L'Chaim Magazine May 2024

Live In Your Dream Home

San Diego County

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PUBLISHERS

Diane Benaroya & Laurie Miller

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alanna Maya

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Laurie Miller

CONTRIBUTORS

Ariela Alush, Barbara Birenbaum, Franklin Felber, Donald H. Harrison, Jacob Kamaras, Stephanie Lewis, Salomon Maya, Jana Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh, Terra Paley, Mimi Pollack, Rachel Stern, Eva Trieger, Deborah Vietor, Chana Jenny Weisberg, Cheri Weiss

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LISTINGS

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Published in San Diego, CA • www.lchaimmagazine.com

prayers & passages

The Beauty of the New Moon

As a child growing up in Boston, I had the good fortune of being able to frequently visit the city’s Museum of Science. I was most fascinated by its planetarium, where I disappeared into the brilliant dark skies surrounded by stars, planets, and stories of these heavenly bodies. There I learned about constellations and the calculation of time. If someone had asked me then what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have eagerly replied, “astronomer!”

Our Jewish ancestors had no such sophisticated equipment to guide them as they navigated through the passage of time. The arrival of a new moon marked the beginning of a new month, known in Hebrew as Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month). Two witnesses relayed its sighting to the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) in Jerusalem, who then affirmed the start of a new month. Bonfires were lit atop hills to signal to the people that the new month had arrived. And so it continued, hill to hill, village to village, bonfire to bonfire. (I wonder how that worked when the moon was blocked by clouds.) It was critical to them to mark this transition of months, since the celebration of Jewish holidays depended on its accuracy.

Eventually this system was replaced by a fixed lunar calendar in which months contained 29 or 30 days. There are twelve months per year except during leap years

(which occur in seven out of every nineteen years) when a thirteenth month (a second month of Adar) is added. For months when the preceding month lasts 29 days, Rosh Chodesh is celebrated on the first of the new month. In months when the preceding month lasts 30 days, we celebrate two days of Rosh Chodesh, the 30th day of the preceding month and the first day of the new month. (I know, it sounds complicated, but that’s how Jewish tradition is sometimes.)

While Rosh Chodesh was once been celebrated with great fanfare, today it is marked in a more subdued manner. Specific readings are added to synagogue worship services such the Ya’aleh v’yavo prayer during the standing Amidah or Tefilah section of the service, and most (but not all) of the Hallel prayer. (The full Hallel is said only during the month of Tevet during Chanukkah). The Torah reading contains a description of the temple sacrifices that would have been made to mark the occasion, and a prayer for a blessed month is added to services on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh. There is no prohibition in the Torah against working, and to most people it is otherwise business as usual.

To many women, however, Rosh Chodesh holds special significance. Derived from Talmudic and Midrashic discourse, in more Orthodox circles, women refrain from work.

They consider it to be a gift of time granted to them by the ancient rabbis for refusing to turn over their jewelry to construct the biblical golden calf. In the past few decades, Jewish women of various religious and secular backgrounds have reclaimed Rosh Chodesh as a time to gather in camaraderie. Common activities include meal sharing, the study of Jewish texts, and discussions centering around women’s issues. Exploring traditional Jewish rituals as well as creating new ones allows women to explore spirituality in unique and meaningful ways.

Rosh Chodesh groups have sprung up in synagogues and temples throughout the country, and independent Rosh Chodesh groups have also become very popular. For those interested in either starting their own group or joining an existing one, the organization Ritualwell (ritualwell.org) offers a wealth of information and suggested resources. Based on my own experience, the gathering of women to celebrate the new moon of Rosh Chodesh is a soul-enriching blessing I look forward to continuing for many years to come.

RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS IS THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF TEMPLE EMANUEL IN HONOLULU, HAWAII.

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Sheradsky. CREDIT: COURTESY.

1000 WORDS

CHABAD RABBI-RAPPER REACHES TOP OF THE CHARTS IN ISRAEL WITH 'RED AND YELLOW'

Arap artist who turned around his hard-partying lifestyle after a near-death experience when he was a teenager and became a rabbi now sees surging success with his newest single.

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Sheradsky, 31, has hit the No. 1 spot on the Israeli musical charts with his song “Red and Yellow.” He spoke about the spiritual influences on his music and whether the antisemitism of Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) signified a potential trend in hip-hop.

Lyrics in his hit song reference the near-death experience (someone spiked his drink at a party when he was 16) that Reuven credits with changing the course of his life, putting him onto the path that brought him to Orthodox Judaism and now pop-music acclaim.

“I remember the day I almost died/Laying down in the corner looking straight at the sky/And I’m in this room asking why/Can I live till tomorrow and give life another try?” Sheradsky raps. He then vows to “live a purpose” and that he himself, like Jacob (Israel), “had to fight an angel.”

Sheradsky said that “part of why and how I changed my life as a teenager was because I saw how evil things can be.”

Sheradsky said that almost dying “was a turning point” in the realization that “my life had to be better than this. I felt God was giving me an ultimatum that I must embark on a more meaningful path or it would be wasted.”

Sheradsky grew up in a Conservative Jewish household in Hollywood, Fla. Following his traumatic party experience, he “stopped going out on Friday nights, fully observed Shabbat, only ate kosher and grew a beard which my brothers constantly teased me about.” He said that “being at Chabad had a profound influence in igniting a quest to find out more about Judaism.”

Sheradsky went on to study at a yeshivah in Israel and at the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, N.J., earning his semicha in 2021 and becoming a rabbi affiliated with the ChabadLubavitch movement.

Discussing biblical figures who influenced his music, Sheradsky

“[My inspiration] comes from a personal place that details my journey with Hashem in a way that the listener can relate to and resonate with,” Sheradsky said.

said that “when it comes to writing, Moses and King David stand out. Moses was always for the people. He was the embodiment of what a true leader really should be—completely given over, complete self-sacrifice.”

Sheradsky said that when he writes his songs, “I’m not just writing for myself, but I consider that my personal experience is also the listener’s.”

He says his inspiration comes from “a personal place that details my journey with Hashem in a way that the listener can relate to and resonate with.” He said people have told him that “they are inspired by the lyrics and that they connect through them.”

King David also looms large as “very impactful on my writing,” Sheradsky said. “He was a poet and a king, and the way he was

open to Hashem, even about his enemies, his concerns, his worries, his troubles, his shortcomings. He’s inspired a lot of that in my relationship with Hashem and in my writings.”

Sheradsky noted his parents’ pride in his accomplishments— and their surprise. “My brothers and friends are amazed,” he said. “Nobody could have expected things to turn out this way … not even me.”

He acknowledges that “it has taken a lot of time and a lot of work to get to where I am now, and I feel blessed that God was behind me to give me a push in this direction.”

On social media, the rapper-rabbi has grown a following of 1.7 million on Instagram.

“I just thank God that people from all backgrounds have gravitated to my music,” Sheradsky said. “I just have a goal to make this world a better place, to make it a more positive place with my music. To make it a more Godly place.”

Sheradsky sees the darker tendencies in the world of hip-hop, telling JNS that Ye’s statements “had an impact and a negative one. You see antisemitic statements from people that resonate with that culture more, to be more acceptable and frequent.”

Yet at the same time, Sheradsky said “people also see through it;

many have seen how ridiculous such statements are.”

He added that when people admire celebrities, “they tend to also adopt their viewpoints about the world or life, or even just repeat them for the sake of fitting in or being with the times. The youth of the world has a large impact on what’s socially acceptable, and the problem of antisemitism in hip-hop has definitely been a concern.”

Sheradsky lamented “how misinformed and thoughtless it all is,” especially when it comes to Israel. “They don’t know what sea and what river. And to them, it’s irrelevant. What’s the truth have to do with fitting in or sounding like a humanitarian or trying to sound like you’re ahead of the times?” he asked rhetorically.

Still, like the Chabad rabbi he now is, he expressed optimism, saying “I do believe many people have a lot more sense. The majority of America and most age demographics side with Israel primarily.”

The biggest problem appears with “the younger groups, the ones that are most interested in pop culture, on social media—those are the groups where there’s the most misinformation,” he said.

“Since forever, Esau hated Yaakov [Jacob],” Sheradsky said. “But for the most part, Israel and the Jewish people are stronger than ever, and people are seeing the reality of how mistreated we’ve been more than ever, and thereby showing support.”

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JFEST CELEBRATES

Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival runs

May 30-June 30

The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, (JFest) celebrates 31 years of performances in diverse venues throughout San Diego and North County, countering antisemitism and welcoming all people and cultures this month. From May 30 to June 30, a variety of cultural experiences will take place throughout San Diego.

Todd Salovey, director, producer, playwright and teacher/professor is the founding Artistic Director of JFest. He has commissioned and developed numerous new pieces of music, theatre, and dance over the last 31 years, many of which premiered in San Diego and have been performed internationally.

“Last year, we rebirthed JFest and were amazed at the size and passion of our audiences,” he said. “This year, the festival is growing with one of the most celebrated and beloved Jewish performers, Mandy Patinkin and nine unique programs meant to heal, bring joy and inspire.”

At UCSD, Salovey teaches Communications utilizing theater techniques, assisting students in becoming more authentic and

creative, focusing on entrepreneurship. He loves expressive vocabulary, birthing new things, adapting or creating a new play and bringing something unique into the world.

With credits too numerous to mention, Salovey directed many acclaimed shows over the years including: “A Hammer, A Bell and A Song to Sing,” which he authored as well, and “The Blessing of a Broken Heart” for which he won an Edgerton New American Play Award.

Salovey emphasized how his Judaism and an interest in Jewish mysticism informs his work and passion as he continues to exhibit pride in the audiences, seeing people nourished and uplifted, as well as inspired.

“A good production takes you out of limitation, believing in possibility,” he said of his approach to sourcing materials as part of JFest.

This year’s headliner is Tony- and Emmy-Award winning Mandy Patinkin will perform “Being Alive,” where the acclaimed actor/singer/storyteller presents his most electrifying performance at the Balboa Theatre. Accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, Patinkin performs his favorite Broadway and classic American tunes in this show. From Irving Berlin

to Stephen Sondheim, and Cole Porter to Harry Chapin, the performance is a musical tour de force you won’t want to miss.

Other highlights of this year’s JFEST include the 15th Annual “Women of Valor” at the Lawrence Family JCC. Directed by Ali Viterbi, written by Sarah Price Keating, Rebecca Myers and Todd Salovey, “Women of Valor” honors six exceptional San Diego Jewish women through words, music and images. This year’s honorees are Sarah Brown, Debbie Kornberg, Vered Libstein, Rabbi Devorah Marcus, Bev Pamensky and Dr. Barbara Parker.

Producing Director of JFest, Rebecca Myers has been mentored by Todd Salovey over the years, now serving as a director, singer, emcee, actor and writer and educator for JFest. She received the Sandy Fisher Award for Excellence in the Creative Arts awarded for exceptional work in theatre, including behind the scenes support, activism and onstage work. She is committed to accessibility, education and opportunities for BIPOC and neurodivergent youth.

Myers has also worked as a Theatre and Enrichment Facilitator for STEAM Academy at University of San Diego, and as the instructor of an engagement course through Company Youth

“A good production takes you out of limitation, believing in possibility,” Salovey said of his approach to sourcing works for this year’s JFEST.

Theatre’s Random Acts of Culture Program.

“‘Women of Valor’ is a chance to engage in my Judaism through the arts,” Meyers said. “With kindness, care and joy, the arts increase empathy and build community.”

DON’T MISS THESE WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES AT JFEST 31:

• American-Israeli hip-hop artist and influencer Nissim Black, performing rap, pop and world music. He brings a different identity to music, combining spirituality with musicality as he was raised in the inner city of Seattle as a Hassidic Jewt.

• Ken Jewish Community will present “La Obra by Teatro Punto Y Coma,” (performed in Spanish) at the Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre.

• “Comedy for Koby” features comedian Avi Liberman at Lawrence Family JCC. For over 15 years, noted as Israel’s most popular English stand-up comedy tour, Avi has performed on multiple network shows. Ticket proceeds support the Koby Mandell Foundation and their work for bereaved children and families.

• Playwright Ali Viterbi explores the Italian Jewish experience with “Italian Jews Through the generations” at UCSD Hillel.

• Klezmer Summit delights, with Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi offering “From the Shuk to the Shetl” at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego.

• An Eco Performance Fest at Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas celebrates original eco-theater, dance and music by some of California’s most exciting, forward-thinking artists.

• “Refuah, Community Concert arrives at the JCC featuring talented performers county wide with healing artistic expression through song, dance, poetry and more.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JFEST AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO ANY OF THESE EVENTS, VISIT WWW.SDJFEST.ORG.

TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM

1. Which of these foods is famously known as Jewish penicillin?

____ a. Gefilte fish

____ b. Borscht

____ c. Chicken soup

____ d. Kreplach

2. In a public ceremony shortly before his death, Moses laid his hands on, and filled with the spirit of wisdom, which successor?

____ a. His first son, Gershom ben Moshe

____ b. His brother, Aharon ben Amram (Aaron)

____ c. His closest disciple, Yehoshua bin Nun (Joshua)

____ d. His nephew, Elazar ben Aharon

3. Who became the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Palestine in 1921, is considered the philosophical forefather of the Israeli settlement movement combining Zionism and Orthodox Judaism, and was a passionate supporter of Israeli chalutzim (pioneers), religious and secular?

____ a. Shlomo Goren

____ b. Abraham Isaac Kook

____ c. Isser Yehuda Unterman

____ d. Yitzhak haLevi Herzog

4. According to the Torah, what happened for 40 days and 40 nights?

____ a. Rain fell at the beginning of the Flood in Noah’s time ____ b. Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Torah ____ c. Scouts sent by Moses spied out the land of Canaan ____ d. All of the above

5. What is the meaning of “nu”? ____ a. So when are we gonna get moving already ____ b. So who else could I possibly mean but Izzie ____ c. Duh ____ d. All of the above

6. In what year did Israel adopt a constitution?

____ a. Israel has no constitution ____ b. 1948

____ c. 1954

____ d. 1995

7. When the Jews in the wilderness were struck by a plague of fiery serpents, what was their cure?

____ a. To repent ____ b. To stare up at a copper serpent on a pole ____ c. To cut open the bite wound and suck out the poison ____ d. To kill the serpent that bit them, cook, and eat it

8. Israel’s top school of arts and architecture today is named after which young Jew, who was endowed with the wisdom, insight, and knowledge to be the chief design architect and engineer of the Tabernacle in the wilderness?

____ a. Betzalel ben Uri ben Hur ____ b. Ohaliab ben Ahisamach ____ c. Uriah haHitti ____ d. Yehoshua bin Nun

9. About how many years of his life in total did Moses spend in Canaan, which later became the land of Israel? ____ a. 0 ____ b. 20 ____ c. 40 ____ d. 60

10. Which of these giant multinational tech companies was not founded by Jews? ____ a. Facebook ____ b. Google ____ c. Apple ____ d. Intel

Answers on page 23. ©2024 Felber, Starmark, Inc.,

SPRINGTIME SOUPING: GREEN PEA & ASPARAGUS SOUP

BY RACHEL BELLER, MS, RDN

Springtime is the perfect season to embrace lighter, fresher flavors, and what better way than with a bowl of vibrant Green Pea & Asparagus Soup? A star-studded favorite among my clients and masterclass members, this soup isn’t your ordinary bowl of green goodness. Packed with the dynamic duo of peas and asparagus, it’s a flavorful powerhouse that’s perfect for any occasion. My Vegitude Power Spice Synergy Blend is expertly crafted with anticancer spices that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. And let’s not forget parsley— the power up ingredient that infuses anti-cancer benefits by way of the antioxidant apigenin, while offering potential debloat support and a delectable pepperiness to your meal. This soup is your ticket to delicious, feel-good dining!

GREEN PEA & ASPARAGUS SOUP

Serves: 6

Serving Size: 2 cups

Ingredients

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 1/2 cups chopped leeks

1 teaspoon Beller Nutrition Vegitude Power Spice Blend

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

6 cups frozen green peas

2 bunches of asparagus (30 to 40 stalks), tough ends removed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

“This soup isn’t your ordinary bowl of green goodness. Packed with the dynamic duo of peas and asparagus, it’s a flavorful powerhouse that’s perfect for any occasion.”

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add the leeks and sauté for 4 minutes, until softened. Add the Vegitude Power blend.

3. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the peas and asparagus and simmer, covered, for 3 minutes longer.

4. Carefully place half of the soup in a high-powered blender and puree until smooth, then return it to the pot.

5. Add the parsley and stir well to combine.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Rachel Beller is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), CEO of Beller

Nutritional Institute, creator of the Beller Nutrition Masterclass and best-selling author. She specializes in oncology and weight management. Visit bellernutrition. com for more information.

This recipe was submitted by the non-profit organization, Sharsheret, The Jewish Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Community. If you or someone you love has been impacted by breast or ovarian cancer or has elevated genetic risk, contact Sharsheret for free support and resources. For more information, visit sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774.

JUNETEENTH

CELEBRATING BLACK, JEWISH SOLIDARITY

BY BARRETT HOLMAN LEAK

Last Friday evening I sat at a shabbat table filled with prayers, laughter, matzah ball soup, hummus, grape leaves, delicious baked chicken, and all sharing great stories. Nothing unusual for us in the Jewish community. But imagine that half the people around the table are African American and/or Jewish. This is the reality that is manifesting now in San Diego.

My entire life has been and is directed by an esoteric symbol founded in San Diego’s Balboa Park in 1925. Then, a set of Sabian symbols were created and one of them, 4 Virgo, was the one ascribed to the day I was born “Black and white children playing happily together.” It was radical in 1925 and is radical now. My entire life has been in service to God on a mission of being a bridgebuilder between people and across culture. It led me to conceive of a Jewish non-profit called Playing Together Project, which makes space for Black~Jewish shabbat dinners and dialogue and gathering together in remembrance and celebration of our shared legacies. We have a history of solidarity.

In January 2023 as I was preparing to exhibit at the Cooper Family Foundation’s annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Memorial Park, I thought, “San Diego’s Jewish community needs to be here.” I set about to manifest that dream and did. People in my temple caught fire, paying for the tent and arranging themselves on the staffing roster. A few months later, in June 2023, we had a marvelous tent at

The Playing Together Project makes space for Black-Jewish shabbat dinners and dialogue and gathering together in remembrance of our shared legacies.

the festival, celebrating Juneteenth, displaying photos of Black Jews like Lenny Kravitz, Gina Belafonte, Rabbi Everett Gendler, Karen Lewis, Lacey Schwartz Delgado, Rabbi Sandra Lawson, singers DojaCat and Drake, Yavilah McCoy and others. People stopped by to check out our civil rights information boards which detailed the collaboration between Jews and Blacks in forming the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League.

ADL San Diego regional director Fabienne Perlov as well as other ADL staffers and board members helped to greet people and hand out materials as people asked about the ADL’s antisemitism and general anti-hate education and teachings.

There were 5,000 attendees at the 60-year-old festival and so many came by to welcome us and talk about our shared legacies, our common bonds, and to learn. Over and over in my head I could hear “We are stronger together.” As an African American Jewish woman from a diverse family background and my feet in both communities, I could barely contain my joy.

And so it is with expanded excitement that I am looking forward to

the 2024 Juneteenth Freedom Festival where we will once again raise the tent. This year JCC La Jolla is partnering and it is my hope that other Jewish organizations will do the same. If you want to volunteer to staff the tent on Saturday June 15 (yes, a Saturday but as Rabbi Heschel would say, your legs will be praying; it’s a mitzvah), please email me at bholmanleak@gmail.com or text 619-251-5103

BARRETT HOLMAN LEAK IS AN AUTHOR, EDUCATOR AND THE CREATOR OF PLAYING TOGETHER PROJECT, A JEWISH NONPROFIT WHOSE MISSION IS TO UNITE BLACK AND/OR JEWISH SAN DIEGANS OVER A COMMON LOVE OF FILM, FOOD, MUSIC AND ART. SHE IS A FORMER TV/RADIO NEWS ANCHOR AND REPORTER AS WELL AS THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN DENMARK WHERE SHE WORKED WITH DIPLOMATS FROM COLUMBIA, POLAND, DENMARK, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MEXICO AND MORE TO CREATE LARGE-SCALE CULTURAL EVENTS. WHEN SHE’S NOT WORKING SHE MOTHERS SHALOM, SHILOH AND SHLOMO.

JEWISH FUTURE

SECURING SAFETY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

CAN is a grassroots community initiative whose goal is to make a difference through education and by offering support to several antisemitism specific projects. CAN collaborates with all the major professional organizations and other grassroots community initiatives in the spirit of civic engagement and plays a complementary role as we combat antisemitism in our schools, on our university campuses and in our communities.

CAN has established a 501(c)(3) fund housed at SD Jewish Community Foundation, allowing for tax deductible donations. To date CAN has provided support to the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for their symposium on antisemitism, Hillel to provide armed guards to protect students attending the Hillel Center, and other grassroots organizations combating antisemitism.

CAN SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS:

1. The Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (https://jilv.org/) an organization that takes a delegation of civic members, including superintendents, district curriculum developers, and classroom teachers on a trip to Israel. Educators and policymakers need to understand the diversity, complexity, and dynamism of the Jewish and Israeli experience.

PEER K-12 was recently honored in Washington, D.C. Tamar Caspi, Nicole Bernstein and Evie Schwartz engaged directly

In the spirit of civic engagement, CAN is combatting antisemitism in our schools, university campuses and communities.

with top government officials to tackle antisemitism in K-12. They brainstormed solutions with key players, like the chair and members of the House Education Committee, to address the biased curriculum stemming from an Ethnic Studies framework. There is an urgent need for better teacher training and accountability measures. PEER K-12 is ready to do this work.

2. A public relations campaign in collaboration with other San Diego Jewish Organizations to share the truth about the history of the Jewish People, who we are, our contributions to society, and our several thousand-year history in Israel. We must reach out to non-Jewish members of our community, educate them about the truth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and dispel all the misinformation promoted by our adversaries.

3. Supporting Hillel in hosting Mosab Hassan Yousef, “Son of Hamas.” UCSD Tritons for Israel through Hillel of San Diego are in the process of having Mosab speak in San Diego. He is the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yosef. He was an Israeli undercover agent for 10 years, now in USA since 2007. He advocates for Israel’s right to defend itself and speaks up about the horrors of Hamas. He’s a perfect fit for UCSD’s Israel Week, to motivate Jewish students combatting antisemitism on campus.

4. American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA) was founded

by Dr Yael Halaas, a plastic surgeon from New York. AJMA is a non-political, non-profit organization of Jewish healthcare professionals. Their mission is to be a safe, enriching community with a unified voice for all Jewish healthcare workers & prevent antisemitism from making medical workplaces unsafe for Jewish doctors.

We are a small but vibrant and strong community living in precarious times. History will judge our actions today as to whether we are able to preserve a safe Jewish future for the next generations.

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT FRANKLIN GAYLIS & PAMELA NATHAN, CO-FOUNDERS AT CANTAKESACTION@GMAIL. COM. TO MAKE DONATIONS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, VISIT HTTPS://JCFSANDIEGO.ORG/ INDIVIDUALS-FAMILIES/CONTRIBUTE-TO-A-FUND/.

EMBRACING EMPOWERMENT

THE CASE FOR JEWISH SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING

BY STEVE ROSENBERG | JNS.ORG

In a world where safety and security are paramount concerns, the Jewish community faces unique challenges that necessitate a proactive approach to self-defense.

Recent years have seen a troubling rise in violent attacks targeting Jewish communities around the world, highlighting the need for greater preparedness and resilience. In particular, the last six months have been a margin call for Jew-hatred across the Diaspora.

Whether this hatred takes the form of absurd college “protests” or attacks on the Orthodox community in Brooklyn, its very existence proves that the Jewish people must shed the cloak of fear and embrace a new paradigm of empowerment through self-defense training. Jews have been the victim for far too long and in too many circumstances.

While it is natural to feel fear in the face of threats, continuously vocalizing that fear can be counterproductive. It can perpetuate a sense of victimhood and helplessness, ultimately undermining the community’s ability to take action and protect itself. Instead of focusing on fear, the Jewish community should channel its energy into training and preparedness. There are too many social media posts about being afraid and not enough about taking action. Hiding in our homes and hoping law enforcement officials will save us is a strategy for failure. It didn’t work in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s and it won’t work today.

Self-defense training is not about promoting aggression or violence. It is about empowering individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones in dangerous situations. By learning basic self-defense techniques, individuals can increase their confidence and ability to respond effectively to threats. Moreover, self-defense training can help individuals recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations, reducing their overall risk of becoming victims.

Various organizations teach techniques like Run, Hide, Fight or

Alert and Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE). This training is often very valuable. Most notably, in 2018 the building that housed the Tree of Life synagogue had completed such training just days before a deranged gunman entered and killed 11 Jews on Shabbat.

The training methods mentioned above teach students how to confront an attacker via fight or counter. We must be knowledgeable about such techniques. We cannot all be tactically trained soldiers, but we also cannot and should not live in fear.

We must accept the fact that the threat of antisemitic violence is not going away anytime soon. We must learn from Israel, which is the gold standard of preparedness. Out of necessity, almost every Israeli is drilled in self-defense from an early age. American Jews must follow suit. By cultivating a mindset of readiness, the Jewish community can increase its resilience and ability to respond effectively to threats.

Of course, self-defense training alone is not a panacea for the challenges facing the Jewish community. It is one piece of a larger puzzle that includes community engagement, advocacy and support. By embracing the principles of empowerment and preparedness, however, the Jewish community can take an important step towards reclaiming its sense of security and resilience in the face of adversity.

It is long past time for the Jewish community to shift its focus from fear to empowerment. By embracing self-defense training and mental preparedness, Jews can enhance their ability to protect themselves and their loved ones. It is time to stop talking about how scared we are and start taking action to ensure our safety and security.

STEVE ROSENBERG IS PRINCIPAL OF THE GSD GROUP AND BOARD CHAIR OF THE PHILADELPHIA JEWISH SPORTS HALL OF FAME. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF “MAKE BOLD THINGS HAPPEN: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

ANSWERS TO TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM

1. c. Chicken soup is prescribed by bubbes and doctors alike. Maimonides, in his book “On the Cause of Symptoms,” said that chicken soup was a panacea for many ailments, including asthma, weight gain, and leprosy.

2. c. Yehoshua bin Nun was Moses’ successor (Deu. 34:9). He led the Jewish nation in the conquest of the land of Canaan.

3. b. Rav Kook’s philosophy and writings formed the basis of the modern Hardal Religious Zionist movement that combines Zionism and Orthodox Judaism.

4. d. Rain fell (Gen. 7:12); Moses was on Mt. Sinai (Exo. 34:28); scouts spied (Num. 13:25).

5. d. Nu, so what shouldn’t nu mean, I’m asking?

6. a. Despite the absence of a constitution, in the 1990’s, Israel’s Supreme Court President, Aharon Barak, declared the court to have judicial review powers over Israel’s legislature.

7. b. To stare up at a copper serpent on a pole (Num. 21:6-9).

8. a. The Betzalel Academy of Arts and Design is the namesake of Betzalel ben Uri ben Hur (Exo. 31:2).

9. a. Moses was born into slavery in Egypt and died on the east side of the Jordan River without ever setting foot in the land of Israel.

10. c. The biological mother of Apple founder, Steve Jobs, is a German-Swiss Catholic. Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg; Google by Larry Page and Sergey Brin; Intel by two Jewish physicists, Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, and by Holocaust survivor Andy Grove.

0 – 2 Talmid/Talmida (Student)

3 – 5 Melamed/Melamedet (Teacher)

6 – 8 Talmid Chacham/Talmidat Chacham (Scholar)

9 – 10 Gaon/Gaona (Genius)

Your comments are welcome at Felber@Jewish-IQ.com

©2024 Felber, Starmark, Inc., all rights reserved.

Chai Five

5 TRADITIONS TO EXPECT AT A JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY

Tradition, Tradition! Jewish weddings are filled with meaningful traditions and rituals. From the poignant Ketubah signing to the jubilant breaking of the glass, each element of a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony carries deep cultural significance and symbolism. With wedding season fast approaching, here are the top 5 traditions you can expect at a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

1.

KETUBAH SIGNING: The Ketubah signing is a private and intimate moment, symbolizing the legal and spiritual union between the bride and groom. The Ketubah, or marriage contract, is a central aspect of a Jewish wedding. Before the ceremony begins, the bride, groom, and witnesses gather to sign a document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the couple within their marriage, emphasizing mutual respect, commitment, and support.

2.

PROCESSIONAL: A Jewish wedding ceremony takes place under the Chuppah (wedding canopy). As the ceremony begins, the groom is escorted to the Chuppah by both parents, followed by the bride, often accompanied by her parents. Both sets of parents will stand under the Chuppah during parts of the ceremony. The processional represents the merging of two families and the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives.

3.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS AND RINGS: The vows exchanged by bride and groom are sacred aspects of the wedding ceremony. The groom recites the traditional vow, “Harei at mekudeshet li betaba’at zo kedat Moshe veYisrael” (Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel), as he places the wedding ring on the bride’s finger. In turn, the bride may recite a similar vow or express her commitment in her own words.

4.

SEVEN BLESSINGS (SHEVA BRACHOT): Following the exchange of rings, the rabbi or officiant leads the couple in reciting the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings. These blessings celebrate the joy of

marriage and invoke divine blessings for the newlywed couple. Each blessing highlights different aspects of married life, including love, companionship, and the creation of a harmonious home.

5.

BREAKING OF THE GLASS: At the end of the wedding ceremony, the groom traditionally breaks a glass with his right foot. This symbolic act has multiple interpretations, including a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of the fragility of human relationships, and an expression of hope for the couple’s future together. After the glass is broken, the ceremony is complete, marking the official beginning of the marriage.

A Jewish wedding ceremony encompasses several timeless traditions, each designed to sanctify the union between bride and groom and celebrate the blessings of love and commitment. As couples embark on this sacred journey, they honor the rich heritage of their ancestors while forging a new path filled with love, joy, and promise.

mazel & mishagoss

HOW NOT TO THROW A NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIAL DAY BBQ

First things first: Feel proper Jewish guilt, remembering how last Memorial Day you nonchalantly grilled steaks in your backyard when the next door neighbor popped his nosy head over the fence yelling, “Mmm, something sure smells good!” You weren’t channeling your Grandma Ethel back then (a generous hostess who cooks for an army!) so you didn’t invite him over. But now it’s time to make up for that. And then some!

Next, resolve to include anyone living within “Aroma Wafting” distance—plus all neglected neighbors who weren’t invited to your Bar Mitzvahs, much to Grandma Ethel’s dismay.

Rethink leaving notification flyers under everyone’s frontdoor welcome mat because that’s what pushy realtors and obnoxious cable companies do. Instead, hang, “EVERYONE Reading this is Invited to Our Backyard Cookout” posters on community mailboxes. Be shocked when a postal worker knocks on your door (personally delivering your mail, which he never does!), and sheepishly asks, “Okay to bring my cousins and their kids?” What would Grandma Ethel say? “Nu? The more the merrier!” THAT’S what she’d say.

Overhear through your open window two mothers chatting on the sidewalk, “Do you know her? I don’t know her either. How lame! Maybe she has no other friends.”

Realize you wrote “Potluck” on the invites to promote camaraderie and teamwork, but now everyone’ll just think you’re cheap. Also, since you didn’t do that organized

thing Martha Stewart does (Dividing last names into A-L = side dish/drinks and M-Z = main course/appetizer) there will probably be 17 containers of Costco white chocolate macadamia cookies on your dessert buffet. And nuts don’t belong in baked goods.

Knock on individual doors because you forgot to put RSVP info in your flyer. Act surprised when the first neighbors (The Steinbergers) thank you for inviting them, but remark they’ll only come if another Kosher family attends because their kids feel funny being the only ones eating special food. Think fast and reassure them that the Goldman family also keeps kosher and will absolutely be attending and has also expressed having children who feel kinda awkward eating their separate food. (Grandma Ethel would plotz at your solution!)

Break a sweat racing over to the Goldman home, pleading with them to come to your BBQ, (in honor of National Kosher Memorial Day) and all they have to do is eat what’s in the bag (which will be left on their front porch that morning) and have their kids look kinda gawky and uncomfortable.

Order bagged To-Go food from a kosher Jewish deli. (Sorry Grandma Ethel, I know you definitely would’ve cooked it homemade!)

Pray that the Steinbergers and the Goldmans never EVER bring this topic up in conversation with one another at synagogue.

Fret over dead patio plants, tattered lawn furniture and how everyone else’s property looks far nicer. And what’s there to do back here after fressing down a picnic anyhow?

Re-landscape, buy patio seating, and put

in an underground swimming pool with a built-in waterslide.

Make the case to your husband that he must repaint your home’s interior because neighbors need to walk thru your entire house to get to the backyard since entering via the side gate exposes them to the horrible stench of your trashcans. Keep talking about Benjamin Moore “Swiss Coffee Shoreline” color palette even when he interrupts, saying he’ll simply relocate the garbage barrels inside your garage.

Phone a marriage counselor when the divorce papers arrive.

Field calls from your siblings/parents AND Grandma Ethel who all kvetch about looking forward to a private, quiet, family reunion BBQ but you had to go and invite a bunch of strangers so now they’re not coming.

Traipse around the entire neighborhood canceling your event when the local weatherman claims an unseasonable rainstorm is hitting San Diego this weekend.

Ask your mailman’s cousin to pass the butter for the corn-on-the-cob and tell the mailman’s cousin’s children you’d appreciate indoor voices while sitting at your formal dining room table. And no they cannot play Marco Polo in your bathtub. When will this storm end? And what were you thinking channeling Grandma Ethel anyhow? Oy!

STEPHANIE D. GITTLEMAN WILL INJECT HUMOR INTO ANYTHING YOU HIRE HER TO WRITE. EMAIL HER AT THEQUOTEGAL@ YAHOO.COM.

NEWS TO KNOW NOW

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

FACULTY AGAINST ANTISEMITISM MOVEMENT (FAAM) AND #KEEPTHELIGHTON CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Inspired by the courageous actions of Academic Engagement Network (AEN) member and UC Berkeley Professor Ron Hassner, who recently staged a sit-in protest and ate, slept, and taught from his office until UC Berkeley leadership took measures to address escalating antisemitism on their campus, AEN announced the launch of the Faculty Against Antisemitism Movement (FAAM) and #KeepTheLightOn campaign.

FAAM will help enable AEN’s faculty members, as well as other academics who choose to sign up, to stand against antisemitism, antiZionism, and anti-Israel activity on their campuses and to collectively urge their own university leaders to take appropriate action. The AEN-coordinated national campaign will harness AEN’s more than 1,000 members on 322 campuses to provide a collective and highly public response from faculty that is required to counter campus antisemitism and oppose the denigration of Jewish and Zionist identity. Through the campaign, faculty will be empowered to engage directly with senior administrators on their campuses, helping them to recognize that antisemitism under the guise of anti-Israel activism is still antisemitism and to address it effectively.

“Many Jewish faculty, and many other faculty as well, have been appalled as the energies associated with social justice have veered into ideological conformity, advocacy of violence, and openly antisemitic threats,” said Michael Saenger, Professor of English at Southwestern University and a member of FAAM’s Steering Committee. “We have written books, op-eds, and articles, but they are not penetrating the echo chamber of anti-Zionist antisemitism. As with previous protest movements, visual displays are sometimes necessary to get people to stop demonizing marginalized groups. We need to respond to bullying and hate, directed against ourselves and Jewish students, more directly and more personally: by visibly advocating for a university that treats Jews as people, and that treats Israel as a nation.”

To get started, the faculty will participate in FAAM’s national #KeepTheLightOn campaign, leaving a light on in their offices as a beacon to their Jewish students, showing support and solidarity for them, and to publicly demonstrate their commitment to fighting antisemitism. The light will also symbolize the faculty’s commitment to “light a fire” under administrators to ensure a better academic year ahead. They will start now to provide students with the support they need and deserve as they wrap up a difficult academic year, and they will begin conversations with university leadership to ensure the necessary action plans are in place by fall 2024.

“Far too many university administrators are still looking the other way as a wildfire of antisemitism spreads across their campuses,” stated Miriam Elman, AEN’s executive director. “In recent months, AEN faculty members have been countering these new disturbing developments by forming campus affinity groups, organizing solidarity and educational exchange missions to Israel, and by writing and speaking out. Now, AEN will be offering the opportunity to get involved in a national campaign to share information, resources, best practices, and more. Drastic times require drastic actions. We need to build on the energy and momentum, utilize activist models like the one devised by Ron Hassner at UC-Berkeley, and grow a strong faculty movement that will fight for Jewish inclusion and academic integrity.”

AEN will coordinate the national campaign and provide support to participating faculty, including maintaining a website that will be continually updated with information and resources for faculty looking to counter antisemitic and anti-Israel claims and actions, issuing a FAAM social media toolkit, and supporting faculty-driven initiatives.

SEACREST VILLAGE ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

In January, Seacrest Village Retirement Communities President and CEO Pam Ferris announced her retirement after 35 years. It’s fitting that her replacement is someone she recruited and mentored since the early 90s. After a nationwide search, led by a Board Search Committee and national search firm ZurickDavis, current Chief Operating Officer Carl Measer has been selected to be the next President and CEO of the 80-year-old organization.

As COO, Measer has a proven track record of success and has been responsible for overall operations for the 250 resident retirement community. Over the past 8 years, he has been deeply involved in every aspect of operations, from budgeting and staff management to resident care and community engagement.

“The respect I have received from our employees, residents, families, and lay leaders is something I hold in high esteem. It reflects my commitment to our shared values and my dedication to the betterment of Seacrest Village. As CEO, I will continue to build

on this foundation of mutual respect and collaboration, driving us toward a future where we not only meet, but exceed the expectations of those we serve,” Measer added.

“I look forward to leading our team of compassionate and caring professionals with a respect for tradition and an eye on innovative solutions for the future,” he added.

Measer will assume his position on July 1.

STATE AWARDS JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO

$325,000 IN FUNDING TO “STOP THE HATE”

As part of an ongoing effort to stop a statewide surge in hate crimes, Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), was awarded a $325,0000 “Stop the Hate” grant from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

CDSS’ Stop the Hate program provides funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and crimes and their families. CDSS prioritized populations who have experienced or are at the greatest risk of experiencing incidents of bias and hate crimes, including the Jewish community as a religious minority.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Anti-Defamation League reports that antisemitic activity in the United States has escalated dramatically, with reported incidents of harassment, vandalism, and assault increasing by 361% over the same period the year before.

As part of the grant, the JFS Center for Jewish Care will partner with other San Diego Jewish organizations to launch a Jewish Community Rapid Response Network (JCRRN).

“We are fortunate to have several local organizations with a shared goal of combatting antisemitism, each with a unique role and expertise,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. “A rapid response network will not only maximize each partner’s strengths and increase community coordination but also build the resilience of our Jewish community.”

Drawing on their experience in responding to the aftermath of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting in 2019, the Center for Jewish Care will also use the CDSS’ two-year Stop the Hate funding to develop a Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT)—initially, a trained group of professionals ready to deploy culturally competent services and resources in the aftermath of hate incidents or crimes against the San Diego Jewish community, from individual to large-scale incidents.

In a continued effort to curb hate crime violence, the CDSS has

Carl Measer

allocated over $91 million for 173 California nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and crimes and facilitate prevention measures. JFS’s Center for Jewish Care looks forward to working with Stop the Hate regional lead, Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and the diverse Stop the Hate grantees who are committed to making California a safer and more inclusive place for all.

To learn more, visit jfssd.org or call 858-637-3000.

ISRAELI RELOCATION COMPANY OFFERS FREE SERVICES FOR JEWISH STUDENTS TO STUDY IN ISRAEL

A new Israeli relocation company, Belong, is offering free concierge support services to 500 Jewish students at Columbia University and at other campuses nationwide embattled by anti-Israel protests and growing antisemitism and violence to help them study in Israel instead.

Belong, which opened its doors in March, provides a range of concierge relocation services to immigrants to Israel and to those seeking temporary Israel experiences including study abroad and post-graduate degrees. Belong’s services generally range from free online resources to private personal assistants. Belong’s website also features a resource of all Israel-based study abroad programs.

For Columbia and other US students, Belong is offering two months’ worth of free services, including help completing program

registration documentation; identifying and registering for programs; providing advice on different course tracks and potential credits; connecting US students with Israeli students and student organizations for guidance and networking; finding housing; giving guidance on securing student or residence visas. Students must apply before May 31 through Belong’s website.

“We are witnessing an extremely strong antisemitic and anti-Israel wave, expressed in a frightening way across US academic institutions. Jewish students, from the Ivy League or any other university around the world, need to know they have top-tier academic alternatives in Israel and we will help those who wish to transfer,” said Gilad Ramot, the founder and chairman of Belong.

“As a social endeavor working to ensure Israel is the home of every Jew in the world, we at Belong are offering immediate support and personal assistance to any Jewish student feeling their identity or safety are under threat,” added Eilon Gilad, the CEO of Belong. “It is the right of everyone to study in a safe and supportive environment, and we will work to ensure Jewish students can pursue their personal and academic development. We call on all Israeli universities and colleges to fast track these requests, and provide the needed infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition into Israeli academia.”

Our goal & priority on each loss is getting you back to pre-loss condition, while practicing safety, proper protocols (highest industry standards) and doing it as quickly as possible.

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