Message From Kosher OC Magazine 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.
20 Catch an Art Film and a Concert 22 January Community Events
Student Voice On Break!
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.
Israel 24 Israel’s Challenges in 2015
Table of Contents Featured 4 Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi of Israel Comes to Orange County 5 San Clemente Menorah Ceremony Sheds Light on South OC Jewish Community
28 Birthright Winter Season Begins as Thousands of Young Jews Arrive in Israel 29 France Uses Media To Sell The ‘Cure’ For Antisemitism, Raising Awareness 30 ‘Jews, out of Patagonia’ 31 Israeli Startups Rake in Record $15 Billion in Exits in 2014 32 Little Left of Cuban Jewry’s Rich Past
6 Moishe Oysher, As Luck Would Have It 8 The Jew in Harry Potter and What It Means about Religion in the Beloved Book Series
Opinion 34 Dare to Be Different
Judaism
35 My Children’s Aliyah 36 Foods to Fight off Cold Season
9 Top 10 Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2014 10 “Chana” Women in the Bible
37 The Healing Hand Provides Gentle Guidance for a Tough Time
11 The Mitzvah of Brit Milah, Circumcision 12 What Happened When, and How Did It Shape Our History?
LOCAL 15 ADL “Change the World” Annual Appeals Brunch 18 TVT Advanced Institute Inaugural Winter Showcase 19 Temple Beth Sholom Holds Geniza Ceremony and Plants the Seeds of Its Future
How to Reach Us
20 Child Genius at TVT
2
| Kosher oc Magazine
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
Live With Us Heritage Pointe is a non-profit, 200-resident community in Mission Viejo, California, providing independent, assisted living and memory care services for our seniors, while incorporating Jewish traditions and lifestyles. AMENITIES Heritage Pointe offers 24-hour staff coverage, scheduled transportation, weekly housekeeping, health and wellness programs, onsite maintenance and delicious kosher cuisine in our beautiful dining room. Other amenities include: • Wellness Center • Beauty Salon • Computer Center • Art Room • Library • Dining Room
• Gift Shop • Putting Green • Music Room • Pool & Spa • Synagogue • Cafe
Schedule a Tour! heritagepointe.org 949-364-9685
heritage
OUR AFFILIATE:
heritage pointe at home
pointe
Seniors Living in the Jewish Tradition Lic. 300607488
Featured Historic Occasion
Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi of Israel Comes to Orange County By Ilene Schneider the rabbinate in Israel to create a more welcoming environment,” according to Rabbi Eliezrie. Thus, he is coming to the United States and meeting with leadership “outside of the Orthodox world.” He is “making the chief rabbinate more open and welcoming while maintaining tradition,” in Rabbi Eliezrie’s words. “Rabbi Lau is walking on a tightrope,” Rabbi Eliezrie concluded. “It’s a fundamental change in the way a chief rabbi relates to people, it’s historic and it’s revolutionary.” January 12, 7:30 PM Historic Evening with Cheif Rabbi of Israel David Lau Is Israel a Jewish state or a state for Jews? Can ultra-religious (haredi) Jews in Israel devote themselves to the study of Torah while still fulfilling various obligations to society? Can Israel find a way to recognize and accept rabbis who are not Orthodox? These are some of the questions the chief Ashkenazic rabbi of Israel, David Lau, is forced to confront. The rabbi, who assumed his position in July 2013, appears undaunted by the challenge. In fact, he seems to thrive on building bridges. Rabbi Lau, 48, who previously served as the rabbi of the Israeli community of Modi’in, is the second in his family to be the chief Ashkenazic rabbi of Israel. His father, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau – a child survivor of the Buchenwald concentration camp – held the position from 1993 to 2003. Both have sought to transcend the barriers of the religious communities and connect with people from all backgrounds. Rabbi David Eliezrie, who met Rabbi Lau in March, was so impressed by Rabbi Lau’s interest in unifying Israeli Jews and reaching out to Jews around the world that he invited Rabbi Lau 4
| Kosher oc Magazine
to speak at Chabad of North Orange County in Yorba Linda. Rabbi Eliezrie described the event, which will take place on January 12 at 7:30 p.m., as “historic.” The only other time a chief rabbi of Israel was in the area was 25 years ago when one was at Hebrew Academy for 45 minutes, Rabbi Eliezrie said. The new chief rabbi made his first official visit to the United States in May and visited the grave of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, while meeting with national leadership of other Jewish organizations. He is also meeting with many groups, including Jewish Federations, college groups and day school students, while in southern California. “This is a case of a chief rabbi reaching out beyond his constituency and sitting down with diverse groups,” Rabbi Eliezrie said. “It’s a very different approach to what has come before. Rabbi Lau believes that he has responsibility for all the Jewish people and wants to break down barriers.” Rabbi Lau is attempting to “open up
Interviewed by Rabbi David Eliezrie North Orange County Chabad Center 19045 Yorba Linda Boulevard Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Co-sponsored by North Orange County Chabad Center and Jewish Federation & Family Services Orange County Tickets: $22 in advance; $25 at door www.ocjewish.com or (714) 693-0770
Featured
San Clemente Menorah Ceremony Sheds Light on South OC Jewish Community By Sara Gold At this same place where, as a freelance reporter, I had interviewed bicyclists about bike safety and lifeguards about new life-saving technology, kids were playing dreidel, and a circle of people had formed to dance the Horah – with a Jewish band playing in the background. The event made me realize that South Orange County’s Jewish population – like the Maccabees in the Hanukkah story – is small but mighty…and perhaps not as small as I might have imagined it to be.
As I embarked on the walk down the roughly 1,300-foot-long San Clemente Pier on December 21, the sixth night of Chanukah, the familiar tune of “Hava Nagillah” gradually became more distinct and the oily smell of latkes wafted in the ocean air. I was home. I joined the crowd of the more than 300 locals who had gathered that evening for the annual Chanukah celebration in San Clemente, my hometown. Along with Jews young and old, San Clemente’s mayor and representatives from the local police and fire departments also came to support the event, hosted by the Chabad of San Clemente. As the sun set over the ocean, Rabbi Mendel Slavin, co-founder of the Chabad of San Clemente, led the lighting of the 10-foot menorah that stood at the end of the Pier. (Lightbulbs were used in lieu of candles for fire safety reasons.) Singing “I Have a Little Driedel,” “Al Hanisim” and “Chanukah Oh Chanukah,” and not being able to
The experience was a welcome reminder that wherever you go in Orange County, even as far south as San Clemente, there’s always someone Jewish.
hear my own voice, imbued me with a newfound appreciation of South Orange County’s Jewish community. Though I had been singing the Chanukah blessings and songs throughout the week in different contexts – at home with family and with my students as a synagogue Hebrew school teacher – celebrating with the group at the Pier affected me quite differently. Lighting the menorah at home with my family, while important, can feel like a secluded act within a larger community that has relatively few Jews. When I walk into my synagogue to teach, I am greeted and invigorated by a significantly larger Jewish population than just my family. Yet, outside the walls of this designated “Jewish place,” it can sometimes seem hard to find a Jewish community in which to belong. What struck me the most about the San Clemente ceremony was seeing a Jewish community emerge at a site where one typically would not expect it.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
5
Featured The Master Singer
Moishe Oysher, As Luck Would Have It By Ilene Schneider piano round out the musical offerings. Cantor Reinwald described the performance as accessible to all ages from high school up, with “fun, lively, toe-tapping music.” There are projections to translate Yiddish words. The Chapman Interfaith Chapel has “amazing, unparalleled acoustics,” he added, and at the price of $12 a ticket, “there’s no better deal for going to a concert.” He concluded, “This is a performance people are going to talk about. People who don’t go are going to hear about it and wish they had seen it.” The Master Singer of His People When one cantor plays another, the result is toe-tapping music for all generations. To say the least, Moishe Oysher was a bit unorthodox in his role on the pulpit. The famous cantor of the 30s and 40s spent a great deal of time in Yiddish theater and films, and his knack for showmanship was evident in his cantorial performance. Still, Oysher refused to be on the stage on Shabbat and did his long lineage of cantors proud when on the bimah. He was a complicated person with a toehold in both worlds. Not surprisingly, Oysher’s story struck a chord with Cantor Arik Luck, who wanted to be a stage actor before he entered cantorial school at Hebrew Union College in New York. To Luck’s surprise, he loved the change of direction. During his studies, Luck discovered Oysher. Instead of a standard cantorial performance for graduation, Luck created a full-length musical revue, Arik Luck Is … Moishe Oysher: The Master Singer of His People! Then he did the show at his congregation, Beth Emet Synagogue in Evanston, Illinois, drawing a crowd of 700.
6
| Kosher oc Magazine
Luck decided to take the show on the road, literally. It got rave reviews at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial in San Diego last year. That was when he reconnected with a former classmate, Cantor David Reinwald of Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) in Santa Ana. Under the auspices of its Maxine Horwitz Cultural Series, TBS decided to be the first congregation to stage the performance outside of Luck’s home turf on Sunday, January 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Chapman University. (There will also be an engagement in San Diego County.) “Arik Luck is both a real mensch and a real showman,” Cantor Reinwald said. “His mission is to spread knowledge of Moishe Oysher. He plays his and tells his life story in the production, and he owns the music and the part. His great baritone evokes Oysher at his best.” Along with Cantor Luck, his sister-inlaw Sari Greenberg appears in the performance as Moishe Oysher’s wife and performance partner. Cantor Reinwald has a cameo role in a German prewar cabaret piece that he called “edgy, something I would never sing in services.” An eight-piece brass band from San Diego and violin and
Moishe Oysher was born in 1907 in Bessarabia, Imperial Russia (Moldova) and died in 1958 in New York. He was from a line of Chazanut (Cantors) going back for six generations. But he seems to have been drawn more to the stage than following in his predecessors footsteps, and whenever traveling players visited his village, much to the disapproval of his father, he would try to get a part in their production as a child player. In 1921, he was taken to Canada and joined a traveling Yiddish theatrical company, with whom he appeared on the Yiddish stage in New York. In 1932 he led his own company in South America. In 1934, after he returned from a trip to Buenos Aires, he was unable to get a part in the New York shows since they had all been cast. Needing work, and with the encouragement of his friends, since it was coming up to the High Holy Day season, he applied to conduct services at the Rumanian Synagogue. He obtained the position and was a sensation! Moishe now had two careers running. He starred in Yiddish films, The Cantor’s Son, Yankel the Blacksmith,
and Der Vilna Balebesel, and it was not long before he became something of a “Kosher heart throb.” He also made numerous recordings, and continued to sing in the Synagogue and lead prayers in front of the Ark. His extensive acting experience clearly gave him a great advantage in the Synagogue. Listening to his recordings, one can hear the great artistry in his superb, rich voice. He was a Chazan who knew how to manipulate the emotions of his congregation. It’s hardly surprising that Oysher attempted unashamedly to appeal to the masses, when you realize that he became as famous on the stage and in the movies, as he ever was in the Synagogue.
Shabbat.
He prayed and sang every work with great emotion and fervency, and his Chassidic background is clearly discernible in many of the recordings. Although he received many offers to appear on Broadway, Moishe always refused to appear on Friday or Saturday since he would not desecrate
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood of Orange County Presents The Maxine Horwitz Cultural Series: Cantor Arik Luck as MOISHE OYSHER
His style would probably not be acceptable in Synagogue today, but it is wonderful to listen to his recordings and hear pure Chazanut as our grandparents would have done. Included in his recordings are a complete Kol Nidrei service, and Seder with choir, both with introduction and explanations. For sheer bubbling enthusiasm and showmanship, there is the version of “Chad Gadya,” which he sings as the final item on his Seder recording. TBS Sisterhood of OC Presents the Maxine Horwitz Cultural Series: Cantor Arik Luck as Moishe Oysher
Featuring: Sari Greenberg, The Euphoria Bass Band and Musical Director Cantor Billy Tiep with guest stars Cantor David Reinwald and Friends Chapman University Fish Interfaith Chapel, Sunday, January 11 Doors open at 3:00 pm Program starts at 3:30 pm 24/7 Customer Service/ Can pay over the phone or online http://moisheoysher.bpt.me/ 1-800-838-3006 For questions please contact Vivienne Shear between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. At 714-532-5049
The Master Singer of His People (Yiddish Actor and Entertainer of the 1920’s) Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
7
Featured
The Jew in Harry Potter and What It Means about Religion in the Beloved Book Series By Alina D. Sharon / JNS Hogwarts goes on a Christmas break every year. I do understand why Rowling chose not to delve into religion too deeply, given the magic-related content and the fact that the books, even as they are now, have actually been often banned by ultra-religious and conservative groups. But, if magical people celebrate Christmas, then it’s only fair to wonder how their magic fits into their religious belief system. Maybe one day Rowling will feel comfortable with elaborating on the subject.
Hey, Jewish Harry Potter fans! In case you haven’t yet heard, J.K. Rowling has just announced that there is a Jewish character in the beloved magical series. His name is Anthony Goldstein and he is a member of the Ravenclaw house. The Jewish wizard was revealed in a Twitter question-and-answer session on Tuesday, when Ben Roffman tweeted that his wife had said that there were no Jews at Hogwarts, which means she is the only who could be “magical” in his family. But J.K. Rowling quickly responded with the tweet, “Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard.”
The Harry Potter Wiki page further explains that the Goldstein character was a classmate of Harry Potter and had fought in Dumbledore’s Army. 8
| Kosher oc Magazine
Ironically, Rowling later also tweeted that the only people she “never imagined there are Wiccans.” Having grown up with this book series since the first novel was released, I’ve always wondered about the role of religion in the series. The practice of religion or the belief in God are not explicitly mentioned in the books, although there are multiple mentions of Christmas and Yultide parties, and
Meanwhile, in case wizards also celebrate Hanukkah, Chag Sameach from us muggles.
Judaism
Top 10 Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2014 By Kosher OC Staff mantle. Could this be a representation of the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest? Monumental Entryway to King Herod’s Palace at Herodium Excavated Archaeologists excavating at Herodium have uncovered a monumental entryway to King Herod’s hilltop palacefortress.
From the translation of a Babylonian “Ark Tablet” to the resurfacing of a skeleton from Ur in a museum basement, 2014 was a year full of exciting Biblical archaeology discoveries and new interpretations. As we ring in the New Year, let’s take a look back at the top 10 finds that thrilled us in 2014.
Coins Celebrating the Great Revolt Against the Romans Unearthed near Jerusalem Excavations near Jerusalem uncovered a rare hoard of coins dating to the fourth year of the Great Revolt against the Romans (69/70 C.E.).
The Animals Went in Two by Two, According to Babylonian Ark Tablet
Oldest Metal Object from the Southern Levant Discovered
The so-called Ark Tablet, recently translated by Irving Finkel, is an Old Babylonian (1900-1700 B.C.E.) account of the flood in which the god Enki instructs Atrahasis—the Babylonian Noah—on how to build an ark. The twist? This Babylonian ark would have been circular.
The oldest metal object discovered to date in the southern Levant—a copper awl—was excavated from the site of Tel Tsaf.
Qumran Phylacteries Reveal Nine New Dead Sea Scrolls
Excavations in Megiddo Area J uncovered a temple of unparalleled scale in the Early Bronze Age I Levant.
Yonatan Adler’s work revealed new phylacteries containing unopened tefillin Dead Sea Scrolls texts, confirming a continuity of Jewish practice over the past two millennia. Canaanite Fortress Discovered in the City of David A massive 3,800-year-old fortress that protected the Gihon Spring was uncovered in the City of David. Huqoq 2014: Update from the Field In June 2014, the excavations at Huqoq uncovered a new mosaic depicting a military commander and ruler (pictured) meeting a bearded, elderly man wearing a ceremonial white tunic and
Early Bronze Age: Megiddo’s Great Temple and the Birth of Urban Culture in the Levant
Skilled Craftsmen, Not Slaves, Smelted Copper at Timna Animals bones discovered at copper production sites in the Timna Valley offer researchers clues to the identity of the copper smelters. 6,500-Year-Old Ur Skeleton Resurfaces in Penn Museum A 6,500-year-old skeleton excavated from the site of Ur has once again seen the light of day after spending 85 years in anonymity in the Penn Museum basement.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
9
Judaism
“Chana” Women in the Bible By Robin Silver-Zwiren deserved to have some of their humility left intact so if they were given another name it seems rational. Nonetheless they deserve to be honored as much now as then.
Women are not often named in the Bible. In fact the only ones we read about are ones crucial to the story line. What would the Story of Creation be without Eve by Adam’s side yet we do not know the names of Cain and Abel’s wives. Where would Abraham be without Sarah or Isaac without Rebecca? Jacob is married to sisters Leah and Rachel, and even though we learn the names of their handmaidens, no names are recorded of their sisters. Moses’ sister Miriam the prophetess and his foreign born wife Zipporah are mentioned because they have their own story to tell. That is why we learn about Dina and Judith and some others. Women throughout time have wondered if the only reason for these omissions is our patriarchal society where men not only rule but write the books as well. Or was it something else? Like maybe women have in fact been protected because of their environment. So as not to come to any extra harm. Even though few women are spoken of it is rather strange that there is only one Sarah, one Ruth, one Naomi. Yet there are two women named “Chana”. What is even stranger is that often their stories get confused which is ridiculous because they lived in different periods under different rulers. 10
| Kosher oc Magazine
The dynasties that ruled ancient Israel were not kind to Jews often forcing them to convert. Circumcision was not permitted and keeping kosher often near impossible. Women were enslaved and tortured. Not something that the ancient, religious Rabbis of the Sanhedrin wanted to write about. So maybe it is possible that rather than identifying them by name, perchance they read about it and were further embarrassed, one more generic name was given. But why “Chana”. Rav Isaiah Horovitz known as the Shelah ha-Kodesh was a well known Levite and Mystic. He was born in Prague in 1565 and served many European communities before settling in Israel. He died in 1630 and is buried in Tiberius. The Shelah notes that the name “Chana” is more of a symbolic acronym than a actual name. Women are not required to keep time bound mitzvot because it was common for home and family to be their priority. However women do have three time bound mitzvot: Challah, Niddah (the laws of family purity) and Hadlikat Nerot (lighting candles). Hence Ch-N-aH. These three commandments, which were so difficult to keep during Roman and Greek rule, are so important and they are for women. These women
The first Chana we meet is the wife of Elkanah. His other wife Peninah has children but this pains the childless Chana even more. She is so devastated that she journeys to Jerusalem to pray at the Holy Temple. Eli, the Kohen Gadol, High Priest, sees a woman swaying and mouthing words and believes she is drunk. He goes over to tell her to move a bit away from the Temple walls. She then tells him her woes. Eli is so impressed by her eloquence and intelligence that he blesses her. As much as she wants a child she promises that she will give him her son to serve in the Temple. Eli tells her that she will have a “man among men”. The other Chana we hear about especially at Chanukah time. She was blessed with seven sons. (In fact there is a saying that a woman with seven sons gets into Gan Eden/Heaven and since my own maternal Bubby had seven sons I want to believe it is true). This story mentions the mother and her sons but no husband or father so maybe she is widowed. It was the time that Antiochus appointed Philip Governor of the region. Philip was extremely cruel to the Jews and loved to torture them. One day he arrested Chana and her boys. While mother and sons were tied and forced to watch Philip took brutality to new heights. First he took the eldest son and asked him to give up his Jewish beliefs. When the boy refused he was tortured in the most inhumane ways. This action was repeated for each son as they refused to give up their strong beliefs.Each boy remembered the sufferings of their forefathers and knew that one day they would be reunited in the Hashem’s Heavenly Court.
Chana was forced to watch these horrors. It is said that after it all she jumped off a balcony and died. Suicide is forbidden in Judaism but after witnessing the senseless murder of her children one couldn’t blame her for choosing death over life. What did she have to live for? This story alone could be why the Sages did not want to write the poor woman’s name for all eternity to know her suffering. Some references say that the first Chana, who gave her son Samuel to serve under Eli, had 7 sons. Chances are this is one story being confused with the other. Having two “Chana” tales makes more sense. Both these women show remarkable strength and faith. The first Chana who birthed Samuel who would become not only a prophet but a Kohen Gadol. The Midrash even elevates Chana to the status of a prophetess which is quite amazing. This Chana, who is the first person mentioned who prayed with moving lips, was truly unique. From her we learn that Jews pray directly to our one G-d, not to idols like the ancient Romans and Greeks. We don’t confess to a Rabbi because we are linked to Hashem. We acknowledge that our Rabbis are human beings and not above G-d. Another lesson we learn from this story is that if inebriated we should not pray, that we owe Hashem proper respect. Both these women exemplified the positive characteristics, middot, we should try to emulate. These three time bound mitzvot of Challah, Nidah, and Lighting Candles are joined by others. Since we hear the story about Chana and her Seven Sons Chanukah is a story for us all. When we light the candles we are supposed to watch them glow. Not to use them for any purpose but to enjoy their brilliance. Women, light the Chanukiah and remember the miracles of the story, and how lucky we are to be surrounded by our healthy, happy children. Chag Chanukah Sameach.
Judaism Talking about Tradition
The Mitzvah of Brit Milah, Circumcision By Robin Silver-Zwiren
There are 613 mitzvot that Jews are supposed to keep. Some are positive and some negative. The positive ones equal 248, which also equals the number of bones and vital organs in our body. There are 365 negative commandments, which is also the number of days in a solar year. Some mitzvot we can no longer do, as we do not have the Bet haMikdash, Holy Temple. Others are only required for those living in Israel. Some, like tzitzit, are only for men and others, like candle lighting, only for women. Welcoming a baby boy into the Covenant of Abraham is one timehonored mitzvah. In Genesis, chapter 17, there are several lines where G-d explains to our patriarch Abraham the rules on circumcision. The commandment was not only meant for Abraham but for all the men in his household to be circumcised. In Leviticus 12:3 there is yet another reference on how a male child of eight days old must have a Brit Milah. This mitzvah binds the newborn child to his parents and to Hashem (God). As Abraham was responsible for making sure that his sons and household members were circumcised, it is necessary for a father to have his son brought into the
Covenant. Abram was born into an idolworshipping family, and when he decided that there was only one true G-d, his name was changed to Abraham. His wife, Sarai, became Sarah. The name change is also symbolic as after the Brit Milah (in Orthodoxy), the infant boy is given his name. A baby girl is named in synagogue when, usually, the father is called up for an Aliyah to the Torah. The Brit Milah is so important that even if the eighth day is on Shabbat, when the sanctity of the day often overrules some commandments, the ceremony takes place. If the child is born by Caesarian, which could mean the child may have been born on any other day naturally, the Brit takes place on Sunday. Judaism is always concerned with health, so if the child is not well enough to have this surgical procedure it is postponed until the infant is healthy enough. The mohel, the person trained to do the Brit Milah, and a doctor often consult on these issues.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
11
Judaism Talking about Tradition
What Happened When, and How Did It Shape Our History? By Robin Silver-Zwiren in Tigres-Euphrates areas is the beggining of human civilization. Tribespeople are ruled by priests (as mentioned in the Bible). 3000 B.C.E. – “Gilgamesh” in Sumerian cuneiform is first known written legend. 2980 B.C.E. – Egyptian dynasties of next centuries build pyramids and increase sea trade by building large ships. Forced servitude for 100,000 laborers helps with these achievements. (Were our ancestors among these?)
The People’s Chronology: A Year-byYear Record of Human Events from Prehistory to the Present by James Trager is truly an amazing 1,206-page book (which is unfortunately out of print). The book, published in 1979, details everything imaginable from 3 million BC through 1991 just before it was reprinted. Technology, religions, customs, literature, architecture, population, exploration and science are just some of the areas covered. The book expands what we learn from the Bible by explaining what else was going on worldwide during these times. Here are some excerpts: 3 million B.C.E. – An upright-walking ape-man, with a female counterpart, appears on the Earth. (Do we really know what Adam and Eve looked like? Maybe it was like the fossils found in Ethiopia, or maybe a later species.) 75 B.C.E- Neanderthal man can hunt, and has speech unlike other animals.
much of the earth after a sudden rise in sea levels from a glacier melt. (Tsunami?) 9000 B.C.E. – The New Stone Age begins in Egypt and Mesopotamia. 7700 B.C.E. – The “Fertile Crescent” from the Persian Gulf to the TigrisEuphrates River to the Eastern Mediterranean and then north to Nile Valley is mostly desert (and our Biblical lands) 7200 B.C.E. – Population in MiddleEast will continue to increase in next 2 millennia and permanent camps are set up. (Small tribes grow as families increase as the Bible mentions.) 7000 B.C.E. – The Jordanian town of Jericho, which is 840 feet above sea level, has a population of about 2500. The city will be walled to protect it from attack.
38 B.C.E. – Homo Sapiens emerge from Neanderthal man. They will split into 6 major divisions: Negroids, Mongoloids, Caucasoids, Australoids, Amerindians and Polynesians.
3760 B.C.E. – This is the year of Creation according to Hebrew Calendar that will be used from 15th century CE. (Maybe our ancient ancestors needed Trager’s book to clarify our chronology!)
13,600 B.C.E. – A great flood covers
3500 B.C.E. – Sumerian society
12
| Kosher oc Magazine
2000 B.C.E. – Decimal notation appears in Babylonia; Sumer is no longer a dominant power. 1950 B.C.E. – Babylon’s sixth king, Hammurabi, conquers all of Mesopotamia and composes a code of Laws. 1900 B.C.E. – Stonehenge is erected sometime in the next 3 centuries by Bronze Age Britons, possibly a way to chart course of the sun, moon and planets. 1849 B.C.E. – Egypt’s Sesostris III dies after a 38-year reign where he has invaded Palestine and Syria to maintain Egyptian trade routes. (Egypt’s leaders never serve very long. They either die naturally, in battle, or are murdered by family members who claim the throne.) 1700 B.C.E. – Judaism is founded by Abraham, a prince of Ur in Mesopotamia, who moves to Canaan and attracts many followers in the Middle East. 1650 B.C.E. – The Jewish people founded by Abraham has carried on through his son Isaac, grandson Jacob and Jacob’s 12 sons who will become tribes of Israel.
1500 B.C.E. – Geometry helps Egyptians survey land boundaries. 1300 B.C.E. – A canal completed by slaves in Egypt will connect the Nile to the Red Sea. (I wonder who the slaves were.) 1275 B.C.E. – The Israelites will begin their 40-year migration after 3 centuries of Egyptian oppression. The prophet Moses and his brother Aaron lead tribesmen out of Egypt towards Dead Sea in Canaan on a round-about journey that will go through the Sinai, Kadesh, Aelana and Petra. These wandering Jews will survive at one time on “manna” (and Hashem’s blessings). 1237 B.C.E. – Rameses II of Egypt dies. He used forced labor to build the stone cities of Pithom and Rameses (and possibly the Pyramids, Nile canal and so much more). 1200 B.C.E. – Jews living in Lower Egypt are expelled. 1170 B.C.E. – The first recorded labor strike occurs in Egypt when payroll is delayed and workers revolt (no longer Jewish slaves who get beaten if they refuse to work). 1,141 B.C.E. – Israelite forces lose thousands while fighting the Philistines. -Israelites’ Ark of the Covenant is carried to Ashdod by the Philistines, and a plague breaks out among them. They return the Ark to Joshua, the Bethshemite, in order to end the plague but when 70 Bethshemite’s look into the Ark, they too die and the plague spreads to Israel. (The Ark holds the tablets Moses received from G-d and are holy. Only those worthy can look upon them.) 1025 B.C.E. The Prophet Samuel will appoint Saul as king of Hebron. He will rule until 1012 BC.
our most shining moment in history.) 1012 B.C.E. – The Battle of the Mount of Gilboa ends in defeat for Saul and his son Jonathan. The Philistines win. David, a friend of Jonathan’s, becomes king. 1005 B.C.E. – Jerusalem falls to King David, breaking the power of the Philistines and defeating the Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites (who are no longer civilizations). 900 B.C.E. – Avshalom, third (and favorite) son of David, kills his halfbrother, Amnon, for raping his sister Tamar. David banishes Avshalom from the kingdom.
933 B.C.E. – King Solomon dies. His son, Rehoboam, succeeds but falls to the 10 northern tribes who refuse taxation. Jeroboam becomes King of Israel. 926 B.C.E. – Palestine is invaded by Egypt’s Pharaoh, Sheshonk, who pillages Jerusalem and other Judean cities. 721 B.C.E. – The Kingdom of Israel falls to Sargon II, who will deport 27,000 people from Israel’s northern tribes to Central Asia. Those “10 lost tribes of Israel” will disappear (until quite recently, actually).
978 B.C.E. – Avshalom regains David’s favor through David’s nephew, Joab, but then on advice of advisor, Ahithopel, starts a rebellion. Joab stops the rebellion and kills Avshalom. 961 B.C.E. – Judea’s King David dies and is succeeded by his son, Solomon, who will reign until 922. Solomon is David’s son by his second wife, Batsheva. -Solomon executes Joab for killing his brother Abshalom. -Solomon makes alliances with Egypt’s ruling priests and with Phoenician King Hiram. -Solomon’s fleet sails the Red Sea trading Judean products at Tyre, Sidon and in Africa and Arabia where he starts to mine gold. -The Great Temple of Jerusalem, to hold the sacred Ark, goes up on the Jebusite stronghold captured by David. -Solomon will build a new royal palace and city wall around Jerusalem. He will introduce taxation to finance his projects. 950 B.C.E. – The household of Judea’s King Solomon is said to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. They consume 10 oxen daily with the meat of harts and gazelles too. (This is not
621 B.C.E. – The Book of Deuteronomy, Devarim, compiled by Israelite scribes, is among the 5 Books of Moses. The laws of Moses impose dietary restrictions, the laws of kashrut, which Jews still follow. 612 B.C.E. – Nineveh falls to the Medes and Chaldeans. The Assyrian Empire is another that will disappear from history. 587 B.C.E. – Jerusalem falls to Babylonia’s Nebuchadnezzar II, and he takes many Jews off to exile in Babylonia. 586 B.C.E. – Nebuchadnezzar II and his forces destroy the Great Temple in Jerusalem. 562 B.C.E. – Nebuchadnezzar II dies, but his evil son, Melchizedek, takes over. 560 B.C.E. – Melchizekek is killed and Johoiachim, King of Judah, is released after 36 years. 585 B.C.E. – Cyrus destroys Babylon and permits Jews to return to Jerusalem after 49 years. (During their exile, the Babylonian Talmud was
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
13
written). 516 B.C.E. – The Second Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem 70 years after destruction. 5th Century B.C. is a time for Greek dominance in battle, architecture, literature and science that continues into the next century. 312 B.C.E. – The Battle of Gaza sees Ptolemy and Seleucus triumph over Antigonus. 168 B.C.E. – Syria’s Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlaws Judaism and forces Hellenization by erecting idols in the Great Temple. 167 B.C.E. – Jewish Priest Mattathias of Modiin defies Antiochus, who outlaws Jewish practices, by escaping to mountains outside Lydda with his 5 sons to prepare for a revolt. He dies but his son, Judah, leads his people. 165 B.C.E. – Judah Maccabee and his brothers retake Jerusalem. They cleanse the Temple of Idols and restore Jewish practice. They find just enough oil to last one day but miraculously it lasts 8. The Festival of Chanukah is one of triumph and dedication.
son, John Hyrcanus, will rule Judea until 104 BC, extending the kingdom to Samaria, Idumaea and lands east of the Jordan. 104 B.C.E. – John Hyrcanus dies and is briefly succeeded by his son, Aristobulus I, who will complete the conquest of the Galilee. 64 B.C.E. – Jerusalem falls to Pompei as the Romans rulers take control of lands across seas. 54 B.C.E. – Roman Consul Crassus pilfers Jerusalem’s Temple. 45 B.C.E. – Caesar introduces a new “Julian” calendar of 365.25 days, in which the first day is January 1. 37 B.C.E. – Herod the Great of Judea begins a 33-year reign, 2 years after he is made king by Marc Antony, Octavius and the Roman Senate. 20 B.C.E. – Herod the Great, a convert to Judaism, begins to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. 7 B.C.E. – Jesus is born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem, to a Jewish carpenter and his wife – who claims she was a virgin when she conceived her first born.
160 B.C.E. – The new Governor of Judah, as well as Judah Maccabee, are killed. Judah’s brothers, Simon and Jonathan, will succeed him.
4 B.C.E. – Herod dies at 69 after a 33-year reign where he secured many benefits for Jews. His son succeeds him.
143 B.C.E. – Jonathan Maccabee is killed at Bet Shean.
Happy New Year! The next 2015 years of history will follow. We’re hoping they will be filled with good news. Check it out in Kosher OC.
142 B.C.E. – Simon Maccabee gains Judea independence from Syrian rule. Simon sends an embassy to Rome and begins using coins as money. 134 B.C.E. – Simon Maccabee is savagely murdered along with 300 of his followers by his son-in-law, the governor of Jericho. His surviving 14
| Kosher oc Magazine
Local
ADL “Change the World” Annual Appeals Brunch By Robin Silver-Zwiren
On Sunday November 16, 2014 the ADL honored Gene and Sandy Alterman and Stuart and Heather Katz. Gene and Sandy have been active in the ADL for decades. Gene has served as a board member as well as an executive committee member with his Aishet Chayil Sandy standing by his side. Gene and Sandy are members of University Synagogue where they are dedicated to Tikkun Olam projects. They also direct the Annual OC International Jewish Film Festival. Many of their children, grandchildren extended family members and friends proudly watched as they received their beautiful award. Stuart and Heather Katz became involved in the ADL through the Steinberg Leadership Institute. They have both held board positions and chaired committees. Stuart is an ADL Associate National Commissioner as well. The Katz family are active members of Congregation B’nai Israel. Heather is involved with Women’s Philanthropy and Stuart with the Solomon Society of the Jewish Federation and Family Services. Heather is an art consultant and Stuart a lawyer but their 3 children are certainly their best collective effort.
Over 350 people attended the Annual Awards brunch held at the Island Hotel where Rabbi Elie Spitz of Congregation B’nai Israel kicked off the event by saying HaMotzi. Jolyn Widgerow spoke about how when she first moved from South Africa her children were faced with bigotry in local schools and the ADL was a most helpful resource. Lowell Smith, a Deputy Probation Officer for the OC Department of Probation, was recognized for his dedication and all the efforts he has made to bring the ADL mission to the greater community. Oren Segal, the Director of the ADL Center on Extremism, was the Keynote Speaker. Kudos to Event Chairs Brigitte Frankel, Johanna Rose and Gila Wilner and all their assistants for organizing this amazing celebration. Thanks also to all the event sponsors and Tribute Journal advertisers who helped make this event, as well as all ADL programs, happen. Photo: Lowell Smith, Deputy Probation Officer, was recognized for his dedication and all the efforts he has made to bring the ADL mission to the greater community. Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
15
Your local pharmacy We deliver or mail We compound Pharmacist availability 24/7
Call us today
(714) 540-8911 www.stevensrx.com 1525 Mesa Verde Dr., Costa Mesa
Local
TVT Advanced Institute Inaugural Winter Showcase By Robin Silver-Zwiren be used to better understand ethical issues of concern today. Learning this technique will certainly prepare them for the Moot bet Din, Jewish mock trial, high school program which was introduced by Adam Cohen and Matana Zwiren. They are part of the team that has been given an ethical dilemma to explore using ancient and modern texts. Members of the team will then present their findings during the Moot bet Din Conference, an exciting weekend where they get the opportunity to meet Jewish Day School teens from across the US and Canada.
Tarbut V’Torah’s Advanced Studies institute gives students the opportunity to focus on a particular course of study with dedicated, high calibre faculty. These specialized courses are offered as electives during regular school hours as well as before and after school. From STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to writing labs, arts and music to in depth Jewish Studies programs there is something for every interested student. The Winter Showcase was filled with displays of STEM projects that were truly amazing. The time taken to do the research and create these innovative projects shows the dedication of each and every student. The multi-purpose room was filled
18
| Kosher oc Magazine
with TVT parents, grandparents, siblings and friends waiting patiently for the show to begin. When Dana Schlomovits stood up to give her D’var Torah everyone listened with delight. There were presentations from the K-2 Glee and Dance Clubs as well as the grades 3-5 groups. Such amazing children on stage smiling, putting their arms around friends and entertaining their audience. The Arts and Music Advanced Studies programs are certainly filled with many multitalented, charming, spirited students. The Judaic Studies Advanced Institute courses peak the interests of all who are part of the program. Noah Lederman spoke brilliantly about the “Gemara and Granola” ParentChild class where they meet over a yummy breakfast and work through problems just as the Rabbis did so long ago. Adam and Noah Peddie, who take “Walking with Rambam”, introduced us all to “kishke” thoughts, ones that come right from the gut. These students learn how ancient texts are able to
Winter Showcase may be over but I know Tarbut students will continue to make the school and their parents proud. It is no wonder that Tarbut v’Torah is the top private school in the area.
Local An Eye Toward Tomorrow
Temple Beth Sholom Holds Geniza Ceremony and Plants the Seeds of Its Future By Ilene Schneider we plant these seeds. Each of us, especially our children, are the planters, the gardeners, the protectors of our Jewish selves and each of you have accepted this great honor just by your actions of being here and sharing this moment.” Temple Beth Sholom, founded in 1943, is a Reform Synagogue affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. It is located at the corner of Tustin and Fairhaven Avenues in Santa Ana. Rabbi Cohen became Temple Beth Sholom’s assistant rabbi in 1998 and its senior rabbi in 2008.
AIn Israel archaeologists discover layer upon layer of history, with the artifacts of one ancient city covering another. There is a feeling of continuity as the remnants of one generation touch the holy objects of the next one. So too, Temple Beth Sholom of Santa Ana, Orange County’s first Jewish congregation, ritually buried smokedamaged artifacts under what will be the site of its new chapel, the Horwitz Family Chapel, scheduled to open in fall 2015. With more than 200 members and friends participating, the congregation held a special Geniza (Hebrew word for storage) ceremony on Sunday, December 14, to provide a ritual burial of holy items damaged in the Reform congregation’s devastating fire of February 15 and to look toward the future. As Rabbi Heidi Cohen explained, “Last year, a terrible fire destroyed our synagogue. The building, its furniture, all that was in it was destroyed. But worst of all, all of our prayer books, chumashim Torah books, and even two Torah scrolls were destroyed by the fire. We could not simply throw
our books into the garbage, because they are holy. God’s names are in prayer books, and God’s names, shemot, cannot be simply tossed into the trash. Today, we gather here to bury our books, to say good-bye to these old friends and carry the memory of how many of us held them in our hands and arms as we shared many Shabbat and holiday services.” She added, “Today we are the Maccabees, and we rededicate this space to future generations. The Geniza Ceremony is an ancient ritual, whose roots can be traced to writings from the Talmud.” Prayer books, prayer shawls and other damaged sacred items were lovingly placed in the burial site. Seeds were distributed to everyone in attendance, symbolizing the planting of a new chapter in the life of the congregation as it marked the beginning of the chapel construction. Rabbi Cohen concluded, “By lovingly placing into this hallowed earth prayer books of our past, sacred texts that are a link from where we came from, our future will emerge. And together, Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
19
Local
Local
Lifetime’s “Child Genius” Staring TVT Student
Catch an Art Film and a Concert
By Kosher OC Staff
By Kosher OC Staff
TVT’s own Binyamin S (Grade 7) will be featured in Lifetime’s new competition series “Child Genius”. The show, which airs beginning Tuesday, January 6th at 10 PM, centers on America’s most extraordinary and gifted children and their families as they prepare for a national intelligence competition. In cooperation with American Mensa, the competition takes place over eight weeks and tests the nation’s brightest young minds on their knowledge of Math, Spelling, Geography, Memory, the Human Body, U.S. Presidents, Vocabulary, Current Events, Zoology, Astronomy and Space, Inventions, Literature and the Arts, Earth Science and Logic. Hosted by Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut, the show features 20 boys and girls ages 8 to 12 from across the country, all competing for a $100,000 college fund and the title of Child Genius 2014. According to Binyamin’s bio on the Lifetime page, “Binyamin is not only a genius, but has an outgoing and fun nature that makes him the comedian of his class. His parents love his 20
| Kosher oc Magazine
energy and do not speak to him like a child – they will discuss aerodynamics theory with him or even dealing with a sick patient at work. Each year, since a very young age, Binyamin has been invited to join the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. He has also won several robotics and musical competitions. Binyamin focuses his energy within science, his favorite subject. He hopes to one day win a Nobel Peace prize in science.” Join us in cheering Binyamin on in 2015!
Go With Le Flo is a family friendly romantic comedy in German and French with English subtitles. It was shot in Berlin by the award-winning film team (and music group), Bright Blue Gorilla. The film was made under extraordinary circumstances. It is a high quality international labor of love with cast and crew from 20 different countries, starring fresh new faces from the legendary Bertolt Brecht theater Berliner Ensemble. Berlin designers donated over 15,000 euro worth of wardrobe, and Berlin businesses donated their locations for filming. Go With Le Flo is a charming story about finding true love and taking chances. Bright Blue Gorilla is all about taking chances. In 1990 Producer Robyn Rosenkrantz (who grew up in Orange County) and Director Michael Glover quit their L.A. jobs, sold everything they had (except their guitars) and bought one-way tickets to Europe. They have been traveling ever since, charming audiences around the world with their music and movies. Now they have come home for an engagement – a concert and a screening — at the Bowers Theater at 1:30 PM on January 3.
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
Local
January Community Events By Kosher OC Staff January 8 12 pm Younger Next Week – Lunch With Author Elisa Zied Merage Jewish Community Center 1 Federation Way, Irvine 7:30 pm Community Scholar Program: Human Bodies In Divine Form: Incarnation As A Jewish Idea Temple Beth El 2a Liberty, Aliso Viejo January 9
January 3 8:30 am Community Scholar Program: Kabbalah As A Cultural Phenomenon From The Middle Ages To Madonna Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’Alot 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine 11:30 am Community Scholar Program: Nothing Held Back: Why Hasidism Is Both Loved And Feared Congregation Beth Jacob 3900 Michelson Drive, Irvine January 4 4 pm L’Dor Vador Cantors In Concert Temple Beth El Of South Orange County 2a Liberty, Aliso Viejo 7 pm Community Scholar Program: On The Role Of Jewish Mysticism In Early Mormon Theology Temple Bat Yahm 1011 Camelback Street, Newport Beach January 5 7:15 pm 22
| Kosher oc Magazine
Community Scholar Program: From The Ba’Al Shem Tov To Menachem Mendel Schneerson Samueli Jewish Campus 1 Federation Way, Irvine Charismatic Personalities Play An Important Role In Modern Life, And Jews Have Had No Shortage Of Compelling Leaders… January 6 7:30 pm Community Scholar Program: Was Maimonides A Radical? Congregation B’Nai Tzedek 9559 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley January 7 12 pm Community Scholar Program: Pressing For Change: Perspectives On Jewish Extremism Today Samueli Jewish Campus 1 Federation Way, Irvine 7:30 pm Community Scholar Program: Nothing Held Back: Why Hasidism Is Both Loved And Feared Alpert Jewish Community Center 3801 E Willow St., Long Beach
8:15 pm Community Scholar Program: Medieval Charitable Organizations And The Creation Of Judaism As We Know It Congregation B’Nai Israel 2111 Bryan Avenue, Tustin January 10 10 am Way To Play Day At Pretend City Pretend City Children’s Museum 29 Hubble, Irvine Specifically For: Infants (Birth -12 Months), Young Toddlers (12-24 Months), Toddlers (2-4 Years), Preschoolers (4-5) 1:30 pm Community Scholar Program: Was Maimonides A Radical? Congregation B’Nai Israel 2111 Bryan Avenue, Tustin January 11 9:30 am Community Scholar Program: Expelled: Jewish Exiles And The Shaping Of Jewish Identity Temple Beth David 6100 Hefley St., Westminster 2 pm Social Action Sunday @ Talit Nation Bureau Of Jewish Education
1 Federation Way, Irvine 3 pm Temple Beth Sholom Maxine Horwitz Cultural Series: Cantor Arik Luck As Moishe Oysher Fish Interfaith Center, Chapman University 1 University Drive, Orange To Order Tickets ($12), Go To Http:// Moisheoysher.Bpt.Me/ 5:30 pm Temple Judea 50th Anniversary Celebration Laguna Woods Village Club House Five, Laguna Woods January 12 7:30 pm Historic Evening With Chief Rabbi Of Israel David Lau Interviewed By Rabbi David Eliezrie North Orange County Chabad Center 19045 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda
January 24
7 pm Eran Raven – World Renowned Mentalist Merage JCC 1 Federation Way, Irvine
7 pm Dinner With A Scholar
January 18 9:30 am Laguna Woods Advance Gifts Brunch Ch 5 (Gate 9 Off El Toro Road), 24262 Punta Alta, Laguna Woods 4 pm Eran Raven – World Renowned Mentalist Merage JCC 1 Federation Way, Irvine
January 25 1 pm Author Marty Brounstein Discussing His Book, Two Among The Righteous Few Temple Beth Ohr 15721 E. Rosecrans Ave., La Mirada
January 21 7 pm Homelessness 101 Temple Beth Tikvah 1600 N. Acacia Ave, Fullerton
January 28 11:30 am Women’s Philanthropy Trendsetters Center Club 650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
January 22 7:30 pm Community Scholar Program: How Judaism Became A Religion Temple Beth El 2a Liberty, Aliso Viejo
6 pm The Network Event With Jim Abbott Myers Theatre On Samueli Jewish Campus 1 Federation Way, Irvine
January 14 7 pm Community Scholar Program: Lessons From Past Transformations For Jews In The 21st Century Tarbut V’Torah (Lower School Mpr) 5200 Bonita Canyon Drive, Irvine Closing Lecture Facing Forward: Lessons From Past Transformations For Jews In The 21st Century January 17 7 pm Dinner With A Scholar Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte Hosted By Steven Fainbarg
8 pm Jewbilation @ Talit Nation Sponsored By Bureau Of Jewish Education This Saturday Night Social Event Is Open To All Jewish 9th – 12th Grade Teens Merage JCC 1 Federation Way, Irvine
7 pm Lecture By Dr. Christine Horner – Author Of Waking The Warrior Goddess Chabad Jewish Center For Life 2240 University Drive, Newport Beach January 23 6 pm Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood Shabbat Service & Dinner “Turning The Page” Lds, 674 S. Yorba Street, Orange Dinner: $22 Adult Children Age 12 And Under: $10 By Reservation Only Please Contact Sylvia Borovay: (714) 544-7889 Or Sborovay@Hotmail.Com
7 pm Dinner With A Scholar Maestro Carl St. Clair With The Pacific Symphony; Special Guest Jamie Bernstein Segerstrom Center For The Arts January 29 10:30 am Hadassah Long Beach/Orange County Gloria Kobrin Book Club Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2783 N. Main Street, Santa Ana
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
23
Israel
Israel’s Challenges in 2015 By J.P. Benjamin
Terrorism No country is more advanced than Israel at tracing and breaking up terrorist cells, but this is becoming an older form of terrorism. The lone wolf, not connected to any group, not on any security agency’s radar, but who decides to sacrifice himself for Islam, is an emerging threat in America and throughout the world as well as in Israel. Kidnappings and traditional terrorism will still occur in the West Bank but west of the Green Line (in 1967 Israel), the worst two terrorist attacks this year were committed by East Jerusalem Palestinians, free to move around Israel, previously innocuous, who decided to kill Jews and drove their cars into crowds. Lone wolf terrorism is extremely hard to predict, identify and prevent. Diplomatic Isolation 24
| Kosher oc Magazine
The endemic, eternal European disease of anti-Semitism has returned to pre-Holocaust levels, and Israel has become a pariah across the continent. Left wing political, intellectual and cultural elites have become viciously anti-Israel while Muslim immigrants, darlings of the European left, have replaced the far right thugs of past generations in terms of violence. The European Union high court has just de-listed Hamas as a terrorist group, a shocking and shameful act that shows us how far the European elite will go. Israel will face lynch mobs at the UN with a real danger of having sanctions imposed on her unless the Obama administration vetoes them. Political Stability Israel has a parliamentary system, always messier than our federal system, because governments can fall and Knessets dissolved at any
time. Completing a four-year term is a rarity. Compounding this, no party has ever won a Knesset majority and thus been able to govern alone; coalitions are necessary, in which the dominant party makes deals with minority parties to form a joint government, in return for cabinet posts and platform planks. This leads to weak, disjointed governments often in conflict with themselves. Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu, in firing two often-dissident cabinet ministers representing centerleft parties and causing his own government to fall, is gambling that voters will return Likud to power along with right of center and Orthodox parties who will give him a coalition he prefers. The voters will speak in March. Iran Iran is regarded as an existential
threat. It has spent decades threatening genocide, and in recent years, has begun a nuclear development program that would give it the ability to act. Powerful economic sanctions have been imposed on Iran, and the vilest rhetoric has disappeared in the last two years. Still, negotiations for reliably preventing Iran from developing weapons have stalled. Repeated deadlines have passed and been extended. Obama professes optimism; the Europeans, of course, even more so. Meanwhile, Israel has three missilefiring subs, not nuclear-powered but otherwise just like the big boys. Surely they’re all stationed in the Persian Gulf, and surely their missiles are all tipped with multiple nuclear weapons that could pepper Iran. It’s not about planes and bunker-buster bombs. President (Barack) Obama doesn’t want Iran nuked and knows he can’t stop Israel from doing it, so hopefully the US will lean even harder on Iran. Hopefully.
subsidies their communities enjoy, the rebbes must now produce a quota of young men for military service, the quota to get larger each year. The IDF has helped to ease haredi integration into the military and make service more palatable to their communities, by creating the Eternity of Judah battalion, a formation reserved for very devout young men who must still become fully trained IDFsoldiers. The civilian element, entirely voluntary, is more difficult: to persuade young haredi couples and families to leave their big urban neighborhoods and start satellite communities on their own, physically integrating them into Israel and increasing their daily contact with mainstream Israelis. Haredim are intensely community-oriented: to leave Mama, Papa, the rebbe and the neighborhood is almost unthinkable. Yet this program is ultimately more important than the military side and must be pursued. Palestinians
Integrating the Haredim One of Israel’s hardest domestic challenges is the need to bring the ultra-Orthodox Chassidic haredi population closer to the rest of Israeli society. The various sects have historically been very insular, often Yiddish-speaking, remote from or even hostile to the state, refusing to serve in the military, work or pay taxes — while living off the taxpayers’ money of mainstream Israelis they despise. Despite decades of angry resentment by the mainstream, this status quo was allowed to continue and fester until two years ago. The Netanyahu administration finally launched an ambitious program, aimed at the haredi younger generation, to fundamentally change haredi existence in Israel. The program has two prongs, military and civilian. To keep receiving the government
Israel is under enormous pressure to do something meaningful for the Palestinians. An Intifada is unlikely in 2015, but so is an all-embracing Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Israel will likely have to come up with something, small but concrete, that the Palestinians can celebrate over and that at least some Israelis will find painful. This will be a difficult balancing job for Netanyahu, but Washington will demand it. An overall settlement is a challenge that is still too difficult to be achieved. On the Moon In 2015 the world will be startled when Israel puts a lander on the moon. It won’t do much science; the achievement will be in getting it there. The world will be startled, but you read it here.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
25
Your smile is our passion (949) 248-2525 www.myscdental.com
Israel
Birthright Winter Season Begins as Thousands of Young Jews Arrive in Israel By JNS
Alef Books Worldwide Judaica Superstore
Holidays Texts Jewelry www.AlefBooks.com
Thousands of young Jews from the U.S. and around the world landed in Israel on Tuesday as part of the start of the Taglit-Birthright Israel program’s winter season. The 20 groups that landed on Tuesday, and 50 more Birthright groups to arrive later in the week, will tour Israel for 10 days and visit some of the Jewish state’s most important sites, including the Dead Sea, Masada, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, and others. “We will continue bringing tourists to Israel, even when the tourism industry is in decline,” Birthright CEO Gidi Mark said of the free 10-day trips for Jews ages 18-26. “The organization’s activity strengthens Israel’s tourism branch and represents 5 percent of the group tours in Israel.” Photo: Taglit-Birthright Israel trip participants with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 28
| Kosher oc Magazine
Israel
France Uses Media To Sell The ‘Cure’ For Antisemitism, Raising Awareness By Kosher OC Staff JSS News. “We decided to use humor as a weapon against the resurgence of violence. However, I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to keep that sense of humor, especially when it comes to such serious matters.” Antisemitox is selling for only five euros, and the profits will be used to finance the fight against antisemitism, such as giving legal advice to victims of verbal and physical abuse. Each box contains three honey-flavored “pills” and “detox patches.” There is also text of the French law prohibiting antisemitism and its penalties.
Over the past couple of years, antisemitism – or hostility and prejudice towards Jews – has increased substantially. Just recently, a billboard was erected up in Nazareth, Israel calling all Muslims to kill Jews, especially those in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), by running them over with their vehicles. Such antisemitism may have been a factor in why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Government passed the Jewish State Bill, a document that recognizes Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Just as Benjamin Netanyahu and the Jews have to deal with antisemitism within their country, Jews living outside of Israel have to deal with antisemitism too. In Paris, there were two antisemitic crimes that happened within hours of each other. A Jewish boy was brutally assaulted by 15 African youth just 12 hours after a kosher restaurant was firebombed. Because of the rising antisemitism within the country, France is now selling its “cure” to raise awareness. According to an article by JSS News and translated by Times of Israel, the European Jewish Organization
(OJE) launched a very daring digital campaign on December 16th. It was titled “Antisemitox: First Aid for Antisemitism.” The campaign consisted of a meme of a whitecoated, stethoscope-wearing doctor holding a box of honey candies. The meme garnered strength when it was heavily shared on the internet, specifically social media sites. As for the European Jewish Organization, it was founded six months ago in Levallois – a northwestern suburb of Paris – six months ago to combat the rise of antisemitism in France. Fabian Bellahsen, the leader of the OJE, confirmed this in the following statement.
The campaign also received strength when the French media welcomed it. Both Coordination Against Racism and Islamophobia president, Abelaziz Chambi, have deemed it an excellent idea. The campaign also works well with the fact that French President Francois Hollande delivered his first speech on immigration just the day before. Right now, the European Jewish Organization has about 400 members in France. The OJE seeks to reach out to other communities in Europe with plans to expand to Belgium, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Netherlands in 2015.
“Antisemitism has become a plague in France, and it is growing towards a crescendo. Our objective is to raise awareness in the media, the public authorities and the civil society.” Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was presented a box of Antisemitox on the following Monday after its debut during a meeting with Jewish French MP, Meir Habib. Mr. Habib spoke about the meeting with Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
29
Israel
‘Jews, out of Patagonia’ By JNS Argentinian government constantly deny the existence of anti-Semitism in the country; even the Jewish community and the Israeli government cooperate with this denial. The first do not want to face the severity of the situation and thus avoid the need to face with the world’s public opinion, chiefly of the United States. The Jewish community wants to avoid a confrontation with the authorities and attempts to continue a sort of peaceful co-existence. The Israeli interest is to maintain a strategic ally, with one of the largest Jewish communities in the world, known for its Zionist character.
Israeli backpackers who swarm to southern Argentina are no longer so welcome. Shades of the area’s Nazi past? For over three decades, Patagonia has been a favorite destination for thousands of Israelis, especially recently discharged soldiers on their big post-army trip looking for unique sights and adventures in the lakes and mountains of southern Argentina. Locals know them well; they know that these young people will often be followed by their parents, relatives, friends from work and other Israelis, who are looking to eat the world’s best meat and enjoy a wilderness the likes of which can only be found in the Himalayas.
other aggressive, hate-spreading graffiti. The Jewish community of the city of Bariloche revealed this week the existence of an anti-Israel campaign organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee, which is affiliated with over 70 Argentinian organizations, including Mothers of the Plaza De Mayo, the Communist Party, the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights – which had a major role in condemning the crimes of the military junta in the 1970s – as well as SERPAJ, the organization led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.
Due to many Israeli visitors, Patagonia has many signs in Hebrew, restaurants offering hummus and falafel, and even Israeli products such as locally popular salty snacks. At the same time, one can run into anti-Semitism, or antiZionism, as some would call it.
Argentina has a tradition of denying the existence of anti-Semitism in the country, only admitting to rare cases of anti-Jewish discrimination. However, one cannot ignore that 10 percent of the 30,000 “desaparecidos” during the years of the military dictaroship (197683) were Jews, and most were given “special”, i.e, worse treatment in terms of torture and jail terms as a result of their being Jewish.
Recently, this racism has taken the form of signs in stores calling to “boycott Israeli tourists”, saying “we don’t want them here”, and even the more familiar “Jews out!”, this time with the ending “…of Patagonia”, and
One also cannot forget the terror attacks at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and in the Jewish community building (AMIA) in the 1990s, carried out with the help of a local terror network. Not only does the
30
| Kosher oc Magazine
Denial had reached such a level that the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires recently officially stated that the countries have never had better trade and commerce ties. That is while everyone know that relations were severely damaged after Argentina and Iran signed a document of understandings, which critically undermined the chances of investigating the 1994 Buenos Aires AMIA bombing. Iran is widely believed to have played a role in the attack, in which 85 people were killed and over 300 were injured. This time, the anti-Israeli organizations do not speak directly about a campaign or a boycott against Israel, but rather about “solidarity with the Palestinian people” and a “condemnation of Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip”. The signs against Jews do, in fact, state two demands: do not trade with Israel and do not host its citizens, a combination somewhat reminiscent of the anti-Jewish tirade in the movie “Borat”. The current campaign is likely to dissipate, because for local traders in Patagonia, such an initiative is a shot in the leg. Most Israeli tourists are young and do not spend much money, but they come in numbers so high that they provide major income for the local business owners.
Israel But what makes this development different from previous anti-Semitic outbreaks in Argentina, is the venue: the south of the country was the preferred shelter of thousands of Nazi criminals fleeing prosecution, who came to the area after 1945 with the aid of the Odessa organization and the explicit consent of then-President Juan Domingo Peron. The Simon Wiesenthal Institute says the Nazis managed to build for themselves normal, uninterrupted lives in southern Argentina and even start families, partially thanks to local cooperation. Things changed after 1960, when Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects of the so-called Final Solution, was kidnapped by Israeli Mossad agents. Eichmann’s exposure led in the following years to the exposure and sometimse arrest of other Nazi criminals – despite the protection they got from the locals. Although some Israelis may still harbor fantasies of hunting down a 90-yearold escaped Nazi criminal, most Israelis do not know that the JewishArgentinian community still lives in the shadows of the Nazi phantom which hovers over the south. Israel cannot afford itself to lose another tourist destination, as happened with Turkey and some European countries. The summer operation in Gaza fueled global antiSemitism or anti-Israel sentiment. At this rate, instead of going south to Patagonia, Israeli youths may find themselves going no farther than the Red Sea port town of Eilat.
Israeli Startups Rake in Record $15 Billion in Exits in 2014 By i24news
This year’s deals are double those of 2013, which reached $7.6 billion, accounting firm PwC says
Last year, Google acquired the navigation app Waze for nearly $1 billion.
Israeli high-tech companies reached a record number of exits totaling nearly $15 billion in 2014, Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Wednesday, citing accounting firm PwC. This year’s deals are double those of 2013, which reached $7.6 billion. According to the report, tech companies raised $9.8 billion in 18 initial public offerings, a significant rise over last year’s $1.2 billion. Mobileye, a company that develops anti-collision technology, sold for $890 million with its Wall Street IPO in August, making a record-breaking IPO for an Israeli company. Mergers-and-acquisitions deals decreased this year, with startups bringing in $5 billion in comparison to $6.45 billion from the year before, PwC said. “Over the past year the stars were aligned perfectly for Israel high tech,” PwC noted, referring to 2014 as a “record year of Israel high tech.”
According to the report, one of the reasons Israeli startups had such a successful year in 2014 was due a surge in technology stocks in the US and Britain, which in turn helped tech companies get a higher valuation through IPOs. Because of this, many Israeli tech companies turned to IPOs as the preferred means of exit. “Companies that in the past were able to sell themselves and earn big returns for investors are going to the end with a share offering and building big companies,” PwC’s Rubi Suliman, head of high-tech practice, was quoted by Haaretz as saying. However, critics said that despite Israeli high tech’s success, the country’s economy has not really benefited because companies tend to sell abroad to multinationals before building their businesses back home.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
31
Israel
Little Left of Cuban Jewry’s Rich Past By JNS who took power in 1933, for the first time allowed Jews to apply for full citizenship. But he also pushed through a law requiring that at least 50 percent of all employees of businesses be Cuban-born. Although not aimed at Jews, it had the effect of ousting many Jews from their jobs. Nevertheless, the Cuban Jewish community felt reasonably secure and continued to gradually expand, reaching a peak of more than 20,000 in the 1930s.
The new U.S. policy of rapprochement with Cuba, which was accompanied by the celebrated release of imprisoned Jewish aid worker Alan Gross, probably will give American Jews greater access to a Jewish community with which few are familiar. But visitors will find that the years have not been kind to once-thriving Cuban Jewry. During the centuries of Spanish rule in Cuba, no more than a scattered handful of Jews lived there. Catholicism was the only religion the Spanish colonial authorities permitted. The modern Jewish connection to Cuba began in the 1890s, when a number of American Jews lent their support to the Cuban liberation movement, headed by Jose Marti. After the Spanish-American war of 1898 resulted in Cuban independence, American Jewish businessmen began settling on the island. By 1904, the Cuban Jewish community, numbering more than 300 families, established its first synagogue, the United Hebrew Congregation, which was part of the Reform movement. During the years leading up to World War One, more than 5,000 Sephardic Jews from Turkey and North Africa settled in Cuba. Thanks to their fluency in Ladino, they were able to adjust 32
| Kosher oc Magazine
quickly to life in a Spanish-speaking country. The island’s first Orthodox synagogue was founded in 1914. As the U.S. tightened its immigration restrictions in the 1920s, more European Jews went instead to Cuba, although in many cases they saw it merely as a way station until they could enter America. The Cuban Jewish population grew to more than 20,000, and Havana, although still the center of the community, was now supplemented by clusters of Jews in smaller cities on the island. Cuban Jews first began to experience serious anti-Semitism in the 1930s, as the impact of the worldwide depression stimulated extreme nationalism and ethnic scapegoating. Nazi agents seeking to spread Hitler’s influence in Latin America helped stir up anti-Jewish resentment in Cuba, and the country’s oldest newspaper, Didrio de la Marina, began reprinting articles from Julius Streicher’s Nazi publication Der Sturmer. Rumors on Yom Kippur eve in 1933 that Jews planned to aid anti-government strikers resulted in the police forcing dozens of Jewish businessmen to open their stores on the holy day. Military strongman Fulgenico Batista,
American Jewish vacationers were regular patrons of the fabled Havana nightlife. In his autobiography, Hollywood screenwriter Ben Hecht described how he and a colleague would sometimes, on a whim, bring dozens of friends to Havana for a week of drunken revelry. “Cafes were raided and native female entertainers were carried off,” he recalled cheerfully. “Americans were still loved and grinned at by foreign eyes, [so] there was a minimum of broken heads.” In the wake of the German annexation of Austria and the growing number of German and Austrian Jews seeking havens, about 3,000 Jewish refugees were permitted to enter Cuba in 19381939. One U.S. newspaper columnist speculated that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had secretly agreed to lower tariffs on Cuban sugar imports in return for Cuba opening its doors to refugees. That theory was soon discredited, however, when the Cuban authorities refused to permit the landing of the 930 passengers on the St. Louis refugee ship in May 1939. In 1942, Cuba imposed a ban on all immigrants from Axis countries. Many Cuban leaders sympathized with the Zionist cause, and the Cuban Senate in 1947 unanimously reaffirmed its previous endorsement of the Balfour Declaration (in which a British dignitary recognized the need for a Jewish homeland in Israel). The Cuban ambassador’s vote against
the United Nations plan to partition the Palestine mandate thus surprised many. The reasons for that aboutface remain a source of controversy among historians. In any event, the installation of a new Cuban government in 1949 resulted in Cuban recognition of the state of Israel. The 1950s were a time of relative prosperity for Cuban Jewry, crowned by the construction of an expensive and elaborate cultural center in the Havana suburb of Vedado. Cuban Jews also established their own social clubs, medical clinics, and a monthly magazine, Israelia. The Communist revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959 changed everything for Cuba’s Jews. Although some individual Jews were part of Castro’s government, his policy of nationalizing private businesses decimated the Jewish community. Within the first two years of the Castro regime, nearly 7,000 Cuban Jews, including most Jewish leaders, fled the country. Altogether, about 90 percent of Cuba’s Jews left. Most went to America, and a small number immigrated to Israel or South America. Castro adopted a harsh antiIsrael line, and hosted Third World conferences where extreme denunciations of Israel were the norm. Castro also established close relations with the Palestine Liberation
Organization, which reportedly helped Cuba supply weapons to Communist revolutionary groups in Latin America. A Cuban diplomat who defected to the West reported that throughout the 1970s, Cuba’s embassy in Damascus in turn shipped arms to Palestinian terrorist groups in Lebanon. Whether the new U.S.-Cuba rapprochement will result in friendlier Cuban relations with Israel remains to be seen. Visitors to Cuba today will find only about 1,500 Jews. There are just a handful of functioning synagogues and a single kosher butcher. The community’s last rabbi passed away in 1975. A New York Timescorrespondent who visited Cuba in 2007 reported that it was so difficult to find the required quorum of 10 adult males for morning prayers that the Jewish community initiated a custom of counting its Torah scrolls as members of the minyan. Forthcoming visitors are not likely to find that the situation has changed very much since then. Photo: Jewish-American aid worker Alan Gross arrives at the Joint Base Andrews military facility in Maryland on Dec. 17, 2014, the day he was freed after spending five years as a prisoner in Cuba.
Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
33
Opinion A Matter of Choice
Dare to Be Different By Ilene Schneider are. Other people know who we are too, even if we forget. Assimilation hurts Judaism from the inside just as anti-Semitism hurts it from the outside. Giving of ourselves, learning what makes us Jewish, taking pride in who we are and explaining to our children why we do what we do will make us feel whole and perpetuate Judaism. Nurturing our relationship with Israel will make us feel even better.
We used to tiptoe around the issue and pretend it was not happening. Yes, we are different, but maybe we are not that different. Maybe if we try hard enough to fit in, those on the outside may not notice the differences. We have been a wandering people for so long that we feel like part of the countries where we reside. We are just as American, Canadian, British or whatever as anyone else – until somebody points out that we are Jews, perhaps in a less than flattering way. We have been blamed for many things over the course of history, and that continues to happen. It may be
ATAREM.com • • • • • •
Web Design & Development Social Media & Marketing Graphic Design Professional & Creative Writing Content Management Systems Domain & Web Hosting
subtle or overt, but the undertones are there. How can this happen when we love the countries where we live, participate fully in society and act just like everybody else? But wait! We really are different. We choose to maintain our own identity, our own customs and our own way of life. We mingle, we share, but we are who we are at the core. We take great pride in being Jews. Nobody said it was easy. While most religions have a code of conduct, ours is complicated and exacting. We can try to fit in, and we can try to be somebody else, but we know who we
Make this the year that you take advantage of the many opportunities around you to learn about Judaism, give to a Jewish cause and engage in Jewish activities. Make it the best year of your life.
opportunities, I do need to take a deep breath. When both of my girls were in Israel this past summer during the conflict, I worried a lot. That my sister and her family live in Israel is also a source of concern. This concern is much the same my parents had when I wanted to make the move so many decades ago (which is the main reason why I did not go at that time). I did not make Aliyah but many of my NCSY chevra (friends) and classmates have. They serve in the IDF as do their children, so why not mine? At least in Israel we fight for a believable cause.
Opinion
My Children’s Aliyah By Robin Silver-Zwiren
Two Israeli children is something I am immensely proud to have. That is not something I necessarily thought would happen, as I am a Canadianborn person who moved to the US and now have US citizenship as well. My husband, Alan, is US born and bred. Both of us are Easterners who moved west to California. But, both of us have a love for Israel that we have instilled in our children from birth so their desire to make Aliyah is not surprising. Being Modern Orthodox in Orange County is not easy. Yes, kosher food is available in many outlets, which is wonderful. My kids do have some amazing friends, but the truth is that few are as Orthodox as we are. We don’t eat out in non-kosher restaurants, which means that if they are out with friends, it certainly limits them. Their clothing also makes them different from even their other Modern Orthodox friends. Ari wears a kepah (or baseball cap) and tzitzit at all times. Atara and Matana have chosen to wear skirts and shirts that cover their elbows and are not low cut. My daughters have chosen to take a step even I have not. Although I began to keep Shabbat and kashrut in my
teens, I wear pants and do not cover my hair. There was a time in my life when I too wanted to make Aliyah, but it did not work out. Alan mentioned his hopes to make Aliyah upon retirement when we were dating, but I admit not really believing that would happen. I wonder if the desire to make Aliyah would have been so strong if we had settled in an area filled with other more likeminded families — a community filled with people as Orthodox as we are, a school filled with students having the same beliefs. Then I realize that nothing would be different, because the friends they have made in NCSY, the Orthodox youth group, are doing the same thing they are. Many of their friends spend a year in Israel: the boys at Yeshiva, the girls at Seminary. I also realize that many of their Tarbut V’Torah classmates and others in the community also go to Israel after graduation — some on a Young Judea program, some for a college year course. Many have even decided to serve in the IDF.
Having our little haven in the Middle East has always been a blessing. When it was still Palestine, refugees from the tumult in Arab lands and pogroms in Russia had somewhere to go. They were the modern day pioneers that led the way for millions more who survived Nazi horrors. With everything going on worldwide we need the Jewish State of Israel more than ever. Look how much this tiny nation has accomplished in this time? Israel has the second most college graduates (after Canada!), more companies traded on NASDAQ and more start-ups than most other nations. The technology and medical advances not only benefit Israel but the entire world. Israel takes tikkun olam, the mitzvah to help repair the world, to new levels. (Check out www. IsraelUpClose.com to learn more about these innovations). I am very proud of my children for deciding to make Israel their home. There is nowhere else where Jews can be more proud of our heritage, where every job we do benefits every citizen. The advancements Israel makes should make every one of us very proud and we should want to contribute in every way we can. Now with at least two of our children, and another planning to go for at least one year after high school, our dreams of making Aliyah seem more imminent for Alan and I as well. Of course I will keep you posted on those details.
Do I worry about my kids living in Israel? Of course. When Ari talks about his upcoming army Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
35
Opinion
Foods to Fight off Cold Season By Zach Miller
Want to avoid those pesky winter colds and all their miserable consequences? Then start paying attention to what you eat. Many foods offer essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help strengthen the body against colds and viruses; and if you happen to contract a nasty cold, consuming these foods can drastically reduce its residence in your body. Vitamin C Your body’s immune system loves Vitamin C. This vitamin helps the body bolster its ability to fight invaders. Good sources of Vitamin C include 100% orange juice, hot peppers, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, mangos, and guavas. Zinc Recent studies show that zinc can reduce the length of the typical cold. When taken regularly either by supplement or in the diet, zinc can help the body fight off colds. Good zinc sources include oysters, red meat, fortified breakfast cereal, and beans. Garlic Italian food anyone? Garlic is a super food in regards to combating colds. 36
| Kosher oc Magazine
This tiny gem contains allicin which assists the body in fighting infections. Although cooked garlic still contains allicin, consuming garlic raw provides the most benefit. Consider chopping one clove daily and sprinkling raw garlic on sandwiches, salads, and over dinner dishes. Although eating these foods can’t guarantee that you’ll skip catching a winter cold, they can decrease the chances that you will. Some studies support that taking zinc at the onset of a cold can drastically reduce the cold’s duration. So the next time you’re ordering out, dining in, or cooking at home, consider adding one of these super foods to the menu.
Opinion Powerful Book
Healing Hand Provides Gentle Guidance for Tough Times By Zach Miller
In a wise but gentle way, with the voice of both tradition and experience, Cantor Deutsch guides us on a journey that everyone has to encounter. She does it with grace and eloquence, as well as the convincing words of someone who has been there. Book Link: amzn.to/1x5EwDL
“This is a book of questions that will engage you in conversation with yourself and others. It does not have all the answers. It is about what to ask so that you may find the answers that are uniquely yours. You already have the answers to these questions inside of you.” In the preface to her book, The Healing Hand: 5 Discussions to Have with the Dying Who Are Living, Sue Knight Deutsch prepares the reader for doing the unthinkable but unavoidable – having meaningful conversations with loved ones in the last stages of life. Rather than spoon feeding specific answers to people dealing with end-of-life situations, Cantor Deutsch gently encourages people to reach deeply inside of themselves to make the conversations mutually beneficial. In some ways Cantor Deutsch feels that the book has been developing for her entire life – from a roller-coaster childhood to training as a psychiatric social worker, to becoming an invested cantor and to becoming the spiritual leader of Heritage Pointe where she counsels people on life-and-death issues – but it was not until she
confronted the loss of her husband to cancer in mid-life that it began to take shape. Through her stories, vignettes and suggestions, she guides people through the challenge of the inevitable. Since childhood, Cantor Deutsch has felt a direct connection to God, and she uses that energy to connect with other people. She begins the book with the hope that the reader will use that energy as well. Using a five-finger model, Cantor Deutsch outlines the important conversations to have with loved ones in the end stage of life – thank you, forgive me, I forgive you, I love you and goodbye. She then discusses the issue of self-care after the death of a loved one. “Whether you are a professional or someone who is supporting a loved one who is ill, this book has something to teach as well as provide comfort and guidance,” Cantor Deutsch said. “As such, it is not meant to be an academic tome – rather, something you can pick up, get some information from the narrative or pictures and perhaps read one page that will inspire you for this particular moment in time.” Kosher oc Magazine // December 2014 |
37
K sherOC www.KosherOC.com Community Magazine
k sher oc