AUGUST 2026
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contents August 2026 • www.lchaimmagazine.com
in this issue... COVER STORY Building Families, Building Community with Talia Kastiel-Katz....................................................... 1000 WORDS Klaas Mokgomole's Journey From Anti-Israel Activist to Israel Advocate...................
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BUILDING COMMUNITY
TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM.......................................................................................................................... FOOD Quick Pickles......................................................................................................................................................... FEATURES
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LJ Symphony & Chorus's Forces of Nature....................................................................................
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NEWS.....................................................................................................................................................................
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SWU Southwest................................................................................................................................................. Jerusalem Rooftop Cafe Providing Opportunities to Young Adults with Autism...................................................................................................................
QUICK PICKLES
EmotionAid Offers Israelis Tools for Resilience.............................................................................
Harvest for Hope..............................................................................................................................................
COLUMNS
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Prayers & Passages........................................
PUBLISHERS Diane Benaroya & Laurie Miller EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alanna Maya CREATIVE DIRECTOR Laurie Miller CONTRIBUTORS
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Mazel & Mishagoss..................................
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TORAH l BY RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS
prayers
& passages SHOWING UP FOR EACH OTHER
“We need folks on Zoom for Kaddish,” read the anxious text message on WhatsApp. “Can anyone hop on?” The writer was part of a weekday online minyan I attend occasionally, sometimes as participant, other times as prayer leader. I had just finished a Zoom lesson with a student preparing for his Bar Mitzvah when I saw the urgent message. “Coming,” I replied immediately, then logged on. I was the tenth person in the Zoom room. This meant there was now a minyan (quorum) of ten Jewish adults present, and the Mourner’s Kaddish could be recited. This memorial prayer is said after the passing of a loved one and on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of that person’s passing, known as their yahrzeit. Experience has shown me that even those with limited knowledge of Jewish prayer find comfort in reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish for a loved one. Years ago, I was troubled by the requirement that a minyan be present in order for Kaddish to be recited. Based on the Torah verse “And I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel” (Leviticus 22:32), the rabbis determined that a public declaration of God’s holiness had to be done in community, with ten adults (over Bar/Bat Mitzvah age) being the minimum requirement. 6
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2026
To me at the time, that requirement seemed unfair to the individual mourner. At some point, however, I had a change of heart. The purpose of requiring a minyan, I realized, was not to deny a mourner the opportunity to recite the prayer; rather, it was to obligate the community to “show up” for others, providing support and comfort to those in need. While grieving for a loved one is at its most intense in the immediate aftermath of death, remembering them on their yahrzeit—even years later—can leave a person feeling vulnerable and distressed. Being in the presence of community may provide the bereaved strength to get through these difficult moments. The Talmud states: “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh” (“All Israel is responsible for one another”—Shevuot 39a). Jewish law offers us many specific ways to fulfill our communal obligation to help ensure each other’s well-being. For example, Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick) is a fundamental mitzvah (commandment). Providing food (e.g. cooking, shopping, participating in a meal train), running errands, walking pets, and offering healing prayers are some of the ways we can show kindness to someone who is ill or incapacitated.
Giving tzedakah to those in need is another essential obligation in Judaism. We are required not only to give charitable financial donations, but to volunteer our time and talents to those who may need help. Many worthy organizations could benefit from our assistance. Some examples are: Jewish Family Service of San Diego (jfssd.org), the hunger relief organization Mazon (mazon.org), and for animals, the San Diego Humane Society (sdhumane.org) or any animal rescue organization. All of my Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are required to perform a mitzvah project of their choosing. It could be collecting personal hygiene products for the unhoused, raising money for a local food bank, or spending time with the elderly in nursing facilities. It is wonderful to see how creative and passionate these young people are about showing up for others, which hopefully sets them up for a lifetime of service and compassion. May we all take the time and effort to show up for others, whenever and however we can. RABBI-CANTOR CHERI WEISS IS AN INDEPENDENT LIFE-CYCLES OFFICIANT. LEARN MORE AT SANDIEGO-RABBI.COM
HUMOR | BY STEPHANIE D. GITTLEMAN
mazel
& mishagoss CONFESSIONS OF THE FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
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hen I first applied for this job, it was all glam and adventure. “Your character is the title name of the movie and on posters! You’ll be an agile athlete and a consummate musician,” they said. “You’ll represent all of Judaism since the beginning of time,” they said. Wow! But nobody ever said, “You’ll get bupkis as far as dialogue! And by the way, there’s no men’s restroom way up there.” Every day I’m on a roof…trying to scratch out a pleasant simple tune…while one loose shingle separates me from becoming “Fiddler OFF the Roof.” And how do I keep my balance? Yes one word: Tradition! But I’d just like to point out, nobody ever asked if I’d prefer a nice LaZ-Boy recliner over tradition. Meanwhile, Tevye is down there having long talks with God while I’m up here thinking, “Could one of those conversations include asking for a railing?” Everyone admires Tevye’s faith. I’d settle for Workers’ Comp. You think I have the best view of Anatevka? Technically, yes. From up here, I know everybody’s business. I knew Tzeitel loved Motel before Tevye did. I knew Perchik was trouble the minute he started saying things like, “Let’s question tradition.” Dude! I’m balancing on a roof because of tradition. Could you question it after I get down? And don’t even get me started on weddings. People think weddings are joyful. Not for me. Whenever somebody yells, “Music!” I know exactly what’s coming. Three hours of “Sunrise, Sunset.” (Ho hum. Snoozefest. That
was my recital song before my Bar-Mitzvah even came around.) And do you know how many sunsets I’ve actually watched? Thousands. They’re all lovely. They’d be even lovelier from the ground. Then there’s the bottle dance. Everyone applauds the men balancing fragile libations on their heads. Excuse me? I’m balancing an entire career on a chimney. Where is my standing ovation? Children wave at me. Dogs bark at me. Birds look at me like I’ve rented their apartment. Every winter when Tevye’s horse has a lame leg, someone says, “Poor Tevye. Life is so hard.” Really? Has anyone looked up lately? Then people say, “Cheer up. You’re the fiddler. That symbolizes hope.” No. The fiddler symbolizes bad career counseling. My mother wanted me to become a dentist. Did I listen? Of course not. Now every family argument becomes my cue. A daughter wants to marry for love? Play. Another daughter wants to marry a revolutionary? Play faster. The village is being forced to leave everything they’ve ever known? Still playing. At that point I’m less of a musician and more of an emotional support soundtrack. Again, I don’t mean to harp on the subject (See what I did there with a harp?) but everyone else gets solos, duets, romances, and dramatic speeches. I get nothing until the cast starts singing Tradition! Oh so NOW you’re all interested in me. Five minutes ago I was just ‘that guy on the roof.’ Suddenly I’m branding. When Tevye says, “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as…
as…a fiddler on the roof!” I’m the example? You couldn’t have said, ‘as shaky as Uncle Mordechai after four glasses of schnapps?’ No. Let’s use the guy with vertigo that’s risking spinal injury. When everyone is arguing over who should marry whom, I’ve noticed something. Nobody ever asks what the violinist thinks. Maybe I have opinions. Maybe I liked the butcher? Ha! I’m just kidding. When Lazar Wolf proposes his silly marriage. Take him. Don’t take him. Honestly, I don’t care anymore. Could somebody just hand me a sandwich from the commissary? Sometimes I imagine what would happen if I simply stopped playing. Would everyone freeze? Would production come to a halt? Would Tevye say, “God…where’s the Fiddler?” No! I’d just feel guilty. Because THAT is the real tradition of Judaism. I recall they let me off the roof one time. I played beautifully in a dreamy ballet dance sequence in Tevye’s mind’s eye. All the daughters walked off with their intended. Then Chava runs off with that book reading gentile creature and suddenly nobody notices I’m finally playing on solid ground. The next morning it’s, “Up ya go. Back on the roof with you!” Fine! But remember, without me…this show is just titled (wait for it) ”Dairy Farmer With Opinions.” STEPHANIE D. GITTLEMAN WILL INJECT HUMOR INTO ANYTHING YOU HIRE HER TO WRITE. EMAIL HER AT THEQUOTEGAL@YAHOO.COM. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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L’CHAIM | BY ERGAR LEFKOVITS | JNS.ORG
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L’CHAIM
1000
WORDS A SOUTH AFRICAN'S JOURNEY FROM ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST TO ISRAEL ADVOCATE
South African Klaas Mokgomole on a visit to Israel, June 18, 2026. PHOTO BY GALI HERMON.
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hen South African peace activist Klaas Mokgomole first arrived at Israel’s main international airport outside Tel Aviv, he asked where the “Blacks-only” bathroom was. The former anti-Israel activist, who had been taught that Israel was an “apartheid state,” thought the Ben-Gurion International Airport official, who looked at him quizzically, simply didn’t understand his English. “What do you mean, Blacks-only bathroom?” the dumbfounded Israeli airport official replied. Mokgomole, who was on his first-ever visit to Israel, told the official that he didn’t want to be arrested for using the wrong restroom. “Choose any you like,” the official told him. The South African entered a men’s room and was shocked to see Jews, Arabs and Christians, and people of all races together. “Maybe it’s only the airport because it is an international place,”
he told himself, “and we will see the real apartheid when we get into the country.” TRANSFORMATIVE TRIP
The 2015 visit proved to be a turning point for the former activist for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates boycotts of Israel, who just a year earlier had been expelled from his Johannesburg university for violently disrupting an Israeli cultural event. In the decade since that trip, the 35-year-old South African from a small village in Limpopo Province has undergone a remarkable transformation, going from a hardcore anti-Israel activist to a staunch advocate for Israel and coexistence. “My life changed when I chose to replace certainty with curiosity,” he said. “Seeing the realities on the ground and engaging with people from different backgrounds transformed me into someone who WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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“Seeing the realities on the ground and engaging with people from different backgrounds transformed me into someone who believes that coexistence, not division, offers the best path forward.”
believes that coexistence, not division, offers the best path forward.” Mokgomole, who now speaks internationally and runs educational programs about Israel from his home in the South African township of Soweto, was back in the Jewish state last month with the Israelbased nonprofit consultancy Secret Light ahead of the publication of his memoir this fall, tentatively titled Klaas in Session. RADICALIZED YOUTH
His transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. Speaking at a private home in the suburbs of Tel Aviv, Mokgomole recounted his radicalized youth as a student leader in the ruling African National Congress party, which, a decade before the Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent “From the River to the Sea” demonstrations, held rallies at which 10
L’CHAIM SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2026
demonstrators chanted, “One Jew, one bullet” and “Kill the Jews, kill the Zionists.” “We were already radicalized,” he said, noting that Israel was constantly compared to apartheid South Africa. “You are with people who have never been to the Middle East, and you just take it all in.” After violently shutting down an Israeli piano recital organized at his university, Mokgomole was found guilty of misconduct and expelled. His mother, who knew little about Israel beyond what she had read in the Bible, was devastated, he recalled, while his brother urged him to research an issue before joining any movement. OFFER TO VISIT ISRAEL
Using a gift voucher, Mokgomole bought a book on Israel by prominent American jurist Alan Dershowitz. Soon afterward, a friend connected him with a trip to Israel organized by the South African-Israel Forum, which was willing to give the former BDS activist a chance. Defying warnings and online ridicule from former student leaders who urged him not to go, Mokgomole traveled to Israel. After his multiracial airport restroom experience, he was struck by a visit to the southern Israeli city of Sderot, where he learned that, in the years before the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, residents had just 15 seconds to reach shelter from Palestinian rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. “I realized that BDS never told me that part of the story, and their campaign for Palestine was a mask for preaching hatred against Jews,” he said, referring to the anti-Israel boycott movement. From that point on, Mokgomole said, he resolved to educate students back home about what he had seen firsthand in Israel “so that they don’t fall for the same trap of misinformation and think out of the box.” He now works with South African Jewish organizations to build bridges between African and Jewish communities. An avid runner, he has also participated in the Jerusalem Marathon as part of his unusual journey, including during wartime. “Israel is very bad at PR,” he lamented. “After Oct. 7, the world was supposed to be on Israel’s side.” This article was originally published at: https://www.jns.org/feature/asouth-africans-journey-from-anti-israel-activist-to-israel-advocate.
The Fountain of YOU YOU..
TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM 1. When two women claimed to be the mother of the same baby, what did King Solomon propose to resolve the dispute? __ a. Flipping a sacred coin __ b. Cutting the baby in half with a sword __ c. Giving the baby to a wealthy childless couple __ d. Having the baby raised in the royal household until it could choose 2. Which food, developed in Jewish communities in Poland centuries ago, has become a worldwide favorite today? __ a. Doughnuts __ b. Croissants __ c. Bagels __ d. Falafel
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3. According to Maimonides, what is the highest level of the eight levels of charity? __ a. Giving anonymously to an unknown recipient __ b. Giving cheerfully before being asked __ c. Giving more than you can comfortably afford __ d. Helping someone become self-sufficient through a loan, job, or partnership 4. Rosh Hashanah is to fish heads as Purim is to what? __ a. Hamantaschen __ b. Macaroons __ c. Latkes __ d. Lox 5. Which beloved Jewish singer-songwriter, born Robert Zimmerman, revolutionized folk and rock music and won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature? __ a. Paul Simon __ b. Leonard Cohen __ c. Bob Dylan __ d. Neil Diamond 6. Which sage in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), authored one of the most famous aphorisms in Western philosophy, “If I am not for myself, who will be for
me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”? __ a. Rabbi Akiva __ b. Hillel the Elder __ c. Shammai __ d. Ben Zoma 7. Which medieval French scholar, traditionally believed to be a winemaker from the capital of Champagne, is universally known for his definitive line-byline commentary on both the Torah and the Talmud? __ a. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra __ b. Nachmanides (Ramban) __ c. Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) __ d. Rabbi Joseph Caro 8. Which Jewish scientist was formally offered the presidency of the State of Israel by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion after the death of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann? __ a. Robert Oppenheimer __ b. Richard Feynman __ c. Jonas Salk __ d. Albert Einstein 9. To which of these does the number 70 refer in the Torah? __ a. Nations and languages after the Great Flood __ b. Elders appointed by Moses __ c. Members of Jacob’s family who descended to Egypt __ d. All of the above 10. Which Jewish pitcher famously sat out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, becoming a symbol of Jewish religious pride in America? __ a. Yogi Berra __ b. Sandy Koufax __ c. Hank Greenberg __ d. Al Rosen
Answers on page 29. ©2026 Felber, Starmark, Inc., all rights reserved
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COVER STORY | BY SHARONA SHTIENBERG
BUILDING FAMILIES, BUILDING COMMUNITY 12
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COVER STORY
ome people separate their family life, professional career and public service. For Talia Kastiel-Katz, these three worlds are deeply intertwined. At the heart of each is the same belief: people need more than professional assistance; they also need someone who will see them, listen to them and help them feel that they are not alone. Behind her international career and public leadership is, first and foremost, a woman deeply devoted to her family. Family is not simply part of Kastiel-Katz’s biography; it is the compass that guides her work, shapes her approach to leadership and informs the responsibility she feels toward the Jewish and Israeli-American community. It is no coincidence that she chose to dedicate her professional life to helping others become parents. She understands firsthand the longing to build a family and the emotional complexity of the journey. From that personal experience grew a professional mission through which she has accompanied thousands of families during some of the most sensitive and meaningful moments of their lives.
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FROM A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO A LIFE’S MISSION
For more than 12 years, Kastiel-Katz, the CEO and founder of TCO Egg Donation and Chosen Egg Bank, has helped intended parents from around the world fulfill their dream of becoming parents. The organization’s mission may sound simple, but it encompasses an entire world: helping create families with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to the highest medical and ethical standards. There is no single age and no single type of family that faces infertility. Every person arrives with a different story, yet all share the same profound desire to build a family. For Kastiel-Katz, the work begins where medicine alone is no longer enough. The families who come to her are not merely looking for a suitable donor or a professional solution. They want to understand what lies ahead, receive honest answers, and feel that someone is holding onto hope alongside them, even when the journey becomes longer than expected. That is why she created a model of close, personal guidance built on accessibility, transparency, and a deep understanding of each family and the story it carries. Her commitment is also deeply personal. Through years of working closely with intended parents and guiding them through one of the most meaningful journeys of their lives, she has gained a profound understanding of the waiting, the uncertainty, and the need for a compassionate listener. MORE THAN A MEDICAL PROCESS: A QUESTION OF IDENTITY
For Jewish families, egg donation may also raise profound questions of identity, tradition and continuity. Many families, both religious and nonreligious, seek a Jewish egg donor because
they wish to preserve a genetic, cultural, or religious connection to the generations that came before them. Some seek a donor of Ashkenazi or Sephardic background, while others are guided by a rabbi’s recommendation. For some families, knowing that the donor is Jewish helps ease, to some degree, the painful loss of the intended mother’s genetic connection. Some Jewish donors also wish to know that the children born from their donation will be raised in a Jewish home and will be aware of their heritage. The halachic questions surrounding egg donation are complex, and rabbinic opinions differ regarding maternal status, the donor’s role, and whether conversion may be required. Kastiel-Katz emphasizes that it is not her role to determine Jewish law. Families are encouraged to consult their own rabbi or halachic authority, while the company works closely with physicians, attorneys and rabbis to help each family make a decision that reflects its beliefs and way of life. The company has also developed a process designed for families seeking strict halachic oversight. Donors are reviewed by a rabbinical court to verify their Jewish status and marital status, and on the day of the egg retrieval, supervision by representatives of the Puah Institute can be arranged in the laboratory. This creates a clearly supervised process from beginning to end. The goal is not to make decisions for the family, but to provide complete information, connect families with the appropriate professionals, and allow them to choose with confidence and in accordance with their values. GETTING TO KNOW THE WOMAN BEHIND THE DONATION
One of the company’s distinguishing features is the highly detailed donor database it offers families. The process begins with a personal introductory conversation during which the family learns about the expected stages, timeline, available options, and how to navigate the database. Just as importantly, the team listens to the needs, preferences, and concerns of each family. Parents then receive access to hundreds of detailed donor profiles. Each profile may include information about height, weight, and physical characteristics; medical and family history spanning several generations; genetic information; educational background; interests, talents, hobbies, personality traits, and previous donations. Families also receive dozens of photographs of the donor at different stages of her life, from childhood to the present day, as well as a video in which they can see how she speaks, smiles, and presents herself. For many families, these details make the choice feel less abstract. They allow them, to some extent, to know the woman behind the profile and develop a deeper human connection. The matching process is highly personal and considers medical and genetic compatibility, physical characteristics, family background, personal values, religious preferences, and the family’s goals. LOCAL PRESENCE, GLOBAL IMPACT
What began as a response to a deep personal and human need
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COVER STORY
has grown into an international operation. The company’s main office is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with additional offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tel Aviv. It serves families from the United States, Israel, Canada, Australia, Europe, South Africa, and other parts of the world. Despite this growth, Kastiel-Katz is committed to preserving the personal approach that has characterized the company from the beginning. Behind every case is a human being: a woman who dreams of becoming a mother, a couple that has traveled a difficult road, a donor who has chosen to give of herself, and a family waiting for life-changing news. She also hopes to change the way the community speaks about infertility. Although millions of people around the world experience it, infertility is still often accompanied by shame, loneliness, and silence. Within close-knit communities, the pressure to keep the struggle private can be especially intense. In Kastiel-Katz’s view, change begins by replacing silence with compassion and understanding. The more openly the subject is discussed, the more people recognize that they are not alone and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage. FROM BUILDING FAMILIES TO BUILDING COMMUNITY
For Kastiel-Katz, October 7 was more than a national tragedy. It was a deeply personal wake-up call. In the days that followed, she felt an overwhelming need to do more. More than supporting Israel from afar, she wanted to strengthen the people around her, bringing families together, creating spaces for connection, and helping build a community that would stand united in moments of crisis and in everyday life alike. The same worldview led Kastiel-Katz to become involved with the Israeli-American Council (IAC). Today, she serves on the organization’s National Board and leads the IAC board and council in San Diego. For her, this is not merely a representative position. It is a natural extension of the mission that guides every part of her life: building spaces in which people feel that they belong, are supported, and are connected to one another. The IAC is the home for Israeli Americans and pro-Israel communities across the United States. Since its founding in Los Angeles in 2007, it has grown into a national movement operating from coast to coast across dozens of communities, connecting families, leaders, young people, and partners around a shared identity, communal responsibility, and a deep connection to Israel. For Kastiel-Katz, the strength of the IAC lies in its ability to transform this national reach into genuine community power; a force that stands beside people at the moments when they need it most. Since October 7, the organization has mobilized thousands of families, leaders, and volunteers, strengthened communities during a period of pain and uncertainty, and provided a framework through which they could unite, raise their voices, and proudly stand with the State of Israel. 14
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At the same time, the IAC stands beside families and communities confronting rising antisemitism and a growing sense of insecurity in schools, on college campuses and in public spaces. Through educational, communal and civic initiatives, including its IAC MAGEN, the organization gives children, teenagers and parents the tools to understand the world around them, strengthen their identity, and act with confidence, responsibility, and pride. In San Diego, Kastiel-Katz works alongside board members, local leaders, volunteers, families, and partners to expand community engagement, strengthen the connection to Israel, and build a community infrastructure that will serve both this generation and those that follow. OUR SHARED COMMUNITY
RESPONSIBILITY
TO
BUILD
A
STRONG
Kastiel-Katz’s journey connects personal success with communal responsibility. For someone who has dedicated her life to building families, the transition to building community was a natural one: using the experience, abilities, and relationships she has developed to open doors for others and strengthen the next generation. This vision will be at the heart of the IAC San Diego Gala, which will take place on September 3. The evening will celebrate the people who build the community throughout the year and raise the resources that will allow the IAC to continue investing in families, children and teenagers: our future generation and the resilience of San Diego’s remarkable community. For Kastiel-Katz, the gala is not merely a festive evening. It is an invitation for every person to take part in our shared responsibility: to build a strong community, deepen identity and belonging, stand with Israel, and ensure that the next generation has a home in which it can grow with confidence and pride. “I invite you to take part in shaping our present and our future as a community,” Kastiel-Katz says. “Ultimately, the meaning of life is found not only in what we build for ourselves, but also in what we help others build families, communities and a shared Jewish, Israeli and American future. We do this for our children, for American democracy, and for the future of the State of Israel. No one will do it for us. This is our moment, and this is the personal example we want to set for our children and for the world.” This year, the IAC San Diego Gala will recognize Talia KastielKatz as one of its honorees, celebrating not only her professional achievements, but also her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening the Israeli-American community in San Diego. Through her work, she has shown that building families and building community are ultimately part of the same mission.
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FOOD
SIMPLE QUICK PICKLED CUCUMBERS BY TAMAR ROTHENBERG, MS, RDN; AUTHOR, CANCER DIET FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED
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hat’s Jewish life without a pickle? Pickling is a simple and fast method for preserving foods with acid, such as vinegar. It differs from fermentation, which uses brine and anaerobic conditions, and has gut health benefits. However, it is a flavorful approach to create condiments with fresh ingredients such as cucumbers, onions, carrots, and cabbage. Here are my top tips to quick pickling: • Create different flavor in pickles by using different types of vinegar and fresh herbs, spices, and alliums (i.e. garlic, shallots). The best vinegars are distilled vinegar, white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, unseasoned rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar. • Use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water and make sure you have enough liquid to cover the amount of vegetables you are pickling. • Only use clean glass containers with lids and select decorative lids if desired. • Sweetener can be omitted but it helps balance the flavor. QUICK PICKLED CUCUMBERS
Ingredients 2 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced (preferably Persian or Kirby cucumbers) 1 cup distilled white vinegar 1 cup water 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 1 tablespoon cane sugar 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat) 2 sprigs fresh dill
Directions 1. Wash and pat dry the cucumbers before slicing. 2. Prepare the brine: In a saucepan, combine distilled white vinegar, water, Kosher salt, and cane sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove from heat. 3. Pack the cucumber slices, garlic slices, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, red pepper flakes (if using), and fresh dill sprigs into a clean glass jar. 4. Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers, ensuring they are fully submerged. 5. Seal the jar with a lid and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the pickles for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to develop. These quick pickles can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. TAMAR ROTHENBERG, MS, RDN, IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN WHO SPECIALIZES IN BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER IN HER PRIVATE PRACTICE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. SHE HAS A CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING IN VEGETARIAN NUTRITION AND HERBAL FORMULATIONS IN CANCER CARE; AND CO-LED THE CLINICAL STUDY, COPING WITH CANCER IN THE KITCHEN, PUBLISHED IN NUTRIENTS. TAMAR LENDS HER EXPERTISE TO SHARSHERET THRIVERS THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION. TAMAR IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE US NEWS & WORLD REPORT HEALTH EXPERT PANEL. CHECK OUT TAMAR’S OTHER RECIPES IN HER BOOK, CANCER DIET FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED: AN INTEGRATIVE GUIDE AND COOKBOOK FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. VISIT TAMAR’S WEBSITE AT HTTPS:// WWW.TAMARROTHENBERGRD.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. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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PHOTOGRAPH BY NATHAN SZWERDSZARF.
FEATURE STORY
STANDWITHUS SOUTHWEST EMPOWERING SAN DIEGO TO STAND UP FOR ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE
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hether in classrooms, city halls, houses of worship, or neighborhood gatherings, San Diego has not been immune to the alarming rise in the antisemitism seen across the country. At a time when misinformation and division are becoming increasingly common, StandWithUs Southwest is bringing people together through education, partnership, and meaningful dialogue. Founded in May of 2001, StandWithUs is an international nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to supporting Israel and combating antisemitism through education. StandWithUs is unique in that it reaches millions around the world, advancing its mission through K–12 education, campus initiatives, Holocaust education, legal protection of Jewish civil rights, leadership development, digital resources, and community engagement. Across San Diego, StandWithUs Southwest has become a trusted resource for students, civic leaders, multifaith communities, and families. StandWithUs works every day to prevent antisemitism through education while empowering people to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people. Preparing the next generation of leaders is central to the mission of StandWithUs. This school year, seven San Diego-area high schools will participate in the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship, while students from four local college campuses will serve as StandWithUs Emerson Fellows, joining hundreds of Leventhals and 18
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Emersons across the country and around the world. Together, these leadership programs prepare students to educate their peers, build meaningful relationships, and respond confidently to antisemitism. Through educational programming focused on Israel, antisemitism, and human rights, StandWithUs creates opportunities for learning, dialogue, and meaningful community engagement. From welcoming renowned speakers such as Einat Wilf, Dumisani Washington, Noa Tishby, and Michael Rapaport to hosting family programs, educational webinars, and community conversations, the organization equips people with the knowledge and confidence to engage thoughtfully. Thismonth, the community will welcome Judge Roy Altman, author of Israel on Trial, for an evening exploring common false allegations made against Israel through a legal and historical lens. Education is paired with action. Through its SaidoffLegal Department and Center for Combating Antisemitism, StandWithUs provides legal guidance for those experiencing antisemitism and recently joined a landmark federal lawsuit challenging California educational practices that plaintiffs argue discriminated against Jewish students. Locally, the StandWithUs Antisemitism Task Force brings together law enforcement, elected officials, interfaith leaders, and community organizations to combat antisemitism through collaboration. The
FEATURE STORY
Task Force has helped advance adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its adoption by the City of San Diego, while hosting multifaith events that foster understanding and create opportunities to hear from diverse perspectives and new voices. Education extends far beyond the classroom. StandWithUs Southwest has led immersive educational missions to Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Poland, giving participants the opportunity to explore Jewish history, deepen their understanding of Israel, and reflect on resilience, identity, and the lessons of history. That commitment to education continues here at home. This year, StandWithUs brought Holocaust survivors into local classrooms to share their firsthand experiences with more than 2,000 students, ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust continue to educate and inspire the next generation. On October 18, the StandWithUs Southwest Gala will celebrate the partnerships that make this work possible. The evening will feature keynote speaker Loay Alshareef, a leading voice for peace and dialogue with Israel, and a special performance by Israeli musician
Idan Raichel. The event will also honor Jenny Josephson while celebrating the enduring legacy of her late husband, Julian Josephson, whose commitment to Jewish education, Israel, and the San Diego community continues to inspire generations. As the challenges facing the Jewish community continue to evolve, so does StandWithUs Southwest’s dedication to educating, empowering, and building bridges. The organization is helping create a future where understanding triumphs over hate and every person has the confidence to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people.
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FEATURE STORY
Jerusalem Rooftop Cafe
Providing opportunities to young adults with autism BY STEVE LINDE | JNS.ORG
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five-course vegetarian dinner prepared and served on the rooftop of Jerusalem’s Clal Center on Monday celebrated the first six months of Agalala, a social coffee-cart cafe that employs young adults on the autism spectrum. The project’s name is a playful twist on the Hebrew word agalah (“cart”), reflecting both the coffee cart itself and its warm, community-oriented spirit. The “Agal-Gala” appreciation and fundraising event on a cool Jerusalem evening brought supporters, partners and community members to Muslala’s rooftop center on Jaffa Road for food, music, personal stories and a presentation of the project’s approach to inclusive employment. 20
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The Agalala team prepared the evening’s kosher tasting menu under the direction of manager Udi Segal. Dishes included gazpacho, freshcorn polenta, watermelon salad with fakous cucumber, sumac, honey, pistachios and jibneh cheese, and stuffed onion served on tzatziki. Matan Israeli, co-founder and CEO of the Muslala nonprofit organization, said the coffee cart had completed a vision that the Jerusalem-based urban art and sustainability collective had spent more than a decade developing. “We were given the privilege of reinventing the rooftop of a building that was once intended to be the heart of Jerusalem,” Israeli said.
FEATURE STORY
“This is not another machine in another sheltered workshop,” Tal said. “It is something larger— creative, innovative and rooted in the community.” Muslala has spent 12 years transforming the roof of the Clal Center into a cultural, ecological and community space, he said. “Piece by piece, we have assembled a puzzle,” he said. “In a sense, everything created here was preparation for the day when the wonderful Agalala coffee cart would arrive.” The project, he added, was “the missing piece of the puzzle,” enabling visitors to experience the rooftop through healthy food, warm hospitality and personal encounters. A ‘THIRD PLACE’
Moran Bash Danon, CEO of Muslala, said the coffee cart brings together two groups with distinct but complementary missions. Muslala focuses on art, culture and sustainability, while Gal College specializes in vocational training and employment resilience for people facing barriers to entering the workforce. Drawing on American sociologist Ray Oldenburg’s concept of the “third place,” Bash Danon described the rooftop as a space that is neither home nor work, but a welcoming setting in which people meet and communities form. “A third place can be a garden, a hair salon, a public library, a cafe or a rooftop,” she said.
“For me, Muslala’s rooftop is first and foremost such a place. It is a meeting place—open, inclusive, diverse, cultural, sustainable and social.” The rooftop sits in the center of an increasingly dense urban environment where opportunities for spontaneous human interaction are becoming scarcer, she said. “This space and this unique meeting point made possible the special partnership called Agalala,” Bash Danon said. “It connects Muslala and Gal College, culture and vocational resilience, professional training and human interaction, diverse employment and personal friendship.” FROM TRAINING TO EMPLOYMENT
Ruti Tal, vice president for professional affairs at Gal College, said the 45-year-old nonprofit helps people acquire skills, enter the workforce, remain employed and develop professionally. The organization operates programs at 12 locations across Israel and began working in Jerusalem about three years ago. Tal said its activities in the capital began after a mother representing parents of young adults on the autism spectrum asked the college to create a program for participants completing national service who had no clear path into employment. Gal College opened its Tal vocational program in Jerusalem in November 2023, just weeks after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The organization initially struggled to find an affordable location in the capital. A referral eventually led Tal to Israeli and Muslala. “I immediately knew this was what I wanted for us: a connection to a community,” she said. “I sensed that there was something here much greater than simply a place to house our program.” The program opened on Muslala’s terrace during heavy winter rains while other sections of the rooftop center were still being developed. The idea for the coffee cart emerged when Israeli learned of a National Insurance Institute call for proposals and suggested that Muslala and Gal College apply together. Muslala brought the concept and community setting, while Gal College provided the professional experience required to train and support the workers. The two organizations secured the grant despite the complexities of building a joint project across separate nonprofit structures. “This is not another machine in another sheltered workshop,” Tal said. “It is something larger—creative, innovative and rooted in the community.” She said the project reflects a broader understanding of employment inclusion that emphasizes strengths, skills and what Gal College calls “ExtrAbility,” rather than defining people according to disability. “It is this combination of ecology, art, society and extra abilities,” she said. “Together, they generate light every day.”
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FEATURE STORY
Grebelsky praised Israeli as a social mentor who had helped cultivate a new generation of Jerusalem activists and community leaders. Jerusalem attracts young people with a strong interest in social innovation, communal life and connections between religious, secular, Arab and Haredi residents, he said. He contrasted the city’s cultural and social initiatives with the perception among some overseas visitors that Jerusalem offers little beyond its religious and political institutions. “Come with me for one day and see what a special city Jerusalem is,” he said. Grebelsky cited Muslala and other independent cultural venues in the city center as evidence that Jerusalem is becoming a leading center for social entrepreneurship and cooperation between communities. “We need many more leaders like you,” he told Israeli. “The Jerusalem Foundation intends to remain a partner for many years.” He said that the foundation is also supporting a series of Friday events at Muslala featuring young Jerusalem artists in memory of Shai Doron, the beloved president of the Jerusalem Foundation, who died in 2024. PARTNERS IN INCLUSION
Tal praised Segal’s “gentle and humane” leadership and said Agalala allows graduates of Gal College’s programs to practice workplace skills while developing relationships with customers and colleagues. A JERUSALEM MODEL
Arik Grebelsky, president of the Jerusalem Foundation, said Muslala represented a form of social entrepreneurship increasingly associated with the capital. He said the rooftop could not be defined solely as an environmental, cultural, social or coexistence initiative. “That is precisely its beauty and magic,” he said.
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Speakers thanked Gal College for its partnership in establishing Agalala and the National Insurance Institute, whose backing enabled the creation of the coffee cart. They also thanked the Jerusalem Foundation and Grebelsky for their long-standing support of Muslala, as well as Bank Hapoalim for backing Agalala’s activities. Host Matan Israeli also acknowledged Eyal Bloch, chairman of Muslala’s board; the organization’s board members and professional advisers; Segal and the Agalala staff; and the Tal program team responsible for vocational training and continued employment support. For Israeli, the evening demonstrated the potential of the project, which he hoped would be expanded and replicated in other locations. “The ability to host people here and allow them to experience this place through the pleasure of meeting and eating together is a great privilege,” he concluded. This article was originally published at: https://www.jns.org/feature/ jerusalem-rooftop-cafe-provides-opportunities-for-young-adults-withautism.
FEATURE STORY
EmotionAid Offers Israelis Tool for Resilience BY LINDA GRADSTEIN | JNS.ORG Israelis learn techniques to cope with trauma at an EmotionAid session, 2026. PHOTO CREDIT: EMOTIONAID.
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nyone who has lived in Israel—especially since Oct. 7, 2023— could use some stress relief. A recent report by Israel’s state comptroller found that an estimated three million Israelis are dealing with mental-health issues as a result of the war. Another survey by Ben-Gurion University found that nearly half of Israeli adults ages 18 to 30 are showing signs of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with rates soaring to 60% in communities evacuated during the war. For all of these people, there are just 17,000 psychologists and psychiatrists in the country. “We are not equipped to deal with the mental health crisis,” Dr. Cathi Lawi, founder of EmotionAid, said. “There is an increased rate of burnout among community workers and mental health professionals. We want to provide tools to help community workers around the country.” Lawi, a trauma therapist, international trainer and former biotech executive, founded EmotionAid in 2014. The organization offers a five-step protocol that takes just five minutes and can be done almost anywhere. The techniques include neuroscience-based exercises drawn from somatic therapy. One, known as the “butterfly tap,” involves sitting in a chair, crossing the arms and alternately tapping the upper arms 25 times before taking a deep breath and repeating the process. Another technique, called grounding, asks participants to sit upright with their feet on the floor and identify objects around them by color and
texture. “Our protocol is based on advanced research in neurosciences and psychology,” Lawi said. “We turned complex scientific theories into an easy-to-use, fast-response product that can be adopted by all, from children to seniors. Once acquired, it is a resource that stays with you, for life.” The goal is to train resilience facilitators who can then use the techniques in their work with broader communities, helping people reduce tension and better manage stress. One of those facilitators is Yair Li Baranes, director of the community center in Ma’ale Yosef, which serves communities near the Lebanese border, including Shlomi, Ma’alot and Nahariya. Having recently completed the training, he said the techniques are helping him personally. “When I go to the scene of an attack [by Hezbollah], I am calmer and can direct people more effectively,” he said “My whole staff is doing this training, and we are using it every day.” Baranes said he has already approached the umbrella organization representing community centers across Israel to explore offering EmotionAid training nationwide. Lawi said EmotionAid is also working with the Darca school network to train teachers, who can then pass the techniques on to students. She said the need is especially acute in communities along the northern border, where Hezbollah attacks have intensified in recent weeks. According to the Israeli Pediatric Association, 83% of Israeli children have experienced emotional distress since October 2023, with more than 19,000 officially recognized as victims of terrorism. Lawi said early intervention is critical in addressing trauma symptoms before they become deeply entrenched. By treating symptoms early, she said, people are better able to resume their daily lives and function effectively. A second-generation Holocaust survivor, Lawi said she was exposed to trauma from an early age. She recalled one client who worked at a community center whose home was damaged when a Hezbollah missile strike shattered all of its windows. She said she thought of the biblical injunction to “choose life” and returned to work. “This idea of choosing life is very familiar to me,” she said. “Their house just exploded and yet they are going to work to save others. That really resonated with me.” WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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FEATURE STORY
TABLE SET WITH PURPOSE HARVEST FOR HOPE RETURNS FOR ITS 23RD YEAR BY AMANDA RODRIGUEZ
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here are evenings that linger, not just because the food was extraordinary or the wine was perfectly poured, but because the room was filled with people who showed up for something that truly matters. Harvest for Hope is that kind of evening. On Thursday, September 17, the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) will host its 23rd annual Harvest for Hope at the breathtaking Fairmont Grand Del Mar, and this year promises to be its most memorable yet. ENF was founded in 2003 by Richard and Diane Nares after losing their son Emilio to leukemia at just five years old. From that profound grief, they built something extraordinary: an organization dedicated to ensuring that no family navigating pediatric cancer or any life-threatening illness ever has to do so alone. Since then, ENF has supported more than 15,000 children and their families across Southern California, entirely free of charge, helping them access treatment, find stability, and hold onto hope. Harvest for Hope is what makes all of it possible. PARTNERS WHO SHOW UP, YEAR AFTER YEAR
What sets Harvest for Hope apart is the community it has quietly built over two decades. Chefs, sommeliers, winemakers, and restaurateurs who donate their time, talent, and craft because they believe in ENF’s mission. Last year, 23 culinary and wine partners filled the room, with contributions from 31ThirtyOne, Solare Ristorante, DAOU Wines, and Monello/Bencotto among them. This year’s lineup continues that tradition of Excellence. Among those returning is Petra Belliti of Friuli Italian Wines, whose connection to ENF runs deeper than a business partnership. Petra first crossed paths with co-founder Diane Nares when both were working in the industry, brought together, fittingly, by wine. “What they created through ENF is deeply meaningful, and being 24
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part of Harvest for Hope has always felt like an honor. It reminds me that even something as simple as pouring a glass of wine can be part of something much bigger.” Chef and restaurateur Johnny Rivera, the talent behind Wolf in the Woods and Hash House A Go Go, brings his own deeply personal ethic to the table. For Johnny, giving back is a core belief that goodwill is best delivered directly, in person, food to fork. “It has always been my ethic to take our giving straight to the community. If we can give our goodwill eye to eye and fork to mouth, that is the most effective way to make change.” Johnny’s message to anyone considering becoming a partner is just as direct: “Slow down your schedule to participate. Take a hard look at the true end result and how your efforts can make a difference in these kids’ lives during such a vulnerable time of their Journey.” AN EVENING YOU WON’T FORGET
Harvest for Hope isn’t just a fundraiser. It’s a curated sensory experience wrapped in genuine purpose. As guests move through the Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s stunning grounds, they’ll taste signature dishes and sip wines crafted by people who chose to be there because it matters. Every bite and every pour directly funds ENF’s programs, from the driver logging thousands of miles to get a child safely to treatment, to the family that doesn’t have to face the unimaginable alone. With the region’s finest chefs and winemakers all in one room, all there for one reason, Harvest for Hope is an experience unlike any other. Join us Thursday, September 17th at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Seats are limited, reserve yours at www.enfhope.org. Can’t attend? Make an impact by donating or volunteering at www. enfhope.org.
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FEATURE STORY
FORCES OF NATURE LA JOLLA SYMPHONY & CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2026-2027 SEASON
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a Jolla Symphony & Chorus is going global with their 2026-27 season programming, showcasing international guest artists, a wide variety of music from across the world, and new premieres alongside timeless classical icons. “Our new season, Forces of Nature, brings together the bold voices of contemporary composers with the enduring power of ambitious classical masterworks,” said Stephanie Weaver Yankee, Executive Director of LJS&C. “We strive to create programs that are both adventurous but still accessible. We offer community-minded pricing and educational discounts that make it easier for more people to experience the excitement of live symphonic and choral performance.” Forces of Nature’s concert programming has been curated by music directors Sameer Patel and Arian Khaefi, who will both take the conductor’s stand multiple times throughout the season. Highlights of the season include globally renowned guest artist Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, legendary maestro of the sarod, as part of a collaboration with UC San Diego's Qualcomm Institute and Department of Music. “Our 2026–2027 season is a celebration of the monumental and the modern, with music that explores the full spectrum of the human experience,” said Sameer Patel, LJS&C Music Director and Orchestra Conductor. “We are honored to bridge global traditions by opening with the legendary Amjad Ali Khan in a performance of his work Samaagam, and to welcome brilliant San Diego native Claire Chase for Saariaho’s Aile du Songe.” This season will feature Mahler’s spectacular Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection,” being performed in December and conducted by
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Sameer Patel. A monumental work of symphonic and philosophical scope, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 unites orchestra, chorus, and soloists in a profound meditation on life, death, and transformation. “Each three of our choral performances this season, including one of Mahler’s most beautifully written choral symphonies, deal with this notion of the soul,” said Arian Khaefi, LJS&C Music Director and Choral Conductor. “These works question the nature of inhabiting this world with one another, and we are singing for what we can be as a community.” LJS&C also continues its partnership with UC San Diego for the upcoming season, performing at Mandeville Auditorium on campus and offering discounted student tickets. “Alongside powerful symphonies by Mahler and Shostakovich, this season reinforces our commitment to the music of our time, showcasing the voices of Juhi Bansal, Grace-Evangeline Mason, and a world premiere from UCSD’s own Haihui Zhang,” said Patel. LJS&C is a rare musical institution in Southern California, offering professional level performances with a full orchestra and chorus at affordable prices. During the upcoming season, the organization will continue to expand their free educational offerings and Tix4Kids program, which offers free concert tickets for kids and their caregivers. EARLY-BIRD SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR LJS&C’S UPCOMING SEASON. TICKETS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS YEAR. SUBSCRIPTIONS CAN BE PURCHASED BY VISITING LJSC.ORG, CALLING THE BOX OFFICE AT 858-534-4637, OR BY WRITING TO BOXOFFICE@LJSC.ORG.
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NEWS
TO KNOW
NOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY APPOINTS MAYA RUTTENBERG ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT
American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) has appointed Maya Ruttenberg as Associate Vice President of Development. Based in San Diego, Ruttenberg brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership. She joins AFTAU from the Israeli American Council (IAC), where she served as Director of Major Gifts, cultivating and stewarding major donors while helping expand philanthropic support for the organization. In making the announcement, Ben Pery, CEO of AFTAU noted, "As AFTAU continues to build our brand and footprint across the U.S., attracting exceptional talent is central to our growth strategy. Maya brings deep experience, strong relationships, and a proven ability to build philanthropic communities. Her appointment strengthens AFTAU's ability to expand our presence on the West Coast and create new opportunities for supporters to engage with Tel Aviv University's extraordinary impact on Israel and the world." JEWISH NATIONAL FUND’S GLOBAL CONFERENCE FOR ISRAEL
Thousands of supporters of the land and people of Israel will gather at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in San Diego from November 12–15, 2026, for the Global Conference for Israel, which has grown from several hundred attendees to the largest annual gathering of Zionists in the United States. As Jewish National FundUSA marks 125 years of impact, the conference will commemorate this milestone while focusing on the work that lies ahead to secure Israel’s future. “This anniversary isn’t just about celebrating our history; it’s about learning from it to better serve the changing needs of Israel’s border communities in the years ahead,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Chairman Dr. Sol Lizerbram. “Attendees will hear firsthand stories from Israelis whose lives have been positively impacted by our work, helping them truly understand our mission and how their own time, leadership, and generosity can make a real difference. That sense of connection and purpose is what has helped this conference grow so 28
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much over the years.” The four-day event will feature dozens of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions featuring internationally recognized speakers. Attendees will also enjoy networking opportunities, live entertainment, and the opportunity to shop for Israeli goods at the World’s Largest Zionist EXPO. “There are very few places where you’ll find bestselling authors, military leaders, journalists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and Israelis whose personal stories bring this work to life sharing the same stage,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Global Conference for Israel National Chair Sheryl Buchholtz. “Bringing those diverse perspectives together gives attendees a more complete understanding of Israel and the role they can play in shaping its future.” For more information, visit jnf.org/global.
PHOTO BY NANCI ENGLE.
THE LEARNING LIGHTHOUSE
The joy and excitement of seeing students overcome their struggles was the motivation for opening The Learning Lighthouse in January 2024. The name was inspired by the goal to teach students how to navigate the course for new horizons, setting goals, and achieving them. Prior to that, founder Nanci Engle, M.Ed., an Educational Therapist and Learning Disability Consultant was the founder of a nonprofit organization, serving students with a variety of learning challenges throughout San Diego for 28 years. When that organization closed, her passion for working with struggling learners continued, opening up a new path to support students and their families. “The challenges many children experience can greatly affect the familyl,” Engle said. “So, when those challenges are better understood, when there is an explanation, and when intervention yields positive changes, the family also feels the positive results. Frustration decreases, tolerance increases, and communication improves.” The Learning Lighthouse specializes in dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other specific learning disabilities, ADHD or executive functioning, cognitive/processing issues, and understanding individual learning differences. “We work with families, schools, and other professionals, creating a cohesive team to help your learner achieve their potential,” Engle said. Contact www.tllighthouse.com or call (858) 915-5415 for a complimentary consultation.
ANSWERS TO TEST YOUR JEWISH IQTM 1. b. Solomon knew that the true mother would rather give up her child to save its life than see it cut in half. When one woman begged him to give the living baby to her rival to save it and the other agreed to splitting the baby, Solomon identified the real mother (1 Kings 3:16–28). 2. c. Since bagels are boiled before being baked, Jews in the Middle Ages were able to get around antisemitic laws forbidding Jews from baking or selling bread. Bagels were popular among Eastern European Jews because they could be strung together for sale in marketplaces and because the parboiled dough could be baked incredibly fast for Saturday night dinner as soon as Shabbat ended. Ashkenazi Jews brought the bagel recipe to New York with the great Jewish immigration around the beginning of the 20th Century and transformed it into a worldwide breakfast staple. 3. d. In his Mishneh Torah (Laws of Gifts to the Poor, 10:7), Maimonides explains that strengthening a person’s hand through a loan, job, or partnership, so that they no longer require charity, is the ultimate act of dignity and support. 4. a. Hamantaschen, from the German Mohntaschen, meaning poppy-seed pockets, is a pastry eaten during Purim (and sometimes long after) celebrating the downfall of Haman, the villain of the Purim story. Fish heads are one of the symbolic foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah, the head of the year, to fulfill the blessing in the Torah that we be as the head and not as the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). For those who don’t want a fish head on their table, it’s common to have a head of cabbage or lettuce instead. 5. c. Dylan’s poetic lyrics frequently drew inspiration from biblical imagery and Jewish themes. After a brief conversion to Evangelical Christianity, he returned to his Jewish roots by the early 1980s and began studying intensively with Chabad rabbis, diving into Kabbalah, and frequently attending High Holiday services at Chabad synagogues. His 1983 song, “Neighborhood Bully,” was a thinly veiled defense of Israel, surrounded by enemies and labeled a bully just for surviving attacks by its neighbors. 6. b. Hillel’s quote in Pirkei Avot 1:14 is a call to self-reliance and personal responsibility, balanced by altruism and responsibility for the community, and in a spirit of existential urgency. 7. c. Writing from Troyes, France, Rashi’s commentary is so foundational that it is printed alongside virtually every standard edition of the Torah and Talmud today. Of all the commentaries on the Torah and Talmud, his is considered the most authoritative. He frequently used winemaking analogies to explain complex legal and spiritual concepts.
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8. d. Einstein declined Ben-Gurion’s offer with deep humility, citing his ineptitude for managing human relations and official state duties. In his letter to Ambassador Abba Eban declining the presidency, he wrote, “… my relationship to the Jewish people has become my strongest human bond, ever since I became fully aware of our precarious situation among the nations of the world.” 9. d. 70 nations (Gen. 10:32); 70 elders (Exo. 24:1, Num. 11:16); 70 family members (Exo. 1:5). 10. b. Koufax’s decision to put his faith over the biggest game in baseball remains one of the most culturally significant moments in American sports history. He had just finished a staggering season, going 26–8 with a record 382 strikeouts. He was not observant, but it was a matter of simple, quiet principle. “There was never any decision to make, because there was never any possibility that I would pitch. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish religion. The club knows I don’t work that day.”
_____________________________________ 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 ©2026 Felber, Starmark, Inc., all rights reserved. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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