What Defines a Community?
By Keith Krivitzky, Managing Director
Jewish Federation of Ocean County keith@ocjf.org
www.jewishoceancounty.org
www.jewishoceancounty.org/donate 732.363.0530
There are many things to be proud of when it comes to the Jewish community in Ocean County.
From early days when our chicken farmers played a role in helping support the creation of the state of Israel (if you don’t know, visit the Jewish Heritage Museum in Freehold and learn about smuggling weapons and incubators), to the growth of our local business community, to how our community stood up for Jews being persecuted throughout the world and rallied behind Soviet Jewry and funding the rescue of Ethiopian Jews. The Ocean County Jewish community has stood up and stood together through good times
Looking
to the High Holidays,
I encourage you to think about these values and approaches that define our community.
and bad.
Given some of the challenges we face in our world – and some of the challenges as demographics change in our area – I thought it made sense to revisit some of what has set our community apart and highlights why it is important for people to come together and make a difference.
First – A community comes together to celebrate with each other and support each other Coming together, in person and not just remotely, is where friendships are made and common cause is found. That’s why the gatherings of our synagogues are so important – and why we encourage you to connect with a service that speaks to you for the High Holidays. That’s why our recent Musical Hug from Israel was so special. We hope to see you soon at the upcoming Fall Festival and the Film Festival!!!
Next – A healthy community seeks to share its strengths with others. We don’t just look inwards; we seek to
make a difference elsewhere in line with our values and priorities We put our $$s where our mouth and hearts are. That is why our community stepped up to help the Jewish community in Ukraine when they were under attack. That is why we have been so proactive in helping our friends and family under threat in Israel through our Israel Emergency and Response Campaigns. And that is why we invest in offering services locally through Jewish Family & Children’s Service and by providing grants to help those who are hungry and suffering from food insecurity in our area before the holidays.
Also – A healthy community also invests in the future…for itself and for others we care about The leadership of the Jewish community wisely established an endowment to help ensure that future needs can be addressed. We are beginning to look strategically at what these needs might be – from social service needs for seniors to how we educate a future generation in Ocean County to reject hate and be upstanders…to how we can continue meeting the needs of Jews at risk around the world.
As we are reaching the end of a crazy summer and looking to the High Holidays, I encourage you to think about these values and approaches that defi-
What we can learn from the Paris Olympics
By Rabbi William Gershon Congregation B’nai
Israel, Toms River www.cbitr.org
It’s always thrilling to watch athletes perform what seems to be the impossible – gymnasts and divers, the seeming ease with which they spin and turn and performing feats of the impossible.
It was also fascinating seeing them prepare. Sometimes the camera caught Noah Lyles stretching before speeding down the track like a bullet and becoming the fastest human on the planet. Or Simone Biles working with her therapist and then sitting cross-legged in Zen like mediation.
In fact, vaulters practiced running; run-
ners practiced jumping; swimmers practiced tumbling on a trampoline – all things that did not seem directly related to the sport they would perform. Actually, all were part of the total preparation required for their particular feat. That is why skiers lift weights, swimmers run cross country, and runners learn to meditate. They do a whole series of things not directly associated with their event in order to strengthen every muscle, to refine every skill, to prepare themselves for a maximum effort, the kind that sets records and wins gold medals.
They know that the only kind of preparation for peak performance is total preparation, with a combination of disparate abilities which enables them to succeed. They know that athletics is not only legs and arms, but lungs and brains. It is balance, not just speed; coordination, not just reach; nutrition, not just precision.
We Jews have known this lesson for thousands of years. It is a religious lesson, not just an athletic one. What is Judaism, after all, if not a continuing condi-
ne our community. What can you do to help make a difference and add to the rich story of our community?
If you have not finalized your estate or long-term giving plans, consider leaving a legacy to our community. And as you think about tzedakah and philanthropic support, know that your funding will make a smart, strategic impact.
Thank you for being partners in our work. May we all see better times.
Ways to Give:
Leave a Legacy, become a GEM with a monthly contribution or make a contribution to our annual campaign: www. jewishoceancounty.org/donate
Support our Israel Emergency Campaign – providing grants to help those in Israel still recovering after October 7: www. jewishoceancounty.org/IsraelEmergency
Support our Israel Response Fund –which enables us to address Israel delegitimization and other activities defending Israel’s right to exist and self-defense in Ocean County and the US: www.jewishoceancounty.org/IsraelResponse
The Jewish Spiritual Olympics are just a few weeks away. It’s time to stretch our spiritual muscles and prepare our souls.
tioning and integrated series of exercises for the soul: what to eat, what to wear, how to speak, what to say, how to think, ways to celebrate – in order to strengthen our will and spiritual insight – to refine us and help us develop “religious muscle tone.”
We perform countless exercises called mitzvot, spiritual acts of ethics and rituals designed to strengthen us, to build us up, to expand constricted muscles which when called upon are synchronized and perform in harmony, which enable us to reach peak spiritual performance.
Imagine a high jumper who knew how to spring but not how to land; a diver who could perform marvelously in the air but
could not swim; a volleyball player who could spike but not serve; a basketball player who could dribble but not shoot!
Imagine a Jew who says she cares for the meaning of Torah but who does not study it; one who is concerned about the Jewish future but shows no interest in the Jewish present; one who says he yearns to be able to pray but does not try to learn to understand the Hebrew words; one who says that in her heart she feels very Jewish, but who lives a totally assimilated life. It is the harmony of elements which makes completeness possible.
The Olympics reminded me that prayer, worship, religious piety, ethical behavior and sensitivity are habits and developed skills. They depend on discipline to give quality to effort and to life. Someone once said that the Jew who comes to the synagogue only on the High Holy Days gets a kind of religious indigestion, a spiritual Charlie horse. It is too much to ingest, too much to swallow all at once. The ones who come throughout the year
Continued on page 9
Open to Families: A New Jewish Cohousing Community
Berkeley Moshav reimagines the Jewish communal future by re-creating the village models of the past.
July 16, 2024 timesofisrael.com/spotlight
When Berkeley Moshav breaks ground later this year, it will be the realization of a vision that began 10 years ago in a living room in California. But, for Berkeley Moshav’s founder, Roger Studley, the dream goes back even further.
“This idea of Jewish communal living has been with me for as long as I can remember. As Jews, it’s so innate in us to want to live communally and multi-generationally. We want Berkeley Moshav to be a place where families with kids, people without kids, and folks of all ages can all really enjoy the benefits of living in a shared environment.” Studley said.
Members Yona and Josh Abrams are thrilled that they will be raising their children in a diverse Jewish environment. Similarly, Susan and Paul Sugarman are eager to embrace the communal activities and social opportunities that cohousing offers. Susan looks forward to the camaraderie of preparing and sharing communal meals with her neighbors. Paul, on the other hand, is most excited about the sound of children’s laughter echoing through the courtyard. “I’m looking forward to having kids of all ages in close proximity. Our house has become too quiet!” he says.
The project is well underway and will consist of 36 homes in a single building with ample shared space. Twenty-four of the homes have already been reserved, with more prospective residents currently considering joining.
Besides owning their own private, fully appointed residence, members of the Moshav will share access to a kosher communal kitchen, a rooftop terrace, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard, and 3,500 square feet of indoor space for amenities such as a kids’ play area and
Temple Beth Or
art/exercise space. It is in this shared space where the magic of the moshav will happen.
“We all know how hard it is to raise kids on your own. Imagine having a whole village instead. You’ll have people to sit with your kids if you need to run out, to be mentors for them, to act as extra grandparents and aunts and uncles.” Studley said.
The draw of a multi-generational environment appeals to many families with young children. Future resident Noah Brod is particularly excited about the idea of his children growing up surrounded by a village, “We are looking for a place to raise a family, with other parents around,” Brod said. His experience living in a home with 14 people of different ages in the Peace Corps introduced him to the joys of communal living. “It’s a rich way to live your life,” Brod added.
While people of all faiths are welcome at the Moshav, residents will experience the benefits of living Jewish lives together. “Part of our mission is to create a place where Judaism can be integrated into our daily lives. Let’s have neighbors that we can connect with in a Jewish context, whether it’s learning Hebrew together, or helping to educate our kids, or sharing a holiday or Shabbat meal.” Studley added.
Living sustainably is another of the core values that will be reflected in Berkeley Moshav. Studley notes that having 36 households in one modern building will naturally reduce consumption of resources and energy, while increasing connections and relationships. Solar energy, shared transportation options, and communal meals will all be integral to sustainable living at the Moshav.
These shared meals will also be an important part of strengthening community ties. Two or three times a week, residents will collaborate to prepare meals for the entire building, with each member only required to join a cooking team once a month. “Imagine coming home from work and having dinner ready for you and your neighbors and all the kids can just run around and play with each other in a safe, confined area while you enjoy good food and company.” Studley noted.
While each member owns their own home, decisions regarding communal spaces, activities, and logistics will be made using a non-hierarchical decision-making structure – designed for equivalence of voice, transparency, and efficiency – in which all residents can participate.
While Studley was inspired by the democratic and communal nature of intentional communities in Israel, his dream of communal living began in Berkeley. “It was always going to start in Berkeley. Berkeley’s probably got more innovative Jewish infrastructure per capita than anywhere else in the country. We’ve got great public schools, a Jewish day school, outdoor Jewish education, the Jewish Studio project, a prestigious kosher winery, interaction between the different streams of Jewish life, the list just goes on and on. There are people from the full Jewish spectrum all coming together in one area.” Studley said.
Studley envisions the Moshav reflecting that same diversity and vibrancy of Jewish life in Berkeley, in a more intimate setting.
Once he gets this off the ground in Berkeley, Studley intends to use his nonprofit (Urban Moshav) to create similar communities in other places. “We’ve had these amazing innovations over the last hundred years in communication and transportation…. Meaning that we can live anywhere and work anywhere and stay connected. But somehow we’ve actually become less connected. The goal here is to recreate a Jewish neighborhood feel where people hang out together and are invested in each other so we all feel less alone.”
Construction is planned to begin in Fall 2024. Homes will be purchased at cost – there’s no markup. Prices for the remaining two- and three-bedroom homes, currently projected from $1.1 million to $1.6 million, are in line with the Bay Area market. There are also larger “three plus” homes available. (There are one-bedroom homes too, but these have already been claimed.) Anyone interested in living in the community is invited to attend an information session (via Zoom) and spend 1-3 months as an “explorer,” getting to know the project and the current members. For more information, visit berkeleymoshav.org.
A rendering of the future building of Berkeley Moshav. (Courtesy)
YOU Made an Impact through the Jewish Federation of Ocean CountyThank You Messages from Shutaf and The Counseling Center for Women
A Musical Hug from Israel
The community was treated to a moving presentation of the music that has developed in Israel since the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Entitled “A Musical Hug from Israel,” the new music and videos from Israel were shared and discussed by Israeli music expert and radio personality Josh Shron on July 18 at the Marquee Theater in Toms River. The 90-minute presentation help connect the attendees to the vibe of Israel in one of its darkest hours, showing how music is helping Israelis heal from this unspeakable tragedy. Hearing the songs, watching the videos, and learning about the songs inspired the people with the remarkable spirit of Israel. To learn more about Israeli music and A Musical Hug from Israel, visit musicalhugfromisrael.com.
As part of the Week of Goodness: Redeeming our Hostages through Good Deeds (organized by the family of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin), the musical program was dedicated in honor of Tsahi Idan, age 50, who was kidnapped from his home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz after seeing his 18-year old daughter, Maayan, murdered. As of July 31, his wife and younger children are still waiting for his return. Please keep him (Tzachi ben Devorah) and all of the hostages in your prayers.
New Executive Director at Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River
Congregation B’nai Israel has a new executive director: Emilie Kovit.
Kovit came to the synagogue at 1488 Old Freehold Road in Toms River in July from Princeton, where she was director of programming and engagement for The Jewish Center. Before that, she was executive director of Congregation B’nai Israel in Rumson, running the office and overseeing building and ground maintenance, membership, programs and other administrative tasks.
Raised in Queens, New York, and then Long Island, she lived in the city for years after college, then moved to Middletown, New Jersey, in 2005 with her husband, Dr. Andrew Meyer, a Chinese History professor at Brooklyn College, and her daughter, Ada, who is now entering her sophomore year at Temple University in Philadelphia.
She holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Hunter College.
In an email introducing herself to CBI’s membership, she said she started her career in corporate publishing and human resources and entered the synagogue administration field when she “felt drawn to the Jewish communal life.”
In an interview, she said her priorities at CBI will be to, first, get the synago-
gues’s new accounting service up. She also plans to work on streamlining ShulCloud, updating the member database and bringing more attention to the activities at CBI.
Kovit is not CBI’s only new face. Its new cantor, Vadim Yucht, also arrived in July.
(Editor’s Note: See The Jewish Journal, June issue, page 8) He will be leading the
congregation in prayer and song on three Shabbats a month and on holidays and at holiday events.
Kovit said she is looking forward to meeting CBI’s members. “Everyone should stop in and say hello,” she said. “Getting to know everyone is one of my favorite experiences.”
180,000+
$200,000 Israel Emergency Campaign
(including a matching amount of $50,000 from the Jewish Federation of Ocean County)
Heroes Against Hate
Who belongs on this year's list? At the Jewish Federation’s annual Community of Caring celebration in December, we will be honoring local “Heroes Against Hate”. We are seeking your help in identifying and nominating possible Heroes to recognize.
Ideal candidates would be individuals who or organizations that have had a concrete impact in our area:
• Countering hate or bigotry through individual action or initiating programs or activities to encourage standing up to hate
• Educating the community (especially younger audiences) about tolerance, diversity, and respect for differences
• Stepping up to respond to a crisis dealing with hate, bigotry, or bias
• Working to build bridges between different groups in our community, especially those where there may be differences or lack of understanding
When it comes to hate, bigotry, and discrimination no one community stands alone. Intolerance and attacks may be targeted to one particular group, but they seldom stop there; hate metastasizes and can spread easily. It takes people of faith and principle to step up, be upstanders, and to say: enough. That is the aim of honoring these Heroes Against Hate…to encourage more in our community to stand up, to speak out, and to make a difference. Please help us by identifying some of these local Heroes.
JFOC is proud to honor our county's Heroes Against Hate each year at our Community of Caring Celebration held in December.
2021 HONOREES
Randy Bergmann
Sophie Braun
Tova Herskovitz
Chief Mitch Little
Toms River NAACP
2022 HONOREES
Trevor Kalb
Ian Rosenzweig
Chief James Riccio
Sgt. Jim Kelly
Exit 82 Theatre
2023 HONOREES
Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer
Caroline Winn
Jasmine and Mateo Guarin
Toms River Jewish Community Council
Send this in by September 15th or fill out online at https://jewishoceancounty.org/communitycaring/nominations.
Heroes Against Hate
YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME OF NOMINEE AND CONTACT INFORMATION
WHY THIS PERSON/ORGANIZATION IS A HERO AGAINST HATE. PLEASE BE SPECIFIC AS TO WHY THE PERSON DESERVES TO BE RECOGNIZED.
Jewish Groups Present Recommendations for Schools to Tackle Antisemitism
The four-page set of guidelines is a joint effort from the ADL, AJC, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Hillel International and JFNA
Combination of articles by Haley Cohen (ejewishphilanthropy) and JFNA FedBeat July 31, 2024 ejewishphilanthropy.com jewishfederations.org
In an effort to curb rising antisemitism on college campuses as the fall semester nears, five leading Jewish organizations are partnering to present a new series of recommendations for university leaders to implement at their schools.
Recommendations include:
• Clearly Communicate Campus Rules, Standards, and Policies: Make clear to students what it means to be a member of the campus community, and ensure students, faculty, and staff are aware of school policies on protests and demonstrations.
• Support Jewish Students: Prevent discrimination, unequivocally denounce antisemitism, ensure inclusivity, and provide antisemitism education and training.
• Ensure Campus Safety: Enforce uni-
versity codes of conduct, maintain clear reporting avenues for antisemitic incidents, ensure campus staff are trained to address violations of campus rules, and reaffirm rejection of BDS and academic boycotts of Israel.
• Reaffirm Faculty Responsibilities: Ensure students’ academic freedom and a non-discriminatory learning environment in the classroom. Communicate and enforce policies regarding faculty who threaten to withhold students’ grades if faculty demands are not met, or who cancel mandatory classes.
• Prepare for October 7: Anticipate and
mitigate disruptions on the one-year mark of the Hamas attack on Israel, ensuring any protest activities do not interfere with campus operations or Jewish students’ rights.
The four-page set of guidelines is a joint effort from the AJC, Anti-Defamation League, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Hillel International and Jewish Federations of North America.
“The unprecedented surge in antisemitism on college campuses last year was utterly unacceptable, and yet far too many administrations failed to respond effectively,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “We insist that all college and university leaders take significant steps to make Jewish students safer.”
“During the last academic year, countless Jewish students experienced harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and even assaults on campus,” said Adam Lehman, Hillel International President and CEO. “Alongside our efforts to build vibrant
Jewish communities on campus, we are providing college and university leaders with clear guidance and practical solutions for the steps they need to take to ensure a safer and more welcoming environment for Jewish students. Jewish students and all students deserve a better campus and learning environment this fall.”
Several of the recommendations from Jewish groups echo similar guidelines that antisemitism task forces on elite university campuses attempted to implement last school year. At Columbia University, for example, those proposals drew mixed reviews from Jewish leaders and skepticism over whether they could effectively address pervasive antisemitism.
This unprecedented time for institutions of higher education across the United States demands a unified response to ensure the safety and full inclusion of Jewish students – as well as all students, faculty, and staff. These guidelines provide college and university administrators with clear and proactive ways to support a safer and more inclusive campus environment for Jewish students, and for the
Continued on page 9
The Jewish Federation helped to build Israel. Today, we help keep it strong.
Deuteronomy/Devarim 8:7-8
An image from the protest encampment at Columbia University in New York City on April 22, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
Recommendations for Schools
Continued from page 8
entire campus community.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, schools saw more than 1,400 antisemitic incidents on college campuses – by far the highest number of antisemitic incidents on campus in a single school year ever on record. Following the October 7 attack, a survey by Hillel and ADL found that 73 percent of Jewish college students and 44 percent of non-Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism on their campuses last fall. A fall 2023 survey by AJC found that 1 in 4 Jewish college/university students felt unsafe at a campus event because they were Jewish.
“What Jewish students faced on campus last year cannot be allowed to continue into the new academic year,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “All students on campus have the right to attend class, learn and grow without intimidation, harassment and even violence at the hands of fellow students and outside agitators. Colleges and universities must do the work to ensure a university culture of
pluralism, fact-based inquiry, and dialogue across difference. They must ensure a campus and societal culture where there is zero tolerance for antisemitism.”
“Our campuses should be bastions of diversity and the open exchange of ideas rather than be pervaded by fear, intimidation, and discrimination,” said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. “With this agenda, Jewish Federations across North America are working to ensure that every community's institutions of higher learning will take action to protect the civil rights of their Jewish students.”
“Over the past school year, America saw numerous incidents of harassment against Jewish students, violent protests, and flagrant violations of conduct codes. University officials are neglecting their duty to ensure a safe learning environment for all students,” said William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “We urge them to adopt these recommendations and collaborate with Jewish organizations to protect the safety of Jewish students.”
Jewish-Journal-Ad-SEP-2024-Open-House.pdf 1 8/5/24 7:49 PM
Additional supporting organizations include Academic Engagement Network,
Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Jewish Grad Organization, Jewish on Campus, National Council of Jewish Women, Olami, Rabbinical Assembly,
Paris Olympics
Continued from page 2
are well trained, accustomed to the routine and the demands. They are prepared for the peak spiritual experiences of the year. They have practiced for this most significant exercise of the soul.
The story goes that Rachmaninoff was on a train, and he takes out a dummy piano board out of his suitcase and practices finger exercises for several hours. The average pianist would not have bothered. The above average pianist finds it no bother at all. Arthur Rubenstein once noted: “If I don’t practice for a day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, the critics
Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Delta Tau, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and Zeta Beta Tau.
know it. If I don’t practice for three days, everybody knows it!”
The Jewish Spiritual Olympics are just a few weeks away. It’s time to stretch our spiritual muscles and prepare our souls.
The Jewish Journal is pleased to host a monthly Rabbi Column, rotating among our community’s pulpit rabbis. The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Jewish Journal, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County or the author’s Congregation.
Many congregations are conducting prayer services and classes online which may be accessible from a computer or a telephone. Contact each congregation for further information to access these events.
See page 29 for contact information.
Secure Community Network July 2024 Report
By Michael G. Masters National Director & CEO
Community Network
There has never been a time in the history of the Jewish people in the United States when we have faced a more difficult – or concerning – threat environment.
The way to address and overcome that threat environment – from chants of pro-Hamas slogans in our streets to attempts to block the entrances to our synagogues – is to work together. By working together, and standing together, we will be in a better position to confront those who would seek to harass or intimidate us.
Recognizing this, the Secure Community Network has worked diligently to strengthen its existing partnerships and embark on new ones.
This past month we announced a firstof-its-kind intelligence and information-sharing partnership with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago (JUF). By placing a dedicated full-time Intelligence Analyst focused on
the specific security needs of Chicago’s Jewish community within SCN’s Chicago-based National Jewish Security Operations Command Center (JSOCC), JUF and SCN will be working more closely than ever to identify issues, threats, and events that may impact the Jewish community in Chicago and coordinate with key partners, like law enforcement, to address them.
This model, which will increase the safety and security of our Jewish community, is one we hope to replicate with other partners.
As the summer winds down, so too does our camping season, made safer by the collaborative effort between the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and SCN. This camp season, we worked to identify and enhance resources to protect over 440 camps, and we look forward to increasing this for next year.
With the end of summer comes the beginning of the new school year. We are working with key partners, from Hillel International to other campus organizations, to prepare for the back-to-school season and the security situation on our Continued on pag 25
Jewish Community Calendar – September 2024
Compiled by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County based on submissions from the event hosts – Events can be submitted at www.jewishoceancounty.org/calendar.
Most of the Jewish Virtual University webinars are emergent with only a few days’ notice and are updated on the page www.jewishoceancounty.org/jvu and our facebook page facebook.com/jewishocean.
Sunday, September 1, 11:00 AM (and every day, Sunday-Thursday) – JVU: The Jewish People Policy Institute Daily Webinar, Jewish Federations and the Jewish Agency, www.jewishoceancounty.org/jvu
Monday, September 2, 1:00 PM (and every week on Monday) – Grief After Loss Group led by Rita Sason, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, virtual online, 732363-8010
Tuesday, September 3, 11:00 AM – PJ Library Hebrew Circle Time, register at www.jewishoceancounty.org/pj-library
Thursday, September 5, 7:30 PM (and the first Thursday of every month) – Caregivers Group led by Rita Sason, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, virtual online, 732-363-8010
Sunday, September 8-29 – Film Festival sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, see pages 3 and 12-17 in this issue of The Jewish Journal
Tuesday, September 10, 8:00 PM – PJ Library Adult Book Discussion, register at www.jewishoceancounty.org/calendar/pj-library-adult-book-discussion
For information, contact the event host or see related publicity in this issue of The Jewish Journal.
Jewish Federation Film Festival –Movie Review – Here Lived
https://3generations.org/film/here-lived/
Stone by stone: HERE LIVED is the story of hidden children, murdered parents, generational trauma, and one artist’s singular vision for healing.
When conceptual artist Gunter Demnig first conceived of laying Stolpersteine (literal translation: stumbling stones) for Roma, Sinti, and disabled victims of National Socialism (Nazi’s) in his native Germany, he never imagined his project would grow to become the world’s largest decentralized memorial.
The Stolpersteine he crafted are, in theory, quite simple: concrete blocks measuring 10x10cm, topped with polished brass plates that are hand stamped with the names and fates of victims of Hitler’s reign of terror. These handmade stones are laid into the pavement in front of the last voluntarily chosen residence of those murdered by the Nazis.
The stones, requested by surviving family members, represent a deeply personal commemoration to those affected by the horrors of Nazi occupation. Today, Stolpersteine have been placed in 30 countries across Europe, and on May 23, 2023, 3 Generations filmed Gunter Demnig laying the 100,000th Stolperstein.
HERE LIVED charts the conceptualization, development, and lasting emotional significance of the Stolpersteine project. The filmmakers delve into the relatively unknown history of the hidden children in the Netherlands who evaded Nazi capture by hiding in occupied territory. They focus on the role of everyday citizens like Henriëtte Pimentel, a Dutch teacher who risked her life to secretly transport Jewish children to sympathetic host families, as well as survivors of the Nazi reign, like Reini Elkerbout, who lived through the occupation and returned to a post-war society that refused to fully accept the horrors of the Holocaust.
The film retraces the construction, journey, and impact of the stones through the stories of Dutch victims and their
families. We encounter Ulrika Citron, the daughter of a hidden child; Alexander Stukenberg, Demnig’s Amsterdam apprentice; local and international politicians and volunteers; and even Bella Leavitt, an American teenager. As their stories intertwine and coalesce, we come to understand how the art project, which Demnig calls “social sculpture,” has brought about a new and remarkable mode of collective healing.
The Stolpersteine project honors the lives of those affected, foregrounds the human element of World War II’s dark history, and serves as a reminder to never forget the atrocities of the Nazis. In the words of Stukenberg, “We keep people’s memories alive by saying their names.” Ultimately, HERE LIVED is a film about the beauty of discovery, love, and reconciliation, and about the unimaginable pain of those murdered by the Nazis under fascism.
Due to its poignant historical relevance, the filmmakers opted to center their narrative in the Netherlands. Apart from Poland, the country suffered the highest number of Jewish lives lost during World War II. The substantial demand for Stolpersteine in the Netherlands underscores both the scale of loss, and the significance of Demnig’s project.
Against the backdrop of a war in Europe, the perpetual plague of anti-Semitism and racism around the world, and the 80th anniversary of the Nazi’s defeat, this extraordinary tale of resilience, remembrance, and community deeply resonates with our contemporary moment. HERE LIVED is a timely and profoundly moving testament to the enduring power of human compassion and solidarity.
Editor’s Note: Here Lived will be shown at the Marquee Theater at 12 PM on Sunday, September 22. Following the English screening of the documentary, Sharon Hammerman will speak about her experience with arranging for a Stolpersteine and answer questions. For tickets, please see pages 16-17 or order online at www. jewishoceancounty.org/filmfestival.
We invite our community members to submit original poetry or short essays (500 words or less) to the Jewish Journal. All submissions are subject to our editorial review, and we do not promise that all will be published. Email your submission to jfoceditor@ocjf.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORS:
SILVER S PONSORS
S Shelly & Dennis Newman Newman Associates
Debra & Mitchel Alpert C Cantors Daniel & Ruth Green
Jewish Federation of Ocean County, a non-profit corporation, publishes The Jewish Journal 12 times a year. Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Jewish Journal, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County or any agency of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. Submissions of copy and .jpeg photos may be sent to Editor (jfoceditor@ocjf.org) or mailed to the known office of publication. All copy or photos submitted to The Jewish Journal shall become the property of The Jewish Journal and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. All submissions of text or photography may be changed and printed at the discretion of the editor without notice to the submitter. The Jewish Journal reserves full discretion to decide what will be published. No material will be accepted which is considered against the best interest of the Jewish community. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut.
This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Less Than Kosher
Sunday, September 8
5:00pm (Marquee Cinemas Orchard 10) / 7:00pm (JCC of LBI)
Musical Comedy
Language: English
At 20, Viv was a promising young singer. At 30, her failing music career has forced her back into her mother's basement. But when this self proclaimed Bad Jew lands ass-backwards into a job as a Cantor at her family's synagogue, she’s thrown into a wild ride of illicit affairs, drug trips, tense family drama, self discovery and some serious Jewish bops.
Xueta Island
Monday, September 9 – Thursday, September 12 (Virtual Showing)
Documentary
Language: English, Catalan, Spanish
Xueta Island explores the fascinating legacy of the Xuetas (pronounced Chuetas): a unique group of families on the Balearic island of Majorca who are believed to be descendants of the island’s Inquisition-era Jewish population. Though they were practicing Catholics, the Xuetas were discriminated against up until the middle of the 20th century, always forced to marry within their subgroup population. Our story follows Dani Rotstein, a Jewish-American expat who moved to the island recently & quickly became fascinated with the story. Rotstein currently works as a social activist & filmmaker on the island, where he uses discoveries from his ongoing investigation to help rebuild community.
The Boys in the Woods
Sunday, September 15
5:00pm
Drama
Language: English
The Boy in the Woods follows the true story of Max (Jett Klyne), a Jewish boy escaping Nazi persecution in Eastern Europe. After he is separated from his family, Max finds refuge with a Christian peasant Jasko (Richard Armitage) who hides him in plain site until a tense stand – off with Nazi police. Afraid for his own family's life, Jasko sends Max to live in the woods where he learns to survive alone.
Based on the best – selling memoir by Canadian Holocaust survivor Maxwell Smart and inspired by the award – winning documentary Cheating Hitler: Surviving The Holocaust.
The Monkey House
Monday, September 16 –Thursday, September 19 (Virtual Showing)
Language: Hebrew, Italian, with English subtitles
Novelist Amitai Kariv’s career started with a bang: his first four novels were awardwinning best sellers. But his next two novels were received less enthusiastically and the following two novels – with a definite measure of derision. He puts out an ad seeking an assistant, interviews many qualified applicants but curiously settles on Margo May – a shapely fast talking young woman whose single distinction is the sheer amount of lies and falsehoods he discovers in her resume.
Back-to-Back 2 Day Mini-Shorts
Wednesday, September 25 – Thursday, September 26
5:00–7:00pm (Marquee Cinemas Orchard 10)
Facilitated discussions with the creative teams. In partnership with A Wider Bridge.
BLOCK ARAVA
Here Lived
Sunday, September 22
12:00pm
(Sharon Hammerman will speak about her experience with getting a Stoplersteine and what it meant to her following the film.)
Documentary Language: English
The story of hidden children, murdered parents, and the stones that bring healing. Gunter Demnig's Stolpersteine project provides a path from one of the most egregious wrongs of history, the Nazi reign of terror, to individual and community reconciliation.
No Name Restaurant
Sunday, September 29
5:00pm (Marquee Cinemas Orchard 10) / 7:00pm (JCC of LBI)
Comedy Language: English
Alexandria, Egypt – To save the synagogue of the once largest Jewish community in the world from being shut down, Ben, an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn Jew visiting Jerusalem, is sent out to be the desperately needed tenth man for the ceremonies of Pesach. Having missed his plane and been kicked off the bus in the Sinai Desert, his last hope is Adel, a grumpy Bedouin looking for his camel. When their car breaks down, it becomes a matter of their very survival. Although rescued by the monks of St. Catherine, Ben is too sick to go on. It is the Bedouin disguised as Ben who is now rushing on towards Alexandria to save the Jewish community.
Thankyoutoourearlysponsors–FranandZevRosen,CantorsRuth and DanielGreen,AnnabelandMannyLindenbaum,ShellyandDennis Newman,MitchelandDebraAlpert,ShelleyandRayLynnworth,Barbara Cohen,HarrietandMartinRiss,ArleneandFredSchragger,Barbara and WilliamSchulmanandAniseSinger.Jointhembyfillingoutthe form on the next page.
2024 Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits
Gold Sponsor: $5,000 – Includes tickets for events and a full page ad in Ocean JPages
Silver Sponsor: $2,750 – Includes tickets for events and a half page ad in Ocean JPages
Bronze Sponsor: $1,500 – Includes tickets for events and a quarter page ad in Ocean JPages
Patron Sponsor: $1,000 – Includes tickets for events and name listing in Ocean JPages All sponsorship levels are listed in multiple issues of Jewish Journal and featured on our website, in community emails and social media
Sponsor Level: Gold@$1800 Silver@$1000 Bronze@$540 Patron@$360 (Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors, please email camera-ready logo to sharron@ocjf.org) Full Series Discount Sponsor Level: Gold@$5000 Silver@$2750 Bronze@$1500 Patron@$1000 (Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors, please email camera-ready logo to sharron@ocjf.org)
Film Festival Ticket Ordering
TICKET PRICES: $12 PER FILM OR $72 FULL PACKAGE PASS
Sponsor online and catch a free classic film at www.jewishoceancounty.org/filmfestival.
Individual Film Screenings
(1) Less Than Kosher
(2) The Boy in the Woods
(3) Here Lived
(4) No Name Restaurant
(5) Xueta Island
(6) The Monkey House
(7) Two Day Shorts Program
Sunday, September 8 – 5:00pm
MARQUEE THEATER·ROUTE 37 TOMS RIVER
Sunday, September 8 – 7:00pm JCC OF LBI
Sunday, September 15 – 5:00pm
MARQUEE THEATER·ROUTE 37 TOMS RIVER
Sunday, September 22 – 12:00pm
MARQUEE THEATER·ROUTE 37 TOMS RIVER
Sunday, September 29 – 5:00pm
MARQUEE THEATER·ROUTE 37 TOMS RIVER
Sunday, September 29 – 7:00pm JCC OF LBI
Monday–Thursday, September 9–12 VIRTUAL SHOWING
Monday–Thursday, September 16–19 VIRTUAL SHOWING
Wed–Thu, September 25–26 – 5:00pm IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A WIDER BRIDGE
Jewish Federations Support 16 New Mental Health Facilities in Israel
From JFNA July 8, 2024 jewishfederations.org
To improve access to mental health care since the horrific Hamas attacks, Jewish Federations are contributing nearly $7 million to a new program in partnership with the Ministry of Health that will create 16 community-based mental health centers that will provide much-needed services to 200,000 Israelis each year.
The $14 million Mental Health in the Community program is critical to help serve those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder since October 7, allowing them to get the help they need without the stigma associated with mental illness.
Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Response Committee allocated $3.45 million to support the program and invited interested local Federations to join and help complete this effort. Chicago provided $2 million, while Toronto, Houston, and Dallas contributed $950,000, $500,000, and $300,000 respectively.
Rebecca Caspi, Director General of Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Office, said: “Federations have raised nearly $850 million for urgent needs in Israel since October 7. Given the deeply traumatic nature of the horrific terror attacks that day, the high number of people who were and remain evacuated from
their homes, and so many other aspects of the war over the past 9 months, addressing Israel’s mental health challenges is a central component of the work we were doing. This new initiative with the Ministry of Health is a very important part of that support.”
“In the wake of October 7, the entire nation of Israel is suffering from collective trauma,” said Lonnie Nasatir, President of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago. “There is an intense need for additional, widespread psychological support – a need that will continue for years to come – and our Chicago Jewish community feels it is incumbent on us to do everything we can to help our greater Israeli family heal.”
Jewish Federations have been at the center of the North American Jewish response to October 7th, expanding on a 100year history of helping build, support, and sustain Israel through the good times and the bad. Federations have raised nearly $850 million to support victims of terror, providing medical and mental health support, and food and housing to displaced people, while working to rebuild shattered communities, and help local businesses affected by the war, among other things.
Federations have worked closely with the Ministry of Health since the onset of the war to address urgent and long-term needs in Israel, which include providing mental health care services. To unlock
government funding for outpatient centers, however, the Health Ministry needed a 50 percent match from an outside organization.
The intervention centers will provide day-treatment and hospitalization for patients in need of intensive care in a welcoming environment without the stigma attached to mental health treatment in hospitals.
Key target populations for mental health care include victims of traumatic events on October 7 with post-traumatic stress disorder, current patients facing heightened distress because of the conflict, evacuees experiencing increased anxiety, family issues, or sexual-related crises, and children and teens who would otherwise face delays in diagnosis due to lack of personnel. Additionally, thousands of caregivers and treatment providers themselves need assistance.
Jewish Federations in Toronto and Houston made funding for the program a priority, a decision they say was easy to make. “The heinous attacks of October 7th and the terrible months since have ignited a growing mental health crisis throughout Israel. The consequences will be felt for decades to come, and early intervention is critical for those who are traumatized and struggling. This is why, from the first days of the war, UJA has prioritized mental health as core to our emergency response,” said Berry Meyerowitz, Co-Chair of UJA Federation
of Greater Toronto’s Israel & Overseas Committee.
“UJA has years of experience funding and witnessing the transformative impact of mental health services in Sderot. We have been seeking a partnership to expand this initiative on a national basis and recently joined the Jewish communities of Houston and Chicago, alongside the Jewish Federations of North America and Israel’s Ministry of Health, to create a network of 16 community intervention centers across the country. These centers will help to save lives, empower vulnerable individuals, and fortify Israeli resilience. We deeply appreciate the support of our partners in this critical and essential endeavor," said Adir Koschitzky, Co-Chair of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Israel & Overseas Committee.
“In Houston, we chose to support this work and maximize the benefit of our philanthropic dollars by partnering with the Mental Health in the Community program,” said Joe Kaplan, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Israel Emergency Committee Chair. “Trauma partners from Israel came to Houston after Hurricane Harvey and provided impactful and valued relief services to our community, for which we are eternally grateful. I am very proud of the way the Houston community has stepped up to meet the significant known needs in Israel since the October 7 attacks.”
Jewish Federations Complete $9 million Campaign for Ethiopian Olim
From JFNA
July 2, 2024 jewishfederations.org
Jewish Federations of North America is proud to announce the completion of a two-year, $9 million campaign for Ethiopian olim (immigrants to Israel), which transformed the lives of 3,170 olim and provided essential food and medicine to thousands of people in Gondar and Addis Ababa.
Over 100,000 Ethiopians have now made Aliyah with the support of Jewish Federations.
Jewish Federations launched this twoyear campaign in June 2022, after the Israeli Government announced Ope-
ration Tzur Israel (Rock of Israel) II to bring over 3,000 more Ethiopians to Israel. The campaign continued through civil war and violent clashes in Ethiopia. In two missions to Ethiopia, over 80 Federation leaders accompanied 380 Ethiopians on flights to Israel.
Of the $9 million raised, Jewish Federations allocated $5 million to The Jewish Agency for Israel to support the Aliyah and absorption and $4 million to Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry to provide humanitarian support in Ethiopia. This is in addition to funds Jewish Federations send each year, as part of their annual campaigns, to The Jewish Agency to support Aliyah and absorption.
“Through this campaign, Jewish Fede-
rations were honored to join hands with thousands of our Ethiopian brothers and sisters as they realized their dream of making Aliyah,” said David Heller, national campaign chair for Jewish Federations of North America. “We’re inspired by their courageous journey, and we will continue to work with our partner, The Jewish Agency for Israel, to support their absorption into Israeli society.”
This two-year campaign saw Jewish Federations of North America partner with dozens of Federations, Network Communities, and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in a profound expression of support for Ethiopian olim.
The campaign resulted in:
* A total of 3,170 Ethiopians making Ali-
ya which included 1,535 men and 1,635 women in 754 families; 35 percent were ages 18 through 35; 39 percent were children under 18
* 13,000 people receiving emergency food distributions
* 1,600 young children and 275 pregnant and nursing mothers benefitting from food programs in Gondar and Addis Ababa
* Regular lunches served to 2,800 children participating in educational programs and over 2,000 in its summer camp
* 3,300 children under the age of 18 receiving free medical care
* 800 seniors receiving free medical care
Federations, NEA Jewish Caucus Partner to Fight Anti-Israel Agenda
From JFNA July 5, 2024 jewishfederations.org
Anti-Israel delegates at this year's National Education Association Representative Assembly are trying to advance a series of lopsided and antisemitic education policies that would affect schools across our nation.
Teachers are expected to educate our children so they grow up to be smart, kind and thoughtful. If these anti-Israel
items pass, they will instead be taught antisemitism, hate, and propaganda.
Jewish Federations are working closely with the NEA Jewish Affairs Caucus to ensure that these divisive and horrible resolutions do not advance. While the NEA’s Representative Assembly – and the troubling resolutions – are currently on hold, we are closely monitoring the situation and will remain steadfast to ensure the Caucus has every resource they need to stop this hate-filled agenda.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer dies at 96
By Kathleen Thompson
July 13, 2024
The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women
The Jewish Women’s Archive jwa.org
In
Brief
Born in Germany on June 4, 1928, Ruth Westheimer survived the Holocaust because her mother sent her to a Swiss orphanage after Kristallnacht. After the war she went to Palestine, joined the Haganah, studied in Paris, and finally came to the United States. She had received her Ed.D. from Columbia when a guest appearance on a radio talk show led to a show of her own.
With a genius for communicating joy in human sexuality – derived from Orthodox Judaism – she went from success to success. She appeared on prime-time news and late night talk shows, wrote a series of best-selling books, and generally exploited all avenues of communication for her message that sex is a wholesome part of the human experience.
In the last two decades of the twentieth century, there were many reasons not to celebrate sex. The fear of AIDS brought to the surface the connection between passion and death that has always been a dark strain in the human mind. A fundamentalist Christian reaction against the sexual revolution threatened to re-enthrone Puritan values. On the other side of the coin, millions of children were bearing children.
Against this desolate background, a cheerful Jewish grandmother who called herself Dr. Ruth marched forward and said, with undeniable sincerity and forthright common sense, that sex was good, indeed “heavenly.” To the astonishment of many Americans, who tend to associate religion with sexual repression, Ruth Westheimer declared that her message of liberation had its origin in Orthodox Judaism.
Early Life, Family, and Education
Karola Ruth Siegel was born in Germany on June 4, 1928, the daughter of Irma Hanauer, a housekeeper, and Julius Siegel, a notions wholesaler and son of the family in which Irma worked. Julius Siegel gave his daughter an early grounding in Judaism, taking her regularly to the synagogue in Frankfurt, where they lived.
When Karola was ten years old, shortly after the infamous Kristallnacht, her father was taken to a detention camp. Her mother and grandmother then sent the little girl to Switzerland, where she lived in an orphanage for six years.
Every time I am sad, I just have to think about my fiveyear-old grandson. Hitler didn’t want me to have that grandson. I put the picture of my grandson in my mind and say – You see, we did triumph. So I do therapy on myself.
~ Dr. Ruth Westheimer
After the war, unable to find any other members of her family, sixteen-year-old Karola went to Palestine. There, she lived on a number of kibbutzim and joined the Haganah, the underground army. Later, she taught kindergarten, before going with her first husband to Paris, where she studied at the Institute of Psychology at the Sorbonne. After a divorce, she came to the United States.
In New York, she entered the New School for Social Research on a scholarship for victims of the Holocaust. While studying, she married her second husband and gave birth to her first child, Miriam. After a second divorce, she met Manfred Westheimer. They were married in December of 1961, and their son Joel was born in 1964. The next year, Ruth Westheimer became an American citizen and, in 1970, received her Ed.D. from Columbia University.
Becoming a Sex Therapist
After working in a number of positions involving sex education, family planning, and sex therapy, Westheimer found her niche when she did a guest appearance on a local radio show. The audience response was so positive that she was soon hosting her own show, Sexually
Speaking. Beginning in 1980 as a fifteen-minute embellishment to the station’s schedule, it quickly expanded to an hour and finally to two hours.
Westheimer proved to have a real genius for communicating joy in human sexuality while at the same time informing her audiences about responsibility, sexually transmitted diseases, and safe sex. The diminutive woman with her appealing accent was equally successful on television. She hosted her own program – variously called Good Sex! with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, The Dr. Ruth Show, and Ask Dr. Ruth – but her national reputation came from appearances on such network programs as Nightline, CBS Evening News, the Tonight Show, and Late Night with David Letterman.
In 1983, Westheimer published her first book, Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Good Sex. She later wrote more than forty others, including her autobiographical works All in a Lifetime (1987) and Musically Speaking: A Life through Song (2003).
In 1995, Westheimer coauthored Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition, with Jonathan Mark. Drawing on traditional Judaic sources, it grounds the famous sex therapist’s philosophy in Orthodox Jewish teaching. While some have suggested that the authors ignored the darker side of the classical Jewish dialectic on the subject, it is difficult to ignore the cultural significance of both the book and Dr. Ruth.
As David Biale asked, “What does it mean for America’s best-known sex therapist to make Judaism the basis of a contemporary sex ethic? If Freud had claimed to have created the science of sexuality by destroying the ‘illusion’ of religion, Dr. Ruth reverses the course: It is precisely on the basis of religion – Judaism – that a truly healthy contemporary science of sexuality might be constructed.”
In 1991 Westheimer donned the title of “executive producer” for a documentary on Ethiopian Jews entitled Surviving Salvation. Her second PBS documentary, entitled No Missing Link, described how grandparents transmitted values, particularly religious values, during the seventy years of communism in Russia.
In 1994 Westheimer entered cyberspace with Dr. Ruth’s Encyclopedia of Sex on CD-ROM. Two hundred and fifty entries dealt straightforwardly with all areas of sex and sexuality. Westheimer followed it up with Sex for Dummies, in the famous
series of how-to manuals. She told USA Today that her first reaction to the idea of the book was negative. “When they approached me, I said, ‘Absolutely no, I do not talk to dummies. I talk to intelligent people.’” She changed her mind, however, when she recognized the irony of the titles and their disarming appeal to a wide segment of the population. “And then I said, hold it, if I can prevent one unintended pregnancy, one person from getting AIDS, one person from getting a sexually transmitted disease, it will be worth it.”
This determinedly optimistic, affirmative, and wholesome approach left Westheimer open to criticism and satire. It is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit that someone who was exposed to the horrors of humanity and experienced great sorrow at an early age was able to look away from the darkness and toward the light. As she told a Reuters interviewer at the 1995 Frankfurt Book Fair, “I was kicked out in 1939 by being placed on a train right here in Frankfurt.... I never saw my parents again. Every time I am sad, I just have to think about my five-year-old grandson. Hitler didn’t want me to have that grandson. I put the picture of my grandson in my mind and say – You see, we did triumph. So I do therapy on myself.”
Honors and Recognition
In May of 2000 Westheimer received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for her work in human sexuality and her commitment to the Jewish people, Israel, and religion. In 2001 she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Leo Baeck Medal, and in 2004, she received the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, from Trinity College.
Westheimer wrote more than forty books. In the twenty-first century, she published about a book a year – often with co-author Pierre Lehu – including Dr. Ruth’s Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver in 2012 and, in 2017, Rollercoaster Grandma!: The True Story of Dr. Ruth. A documentary about her life and work, Ask Dr. Ruth, was produced by Hulu in 2019.
Westheimer was an Associate Fellow of Calhoun College at Yale University. She also held fellowship positions at Princeton and the New York Academy of Medicine. She was active on the board of the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Ruth Westheimer died on July 12, 2024.
May those who are still captive as hostages be released soon and safely. May those who are wounded have a complete recovery. May the memories of those who died be forever a blessing. May all have peace.
Jewish Holiday Family Photos
We invite our community members to submit a few photographs of their family’s recent holiday celebrations. Include a one-line caption describing the activity in the photo. You may include everyone’s name or just your family’s name or without any names at all. All submissions are subject to our editorial review, and we do not promise that all submitted photos will be published.
Email your submission to jfoceditor@ocjf.org.
We now have two matching grants that provide over 4 million dollars in home
We invite our community members to submit original poetry or short essays (500 words or less) to the Jewish Journal. All submissions are subject to our editorial review, and we do not promise that all will be published.
Email your submission to jfoceditor@ocjf.org.
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FULFILL THE MITZVAH OF TZEDAKAH WITH AN INDIVIDUAL TRIBUTE CARD FOR $18 EACH.
Jewish Federation of Ocean County accepts a minimum donation of $18 and sends a Tribute card as well as lists your tribute in the Jewish Journal to anyone you may want to acknowledge; a simcha, graduation, an award, new grandchild, starting a new adventure, get well, loss of a loved one, or any other life-altering event. Call the Jewish Federation of Ocean County at 732-363-0530, email sharron@ocjf.org or visit our website www.jewishoceancounty.org/tribute.
A Tribute Card Pack
You can purchase a dozen blank assorted tribute cards to send on your own for a $36 contribution to the Jewish Federation.
Contact Sharron at the Jewish Federation of Ocean County at 732-363- 0530.
JFOC Tributes
July 10 – August 5
In Honor of
In appreciation of Terry’s support of David Mathias by Ernie & Barbara Mathias
Their grandchildren by Art & Rhoda Pedowitz
In Memory of
Philip Collins by Michael & Elaine Collins
Bill Czirjak by Paula Berkoff
Barbara Kantor Fepo by Allan & Elaine Hornstein
Barbara Kirshenbaum by Dorothy Rosenblum
Beverly Pearlman by Sharon Hoberman
Ruben Silverman by Phyllis Silverman
Lois Weinstein and her son Bill Weinstein by Rochelle Rosenberg
Moss Weintraub
PJ Library Photos with Children
Do you have a photo of your child reading or holding a PJ Library book? We would like to publish some of them. We omit the names of children. The names of any adults in the photos could be included or omitted based on the guidance of the adult submitting the photo(s). Email them to JFOCeditor@ocjf.org
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Jewish Federation of Ocean County 1235A Route 70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-363-0530
Teen Finds 1,800-year-old ring featuring Minerva, Roman Goddess of Battle
Yair Whitestone, 13, found ring while hiking near Haifa with reservist dad, was commended for turning it over to Antiquities Authority; goddess was ‘very popular’ in Land of Israel.
By TOI Staff
July 17, 2024 timesofisrael.com
Anearly 2,000-year-old ring engraved with the image of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and battle – known to the Greeks as Athena – was found on Mount Carmel, near Haifa, the Israel Antiquities Authority said on July 17.
Yair Whitestone, 13, of Haifa, discovered the ring near an ancient quarry site below the mountain’s Khirbet Shalala while hiking with his father, the IAA
said. The boy’s family contacted an inspector from the IAA’s theft prevention unit, who transferred the ring to the National Treasures Department.
Whitestone was commended for good citizenship, and he and his family were treated to a private tour of the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, where the ring will be displayed.
“While hiking I noticed a small green item and picked it up. It was corroded, and at first I thought it was just a rusty bolt,” said Whitestone. “I thought about heating it, but then, fortunately, I understood it was a ring. At home, I saw it had an image on it. At first glance, I thought it was a warrior.”
IAA inspector Nir Distelfeld determined that the ring, which appeared to be made of bronze, was from the second and third centuries CE, during the Late Roman Period.
He gave several possibilities for its provenance: It may have belonged to a girl or woman who lived on the farm at Khirbet Shalala, or fallen from a worker at the
nearby rock quarry. Alternatively, it may have served as an offering at the nearby burial sites.
“On this beautiful ring, preserved in its entirety, is the image of a helmeted naked figure,” said Distelfeld. “In one hand she holds a shield, and a spear in the other,” he said, adding that Whitestone’s identification of the figure as a warrior was “very close to reality.”
“The figure is, apparently, the goddess Minerva from Roman mythology, also known as Athena in Greek mythology,” said Distelfeld, noting that she was “very popular during the Roman period in the
of Minerva from
century CE
Land of Israel.” Roman, and later Byzantine, dominion over the Land of Israel lasted until the Muslim conquests of the 7th century.
Undated photo of Late Roman Period ring discovered by 13-year-old Yair Whitestone while hiking on Mount Carmel. `(Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority)
Undated photo Yair Whitestone, 13, holding the Late Roman Period ring he discovered while hiking on Mount Carmel. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority)
Fresco
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(AlMare via Wikipedia)
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SCN Commends Strong Sentencing of New Jersey Man for 2022 Federal Hate Crimes Involving Stabbing and Vehicular Rampage Targeting Jews
Lakewood, New Jersey – The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, commends the recent sentencing of Dion Marsh, 29, of Manchester, New Jersey. Marsh, who pled guilty to multiple hate crime charges in February, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an April 2022 stabbing and vehicular rampage in Lakewood. During these incidents, he targeted five victims solely based on their appearance as members of the Orthodox community.
According to court documents, on April 8, 2022, Marsh assaulted and carjacked his first victim based on the man’s clothing, which he identified as Jewish. Throughout the day, Marsh proceeded to strike multiple visibly Orthodox Jewish pedestrians with a stolen car and another vehicle and stabbed one victim in the chest after striking him with the stolen car. Marsh pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in federal court to five counts of violating
the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and one count of carjacking.
“SCN applauds the Justice Department’s sentencing of the defendant in this case, following the diligent and collaborative work of the FBI Newark Field Office, local and state law enforcement, and public safety agencies, to include the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and New Jersey State Police,” said SCN National Director & CEO Michael Masters. “Jewish people in the United States should not have to fear for their safety simply for living their faith proudly in public. By imposing a strong sentence, our justice system sends a clear message that hate crimes against the Jewish community will not be tolerated, and that the United States government is making it a priority to ensure our community feels safe engaging in daily life.”
In 2023, SCN logged a record 5,404 threat incidents and suspicious activity reports, 112% higher than 2022’s total of 2,551. Additionally, SCN worked
Continued on page 25
Sentencing of New Jersey Man
Continued from page 24
closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, to refer 1,619 individuals to authorities in 2023 –a 110% increase in referrals from 2022.
In response to this complex and dynamic threat environment, SCN has worked in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities and local and national Jewish community partners to respond to these incidents and ensure coordination between law enforcement and the Jewish community across North America.
July Report
Continued from page 10
SCN urges every community to remain vigilant and recommit to preparation, review and enforce existing security protocols, and maintain coordination and communication with law enforcement and security personnel. For imminent threats or emergencies, dial 9-1-1, and report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement as well as appropriate local reporting authorities, and SCN’s 24/7 Duty Desk at dutydesk@securecommunitynetwork.org or by calling 844-SCNDESK. campuses.
Similarly, SCN announced – in coordination with co-sponsors The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and others such as the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) –our 2024/5785 High Holidays Safety & Security Webinars Series. The annual series, relied upon by organizations and community members across the country, has been announced earlier than ever this
year to give people as much time as possible to prepare for our High Holy Days.
The security and safety issues facing our community continue to increase – but so too does our commitment to ensuring that nothing will stop us from living our lives, honoring our traditions, and maintaining our culture as Jews – proudly and publicly. By working together, we can continue to ensure that we can do this –and that our future generations will be able to do so as well.
Stay safe.
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I’ve Got 99 Problems, Now Let’s Solve Them!
By Deborah Sason, Guest Writer Jewish Family & Children’s Service
Everyone can agree that life is a difficult balancing act. Work can be stressful, family life and personal relationships can weigh heavily, and there never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done that needs to get done. In each of the roles people play daily (employee, friend, mother, wife, etc.), they encounter problems that may cause derailment from the everyday routines, add further stress in life, and generally provoke feelings of grief and unhappiness. Fortunately, there is a way to tackle these issues. By using step-bystep problem solving techniques, issues can be resolved and life can get back on track.
The Encyclopedia of Psychology identifies 7 Steps for Problem Solving:
1. Identifying the Problem – While seemingly obvious, it is important to pinpoint exactly what the issue is and identify the exact source of the problem at hand.
2. Defining the Problem – This step is to elaborate more on the issue and determine what may be the root of it.
3. Organizing Information – After defining the problem, it is necessary to gather and organize all the information available in relation to the specific issue.
4. Forming a Strategy – The next step is to formulate an approach to solve the problem. It is important to be specific about exactly what actions will be taken.
5. Allocating Resources – After strate-
gizing a solution, it is necessary to determine what resources are available to implement the solution. Whether time or money, every solution requires important resources. Allocating these precious resources will become clearer after ranking the priority of the issue.
6. Monitoring Progress – After putting the solution into practice, it is important to check in to see what kind of progress is made. Depending on the problem, it may take only a few hours to see the progress. However, when dealing with most personal relationships, it can take longer to really see the changes and if the solution is effective.
7. Evaluating the Results – This final step is to look at the process of problem solving on the whole and see what worked and what didn’t work. This is the learning part of the process, and lessons from the results of one solution can be applied to future problem-solving moments.
It is important to keep in mind that when applying these step-by-step techniques to real world problems, oftentimes the steps will be done out of order, and some steps may be done multiple times until it feels right. Oftentimes, when it comes to personal relationships, more than one solution may be applied.
Sometimes the solution can be so simple that the problem will be resolved the very same day it is identified, other times it will take weeks or months to truly assess if the resolution has worked. By using these guidelines, problems will be more clearly addressed, identified, and solved so that life can continue to run back on track.
Together with the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and a grant from the State of New Jersey, the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County has been providing the sacred obligation of pikuach nefesh (saving a life in jeopardy) to Holocaust Survivors for many years. We realize that unless you are impacted directly, you may not fully appreciate how important this work is. Every dollar you contribute will be matched 25 times!
CHILDREN'S SERVICE
...making a difference
Learning From Everyone
Judaism values wisdom. One of the highest accolades a person can earn is to be labeled a talmid chacham (a wise student). We usually think of a wise person as someone who has acquired a great deal of knowledge.
Ben Zoma is one of the many sages quoted in Pirkei Avot, a volume of ethical teachings. He notes that a wise person is “one who learns from everyone” (4:1). Potential teachers surround us, and we learn lessons in surprising ways. A key to intellectual growth is remaining on the lookout for teachers and experiences that can enhance our knowledge.
One can learn from such diverse sources as one’s students, colleagues, and friends, and even from animals! (Really - cats can teach us about modesty, doves and dogs model loyalty, and ants never steal food from one another).
Here are three books on this theme.
SYNAGOGUES
CHABAD
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF JACKSON
645 Cross Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Rabbi Shmuel Naparstek
732-523-5112
Email: info@chabadofjackson.com www.ChabadofJackson.com
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF TOMS RIVER
2001 Church Road Toms River, NJ 08753
Rabbi Moshe Gourarie
732-349-4199
Email: rabbi@chabadtomsriver.com www.chabadtomsriver.com
CONSERVATIVE
CONGREGATION AHAVAT OLAM
106 Windeler Road Howell, NJ 07731
Rabbi Cantor David Amar
Rabbi Emeritus Michael Klein
732-719-3500
email: CAOReceptionist@cao-nj.org www.cao-nj.org
CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL 1488 Old Freehold Road Toms River, NJ 08753
Rabbi William Gershon
Cantor Vadim Yucht
Rabbi Emeritus Richard Hammerman
Cantor Emeritus Daniel Green 732-349-1244
Email: info@cbitr.org www.cbitr.org
TEMPLE BETH OR P.O. Box 789 Brick, NJ 08723
Rabbi Robert B. Rubin
Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Robert E. Fierstien 732-458-4700
Email: templebethorbrick@gmail.com www.templebethorbrick.org
ORTHODOX
CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL 590 Madison Avenue Lakewood, NJ 08701
Rabbi Shmuel Tendler
732-364-2230
Chazan Zelig Freilich
CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL 401 Park Ave. Lakewood, NJ 08701
Rabbi Baruch Ber Yoffe 732-367-3116
SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING IN LAKEWOOD
August 16 7:33 PM
August 23 7:22 PM
August 30 7:12 PM
September 6 7:01 PM
September 13 6:49 PM
September 20 6:37 PM September 27 6:26 PM
REFORM
BETH AM SHALOM 1235 State Highway 70 Lakewood, NJ 08701
Rabbi Stephen D. Gold Cantor Jon Saouma
732-363-2800
Email: office@bethamshalom.org www.bethamshalom.org
UNAFFILIATED
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF LBI 2411 Long Beach Blvd. Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Rabbi Michael Jay 609-492-4090
Email: jccoflbi@gmail.com www.jccoflbi.org
For Shabbat:
Blessed are You, Ad-nai our G-d, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
Here is How You Can Support Our Holocaust Survivors and Seniors
Please contribute to:
• Friends of JFCS
• The Holocaust Survivors’ Special Fund
• The Seniors Lunch Program Special Fund
It is easy to donate a little each month, to make a big impact!
• Go online to www. jewishoceancounty.org.
• Send a check, use your credit card, transfer stock.
• Call the office and talk with our staff.
• Bring in your Tzedakah box. We will count it for you.
• Consider making a monthly gift to support your community.
Jewish Federation of Ocean County 1235A Route 70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-363-0530
FROM THE ORANGE
Onto a glass hand juicer Pits out Pulp in Poured Into a memory glass Where a yahrzeit candle Once burned.
Holocaust Survivors Alert
If you are a Holocaust Survivor who has never applied for compensation, or was turned down previously, there are new funds and guidelines. For more information, you may call the Claims Conference in NY at 646-536-9100 or go to their website: www.claimscon.org. Click on survivor resources, then click on compensation programs. They have a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section which should be read prior to applying.
TREVOR’S
BANNED
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL AND KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. COME JOIN MY BOOK CLUB AND READ ALL THE BOOKS THAT STATES AND/OR SCHOOL BOARDS ARE TRYING TO BAN BY IMPOSING THEIR OWN PERSONAL/POLITICAL BELIEFS ONTO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LIBRARIES.
SEPT 24TH 6:30PM 8:00PM TOMS RIVER LIBRARY 101 WASHINGTON ST. Green Room will be discussed Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
1. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
2. Beartown by Fredrik Backman
3. Breakfast Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
4. Flowers for Algeron by Daniel Keyes
5. Flamer by Mike Curato
6. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
