Southern Jewish Life, Deep South, June 2019

Southern Jewish Life

June 2019

Volume 29 Issue 6

Southern Jewish Life P.O. Box 130052 Birmingham, AL 35213 At Omega Center International in Cleveland, Tenn., which hosted a Christians United for Israel celebration on May 7

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shalom y’all A lot of people don’t understand the reality of what the Jewish community has to deal with. As we introduce Israel InSight, our new magazine for pro-Israel Christians, we have been to numerous churches and Christian functions and encountered some culture shock at the doors.

People could walk right in.

An acute example of the difference came in March, going from the American Israel Political Affairs Committee Policy Conference in Washington to the National Religious Broadcasters convention in California. At AIPAC, security was incredibly tight, of course. For press, it was even more so, as we were restricted to one entrance for screening and they wanted to escort us around, as much of the conference is off the record.

At NRB, after walking up to get my credentials, I headed into the expo carrying a large bag of materials. Nobody was at the door to take a peek inside the bag. No metal detectors, no security officers with wands.

A couple of months earlier, I went to a large church to drop off prototypes of the new magazine for a conference, and looked for the button to press to gain entry.

There was none, so I tried something truly radical and pulled on the door handle.

The door opened, and I stepped inside to find their preschoolers being led from one classroom to another through the lobby.

It was a different world.

In the last six months, security has been a prominent theme in synagogue bulletins throughout the region, for big congregations and small communities that operate on a shoestring. From Israel to Copenhagen to Miami to Mobile, the Jewish world has to spend a great deal on security. While there are so many better uses for such funds, it’s

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>> Commentary

MESSAGES

Maccabi USAunfortunate leader praises Birmingham Games an unavoidable, necessity — lest something happen and the “what if/why didn’t” game gets played.

IDespite have had therecent honorsurge of attending many Maccabi competitions around the world.

FromasIsrael the in anti-Semitic incidents and the rise in severity, it isn’t if the to Australia to South America, Europe and the JCC Maccabi games around the United States even Jewish community just woke up to these concerns. Security has been a major emphasis and Canada, havefirst logged hownot sports canthe be aKlan vehicle to help build Jewish— of as far back asI the Gulfmany War inmiles 1991.seeing And let’s forget threats — and bombs identity, especially in our young. the 1950s and 1960s. they are for a house of prayer forfell all in people, yet not we have nocity choice IOur felt buildings honored toproclaim come to that Birmingham the first time and love with just the butthe to have gatekeepers scrutinizing everyone who up, to seeyour if they might a threat. but people.

You have taken Southern hospitality to shows a new level with kind and be caring It’s an uncomfortable dichotomy for a people who are often accused by the haters of being approach to the JCC Maccabi Games. insular and unwelcoming.

Led by the Sokol and Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful. They partnered As this issue wrapped, the lone synagogue in Waycross, Ga., was vandalized. There wasn’t with your outstanding staff, led by Betzy Lynch, to make the 2017 JCC Maccabi games a huge hit. graffiti or anti-Semitic messaging, just stuff stolen from the kitchen and fire extinguisher disI want to take this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalf charge all over the sanctuary (thanks for the footprints). There was also blood spattered, but of everyone involved. that was from the intruder cuting himself on the window while breaking in.

IIshad fromincident, the 20thor World Maccabiah games and in Israel with aTime U.S. delegation thatjust anreturned anti-Semitic just random burglary mischief? will tell. of over 1100, who joined 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries.

Back in July the eyes of the entire But the fact remains, the Jewish community has to be vigilant, expending time and resourcJewish world were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and es to stay safe. coaches around the world beingthere in Birmingham, you became the focal Goingfrom to these Christian events, is comfort in how speaker after point. speaker rails against anti-Semitism.

They proclaim that unlike 75 years ago in Europe, anyone seeking to harm the Everyone from the Jewish community and the community at large, including a wonderful Jewishforce, community to go through them first.will go down in history as being a seminal police are to behas commended.

These games It still for astounds people elsewhere in the when by I tell them that, the aftermath moment the Jewish community as we buildcountry to the future providing suchinwonderful Jewishof the national rash of JCC bomb threats in 2017, a group of churches raised over $110,000 to help memories. enhance security at the Levite JCC in Birmingham.

JedBut Margolis the sad day-to-day reality is that we have to live with locked doors and controlled access, Executive Maccabi with our Director, institutions takingUSA precautions that our neighbors would find amazing.

We all look forward to the day when all that supremacists would like to see pushed back On Charlottesville won’t be necessary. But how will we know when into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand Lawrence Brook,ofPublisher/Editor we can truly say that time has come? with and pray for the family Heather Heyer, Editor’s Note: This reaction to the events in who was there standing up to the face of this Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, hate.

Master of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Theta Colony at Auburn University, was shared by AEPi National, which called it “very eloquent” and praised “our brothers at AEPi Theta Colony at Auburn University and… the leadership they display on their campus.”

White supremacy has been a cancer on our country since its beginning, threatening its hopes, its values, and its better angels.

The events that took place in Charlottesville represented the worst of this nation. Those who marched onto the streets with tiki torches and swastikas did so to provoke violence and fear. Those who marched onto the streets did so to profess an ideology that harkens back to a bleaker, more wretched time in our history.

A time when men and women of many creeds, races, and religions were far from equal and far from safe in our own borders. A time where Americans lived under a constant cloud of racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive hate. The events that took place in Charlottesville served as a reminder of how painfully relevant these issues are today.

We recognize the essence of the American narrative as a two-century old struggle to rid ourselves of such corners, and allow those in them the seat at the table that they so deserve.

It is the struggle to fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” We know our work is far from finished, but we know we will not move backwards.

When men and women, fully armed, take to the streets in droves with swastikas and other symbols of hate, it is a reminder of how relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism are today. It is a wake-up call to the work that needs to be done to ensure a better, more welcoming country. But it should not come without a reflection on how far we’ve come.

America was born a slave nation. A century into our history we engaged in a war in part to ensure we would not continue as one. We found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil rights, and embarked on a mission to ensure the fair treatment of all peoples no matter their skin color. Although we’ve made great strides, it is a mission we’re still grappling with today.

Auburn’s Alpha Epsilon Pi stands with the Jewish community of Charlottesville, and America was also born an immigrant with the Jewish people around the country country. As early as the pilgrims, many and around the world. We also stand with the groups and families found in the country the minorities who are targeted by the hate that Visit sjlmag.com to findopportunity out how to stakes, contribute to plant chase their future, was on display in Charlottesville.

We stand and be themselves. Few were met with open with the minorities of whom these white

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Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com V.P. SALES/MARKETING, NEW ORLEANS Jeff Pizzo jeff@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com SOCIAL/WEB Emily Baldwein connect@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rivka Epstein, Louis Crawford, Tally Werthan, Stuart Derroff, Belle Freitag, Ted Gelber, E. Walter Katz, Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 14 Office Park Circle #104 Birmingham, AL 35223 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/432-2561 TOLL-FREE 866/446.5894 FAX 866/392.7750 ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to 205/870.7889 for Lee Green, lee@sjlmag.com; Jeff Pizzo, jeff@sjlmag.com; or Annetta Dolowitz, annetta@sjlmag.com Media kit, rates available upon request SUBSCRIPTIONS It has always been our goal to provide a large-community quality publication to all communities of the South.

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agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events

On May 20, there was an historic gathering of Christian and Jewish pro-Israel leaders from across Alabama to comemmorate the state’s recent resolution recognizing Jerusalem as the “eternal, undivided capital” of Israel, the first state to use that terminology. The ceremony was held in the historic Alabama House and Senate chambers, where in 1943 the state was the first to call for recognition of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. Story, page 16.

Venue change for B’nai Israel’s 120th anniversary concert in Pensacola B’nai Israel in Pensacola announced a change of venue for the congregation’s 120th anniversary concert on June 30. The event will now be in the congregation’s sanctuary.

The concert will feature Pensacola native Cantor Moshe Bear, musical director of HaZamir Long Island and hazzan of Temple Gates of Prayer-Shaarei Tefillah in Flushing, N.Y. He was the first singer to perform a concert of Yiddish music at Ellis Island, and was featured in the film “100 Voices.”

Also performing will be Cantor Amy Goldstein. The daughter of Cantor Jacob Goldstein, she performed with the Goldstein Family Singers during her childhood in St. Paul, Minn., then pursued opera. She is cantorial soloist of Sinai Free Synagogue in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Goldstein is known for her dedication to new works and to Jewish music, and to the preservation and recording of her father’s Choral masterpiece “Shalom Ba-Olam” with Transcontinental Music. An increasing part of her work is devoted to recitals of Yiddish song.

Bear and Goldstein have performed together at numerous Cantorial Assembly concerts across the country.

Joining them will be Greg Watson, who was cantorial soloist at Temple Beth El for 13 years and is a veteran Pensacola Opera performer. He was also the director of a Jewish choral group that drew members from both B’nai Israel and Temple Beth El. Also performing will be David Levitt, a New York Times acclaimed Klezmer multi-instrumentalist and accompanist.

Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., with the concert at 2 p.m.

A reception will follow, along with an opportunity to meet the performers. Tickets are $25 and are available through the congregation’s website, bnaiisraelpensacola. org.

B’nai Israel was the sixth Jewish house of worship to be chartered in Florida, and when it was formed in 1899, Pensacola became the first city in the state to have more than one synagogue. Pensacola’s Beth El, founded in 1876, is the oldest Jewish congregation in Florida.

B’nai Israel was formed by 11 men, led by first congregational president Alex Lischkoff, who were looking for a more-traditional alternative to the Reform practices at Beth El. They established an Orthodox congregation and started meeting in the vestry room at Beth El’s building on Chase Street.

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agenda mont, which congregants later discovered was also a meeting-place for the local Ku Klux Klan. The Ladies Relief Society was founded in 1920, then the Ladies Auxiliary was added in 1928. They merged in 1941. A Young Judea youth group was established.

As increased immigration from Eastern Europe brought additional traditional Jews to the area, plans were made to establish a building. In 1923, a house at 400 North Barcelona was purchased. The first floor was the sanctuary, with a mechitzah, and the second floor was the rabbi’s residence.

With additional growth in the early 1940s, plans began to replace the building with something that looked like a synagogue. The Silberman family left a large bequest to the congregation for a new building, and ground was broken at the current site on Dec. 2, 1953. The dedication was held in September 1954, with Rabbi J.L. Holzman as spiritual leader and Abe Levin, for whom the social hall is named, as president.

A year after the move, the congregation followed a trend among many Southern Orthodox congregations and joined the Conservative movement.

Synagogue member Joe Rosenbaum digitally converted 16mm films he made in the 1950s during the construction of current B’nai Israel in 1953 and the 1954 dedication of the new building. These videos and a display of the original Ark and other historical items are on exhibit at the University of West Florida’s Voices of Pensacola facility in downtown Pensacola.

The current Ark was completed in 1961, and the artistic gates were designed by Harry Ordon.

A series of 12 hurricane-proof art glass windows in the sanctuary, depicting Torah and Jewish festivals, was dedicated in 2001. In 2014 the congregation wrote a new Torah scroll, and current Rabbi Samuel Waidenbaum arrived in May 2017.

Louisiana Legislature passes anti-boycott bill

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

A year after Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued an executive order forbidding state agencies from doing business with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel, the Louisiana Legislature has unanimously followed suit with its own anti-BDS bill.

On June 5, the House approved a revised bill that had been passed by the Senate, vastly expanding the original House bill introduced by Rep. Valarie Hodges of Denham Springs.

Her original bill would authorize public entities to reject the lowest bid “for supplies or services” from a company that engages in a boycott, divestment or sanctions campaign against Israel, and award the contract to the next lowest bidder.

The Committee on Appropriations passed it unanimously on April 29, and it passed the House, 96-0, on May 8.

Coincidentally, on May 8, Concerned Women for America’s Louisiana chapter presented Hodges with a Support for Israel Ambassador award.

In the Senate, the bill was referred from the Committee on Finance and amended by Sen. Gerald Long of Winnfield. The amended bill included language discussing the relationship between Israel and Louisiana, and that Louisiana “does not support boycott-related tactics that are used to threaten the sovereignty and security of allies,” including the BDS campaign that seeks to economically isolate Israel. “The state of Louisiana unequivocally rejects the BDS campaign and stands firmly with Israel,” the bill reads.

The revised bill states Louisiana “may not execute a procurement contract with a vendor if that vendor is engaging in a boycott of Israel,” and this is “consistent with existing Louisiana non-discrimination provisions and regulations.”

The law does not apply to contracts of less than $100,000 or with ven-

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dors that have fewer than five employees, and a commissioner may waive the requirement if compliance “is not practicable or in the nest interests of the state.”

The amendments were adopted by the Senate on May 30, and the bill passes, 38-0, on June 3.

The House concurred with the revised bill, 85-0, on June 5, after which it was signed by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, and sent to Edwards for his signature. The bill takes effect the day after Edwards signs it.

There are currently 27 states that bar doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

In the 1970s, the United States passed legislation prohibiting U.S. companies from participating in the Arab League’s then-boycott of Israel, a boycott that also extended to companies doing business in Israel.

B’nai Israel Golf Classic

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Chunky Folks, Kevin Givens, Shawn Folks and Eric Lewis were champions of the 2019 B’nai Israel, Baton Rouge, Golf Classic, held on May 5 at Pelican Point in Gonzales. Rabbi Jordan Goldson won Closest to the Hole, Victoria Zaunbrecher had Best Shot of the Day, and Jeremy Finkelman had the Longest Drive.

Rabbi Joseph Rosen will start at Beth Israel in Jackson on July 1.

The July 5 Shabbat service will be an Independence Day celebration and cookout-style dinner honoring Rosen. Reservations are requested

by June 28, as are vegetarian requests.

Rabbi Sydni Rubenstein will lead her first Shabbat service at Agudath Achim in Shreveport on June 28 at 8 p.m. B’nai Zion will be joining Agudath Achim for services that evening.

Pensacola’s Temple Beth El signed Rabbi Joel Fleekop to a 10-year contract. He has been with the congregation since the summer of 2012.

The Mobile Area Jewish Federation will kick off the 2019 Annual Campaign with a Havdalah service and reception on June 15 at 7 p.m., at the home of Priscilla Gold-Darby.

In celebration of Anne Frank’s 90th birthday, the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center is inviting the community to join the Board of the Directors of the BHEC and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for their annual Anne Frank Picnic on June 12. The picnic will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Anne Frank Tree in Kelly Ingram Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch and listen to the story of how the Anne Frank Tree came to Kelly Ingram Park. It is the only symbol in the park not directly related to the Civil Rights Movement.

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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Join Us on June 16 for our Father’s Day Brunch With Live Entertainment on the Covered Patio

agenda Beth Israel in Jackson will have a Hebrew Crash Course, starting on June 13 at 6:13 p.m., concluding its sessions on July 18.

The two Baton Rouge congregations will be “Celebrating Shabbat Together” on two weekends this summer, with each congregation’s rabbi diving the sermon at the other congregation. On July 12 at 6:30 p.m., services will be at Beth Shalom, with B’nai Israel Rabbi Jordon Goldson speaking. On Aug. 9 at 6 p.m., services will be at B’nai Israel, with Beth Shalom Rabbi Natan Trief speaking. A potluck dinner follows each service.

The Not Ready for ANY Time Players at Pensacola’s Temple Beth El raised over $7,000 for camp scholarships at its annual Comedy Night on May 18.

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Dothan’s Temple Emanu-El will have a “Shabbaton at Home with Bagels and Biscuits” the weekend of June 28, with Cantor Neil Schwartz and the band. Shabbat evening services will be on June 28 at 7 p.m.

Morning services will be at 10 a.m. on June 29, and there will be Havdalah and a concert at 7 p.m.

Chabad Emerald Coast is holding a Unity Shabbat dinner on June 28, with candlelighting and services at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

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Beth Israel in Gulfport resumes its Shabbat Summer Fun series, with themed Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. Upcoming themes are Hawaiian on June 21, Star Spangled Shabbat on July 5, Preseason Black and Gold on Aug. 23, and Baseball Shabbat on Sept. 13.

Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center will have an “Oh Baby! Wellness, Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism” workshop on June 19. The two-hour workshop for active moms will be about how to exercise safely during pregnancy and postpartum. The class will be at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $35 for members, $47 for non-members.

The Criminal Justice Reform Group at Beth Israel in Jackson will start up after a several-month hiatus, with a June 19 planning meeting at 1:30 p.m.

The North Louisiana Jewish Federation will have a family Bingo night, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. at B’nai Zion. There will also be a chance to sign up for Shalom Arts Camp at Agudath Achim, July 15 to 19, and Camp Chai at B’nai Zion, held July 22 to Aug. 2.

The next Torah on Tap in Mobile will be June 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Alchemy Tavern, led by Rabbi Steve Silberman.

Chabad Emerald Coast is organizing a study group for Jewish servicemembers at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Men’s Club at Agudath Achim in Shreveport will honor David Ginsburg, the congregation’s president, with the Abe Diebner Award for life-long contributions to the congregation and community. The presentation will be during the June 22 10 a.m. service, with a luncheon following.

Torah is coming to the Eastern Shore. Rabbi Yossi Goldwasser from Chabad of Mobile will launch Torah and Tea, a discussion on the weekly portion, accompanied by tea and refreshments. The first class will be on June 24 at 6 p.m. at the Fairhope Library board room.

Collat Jewish Family Services is teaming with the Levite Jewish Community Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing on a series of Cyber-Seniors classes, a free one-on-one class for seniors to learn how to operate smartphones, tablets or laptop computers. The classes will be at the LJCC on June 17 and 24, and July 1, at 1 p.m. Registration is required, and participants need to bring their own devices.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

community

Two Louisiana-Israel business deals signed Delek US to invest $150 million in Krotz Springs Six months after Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards led a trade mission to Israel, two major deals with Israeli firms were signed, involving central and northwest Louisiana.

Delek US, the American operations of Israel’s Delek energy conglomerate, announced on May 23 that it will invest $150 million to enhance its refinery in Krotz Springs, La., with a series of projects over the next five years.

The refinery, which employs 200, will have 30 new direct jobs and 48 new indirect jobs as a result of the investment. The company’s enhancement projects at the refinery will include infrastructure improvements, facility construction and renovations, and new machinery and equipment.

The plan was announced by Edwards and Delek US President and CEO Uzi Yemin on May 23. During the trade mission in October, Edwards met with Yemin, as energy was an emphasis of the trade mission, and they discussed how the company’s operations in Louisiana might be supported for future growth.

The Krotz Springs refinery manufactures gasoline, diesel fuel, petrochemicals and other products, with a capacity of 74,000 barrels per day. Built in 1980, it is one of the country’s newer refineries.

“This initiative at the Delek US refinery in Krotz Springs builds on Louisiana’s role as energy leader in the U.S.,” Edwards said. “These projects will create new high-paying jobs for our Acadiana Region, and we look forward to Delek’s continued growth and success in St. Landry Parish.”

“That Delek is announcing major new investments in facilities and jobs in Krotz Springs less than a month after the completion of the company’s largest-ever capital project is a testament to our faith in the refinery and the team that runs it,” Yemin said. “And I’m pleased that our enhanced partnership with the State of Louisiana, St. Landry Parish and the Port of Krotz Springs will protect the environment and further strengthen the refinery’s viability.”

“These investments in the Krotz Springs location, on the heels of their new $138 million alkylation facility, further reinforces the Delek commitment to the long-term productivity of this facility and to being an anchor employer for our area economy,” said Executive Director Bill Rodier of St. Landry Economic Development.

Delek had considered sites in Texas and Arkansas. Louisiana offered an incentive package that includes a performance-based grant of up to $7.5 million, payable over four years, for enhancing the dock terminal that serves the com-

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Governor Edwards described the Israel trade mission at a New Orleans event in January pany at the Port of Krotz Springs on the Atchafalaya River. The company also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

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Cyber Center Partnership On May 15, Edwards was joined by Chancellor Rick Bateman of Bossier Parish Community College and Chief Operations Officer Bryan Dickens of Cybint Solutions Inc. to announce a new cyber center partnership at the Northwest Louisiana college. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Bossier City, committing the parties to development of a cyber center that will be located at Bossier Parish Community College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology.

The BPCC building will host ongoing cybersecurity training, credential coursework, and field exercises on a virtual cyber range for in-person trainees and online participants across the state and around the world.

The ceremony came as delegates from the National Governors Association met in Shreveport for the 2019 National Summit on State Cybersecurity.

Cybint Solutions is based in New York but has its roots in cyber solutions developed by Israeli Defense Forces veterans and industry professionals.

“This is an exceptional honor for us,” said Cybint Solutions CEO Roy Zur. “Our collaboration with BPCC has been impactful and our entire organization has been gratified to see the enthusiasm and passion for cyber learning in June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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community this region. We look forward to the next phase.”

“From all of our research, we found that Cybint was the premier leader in providing a platform for hands-on cyber security education, training and simulation,” Bateman said.

“To establish such a partnership with Cybint is a win for everyone involved. Our partnership will have a far-reaching impact that benefits not only our students here at BPCC, but also students, industry partners and educational institutions across the state of Louisiana.”

Louisiana’s Cyber Innovation Center operates the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center, or NICERC, which has brought cyber literacy skills to 2.5 million students and 15,000 teachers in all 50 states and three U.S. territories. By 2023, NICERC projects reaching a total of 10 million students and 50,000 teachers in K-12 schools.

The partnership led by BPCC and Cybint will reach many cybersecurity levels — from cyber literacy skills for students, to cutting-edge modules for professionals dealing with advanced cyber threats, to training for manufacturers seeking to protect their production, to full-scale training exercises on a virtual cyber range.

President Craig Spohn of the Cyber Innovation Center said the new partnership at BPCC will benefit the U.S. military as it modernizes missions in the future. Barksdale’s Global Strike Command could be a key beneficiary.

“This partnership between BPCC and Cybint Solutions should be considered more than just cyber education,” said Spohn, who serves as chairman of the Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission created by Gov. Edwards in 2017.

“It should be considered an asset that can contribute to next-generation warfighting. Almost every military action is going to include a cyber element in the future. Assets like this partnership will help us benchmark where we need to go, and we can then create the environments we need from a software and visualization standpoint.”

Four months ago, an Israeli-based software company, Check Point Software, set up a cybersecurity partnership with Stephenson Technologies Corp. at Louisiana State University, establishing operations in Baton Rouge. That partnership will result in the Innovation and Integration Lab. About two dozen went on the mission, which left Louisiana on Oct. 27. Participants held 22 meetings over the course of four days.

Cyber-security is a major emphasis for Edwards, who noted that 40 percent of private sector investment in cyber security takes place in Israel.

Another area of emphasis is Israel’s development of gas fields in the Mediterranean, a field where Israel doesn’t have much experience, but Louisiana does.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

community Analysis

Most Jewish groups say Ala. abortion ban violates religious freedom Three weeks after the Alabama Legislature came under fire for considering an anti-abortion bill that referenced the Holocaust, criticism poured in from most of the Jewish community after the nation’s most restrictive abortion bill was passed and signed by Governor Kay Ivey.

Since a 2015 Pew study showed 83 percent of American Jews say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, that isn’t a surprise. Much of the criticism stems from how Jewish law permits and even mandates abortion under certain circumstances, conditions that are illegal under the new Alabama statute. That makes the new law a violation of religious freedom.

The Alabama law makes it a felony to perform an abortion, with a 10to 99-year prison term. Attempting an abortion is a class C felony. There is an exception for a “serious health risk” to “the unborn child’s mother,” but no exception for cases of rape and incest.

The bill adds that “No woman upon whom an abortion is performed or attempted to be performed shall be criminally or civilly liable.”

The bill’s intent is to directly challenge Roe v. Wade, the 1972 Supreme Court decision that said states can not restrict abortion up to the point of viability, on the idea of the “personhood” of the unborn. Sponsors said that including the rape and incest exemptions would weaken the law and make it less likely to reach the Supreme Court.

Even Pat Robertson, well known for his opposition to abortion, said on the “700 Club” that Alabama’s law “has gone too far” and “I don’t think that’s the case that I’d want to bring to the Supreme Court.”

The Alabama bill also calls miscarriages into question, with some legislators saying the burden of proof would be on prosecutors to prove a woman had an abortion and not a miscarriage — indicating such legal cases would be possible.

Many states, including Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana, have adopted or are considering “heartbeat bills” that would ban abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, roughly six weeks into a pregnancy.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed Mississippi’s bill on March 21, but on May 24 a federal judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the bill’s implementation.

On May 30, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed that state’s “heartbeat bill.”

Last November, 59 percent of Alabama voters approved a constitutional amendment stating Alabama recognizes the rights of the “unborn.”

The Alabama bill is set to take effect six months after the May 15 signing, but the American Civil Liberties Union has already filed suit to block implementation. According to the ACLU, “this means abortion is still legal in Alabama and will stay legal for the foreseeable future.” An envisioned path to the Supreme Court can take a few years.

As previous Alabama laws aimed at restricting abortion have been struck down in the courts, the state has wound up paying the legal fees incurred by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood — at least $1.7 million for the 2016 law requiring abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges.

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WE ARE COMMUNITY. Hillel, Auburn University’s Jewish student organization, was the recipient of the 2015 AU Student Involvement Award for Overcoming Adversity. diversity@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/diversity

Jewish Responses The Rabbinical Assembly, the national organization of Conservative rabbis, issued a statement that “emphatically opposes” the recent anti-abortion laws, and said the RA is “deeply troubled by the enacting of today’s abortion law in Alabama and believes it should and will be struck down by federal courts.”

Citing “relevant biblical and rabbinic sources as well as teshuvot — modern rabbinic responsas,” the RA statement reiterates that Judaism cherishes the sanctity of life, “but does not believe that personhood and June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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human rights begin with conception, but rather with birth as indicated

by Exodus 21:22-23.”

The RA statement says “Denying a woman and her family full access to the complete spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including contraception, abortion-inducing devices, and abortions, among others, on religious grounds, deprives women of their Constitutional right to religious freedom.”

Rabbi Jonathan Miller, rabbi emeritus of Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El, said Judaism regards the fetus as of value, but not yet a human being.

“The humanity, the soul if you will, only enters the body when the fetus takes its first breath and then becomes human,” he said.” Likewise, death is defined when the human soul leaves the body when breathing stops.”

“An unborn child which threatens the health of the mother is consider a pursuer, a stalker, and Jewish law favors the health of the mother over the developing child in the womb,” Miller said.

Rabbi Susan Silverman of Jerusalem, who is active with Women of the Wall, urged Alabama Jews to “sue the state on behalf of religious freedom: a pregnancy that threatens the health of the mother is, in our religious laws, a ‘rodef ’ a pursuer threatening the pregnant woman and abortion is not just allowed but obligated.”

Rashi, the great Jewish commentator of the 12th century, said the fetus is not considered a person, and the Talmud says a fetus is “as the thigh of its mother,” part of her body, and completely dependent on her. The Talmud also states that until 40 days — roughly the six-week period cited in “heartbeat bills” — the fetus is regarded as “mere water.”

Veteran journalist and author Debra Nussbaum Cohen said in a Ha’Aretz opinion piece that the Alabama bill enshrines into law the Christian concept of when life begins. They “reflects the institutionalization of Christian hegemony in America. They infringe on my religious freedom as a Jew,” she said.

The most-cited Biblical justification comes from Exodus, where it states that pushing a pregnant woman so that she miscarries brings on monetary compensation, but any injury or death beyond that follows the life-for-life principle, showing a different status for the unborn.

Also, if a pregnant woman converts to Judaism, there is no need for a separate procedure for the conversion of the unborn child.

In the Biblical census, babies under the age of 30 days were not counted, and if an infant dies before the age of 30 days, the traditional Jewish mourning rituals do not take place, though in modern times, they are often done out of compassion for the family.

Another religious divide comes in the notion of the soul. In Judaism, there is disagreement as to the timing of ensoulment, with a range of views from conception to birth. It is regarded as a disagreement that will remain unanswered until the messiah arrives to settle the argument.

Also, Judaism teaches that the soul is pure and people are born as a clean slate regarding sin. Conversely, many Christian teachings hold that the soul is given at conception, and because of Original Sin, all souls are sinful and must be saved. That concept does not exist in Judaism.

Many Jewish women choose to avoid Catholic hospitals for giving birth because of the difference in religious approach — that in case of complications, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care directs priority be given to rescuing the unborn, while Judaism holds the mother’s well-being is the priority.

Though Judaism is more permissive regarding abortion, often with a wide interpretation of the health of the mother, none of the denominations approve of abortion on demand merely for convenience, but generally feel that each case should be decided individually, not by a blanket government mandate.

In January, when New York liberalized its abortion laws, Orthodox groups issued statements of opposition — which drew criticism from many Orthodox women. The Rabbinical Council of America stated abortion is permitted only in cases of danger to the mother’s health, and

community “Most authorities consider feticide an act of murder; others deem it an act akin to the murder of potential life... There is no sanction to permit the abortion of a healthy fetus when the mother’s life is not endangered.”

Agudath Israel of America stated that “Jewish tradition teaches that a human fetus has status and dignity, and that abortion is prohibited in the vast majority of pregnancies.”

Both groups, though, said there are circumstances where abortion is permissible and their views are not as absolute as many Christian groups.

Historically, the Orthodox Union has stayed out of legal arguments because of the complexity of the issue.

The National Council of Jewish Women stated that the Alabama ban is “blatantly unconstitutional and unconscionable,” and also called comparisons to the Holocaust “an outrageous and disgusting offense.”

Lori Weinstein, chief executive officer of Jewish Women International, said “this year’s spate of attacks on women’s rights in Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia and now Alabama is nothing more than a ploy to dehumanize women and strip them of bodily autonomy.”

The Alabama bill is the “latest, most egregious encroachment on women’s constitutionally protected reproductive freedom.”

Weinstein added that the Alabama bill could result in doctors who perform abortions serving more prison time than men who commit rape and incest.

The Women’s Rabbinic Network also reiterated that the life of the woman takes precedence, and a woman has the right to choose what happens to her body. “We reject sweeping legislation which attempts to regulate every situation without consideration of each individual circumstance. It is the Jewish way to use the wisdom of tradition to guide decisions in individual circumstances. We trust each woman to draw on her own tradition and make the best decision for herself with the people around her, her doctors, her spiritual leaders, and her own sensibilities in each unique case.”

Miller said the issue goes beyond abortion. “We should also be concerned when the government determines what doctors are permitted to do in treating their patients. Pro-choice is not only about the woman having ultimate agency over her body, but also about the ability of physicians to exercise medical options that should be available.”

He noted that some European countries ban infant and child circumcision, which is part of Jewish practice. “When government plays such a heavy hand in the lives of people who are guaranteed the right to practice religion freely, it can restrict the ability of Jews to live fully according to our tradition and the way we understand what God demands of us.”

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Abortion in Israel In comparison, Israel has rather liberal abortion laws, and a much lower abortion rate than the U.S., though the rate has fallen dramatically in recent years in both countries.

In Israel, a woman can seek an abortion if under the age of 17 or over 40; if not married or the pregnancy is not from her marriage; cases of rape or incest; danger to the woman’s life, including physical or emotional damage; or in cases of severe physical or mental abnormality. Minors need not seek parental permission.

A woman seeking an abortion in Israel goes before a three-person panel that includes an OB-GYN, an additional medical specialist and a social worker. There is no mandate for a religious authority or a government representative to be present. The panels approve roughly 98 percent of cases.

In 2016, there were just under 18,000 abortions in Israel, with 188,000 live births, for a ratio of 99 abortions per 1,000 live births. In the U.S., abortion rates hit a 10-year low in 2015, the most recent statistics available, with 188 abortions per 1,000 live births.

In Israel, about 85 percent of abortions were performed by the 13th week, and only 300 were after the 23rd week, a procedure that requires a special committee’s authorization.

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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The last weekend of April was a busy one for Birmingham’s Hal Abroms.

During Alumni Weekend at Indian Springs School, there was a panel discussion, “Abroms Scholars: Then and Now,” on April 26, where the current year’s student body mayors and alumni who had received the scholarships reflected on how their lives were changed by the opportunities provided. Some of the panelists were among the original recipients, graduating 20 years ago.

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U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria was honored with the Outstanding Alum Award at Indian Springs School during Alumni Weekend on April 26. The award was presented “in recognition of personal achievements shaped by Indian Springs’ core values as expressed in the school’s philosophy of Learning Through Living.”

A Birmingham native, Luria is representing Virginia’s 2nd district in Congress. She was elected last year and is the first Indian Springs graduate to serve in Congress.

After graduating from Indian Springs in 1993, she went to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1997 with a degree in physics and history.

After being commissioned, she served aboard the USS O’Brien, based in Yokosuka, Japan. She became one of the first women able to serve her entire career on a ship.

When she retired after 20 years of service, she was commander of Assault Craft Unit TWO. In 2013, she also became a small businesswoman, establishing the Mermaid Factory in Norfolk, and later a second location in Virginia Beach.

She remarked that it was “really exciting to see how much” of what she accomplished “really started here.”

Her leadership philosophy is to “create an environment for people to succeed.”

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

community dian Springs in 1997 by Hal and the late Judy Abroms, in memory of their son, Andy, who was a member of the class of 1977. The scholarships enable students to participate in a wide range of summer educational enrichment programs, generally at universities or other educational institutions.

In some cases, the programs the panelists took confirmed a path they wanted to take in life, while for others, it set them on an entirely different path. All agreed that the experiences contributed greatly to what they do now.

Among the programs were college-level courses in American history, with archaeology on the weekends, or architecture; or immersive experiences in Birmingham’s sister city in Japan, or a remote village in Ghana. Students have done programs across the United States and around the world, including Europe, the Far East and Israel.

Kari Todd said her time in Ghana “massively impacted who I am as a person,” sending her on the path toward public interest law.

Kadie Jacobs, the fall semester mayor, studied voice for two weeks in Miami, and said “I can’t express how that program changed me as a person.”

There was also a video presentation by Sipiwe Moyo, a 2001 graduate who has gone on to an acting career, including a role as Adeola in “Orange is the New Black” and Nurse Sipiwe in “Limitless.”

Christina Tetzlaff, co-chair of the scholarship committee, announced that a record 22 students would be receiving Abroms Scholarships this summer.

Many other recipients were in attendance. At the conclusion of the program, Abroms said “it’s just a pleasure to come here and see what you are accomplishing, and what you have to offer to the world.”

In December, the 2018 recipiPhoto by Nik Layman ents met with Abroms at a luncheon Hal Abroms with the Rat Pack following the thanking him for their experiences, performance at Hands Up Togther on April 28. and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fund.

The Rat Pack Revue, channeling Dean MarThe Indian Springs connection continued at the CJFS gala, as Haeun Honney Kim per- tin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra, also formed on violin. A senior at Indian Springs, performed.

Kim participated in the 2018 Aspen Summer continued on page 31 Music Festival through an Abroms scholarship.

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It was a significant setting as Christian and Jewish pro-Israel advocates from across Alabama celebrated the state’s official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s “eternal, undivided capital” on May 20 in Montgomery.

The historic resolution was signed by Governor Kay Ivey on April 23, after passing both chambers of the Sen. Arthur Orr, Deputy Consul General Alabama Legislature. While Guy Gilady, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Rep. Florida had a resolution in Mac McCutcheon January recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Alabama resolution is the first to use the “eternal, undivided” terminology that is common among pro-Israel advocates.

The setting in the Old House and Senate Chambers was deliberate, as in 1943, Alabama became the first state to call for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the land of Israel, and that bill passed in those very rooms.

John Buhler, co-chair of the Alabama-Israel Task Force, said both events “are worthy of remembrance and worthy of honor.”

Citing the significance of the moment, Sen. Arthur Orr, who launched the effort in the Senate, read the entire resolution before presenting a copy to Guy Gilady, deputy consul general at Israel’s consulate in Miami.

Orr was joined at the podium by co-sponsor Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Rep. Mac McCutcheon, speaker of the House.

The resolution gave the history of Jerusalem from Biblical times, its post-1948 division and 1967 reunification, and how Israel keeps Jerusalem open to those of all faiths.

The resolution also references the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, where Congress authorized the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, but until 2017 had been delayed by presidents of both political parties. It concludes by stating “we do unequivocally recognize Jerusalem as the eternal undivided capital of Israel, and do fully affirm and celebrate the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.”

Buhler said the resolution was designed so it can be easily adapted by other states.

Gilady said “here in Alabama, there is one thing Israelis know. We are among friends.”

He said Alabama shows not just support of Israel, but “a true alliance, a true love story” that goes “beyond symbols.”

Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker and his wife, Dottie, hosted the delegation in the Judicial Building before and after the ceremony.

Those in attendance represented Jewish Federations from Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery; AIPAC leaders, Awareness Ministries, Church4Israel, Daughters of Zion, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, National Day of Prayer, One Heart for Israel, Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, and other groups.

After the ceremony, the group held a dinner to discuss events of the day, discuss the changing nature of the Jewish-Christian relationship to a closeness not seen until recent years, get to know each other’s work and celebrate the resolution.

community

In Panama City, rebuilding continues from Hurricane Michael

by Robert Goetz

Special to Southern Jewish Life

“Panama City is never going to be the same!”

One hears that quite often these days. Around town, at work, online, in synagogue. Yes, Panama City as well as those smaller adjacent cities that you may have heard about — Mexico Beach, Lynn Haven, Calloway, and Parker — will never be the same. They will be better than before! I have no doubt whatsoever that public and private investment in Bay County will, over time, return a community that exceeds what existed prior to Oct. 10, 2018, the day Hurricane Michael, a powerful category 5 storm, wreaked havoc on the Florida Panhandle.

As is now well known, Panama City and most of Bay County were devastated by Hurricane Michael. This was the third most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the United States in terms of pressure. The Jewish community of Bay County was ready. Temple B’nai Israel’s disaster plan was activated the day before landfall, with the synagogue, Torahs, books and computer all being secured.

As one that trained at the U.S. Emergency

Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Md., I am keenly aware that every natural disaster is different. This storm posed its own unique challenges. Fortunately, B’nai Israel’s building sustained only minor damage; the Torahs and prayer books were unharmed.

Temple B’nai Israel had a disaster plan, tested and in place, well in advance of this storm.

Good disaster plans contain three components: 1) people, 2) facilities and equipment, and 3) processes. All three continue to be addressed. During the days immediately following the hurricane, the B’nai Israel leadership actively worked to account for all congregants, along with assessing property damage, and help that any member may require.

At this time, all congregants have been accounted for. Unfortunately, some were unable to live in their homes and are in temporary housing.

Several have left the area.

During this post-disaster phase, B’nai Israel is determined to help stabilize the situation of each congregant. A rapid return to normal is the obvious goal. Additionally, as an integral part of the community, B’nai Israel has been working to the fullest extent possible to help Bay County recover from this horrific event.

As we are learning, recovery can be difficult

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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SAVE THE DATE

community

To volunteer to cook or serve contact Priscilla Denard (pdenard@bhamjcc.org) To organize your “When Pigs Fly Kosher BBQ” Team contact Seth Diamond (sediamondlaw@gmail.com) To become an event sponsor contact Dan Tourtellotte (dtourtellotte@bhamjcc.org) This program is made possible by Marvin and Ruth Engel Fund and the Unrestricted Fund of the Birmingham Jewish Foundation.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

and daunting. We continue to hear about the different resources available during storm recovery. The numerous phone calls and emails received by B’nai Israel from rabbis, synagogue, Jewish organizations and concerned individuals worldwide to date have been extremely heartwarming. Many were accompanied with donations to the B’nai Israel Hurricane Michael Relief Fund. Each has received a timely and personalized response.

The landscape in Bay County has been drastically altered. Panama City Beach, just over the bridge from Panama City, while having sustained far less damage, has served as the epicenter for recover efforts. Immediately after the storm, the many high-rise condominiums along the Gulf, normally housing vacationers, were filled with construction workers, utility crews and insurance adjusters, in addition to those fortunate enough to have found nearby housing after being forced to vacate their damaged homes. Most noticeable to me during my 6:30 a.m. weekday commute from my home on Panama City Beach over the Hathaway Bridge into Panama City has been the bumper to bumper gridlock as workers and locals make their daily trek into town. While the traffic jam is now gone, there remains enormous rebuilding to be done. Five to 10 years’ worth, according to some recent estimates.

B’nai Israel has lost several congregant families that incurred significant damage to their homes and have relocated elsewhere. The synagogue recently entered into an agreement to share its facility with a church that sustained major facility damage and was forced to sell its property rather take on additional debt to repair.

It was only one and one-half years ago after Hurricane Irma that B’nai Israel reached out to the Jewish communities of South Florida and welcomed displaced persons to join us for High Holy Day services. The tables have now been turned.

As Jews, we have learned how to remain strong during the most difficult of times. Just recently, the First Sons of Israel, a St. Augustine, Fla. congregation, in partnership with Servant’s Heart Disaster Relief, dispatched a team of volunteers to help clear downed trees and debris from the synagogue grounds. B’nai Israel graciously thanks all those who have reach out to us during this most difficult time. Your prayers, kindness, financial support and encouragement are making a positive difference to so many. #bnaiisraelstrong #850strong #panhandlestrong.

Robert Goetz is a board member and webmaster for Temple B’nai Israel in Panama City.

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Israel native Issac David gained inspiration from luxurious Mediterranean architecture when developing the elegant Villas on Old Leeds community at the site that was once the Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club.

“I was going for a Mediterranean look with elements to give these luxurious homes a wow factor,” said David, who founded The David Group Inc. in 1981 to serve as a general contractor as well as installer of custom furniture and cabinetry.

The Villas on Old Leeds gated community includes 52 lots for custom-built luxury three- and four-bedroom homes. Fourteen homes have been sold and are either completed or in the process of completion.

The exterior of the homes keep with the same style, colors, materials and concrete tiled roofs. “There are very few homes in this area with concrete tiled roofs. They are beautiful and among the most durable, long-lasting roofs you can have,” said David.

RealtySouth Agent Cindi Marshall said Villas on Old Leeds allows homeowners to work with David and his team to design and build their own unique house plan.

“They can choose how they want the interiors to be developed as to suit their refined tastes,” said Marshall. Every home includes its own private courtyard, castle entry iron doors, along with 10-foot ceilings downstairs and nine-foot ceilings upstairs.

The community includes a pool with cabanas, a clubhouse with meeting areas, and will soon have a fitness facility. Residents can also use community gazebos with fire pits and enjoy green spaces. “We have a close-knit, active community already and that will continue to grow,” she said.

Marshall said that the homes developed thus far average 2,700 square feet and prices in the mid-500s.

The members-only Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis club opened in 1963 and ceased operations in 2006. Since then, there had been discussions about possible mixed-use or apartment community developments.

David came up with the Villas on Old Leeds concept. It was widely embraced by Mountain Brook, Irondale and the surrounding neighborhoods.

“This is a very unique community,” said David.

Marshall added that the residents in the Villas on Old Leeds have said they love the community feel and location. Both David and Marshall are involved members of the Birmingham area Jewish community.

“We invite people to come by to tour the Villas on Old Leeds and to visit the model homes,” said Marshall.

For more information and a virtual tour, go to www.villasonoldleeds. com.

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Former attorney turned realtor Scott Wells Ford, who is with RealtySouth in Birmingham, believes his legal experience and negotiating skills can prove beneficial for his clients.

“After an initial contract is signed, that is when the real negotiations begin,” said Ford. “There are inspection negotiations and sometimes interesting title or survey issues that have to be negotiated between the parties.”

A Gadsden native, Ford moved to Birmingham in 1990 after graduating law school. Ford worked for two firms, including Najjar Denaburg, and was clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Four years ago, he decided to change careers and began selling residential real estate full time.

With Birmingham being a “sellers” market, Ford believes it is imperative that buyers work with a good realtor. “The only way a buyer can compete in today’s market is to work with a realtor who is making sure buyers see ‘active’ listings on the first day of listing,” he said. “It is also necessary to be ready to buy, whether that means being pre-approved with a lender and working with an agent to know how best to make your offer attractive to a seller when they are considering multiple offers.”

Ford said he has seen an upswing in the number of “empty nesters” downsizing and moving to (or closer to) downtown because of the attractions that Birmingham offers.

“Whether it is fine dining, entertainment, sporting events or museums, more clients are looking to live in a walkable community,” he said.

Jennifer Cohn Nierman, Gardner Realtors, New Orleans A trend in New Orleans real estate takes a page from a line in an old Petula Clark song – “everything’s great when you’re downtown.”

Gardner Realtors Agent Jennifer Cohn Nierman said she is seeing increasing interest and development in the Central Business District.

“People like to be in the middle of the action; to have the option to walk to restaurants, bars and other entertainment,” said Nierman. “There are also many condo buildings that are great options for first-time home buyers.” Others who want more green space have favored new developments in Lafitte Greenway or Crescent Park.

She said that most of her clients are looking for move-in-ready homes.

“The majority of them don’t want the responsibility of building from scratch or renovating a fixer-upper,” added Nierman.

Her advice to prospective buyers is to find a real estate agent who can guide them through the whole process and to meet with a lender to really know what their budget is. “A good realtor doesn’t just find a house for you; they also connect you with other professionals in the home-buying business that you’ll need to be successful,” she said.

Nierman, a New Orleans native, said she “got into the business of real estate because I love working with people and helping them to achieve their dream of buying (or selling) their perfect home. I love this city and I am passionate about connecting my clients to a place where they can enjoy a great life.”

Gardner is a family owned and operated business with a long, well-respected history in New Orleans, Nierman said. “We use the latest technology and trends to stay up-to-date, but we still hold on to the traditional values that have helped Gardner build a reputation as a leader in the business throughout the Gulf South.”

Over the next few years, she predicts an increasing number of people will move to New Orleans. “No other city can offer the culture that New Orleans does. People want to be here to be a part of the fun, music, food and excitement,” she said.

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

SJLlazarus0619.indd 1

5/15/19 11:04 AM

real estate/homes

Gary Lazarus, RE/MAX New Orleans RE/MAX New Orleans Real Estate Agent Gary Lazarus, a lifelong New Orleans resident, believes that while moving a successful business forward, it’s always important to give back.

Lazarus donates a portion of every commission to the charity of his client’s choice.

“I love this city and I love working with people to help them find (or sell) their New Orleans home,” he said. “But it’s more than just that. I believe we can really make a difference in building a better community.”

The current vice-chairman of the board for URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Lazarus has also served on other non-profit boards, including the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Avodah Service Corps and Jewish Children’s Regional Service.

He has also participated in the Federation’s Lemann-Stern Leadership Development Program, now known as Katz-Phillips, as well as the Jcamp 180 Leadership and Advancement program sponsored by the Grinspoon Foundation. Lazarus and his family attend both Gates of Prayer and Shir Chadash in Metairie.

Since earning his real estate license in 2001, Lazarus benefits his clients with his experience in and knowledge of home construction, property management and investment. He also owns and manages residential and commercial rental property throughout the New Orleans area.

“I can help buyers to understand more about the inner workings of a house… and about the different neighborhoods they might be interested in,” said Lazarus.

Lazarus said Uptown near Audubon Park and along St. Charles Avenue continue to be popular choices for buyers. Some of the newer, redeveloped properties in the Irish Channel and along the Lafitte Greenway in Mid-City have also generated buyer interest of late.

He said that he also advises sellers on how they can make their house presentable through de-cluttering, depersonalizing and painting in effort to get their asking price.

“I want my buyers and sellers to know that I am with them through every step of the process,” said Lazarus. “I believe it’s not about buying or selling homes… it’s about developing relationships.”

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Crystal Berry, Tag Realty, New Orleans Tag Realty’s “tag team” includes a hand-selected group of experienced Realtors, designers, contractors and builders working together for their clients.

Builder Tommy Gennusa III, who for more than 25 years has also been the owner of one of New Orleans’ most respected homebuilders, Tag Homes, also owns the New Orleans real estate company.

“The uniqueness of our in-house team is our intimate knowledge of the real estate market and the fortunate ability to have an experienced, well-respected builder that is available for our buyers and sellers,” said Tag Realtor Crystal Berry.

She said that if a Tag Realty client purchases a home and wants it renovated, Tag Homes could provide an estimate and provide some experienced, honest opinions.

Berry, who brings more than 20 years of real estate experience, said a trend of choice in home styles for many purchasers is a traditional exterior with a modern interior. Over the past decade, the interior configuration has significantly changed.

“Generally speaking, homeowners desire an open loft-like floor plan to include a kitchen island with seating where most family meals are shared,” rather than a dining room, she said.

Properties along the Mississippi River, starting from the Warehouse DisJune 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

21

real estate/homes NED MARSHALL DESIGN trict going through the French Quarter and ending in the Marigny at the Bywater have been particularly popular lately. “Those neighborhoods sustain vibrant energy, filled with world-famous restaurants, artists, jazz musicians and history,” she said.

Berry advised buyers to make sure the real estate agent they work with provides them with knowledge of the neighborhoods they want to live in, including properties on the market, sold homes in the area and the average days on market.

She said that sellers could benefit from advice from and renovations by the Tag Homes professionals, helping them to increase the value of their home and subsequently the selling price.

The number of new residents to New Orleans coming from outside the area continues to increase, and Berry sees that growth continuing in the years to come.

“In my opinion, New Orleans is the most interesting and authentic city in America,” she said.

“Our city will continue to flourish and prosper.”

Shannon Hinton Kern, Keller Williams, New Orleans

Photo courtesy House Beautiful magazine

Interiors • Exteriors • Planning Complete Design Services services available in all locations Website www.nedmarshall.com

Cell 646.509.7889

Email pastichellc@bellsouth.net

Shannon Hinton Kern, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty New Orleans, says that multi-use developments with residential condos or apartments above ground floor retail continue to be on the rise.

It is one of the trends Kern has seen in New Orleans real estate the past few years. Another one is the revitalization of neighborhoods.

“There has been tremendous growth, both new construction and renovations, in areas surrounding the Lafitte Greenway — a 2.6-mile bicycle and pedestrian greenspace stretching from Mid-City to the French Quarter,” said Kern, who has been licensed since 2017.

She said while one area of the city might be considered a sellers’ market, another might be neutral or softening. No matter what the market,

it’s important for buyers to get pre-qualified before beginning their home search.

“That way when you find the perfect home, you are ready to put in an offer immediately,” said Kern.

With the new VA and LSU Medical Centers now fully operational, she anticipates New Orleans will continue to experience growth, particularly with residents who work in the healthcare industry. In the next few years, Kern also predicts more mixed income housing coming in.

A lifelong New Orleans resident, Kern says, “I have a deep love for and connection to the city, its architecture and traditions.”

Bridget Sikora, Ray & Poynor, Birmingham

Sanders Painting Residential Repaint Specialist • Interior/Exterior Painting • Wood, Plaster, & Sheet Rock Repair Family Owned and Operated

205/563-9037 Involved Members of Birmingham’s Jewish Community

22

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Bridget Sikora lives in Mountain Brook and specializes in finding homes for buyers “Over the Mountain” as well as downtown.

The Ray & Poynor real estate agent with over 15 years of experience said the challenge in Birmingham has been low inventory.

“I have buyers who want to be in a certain neighborhood,” she said. “I tell them if they love a place to make an offer and be prepared to move forward. The average time of a home on the market is still 40 to 45 days, but some areas in Mountain Brook and Vestavia get multiple offers the first day they are on the market.”

Sikora, who is the co-president of Hadassah Birmingham and volunteers with the PTO at Mountain Brook High School, said she has gone to her network of friends and contacts asking if they want to sell. “My friends think I am kidding, but I really do have buyers that are desperate to move into certain areas.”

She said some new developments and retail are forthcoming in Liberty Park, which would add to the inventory in that Vestavia neighborhood.

Birmingham continues to grow with the state’s largest employer, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and automotive industry companies as two examples attracting employees into

the city.

“Interest rates are still low,” said Sikora, in most cases below four percent.

“It might be a seller’s market, but it’s always a good time to buy or sell,” said Sikora.

Ray & Poynor helped more clients and customers sell and buy homes in 2018 than any year since the business was established in January 2010. Ray & Poynor is a boutique company that is quite unique compared to its competitors.

Ray & Poynor is a 50-agent boutique that is the most productive firm per agent in the Top Ten of the Birmingham MLS. Ray & Poynor owns the highest average list and sales price in the Top Ten Birmingham MLS; yet, they are diverse in listing and selling homes in 2018 from $40,000 to $4 million, all over the Birmingham metropolitan area.

“We have a family-type atmosphere at Ray & Poynor, we help each other out to benefit our clients,” said Sikora.

Sikora said her focus with real estate and volunteerism is based on her love of helping the Birmingham community.

June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

23

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Brandino Brass enhancing the region since 1948 Birmingham’s Brandino Brass started providing specialty hardware to homes in 1948. And while the abundant selection of options has grown significantly over the years, a traditional finish remains a style constant.

The family-run small business works with clients across the Southern Jewish Life magazine coverage area, offering a wide variety of products including knobs and levers for doors, cabinets pulls and knobs, light fixtures, mailboxes, shutter hardware, gate hardware, bath accessories and fireballs.

“From new construction and full remodels to remodeling a kitchen, unlacquered brass remains a constant traditional finish,” said Brandino Brass General Manager Renee Genereux. “We have seen the traditional styles in unlacquered brass, but more and more transitional or contemporary lines are using the classic, unlacquered brass finish. It is stunning to see clean lines with a traditional finish. It is truly a warm, simplistic approach to design.”

Tony Brandino and his brother, Paul, launched the company as Brandino Sales Company in 1948. Tony’s son, Buster, joined the company in 1970, and in 1980 the company became Brandino Brass. They relocated the company to the Florida panhandle in 1992 for many years, then returned to Birmingham in 2009 under the lead of Buster and his son, Eric Brandino.

Genereux said the biggest change since Brandino Brass began business is the abundant selection. One pull from one supplier from a single suite may come in six sizes and more than 20 finishes. “The options are endless,” said Genereaux. “Some clients cherish the opportunity to personalize their homes while others rely on our experienced staff to help narrow down the selections.”

She started at Brandino Brass in 2010. Genereux has been working in residential construction for more than 20 years after earning her degree in design and drafting. “For us, it’s an exciting challenge to find something that our clients like that fits their budget and style.”

House Stuff home to vintage furnishings Furniture is a family affair for Flora Shaughnessy, owner of New Orleans’ House Stuff.

Her father owned Canal Furniture Liquidators for 40 years. While helping out her parents in the store a few days before her father sold the business and retired in 2013, Shaughnessy hatched a plan with her husband Allen to open up her own shop.

“I found this perfect location in Mid-City, and that’s how the business was born,” she said. “I have always had a love for well-designed, solid-wood vintage and antique furnishings.”

Just as her parents did at Canal Furniture Liquidators, Shaughnessy adorns the outside of House Stuff with an eclectic mix of chairs, lamps, tables, bedding and desks that offers a glimpse into the 2,000-square-foot store’s style aesthetic.

She said vintage French provincial and mid-century modern pieces don’t stay in the store long. “A growing number of customers buy a vintage or antique piece with the intention of giving it a new look,” said Shaughnessy.

House Stuff also sells paint for those keen to work on DIY projects.

Shaughnessy acquires pieces through a combination of working with secondhand dealers, mom-and-pop shops, hotels, estate sales and her own hunting.

“We’ve gained a reputation in the seven years since we have been open,” she said. “Sometimes they contact us, sometimes we get out there and find pieces on our own. We have delivery trucks coming to store several times a

real estate/homes day.” House Stuff is open seven days a week.

Shaughnessy said 90 percent of what they sell is household furniture.

They have sold to some bed and breakfasts as well as provided pieces to movie companies shooting in New Orleans.

“It’s thrilling to see our pieces in the movies,” she said. “The film industry has really been great for our economy in New Orleans.”

House Stuff keeps a “wish book” of items that customers want and aren’t in the store. If Shaughnessy finds a piece someone is looking for, she brings it into the store without any obligation for the customer to buy it.

“I love seeing a customer’s face light up when they find they find exactly what they were looking for,” she said.

Shaughnessy said she learned much about the furniture business from her parents. “I think honesty and ethics in business are the most important things. Treating people right and developing relationships makes all the hard work and hours worth it,” she said.

Park makes moving less stressful Park Moving and Storage, the official movers for the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity chapter at the University of Alabama, considers itself “old school.”

“We’re very focused on service. Making sure we go the extra mile to have happy customers is extremely important to us,” said Brian Henry, who coowns Park Moving with Kevin Barber. They have locations in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, handling local, household, commercial, interstate as well as international moves.

“We pad everything. We wrap furniture up like presents,” said Henry, mentioning that the company moved Alabama’s largest private art collection. “We take great care of people and their belongings.”

Park Moving started in Tuscaloosa in 1963. Henry, who is from Tuscaloosa and went to school at Birmingham-Southern College, moved back to continued on page 26

New Orleans interior designer sees emphasis on “colorful and comfortable” New Orleans Interior Designer Ned Marshall said some of the bright ideas that he and his clients come up with involve employing brighter color palletes and repurposing antiques to give them a modern touch.

“It’s all about the colorful and the comfortable,” said Marshall, who came to New Orleans in 2005 after almost 30 years of professional interior design work for his own company in New York City. He moved to the Crescent City two months before Katrina hit, staying to help the city usher in its rebirth and renaissance.

“You have a lot of homes in New Orleans that have some tradition and old-world character,” he said. “Many of my clients want interiors that express their style tastes and that tend toward modern (with a strong 70s influence) with a brighter color palette. Sometimes that involves updating, painting antiques to make them more modern, bright and abstract.”

Marshall said today he designs more open kitchens with eating and socializing spaces in them. “People today are hanging out in the kitchen more.

It’s not just for cooking, it’s an integral part of the living space,” he added.

He said his jobs range from the modern to the classic, the formal to the funky, from small apartments to large mansions to businesses. “I recommend a client consider their budget and what they like. I love it when a client tells me what they want. I listen to them and can work with their vision.”

Marshall was born in Atlanta but his family moved to Jacksonville, Ala., when he was 12 years old. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1973 with a degree in art. While in Tuscaloosa, he worked at a place that did high-end interior design and he was immediately hooked.

Recently, Marshall resumed his painting and hopes to build a portfolio to include in a local gallery. “Designing a room is like painting a picture,” he said. “It’s just on a different canvas.”

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real estate/homes

European furniture, treasures at New Orleans’ Dop Antiques Holland native Michiel Dop knew he would fit in well in “the most European city in the United States.”

He and his wife Adela, who is from New Orleans, met in Amsterdam and moved to the Crescent City in 2000 to open Dop Antiques.

“It’s hard to sell antiques to the younger generation in Europe,” said Dop. “When I first came to visit New Orleans, we walked up and down Magazine Street. I knew we could make a living importing and selling antiques and furniture here.

“New Orleans is a European city. It was easy to adapt,” he said. “I felt that people here appreciate European antiques and furniture. It fits very well with the style aesthetic.”

Dop started Dop Antiques on Tchoupitoulas Street before moving to his current 20,000-square-foot warehouse space on Jefferson Highway.

Every month, Dop brings in a large shipment of fine antiques, furniture, lighting and accents. “We have a large inventory and frequent inventory turnover,” he said.

More than 10 years ago, Dop started building custom furniture from reclaimed wood and paint on request. “People love the rustic French furniture tables and this way they can get these French country-style tables customized exactly how they want them,” he said.

They also design and sell custom lighting, primarily French as well as European-styled chandeliers.

Dop Antiques sells to dealers, decorators and the general public. “We also work with movie and TV set designers — selling and renting pieces to them. A lot of movies are being shot in New Orleans and that segment of our business continues to grow,” said Dop. Party planners also count on Dop Antiques to supply them with furniture, lighting and accessory rentals for their events.

Dop Antiques’ two designers on staff and Dop himself are happy to go to

customers’ homes to offer free consultations and to incorporate their purchased items into their space.

“We’re very flexible and friendly,” he said. “We enjoy sharing our love of fine European antique style with people who really appreciate it.”

>> Park Moving

continued from page 25

Tuscaloosa from Nashville and purchased the company in 2008.

They opened the Birmingham location in 2011, and then in 2015, Barber joined Henry as a partner. Henry and his family moved to Mountain Brook recently.

“We inherited a strong reputation with Park Moving, and we’ve built upon that legacy,” said Henry. “We’ve grown the company 500 percent in five years and we’re the highest-rated Alabama moving company on Google.”

He said they offer special rates to non-profits and have provided their resources and assistance to those in need, including helping those affected

by Hurricane Michael in the Florida panhandle last October.

Henry said they are also happy to offer advice to clients on how to best work with Park to make the move as hassle-free as possible.

“I recommend to everyone to purge anything you don’t need, and to let professionals who are insured, experienced to take care of your valuables,” he said. “For every client, we come out there first to look at their place and discuss a plan.”

Henry said they have enjoyed working with those in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham Jewish communities to help them move. They also recently joined the Levite Jewish Community Center.

“We’ve moved and installed mezuzahs for clients. We value the Jewish communities across the area and look forward to continuing to serve them,” he said.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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real estate/homes

Opportunity Zones: A New Investment Tool Offering Significant Tax Benefits

By Bradley Sklar As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in late 2017, Congress quietly enacted the Opportunity Zone program with the goal of encouraging long-term investments in certain economically disadvantaged areas known as “qualified opportunity zones.” The program offers real estate investors and business owners significant tax benefits that allow for the deferral, reduction, and in some cases elimination of capital gains tax if all of its requirements can be met. This article very briefly explains those tax benefits and some initial considerations relevant to potential Opportunity Zone investors.

The Tax Benefits

The Opportunity Zone program offers three significant tax benefits to investors who roll over capital gains into an investment vehicle known as a “qualified opportunity fund.” Importantly, only the gains on an investment qualify for the tax benefits. So if stock is acquired for $70 and sold several years later for $100, only $30 is eligible for the tax benefits and required to be reinvested. The $70 return of capital remaining from the sale can be used for other purposes.

If placed into a QOF, investors may defer paying taxes owed on capital gains invested in a QOF until the investor sells the investment, or Dec. 31, 2026, whichever comes first.

Second, the capital gains taxes owed from the sale of stock referenced above are reduced by 10 percent if the investment is held for at least 5 years, and after 7 years the tax break increases to 15 percent. Consequently, if the investment is held for 7 years or more, only 85 percent of the rolled-over gain is subject to tax.

At the end of 2026, the deferral period ends and investors still holding their QOF investment must pay tax on their rolled-over gain, subject to the reductions discussed above. Notably, these taxes are due even if the capital is still tied up in the QOF. Finally, if the investment in the fund is held for 10 years or more, then any appreciation on the QOF investment escapes taxation altogether. So if $30 was invested in a QOF and that investment sold 12 years later for $80, the $50 in investment appreciation completely escapes taxation under this new investment tool.

Additional Considerations

In June 2018, the Treasury Department designated 8,700 low-income census tracts throughout every state and territory as QOZs, many of which are located in downtown business districts. A map of these areas can be found on the Treasury Department’s website at https://www.cdfifund.gov/ Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx.

To be eligible for the tax benefits, Opportunity Zone investors must invest in a QOF within 180 days from the sale giving rise to the capital gain.

Taxpayer-favorable rules permit QOFs to be set up by individual investors, by groups of friends, or by large fund managers operating similarly to private equity funds. Evidencing the program’s interest, some larger QOFs plan to raise more than $500 million from investors.

Qualified opportunity funds must then acquire qualifying property located within QOZs. Such property generally falls into either of two categories: real estate and/or operating businesses. While they are generally taxpayer favorable, there are numerous technical rules that apply at the inception of the fund and that also must be met throughout the lifecycle of the investment. Consequently, working with a tax advisor is strongly encouraged to ensure that all tax benefits can be realized.

Bradley Sklar is an attorney at Sirote & Permutt in Birmingham, specializing in tax, entity and business planning transactions.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

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Tuna Poke

Sushi Rice (Yield: 4 cups) 2 cups sushi or short grain rice 2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Avondale Common House

4100 3rd Ave. So. Birmingham avondalecommonhouse.com 205/703.9895

Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Swirl the rice in the water, pour off and repeat 2 to 3 times or until the water is clear.

Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.

Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature before using to make sushi or sashimi.

Tuna and Marinade: 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce 1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar ½ Tbsp. sesame oil 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated 3 cloves garlic, grated 1 lb. fresh ahi tuna (high quality), cubed

Poke Bowls: shredded carrots shelled edamame sliced radishes crispy onions 3 green onions 2-3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Spicy mayo (¼ cup vegan mayo + 1-2 Tbsp.

Sambal) In a medium glass bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic until combined. Add cubes of fresh ahi tuna and stir to combine. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 15 minutes.

In a medium glass bowl, combine chopped vegetables and rice wine vinegar; toss to combine. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least one hour (this is an optional step but adds a ton of flavor).

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

To assemble bowls: Spoon rice into four bowls. Distribute vegetables, and marinated tuna among bowls. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with spicy mayo, if desired.

Avondale Common House

by Lee J. Green Avondale Common House recently celebrated its second anniversary, and its owners have cherished every second of being a part of the Avondale community.

“Our customers and our employees are like family to us,” said Ellen Rogers, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Will. “We’re so happy to be a part of the growing Avondale community.”

Will grew up working on his grandparents’ farm in Starkville. He and

community >> Rear Pew Mirror

continued from page 30

hoped to be freed of their additional daily deeds as women are, not for women to have to take on more themselves. And synagogue attendance indicates the tide might finally be turning again.

And the saga continues. Some men try to keep women from being eligible for certain obligations — not to suppress the women, but to preserve women’s precedent of fewer obligations which they hope to someday match for themselves. Some women want to gain more requirements on their time and lives, though Big G only knows why.

In fact, She’s not sure, either.

Doug Brook hopes people take this for the satire it is rather than an explanation for, and cause for continuation of, his being single. To read past columns, visit http://brookwrite.com/. For exclusive online content, like facebook.com/rearpewmirror.

>> Avondale

continued from page 28

Ellen started Avondale Common House with the idea of offering a community restaurant that serves fresh, farm-to-table food, creative cocktail creations and local craft beers.

“We work with local and area farmers,” said Will. “We recently made some changes to the menu, adding or bringing back some items for spring and summer.”

Ellen said Avondale Common House has gained quite a following among those with specialty diets — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kosher-style.

Kosher-style menu items include Buffalo cauliflower po’boy, fried green tomatoes, Asian crunch salad, char-grilled coulotte steak, Common House chicken salad wrap, sticky bourbon maple fried wings and the tuna poke bowl.

“We’re happy to make anything on the menu custom,” added Will.

Their craft cocktail list includes music, television and popular culture-named creations including Raspberry Beret, The Peach Pit, I Like Coconuts, Golden Girl and Mango Tango.

Several musicians who have come into town for big concerts, including Lindsay Buckingham and Pink, requested Avondale Common House to provide their meals before the show.

Avondale Common House’s patio, voted Best Patio in Birmingham two years running, seats 45 and is “very popular this time of year.” They have live music on the patio every Tuesday night and during Sunday brunch, including a very special engagement on Father’s Day, June 16.

Inside, the restaurant seats 60 and their private dining room accommodates 20. The entire restaurant is also available to be rented out for a special celebrations even during regular hours. Avondale Common House provides off-site catering and delivery through WaitR. Avondale Common House participates in community and city events.

For Birmingham Restaurant Week in August they will also give back — donating a percentage of sales to AIDS of Alabama.

“We’re so happy that Avondale Common House has been like home for our customers, employees and us,” she said.

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rear pew mirror • doug brook

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life

Since the dawn of Judaism, and even before, women have played the primary role in the most significant events and have maintained a status of exemption from many laws and practices that dominate daily Jewish life. Increasingly, men have had enough of this gender-based inequality.

For thousands of years, men have shouldered the requirement of many tasks that women were not obligated to do. Pray three times a day, wear tzitzit, and grow a beard. Men have a bris, women make brisket. Men have to remember how to wrap tefilin straps without losing circulation.

Women were free of many masculine obligations, which has stoked calls for greater gender equality today.

First, a quick look at the road to today. Women’s dominant role in Judaism started early. In the beginning, Eve decided what Adam would have for lunch on that fateful day. Sarah gave birth to Isaac at 90 years of age, which is doubtless a lot more challenging than Abraham’s involvement at 100.

In the saga of Isaac and Rebecca, Rebecca does everything. Isaac mostly sits there quietly while Rebecca sets the course of history through her two sons who also blindly go along for the ride. Without any of these women-driven events, Jewish history would have been history before it began.

What’s more, Jacob had 12 sons and one daughter, which provides clear precedent that one woman is of equal balance to 12 men.

Most men throughout the Bible are portrayed as archetypes with long, flowing white beards. The long-lost Mishnah tractate Bava Gump recounts a midrash that describes the adolescent Isaac as he approached his aborted akeida at the sacrificial hands of his father as “having just reached the age of facial maturity,” and that the ram didn’t get its horn caught in a thicket, but “in Isaac’s long, flowing beard made prematurely white from the ash of the altar’s fire.” Biblical women are never compared to or mistaken for members of ZZ Top. Did men do more things according to biblical record? Yes. But they also did a lot that was obviously wrong. How often does the Big G yell at different men, and how often a women? The last four books of the Torah often read like an episode of The Bickersons starring Moses and the Big G in Don Ameche and Frances Langford’s Women taking on roles, and Jerry Mathers as The Beaver. the Big G occasionally went more mitzvot isn’t offSure, on a woman or two, such as Mirithe equality men am and her moment of divine leprosy.

But women knew how to avoid making had in mind... mistakes, or were at least clever enough to ensure they stayed off the record.

Men have had enough. Throughout the centuries they’ve been required to follow more rituals, learn more, and carry the shame of many mistakes by their paternal ancestors being broadcast in the greatest-selling book of all time. Women have had fewer dogmatic rituals to follow, got to spend more time with the kids, and fight in wars less.

In the interest of closing the gender gap, of bringing men to a more equal footing with women, the last several decades have seen significant changes allowing women equal responsibilities as men. Women count toward a minyan, women get to wake up during the service to have an aliyah, women get to be rabbis who put congregations to sleep just as much as male rabbis.

With one voice, men are saying, “that’s not what we meant.” The men continued on previous page

community >> Abroms

continued from page 15

Ronne Hess, co-chair of the CJFS event, told Abroms that the crowd in attendance “is your village… these are the people you and Judy mentored.”

Co-chair Donald Hess said Abroms “is a perpetual kveller,” always able to express pride “because there is so much he has done.”

Hal and Judy Abroms have also been involved with the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, McWane Science Center, the Abroms Center for Excellence at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, Birmingham-Southern College, ASFA, the Alabama symphony, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and other organizations.

Donald Hess said Abroms’ passion is education and the arts, and “it’s for the educator, the artist and the student.”

He also mentioned that Abroms “almost died” in January, but “put up an incredible fight.”

Abroms told the crowd, “I’m glad you’re here.

I’m glad I’m here.” Then he added, “I’m sorry Judy isn’t here… we were partners for 69 years.”

He credited her with “many of the things we

were successful with in the community.” One example was when CJFS needed to raise around $55,000 for a new Buz-A-Bus. She fundraised among women who drove carpool, because they would understand the need, and raised $70,000.

Abroms said he never imagined he would need support from CJFS, but in 2009, Judy was diagnosed with dementia. While it was manageable for a while and “I would take care of her,” by 2014 “all of a sudden I couldn’t.”

When CJFS Cares started in January 2015, Abroms signed her up for the program, which provides activities and socialization for those with memory or movement disorders, while giving caregivers a break. “It was wonderful for her,” he said.

Lauren Schwartz, CJFS executive director, said Abroms is a teacher who never stops learning, and still takes weekly classes with Rabbi Yossi Posner. “You are never too young or old to learn, change or lean in to who you are.”

The event raised over $305,000. Schwartz said “our impact continues to grow because of you.”

She added, “the need is growing rapidly as our population ages.”

Our Soldiers Speak founder in Jackson Benjamin Anthony, founder of Our Soldiers Speak, will be at Beth Israel in Jackson on June 19 at 7 p.m. to speak about “The Battle for the Jewish Future: Europe. America. Israel.”

In 2006, he founded Our Soldiers Speak following his combat service inside Lebanon during the Second Lebanon War. Our Soldiers Speak gives unofficial policy presentations by senior Israeli security and policy experts on college campuses throughout the English speaking world.

In 2014, he founded the New State Solution, a working group that envisages a conflict-ending alternative to the status quo between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs.

He has lectured before students at every Ivy League college and has been keynote speaker for Israel Bonds, CAMERA, CUFI, and numerous Jewish Federations. In 2013 he spoke at the plenary session of the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington.

In addition to Lebanon, Anthony served in Operation Pillar of Defense and Operation Protective Edge, and has served in the territories.

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June 2019 • Southern Jewish Life