18b full issue 3 by Mike Sherwin

online at www.stljewishlight.com Inside & Online

NEWS & SCHMOOZE Vatican visit One St. Louisan was part of a recent delegation from the American Jewish Committee that met with Pope Francis. — Page 2

SPECIAL CAN WE TALK? REPORT

Food banks at mercy of weather, politics, supermarket savvy BY REPPS HUDSON

FEATURES

Israeli pianist Check out an interview with Roman Rabinovich, soloist with the visiting Haifa Orchestra. — Page 12

ONLINE Photo gallery

View a gallery of images from the dedication of Young Israel’s new sefer Torah. stljewishlight.com/multimedia

19 Adar I, 5774 / Feb. 19, 2014 / Vol. 67 / No. 8

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Why do food pantries often run out of vegetables, meat and cheese for their hungry clients? That simple question has a complex answer. Tempting though it may be to blame Congress and congressionally mandated cuts to SNAP – the federal food stamp program – the reasons the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry and others in the St. Louis area sometimes find their shelves bare include the uncertain economy, swings in the weather from drought to severe freezes, federal procurement programs, even the way supermarkets today stock their shelves to avoid much surplus. “Now that we have bar codes, supermarkets can keep track of their sales,” said Frank Finnegan, head of the St. Louis Area Foodbank, which is located in a sprawling, 100,000-square-foot

Can We Talk? Panel Discussion WHAT: ‘The Hunger Crisis in the St. Louis Jewish Community’ — with panelists Joan Denison, executive director of Covenant Place; Rachel Lubchansky, co-founder of the Barbara Mendelson Tomchei Shabbos Fund; and Louis Albert, executive director of JF&CS WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 WHERE: JCC’s Arts and Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive HOW MUCH: Free, but RSVPs are requested MORE INFO: 314-442-3190 or dmaier@jccstl.org

warehouse in Earth City. “Supermarkets share that information with the manufacturers. There is much closer inventory control.” Another way to explain the situation is this comment from one official in the supply chain for needy families: “The best stores for us to go to to pick up food they want to get rid of are those that are poorly managed in meat, dairy and produce.” If a store overstocks on perishables, it has to get rid of that unsold food somehow. An alert

food pantry will be ready to take that food and put it on its shelves and in its coolers to be handed out to hungry families. At any time, no one in the complicated endeavor of providing food for needy families knows what’s coming next, when or in what quantities. “Last month, we had lots of apple juice,” said Marcia Mermelstein, Kornblum pantry’s coordinator. “Some months, all we get are carrots. Sometimes we

See HUNGER page 8

Rehearsing for a stage debut

Index ChaiLights........................ 16-17 Classifieds .............................22 D’var Torah.............................15 Features........................... 12-13 Healthwatch.................... 14-15 Local news........................... 3-5 Mitzvot from the Heart..........20 Nation/world news.............. 5-7 News & Schmooze...................2 Obituaries..............................23 Opinions.......................... 10-11 Simchas.................................20

Candlelighting Shabbat starts Friday, Feb. 21, 5:28 p.m. Shabbat ends Saturday, Feb. 22, 6:26 p.m.

Alyson Garland rehearses with David Scherer, an instructor at Simply Ballroom, for the J Associates ‘Dancing in the Loop’ event on March 1 at The Pageant. Garland is one of eight St. Louisans hitting the stage with a professional dancer as a partner in the fundraiser. For full details, see Lois Caplan’s column on page 13. Photo: Yana Hotter

Presbyterians assail group’s anti-Zionist study guide BY RON KAMPEAS JTA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presbyterians who engage in dialogue with Jewish groups are scrambling to undo what they say is the damage caused by a congregational study guide assailing Zionism distributed by a group affiliated with their denomination. The guide, “Zionism Unsettled,” posits that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fueled by a “pathology inherent in Zionism” and rejects theologies — Christian and Jewish — that uphold Zionism. Jewish groups expressed outrage at the guide released last month by the Israel/ Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Rabbi Steve Gutow, called the guide “worthy of a hate group, not a prominent American church.” Presbyterians involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue expressed dismay over the guide in equally strong terms. “This document purports to be about love but it actually expresses demonization, distortion and imbalance,” the Rev. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, the president of New York’s Auburn Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian-affiliated institution, wrote in an statement issued to JTA. Some Presby terians involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue say they are pressing the leadership of their church to renounce the study guide and plan to raise the issue at their mainline Protestant denomination’s

See CONTROVERSY, page 18

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news schmooze BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN

What not to do

Alan Baker likens the situation to that of a shoemaker whose children have no shoes. Only in this case, Baker, who is a lawyer, along with three of his law partners, took out a loan for half a million dollars nearly 30 years ago to build law offices in Richmond Heights. But they did this without having a written contract among them. “We did something that we would never have allowed our clients to do,” says Baker, 71, whose specialty is, you guessed it, real estate law. “We never had a written agreement about what would happen if one of us either became incapacitated or died. It was all done with blind faith and blind trust that it would all work out.” In other words, says Baker, it was foolish. “It was a bad business practice to have done what we did,” he says. “In some ways, we have been more lucky than smart.” Lucky, because it all worked out. “The four of us kind of have a saying,” continues Baker. “We had our share of disputes but we never served each other with divorce papers.” On March 3, after more than 40 years of working together day after day, Baker and his partners — Robert Meyer, William H. “Buck” Leyhe III and Alan Lobel — will each go his own way. Their building, at 1620 South Hanley Road, was bought by Menards Inc., which plans to build a home improvement store on the property by 2015. The land is part of a 17-acre site that will be redeveloped in the Hadley Township area of Richmond Heights. Baker says that while Meyer plans to be semiretired, Leyhe and Lobel, along with

Baker, will each continue practicing law but in different locations. Will not seeing each other every day be difficult? “Yes. It’s going to be very hard,” says Baker, who is Jewish, as are two of his three partners. “The truth is the four of us never developed outside interests. None of us has hobbies. We are four of the most boring people you’d ever meet. All we know is to come here.” Despite not having a written contract, one would surmise that the sale to Menards brought the partners a tidy profit. Baker doesn’t dispute that, but adds: “I have invented ways to lose money on other real estate deals. Yes, we came out well on this deal, but I still have to get up and go to work in the morning. I still drive a car that doesn’t have a warranty.”

Pope-pourri I don’t know what you did on Valentine’s Day, but mine was spent in south St. Louis County watching Ladue’s junior varsity basketball team beat Affton’s. Not that I’m complaining (my son plays for Ladue). Meanwhile, St. Louisan Mont Levy, who wears several tall hats in the Jewish community, was shaking hands with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Watching basketball in Affton. Shaking hands with the Pope. To be accurate, Levy actually shook hands with the Pope on Feb. 13. On the 14th, he was enjoying Shabbat dinner with the leadership of the Catholic community. “I’ve had the privilege to have a one-onone with more than one Pope,” said Levy,

St. Louisan Mont Levy was among members of a high-level American Jewish Committee delegation that met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

who spent five days in Rome in his capacity as vice chair of the Interreligious Affairs Commission for the American Jewish Committee. Levy was part of a 50-member AJC delegation that met with the Pope. “Each time (meeting the Pope) is always special,” Levy continued. “But this time was particularly special in a number of a ways, not the least of which is Pope Francis’ simple message of humanity and humility. I don’t think there has been a leader who has had such a global positive response as Pope Francis. “What is fascinating is that much of what he is saying are the exact same ideas of his predecessor (Pope Benedict XVI), but they didn’t resonate at all. The authenticity of this Pope and demonstrations of his humility have been resounding worldwide.” Levy clearly was inspired, so much so that he has written about the visit and

offered to share his insights and observations with Light readers in an upcoming edition. So stay tuned.

It takes the cake The St. Louis Holocaust Museum was awarded a birthday cake by stl250, the organization spearheading the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of St. Louis. The cake was installed last week outside the front door of the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive (see a photo among our community photos, page 18). By the end of the year, 250 of these 4-feettall, two-tier ornamental cakes, decorated by local artists, will be installed at locations of note throughout the greater St. Louis area. Two hundred of these sites were chosen by stl250, and 50 were selected by a public vote. For a complete list of where the cakes are located, go to stl250.

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Organizations partner on workshop for parents of preschoolers “The Wonder Years: Celebrating the Mishegas of the Preschool Years” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 2, at the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. Formerly known as the JCC Toddler Conference, this workshop will provide parents of preschool-age children with answers to some of their most frequent questions and solutions to common parenting challenges. Sharon Duke Estroff will speak on “The Big Picture of Jewish Parenting,” how to align the qualities and achievements you hope to see in your child down the road with daily parenting practices. Estroff is a parenting and education writer for numerous national publications

including Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Parents Magazine and The Huffington Post. Other speakers and subjects are: • Rabbi A ndrea Goldstein of Congregation Shaare Emeth, “Mindful Parenting.” • Jewish educator Cyndee Levy, “How to Sharon Duke Raise Children with an Estroff Attitude of Gratitude.” • Psychotherapist Shellie Fidell, “Navigating Supermom Syndrome.” • Renee Wasserman, “Sleep 101: Setting the Foundation for Healthy

Sleep.” • Linda Pevnik. “Giving Your Children the Gift of a Low-Conflict Marriage” • Jewish Educator Shayna Warner, “Infusing Jewish Moments Into Our Lives.” • Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School kindergarten teachers Val Toskin and Laura Johnson, “10 Things You Should Know Before Your Child Enters Kindergarten.” • Debbie Granick, “Taming the Toddler Tantrum – Concrete Strategies for a Lower Stress Home.” • Parenting Coach Mary Jo Cocharan, “Permission to be a Parent: The Importance of Boundaries.” In addition, an information fair will fea-

ture local infant- and toddler-related businesses, organizations and preschools. Participants will receive a gift bag with healthy snacks from Bistro Kids, information from each speaker and more. “The Wonder Years” is sponsored by the JCC’s Helene Mirowitz Family Center, J-PAT (Jewish Parents As Teachers), PJ Library, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, the Concierge for Families of Young Children and Chabad of Chesterfield and is funded in part by the Staenberg Family Foundation. The cost is $12 in advance and $18 at the door. To register, visit jewishinstlouis. org/wonderyears. For more information, contact Marianne Chervitz at 314-4423454 or mchervitz@jccstl.org.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Microgrants available for Yom Ha’Atzmaut programs

ABOVE: JProStl held its ninth annual Peer Recognition Awards on Jan. 9, honoring 11 individuals working in the Jewish community. Pictured from left are Dedication Award recipient Claire Wolff, office manager at Aish HaTorah; Emerging Leader Award: Mindi Mintz, Judaic studies principal at Torah Prep Girls’ Division; Pillar Award: Steve Rosenzweig, COO/CFO of the Jewish Community Center; Mentor Award: Rabbi James Stone Goodman of Neve Shalom; Educator Award: Leslie Wolf, director of Temple Israel’s Deutsch Early Childhood Center; Dedication Award: Gloria Schwartz, administrative assistant to the clergy at Congregation Shaare Emeth; Career Achievement Award: Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt (not pictured — his award was accepted by grandson Elchanan Soroka and Rebbetzin Tova Greenblatt); Visionary Award: Cheryl Maayan, head of school at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School; Chesed Award: Chana Novack, co-director of Chabad on Campus. All photos: Chris Hayes/Courtesy Jewish Federation

Central Agency for Jewish Education will offer a series of microgrants to Jewish organizations celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut/ Israel@66. The grants, totaling $15,000, have been made available through the Lubin Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation. These grants will support innovative new Yom Ha’Atzmaut programs or enhancements to existing programs. The goal is to offer multiple opportunities to a large crosssection of the community in anticipation of celebrating Israel’s Independence Day. Applications may be submitted by an individual organization or for a project in collaboration with multiple organizations. Programs must take place around Yom Ha’Atzmaut, May 6, and be completed by June 15. The deadline for grant submissions is March 12. Contact Karen Rader at 314442-3756 or krader@cajestl.org for more information or to apply.

Grants for young Jewish adults Young Jewish adults with a vision to create cultural, spiritual, educational, service and community-building projects for their peers can apply for a 2014 Natan/NEXT Grant for Social Entrepreneurs through March 7. Grants of up to $10,000 each will be awarded to projects that demonstrate long-term potential to engage young Jewish adults. Since 2010, Natan and NEXT have awarded more than 21 social entrepreneur grants totaling $126,000. Projects have ranged from new spiritual communities to a Jewish music festival to a create-your-own Haggadah website. A webinar about the grants will be offered at 11 a.m. Feb. 27. RSVP at grants@ birthrightisraelnext.org. Apply for the grants at birthrightisraelnext.org/grants.

JPro honors community staff at event

Correction The obituary notice in last week’s edition for David M. Kipnis, M. D., omitted the date of an upcoming memorial service, planned for Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Road. For more details, see the full, corrected notice on page 23.

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ABOVE: Carol Rubin (at podium) Director of Jewish Life at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, introduces Head of School Cheryl Maayan (right) while the school’s director of admissions, Patty Bloom, holds a poster with photo and signatures of the school’s students. LEFT: Mindi Mintz (right) accepts her Emerging Leader Award after her introduction by Nancy Lisker, regional director of American Jewish Committee.

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St. Louis’ first synagogue building: B’nai El at Sixth and Cerre BY ROBERT A. COHN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

As part of this year’s community-wide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis in 1764, Cohnipedia has been focusing on several local Jewish “firsts.” Today’s installment looks at the first area synagogue to construct a permanent synagogue building. That distinction belongs to B’nai El Congregation, which was officially founded on Oct. 17, 1852 as a result of a merger between two small congregations, Emanu-El (1847) and B’nai B’rith (1849). (These synagogues had no connection to the fraternal order of B’nai B’rith or to St. Louis’s present Temple Emanuel. The merged congregation incorporated both names into their new moniker.) According to “Zion in the Valley,” Walter Ehrlich’s definitive history of the Jewish community of St. Louis, there was a brief period in which B’nai El and United Hebrew discussed a possible merger, though the talks were soon called off. United Hebrew is the oldest synagogue in our community but not the first to construct a permanent synagogue building. While both B’nai B’rith and Emanu-El congregations favored traditional Jewish practices, their memberships were relatively more liberal in their Judaism than United Hebrew. B’nai El’s constitution and by-laws “acknowledged the liberal tendencies of the newly immigrating German Jews and their desire to acculturate,” writes Ehrlich Once B’nai El had established itself as a viable congregation, it set about the task to build a synagogue to serve both as a house of worship and as a religious school. B’nai El initially occupied temporary rented quarters, originally two small rooms, on the corner of Lafayette and Ninth streets. Later, it moved to larger rented facilities at Seventh Street and Park Avenue, a building known as Decker’s House. Daniel Block, an influential member of B’nai El, prevailed in his view that the congregation should purchase a tract of land and construct its synagogue there. We learn from Ehrlich and B’nai El’s

COHN

IPEDIA

‘Cohnipedia’ is the feature by Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Robert A. Cohn, chronicling St. Louis’ Jewish history. Visit Cohnipedia online at stljewishlight.com/cohn

detailed archives that in October 1853, Abraham S. Jacobs, who had recently joined B’nai El, offered the congregation a parcel of land at its original cost and at half its then market value. The parcel was located on the east side of Sixth Street, between Gratiot and Cerre streets, closer to the latter, with a 70-foot front and 75-foot depth. The price was $34 a front foot, or $2,380: $380 in cash and notes for $2,000. There was also an officially approved stipulation that the property would “never be used for anything else than a Temple building.” The young B’nai El congregation faced difficulties in raising sufficient funds for the project even though there were generous gifts from the local Catholic and Presbyterian communities towards the project. The situation led to resumed merger discussions with United Hebrew until 1854, when the wealthy New Orleans Jewish philanthropist Judah Touro left bequests to the Jewish poor in Jerusalem as well as several bequests to various U.S. congregations, including B’nai El. Ehrlich says that the Touro legacy “spurred B’nai El into action,” and that throughout the remainder of 1854 sufficient funds had been raised. In early 1855, the congregation approved plans by Koenig and Brothers, Architects at a cost of $6,600. On April 16, 1855, 10 years to the day before the death of President Abraham Lincoln, the cornerstone ceremony took place at the site, which was attended by St. Louis Mayor Washington King and Rabbi Bernard Illowy, recently engaged rabbi of United Hebrew. B’nai El president Bernard Singer introduced local businessman Isidor Bush, who offered a brief his-

While United Hebrew is the oldest congregation in our community, B’nai El was the first to construct a permanent synagogue building in St. Louis. B’nai El’s temple at Sixth and Cerre streets, which served as the congregation’s home from 1855-1875.

tory of how B’nai El resulted from the merger of the two smaller congregations. After a construction period in the summer of 1855, which was besieged with various complaints regarding the layout, quality of the construction and painting, the building was ready for occupancy in September. Impressive dedication services were held on Sept. 7, 1855. The sanctuary was packed with Jewish community leaders along with B’nai El congregants and members of other religious groups. At 3 p.m., President Singer ceremonially opened the front doors. Isidor Bush delivered an address in English, and UH Rabbi Illowy preached a sermon in German. There is only one known photograph of B’nai El’s Sixth and Cerre streets synagogue, an exterior shot taken in 1858. It shows an octagonal-shaped building, 50-feet across, topped by a domed building, which was described at the time as resembling a “conventional Turkish mosque.” Others compared its unique

Heart Health Specialists Welcomes Keith Mankowitz, MD, FACC Keith Mankowitz, MD joins Craig Reiss, MD in the Heart Health Specialists practice. Dr. Mankowitz brings extensive heart care experience to St. Luke’s Hospital and has practiced in St. Louis since 1996. He is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine. Dr. Mankowitz received his medical degree from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and completed his residency and fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Mankowitz is the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at St. Luke’s Hospital. He has a special interest in screening athletes for suspected cardiovascular disorders specifically to prevent sudden death in those ages 18 and above. He has been recognized as one of the “Best Doctors” in St. Louis from 2006 to 2013 and is a member of the American College of Cardiology. He is also a published author for various research publications on topics related to heart disease. Dr. Mankowitz is accepting new cardiology patients.

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shape to a “pepper pot” or a “coffee mill.” An organ was later installed in the building, which Ehrlich calls “a significant leaning within B’nai El towards liberalism, and later Reform, a movement which B’nai El would join within a few decades. The Sixth and Cerre streets location would serve B’nai El from 1855 to 1906, when the synagogue moved to a new building at Spring and Flad streets, which it used from 1906 to 1930. From 1930 to 1965, B’nai El was located at Clara Street and Delmar Boulevard, after which the temple moved to its ultimate location on 11411 North Outer 40 Road. It remained there until B’nai El shuttered its building and consolidated with Congregation Shaare Emeth, becoming the B’nai El Collaborative, housed on the Shaare Emeth campus. The Sixth and Cerre streets original site was demolished, but all three of the subsequent B’nai El buildings remain standing to this day.

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Visiting Holocaust survivor to read from memoir at HMLC Israel Unger, Holocaust survivor and author, will read from his book “The Unwritten Diary of Israel” at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center theater in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. The program, sponsored by the Holocaust Museum and the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library, is free and open to the public. In 1939, 25,000 Jewish people lived in Tarnow, Poland. By the end of World War II, only nine remained. For two years, Unger and his family hid in an attic crawlspace Israel Unger behind a false wall above a factory. Against all odds, they survived. After the war, Unger’s parents, witnessing virulent anti-Semitism in Poland, sent him and his brother as “orphans” to France. When the family reunited, they lived in France and England until they immigrated to Canada in 1951. Last year, after decades of silence, Unger, with Carolyn Gammon, coauthored his memoir recounting his family’s survival and renewal of life. Unger, dean emeritus of science at the University of New Brunswick, was one of 50 Holocaust survivors to be honored by Canada in 1998 in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He also has been the educational adviser for Atlantic Canada for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. For information, call 314-442-3714 or email dreich@jfedstl.org.

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JGrads awarded grant for monthly event series JGrads, the Jewish Graduate Student Association of St. Louis, has received a DIY grant from TENT: Encounters With Jewish Culture to host a new series of events showcasing the art, research and work of local Jewish 20- and 30-somethings. Katie McGinnis, an MFA candidate at Washington University, partnered with JGrads to apply for the grant to start “Jewish Nerd Nights.” This event series will be held monthly in informal settings such as at bars or coffeehouses and feature three speakers giving short presentations followed by a Q&A. The series begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Three Kings Public House,

6307 Delmar Boulevard in the University City Loop. The event will feature: • Danielle Dutton, author of “Sprawl” (2010) and owner of Dorothy, a publishing project, who will discuss her experiences in the publishing industry and as a novelist and the leader of an independent press. • Amy Daitch, a doctoral candidate in biomedical engineering and neuroscience at Washington University, who will speak about pushing the frontiers of understanding the brain dynamics underlying “tuning in.” • Jacob Labendz, who will speak about his doctoral research – “Jewish

Power” in communist Europe – conducted at Washington University and in Prague. TENT offers immersive, free, weeklong workshops for anyone age 21 to 30 and curious about the connections between “Jewishness” and modern culture. The DIY grants allow Tent participants to create programs in their home communities that will continue the conversations they started during their weeks together. JGrads is a project of Chabad on Campus, with funding from Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Find more information at JGrads.org or by contacting Shmuel@JGrads.com.

New JOLT trimester includes 11 class options, begins Feb. 27 The third trimester of Jewish Opportunities and Learning for Teens (JOLT) will start Thursday, Feb. 27. JOLT, a program of the Central Agency for Jewish Education, brings together teens in grades 8-12 on eight Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 South Mason Road. A dinner option is provided at 6 p.m. Students may choose one or two classes from 11 that are offered: • Food for Thought: Focus on gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness, preparing kosher meals for those in need. • Israel through Cinema: Explore Israeli films through an educational portal. • Israel and War – Fighting to Exist:

Learn of major conflicts Israel has fought and the outcomes that shaped this land today. • Jewish Music Rocks My Soul: Explore the world of Jewish music, learning song-leading skills (No instruments necessary). • Jews “R” News: Discuss current events through a Jewish lens. • Judaikitsch: Tacky meets gaudy in this Jewish art class. Participants will also learn about traditional ritual objects and their roles in Jewish life. • Strong Girls, Healthy Relationships: Jewish girls will engage in interactive discussions that explore empowerment and self-esteem. • Talmud for Teens: Talmudic texts

provide a basis for engaging, thoughtprovoking dialogue. • Torah Through Rose-Colored Glasses: Sacred scriptures are the launching pad for great conversation and insight from classical commentators. • Understanding the Holocaust through Film: View and discuss rare and inspirational stories of survival. • What Would Jew Do? Examine the ethics behind often-challenging decisions people make. The cost for the JOLT trimester is $140, with a dinner option offered for an additional $50. Register at cajestl.org. For more information, contact Maxine Weil at mweil@cajestl.org or 314-442-3757.

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WORLD NEWS BRIEF

Conversion reform bill advances in Knesset JERUSALEM — A bill that would allow more rabbis to conduct conversions in Israel has advanced in the Knesset. The coalition governmentbacked bill passed its first reading by a vote of 28 to 16 in the Knesset plenum Monday night. Under the measure, as many as 30 courts made up of municipal rabbis would be allowed for the purpose of conversion. Currently, four state rabbinic courts have the authority to conduct conversions. The Chief Rabbinate, which would see its power reduced under the measure, said it will stop cooperating with the Knesset if the bill is approved, the Times of Israel reported Monday. The Rabbinate, which reportedly is working on a compromise bill, is concerned the measure will lead to a deterioration of conversion standards. Rabbi Seth Farber, director of the ITIM Jewish Advocacy Center, who worked to bring the bill to the Knesset floor, said gaps must be addressed before it moves to the second and third readings. “Though the bill is meant to provide local rabbis with autonomy to perform conversions, something we believe will enable more people to convert, the chief rabbis continue to insist on controlling all aspects of the process of conversion,” Farber told JTA. Farber said that by the final readings, it should be made clear that those who undergo conversions by the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel will be recognized as Jewish in the national population registry. He said the bill’s current wording makes this — JTA ambiguous.

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Hadassah crisis panics organization’s U.S. leaders BY DEBRA NUSSBAUM COHEN HAARETZ

NEW YORK — A growing crisis at Hadassah’s flagship Jerusalem medical centers is prompting what appears to be panic among leaders at H a d a s s a h -Wo m e n ’s Zionist Organization of America. Volunteer staff, the backbone of the venerable American women’s Zionist organization around the country, has been ordered not to speak with press, and the national staff, paid and voluntary, isn’t doing so either. Hadassah Medical Organization doctors and nurses went on strike in Israel last week after the administration of the medical center received 90 days of protection from creditors in the face of a $367 million deficit. During the 90 days, the medical center will work on a recovery plan, which could include firing up to 530 employees, or 10 percent of the workforce. Both Hadassah-WZOA and the Israeli government have thus far each pledged $14 million in loans to stanch the red ink pouring out of the fiscally ailing hospital, which has been running at a deficit in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In a petition at Change.org, Hadassah-WZOA is asking Israel’s government to do more. During the course of the past week, its hospitals — Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem and Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus — have been on Shabbat or emergency schedule footing periodically as a result of walkouts by staff. Hadassah in the United States has aggressively pared down its focus in recent years. Its camping and youth

movement arm, Young Judea, was cut off from the mother organization in 2012. It has all but ended serious efforts at the educational engagement of younger women, which was a focus about a decade ago. And it has drastically cut its regular funding to the Jerusalem hospital, to about $19 million a year from what had been upwards of $40 million, said a former consultant to the American women’s Zionist organization, who asked not to be named. “This is just more piling on of a worsening image that is killing them,” said the consultant. Hadassah here appears to consider itself in crisis-management mode. Assistants to Hadassah’s CEO, Janice Weinman, and Marcie Natan, its national president, said that both women were out of the office and unavailable for comment. The organization’s communications director, Sheryl Hoffman, was likewise unavailable. One Hadassah regional president, after learning that the national leadership had instructed them to refer all press calls to the national office, said she fears what will happen if she is quoted in the press. “I will be vilified,” she said. “I will lose my position.” On its website, Hadassah — which describes itself as the largest Jewish organization and the largest women’s group in the United States — posted a statement Monday: “This is a difficult moment … HWZOA’s position is clear; we will support HMO [the Hadassah Medical Organization, the parent body of Hadassah hospitals] and do our part to help see it through the restructur-

ing process. It is our expectation that HMO’s other stakeholders — the government of Israel, the unions, the university, and the hospitals creditors and suppliers — will join us in that effort.” The organization goes on to request that readers sign a petition to the Israeli government in support of HMO, and compares its situation to that of car manufacturer General Motors, which in 2009 filed for bankruptcy and was rescued by a U.S. government bailout. “Just as GM emerged from its restructuring to once again lead the world in auto sales, we are confident that the recovery plan will allow HMO to emerge from this process stronger and on sustainable financial footing. “The board of HWZOA remains, as ever, profoundly proud of HMO. No financial setback can erase all it has accomplished and contributed to the Zionist enterprise. And just as the State of Israel has faced countless challenges and overcome them all, so too HMO must and will go through this difficult moment and prove its resiliency.” Resiliency is the message being adopted by the few Hadassah leaders willing to speak with Haaretz. Rae Gurewitsch is president of Hadassah’s New York Region. After referring a reporter to Marcie Natan and before hanging up the phone, she said, “We’re fine, business as usual. That’s about what I can say. Everyone is informed, and we’re continuing.” Hadassah’s Florida Atlantic Region, which has about 23,000 members in 62 local chapters, raised about $2 mil-

See HADASSAH, page 21

As conference nears, AIPAC still trying to figure out its legislative agenda BY RON KAMPEAS JTA

WASHINGTON — The highlight of AIPAC’s year is the final day of its annual policy conference, when thousands of activists ascend Capitol Hill to lobby for the passage of the organization’s legislative priorities. But just two weeks before the conference, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is facing a dilemma: how to craft a legislative agenda after losing a bruising battle with the President Barack Obama’s administration over Iran sanctions and amid uncertainty stemming from regional turmoil and ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. An AIPAC official confirmed that the lobbying group has yet to choose a legislative initiative for the estimated 14,000 activists to support at the March 2-4 conference. While AIPAC does not unveil the specifics of its favored legislative action until the eve of its conference, what’s unusual is that those close to the group and its Capitol Hill interlocutors say it’s not yet clear even behind closed doors what shape AIPAC’s lobbying will assume. AIPAC activists typically carry to the Hill requests for legislative initiatives that address Iran’s nuclear program and the security of Israel. The requests can take the form of a bill, a nonbinding resolution or a congressional letter. A year ago, AIPAC activists asked lawmakers to restore funds that were cut from defense assistance for Israel in across-the-board congressional budget

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference last March in Washington, Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

reductions. They also lobbied for four bills — two in each legislative chamber — that would make Israel a “major strategic ally” and enhance Iran sanctions. Since then, the cuts have been restored, and the major strategic ally bill is advancing in the House but has stalled in the Senate. The House passed new Iran sanctions last summer, before the announcement of talks between the major powers and Iran. The Senate version of the bill, however, faced strong opposition from the Obama administration and fell short of the two-thirds backing necessary to

override a promised presidential veto. AIPAC, after initially pushing hard for its passage, last week relented and accepted delaying a vote on the measure. A source close to AIPAC and four top congressional staffers from both parties confirmed that the group is now considering a nonbinding resolution addressing its concerns about the nuclear talks now underway between the major world powers and Iran. “I’ve heard there’s an option of a resolution being kicked around, but not much beyond that,” said a staffer for a top Democrat, referring to the Iran issue.

The uncertainty regarding what’s next on the Iran issue is evident on Capitol Hill. A Republican source told JTA last week that Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the House majority leader, and Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the minority whip, had agreed on the text of a nonbinding resolution that would recommend congressional oversight in implementing the current interim nuclear deal as well as outlining acceptable outcomes for a final agreement. But an official in Hoyer’s office immediately denied the claim. Leading AIPAC board members were meeting Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss future steps. One factor making it difficult to decide on an appropriate legislative vehicle for an AIPAC-backed initiative on Israeli security needs is that Israeli-Palestinian talks are being kept secret at the behest of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is expected to soon present a framework for an agreement. The framework would address Israeli security needs in detail. AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups, administration insiders said, mostly have been supportive of Kerry’s efforts. There has been no such comity on Iran, where the White House and AIPAC had been locked in a battle of wills over the Senate’s Iran sanctions legislation. Senate Republicans had been pushing for quick action on the AIPAC-backed bill, which had majority support in the chamber, but Democrats resisted calling a vote.

See AIPAC, page 23

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WORLD BRIEFS FROM JTA Al-Qaida-linked group says it perpetrated deadly bus bombing JERUSALEM—An Islamist group linked to al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the apparent suicide bombing of a tour bus on the Egypt-Israel border that left at least four dead. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis took responsibility for Sunday’s attack on Egyptian soil and promised others to disrupt the country’s economy, tourism and military, according to reports. Three South Korean tourists and the Egyptian driver were reported killed and at least 13 passengers were wounded in the attack on the Israelbound bus traveling from the Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian deputy interior minister, Gen. AbdelFattah Osman, told the Al-Hayat newspaper that the attack likely was perpetrated by a suicide bomber on the bus. Osman said a hotel security camera showed a man not related to the trip boarding the bus. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood said on Twitter that the explosion killed three “Zionists,” according to the Times of Israel. The 31 South Koreans on the tour bus were on a church trip to visit holy sites in Egypt, Israel and Turkey.

Israel eyeing more control of Temple Mount, Bennett says JERUSALEM — Israel may try to assume more control over Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, a government minister told American Jewish leaders.

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Naftali Bennett, the chairman of the Jewish Home party and the minister of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, on Monday told leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations at the group’s annual meeting in Jerusalem that his office has taken steps to exercise greater Israeli sovereignty over eastern Jerusalem, Haaretz reported. Among the steps, he said, is providing better services to the Arab residents of eastern Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is under the control of the Islamic Wakf.

Skip Israeli soldier costume for Purim, rabbi urges haredi boys JERUSALEM—The head of a Haredi Orthodox group called on parents to prevent their children from dressing up as Israeli soldiers for Purim. Rabbi Mordechai Blau, head of the Guardians of Sanctity and Education, cited tension over the drafting of yeshiva students in offering the warning on Feb. 12. Israeli army costumes are popular among young Orthodox boys at Purim time. “We are at a time of evil decrees, and dressing up as a

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soldier in this period does not increase happiness, rather it increases sadness,” Blau said, according to the Israel Hayom Hebrew-language daily newspaper. “There are children for whom soldiers are likely to take on a frightening meaning, like taking their older brother away” to the army. Rather, the rabbi suggested, boys should dress in U.S. Army costumes for next month’s holiday. Last week Haredi Orthodox demonstrators throughout Israel protested against millions of dollars in cuts to yeshiva funding ordered by Finance Minister Yair Lapid in response to a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court over the Haredi Orthodox yeshiva students’ draft deferrals. A government committee headed by lawmaker Ayelet Shaked of the Jewish Home Party is working to finish revising a universal draft law that already has passed its first reading in the Knesset. The final bill is expected to be brought for its second and third reading in midMarch. The leaders of the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta in previous years have urged their followers not to dress up on Purim as soldiers, policemen or rescue workers.

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INSIDE SPORTS by Skip Erwin

Bobby Orr was the greatest player to ever play the game. The 6-foot, 200 lb. defenseman from Perrytown, Ontario (now 63) had blazing speed and unstoppable moves. Lynn Patrick, the St. Louis Blues first coach and a Hall of Fame legend, saw Bobby play when he was 12 and felt even at that age he was ready for the NHL. Two years later, in 1962, Orr began Junior-A competition playing four years in Oshawa, Canada. In 1966, Orr joined the Boston Bruins at age 18. He was a killer with his shy grin and schoolboy haircut. According to Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Pat Quinn, “Bobby Orr pound-for-pound might have been the most feared person in the game.” Orr didn’t hold and throw like a lot of players. He could go with both hands like a prizefighter. In the 1969-70 season, Orr became the only player to sweep the league’s top awards – MVP, playoffs MVP and scoring title. He capped it off by scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal against the Blues (Boston beat St. Louis in four straight games). His last good season, 1974-75, Orr scored 46 goals, and gave away six more with easy assists to teammates. The following season, Boston scored 124 goals, shorthanded, and at even strength with Bobby on the ice. It was his most memorable career moment, even more than Wayne Gretzky, who scored 100 goals. Orr did it all — blocked shots, dealt out punishing blows, but also took sweeping hits from players desperately trying to stop him. A lot of those blows were intentional. His knees were operated on several times, with injuries so severe that Bobby retired at age 30. His last hurrah, the 1976 Canada Cup series was bittersweet. Orr, in so much pain that he couldn’t practice, beat the Russians on one leg, outplayed the Czechs single-handedly and was paid a tribute by the captain of Team Canada, Hall of Fame Philadelphia Flyer center Bobby Clarke, who said, “Bobby Orr, the most courageous I’ve ever seen as a hockey player.” Orr’s Boston coach, Harry Sinden, called Bobby “The Godfather,” and his teammates, not to his face, called him “God.” When my son Lee was seven, we were at the St. Louis Arena for a BluesBruins game, when Bobby Orr, right in front of our seats, was streaking past us headed for the Blues goal. That’s when Lee described him perfectly, saying; “Here comes Mister Speedman!” Skip Erwin wrote & broadcast sports shows for KMOX for 25 years. Member JCC & UMSL Sports Hall of Fame.

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Tradition, bias rules help veil number of Jews who go hungry

Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry employees Jon White (left) and Jim Bularzik (right) discuss the placement of two pallets of frozen chicken legs that were part of a large U.S.D.A. food delivery from the St. Louis Area Foodbank on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Mike Sherwin

HUNGER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 have chicken, catfish and lamb chops. There’s no real rhyme or reason. People were tickled because we had catfish. They were tired of chicken. “The end of December and into January, we were giving away egg nog because the supermarkets had overstocked.”

Economic conundrum: Demand overwhelms supply At the Kornblum food pantry, the demand is outstripping the supply of food from various sources, which include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Operation Food Search, surpluses at Produce Row in the city, and supermarket chains, large bakeries and food drives by synagogues and other groups. For instance, in September, the food pantry served 5,700 family members. Two months later, that number had soared to 8,099, a 42 percent jump. Last month, the pantry provided food for 7,237 family members. No one knows what the new normal is, but when the food pantry moved to its present location at 10601 Baur Boulevard in late 2012, its managers wanted space to serve 10,000 people a month. Bact then, they were expecting about 5,000 a month. Recent demand from unemployed or working-poor clients has pushed that number much higher. When the food pantry opened more than 20 years ago, it fed 150 people a month. The pantry is believed to be the biggest in the St. Louis area and serves primarily people from St. Louis and St. Louis County. At the same time, the number of needy clients keeps rising, the supply of food from the St. Louis Area Foodbank, which in turn distributes its U.S.D.A. food to Kornblum and many other area food banks, can fluctuate greatly. It all depends upon several variables – and managers at the food bank have to stay on top of the available food from many sources, much like commodity brokers closely watch fluctuations in supplies, the weather, and the availability of trucks and trains to haul food. Some months, the food bank sends about 20,000 pounds of U.S.D.A. food to the Kornblum food pantry. In July, though, the pantry got 57,000 pounds, said Cory Eichorn, pantry manager. But that was an unusually bountiful supply compared with the usual flow, which arrives by pantry trucks during the third

BY REPPS HUDSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

week of the month. Meanwhile, the need to provide food has continued to rise steadily, regardless of what U.S.D.A. provides through the food bank in Earth City. The Kornblum food pantry must make up the difference by routinely visiting supermarkets and other food outlets. Or it may have to turn clients and potential clients away. Eichorn credits Greg Youngstrom, a longtime driver who has built up valuable relationships with the right employees in many area supermarkets and stores. “We are there on a timely basis,” Eichorn said. “We are on time. We kick butt. Having a paid driver [as opposed to volunteers] is worth its weight in gold.” He said the Kornblum food pantry budgets about $6,750 a month to buy food from retail and other sources. His buyers shop carefully. “We buy at wholesale whenever possible,” he said. “We go to Aldi’s or Save-aLot to get peanut butter and tuna fish. It’s the same as in the supermarkets and quite a bit cheaper. We’re looking for shelfstable food.”

Weathering the weather Some years, farm commodities such as rice and corn are abundant because those are good crop years. That’s when the Agriculture Department steps in to buy surpluses to help keep prices up so farmers can make a living. Other years, a drought or crop failure may cause lower yields of those crops – and U.S.D.A. has fewer of those crops to distribute to repositories such as the St. Louis Area Foodbank. A severe drought in California, the nation’s largest agricultural state, is sure to have sharply affect what food pantries have on their shelves and in their coolers, as well as supermarket prices for fruit and vegetables, in the months ahead. Another reason for an erratic supply of food, says Marjorie Sawicki, assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at St. Louis University, is the complex logistics of hauling surpluses, be it grain commodities or frozen meat or dairy products, from their point of origin or processing to food bank warehouses located all across the United States. “Sometimes, unreliable deliveries mean that food banks and food pantries cannot get fresh food, meats and things like that,” Sawicki said. “They have to rely on contractors to provide trucks for distributing the food.” Much of the food the food banks receive comes from the Department of Agriculture’s procurement programs for needy people, which just about everyone

agrees is an acceptable system – except when there are shortages on the supply side. “U.S.D.A. actually gives the food banks the best price it can, about one third lower than the market price, but it’s dealing with the uncertainty of all kinds of things,” Sawicki said. Food banks are large warehouses where government-purchased foods, as well as donated foods from drives like those conducted by the Boy Scouts, end up. There, volunteers sort them, box them according to type – canned green beans in one large box, macaroni and cheese in another – for storage. Finnegan said about 20,000 volunteers a year descend on the warehouse to help sort food from many sources. Then workers fill orders for food pantries, stacking canned and boxed goods on pallets, and cover them with shrink wrap to be sent out to food pantries throughout the area. Those in need then visit, usually by appointment, for their supply of things to eat.

Movement against government help Yet another question remains: Why do so many people in this country – some estimates put the number at 50 million, or 16 percent of the country’s population of 310 million – not have enough of the right kind of food to eat? “We have hungry people in this country because we don’t have the will to end it,” said Finnegan, of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Courtney McDermott, a lecturer in the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ school of social work, teaches a course on the history of American social welfare policies. “The last few decades, the government has been getting away from helping the needy,” she said. “There is the belief that the federal government should do less and private charities should be making the donations.” In good economic times, she said, when many people hold steady, paying jobs, the emphasis has been on personal responsibility. And when there have been economic downturns, the federal government would step in, providing a safety net of food for need people. “But now the political attitude is against government help,” McDermott said. “You can see that in the cuts to SNAP,” the food stamp program that was cut by $8 billion in the recently passed five-year farm bill. Echoing what Finnegan and others have told the Light, McDermott said: “The reality is that the majority of people are working more than 40 hours [a week], and they still can’t make it.”

Nobody knows how many Jews go hungry today. Out of an estimated 50 million people in the United States, 18 percent – or one in every six men, women and children – do not have enough to eat every day. But no one can say with certainty how many Jews routinely face hunger. For cultural and personal reasons, Jewish families that cannot provide enough food to feed everyone at their table often are not as visible as people from other communities. “There is no official data that show food insecurity. It would be discrimination to require people applying for assistance to tell their religion,” said Michelle Stuffmann, director of outreach and communications for Mazon, a nonprofit in Los Angeles that works largely, but not exclusively, with Jewish groups to devise ways to combat hunger in America. Then there are deep-rooted cultural reasons within the Jewish community. “Historically, it’s important that Jews not show weakness,” Stuffmann said in a phone interview last week. “They fear that other people who aren’t Jewish might take advantage of this somehow.” She called this “old thinking” – that if members of the Jewish community were to acknowledge that Jews are struggling to find enough to eat, “that would bring shame on the larger Jewish community for not helping.” Yet the tradition of Jews helping Jews, as well as helping the larger non-Jewish community, remains strong, Stuffmann said. For Jewish families, having to turn to a food pantry raises issues of shame and pride – or rather a loss of pride a father or mother may feel because he or she has no job or cannot put food on the table. That may cause a sense of shame and of failure in those who are having severe problems providing food for their children, spouses and others in the home. “A sense of shame gets in the way of reaching out for help,” she said. “We are a community that is supposed to take care of our own.” The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, 10601 Baur Boulevard, is believed to be the largest food

See NUMBERS, page 9 About Can We Talk? The Can We Talk? series is a collaboration of the Jewish Light, Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish Community Center, pairing in-depth coverage and a community discussion event on a topic of import to the Jewish Community. The series receives generous support from the Harvey Kornblum Foundation.

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NUMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

pantry in the St. Louis area. Yet it continues to have trouble meeting all the demand. By far, the majority of its clients are not Jewish; the Jewish component is quite small. “(Our) clients are mostly from St. Louis city and county,” said Cory Eichorn, manager of the Kornblum food pantry. “They receive some kind of public assistance, or they fall under the poverty line set by the state of Missouri. For a family of four, the gross income of someone eligible for the food bank is under $2,454 a month.” However, when food pantry officials interview new candidates for their eligibility, they take those candidates’ word for their income, said Marcia Mermelstein, Kornblum pantry coordinator. Food pantry officials do not require potential clients to provide pay stubs, or proof of other income or tax forms. And while potential clients are asked to state their religious faith, they are not required to do so. In addition, the food pantry is not allowed to favor Jewish clients over others. The pantry receives much of its food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal law prohibits pantries that receive U.S.D.A. food from favoring clients of one group or faith over another. One indication of the need for meals in the St. Louis Jewish community can be found in the number of kosher families served by the food

Resource listing Useful sources for understanding the hunger problem in the United States and locally: • Mazon: A Jewish response to Hunger, based in Los Angeles, which works to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. Mazon.org, 1-800-8130557 • Feeding America, Chicago, feedingamerica.org, 1-312-641-6422 • U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Washington, D.C., http://1.usa. gov/1cn2GyP, 1-202-694-5456 (social science analyst) • St. Louis Area Foodbank, Bridgeton, stlfoodbank.org, 314-292-6262 • St. Louis, Mo. food pantries, foodpantries.org/ci/mo-st_louis • Operation Food Search, University City, foodpantries.org/li/operation-foodsearch, 314-726-5355 • Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, St. Louis County, jfcs-stl.org/ourservices/basic-needs, 314-993-1000

More coverage next week The Feb. 26 edition will continue this Can We Talk? discussion on hunger, as it examines what the St. Louis Jewish community is doing to take care of its hungry, and what you can do to help. pantry. In December, the food pantry provided kosher food for 81 families, Mermelstein said. In January, that number was 80. In December, the pantry served 7,333 family members of all faiths

ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

and tastes. Assuming four members for each family that requested kosher food – hypothetically, 324 people in December – the kosher part would be slightly more than 4.4 percent of the total number of clients for that month. Likewise, in January, the food pantry fed 7,237 family members, of which the kosher part was also 4.4 percent. However, counting families that take kosher food does not necessarily reveal how many Jewish families are in need. Mermelstein said some Jewish families who do not keep kosher may choose kosher meals because they think the quality will be higher. And, she said, non-Jewish families also make take them for the same reason. Furthermore, some Muslim families take kosher meals because they know kosher meat will conform to their rules of halal – and they won’t accidentally get pork, which Muslims are forbidden to eat. For perspective, consider these figures from Feeding America, a nonprofit that compiles statistics by county about Americans who do not have enough to eat regularly. The latest figures on the website (feedingamerica.org) show that 86,940 people in St. Louis and 157,500 in St. Louis County faced food insecurity in 2011, which was before the current sharp increase in demand for the pantry’s free food for those who qualify. The Jewish food pantry gets most of its clients from those two counties.

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WORLD NEWS BRIEF BDS founders are ‘anti-Semites,’ Netanyahu tells U.S. Jewish leaders JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the founders of the BDS movement “classical anti-Semites in modern garb.” Netanyahu made his remarks on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and other issues in an address Monday night to the leadership of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations meeting in Jerusalem. “In the past, anti-Semites boycotted Jewish businesses and today they call for the boycott of the Jewish state. And by the way, only the Jewish state,” he said. “Now don’t take my word for it. The founders of the BDS movement make their goals perfectly clear. They want to see the end of the Jewish state. They’re quite explicit about it.” “It’s time that we fight back,” he said. The Presidents Conference has been involved in delegitimizing boycott efforts against Israel, most recently working to garner the support of American universities and colleges against the call by the American Studies Association for a boycott of Israeli universities. Netanyahu in his 30-minute speech also addressed Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, among other topics. He called on the U.S. Jewish leaders to “expose Iran for what it is. It smiles but it continues its deadly business every day.” Netanyahu said Iran is being “legitimized” and “embraced” due to its continued talks with the world powers while it continues to enrich uranium for what the Israeli leader says are nuclear weapons. On the current U.S.-brokered peace talks, Netanyahu reiterated his call for the Palestinians to recognize “the right of the Jewish people to a state of their own in any boundaries.” He said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict predated the settlements by at least half a century and clearly is not the core of troubles in the Middle East.

WHO ARE YOUR UNSUNG HEROES?

Le Onl ft t y 1 oN W om eek ina te

The St. Louis Jewish Light will honor individuals in our Spring OY! Magazine who have made a significant difference in our community through their noteworthy accomplishments. We will then celebrate those honorees at a community-wide event.

• Arts, Culture and Entertainment • Science and Technology

Who’s Eligible: • Jewish adults and youth who have made a meaningful impact on the greater metropolitan community. • Jewish and non-Jewish adults and youth who have made a meaningful impact on the local Jewish community.

Nominate someone (or someones) today. There are two ways to submit a name: 1. Fill out the form below and mail to Jewish Light/Unsung Heroes #6 Millstone Campus Drive, Suite 3010, St. Louis MO 63146 2. Submit nominees online at www.stljewishlight.com/unsung

Areas of Accomplishment:

• Business and Finance • Religious Institutions • Academia and Education

• Government • Nonprofits • Sports and More!

Questions? Call 314-743-3662

Unsung Heroes Submission Form Your Name: __________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ Your Nominee: ______________________________________________ A brief description of their work and accomplishments: __________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Where nominee can be reached Address: ________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ E-mail: _________________________________ Deadline to nominate is February 28, 2014. Please send nominations to: #6 Millstone Campus Drive, Suite 3010, St. Louis MO 63146

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ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

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opinions ROBERT A. COHN Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Founded 1963 The Newspaper of the Jewish Community of Greater St. Louis 314-743-3600 • Fax: 314-743-3690 E-mail: news@thejewishlight.com Address for payments: P.O. Box 78369 St. Louis, Mo. 63178-8369 General Correspondence: 6 Millstone Campus Drive, Suite 3010 St. Louis, Mo. 63146 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS Gary Kodner, President; Diane Gallant, Vice President; Jeff Golden, Vice President; Jane Tzinberg Rubin, Vice President; Steve Gallant, Treasurer; Sheri Sherman, Secretary; Jenny Wolkowitz, Immediate Past President COMMITTEE CHAIRS Editorial: Ben Lipman; Business: Jeff Golden; Development: Kristi Meyers Gallup and Diane Gallant SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS Teen Page: Peggy Kaplan., Caroline Goldenberg TRUSTEES Michael Corson; Harvey Hieken; Diana Iskiwitch; Peggy Kaplan; Kristi Meyers Gallup; Ben Lipman; Jill Mogil; Ed Musen; Gary Ratkin; Daniel Rubenstein; Barbara Rubin; Jennifer Schmitz; Laura Silver; David Singer; Vicki Singer; Rabbi Lane Steinger; Toby Warticovschi; Richard Weiss ADVISORY COMMITTEE Terry Bloomberg, Nanci Bobrow, Ph.D., Ava Ehrlich, Charles C. Eisenkramer, Richard Flom, Dodie Frey, John Greenberg, Yusef Hakimian, Philip A. Isserman, Gianna Jacobson, Linda Kraus, Sanford Lebman, Michael Litwack, Dr. Ken Ludmerer, Lynn Lyss, Rabbi Mordecai Miller, Donald Mitchell, Milton Movitz, Michael N. Newmark, Adinah Raskas, Marvin J. Schneider, Irving Shepard, Richard W. Stein, Barbara Langsam Shuman, Sanford Weiss, Phyllis Woolen Markus, Vivian W. Zwick. Founder Morris Pearlmutter (1913-1993)

PROFESSIONAL STAFF EXECUTIVE Larry Levin Publisher/CEO Robert A. Cohn Editor-in-Chief Emeritus EDITORIAL Ellen Futterman Editor Mike Sherwin Managing Editor Editorial Assistant Elise Krug Cheryl Barack Gouger Editorial Assistant Barry Gilbert Proofreader BUSINESS Kelly Richter Business Director Eedie Cuminale Business Assistant Debra Gershenson Admin. Assistant Helen Neuman Admin. Assistant SALES Julie Schack Director of Sales & Events Alana Shapiro Senior Account Executive Elaine Wernick Account Executive Shane Blatt Account Executive Beth Feldman Events Coordinator Julie Spizman Sales Coordinator PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY Tom Wombacher Director of Operations Myriam Mistrih Production Assistant CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Baugher, Patricia Corrigan, Repps Hudson, Cate Marquis, Margi Lenga Kahn, Elaine Alexander, Susan Fadem, Renee Stovsky, Laura K. Silver, Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh, Cathleen Kronemer, Burton Boxerman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristi Foster, Lisa Mandel, Bryan Schraier, Yana Hotter

The Jewish Light is a beneficiary agency of Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

LARRY LEVIN Publisher/CEO

Submit letters to the editor to Managing Editor Mike Sherwin at msherwin@thejewishlight.com. Letters may be edited for grammar, length and clarity. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Please include your name, municipality and a daytime telephone number. The Light will publish only one letter from an individual writer during a 60-day period. Anonymous letters will generally not be considered for publication.

ELLEN FUTTERMAN Editor

JEWISH LIGHT EDITORIAL

Gravely Syrious Every time a tiny glimmer of hope arises from the ashes of war-torn Syria, it is swept aside by the harsh reality of the brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of 135,000 Syrians and displaced as many as 9.5 million citizens from their homes. This past Saturday in Geneva, the second round of peace talks between the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and representatives of opposition forces adjourned without accomplishing any tangible progress towards peace. The fact that the talks took place at all was at first regarded by some diplomats as at least somewhat encouraging. But opposition forces, backed by the United States, insisted that any future transitional or permanent Syrian government cannot keep Assad in power, while the regime’s representative insisted that Assad must stay in power. Meanwhile, the carnage goes on. Lakhdar Brahimi, a veteran Algerian negotiator for the United Nations, apologized to the Syrian people, saying that on these two rounds, “We haven’t helped them very much.” In the first round of the failed talks, the regime and the opposition did agree on one potentially significant and hopeful action: to allow civilians trapped in the city of Homs to evacuate elderly men, and women and children from rebel-held sections of the city, which has been under siege by Syrian regime forces for more than 18 months. Sam Dagher, in a dispatch from Homs in the Feb. 8-9 weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal, described the pathetic scene he witnessed in Homs: “Some were so frail and malnourished they could barely walk. Others had to be carried out on stretchers, and many more were in tears, yearning for loved ones they hadn’t seen for nearly two years.” Even after some trapped civilians were allowed to leave besieged sections of Homs, there was a renewal of violence between regime and opposition forces. Aid workers reported being fired upon by both sides and complained that they were not able to complete the rescue because of the renewal of the ever-escalating violence that has reduced the once proud city to a virtual duplicate of a bombed-out city during World War II. To make matters worse, Syria has repeatedly missed dead-

lines for complying with its agreement to remove all of its chemical-weapon stockpiles and facilities. According to the U.N., only 4 percent of the regime’s many tons of sarin gas has been removed. The Assad regime seems confident that it can keep stalling the removal of the chemical weapons with impunity, because nothing has been done by the “family of nations” to demand that the removal resume and be completed as promptly as possible. In another ominous development, Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Syrian rebels mobile anti-aircraft missiles. While this could tip the balance in favor of the rebels, it will in all likelihood lead to expanded military assistance to the Assad regime by its Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah supporters, ensuring that the war will continue to spiral even more out of control. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and author of the definitive volume on genocides, has described the bloodshed in Syria as extremely grave and has stressed that it must not be allowed to continue. On their visits to the White House last week, French President Francois Hollande and Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged President Barack Obama to take action to alleviate the bloodshed. In Congress, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said over the weekend that a future president would have to apologize for failing to take action to stop the killing in Syria. While Russia stepped in as a perceived leader to push the chemical-weapons agreement almost a year ago, it is long past the time to continue to trust that nation as an honest broker in attempting to stop the bloodshed. If the U.N. is paralyzed by the threat of a Russian-Chinese veto, then NATO powers should step in as they have in Afghanistan and Libya. They should issue a firm ultimatum to Assad that he observe an immediate and total cease-fire, allow food and medicine to be delivered to besieged civilians and begin to allow the 9.5 million Syrians displaced from their homes to return. If Assad refuses to comply, NATO should be prepared to create an effective no-fly zone to stop as much of the violence as possible. No further bloodshed should be tolerated by the international community, and the time to act is now.

Olle Johansson, Sweden/Cagle Cartoons

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Intermarriage It’s not a coincidence that the lead story Feb. 5 on intermarriage (“After lull, intermarriage debate reignited”) coincided with the Torah reading of the week, Tetzaveh. In the reading, we find the mitzvah of lighting the menorah and adding olive oil. The Midrash comments, why is the Jewish Nation compared to olive oil? Just like oil, which does not mix and floats to the top when put into other liquids, so too a Jew must not mix with the non-Jewish world in a manner where he would develop a strong relationship. The Midrash is teaching us this type of a relationship could lead to intermarriage. We must be nice and considerate, but we can’t get intimate. Chaim Edelstein University City

Response to Kerry editorial I cannot believe the Light would print criticisms of Israeli leaders concerning their response to remarks and/or suggestions advocated by Secretary of State John Kerry (Editorial, “Kerry On,” Feb. 5). Years ago, as a senator, Kerry indeed was a staunch supporter of Israel, but those years are all history. Israel’s minister of economy, Naftali Bennett, stated what all supporters should be saying: Israel needs all the support they can get from all over the world. How can the Light be so ridiculously supportive of Kerry, who recently advocated that Israel give up the territory they got back in the 1967 war? That ridiculous suggestion would be close to national suicide for Israel. Finally, we hear not one iota about the rockets still being fired into Israel. Kerry keeps suggesting things that Israel should do; why in the world doesn’t he advocate what the Palestinian factions should do? They openly express the lunacy of driving Israel into the sea, and the Light’s editorial board has the audacity to ignore such events. While I, along with all Jews, pray hopefully for Israel’s survival, I suggest the Light get its priorities straightened out, and as previously stated, show better signs of support for the Jewish Homeland. Howard Sandler University City

ONLINE ONLY Rabbi Seth D Gordon of Traditional Congregation writes that Ari Shavit’s “My Promised Land” (reviewed in the Light Dec. 3) was a profound, eyeopening book that made him look at Israel through a different lens. Read his take: stljewishlight.com/shavit

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Immigration policy could benefit from dose of Jewish tradition BY SARAH K. MOLINA

Judaism tells us we must welcome the stranger. This obligation is repeated through the Torah. For example, Exodus 23:9 tells us, “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:33-34 instructs that, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” Later, Numbers 9:14 and 15:15-16 remind us, “You shall have one law only the same for the native born and strang-

er.” We reinforce the imperative to welcome the stranger every year when we begin our Passover Seders by saying, “Let all who are hungry, come and eat.” But, unfortunately, rather than welcome the strangers among us, the federal government keeps 34,000 “strangers” locked up in immigrant detention, not because of need, but because Congress has mandated an immigrant detention bed “quota.” In essence, no matter how many immigrants are actually in the system, or what the real national security needs are, the government, through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is forced to keep 34,000 immigrants locked up per day at a cost of over $2 billion a year to the American taxpayers. ICE is the only

Sarah K. Molina is a St. Louis immigration attorney and member of Central Reform Congregation. She lives in Olivette with her husband and three children.

federal or local law enforcement agency that is required to lock people up to meet a quota. Other agencies don’t have similar quotas because quotas make no sense. Obviously, those who might pose a threat to our community must be detained. But tens of thousands of strangers among us are detained every night just to meet the quota. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and

Let’s bet on peace

Responding to the J Street challenge

BY RABBI SHARON BROUS

BY BEN COHEN

LOS ANGELES — John Kerry is not a naive man. I met him recently at a luncheon at Georgetown University with a small group of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders brought together to hear the secretary of state’s frank reflections on the peace process. While deeply aware of the complexities and obstacles to peace, Kerry is undeterred by the acrimony and intransigence that imprison Israelis and Palestinians in a devastating and soul-corrupting status quo even as the Middle East shakes around them. “At some point,” he said, “you just have to bet on peace.” Rabbi Sharon There are many legitimate reaBrous is the sons to be skeptical of this latest founding rabbi round of peace talks. To reach a of IKAR. lasting, negotiated, two-state soluOp-Ed distribtion, both sides will have to make uted by JTA. excruciating choices on core issues from refugees to security to settlements to Jerusalem. This is a rare moment — a precious opportunity for the American Jewish leadership to improve the prospects for lasting peace and security by providing the principled support that can embolden Israel to take the necessary steps to achieve both goals. Instead, too many leaders have opted for muted support of these efforts, shying away from the type of full-throated, ardent, sustained and public backing that will tap into our community’s desire for a negotiated two-state solution — offering instead quiet criticism, muttered cynicism or silence. Driven by fear, distrust and even disdain, some in the Jewish community see the quest for peace — that is, an independent and viable state of Palestine alongside a secure and Jewish state of Israel — as driven by a reckless combination of naivete and arrogance. I don’t see it that way, nor do most American Jews — the quiet majority, all-toooften marginalized when it comes to public discourse on Israel. They — we — love the

Ever since its founding in 2008, J Street, a liberal Jewish advocacy group, has expended a great deal of time and energy trying to convince American Jews that it is a credible and more ethical alternative to traditional pro-Israel organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). J Street believes, not unreasonably, that there is a constituency for its work among those American Jews who are generally supportive of Israel but queasy over certain of its policies, most obviously creating and sustaining Jewish communities in the West Bank. Nor is this an unprecedented insight: From the 1970s onwards, there were organizations such as Breira (“Alternative”) and New Jewish Agenda that aimed to give voice to the same disquiet. J Street, however, is much savvier than either of those earlier incarnations. Unlike its ideological predecessors, there are no rumors circulating of its imminent demise. For the foreseeable future, then, J Street will remain a part of American Jewry’s political landscape. This reality is implicitly acknowledged in “The J Street Challenge,” a critical documentary film about the organization that has just been released by Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a Boston-based group run by the well-known anti-slavery activist Charles Jacobs. And it is a reality that, Jacobs and his colleagues (including executive producer and director Avi Goldwasser) insist, needs to be grappled with through honest debate and discussion. The key question raised by the film is what it means to be “pro-Israel” not on a personal level, but within the context of the political lobbying and advocacy that swirls around American

POINT/COUNTERPOINT

Kerry’s perilous path to failure BY JONATHAN S. TOBIN

PHILADELPHIA — In the past few weeks, Secretary of State John Kerry has come under attack from prominent Israelis as well as American friends of the Jewish State for some of the methods he has adopted in his determination to find a solution to the Middle East conflict. Such criticism strikes President Barack Obama’s administration, as well as many friends of Israel, as absurd. After all, what better favor could the United States do for Israel than to help it find the peace for which its people have hunJonathan S. gered since the birth of their state? Tobin is senior But while Kerry’s defenders are online editor right to scorn those who seek to and chief politiquestion his motives, the way the cal blogger of secretary has tried to strong-arm Commentary Israel has neither enhanced the Magazine. chances for peace nor strengthOp-Ed distributened Israel’s security. Though the ed by JTA. quest for peace is, in principle, a noble endeavor, Kerry has set in motion a chain of events that is, in fact, strengthening those who seek to delegitimize and boycott Israel and may even increase the chances of a new round of Palestinian violence. Kerry came into office last year determined to take up a challenge that his predecessor, Hillary Clinton, did her best to avoid. Clinton assessed the chances of peace between Israel and the Palestinians in the foreseeable future in the same manner as most foreign-policy hands: slim to none. With Palestinians hopelessly split between the Fatah-ruled West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza, there seemed little leeway for Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to sign an agreement that would end the conflict. Because the Palestinians had already turned down offers of statehood in almost all of the West Bank, Gaza and a share of Jerusalem in 2000, 2001 and 2008,

children of U.S. citizens. They are your neighbors, people you know, and members of our community. They don’t need to be locked up to meet a court date or comply with court orders. Using alternatives to detention like GPS ankle monitors would save taxpayer money while keeping families together in the community and show that, we, as a society, are willing to live up to the biblical imperative to “not do [them] wrong.” Moreover, we could use some of that $2 billion for a few other things our country direly needs: infrastructure, education, anti-poverty programs, job training and more. This quota is bad policy, it is wasteful, inhumane, contrary to Jewish teaching and Congress should eliminate it.

See POINT, page 19

See COUNTER, page 19 Cartoon: Daryl Cagle/Cagle Cartoons

See COMMENTARY, page 22 Ben Cohen is the Shillman Analyst for JNS.org. His writings on Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern politics have been published in a variety of publications, including Commentary, the New York Post, Haaretz and Jewish Ideas Daily.

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ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

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features Best Bets: Feb. 20-26

MUSIC WHAT: The Avett Brothers WHEN: 8 p.m. ThursdaySaturday WHERE: Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market Street, St. Louis HOW MUCH: $35-$50 THE 411: Melding strains of country, folk, bluegrass, a hint of punk, the two multi and talented brothers from North Carolina have been making wonderful American roots music all their lives. They come to St. Louis for three consecutive concerts, though Saturday night is sold out. MORE INFO: ticketmaster.com

Haifa Symphony Orchestra (above, photo by Eran Lavi) and piano soloist Roman Rabinovich (below, photo by Balazs Borocz).

Pianist pursues music’s ephemeral ideal BY BARRY GILBERT

Haifa Symphony Orchestra

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

WHAT: Josh Ritter WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis HOW MUCH: $25-$30 411: Singer/songwriter Josh Ritter will acoustically perform, drawing heavily on his latest album,“The Beast In Its Tracks.” Of the record, Ritter says,“In the year after my marriage ended, I realized that I had more new songs than I’d ever had at one time. Far from the grand, sweeping feel of the songs on ‘So Runs the World Away,’ these new songs felt like rocks in the shoe, hard little nuggets of whatever they were, be it spite, remorse, or happiness.” MORE INFO: 314-533-9900 or sheldonconcerthall.org LITERARY WHAT: Kenan Trebincevic, “The Bosnia List” WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday WHERE: St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Boulevard, Frontenac HOW MUCH: Free THE 411: At age 11, Trebincevic escaped the brutal ethnic cleansing campaign that swept the former Yugoslavia. This memoir chronicles his return to Bosnia to honor his father’s wishes, which include confronting the neighbor who stole from his mother, visiting the concentration camp where his father and brother were imprison, and standing on the grave of the man who betrayed the family. Back in Bosnia, he finds something more powerful — and shocking — than revenge. MORE INFO: 314-994-3300 or slcl.org

For Israeli pianist Roman Rabinovich, the thrill — and what he has called a “torturous process” — is the opportunity for perfection, even if that opportunity exists for just a sliver of time. “Every day, I wake up and I change, as everyone changes,” he says. “So you do your best today and then tomorrow it’s not good anymore, so you have to grow with your ideas. And you find new details in the music all the time. You grow with the music. “Every great piece of music has endless possibilities, and it takes time to explore, and you never reach the ideal. It only can be better and better.” Rabinovich began studying piano at age 6 in his native Uzbekistan. He made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic and its worldrenowned conductor, Zubin Mehta, just four short years later, a heady accomplishment for any 10-year-old. “But after that, it’s many, many years of study, and I’m still studying … still growing. You never feel like you’ve arrived anywhere. It’s just a long process,” says Rabinovich, who just turned 28 and now lives in New York. He was interviewed last week by phone from a hotel room in Philadelphia, where he had just arrived with the touring Haifa Symphony. The symphony, conducted by Boguslaw Dawidow (pronounced Duzzy-doff), will visit Lindenwood University in St. Charles on Tuesday as part of its first tour of the United States. There, Rabinovich will be soloist for a performance of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943). The piece was groundbreaking for the composer’s career. Rachmaninov “wrote this piece after a silence of I think five years after the failure of his first symphony,” Rabinovich says. “He didn’t write for a few years, and he was very depressed. The second concerto was the beginning of an incredibly creative period. It’s a gorgeous piece, everyone knows it, everyone loves it. It is very virtuosic, beautiful piano writing. Beautiful colors in the orchestra. Fantastic. The second movement is just … I mean, it’s so beautiful. A fantastic piece.” Rabinovich came by his music naturally. Both parents were pianists and teachers, so music and music students were always in his home. He began playing with his mother at age 5 and began music school when he was

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 25) WHERE: Bezemes Family Theater-J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts at Lindenwood University 2300 West Clay Street, St. Charles HOW MUCH: $38.50-$58.50 MORE INFO: The program features Weber’s “Euryanthe” Overture, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rabinovich) and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Call 636-9494433 or go to lindenwood.edu/center

6. A few years later, he began playing concerts. Asked whether his parents pushed him into music, he says: “They nudged me. I wouldn’t say pushed. No, I liked it. I was encouraged by them, but I wouldn’t say pushed, no.” About six months before Rabinovich made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic in 1995, his family immigrated to Israel, but the move wasn’t just for Roman’s music. It was during the aftermath of the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, of which Uzbekistan was a part. Life in “in Uzbekistan at the time, the end of the Soviet Union, was very difficult,” Rabinovich says. “It wasn’t just (for the) music. Just life quality was very bad. Most of our friends had left at that point, so we moved for a better life. Being Jewish, Israel was sort of a natural place to go.” Rabinovich came to the United States when he was 17 to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After five years there, he moved to New York to earn his master’s at the Juilliard School and stayed in the city after school for the opportunities that living there affords a professional musician. He has already played at the world’s most prestigious venues and with the world’s most prestigious orchestras and actually began playing with northern Israel’s Haifa Symphony six months before his debut with Mehta. He has appeared regularly with the Haifa orchestra since then. “We have a good working relationship,” he says. “At this point, it really feels like family, especially now I’m with them for already a month on this tour, and we spent a few

weeks rehearsing and playing concerts in Israel. So I really feel very close to this group.” The Gold Medal winner of the 2008 Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition, Rabinovich last year released his first CD, “Ballets Russes” (Orchid Classics), a beautiful collection of Ravel’s “Daphnis & Chloe,” Stravinsky “Petrushka” and Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The solo performances, which he arranged, earned enthusiastic reviews. Unlike ephemeral live performances, Rabinovich says, recordings are like “a photograph of you at a certain point in your life. I put a lot of work into it. Now, I would play it differently, but I’m still proud of it. It’s a document of this time. Yes, I think it’s a good thing, yes. Because you want to preserve something. Otherwise, everything just disappears.” Rabinovich is also building a reputation for his painting and drawing, which helps him pass the time on tour buses and planes as well as cleanse his musical pallet. Much of his work, which can be found on his website romanrabinovich.net, is done these days on an iPad. “I originally got it for the music. I play from the iPad because I’d been having so many … unpleasant situations with the page turner, that I decided I have to control it on my own,” he says, laughing. “So I got this application and a pedal that turns the pages. It’s very easy. “So I got this, and I looked into drawing applications, and I found one that I like very much called Brushes. It’s so easy to use. If you travel, you don’t have to carry paint or pencils or pastels with you, or notebooks, so it’s very, very convenient. You work with light, a new medium, so it’s very exciting. “There are a lot of parallels with music. Colors and form and structure and texture and tonalities. A lot of parallels.”

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kibbitzing IN 2007, THE ST.LOUIS WIND SYMPHONY lost one of its favorite sons, Sam Goldstein, who succumed to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Sam, a French hornist, was an original member of the St. Louis Wind Symphony and a ray of sunshine to everyone who knew him. Sam’s widow, Jo-Ann Goldstein, told me that the symphony initiated a project to commission a work to honor Sam’s memory and his exemplary service to music making in our community. The Goldstein Commission Work Committee selected a nationally recognized composer, Andrew Boysen, to compose this work, which will be premiered at 3 p.m. March 16 at Chaminade College Prep School, 425 S. Lindbergh Boulevard. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and may be purchased at the door. A reception will follow the concert. I was intrigued by the fact that “A Symphony for Sam” reflects what was important to him. The composer said that the underlying emotional inspirations in each movement are: • Family — a stronger movement, at times bittersweet; • Faith and love – beautiful, confident; • Humor and sports – a scherzo using lots of light energy to reflect the enjoyment of life; • Music – a powerful finale that attempts to create the sorts of movements Sam would have liked as a musician. Jo-Ann hopes that the many friends who contributed to the creation of “A Symphony for Sam” will be there to hear it at its premiere.

caplan ALICE BLOCH, a recent recipient of a Regional Arts Commission Artist’s Fellowship and a St. Louis resident since 1991, has a doctorate in dance history from Temple University. Her curriculum vitae is awesome and includes such tidbits as a “fourth-generation Isadora Duncan dancer.” Have you seen her dance? Neither have I, though she has appeared throughout our community and has also taught movement classes for older adults. Now we all have the opportunity to see her perform in “Alice Block Dance Life: Celebrating 50 Years of Dancing” at COCA on March 14 and 15. Alice and 20 of St. Louis’ best dancers will perform choreography to Bach, the Klezmatics and traditional Bahamian music. One of the several dances is a hilarious look at women and aging entitled, “Old Lady Skin.” You can purchase tickets at the COCA box office at 524 Trinity Avenue or online at cocastl.org. DANCING IN THE LOOP, presented by J Associates, returns to The Pageant March 1, featuring some St. Louis “favorites” and professional dancers from Simply Ballroom. This year’s local faves include Mark Cantor, Alyson Garland, Diane Katzman, Ronnie Light, Lenore Pepper, Larry Samuels, Julie Sandler and Andy Trivers. The evening will be hosted by KSDK News Channel 5’s Leisa Zigman, and guest judges are Dan Gray, winner of Dancing in the Loop 2011; David Hoffman, winner of Dancing in the Loop 2010 and Kathy Huss, owner of

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Merle Scheff School of Dance. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the competition begins at 8. Sounds like a very exciting dance competition, but let me tell you the best of it. Proceeds from Dancing in the Loop are allocated to various departments of the Jewish Community Center and used for scholarships and other programs. Touching all faiths, races and ages, from infants to the elderly, J Associates raise funds for home delivered meals for seniors, Theatre Unlimited for Leisa adults with special needs, Zigman and scholarships that allow children to attend the JCC’s Early Childhood Center and summer camps. Tickets, at $125, are on sale now and may be purchased at jccstl.org or by calling Kimmi Levinson at 314-4423109. Complimentary parking will be provided. TRIVIA NIGHTS FREAK ME OUT, as I truly believe I do not know enough to answer any questions. But here is one made for me, and people like me, who know a little something about music. A music trivia night to benefit the Little Bit Foundation will take place March 8 at the Whitfield School, 175 S. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. Doors opens at 6 p.m. and trivia begins at 7, with beer, soda, and Buffalo wild wings being served, all for $25 per person or $250 for tables of 10. The Little Bit Foundation, founded in 2001, serves 4,300 elementary and middle school students at, or near, the poverty level, in 16 St. Louis area schools. Volunteers work one-on-one with each child and help provide necessities such as clothing, shoes and coats, ensuring each child’s personal dignity.

School administrators say the positive results of kids being involved with Little Bit include improvement in attendance, fewer discipline issues, and an uptick in reading and test scores To reserve your spot at music trivia night, call 314-669-0040. HERE’S A NATURAL AWARD FOR OLDER ADULTS in the St. Louis Jewish community: the 2014 Ageless Remarkable St. Louisans Gala, sponsored by St. Andrews Resources for Seniors System. This annual event honors outstanding St. Louis area older adults age 75 and older for their many contributions on the job front and in areas such as philanthropy and volunteer service. Seniors from the metropolitan area are eligible for recognition at the 2014 gala, which is set for Nov. 9. In addition to serving as St. Andrew’s most significant fundraiser of the year, the Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan Gala has played a critical role in helping to reshape the face of aging in the region and transform, enhance and improve the image of older adults in the region. Over the past 12 years, more than 260 seniors have been recognized for their amazing contributions well past the age of traditional retirement. “Too often, we find that older adults are stereotyped as frail, unproductive members of our society,” said Mary Alice Ryan, President and CEO of the St. Andrews Resources for Seniors System. “We wanted to demonstrate what diverse and outstanding lives area seniors are leading and showcase how fulfilling life can be after 75.” So if you know of someone to nominate, do so by March 10 via the St. Andrews website at standrews1.com/ nomination.

Food &

WINES First Course

USA

Of The World

Pacific northwest oysters rockefeller with cold water lobster claws

Maldanado, Pinot Gris, Napa Valley, 2012 Second Course

Italy

Roasted chicken and cherry tomato calzones with garlic goat cheese and basil cream Andrea Faccio, Barbera D’ Asti, “Suri” Third Course

AUSTRALIA

Roasted lamb lollipops atop parsnip purée and english pea coulis Gemtree, Phantom Red Blend, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2009 Fourth Course

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NEWS & SCHMO A visit to Chabad OZE Pratzel’s opens of 2005 Gaza ’s Shofar Factory Lessons for holidays withdrawal resonate for West Bank settlers

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The Jewish Federation installed it’s Now some 2,500 Israelis live here, new board chair, Robert andMillstone Shiloh has playgrounds, schools , and unveiled a newatagline, yeshiva. The red-roofed homes “Thrivingand . Together.”

Page 3

WORLD NEWS

Working with the ‘Light’ New fee raises questions about concentration camp tours

Rabbis assail attacks onmcircumcision

Vol. 64 /

No. 5

Working with ‘Light’ Wednesday, Friday, Dec. Feb.the 14, 21 2011 FEATuRES

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98Wednesday, a30ma to m 1to p m 11 aatmthe at JCC the Jewish Staenberg Family Friday, Dec. Feb. 14, 21Federation 2011 Kopolow Complex Building - Arts 12 and Millstone Education Campus Building Drive then then First Tunisia,h Mideast First Tunisia,hEgyp Whic t:ast t: Whic Mide will be

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page 15

Wednesday, Friday, Dec. Feb. 14, 21Building 2011Drive Wednesday, Friday, Dec. Feb. 14, 21 2011 AKopolow free A seminar free workshop for Jewish fororganizations Jewish Complex Building - Arts 12 and Millstone Education Campus a.m. a.m. to p.m. 11 at the at JCC the Jewish Staenberg Federation Family 98:30 a98:30 m a.m. to 1to p1to m 11 ata.m. the at JCC the Jewish Staenberg Federation Family and congregations sa.m. and congregation s organization Read ‘News & Schmooze’ on page 2 for details

See pag e5

Kopolow Complex Building, - Arts 12 and Millstone Education Campus Building Drive Kopolow Complex Building, -for Arts 12 and Millstone Education Campus Building Drive A free A seminar free workshop Jewish fororganizations Jewish and congregations sworkshop and congregation organization COVERING Covering freeA A seminar free forJewish Jewish for organizations Jewish s AAfree seminar free workshop for for organizations Jewish

Freekosher kosher lunch included • HowHow to best promoteyour your • •Free light breakfast included to promote and congregations s and congregation s organization and congregations s and congregation s organization organization in the Light organ zat on n the L ght • Up to three people (staff or lay Chateaubriand over buerre rouge with • Up to three people from each organization • Submitting calendar items Subm tt ng ca endar dauphinoise potatoes and hericot vert COVERING: Covering: leaders) each organization are invitedfrom (recommended for staff or lay newstems releases photos Chateau des Karantes La Clape, Coteaux du newsand re eases and Free kosher lunch included COVERING: Covering: •Covering How tooptions best promote your COVERING: • •Free kosher light breakfast included are invited leaders who work on publicity advertising • How to promote your • Editorial available Languenoc, France, 2009 photos • Free kosher lunch included • How to best promote your • Free kosher lunch included • Free kosher light breakfast included • How best promote your •toHow to promote your organization instory the Light • Free kosher light included How to your promote your in the communications forbreakfast the organization) • Upor three people (staff or lay • Pitching your story idea • Up toto three people from each organization P•organization tch ng deaLight Fifth Course organization in the Light organization in the Light organization in the Light • Up to three people (staff or organization in the Light Up to three people from each organization • •Up to three people (staff or laylay • Submitting calendar items • Up to three people from each organization to the editors Submitting calendar to •the ed tors leaders) from each organization are invited (recommended for staff or lay • Submitting calendar items, • Submitting ca endar items • Submitting calendar • Submitting calendar GERMANY rSvP required by Dec. 6 leaders) from each organization your are invited (recommended staff news releases and photos leaders) from each organization Understand ng advert s and are invited (recommended forfor staff oror laylay • Understanding items news releases news releases and photos news re eases and photos items, news releases and RSVP required by Feb. 13 Apple strudel with maple walnut ice cream leaders items, news releases and are invited who work on publicity advertising advertising options ng opt ons are invited leaders who work on publicity, advertising • Editorial options available are invited leaders who work on or publicity, photos • Editorial options available Call 314-743-3665 emailadvertising • Getting • Editoria options avai ab e photos and a Bärenjäger cream photos the big bpicture of the Call 314-743-3660 or email ngyour the g pidea cture or communications for the organization) •• Pitching your story idea communications organization) •Gett Pitching your story idea oror communications forfor thethe organization) Pitching your story idea Pitching story • Pitching your story idea Heidemanns-Bergweiler Riesling, Mosel, Germany, 2010 •s•Pitching your story idea msherwin@thejewishlight com Light mission and publicaof the L ght s m ss on office@thejewishlight com to the editors to the editors to the editors the editors to the editors toto the editors Thursday February 27th, 2014

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Healthwatch is a monthly feature focusing on a health- or fitness- related topic with a Jewish angle. The feature is published the third edition of each month. Have a suggestion for a potential Healthwatch subject? Email news@thejewishlight.com.

Israeli breast cancer survivor fills a niche with prosthetic innovation BY BEN SALES JTA

KFAR SABA, Israel — Michelle Kolath-Arbel squeezes a nipple, rolling it in her fingers with a look of mild disgust. This model, which Kolath-Arbel ordered from China two years ago for $50, is thick and crude and took three months to arrive in the mail. “It was hard, rubbery,” she said. “It looked like a doll’s. My husband said, ‘Don’t put that on your body.’ ” Kolath-Arbel, 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. A year later, she underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. While fighting the disease, Kolath-Arbel says, she remained relatively calm, keeping a tight schedule of treatments while holding down a full-time job as production director for an advertising firm. But finding out that her nipple would be removed during breast reconstruction, she broke down.

“When the doctor told me I’d have to lose the nipple, I cried more than when they told me I had cancer,” she said. “It’s so small, but every day I’d get dressed, I’d see the scar. I’d get undressed, I’d see the scar. I’d shower, I’d see the scar. It’s in your face.” Searching for solutions, Kolath-Arbel came up empty. Reconstructive surgery would have rendered an unrealistic lump whose color would fade, she says, and the prosthetic nipples she ordered from the United States and China looked fake and rough. “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” she said, quoting the Talmudic sage Hillel. She decided to design a nipple herself. After a year studying with a silicone artist who specializes in prosthetics, Kolath-Arbel made her first nipple. Now she’s doing the same for hundreds of breast cancer survivors in Israel and abroad through the company she founded, Pink Perfect, which she runs from her home in Kfar Saba, a central Israeli city not far from Tel Aviv. About 4,500 women a year are diagnosed with

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breast cancer in Israel, according to the Israel Cancer Association. “For the first pair I made, I found friends who had also been sick,” she said, sitting next to a binder bulging with nipple types she crafted. “One put it on and started crying. All the doctors said, ‘We were waiting for someone to do this.’ ” Delicate and realistically textured, Kolath-Arbel’s nipples are surrounded by a semitransparent circle that blends with the skin on which it sits. For women who have undergone single mastectomies, she creates custom prosthetics from a silicone mold of the remaining nipple, matching its shade and that of the surrounding skin by mixing pigments with silicone gel. To get the texture right, she uses a hard plastic tool she invented attached to a wooden stick. The finished nipple is attached to the breast with a medical adhesive.

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My doctor informed me that my eye problems are caused by my thyroid, how can that be?

Thyroid eye disease (TED), a.k.a. Grave’s ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune condition that occasionally occurs in patients with thyroid abnormalities. While only a small percentage of patients with thyroid dysfunction develop eye disease, most TED patients have overactive thyroids. Rarely, TED can appear in patients with underactive or even normal thyroid functions.

used to realign the eyes by calculated repositioning of the eye muscles. Eyelid surgery can be performed to improve the staring appearance caused by TED through raising retracted lower eyelids or lowering excessively high upper eyelids. While most patients do not require surgery for TED, surgical therapy is considered in the specific order described above for patients who must undergo therapy for all three problems.

TED patients can experience a wide variety of symptoms, including ocular irritation, redness, dryness, discomfort and excessive tearing. Periocular/eye socket inflammation and autoimmune infiltration can occur in patients with TED. Generally, there are three main outcomes from periocular and orbital inflammation: eyelid swelling/retraction, extraocular muscle diplopia (trouble moving eyes) and eye socket protrusion.

Non-surgical management of TED includes artificial tears, lubricating eye ointment and moisture chambers. Proper control of thyroid functions through close monitoring and treatment by a specialist familiar with thyroid disease is important. Avoidance of cigarette smoking is the most important intervention that a patient can do to lessen complications of TED. Other therapies include oral or intravenous steroids and radiation therapy. Experimental treatments are being attempted across the country and include immunologic modulators, chemotherapy medications and vitamin supplementation.

Surgical options are targeted to treat these conditions of TED and include eye socket decompression surgery, strabismus surgery and eyelid surgery. Orbital decompression surgery involves removal of boney eye socket support to allow for expansion of the eye socket tissues. Generally, orbital decompression results in less ocular prominence and can improve optic nerve compression. Strabismus surgery is

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F E B RUA RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

D’VAR TORAH — VAYAKHEL

Dreaming of a leader — an artist, gatherer, healer BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN

Michelle Kolath-Arbel shows a selection of nipple prosthetics. Photo: Ben Sales/JTA

HEALTH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Kolath-Arbel says her nipples have become progressively more accurate. She now anticipates the shade changing as the mold dries and knows to make the prosthetic a touch shallower than the real nipple to compensate for the stiffness of the fake. “She essentially completes our breast reconstruction operation,” said plastic surgeon Yoav Barnea, who directs breast reconstruction at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. “What Michelle is doing is she provided a solution to build a nipple that looks like the other one in shape and color, and avoids surgery.” For double mastectomies, Kolath-Arbel offers nipple models made from plastic molds. The models, which are named, vary in size, shade and texture. The most popular is Bold, a light option with a medium, shallow protrusion. Other offerings include Peach, Caramel and Sandy Brown. Kolath-Arbel says women often seek what

they consider an upgrade from their natural nipples, for example choosing a shade they always wished they had. “I chose something nicer,” said Ayelet Itiel, 49, who underwent a double mastectomy in 2012. “I might as well, as long as you can choose what you want. You have identical, beautiful nipples. People don’t believe they’re not mine when I show my friends.” Kolath-Arbel has expanded her services beyond mastectomy patients. Her most challenging client, she says, was a 5-year-old girl born without a nipple who likely will be a repeat customer as she grows. Kolath-Arbel also has provided her services to three men who survived breast cancer. As men are bare-chested at the pool or beach, Kolath-Arbel says, a prosthetic nipple is especially important. But she says they are also less particular about how the nipple looks. “They’re much more easygoing,” she said. “They don’t care if it’s the right shade or height. It just matters if there’s something. In any case, the hair hides it.”

On the heels of the molten beast (Make us a god, we said last week, because that man who led us — we don’t know what became of him). Did we want a god, or did we want a leader? What kind of leader? A master of ceremonies leader, or someone to sit with over coffee, at a diner in Overland? You know what kind of leader. We also need an artist, someone to make the dream concrete, someone to fashion the notion floating in the air (G-d showed it to us, like a hologram, floating in the air above our heads), but who will build it? Betzalel, the artist, whose name means “in the shadow of G-d.” That kind of artist. We have all we need: the artist, the design, the Designer, the master of ceremonies, the one who sits with us, however long it takes, and listens. And we make that molten beast. We are, of course, healed by the very things through which we were corrupted. We use the same words, we gathered together in confusion, frustration, impatience. Now the one who sits with us and listens gathers us together to review the plan for living: It starts with Shabbes. Vayakhel Moshe, say it aloud, “Va-yak-hel Mo-she”— give every syllable a breath and the words will settle deepRabbi James er. That man? He gathered us together and Stone Goodman he brought what he always brings — the healing. On the heels of the molten beast, he gathered together the entire community. We had gathered against his brother Aaron: Make us a god who will go before us, we said to Aaron, because your brother who is our heart — we do not know what happened to him. Do not say those words too slowly because they will chill you to the bone with the fear with which they were uttered. We will return to the building; everything we had been directed to do, get back to the work. The materials, those colors! the clothes! where do you get such great clothes? Bring back the artist, bring back the healing. We will build it out of the free offerings of our hearts. The building: It will be a symbol of our healing from the slip with the molten beast, a sign of deep forgiveness. The healing will come through the artist, who built it. And that man who brought us out? He’s back. Rabbi James Stone Goodman of Congregation Neve Shalom is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

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chailights Thursday, Feb. 20 JOLT holds Israel event Jewish teens in eighth through 12th grade are invited to a special Israel night at JOLT: Jewish Opportunities and Learning for Teens. St. Louis teens can hear from teens from Israel, learn Israeli self-defense with Krav Maga, participate in a community service activity for Yokneam Magido, St. Louis’ sister city in Israel and enjoy ice cream. An optional dinner is available for pre-registered teens at a nominal cost. Walk-ins are welcome. The event is from 630 to 8:30 p.m. (with an optional dinner beginning at 6) at B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. For more information, contact Maxine Weil at 314-442-3757 mweil@ cajestl.org or Karen Rader at 314-442-3756 krader@cajestl.org.

Thursday, Feb. 20 Nostalgic sweetheart music Take a stroll down memory lane during a St. Louis NORC program featuring guests from Lacefield Music Store, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the community.

Friday, Feb. 21 NCJW Lunch & Learn National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section will hold a lunch and learn on the people from working families who make up approximately 73 percent of people in public assistance programs. The panel discussion will include Sean Nicholson from Progress Missouri as well as Nancy Cross and Shannon Weber from the Service Employees International Union. Bring a lunch and join NCJW from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the NCJW office, 295 N. Lindbergh Boulevard in Creve Coeur. RSVP to lgjerswald@ncjwstl.org.

Screening of “42” at Covenant Place

Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 25-26

Panel to discuss hunger in the Jewish community

Nishmah Winter Salon series planned

The Can We Talk? quarterly series on topics of interest to the Jewish community will focus on hunger in the Jewish community during a panel discussion event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex’s Carl & Helene Mirowitz Performing Arts and Banquet Center, 2 From left: Joan Denison, Rachel Lubchansky and Louis Albert. Millstone Campus Drive. Discussing “No Place at the Table: The Hunger Crisis in the St. RSVP requested by Feb. 24 to Diane Maier at Louis Jewish Community,” are Joan Denison, 314-442-3190 or dmaier@jccstl.org or RSVP executive director of Covenant Place; Rachel online at stljewishlight.com/canwetalk. Lubchansky, co-founder of the Barbara Can We Talk? is presented by the Jewish Mendelson Tomchei Shabbos Fund (provid- Light, in collaboration with the Jewish ing for celebrations of Shabbat for obser- Community Relations Council and the vant families); and Louis Albert, executive Jewish Community Center. Can we Talk? is director of Jewish Family & Children’s Service. generously supported by the Harvey The event is free and open to the public. Kornblum Foundation.

more information, contact Lee’at Bachar at lbachar@jfedstl.org or 314-442-3817.

Sunday, Feb. 23 Bais Abe book club discusses science and religion Bais Abraham’s book club will meet at 7 p.m. at a private home (RSVP for details) to discuss section two of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ new book, “The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning.” The book club meets monthly; those interested will be paired up with a partner to read and discuss the book at their convenience, and then join with others to share insights and hear what others have discussed. Email Rori at rori@ baisabe.com for more information.

Saturday, Feb. 22

Monday, Feb. 24

Lunch & Learn at Bais Abe

Hadassah event focuses on women’s heart health

Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Young Professionals Division will ring in 2014 with the “Bayou Bash” from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 22 at Windows on Washington, 1601 Washington Avenue. The event will feature dancing to music by the band North of the Quarter and New Orleans-style food and drinks. There will be a collection of non-perishable food items to be donated to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. For every five items donated, attendees will receive an entry for a prize. The cost is $36 before Feb. 20 or $45 at the door. RSVP at ypdstl.org/bayoubash. For

The next Nishmah Salon series will focus on Zeek’s “Being Meir: Learning to Embrace Opposites,” about being a Jewish role model in finding the spark of truth in opposing viewpoints. The first two salons will be held at the JCC’s Staenberg Family Complex Beit Midrash on Feb. 25. Diane Maier facilitates the noon gathering, and Sara Winkelman leads the 7:30 p.m. discussion. On Feb. 26, there will a 10 a.m. session at a private home in Clayton led by Mindy Horwitz and an evening salon at 7:30 p.m. at a private home in Chesterfield, facilitated by Simone Picker. The article and location will be shared upon registration. Suggested donation for each salon is $15. Women may register at nishmah.org or contact Sara Winkelman at 314-442-3268 or swinkelman@jccstl.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 OACAP presentation on health care

Poetry reading with Carol Rose

YPD kicks off 2014 with Bayou Bash

For a complete listing of community events, visit www.jewishinstlouis.org

In the spotlight

Celebrate Black History Month in February with a free screening of “42,” the life story of Jackie Robinson, held at 1 p.m. in the Helene Mirowitz Theatre of Covenant II, 8 Millstone Campus Drive.

Following davening and lunch, Bais Abraham welcomes Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, for a lunch and learn on how tzedakah has influenced her. Last year, Clark stepped down as “chief executive bear” at Build-A-Bear to pursue two of her passions: improving K-12 public education and encouraging and investing in female entrepreneurs. Lunch and learn is sponsored by Daniel and Simone Picker, Linda and Selwyn Picker, Guy Genin and Li Zou and family, and Barry and Robin Picker on the yartzheit of Morris Picker. Free and open to the community. Bais Abraham is located at 6910 Delmar Boulevard.

To submit calendar items or news releases, contact Managing Editor Mike Sherwin at 314-743-3665 or msherwin@thejewishlight.com

B’nai Amoona Sisterhood will hold a poetry reading with Carol Rose at 7 p.m. at a private home (RSVP to sheryl@kalman.net or 636-5372538 for address); $5 donation suggested.

Hadassah will hold “Every Beat Counts,” a heart-healthy Mediterranean dinner and presentation on women’s heart health, from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Mediterranean Grill Restaurant, 703 Long Road Crossing Drive, Chesterfield. The speakers, from the Center for Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care at St. Louis University Hospital, will be Dr. Dawn Hui, assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Dr. Lisa Alderson, assistant professor of internal medicine in the Division of Cardiology. The cost of the program, including dinner, is $20 per person. RSVPs with payment are required by Feb. 20. Credit card payments can be made by calling Arin at 314-991-0434 or by emailing st.louis@ hadassah.org.

Starting Monday, Feb. 24 Class with Rabbi Neal Rose Sound Mind Café, 662 North New Ballas Road in Creve Coeur, will host a six-session class on conscious aging led by Rabbi Neal Rose at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays starting Feb. 24. Class participants will explore the possibilities and the blessings of growing older. Course cost is $150. Call 314-499-9144 for more infor-

mation.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 Knitting club at Covenant House Join the “Knit Wits” for crafts, kibbitzing and fun at 1 p.m. in the Milford and Lee Bohm Social Hall of Covenant House II Apartments, 8 Millstone Campus Drive. Bring a project or take up one from the class. Some materials provided. Free and open to the public. For more information call 314-432-1610.

Cyndee Levy leads class at Crown Crown Center for Senior Living welcomes Cyndee Levy from the Central Agency for Jewish Education for a class on “Searching for Meaning in the Great Stories of the Jewish Tradition” at 3:30 p.m. Through text-based study, participants will learn the lessons the rabbis sought to impart through their personal sagas. Free and open to the community. Call 314-991-2055 for more information. Crown is located at 8350 Delcrest Drive.

Crown trip to Mo. History Museum At 1:30 p.m., Crown Center leads a bus trip to the Missouri History Museum to view the “250 in 250” exhibit and a performance about Veuve Choutea, St. Louis’ founding mother. The guided tour is $3. No cost for the Crown bus during February. RSVP to 314-991-2055.

OACAP, the Older Adult Community Action Program, welcomes attorney Cathy Steele for a discussion of “Taking Care of Business As You Age,” covering such topics as health care directives, grandparents as custodians and other issues relevant to seniors. The program will be held at Crown Center for Senior Living, 8350 Delcrest Drive in University City. An OACAP business meeting takes place at 10 a.m., followed by the speaker at 11. Free and open to the community; light refreshments will be served. OACAP is a program of the National Council of Jewish Women–St. Louis Section. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail oacapstl@gmail.com or call NCJW at 314-993-5181.

Bus trip to courthouse St. Louis NORC leads a bus trip to the St. Louis Eagleton Federal Courthouse. Take a tour and enjoy lunch out with the group. Trip leaves at 9 a.m. from the Gathering Place at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Open to the community but RSVPs required to Laura at 314-4423255.

JGrads hosts ‘Jewish Nerd Nights’ See related news brief on page 5.

Crown Center Yiddish Group Join Crown Center for its Yiddish Group at 1:30 p.m., led by Thelma Edelstein and David Levine. Free and open to the community. Call 314-991-2055 for more information.

In the spotlight Jewish Student Union annual gala set for Feb. 22 The Jewish Student Union of St. Louis will hold its annual benefit gala, “Grow a Jewish Future,” on Feb. 22 at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. The event will honor Dr. Eldad and Danielle Bialecki as well as Drs. Michael Rauchman and Ariane May, with a special tribute to Howard Granok, JSU adviser for Crossroads Preparatory School. For more information or to purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship or tribute opportunities, visit jsustl.org, or contact Rabbi “Mike” Rovinsky at 314498-6279 or jsustl@gmail.com.

The Bialeckis (above), Howard Granok (far left) and Drs. Michael Rachman and Ariane May (left).

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ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

Wednesday, Feb. 26 (continued)

In the spotlight

Six-part class with Carol Rose

‘Sarah’s Key’ to screen at Holocaust Museum

Sound Mind Cafe will host a six-session class on “Harnessing the Imagination” led by Carol Rose at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting Feb. 26. Participants will explore how to use imagery for healing, creativity and spiritual growth. Course cost is $150. Call 314-499-9144 for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 27 New JOLT trimester begins See related news brief on page 5.

Jewish Spiritual Practice class Explore and connect with Rabbi Ari Shachar from 7 to 8:30 p.m. during this monthly class continuing through May (future classes are March 27, April 24 and May 29). Each class will be a standalone session introducing a wide variety of traditional and contemporary spiritual practices. They will include Jewish meditation, rituals, chanting, blessings and sacred texts with modern twists. The class is sponsored by B’nai Amoona Sisterhood. The cost is $10 for Sisterhood and Men’s Club members or $12 for non-members. To register, email elizabethwright0115@gmail.com or call 314 4221694. Classes will be held at B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road; space is limited.

Holocaust survivor to speak at Wash. U Philip Bialowitz, one of seven living survivors of the Sobibor Nazi death camp, will speak at Washington University at 7 p.m. at the university’s College Hall. Bialowitz was part of a small group of Jewish prisoners who freed approximately one third of the camp’s slave laborers in a 1943 revolt. Since then, he has testified at war crimes trials and lectured to diverse audiences worldwide. This event is being organized by the Chabad Student Association, which is affiliated with Chabad on Campus. The evening will include a talk by Bialowitz, a Q&A session, and a film presentation.

Friday, Feb. 28 JGrads Shabbat on campus Chabad on Campus will host a Jewish graduate student social hour starting at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Shabbat dinner with the wider campus Jewish community and Holocaust survivor and Sobobir Death Camp escapee Phillip Bialowitz. RSVP and more on Facebook or to Shmuel@JGrads.com.

Film screening at Covenant Place Covenant Place will screen “Butter,” a comedy starring Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde and Hugh Jackman about the competitive world of butter carving. The film is R-rated and starts at 1 p.m. in the Helene Mirowitz Theatre of Covenant II, 8 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the community; refreshments provided.

St. Louis NORC Book Group The St. Louis NORC Book Club meets the fourth Friday of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Call Joan Hirst at 314-442-3834 for location and book information.

Saturday, March 1 Kol Rinah presents trivia night Kol Rinah’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood are sponsoring “A Tremendous Trivia Night” at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the fun begins at 7:15, with MC and trivia specialist Burton Boxerman leading 10 rounds of 10 questions each. Cash prizes will be awarded for the first, second and third place teams, in addition to 50/50 drawings and mulligans. The cost per person is $25, with tables of 8 available for $200. Soft drinks and snacks will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring their own refreshments. To RSVP, contact Burton Boxerman at 314-994-9133 or babox@mindspring.com.

The Sandra and Mendel Rosenberg Sunday Afternoon Film Series will present “Sarah’s Key” Sunday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. in the Holocaust Museum’s theater in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. Kristin Scott Thomas portrays an American journalist living in Paris who finds her life becoming entwined with the life of a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious 1942 Vel’d’Hiv roundup of Jews in Paris. Introductory remarks and a postscreening discussion will be led by Sara Jay, a doctoral candidate in history at Washington University and a Fulbright Scholar to Israel, whose research focuses on modern Jewish history. Free and open to the public.

J Associates’ Dancing in the Loop See Lois Caplan’s column on page 13 for more information.

Sunday, March 2 Community organizations partner on workshop for parents preschoolers See page 3 for related news brief.

‘Raising Digital Mensches’ workshop for parents planned at Mirowitz Parents of elementary and middle school children are invited to an essential conversation for 21st century parents: How do you help your children make good choices in the digital world? Sharon Duke Estroff will speak on “Raising Digital Mensches” at 7 p.m. at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, 348 S. Mason Road. The presentation will provide insights, safety tips and advice 21st century parents should know. Estroff, an internationallysyndicated columnist and award-winning educator with more than two decades of teaching experience, headlines the workshop. Sponsored by Mirowitz, The J Day Camps and Camp Sabra. The event is free and open to the public. To register, contact Patty Bloom at pbloom@mirowitz.org or 314-576-6177.

Monday, March 3 Shoah Survivor to read from memoir

F E B RUA RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

Based on Tatiana de Rosnay’s bestselling novel, this 2010 film has a running time of 111 minutes and will be screened in English with some subtitled French, Italian, German and Yiddish. For more information, call 314-442-3714 or email dreich@jfedstl.org.

Free and open to the community but RSVPs required to Laura at 314-442-3255.

Tuesday, March 4 UMB/Federation series ends with Blues night at Scottrade Center Jewish Federation of St. Louis will hold its third and final event of the 2013–14 UMB Event Series for members of its Cardozo, Maimonides and Montefiore societies with “A Cool Night With the Blues” at the St. Louis Blues game (against the Tampa Bay Lightning) at 6:30 p.m. at Scottrade Center. Members will watch the game in a private suite and enjoy a meet and greet with guests from the Blues. Free for society members, but tickets are limited; pre-registration is required by Feb. 21 at JFedSTL.org/ UMBseries. Society membership is open to donors who give $1,800 to Federation’s Annual Community Campaign ($1000 for those younger than 45, and $118 for students). For more information, contact Emilie Docter, at 314-4423868 or edocter@jfedstl.org.

Thursday, March 6 Bus trip to Jefferson Barracks museum Join the St. Louis NORC for a docent-led trip to Missouri Civil War Museum at Jefferson Barracks, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; participants will have lunch on their own. The trip cost is $15. Open to the community but RSVPs required to Laura at 314-442-3255.

See page 5 for related news brief.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Adult Day Center at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex. Monthly support groups are sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with the JCC, and led by a trained facilitator. Care for family members may be available but must be made by advance registration. Contact caseworker Elaine Most for more information: 314-4423261.

Brodsky Library Poets Series with Carol Rose At 12:30 p.m., author and poet Carol Rose will read from her new book “From the Dream.” The program is co-sponsored by the Brodsky Library and Central Agency for Jewish Education, and will be held at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. A light kosher lunch will be provided. Admission is $5 per person; free to Friends of the Library. RSVPs required by Feb. 28. For more information or to RSVP, call 314442-3720 or email brodsky-library@jfedstl.org

Knitting, crafts, and more Bring your project to work on while visiting with others during this St. Louis NORC program at 1 p.m. at the Gathering Place at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex.

YPD plans pottery painting date night The Young Professionals Division (YPD) of Jewish Federation will create pottery items for Shabbat during the second event in its ‘Date Night Series.’ Couples of all types in their 20s and 30s—married, dating, LGBT, etc.—will gather at 7:30 p.m. at the Painting Spot, 12798 Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur, to paint Judaica. The cost is $30 per couple. To register, go to YPDSTL.org/DateNight. This is the second event in a monthly series for young couples that goes through May. For more information on YPD or the Date Night Series, contact Lee’at Bachar at lbachar@jfedstl.org or 314-442-3817.

Friday, March 7 AARP tax preparation at Covenant AARP volunteers will be available at Covenant Place, 8 Millstone Campus Drive, to provide free tax form completion to seniors in the community. Tax assistance is by appointment only and there is limited availability. To schedule an appointment, call 314-432-1610.

Sunday, March 9 Party planning showcase set for March 9 at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac The St. Louis Jewish Light’s second annual PartyPalooza!, a party-planning showcase,

takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 South Lindbergh Boulevard. This free event caters to anyone planning a celebration – weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate events, anniversaries, Sweet, birthday parties and more. It’s sponsored by the Light and Hilton St. Louis Frontenac and is open to the entire community. Pure Entertainment is the presenting sponsor. The event will feature more than 50 companies offering a variety of goods and services related to party planning, including venues, DJs, caterers, party planners, specialty food services, photographers, videographers and party designers. PartyPalooza is also sponsored by Presidential Limousines, Bandana’s Bar-B-Q and InVision Photobooths. Come prepared to sample treats and meet the people who will help make your upcoming event extra special.

Tuesday, March 11 Lecture examines film as Shoah education resource Rabbi Dovid Bernstein, the writer and coproducer of a series of Holocaust-related films, will present this year’s annual Rubin Feldman Memorial Lecture, “Survivor Testimony on Film: Faith and Courage Amid the Shoah.” The lecture takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center theater in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. Bernstein will screen segments of the film “V’nikdashti” (“And I Will Be Sanctified”) and discuss how filmed testimonies of acts of faith during the Shoah are being used as an education resource. Bernstein is educational director of the Aish Dos Leadership Institute, a division of Torah Umesorah, which trains day school and yeshiva principals and teachers. Free and open to the public; followed by a light reception. For more information, contact the museum at 314-442-3714, dreich@jfedstl.org, or the Aish office at 314-862-2474 or cwolff@aish.com.

Ongoing Exhibit on discrimination, anti-Semitism in St. Louis “Standing for Justice II: 1950-1980: Documentation From the St. Louis Jewish Community Archives” is on display through April 3 in the lobby of the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. This exhibit illustrates the local Jewish community’s response to discrimination of all types and documents civil rights initiatives. It features photos, documents and artifacts from the Jewish Community Archives, housed in the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library. The exhibit is presented by the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, Brodsky Library, Newmark Institute at the Jewish Community Relations Council, stl250 and St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. See related story on Page One.

Classes at Covenant Place The following classes are free and open to the public. For information call 314-432-1610. Covenant Place is located at 8 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. Classes take place in Covenant II’s Milford & Lee Bohm Social Hall, unless noted otherwise. • Wii Bowling every Wednesday at 3 p.m. League play starts Feb. 12. • Yiddish Club meets every other Monday at 7 p.m. in the Covenant I Harmony Room. Group facilitated by David Levine. All levels welcome. • RPI physical therapists lead Tai Chi at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays, and chair aerobics exercises at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. • Larry Glass leads Chair Yoga at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. • Music Therapist Troy Jones leads bell choir on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. • Meet with AW Health Care Registered Nurse to discuss medical questions Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Covenant’s dining room, 10 Millstone Campus Drive. • OASIS ExerStart evening exercise class for adults 50+, 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $5 fee for 20-week course (scholarships available).

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community photos

ABOVE: The Holocaust Museum received a surprise delivery outside the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building — one of 250 cake statues STL250 is placing around the city to celebrate St. Louis’ 250th birthday. Pictured are HMLC staff Dan Reich, Jean Cavender and Andrew Goldfeder. Read more about the statue in this week’s News & Schmooze column on page 2. Photo: Penny Taylor

Dee A. Mogerman was elected President of Congregation Temple Israel at the synagogue’s 127th Annual Meeting in January. Pictured above, Temple Israel’s new officers for 2014 are (from left): JoAnne Levy, Immediate Past President; Michael Weiss, Vice President; Carol Cohen, Vice President; Jeffrey Stern, Assistant Treasurer; Dee A. Mogerman, President; Debbie Schultz, Treasurer; Pamela Dern, Assistant Secretary; Jeremy Shook, Vice President, and David Chassin, Vice President. ABOVE: Rabbi Michael Alper (far left) and Rabbi Amy Feder TOP RIGHT: At Temple Israel’s annual meeting, outgoing President JoAnne Levy (center) presents the PACE award to (far right) present the Pillar of the Temple award to (from left) Ted Greenberg, David Chassin, and David Rosenberg. Amanda Radman (left) and Dee Mogerman.

Washington U. Chabad Student Association’s Freshman Shabbat, was awarded “Social Engagement Event of the Month” by the prestigious X Honorary from The Justin X. Carroll Honorary. Pictured from left are Aliza Jaffe, president of the Chabad Student Association; Arielle Ross, one of the coordinators of the Freshman Shabbat; and Aryeh Mellman, Chabad president-elect.

Malachi Owens Jr. (front) with the 'Men of Galilee' Gospel Choir, perform at a recent Shabbat service at Temple Emanuel in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Rev. Owens has been the cantorial soloist at TE for more than 35 years. Photo: David Phillips

CONTROVERSY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

General Assembly this summer. The immediate task for members of their church, many Presbyterians reached by JTA said, is to reassure Jews that the guide does not reflect the broader church. “My first response to my friends in the Jewish community with whom I associate on a monthly basis in a JewishPresbyterian dialogue group is to assure them that this does not represent even close to a majority opinion,” said the Rev. Mike Cole, a Houston-area Presbyterian leader. One factor inhibiting a unified message on the issue is the non-hierarchical structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The church’s official response to the controversy has been to reaffirm its support for Israel’s existence and a two-state solution while distancing itself from the guide without repudiating it. The church said in a Feb. 13 statement that the Israel/Palestine Mission Network “speaks to the church and not for the church.” “The guide is intended to prompt discussion on the ever-changing and tumultuous issue of Israel-Palestine,” the statement said. “The IPMN booklet was neither paid for nor published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” But Jewish groups have rejected the church’s efforts to disclaim responsibility for the guide. Ethan Felson, a vice president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, noted

that the Israel/Palestine Mission Network is not a separate tax-exempt group and that the church processes contributions to the network. “They charter IPMN, they speak to IPMN, they speak at the IPMN annual conference, they recommend people get involved in IPMN, they take contributions to IPMN, and when they’re challenged, then they say it does not speak for the church,” he said, referring to the church leadership. Kathy Francis, the church’s communications director, did not respond to an interview request. Jan Armstrong, a Presbyterian church leader in Santa Barbara, Calif., said resolutions advanced by his Presbytery and one in Houston for consideration by the General Assembly this summer were more reflective of the broader church. His Presbytery’s resolution recommits the church to a negotiated two-state solution and rejects divestment but is not uncritical of Israel, saying that settlement expansion and punitive measures such as withholding tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority “hinder the cause of a democratic Jewish homeland.” In an email message from Israel, where he was on a tour, Armstrong said the study guide “is so unrepresentative of the Membership of the PCUSA as to be considered purely propaganda.” The Rev. Chris Leighton, a Presbyterian minister and the executive director of the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, said it was critical for the Jewish community to engage with sympathetic Christians in pushing back against the guide.

“I hope and pray the Jewish community leans in rather than backs away from the challenges here,” said Leighton, who had published a lengthy open letter to the Presbyterian church on the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies website in which he wrote that the guide “betrays the Church, the truth, and the spirit of reconciliation to which we are called.” The “big issue” raised by the study guide, said John Wimberly, a co-convenor of Presbyterians for Middle East Peace, “is the desire to eliminate Israel as a Jewish state.” His grass-roots dialogue group has coordinated with Jewish groups in pushing back against previous efforts within the church targeting Israel. Wimberly said the extreme anti-Zionist position may undercut future efforts to push divestment at church General Assemblies by alienating Presbyterians. “We’ve always been dealing with a small group of activists who know how to manipulate the system and intimidate people,” he said in an interview. “Now that will blow up in their face because very few people share their agenda.” The guide explores what it calls “the theological and ethical exceptionalism of Jewish and Christian Zionism, which have been sheltered from open debate despite the intolerable human rights abuses rooted in their core beliefs.” The guide focuses on the dislocation of Palestinians and only in passing refers to Arab violence against Israel. It also criticizes how Israelis and others relate to the Holocaust, approvingly citing what it describes as calls for an “inclusive understanding of the Nazi genocide in contem-

porary life, so that ‘Never again!’ applies not only to Jews but to all peoples, including Palestinians, and a renunciation of the morally hazardous claims of a hierarchy of victimhood.” Questions emailed by JTA to Walt Davis, the co-chairman of the Israel/ Palestine Mission Network’s education committee, went unanswered. The study guide also cites Jewish Voice for Peace, a group allied with the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, as representing a “variety” within the Jewish community. Wimberly said this was disingenuous. “They have a valid opinion,” he said of JVP, “but to quote a group like JVP that is small and represents a small number of American Jews and not quote AJC or JCPA is a slap in the face to all of the working relationships we have at the grass roots.” But Rebecca Vilkomerson, JVP’s executive director, defended the guide, describing it as “not perfect” but a “good faith” effort. “Clearly this curriculum has a point of view, and they are promoting Jewish voices in line with perspectives they are presenting,” she said, adding, “More mainstream voices around Zionism are extremely easy to access. This guide helps redress that imbalance.” The church’s official statement distancing itself from the guide also cites JVP. It quotes the group’s advocacy director, Sydney Levy, saying, “We are in opposition to the settlements and occupation, and in favor of a true and just peace.” The JVP staffer is the only Jewish person quoted in the church statement.

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POINT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 there seemed no reason for Israel to make further concessions only to be turned down yet a fourth time. But Kerry was undaunted by these realities and set out to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks. Kerry has persuaded the sides to negotiate and may get both Abbas and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a framework to extend the talks that were slated to last only nine months. Kerry may even coax the Israelis to offer, as has been reported, the Palestinians a state in 90 percent of the West Bank, plus territorial swaps of land inside the Jewish State. If so, he may be as close to cutting the Gordian Knot of Middle East peace as any of the Americans who have preceded him. Even if he failed, this would seem to be a praiseworthy endeavor. But those who care about Israel shouldn’t be cheering. What Kerry has forgotten — or never knew in the first place — about the failures of his predecessors is that peace initiatives don’t occur in a vacuum. The dynamic of

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State of Israel, believe that peace is possible, and see its pursuit not as a sign of weakness but rather as an expression of courage, compassion and faith. More and more young people identify with this camp, unwilling to abide an untenable status quo that leaves Israel increasingly insecure, isolated and vulnerable to extremism. These young people are rightly convinced that a two-state solution is the only way Israel can live up to its own greatest aspirations as a Jewish and democratic state, end the corrosive occupation and have their Israeli counterparts grow up free from war and terrorism. For these people, respect for the dignity of the Palestinian people and their national ambitions does not conflict with or undermine their deep love of Israel, but rather is an essential dimension of it. If Kerry succeeds, it will be because his plan honors the narratives, agonies and legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. It will be because his tireless and seasoned envoy, Martin Indyk, cares deeply and passionately about the security and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. It will be because the bipartisan vision of a negotiated two-state solution — hailed by both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — serves the national interests of Israelis and Palestinians far better than the tragic deadlock that leaves Israel marginalized and besieged and leaves the Palestinians stateless and resentful. Kerry has demonstrated that he will not veer off course when critics snipe or cynics carp. He will not be deterred by what he calls “the maximalists” on either side — those who will never be satisfied with anything short of everything, those who prefer land to peace, stasis to security, resentment to resolution. If Kerry succeeds, it will be because Israelis and Palestinians recognize that he has staked out a position that is firm, fair and, ultimately, sustainable — everything that today’s worrisome status quo is not. If Kerry fails, it will be because the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships could not summon the courage to take the painful steps required for peace, security and dignity. And it will also be because those of us who so deeply want peace did not do enough to change the political climate in which the leaders are making their decisions. If Kerry fails, it will be because cynicism, myopia and a lack of urgency sabotage this opportunity to reach a negotiated two-state solution before another intifada, crisis or tragic loss of life leaves the region shaken and the parties longing for the reasoned principles on the table now. Failure will be, in part, because we have allowed a small minority of oppositional voices to be heard over those in the United States who support the president, the secretary of state, and the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who polls show support a two-state solution. If the silent majority remains quiet now, it will implicitly allow a short-sighted and self-defeating rejectionism to rule the day. Let us not let that happen. This opportunity may not come again in our lifetimes, and the cost of failure will be unfathomably high, for both Israelis and Palestinians. Let’s help John Kerry succeed — let’s help Israelis and Palestinians succeed — by amplifying the voices of hope and possibility. Let them hear our cry and our call in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah: We stand with you in the fight for peace.

ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

every negotiation to broker an end to the conflict is that in the eyes of international public opinion, progress is only measured in terms of Israeli concessions. That means that rather than bolstering Israel’s image and support around the globe, every such effort — including Israel’s aforementioned three generous offers of Palestinian statehood, as well as the Gaza withdrawal — only served to make Israel even more unpopular. In the 20 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel has made concession after concession, and yet international efforts to delegitimize Zionism and support the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement aimed at the Jewish state have only grown. Israelis well understand that the current Palestinian leadership is not likely to sign any deal that will recognize the legitimacy of a Jewish state no matter where its borders are drawn. Nor will the Palestinians renounce a “right of return” for the descendants of the 1948 refugees. No matter what Kerry pressures Netanyahu into offering Abbas, the answer will probably be the same one Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert received: No. When that happens, expect the BDS campaign to redouble its efforts

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and for European nations to blame Israel regardless of the fact that, once again, Palestinian obstinacy will have ended the negotiations and not a lack of Israeli flexibility or generosity. Even worse, by seeking to frighten the Israelis into concessions by speaking, as he did last fall, about the chances of a third intifada if the talks fail, and by, more recently, predicting an upsurge in boycotts if no peace deal is achieved — while failing to acknowledge Palestinian intransigence as a possible cause of any failure — Kerry has not only tilted the diplomatic playing field against the Jewish State. He has also signaled that if he fails, it will be Israel’s fault. While he may not have intended to encourage either violence or boycotts of Israel, that is exactly what he has done. While Kerry entered this process thinking only of its success, an individual with less hubris and a clearer understanding of history would have known from the start that the costs of failure might be considerable. Israelis, who will pay the price for that failure, should be forgiven for thinking that Kerry deserves no thanks for his part in this sorry exercise in narcissism.

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simchas

SIMCHAS —CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE announcements are paid submissions and do not reflect any endorsement of the newspaper or its board or the St. Louis Jewish community at large. SUBMIT your simcha announcement online at stljewishlight.com/simchas or contact Editorial Assistant Cheryl Gouger at cgouger@thejewishlight.com or 314-743-3674.

MCLARTY-PORTNOY ENGAGEMENT Katrina Elizabeth McLarty, daughter of Alan and Sylvia McLarty of Houston, Texas (originally from Scotland), and Benjamin Alec Portnoy, son of Robert & Lisa Portnoy of St. Louis, have announced their engagement. She is the granddaughter of the late Stanislaw and the late Margaret Wojciechowski and the late James and the late Margaret McLarty, all from Scotland. He is the grandson of Shirley Gerchen and the late Marvin Gerchen, and the late Ben and the late Zelma Portnoy, all from St. Louis. The bride-to-be earned her bachelor of science degree in advertising at the University of Texas, Austin. She is currently attending Nursing School at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, and works as veterinary technician at an animal hospital. Her fiancé earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising/

WALDMAN-WAX ENGAGEMENT Jacqueline Cheryl Waldman, daughter of Miriam and Robert Waldman of Marlboro, N.J., and Stephen Brian Wax, son of Wendy and Dr. Sanford Wax of Chesterfield, have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Edzia and Meyer Koblenc of Delray Beach, Fla., and Inge and the late Alexander Waldman of Manalapan, N.J. Her fiancé is the grandson of Tama and the late Leonard Bushman of Chesterfield, and the late Selma and the late J. Leon Wax of Creve Coeur. The bride-to-be earned a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University and a master’s of science in hospitality studies from New York University. She is an associate analyst at Moody’s Investors Service in New York. Her fiancé earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in professional accounting from the University of Texas-Austin. He is a CFA charter holder and a CPA, working as senior manager at Deloitte Tax LLP in New York. A spring wedding is planned in New York.

graphic design from the University of MissouriColumbia and is currently Director of Marketing for Retiring Well, a financial planning firm in Austin. The couple met in Austin in 2008 at a vegetarian social group. A June, 2014 wedding is planned in Austin.

MITZVOT FROM THE HEART Nicole Fagin Congregation Shaare Emeth Birthdays have always been celebrated in Nicole’s family. As a matter of fact, the theme of her bat mitzvah was, “It’s a Piece of Cake.” Taking her theme one step further, Nicole wanted to give a “piece of cake” to children who were not as fortunate to celebrate their own birthdays. Daughter of Ellen and Robert Fagin of Chesterfield, Nicole chose to make “Birthdays in a Bag” for her mitzvah project. As a camper at Camp Emeth, Nicole worked at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry over the summer and realized that cake mix and frosting were items not often donated. So, she reached out to family and friends requesting donations. Nicole and her cousins then went shopping the week of her project and to fill in what was needed in the way of cake mixes, icing, bags to decorate, sprinkles and candles. Gathering about 20 friends together one Sunday afternoon, they decorated and stuffed over 100 birthday bags that were delivered to the Jewish Food Pantry.

Nicole, a student at Parkway Central Middle School, loved doing this project and was so proud of the turnout of donations as well as her friends’ participation. She was also able to see how fast the bags disappeared at the food pantry because she was still doing community service hours through Camp Emeth. Nothing made her prouder than seeing her items completely gone after one week.

MITZVOT FROM THE HEART Allison Palmer Congregation B’nai Amoona

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Allison’s love of children and animals led her to CHAMP Assistance Dogs for her bat mitzvah project. Daughter of Greg and the late Kathy Palmer of Chesterfield, Allison volunteered with this organization, educating children on how service and therapy dogs can help people in need. CHAMP is a nonprofit organization that helps increase the independence of children and adults by partnering them, free of charge, with selected and trained service dogs. It also promotes public education in schools and camps in the St. Louis area. Allison volunteered during the after-school programs at Club HOPE, the Humane Society, and Girl Scouts as well as Matthews-Dickey and B’nai Ami summer camps. Working with Dianne Peters, CHAMP Director of Education, they presented programs that were unique for that audience and geared to the goals each venue wished to achieve. Programs included how to greet a dog safely, pet care and how dogs help people. The children were shown how the dogs respond to command and how they performed tasks that helped their partners in everyday life. Through demonstrations, groups were shown how the dogs could open

doors for their partners, bring them the telephone, and how the dogs could even help with sorting laundry. “Allison was my go-to gal during the presentations,” said Peters. “She dispensed hand-sanitizer to all who interacted with the dogs, passed out information, modeled the proper behavior to have around a dog, and encouraged the children who were uncomfortable to meet a dog. Her decorum and warmth was a combination felt by the kiddos and adults alike,” she added. “I considered each opportunity to work with Allison a gift... she’s bright, thoughtful, and caring.” On the morning of her Allison Palmer bat mitzvah, Allison provided bimah baskets that were filled with dog toys, dog food, and supplies for CHAMP. She also donated $300 of her monetary gifts to the organization. Accordingly to Allison, a student at Parkway Central Middle School, “The project was a great opportunity to teach about a good cause, while I learned a lot at the same time.”

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Across

Down 1. Zodiac animal 2. Block letters? 3. Benjamin Disraeli, e.g. 4.“Driving Miss Daisy” co-star 5. Submissions to music execs 6. Abel’s mother 7. Arrive at Ben-Gurion

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1. Treble or bass 5. Place for a bagel and a schmear 9. ___ Diego (home of former mayor Bob Filner) 12. Tush 13. German-Jewish hockey player Kaufmann 14. Kind of surgery 16.“Gentleman’s ___” (1947 film about Antisemitism) 18.“The ___ They Are A-Changin’”: Dylan 19. Dance with sharp turns 20. Masada features where pigeons were housed 22.“Driving ___ Daisy” (1989) 24.“Stripes” director Reitman 25.“Power Rangers” producer Haim 28.“Truly God is good to Israel, to ___ who have a clean heart.” (Ps. 73:1) 31. Creatures in a 1982 Spielberg classic 34. He said “The Palestinians never miss a opportunity to miss an opportunity.” 35. Uzi or Galil 36. Jewish Agency org. 37. Songwriting duo Kander and ___ 38. ___ Green (London area with many Jews) 39. A-U linkup

40. Charles E. Smith Jewish ___ School 41. Some E-mailers 42. Crown Heights ___ (1991 event) 43. Chic monogram 44. Capital of Tibet 45. Pottery furnaces 46. Hebrew Union College’s first campus location 48. Saxophonist Getz 50.“Skedaddle!” 54. Bearlike 58. Inventor Berliner 59. Decorate a tallit bag, perhaps 61. ___ Adumim (suburb of Jerusalem) 62. Edible root 63.“___ East Report” (AIPAC’s in-house publication) 64. Advice columnist ___ Landers 65.“Miriam was leprous, as white as ___” (Num. 12:10) 66. Ladies, to Li’l Abner

8.“For You have cast me ___ the deep...” (Jonah 2:3) 9.“Waiting for God” philosopher 10. Work without ___ 11. ___ Ziona (Israeli city) 14. Kagan replaced him on the Supreme Court 15. Font selection 17. Fashion model Heatherton 21. Parts of baseball caps 23. ___ Adler Conservatory of Acting 25. Like rye, usually 26. A.K.A. Abu Mazen

HADASSAH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

lion last year, said its president, Joan Baron. “A lot of organizations have challenges over the years. To me, it’s like raising a family. When you have a family, no matter what happens, you go on and do the best you can, and whether it’s Hadassah or anything else, you have no choice except to look beyond and do the best you can. The purpose of volunteers is to be a cohesive organization, support our cause, remember our purpose is to save lives and build bridges to peace.” One philanthropy expert said Hadassah should not squander the opportunity presented by its present troubles. “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste,” quipped Andres Spokoiny, president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, whose members include about 1,000 philanthropists. “If they use this as an opportunity to rethink the way they work, the way their structure is set, if they address issues that created dysfunction in the first place, it could be a positive thing. It could be an opportunity for an organizational turnaround and actually involve new blood, new donors.” Hadassah has become more akin to an “American friends of” Hadassah hospital than the dynamic domestic group it once was, Spokoiny said. To succeed in the long term, “it’s critical for them to grow by providing a programmatic vision and avenues for people to actually engage with them beyond writing a check.” They need to work toward appeal to younger potential members, he said. “I haven’t heard young funders excited about Hadassah. The image is skewed toward the older generations. They have work to do in being more relevant for younger women and younger funders.”

27. One kind of Talmud 29. It’s hell 30.“The Golem” and “The Dybbuk” 32.“Ayin L’___ Tzofiah” (Hatikvah lyric) 33. ___-Yiddish (Onetime Lowlands language) 35. Hurray! 38. Region of Acre and Tiberias 42.“Mayim Achronim” (Finger ___ after a meal” 45. Rabbi Joseph ___ (Shulchan Arukh author) 47. Jewish Sports ___ of

Previous crossword answers

Fame 49.“Presumed Innocent” author Scott 50. Jewish legalist from Cracow 51. Rosh Hashana pilgrimage site in Ukraine 52. They were once the main way to catch fish in the Kinneret 53. Role for Zimbalist Jr. 55. Something very valued in the Start-up Nation 56.“Jewball” author Pollack 57. Calls Hadera Gadera 60. Harpo to Groucho

Spokoiny argued that Hadassah is well positioned to do so. “A health-care facility is a unique platform for personal engagement. Why isn’t Hadassah partnering with the American Jewish World Service in their programs to serve women and girls in Africa? Imagine how young women here would be captivated by that,” Spokoiny said. “But it requires a new vision, and I hope that this crisis is enough of a shakeup to come up with that vision.” Maggie Anton, author of the “Rashi’s Daughters” trilogy and “Rav Hisda’s Daughter,” is a lifetime member of the women’s organization. She goes to an occasional local chapter meeting near her home in California and the Hanukkah party. She has also spoken to dozens of chapters and multiple Hadassah conventions about her books. Anton said she is growing disenchanted with Hadassah’s emphasis on the hospital and its refusal to get involved in larger issues, like Women of the Wall after Anat Hoffman was arrested for praying in a tallit at the Kotel as she led 250 Hadassah members in prayer during their centennial convention in 2012. “Why are we supporting a hospital in a country where medical care is the government’s responsibility?” Anton asked. “Hadassah should take a new direction and be more supportive of women in Israel. The power Hadassah could wield” on other issues would be impressive. But she doubts that many Hadassah members are worried about — or even aware of — what the organization is facing. Hadassah is “very much a social as well as charity thing. I don’t think most of them think that much about what’s going on in Israel or in New York, or about what the Hadassah high council is doing.” Ellen Marson was Hadassah’s executive director for several years before retiring in 2003, at a time when the organization had a staff at its national headquarters (which it has since sold) of about 300 people. “I’ve

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heard that it’s skeletal now, all over the country,” she told Haaretz. “They’re in a tough spot, working around the clock, and I don’t know what will happen. Somehow, though, Hadassah has always pulled through.” Meanwhile, according to the former Hadassah consultant, the legacy organization is undertaking a major rebranding effort.

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COMMENTARY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (or, as Harvard Professor Ruth Wisse more accurately terms it in her interview in the film, “the Arab conflict with Israel”). And when you examine J Street’s record, it becomes very hard to dispute professor Alan Dershowitz’s assertion that the organization — despite its much-vaunted tagline — is “neither pro-Israel nor pro-peace.” To begin with, there are J Street’s funders. As the film documents, ferocious critics of Israel, such as the hedge-fund billionaire George Soros and Genevieve Lynch, a board member of the pro-Iranian regime National Iranian-American Council, have donated significant sums to the organization. And although it says it is opposed to the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, J Street maintains close ties with those who advocate collabora-

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tion with the BDS movement in targeting West Bank settlements, such as the writer Peter Beinart and the corporate lawyer Kathleen Peratis. This milieu is hardly conducive to J Street’s “proIsrael” self-image. Then there are J Street’s statements. As Dershowitz points out, you “rarely” hear J Street praising Israel. A far more familiar refrain consists of slamming Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as an obstacle to peace, or opposing tougher sanctions on the Iranian regime — positions that don’t raise an eyebrow when articulated by anti-Israel groups, but which sound rather discordant coming from a group that claims to support Israel. In that regard, much of the J Street documentary studies why the organization’s analysis of Israel’s situation is wrong. Its emphasis on Israel’s land policies in the West Bank, its tin ear when it comes to Palestinian and Arab incitement, its embrace of a strategy that would result in the U.S. pushing Israel to make decisions contrary to its

basic security interests — these moral and strategic errors are all familiar to anyone who has followed the debate about J Street’s contribution. More enlightening is the film’s examination of why J Street exercises such an attraction to a particular kind of American Jew. Many of the interviewees argue persuasively that affiliation with J Street is more of a lifestyle choice than a political statement, in that it allows liberal Jews to equate their identity with their fealty to the “progressive” values they see Israel as betraying. But is that how the J Streeters themselves view it? Since no J Street representative appears in the film, it’s hard to say for sure. According to the end credits, Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street’s executive director, “declined” to be interviewed, which left the producers with no option but to use existing footage of Ben-Ami speaking to other audiences. J Street told me that Ben-Ami was not interviewed because he was not available at the time the producers

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The St. Louis Philanthropic Org. Inc. invites 501 (c) (3) organizations to submit a proposal for human needs programs and activities. These programs can ONLY be used for the residents of the City of St. Louis and can not exceed $10,000. Only one proposal per agency. If you received grants in 2012 and 2013, you are not eligible to apply for funding this year. All grant requests must be submitted on our application form. The application form, along with instructions for completion and criteria requirements may be found on our web site at www.stlphilanthropic.org or you may call the office at 314-5344452 and request the above information be mailed to you. The proposal application, along with all criteria must be received before 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in our office at 4144 Lindell Blvd., Suite 210, St. Louis, MO 63108. We will not accept proposals by email or fax. Proposals may be delivered to our office by U.S. mail or hand delivered. A normal business size envelope will fit under our door should you deliver your proposal outside normal business hours. If you use a delivery method that requires a signature/pick up, your proposal may miss the submission deadline.

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suggested. Either way, the absence of a direct interview with Ben-Ami, in which he answers the points raised by J Street’s critics, slightly blunts the film’s impact. The most heartening aspect of the film consists of young, pro-Israel activists eloquently expressing why they distrust J Street. Through their words, the viewer gets an insight into the courage and intelligence required to defend Israel on campus these days. Indeed, one of them, Samantha Mandeles, who works as campus coordinator for media watchdog Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), is so impressive that I found myself wondering whether she’ll apply for the post-Abe Foxman national director’s job at the AntiDefamation League — she certainly deserves serious consideration. In any case, seeing and hearing the next generation of genuinely pro-Israel Jewish leaders is reason enough to give “The J Street Challenge” an hour of your time.

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obituaries EDWIN FOSTER, died February 13, 2014. Beloved widower of Constance Foster; dear father and father-inlaw of Denny (Mark) Bernstein, Kevin (Connie) Foster and Jan (Jerry) Buchek; dear grandfather of Jami (Jason) Cohen, Scott (Melissa) Bernstein, Del (Derek) Crites, Lauren (Chris) Wilkerson, Keristen Foster and David (Tiffany) Buchek; dear great-grandfather of Emma, Morgan and Blake Cohen, Charlotte Bernstein, Gavin, Skyler and Annabella Crites, Tristen Wilkerson, Tessa and Beau Buchek; dear brother and brother-inlaw of Marvin (Niki) Foster; our dear uncle, cousin and friend. Berger Memorial JACK GROSSMAN, died February 8, 2014. Beloved husband of 71 years of Betty Joseph Grossman; dear father and father-in-law of Jim (Jane) Grossman and John Grossman; dear grandfather of Dan (Caryl Feldacker) Grossman and Leslie (Brian) Moynihan; dear great-grandfather of Carter and Amelia Moynihan, Matai Feldacker-Grossman. Grossman was retired from Emerson Electric and McDonnell-Douglas. He was a past president of the Eagle Scout Association of St. Louis. He donated his body to the Washington University School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Berger Memorial

AIPAC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

LIONEL JAY KAISER, died February 9, 2014. Beloved husband and best friend of Eleanor Rickensohl Kaiser; loving father and father-in-law of Robert (Joni) Kaiser, Karen (Richard) Cassel, David (Sharon) Kaiser and Lisa (Chuck) Eisenkramer; devoted grandfather of Hannah (Lee) Mirowitz and Rebecca Kaiser, Melissa and Sydney Cassel, Andrew, Alex and Adam Kaiser, Seth and Jacob Eisenkramer; dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Richard Kaiser and Audrey (Stanley) Lourie; our dear uncle, cousin and friend. Kaiser was a proud veteran of World War II. Contributions to United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63141; Nusach Hari-B’nai Zion Congregation, 650 North Price Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63132; Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, 10950 Schuetz Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63146; or the charity of your choice. Berger Memorial DAVID M. KIPNIS, M.D., died February 5, 2014. Beloved widower of Paula Kipnis; dear father and father-in-law of Lynne (Steven Rothman, M.D.) Kipnis, Ph.D., Laura (Sidney Goldstein) Kipnis and Robert (Nancy) Kipnis, M.D.; dear grandfather of Kate and Jonathan Rothman, Ben (Leta) and Jennifer Goldstein, Michael, Josh, Noah and Daniel Kipnis; dear great-grandfather of Max and Marius Goldstein; our dear friend, mentor and colleague. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Ethical

President Michael Kassen sent a letter to activists referring to “mischaracterizations in the press,” which he said suggested that “by not calling for an immediate vote on the legislation, we have abandoned our support for the bill.” “Nothing could be further from the truth,” Kassen wrote. “In fact, we remain strongly committed to the passage of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act.” An AIPAC official told JTA there was no contradiction. “While we do not believe there should be an immediate vote, we continue to strongly support the sanctions legislation,” the official said. “The need for further pressure on the Iranian regime will build as we witness the continued irresponsible behavior from Tehran.” Republicans want action now and are frustrated with AIPAC for backing away from the Senate bill, said a senior GOP Senate staffer, and will not settle for a nonbinding resolution — at least not in the Senate. “If an organization

Earlier this month, both the bill’s chief Democratic sponsor, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and AIPAC distanced themselves from calls for an immediate vote on the legislation. “I hope that we will not find ourselves in a partisan process trying to force a vote on a national security matter before its appropriate time,” Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a Feb. 6 speech. Menendez, sources close to the senator said, was referring to a letter sent that morning to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the majority leader, from 42 Republican senators calling for a vote on the bill. His speech, however, was otherwise a lengthy defense of a measure that was vigorously opposed by the Obama administration, which warned that its passage could scuttle talks with Iran. Within an hour or so of the Menendez floor speech, AIPAC released a statement backing the senator’s Custom shades, shutters, AND BLINDS PLUS Cleaning, repairs, and more approach. Celebrating over 105 Years in Business! “We agree with the Family owned chairman that stopping the Iranian nuclear program should rest on bipartisan support and that there should not be a vote at this time on the measure,” the AIPAC 10100 Page Boulevard • St. Louis, MO 63132 statement said. 314-428-7979 • www.victorshade.com The next day, AIPAC

F E B RUA RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63117. Visitation begins at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Whitehall, 710 South Hanley Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63105. Contributions to Washington University School of Medicine for the Department of Medicine. Send to Washington University, Attention: Helen Z. Liu, 7425 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 2100, St. Louis, Mo. 63105; or the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, 8215 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63117; or the charity of your choice. Berger Memorial INA MAE RAINEY, died February 13, 2014. Beloved widow of Julian Rainey; dear mother of Edmond (Adrienne) Rainey and Elaine (Jeffrey) Korn; dear grandmother of Samuel (Eileen) Rainey, Joshua (Elizabeth) Rainey, Emily (Joshua) Corson, Jessica (Andrew) Ginsberg and Michael (Lauren) Hamburg; dear great-grandmother of Spencer Corson, Sloane Corson, Chase Ginsberg, Julia Ginsberg and Juliana Rainey; dear sister of the late Marvin (Gerry) Deutsch. She was loved by everyone, never knew a stranger. She devoted herself to helping others and those she loved. Contributions to the Susan G. Komen St. Louis, P.O. Box 790129, Dept. SK, St. Louis, Mo. 63179-0129, or Gateway to Hope, 845 North New Ballas Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63141. Berger Memorial

wants to put its complete faith and confidence in a nonbinding resolution, they will be unpleasantly bound to a very bad outcome in the end,” the staffer said. “If you are for doing nothing or for a nonbinding resolution instead of actual legislation, you are for the president having complete freedom of action to cut whatever deal he wants with Iranians without any approval or disapproval from the Congress.” Democrats — among them, staffers for lawmakers known for their closeness to AIPAC — also expressed frustration with AIPAC, saying it had untypically pressed the sanctions legislation hard without first assessing whether it had broad support. Democratic officials said public opposition to the bill was strong and noted that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had come out against it.

The Same People and Traditions You Have Come to Expect. Berger Memorial has moved west because the St. Louis Jewish community has also. We’ll miss our Central West End chapel … but after 115 years it’s time we have a more convenient location for the families we serve. So we’ve brought our staff, services, and even many of our familiar fixtures to our very own Olivette location. While we’re sharing land with a sister Dignity Memorial facility, our new space has its own address, entrance and facilities. The only change you’ll notice is how easy we are to get to. Any questions? Our phone number is also staying the same, so call us at 314-361-0622 or visit us online at bergermemorialchapel.com.

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F E B RUA RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT

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Wednesday

FEB. 26

7 p.m. at the JCC’s Carl & Helene Mirowitz Performing Arts and Banquet Center at the Staenberg Family Complex.

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a quarterly series on topics of interest to the Jewish community This quarter’s topic:

RSVP requested (See form below) Can we Talk? is generously supported by the Harvey Kornblum Foundation

No Place at the Table

The Hunger Crisis in the St. Louis Jewish Community Joan Denison is the executive director of Covenant House/ C.H.A.I. Apartments, which provides independent, affordable living to seniors on the I.E. Millstone Campus in Creve Coeur. Prior to assuming that job in 2011, Denison was national director of annual giving Joan and grassroots fundraising for Denison Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Denison, a native St. Louisan, headed Hadassah’s local chapter before moving to the organization’s national level. Previously, Denison, the former vice president of JProSTL, has run her own training/marketing/public engagement firm and has been a financial planner with a focus on families with special needs children as well as a professional speaker and trainer addressing topics ranging from communication skills to conflict management.

Rachel Lubchansky cofounded the Barbara Mendelson Tomchei Shabbos Fund in 2007, which empowers Shabbatobservant families by providing them food to prepare their own Shabbat celebration. The organization now serves more than 40 families (or 150 people) in Rachel the St. Louis area weekly. Lubchansky In 2012, Lubchansky became the director of admissions and communications at the H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy. She also serves on the St. Louis Jewish Federation’s Board of Trustees. Previous volunteer efforts include serving on the executive board for Federation’s Young Professionals Division and as social chair for Young Israel. She was a Millstone Fellow in the inaugural class, a Professional Leaders Project participant (a national program for emerging Jewish leaders), and a Corporate Achiever Honoree with the MS Society.

Louis Albert has served as the executive director of Jewish Family & Children’s Services for the past 24 years. The agency strives to provide quality social services to the Jewish and general communities and operates, among other programs, the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Louis Pantry; ElderLink St. Louis, a Albert coordinated referral service for Jewish older adults, their children and caregivers, and Money Management Assistance, for older adults who need help with such tasks as sorting, organizing and recording monthly bills.

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Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip ________________________ Phone ______________________________________ E-Mail Address _______________________________________________

Reply by February 24, 2014. Call Diane at (314) 442-3190 for info E-mail: dmaier@jccstl.org or mail this form to Diane Maier 2 Millstone Campus Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141 or Reply online at www.stljewishlight.com/canwetalk