years. This summer after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the games are back, stronger than ever.

Prom Dress Drive

The Alpert JCC is so proud to be part of the games. We are taking 12 individual athletes to compete on July 29-August 5, 2022 in San Diego, California. We are also extremely proud to include Samantha (Sammie) Hamilton who will be not only competing in the games in San Diego, but also participating in the Israel Maccabiah Games. Sammie and her family are long time Alpert JCC members.

We are so happy that we can be part of Sammie’s Jewish journey through the Maccabi Games. The games are so vital for teens in their ongoing connection to Judaism and developing new friendships. To help families pay for the cost of the games and the travel expenses, the Alpert JCC has a Maccabi Fund.

If you are interested in making a donation to the fund, please contact Susan Paletz at spaletz@alpertjcc.org.

Andrea Zbucki, Case Manager Casa Youth Shelter picking up prom dresses from Susan Paletz, Director of Fund & Community Development, Jewish Long Beach and Alpert JCC

Spring means High School Proms and Prom mean dresses!!! Even though our Prom Dress Boutique was not in person this year, hundreds of dresses were given to local teens.

Jewish Long Beach Women’s Philanthropy Members distributed new prom dresses to local high schools and Casa Youth Shelter. Staff at the local high schools are setting up “shops” for their students in need to come and pick out their dresses. The new dresses were donated from Macy’s of Cerritos.

Matzah to Mitzvah Pictured: Samantha Hamilton

Samantha Hamilton, daughter of Elle and Robert Hamilton and granddaughter of Fran Itkoff, will be competing in the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel on their Team USA Swim Delegation. She will be competing in the pool events and Open Water as well. The games are the third largest swim competition in the world, with over 80 countries competing.

Sammie just returned from the Open Water National Championships in Florida, where swimmers from around the World competed. Her family has been members of the Alpert JCC (AJCC) their entire lives. Sammie attended preschool at the Alpert JCC too.

Grandma, Fran Itkoff, has held many meetings of the Lakewood/Long Beach M.S. Patients group there at the AJCC. Sammie’s grandfather, Dr. Phil Itkoff, had Multiple Sclerosis, and Fran still runs the group. Elle Hamilton was also a Camp Counselor at the AJCC. The family are members of Congregation Shir Chadash.

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Thank you to all of our generous donors to the Matzah to Mitzvah campaign. Through your heartfelt donations, we are able to provide over 180 Passover meals and Passover Gifts to the Senior Adults in our community.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who delivered the meals and Passover good wishes. Todo Raba.

Yom Ha'Atzmaut In The LBC THURS | MAY 5 | 5-7 PM | AT THE ALPERT JCC On The Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus

Falafel • DJ • Vendor Fair • Beer & Wine • Crafts • Henna • Israeli Dancing

Alpert JCC & Jewish Long Beach Community Trip

Israel and Italy December 5 - 19, 2022

We welcome you on a special journey to discover Jewish Italy and visit the diverse and incredible Israel

Questions? Contact Susan Paletz at spaletz@alpertjcc.org JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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ALPERT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER YOUR

CENTER FOR LIFE

#YourCenter

ENROLL WEEK TO WEEK OR ALL SUMMER LONG! ALPERTJCC.ORG/CAMP-KOMAROFF

GET READY FOR A SUMMER OF FUN AND FIELD TRIPS!

Since 1960, Camp Komaroff has helped children foster meaningful relationships, uncover hidden talents, and develop new skills. Campers can look forward to age-appropriate field trips, swimming, sports, art, computers, cooking, and music! Join us this summer for theme parks, science experiments, animal encounters, dress-up days, and so much more!

BE A COUNSELOR IN TRAINING! CIT’s enhance the camp experience by serving as role models to campers, while developing leadership & communication skills. This program is intended for students aged 13-15. A work permit will be required. Volunteer Hours eligible. Contact Brandon Murray for Camp & CIT information at bmurray@alpertjcc.org

START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY! SCHEDULE A TOUR AT ALPERTJCC.ORG/EARLY-CHILDHOOD

DREAMS START HERE! NOW ENROLLING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION The AJCC ECE strives to be at the forefront of child development. Our teachers participate in professional development training throughout the year to bring the latest research and techniques to our program.

BABIES & TODDLERS Babies and toddlers are invited to bring an adult to J Baby and Yad b'Yad! Enjoy weekly walking groups, social hours, structured playtime, classroom exploration, Shabbat celebrations, informative guest speakers, and more.

Contact Dani Reynozo for all ECE and Parent & Me enrollment inquiries at dreynozo@alpertjcc.org

We're going to Israel and Italy this Winter! Learn more on Pg. 5

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YOUR CENTER FOR LIFE

ALPERT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

ForLife FITNESS

AQUATICS

Enjoy new classes added to the group fitness schedule! *Senior Friendly!

In-Person: Senior Fitness*, Step, Functional Movement* Hybrid (In-person AND virtual): Yoga, Abs Buns & Guns, Stretch Out Stress*, Meditation*, and Gentle Yoga*!

Power Yoga: The popular six-week virtual specialty yoga class returns on May 7!

TRY FOR FREE! The Bluefin Prep Swim Team enrolls swimmers ages 6-14 monthly.

RETURNING ADULT PROGRAMS

CULTURE & COMMUNITY

Knit Wits: Starting 5/2 | Mon | 1 PM Drop-in Bridge: Starting 5/19 | Thurs | 1 PM Barbara Alpert Chorus: Starting 5/18 | Wed | 10:30 AM In-Person Senior Lunch: Wed 5/18 & 6/15 | 12 PM Drop-in Mah Jongg: Starting 5/25 | Wed | 1 PM

Summer Art Series: Pet Portraits 5/26, Acrylic Series (6 weeks) 6/7-7/12, Watercolor Series (4 weeks) 8/4-25 Film Society: Midnight Cowboy 5/11, Red River 6/1 Gatov Gallery: Perspectives by Long Beach Modern Quilt Guild Exhibition: May 4 - 30, Reception: Tues, May 10, 6 - 8 PM

Sponsored by the Zamost Family in honor of Isadore Zamost.

Aquacize: Get your groove on in this low-impact, seniorfriendly aerobics class M/W/F 11 AM! Did you know? Reservations are no longer required to enjoy lap swim and open swim, seven days a week!

SUMMER HOURS M-TH 6 AM - 9 PM | FRI 6 AM - 5 PM | SAT-SUN 7 AM - 5 PM

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE J VISIT ALPERTJCC.ORG FOR ALL PROGRAM INFORMATION!

@ALPERT_JCC @ALPERTJCC

JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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COMMUNITY

Shavuot

6 Sivan 5782 | June 5-6, 2022

Shavuot is a unique holiday, as it combines multiple religious observances into one festive occasion. Marked exactly 50 days after Passover, Shavuot (also pronounced Shavuos) commemorates the spring harvest, and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. In honor of the harvest festival, pilgrimage to Israel is traditional at this time of year. Shavuot is observed on 6 Sivan, which falls this year on June 5-6, 2022.

Food is integral to Jewish celebration, and Shavuot is no exception. Dairy is the traditional fare, and while the origins aren’t exactly clear, it has become the holiday custom to enjoy cheese and milk products. Many believe this represents the “Land of Milk and Honey” that was promised to the Israelites in the days of old. Celebrate Shavuot with this delicious and easy cheesecake recipe from the 2001 Hebrew Academy Cookbook.

If you try this recipe yourself, make sure you show us how it turns out!

Instagram: @jewishlongbeach @ alpert_jcc Facebook: /JewishLongBeach / AlpertJCC

Synagogue Directory Beit HaLev  I

P.O. Box 2279 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Rabbi Galit Levy-Slater 562.493.2680 duets@icloud.com www.galityomtov.com­­­ R Beth David 

6100 Hefley St. Westminster, CA 92683 Rabbi Nancy Myers 714.892.6623 tbdavid@templebethdavid.org www.templebethdavid.org O Chabad of Los Alamitos & Cypress 

12340 Seal Beach Blvd. Suite B-219 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Rabbi Shmuel Marcus 714.828.1851 smarcus@jewishcypress.com www.chabadlosal.com

Chabad of West Orange County/ O Congregation Adat Israel  5052 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Rabbi Aron David Berkowitz 714.846.2285 info@chabadhb.com www.chabadhb.com

O Congregation Lubavitch 

3981 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 Rabbi Yitzchok Newman 562.596.1681 yitzyg@aol.com

I Congregation Shir Chadash 

6440 Del Amo Blvd.

Lakewood, CA 90713 Rabbi Karen Isenberg 562.429.0715 csclakewood@dslextreme.com www.csclakewood.org

SHAVUOT

Cheesecake

Congregation Sholom of Leisure World, Seal Beach  C

You will need: 2 pgk. graham cracker crumbs 2 sticks margarine, melted 1 c. sugar Cinnamon to taste

3 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 (16 oz.) sour cream 3 eggs

Procedure: Combine the graham crackers, melted margarine, sugar and cinnamon. Press on the bottom of the pan. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over crust. Bake for 25 min at 400°F.

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CREDIT TO REVA KRACOFF

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MAY – JUNE 2022

I P’nai Or 

3955 N. Studebaker Road Long Beach, CA 90808 Email: info@pnaior.org Website: www.pnaior.org

Shul By The Shore  O

3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, California 90815 Rabbi Abba Perelmuter 562.621.9828 rabbi@shulbytheshore.org www.shulbytheshore.org R Temple Beth Ohr 

WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚͬWƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ FROM THE 2001 HEBREW ACADEMY COOKBOOK

Mail to: PO Box 2901 Seal Beach, CA 90740 1421 Northwood Road Seal Beach, CA 90740 President Carol A. Stern Levine Phone: Direct 562.505.3622 Phone: Membership 562.430.7040 congsholomlwsb@gmail.com

Bringing you the latest Jewish Community news since 1947 Subscribe three ways 1. Visit jewishlongbeach.org/jewishcommunity-chronicle Scan the QR code 2. Call (562) 426-7601 ext 1314 3. Return the attached envelope by mail

15721 E. Rosecrans Ave. La Mirada, CA 90638 Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfarb Phone: 714.521.6765 office@tbolm.org www.tbolm.org

C Temple Beth Shalom 

3635 Elm Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807 Rabbi David Cantor 562.426.6413 office@tbslb.org www.tbslb.org R Temple Israel 

269 Loma Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803 Rabbi Scott Fox 562.434.0996 info@tilb.org www.tilb.org

Temple Ner Tamid of Downey  I 10629 Lakewood Boulevard Downey, CA 90241 Rabbi Daniel Mehlman 562.861.9276 C Conservative  I Independent  O Orthodox  R Reform 

JEWISH LONG BEACH

COMMUNITY

Creating Lifelong Jewish Memories at Summer Camp Kevin Giser | Chief Operating and Development Officer

Jewish sleepaway camps have been around for generations, and often play a critical role in one’s self-discovery of their Yiddishkeit, their sense of Jewish being in our connected world. This is especially true for our community’s very own Rabbi Howard Laibson, who once viewed camp as getting in the way of baseball. His older brother Michael attended Camp Saratoga (now URJ Camp Newman) and taught Rabbi Laibson that at summer camp, one could play baseball every day while meeting other Jewish kids, especially Jewish girls.

The summer of 1963 opened up a new world of opportunities, where informal Jewish education fueled by rabbinical students on staff and living a Jewish camp life would lead to an interest in becoming a rabbi. Creating genuine opportunities for spiritual connections would last well beyond that summer. These memories turned into lifelong friendships, and to this day they hold monthly reunions on Zoom, continuing the laughter from summers of the past. When he retired, Congregation Shir Chadash honored Rabbi Laibson with the funds to begin a named scholarship fund through Jewish Long Beach, whose interest is used to support local Jewish youth who desire the camp experience.

To learn more about supporting the Rabbi Howard Laibson Campership Fund and about creating your own legacy, please contact Kevin Giser, Chief Operating & Development Officer, kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org.

THURSDAYS AT 8:00AM ON ZOOM

FRIDAYS AT 6:00PM/SATURDAYS AT 10:00AM INͲPERSON & STREAMING

TAKING A SUMMER OFF & WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER!

Mark the end of Shabbat with TBS and let us take care of the kids so you can enjoy a night out!

Childcare/programming for kids will be provided by TBS.

For more details and dates, please call us!

For more information about our services and programming and for the livestream and zoom links, please visit us at tbslb.org or call (562) 426Ͳ6413.

3635 Elm Avenue—Long Beach, CA 90807

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COMMUNITY

Summer is in full swing at #YourCenterforLife!

The community enjoyed the “Taste of Summer” on April 10, at the Mary Alpert Pool on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus. Live music and open swim was enjoyed by all!

Members can enjoy fitness and swimming seven days a week with extended summer hours. Mon - Thurs 6 AM - 9 PM, Fri 6 AM - 5 PM, Sat - Sun 7 AM - 5 PM Visit alpertjcc.org for all summer programs! Share your AJCC moments with us on social media! @alpert_jcc @jewishlongbeach

LB Poly Combo 1 serenades the Pool deck with live jazz.

Camp Komaroff staff Brandon Murray, Giovanni Herrera, and Elaine Membership Administrator Diana Guardado is available to answer Ortiz can’t wait to see you this summer! your questions about membership.

Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, by coloring your own Israeli seal, and solving an Israel-themed crossword puzzle. Coloring page credit Akhlah.com.

Israel Crossword for Yom Ha’atzmaut

Answer Key: Down: 1. Hamsa, 2. Hummus, 3. Meir, 4. Jerusalem, 5. Cherry, 8. Tel Aviv, 9. Falafel, 11. Masada Across: 6. Mediterranean, 7. Portman, 10. Camel, 12. Eilat, 13. Dead Sea

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HEBREW ACADEMY ORANGE COUNTY

COMMUNITY

Giving Students a Chance

Dr. Harari | Hebrew Academy of Orange County Bright California sunlight sparkles through large windows on a campus in Huntington Beach where students have attended the Hebrew Academy for over 50 years. Throughout this time, the campus has been reinvented to meet the everchanging needs of a new era in education. Technology, top-tier academics, critical thinking and creativity coincide to create innovative solutions to current and future challenges students themselves identify. The MakerSpace art room was designed for and by next-generation learners. It is open, spacious, and generously stocked with an array of enticing art supplies and intriguing materials for students to create, experiment, and collaborate with, as they realize the potential they have to create a new and better future.

“Strive to inspire,” is the mantra of professional artist and Hebrew Academy art teacher, Erna van Dyk. “Nothing is ever perfect and it shouldn’t be. We challenge ourselves, push our own creative boundaries, and become better in the process. A good learning experience in art transcends the particular art project and expands a child’s sense of self and what they can do.”

We look forward to inviting the community to join us as we recognize the innovation, creativity, and pride of the Hebrew Academy students as well as the Orange County community in the upcoming Art Festival that will take place on Sunday, November 13, 2022. “Allowing your art to be assessed by others requires courage and builds confidence in your work, creative expression and even in yourself as an artist,” Ms. van Dyk can attest, “putting together a worthy entry is invaluable in the art world that builds a tremendous sense of accomplishment that transcends the MakerSpace.

In the MakerSpace, students challenge themselves and expand their own boundaries. Creativity and new understandings expand in drawing, painting, sketching, and molding.

Emphasis is placed on finding new ways to translate an image from mind to artwork. Students collaborate and design projects that encompass multiple perspectives and ideas. They are trained to explore a variety of materials and styles of art to help them express themselves. In collaboration they learn to listen and consider other perspectives, understand one another and work towards common goals.

Voted the number one K-12 faith-based school in Orange County, Hebrew Academy knows that a well-rounded education requires more than textbooks. Language art and mathematics are foundational as are visual and creative expression. All of this is paired inextricably with character, values education and ethics. At the Hebrew Academy, academic excellence is not limited to traditional core subjects.

We create programs that encourage and develop the whole child. Our creative arts program is designed to boost social-emotional skills, self-confidence, resilience, and competence, while cultivating skills widely associated with success in the global economy, including collaboration, problem-solving and expression.

“Art is super fun and calming,” high school student Shaina says of the MakerSpace, “and incorporating it into school just makes school that much better!”

JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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COMMUNITY

Did You Know?

“Jewish Long Beach annual campaign connects critical services to individuals and organizations who need it the most”.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on youth is profound. We have seen a marked increase in anxiety and suicidality as well as antisocial behaviors such as bullying greatly increase due to social isolation and the veil of uncertainty around the future of our children’s lives. To address these urgent needs,

Hebrew Academy utilized grants from Jewish Long Beach & Alpert JCC to station three counselors from Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Long Beach on campus. These counselors have since connected with 185 students, ranging from grades kinder - 5th, as well as middle school and upper school girls. The counselors bring critical social-emotional workshops to campus, and are equipped to provide students with individual counseling on a sliding fee scale at the parent’s request. “We value our partnership with Jewish Long Beach and Hebrew Academy as

we provide these vital services to our Jewish youth,” said Trip Oldfield, CEO of Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Long Beach & West Orange County.

Continue to Dream with Us about the future of the Jewish community, and make your gift today! To learn more about our Dream with Us campaign please contact Kevin Giser, Chief Operating & Development Officer, kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org

NOW BOOKING!

PRIVATE AND GROUP SWIM LESSONS LESSONS MENTION CHRONICLE FOR FREE REGISTRATION

FOR AGES 2+ | SIGN UP ONLINE AT WWW.ALPERTJCC.ORG/AQUATICS/SWIM-LESSONS/

Jewish Long Beach and Alpert JCC Mission Statement Guided by Jewish values and culture, we seek to inspire community by improving lives, building bridges of understanding and inclusion, and supporting the Jewish people here, in Israel, and around the world.

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COMMUNITY

36 HOURS

OF JEWISH LONG BEACH and ALPERT JCC GIFTS MADE BETWEEN JUNE 28 - 30 WILL BE MATCHED

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 36 HOURS?

TEXT "GIVE" TO (562) 600-9673 TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

YOUR SUPPORT GOES ABOVE & BEYOND CELEBRATE YOUR IMPACT ON JUNE 30, 2022 JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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COMMUNITY NEWS

EVENTS

See What’s New in 2022 Beth David Sunday, May 15, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm Beth David Blood Drive For reservations contact redcrossblood.org and mention sponsor code TBD Saturday, June 11, 6:15 pm Dinner, 5:30 pm 14th annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament $50 per person RSVP to Beth David by June 7th www.templebethdavid.org Friday, June 17, 7:30 pm Celebrate the Father in Your Life at Shabbat Services at Beth David 6100 Hefley Street Westminster, California 92683 Temple Beth Ohr Saturday, May 14, 6:00-10:00 pm Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada celebrates its 65th anniversary in their newly remodeled social hall, 15721 Rosecrans Avenue, La Mirada. Comedian Avi Leiberman will provide entertainment. Silent auction and memories slideshow along with heavy hors d’oeuvres complete the evening. Tickets and/or sponsorship form can be found at tbolm.org.

JFCS Support Groups Did you know that JFCS offers ongoing support groups via Zoom?

Currently, we have two groups called “Coping and Connecting”. Both groups are open for community members to attend. These groups began in mid-2020 in response to the isolation and stress many were feeling because of the coronavirus pandemic and the drastic lifestyle changes that characterized its impact. Our group sessions, one on Tuesdays and one on Thursdays, run from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Also offered is our Caregiver Support Group for those who are primary caregivers for aging parents, spouses, or loved ones with disabilities. This group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Why participate in a support group? There are benefits to communicating with others who share similar current life experience, the most important of which is the reassurance that one is not alone to face life’s difficulties. Sharing concerns and emotions as well as ideas, solutions, and resources in a safe, nonjudgmental environment brings great comfort and renewed will to participants.

For more information, call JFCS at 562.427.7916 or email us at jfcs@jfcslongbeach.org NCJW Thursday, May 12, 6:00-7:30 pm Filling Hugpacks for Foster Youth At the Alpert JCC on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus We will have two teams assembling the backpacks, one for Kindergartners through 2nd grade and one for middle school students. Joining us are four 14 | CHRONICLE

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representatives from Long Beach Rotary, our grantor for books for the early grades. Many helping hands are needed, so join us in giving a “hug” to vulnerable children entering the foster care system. Individually wrapped snacks and drinks are provided, and doing good will feel so great. RSVP by emailing communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave a message at 657.235.2511.

Sunday, June 12 Charter Day & Hannah G. Solomon Presentation Mix, Mingle and Celebrate Two locations: 1:30-3:00 pm House parties with fun food refreshments, hors d’oeuvres (TBA).

3:30-5:30 pm Charter Day Program with national leaders on Zoom, entertainment, desserts and Installation of officers along with a silent auction at Temple Beth Shalom in Bixby Knolls.

For more information call 657.235.2511 or email info@ncjwlongbeach.org. or www.ncjwlongbeach.org Virtual at home events Movie Discussions Thursday, May 26, 7:00 pm On Hulu and Amazon Flee-animation movie based on a fleeing Afghan refugee Nominated for best foreign film 2022 Thursday, June 23, 7:00 pm On Amazon Courier-with Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel Brosnahan (With insights to how the Cuban Missile crisis was averted due to spies) Register for Movie Night at www.ncjwlongbeach.org NCJW Welcome Circle for Afghan Refugees As part of a HIAS Welcome Circle, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Long Beach & West Orange County Section (NCJW GLB & WOC), will soon be welcoming three single women from Afghanistan into our community. All three of them speak English, they have BA’s in Agriculture and were enrolled in Master’s programs when their lives were upended and they were forced to flee their homes with little other than the clothes on their back.

NCJW GLB & WOC has located temporary housing but will need to find a more permanent solution as well as furnishings, help them to find jobs, sign them up for public benefits such as TANF and SNAP among many other responsibilities. NCJW cannot do this alone!

There are numerous opportunities for the community to help NCJW GLB & WOC in its efforts through volunteering, donating furniture, gift certificates, and most importantly cash. To donate go to AfghanRefugeeResettlement/donate and select Immigration Services Fund. If you have specific items (clothing, furniture, appliances, etc.) or want to volunteer, please email welcomecircle@ ncjwlongbeach.org. and explain how you can help these women feel welcome in Long Beach!

Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society (OCJGS) The Orange County Genealogical Society was formed in 1971 with a great deal of assistance from then Orange County Historian, Donald Clark. We have evolved from a handful of dedicated people to a membership well over 500.

Sunday, May 22, 10:00 am Ken Bravo: Finding Frieda Ken will tell the amazing story of how he tracked down a long-lost cousin who had emigrated to the US, having lost contact with the rest of the family during WW II and the Soviet period.

Sunday, June 12, 10:00 am Marian Smith: Immigration records Register for free in advance at the OCJGS website when the links become available.

CSULB Jewish Studies Program Monday, May 23, 7:00 pm via ZOOM The CSULB Jewish Studies Program is delighted to sponsor a talk by Dr. Jeffrey Blutinger. His topic will be “Kosher at Last: Jewish Women Comics in America.”

The earliest American Jewish women in comedy, people like Fanny Brice, Belle Barth, Sophie Tucker, and Pearl Williams, were referred to as “unkosher comediennes.” In this talk, Dr. Blutinger will trace the struggles of Jewish women to perform as comics on stage. While Jewish women such as Barbra Streisand and Madeline Kahn shone on the silver screen, the situation was quite different for women who wanted to do stand up. Totie Fields and Joan Rivers paved the way for Jewish women to perform as comics on stage and on television.

The talk will be illustrated with a lot of jokes and clips of comic performances, so this should be both fun and enlightening. This event is free and open to the public. To obtain the Zoom link, please email: Jeffrey.Blutinger@csulb.edu.

California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) Wednesday, May 11, 11:00-1:30 pm 58th Humanitarian Awards Celebration Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 Each year, CCEJ celebrates the contributions of community members who have dedicated their lives and careers to promoting equality and justice in Long Beach and Southern California. Join us to honor a distinguished group of folks with the CCEJ Humanitarian Award, the Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award, and the Building Bridges Award.

Friday, May 20, 8:30-4:00 pm Racial Justice Roots Convening Long Beach City College 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808 Please join us to increase your knowledge and skills for anti-racist practices and connect you with others who want to build unity and solidarity for racial justice.

Please contact Reena Hajat Carroll, CCEJ Executive Director at rhcarroll@cacej.org or call 562.435.8184 x108 with questions.

IN MEMORIAM

JEWISH LONG BEACH

GENERAL FUND, cont.

ALPERT JCC

Beloved Father & Father-In-Law to Robin & Mulu Harrison from Sharon Kenigsberg

FROM JEWISH LONG BEACH & ALPERT JCC BOARD, LEADERSHIP & STAFF IN MEMORY OF Robert Schlesinger Beloved Brother to Ken Schlesinger Beloved Brother & BrotherIn-Law to Daniel & Jan Schlesinger Rick Webber Beloved Brother & Brotherin-Law to Susan & Mark Paletz Romola (Romie) Temkin Beloved Mother to Linda Temkin Waltzman Phyllis Wolfe Beloved Mother & Mother-inLaw to Karen & Dan Rosenfeld Anna Chinski Beloved mother to Edie Brodsky & Family Terry Avchen Beloved Brother-in-Law & Uncle to Paula Avchen & Rebecca Avchen

GET WELL WISHES Nancy Alpert Thinking of you & sending warm wishes your way

IN MEMORY OF

Beloved Mother & Mother-In-Law to Stuart & Lauren Friedman from Sharon Kenigsberg Robert Schlesinger Beloved Brother to Ken Schlesinger from Linda Simmons from Sharon Kenigsberg

MACCABI FUND

MAZEL TOV

Shlomit Jackson for your years of service & friendship from Jay Alhadeff

On your 30th Anniversary to Lea & Dennis Gerber from Sandy & Daryl Phillips On being honored by Temple Israel to Joyce & Hank Feldman from Andrea & Don Kaiser

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Alan Brawer from Sandy & Daryl Phillips

IN MEMORY OF

IN MEMORY OF

Sy Alban to Reva Alban from Nancy & Mark Schneider

Romola “Romie” Temkin Beloved Mother to Linda Temkin Waltzman from Jessie Butler Anna Chinski Beloved Mother to Edie Brodsky & Family from Jessie Butler

RABBI HOWARD LAIBSON CAMPERSHIP FUND

SENIOR LUNCH FUND

IN HONOR OF

On the birth of your granddaughter to Deb Lewis & Michael Rosen from Arlene & Rick Freeman

JFCS DEVELOPMENT FUND, cont.

Anna Chinski Beloved mother to Edie Brodsky & Family from Arlene & Rick Freeman from Drs. Aaron & Leslie Kern from Andrea & Don Kaiser

GENERAL FUND On becoming grandparents to Ellen Goldsmith & Rabbi Howard Laibson from Sharon & Marty Kenigsberg

GERDA SEIFER YOM HASHOAH FUND

MAZEL TOV

Romola “Romie” Temkin Beloved Mother to Linda Temkin Waltzman from Linda & Sanford Simmons from Sandy & Daryl Phillips from Kevin, Emma, Bill & Margaret from Ed & Judy Green from Arlene & Rick Freeman from Sharon & Marty Kenigsberg from Andrea & Don Kaiser

IN MEMORY OF Rick Webber Beloved Brother to Susan Paletz from Jay Alhadeff

MATZAH TO MITZVAH FUND IN MEMORY OF Rick Webber Beloved Brother from Susan & Mark Paletz from Sharon & Marty Kenigsberg

IN MEMORY OF Phyllis Wolfe Beloved Mother & Mother-in-Law to Karen & Dan Rosenfeld from Susan & Mark Paletz

COMMUNITY

MICHAEL SEGAL MAIMONIDES FUND

Rick Webber Beloved Brother & Brotherin-Law to Susan Paletz & Family from Kevin Giser and Emma Rees from Arlene & Rick Freeman

Ethel Tesser Beloved Mother to Ross Tesser from Anna & Phil Chapirson

TRIBUTES

Ellen and Rabbi Howard Laibson on the birth of your granddaughter from Susan Paletz

IN MEMORY OF Rick Webber Beloved Brother to Susan Paletz from Shlomit Jackson from Dr. Susan Mathieu from Marilyn & Lance Valt from Jewish Girls not reading Jewish Books Book Club from Drs. Aaron & Leslie Kern from Ed & Judy Green from Ken Schlesinger from Karen Rosenfeld from Rosecarrie & Dr. Alan Brooks

N MEMORY OF Phyllis Wolfe to Karen Rosenfeld from Jay Alhadeff Harlin Krug Beloved Father to Pam Krug from Dr. Susan Mathieu

Julius Schlesinger Judith Hanna Schlesinger Rob Schlesinger from Ken Schlesinger George Epstein Beloved Father to Sue Epstein from Gerda & Harold Seifer Romola Temkin Beloved Mother to Linda Temkin Waltzman from Gerda & Harold Seifer

IN HONOR OF

Dr. Susan Mathieu & Pam Krug on the birth of Taylor Jane Mathieu from Ann Martin

ISRAEL RELIEF FUND IN MEMORY OF Laura Cutler Beloved daughter to Joyce Kessler from Harriet Danufsky

AVA AND HOWARD WEISS OLDER ADULT FUND IN MEMORY OF Peter Prupas to Gail Prupas & Family from Jessie Butler

Eli J. Schwartz Grandson Happy 21st Birthday from Gerda & Harold Seifer

SEYMOUR PIZER FUND

Phillip Seifer Son Happy Birthday from Gerda & Harold Seifer

Happy Anniversary Perri & Gary Guthrie from Binnie & Jack Berro & Family

Judi & Gordon Lentzner Ann Lentzner For hosting the Lentzner Family Major Gifts Brunch from Gerda & Harold Seifer

CRISIS IN UKRAINE

IN HONOR OF

IN MEMORY OF Madge Pizer to Perry Guthrie from Sandy & Geoffrey Carr For JFCS tributes call: 562.427.7916

IN MEMORY OF Irving & Frieda Katz from Lynne Katz Anna Chinski Beloved Mother to Edie Brodsky from Sandy & Daryl Phillips For Jewish Long Beach & Alpert JCC Tributes call: 562.426.7601 ext 1314

JFCS

MAZEL TOV Mathieu Family on the birth of Taylor Jane Mathieu from Bayless Family

Robert Raful to Dinah & Larry Raful from Lois & Ron Maurer from Gail & Tom Levy

JFCS DEVELOPMENT FUND IN HONOR OF Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary Binnie and Jack Berro from Michele Berro Happy Anniversary Perri & Gary Guthrie from Binnie & Jack Berro & Family

IN MEMORY OF Irma Slavitter to Suzanne Slavitter from Linda Kleinman

JEWISHLONGBEACH.ORG

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MAY THEIR MEMORY BE A BLESSING Robert Schlesinger Mildred Wallerstein Rick Webber Romola “Romie” Temkin Neal Demby Phyllis Wolfe Howard Schulman Eileen Sue Hammer Dr. Paul S. Greenberg Anna Chinski Terry Avchen Harlin Krug We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those who have recently lost a loved one.

If you know of someone who has recently passed and would like them recognized in our publication, please send your request to: chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org

Zichrono Livrakha

5782 NISAN – IYAR – SIVAN – TAMMUZ | 15

The Jewish Community Chronicle

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus 3801 E. Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90815

PAID Permit No. 129 Long Beach, CA

Postperson please deliver by 5/2/22

Change Service Requested

T E M P L E I S R A E L LO N G B E AC H

“We strive for Temple Israel to be like Abraham’s tent, open on all sides, welcoming to all. In keeping with that philosophy, everyone who wishes to be a supporting member of our community is welcome, regardless of the amount they are able to contribute.”

Temple Israel Board of Directors

TI READS ONE BOOK welcomes

ROYA HAKAKIAN author of

“A Beginner’s Guide to America” Saturday, May 7th at 7:00 pm

(In Person and Livestreamed) This perfectly timed book gives us a portrait of what the new immigrant experience in America is really like. Roya Hakakian, an immigrant herself, reveals what those who settle here love about the country and what they miss about their homes.

HOME: A STORYBOOK ENDING? with Rabbi Scott Fox Wednesdays at 7:00 pm May 25, June 1 and 8

Join Rabbi Fox, as we look at the concept of discovering, returning, and creating home through modern fiction.

Together we will study Jewish stories and tell our own.

SPIRITUAL REVELATIONS

ISRAELI CURRENT EVENTS

REUNITING WITH OUR COMMUNITY FOR TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT Saturday, June 4 at 8:00 pm

WITH DANNY EHRLICH Wednesday, June 15 at 9:30 am

An original theatrical event created and performed by members of Temple Israel. A program of poems, monologues, scenes, and song/music to express the emotional/human experience of what we missed and longed for during the pandemic.

Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People. While most Israelis are Jewish, you don’t have to be Jewish to be Israeli. Who are the non-Jewish minorities in Israel? What opportunities and challenges do they face as non-Jews in a Jewish Nation State?

(Zoom Only)

WE ARE A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE REFORM CONGREGATION INSPIRING JEWISH LIFE IN LONG BEACH FOR OVER 98 YEARS!

269 LO M A AV E N U E • LO N G B E AC H , C A 90803 • 562.434 .0 9 9 6 • W W W. T I L B. O R G 16 | CHRONICLE

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