This Week In Southern Jewish Life
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What a difference 36 years makes. We recently spent a couple of weeks in Israel, mainly for the International Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem (no, I haven’t changed teams — this is in relation to our work with Israel InSight and covering the pro-Israel Christian community). There are numerous stories that we are working on, which will be in both of our publications in the coming months, including a visit to Rosh Ha’Ayin, Birmingham’s sister city in Israel and New Orleans’ Partnership community.
Unfortunately, it had been almost 20 years since I had been to the community, where I had also spent the summer as a teenager many years before that. The changes in Rosh Ha’Ayin from those early days as a quiet development town of 14,000 Yemenites, to today’s busy bedroom community of 75,000, are immense, and we’ll take everyone on that journey.
But something on the way back pointed out how things have changed in the Jewish world in the past 36 years, courtesy of a 17-hour layover in Copenhagen. After spending the night in a hotel near the airport, there were a couple of hours available to take the train into the center of town and wander around. I decided to see how far the Great Synagogue was from where I was going, and it turned out to be just a few blocks from one of the stations I was planning to hit.
I had been there before, in 1989. It was quite an eye-opening experience, even before I was allowed inside. I’d been studying in Austria as part of a group of students from smaller colleges in Kentucky, my uncle was one of the professors. I was the only Jewish student in the program, so when we had two weeks at the end of the semester to travel around, I went on my own, figuring nobody else would be interested in places like the Jewish Ghetto in Venice.
The first weekend of the semester, we had all traveled together to Munich, to learn about the train system and how youth hostels worked. We also all went to Dachau, where I wound up having to educate a lot of my classmates about what they were seeing. While
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we were there, we found out on the way back, Tiananmen Square had taken place.
Mid-way through the two weeks, I was in Copenhagen on Friday night, so I decided to go to services. When I got there, a congregant with a walkie-talkie was at the gate, the only access point along a large metal fence. He told me that I could not enter, as I needed to go back to the train station and store my backpack in a locker.
Some time later I returned, and had to answer numerous questions — who are you, where are you from, why are you here… and then I was finally allowed in, going to the courtyard behind the building, through which one could go inside. Another member with a walkie-talkie was at the door.
It turned out there were several tourists that evening and I was next to a congregational president from New Jersey, who missed out on much of the experience; he spent most of the service completely lost from not knowing where we were in the service because of a lack of experience with the Hebrew. Being able to walk into any synagogue anywhere in the world and know what is going on is a meaningful gift that we have as a united people.
Afterwards, the congregants explained that they took turns with the walkie-talkies each week, so the burden of violating Shabbat while on security duty would not fall on the same people repeatedly. Of course, my first thought was how the preservation of life takes precedence.
They came by this caution honestly — in 1985 there had been a bombing at the synagogue. While Hezbollah tried to claim credit, one of those arrested was a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization. They were a target, and they knew it.
This level of synagogue security was both understandable and
shocking to someone from the United States, where security concerns were far lower. It was incredible to think of needing to have that level of security at a synagogue.
And yes, there was an element of being thankful that we didn’t have that level of concern in America.
Of course, anyone who has attempted to set foot in a synagogue in the U.S. in the past few years knows exactly where this piece is headed.
continued on page 36
Great Synagogue, Copenhagen, on a Monday morning in November
agenda
interesting bits & can’t miss events
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience Curator Michael Jacobs installing the “New Americans in a New Land”
Traveling Holocaust exhibit opens at Destrehan library, with local addition
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibit, “Americans and the Holocaust,” lands in Louisiana this month with a series of complementary programs, and an additional local component to the exhibit.
Michael Jacobs, curator at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans, was invited by the library to guest curate “New Americans in a New Land,” spotlighting the unique journey that brought one couple through the Holocaust and to New Orleans.
The exhibition spotlights Americans’ knowledge of and responses to the rise of Fascism and the Holocaust in Europe in the 1930s and 40s. The exhibition aims to challenge the common conception that Americans knew little about the Holocaust while it was occurring. It also addresses important themes in American history, exploring the many factors that influenced decisions made by the U.S. Government, the news media, organizations, and individuals as they responded to Nazism.
The traveling exhibit was featured at 50 libraries from 2021 to 2023, after which it was extended to another 50. It will be at the St. Charles Parish East Regional Library in Destrehan from Dec. 5 to Jan. 10.
“New Americans in a New Land” focuses on the experiences of Joseph Sperling and his wife Anni Frind, a couple who survived the Holocaust and rebuilt their lives in New Orleans. The exhibition includes artifacts from MSJE’s collection related to Joseph’s imprisonment during the war, as well as from the couple’s post-war life in Louisiana.
Jacobs said “Their journey of displacement, resilience, and rebuilding
mirror many of the challenges facing immigrants and refugees around the world today. This exhibit reminds us that the work of welcoming newcomers and supporting those seeking safety is as urgent now as it was nearly 80 years ago.”
In his address opening the exhibit, Jacobs described the artifacts on display, including Joseph’s concentration camp jacket and armband, the steamer trunk that carried the Sperlings’ possessions from Europe to New Orleans, and poignant photographs of the lives they built in New Orleans. Said Jacobs, “each item allows us to see history not as an abstraction, but as the lived experience of two people who forged hope and home out of devastation.”
There are numerous additional programs in conjunction with the exhibits. Early programs include discussions on the illegal imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and on confronting Holocaust denial.
On Dec. 17 at 6 p.m., “The Ancient and Medieval Roots of Antisemitism” will trace the origins of antisemitism from antiquity through the medieval period, revealing how centuries-old prejudices laid the foundation for modern tragedies.
On Jan. 6 at 6 p.m., New Orleans James Beard Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya will present “Honoring Holocaust Memory Through Rescued Recipes.” He will share his experience collaborating with Holocaust survivors to recreate family recipes saved during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Among these was a Hungarian family cookbook that once belonged to Holocaust survivor Steven Fenves, who survived Auschwitz after being forced from his home in Subotica, Yugoslavia, in 1944. The cookbook was rescued by the family’s former cook, who safeguarded it from looters and later returned it to Fenves, who Shaya has worked with in trying to replicate the recipes.
The series concludes on Jan. 7 with a discussion of Elie Wiesel’s “Night.” Registration is required for the 6 p.m. program.
Starting Oct. 23, 2026, the exhibit will be at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.
“Hidden Child” to speak at AHEC
The Alabama Holocaust Education Center will welcome “hidden child” Maud Dahme as the guest speaker for its International Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration.
The program will be on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The event is free but registration is required.
Dahme was four years old in 1940 when the Nazis invaded her homeland, the Netherlands. In 1942, to save them from deportation, Maud’s parents hid her and her sister with a member of the Dutch underground, then with a Christian family, where for the next two years she and her sister pretended to be the nieces of this family. When it became too unsafe for them to hide with this family, they hid with several other courageous families until the end of the war. At one point, they witnessed the execution of six Jews and the farm family that had been hiding them.
After the war ended, Dahme and her sister were reunited with their parents, who were hidden by the Dutch underground, but most of the rest of the family was murdered at Sobibor. In 1950, the family immigrated to the United States. Maud became a passionate Holocaust educator, and served as president of the New Jersey Board of Education, and the National Association of School Boards. She wrote a book about her experiences, and for many years led an annual tour of Holocaust sites in Europe.
Dahme and her sister were the subjects of the 2006 documentary “The Hidden Child,” which aired on PBS.
Gates of Prayer receives $1 million commitment for education
Metairie preschool, J-FLEx to benefit from Newhouse gift
Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie announced a $1 million commitment from longtime community benefactor Peter Newhouse, dedicated to strengthening and advancing its entire educational programming, including the renowned Gates of Prayer Preschool.
This major gift arrives as the preschool celebrates 50 years of operation and marks a pivotal moment in the synagogue’s renewed commitment to educational excellence and community stability. The congregation itself has been celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, and embarked on major renovations to its facility.
The Louise Hayem Manheim Gates Preschool serves children of all faiths and backgrounds, 3 months to five years.
The significant donation from Newhouse solidifies the financial future of the congregation’s educational initiatives, ensuring a robust and thriving environment for students from early childhood through its J-FLEx religious school. It follows a period of internal restructuring that has positioned the institution for unprecedented growth and stability.
“We are profoundly grateful for Peter Newhouse’s extraordinary generosity and his unwavering belief in the mission of Gates of Prayer,” said Mary DeLucca, director of Gates of Prayer Preschool. “This transformational gift is not only a testament to his philanthropic vision but also a powerful vote of confidence in our renewed leadership and the vibrant future of our educational programs. It empowers us to enhance our curriculum, support our dedicated educators, and provide an unparalleled learning experience for every child and congregant.”
The Gates of Prayer Preschool will be a direct beneficiary of this funding. The investment will enable further enhancements to facilities, resources, and staffing, ensuring that the school continues its legacy of fostering intellectual curiosity, social development and Jewish identity in its young learners.
Dan Forman, president of the Board of Trustees, added, “This gift from Peter Newhouse marks a triumphant new chapter for Gates of Prayer. It underscores the incredible strength and resilience of our community and sends a clear message: our future is not just secure; it is brighter than ever. We are excited to build upon our 50-year foundation and embark on the next half-century with renewed vigor and purpose.”
Enrollment for the upcoming school year at Gates of Prayer Preschool is set to open on Dec. 15.
CJFS CARES Respite Is Growing!
Several Jewish organizations in Birmingham are uniting for the Jewish Birmingham Joint Annual Meeting and Awards. The Jan. 25 event at 3 p.m. will include the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation, Levite Jewish Community Center, Collat Jewish Family Services, N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and Alabama Holocaust Education Center. Registration is required by Jan. 15 and location will be given upon registration.
NOW OPEN in Crestwood Festival Center
Beth Israel in Metairie will combine its Chanukah party with the installation of Rabbi Shlomo Stauber, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. The evening will include music by Stauber and a jazz band, a dairy meal and a Café du Monde food truck for dessert.
The Ben Katz Post 580 of the Jewish War Veterans of America will hold a Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal ceremony on Dec. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Shir Chadash in Metairie. The scheduled presenter is Jerome Buller, deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal was created to recognize and thank Louisiana veterans for their honorable military service. Medals are available to all honorably discharged Louisiana veterans, and to the families of those Killed in Action.
The 2026 Mah Jongg card is available for order. The North Louisiana Jewish Federation is selling them, as is Shir Chadash in Metairie to benefit their children’s fund. Regular cards are $14, large print are $15. Orders include registration or renewal in the National Mah Jongg League, and cards will be mailed around April 1. The Federation hosts weekly games, alternating between Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at B’nai Zion in Shreveport. At Shir Chadash, there are monthly games on a Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Applications are open for the 2026-27 Avodah Jewish Service Corps, for changemakers ages 21 to 26 who will spend a year working at a social justice non-profit while living communally at a home in New Orleans, Chicago, New York or Washington.
As of Nov. 10, Beth Israel in Metairie is starting weekday minyans on Monday and Thursday, the traditional weekdays when the Torah is read, at 6:30 a.m.
Bais Ariel Chabad in Birmingham will have its annual Great Wall of Chinakah kosher Chinese dinner on Dec. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m., with specialties by chef Josh Haynes. Reservations before Dec. 21 are $25 per adult, $10 for children under 12, $80 maximum for nuclear family. After Dec. 21, reservations are $35 and $20, with a $120 maximum.
Touro Synagogue in New Orleans announced that Jill and Dave Israel will be the honorees at the Feb. 1 L’Chayim award dinner.
Jewish Community Day School in Metairie announced that Dashka Roth Lehmann and Larry Lehmann will be the honorees at this year’s JCDS Brunch, April 19 at the Higgins Hotel. Dashka served as president of the Day School during its transition to Sharon Pollin as head of school, at a time when the school was re-establishing its Jewish identity. Larry is past president of the Jewish Endowment Foundation and Tulane Hillel.
The North Louisiana Jewish Federation will host author Nancy Rosenfeld, who will speak on “50 Cents for a Life: A True Story of Surviving by Synchronicity.” Bernard Rosenfeld was a highly-respected leader in the Shreveport Jewish community, who died in 2018. For over 50 years, he kept the truth about his escape from Lithuania in World War II at age 17 hidden, then one day he gave a secret manuscript to his four daughters. In 2022, Nancy started researching the events behind his memoir, which discusses survivor guilt and his quest for truth and inner peace. The presentation will be on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Agudath Achim in Shreveport, followed by a book signing, and the community Chanukah celebration.
The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge will serve at St. Vincent de Paul on Christmas Eve Day, Dec. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Gates of Prayer Preschool in Metairie will have a holiday bake sale benefiting the Gates Preschool, Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The next Shabbat Halicha hike with Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El will be on Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
With the closure of the Grace By Day community kitchen in Woodlawn, the social action committees of Birmingham’s Temple Beth El and Temple Emanu-El have found a new venue for serving meals on Christmas. In part-
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There are many ways to support Israel and its people, but this Chanukah, no gift is more transformative than one to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system. Your support of MDA isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them — providing critical care and hospital transport for everyone from victims of heart attacks to rocket attacks, and every emergency in between. Donate today at MagenDavidAdom.org or call 866.632.2763.
Building the Southern Jewish Future
Jacobs Camp embarks on public phase of capital campaign with launch in numerous communities
Sixty years ago, a group of Southern Jewish families battled national skepticism over their desire to establish a Jewish summer camp in the Deep South, drawing from a sea of small communities.
Though back then, outsiders questioned where the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica would draw enough campers from, the camp has thrived to the point where, on Nov. 16, it held the public launch of its “Our Camp. Our Home. Our Future” capital campaign, with over 900 campers, alumni, parents and friends attending events simultaneously in 15 cities.
Locations for the kickoff include Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria, the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham, B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg, Beth Israel in Jackson, the New Orleans Jewish Community Center, Beth El in Pensacola and B’nai Zion in Shreveport.
In the preliminary “quiet” phase, the campaign has raised almost $15.8 million toward an $18 million goal, including four seven-figure gifts, one of which is $3 million, and 26 six-figure gifts.
In each community, a couple of volunteers designed their own programs, centered on a common video about the campaign. In Baton Rouge and Memphis, the event featured the camp’ signature opening dinner of fried chicken, and closing dinner of mac and cheese.
In Austin, there was a sign with “i love jacobs so much” based on the famous “i love you so much” sign south of downtown. Memphis held a chair raising celebration for a camper celebrating a birthday, just like at camp.
Paige Mandelman, capital campaign manager, said “it’s really a testament to the power of our Jacobs Camp Community that we can find
Artist rendering of the proposed lakeside pavilion
At the New Orleans kickoff
that many people willing and eager to put these events together,” and that close to 1,000 people would attend.
She said there was a “generational spread” at the events, including “babies in their ‘Future Camper’ onesies, several of them whose parents met at Jacobs camp, and we had people who were their surveying the plot of land that would become the grounds of our camp. We had current and past campers, current and past staff members, parents of campers, and grandparents of campers. It really was beautiful to see!”
Since the initial summer, there have been only three camp directors over 55 years, and all three were featured in the video, urging support for the campaign.
Macy Hart, a Winona, Miss., native who had been national president of the National Federation of Temple Youth, was involved from the days of advocating for the camp’s creation, organizing the teens to work with the existing Camp Association of Southern Temples. He spoke of the early history of the camp, and those who were involved in its formation. “There was a capital campaign at the very beginning to build the first camp, which opened on June 1st, 1970,” he said. The total cost was $398,000, raised mainly through a fair share assessment of Reform congregations in the region.
Rabbi Sol Kaplan was the director that first year as Hart learned the ropes so he could take over after the first summer, and he remained camp director for three decades. “The fact that you could spend the summer entirely surrounded by Jewish community in the Deep South was incredible,” Hart said. After hosting 93 campers as an unproven new entity in 1970, there were 296 campers two summers later.
Camp Director Anna Herman, a former camper, spoke about coming from the small community of Dothan, and “for kids like me to be the only Jewish child in their school or their hometown, to come here and just be surrounded with love and a strong Jewish identity was life changing.”
Susan Hart, “Director of the Director,” said “those same impacts are happening some are after summer after summer. I mean, we saw it with our kids growing up, and now we see it with our grandchildren growing up.”
Jonathan Cohen, who grew up in Tupelo and became camp director
The Orgel Bayit, completed this year
from 2000 to 2014, spoke of the capital improvements from when he was director, including the pressing need to restore Lake Gary after it was drained due to damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The camp also became fully accessible, and much of the public art was installed.
The current campaign was undertaken to make “critical investments in large-scale renovations and upgrades to our 50+ year old facilities.”
The campaign is being co-chaired by Diane
and Alan Franco, Robin and Billy Orgel, and Linda and Mark Posner. Susan and Macy Hart are honorary chairs.
Billy Orgel said “our mission is to serve Jewish children in the Deep South with a great camping experience, but you’ve got to have the facilities to do it, and they have to be modern facilities.”
Major projects
Though the public phase of the campaign is just beginning, two major projects totaling over $5.5 million have already been completed.
Herman said “the biggest need that we had was an air conditioned gymnasium. We were able to renovate the Berman Center and we were able to offer all of the sports in the world.” In the summer of 2024, the new athletic complex was dedicated, with a fully reconfigured interior, flexible space, a new gymnastics studio and indoor climbing wall, and indoor basketball and pickleball courts.
The Orgel Bayit was dedicated this past summer, to enhance staff recruitment and retention.
The Bayit is a dedicated housing and learning space for Solelim, the 12th-grade counselor-in-training and leadership program. The Bayit provides housing for 48 CITs and two advisors, dedicated learning spaces and multiuse spaces. The Bayit can also be used for yearround programs.
Orgel said “I think it’s important for finally the CITs to have a home so that they can work on their leadership skills, training, be together,
Austin launch party
Little Rock launch party
community
a cohesive group like the kibbutz used to be.”
The largest remaining project, at over $5 million, is to renovate the cabins to meet modern standards and ensure sustainability. The cabins are “really the family unit of camp, and our camper cabins are in need of some renovations and repairs,” Herman said. “We are very mindful that we want our camper cabins to remain simple. We need to put some work into the cabin infrastructure, we also need more privacy in the bathroom.”
The bathrooms are being reconfigured to enhance privacy and hygiene, insulation and HVAC systems are being upgraded, deteriorating exterior walls will be stabilized, and there will be refreshed inside and exterior paint, cabin flooring and storage. Cabins 1 to 12 are currently being redone, the rest will be redone after the 2026 season.
A major addition will be a lakefront pavilion at Lake Gary. Herman said “the lake is missing shade, and it’s missing bathrooms, and it’s missing a place to change, and it’s missing a home, so we are so excited about the potential of our lakefront pavilion.” The pavilion will also be a versatile space for programs and activities.
A Beit Am will serve as a new visitor center, communal “living room” and a space for small groups to meet with the camp director, and provide housing for the director and leadership team.
The kitchen and dining hall will be renovated, as the facility was designed for 350 campers but now handles over 400. The renovations will provide optimization of space and enhance meal preparation, and provide a more effective stage and audio-visual equipment.
The tennis courts, used by half of the campers each summer, will be replaced, as they have reached the end of their lifespan. The courts will be resurfaced and have updated nets for tennis and pickleball, and a shade structure.
Needs in the unseen infrastructure will also be addressed, such as underground plumbing.
A significant portion of the campaign, roughly 20 percent, will go toward a Sustainability Fund, to ensure long-term care of the facilities, with support for regular maintenance, ongoing improvements and critical capital projects.
Currently, the plan is to have the dining hall and tennis court renovations done after the 2027 season, and the Beit Am after summer 2028.
Linda Posner said there is no better way to invest in the Jewish future “than to invest in children having a joyful, substantive Jewish experience that will be with them, and therefore with all of us in our communities, forever.”
At the New Orleans kickoff
community
Next year in Jerusalem? Tua wants to play an NFL game in Israel
Causes a stir when asked about desired next destination following game in Madrid
From JNS and SJL reports
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa told reporters on Nov. 16 he would like to play an NFL International Series game in Jerusalem.
The former Alabama star was asked after the Dolphins’ 16-13 win over the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, in which international destination he would like to play next.
Tagovailoa first mentioned Hawaii, where he is originally from, but then added Jerusalem as his next favored location.
“Shoot, it’d be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem. I don’t know, that’d be sick,” he said.
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images Tua Tagovailoa speaks to the media after a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium, Nov. 9, 2025, Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Dolphins played on Nov. 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of famous soccer club Real Madrid. It was the first in NFL’s regular season history to be staged in Spain, outlet Daily Express U.S. reported. Ironically, during Israel’s war against Hamas over the past two years, Spain has been one of the most hostile countries toward Israel.
The Miami-Washington game in Spain represents the NFL’s efforts to branch out the American sport into the international arena.
The league wrote on its website in January that it seeks to grow its brand “By looking abroad.”
“What has always been a uniquely American sport is steadily gaining ground beyond U.S. borders, especially in a market that stands out on the international stage—not defined by a single country but by a common language: Spanish,” the NFL stated.
Given the current international atmosphere, Tagovailoa’s comment generated controversy. Former teammate Kenny Stiles shared the clip of Tagovailoa’s comment, with the note “Lacks awareness in all areas of his life.”
Other comments on social media accused the quarterback of trying to resurrect his career, or that he has traumatic brain injury.
Conversely, his comments were praised in Israel, where there is a small league that plays American-style football, and Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on X that “Tua is right. Bringing an NFL game to Israel is a great idea. Next year in Jerusalem… I like the sound of that.”
This is not Tagovailoa’s first time talking publicly about Israel. A devout Christian, after the October 7 massacres, he paused a post-game press conference to “bring attention” to “how bad things are in Israel,” and offered his prayers to the people of Israel.
“This world needs prayer,” he said. “I don’t know what we’ve come to.”
Those comments earned him a spot on the “Reverse Canary Mission” anti-Israel website that tracks supporters of Israel. The site called him “complicit in apartheid.”
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community
continued from page 11
nership with Collat Jewish Family Services, volunteers will be at First Light Shelter, preparing and serving lunch and dinner. There will also be opportunities to hang out with residents, playing games and doing crafts, during the afternoon. Youth volunteers are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. The lunch shift starts at 10:45 a.m., the dinner shift starts at 5:45 p.m.
The Pensacola Jewish Federation will lead a volunteer effort for holiday brunch at the Ronald McDonald House, Dec. 25 at 8 a.m.
The North Louisiana Jewish Federation will host a screening of “Bad Shabbos” at the Robinson Film Center, Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and include a kosher dinner.
Southern Jewish Voices will hear from Richard Pizitz Sr., Richard Pizitz Jr., and Andrew Pizitz, Dec. 17 at noon at Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center. The series presents stories about Jewish life in Birmingham and around the South. The program is presented through a series of interviews conducted in front of a live audience and includes a complimentary lunch. Videos of all sessions are archived online.
The Pensacola Jewish Federation will host an afternoon of pickleball, Dec. 21 from noon to 2 p.m., at Portside Pickle. There will be pizza and drinks, and spectators are welcome.
Temple Beth El in Pensacola will have its annual Chinese Food and Movie, Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m. A child-friendly film will be available in the youth room. Dinner reservations are $10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under.
Neo-Nazi convicted of antisemitic threats to Ga. rabbi, Jewish Rep.
Rabbi Bahar formerly served in Huntsville
A neo-Nazi who sent antisemitic threats to a rabbi and a Jewish state representative in Georgia was found guilty of mailing threatening communications. The verdict came down on Nov. 4 after a two-day trial in Macon.
Ariel Collazo Ramos, 32, of High Point, N.C., sent messages, including “Jews are rats,” to Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar and Rep. Esther Panitch. With the hate crime enhancement, Ramos faces a maximum of five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2026. There is no parole in the federal system.
Bahar, who is rabbi at Beth Israel in Macon, Ga., previously served Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville from 2009 to 2018. In 2015, she received the Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award from the Birmingham Jewish Federation.
According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, a neo-Nazi group gathered outside of Beth Israel in Macon in 2023 as the congregation was inside for Shabbat evening services. In January 2024, Bahar testified before the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Georgia House Bill 30, a bill defining antisemitism. The bill was co-sponsored by Panitch, the only Jewish member of the Georgia House of Representatives. The bill, which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism to define Jew-hatred, was signed into law on Jan. 31, 2024.
Bahar said her congregation had five cases of antisemitic threats in the second half of 2023, including a “swatting” incident.
Rep. Panitch received an antisemitic postcard from Ramos at her home the morning of the bill signing; Rabbi Bahar received an antisemitic postcard from Ramos at her home the following day, on Feb. 1, 2024.
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Editor
So, has our security profile caught up with Copenhagen?
Not exactly. Rounding the corner to where the Great Synagogue is, one can see a police car parked right by the more-fortified gate (with two levels of entry and bulletproof glass) in the same tall, strong metal fence. Two officers in camoflauge fatigues, carrying rather hefty guns, stand on the street outside. The street itself is blocked off from motor vehicle traffic.
This, at 9 a.m. on a Monday.
For those wanting to tour the synagogue, there is a poster with the congregation’s history, and a QR code for a virtual tour.
On this day, on the ledge below the poster, there were a couple bouquets of flowers, a British flag where someone had written Shalom in Hebrew, along with “Manchester” and a couple Stars of David. There was a collection of stones, much like when one visits a cemetery, including one painted yellow with “Bring them home now” in Hebrew, referencing the hostages in Gaza.
Yellow ribbons tied to the fence read “Make Jews Safe Again.”
There was also a handwritten banner that started with “on this 7th
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of October, we bring these flowers in memory of all that was lost… Israel is a nation of strength, light, and hope… we dream of a world without antisemitism,” signed by someone who identified as a Jew from France.
Again, the congregation’s concern comes from reality. By the entrance, there is a plaque in memory of Dan Uzan, 37, who was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in February 2015, during a Bat Mitzvah. He was a congregant doing security, much like I had encountered in 1989.
The plaque concludes with “evil can be vanquished through human kindness alone. Kindness takes courage.”
We in the U.S. have unfortunately caught up to Copenhagen 1989. Copenhagen, like much of Europe, has gone far beyond that in its security concerns. Obviously, we don’t want things to get even worse and have the security needs become even more stringent.
But now, anti-Israel activists — the “anti-Zionist not antisemite” crowd — are finding excuses to increasingly target synagogues in the U.S. with their vile attacks and intimidation.
Lawrence Brook, Publisher/Editor
It would be nice to envision a time when we can start going in the other direction, when our overwhelming security needs are no longer operative. Unfortunately, right now, it is very difficult to indulge in that type of vision, and that is an indictment of society, as if it were any other group, there would not be a rush to rationalize it or explain it away, let alone tolerate it.
Southern Jewish Gifts
(Big) Green Eggs and Latkes
The perfect Chanukah gift from Hollywood Outdoor Living
As the days grow shorter and the crisp autumn air signals the approach of the holiday season, many of us begin the beloved tradition of searching for that perfect gift. Chanukah brings with it eight joyous nights of celebration, marked by family gatherings, delicious food, and the warmth of shared traditions. This year, if you’re looking for a gift that will not only bring joy but also create lasting memories and incredible culinary experiences, look no further than a Big Green Egg from Hollywood Outdoor Living.
Imagine the glow of the menorah, the aro ma of latkes frying, and the excited chatter of children opening presents. Now, picture adding another layer of warmth and deliciousness to your Chanukah celebrations: the incredible flavors produced by a Big Green Egg. This isn’t just a grill; it’s a versatile outdoor cooking system that can smoke, roast, bake, and sear with unparalleled precision and flavor.
A gift that
gathers
Chanukah is fundamentally about family and community. From lighting the candles together each evening to spinning the dreidel and exchanging gifts, the holiday fosters connection. The Big Green Egg, in its essence, is a catalyst for these gatherings. It encourages outdoor cooking, turning meal preparation into a communal activity. Imagine congregating around the “EGG” as a succulent brisket, marinated in a secret family recipe, slowly smokes to tender perfection, ready to be carved and shared amongst loved ones.
The versatility of the Big Green Egg also means you can prepare a wide array of kosher dishes. Think perfectly seared salmon, cooked with a smoky char that can’t be achieved indoors. Or perhaps a slow-roasted chicken, its skin perfectly crispy, infused with herbs and spices, a centerpiece for any festive meal. And for those looking to get creative, imagine baking challah or even a sufganiyot-inspired dessert right in the EGG, adding a unique smoky dimension to these classic treats.
Quality and durability: A lasting legacy
Just as the story of Chanukah speaks to endurance and resilience, the Big Green Egg is renowned for its exceptional quality and durability. Crafted from state-of-the-art ceramics, it’s built to last for generations, becoming a cherished part of your family’s holiday traditions year after year. This isn’t a fleeting gift; it’s an investment in countless future celebrations, delicious meals, and shared laughter.
Hollywood Outdoor Living understands the importance of quality and offers a range of Big Green Egg models and accessories to suit every family’s needs. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through the options, ensuring you find the perfect size and setup for your outdoor space.
More than just a grill: It’s an experience
Giving a Big Green Egg from Hollywood Outdoor Living this Chanukah is more than just gifting a cooking appliance. It’s gifting an experience. It’s providing the means for incredible culinary exploration, for creating new family traditions, and for savoring the joy of delicious food prepared with love and shared with those who matter most.
So, as you prepare to celebrate the miracle of Chanukah, consider a gift that will bring warmth, flavor, and lasting memories to your home. A Big Green Egg is a testament to quality, a facilitator of family gatherings, and a source of countless delicious meals — truly a perfect gift to light up the holiday season, and the rest of the year.
Southern Jewish Gifts
Mon Ami is French for “my friend” and the Crestline Village store has become the place to get kids’ clothes sizes 4 to 18, as well as Chanukah gifts.
Items shown here include Leo and Zachary sport coats/pants/ties, Chanukah shirts by Chaser, Mia girls’ boots, Shark Bite lip blam and a plush dreidel with gelt inside.
Fish Market Southside 612 22nd Street So. Birmingham 205/322.3330 thefishmarket.net
It isn’t just great Greek seafood — The Fish Market has a market of imported goods, from copper cookware to pottery to specialty foods.
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
818 Howard Avenue New Orleans
504/384.2480 msje.org
The Museum Store at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans is available for in person or online shopping. This Mezuzah (left) is recycled from the seats of a New Orleans streetcar. After Hurricane Katrina, Greg Levy began making pens from the wood of downed oak trees. He eventually expanded into making mezuzot, out of both felled trees and disused streetcar seats. This is a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition Mezuzah ($50). Brass screws included.
Above: In 1884, Russian Jewish Immigrants Morris and Molly Grundfest purchased 200 acres of cotton farmland in Cary, Miss. The land, now owned by their descendants, still produces cotton to this day—and the yarn in this Delta Jews challah cover ($180) is made of cotton grown, picked and ginned by Ben Lamensdorf from Morris’s farmland.
Rear Pew Mirror
Available on Amazon rearpewmirror.com
If you enjoy Rear Pew Mirror, the column at the back of this magazine, imagine how much you’ll enjoy a collection of columns from the past couple decades, “Rear Pew Mirror: Reflections from the Back of the Sanctuary.” Even better, columnist Doug Brook has also released Volume II: The Wrath of Columns. Just be sure to use his name in the Amazon search, or you’ll come up with a bunch of car parts.
This Week In Southern Jewish Life
The South’s Most Comprehensive Weekly Jewish News Email To Subscribe, send an email to subscribe@sjlmag.com
Southern Jewish Gifts
Gus Mayer blends tradition with service, modern fashions
By Lee J. Green
With the seamless blending of tradition, service and modern fashions, a 125-year-old, Jewish-owned department store has thrived in today’s retail world.
“Gus Mayer has succeeded through the years by building relationships with our customers and offering very personal, tailored shopping experiences,” said General Manager Chuck Mallett.
Gus Mayer opened his first store on Canal Street in New Orleans in 1900. The company grew to include numerous locations across the South and Midwest, with the Birmingham store opening in 1922 on Fifth Avenue North.
In 1899, one year before Gus Mayer launched its New Orleans store, Louis Pizitz opened the Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Company in downtown Birmingham.
In 1923, he opened the flagship Pizitz department store in an eight-story building he had constructed. A second phase was completed in 1925 to comprise 225,000 square feet of retail and storage space, making it the largest department store in the city.
The store was very popular and years later a significant expansion plan progressed. Pizitz opened its first store outside of Birmingham in Bessemer in 1956, and other locations would be built in several Alabama cities.
In 1975, the Pizitz and Birmingham Gus Mayer stories were stitched together. The Gus Mayer store moved from the building on Highland Avenue that now houses Bottega to Brookwood Mall, and later that year the Pizitz Management Group purchased the store. They moved the Birmingham location to its current Summit location in 2011, and opened a second location in Nashville.
Mallett said the fabric of Gus Mayer and the Pizitz family legacy has been created through community involvement.
Since 1983, they have sponsored the Linly Heflin Annual Scholarship Fashion Show. Held on October 15 at The Club, the event raises money to fund college scholarships for women in Alabama.
Gus Mayer also has for many years supported Birmingham Hadassah fundraisers. “We’re where we are today thanks to a supportive community and we love opportunities that we can give back,” he said.
Mallett said the store hosts regular trunk shows and other events, including their Nov. 23 holiday open house and vintage Chanel handbag event, Dec. 17 to 20.
When asked about contemporary trends in women’s fashions, he said there has been a movement toward denim, animal prints and clothes that are reminiscent of 1990s elevated fashions.
“We’ve also seen a rise in popularity of faux furs thanks to innovations that make it look and feel more like real fur,” said Mallett.
And while most people know about Gus Mayer’s core of modern, upscale women’s fashions, they’ve built a reputation in recent years by bringing in more accessories, home goods and gift items.
Gus Mayer sells everything from Michael Aram menorahs to SMEG vintage-looking appliances to Mah Jongg sets to toys and gifts for girls. The Summit store also includes a Levy’s Fine Jewelry counter and an extensive women’s shoes department.
“We want to provide the expected and the unexpected,” said Mallett. “We embrace the challenge of finding unique items that complement our core well and help make gift-giving special.”
Rubensteins
Southern Jewish Gifts
102 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans 504/581.6666 rubensteinsneworleans.com
In addition to the Mardi Gras bow tie, the FlamBow (page 43), other items at Rubensteins on Canal include prehistoric one-of-a-kind dinosaur cufflinks
Crafted from rare red fossilised dinosaur bone discovered in the ancient beds of Utah, each stone is naturally unique in pattern and shape. Set in a polished rhodium-plated sterling silver casing to highlight the stone’s rich texture and deep crimson hues, they have been limited to only four pairs in existence for a true collector’s piece.
A beautiful mix of wool and cashmere has been blended to create this super-soft scarf (left), perfect for chilly days. Featuring an allover signature Barbour tartan pattern, the multi-functional accessory is finished with a classic tasselled hem.
Hollywood Feed
Stores in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Oxford, Jackson, Southaven, Shreveport hollywoodfeed.com
The Mississippi Made Donut Bed gives your pet the comfort of the couch with the durability of high-quality, USA Made fabrics. The unique donut shape allows your pet to snuggle, burrow, and curl up for the ultimate rest – bedtime, naptime, and in between. Both the outer plush ring and the baffled inner pillow retain their fluff for many relaxing ZZZZs. The removable, machine washable cover allows for easy cleaning to keep your pet’s bed fresh.
Nubbie Buddies are designed to delight your furry friend, featuring rubber nubs for a teeth-massaging experience and an attention-grabbing squeaker. With a plush fabric exterior, your dog can play freely and discover the hidden surprise of a nubbie rubber ball within. This toy offers double the fun with an extra bonus toy concealed inside, making it a must-have for playful pups!
Hollywood Feed Georgia Smoked Duck and Black Bean Jerky Treats are natural, holistic, and made from nutritious ingredients that will have your dog begging for more. Formulated for high, single animal protein source, this jerky is perfect for training or a healthy snack. These delicious treats are manufactured in the USA with only six highquality ingredients, ensuring maximum safety standards and a taste your dog will crave.
Applause Dancewear
1629 Oxmoor Rd Homewood 205/871-7837 applausedancewear.net
Southern Jewish Gifts
As a locally, family owned dance store, Applause proudly supports dancers preparing for winter performances of all kinds — including the beloved Nutcracker. As stages across our community light up for holiday celebrations, school recitals, parades and seasonal showcases, we’re here to make sure every dancer feels prepared from head to toe. We carry all your essentials — undergarments, quality dance shoes, tights, and the perfect accessories for last minute costume changes. We also have the best dance inspired gift items that are perfect for students, teachers, and the performers you love.
Bloch Booties: The gift every dancer will love this season: cozy warm up booties (above) in stylish pastels that keep muscles warm and ready during rehearsals. They slip perfectly over dance shoes, protecting them from dirt and damage when walking outside.
Capezio Lifeknit Sox: The ideal holiday gift for dancers who love jazz, contemporary, lyrical, or studio practice. They offer comfort, control, and a barefoot feel. Available in classic flesh tones, black, and exciting new tie-dye prints.
HELPING
BUYERS & SELLERS IN BIRMINGHAM SINCE 2004
Ashley Lewis and the Fred Smith Group employ an aggressive marketing plan unlike any other Realtors in the area. We believe in marketing beyond the sign, and go the extra mile to help our clients. Our goal is to sell your home or property for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.
Earthborn Pottery
7575 Parkway Drive Leeds, Ala 205/702.7055 earthbornpottery.net
With the first night of Chanukah on December 14, the blue lights will shine into the holiday at Earthborn Studios.
On Dec. 13 and 14, the Leeds art and ceramics studio will host its annual Blue Light Special Art Show. This unique event embraces the imperfect or flawed “seconds” that normally don’t see the light of commerce, along with the best each of the more than 50 artists have to offer.
The show will be held in a connecting 24,000-square-foot building. As part of the event, local potters have been paired with local chefs who will be providing lunch.
A $25 donation gets hot soup and bread served in handmade Earthborn bowls. Proceeds benefit First Light Women’s Shelter.
Earthborn Studios produces highend, chef-quality pottery and has been featured on shows including Iron Chef America. Their pottery was also featured in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
McWane Science Center boldly goes beyond
By Lee J. Green
The McWane Science Center’s mission centers on STEM learning and recent and upcoming exhibitions apply that to space, time and music.
McWane’s Mission: Astronaut (through January 4) offers interactive exhibits about space travel and living in anti-gravity environments.
“We want kids to understand that there is STEM learning in so much of our lives,” said Bob Levine, McWane’s Master Plan Project Member. “This exhibition looks at the science, technology, engineering and mathematics involved in going to space and becoming an astronaut. It shows kids the application on STEM learning.”
The exhibit includes simulations, examples of foods and how to grow life in space and videos of current as well as past astronauts.
“We’ve had some space-themed movies in our IMAX, but it’s the first time we’ve had a spacethemed exhibit at the McWane,” said Levine.
He said McWane Science Center Director of Exhibits Eric Lizee is leading an effort to create a Hip-Hop exhibit there, likely some time in early 2026.
Lize’s wife, Michele Forman, is also making a documentary about the McWane Science Center’s newly opened terrapin nursery. The newest part of the McWane aquarium shows kids how the endangered, semi-aquatic terrapins primarily from the Mississippi Delta region can thrive.
“We have a partnership with UAB, and their aquarists are here showing attendees how they care for the terrapins, and our educators let them know what they can do for their environment,” he said.
McWane Director of Marketing and Public Relations Annie Strong said they have a large collection of fossils, including a significant one related to the Alabama state fossil. The center is home to an 80-foot fossil whale that is believed to be a Basilosaurus and will be displayed in its lobby within the first three months of 2026.
She said more than 350,000 visitors from across the world visit the McWane Science Center every year, and more than seven million since it opened in 1998.
Jewish mother’s sweet business grows
By Lee J. Green
Jewish entrepreneur Lynn Lasher knew she wanted to honor mothers and to make sweet kosher food products that elicit smiles.
“My family moved to Houston when I was 13 and for a party, one of my mother’s friends brought this chocolate sauce she made,” said Lasher. “I thought to myself, ‘this is so good. Everyone should have it in their house’.”
Almost 40 years later, Lasher took a leap of faith and came up with the idea for Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate Sauce. Last year, the company launched its e-commerce site and started sending its sweet treats across the country.
They sell six different dessert sauces — mocha, praline, island, white chocolate, chocolate and caramel — and recently launched lebkuchen, moist German cakes similar to brownies.
Under every jar lid, there are 48 different funny, profound and inspirational quotes from famous mothers. There is even an option to customize the lids with personal quotes.
“I owe the inspiration to my mother and grandmother,” said Lasher. “When my mom turned 60, she learned to use the computer by coming up with a cookbook of family recipes to give to her kids. I decided to sell a chocolate sauce my mom had made for us growing up.”
After a long career in financial services, Lasher started Somebody’s Mother’s in 2005 to “teach my three children how to start a business and to do something they believe in. I looked at this like a grown-up lemonade stand.”
Lasher comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. Her great-great-uncle Henri Bendel, who hailed from Lafayette, started the Henri Bendel women’s department store in New York City in 1895. The brand expanded over the decades to become a national chain of 28 stores before closing in 2018.
Lasher’s daughter, Hayden Lasher, was inspired by her and the stores to start a now-globally-known line of Belgian handbags.
“My kids were so helpful with growing Somebody’s Mother’s, and I’m so proud of what they have accomplished,” she said. “And now I have some grandkids to be my ‘official tasters’ for new products we develop. It makes it to special for it to be something our family can all share in.”
For more information and to order, go to www.somebodysmothers.com
Somebody’s Mother’s lebkuchen
Southern Jewish Gifts
And one to grow on
By Lee J. Green
Birmingham’s newest garden shop has already grown a following with “thinking outside the flowerpot” when it comes to unique gift items.
The Trellis Nursery opened in November off Blue Lake Road behind the Colonnade. In addition to a diverse selection of plants and flowers, they sell dog collars; kits to grow catnip and edible grass for dogs; kits for growing items used in cuisine; gifts for teachers, home accessories, even Chanukah cards made of seeds that can be planted.
“I want people to come here and just feel good. It was my goal to create a fun, relaxing environment and to be an oasis for those who love working in the garden,” said owner Marcie Hollingsworth. “When I was planning what to bring in for the store, I just thought about the things I loved and some things I wanted that were hard to find around here.”
Hollingsworth grew up with a mom who was an avid gardener and grandparents who had a small farm in Oneonta. She graduated from Auburn in 2010 and moved to Birmingham shortly after.
“I lived in a downtown loft for years and then six years ago I bought a house (near The Trellis in Vestavia). I worked hard at my job during the week and on the weekend I become obsessed with working in the yard, coming up with unique ways to beautify our house,” she said. “Then one day a couple years ago I said, ‘this is what I want to do with my life. I want to share this joy with others’.”
The Trellis offers a wide array of flowers, plants and customized arrangements. They also sell gardening tools and books.
But they also sell all-organic skin care items and kits to grow peppermint, chocolate and hops for beer. “We’ve also got scented candles and other home goods,” said Hollingworth.
She said they plan to update much of their stock seasonally. Currently they have more perennials and “cold-hearty” flowers (even some dragon fruit cacti).
>> Rear Pew Mirror
continued from page 46 package for all the speckled and spotted goats and all the dark-colored sheep.
Laban agreed to Jacob’s proposed Employee Livestock Purchase Plan. Jacob then manipulated the flocks through some clever animal husbandry, resulting in Jacob getting a windfall at Laban’s expense.
It’s also noteworthy that Jacob was able to simultaneously have two wives and two additional mothers to his children, all without raising any ethical investigations.
Joseph’s origin story was colorful. Ultimately, he started a new life far from home and found great success there, to the eventual benefit of his entire family, even though he’d never aspired to it and didn’t even initiate it.
In their own ways, each of these ancestors was promised the moon — or, at least, the stars in the sky. They didn’t negotiate much on what they’d receive, though, which is why it’s common today for Jewish fathers to ask their kin if their job offers include dental.
Doug Brook hopes this column pays off. Or, at least, that it’s paid off. To acquire both Rear Pew Mirror books, read other past columns, or listen to the Rear Pew Mirror podcast, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/.
Genesis of Executive Compensation
A lot has been said in recent years about the exorbitant increases in CEO pay across various industries. The most colorful words are said when comparing them to the relatively molecular increases in pay for John Q. Publicstein.
Is this a new phenomenon? Or, has exorbitant executive pay been a practice since biblical times?
Inquiring minds want to know why we think they’d want to know. If only they knew.
The Torah doesn’t include any executives, as such. There are no corporations in the Torah, despite how much this wacky world seems like it must have been created by committee.
Nevertheless, the Torah depicts leaders. Leadership is what executives are all about. As an obscure Jewish leader has often said, “I don’t work for a living, I’m in management.”
So, let’s review the compensation packages awarded to our forelions, foretigers, and forebears. Were our three forefathers Torahic tycoons or innocent biblestanders?
In the beginning, Adam’s compensation emulated modern high-tech startups by providing free meals — “you’re free to eat of every tree of the garden” except for two particular trees.
Of course, Adam was ultimately found in breach of contract for violating the one and only rule ever created until that time, and he was forced to relocate for future work.
Noah, after some significant issues with the plumbing, received an over-arcing guarantee that Facilities would never let the whole place be flooded again.
Abraham’s deal included stipulations making him into “a great nation” and that his descendants would be “as the dust of the earth, as one can count the dust of the earth.”
This clause was later amended – seemingly to make it clearer or, at least, cleaner – by promising that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. The currents and eddies of time, however, have made some question how cloudy it was that night.
Abraham was also promised a specific piece of land for his descendants, for all time. That, of course, has gone well.
Isaac was a man of few words, so he kept the family business intact and signed a similar package to Abraham. Isaac didn’t negotiate any new terms, carrying forward that his heirs would be “as numerous as the stars of heaven” and, again, including a long-term real estate proviso.
Jacob was nearly saddled with the same deal but was able to secure an expansion. Not only would his descendants be as numerous “as the dust of the earth,” they’d spread out and become “an assembly of nations.”
In matters that are more down to earth, when Jacob worked for Laban he agreed to a seven-year contract at the end of which he’d get to marry Rachel. Laban exercised a technicality and married him to Leah instead. Human Resources hadn’t yet been invented, so Jacob was stuck agreeing to another seven years to win Rachel’s hand. (And the rest of her.)
After their honeymoon, Jacob agreed to work six more years, at the end of which he finally got the better of his boss. Jacob negotiated a severance
