November 2014 by Kosher OC Magazine

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Community Magazine

OC SYNAGOGUES AND SERVICES CHABAD

MESSAGE FROM KOSHER OC Kosher OC is here to give the Orange County Jewish community news when it happens, here and around the world. We combine the best of modern media and dedicated journalism to give you timely and interesting stories about the movers and shakers of the community and the great events they hold. We also talk about Jewish trends and trendmakers in Israel and throughout the globe with interesting ideas about celebrating holidays and celebrating each other. Join us for a window into the world of Judaism, and let us have your insight and input. It is our pleasure to serve this wonderful community.

ALISO VIEJO Chabad of Aliso Viejo Rabbi Tzali Stillerman 949.244.7627 / rabbi@jewishalisoviejo.com 23665 Moulton Pkwy, Suite D, Laguna Hills 92653 HUNTINGTON BEACH Chabad of West Orange County Rabbi Aron David Berkowitz 714.846.2285 / info@chabadhv.com 5052 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach 92649 Chabad of South Huntington Beach Rabbi Yossi Berkowitz 714.369.2847 / rabbiyossi@chabadhb.com 8511 Doremere Dr, Huntington Beach 92646

YORBA LINDA Chabad of North Orange County Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie 949.693.0770 / rabbi@ocjewish.com 19045 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda 92886

IRVINE Chabad of Irvine Rabbi Alter Tenenbaum 949.786.5000 / rabbit@chabadirvine.org 5010 Barranca Pkwy, irvine 92604

CONSERVATIVE ALISO VIEJO Temple Beth El of South OC 949.362.3999 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo 92656

Chabad at UC Irvine Rabbi Zevi Tenenbaum 949.280.8998 / info@jewishuci.com 12 Oxford, Irvine 92612

ANAHEIM Temple Beth Emet 714.772.4720 1770 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim 92803

LAGUNA BEACH Chabad of Laguna Beach Rabbi Elimelech Gurevitch 949.499.0770 / rabbi@chabadoflaguna.com 30804 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach 92651 LAGUNA NIGUEL Chabad of Laguna Niguel Rabbi Mendy Paltiel 949.831.7701 / rabbi@chabadlagunaniguel.com 27631 La Paz Rd, Laguna Niguel 92677 LOS ALAMITOS Chabad of Los Alamitos & Cypress Rabbi Shmuel Marcus 714.828.1851 / smarcus@jewishcypress.com 4454 Ceritos Ave, Los Alamitos 90720

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COSTA MESA Surf City Synagogue Rabbi Eric Dangott 714.596.2220 / info@surfcitysynagogue.org 2987 Mesa Verde Dr E, Costa Mesa 92626 LAGUNA HILLS Temple Judea Rabbi Dennis Linson 949.830.0470 / tjoffice@templejudealw.org 24512 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods 92653 MISSION VIEJO Congregation K’hilat Horim 949.364.9685 Heritage Pointe

MISSION VIEJO Chabad of Mission Viejo Rabbi Zalman Marcus 949.770.1270 / chabad@chabadofmv.com 24041 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo 92692

SEAL BEACH Congregation Sholom Rabbi Galit Levy-Slater 562.493.2680 / duets@me.com Leisure World

NEWPORT BEACH Chabad of Newport Rabbi Reuven Mintz 949.721-9800 / info@jewishnewport.com 2240 University Dr, Newport Beach 92660

TUSTIN Congregation B’nai Israel Rabbi Elie Spitz 714.730.9693 / cbi18@cbi18.org 2111 Bryan Ave, Tustin 92782

HOW TO REACH US

The Shabbos Project. It’s simple: Jews of all walks of life, of every age and from all corners of the world – uniting to experience one complete Shabbos together.

SAN CLEMENTE Chabad of S Clemente Rabbi Mendel Slavin 949.489.0723 / info@jewishsc.com 1306 N El Camino Real, San Clemente 92672 TUSTIN Chabad of Tustin Rabbi Shuey Eliezrie 714.508.2150 / info@jewishtustin.com 131112 Newport Ave, Suite H, Tustin 92780

Chabad of North Irvine Rabbi Elly Andrusier 714.868.6724 / rabbi@chabadni.com

ON THE COVER:

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA Chabad of Rancho S Margarita Rabbi Zalman Kantor 949.264.6930 / rabbi@jewishrsm.com 38 Hemingway Ct, Trabuca Canyon 92679

Kosher OC Magazine PO Box 7054 Newport Beach, CA 92658 Email: info@kosheroc.com Web: www.kosheroc.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/kosheroc Twitter: @kosheroc YouTube: www.youtube.com/kosheroc Issuu: www.issuu.com/kosheroc

ORTHODOX IRVINE Beth Jacob Congregation Rabbi Yisroel Ciner 949.786.5230 / office@bethjacobirvine.org 3900 Michelson Dr, irvine 92612 Sephardic Congregation of Orange County 949.381.2510 / info@ocsci.org 3880 Michelson Dr, irvine 92612 Young Israel of Orange County Rabbi Dov Fischer 949.300.8899 / rabbi@yioc.org 3415 Michelson Dr, 2nd Floor, Irvine 92612

RECONSTRUCTIONIST IRVINE University Synagogue Rabbi Arnold Rachlis 949.553.3535 / office@universitysynagogue.org 3400 Michelson Dr, Irvine 92612

REFORM ALISO VIEJO Temple Beth El of South Orange County 949.362.3999 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo 92656 FOUNTAIN VALLEY Congregation B’nai Tzedek Rabbi David N Young 714.963.4611 / info@cbtv.org 9669 Talbert Ave, Fountain Valley 92708

FULLERTON Temple Beth Tikvah Rabbi Teri Appleby 714.871.3535 / tbtaa@sbcglobal.net 1600 N Acacia Ave, Fullerton 92831 IRVINE Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot Rabbi Richard Steinberg / Rabbi Leah Lewis 949.857.2226 3652 Michelson Dr, Irvine 92612 LA MIRADA Temple Beth Ohr Rabbi Mark Goldfarb 714.521.6765 / tmplbthohr@aol.com 15721 E Rosecrans Ave, La Mirada 90638 NEWPORT BEACH Temple Bat Yahm Rabbi Mark Miller / Rabbi Rayna Gevurtz 949.644.1999 / info@tby.org 1011 Camelback St, Newport Beach 92660 SANTA ANA Temple Beth Sholom Rabbi Heidi Cohen 714.628.4600 / information@tbsoc.com 2625 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana 92705 WESTMINSTER Temple Beth David Rabbi Nancy Rita Myers 714.892.6623 / tbdavid@templebethdavid.org 6100 Hefley St, Westminster 92683

WHERE JEWISH KIDS ARE HAPPIER Half, full & extended days available

Chabad of Irvine (949) 786-5000 ChabadIrvine.org

AND HAPPY KIDS ARE JEWISHER

TABLE OF CONTENTS 12

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OUT WITH THE D WORD CBT adopts Brit Kehillah structure for payment.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Mark your calendars with upcoming Jewish school events.

SUKKAH SNAPSHOTS Looking back at the holiday of family celebration.

SCORE ONE FOR SODASTREAM Deal with PepsiCo may set company testing new flavors.

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Fourth census of Jewish day schools shows clear trends.

ISDS WINS RIO SECURITY BID 2016 Rio Olympics will be served by the Israeli security firm.

FIRST STEP TO NOBEL PRIZE Israeli teens nab top prizes in int’l physics competition.

BABY KILLED IN JERUSALEM Baby killed as Hamas terrorist plows car into Jerusalem rail station.

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WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY OC Israeli & Chabad UCI: Falafel in the Sukkah.

THE SHABBOS PROJECT 2014 “May the King answer us on the day we call.”

TAKING A DAY OUT OF LIFE TO LIVE Type A gets a gift during The Shabbos Project.

THE GREAT BIG CHALLAH BAKE A miracle grows in Orange County.

A FRIEND TO US & ISRAEL Sit down interview with 39th District Rep. Ed Royce.

TRADER JOE’S: THE KOSHER WAY TJs certainly makes it easier to keep kosher in OC.

RUNNING FOR CHAI LIFELINE How locals are restoring the light of childhood.

AIPAC WIDENS ITS TENT TO HELP ISRAEL Strategy built on relationships, and how it matters.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Festival of Jewish Learning brings scholars and learners together at CBI.

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PROTECT & SERVE Germany offers to sell naval ships to Israel.

AHAVA PRODUCTS AT ULTA ULTA Beauty showcase AHAVA Dead Sea products.

CANADIAN TERROR HITS HOME Today my calm world was shattered by the news once again.

MILESTONES, MAGICAL MOMENTS AND MORE The way we view life makes it better..

LOAVES OF LOVE The secret behind a good challah is the prayer behind each ingredient.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mark your calendars with local events and celebrations.

PEER REVIEW LETTER TO THE EDITOR Just wanted to let you know

O N FAC E BO O K

LEGACY TO HAIM ASA Thank you so much for the beautiful article [“Legacy to the Beloved,” September 2009] that you wrote about my husband Haim. Your words helped to perpetuate his memory and I and my family are very appreciative. ELAINE ASA Thank you for the kind words, we will be sure to pass them along to Gail. May your husbands memory always be a blessing to you, your family, and the community.

How about a list of good Kosher Delis in OC. Maybe do a feature story. I’m a gastronomic Jew. LEE F.

FR OM TWI T T E R

TODA RABA

We asked... Is Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt kosher?

Shana Tova to Ilene Schneider and the Kosher OC Magazine staff. Thank you for what you accomplish. HERB & LORETTA M.

@KOSHEROC THE YOGURTS ARE ALL KOSHER BUT SELECT TOPPINGS ARE NOT. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL MENCHIE’S TO CONFIRM ON TOPPINGS. @MyMenchies

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OC MEGA CHALLAH BAKE Words cannot describe this, but the energy of the support, love, and unity could definitely be felt deep down to the core of our neshamas. G-d willing we will get to enjoy many more events and simchas together. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful Jewish community in OC. SIMA S. Amazing! Great ruach! TALIA G. It was so much fun that we continued it the next morning, and look forward to a delicious and meaningful Shabbat dinner. DEBBIE P. It was fantastic! Eight hundred Jewish women all together doing the mitzvah of making challah was amazing! LAINEY D. M. This event was part of the international Shabbat Project which originated in South Africa two years ago. Jewish people are encouraged and inspired for one Shabbat a year to participate in this spiritual experience together globally. Over 800 women attended to bake Challah (braided bread), and I was privileged to be one of the cantors asked to sing. Thank you, Cantor Natalie Miriam Young for arranging and guiding the musical program. It was so much fun and so inspiring! SUE K. D.

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Awesome experience! Thank you Sara Briman for your recipe, and for The Message of the Challah! Thank you to the Volunteers and Planning Committee. It was fun, it was spiritual. GOOD SHABBES! OC Mega Challah Bake 2014 CHERYL H The best organized and enjoyable event!! SHARON B. W. It was so beautiful to be with so many women doing the same thing. What a spiritually happy well-run event! LYNNE G A beautiful community event. Touching, spiritual, meaningful. BONNIE C. I just loved it! Beautiful, inspirational and so wonderful to be with 800 others! Can’t wait for next year! CAROL J. K. Mazal tov to the committee responsible for putting this together. It was the most amazing experience! Can’t wait till 2015, Shabbat Shalom. LINDA T. K.

I missed this year but will be there next year with my two daughters. MAXINE J. Last night was amazing. Can’t wait for 2015! KAREN K. OC Mega Challah Bake - WOW! 800 women! Absolutely beautiful! PEREL G. Such an inspirational, truly amazing and powerful night at the OC Mega Challah Bake event on Thursday evening. Not only did the award winning Chef Sara Briman come to teach us her famous challah recipe, but so did 800 Orange County women come to participate in this world wide event! TANYA D. 800 dynamic woman in on place MONICA L. I think we kept it together!!!! DEREK B. Thanks to all the volunteers who put this together. CARYN B. C. It was amazing. Yasher Koach ROBIN S. Z.

SPOTLIGHTS KOSHER OC MAGAZINE

FEATURED ARTICLES

WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY OC Israeli & Chabad UCI: Falafel in the Sukkah

THE SHABBOS PROJECT 2014 “May the King answer us on the day we call.”

TAKING A DAY OUT OF LIFE TO LIVE Walking the walk: type A gets a gift during The Shabbos Project.

THE GREAT BIG CHALLAH BAKE A miracle grows in Orange County.

A FRIEND TO US & ISRAEL Sit down interview with 39th District Representative Ed Royce.

TRADER JOE’S: THE KOSHER WAY TJs certainly makes it easier to keep kosher in Orange County

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Welcome to

Orange County

OC Israeli & Chabad UCI: Falafel in the Sukkah

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#SHABBOSPROJECT By: Roberta Carasso

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The Shabbos Project is a mosaic of many types of Jewish people, in many countries, each having one purpose – to prepare for and keep the Jewish Sabbath on October 24 and 25, 2014. This is the story of the project and how it affected the Orange County community in California as it simultaneously affected two and half million people in 88 countries of the world. On the evening of October 23, 2014, as stars began to fill the sky over the connecting field of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and the basketball court of Tarbut V’ Torah Day School (TVT) in Irvine, over 800 Orange County women came together to make challah. Endless rows of tables, perfectly organized for this unique event, were set up as everyone eagerly waited. It was a time to unite Jewish women and empower them with pride, and teach them one of the three commandments specific to women, challah making. As the sky darkened a hush fell over the gathering. Rebbetzin Natalie Ciner of Beth Jacob Congregation Irvine looked over the spectacular crowd of women coming from diverse communities and from across all lines. In recognition of the brothers and sisters in Israel and of the coming together of so many people, the Rebbetzin set the tone for the event, as she recited Psalm 20 in Hebrew and English: “... May the King answer us on the day we call.” It was the beginning of the Shabbos Project in Orange County, an event started the year before in South Africa

that had gathered, to everyone’s surprise, unexpected momentum around the world. Several months before, Rebbetzin Binie Tenenbaum and Rebbetzin Gilah Andrusier, from Chabad of Irvine, along with women from their synagogue, searched for a venue that would make all women feel comfortable in a Jewish, but neutral setting. The adjoining campus of the JCC and TVT was the perfect place. Then the work began. Reega Neutel and Shana Segall supervised all phases of the event from finding the venue, organizing the 14 committees and seeing to all the big and small details needed to make the evening a success – table settings, putting out ingredients, staging, lighting and so much more. Siegel remarked that “No one person did more than anyone else.” Every one pitched in to her maximum. But why challah and why make it in this communal way? Challah is more than bread. Delicious and nutritious, challah – that golden brown, yummy, fluffy, crusty, braided work of art – has been made for thousands of years in almost every Jewish kitchen. The process of challahmaking, prepared largely by women, forges a spiritual connection between the Jewish people and their Creator. Certainly, the preparation – mixing ingredients, kneading, shaping and baking raw dough into a holy object – has no comparison with other forms of baking. Once in the oven challah is transformed into a heavenly substance that wafts divine smells

The Shabbos Project showed that we are One nation, One community, on One Shabbat

from the home to the street to the soul, transforming a routine day into an ecstatic experience, melting away insignificance. Challah quickens the heart and lifts emotions, as it heralds an approaching festival such as the coming of Shabbos or a special Holy Day. Challah celebrates Jewish life, every seven days. In 2013 the First Shabbos Project was born. Hundreds of women had gathered together to bake challah in the streets of Johannesburg (Jo’burg), South Africa. The event generated miraculous energy that is growing still in unimaginable proportions. Women formed and then later baked challahs in their homes in preparation for Shabbos when they would spend a holy time with family and friends following the laws of the day. Another question that needs asking is: How does such a momentous event begin? Rabbi Warren Goldstein, chief rabbi of South Africa, had an idea that thousands of South African Jews, who had never kept Shabbos, could keep it in its entirety for 25 hours -- one hour before sundown Friday evening to sundown Saturday night -- as it is written in the Code of Jewish Law. Rabbi Goldstein realized that ninety percent of Jews in South Africa are affiliated with Orthodoxy, but despite these impressive numbers, many had never fully experienced Shabbos as it is meant to be. The rabbi launched a campaign. Throughout South African cities the project got underway with posters, billboards, official websites, pamphlets and every form of communication. Information not only had to explain the project, but guide people, stepby-step, on how to have a complete and true Shabbos. Needless to say, this first-time event grew to enormous proportions. Excitement rose throughout the country, and

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

thousands signed up. Beverley Miller of Irvine knew nothing of the project when she flew to Jo’burg to visit her mom. On Friday morning, going to some of the local stores, Miller was a bit perplexed. There was an unusual amount of excitement, fliers, and continuous talk of “the project.” The next morning, on Shabbos, going downstairs, Miller experienced something she had never seen while growing up in Jo’burg – all the stores, which were usually full of people, shopping and talking, were locked and empty. Quiet reigned on the streets as everyone kept The First Shabbos Project. Zoe Rock is one of the 14 women who headed committees that guided The Second Shabbos Project to success in Orange County. Several months ago, while attending a Jewish Learning Retreat (JLR) in Chicago, she and her husband, Clive Rock, were fortuitously seated next to Sara Briman, an international baker of acclaim, who was also one of the presenters at the JLR conference. Briman has the esteemed honor of having received a Lifetime Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in New York City for being named the Best Challah Baker in the World. Briman is acknowledged to be on par with the greatest chefs in all areas of baking. The story is that the president of the Academy searched for more than 20 years to find the best challah in the world. He travelled to many countries where Jewish people lived, but he did not find the magic he sought. Finally, he went to Mexico, and everyone told him about Sara Briman, who lives there. Going to her home and watching as she made a challah in her kitchen, from start to finish, the president at last found the best challah and the best challah baker in the world. After Briman’s 30 year old daughter died, she took it upon herself to teach challah baking wherever needed. Briman continuously travels around the world and bakes up to 300 challahs a week in memory of her daughter. She gathers and shares miraculous stories of how baking challah affects Jewish women everywhere. In a slow, step-by-step process, the master baker creates challah by explaining the spiritual essence of each ingredient added to the mix – telling what yeast, sugar, salt, eggs or flour means. Briman leads women through each 14

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Sara Briman guides the 800 Orange County women during the OC Mega Challah Bake

phase of the process, endowing them with a profound understanding that transforms a simple act of mixing dough into a holy and healing experience. It was Briman who guided the 800 Orange County women that starlit night. She explained, when the dough was fully mixed, how a Jewish woman takes a portion of the dough and recites a blessing on it. This is Hafrash Challah, separating challah, a propitious moment when a prayer is made for family or loved ones in the woman’s own words. It is at this moment when the woman fully connects to her Creator and her loved ones, that the healing power of challah can take effect. Back at the Mega Challah event, Rebbetzin Andrusier remarked that it was the largest Jewish women’s event in Orange County and the first time many women made challah. Neutel observed that the evening “united the diverse Orange County Jewish community. It demonstrated the power of women in light of world-wide anti-Semitism and issues in Israel. It showed that we are One nation, One community, on One Shabbat, One woman making One challah at a time.” Rebbetzin Tennenbaum concluded that the saying; “It takes a village, in this case, it took a County to come together in this wonderful way.” She added that while after many group projects, there is always some negative feedback, at this full Shabbos event, everyone sang its praise. Readers of this article are asked to check out the Internet to see how cities around the world celebrated, each in its unique way.

Certainly, The Shabbos Project, the challah, and keeping Shabbos became infectious. It spoke to everyone’s soul, evoking an indescribable energy. Next year, The Shabbos Project of 2015 will be even more amazing when more and more Jewish people – men, women and children -- around the world will keep Shabbos together as one. Think of the positive effect such an event will have on the world. Sign me up!!! OC Mega Challah Committee Shana Segall Reega Neutal Gila Andrusier Bev Lieberman Bev Menkin Caryn Altman Zoe Rock Nancy McMillan Glynnis Shainfeld

Binie Tenenbaum Julie Sherman Leah Bonner Robin Davis Shula Paz Marda Kahn Amanda Leibowitz

synagogue takes about 25 minutes. During that time I noticed that some leaves do change colors in the fall, even in California. I observed the curvature of the street that I had not seen before. I saw a dead bird and wondered if I was the only one to mourn its passing as other people zipped by in their cars. When I arrived at the synagogue, I had a new sense of bonding with the people there. I drank in the whole worship experience differently, because I felt more a part of it.

By: Ilene Schneider

I started to go to Shabbat services every week. I stopped turning on the computer for the duration of I have too much work to do. I’m on Shabbat. Still, it was not until the #SHABBOSPROJECT deadline. How could I possibly take Shabbos Project that I got motivated 25 hours off? I wasn’t raised that to celebrate an entire Shabbat in way. the traditional way – on foot and /theshabbosproject @ShabbosProject_ @shabbosproject with no other encumbrances of my All my life, there have been ordinary life. If I were going to bake excuses. I jokingly talked about the challah, say the prayers and talk being “nailed” in my red convertible the talk, I felt that I had to walk the on Shabbat in a neighborhood walk too – literally and figuratively. Project. It’s simple: full of people walking to ShabbatThe Shabbos Even if I only did it once, I wanted Jews of all walks of life, of every age and from all services. I knew I could walk that have the– experience. corners to of the world uniting to experience one far with no problem. I knew the complete Shabbat together. world would not end if I unplugged I prepared myself for the time for a day. Somehow, I just could Sign up to join thisnot global I would bemovement. working with a not bring myself to do it. My type A theshabbosproject.org marathon workday on Friday. I personality was just too strong. was amazed at how much I Many years ago I remembered hearing from a longtime friend’s mother about how refreshing it was to suspend the mundane for a day in full observance of Shabbat. I observed that same sense of peaceful relaxation on the faces of the people walking through the neighborhood. There are no clocks to watch or deadlines to make. There is just a spiritual high. I was envious but still not motivated enough to “go the whole nine yards.”

I had company for part of the walk back home, but for much of it, I was simply alone with my thoughts. Many of those thoughts were about how lucky I am to live in such a pretty place with weather that allows me to walk all year and how blessed I am to have the stamina to do it. I was also feeling good about joining generations of Jewish people who understand that observing Shabbat is a gift, there for the taking every single week. Will I do it again? You bet I will. I hope you can join me.

accomplished. There would be no guilt about deadlines holding me back or interfering with my enjoyment of Shabbat. The walk from my house to the

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

A Miracle Grows in Orange County By: Deborah Schechter

The stars were twinkling brightly overhead in Southern California this past Thursday night, but they could not compete with the glow generated by the souls of the more than 800 women who attended the OC Mega Challah Bake in Irvine as part of the first world-wide Keeping it Together Shabbos Project. Fourteen heroic women put their lives on hold to plan, arrange and carry out the complex logistics required to create a magical evening that will long be remembered in Orange County. The result was a sense of sisterhood, of belonging to something bigger than all of us, and a heightened awareness of the unifying power of Shabbos. In a relatively new Jewish community, this kind of Jewish spirit is thrilling. It is alive and inextinguishable. For those who are part of the small but growing Orthodox population of Irvine, for the women who are affiliated with other congregations but not accustomed to carrying out a mitzvah en masse and, indeed, for many who are as yet unaffiliated, the sense of euphoria, unity and harmony that pervaded was nothing short of intoxicating. The power of Shabbos permeated the evening. Beneath a starlit sky, in an idyllic outdoors environment and in balmy temperatures, 800 fully-equipped challah baking kits (bowls, lukewarm water, individually measured ingredients, challah pans, aprons, gloves, spatulas and even a sweet treat) were set out in rows and rows

on magnificently decorated tables. The organization was superb, the ambience receptive, the sense of belonging to something meaningful indelibly attained. For many women, this was their first experience with baking challah and certainly, with the mitzvah of hafroshas challah. The profound impact of the mitzvah was tangible. The silence of intense personal prayer preceding the united recitation of the brachah was palpable. A woman from a Reform congregation was heard to say, “How do we go back to normal after this?” Unquestionably, the majority of the 800 women who attended fall into the category of a tinok shenishba (the child taken into captivity [in this case by the pervasive culture]). For them, whether they recognize it or not, the Challah Bake accomplished far more than just teaching them how to bake Challah. It gave them a sense of belonging to something very consequential. Through carefully delivered non-judgmental messages, they were empowered to understand the significance of the role of the woman in the Jewish home, the impact she has on the next generation and the meaningfulness of the three major mitzvos with which she has been entrusted. For many this may have been their first exposure to such concepts. Perhaps the following actual text message sums it all up succinctly. “I am so thankful to Hashem for bringing me to this place at this time…. I am truly humbled and grateful to be learning all the things that were taken from (not given to) me in my childhood. Baruch Hashem.”

hundred people for special Shabbos Seudos, replete with learning, zemiros and delicious cuisine and other congregations participated in special Shabbos programs. People who have never done it before walked to shul. They spent time together with rabbis and friends, learning about Shabbos and its beauty. Orthodox families hosted others to enable them to walk to shul, and minds were opened to possibilities that might otherwise never have seemed possible. The

sense of participation transcended the mundane and opened up minds and hearts to future exploration. As Shabbos departed, a beautiful Havdalah ceremony at Congregation Beth Jacob, open to people all over the county, provided a fitting farewell to a memorable occasion. As everyone swayed to a heartfelt rendition of Havdalah, the lights from innumerable candles glowed brightly in the darkened tent, sending a message of unity, hope and trust that soon more and more people will find their way back to the gift that Shabbos embodies.

This past Shabbos in Orange County, Orthodox shuls hosted several KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

FAMILY & FRIENDS

UNITE яВе

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KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

A FRIEND TO US & ISRAEL

ED ROYCE By: Robin Silver-Zwiren

Ed Royce, a Member of the US House of representatives from the 39th District has been in office since 1993. He served in the California State Senate from 1982-1993. Over his thirty plus years in government office Congressman Royce is not afraid to speak up for not only his constituents but people everywhere. As Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs he is doing what he does best: speaking up for the citizens of this vast, once powerful, nation. I had the pleasure to hear Congressman Royce speak at an AntiDefamation League meeting several weeks ago. I took the opportunity to ask for an interview and am happy to share his message with every reader. Republican or Democrat, Orthodox, Conservative or Reformed it does not matter. For now many of us Jews (or not) concerned about what is going on not only in Israel but worldwide. None of us want to hear that an infant child is run over in Israel or someone guarding the War Memorial in Ottawa is shot dead. We don’t want to hear that people are beheaded for speaking up against an extremist regime or people imprisoned unlawfully. So what about Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi who served two tours for the US Military? Yes, he crossed the border into Mexico carrying weapons. However the record shows he mistakenly crossed into Mexico and wanted to turn around. Instead he was grabbed and imprisoned. A US citizen with PTSD from serving our country is being held in a foreign jail. Congressman Royce went to Mexico and saw the poor conditions and lack of services. Tahmooressi is not getting the treatment that even Mexican doctors agree he requires. Last month the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing. Andrew’s mother, Jill, who is his most ardent voice spoke. Other Marines also spoke on his behalf but Andrew remains in his cell. What more could be done? Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl may well have deserted his post and was captured by the Taliban. For nearly five years he was held captive. If he did indeed leave on his own does he deserve to keep his back pay and other benefits? The jury is out on that but it is certain no report will be released for several months. President Obama took it upon himself to free Bergdahl. How? By releasing highly dangerous Taliban prisoners which mystifies

Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi

Congressman Royce and many others. Congressman Royce says that “The release of five Taliban prisoners who are labeled ‘highly dangerous to the security levels of the United States’ and previously deemed ‘too dangerous to transfer’ obviously has a far reaching impact that threatens our national security interests.” These terrorists may be walking the streets of Qatar or Afghanistan. What are those known terrorists doing now? Have they joined Hamas or ISIS? Are they training fundamentalists in the US? How does this relate to the Tahmooressi case? President Obama released terrorists on his own accord to free Bergdahl but all he has to do is call Mexican President Nieto and plea for a sick individual to come home to get the treatment he truly needs. Afghani prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay were released about a year ago. They were put into witness protection, given new identities and homes all on the US taxpayers’ dollars. They are free to move, travel and create havoc. Jonathan Pollard still sits in jail. No President to date has pardoned him. Known terrorists who did crimes far worse than Pollard are now free but not him. What does this say about our government? Homegrown terror is an undeniable threat to our nation. Ft. Hood, the

Boston Marathon and of course 9-11 are proof enough. According to Congressman Royce there are “dozens and dozens of American residents that have been charged or convicted of terrorism in recent years.” It seems that many Somali Americans have left the US only to turn up involved with Al Qaeda, and linked to al-Shabaab, in Cape Horn. Now ISIS is in the mix indoctrinating individuals. There are Americans who are joining these terrorist groups. They get trained and brainwashed and then can return home to attack. People were killed by someone who just walked into a Jewish museum in Brussels. Everyday we seem to ‘hear’ about an attack somewhere in the world and this is terrifying. President Obama promised that he would end wars and bring back our soldiers. He promised to restore USRussia relations and has yet to fulfill that. US citizens pride themselves on being a major world power and yet nowadays there does not seem to be much to be proud of. Other nations sure don’t think the US deserves respect. When Congressman Royce says that “our foreign policy is in a state of disarray” it seems to be an understatement. Instead of having our soldiers brought home they are off to fight in conflicts elsewhere in the world. ISIL, ISIS whatever their name Iraq and Syria are a threat to world peace and democracy.

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

We should help the Kurdish forces fight against ISIL, a known terrorist group. ISIL, like Hamas, have vast resources and funds from Iraq, Qatar and wealthy individuals who support their jihad. US aid given to the Kurds must be sufficient so that they can fight their enemies. At this point in time the Iraqi government controls the weapons, and other supplies, for the Kurds. Congressman Royce wants to get a law passed that will “make an exception to US law requiring that weapons only be supplied though central government” because in this case Iraq has too much control and the Kurdish people need our help. Dealing with Middle Eastern countries like Iraq and Iran is never easy which is why the US should never have trusted Iran to halt their nuclear program. Who really believes that they are not stockpiling their weapons and building a nuclear warhead? Only the five nations, which included John Kerry representing the US, and the rest of the Muslim world that is. Smart government officials like Ed Royce, and Eliot Engel, have been “warning the administration through hearings, letters and meetings that ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’. That the only deal to support is one that effectively dismantled Iran’s enrichment capabilities and eliminated a plutonium pathway to a bomb, curtailed their development of ballistic missiles, and required a full accounting of their past efforts to obtain a nuke.” Israel is the only democracy in the entire Middle East. Unfortunately there are those who don’t want Israel to exist. They don’t want a twostate solution they want whatever land we have. Israel has already given up control of the West Bank and Gaza but it is not enough so we must protect our borders. Any nation attacked regularly would do the same. Hamas builds tunnels and kidnaps our children. Congressman Royce believes that “the Obama Administration’s ultimate goal must be the dismantlement of the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza”. Royce and Engel went to Israel and saw the tunnels and realized their only purpose. So why is the United Nations Human Rights Council condemning Israel? William Schabas, the Committee Chair, has already made comments against Israel yet remains Chair. Royce 22

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agrees that “From the United Nations system to Palestinian machinations to bring Israeli leaders before the International Criminal Court, and Palestinian supporters’ efforts to bring about a boycott against foreign firms doing business in Israel, the State of Israel faces an unprecedented array of attacks against its international standing and even its legitimacy. These absurd and dangerous efforts must be challenged by supporters of Israel at every opportunity” Kudos to Ed Royce for standing with Israel. Meanwhile while attending a State dinner celebrating the Eid-alAdha holiday John Kerry tells some Muslim guests that Israel is the problem. That Israel’s refusal to accept the demands made by the Palestinian Authority’s is the reason for the rise of ISIS. Then again John Kerry also made the ridiculous comment that we should go back to pre-’67 lines. That means that Jews and Christians would once again be banned from visiting the Kotel or walking the Stations of the Cross. I wonder if they would once again turn our ancient holy grounds into a dung heap like it was before 1967? I will certainly remember these comments when I go to the polls next week! Whether voting for a local, state or federal representative I know I want someone who is my proxy, an agent with my values. I will vote for the School Board person who promises to do something about bullying. I want a Mayor and City Councillors who will spend money on things the community needs the most. For Governor I want someone who will stand against the powerful BDS movement that threatens our ports by refusing Zim Lines entry. Someone who will stand up against the UC system who permits a MSU which is often too verbally and violently anti-Israel. On the Federal level I am relieved to know that people like John Campbell and Ed Royce are our voices because for a few more years we are stuck with the likes of Obama and Kerry who certainly don’t stand for us, for Israel. On Friday October 31st, after 214 days in captivity, Andrew Tahmooressi was freed from his Mexican jail. Special thanks to those who not only helped give him his freedom but the ability to get treatment for his PTSD. Former Governor of New Mexico Bill

Richardson, Representatives Matt Salmon (AZ) and Ed Royce, talk show host Montel Williams and Mexico’s Attorney General and Ambassador to the US are not only Andrew Tahmooressi’s heroes but true mentshes as well.

S E V I L L A N O I T P E EXC START HERE

Save the date. TVT Open House. Thursday November 20, 2014 at 8:15AM

By: Robin Silver-Zwiren

THE KOSHER WAY Trader Joe’s, the one stop kosher shopping outlet. Start you day with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Cereal, yogourt, scones, muffins or waffles with some fresh fruit on the side sounds delicious. If you feel a little more energetic you can bake off some fresh croissants from the freezer section or cinnamon buns from the refrigerator case. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. For lunch grab some fresh vegetables, chumous and any of the assortment of tortilla chips Trader Joe’s stocks. Their corn chips are a great alternative and absolutely addicting. If you are a bit hungrier heat up one of the many varieties of soups. Once refrigerated they remain fresh for about a week so are a great item to keep in an office or dorm room. You can even add some of the chips to them for a hearty, nutritious meal option. What to do for dinner? Don’t worry for long as you push your shopping cart through the store. You can grab some chicken or a Turkey breast. Ground chicken or beef for hamburgers, meatballs or meatloaf. A Teva brisket for a Shabbat treat? Add a salad, maybe some potatoes, rice or pasta. Pick up some marinara sauce if you don’t want to make a sauce from scratch- although it is not like Trader Joe’s does not have all the ingredients. 24

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Dessert can be some pareve soy based ice cream or frozen fruit bars. If your meal was pareve or dairy you are in luck. The store is filled with frozen treats like pies and cheesecakes, ice cream and many options of cookies and other delights. If the calories really bother you add some fresh or dried fruit and nuts. For Shabbat pick up some challah and well priced wine. What a selection of Baron Hertzog, Sara Bee and Terrenal. California, Israel, Chile selections cover the globe. Yes, they have the more traditional sweet Kedem but those days of syrup like Manischewitz are no longer the only kosher options. If you want something stronger for a l’chaim you can grab a bottle (or two) of whisky or vodka. Pick up some fresh, beautiful flowers to enhance the aromas at your table. Trader Joe’s certainly makes it easier to keep kosher in Orange County with locations all over. If your local store does not carry the fresh meat suggest it to your store manager. If not, know that when you are in the area of the Samueli Jewish Campus the store by UCI has it all. Enjoy.

HIGHTLIGHTS KOSHER OC MAGAZINE

HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND ORANGE COUNTY

RUNNING FOR CHAI LIFELINE How locals are restoring the light of childhood.

AIPAC WIDENS ITS TENT TO HELP ISRAEL Strategy built on relationships, and how it matters.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Festival of Jewish Learning brings scholars and learners together at CBI.

OUT WITH THE D WORD CBT adopts Brit Kehillah structure for payment.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Mark your calendars with unique upcoming events not to be missed in Orange County.

SUKKAH SNAPSHOTS Looking back at the holiday of celebration for the whole family.

Devorah Kessner Bader of Irvine, and her sister-in-law Rachel Isler of New Jersey, training hard. By: Robin Silver-Zwiren

RUNNING FOR CHAI LIFELINE How locals are restoring the light of childhood

Chai Lifeline has been a true lifeline to children suffering from life threatening illness since 1987. Not only does the organization “restore the light of childhood” to these children but to their entire families. Chai Lifeline is in fact a life support system that provides emotional, social and financial help through extensive programs, and most of all compassion. Their motto is that they “fight illness with love” and they certainly do. The one place where a kid is not “the one” with cancer, or another chronic disease, but a child. Not a child to be singled out but one that belongs to a group. Chai Lifeline is a resource wherever the child is being treated. If hospitalized they help provide food and care for the patient and their family. They can help to find tutors for children unable to attend school. Or they can help assist educators on how to deal with having a seriously ill child in their classroom. In some areas they are even able to send a representative into the school to talk to students on how to relate to a sick peer.

Camp Simcha is one of Chai Lifeline’s most popular programs. Every summer hundreds of seriously ill children get the opportunity to participate in a wide range of exciting activities where medical needs are met as well. Best of all these children get to interact with others who share and understand their problems and needs. Several of our local children have attended the camp and returned with smiles on their faces ready to take on the upcoming, sometimes ongoing, challenges. Chai Lifeline, like the Make-AWish Foundation, helps sponsor dream vacations. The Hartman Family Foundation even sponsors a trip to Israel for teens who have completed their cancer treatment. The Goldman River Retreat in the Ramapo Mountains answers the true call of nature for families who need some time to refresh and renew. The Ohr Meir Foundation sponsors a trip to Disney World. Chai Lifeline helps connect families to these extraordinary programs that can help bring sunshine and laughter to those who need it most. These are just a few of the programs Chai Lifeline helps coordinate.

Devorah Kessner Bader of Irvine, and her sister-in-law Rachel Isler of New Jersey, have been training hard for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon. In May 2013 they ran their first race together. While recovering from one of her breast cancer surgeries Rachel mentioned she wanted to run. Their first team venture was a Susan G Komen Race in May 2013. Now as experienced 5K runners they are attempting a 6.7 miles with a different organization. Devorah wanted to run for Chai Lifeline this time and feels blessed that Rachel is joining her in Las Vegas. They are thrilled to be rated as one of the highest achieving teams and although they surpassed their first fundraising goal are inspired to be able to raise their next level. Devorah thinks a lot of this has to do with her sister-in-law’s motivational spirit Chai Lifeline provides teams with a training packet to help plan their program. Over the past few years Devorah has been training hard to build up her strength and endurance. She has used online forums and apps as well. As difficult as the training is it is nothing like what so many unfortunate children battle daily though which gives every runner inspiration galore.

In 1999 the Sohacheski Family Center opened in Los Angeles. They run over 25 programs and services at no charge to participants. Sponsor Devorah, Rachel and Chai Lifeline: www.teamlifeline.org/my/60109 26

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AIPAC WIDENS ITS TENT TO HELP ISRAEL The strategy is built on relationships, and relationships matter By: Ilene Schneider

Addressing a group of people in the sukkah at Congregation Beth Jacob of Irvine, Jason Youdeem – the Orange County leadership management director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) – said that the sukkah is a reminder of how fragile life has been in the Diaspora and how important it is to have the Iron Dome. “Israel came to the United States for support after the Lebanon war,” he explained. “AIPAC relationships always got things done. Because the U.S. Congress understood the need for emergency support in Israel, it authorized $225 million for Iron Dome.” Describing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Iron Dome as the two heroes of this summer’s conflict in Israel, Youdeem explained that Israel operates with the help of the only remaining superpower in the world – the United States. It is important that the U.S. continues to support Israel. Hamas fired 4, 500 rockets at Israel, and 700 were intercepted by the Iron Dome. AIPAC lobbies Congress on Israel’s security concerns in a bipartisan fashion. This effort assures $3.1 billion annually in security assistance and cooperation on every level possible and support in the United Nations, according to Youdeem. “The strategy is built on relationships, and relationships matter,” he said. “You can’t build relationships with members of Congress and other people the day you need them.” Youdeem related that there will be 46 new members of the House of Representatives in the next election and that half of the members of Congress have changed since the 2008 election. Thus, he said, AIPAC has to grow in terms of both resources and activists. “Success today doesn’t guarantee success tomorrow,” he added.

Jason Youdeem, Orange County AIPAC

As an organization, AIPAC is reaching out to college campuses and approaching students in leadership positions. The organization has done a survey of where Congressmen have gone to college. It has picked sixty campuses, focused its attention on being proactive and built relationships with the student leaders. Now AIPAC is on high school campuses as well to “empower students with the right tools,” Youdeem said. The organization is analyzing the longterm trends in the Middle East as well. According to Youdeem, “What happens in other countries has an impact on Israel’s strategic posture. Israel is facing everything from beheadings to ballistic missiles.” He added that nation states are collapsing, and radicals take over when there is a power vacuum. “Radical Islam is the language of political opposition,” he said. “Fundamentalists seized power and told people that Islam is the solution.” Additionally, weapons have moved, so that Israel is now surrounded by hundreds of thousands of missiles. Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon is the greatest threat to the region. Thus, AIPAC wants to keep building its support base, growing it beyond the Jewish community and making everyone aware of the challenges Israel faces. “With the right approach we’re seeing meaningful and tangible things happening,” Youdeem concluded.

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Festival of Jewish Learning brings scholars and learners together at CBI By: Ilene Schneider

When Rabbi Elie Spitz of Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin completed the seven-and-a-half-year, pagea-day process of studying the Talmud known as Daf Yomi, he decided two things. He was going to make it a community-wide celebration, and he was going to launch his study of the Kabbalah immediately thereafter. What resulted was a Festival of Jewish Learning, a community celebration for all levels of Jewish knowledge hosted at CBI on October 12. The event included learning with rabbis and other scholars from all branches of Judaism, as well as musical entertainment, dancing and – of course – food. People broke into small study groups and then heard a panel of rabbis, followed by the keynote speaker. After a sumptuous meal in the sukkah, there was a concert with Hillel Tigay and Cantor Marcia Tilchin of Congregation B’nai Israel. One of the highlights of the day was the keynote talk by Prof. Daniel Matt, who recently completed the English translation of the Pritzker version of the Zohar, the major book of Kabbalah. He explained that Kabbalah is a movement centered around a mystical commentary on the Torah. Written in the style of the Talmud – in the 13th century and in Aramaic – the Zohar is trying to re-imagine God by citing Talmudic scholars, Prof. Matt said. Its mission is to mend the world, and its premise is that God needs us to participate actively in that mission. According to Prof. Matt, there are three main insights of Kabbalah. First, God is infinite. As it says, “ain sof”: there is no end. Secondly, Kabbalah tries to balance the patriarchal image of God with the feminine half of God called the shechinah, as personified by the Sabbath queen. The goal of Judaism, in the Kabbalistic sense, is to unite the feminine with the masculine. Finally, God needs us. If we act ethically, we stimulate the divine union between the male and the female within God, Prof. Matt explained.

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“The human being is created in the image of God with the crown on top,” Prof. Matt said. “The shechinah represents the assembly of Israel. It’s always with us, wherever we are.” According to Prof. Matt, the Talmud says “come and hear,” while the Zohar says “come and see.” He explained, “The sukkah represents a shade of faith in which Jewish people serve the sublime by serving people who are needy. It’s the place where we set a table for God by studying Torah and inviting poor people to share a meal.” A discussion of Talmud brought many insightful comments from the distinguished group of Southern California rabbis. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, said that people see some things with their eyes open and some things with their eyes closed. He described the Talmud as “wisdom that cannot be systematized,” because it has no beginning and no end.” Rabbi Shuey Eliezrie of Chabad of Tustin said that the Talmud “represents the ability of people to reinvent themselves.” By continuing to learn Torah and doing good deeds, we “fix things in our own lives and in the community,” he said. Rabbi Gersh Zylberman of Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach agreed, saying that by respecting each other building bridges, we create healing in the real world. “As Jews, we are all connected,” he said. “”We see all of the Jewish people as having the spark of Jewishness.” As Rabbi Spitz concluded, “The Talmud is a conversation across generations. It makes you feel more whole and more at home in Judaism. As with a marathon, it’s not about crossing the finish line, but about the process of becoming a runner. As Elie Wiesel said, ‘To become a chochem (wise person), you must know that you are perpetually a student.”

Alef Books WORLDWIDE JUDAICA SUPERSTORE

Holidays Texts Jewelry www.AlefBooks.com

By: Ilene Schneider

OUT WITH THE D WORD CBT ADOPTS BRIT KEHILLAH STRUCTURE FOR PAYMENT

Congregation B’nai Tzedek (CBT), a Reform congregation in Fountain Valley, has decided that instead of an arbitrary number (dues) that all members pay, to institute a Brit Kehillah (Covenant of the Community), for which members decide how much value they are getting out of CBT. Members are given access to the budget and are told openly how much it costs to run the congregation. The hope is that, like the Israelites when building the Tabernacle in the desert, “each family will give the very best their hearts have to offer, and we will thrive,” according to a Facebook post.

“Dues are for gyms. We want a sense of community. We have to turn the lights on, but money shouldn’t be the focus. You have to find the balance between what you can afford to provide and what people want to give.”

Recently, Congregation B’nai Tzedek adopted the new philosophy for its community by voting unanimously to eliminate structured, or fixed, dues and moving to the Brit Kehillah system. Within this system, the community (and prospective community members) is informed of the costs to run the synagogue. Then, community members pay according to their ability and according to the value they receive from the community. Congregation B’nai Tzedek believes that everyone should have the opportunity to be a part of a Jewish community.

“In LA people drive 15 minutes and think they need a passport,” Rabbi Young quipped. “If you have a really great thing, people will come.”

Congregation B’nai Tzedek was inspired to make the change by Ron Wolfson’s seminal book, Relational Judaism. A dozen or so congregations in the country have embarked on a Brit Kehillah program. Financially, they are reportedly doing as well as or better than they were doing before. “We don’t like the ‘D’ word,” explained Rabbi David Young, who joined the congregation a little over a year ago. 30

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Rabbi Young thinks that the congregation, which currently has 300 families is “such an amazing place that people will be moved to give from their hearts.” While many of the families moving to Fountain Valley are not Jewish, the congregation attracts people from Long Beach to Mission Viejo, he said.

Some events, such as religious school and Shabbat dinners, are fee-forservice based. Adult education programs, other than scholar-inresidence events, are free. “A system where you ask for dues sounds like a system where people can’t be trusted,” the rabbi added. “The Brit Kehillah system means that people are good. If you offer great value and produce excellence, people will be moved to pay for it. People really do step up.” Rabbi Young concluded, “We’re building something for our hearts. When our hearts are moved, we’ll do anything for the synagogue we love. We’ll keep building Congregation B’nai Tzedek and keep it strong.”

Frequently Asked Questions How can the synagogue sustain itself when people decide what they will pay to support the community? Individuals and families give their commitment only after understanding the costs facing our community. Congregation B’nai Tzedek, like all other synagogues, has operational costs that pay for the day-to-day running of the synagogue, educational classes, events, and much more. We ask that everyone pays to the best of their ability in support of CBT. Does the Brit Kehillah commitment include every community cost for the year? No. Brit Kehillah is your commitment to the community for the year. It does not include Religious School costs, High Holy Day Appeal donations, and special events. CBT relies on Brit Kehillah and other donations to continue providing services to its community. Do I have to explain my financial situation to anyone? No. How can I learn more about Congregation B’nai Tzedek and Brit Kehillah? Please call or drop by. Someone will be happy to show you around our synagogue, which includes classrooms for our Religious School. Rabbi Young will also be happy to talk with you about the synagogue and our community.

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Tarbut V’Torah Forty-seven students from Tarbut V’Torah (TVT) received the designation of AP (Advanced Placement) Scholars in 2014, according to Johnathan Rastello, TVT’s director of college counseling. Twenty-two of the students had the highest recognition, AP Scholar with Distinction. “Students who score highly on an AP test are waived out of general education requirements in that subject in college and could be done with a semester’s work by the time they get to college,” Rastello explained. “They can save time and delve right into their major or their passion.”

Four TVT students were National AP Scholars, “the top honor in the nation, the highest you can get,” Rastello said. Two – Roy Elzur and Jacob Steinberg – were 2014 graduates, while the others – Aaron Berdy and Benjamin Gillman – are current seniors at TVT. The Scholastic Book Fair is heading to TVT from November 3 to 7 at the Lower School Library. Book genres include mystery, sci-fi, Jewish, classics, science and “laugh-out-loud” stories. TVT’s new playspace will be dedicated on Wednesday, November 5, at 8:45 AM. TVT Founder Irving (Papa) Gelman will cut the official ribbon to

open the park, and TVT Head of School Dr. Jeffrey Davis will announce the winning name. More details to follow. Each fall TVT invites the community to join its annual Admissions Open House. This year, by hosting the event during the school day, the community can witness the actual TVT experience. It happens on Thursday, November 20, at 8:15 AM. RSVP via tarbut.com/ OpenHouse For more information about TVT, call (949) 509-9500 or visit www.tarbut.com

Hebrew Academy “Auction Royale, Making Dreams Come True,” Hebrew Academy’s annual dinner and auction, is slated for on Sunday, December 7, at the The Centre at Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood. Entertainment includes Sunda Croonquist and The Hebrew Academy Third grade choir, along with a live auction, open bar and amazing food. Proceeds from this event support the school’s financial aid program, enhance classroom technology, expand the liberal arts department, develop the library, and enlarge the sports program. For more

information, contact Jenny Kdoshim, events coordinator at (909) 559-5674 or email:eventshahb@gmail.com. Dr. Hilary Buff Greenwood, the new school psychologist, is an alumna of The Hebrew Academy who comes to the school with a wealth of education and experience related to behavioral psychology. She brings a deep desire to make a positive difference in adults’ and children’s self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Hilary is running parenting workshops on Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at

Irvine Hebrew Day School Students can enroll in a Talmud Torah after-school program at Irvine Hebrew Day School. Classes are offered for students in grades 1-12. Subjects include: text-based Torah classes; Parshat Hashavua (weekly torah portion); exploration of Jewish law, traditions and holidays; modern “hot topics”; and Hebrew language for native Hebrew speakers. For a complete class schedule or to enroll, please visit www.irvinehebrewday.org/

the Hebrew Academy. Teamed with AYSO, the Hebrew Academy has created an amazing and fun opportunity for kids to play a team sport and show off the school at the same time at a Sunday-only league. Hebrew Academy teams play against other AYSO teams from Huntington Beach on the school’s 11-acre field. For more information about Hebrew Academy, call (714) 898-0051 or visit www.hacds.org

OC Jewish Genealogical Society talmud-torah.html For questions about the Talmud Torah program contact Robin Elcott at (949) 4786818 or relcott@irvinehebrewday.org

The Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society meets the 4th Sunday of most months from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback Street, Newport Beach. The next meeting on November 23 is “The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe, presented by Hal Bookbinder. For more information, contact www.ocjgs. org, info@ocjgs.org or (949) 423-3746

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

SUKKAH 

SNAPSHOTS

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OC Israeli and The Rohr Chabad at UCI invite you to a holiday celebration for the whole family. Featuring: Delicious Falafel Dinner, Wine and Beer, Music, Sukkot Arts n’ Crafts for Kids, Lulav and Etrog Shake.

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

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HIGHTLIGHTS KOSHER OC MAGAZINE

MAJOR EVENTS FROM THE JEWISH WORLD

SCORE ONE FOR SODASTREAM Deal with PepsiCo may set the giant soda company testing new flavors.

JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS Fourth census of Jewish day schools shows clear enrollment trends.

ISDS WINS RIO SECURITY BID 2016 Rio Olympics will be served by Israeli security company.

FIRST STEP TO NOBEL PRIZE Israeli teens nab top prizes in international physics competition.

BABY KILLED IN JERUSALEM Baby killed as Hamas terrorist plows car into Jerusalem rail station.

PROTECT & SERVE Germany offers to sell naval ships to Israel.

Your smile is our passion (949) 248-2525 www.myscdental.com

via Israel21c and AFP

SCORE ONE FOR

SODA

STREAM

The SodaStream-Pepsi deal comes in the wake of Coca-Cola announcing a contract with Keurig Green Mountain, which plans to introduce a SodaStream rival.

SodaStream and PepsiCo have cut a small deal that will see the giant soda company testing new flavors in the make-your-own beverages market via Israel’s at-home carbonation specialist. At the SuperBowl earlier this year, SodaStream’s commercial for Game Day was banned because of a jab at Coke and Pepsi. But it now seems the giant soft drink makers want a cut of the homemade drinks market. The SodaStream-Pepsi deal comes in the wake of Coca-Cola announcing a contract with Keurig Green Mountain, which plans to introduce a SodaStream rival. “Athome, make-your-own beverages represent an emerging category that has generated interest among some consumers,” Pepsi said in a statement. SodaStream shares surged upon news of the Pepsi deal. The make-yourown Pepsi products are being geared towards health-conscious buyers and will be sweetened with sugar and stevia. The 10-week trial for new drinks – including Pepsi Homemade and Sierra Mist Homemade — will launch in the next few weeks in Orlando and Tampa, according to a Pepsi statement. However, according to i24 News, SodaStream is closing its plant in the West Bank. The firm, which manufactures a device for making fizzy drinks at home and which was embroiled in a row earlier this year involving Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, said it would relocate the factory by the end of 2015. SodaStream said the plant closure would “improve the operational efficiency” of a group that has been listed on the New York stock exchange since 2010. Another factory in northern Israel will also close, the group said on its website. The manufacturer claims its factory in

the Jewish settlement of Mishor Adumim in the West Bank, is a “model of integration” employing 500 Palestinians, 450 Arab Israelis and 350 Israeli Jews on the same salaries and with the same social security benefits. Palestinian employees “receive salaries four or five times that of the average wage in the territories controlled by Palestinian authorities,” it has said. But the factory has been the focus of calls by Palestinian activists for a worldwide boycott of the firm. The row hit the headlines in January when Johansson quit as an ambassador for charity Oxfam following a dispute over her ad campaign for SodaStream. In one of the televised adverts, Johansson told audiences that they could drink SodaStream with a clear environmental conscience since the brand’s plastic bottles are reused when making carbonated drinks at home. The actress, who was at the time an ambassador for British charity Oxfam, came in for fierce criticism from the international BDS (“Boycott, divestment, sanctions”) campaign that pushes for a ban on Israeli products for “profiting from occupation.” A spokesman for Johansson said the star had parted company with Oxfam due to a “fundamental difference of opinion” over the boycott. She still appears on the SodaStream website. In an interview at the beginning of the year, SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum acknowledged that Mishor Adumim, once a munitions factory, had become “a thorn in the side” of the company. SodaStream made no reference to the Johansson controversy on Wednesday, saying instead that the closure of its largest plant would save $9 million (seven million euros) in production costs. Its turnover was put at $125.9 million in the third quarter, down nine percent from 2013. “We are launching a comprehensive growth plan to put the firm back on track,” Birnbaum said. SodaStream employs more than 2,000 people at more than 20 sites in Australia, China, Germany and South Africa, as well as in Israel and the West Bank. The group announced in 2012 it was to build a new factory in the Negev desert, in southern Israel.

By: Deborah Fishman

JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS Fourth census of Jewish day schools shows clear enrollment trends The fourth census of Jewish day schools in the United States conducted by Dr. Marvin Schick was released today by The AVI CHAI Foundation, which sponsored the research. Conducted at five-year intervals, beginning with the 1998-99 school year, this research provides a clear picture of trends in the day school system over an extended period of time. The statistics were self-reported by every known Jewish day school in the US. “The participation rate of 100% for known schools is a remarkable accomplishment,” says Yossi Prager, North American Executive Director of The AVI CHAI Foundation. “Anyone interested in the Jewish day school field benefits from this achievement. We are indebted to Dr. Schick for his dedication to this project.” This census demonstrates an overall increase in day school enrollment. There were nearly 255,000 students enrolled from the four-year-old level through 12th grade in Jewish elementary and secondary schools in the 2013-14 school year. This represents an increase of 12% since the previous census in 2008-9 and 37% since 1998-99. Enrollment has grown by 70,000 students in this span of 15 years. Most of that growth is in Chassidic and Yeshiva World schools, which have grown by nearly 110% and 60% respectively. Students are enrolled in 861 day schools, significantly more than the

802 schools reported in the previous census and the 676 accounted for in 1998-99. This increase is predominantly found in the Chassidic and Yeshiva World sectors as well.

will not survive, while others will continue to struggle with their small enrollments. This has been a phenomenon we continue to see over the last 15 years.”

In the non-Orthodox sector, Community school enrollment has increased, whereas enrollment has declined in non-Orthodox schools overall. Non-Orthodox enrollment now constitutes 13% of all day school enrollment, a decrease from 20% as reported in 1998-99. This data, explains Dr. Schick, “presents the community with an enormous challenge: will day school continue to be a principal instrument for Judaic strengthening among those segments of American Jewish life for whom day school education is a critical determinant of young people’s future Judaic commitment?”

There are Jewish day schools in 37 states and the District of Columbia. In ten of these states, enrollment is below 100, and in 16 states, there has been a decline in number of students of the course of the four censuses. New York and New Jersey are, to a great extent, the center of the day school world, with enrollment growing by 47,000 or 45% in New York and by nearly 21,000 or 116% in New Jersey between 1998 and 2013. This reinforces the financial challenges for the New York and New Jersey communities as they must consider ways in which to address growing capital and operating needs.

Amongst the Orthodox schools, where enrollment in Chassidic and Yeshiva World schools has grown dramatically, another communal challenge arises. As Dr. Schick explains, this challenge is “whether there will be sufficient resources to provide adequately for the growth in these two sectors.”

“As AVI CHAI plans to sunset in 2020, this fourth census is the last one that will directly inform our grantmaking,” explains Mem Bernstein, Chairman of The AVI CHAI Foundation. “These censuses have provided our Trustees and staff with data-rich perspectives on our work. Where it foretold challenges facing the community, it offered us, and others dedicated to the day school field, rich opportunities to make a difference through our grantmaking. We hope that this census and the next, which will be the last AVI CHAI-sponsored census, will provide useful information as the day school field continues to evolve and grow.”

Small school size is a consistent feature of the Jewish day school world. In each of the four censuses, approximately 40% of day schools have fewer than 100 students. “The existence of so many small schools raises,” explains Dr. Schick, “educational, financial and communal concerns. Many of these schools

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

ISDS WINS RIO SECURITY BID 2016 Rio Olympics will be served by Israeli security company

The Israeli security company ISDS has been selected to provide security during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The company has been given a $2.2 billion security budget for the event. “We have a great challenge facing us,” ISDS Vice President Ron Shafran told Globes. “We already have teams operating in Brazil, and unofficially operated there during the World Cup last summer,” he said. “Since it was announced that Brazil would host the Olympic Games, we have greatly expanded our activity

in the country, and competed in this long and difficult tender. Our teams are already preparing for the Olympics, designing our security concept and building technological systems to be installed at the various facilities where the competitions will take place in Rio and four other regions around the country. The games will begin on August 5, 2016, and will continue until December 2016, including the special Olympics.” Shafran said the company “will integrate the entire security system at the games” and “determine the specifications for the necessary

security system,” then integrate “the right technologies from Israel and the rest of the world.” “We’ll also include small and mediumsized Israeli companies—ones with big solutions,” he said. “We’ll let these companies take part in this rare opportunity and benefit from a fitting stage for displaying their technologies in intelligence, mass traffic management, etc. This whole business will be an incubator for Israeli technologies and solutions in these areas.” jns.org

Budding physicist Idan Fishman stands in front of a portrait of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon

FIRST STEP  NOBEL PRIZE Israeli teens nab top prizes in international physics competition

Eight Israeli high school students from the Ilan Ramon Youth Physics Center at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have earned the top prizes in the First Step to Nobel Prize in Physics international competition. Some 80 nations participate in the annual competition, which is held in Warsaw. Competitors are asked to submit their research to the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physics, where a panel of internationally renowned judges evaluates it. The first-prize winners are awarded a month-long research trip to Poland, a chance to make a presentation to leading physicists, and a certificate

of merit. But the biggest coup is having their research published in an international physics journal. Two of the eight Israeli winners from the Ilan Ramon Youth Physics Center took the first prize: Idan Fishman and Basel Abu Ganem, both of whom

attended the same high school in Beersheba. Fishman’s research is titled “Water crystallization kinetics in porous media: treatment of the experimental results,” and Abu Ganem’s is “Instability of the phase front in freezing porous media.” Five of the Israeli students were awarded second-place prizes, and one garnered a third-place prize.

Some 80 nations participate in the annual competition.

“This is an impressive achievement that puts Beersheba at the forefront of international physics,” said Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich, according to jns.org Israel Hayom.

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

BABY KILLED IN JERUSALEM Baby killed as Hamas terrorist plows car into Jerusalem rail station

A 3-month-old baby girl was killed and eight others were wounded in what Israel identified as a Hamas terrorist attack in Jerusalem on Wednesday, as a car plowed into passengers exiting a light rail train. The driver of the vehicle was shot by police officers and then hospitalized after being detained. Later on Wednesday, Ofir Gendelman— the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson for Arab media—posted on Twitter, “The Palestinian terrorist who ran over 8 people in Jerusalem this evening, injuring them and killing a baby, was a member of Hamas.” Gendelman subsequently tweeted, “Hamas media brags that its terrorist who ran over 8 people in Jerusalem & killed a baby is the nephew of a slain leader of Al Qassam brigades.”

The baby girl killed in the incident had been hospitalized at the Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital, along with two other seriously wounded pedestrians. The other injured pedestrians sustained moderate and light injuries. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said, “We must restore peace and security in Jerusalem—as I have said for months, the situation in Jerusalem is intolerable and we must act unequivocally against all violence taking place in the city. Today, more than ever, it is clear that we must send police forces into neighborhoods where there are disturbances, placing them strategically and widely in significant numbers.” “The atrocious murder of an innocent baby girl, a victim of indiscriminate terrorism, should disgust all those

Chaya Zissel Braun, killed in Wednesday’s Jerusalem light rail attack.

who have a heart,” said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. “The increasing incitement on the Arab streets and the streets of Jerusalem, which unfortunately receives the backing of leaders in the Arab world, has the ability to destroy the delicate balance of life in Jerusalem, and carry us all into a maelstrom of destruction jns.org and pain.”

PROTECT & SERVE Germany offers to sell naval ships to Israel

The German government has proposed the sale of naval ships to Israel for the protection of the Jewish state’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Mediterranean Sea, an area that contains underwater gas reservoirs. The Israeli Defense Ministry said Germany proposes to supply “defense ships through a German shipyard, and for a partial [financial] participation by the German government.” “The offer is being examined by the relevant elements but no decision has been taken regarding this issue,” the ministry said in a statement. If approved, the plan would help avoid a situation in which both Israel and Cyprus patrol aircrafts that must fly and monitor in the same

airspace and transmit information to their own governments without coordinating with one another. “Looking out from the rig, one sees only water all around. But that’s a deceptive view. It’s not an island. There’s a whole world [of defenses] around,” former Israeli Navy chief Adm. (res.) Eliezer Marom said in May, referring to multiple defenses that Israel has installed across the jns.org area.

BRIGHTLIGHTS KOSHER OC MAGAZINE

DEEP INNER THOUGHTS

AHAVA PRODUCTS AT ULTA ULTA Beauty continues to display and showcase AHAVA Dead Sea products.

CANADIAN TERROR HITS HOME Today my calm world was shattered by the news once again.

MILESTONES, MAGICAL MOMENTS & MORE The way we view life makes it better.

By: Robin Silver-Zwiren

AHAVA PRODUCTS AT ULTA With companies like Macy’s bowing down to Islamic pressure it is gratifying to see others don’t. The other day I heard Macy’s Department Store is no longer going to stock Soda Stream, a product manufactured in Maale Adumin Israel. Calling that area an illegal settlement is like calling Irvine, which was acquired through a legal land grant, one as well. To add to the inaquiracies of the Soda Stream claim is the fact that it is a company that has Israeli Jews, Muslims and Christians working side by side. One that institutes equal pay and all other benefits. Basically the only reason why Soda Stream has been targeted is because that is what extremists do not want. They don’t want to believe there is a solution to the crisis in the area. They don’t want a two state the same way they don’t want Israel to exist. ULTA has proven to be different. Yesterday my daughter, Matana, was thrilled to see a large display of Ahava products on the stores shelves. To say 46

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she was almost as excited as she was when she saw the products in Israel is an understatement. Of course we had to make a purchase to support Israel, and Ulta. ULTA seems to be quite the equal opportunity employer. No matter the colour of your skin, your age or sexual preference we have seen employees from every group in area stores. Stylists with more traditional hair colours and styles to black as the night goth to pinked out pink. Men able to assist with the latest styling tools and women with the best smelling aftershave. Someone that at first glance we thought was a female but then realized was not. So kudos to ULTA for accepting everyone, as well as products made in Israel. Support ULTA and stores willing to accept us all. As for Macy’s why not go in and ask for Soda Stream products. When told they are no longer carried then mention you can no longer

support an unfair, biased company. What next: they will remove their Estée Lauder/ Clinique counters because the Lauder family are strong supporters of Israel? Will they take Spandex and other Jewish owned companies off their shelves as well? Of course Facebook will continue to be a forum even though Mark Zuckerberg is a strong supporter of Israel but that is because we are dealing with irrational beings. It is up to us to stop the disease from spreading. Supporting ULTA is one positive step forward. ULTA Beauty locations around Orange County include: The District at Tustin Legacy The Market Place II Fashion Island Shopping Center The Orchard at Saddleback Westcliff Plaza

By: Robin Silver-Zwiren

CANADIAN TERROR HITS HME

Today my calm world was shattered by the news once again. Years ago I awoke to seeing the World Trade Center collapse. It was repeated so often over the next few days that my young daughter asked why the buildings kept falling down. Buildings that I often visited, knew people who worked there of course added to my personal fear. Al Quada took credit for that disaster. People worldwide had to open their eyes to see radical terrorism had reached our shores. Possibly it has reached my northern Canadian homeland today. Ottawa is a major city with a true small town flavour. A multicultural, multilingual city with something for everyone. In the winter the Rideau Canal freezes over and people not only skate for fun but as a way to get to work. In the summer the tulips bloom brightly. Tulips donated yearly by the Netherlands for Canada giving safe haven to the Royal Family during WWII. Canada takes pride in standing with Britain even though we are no longer officially a commonwealth nation. More than that Canada, as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations often stands with Britain on international issues. However Canada also stands for democracy which may be why the incidents today stand out. ISIS leaders have threatened Canada since Prime Minister Steven Harper was the first world leader to stand with Israel this summer. Other Canadian Members of Parliament and city officials stood with the word of Harper. One Toronto MP suggested people tie blue and white ribbons outside their homes to show this allegiance for three kidnapped Israeli teens. My ribbon is now a bit crumbled but still hanging from my balcony.

Flowers for Cpl. Cirillo pile up outside of the National Defense Amoury in Hamilton, Ontario.

The boys were murdered and since then many others. I proudly stand with Canada and how they support Israel. I have dual citizenship with the US but am ashamed at how President Obama is not doing enough. How this week John Kerry had the audacity to state that the main reason for Middle East strife is because Israel won’t make peace. Like Israel is the reason why there is fighting in Syria and Iraq! Blame Israel and Jews as always. Maybe those ISIS leaders feel they can threaten and torment Canadians because US leaders have given them the okay by stating the Israel, and thereby their supporters, are the bad ones. A Canadian soldier is murdered by a religious nutcase overseas. This past Monday an extremist drove into a crowd in the Montreal area resulting in the death of a soldier. Now Ottawa is virtually locked down. First a soldier is murdered while guarding the National War Memorial. Policemen killed one of the attackers while two

others ran across the Parliament lawn and entered the buildings shooting. Parliament was in session so the buildings quite full. PM Harper was on site as well. The Ottawa Police, Ontario Police and RCMP are on site and were able to get Harper and some others out from the back door. The threat of terror is still in the air as there may be more shooters. People are no longer walking the beautiful streets for a lunchtime break from the office. University students are locked down as well. Canadian Consulates and Embassies worldwide have been closed down. Even the hockey game scheduled to be played in Ottawa later today has been cancelled. We can’t give in to these terrorists though. We do however have to be more alert and cautious. Most of all we have to continue supporting Israel and democracy.

Prime Minister Steven Harper was the first world leader to stand with Israel. Corporal Nathan Cirillo

KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

By: Ilene Schneider

The way we view life makes it better.

MILESTONES, MAGICAL MOMENTS AND MORE

Some people look upon milestones as causes to celebrate while others regard them with dread. As I approach such a date on the calendar, I choose to celebrate – not so much the date but the fact that there is so much more to learn, discover and do and the fact that I can do all of the above. I await new chapters and new adventures with family, friends, colleagues and total strangers who touch my life. In a somewhat challenging year, I was reminded of how my career began. My uncle owned a family business, and every summer during college, my cousins and I worked for it. I would come home and ask my father when I could start. He would tell me to do it the right way and call the personnel director. The latter would inevitably say, “I’ll think about it,” I would tell my father, my father would yell at him and I would start working the following Monday. I typed catalog labels on a clunky machine that made my mediocre typing speed even worse, I filed and I sweated in a non-airconditioned warehouse. As my last summer between years of college approached, I decided that I was not coming home. Instead of going through this scenario again, I was going to get a job in the city where I went to school. When summer came I thought I had a job as a switchboard operator, but it fell through. Instead, through another uncle, I got an interview at the parent company of TV Guide. I was still typing and filing, but the following year I got an editorial position at TV Guide that launched my 48

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career. I am still grateful not only to my uncle but to the personnel director. Bad things – or seemingly bad things – happen to good people. It always helps to understand that they happen for a reason or to understand that we, as humans, cannot understand everything. What seems bad today can seem good tomorrow. We can choose to give up or to make lemonade. My rabbi emphasizes that there is a reason why there are obstacles on an obstacle course or weights in a weight room. What makes it easier for one to navigate the obstacle course or lift the weights is the belief that there is a Divine reason and the knowledge that people care. The lemonade is sweeter, and the challenges are doable. Sometimes, the grass is greener too. As I write this, I have encountered a day of car trouble. I happily spent $117 on a new battery, knowing how much worse it could have been in every way. I was not hurt, the car is intact and the bank account is nearly intact. Better yet, I could turn the key in the ignition and drive off, ready for the next chapter of life, whatever it may entail. I thank each and every one of you for being part of it.

HIGHTLIGHTS KOSHER OC MAGAZINE

HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE KOSHER UNIVERSE

LOAVES OF LOVE The secret behind a good challah is the prayer behind each ingredient.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mark your calendars with local events and celebrations.

LOAVES OF LVE Sara Briman said the secret behind a good challah is not the pastry, but the prayer behind each ingredient. The renowned chef from Mexico, whose challah won the American Academy of Hospitality Science’s Five-Star Diamond Award, visited the OC Mega Challah Bake at Merage JCC last Thursday to share the meaning of challah making with local women. “I feel that it is not a coincidence that my challah received the award and not my souffle or my pastries,” Briman said. “Challah is not only a physical food, but it’s a spiritual one too. Each one of the ingredients becomes an inspiration for prayer to ask Hashem for blessings.” The rhythm of kneading and the aroma of yeast and flour filled the evening as more than 800 women from different branches of Judaism shared in the Jewish practice of challah making. The women used their hands to mix together the seven ingredients that correspond to Shabbat, the seventh day of the week: dry yeast, flour, eggs, sugar, oil, water and salt. “It is all of this positive energy that transforms a few simple ingredients into a beautiful, delicious challah,” Briman said. “It adds that magical flavor that can’t be bought.”

SARA BRIMAN’S CHALLAH RECIPE 1 cup warm water 1 tbsp dry yeast 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup canola oil 1 large egg

1 tsp salt 4 cups flour 1 large egg for glaze Extra flour to shape the Challah Poppy or sesame seeds

HERE’S THE PLAN: In a bowl, dissolve yeast in water, and add sugar and let stand for 2 minutes. Add oil, egg, and mix well. Then add salt. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. As mixture becomes stiff, use floured hands and knead for several minutes until soft to touch. Cover and let rise in greased bowl until double in size - about an hour. Divide dough into 3 pieces and braid, place on grease pan/ baking sheet. Allow to rise again for 15-20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush with egg and sprinkle with seeds if desired. Bake 30-45 minutes or until brown. Remove from pans and cool on racks.

M E S S AG E O F

THE CHALLAH I feel that it is not a coincidence that my Challah received the award and not my souffle, cake or pastries since Challah is not only a physical food but spiritual too. I have been making Challah for many years, but the secret of my Challah, I learned from my daughter, Karen Zichrona Lebracha… Karen taught me that we do not only elevate bread when we separate a small piece from it and say the Bracha “Lehafrish Challah min Haisa” but that each one of the ingredients becomes an inspiration for prayer to ask Hashem for blessings. The complete experience of creating a Challah becomes one that connects you to G-d and to your loved ones.

MEANING OF THE INGREDIENTS ON THE ELABORATION OF CHALLAH The Flour, which is the largest ingredient in the Challah. I ask Hashem that Bracha, Blessings and Torah, should be the largest ingredient of greatest abundance in our lives. The Sugar, which sweetens the Challah. I ask Hashem that he should sweeten our lives and help me to express myself sweetly to all who surround me. The Yeast, which make the dough rise. I ask that each day, should be one of growth for me and my family. We should rise above any difficulty in our lives and that I should be able to give my loved ones sincere compliments that will help them grow. The Salt, the smallest ingredient in the recipe, represents negativity and Nisyonot which bring tears to our lives. I ask Hashem that they should be very few and carefully measured so that our lives should not become embittered. The Water, which unites all the ingredients together to form the Challah. I pray, that throughout my life I should always be united to my family and my loved ones in peace and harmony. And that I should constantly feel united to Hashem. The Egg, which is round, is the symbol of life. I ask for good life, with good health for me and for all around me. The Oil, which represents materialistic riches. I pray, that our “Parnasa” should come easily and we should always have enough to be able to share with others. Finally, Kneading the Dough represents the hard work that is needed in our lives to follow the right path to incorporate, internalize, and imprint all these concepts to our soul. It is all this positive “energy” that transforms a few simple ingredients into a beautiful and delicious Challah, a food that nourishes us not only physically but spiritually as well. It adds that magical flavor that cannot be bought.

Sara Briman

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KOSHER OC MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER 2014 |

 OC Candle Lighting

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS

Nov 7

4:36pm

Shabbat

Nov 14

4:31pm

Shabbat

Nov 21

4:27pm

Shabbat

Nov 28

4:25pm

Shabbat

NOVEMBER SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, November 1

Jewish Arts Festival at the Merage JCC

HAVDALAH/ISRAELI DANCING 7pm - Temple Beth Tikvah

FILM

The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers

Mon, Nov 10, 7pm

JR. JEWBILATION

AUTHOR

Gail Sheehy: Daring: My Passages

Tue, Nov 11, 4pm

7.30pm - Bureau of Jewish Education

FILM

Cupcakes

Thu, Nov 13, 8pm

Sunday, November 2

EVENT

An Evening with Rita Rudner

Sat, Nov 15, 8pm

EVENT

“Fancy Nancy” Tea Party with Robin Preiss Glasser

Sun, Nov 16, 1pm

TRIP TO THE SKIRBALL CENTER

FILM

Broadway Musicals

Mon, Nov 17, 7pm

EVENT

Two Perspectives: The Iranian Revolution Through Jewish Eyes

Tue, Nov 18, 11am

AUTHOR

Allen Salkin: From Scratch: The Uncensored History of the Food Network

Thu, Nov 20, 7pm

AUTHOR

Jewish OC Reads: Ari Shavit

Sun, Nov 23, 4pm

9.30am - Merage JCC

HERITAGE POINTE PRE-GALA PATRON PARTY 7pm - Lugano Diamonds

Monday, November 3 NEWS AND VIEWS 10am - Merage JCC

WHAT UP?

11am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

Tuesday, November 4 ELECTION DAY ART OF MOSAICS

7pm - Temple Beth Tikvah

Wednesday, November 5 CARDS AND GAMES

ALL DAY - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Tikvah

Thursday, November 6 THE MANY GIFTS OF BEING JEWISH

Monday, November 10

Sunday, November 16

NEWS AND VIEWS

ADL ANNUAL APPEALS BRUNCH

LET’S SALUTE THE VETERANS Free lunch for veterans

Honoring Sandy & Gene Alterman, Heather & Stuart Katz. Keynote address by Oren Segal, Director, ADL Center on Extremism - Responding to the Call: ISIS & Its American Recruits

FILM: THE PRIME MINISTERS: THE PIONEERS

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

10am - Merage JCC

10.30am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

7pm - Merage JCC

Tuesday, November 11

10.30am - Island Hotel, Newport Beach

11am - Temple Beth Tikvah

ART OF MOSAICS

“FANCY NANCY” TEA PARTY WITH ROBIN PREISS GLASSER

AUTHOR, GAIL SHEEHY DARING

YOUNG PHILANTHROPY

7am - Temple Beth Tikvah

4pm - Merage JCC

My Passage

1pm - Merage JCC

1pm - Bureau of Jewish Education/Jewish Community Foundation

SECOND ANNUAL ENDOWMENT BOOK OF LIFE SIGNING EVENT

10.30am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

Wednesday, November 12

AMERICAN JEWS AND THE CIVIL WAR OCCSP

CARDS AND GAMES

Monday, November 17

CREATIVE WRITING

BOOK FAIR

12.15pm - Samueli Jewish Campus

Friday, November 7 TALIT NATION WEEKEND RETREAT

ALL DAY - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Tikvah

11am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Tikvah

1pm - Camp Hess Kramer (through November 9)

Thursday, November 13

HERE COMES SHABBAT!

HISTORICAL NEW TESTAMENT

5.25pm - Temple Beth El

PreK-Grade2

JCC WEST COAST COLLEGE TOUR 6.30pm - Merage JCC

Sunday, November 9 JCC GLOBAL TEEN FELLOWS INFO MEETING

10.30am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

FILM: CUPCAKES 8pm - Merage JCC

Saturday, November 15 AN EVENING WITH RITA RUDNER 8pm - Merage JCC

2pm - Jewish Community Foundation

University Synagogue (through November 21)

NEWS AND VIEWS 10am - Merage JCC

EVENTS THAT CHANGED HISTORY: MOHAMMAD AND ISLAM 11am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSE 5.30pm - Temple Beth Sholom

FILM: BROADWAY MUSICALS 7pm - Merage JCC

3pm - Merage JCC

Tuesday, November 18

KRISTALLNACT REMEMBRANCE

IRANIAN REVOLUTION THROUGH JEWISH EYES

3pm - Temple Beth Tikvah

GREAT JEWISH AMERICANS: RODGERS WITH HEART 4pm - Merage JCC

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11am - Merage JCC

ART OF MOSAICS

7pm - Temple Beth Tikvah

Wednesday, November 19

Monday, November 24

CARDS AND GAMES

NEWS AND VIEWS

WRITING YOUR STORY

THANKSGIVING PROGRAM AND LUNCH

Thursday, November 20

UCI AND THE FUTURE OF ORANGE COUNTY

K-12 OPEN HOUSE

A forum with Howard Gillman, newly appointed Chancellor of UCI

ALL DAY - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Tikvah

7pm - Merage JCC

8.15am - Tarbut Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Torah

YOU BE THE JUDGE

10am - Merage JCC

11am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

6.30pm - University Synagogue

10.30am - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Emet

Tuesday, November 25

AUTHOR, ALLEN SALKIN

BOOKS AND BAGELS

7pm - Merage JCC

10am - Merage JCC

From Scratch The Uncensored History of the Food Network

My Promised Land by Ari Shavit

Friday, November 21

7pm - Temple Beth Tikvah

MINI MINYAN

5.15pm - Temple Bat Yahm

HERE COMES SHABBAT! 5.25pm - Temple Beth El

PreK-Grade2

Sunday, November 23 AUTHOR, JEWISH OC READS: ARI SHAVIT 4pm - Merage JCC

ART OF MOSAICS

Wednesday, November 26 CARDS AND GAMES

ALL DAY - Ezra Center/Temple Beth Tikvah

Thursday, November 27 THANKSGIVING

Thursday, November 28 BLACK FRIDAY

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL

& A HAPPY WINTER SEASON

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